Lincoln (2012)

[Bryan_C]

Even with the DVD release, the movie is still playing in the theatres... at least around my way. A theatre in Bethesda, MD (Washington, DC Metro) is showing the film, according to www.imdb.com today.

 

[K Hale]

Awhile back, we were talking about the scenes filmed in Virginia's Capitol, and someone noted that what appeared to be an electrical outlet had bloopered its way into one scene. I bought the DVD today, and here's a screen capture of that scene. The purported outlet is over on the right.

And here's a closeup.

Looks like an outlet to me. Perhaps someone who bought the Blu-Ray can provide a clearer screen grab.

 

[23rdYahoos]

In all due respect, I did not care for the film. I found myself agreeing with several of my friends who are non-history, non-civil war buffs who told me the same thing, "there was no context" and it was boring. I actually think the Oscars got it right by not selecting 'Lincoln' as Best Picture. I also think DDL was good, but not great in the part of Lincoln. I know that is sacrilegious to some, but IMHO it was an okay, but not a great film.

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

Kim bought the movie the other day,and I found myself liking some scenes more,others a little less. Bonus Feature of Spielberg shaking hands with the Crater scene reenactors at the end of the shoot. Cool

 

[carson_reb]

I finally saw the movie. My wife bought the DVD for me as an Easter gift. I rarely buy a movie without seeing it first, but Lincoln is one of those exceptions. Definitely worth the $19.99 price tag or whatever it cost (I'm not tacky enough to ask) and certainly worth at least the two Academy Awards it earned. Probably could have/should have earned more, IMHO.

I absolutely loved the emphasis on the political war going on in Washington, and especially the activity centered around the Thirteenth Amendment.

Jones' Stevens character was my second favorite persona, behind the title character, of course.

Seward and Stanton were well done, too. Grant was okay, but somehow the film tended to make him look tall. I don't think he was, was he?

Alexander Stephens. Ghostly like the real thing, IMHO.

It was refreshing to watch an ACW film not centered around the fighting of the armies and the blood-letting of the battlefields. Being one who enjoys the social and political angles of the ACW, this film was right up my alley. Thanks, Steven S. Well done.

 

[carson_reb]

One of my favorite scenes was when Lincoln joined Stanton at the War Department when the battle of Wilmington commenced. Lincoln started telling another one of his folksy yarns right in the middle of all the telegraphs going haywire, and Stanton blows up: "You are not going to tell another one of your stories! Not now!"

I get a similar reaction from my daughter when I speak to her in metaphors, analogies and otherwise colloquilisms. Really gets under her skin when I get all folksy in one of my "talks" with her. She says she just doesn't like being lectured, but I think she doesn't like being lectured by somebody who makes sense. ;-)

 

[Jesse_William_93]

I saw Lincoln in the theaters, a place I rarely go, and I must say it was one of the better experiences I've had (in a moive theater, mind you). It was a packed house, for one thing, which up here in Maine is quite rare, especially for an historical film like this one. I know it's a cliche, but I have to say it: Daniel Day-Lewis IS Lincoln. His performance was remarkable. And Sally Field as Mary Todd broke my heart. I'm not sure if it's good or bad history, as I'm not yet knowledgeable enough of the time to know for sure, (I've heard arguments for both sides), but as movies go, it was one of the best biopics I've ever seen.
I was pleased to note a Union Soldier, in full get-up, was in the audience that night. And it was the only film showing I've ever been to where as the credits began to roll, the entire theater stood up and applauded. The older gentleman I spent the movie sitting beside was in tears by then, something I never would have expected from a man as large and gruff-looking as he was. I was quite move.

 

[Flyer75]

My wife just bought me the movie on DVD. I have 6 kids running around my house so I only got to watch the first 30-40 minutes so far but I think I'm really going to enjoy this movie. I like the fact that is not really an action film on the ACW but more of an intense dialogue on the political landscape of the day. Hopefully I can watch the whole thing tonight.

 

[K Hale]

My wife just bought me the movie on DVD. I have 6 kids running around my house so I only got to watch the first 30-40 minutes so far but I think I'm really going to enjoy this movie. I like the fact that is not really an action film on the ACW but more of an intense dialogue on the political landscape of the day. Hopefully I can watch the whole thing tonight.

I think some folks were disappointed that it turned out not to be a "war movie." Not everything has to be a shoot-em-up.

 

[BillO]

Tried to watch it on demand. I lasted about 5 minutes. Lincoln is sitting and talking to some soldiers and they are asking him questions and telling him what he should be doing. I left. Might take another whack later but I doubt it.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

It gets more interesting after that scene. If I'd directed it, that would have been cut.

 

[Greg Taylor]

It gets more interesting after that scene. If I'd directed it, that would have been cut.

I agree. That was the weakest, least believable scene of the movie. Too bad it had to come at the beginning. At first I was pessimistic that the film was going to be a "sermon" on the injustices of slavery and racism but after seeing the entire movie I think it was meant to add context to the story that was to follow. I guess you can call it "creative license."

 

[BillO]

I'll give it another go then.

 

[K Hale]

I wonder what my impression of Gods & Generals would be if I had quit five minutes in.

Certainly different than it is after watching the whole thing.

 

[AndyHall]

I wonder what my impression of Gods & Generals would be if I had quit five minutes in.

The opening credit sequence with the flags is exquisite.

 

[ole]

A super song, but mostly based on "The Ashokan Farewell."

 

[Henry Whitworth]

Tried to watch it on demand. I lasted about 5 minutes. Lincoln is sitting and talking to some soldiers and they are asking him questions and telling him what he should be doing. I left. Might take another whack later but I doubt it.

Worst, most unrealistic scene in the movie. I definitely got a sinking feeling when I saw that but I'd been warned by my brother and my dad and hung in there.

For me, it was a fragmented piece. The scenes almost need to be taken individually. It wasn't a great movie but certain scenes in it are great. Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field are both dynamite. I expected him to be good, she surprised me. She's almost uncomfortable to watch but it's because she's playing a person who was really pretty tortured. Really brought her to life. And the Alexander Stephens portrayal, while brief, was stunning.

Details are fun to watch for. When he's holding a watch, it's actually Lincoln's watch they were allowed to use for the film. There's a lot of stuff like that.

 

[JeffBrooks]

It was refreshing to watch an ACW film not centered around the fighting of the armies and the blood-letting of the battlefields. Being one who enjoys the social and political angles of the ACW, this film was right up my alley. Thanks, Steven S. Well done.

When I heard that Spielberg was going to make a movie based on Team of Rivals, I was a bit disappointed when I learned it was going to be about the passage of the 13th Amendment. I think a deeper and richer movie could have been made about the quest for the 1860 Republican nomination (although I'd take out the parts about Edward Bates). Lincoln vs. Seward vs. Chase would be a good movie.

That being said, I loved Lincoln and think it was an absolutely wonderful movie.

 

[K Hale]

The opening credit sequence with the flags is exquisite.

Yeah, that's my point. And then the rest of the movie starts.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

For me, it was a fragmented piece. The scenes almost need to be taken individually. It wasn't a great movie but certain scenes in it are great. Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field are both dynamite. I expected him to be good, she surprised me. She's almost uncomfortable to watch but it's because she's playing a person who was really pretty tortured. Really brought her to life. And the Alexander Stephens portrayal, while brief, was stunning.

Yeah-- the directing is really the weakest part of the movie. The performances of the principals are all so great! But some scenes lag, and some should have been abbreviated or removed entirely; and I haven't met anyone yet that doesn't think that it went on a scene or two too far-- the perfect end shot was in the movie (Lincoln walking down the hallway alone, bound for Ford's Theater) but they kept going for some reason.


ETA: Spielberg as a director may be good at getting the best out of actors, but his work in the editing room leaves a lot to be desired.