One of my favorite things about the Summer show is the (I hope this isnt offensive) "old person movie" that JB recommends that I likely wouldn't have otherwise seen, but I do and often really like. Far From the Madding Crowd being the peak. Glad to hear about another one!
Adam, if you're envious of the indie movies playing at your Regal, Regal does have an unlimited program now. I have it and great. Also, I am now totally with you on blaming movie goers. Original stuff comes out and people keep ignoring them. What are studios supposed to do?
Last Black Man in San Francisco is really good and I recommend it.
I understand where everyone's coming from with HOBBS & SHAW, but I'll say this: I'll take the "I'll take a punch so you can throw one" dude-bro sincerity of that movie over the bullshit rooftop "family barbecue" from THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS.
I loved Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and found the ending to be moving and beautiful. But I had a thought after watching it, can a movie be great if you have to have historical knowledge outside of the film to fully appreciate it's significance?
I talked to two friends, who are educated and in their 20's, who also saw the movie but didn't know the details of the Tate murders and so didn't understand why this alternate history was so poignant. At first I thought it was crazy that someone wouldn't know about the Tate murders, but maybe that's just because I've read a lot about the Manson family and know all of the references. After all, it was 50 years ago.
I could understand why someone who doesn't know the significance of Cielo Dr, Tex Watson, August 8th, etc. wouldn't feel satisfied by the ending.
And that made me ask, should someone have to know the names and dates of a 50 year old historical event to be able to like a movie that plays with our prior knowledge of it?
My opinion is it absolutely can be great even without knowing the details. There's no way for a filmmaker to take into account what every viewer brings to a movie. If someone doesn't know about Sharon Tate they could easily find out before or after seeing the movie by going to Wikipedia or elsewhere. It might deepen their understanding if they go back to the movie later with context. In short, it's not your friends fault for not knowing the details but it's definitely not the movie's responsibility to give a history lesson. Just my take for what its worth.
Yeah, I think you're right. One of the things I love about Tarantino is how he is critical of our passive interpretation of history, especially through media. You see that in almost all of his historical movies. From the propaganda film within Inglorious Basterds, to the storytelling of the characters in Hateful 8. He is both reverential and skeptical of the ways that popular media distorts and reframes history. At a deep level, this is the internal struggle of Hateful 8. On one side, stories act as a liberating force. And on the other side, stories reinforce dangerous narratives that keep the characters shackled to the past.
This is what I love about Once Upon A Time. The Rick Dalton western scenes show the way that Hollywood has reframed and packaged American history, selling it as fantasy. The fourth wall break of Rick calling for a "line" during the filming of Lancer is hilarious and one of my favorite movie moments of the year.
In a similar way, Tarantino has re-framed the history of Hollywood in the 1960's as a fantasy and resold it. The ending of Once Upon a Time is both cathartic and debilitating. The reunion of the characters offers a window into a better world, while at the same time keeping them, and us, locked into a fiction that never existed.
I feel like the biggest complaints with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood were it's no story, slow, boring and nothing happens. I don't agree with this but it's by far the because complaints I've seen and heard from co-workers.
JB lives in the world of Twitter where the outrage is never the real world. For example, he said people thought the Bruce Lee scene was racist? Yeah, maybe 4 people looking for click bait thought that on Twitter no one really thought that or cared when they saw the film. Pew says only 22% of Americans use Twitter down from 2018. Twitter outrage/opinion is a small group, just look at what trends and how small the volume of tweets are.
Well, I’m not sure if I “live in the world of Twitter.” I think I live in a world of my own narcissism and petty, spiteful grievances. While I agree with you that Twitter can often amplify the minority, the main story I was referencing was Bruce Lee’s daughter’s reaction to the film, which was reported in Indiewire, The Wrap, and Daily Variety.
JB, I had the same sentiment about the ending credits thing in The Farewell. I was sitting there thinking about how great the ending was and that was like someone pouring a bucket of cold water on me.
Crawl was such a great experience in the theater. I loved it. Going back to what Adam said last week or some time ago, I hated, again, in the end credits, the silly song they play that's poking fun at the movie after you just successfully thrilled me for 90 minutes.
Any of you all seeing the Director's Cut of Midsommar this weekend? Its...very long.
The Dead Don't Die was hugely disappointing, infuriatingly so. From the cringeworthy Friedberg/Seltzer tier meta-humor, to characters whose story arcs end by having them simply walk off screen (or onto a flying saucer), to story elements imparted entirely through bad ADR - there's almost nothing to excuse the waste of talent on display in Jarmusch's latest. Wait - there is one laugh: Rosie Perez plays a character named Posie Juarez. If you chuckle at that, you've gotten all there is to get from The Dead Don't Die.
What made it even more galling was that on paper there was nothing keeping this movie from being good. The idea of climate catastrophe leading to the dead rising and the laid back small town law enforcement finding themselves in over their heads, having to deal with family, friends, and neighbors as zombies - there's an interesting movie to made from that log line. Heck, just having a cast this watchable munch each others guts for 90 minutes would probably be a hoot. But this was insultingly half-assed, and it'll be the first Jarmusch movie that doesn't get a place on my video shelves - unless Jarmusch records his first real commentary and it's just him apologizing over and over.
Always love this show each year. I'm one of the heathens that can't get over the hump with midsommer because of all the logistics. Like those kids don't have parents who know where they are? But I did enjoy it and when I think about it now the mood and colors have really stuck with me. Also, it's nice to have people that actually care.
There are two director's cuts opening this weekend, one for FAR FROM HOME & one for MIDSOMMAR...I just can't believe that viewers would shell out more dough when the DVD/Blu-ray release is so close. But, what do I know?
yes! was hoping this was gonna be this week's show!
ReplyDelete"It feels like you are watching Disney Live" - this is exactly the feeling!
ReplyDeleteYou can trust review, you just have to find the 2 or 3 you trust. Don't go to metacritic or rotten tomatoes
ReplyDeleteI personnally AA Dowd and Brian Orndof
One of my favorite things about the Summer show is the (I hope this isnt offensive) "old person movie" that JB recommends that I likely wouldn't have otherwise seen, but I do and often really like. Far From the Madding Crowd being the peak. Glad to hear about another one!
ReplyDeleteAdam, if you're envious of the indie movies playing at your Regal, Regal does have an unlimited program now. I have it and great. Also, I am now totally with you on blaming movie goers. Original stuff comes out and people keep ignoring them. What are studios supposed to do?
Last Black Man in San Francisco is really good and I recommend it.
I'm in an AMC Stubs A-List family. If I switch to Regal it will disrupt my entire life.
DeleteNo prob, just letting you know of options! Plus, then you wouldn't get to say "stubs" so much and thatd be a bummer. lol
DeleteDid anyone see Wild Rose? It was a bright spot in mid-July for me. Jessie Buckley!
ReplyDeleteI did! :)
DeleteI understand where everyone's coming from with HOBBS & SHAW, but I'll say this: I'll take the "I'll take a punch so you can throw one" dude-bro sincerity of that movie over the bullshit rooftop "family barbecue" from THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS.
ReplyDeleteThat fu**in bbq
DeleteBe like Jackie Chan, JB. Do The Medallion.
ReplyDeleteI loved Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and found the ending to be moving and beautiful. But I had a thought after watching it, can a movie be great if you have to have historical knowledge outside of the film to fully appreciate it's significance?
ReplyDeleteI talked to two friends, who are educated and in their 20's, who also saw the movie but didn't know the details of the Tate murders and so didn't understand why this alternate history was so poignant. At first I thought it was crazy that someone wouldn't know about the Tate murders, but maybe that's just because I've read a lot about the Manson family and know all of the references. After all, it was 50 years ago.
I could understand why someone who doesn't know the significance of Cielo Dr, Tex Watson, August 8th, etc. wouldn't feel satisfied by the ending.
And that made me ask, should someone have to know the names and dates of a 50 year old historical event to be able to like a movie that plays with our prior knowledge of it?
My opinion is it absolutely can be great even without knowing the details. There's no way for a filmmaker to take into account what every viewer brings to a movie. If someone doesn't know about Sharon Tate they could easily find out before or after seeing the movie by going to Wikipedia or elsewhere. It might deepen their understanding if they go back to the movie later with context. In short, it's not your friends fault for not knowing the details but it's definitely not the movie's responsibility to give a history lesson. Just my take for what its worth.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you're right. One of the things I love about Tarantino is how he is critical of our passive interpretation of history, especially through media. You see that in almost all of his historical movies. From the propaganda film within Inglorious Basterds, to the storytelling of the characters in Hateful 8. He is both reverential and skeptical of the ways that popular media distorts and reframes history. At a deep level, this is the internal struggle of Hateful 8. On one side, stories act as a liberating force. And on the other side, stories reinforce dangerous narratives that keep the characters shackled to the past.
DeleteThis is what I love about Once Upon A Time. The Rick Dalton western scenes show the way that Hollywood has reframed and packaged American history, selling it as fantasy. The fourth wall break of Rick calling for a "line" during the filming of Lancer is hilarious and one of my favorite movie moments of the year.
In a similar way, Tarantino has re-framed the history of Hollywood in the 1960's as a fantasy and resold it. The ending of Once Upon a Time is both cathartic and debilitating. The reunion of the characters offers a window into a better world, while at the same time keeping them, and us, locked into a fiction that never existed.
I feel like the biggest complaints with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood were it's no story, slow, boring and nothing happens. I don't agree with this but it's by far the because complaints I've seen and heard from co-workers.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I loved the movie but It's boring...is the biggest complaint.
DeleteJB lives in the world of Twitter where the outrage is never the real world. For example, he said people thought the Bruce Lee scene was racist? Yeah, maybe 4 people looking for click bait thought that on Twitter no one really thought that or cared when they saw the film. Pew says only 22% of Americans use Twitter down from 2018. Twitter outrage/opinion is a small group, just look at what trends and how small the volume of tweets are.
DeleteWell, I’m not sure if I “live in the world of Twitter.” I think I live in a world of my own narcissism and petty, spiteful grievances. While I agree with you that Twitter can often amplify the minority, the main story I was referencing was Bruce Lee’s daughter’s reaction to the film, which was reported in Indiewire, The Wrap, and Daily Variety.
DeleteJB, I had the same sentiment about the ending credits thing in The Farewell. I was sitting there thinking about how great the ending was and that was like someone pouring a bucket of cold water on me.
ReplyDeleteCrawl was such a great experience in the theater. I loved it. Going back to what Adam said last week or some time ago, I hated, again, in the end credits, the silly song they play that's poking fun at the movie after you just successfully thrilled me for 90 minutes.
Any of you all seeing the Director's Cut of Midsommar this weekend? Its...very long.
I'm seeing the Midsommar Director's Cut on Sunday. I can't wait.
Deletejust saw its playing at my AMC...I'll stubs it for sure
DeleteThe Dead Don't Die was hugely disappointing, infuriatingly so. From the cringeworthy Friedberg/Seltzer tier meta-humor, to characters whose story arcs end by having them simply walk off screen (or onto a flying saucer), to story elements imparted entirely through bad ADR - there's almost nothing to excuse the waste of talent on display in Jarmusch's latest. Wait - there is one laugh: Rosie Perez plays a character named Posie Juarez. If you chuckle at that, you've gotten all there is to get from The Dead Don't Die.
ReplyDeleteThanks for backing me up on this one, Christopher. This summer I found the praise the film received from some... just inexplicable.
DeleteWhat made it even more galling was that on paper there was nothing keeping this movie from being good. The idea of climate catastrophe leading to the dead rising and the laid back small town law enforcement finding themselves in over their heads, having to deal with family, friends, and neighbors as zombies - there's an interesting movie to made from that log line. Heck, just having a cast this watchable munch each others guts for 90 minutes would probably be a hoot. But this was insultingly half-assed, and it'll be the first Jarmusch movie that doesn't get a place on my video shelves - unless Jarmusch records his first real commentary and it's just him apologizing over and over.
Deletewarner hertzdog
ReplyDeleteAlways love this show each year. I'm one of the heathens that can't get over the hump with midsommer because of all the logistics. Like those kids don't have parents who know where they are? But I did enjoy it and when I think about it now the mood and colors have really stuck with me. Also, it's nice to have people that actually care.
JB MUST get the Woodstock Medallion and wear it at every Fathom Event!
ReplyDeleteThere are two director's cuts opening this weekend, one for FAR FROM HOME & one for MIDSOMMAR...I just can't believe that viewers would shell out more dough when the DVD/Blu-ray release is so close. But, what do I know?
ReplyDeleteMidsommar isn't supposed to have the directors cut on the home release. At least, that's what I've heard.
DeleteThis is for JB :) https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/blu-ray-review-francis-ford-coppolas-apocalypse-now-the-final-cut/
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDelete