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rinueManaged to get to a movie theater twice this week, which may have doubled my theater attendance this year. Not for lack of interest, but for lack of time. (Still very keen to see Frances Ha, for instance, which is playing one more time at the Brattle, September 13, but as a double feature where I am not interested in the other film, and anyway I work September 13.) I have perhaps gone to more first-run movies in the theater than that; I just can't remember. (I'm not counting public screenings of older movies, particularly since the ones I go to are curated by me.) I remember Upstream Color. I'm pretty sure we saw something at the Brattle while Chad was in town, but can't for the life of me remember what.
In any case, had some rare free time this week and saw two movies.
Thursday, Ciro and I went to see The World's End at the Somerville Theater. Enjoyed it. It's probably my least favorite of the cornetto trilogy, but this should not be read as dislike for the film, as I have a high esteem for the cornetto trilogy. I thought that although it was an ambitious film, it didn't have the confidence of some of Edgar Wright's other efforts and tended to telegraph and overexplain. So while there were a lot of ideas, and themes, they didn't particularly build: I would not say my understanding of the characters deepened over the course of the film.
The landing also didn't stick, but that's forgivable because I think the argument the trilogy is trying to make is an argument for moderation (don't conform too much or too little, essentially), which is never going to be as stirring as staking a case at the extreme of freedom! or community!. Meanwhile, I'm pleased that these themes are being explored at all, and there were plenty of good gags. Moreover, the action sequences were imaginative, particularly the first fight in the bathroom. Despite all the criticisms I'm making, I have a lot of goodwill for both the movie and the team behind the movie. Although come on guys, it's time to get some women in there; you've really fallen off in that department since Shawn of the Dead.
What impressed me most in the film was Nick Frost's performance; it was nuanced and precise in both its emotional depth and its command of physical comedy, and had him playing against his established type, which I hadn't realized he could do. Although I've liked his work, I never would have thought of him as a potential lead actor, but now I am interested in seeing him do more. He reminded me of Jim Broadbent. Who knew.
Saturday, we took in I Declare War at the Brattle, which I enjoyed insofar as I enjoy going to the Brattle, but thought was a worthless movie. The script covers well-worn territory badly; insultingly flat characters, no insight, tropey as hell with nothing behind it, no sensible arcs or motivations. There didn't seem to be any development of a thesis, exploration of human relationships, personalization of a generic experience, or even basic cause and effect. The reality presented was uncompelling and often strained credulity, while the fantasy sequences were thoroughly unimaginative. Acting was wooden throughout, except from the girl (there's only one, so I don't have to be more specific) and possibly the black kid (hard to say because he doesn't get to talk or do much).
On top of which it was visually bland and none of the spaces particularly related to each other, so I'm not sure why any of the shots were taken from the angles they were taken. You're not doing anything artistic and are also not covering the action, so what exactly are you doing? Not even fun bad. Bored bored bored bored don't bother. I'm honestly embarrassed for the director (and moreso for the handful of critics who think it's surprising and provocative. Y'all. Get some rest.) Which doesn't mean I have any reason to think the director can do better. Quite the contrary. Tired of dudebros behind the camera.
In any case, had some rare free time this week and saw two movies.
Thursday, Ciro and I went to see The World's End at the Somerville Theater. Enjoyed it. It's probably my least favorite of the cornetto trilogy, but this should not be read as dislike for the film, as I have a high esteem for the cornetto trilogy. I thought that although it was an ambitious film, it didn't have the confidence of some of Edgar Wright's other efforts and tended to telegraph and overexplain. So while there were a lot of ideas, and themes, they didn't particularly build: I would not say my understanding of the characters deepened over the course of the film.
The landing also didn't stick, but that's forgivable because I think the argument the trilogy is trying to make is an argument for moderation (don't conform too much or too little, essentially), which is never going to be as stirring as staking a case at the extreme of freedom! or community!. Meanwhile, I'm pleased that these themes are being explored at all, and there were plenty of good gags. Moreover, the action sequences were imaginative, particularly the first fight in the bathroom. Despite all the criticisms I'm making, I have a lot of goodwill for both the movie and the team behind the movie. Although come on guys, it's time to get some women in there; you've really fallen off in that department since Shawn of the Dead.
What impressed me most in the film was Nick Frost's performance; it was nuanced and precise in both its emotional depth and its command of physical comedy, and had him playing against his established type, which I hadn't realized he could do. Although I've liked his work, I never would have thought of him as a potential lead actor, but now I am interested in seeing him do more. He reminded me of Jim Broadbent. Who knew.
Saturday, we took in I Declare War at the Brattle, which I enjoyed insofar as I enjoy going to the Brattle, but thought was a worthless movie. The script covers well-worn territory badly; insultingly flat characters, no insight, tropey as hell with nothing behind it, no sensible arcs or motivations. There didn't seem to be any development of a thesis, exploration of human relationships, personalization of a generic experience, or even basic cause and effect. The reality presented was uncompelling and often strained credulity, while the fantasy sequences were thoroughly unimaginative. Acting was wooden throughout, except from the girl (there's only one, so I don't have to be more specific) and possibly the black kid (hard to say because he doesn't get to talk or do much).
On top of which it was visually bland and none of the spaces particularly related to each other, so I'm not sure why any of the shots were taken from the angles they were taken. You're not doing anything artistic and are also not covering the action, so what exactly are you doing? Not even fun bad. Bored bored bored bored don't bother. I'm honestly embarrassed for the director (and moreso for the handful of critics who think it's surprising and provocative. Y'all. Get some rest.) Which doesn't mean I have any reason to think the director can do better. Quite the contrary. Tired of dudebros behind the camera.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 04:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 04:15 am (UTC)Yes I do seem to remember that was the title, but beyond that. . . I think there was a videogame sequence, and someone said "aft nacelle" and I vomited into my pants? Idk.
--
c i r o
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 04:16 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 06:51 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 06:37 pm (UTC)The more anything I hear about that movie, good press or bad, the happier I am that I managed not to see it.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 06:51 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 03:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 06:34 pm (UTC)The ending of The World's End is actually one of the things I like best about the movie for reasons possibly overdetailed here, but I am absolutely agreed on more women and Nick Frost. Paddy Considine was kind of my find for the movie because I'd barely even heard of him before, but I would love to see Frost in a leading role.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-02 07:04 pm (UTC)I didn't want to talk about the ending in detail in case people hadn't seen it, but, yes, I admired the consequence of it all, as well as the resiliency the more adult characters showed afterward. I felt like the movie's stance was extremely clear from the visuals alone, but it left a lot of room for immature people to view it as a celebration rather than a denouncement, which is unfortunate but perhaps inevitable. By saying the ending didn't quite stick, what I meant was more along the lines of "fantastic dismount, but a bit of a stumble which makes it a 9.5 instead of a 10."
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-03 05:55 pm (UTC)Understood. Also, argh. I would have thought that wistful flutter of a Cornetto wrapper (if nothing else) made the filmmakers' feelings toward that particular fantasy clear, but: if the tone was ambiguous and most people are lousy close readers, I can see how that happens.
By saying the ending didn't quite stick, what I meant was more along the lines of "fantastic dismount, but a bit of a stumble which makes it a 9.5 instead of a 10."
Fair enough!