Subj : Re: A History of Violence: My No-Thoughts Review To : alt.tv.farscape From : RR Date : Sun Oct 02 2005 23:56:51 From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape Tyler Trafford wrote: >>>> Here's my [plagiarized] reviw: >>>> >>>> OH.MY.GOD.THAT.FUCKING.ROCKED. >>>> >>>> Seriously though, it does. Unfortuantely, to talk about it at this >>>> point in any detail does a huge disservice to anyone who has not >>>> seen it. >>>> >>>> So I recommend it more highly than anything else I've seen so far >>>> this year (granted, the competition for that honor isn't all that >>>> fierce). >>>> >>> >>> I've just looked at the IMDB reviews, they way they talk about it >>> the film seems to have an old school western feel to the basic >>> plot, say Shane for instance. >> >> I can kinda-sorta-see-that-maybe. >> >> But really, no. >> >> I'm a Cronenberg freak. His last two films ("eXistenZ" & "Spider") >> were less than up-to-par. I have been - for the past year or so - >> expecting this film to follow suit. I was beginning to feel that >> maybe he was one of those directors who had kinda lost it. >> >> Then the reviews for AHOV started trickling out and they were >> positive across the board, which I don't believe a Cronenberg film >> has had since probably "Dead Ringers" or "The Fly". >> >> AHOV is Cronenberg exploring many of his usual themes while also >> daring to tackle a few new ones, but most importantly it's very >> likely his most accessible film to date, but at the same time it >> doesn't feel in the least bit sanitized or designed for the masses. >> >> It's rare that I assign the term "genius" to a film and even rarer >> that I do it within days of the seeing a film, after only one >> viewing. But as I sit here typing, I have no problem using that word >> to describe AHOV. A better word may even be "flawless", which >> frankly is a far bigger compliment. Its exploration of humanity's >> most primal urges is a huge part of its accessibility, because >> reason (which strangely is the opposite of said urges) dictates that >> such instincts reside in all of us. >> >> It will perhaps be viewed as an unsettling film for some, but it's >> hard for me to believe that anybody would deny that it is >> outstanding filmmaking. Personally I was too excited by it to be >> unsettled. It's a perfect filmic blend of message and commerce. It's >> tight; the running time is 96 min. and not a scene or line is wasted >> or unimportant. It's far and away Viggo Mortenson's (sp?) best >> performance ever. Come Oscars, if he doesn't get a nom for Best >> Actor (if not a win) there is no justice, and it should get Best Pic >> & Adapted Screenplay noms as well. >> >> I'm always fearful of overselling movies, but in this case I'm not >> even certain that's possible. > > I liked eXistenZ, not great but good. I don't think I've seen > anything else by him. Oh wait, I saw Crash as well. > > *imdb* > > Ah, he did Naked Lunch too? Awesome. eXistenZ wasn't terrible, but watching it I couldn't get past the feeling that it was Cronenberg aping some of his earlier work (Videodrome, Scanners), only it wasn't as good and didn't have the passion of those films. His early stuff is great, but he's matured so much as a filmmaker since then, that working in the same kind of areas seems somewhat beneath him and redundant. "Crash" is an outstanding piece of work, but it's the opposite of AHOV from a viewing standpoint. It appeals to a select few and its ideas are so narrow (even to the point where you question that people like this could even exist) that's it simply an off-putting film for most. I *swear* by it, but I've discovered time and again that most people just find it to be ridiculous and I've ceased even trying to turn people onto it. "Naked Lunch" is probably my favorite of his, although I'm wondering if that may change after a few more viewings of AHOV. > > (Tonight I choose between these three movies: Million Dollar Baby, > Brazil, and Eraser Head. Recomendation?) I'd say go with Brazil. -- RR "It's been my experience that every time I think I know 'where it's at,' it's really somewhere else." - William Holden - S.O.B. .