first of all to answer your question about The Big Lebowski, i didnt say that it was the greatest, though i wouldnt hesitate but rather that it is my favorite. I think its flawless in every cinematic way: the script reveals its complexity more and more with every viewing and i mean every viewing, ive probably seen it a dozen times and last time i watched it i realized more hilarious, smart, detailed idiosyncracies. Its detail to characters and their surroundings is on a par of a Kubrick film. The acting is Incredible. To say the least it is extremely Original. Its unique visual style complements the film rather than standout on its own. Not only is it the funniest movie Ive ever seen, but its the smartest comedy. The Coens, especially on this film, take their influences(Dashell Hammet, Ernst Lubitsch, etc.) and totally go beyond them, surpass them. Im not asking you to like it either, but maybe get around to watching it again sometime, i couldnt begin to give this films complexity justice.
My problems with the pre-pubescent film that is Requiem for a Dream is that the directing is unoriginal and nothing you couldnt find after watching MTV for a half-hour, i think the script is empty of anything credible to say or if it isnt then it doesnt say it well. And since it doesnt have anything original or particularly interesting and thought provoking to say it has to do it in this annoying, fast-motion, blah blah blah, visual technique to cover it up. So people see the film and say wow that looked cool, that was an awesome movie, because if they like the visuals and crap like that then it manipulates their thoughts about the ideas of the film and they start to like the film. In other words the film has nothing to say and a big way to present it, like Memento or Sin City.
p.s. thats great that you love great cinema, but that makes it even more puzzling why you would fall for this cinematic mess.
(now are you just going to attack me again, is that what you set out to do in asking me to answer your question "he will tell why he doesnt like the film, ill disagree and then attack again" I hope not.)
Last Film I Watched
Breathless - Jean-Luc Godard(9/10)
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ttdragster14
18 years ago
Thank you very much for your opinion, and no I have no intention of "attacking" you. I think it is something I'll have to agree to disagree on, but it doesn't change my love for Requiem.
Just as a side note, I don't think that the visual technique was masking the film's weakness, the directing technique was part of the story and it did a fantastic job of illustrating the highs and the fast pace with which life goes when one is on drugs. It didn't need "something to say," it was simply the story of the disintegration of four people's lives, and one can take whatever they choose to get from that. I can admit that portions of the screenplay are flawed, particularly with the Tyrone character, but Ellen Burstyn's virtuoso performance makes up for every flaw by itself, not even taking into account the other fantastic things that make this movie great in my eyes. Finally, when referring to the MTV comment...I don't think you saw those techniques on MTV before this movie. Maybe they were there but I don't recall them and please forgive me if I am wrong. If, however, I am right, why should a movie be punished because people chose to copy it? I don't think that Jean-Luc Godard predicted jump cuts to be everywhere, but we don't consider the directing in Breathless to be "anything you could see on MTV." I'm sorry if I went on too long in my defense, but know that by no means am I "attacking" you. I merely feel the need to give my opinion.
On a different note, I think will give the Big Lebowski another chance, however. I read the top ten on your profile and that is what led me to the Big Lebowski question, just so you know.
If I came off as hostile, it was only because I don't enjoy being called "immature" for a choice of movie, but I do respect your opinion. While I do not find it entirely unbased, I don't know that I would have gone about throwing around such terms as "pre-pubescent" and "immature."
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Murph McManus
17 years ago
I mean you can argue that Memento isn't a great film (you'd be wrong but that's for another day) but if you say that it had nothing to say I'm going to assume you missed most of the movie. What the movie shows us about the complexities of memory, experience and filmmaking itself are lessons told in a unique way and therefore shed new light on old subjects. It's easy to dismiss the thing as a gimmick film without taking the time to delve into the complexities that are there for anyone willing to look for themselves. To lump it in with Sin City is an insult to both.
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ObsoleteVernacular
17 years ago
i shouldnt say it had nothing to say, you're right, i should rephrase: it has nothing important to say
I Break Horses
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