MovieChat Forums > Straight Into Darkness Discussion > True Critique

True Critique

posted 18 years ago by karlebroman
11 replies | jump to latest

For the record, I am not here to "bash" this movie or anyone involved with it. Furthermore I am not saying that someone should not be emotionally attached to something they are pationate about. I am here to critique. If that upsets you in anyway go get your feelings ajusted.

First, for the reviewers of this film:
Please disclose your closeness or affilitation with a movie before expounding lavishly or viciously on any movie. I read a couple reviews of some high praise on this movie before renting it, and it is quite evident those reviews were biased at best. I know this will not stay and never was a true third party review system, but at least make an attempt, please.

Second, on the film:
I can see what genre and "feel" Burr was going for in this, but the exicution was muddled and amatuer. The "Macabe Farytale" description as it has been peppered with makes me wonder who idealizes faritales to the point of no longer understanding them. Macabe may be accurate, but it seems to me more of a function of the writers' additions than a motivating factor in the plot. The acting was fine considering the lack of substance inherrent in the movie. Supersaturated film stock, variable speed replays, erie lighting and incongrous flashbacks do not make up for hackneyed situations, poor and uninteresting "character" development, and piece-meal story writing. Utilizing "special" orphans from a war torn freanch country side hardly conveys innocence, and inoocence lost simply through existing. Watching some level of diametrically opposed soldiers wander through some surreal, mystical landscape does not convey a gadot level of internal struggle without more development. If you are not going to explain the true history of your characters, don't even bother.

This film is not a metaphysical delving into the humans and their psyches in a fractured plane of existance. But I think the writer, producer, and director could probably suggest a few good examples.

[–] Lyzer 18 years ago

Please disclose your closeness or affilitation with a movie

As much as I agree with, and would like to see this happen, I very much doubt you will get your wish. No one who works on a film is going to come to a board like this, and admit who they are. For one thing, they'd be spammed into oblivion. And there is no way on earth to tell if they are lying, which causes total chaos.

Though a few people don't seem to like the flashbacks, I did find that they added enough, just so they help the viewer understand why the characters are reacting the way they are. I don't think we are supposed to get to know the characters as much as in a solely character-driven flick, it's the overall story. The "Fairytale" part I believe stems from the surreal feelings of the film, fairytales have a message, but the overall story generally has suffering, pain, huge obstacles, and a lesson.

www.actorzinc.com

[–] Asderan 18 years ago

Just to say it in a short and simple way: This Movie is neither worth watchin nor mention it...

[–] Lyzer 18 years ago

To Asderan, I don't feel that statement is accurate. First of all, everyone has the right, naturally, to watch something and make up there own mind. Then of course, the film deals with the lose innocence, the trials that children go through during war, the suffering (take the whole village that was hung in the forest) and about people overcoming problems, (like Deming's childhood and feelings of worthlessness) for the good of others, learning to do the right thing at cost to one's self. People today tend not to think about others, so these are good lessons to ponder.

www.actorzinc.com

[–] leadpoisonaod 18 years ago

Well said.

I just watched this movie tonight. I rented it in hopes that such a "psychological" war flick would help me sort my mind and come up with ideas for a novel I'm embarking on (a "psychological" war novel, of course). The film seemed to be highly reviewd, and the DVD really got me curious.

Well, I watched the film and picked it apart as it played out. But I also searched the film for true emotional gravity. And I found the violent scene involving **SPOILERS** the death of the old woman to be really moving. **END OF SPOILERS**

Of course, there were other notable moments in the movie, but to get straight to the point, it has been my goal to dissect this film and find its worth. And, initially, I was up in arms with praise. But now, after reading what you have written, I have taken into context the fact that this movie is very much a "sensory experience". Much of the drama is drawn from surprisingly impressive visuals, surprisingly big and violent action sequences, and a shockingly roller-coaster type plot. But, like you said, the "meat" of the story is rather meager. The dialogue is sparse and unimpressive, and as a result there is far less character development than found in some other war films. Also, much of the emotional bite of the storyline fades as the viewer slowly comes to realize how far-fetched an eccentric the plot of the movie is.

But....still....the film delivers an emotional and visual blow, that although somewhat superficial, still does what it was meant to do: deliver. Jeff Burr, a maker of what I would typically call "crappy" movies, has crafted a solid piece of......art. A masterpiece of film-making? No. The epitome of perfectly structured war drama? Not really. But a piece of art that reaches out to the viewer? Yes. "Straight Into Darkness" sends an armload of sentimental, anti-war-ish messages through a far from perfect, yet exceptional film framework.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Lyzer 18 years ago

I'd just like to mention all the awards it's won, the excellent reviews it has gotten for proffessional critics, the fact it is mentioned in papes like the LA Times, Washington post etc. Those who have studied film, whose job it is to decide what is good and what isn't, seem to like and truely understand the film.

What I do is help people interpret what they have seen, esp. when they claim a film is horrible, but have simply misunderstood part of it. People will make judgments on whether to buy, rent or see this film based on what they read here. I feel all should know all sides, and all the accurate facts.

http://www.geocities.com/actorzinc/Straight_into_Darkness.html

www.actorzinc.com

[–] soylentgreen-1 18 years ago

To Lyzer...

I heard about this film on the Axis History Forum and came to IMDb to check out the details. After reading your thoughtful posts of both I feel I must say that fair and objective critical thinking is NOT as dead as I had feared.

Keep up the good efforts. Never tiring of yet another take on WWII, I've just plunked the film onto my netflix queue and am looking forward giving it a spin.
I was a little hesitant without much info at my disposal, but after what you have written, I'd like to try it. For what it's worth(to you and to the other posters here), you didn't sell me on the film, or worse try to sell me an opinion on it's quality...you did something much more important and useful. You gave me onjective information and allowed me to make my own reasoned decision.

Thanks.

You, Mr Neville, are the refuse of the past. You are discarded!

[–] Lyzer 18 years ago

You are very, very welcome.

www.actorzinc.com

[–] jorgddh 16 years ago

I think the film is fantastic. Keep in mind that this is a cheap produced movie, and keep in mind that Spielberg possibly would have made something similiar with a tiny budget.

And thanks to all the people who wrote good reviews (involved in the movie or not) for having me curious to watch this film.

[–] wcmartell 16 years ago

What *actual* film critics said about the movie:

“Strikingly original and eerily compelling... the exhilaration of classic tragedy.”

— Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

“The feel of Edgar Allan Poe having shanghaied Bill Mauldin’s Willie and Joe and marched them through his fevered imagination... such atmosphere and tension
that we can’t run from it.”

— Robert Faires, The Austin Chronicle

“In the stylistic tradition of Terence Malick’s The Thin Red Line blended with the contemplative imagery of Robert Frost and the darker ponderings of Edgar Allan Poe... An artistry that distinguished Burr from other filmmakers.”

— Stina Chyn, Film Threat

“A horrifying descent into violence and madness worthy of Goya... Unexpectedly moving, with terrific performances, hair-raising action scenes, and mood that just won’t quit.”

— Robert Butler, Kansas City Star

“A heady brew of redemptive themes by way of Joseph Conrad, with editing and camerawork from the playbooks of Orson Welles and Sam Peckinpah.”

— Robert Koehler, Weekly Varitey

“A sleeper hit... a gritty, hard-hitting war tale with disturbing supernatural overtones.”

— John Stanley, San Francisco Chronicle

“Inhabited by powerful actors, these characters are all so engaging that one cannot help but become involved in their story.”

— Noah Passovoy, SXSW

“A damn solid war movie... an anti-violence parable... a memorably mesmerizing visual experience... sincere and heartfelt artistry.”

— Scott Weinberg, E-FilmCritic.com

***

I didn't work on the film, but saw it and liked it. Reason why I saw it - great review in the Los Angeles Times. When I read all of the trash reviews here, I figured I'd look up what the educated opinions were. They seem to be good. I thought the film was SAVING PRIVATE RYAN meets Tod Browning's FREAKS... and had some geat emotional scenes.

- Bill

[–] akmediascope 15 years ago

My affiliation with the movie: It was broadcast on WGN out of Chicago on Sunday, Nov 16 and I watched it at home alone. IT IS BRILLIANT FAIRE! Very naturalistic in scenic shots and advenurous in film style. Between dramatic action there are montages of natural beauty and horror. This stylistic filmic artifice assists us in understanding the character's expereince of war in a realistic way because it mimics the way the brain thinks. These war orphans are real Romanian children, I assume-- who know the tragedy of war. To me it is uplifting to see that they can actually be in a movie that shows the peaceful world what war really is and the heinous atrocities such as not only death but the death of children is inevitable in war. These real children actors are showing to the world what war does. It showed the noble and steadfast ideals of the older French man and woman who had the special school for children lost to society and gave their lives to protect the children. They took on a WHOLE REGIMENT OF GERMANS! THe symbolism-- the butchered wedding party, and the connection that the main character soldier has in his flashbacks say to me that he connected his life in peace to the life he experienced in a war torn country--Yes, we are the same. Some of us live in greater safety. Peace fascilitates safety. I am touched and moved by this film, and the fact that the child artist drew the future was stunning and metaphysical. I wasn't looking for a fairy tale in watching this-- I know war is no fairy tale but the elements in the courage and resiliance of children and those who love them is a beautiful thing to behold. The movie tells us to take care of one another and be interactive with those around us because we need each other.