[quote=“Crazy Kenneth”]
[Warning: Spoilers for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN]
Why kill Josh Brolin off-camera and be all vague about his death? Why make Anton just disappear? Why is there no confrontation at the end? why be all unconventional and artsy? To win Oscars, I’m sure.
[/quote]
Thats exactly what I thought the first time I saw it. Then I researched into the meaning of what Tommy Lee Jones was talking about in the end scene amongst other things and I began to understand it and appreciate it more on the 2nd and 3rd viewings.
Brutal film, nothing short of what I was expecting from a film set in WWII. It was pretty much on the same level the whole way through, and there wasn’t anything in there to elevate it to true greatness. One aspect that disappointed me about the film was the film’s inability to induce a strong emotional impact throughout the film, especially given Polanski’s very own experiences. Ordinarily, I would have put this down solely to the director’s own shortcomings and lack of profiency, but in this case I think it’s also due to Polanski’s personal character. He seems to be impervious to showing weakness despite all the horrors he’s been through, and this “coldness” or distance from emotionality, it seems affected the film negatively. Don’t get me wrong, I really felt for the Jews, but it was difficult to completely sympathise with Brody’s character. This film should have made me shed a tear. Also, the film didn’t seem too sure of itself, particularly with the inconsistency in storytelling (techniques). Furthermore, I didn’t like the actor who plays Szpilman’s brother. His monotone voice and wooden acting detracted me from pivotal scenes. Despite these weaknesses I thought it was a very good film. It had some great set-pieces no-doubtedly influenced by Spielberg’s Holocaust masterpiece, and Brody was brilliant as the lead. I enjoyed the piano music pieces, and the cinematography complimented the tone of the story perfectly with the bleak and dull colours. Indeed, the colourings reminded me a lot of IB’s cinematography (from the trailer), and if anything The Pianist has got me really psyched up for Inglourious Basterds.
“The Jews are fighting back… who would have thought?”
It seems you really liked the Pianist, Ify, even if the first half of your short review isn’t very flattering hehe…I NEED to see it as soon as possible, I mean I feel like an idiot when I think I still haven’t seen this film.
[quote=“RatQuiRit”]
It seems you really liked the Pianist, Ify, even if the first half of your short review isn’t very flattering hehe…I NEED to see it as soon as possible, I mean I feel like an idiot when I think I still haven’t seen this film.
[/quote]
Yeah, I did like it, it just lacked a bit of ambition. I know it was based on true-to-life memoirs as well as maybe a few of Polanski’s experiences, but it didn’t grip me as well as it should have. Also, and this may have worked against it, but I watched it on a very commercial channel and so the film had many commercial breaks, but I tried not to let them detract me from the state I was in (I thought long and hard whether I should just get it on DVD and watch it properly).
I thought it did a really good job of trying to show what it was like for Jewish community in Warsaw. A lot of heartbreak moments and some truly powerful scenes. It was a pretty straightforward film though. Another thing was that I was surprised by the carelessness of Brody’s character at a time when he had to be completely careful. But I guess that’s life. I’d definitely recommend watching it. I just think Spielberg did a better job tackling the subject, that might be a bit unfair, but this isn’t a truly accomplished film. Better than average, but after you’ve seen as many “sentimental” and brutal films/moments as I have, it’s harder to be overwhelmed.
The taking of Pelham 123 (rewatch) - classic walter matthau and a great soundtrack - YouTube
The outside man - very cool french crime film from the 70s with a weird cast (Jean Louis Trintignant, Ann-Margret, Angie Dickinson, Roy Scheider, Michel ‘inglorious bastards’ constantin).
the hunger (rewatch) good lord what a piece of shit
the twilight zone, the movie (rewatch) last time i saw this film i was 6 years old, it was a great rewatch, the print was pristine. The segment by George Miller is just great.
I hated its mechanical approach to filmmaking. It was too hollywood and cliche. After watching half of it, it seemed to get better, but the ending was really terrible. From beginning to end a really agonizing time.
[quote=“Seth_Gecko”]
Nope haven’ t seen it yet! Will do asap!!
I hated its mechanical approach to filmmaking. It was too hollywood and cliche. After watching half of it, it seemed to get better, but the ending was really terrible. From beginning to end a really agonizing time.
[/quote]
thank god! I hated slumdog. totally agree
[quote=“tonyanthony”]
i hated it too. this is the most overrated film in a long long time…
Pret a porter - i love altman but this one sucks
Watchmen - i didn’t expect much (i think znyder is a hack) but was pleasantly suprised
[/quote]
You caught Watchmen, eh? I’m looking forward to it, I’m not a huge fan of Snyder myself, I thought 300 was pretty bad, but apparently he’s staying true to the source material which itself, is transcendant.
don’t go in the house - the first killing is really sick. the rest is a little bit disappointing. (i watch it on tape, the video title was Pyromaniac, ahaha)
Will do asap!! 