MovieChat Forums > A londoni férfi (2008) Discussion > The most boring opening 20 minutes in ci...

The most boring opening 20 minutes in cinema history?

posted 13 years ago by astream99
20 replies | jump to latest

I just started this film and had to take a break after the first 20 minutes as it was just the most tedious thing I've seen ever. I can't think of any other movie that takes THAT long to even attempt to capture the audiences attention. Can anyone think of a better example? A serious example that is.

I will try to watch a bit more now, but if this keeps going I'm switching it off and never attempting to see it again. Seems like arty-farty bs so far...

[–] astream99 13 years ago

Never mind the first 20 minutes. This is the most tedious film I have ever watched. Arty farty crap indeed.

[–] wuigee 13 years ago

My attention was caught right away because of the amazing photography.

[–] peter-schramm 13 years ago

You're both right - of course. Each person's reaction is valid. It takes all sorts to make a world.

What I would say is that if you read up about Bela Tarr and his art form (existentialism & minimalism)first, then its not quite so big a shock.

A big glass of beer may help as well - ha !

Wuigee - did you like the window scene with Tilda Swinton - where it goes from white to black all of a sudden - I loved that.

[–] astream99 13 years ago

I must just give HUGE thanks to peter-schramm for actually not trashing any of the comments :) A very rare thing here - or on any internet forum.
The photography was good, but I need something more than that. Not very arty - I prefer substance over aesthetics.

[–] shine-2 13 years ago

Aesthetics is substance.

[–] wuigee 13 years ago

Wuigee - did you like the window scene with Tilda Swinton - where it goes from white to black all of a sudden - I loved that.

Yeah, that along with many other scenes.

[–] ilpohirvonen 13 years ago

I wonder why this film is the only one by Bela Tarr that gets critized here on IMDb.. Probably because it's his first international production, it's categorized as a crime-film and has Tilda Swinton in it. So people might be expecting something a lot different. I loved this one, a masterpiece just like everything he has done after Damnation. But yes, there is no reason to trash the bad words this film comes across with. But to my mind it's irrelevant to call it artyfarty. If you don't like something, don't.

[–] on3gin 12 years ago

No, it was the most boring opening 29 minutes.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] CounterPaul 11 years ago

I'm with you. Perhaps if the watchtower got blown up in a blaze of glory all Michael Bay, that would've kept these pubes engaged.

"POWER TO THE PEOPLE WHO PUNISH BAD CINEMA!!!"

[–] peter-shelley3 11 years ago

I am encouraged that it gets better as I have only got through 20 minutes or so far, so will give it another try - when I have that glass of beer to hand!

[–] ArtfulLodger 9 years ago

Have you made it to the end yet? ;-)

[–] LTUM 12 years ago

yeah i ahafta agree.... tedious, arty farty. BORING

i tried to watch it, i really did. but the pace was like watching paint---- well you know

as for other ones like this? THE WHALES OF AUGUST was pretty much this way. the slowest 2 hours of your life.

ya know, it makes one wonder why the filmmaker would choose to do it that way. what would he gain from it? i just plain do not understand why slow and boring is a good thing

if he was going for slice of life, maybe he should just publish some security camera footage or something. that is about the equivalent of what this film was.

the real question is, why would anyone ever fund a movie like this? are they *TRYING* to lose their money?

drugs...changed...everything..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8MGBn3KawM&feature=related

[–] Aloft 11 years ago

What does "arty farty" mean? I hear people using that phrase now and then, but I've never actually seen anyone sit down and attempt to define what it is they are actually saying when they use the phrase. My brain must not have shipped with whatever trigger it is that has people go all gruff and dismissive during "arty farty" sequences, because I never notice what they are talking about, and am typically thoroughly enjoying myself until they express their discomfort--then I feel kind of bad because they aren't sharing what I am and are not having a good time.

[–] deanowest 12 years ago

I've seen four Tarr movies now. There is a retropsecitive in my area. This was the most difficult Tarr film for me.

I felt he elongated stylistic ideas he developed in Damnation and Werckmiester to the point it was taxing on the audience. Sometimes artists just push ideas too far. This was one case of this.

The second half of the film was much better.

I most enjoy the images Tarr gives us, becuase they evoke meaning. they become things to play with. Example: the whale, the riot, the solor system from Werckmiester or the dog fight, the circular dance, the pile of mud or dung from Damnation.

The first half of this film gave me less of those nuggets.

It wasn't a waste of my time, but not my favorite Tarr yet.

Next we see Turin Horse and then, if I'm up for it, Satantango!

Dictated, but not read.

[–] PsychoDingo 12 years ago

sometimes I put on the DVD just to watch the opening

I did that a couple nights ago, and ended up watching the whole film

different strokes

She gave me a smile so sweet you could have poured it on your pancakes.

[–] EveryDayFriend 11 years ago

Now on Sundance. Opening: the first time I seriously thought of switching to The Golf Channel.

[–] 11 years ago

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