...
Only on the second one, and run out of space... Anyway:
Seven Sisters (What Happened to Monday, 2017)
In the world of tomorrow having more than one child is illegal. If you do, the government of Europe(?), with Glenn Close at the helm (who BTW, why was she American?), will take that child and freeze it for when the world isn't so overpopulated. So of course Billy Dafoe's daughter only goes and has SEVEN twins. He raises them in secret and gives each one a day of the week in which they can go out as if they are all the same person. Anyway, stuff happens, the government tries to "covertly" kill them all (I put covertly in quotes because they very publicly try to kill them...) a shoking (for the characters) revelation is made, and then another one, blah blah, they bring down Close, boom! half-happy ending. Sooo this one started almost promising with the premise. Some interesting stuff to explore regarding identity and the more pressing issue of overpopulation and all that. But then this turned into an action movie, and not a particularly interesting one. I still don't know where it was supposed to take place, Anywhere Europe is my best guess. Accents all over the place too. The performances were meh. Noomi Rapace did a decent job at playing seven characters, still not as good as Tatiana Maslany though (she of Orphan Black). Did not like it overall.
The Shape of Water (2017)
I think we all know about this one by now. Lady falls in love with a Fishman. I liked the look of it. It was beautiful. I liked the premise, a fairytale turned on its head. We need more weirdness in cinema. We also need audiences that aren't made of complete morons who'll go "She did what with the Fishman?! Gross!". Speaking of the Fishman, great practical make-up (or whatever you called that). The suit was good is what I mean. The performances were great as well (yes, even Michael Shannon with his over-the-topness, which, if you've seen a Del Toro film before, he was doing exactly what he was supposed to). The problem is, as much as I liked these individual elements of it, it just felt a little... underwhelming. I also have a bit of a problem with filmmakers trying to emulate other filmmakers or genres. Because when I watch that film, it doesn't feel like a _proper_ film, if that makes sense. I can't get emersed into it. Anyway, I'm glad The Shape of Water exists regardless of that. It's a film that dares to take chances and to be different. I can't be mad at a lady falling in love with a Fishman.
reply
share
godewey (16472)
7 years ago
I agree with most of your points regarding Shape of Water.
I thought it was beautiful and somewhat breathtaking.
The story was secondary to me. It was beautifully crafted.
What you said about Shannon is exactly what I said on the movie board.
I get what you're saying about filmmakers emulating different genres and I agree to a point.
I'm sure my history has a lot to do with this. I grew up on these films so I appreciated it in a different
way perhaps.
We can't fault directors who want to make a film that takes place in a different era.
I also think all filmmakers emulate other filmmakers at some point.
After all , they had to learn from something.
What do you want ....More Nolan??????
reply
share
MinaVladimir (4086)
7 years ago
I took one peek at the movie board and ran for the hills...
I don't always find it problematic (the emulation). Sometimes I enjoy it. But it's a fine line that needs to be walked IMO. I can't really put it into words properly, but I'm going to try anyway lol. Some movies I watch and even if what's going on on screen is ridiculous and unrealistic, it fells like that world is real, in a way that I can forget I'm watching a movie (to a realistic extent). With something like TSoW, I feel like it draws too much attention to the fact that it is a movie, to a point where I can't get lost in it. It feels like a movie, trying to be a movie, instead of just being (make sense?). I don't enjoy that in this case. And it's a very subjective thing. I still wonder at and appreciate all the craftsmanship and love that went into it.
And I agree, all filmmakers do this, to a certain extent. Some over do it a bit (like Tarantino, but that's another rant for a different day).
BTW, I never faulted anyone for wanting to make a film that takes place in a different era... Where did you get that impression?
Oh, yes, more Nolan, please! *sarcasm*
reply
share
godewey (16472)
7 years ago
Very smart to have run for the hills.
I get what you're saying. I do agree with it.
There were a few times in this movie that I became immersed in it.
I didn't mean you specifically I meant people in general.
Sarcasm ??? Well I never.......
reply
share