Over the weekend I saw two films off of netflix, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil and Insidious.
Tucker and Dale is a hilarious take on the group of college kids go to the ass end of the woods and are murdered by some psychopath.
Insidious is a suspense thriller that managed to keep my jaded heart pounding at a pretty good pace. Parts of the ending were a little lackluster but the ride was fun.
I really liked the look and feel of the film, but there was no stake in the plot there was no sense that at any point something bad might happen. Thor just kind of walked through the film knowing everything would turn out fine. Also Natalie Portman's character just falls in love with him because he is a hunky Norseman it seemed silly to me.
I forgive you! (Actually I didn't think you were directing it at me, because I knew you really liked that movie.) I really should quote people, but I really hate the lack of forum function with just highlighting certain text to blockquote it.
I just wanted to see what HD had to say why he didn't like it. I disagree with him on it, but currently do not have as much time to get into it.
Oh, whoops. I glossed over the full context of the conversation.
I'm sorry Ro. I take it back. Can we still be BFF's?
highdefinition, get the hell off my Internet.
Sell me on it, because I went into it wanting to like it. I loved the actors, the set design, the idea, but the overall movie I found disappointing.
Other than what you previously posted, what did you find disappointing?
Let's start with your already-identified issues.
1) Of course Thor struts through the movie like everything is going to be OK - he's Thor and he's supposed to be arrogant.
1a) However, he doesn't spend the entire movie like that. In fact, he gets a strong dose of humility when he fails to retrieve Mjollnir. That scene and the bit of the movie after that are the turning point in Thor's character; he goes from being a haughty and arrogant god to being human, helping out and being generally accessible.
2) Natalie Portman's character doesn't really fall for him until after he has been humbled. She has overtures of being attracted to him (and his finely chiseled abs), but that comes off as physical attraction and/or curiosity. Her feelings develop after he fails, and decides to enjoy his life as a human.
3) No sense that something bad might happen? I mean, OK, Mjollnir is a Checkov's Gun, but it's a goddamn comic book movie. We know the license, so we know that the character must survive. That's a "flaw" in all superhero movies - and it's not really a flaw, because that's simply the style of story being told.
Maybe your expectations were off. Thor has been the best of the Marvel movies so far, but it's still a comic book movie. Thor wins the day in the end - always. He might go through hell to do it, but the whole point of the superhero story is to show someone triumphing against overwhelming odds. Thor added in a fall from grace and subsequent redemption to the character arc, making it the most complete character development of any of these movies thus far.
I'm watching the movie again and agree with what Pete said. Also don't be hating on the awesomeness of "Meow-meow". That's a mighty name for a weapon. =P
I remember when I first heard about Thor being made into a movie, I was all about Alexander Skarsgard being casted as him because I thought he would be perfect. When I heard it was Chris Hemsworth, I still kept low expectations because I've learned it's best to do that with comic book movies or movies that are adaptations to geeky things I enjoy.
Then I heard Kenneth Branagh was directing, so that increased my expectations because I've enjoyed the Shakespeare movies he's directed even though I don't know how well he would be able to do the same with a comic book character.
Then the first few shots of the costumes went on the internets, and my first impression was that they looked weird.
I went into the movie with little expectations, but kept an open mind. I enjoyed it a lot and it's definitely up there for Marvel movies. It seems Marvel is doing the right thing so far with most of their movies in leading up to the Avengers movie, which I'm keeping the same open mind but low expectations even though it is Whedon at the helm.
I wouldn't say "low" expectations, because that's not really fair to the movie. Thor is a solid film on many levels. It's essentially Hamlet, except with comic books.
Superhero stories are a particular kind of story. They're not designed to be a realistic portrayal of events - they're designed to be a rollercoaster. It's all about being overly dramatic in any particular direction. The stories that we tell are thus fantastical reflections of ourselves.
So to complain that Thor's character was just strutting around, or that Natalie Portman's character fell in love too quickly - well, that's the kind of story this is. The impossible happens, so we respond in extremely dramatic ways.
And let's be fair: if Chris Hemsworth was macking on you, you wouldn't say no. I don't care who you are.
Fair enough, but with movies like X-Men 3, Wolverine, and Spiderman 3, you can't blame me for not having high hopes going into Marvel movies.
And let's be fair: if Chris Hemsworth was macking on you, you wouldn't say no. I don't care who you are.
I don't deny it one bit. I only knew him as Kirk's father in the Star Trek reboot. So from what I've seen of him in that short scene, I didn't have any bad things against him. I was/am a fangirl of Eric "The Mighty Viking Vampire" Northman aka Alexander Skargard. He's tall, blonde, is of a Norse descent.
I've publicly said on ATW9K that seeing Chris topless in Thor was one of my favorite parts of the movie. Holy shit that man had some abs. That sexy "V" shaped lower ab part. Oh mans. MMMMMMMM...
Say what you will about Spider-Man 3, but I've had People Get Up and Drive That Funky Soul stuck in my head now for several years, and I'm okay with that.
Fair enough, but with movies like X-Men 3, Wolverine, and Spiderman 3, you can't blame me for not having high hopes going into Marvel movies.
The thing about those movies, though, is that they were not actually made by Marvel like the Iron Man films, Thor, Incredible Hulk, and Captain America.
Doesn't matter. I'm like that now with most comic book movies. After Avengers and Batman Rises, I will not really care anymore about Marvel/DC movies unless it shows the continued promise of how they are being done now. I doubt they will be.
Maybe this was my problem, I didn't really watch it like I did Spider-man or Captain America. Just watching Thor and not bringing any lore into it he is just a Prince of a realm I don't know anything about and because of that I have no stake in whether the frost giants take over or not. Also something that really nagged at me was Thor mentions how he had lead his friends into a bunch of epic battles, but the frost giant war was before their time, who were they fighting? and why aren't they a concern anymore?
Maybe this was my problem, I didn't really watch it like I did Spider-man or Captain America. Just watching Thor and not bringing any lore into it he is just a Prince of a realm I don't know anything about and because of that I have no stake in whether the frost giants take over or not. Also something that really nagged at me was Thor mentions how he had lead his friends into a bunch of epic battles, but the frost giant war was before their time, who were they fighting? and why aren't they a concern anymore?
One can surmise that they've had battles on other planets - not just Earth. The three warriors are comrades of Thor's in the comics, and the fourth - Sif - is Thor's love interest in the comics for a while.
They're basically there as a cameo appearance for fans of the comics.
What I love most about fight choreography in Ip Man is how he punches the guy so many times. It's like machine gun fists. Almost hokuto level of punching. Then the sound effect they use for it is really impactful, like oh shit son!
Yeah, at points you feel almost sorry for those soldiers in the Dojo. Like, you are getting wrecked! Your face-bones will never be the same! I also really like the scene when
He is teaching all the regular factory workers how to fight with Wing Chung. The middle aged ladies! It's not like they became super amazing, but they learned to defend themselves capably against the thugs.
Also, I have not seen the Thor movie, but if I do, I will have a hard time getting Avengers Shouldn't Text out of my head. Now when I think of Thor I think of someone IMing in all capital letters about rabbits, drinking all the hot cocoa mix, and accidentally breaking the microwave. We should watch that troll movie.
Confound those ponies, they make me watch musicals.
Watched the Music Man (1962, film version) and found it quite enjoyable.
One of my favorite musicals and also a fantastic movie adaptation. You did good my friend.
Also, Scott, I went and saw Cinema Paradiso; and had the same reaction you did. Tears were streaming down my face and I loved every second of it. It reminded me of why I fell in love with films and filmmaking. Now I want to see the director's cut which apparently answers and elaborates on a lot of loose threads that the movie had left. From what I hear, the scenes don't slog the movie down and just add to the overall experience; but I'll have to see it myself to make that judgement.
Confound those ponies, they make me watch musicals.
Watched the Music Man (1962, film version) and found it quite enjoyable.
One of my favorite musicals and also a fantastic movie adaptation. You did good my friend.
Also, Scott, I went and saw Cinema Paradiso; and had the same reaction you did. Tears were streaming down my face and I loved every second of it. It reminded me of why I fell in love with films and filmmaking. Now I want to see the director's cut which apparently answers and elaborates on a lot of loose threads that the movie had left. From what I hear, the scenes don't slog the movie down and just add to the overall experience; but I'll have to see it myself to make that judgement.
It elaborated on one particularly troubling omission from the film: Elena's disappearance (depending on whether you cared or not). From what I hear, the third act is extended quite a bit for giving closure to just that aspect. Toto and his mother even have a conversation in the cut version about how he never had a true love and how he always seemed to be alone and with a different woman; I felt that there was more to that that could have been more fleshed out. If that is true, then I think the ending montage has a lot more meaning than before because of how much more is revealed about Toto's lost love.
Yeah, so, thanks for introducing me to one of my favorite movies of all time now.
Comments
Tucker and Dale is a hilarious take on the group of college kids go to the ass end of the woods and are murdered by some psychopath.
Insidious is a suspense thriller that managed to keep my jaded heart pounding at a pretty good pace. Parts of the ending were a little lackluster but the ride was fun.
was way more interesting then I thought it was going to be. Depending on how you watch it, it becomes a really weird self reflective film.
I'm also disappointed with how terrible Thor was.
but that's just my opinion I could be wrong
I'm sorry Ro. I take it back. Can we still be BFF's?
highdefinition, get the hell off my Internet.
I just wanted to see what HD had to say why he didn't like it. I disagree with him on it, but currently do not have as much time to get into it.
Let's start with your already-identified issues.
1) Of course Thor struts through the movie like everything is going to be OK - he's Thor and he's supposed to be arrogant.
1a) However, he doesn't spend the entire movie like that. In fact, he gets a strong dose of humility when he fails to retrieve Mjollnir. That scene and the bit of the movie after that are the turning point in Thor's character; he goes from being a haughty and arrogant god to being human, helping out and being generally accessible.
2) Natalie Portman's character doesn't really fall for him until after he has been humbled. She has overtures of being attracted to him (and his finely chiseled abs), but that comes off as physical attraction and/or curiosity. Her feelings develop after he fails, and decides to enjoy his life as a human.
3) No sense that something bad might happen? I mean, OK, Mjollnir is a Checkov's Gun, but it's a goddamn comic book movie. We know the license, so we know that the character must survive. That's a "flaw" in all superhero movies - and it's not really a flaw, because that's simply the style of story being told.
Maybe your expectations were off. Thor has been the best of the Marvel movies so far, but it's still a comic book movie. Thor wins the day in the end - always. He might go through hell to do it, but the whole point of the superhero story is to show someone triumphing against overwhelming odds. Thor added in a fall from grace and subsequent redemption to the character arc, making it the most complete character development of any of these movies thus far.
I'm watching the movie again and agree with what Pete said. Also don't be hating on the awesomeness of "Meow-meow". That's a mighty name for a weapon. =P
I remember when I first heard about Thor being made into a movie, I was all about Alexander Skarsgard being casted as him because I thought he would be perfect. When I heard it was Chris Hemsworth, I still kept low expectations because I've learned it's best to do that with comic book movies or movies that are adaptations to geeky things I enjoy.
Then I heard Kenneth Branagh was directing, so that increased my expectations because I've enjoyed the Shakespeare movies he's directed even though I don't know how well he would be able to do the same with a comic book character.
Then the first few shots of the costumes went on the internets, and my first impression was that they looked weird.
I went into the movie with little expectations, but kept an open mind. I enjoyed it a lot and it's definitely up there for Marvel movies. It seems Marvel is doing the right thing so far with most of their movies in leading up to the Avengers movie, which I'm keeping the same open mind but low expectations even though it is Whedon at the helm.
Superhero stories are a particular kind of story. They're not designed to be a realistic portrayal of events - they're designed to be a rollercoaster. It's all about being overly dramatic in any particular direction. The stories that we tell are thus fantastical reflections of ourselves.
So to complain that Thor's character was just strutting around, or that Natalie Portman's character fell in love too quickly - well, that's the kind of story this is. The impossible happens, so we respond in extremely dramatic ways.
And let's be fair: if Chris Hemsworth was macking on you, you wouldn't say no. I don't care who you are.
I've publicly said on ATW9K that seeing Chris topless in Thor was one of my favorite parts of the movie. Holy shit that man had some abs. That sexy "V" shaped lower ab part. Oh mans. MMMMMMMM...
I'll be in mah bunk
They're basically there as a cameo appearance for fans of the comics.
Watched the Music Man (1962, film version) and found it quite enjoyable.
I also really like the scene when
Also, I have not seen the Thor movie, but if I do, I will have a hard time getting Avengers Shouldn't Text out of my head. Now when I think of Thor I think of someone IMing in all capital letters about rabbits, drinking all the hot cocoa mix, and accidentally breaking the microwave.
We should watch that troll movie.
Also, Scott, I went and saw Cinema Paradiso; and had the same reaction you did. Tears were streaming down my face and I loved every second of it. It reminded me of why I fell in love with films and filmmaking. Now I want to see the director's cut which apparently answers and elaborates on a lot of loose threads that the movie had left. From what I hear, the scenes don't slog the movie down and just add to the overall experience; but I'll have to see it myself to make that judgement.
Yeah, so, thanks for introducing me to one of my favorite movies of all time now.