Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:08 pm Post subject: Black Swan 2010
Darren Aronofsky's latest movie with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.
• Plot Summary: A supernatural thriller set in the world of New York City ballet. "Black Swan" centers on a veteran ballerina (Portman) who finds herself locked in a competitive situation with a rival dancer, with the stakes and twists increasing as the dancers approach a big performance. But it's unclear whether the rival is a supernatural apparition or if the protagonist is simply having delusions.
I'm definitely looking forward to this one, as I've never been disappointed with his movies.
Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 1968 Location: Progress City
Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:00 pm Post subject:
Yeah, Im not really sure how this popped up on the radar either. Unless it's cuz of the Padme in prancing panties appeal. Im not really scared or intrigued by anything thats going to happen in a ballerina's life. Unless they are naked, and even then they are usually too skinny for my taste. So I'm kind of mystified by the attention this things getting. Maybe I'm just missing something though. That happens a lot.
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 1432 Location: Down the rabbit hole
Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:19 am Post subject:
The initial blurb that I saw had it as a supernatural battle between a ballerina (Portman) and the ghost of a dead ballerina (Kunis) for the possession of Natalie's soul, as the stage consumes her in her bid to win this role. Not sure they portray that in the trailer.
So I finally get a day off, and I'm excited to finally get to see this as I've heard all the great buzz about the movie as it was supposed to hit theaters yesterday. . .only to find out it it's only showing in 18 theaters in the nation.
Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 464 Location: Southern California
Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 2:30 pm Post subject:
Well, the real reason to be excited about this film (IMHO) is its director, Darren Aronofsky. I'm also a big fan of Michael Powell's The Red Shoes and there seems to be a number of homages to that film in the Black Swan.
it's two chicks arguing about .... .... oh, I'm sorry, I fell asleep just typing this sentence out. They're arguing about who gets the good part in a ballet. To each his own I suppose.
So tell us. what's great about the movie? spill the plot.
Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 326 Location: Southern California
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:39 pm Post subject:
Well with a movie like this, it's boiled down to "Two ballerinas battle over the top spot in Swan Lake" but it's obviously more complex than that. The basic narrative is: NY Ballet group starts showcasing the "classics" in new edgy staging. The aging prima ballerina is leaving the company but not by her own will. Nina is a young talented but stiff ballerina who wants to be perfect. She lives with her creepy and overbearing former ballerina mother. the Director doesn't see the duality of the frail white swan and the sensual black swan in Nina, but eventually offers her the role. Meanwhile Mila Kunis' character is a sexy and interesting dancer who keeps popping up throughout rehearsal and outside of the theater. She shows Nina a life outside of ballet and causes her to open up some. Nina however does have some issues with letting go and the film is mostly her physical and psychological reaction to the pressures she puts on herself as she nears opening night.
It's full of some interesting metaphors and symbolism, some more obvious than others. Portman's character transformation is the real plot, with the character psychologically breaking down under the "pressure"--some imaginary and some very real. as she is told to "let go" to become the black swan she loses her grip on reality. the imagery is very interesting
it's not a bad movie at all. it's obviously not star wars but its obviously not a weird ballet backstabbing chick flick the way its being marketed
#1. do you see any incredibly hot, ballerina ASS? (tit's are non-existent, i've seen the pics)
#2. does Portman get her neck slit in a bloodbath ballerina showdown?
Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 464 Location: Southern California
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:54 pm Post subject:
Longtime_Sunshine wrote:
It's full of some interesting metaphors and symbolism, some more obvious than others. Portman's character transformation is the real plot, with the character psychologically breaking down under the "pressure"--some imaginary and some very real. as she is told to "let go" to become the black swan she loses her grip on reality. the imagery is very interesting
Finally caught the flick today. I think you could argue that the film is as much about Portman's own transformation as an actress as it is about her character's. Even though she doesn't reveal any nudity here, I don't think Portman has ever been so overtly sexual in a role before. I actually felt a little uncomfortable during a couple scenes early on that I thought veered on gratuitous and unnecessary.
I thought it was a good movie, not a great movie. Aronofsky's direction is confident but I thought the movie was a little unsure of itself until the very end (which surprisingly has a lot in common with his previous, "The Wrestler"). It has some very good moments but never really adds up to much other than a kind of character study. It's worth a watch but I don't think I'd ever revisit it.
Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 1968 Location: Progress City
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:12 pm Post subject:
Longtime_Sunshine wrote:
the secret ballet audience.
That was funny.
I somehow think they should continue to keep themselves secret. But then again, I have been called 'crude' on a number of occasions, so perhaps I'm just projecting my own inner conflict upon them in order to prop up my own fragile ego. Or not. I dunno', my brain is all Ravioli-os these days.
From what I've seen, and read in places like this, this is a 'Redbox' movie at best.
I felt a great disturbance in the force, it was as if a million SW fans who thought they even had the remotest chance with her, cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.
Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 1968 Location: Progress City
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:12 pm Post subject:
Well, I read a yahoonews article where her new beau was heavily quoted from an interview he did with Out magazine a while back. So some of you still have a chance to know what it tastes like, at least....
Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 1968 Location: Progress City
Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:18 am Post subject:
I'm comfortable enough with my own machismo to admit, another man being a ballet dancer, and doing an interview with a magazine that caters to the afformentioned "secret ballet audience", may all not neccesarily be proof that he in fact is a homosexual. And if he is, so be it. More t&a for the rest of us. Personally, I wish I was the only straight man left on Earth, but I digress. Maybe his slippers go on either foot if you know what I mean. Whatever floats your boat over Swan Lake and whatnot.
Still haven't seen this. The movie experience of 'not-smoking' and 'no pause function' have made me decide to wait for the DVD, or a faster internet connection and some questionably legal viewing down the road.
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