MovieChat Forums > The Neistat Brothers (2010) Discussion > This show has gone downhill fast

This show has gone downhill fast

posted 14 years ago by GWattson
7 replies | jump to latest

I have loved the Neistat shorts before this show aired and I loved the first episode of the Neistat Brother show. Their first episode had so much heart and vulnerability. The show has been on a steady downhill slide since then with this last episode was the worse. Who cares about what these guys do when all of what they do says "Hey, we are rich jet setters who and care more about flying first class and traveling the world to hot bang chicks then actually saying anything new, relevant, or interesting."

The first episode showed us Casey's kid and spoke about how Casey had him at a very young age, how Casey was a good father and tried to teach his kid to go after his dreams, to Van covering adoption and how it makes him feel when people don't consider him and Casey "real" brother, and finding Van's biological father. The way they handled the meeting with the bio dad was also very classy. That episode even made me cry. This most recent episode Casey goes from partying in Arizona, getting a call from a hot girl in London (who we then see a flashback of Casey and the girl partying in Mexico) who wants them to go see Led Zeplin in London, Casey says yes and we hear him complain about his plane's first class food on the way to London. We then see Casey go skiing & partying in Aspen. Then we see Casey go off to Vegas to party with a different girl who I guess doesn't care if she is seen on HBO without her panties or flashing her tits and ass to the camera. Oh yea, and Casey shows how his VIP Hotel room with secret elevator that the only problem with is that he has to walk through the dirty lobby and casino that the plebeians have to walk through. Oh, how horrible Casey! Who even remembers what the hell Van did this episode. I saw the episode less then 30 minutes ago I I have already forgot all of Van's content other then he made a new tape dispenser (which we didn't get to see him make, just a description of it after it was made) and has a new mustache. Thanks for sharing that Van! So we went from a classy first episode with rich and personal content that made me like these guys to a crass, self indulgent episode were nothing happens and made me want to punch these guys.

My guess is that once these guys got their show green lighted and had money to burn they lost focus on what made them worth watching. Sorry guys, it wasn't you or your life that made the show worth watching, it was your talent as directors and editors. If we want to see jet setters party around the world we'd watch a reality show about Paris Hilton. Neistat Brothers, get back to being film makers and not the subject of a film. You are amazing at editors, at creating inserts, and using a sound track. You seem to of forgotten what side of the camera makes you unique and worth watching, and the more you are on the wrong side of the camera the less I care to invest any time in you at all.

These guys went from being cool guys you might even admire to being sleazy, pompous guys I don't want anything to do with. What a huge disappointment. I'll watch one more episode in hopes things turn around because they are very talented but if the next episode is anything like the last they've lost what was once a huge fan.

-Gary-

[–] plivans72000 14 years ago

Thanks for responding to my {casey's chicks } post. I don't feel so alone now ,like I was sitting alone late night watching someone else live my life.
They have talent nonetheless ,I wouldn't even get up to pee.I'm new to them, though, I saw one other episode with that girl he takes to the beach. And your right about the money i wonder if I would have done the same, once you lose the hunger and replace it with pleasures , you focus on the pleasure and lose the artistry unless that's was his plan.Casey does have a driven look like i've never seen or just bug eyes. that could also be attractive to these girls ? But i do love this artsy fartsy crap . it reminds me of the early 90's and there isn't much or any of this kinda thing on tv anymore.

[–] luked83 14 years ago

It seems pretty judgmental that you turn on the show after one 5 minute film from Casey. They're just living their lives and like every show out there, you may or may not agree with certain parts of it, but just about writing it off because of the Vegas/Aspen eps?

[–] GWattson 14 years ago

One 5 minute clip? I described Casey's whole episode. I've also seen every episode aired so far. I've also seen a lot of Casey's work outside the show from places like his website. His Chat Roulette piece is great, his hammering a bullet short is fun, and his pretending to cut off his own hand short is gutsy because if I remember correctly he did it live on TV (Its been over a year since I've seen it, I could have that part wrong). I love film, work in film, and have enjoyed Casey's work for years. I've facebooked his work and told all my friends about it. I even made my mom watch his Chat Roulette short when she couldn't grasp what it was. When I read he got an HBO show I waited almost a year for it to air, And I loved the first episode.

That said I think the show is getting worse. I don't think Casey isn't talented or less talented then i thought he was, I just think the show is running out fo steam fast and it losing focus. Its hard to do a whole season of content. Trust me, I know. I've worked on TV shows that loose their way at some point during the season. I';m just posting my honest thoughts on this show and I do hope it gets better. I'm rooting for the show, not against it.

-Gary-

[–] thelostboy2007 14 years ago

I have no familiarity with their shorts before this show. Maybe they're better?

I find this program self-indulgent and pretentious.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] rahdukes 14 years ago

You should look into some of their shorts. They are readily available at www.neistatbrothers.com and on casey's vimeo page. It'll give you an idea of what got them noticed - small, wacky, fun, absurd shorts.

Speaking from personal experience, they are far for self-indulgent and pretentious. Casey is one of the most generous, friendly, and genuinely interesting people I've met. Gracious would be another word I would use to describe the brothers as a pair. Van is down to earth, and extremely appreciative. You can sit down an have a one on one conversation with these guys for hours and it won't revolve, in the least, about how "amazing" and "talented" they are. Chances are the conversation wouldn't even be about them, unless they were prompted to get on that subject.

I can't tell you how you should perceive these guys. Everyone has their own opinion, and it is ultimately one that they create in some form or another based on what they see. You are more than entitled to your opinion. All I can do is share what I know. In reality these are two amazing people who have done well, especially given the fact they pulled themselves up by their own boot straps.

At the core of it all is 2 brothers living their lives and doing what they know best; Story-telling.

[–] Buffy5X5 14 years ago

My guess is that once these guys got their show green lighted and had money to burn...

Actually, one of them (I don't remember who) says that their friend put up a lot of the money for the show before HBO picked it up. In the fifth episode they find out that HBO bought it.

Anyway, I think the show is cool and interesting, and their filmmaking style is pretty unique, but to each his/her own.

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