What's the Big Deal with Wes Anderson
#51
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by Julie Walker
That may be true,but what annoys me the most is how she tries to make every 'indie' film sound so 'deep' and 'meaningful'.
On the plus side,she does like some cool films which I happen to like...and she's very hot as well. But the posuer crap is annoying as hell..and she claims to not be a posuer,lol.
Since you know,she's all goth and everything.
On the plus side,she does like some cool films which I happen to like...and she's very hot as well. But the posuer crap is annoying as hell..and she claims to not be a posuer,lol.
Since you know,she's all goth and everything.
Reminds me of a time I was in a bar here (Delaware) and I met a friend of mine that had gone off to school in Pittsburgh. Well, we're at the local college/townie bar and they're playing Jay-Z or what not and they have specials on Yuengling and Coors and this girl turns to me and says, "Man, this bar is lame." I ask her why and she says, "I don't know, it doesn't have anything to it." (This bar is actually quite nice and probably one of the most historic in the entire state, but I digress).
And then she gets this thing where she's saying that she has moved on and moved out of the state, and is asking me what I am doing, and why am I still here. And she complains that the bar doesn't have any good Whisky. I ask her what single-malts she drinks and she doesn't understand my question. She then says, "You know, in Pittsburgh we have a lot of really cool dive bars, you know."
"Well, about 5 minutes across the border into Maryland there's a bar that doesn't even have a paved lot. Let's go there."
"Oh, I didn't mean a real dive bar."
And then she uses the word "hipster" about once per sentence for the next half hour.
Childish. Trying to prove something. Oh well.
(Sorry, off-topic)
#52
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by Trigger
But I do find it annoying that my opinion becomes worthless once people find out that I like Michael Bay.
#53
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Someone mentioned Anderson's characters, despite having funny lines here and there, are often depressed (I'm paraphrasing, obviously). This is why I think I have tended to not enjoy Wes Anderson's work all that much.
But being depressed seems to be a staple of independent cinema. At least Anderson's movies have some amusing moments mixed in with the sadness.
I can see the appeal, but his movies just aren't my thing.
But being depressed seems to be a staple of independent cinema. At least Anderson's movies have some amusing moments mixed in with the sadness.
I can see the appeal, but his movies just aren't my thing.
#54
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by Trigger
I am kinda lukewarm on Wes Anderson... I liked Bottle Rocket and Rushmore was kinda good. I thought TRT was shit... don't know why. I thought Life Aquatic was decent. I think he has the potential to make a really funny movie, but nothing he's made so far has kept me laughing all the way through. That's the part I don't understand about the adoration of a person like this - they claim they laugh their asses off the entire movie and I can't picture it. Much like with that pile of feces, Sideways. Not even a chuckle out of me or anyone else in the theater and yet people everywhere can't stop saying how they were rolling on the floor at it.
I find it hard to believe that not one person in your theater laughed at Sideways. I can believe that you didn't, but if your expectation was to laugh at every scene, then I could see how you would have gotten annoyed that you weren't laughing every second of the show.
#57
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Originally Posted by Trigger
I think he has the potential to make a really funny movie, but nothing he's made so far has kept me laughing all the way through.
#58
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Originally Posted by The Bus
Kids.
Reminds me of a time I was in a bar here (Delaware) and I met a friend of mine that had gone off to school in Pittsburgh. Well, we're at the local college/townie bar and they're playing Jay-Z or what not and they have specials on Yuengling and Coors and this girl turns to me and says, "Man, this bar is lame." I ask her why and she says, "I don't know, it doesn't have anything to it." (This bar is actually quite nice and probably one of the most historic in the entire state, but I digress).
Reminds me of a time I was in a bar here (Delaware) and I met a friend of mine that had gone off to school in Pittsburgh. Well, we're at the local college/townie bar and they're playing Jay-Z or what not and they have specials on Yuengling and Coors and this girl turns to me and says, "Man, this bar is lame." I ask her why and she says, "I don't know, it doesn't have anything to it." (This bar is actually quite nice and probably one of the most historic in the entire state, but I digress).
#59
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Todd Solondz is another director in the same league of Anderson that I don't get.
I heard Happiness was a disturbing and hilarious dark comedy. I view it...a couple times actually(trying to see if I missed the point the first time). I did not find it laugh out loud funny in the least,nor even minutely chuckle inducing. It was a boring & depressing.
Welcome To the Dollhouse was the exact same thing. Boring and depressing. Where was the so called 'dark humor'???
I just could'nt get the appeal of either of these films. Laughing at peoples misfortunes could be funny if done right. Yet by making a film dealing with serious subject matter,and filming it in a bland style creating a uber-serious drama instead of comedy. It just does'nt work for myself at all.
I love dark humor,and in terms of novels,American Psycho was one of the funniest and most disturbing things I have ever read(the film blows chunks though).
Three Kings I thought was a hilarious film,as it tackled serious subject matter with a wry sense of dark humor. I'm sure had Todd or Wes made the film,it would have been bland and boring.
Which gets me back to Wes & Todd. They may be trying to expose the 'humorous' side of dysfuctional people/family..but instead of finding the humor,they find depression and boredom instead. At least make the charecters slightly amusing despite their bleak lives!
They don't have to be 'outrageous' or anything,but definitely less serious than their films come out. If I could get one big laugh from their films,just one. I would not criticize them so much.
Yet so far,both filmmakers have failed to make me even chuckle!...and yet other people go on about how 'funny' and 'laugh out loud quirky' their films are. I just do not see the appeal at all..and believe me I tried!
I heard Happiness was a disturbing and hilarious dark comedy. I view it...a couple times actually(trying to see if I missed the point the first time). I did not find it laugh out loud funny in the least,nor even minutely chuckle inducing. It was a boring & depressing.
Welcome To the Dollhouse was the exact same thing. Boring and depressing. Where was the so called 'dark humor'???
I just could'nt get the appeal of either of these films. Laughing at peoples misfortunes could be funny if done right. Yet by making a film dealing with serious subject matter,and filming it in a bland style creating a uber-serious drama instead of comedy. It just does'nt work for myself at all.
I love dark humor,and in terms of novels,American Psycho was one of the funniest and most disturbing things I have ever read(the film blows chunks though).
Three Kings I thought was a hilarious film,as it tackled serious subject matter with a wry sense of dark humor. I'm sure had Todd or Wes made the film,it would have been bland and boring.
Which gets me back to Wes & Todd. They may be trying to expose the 'humorous' side of dysfuctional people/family..but instead of finding the humor,they find depression and boredom instead. At least make the charecters slightly amusing despite their bleak lives!
They don't have to be 'outrageous' or anything,but definitely less serious than their films come out. If I could get one big laugh from their films,just one. I would not criticize them so much.
Yet so far,both filmmakers have failed to make me even chuckle!...and yet other people go on about how 'funny' and 'laugh out loud quirky' their films are. I just do not see the appeal at all..and believe me I tried!
#60
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Jay G.
I've never got the point behind these "What's the deal with....." threads. It's like the thread starters are so insecure in their own opinions that they need to confirm that other people don't like a movie/director/actor as well. None of the explainations by the defenders ever seem to satisfy them, not like one can really be rationalized into liking something anyway.
Very well put. I couldn't agree more.
"Rushmore" is one of my favorite films, I liked "Bottle Rocket" and "Royal Tenenbaums"; haven't seen "Life Aquatic" yet. So, it's not like I'm a rabid Wes Anderson fan.
There are a lot of things I "don't get" in life, movies and otherwise, but I've never felt the need to challenge those who do as if they are lording some sort of intellectual superiority over me.
You like a movie or you don't. You like the style of a director or you don't. Move on. You can only make yourself look ignorant by saying those who disagree with you are snobs or liars who are trying to "sound sophisticated."
#61
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jay G.
It's like the thread starters are so insecure in their own opinions that they need to confirm that other people don't like a movie/director/actor as well. None of the explainations by the defenders ever seem to satisfy them, not like one can really be rationalized into liking something anyway.
That said, at least some of the dislikers here have more thought out reasons for not liking his films than saying they're "crapified."
That said, at least some of the dislikers here have more thought out reasons for not liking his films than saying they're "crapified."
Also I didn't really feel like going into extreme detail about why I think his movies are CRAPIFIED or CRAPTASTIC or CRAPTACULAR, I simply don't like his movies, they all suck a whole lot. They claim to be comedies but seem to leave out the main ingredient of comedy...humor. A joke every 45 minutes, isn't a comedy! His films seem to be very dramatized.
Now I've given my reasons.
Originally Posted by Mr. Salty
There are a lot of things I "don't get" in life, movies and otherwise, but I've never felt the need to challenge those who do as if they are lording some sort of intellectual superiority over me.
You like a movie or you don't. You like the style of a director or you don't. Move on. You can only make yourself look ignorant by saying those who disagree with you are snobs or liars who are trying to "sound sophisticated."
You like a movie or you don't. You like the style of a director or you don't. Move on. You can only make yourself look ignorant by saying those who disagree with you are snobs or liars who are trying to "sound sophisticated."
Thank You! GOODNIGHT!
Last edited by The Monkees; 05-03-05 at 12:18 AM.
#62
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by The Monkees
...well here comes the question again, Why Wes Anderson? His movies are far from "blockbusters" so why does everyone like him?
It also raises the question as to why are the majority of people who like his films, film students? Do his movies only appeal to film students?
And I NEVER said that people were trying to "sound sophisticated" over me. Because they don't.
Look, I admit, the first time I watched "Rushmore" (the first Wes Anderson movie I watched), I kind of liked it, but didn't know quite what to make of it. I chuckled a few times (I mean, come on, a high school play based on "Serpico" is funny). But the second time I watched it, something just clicked into place for me and I laughed all the way through and fell in love with the movie.
Wes Anderson's movies are on a little bit different wavelength than most movies. The humor is way more subtle compared to mainstream comedies.
Anderson's movies click with some people. They don't click with others. I suspect he's OK with the idea his movies won't sell $300 million worth of tickets or appeal to the kind of crowd that wants to see its comedy performed by Will Ferrell or Jim Carrey.
#63
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by Trigger
I am kinda lukewarm on Wes Anderson... I liked Bottle Rocket and Rushmore was kinda good. I thought TRT was shit... don't know why. I thought Life Aquatic was decent. I think he has the potential to make a really funny movie, but nothing he's made so far has kept me laughing all the way through. That's the part I don't understand about the adoration of a person like this - they claim they laugh their asses off the entire movie and I can't picture it.
He has potential, that is for sure, but from what he has done so far, I would say he is nothing special at this point in his career.
I didn't say you did. But another poster in this thread did use those words, and more than one used the word "snob." Please review your thread.
#64
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Originally Posted by Michael Corvin
I don't get the draw either. His movies are decent, nothing spectacular. He is definitely a director for film snobs.
agree with him, his movies are kind of boring
#65
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For me it's been a downward slope for his movies. I loved "Bottle Rocket" for me it is a laugh out loud movie. It does have a somewhat depressing shell, but on the inside it's funny as hell. "Rushmore" was pretty good, not as funny....the rest just kinda shift from the funny to the depressed side. The Life Aquatic had only a few funny scenes, but for the most part I did not like it. I felt like all the actors just dialed in their performance as well.
*On a side note: Those that sort of like Wes Anderson's work, but are looking for a little more...check out Alexander Payne's work. They are similar in style, but I think Payne's work is growing and getting better with each film, which is the exact oppisite of how I see Anderson's work.
Timmio
*On a side note: Those that sort of like Wes Anderson's work, but are looking for a little more...check out Alexander Payne's work. They are similar in style, but I think Payne's work is growing and getting better with each film, which is the exact oppisite of how I see Anderson's work.
Timmio
#67
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I still don't understand why people seem to be getting so defensive about not liking Wes Anderson movies. If you don't like his movies, that is your opinion and you are entitled to it, just as those who do like his movies are entitled to theirs. No one in this thread has said those who don't like his movies are missing something or are intelletually inferior or anything like that.
If someone is being a snob outside of these threads, that is your problem to deal with. Many people have given their reasons why they like Wes Anderson movies in this thread, but there are still people coming in and verging on being offensive in their generalities about people who like these types of movies. What's the deal?
If someone is being a snob outside of these threads, that is your problem to deal with. Many people have given their reasons why they like Wes Anderson movies in this thread, but there are still people coming in and verging on being offensive in their generalities about people who like these types of movies. What's the deal?
#69
Moderator
Originally Posted by Timmio
*On a side note: Those that sort of like Wes Anderson's work, but are looking for a little more...check out Alexander Payne's work. They are similar in style, but I think Payne's work is growing and getting better with each film, which is the exact oppisite of how I see Anderson's work.
#70
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Cygnet74
imo, i think his films have grown more controlled and more cynical. bottle rocket had a simplicity, a freedom and a balance between real and surreal that i've always admired moreso than in his other films.
Of course, I'm usually not a fan of writer/directors in general, because I don't think they can distance themselves enough.
#71
Moderator
Originally Posted by DVD Josh
I personally think that Bottle Rocket is his only good movie. Rushmore's first half is very very good, but the second half is crap. I thought TRT and TLA were unholy garbage. But that's just me. I like poop and fart jokes.
#72
Moderator
Originally Posted by Mr. Salty
"Blockbuster" is not the same as "good." Some blockbusters are very good, but others are awful. Do not confuse box office receipts as an indicator of quality.
Last edited by Giles; 05-03-05 at 02:12 PM.
#74
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Originally Posted by TracerBullet
Wes Anderson has always struck me as a director that values artiface over realism- his characters are basically dolls (wearing the same clothes, for instance). I didn't like TLA precisely because I felt the artiface was extended too far, and he had created a live-action cartoon. Perhaps Owen Wilson had been a moderating influence... I don't know.
Of course, I'm usually not a fan of writer/directors in general, because I don't think they can distance themselves enough.
Of course, I'm usually not a fan of writer/directors in general, because I don't think they can distance themselves enough.
#75
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by William Fuld
"Distance themselves enough" from what? Their art?