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Post by OldFred on Oct 19, 2008 18:45:20 GMT -5
After the recent discussion of 'Chapter 27', I decided to go into my DVD collection and pulled out the VH1 film 'Two of Us', a fictional story based on the 1976 get together between Paul and John at the Dakota, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, the director 'Let It Be', who got to observe both the real Lennon and McCartney under extremely difficult conditions. It's a fascinating character study of what that meeting might have been like. Aidan Quinn does a good take on Paul McCartney, pretty much capturing Paul's personality and cautiousness, and while Jared Harris may not have John's vocal inflections down, he does manage to capture Lennon's acerbic humor, anger and conflicting demeanor. The give and take between both characters is fascinating to watch, like attending an exciting tennis match between two expert players. There are moments of nervous tension, gentle humor, aggressive rivalry, vicious accusations, understanding tenderness, and in the end, a deep heart felt love the two men had for each other. Some of the best moments in the movie include Paul and John singing together at the piano, encounters with fans and strangers with varying results, intense arguments on past conflicts, a tender moment on the roof of the Dakota where Paul helps John confront his fears, and an amusing moment of them watching Saturday Night Live at the moment Loren Michaels announces the $3,000 offer for the Beatles to reunite on the show and they decide to go for it. The movie of course is just a fictional account of something that actually happened and in no way implies the events took place as presented. It's an interesting and entertaining 'what if' story meant purely to be enjoyed for what it is. Both actors do an excellent job in their portrayal of these two complicated characters and give very believable and at times moving performances. It's been awhile since I last saw this film, and I really enjoyed revisiting it again. I definitely recommend this movie for rental or for your personal collection. It's a fascinating character study and extremely entertaining. Well worth watching.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Oct 19, 2008 19:09:23 GMT -5
After the recent discussion of 'Chapter 27', I decided to go into my DVD collection and pulled out the VH1 film 'Two of Us', a fictional story based on the 1976 get together between Paul and John at the Dakota, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, the director 'Let It Be', who got to observe both the real Lennon and McCartney under extremely difficult conditions. It's a fascinating character study of what that meeting might have been like. Aidan Quinn does a good take on Paul McCartney, pretty much capturing Paul's personality and cautiousness, and while Jared Harris may not have John's vocal inflections down, he does manage to capture Lennon's acerbic humor, anger and conflicting demeanor. The give and take between both characters is fascinating to watch, like attending an exciting tennis match between two expert players. There are moments of nervous tension, gentle humor, aggressive rivalry, vicious accusations, understanding tenderness, and in the end, a deep heart felt love the two men had for each other. Some of the best moments in the movie include Paul and John singing together at the piano, encounters with fans and strangers with varying results, intense arguments on past conflicts, a tender moment on the roof of the Dakota where Paul helps John confront his fears, and an amusing moment of them watching Saturday Night Live at the moment Loren Michaels announces the $3,000 offer for the Beatles to reunite on the show and they decide to go for it. The movie of course is just a fictional account of something that actually happened and in no way implies the events took place as presented. It's an interesting and entertaining 'what if' story meant purely to be enjoyed for what it is. Both actors do an excellent job in their portrayal of these two complicated characters and give very believable and at times moving performances. It's been awhile since I last saw this film, and I really enjoyed revisiting it again. I definitely recommend this movie for rental or for your personal collection. It's a fascinating character study and extremely entertaining. Well worth watching. I recently got this from Netflix and I agree, it's a fun film. When I was still in the newspaper business, I reviewed the film for its original VH1 broadcast and found out about some interesting things that were in the review copy I got that didn't make it to the finished version that was broadcast. The review I wrote is here: bystevemarinucci.blogspot.com/2000/01/hello-goodbye-two-ex-beatles-reunite.html
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Post by OldFred on Oct 19, 2008 20:00:22 GMT -5
I recently got this from Netflix and I agree, it's a fun film. When I was still in the newspaper business, I reviewed the film for its original VH1 broadcast and found out about some interesting things that were in the review copy I got that didn't make it to the finished version that was broadcast. The review I wrote is here: bystevemarinucci.blogspot.com/2000/01/hello-goodbye-two-ex-beatles-reunite.htmlNice review Steve. Thanks.
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 19, 2008 22:04:24 GMT -5
Hey Steve, that was a great review. I did see that film on cable but I didn't like it.
To me the John character is too sour-pussy if you know what I mean.
If you look at John in public you never see this dark side that people keep talking about.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 20, 2008 6:25:04 GMT -5
I have it on tape (I think) somewhere in my collection from when it first aired. I recall thinking it was interesting enough, but the most absurd bit of nonsense to me was when John and Paul were almost ready to go to SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, but Yoko intervened. Yeah, right. Of course ... pin it on her.
I know the movie is a fictional account, but the part about John and Paul watching SNL and having a momentary idea to go down to the studio is REAL. And it's been documented by them that it never amounted to more than a quick thought, and then over with.
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Post by mikev on Oct 20, 2008 8:04:49 GMT -5
Weird thing I remember when watching the SNL episode as a 16 year old. I stayed up about 15 minutes after watching NBC in case the then recluse Lennon showed up - thinking they might actually go back on the air (I watched the show religiously through 1980 thinking that they would choose that show for an impromptu reunion).
In the event John and Paul really did show up at say 1:02AM- and you are an NBC executive- would you pre-empt late night programming to show a historical (likely acoustic) performance?
These are the same people who pre-empted a live Jets-Raiders football game to show the movie Heidi in 1968.
Somewhere I have the videotape of Two of Us. It was pretty good.
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 20, 2008 9:13:12 GMT -5
I thought the rooftop scene was very moving(and I am talking about Two Of Us and not Let It Be ;D ) and that scene alone made the film for me.
I thought the Keystone Cop-like Central Park scenes where they were in costumes was dorky. I hated that part.
I'd give the film an 8 out of 10. There have been worse.
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Post by secretfriend on Oct 20, 2008 18:12:42 GMT -5
I wish Michael Lindsay Hogg would write a book about his experience filming Let It Be, as well as the Hey Jude and Revolution (and Rain/Paperback Writer) videos. The Hey Jude video was at times a mini-concert as the Beatles jammed to the crowd of 300 in between takes (closest thing to a "White Album" tour).
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Oct 20, 2008 22:21:24 GMT -5
I wish Michael Lindsay Hogg would write a book about his experience filming Let It Be, as well as the Hey Jude and Revolution (and Rain/Paperback Writer) videos. The Hey Jude video was at times a mini-concert as the Beatles jammed to the crowd of 300 in between takes (closest thing to a "White Album" tour). Based on his dialogue on the "Let It Be" sessions that's floating around, I don't think it would be very insightful. In the sessions, Hogg sounds like he's kissing up to the Beatles. And although "Two of Us" is enjoyable, it was also quite lightweight.
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