Seriously I haven't been this pumped for a film in a long long time.

This is a pic from Time magazine. I was actually reading the magazine earlier tonight and was seriously shocked to see Leo look this chunk - he's like Augustus Gloop!!

I suspect he is beefing up for the Teddy Roosevelt pic.

Doesnt look chunky in this Poland interview http://www.moviecitynews.com/arrays/med ... aprio.html

There's a good Q&A with Damon and Dicaprio over at comingsoon.net if anyone cares.

I have to say though based on not just that interview but some reviews, I'm getting the impression Nicholson was given too much free reign and should have been made to stick closer to the script. Of course like most people I haven't seen it yet, just an early impression.

Woo! Seeing it in three hours!

Woo! Seeing it in three hours!

Just read a review at RT mentioning it's adapted from 2002 Japan film WuJianDao. Why is such ignorancy allowed to be counted? Piss me off.

From what I read, pretty much everybody agrees at least the first 2/3 of the film is a masterpiece. The difference in opinions resides in the final portion.

Apparently the ending hasn't been much of a problem, if any problem at all (I've seen a few critics mentioned the ending, but that's it. Most I've read don't even mention any problem, but I haven't read them all, so maybe I'm wrong). In any event, it keeps chugging along at RT:

50 reviews in and 96% overall, and it went up to an 8.3 rating.

For me, that's really good. If it were 96% but with a rather poor rating, then I'd be sceptical. But an 8.3 rating is very strong on RT and shows actual passion in the reviews.

Infact, there have been reviews commenting on how Scorcese has taken a good film and made it even better.

PEACE, Mike.

A third negative, from my area's Steve Rhodes, 2.5 stars out of 4. 55 out of 58 fresh. 90 at MC.

wow... 2.5/4 is considered a negative review? That should mean there wasn't really anything too special but it wasn't really bad either.

Hopefully seeing this 2mor0!!!!

Ever walked out of a film and felt exhilarated? I can count the number of times on my left hand. Departed would be one of them.

I found the last third to be masterful. The whole thing was by far the best film I've seen in years in a theater. I can't wait to see it again!

Charlotte Observer also had some harsh words in the 2-star review.

If this was TCM 2... Probably not. I think that when it's a middling review like that they go with expectations, but it is a bit fishy. *shrug*

I don´t know if It´s possible to be more excited... for a film, at least.

It got ten 100 scores at Metacritic.

The Aviator got 6, Gangs of New York got 2.

94% at RT, with 8.2/10...

Amazing!

I was entertained thoroughly but Best Pic, it aint.

Best Pic it deserves, but Best Pic it won't win.

For me, anyway, this is the New World of '06. Not that zingaling should be discouraged... I'm talking in terms of Oscar success... this can either sweep or pull a Munich

The lead was split between Matt Damon and DiCaprio. I think Damon even had more screen time but DiCaprio was the more impressive player.

That being said, I just can't see this as the vehicle that gives DiCaprio the win. I don't see Whitaker winning either if he goes lead. What does that leave us? Can Peter O'Toole actually walk away with this?

Nicholson should be a lock for supporting actor or the closest thing to it. But honestly, I think Mark Walberg deserves a nod. He may be at a slight disadvantage sicne his screen time is far less than any one of the others major billed characters but he does deserve one.

At this point, I just don't know. I was completely blown away with the movie but I seriously have no idea how the Academy will react.

How about adapted screenplay? Look like a win there?

I'd classify either Damon, Leo or Nicholson as Lead with Nicholson being flipped to Supporting and Wahlberg or Sheen could be in Supporting as well.

I think there's no doubt with Marty's rep and history that the film is BP and BD nodded I just hope he wins for this one because I feel it's more than deserving.

Plus, I agree with Zennier about being exhilirated after the film. I couldn't stop thinking about it or harping about to a friend too. I just felt it was that good.

I don't know if The Departed will walk away with any nominations. There aren't really any weak links and I'm not sure the Academy will be able to agree on just one or two actors (one for each category). I don't see The Departed being the first film in years to walk away with multiple nominations in one category (specifically, BSA). That said, I wouldn't be surprised if it only walked away with a few nominations - BP, BD, BAS, and a few technicals. However, unlike The Aviator or GONY, I think it has a phenomenal chance at taking home every the Oscar for every nominated category.

I'm disappointed with how much the media is focusing on Jack. I had hoped this would be more of a breakthrough film for DiCaprio, Damon and Walbergh.

Nicholson gets his balls kissed ALL the time, nothing new. They love the old bastard.

It was soooooooooooooooooo good.

But I also don't see it winning Best Picture.

Heh, it is interesting how pretty much everyone thinks that it is so very excellent, but won't win. The thing is that the Academy is made up by people that are not that different from us in the end. If all of them also think that it is "Sooo Good!" and put it on their list, it will end up winning, heh.