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RollTide1987 
Alabama Fan
Pensacola, Florida
Member since Nov 2009
17725 posts
| My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:07 pm)
So I have been back from the movie theater for about a half an hour now and have had time to gather my thoughts on what I have just seen. The short version of my review is that Lincoln is a solid film filled to the brim with amazing, Oscar-worthy performances.
This is an actor's movie and, while the film does drag in places - especially around the beginning of Act II - the performances by these actors rectify those dull moments.
This is without a doubt the best performance we have seen from Daniel Day-Lewis up to this point. Though not as loud as his character in Gangs of New York or as over the top and theatrical as his character in There Will Be Blood, Day-Lewis embodies the Sixteenth President of the United States. There was one point in the film where I thought I was actually looking at the real President Lincoln and, needless to say, I got goosebumps. I will not be surprised if Day-Lewis wins his third Oscar for his performance in this film.
Aside from Day-Lewis it is really difficult to pick and choose stand outs in this movie because they are all so freaking good. I have to say that my favorite character in this film is Mr. Bilbo, a Washington D.C. lobbyist played by James Spader. Every scene he is in he steals and he steals it with great acting and good humor. The funniest scene in the film involves him and a gun-wielding congressman. I will say no more in that regard.
The praise for Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field as Thaddeus Stephens and Mary Todd Lincoln are both well-deserved. I have no doubt their names will appear on the list for actors nominated for Oscars come awards time. But I feel David Strathairn as William Seward is a performance that won't get any awards buzz, but definitely deserves it. He is incredible as Lincoln's right hand man and I am kind of sad that he is being left out of all the Oscar buzz hoopla surrounding this film.
I also must praise Tony Kushner's writing as well as Spielberg's directing. Kushner's screenplay is top notch, almost Shakespearean in terms of the quality and intelligence of its dialogue, and should be a frontrunner for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. Spielberg could have ruined the whole thing by making it sappy and cheesy like he does in a lot of his movies. While there are moments of this, particularly at the beginning when soldiers recite the Gettysburg Address to Lincoln, Spielberg typically just points the camera and shoots in this movie. He lets the actors do their work and the movie is better for it.
Now...to all of those who feel as if this movie will try to rewrite history and make Lincoln out to be some kind of saint, your assertions are dead wrong. While the film paints a positive picture of the man, it does not ignore some of the questionable things he did. Things like Habeas Corpus and his restrictions on the press come to mind. While the character of Lincoln explains and defends his actions, he also admits that he himself doesn't know if what he did was ethical or constitutional. He did what he thought was right at the time, Lincoln explains.
So...final thoughts...Lincoln is a solid movie, one of the best of the year, and should rightfully have Oscar buzz surrounding it. Though it's not a perfect movie and does drag in places, the performances of the actors carry this film and make it a good, solid movie. This is one of the most well-acted movies I have seen in a long time and I certainly enjoyed watching it.
Final Grade: A
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Zamoro10
Member since Jul 2008
10919 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:14 pm to RollTide1987)
Good review. Explains and illuminates.
Lincoln was directing a war he saw must be won at all costs.
Nobody is Saint in war.
I look forward to seeing it now.
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Baloo 
LSU Fan
Formerly MDGeaux
Member since Sep 2003
41318 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:31 pm to RollTide1987)
quote:
David Strathairn
Incredibly underrated actor. He always brings it.
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PillageUrVillage
LSU Fan
Mordor
Member since Mar 2011
1893 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:32 pm to RollTide1987)
Two fictional movies about Abraham Lincoln in one year! 
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Peazey 
New Orleans Saints Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2012
1910 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:36 pm to RollTide1987)
I was skeptical at first. Now, I think I will check it out when I get off of work. Nice review.
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The Egg
LSU Fan
Houston, TX
Member since Dec 2004
56077 posts
 Online
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quote:
Two fictional movies about Abraham Lincoln in one year!
UHHHHHH im pretty sure the vampire one was real dickhead.
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CarRamrod 
USA Fan
Spurbury, VT
Member since Dec 2006
31417 posts
Online
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:39 pm to RollTide1987)
quote:
This is an actor's movie and,
along with most over rated and dull movies.
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Carson123987
LSU Fan
Middle Court at The Rec
Member since Jul 2011
24992 posts
Online
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:45 pm to RollTide1987)
quote:
Now...to all of those who feel as if this movie will try to rewrite history and make Lincoln out to be some kind of saint, your assertions are dead wrong. While the film paints a positive picture of the man, it does not ignore some of the questionable things he did. Things like Habeas Corpus and his restrictions on the press come to mind. While the character of Lincoln explains and defends his actions, he also admits that he himself doesn't know if what he did was ethical or constitutional. He did what he thought was right at the time, Lincoln explains.
Glad they don't deify him. I will check it out
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TN Bhoy
USA Fan
Philly
Member since Apr 2010
33584 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:47 pm to RollTide1987)
quote:
, it does not ignore some of the questionable things he did. Things like Habeas Corpus and his restrictions on the press come to mind
Does it go over his white supremacist thoughts and his scheme to move all blacks back to Africa?
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PillageUrVillage
LSU Fan
Mordor
Member since Mar 2011
1893 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:49 pm to TN Bhoy)
quote:
Does it go over his white supremacist thoughts and his scheme to move all blacks back to Africa?
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theunknownknight
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2005
22642 posts
Online
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:52 pm to RollTide1987)
tl;dr
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theunknownknight
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2005
22642 posts
Online
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:52 pm to RollTide1987)
Does it go over him invading states trying to peacefully secede?
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GoCrazyAuburn 
Auburn Fan
Member since Feb 2010
9242 posts
Online
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 2:59 pm to RollTide1987)
Good to hear. Thanks for the very insightful review.
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chinese58
LSU Fan
Dallas
Member since Jun 2004
16357 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 3:26 pm to RollTide1987)
RollTide1987,
Thanks for the review. Really appreciate your thoughts on it. Sounds like a can't miss.
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RollTide1987
Alabama Fan
Pensacola, Florida
Member since Nov 2009
17725 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 3:33 pm to TN Bhoy)
quote:
Does it go over his white supremacist thoughts and his scheme to move all blacks back to Africa?
There is actually a scene between him and his wife's servant that actually insinuates that he isn't as comfortable with African-Americans being his (potential) next door neighbor. She asks a question about whether or not he wants them (blacks) around. He pauses for a few moments before responding and never answers her question directly.
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chinese58
LSU Fan
Dallas
Member since Jun 2004
16357 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 3:36 pm to RollTide1987)
RollTide1987,
Thanks for the review. Really appreciate your thoughts on it. Sounds like one I won't want to miss.
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JombieZombie
Alabama Fan
North Alabama
Member since Nov 2009
2447 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 4:15 pm to chinese58)
Does is show scenes of the Union burning cities to the ground, murdering innocents, and raping women? Or the unlawful imprisonment of thousands of northern writers?
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FootballNostradamus 
Clemson Fan
Member since Nov 2009
9670 posts
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 6:09 pm to JombieZombie)
Does it show him killing vampires?
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Carson123987
LSU Fan
Middle Court at The Rec
Member since Jul 2011
24992 posts
Online
| re: My review of Lincoln (Posted on 11/16/12 at 6:11 pm to JombieZombie)
quote:
Does is show scenes of the Union burning cities to the ground, murdering innocents, and raping women? Or the unlawful imprisonment of thousands of northern writers?
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TheOcean 
Florida State Fan
FL
Member since Aug 2004
23987 posts
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quote:
Does it go over him invading states trying to peacefully secede?
Cool. Don't go see it. And don't troll threads about it.
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