Halim Cillov — Notes from the Underground is one of the most important books in literature today. I feel like so-called intellectuals veer towards extentialism without not knowing what it actually entails and encompasses and read books of it that tend to be more obviously written. Notes From the Underground is a wonderful book overwrought with subtleties even though its narrator seems very specific. But it would take years of psychoanalysis and other new-age psychology to really understand him, I think.
Dostoyvesky - I love his short stories like White Night and the aforementioned Notes from The Underground but I LOVED The Idiot and Crime and Punishment, etc)
W. Somset Maugham – If you asked me who my favorite author was, it would be him. He writes very simply but has this incredible quality to convey the most complex undertones of human emotions. A lot of old movies are based on his plots. And his interpretation of “the meaning in life” depicted in “Of Human Bondage” is one of my favorite things ever. And I don’t get why he isn’t spoken of more nowadays.
Oscar Wilde – Got to enjoy my wit. “The Picture of The Dorian Gray” is perfect. Exhilarating beginning and end.
Thoreau and Emerson – I’m really into transcendentalism and Thoreau is my favorite out of the two but Walden is one of the most interesting and inspiring things I’ve ever read.
Nathaniel Hawthorne – I love how spiritual his prose is and how I can really feel each fiber of someone’s emotions. The House of Seven Gables was life-changing for me.
I can’t think of more right now but if I do, I’ll post again. I like to read, obviously, but I tend to be very picky and critical and so it’s hard for me to venture against what I’m comfortable with (which seems to be an underlying theme in most areas of my life, ahaha)
Current:
1. Criminal Minds
2. [ insert reality show that makes over people ]
For me, I’ll literally watch anything (I’m much broader with TV for some reason) but I still think that “All In The Family” and “I Love Lucy” are pretty much TV perfection. Norman Lear and Desilu (which created a lot of top other shows) are just phenomenal.
I feel like that with assessments of current films just because I think that people are judging them too harshly in context with classics or what they consider their most beloved films. I mean, seriously, just because a current movie isn’t the next Tarkovsky or Bergman or doesn’t coincide with your sense of obscurity does not make it a bad film. I think a lot of people forget that when people go to the movie theater, the whole purpose is to be entertained. And so when I rate current films that I just enjoy a lot higher than other people do, sometimes I get that anxiety of other perceptions, asking myself "Will this person think that just because I rated “Rio” 3 stars means I’m easily impressed?" But the problem with that is that everybody has a different sense of rating something. For me, I give 3 stars to anything that I know is kind of mediocre but I liked and if it’s really enjoyable, I’ll give it 4 stars — which may seem generous to another person who rates everything mediocre 2 stars (unless they feel it really sucks and only rate it 1) and who only gives 4’s and 5’s to Tarkovsky and Bergman movies.
But I think that having that “Oh, I like The Hangover” is ESSENTIAL to being a true cinephile because you need to have contrasts to understand what a “wide range of movies” really is and also why not be honest with yourself? There are things that you like just because you like them and I feel like a lot of the problems that these fears or anxieties stem from is that we often as cinephiles think we need justification or explanations for the reasoning behind our love for a certain movie and sometimes our affection for a movie is based on emotions that lack tangibility to other people who haven’t experienced them or felt them.
Motocrossed (2001)
Director: Steve Boyum
Cast: Alana Austin, Riley Smith, Mary-Margaret Humes, Trever O’Brien, Timothy Carhart, Scott Terra, Michael Cunio, Mark Curry, Katherine Ellis, A.J. Buckley
Producer: John W. Hyde, George W. Perkins, Douglas Sloan
Screenwriter: Ann Knapp, Douglas Sloan
Composer: Christopher Brady
Umrao Jaan (1981)
145 minutes.
Director: Muzaffar Ali
Cast: Rekha, Seema Sathyu, Farooq Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Umme Farwa, Shaukat Kaifi, Dina Pathak, Prema Narayan, Gajanan Jagirdar, Raj Babbar, Bharat Bhushan
Producer: Muzaffar Ali
Screenwriter: Muzaffar Ali, Javed Siddiqui, Shama Zaidi
Composer: Khayyam, Shahryar (lyrics)
I also forgot to say that I do feel awkward sometimes on the site because I haven’t watched what’s considered “high art” because even though I tend to have my own obscurities, I’ve always been very impressionable when it comes to TV and movies. Impressionable meaning I’m open to anything and I just take what I’m watching as it’s own definition of art (but a lot of things don’t even go that far – they’re just there for my own enjoyment). And so, I never grew up yearning to watch anything like a Bergman film because honestly I didn’t know who he was until I joined the site! Though I’m glad to know I know who he and a lot of other directors are because I’m sincerely interested in their works now. I’m kinda thankful that I grew up without those influences because books where I had to seek out deeper art, I like that search to be on my own part. And not only that but I feel like I can enjoy it more because I don’t just watch those kinds of movies so it’s stimulating. That’s why I also think contrasts are really important and why all movies should be watched is because you’ll always be provoked in some way or manner if you’re watching something different from what you just watched before. Honestly, the idea of watching JUST go-to cinephile movies makes me feel like I’m conforming to this fear/anxiety that’s similar to “How indie am I?”. And then the sincerity of that impression is lost too.
So, I think that if you haven’t watched what you consider “deeper” movies or you have and you don’t like them, that honestly should be enough. I mean, yes we are all part of this collective base of cinephiles but why make standards and expectations out of each other?
Though I will admit, I’m ALWAYS surprised at other people’s ratings of movies but I’m not changing mine and they’re not going to change theirs, so there’s that!
and exactly, santino! i feel like we’re so wrought with so many expectations, that if we give in to them, it overtakes our personality as a cinephile. i agree with you also — there are some things that i do not pressure myself in because i know what state of mind i’m in and i’m not going to marr an impression just to be able to say “i’ve watched this movie”.
take for example, “wife to be sacrificed”. if you told me a couple of years ago to watch that film, i would have flat out rejected anyone’s urging based on the premise of it alone. i’m not prudeish and i like my taboos but i’ve never been into that kind of stuff . but now i don’t know what it was but i saw it and i could actually watch through it! i thought the sadomasochism had a poetry to it.
i don’t think we really care to conform to others so much that we want to be able to hold discussions and it’s near impossible to have such an unpopular opinion and be able to talk to others. then, you just wind up talking to yourself in blog posts and whatnot.
i like this site a lot and it’s interesting to see other people’s impressions but i guess it just depends on what you value about a site (not even about movies but sites) – do you care about interaction or do you use the site as an organizer? honestly, i use it as the latter. i was surprised when i got a few followers and people talking to me.
and i don’t look down on you santino! to me anyone who just watches “high art” is someone i’m wary of.
and also, “high art” is still SO subjective! so who knows what we’ll be looked down upon for not watching/liking.
thank you so much for this thread! i think i kind of realized further to just use the site for my own needs and forget everything else!
I agree with the fact that your impressions change throughout different stages of maturity and what you’re going through your life so sometimes it’s not even being dishonest to yourself, it’s just a matter of an honest progression. I used to love Anastasia and Mulan as a kid but I’ve literally watched them both too many times to enjoy it so I probably will avoid rewatching them as long as I can.
But I do think we are very capable of liking films that we think we ought to. Admittedly, I get that with old movies – like the American Golden Age of Cinema. Let me tell you when a 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, early 60’s movie is bad, it is so AWKWARD. I think even more-so than any other bad movies I sometimes happen to watch. I generally have the predisposition to like a lot of movies from that age and it’s hard when I don’t like something that my favorite actresses/actors are in. (It still pains me to this day that I think “Breakfast at Tiffany” is so overrated because I’m a HUGE Audrey Hepburn fan. I also didn’t enjoy “Two For The Road”).
For me though, my disappointment and displeasure is very pronounced so it takes a blatant self-lie to convince me of satisfaction I don’t have but I think I have been guilty of lying to myself. I just think I outgrew any lies may have told myself so well that I don’t even remember what movies I gave too much effort towards.
But I know what you mean. Sometimes I look at other people’s ratings and I feel like; “Would you rate this as high if a certain name wasn’t attached to the work?”
Objectivity is hard to achieve within your own subjectivity though.
Music to me is meant to be constantly reassessed by your mind because it warrants more exposure. I would never be able to watch a movie as many times as I’ve listened to a song. To me, music has more flexibility in that it can underscore any situation or aspect of someone’s life and depending on how it’s interpreted, it acts as a great translator for the mind and soul. A movie obviously is more focused on an already existent plot and characters and thus is easier or even more enjoyable to review because even though it can transcend certain impressions, it still has a core that it returns to which centralizes all of its reviews.
Honestly, I always ignore music reviews because there are so many more factors but that aforementioned chameleon-state of music Is I think one of the most important reasons why I don’t pay attention to them. Also, like Greg X was saying, our ears are geared towards certain sounds. I know lots of people who are not used to the nasaly-high quality of Bollywood female singers and it affects the way their mind perceives the songs and so they can’t hear the passion or romance I hear. I tend to think that very subtle songs are incredibly emotive and they’ll make me cry easily but my family is convinced I listen to a lot of mellow music. So if I were to review a song, they probably would disagree with just the adjectives I use!
Whereas with movies, my parents and I can watch classic Bollywood and still enjoy the same values and motifs embedded in it even if we ultimately have different reactions to the character and plot. I feel like music is more individual and that movies are more collective? I mean, why else do you listen to music with headphones and watch movies in theaters?
So writing a review based on a collective activity I think tends to make more of an impact or seemingly so.
Rear Window – I recently just watched this for the first time and I have to say the cynicism of marriage and their perceived differences is done with refreshing intelligence. The argument between Jeffries and Lisa about suitcases is a great representation of a real struggle a lot of couples in the world face. And man, Stella just has about the best perspective on the world — ALL of her lines were so witty and amazing!
Notorious – Gosh, Ingrid Bergman’s character spoke gorgeously whether it was in pessimism or as a romantic! Cary Grant’s dialog also delivered some great responses.
Charade – I thought the first ten minutes was one of the best openers ever and I have it almost memorized.
The Heiress – When the characters share their anger at each other, I think you get one of the most honest scenes of revenge ever. To this day, I still fawn over how raw the characters become in those moments.
Now, Voyager – As a spinster-turned-beauty, Charlotte Vale is probably one of the greatest characters who display vulnerability and the way that she emotionally matures throughout the film - she gives some BEAUTIFUL lines all throughout!
All About Eve – Sharp script. This movie no doubt deserves its status.
Sabrina – I loved that this was Bogie’s softest role. I love when Sabrina and him are on the boat and they talk about bad memories. And I also adore how “La Vie en Rose” and that banana song are reinforced throughout the movie. Also, Lionel and David’s father is HILARIOUS. What’s great about this movie is that the lines change to fit the mood of the scene. They can be incredibly romantic, sad, wistful, witty, etc.
Some Like It Hot – Comedy Classic. In “Billy Wilder Speaks”, Billy Wilder was explaining the “science” behind the movie which was that he created this grand atmosphere of where the situation, dynamics, and characters were already funny. Thus, the script just feeds on that energy and can be taken in any way and still be successful. Billy Wilder also said that he hardly gave any lapses for the audience to rest with their laughter but kept the humor in designated beats. For example, if Tony Curtis’ character was going to say something extraordinary funny, Billy Wilder would make Jack Lemmon wait 5 seconds before saying his line so that the audience wouldn’t be so busy laughing that they would deafen themselves to the next line. I know that’s more of an aspect of directing than the script but that pacing means that the audience is more involved in each line of the script because they can process all of them.
I was also impressed with the King’s Speech. Geoffrey Rushing’s character was very endearing and given the best lines in the movie which really display the range of the movie too!
I have to say that most classic movies have film scores that were recycled (Billy Wilder admitted to being very cheap) and all of those violins late at night scare the crap out of me because I forget how loud they are!
Arrietty had a GORGEOUS musical score which was incredibly complimentary to the movie and really intensified the serenity of the movie.
The Pianist was great because the music had the utmost relevancy to the film but if I remember correctly, a lot of the film seemed to be silent? Which I think actually adds to when there was music — you felt the gratification the character did upon playing and I think that’s nicer with the content matter because bombastic music would make it seem melodramatic when the whole tale of survival in terms of The Pianist is supposed to be more detached, colder, dormant and restless.
Romeo and Juliet (1968) – So appropriate for the era and whatever scenes different variations underscore! Really added to the whole perception of Romeo and Juliet actually being an older tale in Italy.
Revolutionary Girl Utena – Just like the series, the dueling scenes have this amazing operatic-like choir singing and it gives it a very spiritual quality.
I probably think listening to music is more individual because of my own experiences as being the only person in my family who listens to what I do and I notice that when you share music, two people can enjoy it but I’m convinced they hear the song in different ways. Also, music can be listened to while focusing on other things but you can’t be absentminded while watching a film. You need to actually be JUST watching the film where listening to music lets yo do other things. So, if you’re going to be exclusively doing one activity, it makes sense to me that other people would exclusively share in that with you.
I don’t know if explains that point. I don’t think my perception of music undermines its worth. Even though I’m on Last FM, which is a site to discuss music as well as listen to it, I noticed that if I don’t seek people out, they’re not really prone to talking about it. But here, I think that the subject of movies is more of a natural conversation to initiate.
A lot of people to me don’t really seem to describe music in depth nor do they go on about the varied textures of the songs they listen to which to me is akin to discussing a director’s point of view. More emphasis is on decoding the lyrics, which is fine but doesn’t really pique my interest because I know if people agree, then well, you’ve given such a concrete meaning that in my opinion it limits the application of the song and if they don’t agree, it’s annoying to read.
It depends on what your perception of what movies and music are. I usually watch movies by myself but I know that I can still find someone to have a discussion about it afterward. I don’t expect the same out of every song on my iPod.
I don’t know why but I can deal with not liking every movie from a director (but I’ve never purposefully gone for movies for directors before this site. I seemed to be the one who noticed “Oh, all of these are by the same director”. Except in the cases of Billy Wilder and William Wyler). But still, that means my way of choosing movies was based on actors and actresses. If I usually like their performances, I can usually enjoy their characters.
@Jirin
That’s true - what you’ve been conditioned to. If the movie is obscure and doesn’t correlate with a universal base of values or storytelling, it can be hard to connect to. In those cases, I don’t think people should go “Oh, well, I’m never gonna watch that movie”. Just save the thought for another day or year. But honestly watching movies takes time so I don’t blame anyone for not watching a movie that they already know they’re not going to enjoy.
While reading it, I felt kind of bothered it hadn’t been adapted yet. I think that’s one of the most important books I’ve ever read and speaks volumes of black culture which is too overly associated with the “Civil Rights Era” or socioeconomic dynamics. And if done right, would make an AMAZING film.
I always thought Bette Davis was the queen of this. Due to her contracts (which she then later fought), she had to appear in a lot of mediocre films. I’m not a fan of “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” (which seemed to me to be “Ooh, let’s get on the technicolor bandwagon”) but she’s VERY convincing as Elizabeth. I also thought that “A Stolen Life” had a lot of internal problems but Bette Davis was SO GOOOD at distinguishing between the two sisters she was playing. And maybe, it’s just me but I thought “Deception” was just okay but again, Bette Davis can make me want to nominate her an Oscar for anything.
I’m Pakistani but never grew up watching any Pakistani films because they’re not easy to find, I guess? But I always grew up with Bollywood and so I’m incredibly warmed up to Shahrakh Khan and other staple actors/actresses of that genre. It wasn’t until a few ago years ago that I started watching older Bollywood (like 60’s bollywood) and I think that’s because I just started watching it with my parents. So Bollywood has always been close to my heart because it’s something my parents and I will watch together spoken in a language we all grew up with and more emotive of our culture. (What you have to understand about Pakistanis is that we feel a kinship with Bollywood just as Indians do and it’s more like shared property than it being just Indian cinema. The idea of Bollywood being exclusive to Indian culture would insult, I think, any Pakistani.)
@ Mikhael Tarigan, I know how you feel. My dad speaks English as well as anyone else (my mom speaks it decently herself) but they came from traditional families and so they’re awkward with sex (not profanity though! ahaha). But my dad’s only awkward with sex, I think, if the whole family is there. And so for that reason, my dad and I really bond over watching classic, Golden-age cinema because the scripts are really good and crisp and the acting superb, all without the awkwardness of sex-scenes!
My dad and I also tend to bond over war-movies and documentaries. And oh, Clint Eastwood!
But the one thing he’ll watch that I can’t get into are westerns. His favorite is “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly”. That movie, even though I haven’t seen it in its entirety, is the only one I can enjoy (but that’s probably because of Clint Eastwood ;D)
If you’re talking about series, I haven’t ventured very far from the norm (I haven’t been able to watch more series) but I tend to go for 90’s anime which a lot of people seem to think is dated. I love Revolutinary Girl Utena and Yu Yu Hakusho.
Skip Beat makes me extremely emotional knowing that there probably won’t ever be a second season (and where it picks up in the manga is so amazing that it really needs to be continued). Honestly, if you asked me, I would probably say this is my favorite anime. Even my sister who thinks that anime-watching is childish got HOOKED to this and was really upset that there weren’t any more episodes to watch.
Duararara had great moments.
When I finish watching Cowboy Bepop, I will be able to say it’s one of my absolute favorites.
I loved Fruits Basket.
As for movies, I’ve only seen a few. Loved Revolutionary Girl: Adolescence Apocalypse and recently adored Arrietty.
To answer your question, I would have to say a 10 even though I don’t seem to have not watched that much.
As someone who watches dubbed anime from time to time, I don’t think dubbing is a sin but I would never watch an anime dubbed if I had the choice. Meaning, I only watched a series dubbed if I started watching it that way when I was younger. However, nowadays, seeing as most of the anime that is out there isn’t from my childhood, I always go for the subbed.
I watch Bollywood movies subbed even though I can understand Hindi/Urdu. Wanna know why? It’s the same reason I put on closed captioning when I’m watching a movie or a TV show. I want to know EVERYTHING a character says.
For me, subbing is also a great way to link your own native language to the one being spoken.
And also dubbing to me changes all the aspects of the spoken script. It’s like why I can’t enjoy all Dostoyevsky translations and stick with certain publishers.
Also, I’m mortified by this conformity to English. I mean, WTH, how presumptuous to expect dubs. If you’re watching a Japanese movie, deal with it being in Japanese.
I agree with Santino as I think most people will but I understand the point your friend made. It’s kind of what I notice when I’m watching Bollywood movies (I watch with them subs because even though I understand Hindi/Urdu as I grew up with it, there are words I don’t know and I also like to keep it as reference). I always wonder if how it’s translated will give someone the same impression of the line that was given to me when I hear it as someone who understands the connotations of the words.
For example, desi people love to rhyme. Stuff like “Roti shoti” (Roti being a bread that we eat). Shoti doesn’t mean anything – it’s just something rhyme to with roti. Most of the time it’s kind of said in this flippant and casual way and only certain personalities say it which kind of suggests who is ever saying it is either comfortable with whoever they’re speaking to or they’re spirited. But that rhyming can also be used in anger.
I also feel like if you’re not used to the language, your mind conceptualizes it as this kind of run-on sentence of sounds but once you get more familiar with it, you can match the acting to the language. And short of knowing the language, subtitles actually help with that. Especially if the person is saying one word and you see the translation for that word. Then that meaning gets internalized.
I think it’s impractical for any filmmaker to be angry over a matter like that or feel like their wishes aren’t being fulfilled.
However, I do think the qualities of subtitles does matter and certain inclusions or exclusions of grammar and phrasing does matter.
With Hindi/Urdu, the translation is not linear. It’s mostly inverted. Like what would you say first in an English sentence is the end of what you say in Hindi/Urdu. But I don’t know if that’s worth a mention because to me, I still get the same message but for anyone trying to learn either language by watching Bollywood, that’s something to keep in mind. And probably the case for watching other movies in other languages like that.
And I also agree with Santino — I love captions on anything I watch even if its English because sometimes I can’t understand actors or they speak low. (That and I don’t want to miss any word from the script) Which is why I’ve always loved Jack Lemmon,. Perfect enunciation every time!!
^ House of Leaves, that is so true. My little brother will sometimes see that I’m watching something with subs (this will be something spoken in another language) and he’ll distractingly read all of the translated dialog. LOL.
And my post was before your clarification, Jazz but I still think it reigns true. But I’m not sure if you mean captions or subtitles in another language. My dad doesn’t like captions which bothers me because I’ll notice they’re turned off and have to turn them back on. I think for him, it’s sensory overload or they cover the screen?
But for me, I like having captions and subtitles. Even though I grew up with the language, I honestly don’t speak it so my fluency isn’t a 100 percent. I probably don’t really need them to understand what’s going in a movie but honestly, not everyone speaks Urdu like my parents. Meaning for every actor in the movie, my ears have to adjust to their pronunciations and emphases. Seeing as I can’t read Urdu or Hindi, the fact that the English subs are there makes me feel better.
For English-movies, I love the Mid-Atlantic accent. So crisp and easy to listen to understand that makes not having it not seem like the worst thing in the world.
Sorry for the double post but I meant to say that I think of captions as more so subtitles for your own language and subtitles for other languages being heard. But that’s my own distinction.
@ Jazz
I probably would. I don’t think you can ever know every single word in a language. It’s the same reason why I use captions in English. I like to think I’m well-read and have a good vocabulary but then I hear occasionally a word I’ve never heard before and I’m like, “Glad to know I have captions to first SEE what the word is so I can tuck it in my mind and also have an idea how to spell it.” And then of course I know its context too.
Who do you read? almost 2 years ago
Halim Cillov — Notes from the Underground is one of the most important books in literature today. I feel like so-called intellectuals veer towards extentialism without not knowing what it actually entails and encompasses and read books of it that tend to be more obviously written. Notes From the Underground is a wonderful book overwrought with subtleties even though its narrator seems very specific. But it would take years of psychoanalysis and other new-age psychology to really understand him, I think.
Dostoyvesky
-I love his short stories like White Night and the aforementioned Notes from The Underground but I LOVED The Idiot and Crime and Punishment, etc)W. Somset Maugham – If you asked me who my favorite author was, it would be him. He writes very simply but has this incredible quality to convey the most complex undertones of human emotions. A lot of old movies are based on his plots. And his interpretation of “the meaning in life” depicted in “Of Human Bondage” is one of my favorite things ever. And I don’t get why he isn’t spoken of more nowadays.
Oscar Wilde – Got to enjoy my wit. “The Picture of The Dorian Gray” is perfect. Exhilarating beginning and end.
Thoreau and Emerson – I’m really into transcendentalism and Thoreau is my favorite out of the two but Walden is one of the most interesting and inspiring things I’ve ever read.
Nathaniel Hawthorne – I love how spiritual his prose is and how I can really feel each fiber of someone’s emotions. The House of Seven Gables was life-changing for me.
I can’t think of more right now but if I do, I’ll post again. I like to read, obviously, but I tend to be very picky and critical and so it’s hard for me to venture against what I’m comfortable with (which seems to be an underlying theme in most areas of my life, ahaha)
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Top 10 TV Shows of all time almost 2 years ago
Oldies:
1. All In The Family.
2. I Love Lucy.
3. Golden Girls
90’s Nostalgia:
1. Hey Arnold!
2.Rugrats.
Anime:
1. Skip Beat.
2. Cowboy Bepop.
3. Yu Yu Hakusho
Current:
1. Criminal Minds
2. [ insert reality show that makes over people ]
For me, I’ll literally watch anything (I’m much broader with TV for some reason) but I still think that “All In The Family” and “I Love Lucy” are pretty much TV perfection. Norman Lear and Desilu (which created a lot of top other shows) are just phenomenal.
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The Auteurs Film & Cast Member Database almost 2 years ago
Image for WAQT (http://mubi.com/films/waqt)
Image for WATERMARKS:
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The Auteurs Film & Cast Member Database almost 2 years ago
^ sorry, i posted that before realizing i hadn’t given the link for watermarks which is: http://mubi.com/films/watermarks
Images for NIKAAH (http://mubi.com/films/nikaah):
Image for Hum Tum (http://mubi.com/films/hum-tum):
Image for None But The Lonely Heart(http://mubi.com/films/none-but-the-lonely-heart)
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The Auteurs Film & Cast Member Database almost 2 years ago
Image for Bagban(http://mubi.com/films/baghban):
Image for Cinderella Three: A Twist in Time(http://mubi.com/films/cinderella-iii-a-twist-in-time):
Image for Critic’s Choice (http://mubi.com/films/critics-choice):
Image for Fida(http://mubi.com/films/fida):
Image for Koi Mil Gaya (http://mubi.com/films/koi-mil-gaya):
Image for Kyon Ki (http://mubi.com/films/kyon-ki):
Image for Masti (http://mubi.com/films/masti):
Image for Taal (http://mubi.com/films/taal):
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Fear and Film Appreciation almost 2 years ago
I feel like that with assessments of current films just because I think that people are judging them too harshly in context with classics or what they consider their most beloved films. I mean, seriously, just because a current movie isn’t the next Tarkovsky or Bergman or doesn’t coincide with your sense of obscurity does not make it a bad film. I think a lot of people forget that when people go to the movie theater, the whole purpose is to be entertained. And so when I rate current films that I just enjoy a lot higher than other people do, sometimes I get that anxiety of other perceptions, asking myself "Will this person think that just because I rated “Rio” 3 stars means I’m easily impressed?" But the problem with that is that everybody has a different sense of rating something. For me, I give 3 stars to anything that I know is kind of mediocre but I liked and if it’s really enjoyable, I’ll give it 4 stars — which may seem generous to another person who rates everything mediocre 2 stars (unless they feel it really sucks and only rate it 1) and who only gives 4’s and 5’s to Tarkovsky and Bergman movies.
But I think that having that “Oh, I like The Hangover” is ESSENTIAL to being a true cinephile because you need to have contrasts to understand what a “wide range of movies” really is and also why not be honest with yourself? There are things that you like just because you like them and I feel like a lot of the problems that these fears or anxieties stem from is that we often as cinephiles think we need justification or explanations for the reasoning behind our love for a certain movie and sometimes our affection for a movie is based on emotions that lack tangibility to other people who haven’t experienced them or felt them.
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Film Database Submission August 2011 almost 2 years ago
Motocrossed (2001)
Director: Steve Boyum
Cast: Alana Austin, Riley Smith, Mary-Margaret Humes, Trever O’Brien, Timothy Carhart, Scott Terra, Michael Cunio, Mark Curry, Katherine Ellis, A.J. Buckley
Producer: John W. Hyde, George W. Perkins, Douglas Sloan
Screenwriter: Ann Knapp, Douglas Sloan
Composer: Christopher Brady
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Film Database Submission August 2011 almost 2 years ago
Karmayogi (1978) 155 minutes
Director: Ram Maheshwari (as Ram Maheshwary)
Cast: Mala Sinha, Raaj Kumar, Jeetendra, Rekha, Reena Roy, Ajit, Sudhir Dalvi
Producer: Anil Suri
Screenwriter: Binoy Chatterjee, (as Benoy Chatterjee), Ela Maheshwary, C.J. Pavri, Sagar Sarhadi
Composer: Anandji Veerji Shah (as Anandji), Kalyanji Veerji Shah (as Kalyanji)
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Film Database Submission August 2011 almost 2 years ago
Umrao Jaan (1981)
145 minutes.
Director: Muzaffar Ali
Cast: Rekha, Seema Sathyu, Farooq Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Umme Farwa, Shaukat Kaifi, Dina Pathak, Prema Narayan, Gajanan Jagirdar, Raj Babbar, Bharat Bhushan
Producer: Muzaffar Ali
Screenwriter: Muzaffar Ali, Javed Siddiqui, Shama Zaidi
Composer: Khayyam, Shahryar (lyrics)
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Fear and Film Appreciation almost 2 years ago
And “The Hangover” is just an example.
I also forgot to say that I do feel awkward sometimes on the site because I haven’t watched what’s considered “high art” because even though I tend to have my own obscurities, I’ve always been very impressionable when it comes to TV and movies. Impressionable meaning I’m open to anything and I just take what I’m watching as it’s own definition of art (but a lot of things don’t even go that far – they’re just there for my own enjoyment). And so, I never grew up yearning to watch anything like a Bergman film because honestly I didn’t know who he was until I joined the site! Though I’m glad to know I know who he and a lot of other directors are because I’m sincerely interested in their works now. I’m kinda thankful that I grew up without those influences because books where I had to seek out deeper art, I like that search to be on my own part. And not only that but I feel like I can enjoy it more because I don’t just watch those kinds of movies so it’s stimulating. That’s why I also think contrasts are really important and why all movies should be watched is because you’ll always be provoked in some way or manner if you’re watching something different from what you just watched before. Honestly, the idea of watching JUST go-to cinephile movies makes me feel like I’m conforming to this fear/anxiety that’s similar to “How indie am I?”. And then the sincerity of that impression is lost too.
So, I think that if you haven’t watched what you consider “deeper” movies or you have and you don’t like them, that honestly should be enough. I mean, yes we are all part of this collective base of cinephiles but why make standards and expectations out of each other?
Though I will admit, I’m ALWAYS surprised at other people’s ratings of movies but I’m not changing mine and they’re not going to change theirs, so there’s that!
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Fear and Film Appreciation almost 2 years ago
*like books
and exactly, santino! i feel like we’re so wrought with so many expectations, that if we give in to them, it overtakes our personality as a cinephile. i agree with you also — there are some things that i do not pressure myself in because i know what state of mind i’m in and i’m not going to marr an impression just to be able to say “i’ve watched this movie”.
take for example, “wife to be sacrificed”. if you told me a couple of years ago to watch that film, i would have flat out rejected anyone’s urging based on the premise of it alone. i’m not prudeish and i like my taboos but i’ve never been into that kind of stuff . but now i don’t know what it was but i saw it and i could actually watch through it! i thought the sadomasochism had a poetry to it.
i don’t think we really care to conform to others so much that we want to be able to hold discussions and it’s near impossible to have such an unpopular opinion and be able to talk to others. then, you just wind up talking to yourself in blog posts and whatnot.
i like this site a lot and it’s interesting to see other people’s impressions but i guess it just depends on what you value about a site (not even about movies but sites) – do you care about interaction or do you use the site as an organizer? honestly, i use it as the latter. i was surprised when i got a few followers and people talking to me.
and i don’t look down on you santino! to me anyone who just watches “high art” is someone i’m wary of.
and also, “high art” is still SO subjective! so who knows what we’ll be looked down upon for not watching/liking.
thank you so much for this thread! i think i kind of realized further to just use the site for my own needs and forget everything else!
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Dishonest responses to films almost 2 years ago
I agree with the fact that your impressions change throughout different stages of maturity and what you’re going through your life so sometimes it’s not even being dishonest to yourself, it’s just a matter of an honest progression. I used to love Anastasia and Mulan as a kid but I’ve literally watched them both too many times to enjoy it so I probably will avoid rewatching them as long as I can.
But I do think we are very capable of liking films that we think we ought to. Admittedly, I get that with old movies – like the American Golden Age of Cinema. Let me tell you when a 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, early 60’s movie is bad, it is so AWKWARD. I think even more-so than any other bad movies I sometimes happen to watch. I generally have the predisposition to like a lot of movies from that age and it’s hard when I don’t like something that my favorite actresses/actors are in. (It still pains me to this day that I think “Breakfast at Tiffany” is so overrated because I’m a HUGE Audrey Hepburn fan. I also didn’t enjoy “Two For The Road”).
For me though, my disappointment and displeasure is very pronounced so it takes a blatant self-lie to convince me of satisfaction I don’t have but I think I have been guilty of lying to myself. I just think I outgrew any lies may have told myself so well that I don’t even remember what movies I gave too much effort towards.
But I know what you mean. Sometimes I look at other people’s ratings and I feel like; “Would you rate this as high if a certain name wasn’t attached to the work?”
Objectivity is hard to achieve within your own subjectivity though.
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What film scene is in your head today? almost 2 years ago
Honestly, I can’t get this entire scene out of my head:
Apparently, it was unscripted on Brittany Murphy’s part to start singing like that.
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Movie Reviews vs. Music Reviews almost 2 years ago
Music to me is meant to be constantly reassessed by your mind because it warrants more exposure. I would never be able to watch a movie as many times as I’ve listened to a song. To me, music has more flexibility in that it can underscore any situation or aspect of someone’s life and depending on how it’s interpreted, it acts as a great translator for the mind and soul. A movie obviously is more focused on an already existent plot and characters and thus is easier or even more enjoyable to review because even though it can transcend certain impressions, it still has a core that it returns to which centralizes all of its reviews.
Honestly, I always ignore music reviews because there are so many more factors but that aforementioned chameleon-state of music Is I think one of the most important reasons why I don’t pay attention to them. Also, like Greg X was saying, our ears are geared towards certain sounds. I know lots of people who are not used to the nasaly-high quality of Bollywood female singers and it affects the way their mind perceives the songs and so they can’t hear the passion or romance I hear. I tend to think that very subtle songs are incredibly emotive and they’ll make me cry easily but my family is convinced I listen to a lot of mellow music. So if I were to review a song, they probably would disagree with just the adjectives I use!
Whereas with movies, my parents and I can watch classic Bollywood and still enjoy the same values and motifs embedded in it even if we ultimately have different reactions to the character and plot. I feel like music is more individual and that movies are more collective? I mean, why else do you listen to music with headphones and watch movies in theaters?
So writing a review based on a collective activity I think tends to make more of an impact or seemingly so.
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The Most Involving and Gripping Script You Ever Encountered In A Movie almost 2 years ago
Great prompt! I’ve always been dialog-centric.
Rear Window – I recently just watched this for the first time and I have to say the cynicism of marriage and their perceived differences is done with refreshing intelligence. The argument between Jeffries and Lisa about suitcases is a great representation of a real struggle a lot of couples in the world face. And man, Stella just has about the best perspective on the world — ALL of her lines were so witty and amazing!
Notorious – Gosh, Ingrid Bergman’s character spoke gorgeously whether it was in pessimism or as a romantic! Cary Grant’s dialog also delivered some great responses.
Charade – I thought the first ten minutes was one of the best openers ever and I have it almost memorized.
The Heiress – When the characters share their anger at each other, I think you get one of the most honest scenes of revenge ever. To this day, I still fawn over how raw the characters become in those moments.
Now, Voyager – As a spinster-turned-beauty, Charlotte Vale is probably one of the greatest characters who display vulnerability and the way that she emotionally matures throughout the film
-she gives some BEAUTIFUL lines all throughout!All About Eve – Sharp script. This movie no doubt deserves its status.
Sabrina – I loved that this was Bogie’s softest role. I love when Sabrina and him are on the boat and they talk about bad memories. And I also adore how “La Vie en Rose” and that banana song are reinforced throughout the movie. Also, Lionel and David’s father is HILARIOUS. What’s great about this movie is that the lines change to fit the mood of the scene. They can be incredibly romantic, sad, wistful, witty, etc.
Some Like It Hot – Comedy Classic. In “Billy Wilder Speaks”, Billy Wilder was explaining the “science” behind the movie which was that he created this grand atmosphere of where the situation, dynamics, and characters were already funny. Thus, the script just feeds on that energy and can be taken in any way and still be successful. Billy Wilder also said that he hardly gave any lapses for the audience to rest with their laughter but kept the humor in designated beats. For example, if Tony Curtis’ character was going to say something extraordinary funny, Billy Wilder would make Jack Lemmon wait 5 seconds before saying his line so that the audience wouldn’t be so busy laughing that they would deafen themselves to the next line. I know that’s more of an aspect of directing than the script but that pacing means that the audience is more involved in each line of the script because they can process all of them.
I was also impressed with the King’s Speech. Geoffrey Rushing’s character was very endearing and given the best lines in the movie which really display the range of the movie too!
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greatest film scores that actually work almost 2 years ago
I have to say that most classic movies have film scores that were recycled (Billy Wilder admitted to being very cheap) and all of those violins late at night scare the crap out of me because I forget how loud they are!
Arrietty had a GORGEOUS musical score which was incredibly complimentary to the movie and really intensified the serenity of the movie.
The Pianist was great because the music had the utmost relevancy to the film but if I remember correctly, a lot of the film seemed to be silent? Which I think actually adds to when there was music — you felt the gratification the character did upon playing and I think that’s nicer with the content matter because bombastic music would make it seem melodramatic when the whole tale of survival in terms of The Pianist is supposed to be more detached, colder, dormant and restless.
Romeo and Juliet (1968) – So appropriate for the era and whatever scenes different variations underscore! Really added to the whole perception of Romeo and Juliet actually being an older tale in Italy.
Revolutionary Girl Utena – Just like the series, the dueling scenes have this amazing operatic-like choir singing and it gives it a very spiritual quality.
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Movie Reviews vs. Music Reviews almost 2 years ago
I probably think listening to music is more individual because of my own experiences as being the only person in my family who listens to what I do and I notice that when you share music, two people can enjoy it but I’m convinced they hear the song in different ways. Also, music can be listened to while focusing on other things but you can’t be absentminded while watching a film. You need to actually be JUST watching the film where listening to music lets yo do other things. So, if you’re going to be exclusively doing one activity, it makes sense to me that other people would exclusively share in that with you.
I don’t know if explains that point. I don’t think my perception of music undermines its worth. Even though I’m on Last FM, which is a site to discuss music as well as listen to it, I noticed that if I don’t seek people out, they’re not really prone to talking about it. But here, I think that the subject of movies is more of a natural conversation to initiate.
A lot of people to me don’t really seem to describe music in depth nor do they go on about the varied textures of the songs they listen to which to me is akin to discussing a director’s point of view. More emphasis is on decoding the lyrics, which is fine but doesn’t really pique my interest because I know if people agree, then well, you’ve given such a concrete meaning that in my opinion it limits the application of the song and if they don’t agree, it’s annoying to read.
It depends on what your perception of what movies and music are. I usually watch movies by myself but I know that I can still find someone to have a discussion about it afterward. I don’t expect the same out of every song on my iPod.
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Dishonest responses to films almost 2 years ago
@Jazzaloha
I don’t know why but I can deal with not liking every movie from a director (but I’ve never purposefully gone for movies for directors before this site. I seemed to be the one who noticed “Oh, all of these are by the same director”. Except in the cases of Billy Wilder and William Wyler). But still, that means my way of choosing movies was based on actors and actresses. If I usually like their performances, I can usually enjoy their characters.
@Jirin
That’s true
-what you’ve been conditioned to. If the movie is obscure and doesn’t correlate with a universal base of values or storytelling, it can be hard to connect to. In those cases, I don’t think people should go “Oh, well, I’m never gonna watch that movie”. Just save the thought for another day or year. But honestly watching movies takes time so I don’t blame anyone for not watching a movie that they already know they’re not going to enjoy.Go to Comment
comedic actors doing dramatic films almost 2 years ago
Marilyn Monroe in “Don’t Bother To Knock” and “Niagara”? The films aren’t that great but they’re worth watching for her performances.
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books that should be made into a film almost 2 years ago
^ totally agree.
While reading it, I felt kind of bothered it hadn’t been adapted yet. I think that’s one of the most important books I’ve ever read and speaks volumes of black culture which is too overly associated with the “Civil Rights Era” or socioeconomic dynamics. And if done right, would make an AMAZING film.
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Stellar performances in mediocre (or bad) movies almost 2 years ago
I always thought Bette Davis was the queen of this. Due to her contracts (which she then later fought), she had to appear in a lot of mediocre films. I’m not a fan of “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” (which seemed to me to be “Ooh, let’s get on the technicolor bandwagon”) but she’s VERY convincing as Elizabeth. I also thought that “A Stolen Life” had a lot of internal problems but Bette Davis was SO GOOOD at distinguishing between the two sisters she was playing. And maybe, it’s just me but I thought “Deception” was just okay but again, Bette Davis can make me want to nominate her an Oscar for anything.
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Movies your parents like almost 2 years ago
I’m Pakistani but never grew up watching any Pakistani films because they’re not easy to find, I guess? But I always grew up with Bollywood and so I’m incredibly warmed up to Shahrakh Khan and other staple actors/actresses of that genre. It wasn’t until a few ago years ago that I started watching older Bollywood (like 60’s bollywood) and I think that’s because I just started watching it with my parents. So Bollywood has always been close to my heart because it’s something my parents and I will watch together spoken in a language we all grew up with and more emotive of our culture. (What you have to understand about Pakistanis is that we feel a kinship with Bollywood just as Indians do and it’s more like shared property than it being just Indian cinema. The idea of Bollywood being exclusive to Indian culture would insult, I think, any Pakistani.)
@ Mikhael Tarigan, I know how you feel. My dad speaks English as well as anyone else (my mom speaks it decently herself) but they came from traditional families and so they’re awkward with sex (not profanity though! ahaha). But my dad’s only awkward with sex, I think, if the whole family is there. And so for that reason, my dad and I really bond over watching classic, Golden-age cinema because the scripts are really good and crisp and the acting superb, all without the awkwardness of sex-scenes!
My dad and I also tend to bond over war-movies and documentaries. And oh, Clint Eastwood!
But the one thing he’ll watch that I can’t get into are westerns. His favorite is “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly”. That movie, even though I haven’t seen it in its entirety, is the only one I can enjoy (but that’s probably because of Clint Eastwood ;D)
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Most depressing film you have ever seen? almost 2 years ago
Mother India.
Seriously, NOTHING good happens to anyone in that movie. But I just think the fact that it’s so long prolongs how depressed you feel.
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Most Hated Actor and Actress almost 2 years ago
Zooey Deschanel.
Natalie Portman.
I would explain this but I’ve only had one person agree with me in my life. D:
But I really hate seeing them in anything.
Still, they’re not the worst actors I’ve ever seen but the accolades do not match the talent (or lack of it).
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Anime....what's your obsession level? almost 2 years ago
If you’re talking about series, I haven’t ventured very far from the norm (I haven’t been able to watch more series) but I tend to go for 90’s anime which a lot of people seem to think is dated. I love Revolutinary Girl Utena and Yu Yu Hakusho.
Skip Beat makes me extremely emotional knowing that there probably won’t ever be a second season (and where it picks up in the manga is so amazing that it really needs to be continued). Honestly, if you asked me, I would probably say this is my favorite anime. Even my sister who thinks that anime-watching is childish got HOOKED to this and was really upset that there weren’t any more episodes to watch.
Duararara had great moments.
When I finish watching Cowboy Bepop, I will be able to say it’s one of my absolute favorites.
I loved Fruits Basket.
As for movies, I’ve only seen a few. Loved Revolutionary Girl: Adolescence Apocalypse and recently adored Arrietty.
To answer your question, I would have to say a 10 even though I don’t seem to have not watched that much.
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Foreign Laguage Films: Subtitles or Overdubbing almost 2 years ago
As someone who watches dubbed anime from time to time, I don’t think dubbing is a sin but I would never watch an anime dubbed if I had the choice. Meaning, I only watched a series dubbed if I started watching it that way when I was younger. However, nowadays, seeing as most of the anime that is out there isn’t from my childhood, I always go for the subbed.
I watch Bollywood movies subbed even though I can understand Hindi/Urdu. Wanna know why? It’s the same reason I put on closed captioning when I’m watching a movie or a TV show. I want to know EVERYTHING a character says.
For me, subbing is also a great way to link your own native language to the one being spoken.
And also dubbing to me changes all the aspects of the spoken script. It’s like why I can’t enjoy all Dostoyevsky translations and stick with certain publishers.
Also, I’m mortified by this conformity to English. I mean, WTH, how presumptuous to expect dubs. If you’re watching a Japanese movie, deal with it being in Japanese.
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Using Subtitles for Films In Your Native Language--Would This Make the Director Unhappy? almost 2 years ago
I agree with Santino as I think most people will but I understand the point your friend made. It’s kind of what I notice when I’m watching Bollywood movies (I watch with them subs because even though I understand Hindi/Urdu as I grew up with it, there are words I don’t know and I also like to keep it as reference). I always wonder if how it’s translated will give someone the same impression of the line that was given to me when I hear it as someone who understands the connotations of the words.
For example, desi people love to rhyme. Stuff like “Roti shoti” (Roti being a bread that we eat). Shoti doesn’t mean anything – it’s just something rhyme to with roti. Most of the time it’s kind of said in this flippant and casual way and only certain personalities say it which kind of suggests who is ever saying it is either comfortable with whoever they’re speaking to or they’re spirited. But that rhyming can also be used in anger.
I also feel like if you’re not used to the language, your mind conceptualizes it as this kind of run-on sentence of sounds but once you get more familiar with it, you can match the acting to the language. And short of knowing the language, subtitles actually help with that. Especially if the person is saying one word and you see the translation for that word. Then that meaning gets internalized.
I think it’s impractical for any filmmaker to be angry over a matter like that or feel like their wishes aren’t being fulfilled.
However, I do think the qualities of subtitles does matter and certain inclusions or exclusions of grammar and phrasing does matter.
With Hindi/Urdu, the translation is not linear. It’s mostly inverted. Like what would you say first in an English sentence is the end of what you say in Hindi/Urdu. But I don’t know if that’s worth a mention because to me, I still get the same message but for anyone trying to learn either language by watching Bollywood, that’s something to keep in mind. And probably the case for watching other movies in other languages like that.
And I also agree with Santino — I love captions on anything I watch even if its English because sometimes I can’t understand actors or they speak low. (That and I don’t want to miss any word from the script) Which is why I’ve always loved Jack Lemmon,. Perfect enunciation every time!!
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Using Subtitles for Films In Your Native Language--Would This Make the Director Unhappy? almost 2 years ago
^ House of Leaves, that is so true. My little brother will sometimes see that I’m watching something with subs (this will be something spoken in another language) and he’ll distractingly read all of the translated dialog. LOL.
And my post was before your clarification, Jazz but I still think it reigns true. But I’m not sure if you mean captions or subtitles in another language. My dad doesn’t like captions which bothers me because I’ll notice they’re turned off and have to turn them back on. I think for him, it’s sensory overload or they cover the screen?
But for me, I like having captions and subtitles. Even though I grew up with the language, I honestly don’t speak it so my fluency isn’t a 100 percent. I probably don’t really need them to understand what’s going in a movie but honestly, not everyone speaks Urdu like my parents. Meaning for every actor in the movie, my ears have to adjust to their pronunciations and emphases. Seeing as I can’t read Urdu or Hindi, the fact that the English subs are there makes me feel better.
For English-movies, I love the Mid-Atlantic accent. So crisp and easy to listen to understand that makes not having it not seem like the worst thing in the world.
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Using Subtitles for Films In Your Native Language--Would This Make the Director Unhappy? almost 2 years ago
Sorry for the double post but I meant to say that I think of captions as more so subtitles for your own language and subtitles for other languages being heard. But that’s my own distinction.
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Using Subtitles for Films In Your Native Language--Would This Make the Director Unhappy? almost 2 years ago
@ Jazz
I probably would. I don’t think you can ever know every single word in a language. It’s the same reason why I use captions in English. I like to think I’m well-read and have a good vocabulary but then I hear occasionally a word I’ve never heard before and I’m like, “Glad to know I have captions to first SEE what the word is so I can tuck it in my mind and also have an idea how to spell it.” And then of course I know its context too.
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