I have to disagree with you two. It's society/culture/conditioning that allows us to find other things besides youth to be attractive. Left to instinct,
we are simply drawn to what we see as a good sperm or egg factory. Youth and beauty become synonymous because they both equate to health. As human beings we
can learn the attractiveness of other things and not be driven by instinct, but attraction to youthfulness is innate rather than socialized behavior.
Picture posting rules can be found here.  | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click daily on the three right hand logos to give food and aid. |
|||
State of Play
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 toadfroggy |
|||
|
Posts: 5044 (Apr 24, 2009 3:03 PM) Resident Amphibian |
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
|
||
|
Karencrowes |
|||
|
Posts: 112 (Apr 24, 2009 4:22 PM) |
marionette wrote:I think, as always, there is a little of both, but am also basing my opinion on what I know about Russell as being a strong force in shaping whatever character he plays, an opinion that was reinforced in everything Kevin MacDonald said about him. The hair, I have heard, was a wig. Your Signature ... "Do the best job you can seeing the truth, and then do the best job you can telling the truth. Risk whatever you have to risk, because ultimately, it's probably not going to be as much as you think it is. Even if it is, at least you will have collapsed, been fired, shot at, or whatever for good reason rather than something stupid or self-serving." -- Keith Olbermann GOBAMA!! |
||
|
Karencrowes |
|||
|
Posts: 113 (Apr 24, 2009 4:27 PM) |
QueenMab,
I think one of the main points of the story is that Cal sets aside a lot of his ethics for the sake of friendship and is in conflict for most of the film. That's what makes the denoument even worse. As for Della, what you said is probably true, but it can be argued that the Editor is desparate for a story and sees the cub reporter/blogger as someone who can produce copy. There was a line, something about, she's young, she's hungry and she writes fast, or something like that. Your Signature ... "Do the best job you can seeing the truth, and then do the best job you can telling the truth. Risk whatever you have to risk, because ultimately, it's probably not going to be as much as you think it is. Even if it is, at least you will have collapsed, been fired, shot at, or whatever for good reason rather than something stupid or self-serving." -- Keith Olbermann GOBAMA!! |
||
|
marionette |
|||
|
Posts: 17 (Apr 24, 2009 7:38 PM) |
toadfroggy wrote:I mostly agree. But even though "society/culture/conditioning... allows us to find other things besides youth to be attractive", I think we all agree that Helen Mirren looks stunning in those recent pix mainly because she's managed to (with a lot of self-discipline and perhaps some outside help) maintain some youthful features - e.g., her figure, style, complexion - rather than just letting nature take her course. She does look very healthy and radiant, especially for a woman my mother's age. I was joking, Karencrowes. Russell is, undoubtably, "a strong force in shaping whatever character he plays". It was just a pleasant coincidence that he was still dumpy when filming began. 
ETA: so according to toadfroggy's POV Russell Crowe is still seen as a good sperm factory?? LOL To mature eggs, anyway.
Last Edited By: marionette
Apr 25, 2009 6:35 AM.
Edited 2 times.
|
||
|
lindylulu |
|||
|
Posts: 8343 (Apr 24, 2009 8:47 PM) |
TF, I agree with your comments above. It's possible to get to really know someone on an intimate level and feel attraction based on their character, humor,
intellect, artistic nature, etc. But, without that "getting to know you well" type of event, if it's surface level stuff like images, then my
brain just goes straight for the men in their prime, in their 30s usually. It could be partially hormonal, right?
|
||
|
Littlebootredux |
|||
|
Posts: 9 (Apr 25, 2009 5:57 AM) |
Ah but then we get into a discussion about what a man's Prime is.
I quite agree that biological realities and impulses do play a big part in what is concidered attractive.....as in find a good mate. But just a sperm factory? Well getting pregnant is, of course, just the start....and I believe we are also motivated to find a good protector. And that's when it gets more complex and other factors than youth come in to play....and of course those factors can differ quite radically from society to society. Also, cultural differences play a big part because they alter what people perceive as a strong mate.....and ultimately its being seen to have a partner who is in his Prime ...I.E. that others (rivals, whatever) acknowledge him as such.....that is the key. In some African societies for example, it is much older than in Western ones. If a society recognises middle aged men with some grey in their beard as in their prime....by virtue of accumulated knowledge, wealth, power and savviness for example..... rather than a twenty-thrity something, then that is what is important and becomes an attractive age-group. In some societies the added stamina of an older man is more physically useful rather than youth. I read an article somewhere recently that discussed this kind of subject...I even think Russell was mentioned (though the version of Russell they had in mind was probably more Maximus than Cal).....in which it said that, in a recession/depression the kind of man women find attractive/a good bet usually changed. Metrosexual on-trend and all that was less useful going forward than a man who had more basic male ruggedness.
Last Edited By: Littlebootredux
Apr 25, 2009 6:00 AM.
Edited 1 times.
|
||
|
HarleyWoman91 |
|||
|
Posts: 10141 (Apr 25, 2009 8:55 AM) Have You Saved |
The concept of Beauty, attractiveness & desirability varies from culture to culture, as most of us know. What one society may consider most attractive or appealing, another doesn't. Meanwhile, too much of U.S. 'culture' is governed & conditioned by advertising messages & marketing studies. Never mind what was once more primordially-driven...we're bombarded & saturated with commercial images & messages from cradle to grave. (Buy our stuff look young forever.) |
||
|
marionette |
|||
|
Posts: 20 (Apr 25, 2009 2:21 PM) |
HarleyWoman91 wrote:Yes, or "buy our stuff and be happy". We really are a very strange culture and our priorities are way, way out of whack. IMO. |
||
|
Schuey |
|||
|
Posts: 41 (Apr 27, 2009 2:58 PM) |
It's still a month till the movie will arrive in my country.
So please, somone just enlighten me from a completely unbiased point of view, how is the movie? Is Crowe great as usual? |
||
|
E Love 9.survivorsucks |
|||
|
Posts: 58 (Apr 27, 2009 4:14 PM) |
I liked it. Russell was great, I liked his character a lot and thought he had great chemistry with Robin Wright Penn and Rachel McAdams. As usual, I was
indifferent on Ben Affleck, I just find him very bland. Jason Bateman's character was very entertaining for the brief parts he was in. Helen Mirren was
fantastic. I thought overall it was comparable to other government conspiracy suspense movies.
|
||
|
HarleyWoman91 |
|||
|
Posts: 10146 (Apr 28, 2009 9:11 AM) Have You Saved |
Is Crowe great as usual? He wasn't "great" as Cal, Schuey. However, it's certainly the best acting he's done in awhile... a solid Crowe performance. |
||
|
Karencrowes |
|||
|
Posts: 117 (Apr 29, 2009 12:16 AM) |
"Great," being a matter of opinion.
I can't think of another film or performance I've seen, recently, that's better. Your Signature ... "Do the best job you can seeing the truth, and then do the best job you can telling the truth. Risk whatever you have to risk, because ultimately, it's probably not going to be as much as you think it is. Even if it is, at least you will have collapsed, been fired, shot at, or whatever for good reason rather than something stupid or self-serving." -- Keith Olbermann GOBAMA!! |
||
|
marionette |
|||
|
Posts: 21 (May 9, 2009 8:52 AM) |
Got to see it last night in the theater. Opinions:
Thumbs-up or -down: definitely up - it's a good, solid movie; holds water, no leaks. Crowe: I agree with Harleywoman, "a solid Crowe performance." Don't feel like it was a stretch for him, but he wasn't slacking either. Nice to see him fill up the screen again (<- not a crack about his weight, which, again, really wasn't nearly as significant as all the press coverage would've led one to believe). I can't imagine Brad Pitt in that role - it needed Crowe to keep things interesting because the plot was *just* twisty-turny enough that I'd have lost interest otherwise. One of Crowe's acknowledged strengths as an actor is his ability to outwardly demonstrate character's inner thought processes. I was wide-awake and paying attention and there were still moments that Crowe/McCaffrey was putting 2 + 2 together and I realized I was being left behind. You could see him thinking, thinking, thinking and that was my cue that I was certainly missing something. LOL It didn't happen often and nothing so big or drastic that I ever lost the thread completely, but it was helpful to have the actor's/character's pauses and cues to help keep me chugging and thinking along. Another actor may not have done that as well. Thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated all the close-ups of his eyes too. Been missing those in movies of late - they're some of Crowe's best tools and McDonald used them very effectively. Mirren: loved her. Spot on. Great interplay. McAdams: well cast. Good rapport with Crowe - it was very easy to believe the crusty-mentor/spunky-ingenue dynamic. Jason Bateman: great comic relief. Can't wait for Extract! Affleck: better than I expected. Not saying much, but he didn't embarrass himself by any means and Crowe didn't act circles around him. Wright Penn: fine. Nice to see her again. Beautiful woman maturing beautifully. Overall, it was a very good movie of that genre. They did a great job whittling a mini-series into a feature film. I avoided spoilers but wasn't able to miss other viewers' comments that the ending was a surprise to them. ?? I wasn't suprised but maybe it's because I was *expecting* a surprise instead of where I figured it was going. LOL Left the theater echoing Littlebootredux's sentiment that I'm a bit weary of "grown-up" movies, however. I know I "should", as a "serious, adult person" (LOL) enjoy stuff like this, but it's not something I'll bother renting to re-watch. Feel Crowe pulled a bit of a swiftie when he brought the ONLY action sequence along with him to the talk show circuit to demonstrate that the film is a "thriller" and not a "political mystery". I was thinking there'd be more of that based on what he said.  Looking forward to more adult ENTERTAINMENT from
Nottingham or whatever it's being called now...
ETA: am I crazy or did I recognize the picture of Crowe on McCaffrey's fridge with Stephen and Ann as being one of the oldie-but-goodies from ancient fandom? If so,  @ self and LOL
Last Edited By: marionette
May 9, 2009 9:15 AM.
Edited 2 times.
|
||
 may2 |
|||
|
Posts: 206 (May 18, 2009 9:29 PM) Frequently Perched |
His Letterman appearance reruns, Tuesday, May 26. It's the best he's ever been on a talk show.
Here's an interview http://www.nzherald.co.nz/movies/news/article.cfm?c_id=200&objectid=10573007
GOCUBSGO
|
||
|
Karencrowes |
|||
|
Posts: 210 (Jun 1, 2009 6:08 PM) |
The dvd of State of Play is out in early August!!
Your Signature ... "Do the best job you can seeing the truth, and then do the best job you can telling the truth. Risk whatever you have to risk, because ultimately, it's probably not going to be as much as you think it is. Even if it is, at least you will have collapsed, been fired, shot at, or whatever for good reason rather than something stupid or self-serving." -- Keith Olbermann GOBAMA!! |
||
|
susi079 |
|||
|
Posts: 1065 (Jun 1, 2009 9:09 PM) Member of the Board |
Thx for the heads up, Karen.
 
 |
||
|
Karencrowes |
|||
|
Posts: 213 (Jun 3, 2009 5:09 PM) |
You are entirely welcome, Susie; can't wait to see Russell in this great performance, again!!
Your Signature ... "Do the best job you can seeing the truth, and then do the best job you can telling the truth. Risk whatever you have to risk, because ultimately, it's probably not going to be as much as you think it is. Even if it is, at least you will have collapsed, been fired, shot at, or whatever for good reason rather than something stupid or self-serving." -- Keith Olbermann GOBAMA!! |
||
