You’re not alone. I’ve read many, many comments to that effect. I had the opposite response—that the film actually DID have something to say, which was so out of character for films in that genre, unlike Hostel, et. al. Martyrs had a purpose beyond the gross-out. It nailed me and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Irreversible did the same thing for me, though I’m still not sure I like that film.
I think what you’ve extrapolated from the flick is totally valid, but I’m still hesitant to say that there really is any kind of thoughtful subtext in Eli Roth’s movies. I like Hostel and Cabin Fever, but to put them in the same class as Martyrs, Inside, or even Hard Candy would be a mistake to me.
I received the book Archives a couple of years ago, which contains essays and other pieces of each of his films, as well as a fantastic photo section (and an actual piece of 2001 film from Kubrick’s private collection). Realizing I’d never seen half his films (and somewhat mortified by this), I then rented each of them starting with The Killers. As I went through this process, I wrote my own thoughts on each of these films. What I discovered over the period of that week was a new found love for the artistry of a man that uses the camera “like a weapon”.
I’m not the biggest fan of Lolita, and I don’t like Spartacus at all (it’s the only one of his films that doesn’t feel like one of his films), but even in his lesser works you can see the genius festering. I think he hit his stride with Paths to Glory and only got better from there. I find it hard to respond to the initial post in this thread without sounding condescending, but if you don’t see the genius of 2001, it’s you, not the film. Spend some more time with it. Read the novel (this is especially helpful in understanding the ending). It’s an amazing tale of Mankind’s hubris, in that the antagonist isn’t HAL, but those who programmed HAL.
Eyes Wide Shut’s genius has taken longer to become accepted, but Kubrick really was working at a level of high art when he died. The string of films from A Clockwork Orange to the end is stunning.
If anyone cares, my essays on each of his films is here: http://www.drinkthink.net/flo/WidescreenMandate_Archival_Index.htm.
Thomas Mann, I think? When I watched Spartacus you can almost feel the pained auteur sulking in the corner and just trying to get the damn thing over with.
Thanks. With the first one I was playing with the amazing color pallet in that film. The idea for the second one came just as I was posting the first and taking another look at that vertical line.
Of course now that I’m home (on a screen with better resolution) I noticed a glaring mistake on the second one. Have to fix that when I get back in tomorrow.
I like the Tropic Thunder cover. Nice rich colors.
The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
Absolutely love this thread. I’ve gotten so addicted to everyone’s fantastic ideas I felt compelled to throw a few in myself.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
And this is the last one with a white background… for now…
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
Actually, I think this one works better.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
Here are a couple for one of the more disturbing movies I’ve seen. Damn, this one really stuck with me.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
I’m not surprised to hear someone hates Martyrs, but I’d love to hear your reasons.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
You’re not alone. I’ve read many, many comments to that effect. I had the opposite response—that the film actually DID have something to say, which was so out of character for films in that genre, unlike Hostel, et. al. Martyrs had a purpose beyond the gross-out. It nailed me and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Irreversible did the same thing for me, though I’m still not sure I like that film.
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5 Favorite Film Entrances - Can anyone beat Arnie's debut in The Terminator? about 4 years ago
There are two great ones in Lawrence of Arabia:
Anthony Quinn … Auda abu Tayi
Omar Sharif … Sherif Ali
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5 Favorite Film Entrances - Can anyone beat Arnie's debut in The Terminator? about 4 years ago
Jessica Rabbit. Nice.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
I think what you’ve extrapolated from the flick is totally valid, but I’m still hesitant to say that there really is any kind of thoughtful subtext in Eli Roth’s movies. I like Hostel and Cabin Fever, but to put them in the same class as Martyrs, Inside, or even Hard Candy would be a mistake to me.
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Where are you from? about 4 years ago
Dallas, and yes I have Austin-envy. But not Fort Worth envy—that place sucks.
My daddy is an architect and works for AFES (i.e., he builds the duty-free stores on Army bases). My kids call him ‘Papa’.
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Last movie you saw and rate it about 4 years ago
Taken – B+
Surprisingly good. Neeson’s a bad ass.
Doubt – B
I thought I liked it but then I wasn’t sure.
Star Trek – B+
Damn fun, flawed.
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You choose the book to make into a film. Then choose the director. Go! about 4 years ago
Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls – Aranofsky
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LET'S TALK FRANKLY ABOUT KUBRICK about 4 years ago
I received the book Archives a couple of years ago, which contains essays and other pieces of each of his films, as well as a fantastic photo section (and an actual piece of 2001 film from Kubrick’s private collection). Realizing I’d never seen half his films (and somewhat mortified by this), I then rented each of them starting with The Killers. As I went through this process, I wrote my own thoughts on each of these films. What I discovered over the period of that week was a new found love for the artistry of a man that uses the camera “like a weapon”.
I’m not the biggest fan of Lolita, and I don’t like Spartacus at all (it’s the only one of his films that doesn’t feel like one of his films), but even in his lesser works you can see the genius festering. I think he hit his stride with Paths to Glory and only got better from there. I find it hard to respond to the initial post in this thread without sounding condescending, but if you don’t see the genius of 2001, it’s you, not the film. Spend some more time with it. Read the novel (this is especially helpful in understanding the ending). It’s an amazing tale of Mankind’s hubris, in that the antagonist isn’t HAL, but those who programmed HAL.
Eyes Wide Shut’s genius has taken longer to become accepted, but Kubrick really was working at a level of high art when he died. The string of films from A Clockwork Orange to the end is stunning.
If anyone cares, my essays on each of his films is here: http://www.drinkthink.net/flo/WidescreenMandate_Archival_Index.htm.
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LET'S TALK FRANKLY ABOUT KUBRICK about 4 years ago
http://www.drinkthink.net/flo/WidescreenMandate_Archival_Index.htm
Hmm. I’ve been able to get to it from a couple of different pcs. Still not working for you?
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LET'S TALK FRANKLY ABOUT KUBRICK about 4 years ago
And I said “The Killers” up above when I meant “Killer’s Kiss”. Seems I had accidentally stuck Kubrick into a John Woo flick. Oops.
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LET'S TALK FRANKLY ABOUT KUBRICK about 4 years ago
And I said “The Killers” up above when I meant “Killer’s Kiss”. Seems I had accidentally stuck Kubrick into a John Woo flick. Oops.
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LET'S TALK FRANKLY ABOUT KUBRICK about 4 years ago
Cool. Love to hear your comments. That site represents exactly one full year of movie blogging. It was fun, and the Kubrick series alone was worth it.
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LET'S TALK FRANKLY ABOUT KUBRICK about 4 years ago
Thomas Mann, I think? When I watched Spartacus you can almost feel the pained auteur sulking in the corner and just trying to get the damn thing over with.
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Recent horror films of note about 4 years ago
Genuinely disturbing: Martyrs. It’s not for everyone, but it’s nailed into my consciousness now.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
Beautiful, Alex K.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
That’s one of my favorites so far, Chris. Did you do any variants?
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
I dig the first Eastern Promises (they’re both good). And thank you for not choosing a close up of his scrotum.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
Very cool.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
Thanks. With the first one I was playing with the amazing color pallet in that film. The idea for the second one came just as I was posting the first and taking another look at that vertical line.
Of course now that I’m home (on a screen with better resolution) I noticed a glaring mistake on the second one. Have to fix that when I get back in tomorrow.
I like the Tropic Thunder cover. Nice rich colors.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
There. Fixed it. My apologies for foisting my ineptitude upon you ;)
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
Damn good stuff. Here’s one close to my heart… or something.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 4 years ago
The Conformist. Wow—so many beautiful images here, tho I admit I’ve never seen it. Shall have to remedy that.
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