TheSequelOfDisney wrote:The Big Lebowski
After hearing how great it was, I was kind of disappointed. I have to say that for a comedy, I didn't really laugh all that much. Some of the "funny" things repeated so many times that they were getting a little boring. I did like Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges, but the other characters were kinda blah for me. I probably won't be watching The Dude again anytime soon.
You're definitely not alone in feeling this way.
These next three films were directed by Richard Linklater:
Dazed and Confused (1993) 8/10 - one of my favorites, actually I own it, and my Dad swears by the authenticity. If
American Graffiti was high school friends in the 60s spending one last night together before parting ways for college and
Superbad was high school friends in the 00s doing the same; then I like to think of this as the 70s companion piece to those films - perfectly defining a generation. There’s just something about movies that take place all in one night and end in the morning. I really like how the large cast is handled, it all feels very organic and never overwhelms. The soundtrack is awesome. I’m just curious as to why the only major rock band from the 70s not included [Zeppelin] is also the one who’s hit song the title is based [Dazed and Confused is one of their best songs]. That aside, this really is a great movie.
Before Sunrise (1995) 7/10 - it’s all about human interaction and relationships. It’s the story of a couple that meets on a train to Vienna (where I recognized many of the buildings and locations from
The Third Man, like the ferris wheel) and spends one evening together. It seems to follow a formula consisting of 5-10 minute conversations with the locations changing at the end of each conversation. In that regard, it feels as though it was written as a play. Anyways, the acting is good, which is expected with a movie consisting entirely of two people just talking to each other and the relationship feels natural. There are some awkward moments - like them ‘phoning’ each other - but it doesn’t really hurt the movie. Not as good as it’s rep but I still enjoyed it.
Before Sunset (2004) 8/10 - the sequel to
Before Sunrise, made nearly a decade later with the original cast and director, but I think I like it even more then the original. This one takes place in Paris and follows the same formula as the original. This time, the characters have an established relationship and history to play off of and it really helps to add some emotional weigh. This sequel doesn’t feel unnecessary or rushed but instead very natural, with the characters being entirely true to themselves. If you liked the original, you will definitely like this one.
The latest Blu from my library:
Skyline (2010) 5/10 - also known as Cliched Generic Alien Invasion Movie. The characters were stereotypes, the scenario and unfolding events were cliched and the twist ending was worthless. The effects look great, especially considering that this movie was made on the shoestring budget of just $10 million (which is about half of Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, Will Ferrel, etc. asking price alone), but not surprising considering the directors are effects men that own their own effects studio (so it should come as no surprise that this is more of effects showcase then an actual movie, where every aspect of the effects were most likely strategically planned out by the knowledgeable directors well in advance to make the budget). It’s just with
District 9 and
Cloverfield being soo good, that I assumed that we were going to be getting better alien invasion movies from then on. This one just seems like a step back.
