It's a gorgeous movie. I love the scene at the swimming pool after the body is found, with Lynn Redgrave clearly "forgiving" everyone and giving Fraser a pass to make his escape, knowing his innocence.....
Lovely. The film is filled with the most beautiful, subtle moments. There is such compassion and love here on a variety of leves. Condon did a masterful job.
@@STEVEHAYESTOQ Steve , isn't it a shame that Brendan Fraser seems to have faded off the scene? I love watching his performances. Is it the fickleness of Hollywood ? Seems to me every other star on the walk of fame is inlaid with tragedy.
@@degsbabe I like him too. I don't know enough partuculars about Mr Frazier, to fully answer your question, but it's a tough, competative and oftebn fickle business of instant and often cruel highs and lows. When you look at careers of those who have lasted and remained box office champs for decades, from Katharine Hepburn and John Wayne, to Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep, you realize how truly remarkable they are. I hope that Mr Frazier continues with his career as he gets older, because he's smart, sensitive and very talented. Thanks so much for watching. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the "Like"button. Stay well, be happy, please stay SAFE. Best; Steve
@@STEVEHAYESTOQ Thanks Steve for your reply. One last question. Is there such a thing of 'making it look to easy '. So as not to win an Oscar ? I.e Richard Burton' Peter O'toole.....Mel Gibson ? Are oscars even worth the gold plate and the goody bag?? Stay safe steve.
I'm so glad you chose this movie, Steve. Its one of my all time favorites and I think its perfection. Makes me cry every time I watch it. You really understood it completely. The script, performances- everything is peerless. And yes INDEED Brendan Fraser was beyond hot in this movie. I have always considered him an underated actor as well. Ian Mcclellan is heartbreaking. He should have gotten an Oscar for this.
Allison Seamark This and George of the Jungle sealed the Brendan deal for me. He went from inappropriate gay sex object to 6% body fat loincloth comedian. I have my standards.
I loved him and the entire cast. I adore this movie. Bill Condon is one of my favorite current director and his script so deserved the Oscar it won. There aren't that movies about Hollywood that I really love and this is one of them.
Steve, if there is a God, let it come to pass that you get a serious gig on Turner Classic Movies! You appear in a promo (I was thrilled), but Steve, you know that you are humongously qualified to be a host. The fantastic trifeca: Robert Osbourne, Ben Mankiewicz, and YOU! The fans would love you, trust me, I am the biggest one, fan that is.
I absolutely love this film not least because it shows a reality, much like Sunset Boulevard, that has been masked by the Hollywood machine: the cost of stardom is ruinous and often deadly. Since we are in the second decade of the 21st Century Netflix`s Hollywood touches upon some of the same themes that Gods & Monsters can only allude to in brief and discuss in exposition: the reference to George Chukor`s after-parties is one; the swimming-pool party at Whale`s house, another. Of course Netflix can afford (quite literally) to be more explicit in it`s portrayal of Hollywood in the era which overlapped with that of Scotty Bowers and his infamous Union Oil Station`s Full Service. However, the tragedy of Hollywood is still the same: the eventual cost is never equal to the celebrity. And like so much Leprechaun gold (Finian`s Rainbow) it`s worthless dross in daylight outside of the velvet seats of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre or the Kodak - if it isn`t an Oscar, it`s nothing. I remember Robert Downey Jr playing Chaplin and one of his most plaintive lines "...are you working?" really touched a cord with me. Because those few words, innocuous in themselves, seem to be the echoing cant throughout all Hollywood, and films made about the place: if you`re not `working` your nothing. This theme is played out in all stories about bygone Hollywood; when I say bygone I mean anything not NOW! Because if your face isn`t staring back at you from a 48 or 96 Sheet then you`re nobody, and then you are only as good as your last picture; blockbuster; record-breaker; talk of the town; hit. Gods & Monsters is just one of many, many iterations of the same story: Sunset Boulevard; Whatever Happened to Baby Jane; Death Becomes Her; Cafe Society; Feud. And that is: Hollywood makes Gods & Monster in equal measure, and all of them fall, eventually.
Love this film! So very well done. I have watched the DVD several times. Wonderful performances. Steve, your research gave me additional background info. I appreciate you! Great choice.
Dear Steve, this is such a marvellous film, with such a superb cast, that I'm astonished I haven't commented to you about it before. Lynn Redgrave would indeed have brought incredible intelligence and empathy to her role (as she always did), given her parents' history; Vanessa her sister always said that she'd married Tony Richardson because her parents' marriage (father gay, mother straight) had worked so well. And Sir Ian McKellen is always wonderful - I think what I love most about him is that he takes serious work so seriously, but has the wildest sense of humour and has appeared in a television comedy series and as a Dame in Pantomime (you'll know about this peculiarly English form of entertainment). The whole cast are superb, and most of all the script of this tragedy gives them a chance to show what life was like at that time - brutally cruel, under the glitter. I don't know if you'll find this comment, Steve dear, but if you do I wish you well. Keep your fingers crossed for me - I'm having an MRI tomorrow to find out whether I need a new hip, and I don't have one spare! Very best wishes, Alida
Dear Alida, I've been out of town visiting my sister, so didn't see your comment until today. I hope the news about the hip was positive. So many of my contemporaries have had very suggessful hip replacements and their lives have changed sginificantly for the better. The trick is, as I'm sure everyone tells you, to do the physical therapy and practioce on it even when you're not in a formal session. I wish you such good luck and will be sending you prayers and support. As to "Gods and Monsters", it's just about my favorite "Hollywood" film. It perfectly captures the attitudes, the business and morality inwhich it takes place. I think Brendan Frazioer is marvelous and he and Ian work wonders with director Bill Condon's brilliant, Oscar winning script . It's simply fascinating on so many levels. I saw Sir Ian as "Mother Goose" when I was in London at Christmas time in 2022. He was enchanting and absolutely hilarious. I also had the pleasure of seeing Lynn on stage doing one of Alan Bennett's " Talking Heads" monolgues : " Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet", which the legendary Dame Patricia Routledge did on the BBC. Lynns was lfunny, warm & wonderful, of course. Here's to you. My Friend! Good luck with the new hip! Until nexty time! Steve
Tremendous review what a neat film for Pride Month..I wish James Whale would have been accepted and continued on directing and such It's a shame but its history. Well done ol' boy!! 🎭
Yes! He was amazing, and very much his own person, regardless of the consequences. He refused to conform to the "George Cukor gay lifestyle"...Cukor wouldn't invite him to his famous Sunday Gay Soirees, he claimed Whale was indiscreet and Whale thought Cukor was full of himself. I love "The Old Dark House", it's my favorite and so incredibly atmospheric, and then he could do something lovely like "Showboat". Such an immense talent. Movie history was robbed. Thanks for watching! Steve
When Gods and Monsters did not take the Academy Award some very good friends of McKellen bought him a gift they bought him the Satchel that sir Laurence Olivier carried about his scripts in they embosed his initials right next to Sir Laurence Olivier McKellen was touched beyond words he's friends Sting and hiis wife Trudy the Rockstar thought that Ian had been justly slighted which I agree with so he and his wife bought this gift. Till this day that story makes me cry Gods and Monsters should have taken that Academy Award Hollywood Injustice against our people what can I say?
This is such a touching story I'm surprised Steve didn't respond to it. McKellen always was, and remains to this day, brilliant, and it was probably because of "Gods and Monsters" that he was cast as Gandalf - nominated for the Academy Award again, and didn't win again. Incredibly. I don't think McKellen can give a bad performance. Best wishes.
Didn't really know who Sir Ian was when he hosted closing ceremonies NYC Gay Games '94. He intoned in that voice, "I am Sir Ian McKellan. Or, as my friends call me, Serena McKellan." He had me @ Serena & just keeps getting better & better.
McKellan deserved the Oscar for this- Roberto got it because people wanted to see him go crazy at the show....there probably was an anti gay element to the voting- the Academy and actors in general think it isn't a strecth for a gay man to play a gay character- remember Rupert Everett....if a str8 guy played it, with their love of bio films and Hollywood depictions, the part was a near shue in!
This case if a prime example of why the Oscars mean nothing to me anymore. That little clown was perfectly adequate in Everything is Beautiful but hardly in a league with Ian's performance in this. He wuz robbed.
aagold76 How often has Oscar gone to a Shakespearean Brit? Olivier? Weren't Burton & O'Toole nominated 15 times? Didn't O'Toole call himself Biggest Loser? How many out gay Shakespearean Brits? None?
Disgraceful. Yet another great actor who made acting look too...easy.If Mckellan ever did get an Oscar he should refuse it as an insult to the gay community, and more important a great injustice to acting genius.
Hey Steve! So thrilled to see you give so much love to this brilliant, lovely film Brendan is one of my dearest friends and he truly a kind and loving man, as well as being one of the most underrated actors in America I wish you could have seen his Brick on the west end in Cat on a hot tin roof - he was heartbreaking Mckellan was as robbed as Judy was for star is born - shocking he lost Your impeccable taste, passion and charm continue to make my quarantine so much more bearable How we agree on the haunting, leave her to heaven, auntie mame etcetcetc Have you done 4 of my top fave films: The innocents, the gangs all here, the red shoes and, my favorite film, vertigo?
Dear John; First of all thank you for your lvely comments. I do love Brendan and have always been a big fan. His work in this is so layed, subtle and lovely. I really think t's masterpiece and one of the best films on and about the movie buisness. As to Ian's notw inning, let's face t, the Academy seldom get's it right. They tend to give out consolation prizes afterwards. Of your four favorites, I have reviewed "Vertigo", check with my past reviews on RU-vid. It's always been my favorite film. The other three are terrifi recommendations and on my "to do" list! I'm so glad you like TOQ and aprreciate your appreciation! have a lovely weekend, Happy Pride and Stay Safe. Besy; Steve
Lovely film, wonderful review! Incidentally, it’s a shame this underrated actor (agreed) so commonly gets his name mispronounced because of a popular TV show…. Brendan Fraser = “fray-zer” - Frazier = “fray-sher” 😞
Hello, good night; Steve, how are you? I enjoyed so much your review. Gods &Monsters is such an emotional movie with superb performances by all the cast members. All the best for you.
I saw this film at the Florida Film Festival when it was first released. I cried thru the last half of the movie. It was so touching and so well acted. Highly recommend.
I agree with BrokebackBob. We should start a campaign to get him a gig on Turner Classic Movies like the campaign to get Betty White on SNL. Steve we love you and your work.
Okay, Steve. For you, I had my library get me a copy of this film and I have to say that I didn't love it. Ian McKellen always brings his A game, so I had no complaints about his performance. I guess that I simultaneously felt sorry for and annoyed with "Mr. Jimmy." That being said, I feel that Lynn Redgrave practically stole this picture. She was phenomenal.
Greetings, A small correction, but Lyn Redgrave's part as Whale's housekeeper was not German as Mr. Hayes suggests, she was Hungarian. I mention it because I am Hungarian. We Hunkies are seldom, if ever, portrayed in film. Gods and Monsters is an amazing film from start to finish. The cast is stellar!
Greetings @@STEVEHAYESTOQ, You honor me sir by your most kind and courteous reply. This film becomes better the more it is watched.There is simply too much subtle chemistry going on between McKellan and Fraser. It was a stellar cast all round, and definitely Brendan Fraser's finest bit of acting he ever did. BTW. I adored your part in Trick! Another film with a stellar cast! I watch it once a year.
thank you Steve. one of my absolute favorites. all 3 leads are perfect. it's a crime the way Hollywood screwed James Whale but oh the beautiful works of art he gave to the cinema. thanks again for another great review.
I'm chomping at the bit to do "the Old dark House" . I love him especially his choices of actors. Ernest Thesiger is my absolute favorite! Thanks for watching! Steve
@@STEVEHAYESTOQ absolutely LOVE Ernest Thesiger - he added so much to "Bride of Frankenstein"."Old Dark House" - one of my favorite haunted house movies ever (along with "the Haunting") Cheers!
@@haintedhouse2990 VIVA ERNEST!!!! The most fabulous porboscis this side of Martita Hunt! Perhaps they were the same person... never saw them in a room together. Hmmmmm. best; Steve
Same place as in the last one. No more old cramped old Chelsea or wherever apartment. Steve, what happened? Looks like a perfect prewar house, or a new traditional one. Yonkers? Hackensack? PLEASE EXPLAIN STEVE!
Don't know the details, but it was in the time when many more actually really gay men got married to women to fit in and have a family. Very British besides.
I don't think in that place and time that a lot of gay men would even admit to THEMSELVES that they were gay. it was easier for them to accept themselves if they said they were 'bisexual". Sad.
Allison Seamark Was also ILLEGAL in the U.K. for many years. Redgrave's son-in-law fathered 2 daughters with Vanessa, he was an AIDS death in the '90's. One of the girls ended Dame Diana Rigg's marriage sleeping with her husband. So don't know if labels are necessary for this clan. Let's just say if life is a banquet the Redgraves are not starving.
I remember seeing this film in New York. I’ve watched multiple times after but for whatever reason I was blown away by the woman portraying Elsa Lanchester, much to the annoyance to my friend. I couldn’t stop talking about her bit performance.
Director Bill Condon is a wonderful film maker and obviously loved the subject matter and the history of Hollywood. The actors who played Ernest Thesiger and Colin Clive were eqaully amazing. This sis one of the few films dealiong with Hollywood history that has a semblance of doing it right.
Fantastic , explanation , good to know , I’m quite , addicted with that movie , the flash backs , so amazing , I do love that , contrast between the straight guy , quite homophobic. And Mr James , so out and proud. Mr.Welles ! So sarcastic , his gay convict , and love to play with the straight guy , but the bother line ! Coming try to spank , mr Welles ! O god ! Thanks , try to include , other gay movie .
Oh yes! By all means, you must! It's simpoly terrific! The acting, the direction and the Oscar winning script. It's one of m,y favorite " Inside Hollywood" films. Bill Condon knows his stuff and got it right! Enjoy! Thanks for watching & Happy Spring! Steve
Brendan Fraser is actually Francis Ford Coppola nephew he changed his name so he wouldn't be associated with the director he wanted to be his own man which is understandable up until the Advent of Gods and Monsters I thought Brandon Frazier as an actor sucked I am sorry but he bloomed like a Lotus from the mud in Gods and Monsters he took that part as we say in Texas like a bulldog on a pork chop he almost overshadowed the performance of Lynn Redgrave as the German housekeeper but looking back on it no one but no one could overshadow sir Ian McKellen this came together as a tightly-knit package this film was more than outstanding and when he didn't receive an Academy Award I could have spit a little piece of trivia for you movie fans out there when Ian McKellen was passed over as best actor for his performance in Gods and Monsters his dear friend sting leader of the police and his wife Trudy got him a gift Ian McKellen acting Idol with sir Laurence Olivier sting and trudie gifted the briefcase or Satchel depending on what you want to call it I'll call it a satchel Ian with sage satchel on the top of the Satchel near the class which held it closed wise the initials absar Laurence Olivier and overcome by say gift took it and had his initials placed under sir Laurence Olivier snitchels it's quite the story actually you can find it in the in the DVD extras of Gods and Monsters I love you old Queen at the movies💋💖🌈🌺🌹🌸💐🌻🌼🌷
Thanks for this, Steve! For some reason, I never had desire to see this one...until now. Oh, and welcome back! I always miss you when there are long stretches between uploads. I console myself in the interim by watching your old stuff as well as assuming that you're getting to work a lot and don't have time to make new reviews. BTW, great segment on TCM. LOVED it!
