My viewing of The Artist today - Blu-ray Forum

Josh5890 · 12-30-2011, 03:33 AM

First and formost, I apoligize for this. This is more of a blog post than a forum post. I really want to share my experience I had this evening at the show. I hope you like this.

Tonight I went to the movie theater to go see The Artist. I had never seen a silent film before in a theater setting so I was excited for this experience. None of my local theaters are showing this picture so I was forced to drive up to Lombard (40 minute drive). Believe it or not, it added to the experience in a positive way. My 15 year old brother tagged along with me. When we entered the room, I was suprised to see that more people attended the showing (60-65% full). Also, there were more younger people like me in attendence although the older audience (mid 40's-early 60's) had a slight majority. One thing that really, really helped make tonight special was no cell phone incidents. The last few shows for me, with younger and older audiences, had some serious issues that put me on the edge.

When the film began (in 4:3 ratio

), there was a silence across the entire theater I have never experienced. Then the music started to play. Immediately I was drawn in to the story. It reminded me of the start of Singing in the Rain. There were laughs to get the audience going and during the slower points we were quiet and watching happpily. The silence in the theater almost put me in tears, not kidding.

The Artist felt like a film made in the 20's. The special effects, the camera angles, dialogue, and of course, acting. The main actor looked alot like Clark Gable (even though he was a star after the silent era). It was very amazing how they were able to sucessfully make a film using techniques from 90 years ago. At the end of the film everyone was applauding the film. I won't spoil anything but when John Goodman says at the end "One more please?", I wanted to say the same thing.

With the exception seeing Star Wars for the first time in 1997, (nothing will ever top a 7 year olds first time seeing that gem in a theater) tonight was the greatest experience I have enjoyed at a movie theater.

Aerodude73 · 12-30-2011, 04:44 AM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Great post - glad you had such an Enjoyable movie-going experience. I Really want to see this movie myself but it's not playing here yet.

X12Celtics3 · 12-30-2011, 03:39 PM

Yup, I can't wait to see this. Its not coming to Concord until January 20th, but I'll be sure to see it when it does.

Donat96 · 12-30-2011, 03:43 PM

Thank you for your review. I have been waiting patiently for this to come to my area, and I am very excited to see this whenever it does arrive. I'm glad to hear it was great.

McCrutchy · 12-30-2011, 07:59 PM

I saw this today, it was absolutely incredible. Definitely my favorite film of 2011 so far. My theater was sparsely populated and I was the youngest by many years, I believe, but still, I noticed the same magical silence for the whole film. I was also so pleased that this was shot in Academy Ratio (1:37:1) and not widescreen, as it really maintained the atmosphere.

If the Academy has any sense left, this will win Best Picture and Jean Dujardin will win Best Actor for his incredible performance as George Valentin.

A terrific film that I cannot wait to own on Blu-ray.

SquidPuppet · 12-30-2011, 08:17 PM

Damnit. I wanna see this in a theater but I know it wont play anywhere near me.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Atreyu · 12-30-2011, 09:39 PM

I want to see this film so bad. The last time I really got excited about seeing a movie this bad was when I saw Ed Wood as I love his films. I am just as excited, if more so, to see The Artist, but do not know if it will come to my neck of the woods or not.

toddly6666 · 12-31-2011, 12:12 AM

The Artist should win Best Picture of the year. For anyone that has this movie playing in the theater, GO see it in the theater - The Artist is a theater movie - dont choose to just watch it on bluray in your home theater (unless u have no other choice).

Jean Dejardin is also very Gene Kelly-ish in this film too!

I also dont remember a film in which all ages (young to old) of the audience really enjoyed a film.

masoud90 · 12-31-2011, 03:45 PM

THE ARTIST is the best picture of 2011.

Nicholas Vargo · 12-31-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masoud90

THE ARTIST is the best picture of 2011.

Here, here! And to think it took me a second viewing to realize that it kicks the shit out of both Super 8 and Hugo. What was wrong with me on that initial viewing? Oh, I know. I was so tired that I couldn't enjoy the full experience, but it still ranked #3 after that viewing, so it definitely made an impression. When I saw it again last night, it completley absorbed me. It's an amazing film, pure and simple! And here's hoping it gets the most nominations come Oscar announcment morning!

Walts Ghost · 12-31-2011, 11:46 PM

I want to see it so bad.

Hopefully soon...

The_Basterd · 01-01-2012, 12:52 AM

I've seen this three times.

September with the cast and director @ TIF/bragging

End of November.
End of December.

thelittleprince · 01-04-2012, 06:36 PM

Gimmicky. But a darn good one at that. I don't mind watching classic silent B&W films, but I don't expect Hollywood to start churning out silent B&W films again after this movie. 4/5

P@t_Mtl · 01-04-2012, 06:40 PM

Jean Dujardin is a amazing actor and not well known outside of France (and maybe Quebec a little

)

I cannot wait to see this movie.

thelittleprince · 01-04-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Jean Dujardin is a amazing actor and not well known outside of France (and maybe Quebec a little

)

I cannot wait to see this movie.

Without looking at his filmography, I have to say I am not familiar with him. He is a charismatic actor and fits the part well. He reminds me of a young Sean Connery and Omar Sharif.

P@t_Mtl · 01-04-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelittleprince

Without looking at his filmography, I have to say I am not familiar with him. He is a charismatic actor and fits the part well. He reminds me of a young Sean Connery and Omar Sharif.

Funny you said Sean Connery. You should see him in OSS 117 it's scary there a few times you actually think it's Sean Connery

However being comedies I don't know how funny they would be in English

thelittleprince · 01-04-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Funny you said Sean Connery. You should see him in OSS 117 it's scary there a few times you actually think it's Sean Connery

However being comedies I don't know how funny they would be in English

I enjoy watching foreign language films and will check out some of his films if I can find them. Thanks for the recommendation.

JenM · 01-05-2012, 03:21 PM

I saw this last week. Loved it. The story is simple, but the performances were so good and the story was so engrossing I almost forgot I was watching a silent film. Definitely one of my favorite movies of 2011.

12-30-2011, 03:33 AM	#1
Josh5890 Power Member Member since:Apr 2010 Location:Mokena, IL 4K collection:39 Blu-ray collection:601 Trading Score:26	My viewing of The Artist today First and formost, I apoligize for this. This is more of a blog post than a forum post. I really want to share my experience I had this evening at the show. I hope you like this. Tonight I went to the movie theater to go see The Artist. I had never seen a silent film before in a theater setting so I was excited for this experience. None of my local theaters are showing this picture so I was forced to drive up to Lombard (40 minute drive). Believe it or not, it added to the experience in a positive way. My 15 year old brother tagged along with me. When we entered the room, I was suprised to see that more people attended the showing (60-65% full). Also, there were more younger people like me in attendence although the older audience (mid 40's-early 60's) had a slight majority. One thing that really, really helped make tonight special was no cell phone incidents. The last few shows for me, with younger and older audiences, had some serious issues that put me on the edge. When the film began (in 4:3 ratio), there was a silence across the entire theater I have never experienced. Then the music started to play. Immediately I was drawn in to the story. It reminded me of the start of Singing in the Rain. There were laughs to get the audience going and during the slower points we were quiet and watching happpily. The silence in the theater almost put me in tears, not kidding. The Artist felt like a film made in the 20's. The special effects, the camera angles, dialogue, and of course, acting. The main actor looked alot like Clark Gable (even though he was a star after the silent era). It was very amazing how they were able to sucessfully make a film using techniques from 90 years ago. At the end of the film everyone was applauding the film. I won't spoil anything but when John Goodman says at the end "One more please?", I wanted to say the same thing. With the exception seeing Star Wars for the first time in 1997, (nothing will ever top a 7 year olds first time seeing that gem in a theater) tonight was the greatest experience I have enjoyed at a movie theater.

12-31-2011, 12:12 AM	#8
toddly6666 Blu-ray Baron Top contributor Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Hong Kong Home Theater Gallery:20 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:1441 DVD collection:31 Blu-ray reviews: 290 Trading Score:61	The Artist should win Best Picture of the year. For anyone that has this movie playing in the theater, GO see it in the theater - The Artist is a theater movie - dont choose to just watch it on bluray in your home theater (unless u have no other choice). Jean Dejardin is also very Gene Kelly-ish in this film too! I also dont remember a film in which all ages (young to old) of the audience really enjoyed a film. Last edited by toddly6666; 12-31-2011 at 12:15 AM.

12-30-2011, 04:44 AM	#2
Aerodude73 Blu-ray Archduke Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Middletown, RI (MEMBER OF THE "ECPP")™ Home Theater Gallery:134 4K collection:429 Blu-ray collection:2500 DVD collection:7 Digital collection:3 Blu-ray reviews:9 Trading Score:31	^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Great post - glad you had such an Enjoyable movie-going experience. I Really want to see this movie myself but it's not playing here yet.

12-30-2011, 03:39 PM	#3
X12Celtics3 Senior Member Member since:Jan 2010 Blu-ray collection:427	Yup, I can't wait to see this. Its not coming to Concord until January 20th, but I'll be sure to see it when it does.

12-30-2011, 03:43 PM	#4
Donat96 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2010 Location:The Aphelion Blu-ray reviews: 4 Trading Score:83	Thank you for your review. I have been waiting patiently for this to come to my area, and I am very excited to see this whenever it does arrive. I'm glad to hear it was great.

12-30-2011, 07:59 PM	#5
McCrutchy Contributor Top contributor Member since:Dec 2008 Location:East Coast, USA Home Theater Gallery:2 4K collection:1276 Blu-ray collection:6790 DVD collection:254 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:17	I saw this today, it was absolutely incredible. Definitely my favorite film of 2011 so far. My theater was sparsely populated and I was the youngest by many years, I believe, but still, I noticed the same magical silence for the whole film. I was also so pleased that this was shot in Academy Ratio (1:37:1) and not widescreen, as it really maintained the atmosphere. If the Academy has any sense left, this will win Best Picture and Jean Dujardin will win Best Actor for his incredible performance as George Valentin. A terrific film that I cannot wait to own on Blu-ray.

12-30-2011, 08:17 PM	#6
SquidPuppet Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Club Loop Blu-ray collection:277 Blu-ray reviews:27	Damnit. I wanna see this in a theater but I know it wont play anywhere near me. Glad you enjoyed it.

12-30-2011, 09:39 PM	#7
Atreyu Blu-ray Knight Member since:Dec 2008 Location:North Carolina 4K collection:374 Blu-ray collection:1884 DVD collection:619 Digital collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 299 Trading Score:4	I want to see this film so bad. The last time I really got excited about seeing a movie this bad was when I saw Ed Wood as I love his films. I am just as excited, if more so, to see The Artist, but do not know if it will come to my neck of the woods or not.

12-31-2011, 03:45 PM	#9
masoud90 Power Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Seattle, WA Blu-ray collection:180 Trading Score:3	THE ARTIST is the best picture of 2011.

12-31-2011, 11:46 PM	#11
Walts Ghost Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Arizona 4K collection:791 Blu-ray collection:3094 DVD collection:177 iTunes collection:34 Blu-ray reviews: 33 Trading Score:1	I want to see it so bad. Hopefully soon...

01-01-2012, 12:52 AM	#12
The_Basterd Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2010 Location:Grapes Are Fun! Blu-ray collection:307 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:20	I've seen this three times. September with the cast and director @ TIF/bragging End of November. End of December.

01-04-2012, 06:36 PM	#13
thelittleprince Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2010 Location:wasteland 4K collection:211 Blu-ray collection:3467 DVD collection:56 Digital collection:490 iTunes collection:665 Trading Score:80	Gimmicky. But a darn good one at that. I don't mind watching classic silent B&W films, but I don't expect Hollywood to start churning out silent B&W films again after this movie. 4/5

01-04-2012, 06:40 PM	#14
P@t_Mtl Blu-ray Duke Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Montreal Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:452 DVD collection:513 Trading Score:3	Jean Dujardin is a amazing actor and not well known outside of France (and maybe Quebec a little ) I cannot wait to see this movie.

01-05-2012, 03:21 PM	#18
JenM Active Member Member since:Jan 2010	I saw this last week. Loved it. The story is simple, but the performances were so good and the story was so engrossing I almost forgot I was watching a silent film. Definitely one of my favorite movies of 2011.

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