Biggy and I saw this on Saturday. When it ended, he and I both sat there laughing. When we could stop laughing, we looked at each other and asked, "Really?" over and over. 48 hours later, I still don't honestly know whether I liked it or not.
Angie, I can't say. It's the oddest thing. When I read the good reviews--beautifully shot, incredible performances, I think, "yeah...yeah...true..." and when I read the bad ones--empty, slow, over-the-top, I think, "exactly...yup...uh-huh..."
I think the problem, for me, is when there's no person or cause I can attach myself to. There's no character I can identify with. I have no sympathy for Plainview, because we're not given any background, really, to explain why he's such a monster--or to give us hope he'll be redeemed.
I'm not big on total hopelessness.
So, I'll just say if I only had money or time for one movie, and I had to choose between Juno and There Will Be Blood, I'd choose Juno.
I think the reason the film leaves us confused is because the characters and plot aren't absolute and over simplified. (like we are used to seeing from typical, safe hollywood movies) The characters and setting are complex and contradicting and we see this in layers. In a way, i think this is even more true to life than otherwise, although it made me uncomfortable...for me, the music embodied this tension. Thumbs up from me.
yeah i think i'll sit this one out. i'm thinking i'll have a similar reaction to you--appreciate it for its beauty and acting but then be unfulfilled somehow. perhaps it will make it to a blockbuster night in my future.
Angie, I was thinking about this again after I saw your comment. The real problem for me was that I left the theatre unchanged. The movie is mere spectacle.
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Yeah you know I think it was well filmed (which always suckers me in) but yeah i can totally see where you're coming from.
How about the music? It practically gave me a panic attack!
It did almost give Nick a panic attack. And I had a knot in my chest the entire next day from it...
so you're not recommending? I'm afraid to waste hours of my life even though i'm intriuged!
Angie, I can't say. It's the oddest thing. When I read the good reviews--beautifully shot, incredible performances, I think, "yeah...yeah...true..." and when I read the bad ones--empty, slow, over-the-top, I think, "exactly...yup...uh-huh..."
I think the problem, for me, is when there's no person or cause I can attach myself to. There's no character I can identify with. I have no sympathy for Plainview, because we're not given any background, really, to explain why he's such a monster--or to give us hope he'll be redeemed.
I'm not big on total hopelessness.
So, I'll just say if I only had money or time for one movie, and I had to choose between Juno and There Will Be Blood, I'd choose Juno.
I think the reason the film leaves us confused is because the characters and plot aren't absolute and over simplified. (like we are used to seeing from typical, safe hollywood movies) The characters and setting are complex and contradicting and we see this in layers. In a way, i think this is even more true to life than otherwise, although it made me uncomfortable...for me, the music embodied this tension. Thumbs up from me.
I don't need my movies absolute or oversimplified! I can handle complexity and contradictions--Damage, for instance.
yeah i think i'll sit this one out. i'm thinking i'll have a similar reaction to you--appreciate it for its beauty and acting but then be unfulfilled somehow. perhaps it will make it to a blockbuster night in my future.
Angie, I was thinking about this again after I saw your comment. The real problem for me was that I left the theatre unchanged. The movie is mere spectacle.
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