Lincoln (2012)

[matthew mckeon]

Just saw it. Quite good. If anything played down the virulent racism of the Democrats of the time.

Lincoln, if both his discussions with Thad Stevens and Alec Stephens(both very well played), is really arguing for democracy and compromise, politics as the art of the possible, over T. Stevens egotistic purism and A. Stephens appeal to the sword.

 

[FourLeafClover]

You know what guys n gals. It's not even listed here as a forthcoming attraction. I find this really disappointing. Heck!!!! It's a Spielberg movie. Furthermore. From what you are saying here, it's got Oscar potential.
This makes me wonder. What is the reaction to its release in the popular press and cinema magazines? Is it as favourable as it seems to be with those who have a love of history, and the ACW in general?

 

[Dugger]

Yup, I agree. You'd think Spielberg of all people would know that.

I seem to remember Mozart in "Amadeus" said something along those lines. He said he'd slip in something more elevated in his bawdy crowd-pleasing light operas.

Exactly! Ya gotta give the "masses" some basic stuff to assuage their base desires. Throw em a little meat. Ancient Rome! Lincoln was, IMO, a great film, but will not draw big. I want the clueless in them seats.....that is becuse I wanna give em some actual history and so on and so forth, blah blah. Get em in the threatre and then educate em....I know ya get what I saying here.

AND.......Mozart classical music is still listened to. Enduring. As is Wagner and others who knew how to play to the crowd.

Ever notice Dianna9 how film pundants will DISS a movie and then it becomes a best all-time hit? "Dont follow leaders and watch yer parking meters." - Bob Dylan

 

[Diana9]

Exactly! Ya gotta give the "masses" some basic stuff to assuage their base desires. Throw em a little meat. Ancient Rome! Lincoln was, IMO, a great film, but will not draw big. I want the clueless in them seats.....that is becuse I wanna give em some actual history and so on and so forth, blah blah. Get em in the threatre and then educate em....I know ya get what I saying here.

AND.......Mozart classical music is still listened to. Enduring. As is Wagner and others who knew how to play to the crowd.

Ever notice Dianna9 how film pundants will DISS a movie and then it becomes a best all-time hit? "Dont follow leaders and watch yer parking meters." - Bob Dylan

Awsome Dugger. You are a true teacher, you want to instill the love of learning in the masses - to do as Mozart did, elevate them, because education is not just for the elite who have the means and the leisure time to be lifelong learners. Education is for everybody. It's just that everybody doesn't know how to access the knowledge. They don't know it's there waiting to be discovered (at their local library). A film can inspire curiosity and start them on the path of discovery. But it must first entice them to come for the spectacle.

My disappointment in "Lincoln" is that it is for the educated (those-in-the know) and doesn't even try to reach beyond them to the very people who might benefit most from a history lesson.

(Shhhe musn't wake up the sleeping giant.)

I suspect that as soon as Spielberg started taking himself seriously he forgot that his greatest talent is his ability to reach the masses. He's a master at it, but not for Lincoln? Why not? Has Spielberg missed his calling?

 

[Dugger]

Awsome Dugger. You are a true teacher, you want to instill the love of learning in the masses - to do as Mozart did, elevate them, because education is not just for the elete who have the means and the leisure time to be lifelong learners. Education is for everybody. It's just that everybody doesn't know how to access it. They don't know it's there waiting to be discovered. A film can inspire curiosity. But it must first entice them to come for the spectacle.

My disappointment in "Lincoln" is that it is for the educated and doesn't even try to reach beyond them to the very people who might benefit most from a history lesson.

Shhhe musn't wake up the sleeping giant.

I suspect that as soon as Spielberg started to take himself seriously he forgot that his greatest talent is his ability to reach the masses. He's a master at it, but not for Lincoln? Why not?

Takes for kissing my butt and I am fawning now over you....but I was serious. Lincoln preaches to the choir. Those who already know the players and already know what the debate was about. It will ring no bell with many because many do not even have a clue as to what the heck the 13th was about....much less the 14th and 15th. BUT......get Beavis and Butthead in the seat and it may dawn on them that this was once a great county with a great vision....regardless of Black Friday. I getting overly loopy. Sorry.

Well Spielberg is getting older and I kinda figure he wanted to do an academic thing with all the dialogue and get away from the gore, sex, and violence. This film will endure. Great job. Be a somewhat limited audience I do think but a triumph among them that get it.

By the way....why did he not have Mary Todd go allllllll the way while disrobing? Huh? Why? If Maddonna had been directing that she would have had Mary Todd naked on a pole. Yup.

 

[Dugger]

Awsome Dugger. You are a true teacher, you want to instill the love of learning in the masses - to do as Mozart did, elevate them, because education is not just for the elete who have the means and the leisure time to be lifelong learners. Education is for everybody. It's just that everybody doesn't know how to access the knowledge. They don't know it's there waiting to be discovered (at their local library). A film can inspire curiosity and start them on the path of discovery. But it must first entice them to come for the spectacle.

My disappointment in "Lincoln" is that it is for the educated (those-in-the know) and doesn't even try to reach beyond them to the very people who might benefit most from a history lesson.

(Shhhe musn't wake up the sleeping giant.)

I suspect that as soon as Spielberg started taking himself seriously he forgot that his greatest talent is his ability to reach the masses. He's a master at it, but not for Lincoln? Why not? Has Spielberg missed his calling?

Ya gotta get em in the seats first dear....elementary. Then ya sock it to em. I love how you sooooo get this standard tactic. Shakspeare did this. Lewd and crude, vulgar, and a lotta sword play and death. Even did the etinic thing with the black Moor. Ya, played to the crowd. Heroes and villians. But cloaked in all that were erternal truths bout human behavior.

Love ya.........carry on. Dugger

 

[Blessmag]

Which 2012 Lincoln got the bigger draw?

 

[PvtClewell]

By the way....why did he not have Mary Todd go allllllll the way while disrobing? Huh? Why? If Maddonna had been directing that she would have had Mary Todd naked on a pole. Yup.

Umm, maybe because Sally Field is 66 years old? Yikes. Who wants to see that?

Lincoln is playing in less than 2,000 screens across the country and still averaged $11,900 per screen, second best for the week according to Rotten Tomatoes. Seems to be doing OK for a history lesson. I'll take whatever it can get and hope it spikes some interest in real history. Maybe somebody will be prompted to read "Team of Rivals" or something.

 

[Karen Lips]

Went to the movie theater tonight to see Lincoln and only front row seats were left so, we just went back home. Maybe I will wait till it comes on netflix. Is it good enought to pay money to see?

 

[timk]

I think most importantly, this is a very good movie. I also think that just because the movie is historical, and named after one of the most famous names in history, that the number of people that just want to see a smart movie shouldn't be underestimated. Somebody back in this thread said that the movie should have been named "The 13th Amendment". Maybe so. This was not just a great movie about Lincoln's last three months, but it is also a great movie about politics in general, and politics specific to the 1860's. I don't think anybody absolutely needs to be an American history fanatic to understand and enjoy this movie. It is a smart movie, and people that like smart movies will be able to follow it just fine.

 

[AndyHall]

Which 2012 Lincoln got the bigger draw?

Vampire Lincoln, $16.3M opening weekend on 3,100 screens.
Daniel Day-Lincoln, $21M opening weekend in wide release, on 1,775 screens. (Previous weekend was only 11 screens)

For comparison, Gods and Generals' total U.S. box office was $12.9M in 2003 ($15.8M to $17.5M today, using various indices), and Gettysburg's total U.S. box office was $10.8M in 1993 ($16.8M to $24.4M today, using various indices).

Matinee showing of Daniel Day-Lincoln today was pretty full -- call it 85-90%, with scattered empty seats here and there.

 

[K Hale]

Went to the movie theater tonight to see Lincoln and only front row seats were left so, we just went back home. Maybe I will wait till it comes on netflix. Is it good enought to pay money to see?

It is so good that when you went to see it, only front row seats were left.

 

[Fran]

OK -- who's seen it? I attended a 9:55am showing this morning and came away very impressed. Daniel-Day Lewis was outstanding as Lincoln. Sally Field made a terrific non-caricatured Mary Todd. Tommy Lee Jones was a delight as Thaddeus Stevens and gets some of the film's best lines. Actually everyone in the film was good, from David Straithairn as Seward down to the boy who plays Tad. There were a dozen familiar faces in bit roles; I don't know most of their names but everyone fit their role very well.

The guy who played Grant was just OK, and Lee was basically an extra. The only bad example of casting was that they used a pregnant Arabian mare to play Traveller. WTF? OK, I'll overlook it.

As has been said, it is NOT a hagiography... It makes clear the chicanery, bribes, lying, and intimidation, and back room "compromises" that led to the 13th amendment getting passed. Git 'er dun, boys...

I predict that Oscars will be flying in all directions.

Hey, saw the moving this Friday and adored it! I agree with what K Hale is saying especially about Traveller, poooooor horse they used, as for STanton excellent choice but my what an excellent match for Alexander Hamilton Stephens, excellent choice!!!! And indeed Daniel Day Lewis is an awesome actor!!!

 

[Brenal]

You know what guys n gals. It's not even listed here as a forthcoming attraction. I find this really disappointing. Heck!!!! It's a Spielberg movie. Furthermore. From what you are saying here, it's got Oscar potential.
This makes me wonder. What is the reaction to its release in the popular press and cinema magazines? Is it as favourable as it seems to be with those who have a love of history, and the ACW in general?

According to filmdates.co.uk Lincoln will be released here on January 25th (DVD May - July) 2013. If you leave your email address and post code on their website you will get an email when it is due to open in a cinema near you

 

[Diana9]

Ya gotta get em in the seats first dear....elementary. Then ya sock it to em. I love how you sooooo get this standard tactic. Shakspeare did this. Lewd and crude, vulgar, and a lotta sword play and death. Even did the etinic thing with the black Moor. Ya, played to the crowd. Heroes and villians. But cloaked in all that were erternal truths bout human behavior.

Love ya.........carry on. Dugger

This is also the tactic Lincoln used to get people behind emancipation. He first got them hooked on the idea of preserving the Union (a popular notion with mass appeal, at least in the North), then slowly slipped in lofty "eternal truths" about the idea of emancipation (a not so popular one at the beginning of the war).

Lincoln as a Transformational Leader

http://greatamericanhistory.net/transforming_leader.htm

I think one of the problems with the script for "Lincoln" is that it is a bit clumsy with exposition. "Gladiator" solved that problem simply and directly by opening the film with a few paragraphs of text about the history and timeline. It's best to just get it out of the way at the onset to orient the viewer, especially those who haven't a clue about the history.

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

Mission successful ,front row balcony in one of the new fancy theaters with leg room,seats that rock, and a oversized cup holder in the armrest,Wonderful. Academy award for Sally Fields and makeup. Great movie,excellant job of depicting Lincoln as the leader he was.Daniel Day Lewis leaving the White House for the last time brought the Tissue out. Thank You Mr. Spielberg!

 

[matthew mckeon]

Went to the movie theater tonight to see Lincoln and only front row seats were left so, we just went back home. Maybe I will wait till it comes on netflix. Is it good enought to pay money to see?

Yes, its worth money to see.

Disagree with the above posts. Not everything has to be pitched to the stupidest.

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

Seems my non history-buff friends and relatives ,who all went this weekend ,loved the movie and had to call to tell me so. They believe the movie will be a huge success come award time.

 

[Dugger]

Mission successful ,front row balcony in one of the new fancy theaters with leg room,seats that rock, and a oversized cup holder in the armrest,Wonderful. Academy award for Sally Fields and makeup. Great movie,excellant job of depicting Lincoln as the leader he was.Daniel Day Lewis leaving the White House for the last time brought the Tissue out. Thank You Mr. Spielberg!

Ya Sally was absolute on the role....but she has always been great. She fulfilled MY image as to how Mary Todd was. That counts. She alludes to the future when she will be deemed mental. Robert will put her in a 19th century mental hospital for a few months. (not too long, I forget) I have always had a soft spot in me heart for Mary Todd Lincoln. Ya, I thinking academy award also...ya never know however. I have no idea however how you could improve on her performance in this film. None. She is the consummate professional. Months ago I proposed Lady Gaga for this role......har! I was kidding. I think Sally did a bang up job. Man she gets it....and is very intelligent.

 

[Dugger]

Yes, its worth money to see.

Disagree with the above posts. Not everything has to be pitched to the stupidest.

Agree! I just want em in the dam seats then maybe you can learn em something. Glory did this. Great movie with enough action but also shot em up with a great history lesson. I know what ya saying however.