Do any of you folks have something that you really enjoy that you have found most other people don't? I sure do. I have a few movies that are among my favorite that seem to be big turn offs for a lot of people.
Revolver
I have liked "Revolver" right from the get go. In fact, after the first time I watched it, I immediately started it over again. There was something going on that I was trying to grasp. I had been studying up on self-awareness and ego and this movie hit those themes hard, but wove it into the story so well that the film begged to be seen multiple times to peel back the layers. The main character in Guy Ritchies most under appreciated film spends the entire movie trying to beat back that inner voice (his ego) that has kept him in trouble and caused him so much fear. Rotten Tomatoes has this one at 17% and Roger Ebert was scathing in his criticism; "It seems designed to punish the audience for buying tickets." I suppose I've punished myself about 7 or 8 times since the first time I've seen it. Despite criticism of the film, I think I get a lot of it and that's why I love it. I see it as art and as something that isn't to be viewed once and tossed out. If you are interested in the message, it'll hold your attention and leave you thinking long after the movie has ended.
2001: A Space Odyssey
I can totally understand why there are people that don't like this movie. It's long, it can be boring in spots, and it's not quite obvious on the initial viewing as to what the purpose of the film is. That said, I think it's a cinematic masterpiece and Stanley Kubrick sure has a knack for dabbling in that rare air. Shot in the early/mid 60's, the special effects still hold up today. It was another 10 or so years (Star Wars) before anyone could duplicate what was done. The story is that of man, but only in evolutionary jumps. From our time barely surviving on plant life to transcending our mortal bodies, the film shows how those jumps could occur without being very specific. We just know that we started using tools and weapons and that kick started us into being meat eaters that developed a greater understanding of the universe and our place in it.
The Fountain
This film by Darren Aronofsky is one that a lot of people haven't seen. Generally, people get confused by it and it's a movie that will cause either reflection or revulsion from a viewer, I would imagine. There are three stories going on and each has a tie to the other, though the main character(s) is the same. It's beautifully shot and it's another one of those films that bears repeated viewings. It touches on loyalty, determination, love, death, and dealing with all of those things in the confines of a finite lifetime. In the end, the main character (Thomas) is able to transcend death and accept that we think of as dying is really just rebirth in another form. A different way for the universe to examine/experience itself apart from our conscience being.
Con-Air
This is one that many self-proclaimed, serious film buffs love to pick at and hate on. I won't defend it against assertions that it is text book action film making by Simon West. It is, but it's also a farce. A sort of parody that plays it close to the vest. It has all the elements of a block buster action film, but it isn't taking itself seriously. It throws everything at the audience. Every cliche' of the action film genre gets dealt with. A misunderstood, wronged hero who is just trying to get back to his family? Check. Menacing bad guys that have specialties in their criminality? Check. A wife and child just waiting for their hero to make it home? Check. A good guy that is trying to help out all he can, while having to fight off incompetence from those around him? Check. Corny self-serving dialogue? Check. Gun shots? Check. Shit blowing up? Check. Las Vegas? Check. Sappy and happy ending while a sappy song plays showing a family reunited against impossible odds? Check. It's an easy film to watch and a lot of fun. Remember, you can't watch this seriously.....it wasn't made to be watched that way. It's not taking itself seriously and neither should you! It's just a ride (to steal a phrase from Bill Hicks)!
The Fountain
This film by Darren Aronofsky is one that a lot of people haven't seen. Generally, people get confused by it and it's a movie that will cause either reflection or revulsion from a viewer, I would imagine. There are three stories going on and each has a tie to the other, though the main character(s) is the same. It's beautifully shot and it's another one of those films that bears repeated viewings. It touches on loyalty, determination, love, death, and dealing with all of those things in the confines of a finite lifetime. In the end, the main character (Thomas) is able to transcend death and accept that we think of as dying is really just rebirth in another form. A different way for the universe to examine/experience itself apart from our conscience being.
Con-Air
This is one that many self-proclaimed, serious film buffs love to pick at and hate on. I won't defend it against assertions that it is text book action film making by Simon West. It is, but it's also a farce. A sort of parody that plays it close to the vest. It has all the elements of a block buster action film, but it isn't taking itself seriously. It throws everything at the audience. Every cliche' of the action film genre gets dealt with. A misunderstood, wronged hero who is just trying to get back to his family? Check. Menacing bad guys that have specialties in their criminality? Check. A wife and child just waiting for their hero to make it home? Check. A good guy that is trying to help out all he can, while having to fight off incompetence from those around him? Check. Corny self-serving dialogue? Check. Gun shots? Check. Shit blowing up? Check. Las Vegas? Check. Sappy and happy ending while a sappy song plays showing a family reunited against impossible odds? Check. It's an easy film to watch and a lot of fun. Remember, you can't watch this seriously.....it wasn't made to be watched that way. It's not taking itself seriously and neither should you! It's just a ride (to steal a phrase from Bill Hicks)!
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