Worth it just to hear Tautou's Chinese monologue. Otherwise, pretty much more of the same, though slightly more convoluted. Dude's like juggling so many women ...
Please note, Cobweb's YouTube link is to the 4k 35 min restoration. The version on Archive.org is about 9 minutes shorter, much poorer quality, and lacking in story elements. Strongly recommend the YouTube link!
one issue about nymets' link: when they're speaking Turkish (not often, but enough) you end up with EN subs on top of DE subs which are pretty difficult to read.
good -- clearly meant to get people talking about what the various characters do, the positions they take, especially the ending. Could have benefitted from tighter writing but a worthwhile watch if one is looking for a suspenseful drama about street life
I've never considered myself a 'fan'. I bought a couple singles but never a Beatles' album though clearly am very familiar with their hits. So as Part 1 was winding on, and even after it ended, I was thinking what a slog this was going to be. Part 2 started to pull me in a bit, even if it still felt overly long. I am interested in artistic process and can't think of another instance where I've had this kind of access. Sure, seen some band documentaries, but they were edited down much more rigorously, only comprising a portion of a larger work, none staying with me so that I could list them.
Part 3 was absolutely wonderful. The sense of things coming together and the whole rooftop thing was a joy. Think that's something to treasure.
However, throughout the filming it was sometimes hard to know what was 'real' and what was for the camera though clearly it was all real. However, unlike so many great documentaries, we are constantly aware that the subjects are aware of the camera and clearly mugging for it.
Besides all that, it probably could have been shorter though I suspect that will be something for those much more conversant in film editing will debate.
Could probably write a lot more, but who cares, right? I'll close with ...
Wonder if they consciously tried to cross Bad Santa with Sons of Anarchy but will give them two things: 1) The snow looks so much more realistic than in those big budget Hollywood productions and 2) The locations look nothing like sets -- I thought I was inside someone's kitchen! I just feel sorry the unsuspecting parent who sees the 2 on the (US?) cover and thinks this is a sequel to the film with Toni Collette ...
Note: This documentary is mostly a combination of found material and filmed thoughts but also includes a pig being slaughtered, not in detail, but some might find it discomforting.
While the outdoor cinematography is pretty enjoyable, the story is pretty simple and the acting feels a bit stiff at times. However, the most surprising thing is that virtually none of the actors have Aussie accents.
Learned something today from this movie: "If you behave badly in this life, you become a Chilean in the next one." Quote attributed to R.R., maybe that's the director and he just didn't want to make too big of deal out it.
Odd. Not terrible, but maybe experience with Chile (pronounced Shile) and telenovelas would help?
First five minutes, seemed like way more product placement than we're used to. Then I start to wonder, is the whole film going to be like this? (I knew NOTHING about it going in -- my preference for viewing most films.)
So yeah, it kept me interested and then came the HUGE let down. Others have mentioned plot holes and I'll add
the whole assuming she's dead because of some random confession and what appeared to be a suicide without hard evidence was a huge (Hollywood plot hole) red flag.
Unfortunately, the climax just made the whole thing feel like a gigantic gotcha setup and really just killed the vibe for me. Thought the idea was cool with awesome execution but this was written by computer geeks trying to be a mystery and they really missed fired on the cop angle.
Great effort and the only reason I saw it was because it popped up on the IMDb Horror list -- that just doesn't make any sense to me. Suspense? Yes. Drama? Yes. Mystery? Abso-youknowwhat-lutely. Horror? No, not in the least. But that's another story, on another website, Time to hit "Add comment".
While some of his earlier work might actually benefit from the black and white treatment, and it might even emphasize the brushwork of the later pieces; it seems a real disservice to not use color. It would be sad to think someone might only have seen some of these paintings in this film.
Basically a cinematographic Rorschach test: what you see, how you react is all about what's inside you. Yes, people can criticize this or that technical aspect of the production, but that doesn't really matter. Glad Criterion was willing to give this one a go, otherwise I'm guessing I'd never have seen it.
It's interesting how a single story can be told in different lights to make the storyteller's points. Here we have a very moody telling that plays more with atmosphere than narrative-driven plot. And while other tellings emphasize the heroic overthrow of a vicious despot, here we see a much more even-tempered Bligh who borders on heroic. We also have a pretty strong opposition of strong leadership vs mob (or mass) rule. Don't believe it's the creators' intent to say one is categorically better than the other, only that both have strengths and drawbacks and prior tellings are a bit heavy-handed in which side they choose.
Gibson was clearly the biggest star of the cast though I can't decide if his performance was lackluster or restrained. Actually, besides Hopkins, not sure any of the actors are tasked to do much other than contribute to general atmosphere or move the plot along when needed.
Overall, interesting but otherwise, all told, a pretty average film.
Comments 76 - 100 of 473
Movie comment on Casse-tête chinois
xianjiro
Worth it just to hear Tautou's Chinese monologue. Otherwise, pretty much more of the same, though slightly more convoluted. Dude's like juggling so many women ...Movie comment on Fétiche
xianjiro
Please note, Cobweb's YouTube link is to the 4k 35 min restoration. The version on Archive.org is about 9 minutes shorter, much poorer quality, and lacking in story elements. Strongly recommend the YouTube link!Movie comment on Bullet Train
xianjiro
should have just been called Snakes on a TrainMovie comment on Kurz und schmerzlos
xianjiro
one issue about nymets' link: when they're speaking Turkish (not often, but enough) you end up with EN subs on top of DE subs which are pretty difficult to read.Movie comment on London to Brighton
xianjiro
good -- clearly meant to get people talking about what the various characters do, the positions they take, especially the ending. Could have benefitted from tighter writing but a worthwhile watch if one is looking for a suspenseful drama about street lifeMovie comment on The Beatles: Get Back
xianjiro
Can now say I've seen the Concert for Savile Row.I've never considered myself a 'fan'. I bought a couple singles but never a Beatles' album though clearly am very familiar with their hits. So as Part 1 was winding on, and even after it ended, I was thinking what a slog this was going to be. Part 2 started to pull me in a bit, even if it still felt overly long. I am interested in artistic process and can't think of another instance where I've had this kind of access. Sure, seen some band documentaries, but they were edited down much more rigorously, only comprising a portion of a larger work, none staying with me so that I could list them.
Part 3 was absolutely wonderful. The sense of things coming together and the whole rooftop thing was a joy. Think that's something to treasure.
However, throughout the filming it was sometimes hard to know what was 'real' and what was for the camera though clearly it was all real. However, unlike so many great documentaries, we are constantly aware that the subjects are aware of the camera and clearly mugging for it.
Besides all that, it probably could have been shorter though I suspect that will be something for those much more conversant in film editing will debate.
Could probably write a lot more, but who cares, right? I'll close with ...
Movie comment on Krampus: The Devil Returns
xianjiro
Wonder if they consciously tried to cross Bad Santa with Sons of Anarchy but will give them two things: 1) The snow looks so much more realistic than in those big budget Hollywood productions and 2) The locations look nothing like sets -- I thought I was inside someone's kitchen! I just feel sorry the unsuspecting parent who sees the 2 on the (US?) cover and thinks this is a sequel to the film with Toni Collette ...Movie comment on Anonym
xianjiro
Note: This documentary is mostly a combination of found material and filmed thoughts but also includes a pig being slaughtered, not in detail, but some might find it discomforting.Movie comment on Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son
xianjiro
seen here 20221124Movie comment on Rangle River
xianjiro
While the outdoor cinematography is pretty enjoyable, the story is pretty simple and the acting feels a bit stiff at times. However, the most surprising thing is that virtually none of the actors have Aussie accents.Movie comment on La Telenovela Errante
xianjiro
Learned something today from this movie: "If you behave badly in this life, you become a Chilean in the next one." Quote attributed to R.R., maybe that's the director and he just didn't want to make too big of deal out it.Odd. Not terrible, but maybe experience with Chile (pronounced Shile) and telenovelas would help?
Movie comment on Reason Over Passion
xianjiro
gave me a headacheMovie comment on The Lost City
xianjiro
Radcliffe's grand audition to be the next (youngest?) Bond villainPitt was fantastic as was the scenery, but the rest of the film? pretty meh
Movie comment on Stella
xianjiro
seen here, with English subtitles, on 20221002Movie comment on Searching
xianjiro
First five minutes, seemed like way more product placement than we're used to. Then I start to wonder, is the whole film going to be like this? (I knew NOTHING about it going in -- my preference for viewing most films.)So yeah, it kept me interested and then came the HUGE let down. Others have mentioned plot holes and I'll add
Unfortunately, the climax just made the whole thing feel like a gigantic gotcha setup and really just killed the vibe for me. Thought the idea was cool with awesome execution but this was written by computer geeks trying to be a mystery and they really missed fired on the cop angle.
Great effort and the only reason I saw it was because it popped up on the IMDb Horror list -- that just doesn't make any sense to me. Suspense? Yes. Drama? Yes. Mystery? Abso-youknowwhat-lutely. Horror? No, not in the least. But that's another story, on another website, Time to hit "Add comment".
Movie comment on Van Gogh
xianjiro
While some of his earlier work might actually benefit from the black and white treatment, and it might even emphasize the brushwork of the later pieces; it seems a real disservice to not use color. It would be sad to think someone might only have seen some of these paintings in this film.Movie comment on Gauguin
xianjiro
black and white just isn't the right medium for Guagin's workMovie comment on Carry on Up the Khyber
xianjiro
too bad they never decided to Carry On... Up the Jaxie GorgeMovie comment on All Over Town
xianjiro
Chic Johnson's constant girlish giggling was a real deal killer. Can't imagine how they were a thing -- maybe for a routine, but not a 60 movie.Movie comment on Frownland
xianjiro
Basically a cinematographic Rorschach test: what you see, how you react is all about what's inside you. Yes, people can criticize this or that technical aspect of the production, but that doesn't really matter. Glad Criterion was willing to give this one a go, otherwise I'm guessing I'd never have seen it.Movie comment on Paris - When It Sizzles
xianjiro
meta before meta became a thing to do (often when one has no other ideas what to do)Movie comment on The Bounty
xianjiro
It's interesting how a single story can be told in different lights to make the storyteller's points. Here we have a very moody telling that plays more with atmosphere than narrative-driven plot. And while other tellings emphasize the heroic overthrow of a vicious despot, here we see a much more even-tempered Bligh who borders on heroic. We also have a pretty strong opposition of strong leadership vs mob (or mass) rule. Don't believe it's the creators' intent to say one is categorically better than the other, only that both have strengths and drawbacks and prior tellings are a bit heavy-handed in which side they choose.Gibson was clearly the biggest star of the cast though I can't decide if his performance was lackluster or restrained. Actually, besides Hopkins, not sure any of the actors are tasked to do much other than contribute to general atmosphere or move the plot along when needed.
Overall, interesting but otherwise, all told, a pretty average film.
Movie comment on Witless Protection
xianjiro
This 'hit' from the chicken fried steak cafeteria circuit brought tears to my eyes.Movie comment on One Missed Call
xianjiro
Is this the longest Boost Wireless commercial or what?Movie comment on Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
xianjiro
The deputy's horse is my hero - even if it's only CG. He did exactly what I wanted to do.Showing items 76 – 100 of 473