General Movie Thread

[JonFromMaplewood]

Where the Wild Things Are was pretty depressing but I still liked it a lot.  The design of the wild things was absolutely wonderful.  There were a couple parts that dragged but there were plenty of lovely moments that made it well worth it.

Just saw it. Agreed. Not what I would call "fun."  But certainly lovely.

I have heard a lot of people say they found it depressing; it has moments of real sadness, but I am confused that people feel depressed about it. I was so excited to have a child-based movie (at least ostensibly) not end with a trite happy resolution, and I thought the last scene was absolutely perfect. I felt like I could walk on air when it finished.

Also loved Karen O's contribution to the perfect soundtrack.

I did not find it depressing. The problem was that it was not fun. At all.

That does not mean it was bad.  As my daughter just said to me "It doesn't have to be fun to be good."  Amen, sweetheart. 

The soap opera Max walks into on the island makes me think the film was made by Spike, not Spike Jonze.

[jbissell]

Where the Wild Things Are was pretty depressing but I still liked it a lot.  The design of the wild things was absolutely wonderful.  There were a couple parts that dragged but there were plenty of lovely moments that made it well worth it.

Just saw it. Agreed. Not what I would call "fun."  But certainly lovely.

I have heard a lot of people say they found it depressing; it has moments of real sadness, but I am confused that people feel depressed about it. I was so excited to have a child-based movie (at least ostensibly) not end with a trite happy resolution, and I thought the last scene was absolutely perfect. I felt like I could walk on air when it finished.

I agree with most of what you're saying here. Re: the ending, I loved it but I guess I saw it as a little more ambiguous, like things are better for now, but how long will it last?

[dave from knoxville]

Where the Wild Things Are was pretty depressing but I still liked it a lot.  The design of the wild things was absolutely wonderful.  There were a couple parts that dragged but there were plenty of lovely moments that made it well worth it.

Just saw it. Agreed. Not what I would call "fun."  But certainly lovely.

I have heard a lot of people say they found it depressing; it has moments of real sadness, but I am confused that people feel depressed about it. I was so excited to have a child-based movie (at least ostensibly) not end with a trite happy resolution, and I thought the last scene was absolutely perfect. I felt like I could walk on air when it finished.

I agree with most of what you're saying here. Re: the ending, I loved it but I guess I saw it as a little more ambiguous, like things are better for now, but how long will it last?

YES! EXACTLY! Life's never perfect; hang on to the little moments that are! That's one of the important messages of the entire film for me; you can't keep the bad stuff out, but that's no excuse to overlook joyful moments. And it delivers this notion in as maudlin-free non-sentimental way as it can be truthfully delivered. How false would it ring if you were left with the idea that everything's been resolved and from now on all will be well? THAT would have pissed me off.

Sorry, guess I sound like an evangelist.

[jbissell]

Where the Wild Things Are was pretty depressing but I still liked it a lot.  The design of the wild things was absolutely wonderful.  There were a couple parts that dragged but there were plenty of lovely moments that made it well worth it.

Just saw it. Agreed. Not what I would call "fun."  But certainly lovely.

I have heard a lot of people say they found it depressing; it has moments of real sadness, but I am confused that people feel depressed about it. I was so excited to have a child-based movie (at least ostensibly) not end with a trite happy resolution, and I thought the last scene was absolutely perfect. I felt like I could walk on air when it finished.

I agree with most of what you're saying here. Re: the ending, I loved it but I guess I saw it as a little more ambiguous, like things are better for now, but how long will it last?

YES! EXACTLY! Life's never perfect; hang on to the little moments that are! That's one of the important messages of the entire film for me; you can't keep the bad stuff out, but that's no excuse to overlook joyful moments. And it delivers this notion in as maudlin-free non-sentimental way as it can be truthfully delivered. How false would it ring if you were left with the idea that everything's been resolved and from now on all will be well? THAT would have pissed me off.

Sorry, guess I sound like an evangelist.

It's ok, we're on the same page here.

[gravy boat]

Where the Wild Things Are was pretty depressing but I still liked it a lot.  The design of the wild things was absolutely wonderful.  There were a couple parts that dragged but there were plenty of lovely moments that made it well worth it.

Just saw it. Agreed. Not what I would call "fun."  But certainly lovely.

I have heard a lot of people say they found it depressing; it has moments of real sadness, but I am confused that people feel depressed about it. I was so excited to have a child-based movie (at least ostensibly) not end with a trite happy resolution, and I thought the last scene was absolutely perfect. I felt like I could walk on air when it finished.

I agree with most of what you're saying here. Re: the ending, I loved it but I guess I saw it as a little more ambiguous, like things are better for now, but how long will it last?

YES! EXACTLY! Life's never perfect; hang on to the little moments that are! That's one of the important messages of the entire film for me; you can't keep the bad stuff out, but that's no excuse to overlook joyful moments. And it delivers this notion in as maudlin-free non-sentimental way as it can be truthfully delivered. How false would it ring if you were left with the idea that everything's been resolved and from now on all will be well? THAT would have pissed me off.

Sorry, guess I sound like an evangelist.

It's ok, we're on the same page here.

Saw it with my 4.5 year old this weekend. I loved it; he was more "meh." Agree with DFK and jbissell - perfect ending. The filmmakers could have done a lot wrong there but I thought they nailed it so well.  What I particularly loved was that the communication was non-verbal.

I like that the movie had its sad and complicated parts. The little guy wanted things more black and white.  "Was Carol a good guy?"  "Well, yes, and no..."   

He's young. He'll learn. So will I.

[JonFromMaplewood]

Where the Wild Things Are was pretty depressing but I still liked it a lot.  The design of the wild things was absolutely wonderful.  There were a couple parts that dragged but there were plenty of lovely moments that made it well worth it.

Just saw it. Agreed. Not what I would call "fun."  But certainly lovely.

I have heard a lot of people say they found it depressing; it has moments of real sadness, but I am confused that people feel depressed about it. I was so excited to have a child-based movie (at least ostensibly) not end with a trite happy resolution, and I thought the last scene was absolutely perfect. I felt like I could walk on air when it finished.

I agree with most of what you're saying here. Re: the ending, I loved it but I guess I saw it as a little more ambiguous, like things are better for now, but how long will it last?

YES! EXACTLY! Life's never perfect; hang on to the little moments that are! That's one of the important messages of the entire film for me; you can't keep the bad stuff out, but that's no excuse to overlook joyful moments. And it delivers this notion in as maudlin-free non-sentimental way as it can be truthfully delivered. How false would it ring if you were left with the idea that everything's been resolved and from now on all will be well? THAT would have pissed me off.

Sorry, guess I sound like an evangelist.

It's ok, we're on the same page here.

Saw it with my 4.5 year old this weekend. I loved it; he was more "meh." Agree with DFK and jbissell - perfect ending. The filmmakers could have done a lot wrong there but I thought they nailed it so well.  What I particularly loved was that the communication was non-verbal.

I like that the movie had its sad and complicated parts. The little guy wanted things more black and white.  "Was Carol a good guy?"  "Well, yes, and no..."   

He's young. He'll learn. So will I.

Well put, Gravy Boat. This was the response of my kids and of me.  I would only add what I mentioned earlier: I wish there was more Id when he arrived at the island to balance out all the Superego going on there.

[kittykittymeowmixhead]

Zombieland was fun with a capital F.

[Phil]

Where the Wild Things Are was pretty depressing but I still liked it a lot.  The design of the wild things was absolutely wonderful.  There were a couple parts that dragged but there were plenty of lovely moments that made it well worth it.

Just saw it. Agreed. Not what I would call "fun."  But certainly lovely.

I have heard a lot of people say they found it depressing; it has moments of real sadness, but I am confused that people feel depressed about it. I was so excited to have a child-based movie (at least ostensibly) not end with a trite happy resolution, and I thought the last scene was absolutely perfect. I felt like I could walk on air when it finished.

Also loved Karen O's contribution to the perfect soundtrack.

I agree with you Dave.  I loved it.  This was not a book that was read to me as a nighttime story, but I have read it many times over the years and, after working with children for so many years, it spoke to me a lot.  Loved it from opening credits on.

I thought it was great. A little melancholy, but not depressing. My 4 year-old liked it too. I remember finding the monsters in the book both appealing and a little scary as a small kid, and the movie nailed that aspect of it. I also left thinking it might be the most realistic interpretation of being a small boy I've seen in a film. Max's random, hyper-ambitious plan for the fort was a perfect example of the behavior I see in my own kid, and my friend's kids, all the time. And when Max was playing alone throughout the first part of the movie, the mood felt very familiar. Something like what I remember experiencing myself as a kid. I thought it was pretty amazing.

[masterofsparks]

Where the Wild Things Are was pretty depressing but I still liked it a lot.  The design of the wild things was absolutely wonderful.  There were a couple parts that dragged but there were plenty of lovely moments that made it well worth it.

Just saw it. Agreed. Not what I would call "fun."  But certainly lovely.

I have heard a lot of people say they found it depressing; it has moments of real sadness, but I am confused that people feel depressed about it. I was so excited to have a child-based movie (at least ostensibly) not end with a trite happy resolution, and I thought the last scene was absolutely perfect. I felt like I could walk on air when it finished.

Also loved Karen O's contribution to the perfect soundtrack.

I agree with you Dave.  I loved it.  This was not a book that was read to me as a nighttime story, but I have read it many times over the years and, after working with children for so many years, it spoke to me a lot.  Loved it from opening credits on.

I thought it was great. A little melancholy, but not depressing. My 4 year-old liked it too. I remember finding the monsters in the book both appealing and a little scary as a small kid, and the movie nailed that aspect of it. I also left thinking it might be the most realistic interpretation of being a small boy I've seen in a film. Max's random, hyper-ambitious plan for the fort was a perfect example of the behavior I see in my own kid, and my friend's kids, all the time. And when Max was playing alone throughout the first part of the movie, the mood felt very familiar. Something like what I remember experiencing myself as a kid. I thought it was pretty amazing.

Phil, either you or Steve in North Hollywood needs to change your avatar. TOO CONFUSING.

[Phil]

Phil, either you or Steve in North Hollywood needs to change your avatar. TOO CONFUSING.

Better?

[Christina]

Phil, either you or Steve in North Hollywood needs to change your avatar. TOO CONFUSING.

Better?

oh, that's better than better. I love it.

[crumbum]

I saw 'A Serious Man' one week ago and it's taken me this long to decide I like it. My first reaction was to dismiss it based almost solely on the last two or three minutes, which seemed to undercut the philosophical point of the rest of the film.

Normally I wouldn't hold Coen bros. movies to any kind of moral standard but this time they're practically begging to have the movie read on that level -- it's all about Man's relationship to God (or the Universe or fate or whatever, if you like) and the inability of humans to comprehend God's desires or intentions, and whether you should continue to try to do good in the face of a senselessly cruel world. That's how I read it anyhow, and then we get to the punchline which, like I said, hands us a 'moral of the story' that seems to fly in the face of everything that's come before. What really bugged me is that it's hard to tell if they mean for us to take the ending seriously or just as a sick joke. In the end I think they are serious, though. An I can respect that even if I disagree with the conclusion.

Sorry to be so opaque. If you've seen the movie you might get where I'm coming from. An I haven't even gotten into all the things I absolutely loved-- the sense of a time and place, some of the best cinematography of their careers, and few classic scenes to add to the Coens' highlight reel.

[jamesp]

Midnight showing of 'Paranormal Activity' on Saturday. For me it lived up to the hype; it scared the bejeezus out of me and the whole crowd was genuinely into it (real fear, none of the usual midnight movie hooting/ironic screams). It is so simple and stripped down it almost feels more like a piece of conceptual art at times, and so obvious in a sense you wonder how no one has done this before. I predict this thing will rake it in on word of mouth.

I feel like I'm really alone here feeling disappointed with Paranormal Activity. I'd say it was entertaining enough, but it just wasn't scary and we'll all end up forgetting it. The first-person digital camera scary movies just don't do anything for me.

[JustNicole]

My friend had a Tim Burton movie marathon last night and I saw his Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the first time.  I enjoyed it.  Wish I had seen it earlier. 

[Martin]

Watching a bunch of 60s movies for a "60s Top 100" poll. Decided to take on the original Harry Palmer trilogy, which I hadn't seen in its entirety before: The Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain. They're all pretty dull, but the first one has a certain dry charm. Low-rent spy movies obviously(?) trying to cash in on the popularity of the Bond franchise (even though I'm not sure about the exact chronology of the two series, which are both based partly on books). But at the same time they're the anti-Bond spy thrillers, from the droll hero to the settings - when the producers decide to take the action to an exotic location they go to East Berlin and Helsinki rather than the West Indies or Japan. The movies get progressively worse, and Brain is particularly awful, with a confusing plot which is almost impossible to follow. For movie buffs it's pretty ripe with trivia bits though - it features Karl Malden as a sauna-loving, triple-crossing spy, and Ed Begley in full ham-and-cheese mode as a right-wing Texas general with a private army and a super computer. Also for some reason it was executive produced by Andre de Toth(!); and perhaps most bizarrely, it's directed by Ken Russell.