Yeah, its definately not for everyone but i enjoyed it. I'd say you definately have to like artsy surreal films to like it though. I'd reccomend it only if youre a fan of any of these directors= David Lynch, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Jean Luc Goddard, Luis Bunuel, Takashi Miike, Federico Fellini etc.
It takes all kinds though, for example im sick of Hollywood films, all the remakes, sequels, superhero films, dumb teen comedies, romantic comedies, theyre all formulaic drek that sickens me.
And hey, dont be dissing Albert Hoffman!
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polysicsarebest
14 years ago
I definitely see Bunuel and a bit of Fellini in his work, but Jodorowsky? Miike? GODARD? No way.
My problem with Guy is that he never really "Directs"... his films are just self-contained scenes that are then edited to death, exercises in style and not much else. It just doesn't communicate much -- it just bores me.
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DukeTogo1300
14 years ago
I am a fan of all those directors, but only really consider Lynch and maybe Fellini and Bunuel similar out of that list. I would also throw in Shinya Tsukamoto, The Brothers Quay, Kenneth Anger, and to a lesser extent Juraj Herz. I find it amusing what different people consider similar, and how it always seems to be for different reasons.
Even though I really like all those directors I still find Maddin's style really irritating. I just wanted to make the argument that just because you are looking for something different, or like surreal or experimental films, doesn't mean you will like Maddin's films. We also cannot assume that similar filming or editing techniques will always mean we like or dislike something. I think his films having a distinctively overcooked feeling to them is a legit criticism, and get tired of these knee-jerk reactions directing the dissenters to more 'conventional' film.
As I watched Brand Upon the Brain I kept thinking to myself how much I would've really loved this film had there been none of the disjointed editing and quick cuts. It wasn't really necessary, though I admit that has more to do with personal tastes. Without that it might have resembled something between City of Lost Children and maybe The Phantom Carriage. I really loved the way Mother would search the island with her lighthouse, and there were a lot of other little touches that really worked. In the end I am just pissed off at the lost potential.
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My favorites:
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur7568922/lists
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polysicsarebest
14 years ago
Finally, someone with some sense.
Maddin's films are nearly impossible to watch. They're hard to appreciate from any angle.
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