[Moe's tavern]

It's a shame that Argo - starring and directed by Ben Affleck - has been released so close to that of a certain British spy film, as it certainly deserves more attention that it's getting.

Affleck has shown a lot of promise with the previous films he's directed (2007's Gone Bay Gone and 2010's The Town), and he continues in that vein with his most ambitious feature yet.

Political thrillers can easily turn a lot of people off, but Affleck's story has a great little twist that involves the making of a Hollywood film. What gives it even more of an edge is the fact that it's based on true events.

The story (which revolves around the storming of the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979) is really engaging and Affleck directs it with great intelligence and a nippy pace.

Definitely worth a look.

Review here.

[Inkblot]

It's a problematic film. The depiction of Iranians is unpleasantly stereotypical and the minor characters are very two-dimensional, with some good actors criminally underused. On the other hand, John Goodman and Alan Arkin are fantastic and worth the price of admission even though their roles are relatively small. Technically it's impeccable and fascinating to watch, and Affleck's direction builds the tension very effectively; conversely it has the most slapdash music soundtrack I've heard in a long time, as if they just threw it together as an afterthought. A very mixed bag of a film.

[Stansfield]

Just come back from seeing Argo.8/10

Thought it was very good....Period detail spot on, cast just right and the tension by the end, will I was on the edge of my seat.


But were glasses {Deirdre like} really that bad, back then.

[mazzy50]

Originally Posted by Stansfield

Just come back from seeing Argo.8/10

Thought it was very good....Period detail spot on, cast just right and the tension by the end, will I was on the edge of my seat.


But were glasses {Deirdre like} really that bad, back then.

Apparently so - the section at the end showed photos of the real people and the specs really were that huge.

Really enjoyed this and as you say the tension nearing the end had me watching from between my fingers.

[PunksNotDead]

Was lucky enough to see this at the BFI Film Festival a few weeks back and absolutely loved it, from the classic rock soundtrack & comedy to the extremely tense ending,

Spoiler

everyone in the packed out cinema clapped at the end when the plane took off, phenomenal atmosphere in the screening

Fab acting from Goodman and Arkin highly recommend this film.

Spoiler

Argo f.u.c.k yourself

[Stansfield]

Originally Posted by mazzy50

Apparently so - the section at the end showed photos of the real people and the specs really were that huge.

Really enjoyed this and as you say the tension nearing the end had me watching from between my fingers.

Did like the end credit bit, with the photos....and as will as the Glasses.....lots of Hair too....My old school photos prove it.

[Steve AWOL]

I saw Argo last week (in the only screen of the 6 at my local multiplex not showing Skyfall!) and thought it was a good comedy thriller, reminded me somewhat of Wag The Dog and Charlie Wilson's War.

John Goodman, Alan Arkin and Bryan Cranston delivered some great one liners and I did enjoy the way the tension was ratcheted up, although the finale was a bit too Hollywood for my liking.

Tony Mendez, clandestine CIA hero of Ben Affleck’s 'Argo' reveals the real story behind film smash - Washington Times

Overall it gets 8/10 from me, one of the most entertaining movies I've seen up cinema in 2012.

[Muttley76]

I thought this was a cracking film. The direction and editing were really superb. The opening sequence is especially effective and as good an example of film editing in an opening sequence as I can think of since, say, the opening of Saving Private Ryan.

It's really quite understated but that works in it's favour because the pay off, when it comes, actually generates a natural sort of warmth (this is the, film wise pretty much the opposite end of the scale to something War Horse).

I also think whats important here as well is that there is just enough humour in the mix to stop it being a bit too poe faced. The catchphrase of the movie is a real gem and i think will be remembered as a classic quote for years to come.

The supporting cast are excellent, though I do think Affleck doesn't quite pull off the lead role. He isn't bad, but try's a little too hard at times to be the stoic guy. I tend to feel his talents really are on the other side of the camera.

I think it has a good shot of picking up some awards this award season, especially in terms of direction, editing, and, possibly, screenplay.

9/10 for me.

[shegeek]

I saw it today not expecting much from a 'ben affleck film' but i was shocked that I enjoyed it immensely. The story and direction were brilliant and they built the tension really effectively plus it delivered some of the best one liners i've heard in a good while. 8/10

I'd go as far as to say I enjoyed it more than Skyfall.

[Rum Monkey]

I found it much better than I ws expecting to be honest given the subject matter. The built up tension in Iran was spot on particularly the scene in the bazaar when the group of "film makers" caused offence.

I don't know about anyone else but it put me off going anywhere near the Middle East!

[Alt-F4]

Good film, interesting, good ending, obviously fiction made for the film but the added suspense is likely similar to what they were feeling at the time.

Originally Posted by Muttley76

The catchphrase of the movie is a real gem and i think will be remembered as a classic quote for years to come.

Agree, nice touch

[Dave1979]

Originally Posted by Rum Monkey

I don't know about anyone else but it put me off going anywhere near the Middle East!

Please tell me you are joking.

[heiker]

Excellent film, couldn't find fault with it. Will definitely watch it every time Sky repeat it on their movie channels

Some strange reason** the cinema I saw it at played an English Soundtrack and English Subtitles. Very distracting

** the hard of hearing maybe

[Robbedin73]

Went to see this at week end really enjoyed it although its factually innacurate its still a good movie and the catchphrase as well its bad either, argo .....

[Inspiration]

Really good movie. I felt they kept the level of tension going all during the movie without it being over the top. You really did think they were always moments away from being discovered. The film never dragged either.. which is always a good sign for me with a movie. I never found myself thinking "Oh god, hurry up" etc. It flowed perfectly.

The "Directed by.." bit at the end was still a surprise even when you knew already he was director.. to see his name at the end was still an eye opener.

I liked the comparison shots at the end too. Makes you realise how much attention to detail there was in certain scenes.

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by Muttley76

I do think Affleck doesn't quite pull off the lead role. He isn't bad, but try's a little too hard at times to be the stoic guy. I tend to feel his talents really are on the other side of the camera.

That would be my only criticism really, couldn't really fault his direction but there was something lacking in the performance for me.

Other than that, brilliant movie. Really enjoyed it and I think it deserves all the awards it's getting

[LostFool]

I really enjoyed it but I'm just not sure it's worthy of all of the praise and awards that it has been receiving. It's a good film but maybe just short of a great one.

The story certainly kept my interest throughout and maintained a cracking pace. It didn't feel like a 2hr movie and I could have easily have watched another 30 mins.

Really enjoyed John Goodman. Just a shame he didn't get more screentime.

[Muttley76]

Originally Posted by Muttley76

I think it has a good shot of picking up some awards this award season, especially in terms of direction, editing, and, possibly, screenplay.

well that turned out to be a pretty accurate predication, oscars aside it did sweep most of the other major awards for direction

Very happy to see it take best picture, screenplay and editing last night

[Steve AWOL]

Yup a pleasant surprise to see Argo take the Best Picture Oscar last night which more than compensates for Affleck being snubbed in the Best Director category. He appears to have a lot more talent behind the camera than in front of it so will surely be in the running for the award at some point in his career as a director.

A slight shame that the British assistance for the US Embassy staff was completely written out of the movie though, perhaps Martin Williams' bravery might get a mention in the DVD extras...

Argo plot insult to Brit hero | The Sun | News

[Muttley76]

Originally Posted by Steve AWOL

Yup a pleasant surprise to see Argo take the Best Picture Oscar last night which more than compensates for Affleck being snubbed in the Best Director category. He appears to have a lot more talent behind the camera than in front of it so will surely be in the running for the award at some point in his career as a director.

I find it easier to accept his lack of a nomination due to Ang Lee's win in the category, because Lee did achieve something special visually with Pi. Had Speilberg won I would have been more peeved.

A slight shame that the British assistance for the US Embassy staff was completely written out of the movie though, perhaps Martin Williams' bravery might get a mention in the DVD extras...

Argo plot insult to Brit hero | The Sun | News

In fairness, Affleck has never been anything less than upfront about this issue, which is more than can be said about Zero Dark Thirty.

In any film that is based on a true story, things will be presented differently for dramatic purposes. In Lincoln, for example, a number of points were changed for dramatic effect also.

I think what important is to be honest and upfront about it as Affleck has been.

[Bluray]

A good film but Best Picture - not a chance. If the Academy wanted to choose something slightly more mainstream and audience-friendly there have been many films better than Argo over the years that they could have awarded.

Ben Affleck desrved a nod more than the film deserved to win.

I think it was on Film 2013 last week when a guy previewing the Oscars said about Ben's snub - it's like Argo's best picture nomination is saying "this film is great in every way but the direction"
Weird!

[Muttley76]

Originally Posted by Bluray

A good film but Best Picture - not a chance.

well clearly there was a chance or it wouldn't have won

[heiker]

Originally Posted by heiker

Excellent film, couldn't find fault with it. Will definitely watch it every time Sky repeat it on their movie channels

Some strange reason** the cinema I saw it at played an English Soundtrack and English Subtitles. Very distracting

** the hard of hearing maybe

So pleased it won Best Picture

[Bluray]

Originally Posted by Muttley76

well clearly there was a chance or it wouldn't have won

Probably their way of apologising to Ben for the director snub.
It certainly wasn't last years best picture...... It was last years "surprisngly good and more successful than we anticipated picture"

[Muttley76]

Originally Posted by Bluray

Probably their way of apologising to Ben for the director snub.
It certainly wasn't last years best picture...... It was last years "surprisngly good and more successful than we anticipated picture"

Thats a matter of opinion, not fact. For myself, it was my favourite film of last year.

And all the awards that Affleck and Argo won at the start of awards season and shortly after the oscar noms came out were voted on before the oscar noms were announced, so your theory does not stand up to scrutiny. Argo was also actually the front runner to win from it's release through to late december, when Lincoln took over for a while. It's hardly as though it was an outsider that all of a sudden came from nowhere to win...