list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Gorillas in the Mist on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Gorillas_in_the_Mist/13869/default.aspx Title: Gorillas in the Mist
Year: 1988
Director: Michael Apted
Plot: Gorillas in the Mist is based on the autobiographical 1983 book by naturalist Dian Fossey. Before the book could be brought before the cameras, Fossey had been mysteriously killed; her death provides a logical, if somewhat ghoulish climax to the film. A Kentucky girl, Fossey (Sigourney Weaver) is inspired by famed anthropologist Louis Leakey (Ian Cuthbertson) to devote her life to the study of primates. Travelling into deepest Africa, Fossey becomes fascinated with the lives and habits of the rare mountain gorillas of the Ugandan wilderness. Studying them at close quarters, Fossey develops a means of communicating with the gorillas, and in so doing becomes obsessed with the beasts' well-being. She is so devoted to "her" mountain that she loses the opportunity for a romance with a National Geographic photographer (Bryan Brown). Appalled by the poaching of the gorillas for their skins, Fossey complains to the Ugandan government, which dismisses her by explaining that poaching is the only means by which some of the Ugandan natives can themselves survive. She refuses to accept this, and becomes a militant animal-rights activist, burning down the poachers' villages and even staging a mock execution of one of the offenders. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 1
Number of Lists: 7
Number of blog posts: 1
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:55:52 GMTGorillas in the Mist1988Michael AptedGorillas in the Mist is based on the autobiographical 1983 book by naturalist Dian Fossey. Before the book could be brought before the cameras, Fossey had been mysteriously killed; her death provides a logical, if somewhat ghoulish climax to the film. A Kentucky girl, Fossey (<a href="/players/P____75144/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Sigourney Weaver</a>) is inspired by famed anthropologist Louis Leakey (Ian Cuthbertson) to devote her life to the study of primates. Travelling into deepest Africa, Fossey becomes fascinated with the lives and habits of the rare mountain gorillas of the Ugandan wilderness. Studying them at close quarters, Fossey develops a means of communicating with the gorillas, and in so doing becomes obsessed with the beasts' well-being. She is so devoted to "her" mountain that she loses the opportunity for a romance with a National Geographic photographer (<a href="/players/P____83200/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Bryan Brown</a>). Appalled by the poaching of the gorillas for their skins, Fossey complains to the Ugandan government, which dismisses her by explaining that poaching is the only means by which some of the Ugandan natives can themselves survive. She refuses to accept this, and becomes a militant animal-rights activist, burning down the poachers' villages and even staging a mock execution of one of the offenders. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide1Slightly Tagged (1-5)713http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t02468dlewg.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Gorillas_in_the_Mist/13869/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2009/10/25/44237.aspx Post By: pippin06
Post To: Reel Thoughts
Post Date: 10/25/2009 7:47:05 PM
Body: What's an Oscar Flashback (tm)? Read here: Next on my Netflix queue was Gorillas in the Mist, for which Sigourney Weaver was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar; Stuart Baird was nominated for the Best Film Editing Oscar; Maurice Jarre was nominated for the Best Score Oscar; Andy Nelson, Brian Saunders, and Peter Handford were nominated for the Best Sound Oscar; and Anna Hamilton Phelan and Tab Murphy were nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar (film year, 1988; awarding year, 1989). The other nominees in these categories were: Best Actress The Accused - Jodie Foster (Winner) Dangerous Liaisons - Glenn CloseWorking Girl - Melanie GriffithA Cry in the Dark - Meryl Streep Best Film Editing Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Winner) Die HardMississippi BurningRain Man Best Score The Milagro Beanfield War (Winner) The Accidental TouristDangerous LiaisonsRain Man Best Sound Bird (Winner) Die HardWho Framed Roger RabbitMississippi Burning Best Adapted Screenplay Dangerous Liaisons (Winner) The Accidental TouristLittle DorritThe Unbearable Lightness of Being This film also represents the fourth of nine Oscar-nominated dramas topping my Netflix queue, just in case you were keeping track. I watched Gorillas in the Mist instantly (I do love my Roku). I can't remember why I cued this film up. Again, I think it was one of those film titles from the 80s that have always stuck with me but which I did not pay much attention to as a child (I would have been 10 or 11 when this movie was released). As you can see from the above nominee list, there were other important films that likely drew my attention much more quickly at that age, such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Nevertheless, I do like Sigourney Weaver in just about everything else I have ever seen her in, and the plot likely intrigued me enough to want to watch it, so here it is, next up for some Reel Thoughts. The film is based on the autobiography of naturalist Dian Fossey, played by Weaver in the film. According to what I've read since watching the film (and I was keenly interested for several reasons), Fossey was mysteriously murdered in her home in Uganda just prior to the film's release, and the film itself follows Fossey's life story, beginning with her choice to petition anthropologist Louis Leakey for a position on a research project to study gorillas in the wilds of Africa. Though her work is slow-going at first, the film depicts how Fossey becomes fascinated and, arguably, obsessed with the habits and lifestyle of the gorillas, and she is able to develop a means of communication with them, even as she forms a deeply personal attachment to them. This attachment costs her a potential love-match with a National Geographic photographer (Bryan Brown) and brings her into direct conflict with poachers and the Ugandan government that supports them. The film further shows how she becomes a militant animal-rights activist, leading to some ethically compromised choices of her own. What I liked best about this film is that it's far from manipulative or coercive in its attempts to provide a balanced account of a woman's life that ended mysteriously and amid controversy over an issue that doesn't necessarily have the widespread support one would expect. As I've indicated, I spent some time reading (through quick online research) some accounts of Fossey and her life after watching this film, and the film, surprisingly, received mixed acclaim. Much of the criticism of the film centered on the idea that the depiction of Fossey as a potentially homicidal devotee to her gorillas was inaccurate and biased, and that Fossey was a victim of political assassination in life and death as a crazy woman, attempting to force her western ideals on a less-than-advanced culture dependent upon the revenues of poaching and looking to indict Fossey in the worldwide court of public opinion. Still others felt the film undersold her devotion to these animals, from a school of thought believing that the "crazy woman" moniker wasn't developed enough, while others felt the conservationist messages were not strong enough because the film was too busy focusing on a murder mystery rather than the work of a heroic woman. I actually felt that the movie was just balanced enough to incorporate all of those views and to let the viewer decide how to accept the message(s). In my opinion, the conservationist message rang loud and clear, and the endeavor to present a balanced portrait of a woman whose work and life choices could be interpreted in several ways, allowing time to each of the possible theories, was the most fair way to depict the life of an otherwise controversial, complex. and passionate woman. Sigourney Weaver's performance was the key to the whole picture coming together; her sensitive portrayal of this person never strayed into the deliberately outlandish. Everything from her interactions with the live (and, apparently, costumed) gorillas--quite the scene stealers themselves-- to her more impassioned outbursts, to her joy, and yes, even to the extreme devotion Fossey had for these animals was given a mesmerizing treatment by Weaver. It was her performance that kept the film from falling too far on one particular side or position of the controversy underpinning Fossey's life and her performance that kept this viewer engaged. Because of the type of film that it is, there was some erratic pacing, and the film seemed to lose its pacing consistency about the time that the Fossey character was becoming more active in her efforts to hold her research assistants and the rest of the world at large at bay from invading her and her gorillas' territory. The film is slow and deliberate, which suits its subject, until it decides to tell the tale of Fossey's murder and the events leading up to it, which happens to be a second act switch. It's noticeable because it's hard to switch gears, but I'm not sure how director Michael Apted or the rest of the filmmakers could have improved upon that and still have maintained the balanced approach to which they obviously seemed to be aiming. In my mind, this late course-change is but a minor complaint. Truthfully, I sort of loved this movie, and I loved it because it did deliberately straddle the line and left any conclusions to be drawn about Fossey's choices and the events of her life up to the viewer to make. Also, Weaver's performance really is the hallmark of Gorillas in the Mist and, alone, makes the film recommendable, but add to her performance the breathtaking cinematography capturing the lush African mountainsides and a moving score, and the ingredients for a very good film are all nicely combined into a delicious mixture. All in all, then, I think the film merits an 8.5 on the patented ratings scale between very good/minor flaws and perfectly entertaining (for the pacing issue). As to the test, though I loved the film, I can't see myself watching it repeatedly. I think its most powerful impact would be felt on the first viewing alone; also, as much as I loved the message and the fair autobiographical depiction, it's not the type of fare I pull out for a giggle. As a side note (see above), 1988 was quite the year for films. This film faced some stiff competition in its categories, including films I adore, such as Roger Rabbit, Die Hard, and Rain Man. I think that says something by itself.
]]>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:47:05 GMTpippin06Reel Thoughts10/25/2009 7:47:05 PM What's an Oscar Flashback (tm)? Read here: Next on my Netflix queue was Gorillas in the Mist, for which Sigourney Weaver was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar; Stuart Baird was nominated for the Best Film Editing Oscar; Maurice Jarre was nominated for the Best Score Oscar; Andy Nelson, Brian Saunders, and Peter Handford were nominated for the Best Sound Oscar; and Anna Hamilton Phelan and Tab Murphy were nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar (film year, 1988; awarding year, 1989). The other nominees in these categories were: Best Actress The Accused - Jodie Foster (Winner) Dangerous Liaisons - Glenn CloseWorking Girl - Melanie GriffithA Cry in the Dark - Meryl Streep Best Film Editing Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Winner) Die HardMississippi BurningRain Man Best Score The Milagro Beanfield War (Winner) The Accidental TouristDangerous LiaisonsRain Man Best Sound Bird (Winner) Die HardWho Framed Roger RabbitMississippi Burning Best Adapted Screenplay Dangerous Liaisons (Winner) The Accidental TouristLittle DorritThe Unbearable Lightness of Being This film also represents the fourth of nine Oscar-nominated dramas topping my Netflix queue, just in case you were keeping track. I watched Gorillas in the Mist instantly (I do love my Roku). I can't remember why I cued this film up. Again, I think it was one of those film titles from the 80s that have always stuck with me but which I did not pay much attention to as a child (I would have been 10 or 11 when this movie was released). As you can see from the above nominee list, there were other important films that likely drew my attention much more quickly at that age, such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Nevertheless, I do like Sigourney Weaver in just about everything else I have ever seen her in, and the plot likely intrigued me enough to want to watch it, so here it is, next up for some Reel Thoughts. The film is based on the autobiography of naturalist Dian Fossey, played by Weaver in the film. According to what I've read since watching the film (and I was keenly interested for several reasons), Fossey was mysteriously murdered in her home in Uganda just prior to the film's release, and the film itself follows Fossey's life story, beginning with her choice to petition anthropologist Louis Leakey for a position on a research project to study gorillas in the wilds of Africa. Though her work is slow-going at first, the film depicts how Fossey becomes fascinated and, arguably, obsessed with the habits and lifestyle of the gorillas, and she is able to develop a means of communication with them, even as she forms a deeply personal attachment to them. This attachment costs her a potential love-match with a National Geographic photographer (Bryan Brown) and brings her into direct conflict with poachers and the Ugandan government that supports them. The film further shows how she becomes a militant animal-rights activist, leading to some ethically compromised choices of her own. What I liked best about this film is that it's far from manipulative or coercive in its attempts to provide a balanced account of a woman's life that ended mysteriously and amid controversy over an issue that doesn't necessarily have the widespread support one would expect. As I've indicated, I spent some time reading (through quick online research) some accounts of Fossey and her life after watching this film, and the film, surprisingly, received mixed acclaim. Much of the criticism of the film centered on the idea that the depiction of Fossey as a potentially homicidal devotee to her gorillas was inaccurate and biased, and that Fossey was a victim of political assassination in life and death as a crazy woman, attempting to force her western ideals on a less-than-advanced culture dependent upon the revenues of poaching and looking to indict Fossey in the worldwide court of public opinion. Still others felt the film undersold her devotion to these animals, from a school of thought believing that the "crazy woman" moniker wasn't developed enough, while others felt the conservationist messages were not strong enough because the film was too busy focusing on a murder mystery rather than the work of a heroic woman. I actually felt that the movie was just balanced enough to incorporate all of those views and to let the viewer decide how to accept the message(s). In my opinion, the conservationist message rang loud and clear, and the endeavor to present a balanced portrait of a woman whose work and life choices could be interpreted in several ways, allowing time to each of the possible theories, was the most fair way to depict the life of an otherwise controversial, complex. and passionate woman. Sigourney Weaver's performance was the key to the whole picture coming together; her sensitive portrayal of this person never strayed into the deliberately outlandish. Everything from her interactions with the live (and, apparently, costumed) gorillas--quite the scene stealers themselves-- to her more impassioned outbursts, to her joy, and yes, even to the extreme devotion Fossey had for these animals was given a mesmerizing treatment by Weaver. It was her performance that kept the film from falling too far on one particular side or position of the controversy underpinning Fossey's life and her performance that kept this viewer engaged. Because of the type of film that it is, there was some erratic pacing, and the film seemed to lose its pacing consistency about the time that the Fossey character was becoming more active in her efforts to hold her research assistants and the rest of the world at large at bay from invading her and her gorillas' territory. The film is slow and deliberate, which suits its subject, until it decides to tell the tale of Fossey's murder and the events leading up to it, which happens to be a second act switch. It's noticeable because it's hard to switch gears, but I'm not sure how director Michael Apted or the rest of the filmmakers could have improved upon that and still have maintained the balanced approach to which they obviously seemed to be aiming. In my mind, this late course-change is but a minor complaint. Truthfully, I sort of loved this movie, and I loved it because it did deliberately straddle the line and left any conclusions to be drawn about Fossey's choices and the events of her life up to the viewer to make. Also, Weaver's performance really is the hallmark of Gorillas in the Mist and, alone, makes the film recommendable, but add to her performance the breathtaking cinematography capturing the lush African mountainsides and a moving score, and the ingredients for a very good film are all nicely combined into a delicious mixture. All in all, then, I think the film merits an 8.5 on the patented ratings scale between very good/minor flaws and perfectly entertaining (for the pacing issue). As to the test, though I loved the film, I can't see myself watching it repeatedly. I think its most powerful impact would be felt on the first viewing alone; also, as much as I loved the message and the fair autobiographical depiction, it's not the type of fare I pull out for a giggle. As a side note (see above), 1988 was quite the year for films. This film faced some stiff competition in its categories, including films I adore, such as Roger Rabbit, Die Hard, and Rain Man. I think that says something by itself. http://www.spout.com/blogs/thefilmpanelnotetaker/archive/2007/4/28/7916.aspx Post By: thefilmpanelnotetaker
Post To: thefilmpanelnotetaker Blog
Post Date: 4/28/2007 1:32:00 AM
Body: Today, I started out at the Documentary Filmmakers Press Meet & Greet at the Target Filmmaker Lounge next to Tribeca Cinemas where I spoke with several filmmakers whose documentaries are playing at the festival and a few others who are part of the Tribeca All Access program (see pictures below). I also spoke with Jeremy Taylor of Film Festival Today magazine. I then moved along to BMCC TribecaPAC where I picked up A.M. Peters who had been taking notes there at the TribecaTalks "Bringing Home the Bacon" panel discussion. (She'll be posting those notes here soon). We then headed over together to the Broad Street Ballroom for the Documentary Filmmakers Party where I ran into Karina Longworth of Vidiocy who told me she'll be blogging on Spout.com during the festival, and also met Ryan Harrington of A&E IndieFilms and Stephen Wyden of Wyden Media Pix. Also in attendance was Alexis Arquette, the star of the documentary "Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother" that's playing at the festival. Michael Apted- Director, "The Power of the Game" playing at the Tribeca Film Festival. Apted also directed the acclaimed "7 Up" series, most recently with "49 Up." His narrative features include "Gorillas in the Mist" and "Amazing Grace," which is currently in theaters. Tribeca All Access Director Tze Chun, "Artificial Dissemination" & Director Dara Bratt, "In Vivid Detail"FYI, Dara told me she may attend the TribecaTalks Sloan Panel Discussions.Tribeca All Access Director Edwin Pagan & Producer Bienvenida Matias, "Bronx Burning"Alan Gary & Luis Pedron of FanclubX Carolina Cruz-Santiago, Director & Laurent Alfieri, Cameraman - "Aloha New York"Mohammed Ali Naqvi, Director/Producer - "Shame" Henry Priest, Co-Producer - "Beyond the Mat" Melissa Davis, Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden - "Anita O' Day, The Life of a Jazz Singer"Vivien Lesnik Weisman & Friend - "Man of Two Havanas" Nancy Jundi - Runway.com & TheSpout.com Originally posted on:The Film Panel Notetaker - Miss a panel discussion? Don't worry! We took notes for you.
]]>Sat, 28 Apr 2007 05:32:00 GMTthefilmpanelnotetakerthefilmpanelnotetaker Blog4/28/2007 1:32:00 AMToday, I started out at the Documentary Filmmakers Press Meet & Greet at the Target Filmmaker Lounge next to Tribeca Cinemas where I spoke with several filmmakers whose documentaries are playing at the festival and a few others who are part of the Tribeca All Access program (see pictures below). I also spoke with Jeremy Taylor of Film Festival Today magazine. I then moved along to BMCC TribecaPAC where I picked up A.M. Peters who had been taking notes there at the TribecaTalks "Bringing Home the Bacon" panel discussion. (She'll be posting those notes here soon). We then headed over together to the Broad Street Ballroom for the Documentary Filmmakers Party where I ran into Karina Longworth of Vidiocy who told me she'll be blogging on Spout.com during the festival, and also met Ryan Harrington of A&E IndieFilms and Stephen Wyden of Wyden Media Pix. Also in attendance was Alexis Arquette, the star of the documentary "Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother" that's playing at the festival. Michael Apted- Director, "The Power of the Game" playing at the Tribeca Film Festival. Apted also directed the acclaimed "7 Up" series, most recently with "49 Up." His narrative features include "Gorillas in the Mist" and "Amazing Grace," which is currently in theaters. Tribeca All Access Director Tze Chun, "Artificial Dissemination" & Director Dara Bratt, "In Vivid Detail"FYI, Dara told me she may attend the TribecaTalks Sloan Panel Discussions.Tribeca All Access Director Edwin Pagan & Producer Bienvenida Matias, "Bronx Burning"Alan Gary & Luis Pedron of FanclubX Carolina Cruz-Santiago, Director & Laurent Alfieri, Cameraman - "Aloha New York"Mohammed Ali Naqvi, Director/Producer - "Shame" Henry Priest, Co-Producer - "Beyond the Mat" Melissa Davis, Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden - "Anita O' Day, The Life of a Jazz Singer"Vivien Lesnik Weisman & Friend - "Man of Two Havanas" Nancy Jundi - Runway.com &amp; TheSpout.com Originally posted on:The Film Panel Notetaker - Miss a panel discussion? Don't worry! We took notes for you. http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/murder/MemberTagFilms.aspxmurder
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