MovieChat Forums > Ryan Discussion > I can't stand Chris

I can't stand Chris

posted 16 years ago by agcohn
4 replies | jump to latest

I received this DVD as a Christmas present several years ago. It was nice to see Ryan Larkin's original works included on the disc, but I really couldn't stand the actual titular short. It was so judgmental and contrived. I was really bothered by it.

Watching the featurette on the disc, Chris Landreth really came across as an *beep* who was using Ryan Larkin's name to push himself.

Larkin's shorts stand on their own as visual artwork laid to music. They were simple, yet ground breaking and original.

Landreth's aren't very good from an animation standpoint. They rely on his half-baked, self-important philosophical ideas. He doesn't let his artwork speak for itself. He has to beat you over the head with its meaning.

[–] mo-20 16 years ago

Dear agcohn,

Rather than blaming Chris, perhaps you should take it out on the sadist who gave you the DVD as a gift. That was not very thoughtful of them.

Of course you are entitled to expressing your views; they may even be appropriate.

But why waste your time comparing Larkin's work to Landreth's? "Ryan" gives Ryan some overdue exposure to some who would otherwise be unaware of his accomplishments and creativity. From what I read, Ryan enjoyed the notoriety that came from "Ryan's" release and accolades.

It seems clear to me that Chris greatly admired Ryan's work. And that he cared about him.

I've been in situations where someone I cared about was killing himself. Often it's a slow process rather than a gun in the mouth. I think Chris was brave and that it was honorable to express his concerns to Ryan.

Maybe you're right about Landreth's motives, but I can't see it that way.

I'm no expert on animation, CGI, or all that's involved in the process of making anything like this.

But I can speak as a visual artist and student of film (for forty years) who enjoys and appreciates such a beautiful, poignant, story as Chris has made in "Ryan."

"Ryan" is a moving, richly-illustrated, tour-de-force. Thanks, Chris, for giving it to us.

Regards,
Maurice

[–] bighonkinhaley 16 years ago

i could not agree more! i was so happy to see that some one else can't stand him either. i feel like he exploited Ryan's fragile state to make chris look better than he is.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] agcohn 16 years ago

It is in the extras where Chris really seems the most like an *beep*

Ryan itself was a little pretentious, but it wasn't terrible. It's the documentary about Ryan on the DVD where Chris becomes truly obnoxious.