|
07-11-2010, 10:02 AM | #5416 |
11-5, baby
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Livin the dream
Casino cash: $2191557
|
Shutter Island was as meh as the critics suggested. I considered turning it off halfway through while waiting for the twist. Glad I didn't, because Patricia Clarkson and Jackie Earle Haley were fantastic, as always.
|
Posts: 22,416
|
07-11-2010, 10:05 AM | #5417 |
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Some Dude's asshole
Casino cash: $8021398
|
I read the book, which I thought was pretty 'meh' as well. I've been dragging my heals on seeing the film. I can't imagine what it has to offer outside of the performances.
|
Posts: 3,834
|
07-11-2010, 10:11 AM | #5418 | |
11-5, baby
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Livin the dream
Casino cash: $2191557
|
Quote:
The SFGate reviewer compared it to M. Night. You'd get little out of it. |
|
Posts: 22,416
|
07-11-2010, 10:16 AM | #5419 | |
11-5, baby
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Livin the dream
Casino cash: $2191557
|
Quote:
Guardian named it picture of the decade, and it would fall somewhere in my all time top 50. |
|
Posts: 22,416
|
07-11-2010, 10:24 AM | #5420 |
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Some Dude's asshole
Casino cash: $8021398
|
There Will Be Blood was an interesting film, to say the least. I think I still prefer No Country though.
I felt like TWBB was too long and a little masterbatory (on PT's part). And without Day-Lewis's remarkable performance, I think the film falls apart a bit. No Country is just solid through and through, from the ground up. |
Posts: 3,834
|
07-11-2010, 10:29 AM | #5421 | |
Eat/Sleep/Procrastinate/Repeat
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dystopia
Casino cash: $10017397
|
Quote:
"The Godfather would have sucked if Carrot Top replaced Brando, so..." |
|
Posts: 33,369
|
07-11-2010, 10:46 AM | #5422 |
You think you can get by this?
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Springfield, MO
Casino cash: $-180000
|
Watched Wolfman last night. Meh.
|
Posts: 63,483
|
07-11-2010, 10:48 AM | #5423 | |
Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Casino cash: $8318275
|
Quote:
Think The Blind Side without Bulloch or Erin Brokovich without Roberts. Everything else exactly the same, without those leads, are made for Lifetime fare.
__________________
We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W. |
|
Posts: 95,642
|
07-11-2010, 11:02 AM | #5424 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Some Dude's asshole
Casino cash: $8021398
|
Quote:
Let me rephrase. TWBB only has one really strong element to it, and that is Daniel Day-Lewis. Granted, (arguably) Day-Lewis's performance in TWBB is singularly better than any single aspect of NCFOM. But that's still not enough to call it a great movie, especially not "best of the decade" as the Guardian did. TWBB lacks definition. It's too long. The other actors are hamstrung by a sub-par script that tries to be open, but finds itself lost most of the time. Don't get me wrong, Day-Lewis's character on the page lacks definition and focus as well. DDL is just good enough to fill in the blanks. He delivers a character that (I believe) surpassed even PT's expectations. And PT Anderson seems to like himself way too much in this effort. It's Day-Lewis that grounds the project and keeps us watching. That's what he does best and that's why he earned the big statue. Because without Day-Lewis, I think the movie comes across as nothing but pretentious, rambling and innefficent cinematic masterbation. Now, DDL dulls most of edges for us, so it's not as obvious. But the pieces are still missing elsewhere. We just don't care as much (or notice as blatantly) as we would if DDL were not present. Luckily, for PT & Co, they do have Day-Lewis. He overcomes many of the film's inherent flaws. Seriously, I like the film. But the film is really just a performance. NCFOM on the other hand is esquisite on every level. Each actor turns in a career defining performance. Hell, Jones' career was as good as dead. I had no idea he had that kind of performance left in him. On top of the performances you have a fantastic script. Simple. Sparse. Beautiful. Not a wasted line. The script enhanced all the other elements of the film and vice versa. The camera work is beautiful. And unlike, TWBB where the shots felt like they were only for one man's benefit, there are no wasted frames here, either. The frames let you in. They invite... it's a trap (as we all come to find out) but who can resist such a beautiful invitation? PT Anderson has made at least 2 films that surpass TWBB. NCFOM might be the Coen's best all around work. It's not as entertaining as Lebowski. Nor as whimsical as Hudsucker. Nor as quirky as Fargo. But I would argue that all of the elements combined make for a better over all film experience than those other efforts. Barton Fink is NCFOM's strongest contender. That movie's pretty damn near perfect also. So, yes, you're right. I can't critize TWBB for falling apart, when it did not. But I can critize if for all the other things it does not do - like flow effectively, or use it's frames wisely, or rally together a better ensemble to support Day-Lewis, or deliver a clean, cohessive narrative. I can critize those things. Because those are things it wanted to do - or at least should have done - but largely failed to do. TWBB is pretty, to be sure. But just because I want to hang a movie on my wall doesn't make it a great movie. TWBB is a good movie that contains a remarkable performance. The bottom line is I think TWBB thinks it's better than it is. I think NCFOM has no idea how wonderful it is. NCFOM exists. It lives and breathes. TWBB is a show. It kicks and screams. But only so you won't notice what's missing. Last edited by Red Brooklyn; 07-11-2010 at 11:22 AM.. |
|
Posts: 3,834
|
07-11-2010, 11:04 AM | #5425 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Some Dude's asshole
Casino cash: $8021398
|
Quote:
Much more succint than my post, but the same point. |
|
Posts: 3,834
|
07-11-2010, 11:05 AM | #5426 |
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Some Dude's asshole
Casino cash: $8021398
|
|
Posts: 3,834
|
07-11-2010, 11:10 AM | #5427 | |
Eat/Sleep/Procrastinate/Repeat
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dystopia
Casino cash: $10017397
|
Quote:
TWBB wasn't rescued by Day-Lewis. Like all character studies it needs a very strong performance because the performance is the core of those kinds of films. TWBB does not fail at being a character study. It doesn't fail at anything. |
|
Posts: 33,369
|
07-11-2010, 11:12 AM | #5428 | ||
Feelin' Alright
Join Date: Aug 2004
Casino cash: $10004900
|
Quote:
It's mainly a visual representation of the book. However, the book is pretty dark at times and the film didn't shy away from it. That's where I really emphasize it being a clinic. Also, it's the reason I'm interested in Finchers because American audiences don't usually like in your face darkness or violence, especially sexual. So, are they worth reading? Yes. Did book 3 hurt the series? A tiny bit. Consider it a lot like the finale of LOST. It wasn't series killing but it did take a hit because it felt different and out of character. Would I recommend the movie? Yes, because you can follow it perfectly fine without having read it. Another hallmark of a good adaptation. (Potter, take note.) Quote:
__________________
"Think about how stupid the average person is. Then remember that half the people in the world are stupider than that." --George Carlin |
||
Posts: 16,887
|
07-11-2010, 11:18 AM | #5429 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Some Dude's asshole
Casino cash: $8021398
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 3,834
|
07-11-2010, 08:39 PM | #5430 |
BOOM!1!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Casino cash: $8405541
|
So, has nobody else seen Felon or Rampage?
|
Posts: 18,935
|
|
|