discernment Blog

Russian Roulette

discernment — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 05:07:48 GMT

I just finished watching this film for the first time, a truly heart wrenching story that tares apart a loveable group of characters. I have never felt so horrible after watching a movie as this one. I will admit that I hardly cried, but I still felt like shit. The characters that Michael Cimino created are so completely flesh and blood that it's hard to get past the fact that this movie was in the hands of a screen writer the entire time.

That said, through the scenes of Russian roulette I had to remind myself that it was just a movie, and the entire fate of all the characters was in the hands of a screenwriter. The fact that the characters were in the hands of a screenwriter didn't really matter on one of the final scenes. I could only think that this screenwriter has his motives, and the characters are going to meet an inevitable fate.

All of the performances were solid, and whenever I asked myself if a scene was working... the answer was always a pure yes. I think that I loved almost every aspect of this film.

The only thing I would critique and say I would change would be the real life footage. It was kind of interesting that Cimino re-created these scenes from real footage, but the idea of dubbing in the real footage over the re-shot footage kind of dis orients the main focus or direction of the film, and I personally feel as though the audience may get into the wrong perspective with the true footage.

Other than that small fact, I believed this movie to be almost flawless. Periods of slowness, and a non-directional material from the beginning are very minor on the scale of this great movie. I really love it.

Fighting Personalities

discernment — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:01:06 GMT

I guess I should put the blame of the let down on other movies like Secret Window and Hide and Seek.

I am a huge David Fincher fan. I love Seven, Zodiac, Panic Room, and aside from the bad CGI even Alien 3. I had neglected Fight Club for a very long time, and decided that I needed to watch it. Everything in this film came to me with a blissful David Fincher punch in the face. After the first hour I was in love with the characters, and was ready to watch another two hours of plot unfold.

Unfortunately I was extremely disappointed by the plot turn at the end. (for those who have not seen this movie… discontinue reading… the following is a spoiler)

Multi-personality character attributes seem to be over used so much. I guess I really should be getting angry at other movies that used this element, but the twist didn’t really get to me. The only part of Edward Norton being a multi personality that bothered me was the fact that Brad Pitt would no longer be his own individual character. The depth of Tyler was so intriguing that it was a let down to know he was just a divide of another character.

All personally thoughts of the plot aside… this film was incredibly well done, the plot really was solid, and the actors were incredible. I felt almost completely satisfied at when the credits started rolling, and I regained any faith I had lost in David Fincher.

(I guess that all I have to say is… Alfred Hitchcock pulled multi-personalities off the best in the 60’s)… you’re right… I suck at critiquing.

My new favorite movie... (for now)

discernment — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:26:02 GMT

Last year at film camp the director brought this film up, and I was very disinterested in the entire idea of it. Things have definitely changed since then, and tonight I got to share the company of myself and Gael Garcia Bernal. I was completely pleased by every aspect of this film. The conflicts these characters are going through are very profound, and had my mind pondering every aspect. I felt all the acting to be solid and every character to have his/her purpose in each scene. I would just like to point out what I thought was probably my personal favorite part of this movie… The still shot documentary style photographs. They were very powerful, and I felt them to be one of the most important pieces.

gag

discernment — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:17:49 GMT

definately one of the worst sequels of all time. any rules that were established in the previous movie were neglected in the writing and shooting of this horrible production. don't waste your life on this or any of the further installments to bob shayes nightmare on elm street series.

Beautiful

discernment — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 04:45:56 GMT

This is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. No matter the deep meaning or not, it is just apparent that beauty in the shots hold a special significance. The emotions between Ryder and Depp are incredible, and the emotion reminds me of every time I felt distraught about the world that I live in.

Green Horn perspective

discernment — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 04:39:17 GMT

As a fan of Kubrick's work, I was sucked into this film. Shots that have the deep and beautiful significance a famous work of art that one would hang on a wall, and pure framing genius that makes one grin at the sight. The beauty in this film is a truth that shines through about every person on this planet. Although someone may have sadistic, violent, or disgustingly lustful thoughts, there is a way to be sane on the inside. The narrator in this film poises as a normal person, and although being a violent driven sex addict isn't socially acceptable, this character is free in his own mind to live among a world that would sooner damn him than to see his point of view. The simplicity of sanity is complicated by the discernment of a prospector, and hardly ever by the owner of the thoughts.