Months after Fifty Shades of Grey was released, I finally watched it (on HBO). It was… not good. I mean, the movie was better than I was expecting, mostly because Dakota Johnson really was trying to bring some life to a character who was totally awful in the book. But it still wasn’t a good movie. For work purposes and for research purposes, I did read the full Fifty Shades “trilogy,” although I still haven’t read Grey, which is just Fifty Shades told through Christian Grey’s perspective. What I’m saying is that I know what happens in the sequel movies. I have all the answers. And I will tell you the plot if you’re interested, because I care about you and I don’t want you to waste your money on watching mediocre sex between two limp, tepid bowls of oatmeal. What kills me is that Jamie Dornan is absolutely disturbingly creepy-sexy in The Fall. I KNOW HE CAN ACT. I even know he can bring some brutal, chilling, predator-hotness to a role. So why doesn’t he bring any of that to Christian Grey? I don’t know. All that being said, Jamie does look a bit more lively in the first trailer for Fifty Shades Darker. Dakota and Jamie might even NOT hate each other in some of these scenes.
Nice, non-spoilery stuff: Dakota’s hair/wig work is better. That suits the character too – in the books, she starts caring more about clothes, styling and hair when she gets back with Christian. And you know what? I actually enjoy the fact that we get to see Kim Basinger’s character for a moment, and hear her voice at the very end. Her character is awful, but I’m looking forward to seeing what Basinger brings to the show. I’ll also say that Jamie seems like he’s more comfortable in the role this time around, but who knows?
Mucho spoilers ahead: so, do you want me to save you some money? Christian and Ana get back together really quickly in the second book. Within the timeline of the book, they get back together, like, within a week. And by the end of the book – over the course of something like two months, if that – they get engaged. Most of the drama comes from Basinger’s character, Elena, who was Christian’s first BDSM relationship when he was just a teenager. Elena makes it her mission to say and do cruel things to Ana, because Bechdel Test be damned and why have two female characters in the same scene if they aren’t going to act petty over a dude? There’s also a lot of drama with the Jack Hyde character, who is Ana’s boss and becomes Christian’s nemesis. Hyde is played by Eric Johnson (not Jessica Simpson’s husband). Jack Hyde tries to kill Christian… for reasons. Stupid, stupid reasons. The shadowy, menacing dark-haired woman that Ana keeps seeing is one of Christian’s ex-lovers and she’s gone crazy, and she’s stalking Christian and Ana. And here’s the biggest spoiler of all: Ana gets accidentally pregnant. I forget if that happens in the second or third book. Christian isn’t happy about it at all.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, Universal.
Yea it’s a big nope. This isn’t even BDSM and if Christian wasn’t a rich white male this would be an episode of SVU.
Also I’ve never seen a sex scene look so unappealing. But congrats guys.
“Also I’ve never seen a sex scene look so unappealing.”
You mush have missed the first movie. LOL…
Lol I did. I had zero desire to see the movie if I had to pay for it
HAHAH. I was not expecting AT ALL to laugh out loud LOUDLY on the first comment and I woke up my 7 month old: totally worth it.
NOPE! The first one wasn’t even funny as really bad movies should be.
You don’t think “accidentally pregnant” is funny these days?????
Nope, at least until it gets on Netflix lol I’ll watch anything on the flix
This is so much cringe. I have to say, though, those pictures of her in that yellow bikini – her body looks amazing,
There, I found something nice to say!
Actually, I don’t really think Dornan can act. He was absolutely dreadful in New Worlds. I think his character in The Fall – closed off, weird, etc – is pretty easily played by someone who is not good at acting. What’s actually wooden acting comes off as a good portrayal of a sociopath.
It’s a shame because he is very pretty and he seems like a nice enough bloke.
As to Fifty Shades of Nonsense, I’ll pass.
I have just found out he never attended any acting schools. What I find irritating about him is that he has the same tone for every situation, like reading aloud something. I hope the second movie will be different.
Yes. That’s pretty much why I don’t think he has talent. He has one tone. That tone happened to very much suit his character in The Fall – which is why we all thought he could act when he really couldn’t. Subsequent roles have exposed this.
She er read the ooks’ didn’t see the first movie, have no in tenon of seeing this one or anything else in this verse.
I think Dornan is very attractive and he did a wonderful job in the first season of Once Upon a Time, so he gets a pass from me on that. After all, women models move into acting all the time… If boring Cara can get cast again and again, why shouldn’t Jamie?
Ugh, can’t type on my iPad, obviously… Meant haven’t read the books, no intention of reading them….
I came here to write ^^^ Sixer. EVERYTHING he’s been in he’s wooden. He just about gets away with it in The Fall because of the character (a character which has lasted too long anyway, taking the show close to risible).
His latest movie, Anthropoid, has bombed too.
Also, he is useless at accents.
New Worlds was an absolute stinker – C4’s worst drama bomb in years. By the last episode it was down to about 150,000 viewers.
Jamie Dornan can’t act.
New Worlds was a CRUSHING disappointment, wasn’t it? I had loved The Devil’s Whore, so had been really looking forward to it.
Oh it certainly was. I watched in something close to horror as to how they had got it so bad and then actually aired it.
Exactly. He never has to humanize the character in the Fall and the way the show is filmed and edited, hand held cameras plus lots of cuts, makes a wooden performance more menacing than it actually is. Dornan also lacks natural charisma which is something Grey desperately needed if the audience is supposed to want that creepy little psycho for their imaginary boyfriend.
This. He reminds me of Sophie Turner. The fact she stumbles her lines and always sounds like she’s reciting something works great for Sansa (especially on the earlier seasons). Then I watched XMen and she did the exact same thing. Which means GoT has a great casting director, not that Sophie herself is good.
That aside, I dont even think his work on the Fall is that impressive. Maybe Im just biased because I watched it after his Grey casting.
Now you mention it, I second that about Sophie!
I think she, Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington are all overrated in their acting skills. I think GoT finds what they do well and hones in on that (Emilia’s good at giving speeches in made up languages and they give her the showy scenes which results in Emmy nods, I think Battle of the Bastards carried Harington because he can do action well, but Iwan Rheon completely out acted him, Sophie can do sad/conflicted/stone faced well but outside of that…no).
Dornan has only been just okay in what I’ve seen him in.
Try Emilia in Me Before you. I loved her in that film, she is a funny, careless, lovely girl!!
@mom2two
I agree on everything, except I kinda like Emilia’s acting. It’s bad, but it’s not wooden. She has this campiness to her that I think adds a comedic relief to the show I genuinely appreciate. I think Dany herself is a pretty ridiculous character so it fits.
He’s a model turned actor – not all of them can pull it off. I can’t watch him on screen – he just makes me cringe as he’s so bad and stiff thou to be fair even talented actors would struggle with the appalling bad source material they’ve had to work with for these movies.
I’m so glad you mentioned The Fall and how good he is in it. He’s actually talented. I just don’t get it! I really like that show, mostly for some Sully 😉 she’s so beautiful and talented!
The Fall is coming out again this month or next I thought he was good as that character but would his name on a marquee get me to the cinema? Doubt it and although I love Gillian Anderson I think unless they can come up with something really interesting for this seasons The Fall they need to stop, same with Broadchurch lost all interest.
This is the final season of The Fall and it’s only 5 episodes. Netflix really needs to release it. Though it looks like Gillian’s character is in love w/ Jamie’s which is off putting.
After watching the trailer, we can definitely say that they are more comfortable with each other on screen, the music gives an extra chill too. Giiven that fact that there is a new director with seemingly different perspective, I will give a huge thumbs up to the movie.
They have zero on-screen chemistry, she is just so bland.
I was going to say the same thing. There is zilch between these two. I mean, if you’re going to make this kind of movie, the two leads need to at least look like they want to bone.
I wasn’t gonna watch this mess and after reading this spoilery plot description I feel appalled. it looked from the trailer that maybe there is some substance to Dakota’s character, like she has some big secret and is hence her own person but no, of course it is all about the dude and his life and all. My god, what century are we living in? And regarding Jamie Dornan – I fail to understand why did he agree to do it? He is on a decent, good show and hence does not need the work so bad that he would do this for the money alone, yet after seeing him in interview promoting his new movie with Cillian Murphy I have to say I really disliked him – he apparently hates the big studio movies, franchises, or Fifty Shades stuff at all and he kept acting like he is above it all. While I do not think he is one of those actors who just draw you in and have a huge presence on screen (yes, I find him a bit dry), but his attitude is probably the key problem here. it’s like he is not even trying and is sedated in most of these scenes. Really, own up to it or just do not do it. Part of me still believes that Hunnam’s whole scheduling conflict charade was more about him getting around to reading that hot mess of a book.
@SM, my guess is he did it to work with the director, Sam Taylor-Johnson….and because given he’s a mediocre actor and his agents probably convinced him this could be a springboard to more. It kind of was I guess? Some indie films that have gone nowhere. He definitely seems unhappy but his agents are no doubt thrilled with their percentage.
As for the not liking franchises/big movie stuff? Ha! Oh please. He’s not Joaquin Phoenix. I have never even seen his name on the short lists for those parts. It’s easy to “dislike” something when that thing isn’t even looking for you!
I think what can serve as a reason for hating this Hollywood stuff is that his wife gets loadsssss of hatred from fans. Both deleted themselves from social media, they even organised paps to take a pic as Dakota and Amelia have dinner. Now how strange is that? I am sure he will never join a franchise again.
I agree he is/was sedated in many scenes.
She gets pregnant in the 3rd book. What I didn’t really get was whether Elena was in love with Christian or if she didn’t want to see him happy because she’s miserable.
One of the few things I appreciated about the books, was Anna’s recognition of Mrs. Robinson as a predator who essentially molested Christian, although I’m not sure he ever got that.
I have to start by saying I absolutely love Jamie dornan. Im a bit of a fan girl, but I’ve seen all of the fall, the first fifty shades movie and new world’s and I really can’t work out if he can act or not. I think he’s good in the fall but not in fifty shades. New world’s didn’t convince me either way haha. A good actor is someone who can be convincing and believable in even non believable and week material. They are there to sell it in a way. So it will be interesting to see what he does in darker because the story does start getting ridiculous (and that’s coming from a closet fifty shades fan)
That’s the story?!? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Oh god, that is horrendous. I’m glad the actors area being well paid because what an embarrassing thing to be a part of (or a fan of!).
I did manage some of the first movie on HBO, so dull. The sex scenes were so dull! Oatmeal is right.
Finally glad to see that some people agree with me that Dornan CANNOT act. The Fall worked because the character was a repressed, non-emotional, character. When Dornan has to emote he fails miserably. I also hate it when he talks about how proud he is that he’s never had any training and then complains that he doesn’t get really good roles. Is it too hard to make the connection? His buds who are successful (Redmayne, etc.) paid their dues by actually learning their craft – Dornan appears to think that posing for pictures equates to knowing how to act. As for the trailer – it looks better than FSOG but does Dakota have to slouch so much? She wears that evening gown like she was going to get groceries!
The entire fiasco is a big nope.
maybe it’s the way the trailer’s been cut,
but erghh. no.
from the first 50SOG i found that dakota can act (and she damn near sold the film all on her own), and dornan is wooden in all the wrong places but not completely flotsam.
but here, zero chemistry, zero life,
and it looks like intern of College Humor does Gossip Girl.
even GG does the masquerade thing better than this. but then again, i like Meester and she had good chemistry with her actor partner (whats his face the british guy).
“dornan is wooden in all the wrong places”
Bwahahaha best comment on this mess called Fifty Shades of boredom lol
I agree. I found Dornan blank, lacking in energy, and charisma-free. Dakota made the movie tolerable, and certainly transcended the book content. She was sweet, naïve, but feisty, and I liked the ending scene when she finally barked “no” at him, and meant it. She was so vulnerable that I actually teared up, which was a shocker. This trilogy may permanently taint his career, but I think it’s going to make hers.
Nope, nope, nope.
Considering how much time has passed between the first movie and this one, it will be interesting to see if they can rev up the PR machine again to the same level. I feel like this is nowhere as anticipated as it was the first go around. But who knows? The Twilight mommies are a dedicated lot.
The movie was just so BORING. I tried to watch it on cable for the lawlz but I couldnt get past 5 minutes. And I was high, so its not like it wouldve been hard to entertain me. And heck, White Chicks is one of my favorite movies. I naturally have bad taste. If I didnt like your movie you must be really bad at your job.
The movie wasnt going to be good, so they at least couldve made it entertaining. It really shocks me how they could make a movie about sleazy sex and manipulative sociopaths something so boring.
I LOVE White chicks !!! You have EXCELLENT taste, I reckon 🙂
Yaaaaay <3 <3
You can criticize the movie all you want but you'll never convince me of Terry Crews dancing to Satisfaction not being the funniest thing ever. You will not.
Everyone loves to hate on these, and I get it, the writing is awful and Christian would be arrested for stalking if he wasn’t white, but, I will say Dakota did a decent job and Jamie is adorable. I also appreciated how they showed pubic hair on Dakota and her small boobs, that was a refreshing change, and we got to see a little bit of penis! 😉😉
Wasn’t Anastasia having/keeping pubic hair a plot point of the book?
Still a merkin and what was apparently a dummy d*ck does not a movie make.
Lol, very true! Merkin, had to google that😂😂
Not Nope, but Hell Nope.
Pass thanks. Never saw the first, won’t see this, only read the first 30ish pages of the first book and that was enough for me.
Badly written so called “mommy porn” doesn’t work for me. If you want much better written, more on point BDSM, read The Sleeping Beauty series by A. N. Roquelaure, which is Anne Rice. Or, better yet, go out and actually try the real deal.
I find it hard to believe that a handsome millionaire type who could get with anyone, would ever date a poor student.
It actually happens. Some manipulative and sadistic people like dating “below their league”. It makes them feel powerful. Im doing you a favor by dating you. You’re below me. You should be thankful I pay attention to you. I could kick you out in a heartbeat if I want to.
I know a girl like that in college. She’s stunning, but usually dates average-looking guys because she likes torturing them and emotionally drain them. They feel like the kings of the world for a while, then they notice what they signed up for.
Or they might actually have some things in common and genuinely like each other regardless of age/wealth/class?
I like that it is more of a thriller now, but I’ll wait until it comes out on cable.
the first one bored me to pieces though.
thanks for the spoiler, it kinda peaked my interest.
Ugh, this is going to set those nutters who think Johnson and Doran are soulmates and Doran’s wife is an evil manipulative psychobitch who faked a pregnancy in order to force him to stay married to her and keep him away from his true love off again.
Mentioning Kim Basinger made me think of 9 1/2 Weeks… I wasn’t as keen on it at the time, but in retrospect it’s a much better take on this sort of story.
I think Jamie is a decent actor. I saw Anthropoid, and tho WAY intense the last 20 mins, it is a good film, and he was good in it. Re this second movie- and a third? I really think the buzz ship has sailed. I too am interested in seeing how Kim Basinger plays that character. Will prob see this at some point. Bummer that they didn’t get a second female director- guess STJ can join the Catherine Hardwicke club!
I think a lot of people on here are putting their opinion of the books and the previous movie on the trailer. To me, lately it seems people are making some great trailers, but they can’t seem to make an interesting 2 hour film. Not just these movies, but Suicide Squad and some others the trailers seem fabulous, but the two hour movies are blah or bad. This trailer makes the movie plot almost interesting, if you could call it a plot going by the book. Plus, Kim Basinger is really great casting, but I still bet the movie will stink. Aside from its obvious problems of poor characterizations and story in general, they can’t seem to decide where to go with it. Is it a soft-porn story line or what. They end up with milk toast stupid. Speaking of Basinger 9 1/2 weeks, which was also kind of stupid, at least was interesting and cutting edge for the time, and certainly more sexy and entertaining.
Looks like a horror movie. Hope this abusive thing flops but thats too much.
Remember that scene in the movie “A Clockwork Orange” where they made Malcolm McDowell watch violence on tv and his eyeballs where pried open with these weird metal hooks…that’s the only way I’d watch this. 😳😬😐😂
A friend of mine once told me that Dornan reminded her of baby Dino http://img1.seite3.ch/news/309/283661-babysinclair.jpg
I’ll never be able to find him sexy anymore XD
Yep, I can’t wait to see it and the next one add well. Yay!!!! (Ducks and hides for cover).
I read the original trilogy because I had to know what everyone was talking about. It’s utter crap, but at least it got people reading and talking openly about sexuality.
That said, I’m not bothering with Grey because it’s the same events. Why would I want to read that again? Jenny Trout’s doing a read-along with excellent hilarious commentary on her blog, http://jennytrout.com/.
This movie/book would have been better if Anna snapped and tried to kill Mrs. Robinson. That said, I’ll probably watch it because I like self inflicted pain.
Eric Johnson was quite good in The Knick.
…
That’s all 😀
Lol on the excellent summary of the books. Stupid, stupid reasons.
The books are horribly written and the movie isn’t much better, but I must admit, this series is a guilty pleasure of mine. I wish they had cast someone different as Christian though. I think a tall, intimidating looking, hot man like Alex Skarsgard would have fit the role better than the short pretty boy they selected.