I've enjoyed many Mumblecore films ("Funny Ha Ha," "Mutual Appreciation, "The Puffy Chair," etc.) They aren't great, but I usually like the characters, and find them entertaining. I rarely say this, but this film was a total waste of my time. I was surprised. There's no plot, which would have been okay if the characters weren't so bland or annoying. Greta Gerwig's character is selfish and self-involved and she states that she knows she's not good to other people, but based on the last scene, there's no indication she plans to change her behavior. None of the characters seemed to grow. I can usually find something good in a film, but this was just boring. Perhaps I just don't like Joe Swanberg. Perhaps I need to stick with the Duplass brothers.
Either a documentary or narrative film would have served the story well, but making it a hybrid took it up a notch. The interview inserts kept it real and the changing of details from how different people remembered them added a light touch. Good use of humor.
I especially liked the epilogue, and how Audubon's Birds had a recurring role throughout the film.
Really disappointed. Have seen "Lost In America" included in "best of" lists for years, but it was just okay. I understood the satirical themes and am familiar with Albert Brooks' shtick, but it just wasn't very funny.
@EndsInThemselves
I also thought of "Take Shelter." It was an odd film and I didn't think it was that good when I saw it a few years ago. But, it's never left me and has grown on me. I guess the tone of "First Reformed" was a reminder (plus, both are about troubled men who obsess a bit).
"First Reformed" is also thought-provoking, but I thought it went off the rails from the
levitation scene
until the end. Still, an interesting film, with lots of meat to it. Perhaps it will also grow on me.
Alfred Hitchcock is my favorite director, but "Suspicion" isn't one of his better films. Acting is fine, and I appreciate the two perspectives technique, but I didn't really enjoy the story. Still, Hitchcock at his less-than-best isn't bad.
Cary Grant's character went beyond his typical lovable rogue to kind of a jerk. His "Monkey Face" nickname for Joan Fontaine's character came out of nowhere (it got no reaction from her) and he repeated it incessantly throughout the film. It seemed forced and was kind of annoying.
Some movies seem unrealistic because nothing goes wrong. "Man Push Cart" felt unrealistic because nothing goes right. I kept waiting for this guy to catch a break, but no. I anticipated the end and thought "No, you're not going to do that to him." Depressing from start to finish.
Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Movie comment on Hannah Takes the Stairs
Monochrome Man
I've enjoyed many Mumblecore films ("Funny Ha Ha," "Mutual Appreciation, "The Puffy Chair," etc.) They aren't great, but I usually like the characters, and find them entertaining. I rarely say this, but this film was a total waste of my time. I was surprised. There's no plot, which would have been okay if the characters weren't so bland or annoying. Greta Gerwig's character is selfish and self-involved and she states that she knows she's not good to other people, but based on the last scene, there's no indication she plans to change her behavior. None of the characters seemed to grow. I can usually find something good in a film, but this was just boring. Perhaps I just don't like Joe Swanberg. Perhaps I need to stick with the Duplass brothers.Movie comment on American Animals
Monochrome Man
Either a documentary or narrative film would have served the story well, but making it a hybrid took it up a notch. The interview inserts kept it real and the changing of details from how different people remembered them added a light touch. Good use of humor.I especially liked the epilogue, and how Audubon's Birds had a recurring role throughout the film.
Movie comment on Lost in America
Monochrome Man
Really disappointed. Have seen "Lost In America" included in "best of" lists for years, but it was just okay. I understood the satirical themes and am familiar with Albert Brooks' shtick, but it just wasn't very funny.Movie comment on First Reformed
Monochrome Man
@EndsInThemselvesI also thought of "Take Shelter." It was an odd film and I didn't think it was that good when I saw it a few years ago. But, it's never left me and has grown on me. I guess the tone of "First Reformed" was a reminder (plus, both are about troubled men who obsess a bit).
"First Reformed" is also thought-provoking, but I thought it went off the rails from the
Movie comment on Suspicion
Monochrome Man
Alfred Hitchcock is my favorite director, but "Suspicion" isn't one of his better films. Acting is fine, and I appreciate the two perspectives technique, but I didn't really enjoy the story. Still, Hitchcock at his less-than-best isn't bad.Cary Grant's character went beyond his typical lovable rogue to kind of a jerk. His "Monkey Face" nickname for Joan Fontaine's character came out of nowhere (it got no reaction from her) and he repeated it incessantly throughout the film. It seemed forced and was kind of annoying.
Movie comment on Man Push Cart
Monochrome Man
Some movies seem unrealistic because nothing goes wrong. "Man Push Cart" felt unrealistic because nothing goes right. I kept waiting for this guy to catch a break, but no. I anticipated the end and thought "No, you're not going to do that to him." Depressing from start to finish.