Red Mosquito

theplatypus wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote: I actually thought the direction was terrible in Gravity. Cuaron's insistence on doing that opening sequence in one shot was distractingly showy and felt more like a proclamation of "I AM ALFONSO CUARON AND I'M KNOWN FOR LONG TAKES" than an organically conceived and executed sequence.

I think I derived more enjoyment out of the almost balletical unraveling of that sequence than any gripes I could have with Cuaron being showy. Also, you thought the direction was "terrible"? I'm going to assume you're being hyperbolic, because there was nothing about the use of cinematric devices, plays on POV, camera movement and sequencing in that movie that pointed to anything other than a visual storytelling powerhouse at total ease with the elements he's juggling. I understand, and to some point empathize, with the issues that people can raise about the story, the dialogue and the music, but I can't really fathom how someone with an understanding of cinematic language can diss the movie on a compositional level.

LoathedVermin72 wrote:I'm not being hyperbolic; I legitimately found it to be terribly directed movie. “Compositional” skills (and it’s debatable whether Cuaron even handles this element well here) don’t mean much when the aesthetics and style are as showy and heavy-handed as they are here (that fetal position shot…uggghhhh). I found the camera movement and general use of visual kinetics to be, like I said, showy and distracting. It’s less a film than a theme park ride with delusions of grandeur.

LoathedVermin72 wrote:Also...The Butler is great. Lee Daniels is so underrated.

BurtReynolds wrote:Ignoring the absurd assertions that Gravity was worst, i will go with...

favorite: Pac Rim or Nebraska
worst: Great Gatsby

theplatypus wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:I'm not being hyperbolic; I legitimately found it to be terribly directed movie. “Compositional” skills (and it’s debatable whether Cuaron even handles this element well here) don’t mean much when the aesthetics and style are as showy and heavy-handed as they are here (that fetal position shot…uggghhhh). I found the camera movement and general use of visual kinetics to be, like I said, showy and distracting. It’s less a film than a theme park ride with delusions of grandeur.

It's a disaster movie that aims to be an immersive experience; in that regard, it succeeds with aplomb, and those visual elements are employed masterfully. I agree that womb shot was particularly heavy-handed, though, as were several elements of the ending.

theplatypus wrote:

BurtReynolds wrote:Ignoring the absurd assertions that Gravity was worst, i will go with...

favorite: Pac Rim or Nebraska
worst: Great Gatsby

Nebraska was really good. SEE, WE AGREE AGAIN, I CAN HEAR YOUR STOMACH CHURNING AND IT'S MUSIC TO MY EARS

Alex wrote:do you mean 'in the right'? or on the right... like in a harry lime/thodoks kind of way?

stip wrote:American Hustle was pretty great.

theplatypus wrote:

Alex wrote:do you mean 'in the right'? or on the right... like in a harry lime/thodoks kind of way?

On the right... side... of this room

Yes, in the right