(From iMdb.com)
How am I ever going to watch a movie that took just a year to film again?
Richard Linklater, you’ve spoiled me with “Boyhood.”
The director took his time filming the story he wrote about a brother and sister coming of age in Houston. The Texas native, in fact, shot the film over a dozen years.
And it is good. Really good. Exceptional. My dear wife Karen and I watched it on Blu-Ray on Saturday night, curious as to whether the big-four cast of Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke as divorced parents and Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater (the writer/director’s daughter) as the did, in fact, propel this piece to Best Picture-nomination-worthy status.
I’m glad I experienced it on the new big flat screen in its full 1080p Blue-Ray glory. And with Surround Sound. Beautifully crafted movie.
(From syracusenewtimes.com)
I wrote about “Boyhood” and some interesting wrinkles in the making of it in today’s installment of my weekly Movie News blog for the Syracuse New Times.
You can read my story on that site by clicking the link below.
http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/12-years-boyhood-well-spent-indeed/
Have you seen “Boyhood” yet, and what did you think if you have? Are you a fan of Linklater’s previous work such as “Slacker” and “Dazed and Confused,” and the “Before …” trilogy, and if so, why? Do you think other directors are plotting new strategies for innovation because of Linklater, and what may be in Hollywood’s future?
Mark Bialczak 
Just watched it this evening. 👍👍
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I know nothing about any of the questions you offered at the bottom, Chum. I’m a movie half motivated junkie, I guess. I’ll look into Boyhood…I mean Houston? How can I not?
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How could you not, indeed. Houston has you name written all over it, Aud. 🙂 And vice versa, now.
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I have not seen it yet, but I heard it was good. Now with your endorsement, I’ll definitely add it to my queue. 🙂
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Enjoy it, Rachel. It may win the biggie …
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Hollywood? The truth please, more truth please 🙂
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Well put, Niki. 🙂
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Boyhood won the BAFTA! 🙂 x
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❤
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I saw it last weekend as well and really liked it. There were long stretches where it didn’t seem like anything was happening but, of course, there was. It’s more indicative of real life than pretty much anything else I’ve ever seen. You don’t think anything is happening but, of course, it is. All the time.
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Very life like, Mark. Every moment of it. Well put.
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I get spoiled by your posts, Mark. I appreciated your review and I loved “Boyhood”!
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It was lifelong special, Ann. Thanks for the kind words about my review.
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I’ve not seen it yet but two friends have mentioned it to me as one to watch. I think I will need tissues, no? 🙂
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At some points, yes, waterworks, Kay. Others, laughter.
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I very much want to see this movie. It’s not playing nearby from what I can tell but I will make a bee-line when it arrives. I saw Patricia Arquette interviewed about the movie and she is just a doll! So honest and no B-S, I really like her.
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I wrote about Patricia Arquette talking about it over on the other blog, Barbara. It was a cool interview she did with Mo Rocca on CBS Sunday Morning, the one I saw, anyway! Yes, see this one as soon as you can. It’s really well done all the way around.
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Yes! That’s the interview I saw too. I love that she is not half-starved to death and has her original teeth (and face!) She just looks a really fun gal to hang around with!
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Yes, she is as regular as can be for an actress whose grandpa was Charlie Weaver, I think too, Barbara! Let’s invite her to our bloggers’ party. 🙂
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You never steer me wrong with your critiques. I glad you enjoyed it at home.
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I hope you get to see it, Kim.
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It sounds like a movie I would enjoy Mark. Don’t have the big screen TV yet though. Keeping my fingers crossed my old one will last until I move to the renovated one, whenever that day comes. Then we will have the hookup for the wide screen, plus new wiring for Wi-Fi, and all sorts of stuff that our old wiring doesn’t cover. I have a list of movies to watch if that day ever comes–and that’s a big, huge, tremendous IF. They are still coming in and making noise every morning, but haven’t seen much in the way of progress yet. That movie will be added to my list though. 12 years to make it???? WOW!!!!
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I hope the moves comes soon enough for you to get that big screen and enjoy this and so many more home movies, Angie! You deserve the new wiring, WiFi and comforts, my friend, that are so way overdue.
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I have not seen Boyhood yet, but I am intrigued by the fact that it was filmed over a 12 year period and I want to see it, so glad you liked it, now I want to see it even more! ❤
Diana xo
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Take the time, Diana, it is a great experience! Let me know if you agree. ❤
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Great review Mark, here and there, and I can’t wait to see it. I had heard of this remarkable movie make a long time ago. Wasn’t sure to believe it or not. Was thrilled when I realized it was going to be for real. I’m looking forward to seeing it. Especially after getting such a rave review from you.
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Yes, 12 years in the making, Colleen. What a wise move that was for Linklater. I slice of life, really and truly. Precious.
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To tell you the truth, I wonder why it took so long for someone to do this. I’m so glad. I’m excited to see it.
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I think I told you before how much I loved Boyhood. Such realistic and imperfect characters, and Hawke made me remember how much I admire him. The three hours flew by for me.
Jennifer x
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It did not seem like three hours to me, either, Jennifer. I was engrossed in the story and the acting, as were you. 🙂
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I really admire the undertaking, although it’s funny – at my work, we’re not really praised for taking longer than necessary to get our stuff done.
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Different heads are meant to wear different hats, Jay.
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I haven’t seen it but the fact it took 12 years is so compelling that I likely will see it now!
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Isn’t that a majorly cool way to make a movie, Christy? Way better than makeup to make the parents age, or switching in child-teen actors that happen to look similar, I think. 🙂 Enjoy it, I hope!
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I’m going to try an see it this weekend. I know it took a lot of years to film so that was my obvious attraction to the movie. Also, ETHAN HAWKE is in it. I know, he be too old for me, but I like him. I think he’s very very good and very underrated.
Thanks for the preview without any spoilers! 😀
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Glad to keep you interested and not spoling your moment with the movie, Zareen. Enjoy watching your favorite Ethan. He may be older than you, but that’s what movies are for through the test of time! 🙂
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I definitely will! I’m looking forward to it. Thanks again for the review 🙂
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Sounds really good Mark.I’ll watch it as soon as it comes to the small screen. As Beth mentioned, I wonder how one goes about financing a movie that takes 12 years to film?
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I think Linklater has the track record to go back to his usual backers, Paul.
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i am very excited to see this movie. i’ve liked his movies in the past, and i appreciate his unique approach to film making and story telling. it’s amazing that he was able to get such a long commitment. i do think that movie and tv directors are coming up with new ways to tell their stories and i like it!
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I know you go for unique in your movie-picking, Beth. Let me know if Linklater lives up to your standards after you see ‘Boyhood.’ I think you’ll thumbs-up both hands.
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Yep, haven’t seen that one yet. Well you know the story of me and the kids. I can’t really get them to watch anything I want to see. The thing is, I’m thinking they might actually enjoy this one, but try to convince them of that when there’s no animation (daughter) or futuristic, high tech shooting devices (son).
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I think your kids would like this one halfway through, Marissa. Rent it, put it on at 9 p.m. or so, and by the time the kids in the film are older than your kids, real life will be getting sleepy … You should see this. It’s very good.
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Yes, not to mention that you said the movie was nearly 3 hours if I’m not mistaken. Another reason they’ll probably only make it half way through!!
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Yes, almost three hours long. Stretching it for some adults, kids forget it.
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I hear you!
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Loved it. Was surprised to have it end and realize that I wanted more. After watching it for nearly 3 hours, I wanted it to go on. Must have been good. Seeing that you liked Dazed and Confused. I really wanted to, but couldn’t get into it. Have not seen Slacker. Liked the first two of the Before trilogy, but the third seemed more like reality and less entertainment. I live the life of an old married wife with kids who questions so many of her choices. Why should I watch it on the screen? Excited to read about the twists and turns on your other post. Hadn’t known the sister was daughter of writer/director. Cool. Loved the movie tons.
You will be so very proud of me, Mark. A friend has convinced me to see as many of the Oscar contenders as possible before the Oscars. So far it has been Boyhood, Selma, and the animated shorts. I will bow out of Sniper, but today it is Foxcatcher. Who needs to work when there are movies to see 🙂 Except for you who has managed to combine the two. Good call!
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Good call for you and your friend, Liz! I wish I could do the same. Steve C all made up for ‘Foxcatcher’ caught my interest in the trailer. I have not seen ‘Selma,’ either. You are pulling ahead of me in th Best-of category, my friend. 🙂
By the way, even though you are living the third part of Linklater’s trilogy, you are anything but old. You are not yet into the final part of Updike’s ‘Rabbit’ trilogy. That’s old. 🙂
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I know what you mean about being spoiled. What an accomplishment to make this movie! The fact that everyone was as committed to show up year after year to continue the story, is incredible. 🙂 Mr. B and I enjoyed it very much! 🙂
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The continuity was better than reality TV, Mrs. B. 🙂
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I just LOVE the new TV plug you put in there! LOL. I have heard all good things about this movie. And I can not wait to watch it myself. 🙂 *Cat*
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Thanks, Cat. Yeah, I’m still infatuated with my new TV setup. 🙂 I hope you enjoy ‘Boyhood.’ Let me know.
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I should be supportive of local Linklater, but I absolutely hated “Slacker” and only liked a couple scenes in “Dazed and Confused.” I remember Ben Affleck’s woolly hair. I’ve heard both good and bad from friends on this “Boyhood.” It seems polarizing. But the concept alone is amazing. And I’m glad none of the actors perished during that beyond decade of filming.
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I am loyal to ‘Dazed and Confused,’ Kerbey, though it is second to ‘Almost Famous’ to me in rock coming-of-age movies. The way the teens in ‘Dazed’ hung out socially reminded me of my high school a lot.
What I really liked about ‘Boyhood’ is how all of these characters are so perfectly imperfect. It’s very human and realistic. And I like the way LInklater has the core fractured family unit from afar unafraid to really love each other fearlessly, and grudgingly respect accomplishments and growth.
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