Comments on: 2011 … It was the worst of times.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:10:04 +0000

I’m not saying they had to be likable either, but for a movie that claims to have a basis in an objective reality, it clearly had no grasp on how real people act and interact. I bought the friendship, sure, but that’s simple. I didn’t buy the anger, the hurt, the deeper emotions that “Bellflower” tried to convey. Especially in the domestic – AKA non-stylized – portions of the film.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:20:21 +0000

I think there’s plenty that’s “real” about the film– the friendship between Woodrow and Aidan feels real, for one, and Woodrow’s delusions about who he is and what he does in the bait-and-switch ending certainly feel like the designs of a real person who’s angry, hurt, and confused at the world. I mean, we’re talking about an intentionally stylized movie that’s about two guys who love The Road Warrior so much they seek to emulate it; there’s only so much reality to go around. Not that there shouldn’t be elements of reality, but again, the characters felt real to me.

Doesn’t mean I necessarily liked them, but no one said characters have to be likable.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:54:30 +0000

He can compose a scene, sure, but he can’t inject a smidgeon of reality into the movie if he tried. Every time the characters talked, I wanted to laugh because all they could do was drop the F-bomb to show they were angry. I mean, acting classes aren’t THAT expensive, they should try them sometime.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:49:10 +0000

Apart from Bellflower, I agree with everything on this list-- especially Red State, which barely qualifies as a film. If you forget about narrative and character and plot because you're too busy making your hatred of the WBC crystal clear, then you're no longer making a movie. The thing about Bellflower is that mumblecore stuff aside, it's well made. Glodell's got filmmaking chops, and knows how to edit well and compose a scene properly.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:48:16 +0000

I saw “Just Go With It” and that was enough Adam Sandler for me in 2011.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:47:36 +0000

I just thought “Bellflower” was a mumblecore mess that just fell flat on every level. If that was supposed to be “real” dialogue, I would laugh every time they talked if I knew them.

By: Sam Fragoso

Sam Fragoso — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:27:14 +0000

BELLFLOWER is actually going to make my top 20 films of the year. I’m surprised you didn’t like it.

Still, I agree with the rest.

By: Steven Flores

Steven Flores — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:19:31 +0000

I would probably put anything Michael Bay does at the top of any worst list although Adam Sandler might’ve topped that considering the shit he put out this year including “Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star”. “The Change-Up” deserves to be in every worst list because of one insulting thing. Digitized nudity.