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Natalie Portman's Black Swan Movie Review 2010

Ranked #18,009 in Entertainment, #218,571 overall

BLACK SWAN MAY NOT BE THE MOVIE THAT YOU THINK IT IS...

There was constant chatter in the media about Natalie Portman's performance in the new movie, Black Swan almost before the movie was released. They were calling her performance the one to beat for the Oscar but I had not paid much attention to the movie until the reviewer in my local newspaper triggered my interest when he said that Black Swan is "the most harrowing, suspense-filled psychological thriller of the season" and he gave the movie 4.5 stars.

Since then, I have learned a lot more about the movie and, of course, Natalie Portman has won the 2011 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. On this page, learn a bit more about the movie and add your thoughts to the debate on whether or not this movie is a thriller or an art movie.



Click here to order your copy of
Black Swan from Amazon.

"I just want to be perfect." ~ Nina

BLACK SWAN MOVIE TRAILER AND REVIEW

By Indy Mogul

Black Swan Movie Review
by indymogul | video info

443 ratings | 64,984 views
curated content from YouTube

BLACK SWAN FAST FACTS

  • DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky,
  • STARRING: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassel
  • OPENING DATE: September 1, 2010, Venice Film Festival; limited release December 3, 2010; nationwide release on December 22, 2010
  • RATED: R for sexual content, violent images, language and drug use.
  • RUNTIME: 108 minutes.

BLACK SWAN PLOT

Black Swan is rated R.

In Black Swan, Nina (Natalie Portman) wins the lead role in the ballet Swan Lake. She has ambition but she is very driven by her mother, played by Barbara Hershey, who stopped dancing when she became pregnant with Nina. Nina pushes herself, working extremely hard, to be successful but her choreographer pushes her still farther and leads her to the edge...

A fast paced look at the world of the artist, the process and the price that they sometimes pay to be successful. HOWEVER, this is a disturbing, dark psychological movie, rated R. Make no mistake, it is not a simple 'ballet' movie. As a matter of fact, I am trying to decide if it is a horror movie or an art movie...if you've seen it, please join in the debate and tell us what YOU think.

BLACK SWAN REVIEWS

Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan" Movie Review From Associated Content

Associated Content says that this is a "gut-wrenching film of disturbed metamorphosis, tragic repression and visceral beauty." A beautifully made film that is hard to watch.

Black Swan Is A Stunner TIFF Review

TIFF review called Black Swan weird, scary and psychotic and yet still called it a tour de force saying that the story takes you right away...

Black Swan Movie Review By The Movie Mom

The Movie Mom talks about ballet as a calling that is kind of like a cult, demanding commitment, total commitment and she says that Director Darren Aronofsky takes us into this story of obsession.

'Black Swan' and the Recovery of the Shadow Self | Movies and Mental Health

Movies and Mental Health calls Black Swan visually stunning and at the same time terrifying and...

WHAT DO YOU THINK? IS BLACK SWAN MORE OF A HORROR OR THRILLER MOVIE OR IS IT AN ART FILM?

Black Swan is rated R.

This movie has been called it all: psychological thriller, horror, art, porn, big, crazy, weird, dark, twisted, interesting, amazing, intense as well as a combination of the above. What do YOU think? Is Black Swan more of a thriller or a horror movie or is it an art film?

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I think Black Swan is a horror movie

Richard P. says:

Black Swan is a horror movie according to Aronofsky. It was inspired by Suspiria and Perfect Blue. Actually it's both horror and an art movie, just like Suspiria, by Argento.

GoldenChile says:

I thought Black Swan was eye candy more than anything. Beautifully shot, beautifully cut and generally well acted. The human story fell flat for me on the other hand. The film ends right as Portman's character is beginning her sexual transformation into the Black Swan. I never got the feeling that she had lost herself to her whims and desperately needed release from her waking nightmare.

But I want to see it again.

jessica h. says:

Watched it last night, and I was surprised to find that about halfway through the movie that it really does go from being a drama/art film into more of a thriller of sorts. It was just overall captivating to watch, great acting, music, dancing, costumes

0ctavias0fferings says:

Sounds like the best kind of horror movie to me. I really enjoyed Requiem for a Dream so I think I will enjoy this one.

I think Black Swan is an art movie

Eliziabeth says:

All of the above. Horror style music, obsessive compulsive disorders with hallucinations. Yes, very artsy and very black and white, it's all or nothing, darl and light, white and black, good and bad, twisted and sweet, lost and found, good and bad.

TilenHrovatic says:

ART FILM

DIVYA says:

its PERFECT!!!!!!!!1111

Joseph Burgo PhD says:

"Black Swan" is a psychological thriller that you can appreciate on many levels. At its deepest, most psychologically insightful level, it's about the debilitating effect of disowning your own darkness, and how regaining your "shadow self" can empower you. I've discussed the movie in depth on my blog, "Movies and Mental Health", and I'd be proud if you'd include me in your reviews or elsewhere on your lens. Many thanks.

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/movies/black-swan

Patricia Beach says:

Neither!! This is great film making, great acting, great movie. I loved it. Am haunted by it. This is a gold medal winning performance. I'll see it again.

prosperity66 says:

I couldn't judge a movie that I haven't seen but all in all, and from what I've read here, I'd consider it an art movie...

 

DID NATALIE PORTMAN DO THE DANCING IN BLACK SWAN?

Yes, Natalie Portman did most of the ballet dancing in Black Swan. She studied the dance for a year and her double was only used occasionally. Director Darren Aronofsky said, "Except for the wide shots when she has to be en pointe for a real long time, it's Natalie on screen. I haven't used her double a lot."

BLACK SWAN NEWS POSTS FROM GOOGLE

Horizons launches Black Swan ETFs
Horizons Universa Canadian Black Swan ETF and the Horizons Universa US Black Swan ETF are the first funds in the world to pair a tail-risk hedge with an equity index investment. Both will begin trading tomorrow on the TSX, and have Class E and Advisor ...
Taleb Says Euro Breakup 'Not a Big Deal'
By Frederic Tomesco on May 30, 2012 Nassim Taleb, author of ?The Black Swan,? said he favors investing in Europe over the US even with the possible breakup of the single European currency in part because of the euro area's superior deficit situation.
Swan Lake soars at the Bardavon Opera House
Poughkeepsie - Lauren Fadeley, dancer from the Oscar-nominated film Black Swan and former New York City Ballet Corps, brings fairy tale magic to life at the Bardavon on Saturday, June 9, 2012 in Poughkeepsie City Ballet's production of Swan Lake.
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BLACK SWAN ORIGINAL MOVIE SOUNDTRACK

Black Swan Movie Soundtrack

Click here to order your copy of the
Black Swan movie soundtrack
from Amazon.
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IF YOU LIKE BLACK SWAN, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE OTHER MOVIES BY DARREN ARONOFSKY

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AND YOU MIGHT LIKE THE RED SHOES

Another movie about a struggling ballerina.

The Red Shoes (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

The Red Shoes (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $39.95


AMAZON DESCRIPTION:

"The Red Shoes, the singular fantasia from Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, is cinema's quintessential backstage drama, as well as one of the most glorious Technicolor visual feasts ever concocted for the screen. Moira Shearer is a rising star ballerina romantically torn between an idealistic composer and a ruthless impresario intent on perfection. Featuring outstanding performances, blazingly beautiful cinematography by Jack Cardiff, Oscar-winning sets and music, and an unforgettable, hallucinatory central dance sequence, this beloved classic, now dazzlingly restored, stands as an enthralling tribute to the life of the artist."

One of the best blu-ray releases of 2010, you can read more about it on my page about the best blu-ray movies of 2010 by clicking right here. A link to the blu-ray edition on Amazon is shown above but of course you can also buy it on DVD by clicking right here.

Release Date: 07/20/2010

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A FAMILY FRIENDLY BALLET MOVIE

Starring Emma Watson

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BLU-RAY MOVIE TREASURES BY BRENDA, THE BLOG

PhotobucketMy movies blog is the place where I share my love of great and, sometimes, not-so-great movies and films. I would love it if you joined in the discussions by offering your opinion about the best movies, the movie-of-the-day, the last movie you saw or, if you are the silent type, simply following along! Come on and join the fun! I'll look forward to seeing you at the movies!

Find my blog at: Blu-ray Movie Treasures By Brenda. Or visit any of these recent posts:
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WHAT DO/DID YOU THINK OF BLACK SWAN?

  • rbkuncoro Mar 5, 2011 @ 9:57 pm | delete
    my girlfriend's favorite movie :D
  • TopMovieSoundtracks Dec 24, 2010 @ 3:17 am | delete
    The movie does look as difficult and challenging as it is to stand on point. Lensrolled to my "Black Swan" soundtrack lens.
  • Susan52 Dec 19, 2010 @ 8:33 am | delete
    I hope people read the reviews before they go to see the movie. It certainly has been getting a lot of press, and the posters are very artsy. Not likely a movie that I'll be seeing.
  • prosperity66 Dec 19, 2010 @ 6:04 am | delete
    At least, whatever the genre of the movie, you just brought something: the need to go watch it!
    Thanks for this!
  • stargazer00 Dec 18, 2010 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    I'll probably skip this one as I'm not a fan of horror type movies. I did like Ballet Shoes with Emma Watson that you reviewed a while back. Black Swan looks like a great movie for those who like that genre.
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