The New York Film Critics Circle: "Milk" Best Film of 2008

[Al_The_Strange]

Still haven't seen Milk. Do love me some TDK, Wall*E, LTROI, Gran Torino, Love Exposure, Ip Man, and Wanted, among others. 2008 was great.

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

Josh Brolin should have won best supporting actor over Ledger.

I get that you're a Nolan hater, but let's not pretend that Ledger's performance in TDK is anything less than godly.

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

I get that you're a Nolan hater, but let's not pretend that Ledger's performance in TDK is anything less than godly.

It isn't even close to Nicholson's.

[Cremildo]

My pick for best film of 2008 wasn't nominated for any "important" awards - Paul Schrader's Adam Resurrected.

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

It isn't even close to Nicholson's.

lmao

[Truewitt]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

I get that you're a Nolan hater, but let's not pretend that Ledger's performance in TDK is anything less than godly.

It's okay.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

It isn't even close to Nicholson's.

Agreed, Ledger was WAY better.

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Agreed, Ledger was WAY better.

Nicholson's Joker actually seems like it belongs in a comic book. Ledger is some random criminal who paints his face. Batman 1989 is also the better movie than The Dark Knight. So is Milk.

The scene when Nicholson's Joker introduces himself to the mob bosses is funny and terrifying at the same time and makes the same scene with Ledger's Joker seem silly.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

Nicholson's Joker actually seems like it belongs in a comic book. Ledger is some random criminal who paints his face. Batman 1989 is also the better movie than The Dark Knight. So is Milk.

The scene when Nicholson's Joker introduces himself to the mob bosses is funny and terrifying at the same time and makes the same scene with Ledger's Joker seem silly.

I mean, I think they both work well for the movies they're in. But Ledger's is a far deeper and more transformative performance. Nicholson's is caricature, which is fine for what Burton was going for. But it's not in the same league as Ledger's.

[jess1581]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

It isn't even close to Nicholson's.

Lol. Nicholson acting like Nicholson is not quite as big an achievement.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by jess1581

Lol. Nicholson acting like Nicholson is not quite as big an achievement.

Are you saying Nicholson is really a psychotic murdering clown in real life?

[jess1581]

Originally Posted by Poya

Are you saying Nicholson is really a psychotic murdering clown in real life?

Or a psychotic axe wielding writer, or a horny devil... or maybe he's just goin south... but damn I can't really tell which...

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

I mean, I think they both work well for the movies they're in. But Ledger's is a far deeper and more transformative performance. Nicholson's is caricature, which is fine for what Burton was going for. But it's not in the same league as Ledger's.

I thought both were exceptional in their given roles. Nicholson ran with what he was given and he was creepy and psychotic as hell. Ledger reinvented the Joker in a way that no one expected. That man was an incredible talent and had he lived, he would have more than one award sitting on his shelf, IMO. For me, Ledger's finest role will always be Brokeback Mountain.

Comparing them side-by-side really shouldn't be done. They stand quite well on their own.

[imsounoriginal]

I dunno, I never found Nicholson's Joker creepy. More cartoonish in a Cesar Romero sort of way. And again, that's fine. Love me some Batman '89 (Returns, not so much). But Ledger is on another level.