All Things: Directors

Just came back from Interstellar. Here's my spoiler free opinion of it without having time to really digest it fully. It could do an Avatar on me and change my opinion once I get some time away and watch it again in the comfort of my home but for now here are my feelings:

Regardless of what your opinion of Nolan is, if you enjoy classic Sci-Fi movies and think a modern take on one would be even remotely interesting you must go see it. It's not action packed, it's slow but builds and builds in an increasingly epic journey with awesome effects, a tremendous score (very Clint Mansell-like) and great acting. It's not a perfect movie by any means - there are flaws, cornball moments and dialogue, some questionable physics... if you want to pick it apart there probably is enough for you there to do it but for me it's still easily up there as one of the best I've seen this year and unlike the vast majority made nowadays. Obviously that genre is not for everyone, I'm pretty sure the poor girl next to me nodded off at least twice but I desperately want to see more movies like this be made. It's long, too long for some I'm sure, but it held my complete attention all the way through and delivered plenty of moments of both awe and sadness.
 
BigBrown said:
Just came back from Interstellar. Here's my spoiler free opinion of it without having time to really digest it fully. It could do an Avatar on me and change my opinion once I get some time away and watch it again in the comfort of my home but for now here are my feelings:

Regardless of what your opinion of Nolan is, if you enjoy classic Sci-Fi movies and think a modern take on one would be even remotely interesting you must go see it. It's not action packed, it's slow but builds and builds in an increasingly epic journey with awesome effects, a tremendous score (very Clint Mansell-like) and great acting. It's not a perfect movie by any means - there are flaws, cornball moments and dialogue, some questionable physics... if you want to pick it apart there probably is enough for you there to do it but for me it's still easily up there as one of the best I've seen this year and unlike the vast majority made nowadays. Obviously that genre is not for everyone, I'm pretty sure the poor girl next to me nodded off at least twice but I desperately want to see more movies like this be made. It's long, too long for some I'm sure, but it held my complete attention all the way through and delivered plenty of moments of both awe and sadness.
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Well put. I approve this message.
 
I really should write on this side of the forum more often. Well I saw Interstellar as well, and I kind of wanted to put my two cents on the movie along with Christopher Nolan himself. I'll promise to keep it brief so not to spoil anything for those waiting to see it, and I think if you are one of those people who are looking foward to this movie that you won't be disappointed. My personal feeling on it was I liked it, but wasn't blown away. I'm a giant 2001 Space Odyssey fan, so I'm constantly complaining anytime film makers pay their homage, or try their take on Kuprick's masterpiece (Sunshine and Prometheus being two recent pretentious examples). Interstellar was probably the most non offensive homage to 2001 I have seen. With that being said, if you already don't like Nolan as a film maker, then avoid this movie like the black plague. Interstellar won't win over any Nolan haters, in fact the film might emphasize more so than any other Nolan film certain aspects of his story telling abilities that people love to hate on.

As for my personal feeling towards Nolan's films; I like his more recent films a lot (partly because we are both big 007 fans), but at the same time I get why he is such a polarizing film maker. Much like Tarantino, a Christopher Nolan film would most likely be awful if it were film by anyone else other than Christopher Nolan. It's not so much that Nolan is far more talented than most film makers bopping around town, than it is that most film makers could never make a good movie with awful scripts most Nolan movies have. Christopher Nolan has somehow mastered the art of taking a 15 year old boy's incoherent story, and turning into a gripping blockbuster movie. At times it feels like a guilty please to like Nolan's films, but seeing how his competition is the James Cameron, JJ Abrams, Peter Jackson, and Michael Bay's of the world, you can excuse me for thinking Nolan's films are a breath of fresh air.

If this were the music industry I would say Nolan is the Adele of the top 40 world that is inhabited by Iggy Azalea and Nikki Minaj. Now some people might take that as Nolan is a good artist, while other might see it as Nolan is just another mainstream/corporate trash artist. No one can deny though that his work is unique and feels more quality when put through the mainstream filter.

Finally even though I kind of bashed Nolan films for having poor scripts, Dark Knight is actually a much smarter flim than the haters would want you to believe it is.
 
I saw it and loved it. It was far from perfect, but the issues I had with it were mostly minor and by the time they popped up, I was already too into the whole thing to let it taint my feelings.

The spectacle of it, on a real IMAX screen, was worth the price of admission alone.

The music was AMAZING, though I'm sure I'll be disappointed when my pre-ordered soundtrack CD arrives and it doesn't have every single second of the film's music on it. McConaughey continues to impress, after being one of my least favorite actors for a really long time.

I would like someone to do run-down of the 2001 references in this movie because there were a ton and I probably missed a few.

I hope I get the chance to see it again.
 
13 baffling questions 'Interstellar' refused to answer
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/comedy/13-baf...tellar-refused-to-anwswer#zpXbgJFVlGwfqH56.99

See...I do not trust any of you to actually be honest in regards to this movie. As much of a hater as I am portrayed, I think, when I finally get around to seeing it, my review might be more honest. According to what I am reading on this board so far...it's a perfect movie with miniscule to irrelevant faults. But what I am reading on other sites...not so much. You guys already made up your minds to like it before you went...which is fine, but at least be honest enough to admit it.
 
jerseydevil said:
13 baffling questions 'Interstellar' refused to answer
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/comedy/13-baf...tellar-refused-to-anwswer#zpXbgJFVlGwfqH56.99

See...I do not trust any of you to actually be honest in regards to this movie. As much of a hater as I am portrayed, I think, when I finally get around to seeing it, my review might be more honest. According to what I am reading on this board so far...it's a perfect movie with miniscule to irrelevant faults. But what I am reading on other sites...not so much. You guys already made up your minds to like it before you went...which is fine, but at least be honest enough to admit it.
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Well that's the problem right there. You're reading other people's criticisms first and letting them do all the dirty work for you. Maybe you wouldn't notice as many flaws if you just went in with an open mind and not going in with a checklist to make sure all the parts the critics didn't like were as described. You're only there to find flaws at that point.
 
NastiMarvasti said:
Well that's the problem right there. You're reading other people's criticisms first and letting them do all the dirty work for you. Maybe you wouldn't notice as many flaws if you just went in with an open mind and not going in with a checklist to make sure all the parts the critics didn't like were as described. You're only there to find flaws at that point.
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I haven't read specifics on account of spoilers. So I haven't been prejudiced. So your argument is invalid. I have no idea what to look for/not look for if indeed there is anything to be pointed out. And, for all I know, when I finally see it, I may be like you and find it near a perfect movie. BUT, I still do not think you 'istas have the ability to be completely honest. You can't even admit that Inception was flawed and overlong. It's ok to like something and be able to see where something could have been improved. Yet you all hold Nolan in such regard that he is, in your eyes, incapable of making mistakes. You think TDKR is a perfect movie. It sooooooooo isn't. I don't even know how pervasive the mindwashing is. Maybe you are incapable of seeing flaws because you are so enamored. So it's a subconscious thing...
Anyway...I won't go in LOOKING for flaws, but I will give a balanced review of what I see(good and bad) which I just have not seen any of you do in great detail.
And if you think I am just gonna go in, arms crossed, mind closed...I am spending good money for a ticket. I have better things to do than go and hatef_ _k a movie.

And by the way...I am no rocket scientist, just a guy who likes movies. So I am not gonna go in with a slide rule and piecemeal destroy whatever science he tosses around. If it works I'll buy it.
 
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jerseydevil said:
13 baffling questions 'Interstellar' refused to answer
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/comedy/13-baf...tellar-refused-to-anwswer#zpXbgJFVlGwfqH56.99

See...I do not trust any of you to actually be honest in regards to this movie. As much of a hater as I am portrayed, I think, when I finally get around to seeing it, my review might be more honest. According to what I am reading on this board so far...it's a perfect movie with miniscule to irrelevant faults. But what I am reading on other sites...not so much. You guys already made up your minds to like it before you went...which is fine, but at least be honest enough to admit it.
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I will fully admit to being a Nolan fanboy and I will also admit that that might color my impression of the film to an extent, but I don't think it has nearly as much pull on me as you might think. There's a reason that I'm a Nolan fanboy and a lot of that has to do with the fact that I find the vast majority of his films aesthetically pleasing in a number of different areas.

He's not the only director I'm willing to forgive for story problems because the film looks/sounds so good. Or because the acting was so convincing. Or whatever. For me, style does count for a lot.

I don't think it's any different than forgiving some terrible acting and bad dialogue in Pacific Rim, for example.

And I also think that your dislike of Nolan might color your opinion of the film similarly.
 
jerseydevil said:
I haven't read specifics on account of spoilers. So I haven't been prejudiced. So your argument is invalid. I have no idea what to look for/not look for if indeed there is anything to be pointed out. And, for all I know, when I finally see it, I may be like you and find it near a perfect movie. BUT, I still do not think you 'istas have the ability to be completely honest. You can't even admit that Inception was flawed and overlong. It's ok to like something and be able to see where something could have been improved. Yet you all hold Nolan in such regard that he is, in your eyes, incapable of making mistakes. You think TDKR is a perfect movie. It sooooooooo isn't. I don't even know how pervasive the mindwashing is. Maybe you are incapable of seeing flaws because you are so enamored. So it's a subconscious thing...
Anyway...I won't go in LOOKING for flaws, but I will give a balanced review of what I see(good and bad) which I just have not seen any of you do in great detail.
And if you think I am just gonna go in, arms crossed, mind closed...I am spending good money for a ticket. I have better things to do than go and hatef_ _k a movie.

And by the way...I am no rocket scientist, just a guy who likes movies. So I am not gonna go in with a slide rule and piecemeal destroy whatever science he tosses around. If it works I'll buy it.
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Fair enough but I never said TDKR is perfect. However, I find more flaws in that and even TDK than I do Inception. That movie is ridiculous in the best way possible. There's no other director in Hollywood consistently making movies you haven't seen anything like. That counts for a lot.
 
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adgy-san said:
I will fully admit to being a Nolan fanboy and I will also admit that that might color my impression of the film to an extent, but I don't think it has nearly as much pull on me as you might think. There's a reason that I'm a Nolan fanboy and a lot of that has to do with the fact that I find the vast majority of his films aesthetically pleasing in a number of different areas.

He's not the only director I'm willing to forgive for story problems because the film looks/sounds so good. Or because the acting was so convincing. Or whatever. For me, style does count for a lot.

I don't think it's any different than forgiving some terrible acting and bad dialogue in Pacific Rim, for example.

And I also think that your dislike of Nolan might color your opinion of the film similarly.
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See, you gotta go hitting Del Toro. At least he sells me a fun time that doesn't pretend to be anything other than robots vs kaiju. There is an honesty in that. The man wants to entertain me, and his childish enthusiasm shows in his work. Whereas Nolan seems to have been raised by Ilsa the Shewolf Nanny and it colors all he does.
All the dire 'seriousness' and 'importance' that he inflicts on moviegoers. He made Batman boring. Took all the fun out of a COMIC BOOK CHARACTER. It's not a great work of literature he drew from...it's a goddamned funnybook.
To misquote his best creation in all of the sturm and drang...Why so serious? Not hugged enough? Too much? I would love him to make a screwball d_ _k and fart joke comedy. I would be first in line. But the man seems to be incapable of levity.
 
jerseydevil said:
See, you gotta go hitting Del Toro. At least he sells me a fun time that doesn't pretend to be anything other than robots vs kaiju. There is an honesty in that. The man wants to entertain me, and his childish enthusiasm shows in his work. Whereas Nolan seems to have been raised by Ilsa the Shewolf Nanny and it colors all he does.
All the dire 'seriousness' and 'importance' that he inflicts on moviegoers. He made Batman boring. Took all the fun out of a COMIC BOOK CHARACTER. It's not a great work of literature he drew from...it's a goddamned funnybook.
To misquote his best creation in all of the sturm and drang...Why so serious? Not hugged enough? Too much? I would love him to make a screwball d_ _k and fart joke comedy. I would be first in line. But the man seems to be incapable of levity.
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That seriousness and importance (I call it respect for the source material) is the reason his movies have remained in the public conscience for years. No one would remember The Matrix if it was directed by Michael Bay. And yet, Nolan's movies have made billions so there are some who would say they're fun movies.
 
NastiMarvasti said:
That seriousness and importance (I call it respect for the source material) is the reason his movies have remained in the public conscience for years. No one would remember The Matrix if it was directed by Michael Bay. And yet, Nolan's movies have made billions so there are some who would say they're fun movies.
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Even Clooney's Batman movie made money. You have to realize there is a built in audience. No one would remember the Matrix if it hadn't been a well made movie. They made sequels you know. Nobody talks about those. And bringing Michael Bay into any conversation is like discussing the merits of a McRib sandwich. Let's stick to arguing about real things and not going lowest common denominator.
 
jerseydevil said:
See, you gotta go hitting Del Toro. At least he sells me a fun time that doesn't pretend to be anything other than robots vs kaiju. There is an honesty in that. The man wants to entertain me, and his childish enthusiasm shows in his work. Whereas Nolan seems to have been raised by Ilsa the Shewolf Nanny and it colors all he does.
All the dire 'seriousness' and 'importance' that he inflicts on moviegoers. He made Batman boring. Took all the fun out of a COMIC BOOK CHARACTER. It's not a great work of literature he drew from...it's a goddamned funnybook.
To misquote his best creation in all of the sturm and drang...Why so serious? Not hugged enough? Too much? I would love him to make a screwball d_ _k and fart joke comedy. I would be first in line. But the man seems to be incapable of levity.
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I completely understand what you are saying. Honestly, I do. Nolan comes across as a director who thinks film is Serious Business and I understand why that would make him, and his films, seem pretentious. I wouldn't even argue that. I would simply say that he is talented enough, in my opinion, to get away with it.
 
jerseydevil said:
13 baffling questions 'Interstellar' refused to answer
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/comedy/13-baf...tellar-refused-to-anwswer#zpXbgJFVlGwfqH56.99

See...I do not trust any of you to actually be honest in regards to this movie. As much of a hater as I am portrayed, I think, when I finally get around to seeing it, my review might be more honest. According to what I am reading on this board so far...it's a perfect movie with miniscule to irrelevant faults. But what I am reading on other sites...not so much. You guys already made up your minds to like it before you went...which is fine, but at least be honest enough to admit it.
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I skimmed through the '13 baffling questions 'Interstellar' refused to answer', the article is as crappy as the title is shameless click-bait. I bet the writer complained about the movie being too long while at the same time got mad that they didn't explain every single detail. Like, why does he feel like an explanation is needed for why they don't have MRI machines in a post apocalyptic-type world? There are valid complaints with the movie but most of those are just a ridiculous level of nitpicking and questions we don't need answered.

As for the whole Nolan thing, I loved Interstellar as a fan of Science Fiction, I honestly don't really give a crap about Nolan either way. Any director north of Michael Bay would have been enough for me to go see it because I love this kind of stuff. I like to pretend that I'm a rabid Nolanista just because poking fun at you JD is sometimes irresistible ;)
Here's where I stand, Memento and The Dark Knight are two of my favorite movies, The Prestige and Inception are very good, the rest I can take or leave. I'll need a few months and to watch it again to know where I truly stand with Interstellar but I had a blast in the theater. Yes it is flawed with plenty of dumb stuff, if you don't like Nolan I'd say save yourself three hours and just sit this one out, this movie won't change anyone's opinion of him. The only asterisk I'd put on that is that if you're way into Sci-Fi movies then go see it anyway because this is as ambitious and epic as any and the visuals alone will get you wiggling in your seat.
 
jerseydevil said:
Even Clooney's Batman movie made money. You have to realize there is a built in audience. No one would remember the Matrix if it hadn't been a well made movie. They made sequels you know. Nobody talks about those. And bringing Michael Bay into any conversation is like discussing the merits of a McRib sandwich. Let's stick to arguing about real things and not going lowest common denominator.
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What built in audience did Inception have? And what you say about The Matrix is exactly my point. It was well made and became a pop culture phenomenon. And the story was taken very seriously. That's why I used Michael Bay as an example. The guy doesn't take his stories seriously and his movies suck. If you don't like him as an example, how about Snyder or McG?
 
NastiMarvasti said:
What built in audience did Inception have? And what you say about The Matrix is exactly my point. It was well made and became a pop culture phenomenon. And the story was taken very seriously. That's why I used Michael Bay as an example. The guy doesn't take his stories seriously and his movies suck. If you don't like him as an example, how about Snyder or McG?
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See, I don't think it's fair to lump Snyder in with those two examples. I know you see Snyder as style over substance, but I think that's unfair. Once again...subjective. The built in audience was in reference to Batman, but yeah...if you think you are the only Nolanista you are wrong. Your boy's movies come with a built in audience as well as those that buy into the mass hypnosis that his movies are must see/event/important. That's the only reason he is allowed to indulge like he does. Because his name on the credits puts asses in the seats. See, I was loathe to even start down this road again because it is such a circular argument. And you are as intractable as I am in your beliefs. I like you too much to do this.
 
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