LotR1-FotR-Seq08 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

alatar · 01-16-2007, 10:50 AM

My son, becoming more interested in the Star Wars movies, purchased with his 'Tooth Fairy' money the third episode in the series ("Revenge of the Sith"). I stayed up late to watch it so at least I would have possible explanations for all of the questions that I get asked about the characters in the Star Wars universe.

That and it wasn't that bad.

Anyway, I noted that Natalie Portman's performance wasn't stellar, and she I know has a track record of good acting, and so I conclude that the directors/producers are in some part (major?) responsible for the actor's on-screen performance. We can't blame it all on Elijah, Sean or John.

Břicho · 01-17-2007, 01:10 AM

Certainly. Very true. Lucas makes even great actors like Liam Neeson look bad. I don't think that Peter Jackson did a bad job of directing the actors though, I think they are nearly all great--the only problems I have with the characters in the movies are the way a few of them are written and some of Jackson's choices.

alatar · 01-17-2007, 01:47 PM

Exactly. Just want to be sure that, as with the praise, that the blame is spread evenly as well. Great actors crash and burn with poor scripts, and mediocre actors are buoyed/uplifted by great writing/directlng.

My two cents.

And, Břicho, welcome to the Downs!

Essex · 01-23-2007, 01:23 PM

Let me also add my agreement. I think the acting and especially the way you can see in the Extras how Jackson got his thespians to repeat a scene again and again until he was satisfied (shoot me down if you like, but I compare PJ to Stanley Kubrick in this regard) was trully enspired in this Trilogy.

And a complete opposite to this would be Samuel L Jackon's wooden acting in the Star Wars prequels. I truly believe this is the worst acting I have ever seen by a 'good' actor on Screen. And this must be largely due to the way Lucas wanted him to portray his character.

PS - The nearest 'bad' acting I have seen to compare with SJ's character in Star Wars was Harry Enfiled in the first series of Men Behaving Badly which was truly awful!!

Elladan and Elrohir · 01-23-2007, 02:52 PM

Yes, George Lucas is one of the worst directors of acting ever to make a big-budget film. It still mystifies me how he managed to get memorable performances in the original Star Wars film. I mean, the acting is not stellar there, but it's not terrible.

At any rate, PJ is a masterful director of actors. As Essex points out, he's big on doing lots of takes and having his actors repeat the lines in every possible way, so that he can pick out which one works exactly. I suppose you could say that in a way, it leaves less room for actors to interpret their own characters. But then again, for a project like this, I'm not sure that's a bad thing.

sassyfriend · 09-07-2011, 07:54 AM

Still not sure what to make of Arwen or Eowyn for that matter. They are both pretty though.

01-16-2007, 10:50 AM	#1
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	My son, becoming more interested in the Star Wars movies, purchased with his 'Tooth Fairy' money the third episode in the series ("Revenge of the Sith"). I stayed up late to watch it so at least I would have possible explanations for all of the questions that I get asked about the characters in the Star Wars universe. That and it wasn't that bad. Anyway, I noted that Natalie Portman's performance wasn't stellar, and she I know has a track record of good acting, and so I conclude that the directors/producers are in some part (major?) responsible for the actor's on-screen performance. We can't blame it all on Elijah, Sean or John. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

01-17-2007, 01:10 AM	#2
Břicho Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vsetin Czech Republic Posts: 36	Certainly. Very true. Lucas makes even great actors like Liam Neeson look bad. I don't think that Peter Jackson did a bad job of directing the actors though, I think they are nearly all great--the only problems I have with the characters in the movies are the way a few of them are written and some of Jackson's choices. __________________ Only when you lose can you really know what it is exactly that you know

01-17-2007, 01:47 PM	#3
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Exactly. Just want to be sure that, as with the praise, that the blame is spread evenly as well. Great actors crash and burn with poor scripts, and mediocre actors are buoyed/uplifted by great writing/directlng. My two cents. And, Břicho, welcome to the Downs! __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

01-23-2007, 02:52 PM	#5
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	Yes, George Lucas is one of the worst directors of acting ever to make a big-budget film. It still mystifies me how he managed to get memorable performances in the original Star Wars film. I mean, the acting is not stellar there, but it's not terrible. At any rate, PJ is a masterful director of actors. As Essex points out, he's big on doing lots of takes and having his actors repeat the lines in every possible way, so that he can pick out which one works exactly. I suppose you could say that in a way, it leaves less room for actors to interpret their own characters. But then again, for a project like this, I'm not sure that's a bad thing. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

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01-23-2007, 01:23 PM	#4
Essex Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 886	Let me also add my agreement. I think the acting and especially the way you can see in the Extras how Jackson got his thespians to repeat a scene again and again until he was satisfied (shoot me down if you like, but I compare PJ to Stanley Kubrick in this regard) was trully enspired in this Trilogy. And a complete opposite to this would be Samuel L Jackon's wooden acting in the Star Wars prequels. I truly believe this is the worst acting I have ever seen by a 'good' actor on Screen. And this must be largely due to the way Lucas wanted him to portray his character. PS - The nearest 'bad' acting I have seen to compare with SJ's character in Star Wars was Harry Enfiled in the first series of Men Behaving Badly which was truly awful!!

09-07-2011, 07:54 AM	#6
sassyfriend Wight Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 165	Still not sure what to make of Arwen or Eowyn for that matter. They are both pretty though.