3. "Just read the Wiki on the plot (of the book)" In response to Reply # 2
This movie should be really interesting. Don't want to spoil it, but it sounds like a cool sci-fi premise. Don't read it if you want to just figure out the movie by just seeing it.
9. "Oddly enthralling. Definitely not for all tastes, and that's okay." In response to Reply # 0
It's also okay if people here liked it for that reason, and choose to recognize that at the end of the year.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Subliminals only work for rap guys, bro
12. "would EYE like it zoo?" In response to Reply # 9
~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Subliminals only work for rap guys, bro
20. "RE: Oddly enthralling. Definitely not for all tastes, and that's okay." In response to Reply # 9
>It's also okay if people here liked it for that reason, and >choose to recognize that at the end of the year. >
agreed. I enjoyed it but you *DO* need to be patient.
That is something I've noticed with Glazer's film. You need to be patient and just let his themes and ideas unfold on *HIS* time...
all of his films are like that. But I enjoyed this...definitely more in line with the weirder/abstract/atmospheric and sparce sci-fi films to come out (Moon, etc. )
this isn't for everyone and it's polarizing for most.
But ScarJo was great in this...and Glazer is three for three in terms of good movies.
22. "Sexy Beast is fantastic. I have not seen Birth." In response to Reply # 21 Sat Apr-26-14 12:44 AM by ZooTown74
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Subliminals only work for rap guys, bro
15. "borders on greatness and pretension (Spoilers)" In response to Reply # 0
it's a wonderful balance
some of the shots are just stunning visual eye candy. Yet, at times it's too much showing, and not enough telling.
the soundtrack stayed in my head all night yesterday. it was pitch/style perfect
ScarJo is great. She's equal parts learner, seductress, and in fear. I almost wish i hadn't read the synopsis so the end would've been a real surprise.
(Spoiler!!!) the part with the "Elephant Man" was so wonderfully executed
QUESTION: So when dude takes her in, and they try to have sex, he can't stick it on cause she has no vagina right? or was she surprised she had one? I was a little confused there
17. "Real rap, this movie is..." In response to Reply # 0
...107 minutes of fucking weird. Pointlessly weird. Mind you, it was gorgeously shot. And Scarlet Johansson was very good in it. But it was just pretntiously, boringly weird. And this is coming from the guy who loves Antonioni films, the cat who loves Terrence Malick's latest stuff. Trust, I'm this movie's intended audience. And as such, I can tell you - it was weird for the sake of being weird.
"Your current frequencies of understanding outweigh that which has been given for you to understand." Saul Williams
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86670 posts
Sat Apr-19-14 06:46 PM
18. "If you thought the movie's choices were pointless..." In response to Reply # 17
... then I'm not sure you were the target audience.
Outside of the abstract opening sequence, I don't think it is weird at all. It's not like this is Holy Motors here-- it doesn't dabble in absurdity. It's an astonishingly simple and straight-forward narrative. There just isn't a lot of dialogue, and it lets you watch instead of telling you.
I can understand people not liking it, or people finding it boring, or people not liking this style of filmmaking. That's all valid. I just take umbrage with the phrase "pointlessly weird." It implies a lack of coherent thought or plotting. I think its choices were insanely deliberate and obviously all had a point.
19. "maybe pointless was the wrong word" In response to Reply # 18
I should have said "repetitively boring." Beautiful shots, you know, when it wasn't just a camera mounted to the dashboard with Scarlet driving; and the same scene over and over again. When it finally did start moving, it didn't move enough. I didn't mind the lack of dialogue, I actually preferred it.
"Your current frequencies of understanding outweigh that which has been given for you to understand." Saul Williams
26. "this is all valid, but i disagree" In response to Reply # 19
it wasn't the same scene each one was slightly different
in the first two encounters were deliberately similar the beach scene seemed to make note of how mission-oriented she was the 3rd encounter in the club was different because the guy sought her out which i guess she thought was intriguing then there were the catcalls which i suppose reinforced that idea and makes her start to wonder about her looks which kind of bubbled over with the lonely elephantiasis guy so she tries to go rogue but realizes she aint us.
28. "spoilers" In response to Reply # 24 Fri May-02-14 06:25 PM by ZooTown74
>Other aliens?
Yes. They were there to make sure she was doing her job. That's why they ended up killing the deformed man after she let him go.
>Was there a reason why she needed to >seduce the men and bring them back to the spot >to add to her collection?
Because that's where her "portal" was set up? And how else would she get them there? Yes, we are easily-enticed by the possibility of sex.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Only losers and herbs believe that OKP = Fun with Words + People's Emotions
>>Other aliens? > >Yes. They were there to make sure she was doing her job. >That's why they ended up killing the deformed man after she >let him go. >
Gotcha. > >>Was there a reason why she needed to >>seduce the men and bring them back to the spot >>to add to her collection? > >Because that's where her "portal" was set up? And how else >would she get them there? Yes, we are easily-enticed by the >possibility of sex. >
Sorry - was 6:30 am. hadn't been to bed yet, tired. Asked the wrong question. You calling it a "portal" answers the question I meant to ask which was what was the reason for bringing them back to the spot?
And yes, sir you are correct - we are easily enticed by just the slightest hint of sexual activity.
31. "It's all good, sorry if that came off harsh. Didn't intend to. nm" In response to Reply # 30
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Only losers and herbs believe that OKP = Fun with Words + People's Emotions
the opening and closing fifteen minutes are enthralling, but I didn't connect much with the in-between. I suppose there’s plenty of points about feminism, sexuality and alienation (*gah* / everybody in the film is a loner) if you'd like to make them, I just never got caught up in that. amazing score and sound effects, though.
35. "RE: I think she saw dude was close to dead..." In response to Reply # 34
>... so instead of luring him into the black goo, she just >knocked his ass out and took him that way. > >Just a guess. I never read the book.
Yeah that's what I figured but this one scene sort of tarnishes the rest of the film because there's cohesiveness and a pattern with the guys she takes home with her. until she meets the disfigured face dude who appears to give her a sense of empathy.
but the surfer dude was doing some super altruistic deed and she just knocks him out for no reason, it just didn't make any sense within the context of the film. iono, i'm probably nitpicking but it seemed like that's a part they really wanted to keep (for the baby and all) and were willing to sacrifice continuity.
I didn't read the book either but a lot of the reviews I read recommended skipping the book entirely in favor of the film.
So I checked out the plot of the source material after seeing the film, and I think I tad bit more explanation on her motivation and what was being done to the victims would've helped tremendously. Perhaps a short creepy shot of the aliens processing the meat, eating it.
That said, this was still an excellent film. Incredible visuals and a moving performance from Scarlett.
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" ... You know, ya'll laugh at the wrong shit ... " -- Eddie Murphy
37. "Yoo this is up there with 'The Skin I'm In'" In response to Reply # 0
Wild Beautifully shot Loved it A+ ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
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