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Josh
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« on: August 09, 2003, 08:06:10 PM » |
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I caught this film tonight, and I have mixed feelings about it. My favorite film critic listed it as his second favorite film from last year, and other critics gave it similar praise. The thing is very overhyped. But it's still worth checking out.
Quick summary: It's a romantic comedy. Adam Sandler and Emily Watson are the two lovers. Sandler's character suffers from deep emotional problems and a short fuse. Watson is the personification of grace, and her love is the only thing that'll cure his problems.
Pros:
- Adam Sandler's best performance ever. He's just as funny as he usually is, but this role it more complex than the usual Sandler fare, and his performance is suitably nuanced.
- The lovely Emily Watson also gives a first-rate performance.
- Phillips Seymour Hoffman is in it. He's ALWAYS amazing. His role in Punch-Drunk was tiny, but it was still fun to see a familiar face from Almost Famous.
- There are a lot of funny little quirks here- many of them based on real-life experiences- that keep things interesting. For those w ho have seen the film, I'm talking about the blue suit, the piano, and especially the pudding.
Cons:
- A very abrupt ending, and, at 95 minutes long, the movie could have afforded to be a bit longer.
- THE MOST ANNOYING SOUNDTRACK I HAVE EVER HEARD! It's amazingly bombastic, constantly playing and getting on my nerves. It just doesn't stop. And it's not even a great soundtrack; it's noisey and obnoxious. It almost ruined the movie for me.
Overall, not a masterpiece, but still a good, offbeat little film.
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Vlad!
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« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2003, 02:21:49 PM » |
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- Adam Sandler's best performance ever. He's just as funny as he usually is, but this role it more complex than the usual Sandler fare, and his performance is suitably nuanced. I don't think Sandler is funny, and I haven't liked any of his movies. Is he far enough above his usual lackluster performance to be worth a watch? |
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
rms
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Josh
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« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2003, 05:18:22 PM » |
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I don't think Sandler is funny, and I haven't liked any of his movies. Is he far enough above his usual lackluster performance to be worth a watch?
Yes, you'd probably be surprised. In fact, his performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. So Sandler is obviously different from his usual unrestrained, bawdy self. |
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Emericana
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« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2003, 07:57:39 PM » |
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It was definitely one of my favorites from last year. But strangely enough, your cons were 2 things I liked about it. I thought anything more would have just dragged it out, and I loved the soundtrack, and the art transitions throughout the film.
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Josh
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« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2003, 08:02:04 PM » |
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The color washes were indeed cool.
The soundtrack on its own was experimental and fun, but in the film it was too loud and overbearing for my tastes; it proved to be more of a distraction than anything else.
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Vlad!
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« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2003, 08:06:08 AM » |
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The soundtrack on its own was experimental and fun, but in the film it was too loud and overbearing for my tastes; it proved to be more of a distraction than anything else. There is often a fine line between music that compliments the events onscreen ( Star Wars, LotR) and music that manipulates the listener into a certain frame of mind that the director and actors aren't skilled enough to achieve on their own. |
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
rms
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PriestofDasani
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« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2003, 09:16:28 AM » |
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There is often a fine line between music that compliments the events onscreen (Star Wars, LotR) ... True, sometimes I don't even notice music in movies like Star Wars, but I have some of the soundtracks and sometimes I can pick out the scenes by listening. |
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Josh
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« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2003, 11:24:15 AM » |
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There is often a fine line between music that compliments the events onscreen (Star Wars, LotR) and music that manipulates the listener into a certain frame of mind that the director and actors aren't skilled enough to achieve on their own.
Yes, very well said. Thankfully, Punch-Drunk's score isn't manipulative. It's just annoying. |
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