MovieChat Forums > Carnage (2011) Discussion > 7.1, not gonna pretend I'm shocked, but ...

7.1, not gonna pretend I'm shocked, but that's bs

posted 11 years ago by compact_disc_rack
27 replies | jump to latest

Good acting, but that alone doesn't justify such a high rating for a film.

I guess it's that, Polanski's name and people who can't tell good from bad that makes it.

The problem with this film is that it was anti-climactic and predictable.

After about 10 minutes you knew what would happen. They would never leave that apartment and their "true" selves would soon come out. A satirical note about modern day parenting alone can't make a whole movie.

Not garbage at all, but unoriginal and not clever in any way.

[–] arse_bear 11 years ago

I enjoyed it thoroughly. Much better than what I had been expecting. I don't see why it deserves lower rating just because it doesn't give you a great climax and an unpredictable plot. It wasn't meant to do that.

[–] Mrs_Mills 11 years ago

I loved it as well and wished I'd seen the stage play. It reminded me of Abigail's Party and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? I only wish it had been longer. Some of the lines were brilliant.

It's rated at 72% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but I can see how a lot of younger people wouldn't necessarily be interested in a film that is mostly dialogue.

Nicole Kidman is heavier on eyeshadow than emotion - The Paperboy Review, Variety

[–] hodie 11 years ago

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf was about 10,000 times better.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] The-ManWithNoName 11 years ago

but I can see how a lot of younger people wouldn't necessarily be interested in a film that is mostly dialogue.

I resent that comment. There are plenty of young directors that create dialogue driven films.

I loved it as well and wished I'd seen the stage play.

If you had, it might have taken away from experiencing this film. It worked much better as a play in my opinion. My sister and I saw it, the two youngest siblings in our family.

You're not a writer Fink, you're a goddamn write off

[–] kallegren 9 years ago

I resent that comment. There are plenty of young directors that create dialogue driven films.

I'm pretty sure he was talking about younger people as in audience.

[–] The-ManWithNoName 9 years ago

My point was that they were implying younger people don't like dialogue driven films and that's just not true. We not only watch them, we write and direct them as well.

[–] compact_disc_rack 11 years ago

Not every film has to have a great climax or an unpredictable plot, but it has to make up for what it lacks, and I don't think this one did.

[–] Howlin Wolf 11 years ago

… but a movie only 'lacks' something if every movie follows the same formula (which they don't, and nor should they).

"Your mother puts license plates in your underwear? How do you sit?!"

[–] Howlin Wolf 11 years ago

'Good' and 'bad' are subjective.

It may be unoriginal, but the performances and writing entertained me, and i rate movies based upon how much i enjoyed them. i wasn't awarding points for being 'groundbreaking'.

"Your mother puts license plates in your underwear? How do you sit?!"

[–] Ace_Spade 9 years ago

I very much agree with you. This isn't a high-concept movie trying to find new waters to explore, but it takes an evergreen subject, like the way social politics mask and colour people, and digs in. I loved the sharply-written dialogue, the insightful use of character, and the way the plot roars along in its sole setting and driven purpose. Too often I watch meandering, floundering plots which have enough innovative trappings thrown on to look slick, but nothing underneath. This film is a gem.

[–] Scooby52 11 years ago

I gave it a 6 out of 10. I can understand if others rated it higher though. Some movies relate more to some people than they do to others. I think it's one of those films where if you knew people like the characters in the film you'd probably appreciate it a lot more.

[–] chilledout247 11 years ago

Way too low if anything. This film was gripping and poignant

[–] jajceboy 11 years ago

I think it probably works better on the stage. Something was missing in the film.

But I still it was pretty good. Just the sheer joy of watching Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet together, two of the best actresses, was enough to make it exciting. Their scenes together were pure gold.
I though they carried the film and made it more exciting than it probably would be with other actresses, if you understand the point:)

Despite them only talking you got caught up in it and actually laughed at them. But good thing it was a short film, I don't think it would work if it was longer.

I gave it 7/10. It was great fun, but not really that good.

[–] olderwaiter 10 years ago

We'll have to disagree. I really liked it, but I enjoy character driven stories. It was fun watching them devolve. And it made me cringe a few times, which I see as a sign of a good movie. And knowing what would happen doesn't make it a bad movie. I like some historical films. Reading the premise of the movie basically tells you what's going to happen. Or knowing the play it's based off of. The fun of it was seeing how it would happen and watching the dynamics of the two couples constantly change.

How sad that you would say that good acting doesn't justify a high rating. In a movie like this, character and acting are the very crux.

Like I said, agree to disagree. And since I can't resist making a snide remark to someone that comes to a board and insults all the people that like a film because you didn't: Try Transformers. May be more your speed.

[–] huldu 10 years ago

Indeed, you have a great cast but that's about it. The movie has no plot or anything, just a lot of pointless talking you don't care about.

[–] decoy000 10 years ago

it really isn't a young persons film.

but anyway i notice there are lots of people who don't look beyond the plot. the plot isn't all a film is. if that were so you could just have an audio recording in the cinema that gives out a synopses. I think you can't tell what's good, i think you've confused what you like about movies with what movies are.

[–] oldmaddog 10 years ago

Yes, a fair lead in, but I kept waiting for the main part of the movie to start. Maybe if I were older I would appreciate movies that start and don't climax or go anywhere, but I'm only 60, and don't expect to live THAT much longer....
I did appreciate that the kids apparently stayed friends as seen during the credits, which sort of resolved that, but what about the drug company coverup. Maybe that will be covered in carnage 2, along with all 4 parents total failure to relate to their kids world? Gave it a 5 and thought I was generous.