The CGI seems OK, especially being from 2007, but it's hard to say for sure since EVERYTHING IS SO DARK. Perhaps they were hoping that audiences wouldn't notice the bad parts as much if they aren't able to see anything at all, but it only ends up exacerbating the issue--the only enjoyable parts are the ones with the space monsters, and those scenes also happen to be the most dimly-lit. The only characters you end up getting a good look at are the humans, and they generally have mediocre performances and paper-thin characterization (not to mention most getting
killed off within a scene or two after being introduced
). No thanks. The original movies managed to elicit far more tension and suspense without relying on drowning everything in shadows, and it's a shame they apparently forgot how to do that.
A "live" concert video of Justice performing their album, Woman Worldwide, with no audience present (only their film production crew). Also had only one showtime, airing in theaters throughout each global region simultaneously to help build the sensation of a one-time performance. When shown in theaters it was preceded by a short documentary describing the motivation behind making the movie and some interesting insight into the people who made the film (DP, set design, lighting, etc.).
@Shingwauk I think the point of the ending, or at least my interpretation, is that
on the bus, it seemed like the mom might have panicked and abandoned the kids and the dad. Her initial reaction is to justify this to her family and the girlfriend, blaming the driver, but if she later realizes what she did then maybe she could better sympathize with the dad, and that might be what brings them back together (speculation). The cigarette, on the other hand, felt like a little vindication moment for the dad, who I think recognizes what just happened. His son asks him something like, "Do you smoke?" and he replies "Yes." Even though he doesn't seem to be a regular smoker, I think that particular response indicates that he has taken ownership of his actions and himself, and that he is trying to become more comfortable with his identity/sense of self and assert accountability for his own actions, which is clearly something he has been struggling with throughout the film.
Also, I just found it amusing that both of you guys tried spoiler tagging, but neither of the tags are in the right place--at least you had good intentions
You have to read the book to really understand what is going on here. The source is a novelistic investigative journalism piece on the Camorra, and is formed from small vignettes and anecdotes strung together with crime statistics and research. The character vignettes were taken out and adapted into this movie, but they work much better if you understand the cultural and political context
The fight scene in Hong Kong was pretty satisfying, but I still can't get past how stupid this movie was in pretty much every aspect--plot, dialogue, characters.
"Oh hey, I totally forgot we had these super-sweet mega-swords! Why have we been fighting these things with handfuls of freaking shipping containers?!" And then, in the next fight, the swords become their go-to weapon? And there's always a conveniently placed coolant vent or exhaust port for when you're screwed, sure. These robots could've been a lot cooler if the pilots even remotely seemed like they knew what they were doing. Also agree with the other poster about Evangelion.
felt much more cohesive, with a tighter narrative structure, more believable character motivations, and more fluid pacing, than the original series. clearly a refined second take on the series for anno, now backed with a sufficient budget.
i agree with frankqb, aronofsky is very very good at getting "under your skin"... the ways he can produce psychological tension and anxiety out of small traits--bad childhood habits, sexual immaturity, a naive desire for approval--makes for nuanced characters and compelling stories
burns and simon, of "the wire" fame, present the iraq war in the same gritty and uncompromising light that was so powerful in their previous work. a really interesting examination of the war and the disconnect between grunts and officers
an "epic" ending? what would that be, a shootout? a miraculous haven? that would completely wipe out the dark, oppressive mood and atmosphere that was so carefully developed throughout the rest of the film.
Comments 1 - 16 of 16
Movie comment on AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem
swiz
The CGI seems OK, especially being from 2007, but it's hard to say for sure since EVERYTHING IS SO DARK. Perhaps they were hoping that audiences wouldn't notice the bad parts as much if they aren't able to see anything at all, but it only ends up exacerbating the issue--the only enjoyable parts are the ones with the space monsters, and those scenes also happen to be the most dimly-lit. The only characters you end up getting a good look at are the humans, and they generally have mediocre performances and paper-thin characterization (not to mention most gettingMovie comment on IRIS: A Space Opera by Justice
swiz
A "live" concert video of Justice performing their album, Woman Worldwide, with no audience present (only their film production crew). Also had only one showtime, airing in theaters throughout each global region simultaneously to help build the sensation of a one-time performance. When shown in theaters it was preceded by a short documentary describing the motivation behind making the movie and some interesting insight into the people who made the film (DP, set design, lighting, etc.).Movie comment on Day of the Fight
swiz
Another link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge16uzVyFLUCan see some similarities between Walter's prep routine and the protagonist in Killer's Kiss.
Movie comment on Flying Padre
swiz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M681-jhx2KkA news short about a priest who flies his small personal plane to remote areas to serve rural communities.
Movie comment on Turist
swiz
@Shingwauk I think the point of the ending, or at least my interpretation, is thatAlso, I just found it amusing that both of you guys tried spoiler tagging, but neither of the tags are in the right place--at least you had good intentions
Movie comment on Gomorra
swiz
You have to read the book to really understand what is going on here. The source is a novelistic investigative journalism piece on the Camorra, and is formed from small vignettes and anecdotes strung together with crime statistics and research. The character vignettes were taken out and adapted into this movie, but they work much better if you understand the cultural and political contextMovie comment on Pacific Rim
swiz
The fight scene in Hong Kong was pretty satisfying, but I still can't get past how stupid this movie was in pretty much every aspect--plot, dialogue, characters."Oh hey, I totally forgot we had these super-sweet mega-swords! Why have we been fighting these things with handfuls of freaking shipping containers?!" And then, in the next fight, the swords become their go-to weapon? And there's always a conveniently placed coolant vent or exhaust port for when you're screwed, sure. These robots could've been a lot cooler if the pilots even remotely seemed like they knew what they were doing. Also agree with the other poster about Evangelion.
Movie comment on Evangelion Shin Gekijôban: Jo
swiz
felt much more cohesive, with a tighter narrative structure, more believable character motivations, and more fluid pacing, than the original series. clearly a refined second take on the series for anno, now backed with a sufficient budget.Movie comment on Restrepo
swiz
Hetherington was one of the pair of journalists who made the film; he died in Libya during the fighting thereMovie comment on Black Swan
swiz
i agree with frankqb, aronofsky is very very good at getting "under your skin"... the ways he can produce psychological tension and anxiety out of small traits--bad childhood habits, sexual immaturity, a naive desire for approval--makes for nuanced characters and compelling storiesMovie comment on Generation Kill
swiz
burns and simon, of "the wire" fame, present the iraq war in the same gritty and uncompromising light that was so powerful in their previous work. a really interesting examination of the war and the disconnect between grunts and officersMovie comment on Snow-White
swiz
freakin weirdMovie comment on The Deer Hunter
swiz
i dunno, i saw the wedding scene as similar to the one in the godfather.Movie comment on The Road
swiz
an "epic" ending? what would that be, a shootout? a miraculous haven? that would completely wipe out the dark, oppressive mood and atmosphere that was so carefully developed throughout the rest of the film.Movie comment on Ying xiong
swiz
add "Hero" as an alternate titleMovie comment on Yozhik v tumane
swiz
questions of artistic merit aside, the owl was freakin scary