Confusing films?
03-05-03 | 11:00 PM
#1
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From: Ontario, Canada
Confusing films?
Hi, I know this has proably been covered at least briefly before but I wanna start it up. I have recently been watching some art films for a film class I am taking, and while I enjoyed them, I found them somewhat confusing and in need of repeat viewings. Also, I recently remeber abuddy of mine saying he thought Donnie Darko was really confusing, however when I saw it I dont recall finding it that confusing.
SO, Im wondering what you guys think are some of the most confusing, ambiguous, in need of repeat viewing, mindscrew films. Actually I dont want to limit this to just films, tv shows are good too. Some Anime comes to mind such as Lain. Anyways, lemmie know what you think, thanks
SO, Im wondering what you guys think are some of the most confusing, ambiguous, in need of repeat viewing, mindscrew films. Actually I dont want to limit this to just films, tv shows are good too. Some Anime comes to mind such as Lain. Anyways, lemmie know what you think, thanks
03-05-03 | 11:29 PM
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I’m not exactly sure what you mean by “Art” movies, but some movies that reveal additional meaning on multiple viewings…
Eraserhead
2001 A Space Odyssey
Images
3 Women
Picnic At Hanging Rock
Magnolia
Solaris
Persona
The Passenger
It might help if you posted some of the titles you've discussed in class.
Eraserhead
2001 A Space Odyssey
Images
3 Women
Picnic At Hanging Rock
Magnolia
Solaris
Persona
The Passenger
It might help if you posted some of the titles you've discussed in class.
Last edited by audrey; 03-06-03 at 12:04 AM.
03-06-03 | 12:43 AM
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From: Tennessee, USA
Originally posted by caiman
*insert sarcastic know-it-all spelling correction*
*insert sarcastic know-it-all spelling correction*
Just kidding. Sorry about the typo.
03-06-03 | 12:46 AM
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From: Kansas City, MO
Originally posted by taa455
Bravo! Thank you, sarcastic know-it-all spelling police, for showing me the error of my ways.
Just kidding. Sorry about the typo.
Bravo! Thank you, sarcastic know-it-all spelling police, for showing me the error of my ways.
Just kidding. Sorry about the typo.
03-06-03 | 04:26 AM
#9
Yeah,Moementoe was pretty confusing. 
03-06-03 | 12:36 PM
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well, in terms of art films I mean some terms we looked at for a definition are that it relies upon pyscological causation, less concerned with action than reaction, and they consider ambiguity a dominant principle of intelligability. Some art films we've looked at are wild strawberries, shoot the piano player, and 8 1/2. Im not saying that these are all very confusing, but they are very different for sure than the classic hollywood narrative.
03-06-03 | 02:23 PM
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I think once you get past movies that are produced solely for entertainment purposes, so called pop corn flicks, you enter the realm of film as art. These are movies that in some way attempt to explore the various facets of the human condition; they encourage reflection, analysis, and interpretation.
Some of these employ conventional narrative techniques but burry meaning, symbolism, or metaphor beneath the surface. I would put 8 ½, The Passenger, and 2001 in this category. The stories are easy enough to follow; most people agree on the major plot points, but how one interprets the sub-text varies.
Other movies, like Eraserhead, stray from conventional story telling in terms of narrative, images, sound, editing, or use other abstract techniques to disorient the viewer. Like a Rorschach test, people often disagree even on the most basic elements.
Regardless of the path the filmmaker chooses I think the common element that differentiates film as art from movies as entertainment is intent—is the director striving to tell us something about ourselves or content to spin a good yarn?
Some of these employ conventional narrative techniques but burry meaning, symbolism, or metaphor beneath the surface. I would put 8 ½, The Passenger, and 2001 in this category. The stories are easy enough to follow; most people agree on the major plot points, but how one interprets the sub-text varies.
Other movies, like Eraserhead, stray from conventional story telling in terms of narrative, images, sound, editing, or use other abstract techniques to disorient the viewer. Like a Rorschach test, people often disagree even on the most basic elements.
Regardless of the path the filmmaker chooses I think the common element that differentiates film as art from movies as entertainment is intent—is the director striving to tell us something about ourselves or content to spin a good yarn?
03-06-03 | 08:16 PM
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Dude, Where's My Car completely rocked my face, yo. The Continuum Transfunctioner bit was tough to deal with. I'm hoping the sequel will help flesh out the plot for the original.
