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Posted: **Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:40 am**

The Best Picture of 2007 winner.

I honestly have no idea how I feel about this film.

On one hand, it was incredibly well acted and gorgeously shot with interesting messages about the human condition.

On the other, the story and characters were...illogical. It makes it tough to broadcast a message about the human condition when your characters don't act real.

I don't want to get into it further as I don't want to ruin anything for anyone, but I will say that the flaws in story and characters bug me because I feel they could have been avoided quite easily.

Anyway, the story of the film is about a man (Josh Brolin) who happens upon a drug deal gone wrong. This gets him into the crosshairs of a psychopath (Javier Bardem) who is being trailed by a cop (Tommy Lee Jones). These three are outstanding in their roles and deserve any awards they received for their roles.

The pacing of the film is odd. It goes from very slow to way too rapid, back down to slow again. The cuts from scene to scene are also oddly done. At moments, it almost feels like there was no transition.

If I was basing this on acting, cinematography, and concept, I'd rate it damn near a 10. However, once you factor in the flaws in the film and characters, I'd give it a...

7.5 out of 10

Warning: This film is not for everyone. It's more art film than standard entertainment. Do not expect a clear cut storyline.

Posted: **Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:31 pm**

You've convinced me. To the top of my queue it goes. Should be here before week's end.

Posted: **Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:27 pm**

For a film that's won so many awards, I don't think anyone has seen it. I'm looking forward to you getting it so we can discuss it.

P.S. Right now I'm thinking that the more oscars a film wins, the less it makes in total box office.

Posted: **Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:02 pm**

Arrived this morning.

Posted: **Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:30 pm**

Leisher wrote:P.S. Right now I'm thinking that the more oscars a film wins, the less it makes in total box office.

It goes the other way also. Judging by the all the attention The Dark Knight is getting.

Titanic, Return of the King, and Star Wars are the only movies that I can think of that bucks that trend although I am sure there are others.

The oscar and emmy people are idiots anyway. I don't care how well a film is about a guy reading holocaust letter (or whatever the reader is about) is made it does mean it is enjoyable.

Edited By WSGrundy on 1232667128

Posted: **Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:33 pm**

The more I think about "The Dark Knight" the less cool it seems.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:46 am**

WSGrundy wrote:Titanic, Return of the King, and Star Wars are the only movies that I can think of that bucks that trend although I am sure there are others.

Didn't Star Wars lose Best Picture to....................... some Woody Allen flick, or something?

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:14 pm**

Goddamnit, I've watched this twice & it's still kinda fucked up.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:17 pm**

GORDON wrote:
WSGrundy wrote:Titanic, Return of the King, and Star Wars are the only movies that I can think of that bucks that trend although I am sure there are others.
Didn't Star Wars lose Best Picture to....................... some Woody Allen flick, or something?

Didn't it win a shitload of techie oscars?

Yeah, it lost to "Annie Hall." Fuck, Alec Guinness lost best supporting actor to Jason Robards. Lucas loses writing, directing to Woody Allen.

Ah, here it is...
Best art direction...sound...original score...film editing...costume design...visual effects (beating his buddy Speilberg's "Close Encounters...")...sound effects editing.

Posted: **Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:11 pm**

After the third viewing & some careful pauses for proper thinking time, I think this flick makes a bit of sense. I've taken exams less difficult than this film, though.

Posted: **Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:58 pm**

This movie's pretty intense. I'll agree that it's not all logical, and I'm not sure what liberties the movie may have taken with the book.

I'm ok with the magicness, reminds me of a lot of fiction I've read in the past where you have reality plus a little something extra in order to make the story work. Variations of reality are interesting to me.

I'd give it 8.5/10

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