in Review |

Black On Both Sides

Black Swan

It seems we’re officially in to that Oscar-y part of the year, where the movies showing up in theaters are starting to get more somber and serious as well as higher in quality. Black Swan, the latest from director Darren Aronofsky is one of those films vying for some Oscar attention. Really it’s a little hard for me to imagine something as dark and twisted as Black Swan getting a lot of Oscar love, but then again, who really cares?

Black Swan sees Aronofsky taking a somewhat similar approach to his last film The Wrestler, in that he takes a very visceral approach to putting you in the shoes of the film’s protagonist, and making you really feel what they’re feeling physically and mentally. In this case, it’s ballet dancer Nina Sayers (played by Natalie Portman), who is cast as the leading lady in a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake by a nefarious ballet director (played by Vincent Cassel). Over the course of the production, Nina basically delves deeper and deeper into madness as the role starts to consume her psychologically, all while her paranoia is fueled by her understudy (Mila Kunis) and her overcontrolling mother (Barbara Hershey).
Now to say this film borders on melodrama would be a bit of an understatement, as some of the scenes in the film are almost laughably over-the-top. But for a film that is continually drawing parallels towards ballet, where all the emotions are amped-up, it kinda works for the most part. That said, I couldn’t help but feel like the script was a little thin in terms of the story and secondary characters. But that almost doesn’t even matter, since Aronofsky truly excells when it comes to subject matter like this, and his bravura style of film-making is a big part of what makes the film compelling.
Another big part of what makes the film work is the performance by Natalie Portman, who has now got to be one of the frontrunners for the Best Actress Oscar. I’ve never been that big of a Portfan, but I really bought her in this role, as she gives a performance that’s nothing short of fearless. Hershey and Kunis are fine, and I liked Vincent Cassell, even if he’s playing a character that’s only a marginally interesting depiction of a ballet director. But for the most part, this is the Portman and Aronofsky show, and I’m sure both of them will at least get some sort of nomination come Oscar time.

Published

107 Comments

  1. I simply wished to appreciate you yet again. I do not know the things I would’ve accomplished without the type of ways provided by you relating to such a theme. It became an absolute terrifying condition for me, however , noticing your professional tactic you treated that forced me to leap for gladness. I am just happier for your work and trust you find out what a great job you’re providing instructing most people using your websites. Most likely you have never encountered any of us.

  2. Utterly written content material, thank you for entropy. “The bravest thing you can do when you are not brave is to profess courage and act accordingly.” by Corra Harris.

  4. Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.

  7. Some really superb info , Gladiola I detected this. “Always be ready to speak your mind and a base man will avoid you.” by William Blake.

  9. I got what you mean , thankyou for posting .Woh I am delighted to find this website through google. “Delay is preferable to error.” by Thomas Jefferson.

  11. I believe this site holds some very superb information for everyone :D. “America is not merely a nation but a nation of nations.” by Lyndon B. Johnson.

  14. Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for! “Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations entangling alliances with none.” by Thomas Jefferson.

  16. Fantastic article. I used to be checking continuously to this website and I’m really impressed! Extremely educational information, especially the 2nd sentences. I really want this kind of info. I was seeking this particular knowledge for a while. Thankx and good luck.

  17. Great write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

  18. I think this is among the so much vital information for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. However want to observation on some basic issues, The web site style is great, the articles is actually excellent :D. Just right task, cheers.

  20. Great blogpost, I just passed this onto a student who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact purchased me lunch because I found it for him…. :).. So let me reword that: Thnkx for the treat! But yeah Thanks for taking the time to talk about this, I feel strongly about it and enjoy reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more info? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!

  24. That is really fascinating, You’re a very professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to in search of more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!

  25. Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such great information being shared freely out there.

  27. I was studying some of your content on this internet site and I believe this internet site is real informative ! Keep on putting up.

  28. I got what you mean , thankyou for posting .Woh I am happy to find this website through google. “I was walking down the street wearing glasses when the prescription ran out.” by Steven Wright.

  30. Hello.This article was really motivating, especially because I was investigating for thoughts on this subject last couple of days.

  31. Just desire to say your article Mildly Pleased | Black On Both Sides is as amazing. The clarity on your submit is just nice and i can suppose you are a professional in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to clutch your RSS feed to stay updated with imminent post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

  34. Thank you so much regarding giving everyone an update on this issue on your site. Please realize that if a brand-new post appears or when any adjustments occur on the current publication, I would be thinking about reading more and learning how to make good using of those strategies you share. Thanks for your efforts and consideration of other people by making this site available.

  36. I cling on to listening to the news update speak about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i acquire some?

  39. Great post, I believe website owners should learn a lot from this web site its rattling user genial. So much wonderful info on here :D.

  42. fantastic issues altogether, you simply gained a logo new reader. What could you suggest in regards to your put up that you just made a few days ago? Any certain?

  43. I simply could not leave your web site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual information a person supply for your guests? Is gonna be again continuously in order to investigate cross-check new posts.

  44. Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my website thus i came to “go back the prefer”.I’m trying to to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its good enough to make use of a few of your ideas!!

  45. Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.

  46. We truly appreciate your site post. You’ll find a lot of techniques we could put it to good use with the help of no effort in time and money. Thank you really with regard to helping make this post reply many queries we have encountered before now.

  47. Enjoyed reading this, very good stuff, thanks . “Love begets love, love knows no rules, this is the same for all.” by Virgil.

  51. I do accept as true with all the concepts you have introduced to your post. They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for beginners. Could you please extend them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

  52. My spouse and i still cannot quite believe I could become one of those studying the important suggestions found on your site. My family and I are really thankful for your generosity and for giving me the potential to pursue our chosen profession path. Appreciate your sharing the important information I got from your web-site.

  53. Its such as you learn my mind! You appear to know so much approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I believe that you could do with some percent to pressure the message house a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.

  54. I am impressed, I must say. Really seldom do I discover a blog that’s both informative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your opinion is outstanding; the matter is something that not a lot of people are speaking intelligently about. I’m really happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to it.

  55. I truly enjoy looking at on this website , it contains excellent content . “We find comfort among those who agree with us–growth among those who don’t.” by Frank A. Clark.

  59. Thanks, I’ve just been searching for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you positive about the source?

  63. My spouse and i ended up being now relieved that Albert managed to conclude his investigations via the precious recommendations he got through the web pages. It’s not at all simplistic to simply happen to be making a gift of ideas that a number of people have been trying to sell. And we recognize we’ve got you to give thanks to because of that. All of the illustrations you made, the simple web site menu, the friendships your site make it possible to foster – it’s most overwhelming, and it is facilitating our son in addition to us consider that this issue is satisfying, which is certainly especially fundamental. Many thanks for the whole lot!

  65. Thank you for your website post. Thomas and I are already saving for a new guide on this matter and your post has made people like us to save our own money. Your ideas really responded to all our inquiries. In fact, more than what we had thought of just before we ran into your wonderful blog. My spouse and i no longer have doubts plus a troubled mind because you have attended to our own needs here. Thanks

  66. It is perfect time to make a few plans for the long run and it is time to be happy. I’ve learn this post and if I may just I desire to recommend you few fascinating things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles relating to this article. I want to learn even more issues about it!

  68. I like this web blog so much, bookmarked. “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” by Dorothy Parker.

  69. You completed a number of good points there. I did a search on the matter and found the majority of folks will have the same opinion with your blog.

  70. I truly wanted to send a quick remark in order to thank you for these pleasant concepts you are showing on this site. My particularly long internet lookup has now been honored with good quality strategies to share with my family members. I ‘d express that we site visitors are really blessed to live in a fabulous site with very many awesome individuals with great basics. I feel extremely lucky to have encountered the webpages and look forward to many more fabulous moments reading here. Thank you once more for everything.

  71. I will right away seize your rss feed as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me understand so that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  79. I do believe all the ideas you’ve introduced to your post. They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for beginners. May just you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post… Jogar Jogos Online

  80. What i do not understood is in reality how you’re now not actually a lot more smartly-appreciated than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You realize therefore significantly with regards to this topic Mildly Pleased | Black On Both Sides made me individually believe it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved until it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. At all times maintain it up!

  81. The points you discussed here are quite precious. It absolutely was such an enjoyable surprise to see that looking forward to me when I woke up now. They are usually to the point as well as simple to interpret. Thanks for your time for the innovative ideas you’ve got shared above.

  83. you’re actually a excellent webmaster. The website loading speed is amazing. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a fantastic activity in this matter!

  84. I do agree with all of the ideas you have introduced for your post. They are very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too brief for beginners. Could you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

  86. Thanks a lot for your efforts to have decided to put these things together on this website. Mary and I very much appreciated your ideas through your articles over certain things. I recognize that you have quite a few demands with your program hence the fact that you actually took the maximum amount of time as you did to help people really like us through this article is definitely highly loved.

  90. Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!

  92. A person essentially help to make critically posts I’d state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I surprised with the analysis you made to create this actual publish amazing. Great job!

  93. I do believe all the ideas you’ve offered in your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too quick for beginners. May you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

  94. It is really rare to find a professional in whom you may have some trust. In the world nowadays, nobody really cares about showing others exactly how in this subject matter. How happy I am to have now found a really wonderful website as this. It is really people like you who make a true difference nowadays through the thoughts they reveal.

  95. I like the valuable information you supply for your articles. I will bookmark your blog and test again right here frequently. I’m relatively certain I’ll learn many new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the following!

  97. Thank you a lot for giving everyone an extremely remarkable possiblity to read critical reviews from this site. It’s always so cool and also full of a good time for me personally and my office colleagues to search your site more than thrice per week to learn the newest guidance you have got. Of course, we are actually astounded considering the wonderful solutions you give. Some two facts in this posting are completely the most beneficial I’ve had.

  98. I merely wanted to inform you about how much I appreciate all you’ve discussed to help increase the value of the lives of people in this subject material. Through your current articles, we have gone via just an inexperienced to a skilled in the area. It is truly a gratitude to your endeavours. Thanks

  104. I feel this is one of the so much vital info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The website taste is ideal, the articles is in point of fact nice :D. Good process, cheers.

  105. I just now wanted to let you know how much my spouse and i appreciate everything you’ve provided to help increase the value of the lives of an individual in this subject matter. Through your own articles, I’ve gone out of just an amateur to a skilled in the area. It can be truly a homage to your efforts. Thanks

  106. Most I can comment on is, I don’t know what to comment! Except needless to say, for the wonderful tips which have been shared within this blog. I will think of a trillion fun methods to read the posts on this site. I think I will finally make a move utilizing your tips on those issues I could not have been able to manage alone. You are so considerate to let me be one of those to learn from your valuable information. Please see how significantly I enjoy the whole thing.

  107. Most I can say is, I am not sure what to comment! Except of course, for the amazing tips that are shared on this blog. I could think of a trillion fun approaches to read the reports on this site. I’m sure I will at last make a move making use of your tips on those things I could never have been able to deal with alone. You had been so clever to allow me to be one of those to learn from your practical information. Please see how great I appreciate it.

Comments are closed.