list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around The Science of Sleep on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/The_Science_of_Sleep/274697/default.aspx Title: The Science of Sleep
Year: 2005
Director: Michel Gondry
Plot: Inventive Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry takes a surreal trip through the mind of an introverted but wildly creative man whose attempts to balance his colorful dreams with his stark reality are complicated by the arrival of a beautiful woman into his life. Shy Stéphane (Gael García Bernal) has returned to his childhood hometown to accept a new job. When the prospective employment offer fails to live up to expectations, however, Stéphane is at least comforted by the close bond he has formed with his creative-thinking neighbor Stéphanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg). Their blossoming romance finally awakens the sleeping confidence that the withdrawn Stéphane was previously capable of displaying only in his dreams, but Stéphane and Stéphanie find their relationship challenged when lingering insecurities prompt the smitten visionary to confront an old dilemma that can't be solved by the Science of Sleep. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 110
Number of Lists: 71
Number of blog posts: 16
Number of discussion threads: 4
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Tue, 12 May 2009 02:43:00 GMTThe Science of Sleep2005Michel GondryInventive <a href=/films/219767/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind</a> director <a href="/players/P___290174/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Michel Gondry</a> takes a surreal trip through the mind of an introverted but wildly creative man whose attempts to balance his colorful dreams with his stark reality are complicated by the arrival of a beautiful woman into his life. Shy Stéphane (<a href="/players/P___294532/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Gael García Bernal</a>) has returned to his childhood hometown to accept a new job. When the prospective employment offer fails to live up to expectations, however, Stéphane is at least comforted by the close bond he has formed with his creative-thinking neighbor Stéphanie (<a href="/players/P____25539/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Charlotte Gainsbourg</a>). Their blossoming romance finally awakens the sleeping confidence that the withdrawn Stéphane was previously capable of displaying only in his dreams, but Stéphane and Stéphanie find their relationship challenged when lingering insecurities prompt the smitten visionary to confront an old dilemma that can't be solved by the <a href=/films/274697/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Science of Sleep</a>. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide110Tag Target (>10)711644http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u03186e16o7.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Science_of_Sleep/274697/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Re_PINEAPPLE_EXPRESS_DVD_Giveaway/563/39227/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: ryanbalas
Post To: Filmgaming
Post Date: 1/7/2009 10:01:12 PM
Body: "SCIENCE OF SLEEP" ahhh the big hands.
]]>Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:01:12 GMTryanbalasFilmgaming1/7/2009 10:01:12 PM"SCIENCE OF SLEEP" ahhh the big hands. http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_weirdest_movies/190/37870/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: GradysGhost
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 12/2/2008 7:10:33 PM
Body: [quote user="seely"] Hm, so many of the ones I would pick have already been picked. Theres a few notables missing, however. One of the all-time weirdest: The Fountain Darren Aronofsky (sp?) at his weirdest. I would try to explain it, but I'm not sure I can anymore. If you're interested, I reviewed it here. Requiem for a Dream Same director as Pi and the Fountain. The really trippy drug induced fantasies and hallucinations, plus the steady downward spiral of all the characters in this film make it a weird one. Fantasia Satan. Mickey Mouse. Pluto. Wizards. Demons. Nuff said. Me and You and Everyone We Know I saw this one twice and still can't really figure out quite what it is about. I've heard a wide range of theories. All I know is there is a 5 year old making out with a 35 year old woman, and he's obsessed with 'pooping back and forth forever'. Is it a metaphor? Is it funny? I don't really know. Stranger than Fiction / The Science of Sleep I don't know why, but I always think of these films together. Anyways, I think they both should be included on any 'weird' list. Both have pretty strange concepts that seem like they wouldn't work/be that interesting, but somehow both of them turned out to be good films--a big compliment to STF considering I don't like Will Ferrel as a rule of thumb. Both will definately mess with your mind a bit. [/quote] It's been ages since I've seen Fantasia, but I will vouch for The Science of Sleep and Me and You and Everyone We Know for being weird. Science of Sleep is such an amazing movie. Another thread around here somewhere spoke of Amelie as being a "gateway drug" to other foreign flicks. My brother has always adamently refused to watch foreign movies on the basis that he doesn't like to "read his movies." But he caught the last half of Science of Sleep and loved it. Something about how they keep switching between three languages for the entire film has this whirlwind effect that just sucks you up and moves you through the narrative, even when it's not so narrativey. Stranger Than Fiction is a pretty good metafiction film, but as far as metafiction is concerned, I have to offer up a couple of Michael Haneke films, Cache and Funny Games. While neither of these movies might be considered "weird," they have a fourth-wall-breaking aspect that your average film doesn't. And that's the understatement of the century. Cache has some disturbing imagery at one point, which seems more gruesome than that of Funny Games, even though Funny Games is far gorier. I think it has something to do with the way Funny Games incorporates its violence, the way that the "bad guys" let you, the audience, know that you know what these games are all about, and you're used to it by now. It's quite convincing, which I guess is the true horror of the film.
]]>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:10:33 GMTGradysGhostTop 512/2/2008 7:10:33 PM[quote user="seely"] Hm, so many of the ones I would pick have already been picked. Theres a few notables missing, however. One of the all-time weirdest: The Fountain Darren Aronofsky (sp?) at his weirdest. I would try to explain it, but I'm not sure I can anymore. If you're interested, I reviewed it here. Requiem for a Dream Same director as Pi and the Fountain. The really trippy drug induced fantasies and hallucinations, plus the steady downward spiral of all the characters in this film make it a weird one. Fantasia Satan. Mickey Mouse. Pluto. Wizards. Demons. Nuff said. Me and You and Everyone We Know I saw this one twice and still can't really figure out quite what it is about. I've heard a wide range of theories. All I know is there is a 5 year old making out with a 35 year old woman, and he's obsessed with 'pooping back and forth forever'. Is it a metaphor? Is it funny? I don't really know. Stranger than Fiction / The Science of Sleep I don't know why, but I always think of these films together. Anyways, I think they both should be included on any 'weird' list. Both have pretty strange concepts that seem like they wouldn't work/be that interesting, but somehow both of them turned out to be good films--a big compliment to STF considering I don't like Will Ferrel as a rule of thumb. Both will definately mess with your mind a bit. [/quote] It's been ages since I've seen Fantasia, but I will vouch for The Science of Sleep and Me and You and Everyone We Know for being weird. Science of Sleep is such an amazing movie. Another thread around here somewhere spoke of Amelie as being a "gateway drug" to other foreign flicks. My brother has always adamently refused to watch foreign movies on the basis that he doesn't like to "read his movies." But he caught the last half of Science of Sleep and loved it. Something about how they keep switching between three languages for the entire film has this whirlwind effect that just sucks you up and moves you through the narrative, even when it's not so narrativey. Stranger Than Fiction is a pretty good metafiction film, but as far as metafiction is concerned, I have to offer up a couple of Michael Haneke films, Cache and Funny Games. While neither of these movies might be considered "weird," they have a fourth-wall-breaking aspect that your average film doesn't. And that's the understatement of the century. Cache has some disturbing imagery at one point, which seems more gruesome than that of Funny Games, even though Funny Games is far gorier. I think it has something to do with the way Funny Games incorporates its violence, the way that the "bad guys" let you, the audience, know that you know what these games are all about, and you're used to it by now. It's quite convincing, which I guess is the true horror of the film. http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2008/9/23/35472.aspx Post By: pippin06
Post To: Reel Thoughts
Post Date: 9/23/2008 10:24:10 PM
Body: Taking a break from the AFI project for a smidge (or at least while I procured the next entry, Apocalypse Now, from another's video collection), Netflix sent me my second Michel Gondry film, The Science of Sleep. I was looking forward to watching this one; the fantastical premise was highly attractive, as I am a fantasy lover (see The Imagination of Fantasy Spout group and join up!). Also, I am one of those people that really kind of love Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, even if it is ridiculously stereotypically suburban of me to do so. Therefore, the Science of Sleep had a lot of potential - and it didn't completely disappoint. Not completely. Shy, introverted, socially and emotionally awkward Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) has difficulty separating his dreams from reality, even when he's awake, and he sorts through several issues, such as the recent death of his father, through the tangled web of colorful images in his dreams. His mother gets him a job at a calendar company, even though he wants to be a graphic artist, and his quirky co-workers become primary players in his dream worlds. His complicated perspective complicates further when Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg) moves into the apartment next door. Stephane is drawn to her and decides to unleash the dream world and expose Stephanie to his fanciful visions, to mixed results. I liked this film, but I didn't love it. I liked the creative visual imagery using low-tech graphics and various creative properties through a stunning, visionary art direction that lent itself very well to the premise. If nothing else, the images presented in the film were engaging, amusing and quite innovative. I liked how the movie cameras in Stephane's dream talk show were made out of cardboard boxes, and that the water for the forest in the boat was made out of different colored bits of cellophane, and stuffed animals were patched together velveteen things that became stars of the dreams and the real-life play (theatrical and romantic) between Stephane and Stephanie. I also generally liked Gondry's vision for the piece (he also wrote it). I further concede that the story and the film itself were quite original, even unique. Yet, it was hard to sympathize with Stephane, who had a tangible creepy factor about him, no matter how involuntary. Stephanie even calls him a creep at one point, and yet he never outgrows these tendencies. On the one hand, his ingrained awkwardness is pitiful and pitiable, for he's clearly trying to succeed in the real life situations that differ so dramatically from his dreamed-up scenarios, to the point that he actually cries from frustration. On the other hand, his lack of touch with reality is hard to connect with, at least for me, and I'm an experienced escapist. I just couldn't help thinking that if I were Stephanie, I would think Stephane too much of a project to be worth the trouble, and his inappropriate verbalizations, such as some of his more sexist and perverted jokes, would only be icing on that crazy cake. It was hard to feel compelled by what was ultimately something of the tragic love story between these two similarly-named folk, especially since the performances by the two leads were lacking in consistency. Bernal had more of the challenge, but his performance was as erratic as Stephane's waking moods. He made some odd choices that served to alienate me from Stephane more than endear me to him. Gainsbourg's performance was decidedly distant, even cold, and it was hard to be remotely convinced as to why she would suffer Stephane's unusual personality to begin with, platonically or otherwise. When all is said and done, though, The Science of Sleep is a pleasurable movie-watching experience, and its inventive story and charming arts-and-craftsy art direction are the heart and soul of that experience. I think the film deserves a 7.5, between shaky/entertaining and minor flaws/very good, since the film has its flaws but left me feeling entertained enough. As for the test, the jury's out. I don't feel as if I want to own this one, but I wouldn't mind watching it again. If nothing else, it's a wonderful film to watch before bedtime, since there's not much science to be had.
]]>Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:24:10 GMTpippin06Reel Thoughts9/23/2008 10:24:10 PMTaking a break from the AFI project for a smidge (or at least while I procured the next entry, Apocalypse Now, from another's video collection), Netflix sent me my second Michel Gondry film, The Science of Sleep. I was looking forward to watching this one; the fantastical premise was highly attractive, as I am a fantasy lover (see The Imagination of Fantasy Spout group and join up!). Also, I am one of those people that really kind of love Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, even if it is ridiculously stereotypically suburban of me to do so. Therefore, the Science of Sleep had a lot of potential - and it didn't completely disappoint. Not completely. Shy, introverted, socially and emotionally awkward Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) has difficulty separating his dreams from reality, even when he's awake, and he sorts through several issues, such as the recent death of his father, through the tangled web of colorful images in his dreams. His mother gets him a job at a calendar company, even though he wants to be a graphic artist, and his quirky co-workers become primary players in his dream worlds. His complicated perspective complicates further when Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg) moves into the apartment next door. Stephane is drawn to her and decides to unleash the dream world and expose Stephanie to his fanciful visions, to mixed results. I liked this film, but I didn't love it. I liked the creative visual imagery using low-tech graphics and various creative properties through a stunning, visionary art direction that lent itself very well to the premise. If nothing else, the images presented in the film were engaging, amusing and quite innovative. I liked how the movie cameras in Stephane's dream talk show were made out of cardboard boxes, and that the water for the forest in the boat was made out of different colored bits of cellophane, and stuffed animals were patched together velveteen things that became stars of the dreams and the real-life play (theatrical and romantic) between Stephane and Stephanie. I also generally liked Gondry's vision for the piece (he also wrote it). I further concede that the story and the film itself were quite original, even unique. Yet, it was hard to sympathize with Stephane, who had a tangible creepy factor about him, no matter how involuntary. Stephanie even calls him a creep at one point, and yet he never outgrows these tendencies. On the one hand, his ingrained awkwardness is pitiful and pitiable, for he's clearly trying to succeed in the real life situations that differ so dramatically from his dreamed-up scenarios, to the point that he actually cries from frustration. On the other hand, his lack of touch with reality is hard to connect with, at least for me, and I'm an experienced escapist. I just couldn't help thinking that if I were Stephanie, I would think Stephane too much of a project to be worth the trouble, and his inappropriate verbalizations, such as some of his more sexist and perverted jokes, would only be icing on that crazy cake. It was hard to feel compelled by what was ultimately something of the tragic love story between these two similarly-named folk, especially since the performances by the two leads were lacking in consistency. Bernal had more of the challenge, but his performance was as erratic as Stephane's waking moods. He made some odd choices that served to alienate me from Stephane more than endear me to him. Gainsbourg's performance was decidedly distant, even cold, and it was hard to be remotely convinced as to why she would suffer Stephane's unusual personality to begin with, platonically or otherwise. When all is said and done, though, The Science of Sleep is a pleasurable movie-watching experience, and its inventive story and charming arts-and-craftsy art direction are the heart and soul of that experience. I think the film deserves a 7.5, between shaky/entertaining and minor flaws/very good, since the film has its flaws but left me feeling entertained enough. As for the test, the jury's out. I don't feel as if I want to own this one, but I wouldn't mind watching it again. If nothing else, it's a wonderful film to watch before bedtime, since there's not much science to be had. http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_weirdest_movies/190/35446/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: seely
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 9/23/2008 2:35:16 PM
Body: Hm, so many of the ones I would pick have already been picked. Theres a few notables missing, however. One of the all-time weirdest: The Fountain Darren Aronofsky (sp?) at his weirdest. I would try to explain it, but I'm not sure I can anymore. If you're interested, I reviewed it here. Requiem for a Dream Same director as Pi and the Fountain. The really trippy drug induced fantasies and hallucinations, plus the steady downward spiral of all the characters in this film make it a weird one. Fantasia Satan. Mickey Mouse. Pluto. Wizards. Demons. Nuff said. Me and You and Everyone We Know I saw this one twice and still can't really figure out quite what it is about. I've heard a wide range of theories. All I know is there is a 5 year old making out with a 35 year old woman, and he's obsessed with 'pooping back and forth forever'. Is it a metaphor? Is it funny? I don't really know. Stranger than Fiction / The Science of Sleep I don't know why, but I always think of these films together. Anyways, I think they both should be included on any 'weird' list. Both have pretty strange concepts that seem like they wouldn't work/be that interesting, but somehow both of them turned out to be good films--a big compliment to STF considering I don't like Will Ferrel as a rule of thumb. Both will definately mess with your mind a bit.
]]>Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:35:16 GMTseelyTop 59/23/2008 2:35:16 PMHm, so many of the ones I would pick have already been picked. Theres a few notables missing, however. One of the all-time weirdest: The Fountain Darren Aronofsky (sp?) at his weirdest. I would try to explain it, but I'm not sure I can anymore. If you're interested, I reviewed it here. Requiem for a Dream Same director as Pi and the Fountain. The really trippy drug induced fantasies and hallucinations, plus the steady downward spiral of all the characters in this film make it a weird one. Fantasia Satan. Mickey Mouse. Pluto. Wizards. Demons. Nuff said. Me and You and Everyone We Know I saw this one twice and still can't really figure out quite what it is about. I've heard a wide range of theories. All I know is there is a 5 year old making out with a 35 year old woman, and he's obsessed with 'pooping back and forth forever'. Is it a metaphor? Is it funny? I don't really know. Stranger than Fiction / The Science of Sleep I don't know why, but I always think of these films together. Anyways, I think they both should be included on any 'weird' list. Both have pretty strange concepts that seem like they wouldn't work/be that interesting, but somehow both of them turned out to be good films--a big compliment to STF considering I don't like Will Ferrel as a rule of thumb. Both will definately mess with your mind a bit. http://www.spout.com/groups/Criterion_Collection/Re_Criterion_Predictions/115/31755/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Smooth_J
Post To: Criterion Collection
Post Date: 6/26/2008 7:10:22 PM
Body: The Science of Sleep- Michel Gondry's first writer/director effort. Gondry and his work fit perfectly into the realm of other Criterion releases, especially this film in that it is foreign and it is quite avant-garde. It's a wonderful movie, and it's DVD release is decent but pretty barren in terms of extras. Definitely seems like a Criterion pick. The Assassination of Jesse James- This may just be a strange hunch of mine, and I keep mentioning it when it comes to future Criterion releases, but it really seems like the type of film they'd do. The current DVD's transfer is very good, but there are absolutely no extras. Dominik has been fighting to get a director's cut of the film released, and is really not getting very far. If Criterion manages to pick up the rights to this, it will be an amazing release, and very well-deserving. The one and only setback I would think in terms of this being released in Criterion (besides obvious rights issues) is that it may be too Malick-esque, and they've already released Days of Heaven. I hope they wouldn't think that way, but who knows. Those are both very contemporary and recent films, I know, but these are the two that first come to mind.
]]>Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:10:22 GMTSmooth_JCriterion Collection6/26/2008 7:10:22 PMThe Science of Sleep- Michel Gondry's first writer/director effort. Gondry and his work fit perfectly into the realm of other Criterion releases, especially this film in that it is foreign and it is quite avant-garde. It's a wonderful movie, and it's DVD release is decent but pretty barren in terms of extras. Definitely seems like a Criterion pick. The Assassination of Jesse James- This may just be a strange hunch of mine, and I keep mentioning it when it comes to future Criterion releases, but it really seems like the type of film they'd do. The current DVD's transfer is very good, but there are absolutely no extras. Dominik has been fighting to get a director's cut of the film released, and is really not getting very far. If Criterion manages to pick up the rights to this, it will be an amazing release, and very well-deserving. The one and only setback I would think in terms of this being released in Criterion (besides obvious rights issues) is that it may be too Malick-esque, and they've already released Days of Heaven. I hope they wouldn't think that way, but who knows. Those are both very contemporary and recent films, I know, but these are the two that first come to mind. http://www.spout.com/blogs/mike_moody/archive/2008/6/25/31712.aspx Post By: mike_moody
Post To: Moody's Movie Blog
Post Date: 6/25/2008 11:02:54 PM
Body: Have you ever watched a movie and thought, "Wow, that was a mess, but I loved it"? I have, and I have a name for movies that make me feel that way. I call 'em "beautiful failures."Beautiful failures are usually too long, too weird, too sloppy or just plain stupid, but they're always strangely compelling and, well, beautiful. They're the movies you think you hate but you can't stop thinking about. You come back to them over and over and you can't figure out why. They can be very complex, pretentious or even too simple or mass appealing. Other film buffs might tell you different, but there's really no formula to creating a beautiful failure.Some of my favorite beautiful failures are Steven Soderbergh's Solaris, Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut and David Cronenberg's awkward 1996 thriller Crash. I love these films for different reasons, but I recognize that they're all a little ... dreadful.Here are a few titles I've recently added to my list of beautiful failures. The Science of Sleep The problems start with the packaging and advertising for director Michel Gondry's follow-up to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The trailer and DVD box try to sell the film as a quirky romantic comedy full of whimsical dream sequences and cute one-liners. What you really get is a seemingly chaotic but densely structured character study of an unlikable, mentally ill manchild (Gael Garcia Bernal). There's a lot of good here, though. Bernal's character has trouble disassociating fantasy from reality, and Gondry illustrates this with some charming and singular visual tricks. Also, the ending is somewhat of a stunner that brilliantly unites all the disparate ideas and elements that came before. Unfortunately, most viewers will be confused and sick of all the seeming randomness before the third act. Bernal and the rest of the cast are great, but most of the characters are unappealing or hard to relate to. Still, I'll go back to this movie again for its brave storytelling, strange comedic bits and great visuals. The Fountain Where to start? The Fountain is the perfect beautiful failure. It's at times fiercely incoherent, silly and pretentious, but it's also visually impressive and features a very strong lead performance by Hugh Jackman. All of the "big ideas" director Daron Aronofsky (Pi, Requim for a Dream) attempts to convey here can be gleaned from the preface of one of those Don't Sweat the Small Stuff books, but he delivers his dime store philosophy in an extravagant package that constantly switches from compelling to laughable (picture a bald Jackman reaching nirvana while sitting in a lotus position). Add to that a bunch of muddled biblical references, plot strands that go nowhere and performances that range from sleepy (Rachel Weisz) to irrelevant (Ellen Burstyn) and you have a "bf" that somehow demands repeat viewing. Ghost Rider This campy comic book adaptation is about a guy with a flaming skull for a head, but that's the least ridiculous thing about it. After delivering two joyless duds based on Marvel books (Daredevil and Elektra) writer-director Mark Steven Johnson ampsGhost Rider's absurdity factor up to 11. Unfortunately, that's way too high -- even for a comic book movie.The film is a poorly written, painfully simplistic and predictable popcorn flick, but its worst attributes are what will keep me coming back to it. You have to admire a film that so economically delivers the cheap thrills and seems willing to suck ass to do so. The cast members do their best to make sure that Ghost Rider makes you smirk for 90 minutes and slips out of your system faster than a Diet Coke. It's a sick and fascinating thing to watch Nicholas Cage violently hammer tons of trite quirks and ticks into his character (He eats M&Ms from a champagne flute! He listens to The Carpenters! He speaks with an undefinable accent!). Peter Fonda and Sam Elliot ham it up, but the real kick here is Wes Bentley as the film's impossibly witless and fruity villain, Blackheart. Originally posted at Gold Teeth.
]]>Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:02:54 GMTmike_moodyMoody's Movie Blog6/25/2008 11:02:54 PM Have you ever watched a movie and thought, "Wow, that was a mess, but I loved it"? I have, and I have a name for movies that make me feel that way. I call 'em "beautiful failures."Beautiful failures are usually too long, too weird, too sloppy or just plain stupid, but they're always strangely compelling and, well, beautiful. They're the movies you think you hate but you can't stop thinking about. You come back to them over and over and you can't figure out why. They can be very complex, pretentious or even too simple or mass appealing. Other film buffs might tell you different, but there's really no formula to creating a beautiful failure.Some of my favorite beautiful failures are Steven Soderbergh's Solaris, Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut and David Cronenberg's awkward 1996 thriller Crash. I love these films for different reasons, but I recognize that they're all a little ... dreadful.Here are a few titles I've recently added to my list of beautiful failures. The Science of Sleep The problems start with the packaging and advertising for director Michel Gondry's follow-up to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The trailer and DVD box try to sell the film as a quirky romantic comedy full of whimsical dream sequences and cute one-liners. What you really get is a seemingly chaotic but densely structured character study of an unlikable, mentally ill manchild (Gael Garcia Bernal). There's a lot of good here, though. Bernal's character has trouble disassociating fantasy from reality, and Gondry illustrates this with some charming and singular visual tricks. Also, the ending is somewhat of a stunner that brilliantly unites all the disparate ideas and elements that came before. Unfortunately, most viewers will be confused and sick of all the seeming randomness before the third act. Bernal and the rest of the cast are great, but most of the characters are unappealing or hard to relate to. Still, I'll go back to this movie again for its brave storytelling, strange comedic bits and great visuals. The Fountain Where to start? The Fountain is the perfect beautiful failure. It's at times fiercely incoherent, silly and pretentious, but it's also visually impressive and features a very strong lead performance by Hugh Jackman. All of the "big ideas" director Daron Aronofsky (Pi, Requim for a Dream) attempts to convey here can be gleaned from the preface of one of those Don't Sweat the Small Stuff books, but he delivers his dime store philosophy in an extravagant package that constantly switches from compelling to laughable (picture a bald Jackman reaching nirvana while sitting in a lotus position). Add to that a bunch of muddled biblical references, plot strands that go nowhere and performances that range from sleepy (Rachel Weisz) to irrelevant (Ellen Burstyn) and you have a "bf" that somehow demands repeat viewing. Ghost Rider This campy comic book adaptation is about a guy with a flaming skull for a head, but that's the least ridiculous thing about it. After delivering two joyless duds based on Marvel books (Daredevil and Elektra) writer-director Mark Steven Johnson ampsGhost Rider's absurdity factor up to 11. Unfortunately, that's way too high -- even for a comic book movie.The film is a poorly written, painfully simplistic and predictable popcorn flick, but its worst attributes are what will keep me coming back to it. You have to admire a film that so economically delivers the cheap thrills and seems willing to suck ass to do so. The cast members do their best to make sure that Ghost Rider makes you smirk for 90 minutes and slips out of your system faster than a Diet Coke. It's a sick and fascinating thing to watch Nicholas Cage violently hammer tons of trite quirks and ticks into his character (He eats M&amp;Ms from a champagne flute! He listens to The Carpenters! He speaks with an undefinable accent!). Peter Fonda and Sam Elliot ham it up, but the real kick here is Wes Bentley as the film's impossibly witless and fruity villain, Blackheart. Originally posted at Gold Teeth. http://www.spout.com/blogs/cinemarian/archive/2008/5/12/28643.aspx Post By: CinemaRian
Post To: CinemaRian Blog
Post Date: 5/12/2008 1:15:25 PM
Body: The beginning of a potential romantic relationship is filled with a combination of wish fulfillment, excitement, fantasy, and fear, and that's something that Michel Gondry's film The Science of Sleep knows all too well. It's the sort of movie that makes you think about those golden couple of days when that girl who lives next to you has the potential to be the one, and then the two months afterwards, when you've forgotten all about her, except in that weird dream you just had. I put off seeing this movie because I was not a fan of Gondry's most popular effort, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. While that film had many fans, I felt that the director was too subservient to the weird ideas of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, who is often strange for the sake of being strange. There are many similarities between the two films, not the least of which is that they are both about slightly eccentric protagonists on a strange romantic journey (Jim Carrey there, Gael Garcia Bernal here). But the difference is that The Science of Sleep puts its characters first and its quirks second. You get involved their lives, and the visual tricks are fun tool for illustrating the characters lives, not a distraction. Bernal plays a good natured but somewhat socially awkward man with named of Stephan Miroux. Stephane lives in Mexico but has returned to France to visit his landlady mother (Miou-Miou) after the death of his father. He gets a job working at an advertising and firm and keeps himself occupied with his bored surroundings by fantasizing. It's never quite made clear how much of the "unrealistic" material we see is a fantasy or dream (more on that later). Stephane later meets one of his mother's tenants Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsburg). Although he is initially interested in Stephanie's friend, Stephane quickly falls for the one person who appears capable of understanding his perspective on life. She also develops a genuine affection and bond with him, although she says she's just interested in being friends. Most of this material is not particularly original, but what makes the film come alive is the unique treatment given by Gondry. He uses stop-motion animation techniques to give Stephan's an original and endearing look that CGI just cannot give. The director also avoids the temptation of falling into the "what is reality" trap. I think we are supposed to assume that much of what we see is an abstract representation of Stephan's thoughts, not a literal look at what is objectively happening. As I said earlier, the movie is helped by the fact that it is a character study above everything. In a way, it is sad that the couple cannot make their genuine bond into a real romantic relationship, but Stephanie is probably right in stating that they should be just friends. Despite the fact that she has a wonderful imagination, it's hard to see how such a down to Earth realist could have a successful relationship with a head in the clouds dreamer like Stephan. Although I will not reveal the ending of the film, it may be true that every unsuccessful romance has two endings: the real one, which has a definite date and time, and the "what if" romance in one's mind, which exists until the person fades from memory, or in those intangible early morning dreams of things past. The Science of Sleep (2005)
]]>Mon, 12 May 2008 17:15:25 GMTCinemaRianCinemaRian Blog5/12/2008 1:15:25 PMThe beginning of a potential romantic relationship is filled with a combination of wish fulfillment, excitement, fantasy, and fear, and that's something that Michel Gondry's film The Science of Sleep knows all too well. It's the sort of movie that makes you think about those golden couple of days when that girl who lives next to you has the potential to be the one, and then the two months afterwards, when you've forgotten all about her, except in that weird dream you just had. I put off seeing this movie because I was not a fan of Gondry's most popular effort, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. While that film had many fans, I felt that the director was too subservient to the weird ideas of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, who is often strange for the sake of being strange. There are many similarities between the two films, not the least of which is that they are both about slightly eccentric protagonists on a strange romantic journey (Jim Carrey there, Gael Garcia Bernal here). But the difference is that The Science of Sleep puts its characters first and its quirks second. You get involved their lives, and the visual tricks are fun tool for illustrating the characters lives, not a distraction. Bernal plays a good natured but somewhat socially awkward man with named of Stephan Miroux. Stephane lives in Mexico but has returned to France to visit his landlady mother (Miou-Miou) after the death of his father. He gets a job working at an advertising and firm and keeps himself occupied with his bored surroundings by fantasizing. It's never quite made clear how much of the "unrealistic" material we see is a fantasy or dream (more on that later). Stephane later meets one of his mother's tenants Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsburg). Although he is initially interested in Stephanie's friend, Stephane quickly falls for the one person who appears capable of understanding his perspective on life. She also develops a genuine affection and bond with him, although she says she's just interested in being friends. Most of this material is not particularly original, but what makes the film come alive is the unique treatment given by Gondry. He uses stop-motion animation techniques to give Stephan's an original and endearing look that CGI just cannot give. The director also avoids the temptation of falling into the "what is reality" trap. I think we are supposed to assume that much of what we see is an abstract representation of Stephan's thoughts, not a literal look at what is objectively happening. As I said earlier, the movie is helped by the fact that it is a character study above everything. In a way, it is sad that the couple cannot make their genuine bond into a real romantic relationship, but Stephanie is probably right in stating that they should be just friends. Despite the fact that she has a wonderful imagination, it's hard to see how such a down to Earth realist could have a successful relationship with a head in the clouds dreamer like Stephan. Although I will not reveal the ending of the film, it may be true that every unsuccessful romance has two endings: the real one, which has a definite date and time, and the "what if" romance in one's mind, which exists until the person fades from memory, or in those intangible early morning dreams of things past. The Science of Sleep (2005) http://www.spout.com/blogs/dibot/archive/2008/3/28/26709.aspx Post By: dibot
Post To: dibot Blog
Post Date: 3/28/2008 12:50:38 PM
Body: Shame was downright action packed compared to the last couple of Bergman ("Saraband") films I've watched. Max Von Sydow ("Rush Hour 3") and Liv Ullmann ("Saraband") are a very unhappily married couple whose house seems to be in the middle of a war zone. Neither half of the couple are very cool. They both do some pretty despicable things. This wasn't my favorite of his films. I am Legend pretty much rocked. Set in the future where a virus has wiped out much of the human race, leaving behind scary vampire/zombie like creatures, Will Smith ("The Pursuit of Happyness") has been living alone for three years in NYC. The first part of the film really takes its time establishing Smith's lifestyle and complete loneliness. Then it gets tense. My only real complaint is that the monsters were way too fake. When are people going to learn that CG will never be as cool as makeup? Michel Gondry ("Be Kind Rewind")'s The Science of Sleep is both glorious and frustrating. Gael Garcia Bernal ("El Pasado")stars as a daydreaming artist who has trouble separating dream from reality. He falls for his neighbor and then it's a while will they/won't they thing. I loved the imagery, especially when Bernal is running the office in his dreams. But, after awhile, I just wanted to shake everyone in the story and tell them to get a grip. Paper Moon was really, really good. Ten-year-old Tatum O'Neal ("My Brother") deserved her Oscar for playing an orphaned child who gives a con man what for. They hit the road together, he's supposed to be delivering her to some relatives, but then it turns out that she has quite a gift for the con. And is often smarter than her mentor. Hilarious and moving. One of my new favorites. What to say about Southland Tales? I enjoyed the spectacle. Writer/director Richard Kelly's follow up to Donnie Darko is a bit like a Spanish soap opera. I have no idea what's happening, but I find it fascinating to watch. The plot is way too complex, but still interesting. The acting is strange, especially all the SNL people and Sarah Michelle Gellar ("Suburban Girl"), but not necessarily bad. I think it's just too much. It's sci-fi, but Kelly's obviously trying to make a political statement, in a very heavy-handed way. I guess I think if he was going to go this far, he should have just gotten even crazier.
]]>Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:50:38 GMTdibotdibot Blog3/28/2008 12:50:38 PMShame was downright action packed compared to the last couple of Bergman (&quot;Saraband&quot;) films I&#39;ve watched. Max Von Sydow (&quot;Rush Hour 3&quot;) and Liv Ullmann (&quot;Saraband&quot;) are a very unhappily married couple whose house seems to be in the middle of a war zone. Neither half of the couple are very cool. They both do some pretty despicable things. This wasn&#39;t my favorite of his films. I am Legend pretty much rocked. Set in the future where a virus has wiped out much of the human race, leaving behind scary vampire/zombie like creatures, Will Smith (&quot;The Pursuit of Happyness&quot;) has been living alone for three years in NYC. The first part of the film really takes its time establishing Smith&#39;s lifestyle and complete loneliness. Then it gets tense. My only real complaint is that the monsters were way too fake. When are people going to learn that CG will never be as cool as makeup? Michel Gondry (&quot;Be Kind Rewind&quot;)&#39;s The Science of Sleep is both glorious and frustrating. Gael Garcia Bernal (&quot;El Pasado&quot;)stars as a daydreaming artist who has trouble separating dream from reality. He falls for his neighbor and then it&#39;s a while will they/won&#39;t they thing. I loved the imagery, especially when Bernal is running the office in his dreams. But, after awhile, I just wanted to shake everyone in the story and tell them to get a grip. Paper Moon was really, really good. Ten-year-old Tatum O&#39;Neal (&quot;My Brother&quot;) deserved her Oscar for playing an orphaned child who gives a con man what for. They hit the road together, he&#39;s supposed to be delivering her to some relatives, but then it turns out that she has quite a gift for the con. And is often smarter than her mentor. Hilarious and moving. One of my new favorites. What to say about Southland Tales? I enjoyed the spectacle. Writer/director Richard Kelly&#39;s follow up to Donnie Darko is a bit like a Spanish soap opera. I have no idea what&#39;s happening, but I find it fascinating to watch. The plot is way too complex, but still interesting. The acting is strange, especially all the SNL people and Sarah Michelle Gellar (&quot;Suburban Girl&quot;), but not necessarily bad. I think it&#39;s just too much. It&#39;s sci-fi, but Kelly&#39;s obviously trying to make a political statement, in a very heavy-handed way. I guess I think if he was going to go this far, he should have just gotten even crazier. http://www.spout.com/blogs/samiamperry/archive/2008/2/24/25543.aspx Post By: samiamperry
Post To: samiamperry Blog
Post Date: 2/24/2008 7:28:21 PM
Body: The Science of Sleep is and will remain one of my favourite movies. The creativity of the writer and director is worn on the sleeve of every scene. There's not much more to say.
]]>Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:28:21 GMTsamiamperrysamiamperry Blog2/24/2008 7:28:21 PMThe Science of Sleep is and will remain one of my favourite movies. The creativity of the writer and director is worn on the sleeve of every scene. There&#39;s not much more to say. http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/1/31/24581.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/31/2008 2:00:47 PM
Body: Making a “sweded” version of his own film’s trailer seems like such an obvious next step in Michel Gondry’s viral marketing of Be Kind Rewind. I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming. What’s next, self-”sweded” trailers for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep, Human Nature and Block Party? In case you haven’t been following the promotions for Gondry’s latest post-modern surrealist fantasy film and have no idea what “sweded” is, it refers to the cheaply produced remakes of Hollywood movies that Jack Black and Mos Def’s video clerk characters create in Be Kind Rewind in order to restock their store’s rental library after they accidentally erase all the originals. OK, that was a long sentence, and is probably confusing if you’re not at all familiar with this movie. So, check out the real trailer here, and acquaint yourself. (Then check out Karina’s November clip-of-the-day post about “sweded” trailers and posters and her early January BlogNosh post about fan-made “sweded” trailers.) (more…) Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:00:47 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com1/31/2008 2:00:47 PM Making a “sweded” version of his own film’s trailer seems like such an obvious next step in Michel Gondry’s viral marketing of Be Kind Rewind. I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming. What’s next, self-”sweded” trailers for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep, Human Nature and Block Party? In case you haven’t been following the promotions for Gondry’s latest post-modern surrealist fantasy film and have no idea what “sweded” is, it refers to the cheaply produced remakes of Hollywood movies that Jack Black and Mos Def’s video clerk characters create in Be Kind Rewind in order to restock their store’s rental library after they accidentally erase all the originals. OK, that was a long sentence, and is probably confusing if you’re not at all familiar with this movie. So, check out the real trailer here, and acquaint yourself. (Then check out Karina’s November clip-of-the-day post about “sweded” trailers and posters and her early January BlogNosh post about fan-made “sweded” trailers.) (more…) Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/love/MemberTagFilms.aspxlove
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