What Is The Last Film You Watched? (Older Films)

[BloodBoal 8,711]

[Brónach 1,330]

Being well-drawn has nothing to do with knowing about a characters background.

All we ever know from Indy's background in Raiders is that he has a rivalry with Belloq and that he fucked around with his best friends daughter.

No! It's not the background! You can tell me a lot about Indy's personality, what he is like, what he isn't, what he doesn't like! Probably not to write a ton of pages about the subject, given that so much isn't necesary because of the nature of the film.

In a story that follows several well defined clichés including all that "Chosen One" stuff I'm not a fan of at all, and other character-related clichés as well, the characters become more important than in Raiders. In fact the Indiana Jones films have a lot of characterization that's just there to spice things up, because most of its tropes are situational!. But The Matrix needs it.

For example, Star Wars was a saga that used the same clichéd and wrote the characters accordingly. The instant it stopped doing that with the characters, what happened? Yeah it started to suck!

The Matrix is like the duel at the ending of The Phantom Menace. I'm a fan of the duel in The Empire Strikes Back. Because there's something going on, and the clichés are working deliciously!

And this is one of the reasons I don't like the Matrix, and the one I find more boring.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

The thing about Neo is throughout the film he's an passive observer. Constantly being led. Either by Neo or the Oracle. He doubts himself, he doubts that what is happening to him is real. He thinks it's might all be a big mistake.

Only at the very end does he become a person who acts upon his own instincts, and finds that he is the chosen one.

[Elmo Lewis 7]

Being well-drawn has nothing to do with knowing about a characters background.

All we ever know from Indy's background in Raiders is that he has a rivalry with Belloq and that he fucked around with his best friends daughter.

No! It's not the background! You can tell me a lot about Indy's personality, what he is like, what he isn't, what he doesn't like! Probably not to write a ton of pages about the subject, given the nature of the film and that it isn't necessary!

Same with Neo. He's Everyman. He's alienated and smart beyond his job. In true escapism fashion, that's all we need/should know.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

He always felt something was wrong, but could never put his finger on it, and never acted on it. That's very believable and real.

[Brónach 1,330]

Well, well, I like this, I was finally understood. I see what you saying now. So there's something to Neo. I might see the film again.

I never liked the "chosen one" storylines much. I find I like when a character isn't up the challenge and goes through it. One of my favourite examples are Frodo and Sam from LotR.

[Jay 46,244]

I hate chosen one stories.

[Elmo Lewis 7]

It's just the basics of escapism fare: you need your protagonist to be nobody in particular, just to have a ton of hidden potential useless in the real world but invaluable in a secret, fantasy environment. That way everybody can relate to him.

Ever seen Wanted? It's a horribly unsuccessful film but it's shameless escapist.

[Brónach 1,330]

But that's the thing! I can't relate to Neo. I don't need to, I like many characters I don't relate at all, but I'm not satisfied by The Matrix in several ways in particular at the same time.

For example. What's the Oracle? How does she know stuff? Why should they believe her?

Why does defeating the enemies in The Matrix at the end feel so easy? Wow, they suddenly went slow mo and killed a bunch of enemies without much difficulty! Now I'm really at the edge of my seat!

Maybe I should have seen this film when I was younger, I would have seen stuff I don't see now.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

I hate chosen one stories.

You hate Star Wars, Harry Potter, Superman?

[Jay 46,244]

There was no chosen one crap in the Star Wars OT, just the PT

I don't care for any of the Superman movies. And there is no chosen one aspect to them anyway

I like the overall Harry Potter storyline emmensely, but wish Rowling hadn't introduced the prophecy angle.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

Luke is the last of the Jedi, it amounts to the same thing. His arc is the same as Neo's.

[Jay 46,244]

Not the same thing at all

[Xander Harris 9,675]

Don't forget the new Captain Kirk.

[Jay 46,244]

Also not a chosen one

[A24 5,156]

I haven't seen it, but it looked as similarly poorly-adapted as I AM LEGEND.

Not only poorly adapted but also simplified as if they know the audience largely exists of young teens.

The thing about Neo is throughout the film he's an passive observer. Constantly being led. Either by Neo or the Oracle. He doubts himself, he doubts that what is happening to him is real. He thinks it's might all be a big mistake.

Only at the very end does he become a person who acts upon his own instincts, and finds that he is the chosen one.

It's all the same. Dave Bowman in 2001, Luke in Star Wars (he who must bring balance), Paul Atreides in Dune, Neo in The Matrix, ... Dave Bowman could also be seen a symbol for the next step in evolution, so does Neo.

[Brónach 1,330]

Luke must not bring balance, Luke must learn.

I'm not so sure about Dave Bowman being passive. I mean he decides to carry on with the mission and arrives to Jupiter alone and then faces a giant alien artifact all by himself without knowing what could happen. He's a discoverer. He takes action against danger. He decides to do stuff, and what happens to him happens to him because of that, not because he's chosen.

Dune would have been cooler if Feyd Rautha was the actual Kwisatch Haderach (or whatever it's written) and then Paul manages to overcome him! Or maybe not. I only like parts of the book, I should shut up because I probably haven't thought about the messhiah angle of the story much because I only cared about the desert and the sandworms and the stillsuits and the horrible feudal system.

[A24 5,156]

The character's aren't well drawn.

Tell me something about Neo, for example. That isn't "this is his job" or "he looks like this".

He's the heroic archetype, picked from the street (he could be you or me) and who must undertake a dangerous journey to restore the oppressed world. What else do you need to know?

Luke must not bring balance, Luke must learn.

There you go again.

[Brónach 1,330]

I don't follow that last thing.

[A24 5,156]

Luke must not bring balance, Luke must learn.

I'm not so sure about Dave Bowman being passive. I mean he decides to carry on with the mission and arrives to Jupiter alone and then faces a giant alien artifact all by himself without knowing what could happen. He's a discoverer. He takes action against danger. He decides to do stuff, and what happens to him happens to him because of that, not because he's chosen.

I don't understand your reasoning. He's a discoverer so he can't be the one? I never said he was passive.

I'm going to bed.

Alex

[Brónach 1,330]

Ok the passive thing. I might have mixed up several posts in my head.

The way the chosen one usually works is that the work that's to be done by the chosen one is usually above his decisions or his will. See http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheChosenOne

The only reason Bowman is chosen is because he's the one that gets alive to Jupiter. But's that's not because of the Chosen One mechanics, but because of his own decisions.

[Trent Hoyt 13]

Star Trek VI on blu ray.

This disc is not the directors cut that appeared on dvd nor is it the extended version that appeared on vhs. From what I can tell it is the original theatrical version. Its very annoying that none of this information appears anywhere on the blu ray disc.

[Wojo 2,458]

It's easy to tell. If your version has no Rene Auberjonois as Colonel West (in the President's office and at Khitomer) and no faces that pop-up during the mind meld, you've got the theatrical cut. The former was added to the home video, and the latter for Nick Meyers Director's cut, as well as Kirk and Spock going up and down ladders to get to certain decks.

I would think the Blu-Ray would have to actually say "I'm the director's cut" or "I'm the extended home video cut," and since it says nothing, it's the silly old theatrical cut.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,023]

Tell me something about Neo, for example. That isn't "this is his job" or "he looks like this".

Neo is played by Keanu Reeves.

That says all you need to know.

[A24 5,156]

As Neo is the mythologic messiah archetype, Keanu is perfectly cast, so are the others. It can't always be Harrison Ford or Bruce Willis, you know. Those are the ones that will never rise above us.

To my knowledge, there are at least three movies where Keanu has played the god character. I understand why the Wachowski brothers, Bertolucci and others see that quality in him.

Alex

[Quintus 6,496]

He's obviously no Olivier, but I've never really got the flak Keanu's often gets for his acting. I find him pretty watchable myself, always have done. He's always struck me as a chap who is usually aware of his own range and limits. He's a worthy movie star and there's nobody else out there quite like him, when you think about it.

Lee - who's chuffed to see his favourite thread getting some action again. It's been criminally ignored lately.

[nightscape94 968]

I really don't have an issue with Keanu. He has good screen presence. I liked him in Speed, A Walk in the Clouds, Thumbsucker, and The Lake House (a much better film that I gave it credit for when I saw the theatrical trailers) to name a few.

[Romão 2,473]

Well, at least he's better than Orlando Bloom, but that's as far as my praise will go...

[A24 5,156]

I really don't have an issue with Keanu. He has good screen presence. I liked him in Speed, A Walk in the Clouds, Thumbsucker, and The Lake House (a much better film that I gave it credit for when I saw the theatrical trailers) to name a few.

Yep, I too liked him in Thumbsucker.

I don't think it's a matter of praising. Like 643nightscape94 said, he has a certain look and presence that some directors know how to ulilize. You either have that or you don't. What he did in The Matrix is something I don't think many other actors can get away with. It has nothing to do with acting.

Alex

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

He's a very limited actor, but when he's used right he can be very effective.

Like Sean Connery.

[Quintus 6,496]

-100 Connery Charisma, yes.

Sean could play a mute rapist and I'd still be glued to the screen.

Well, at least he's better than Orlando Bloom,

Definitely, especially in the star quality stakes. I don't mind Bloom, though.

[Jeff 10]

He's a very limited actor, but when he's used right he can be very effective.

Like Sean Connery.

Agreed, although don't forget Bill and Ted, which was quite different from his usual roles.

And Sean Connery has a specific style as well, but it's more broadly applicable.

[Trent Hoyt 13]

Its too bad, the picture is really good. I wish it was the extended version.

[Wojo 2,458]

I don't mind Bloom, though.

[A24 5,156]

Source Code: The film (another story movie) could not entertain me so I stopped watching and went to bed. I'm surprised about all the positive reactions this film has received. I don't get anything out of it. At least Moon had some character. It's also one of the most ugly looking films I've seen in years.

Alex

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

Invalid! One can not intelligently review a film one did not finish watching.

[A24 5,156]

I don't believe that is true. The first hour screamed: "This film is not for me!" There was nothing appealing to me. The last 30 minutes will not change anything.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

But now we will never know, will we.

[Quintus 6,496]

99% of movies are "story movies", Alex. I'm surprised you expected something else from Source Code. The trailer wasn't exactly visually profound. It's just another high-concept summer movie.

[A24 5,156]

But now we will never know, will we.

What will we not know? How it ended? I don't care.

99% of movies are "story movies", Alex. I'm surprised you expected something else from Source Code.

This one was even more a story movie than other story movies. It really had nothing else going for it. Even the premise was ridiculous.

[Quintus 6,496]

This one was even more a story movie than other story movies.

Did you see Tintin yet? It's effin brilliant!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

Stories are bad....stories are bad...stories are bad!

[A24 5,156]

Don't you guys like other things like great acting and intriguing characters? I know I do. I mean, after decades of being a movie fan, you no longer watch movies just for their stories. I felt this one had nothing to offer outside its premise, which didn't interested me.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

Alexander. Stories are ingrained in the human essence. It's part of who we are.

It starts by our mother telling us stories while we are in bed.

[Quintus 6,496]

There was nothing great about Source Code, but I thought it had decent acting and passable characters. I had no expectations from the movie and so was pleased when it delivered relaxing entertainment whilst sprawled out on the sofa. I don't approach movies looking for some sort of deeply engaging transcendental experience, a tapestry of symbolism and hidden meaning blah blah blah. Of course, I will put my serious head on for movies I'm expecting a lot from, but not for a flick like Source Code, lol no. For most movies I just want to chill out with my girl and press pause if I need a piss.

[A24 5,156]

I want more, Steef, much more!

As a director, Duncan Jones is history (in my book).

He's a nice bloke though. (okay, I will watch his Blade Runner tribute, if he can find the money to make it, that is)

[Quintus 6,496]

Incidentally, I always confuse Source Code with that other movie which looked similar and came out at the same time. Erm... Limitless, I think it's called. Not seen it, but apparently it's about as daft as SC.

[A24 5,156]

I loved it. It's doesn't look the same at all. It's very different, as different as it can get. It's like 'talent' vs. 'okay, but he's a nice bloke'.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

I want more, Steef, much more!

We all do, but basically you want the story to be well told. Movies without a story are pointless.Do they even excist?

[Quintus 6,496]

Bradley Cooper's I look like a model smugness puts me off Limitless. That its director is likely to cast him as Nathan Drake worries me.