What movie did you watch last night? (28 Viewers)

[washingcattle]

I'm not exactly sure what is meant to shock me/move me/whatever here.

Also, yer man can't play violin.

Have you ever been checked for autism ?

 

[Cormcolash]

Yeah, but like, Nazis are cool. I mean killing nazis, killing nazis is cool, yeah that's it

 

[Cormcolash]

Have you ever been checked for autism ?

The problem is the cinema experience and how the film is made. First off, it's historical, and their manner of speaking is 19th century, so that immediately adds an element of surreality. But the way the film is shot augments this - one of the first scenes has a camera moving through long grass, which parts to reveal a slave working in the field.

The director or cinematographer or whatever probably thought this was very stylish or something, but in reality it just heightens the feeling of watching a film, reminding the viewer that the camera is actually there, which damages any immersion in the film and therefore detracts from the impact of the film.

That kind of camera shot happens numerous times throughout the film, and every time it happens I'm like "Oh yeah, it's a film." A straight cut between scenes would actually be more effective and build engagement.

In all seriousness, I find watching a film like Spartacus more engaging/uncomfortable than 12 Years A Slave, because at least you're not constantly being reminded that this is a film by "look how amazingly stylish my camera-work is!"

 

[washingcattle]

The problem is the cinema experience and how the film is made. First off, it's historical, and their manner of speaking is 19th century, so that immediately adds an element of surreality. But the way the film is shot augments this - one of the first scenes has a camera moving through long grass, which parts to reveal a slave working in the field.

The director or cinematographer or whatever probably thought this was very stylish or something, but in reality it just heightens the feeling of watching a film, reminding the viewer that the camera is actually there, which damages any immersion in the film and therefore detracts from the impact of the film.

That kind of camera shot happens numerous times throughout the film, and every time it happens I'm like "Oh yeah, it's a film." A straight cut between scenes would actually be more effective and build engagement.

In all seriousness, I find watching a film like Spartacus more engaging/uncomfortable than 12 Years A Slave, because at least you're not constantly being reminded that this is a film by "look how amazingly stylish my camera-work is!"

Actually I'm going to spoiler this discussion, just in case.

Spoiler

I'll be writing this one up later but for me I felt that it was a beautiful film about human ugliness. The shots you're talking about were emersion breaks alright but I didn't totally feel that it was ever a film in which the intention was to be immersive, it never felt as though the camera was inviting us in as an audience like the way that Spielberg films do. The camera always seems to be looking at events, the audience is present as a witness rather than as a participant. I felt that that and the long shots of the land etc were very deliberate, There's an extremely "arty" visual sensibility at work, sure, that's not going to be for everyone, but there was never a point that made me think "this is a non sequitur". In fact most of the best shots seemed extremely well executed and quite pointed.

The best example is a shot of bald cypress trees which comes after a moment of extreme violence. The tress appearance is a visual metaphor for the violence and seemingly eternal nature of slavery. There are plenty of references to this African American culture, for example Strange Fruit. Equally the grass, the cotton, it all points to this notion that for as long as there is land there will be slaves.

I never felt that the style was pretentious, and to be honest I felt the breathing space in the film allowed me to fully digest some of the events in a way that a more condensed piece wouldn't have allowed.

In comparison to, Schindlers List for example there is no breathing space and so much savagery going on that eventually Spielberg has to use colour to make at least one of the deaths that occur memorable.

It's a balancing act I suppose, I thought McQueen got it right.

But that's me, and this is very much my "type of thing".

I .... eh .... well not "loved" it that's probably not the right word but it's definitely the best "American" film I've seen in a long time.

On a list along side Snow Town of films I never want to watch again though.

 

[Cornu Ammonis]

This is one of the best horror movies ever made and my personal favourite. i don't think we needed to see the child. Some things are best left to the imagination. Disagree about the ending, it's perfect. "He has his father's eyes"

Agreed. It's that bit more sinister when you don't get to see the baby - the exact opposite of a normal delivery where the baby is brought to the mother as soon as possible.

 

[тхеодоре кацзынски]

This is one of the best horror movies ever made and my personal favourite. i don't think we needed to see the child. Some things are best left to the imagination. Disagree about the ending, it's perfect. "He has his father's eyes"

Well yeah, your probably right in saying we didn't need to see it, these things are generally a disappointment. I think I was expecting a film where things go bump in the night whereas this didn't have so much of that.

 

[7 - No tomorrow]

Well yeah, your probably right in saying we didn't need to see it, these things are generally a disappointment. I think I was expecting a film where things go bump in the night whereas this didn't have so much of that.

For me it suffers a bit from the fact that no one really pays the devil much heed these days.
He's lost a lot of His mojo.

 

[тхеодоре кацзынски]

Devil's due is certain to change all that. Possibly.

 

[тхеодоре кацзынски]

Hmmm, not sure why that was bolded.

 

[7 - No tomorrow]

Hmmm, not sure why that was bolded.

Because you were speaking as Satan

 

[тхеодоре кацзынски]

I prefer the title 'Dark lord'

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[hermie]

Assault on Precinct 13, had actually never seen it.

 

[David Kronenbourg]

Assault on Precinct 13, had actually never seen it.

terrific, innit?

 

[hermie]

terrific, innit?

Yep loved it. For shame, I actually haven't seen a whole load of John Carpenter other than the obvious ones. I plan on rectifying that reel soon.

 

[Cormcolash]

To be fair, John Carpenter is almost the definition of hit and miss.
His good stuff is amazing, some of the best films ever. His miss stuff, is just boring really!

 

[washingcattle]

To be fair, John Carpenter is almost the definition of hit and miss.
His good stuff is amazing, some of the best films ever. His miss stuff, is just boring really!

Prepare for the yawn more like.

 

[travispickle]

Watched Soderbergh's version of Solaris last night and really enjoyed it. Nice mood sustained throughout and really nice soundtrack by Cliff Martinez.
Exclusive: highlights from the Solaris soundtrack – video | Music | theguardian.com

 

[David Kronenbourg]

All is Lost. Good.

 

[travispickle]

Saw Inside Llewyn Davis - good but not up there with their best. Falls pretty flat in the middle. Good central performance though and the songs are great.

 

[Cormcolash]

Saw Wolf of Wall Street.
Interesting film, but definitely an hour too long.