There's no doubt CuarÃ³n is hugely gifted

Posted by Jazz Inmate (A) on February 20, 2008 at 00:47:41

In Reply to: We'll just have to disagree about this one... posted by Harmonia on February 19, 2008 at 21:04:00:

I even liked his Harry Potter film, especially compared to the other Potter films (which may not be saying much). But the reason CoM upset people on the left and right is because it cast the terrorsts and government as equivalent. And while the left might believe that terrorists have greater justification in their actions than government, and the right may believe the opposite, I am so tired of the Hollywood premise that "both are equal", which appeared to be a theme of CoM. It is such an easy idea that it requires and commands no real thought. The story was empty rhetoric about saving the world in the backdrop of this human impotence that was never explained and only served to emotionally manipulate the audience about the hopelessness in the future.

The roles played by race and gender were not interesting. If the movie really wanted to make a gutsy statement about a black woman or baby being the future or the savior of humanity, why did we need a white male to protect them until he became a martyr? I saw the entire vision of the future and salvation of humanity as nothing but a cheap attempt at transgression to make up for the ills of the past. The Michael Cain character was like a John Lenon figure, smoking reefer and getting martyred himself. It really bothered me, and not because it was good but because it was so superficial. It may have masqueraded as a complicated exposition, but the story was simple and the message was telegraphed right down the name emblazoned on the ship at the end.

It wasn't only the story but many of CuarÃ³n's choices that I didn't like, including the shakey/handheld camera during the action sequences.
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"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back." -Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Babel - mishmashmusic 08:05:59 02/19/08 (24)

A brave try... - Harmonia 16:38:19 02/19/08 (3)

RE: A brave try... - Jazz Inmate 17:47:49 02/19/08 (2)

We'll just have to disagree about this one... - Harmonia 21:04:00 02/19/08 (1)

There's no doubt CuarÃ³n is hugely gifted - Jazz Inmate 00:47:41 02/20/08 (0)

A GREAT film!!!! Top 100 of all time. - tinear 15:13:15 02/19/08 (10)

What was your problem with No Country - Jazz Inmate 15:34:09 02/19/08 (9)

Oh come on! A "masterpiece?" If it were, how would you - tinear 16:13:01 02/19/08 (8)

Fargo was practically a comedy like Raising Arizona - Jazz Inmate 17:10:44 02/19/08 (7)

The Coen Bros. just cannot not be funny. nt - geoffkait 12:03:53 02/20/08 (0)

But is it truly comic relief? - Harmonia 22:17:11 02/19/08 (0)

"Barton Fink," "Miller's Crossing," "The Man Who Wasn't There," - tinear 18:10:27 02/19/08 (4)

Go to your local video store and you'll find Barton Fink in the comedy section - Jazz Inmate 01:07:43 02/20/08 (1)

And if you go to the WH, youÂ´ll find George W. Bush sitting at the Oval Office (that is, when he is not... - orejones 11:28:20 02/20/08 (0)

Add Blood Simple to the serious Coens' list. - Road Warrior 19:40:36 02/19/08 (0)

"...art shouldn't debase humanity." - Sage. ~t - mpathus 19:09:08 02/19/08 (0)

The movie kept screaming out about how important, deep and meaningful it was - sjb 12:52:13 02/19/08 (0)

If you predicted each of the plotlines' outcomes, kudos on your mindreading abilities - Jazz Inmate 11:50:03 02/19/08 (4)

But...Inarritu did this sort of thing better... - Harmonia 16:23:43 02/19/08 (2)

I agree with all of that - Jazz Inmate 16:30:08 02/19/08 (1)

Perhaps I went in a bit annoyed... - Harmonia 16:44:52 02/19/08 (0)

RE: If you predicted each of the plotlines' outcomes, kudos on your mindreading abilities - mishmashmusic 12:22:28 02/19/08 (0)

RE: Babel - musetap 11:00:10 02/19/08 (0)

Mucho agreeo. I liked the Japanese story cause of the skin. * - mr grits 10:54:04 02/19/08 (0)

RE: Babel - DWPC 10:27:05 02/19/08 (0)

Follow Ups

There's no doubt CuarÃ³n is hugely gifted - Jazz Inmate 00:47:41 02/20/08 (0)

There's no doubt CuarÃ³n is hugely gifted

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