Escape to the Movies: The Artist Pages PREV 1 2 3 NEXT | |
Brooks did it better, years ago. Which is almost unfortunate. I'd have passed this over if a friend hadn't said it was a spoof silent film, which, as many things do with the word "spoof" in their description, led me to Mel Brooks, and how he's never done me wrong. So, in I went, to compare. And I liked the Prometheus trailer, though the actual trailer being blocked by the slowly developing text was kind of annoying.
Pssh. Brooks drew the curve. | |
I don't think Grindhouse really qualifies as a "weel-observed mimic". "Well-observed parody" I'll grant you, but the tone and production values (the latter being in many ways the defining trait of actual grindhouse movies) are so completely divergent from the material that inspired them that I can't really consider it a recreation. I always get the impression that Tarantino and Rodriguez are being tongue-in-cheek about the whole thing, whereas what always attracted me to grindhouse movies was the absolute sincerity with which they usually approached absolutely ridiculous subject matter. | |
I don't know, I'm kind of excited for DKR but Prometheus looked awesome from that first trailer! It's fairly well known he wants to see The Dark Knight Rises so maybe he was just giving a shout out to a film that might be the return of the classic Alien sci-fi horror that we all know Ridley Scott for. I certainly hope he succeeds with it. I'd love to get an Alien prequel that doesn't involve Predator or more so doesn't suck balls. Hopefully Prometheus does that. And yeah, I know it's not entirely about Alien but it's set in that universe and before it so I say it is in my own opinion. Same way The Hobbit is a prequel to Lord of the Rings. Has little to do with the better known tale but it's set in the same universe so it might as well be a prequel. | |
I really liked this movie and I'm glad you reviewed it as I'm sure some people didn't know about it until they saw your review, and maybe they'll go see it now that they know it exists. I wish it had played with being silent a bit more but it was very enjoyable. I watched it twice back in October (with different people) and I would watch it again. This being said I can't disagree with the fact that it's pretty predictable. | |
I will still see this movie. And calling this movie oscar bait is just wrong. It looks like that they really cared about making this movie and i have seen alot of silent movie latley (i'm going also to a film studies classes)and this look like a good movie. | |
Whedon did the travesty that is resurection. Also Buffy. They're both enough reason to keep him away from anything Alien related. Also the first Alien film is the best. Not that I don't like Aliens or even Alien 3. I just prefer the original film, and if Scott brings the same tension and bleakness to this prequel. It'll be a complete success in my opinion, regardless of the story. Because the atmosphere is nine tenths of an Alien film. OT: Wow, we agree on something for a change Bob. Except the Tree of Life thing. I would assume, I haven't seen it, but it doesn't look good. | |
Let's be fair. From what I hear, his works on Resurrection were butchered tremendously, so much so that he wanted his name taken off the project. As for Buffy, you'll receive no expression of disagreement from me. It worries me that he's directing The Avengers. | |
I've heard this, but the dialogue (which is a big part of why that movie sucked) is very... Whedon. The character interactions and archetypes screamed Whedon and I think it just proves the guy has a very niche capability. There are some things he's undoubtedly good at. But whoever thought he was the right guy for a serious action/horror should be taken into the streets and ceremonially flogged as penance. I know people who've read his original script and say there is no more difference in it from the final result than there is difference between any other film and it's initial script. And worried isn't the word that describes how I feel about him handling the Avengers. If he pulls it off, fair play to him. But I think giving it to Favreau or Letterier(my personal choice.) would have been a smarter move. Or even someone with a bit more big budget experience, like Jackson or Cameron. They would have been at home with the scale of the thing atleast. I know Whedon's got all the geek history thing, and he's like some sort of idol for some reason or another. But I think he's out of his depths here. | |
Fair enough, then. Also, the reason I use the word "worries" is that I've yet to see an action scene directed by Mr. Whedon that hasn't made me shake my head in extreme disapproval. Considering that The Avengers will likely feature a lot of action, I doubt the movie will turn out well, but as you said, if he can pull it off, splendid for him. | |
Yea agreed, I think Latterier would have been a much better choice. Maybe just have had Whedon hleping with dialogue or something. | |
Umm, Bob, you probably should have lead with 'Mel Brooks did this YEARS ago' bit. Anyway, I actually think 'singing in the rain; does a good job of documenting the transition from silent movies to 'talkies' and it has a 'roper charecter arch for the female love interest. She loves him as a fan, then hates him, then they become friends, he woo's her, they fall in love, they have a tiff because of the other female, then they live happily ever after after he does something bold and selfless for her. Ok, I haven't seen 'the Artist' but first I think I'll watch 'Silent Movie' first... I want to here the only speaking part Marcel Marso ever had in a film... | |
He's just nitpicking it because it has the most oscar momentum right now, and he needs "Oscars suck; Academy is out of touch" material for the next year. (see also: His opinions on King's Speech, Hurt Locker, Blind Side, etc.) I wonder what he'll do if Tree of Life wins anything. | |
Have you seen Stage Beauty, Movie Bob? That was a fascinating movie. | |
True. Remember back in 2009 where he was prasing Avatar, even as that movie was just fern gully with blue kittins | |
I love Bob as a critic, without usually agree with his choices (Captain America in your 2011 top ten, but no Margaret??). However, I reckon he's on the money with this review. Skilful pastiche is all well and good, but idle mimicry is just boring. | |
So let me get this straight... 'Captain America' was the second best film of 2011, Zack Snyder is a brilliant visionary director, 'Sucker Punch' empowered women and 'The Artist' is not very good. I think I'll stick with Mark Kermode, even if he does think Twilight is better than Star Wars. | |
Huh, best picture to Grindhouse... I don't see a problem with this. Also, "The actors are attractive" ...so? | |
Please....no. Now, I'd totally go see Spaceballs on (or off) Broadway. | |
The only thing remotely interesting about Avatar is how it was made. | |
And the Bad guy. He was really fun to watch. | |
Fun fact I avoided that movie because it looked awful and every critic and friend that I respect said it was an abortion. | |
I forgot about him, but yes, he was awesome. | |
I don't appreciate the implied tone of your words. I didn't see the movie either in fact I learned that from the critics of half in the bag who went so far as to call the movie a ponzy scheme. | |
Touché | |
Agreed. Seems like whenever Oscar season comes around he puts on his "ironic hipster hat" and decides to hate or play down anything that looks like it's going to get a bunch of Oscars. I just saw this film, and I really don't get this review. Yeah it's not exactly Inception when it comes to a revolutionary story, but that isn't the point. The point IS that it's a simple, silent film-esque love story. And when Bob said that there's no evidence that the main character is likable aside from his dog; I seriously don't know if we were watching the same movie there. If you really don't think the guy's likable, you're either not human or Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. Possibly both. | |
By all accounts, the movie is supposed to be really good. I think its good to know that the people who give out awards can appreciate a movie with infinite amounts of charm even if it lacks the depth of The social network. That being said, I bet "The Descendants" will win best picture anyways. | |
I know this thread has gone quiet but I can't contain myself any longer. I see Bob's point about this film although to be honest I was glad it turned out like this because "true art" like the 'Tree Of Life' is such a pile of sh*t! 'Tree of Life' is a pretentious pile of wank only enjoyed by dicks who think shiny things make up for a boring film. I'll admit it was pretty to look at but it was so f**king boring I walked out halfway through leaving my girlfriend inside. She stayed to the end and informed me I didn't miss anything. I have never seen so many people walk out of a movie as I did when I went to see that. It got to the point that the audience laughed every time another person left. It just seems they were so busy looking pretty they forgot they were supposed to be making a f**king film. Enjoying 'The Tree of Life' is no better than enjoying 'Transformers' because both films abandon being interesting in favour of being colourful and the fact that 'Tree of Life' is more imaginative with it's imagery (well at the end of the day you couldn't be any less imaginative than 'Transformers') doesn't make it any less dull. How you can even say the performances were good I don't know because there was so little of them and none of it seemed to matter. It's artistic movie critic bait tripe that doesn't even have the decency to be interesting at the same time. It's the kind of thing quasi-intellectuals enjoy because it makes them feel cleverer than they really are. If you liked 'Tree of Life' you're officially too stupid to be allowed to have an opinion. HA! Take that people I don't know! | |
movie bob trying hard to find flaws in a good movie... how tiring | |
Is it just me or is Movie Bob referencing TVTropes a lot more than he used to... | |
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I especially loved the music. Each piece was taken from one film or another as an homage to its predecessors. I was touched when I heard Bernard Herrmann's "Scene d'Amour," and then moved to tears by the end of it. I can't remember the last time a movie has EVER made me cry. Some have come close, but never full-on tears. No, it isn't terribly original. Cookie cutter plot with recycled music, but it was a good movie. The character of George Valentino reminded me of a Greek tragedy. Bob was right, a proper twist would've been a stalker-ish type reveal, and a truly tragic ending. Like Bela Lugosi after him, it would've made a real impact to see George's life end in misery... But I liked the ending. Yes, it's predictable. As predictable as apple pie tasting sweet, but you love apple pie because it tastes sweet. ... Also, the reason why Peppy loves George seemed simple to me, but I shan't reveal any spoilers. | |
I was rooting for the military the whole time, especially the Bad Guy. | |
Eh, I'm on the fence. | |
I just saw The Artist. I thought it was a good movie. I enjoyed it, I had fun. The fact that it's silent means you actually have to PAY ATTENTION to it, unlike other movies in which you're required to turn off your brain to enjoy it. I like the various gags they had, including the one with the dog playing dead, and the clever sound effects gag near the end, like Bob said. Hell, even the ending was pretty clever. All around a good movie! Oscar worthy? Well, since I only saw this and Hugo, I can't be too sure... I enjoyed it, yeah, but I don't know if it truly deserves to win an Oscar, either. | |
I don't get his point at the end about Grindhouse... Grindhouse was a good movie that was interesting and unpredictable. How is that like The Artist? | |
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Just got back from this movie. Absolutely loved it. Bob raises some valid points, but I think his preconception that the movie should offer some kind of insightful deconstruction of the silent movie era kept him from enjoying the movie for what it was. This movie isn't about clever subtext for insightful watchers to over analyze. It is a whimsical love story expertly executed, with genuine humour and emotional resonance. Any awards it receives will be a result of this execution. You either buy into its gimick and extremely whimsical tone, in which case you will love it, or you don't. Not for everyone.