11 reviews
What an utterly fantastic film. I know it sounds cliched but Thomasin McKenzie steals your heart immediately and doesn't let go. Ben Foster is outstanding too.
Such a refreshingly different subject for a film, adeptly executed and a pleasure to look at and listen to and think about.
Such a refreshingly different subject for a film, adeptly executed and a pleasure to look at and listen to and think about.
After watching this film I am instantly a huge fan of Soda Kazuhiro. Thank you MUBI.
So good. Beautiful, film-like, digital noise serving visually as fine grain overlaying black and white photography of this small and amazing place and the people who call it home.
So good. Beautiful, film-like, digital noise serving visually as fine grain overlaying black and white photography of this small and amazing place and the people who call it home.
So good. Beautiful, film-like, digital noise serving visually as fine grain overlaying black and white photography of this small and amazing place and the people who call it home.
This was really good. While the director doesn't spoonfeed us the narrative and it may be less than linear, if you just settle in and accept its reality, you'll be rewarded.
The cover/poster makes this looks like a screwball comedy but it's a deeply meditative, ethereal documentary. At first I was like "OK here we go with the 5 minutes of silent faces looking into the camera cliche", but as it got going I was transfixed. Great sound design between interviews/sections.
He rules, and I would like to befriend him.
Always blessed to get a glimpse into the lives of people so different than my own. A bit of a slog to get through but good nonetheless.
Always blessed to get a glimpse into the lives of people so different than my own. A bit of a slog to get through but good nonetheless.
I enjoyed the hell out of this. It was fascinating thinking about the difference in sheer scope and technical brilliance compared with the first.
Is there tacky dialog and quips galore? Sure, same with the original. I mean this is Roland Emmerich we're talking about.
The film looks absolutely gorgeous with the cool neon blue everywhere. Thought the queen battle scene at the end in the desert was sweet.
Look forward to diving into the commentary and docs on the Blu-ray.
Is there tacky dialog and quips galore? Sure, same with the original. I mean this is Roland Emmerich we're talking about.
The film looks absolutely gorgeous with the cool neon blue everywhere. Thought the queen battle scene at the end in the desert was sweet.
Look forward to diving into the commentary and docs on the Blu-ray.
Talk about under the radar, I don't even remember this being marketed during its release and I love these kinds of movies.
I understand most peoples' criticism of the "flatness" of the script and underdeveloped characters, and that the only real strength is the sumptuous cinematography and general atmosphere.
But see, those last two things can be enough to reel me in sufficiently to forgive (or not even notice) those perceived shortcomings. I simply adore movies shot on film in the wide aspect ratio that are almost monochrome and take place in a gritty urban locale. It's that level of polish where the visuals and the score just put me right in my happy place. I also thought it was a great cast and the acting was solid all around.
There may not have been enough twists and turns for most folks, and the ending did seem a bit curt, but overall I am a huge fan and think it's a pity that Janusz Kaminski didn't direct more after this.
Super bummed to see this hasn't received a Blu-Ray release anywhere in the world, but at least the available HD streaming transfer is super nice. While the audio is only Dolby 2.0 stereo, my receiver made it sound damn fine with its simulated 5.1 effect.
I understand most peoples' criticism of the "flatness" of the script and underdeveloped characters, and that the only real strength is the sumptuous cinematography and general atmosphere.
But see, those last two things can be enough to reel me in sufficiently to forgive (or not even notice) those perceived shortcomings. I simply adore movies shot on film in the wide aspect ratio that are almost monochrome and take place in a gritty urban locale. It's that level of polish where the visuals and the score just put me right in my happy place. I also thought it was a great cast and the acting was solid all around.
There may not have been enough twists and turns for most folks, and the ending did seem a bit curt, but overall I am a huge fan and think it's a pity that Janusz Kaminski didn't direct more after this.
Super bummed to see this hasn't received a Blu-Ray release anywhere in the world, but at least the available HD streaming transfer is super nice. While the audio is only Dolby 2.0 stereo, my receiver made it sound damn fine with its simulated 5.1 effect.
At times uncomfortable to sit through but that's kind of the point. This isn't escapism, this is an unflinching look into the lives of two addict lovers. With minimal dialog, the camera lingers closely to catch every bit of acne, crooked and rotting teeth, soulless stare...really great cinematography.
Watched on Shudder. More than competent home invasion thriller. The lead male is by far the best actor while the female is mostly scream queen eye candy (apparently one of the leads from Ginger Snaps which I still need to see) and the kid is kind of unlikeable, but hey so are lots of people. Was cool to see one character actor I recognized and like a lot.
Very nice camera-work, good tension. Somewhat unfulfilling ending but hey those are tough to pull off. Perfect length (80 mins), not a major time investment even if you don't love it.
Very nice camera-work, good tension. Somewhat unfulfilling ending but hey those are tough to pull off. Perfect length (80 mins), not a major time investment even if you don't love it.
More than anything this was a fascinating watch, coupled with reading the IMDb trivia afterward as well as the letter from William Friedkin that came with the Warner Blu-Ray package.
Definitely a bit of a time capsule action/suspense movie, much more drawn out and methodical than anything you'd see today. One to struggle with exposition that doesn't slap me in the face with explicit clarity I found the first act a slog, even if theatrically beautiful.
In keeping with the '70s fascination with the anti-hero, not one character in Sorcerer is remotely likable, which works for the gritty, existential, survivalist tone of the film. The Tangerine Dream score was so far ahead of its time; I thought it was an early '80s film rather than one made in 1976. It might have seemed jarringly misplaced for the film's visuals and geographic setting but hey, it's Tangerine flipping Dream.
Warner's restoration of the print and the soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal, the latter mainly evident in the numerous explosions and storm-drenched bridge crossing scenes. From what it sounds, the production was a grueling nightmare fraught with setbacks and resulted in a financial bust ($21b production budget, $9b box office take). I just wish we had a commentary and some extras on the disc, even if just retrospective interviews.
Definitely a bit of a time capsule action/suspense movie, much more drawn out and methodical than anything you'd see today. One to struggle with exposition that doesn't slap me in the face with explicit clarity I found the first act a slog, even if theatrically beautiful.
In keeping with the '70s fascination with the anti-hero, not one character in Sorcerer is remotely likable, which works for the gritty, existential, survivalist tone of the film. The Tangerine Dream score was so far ahead of its time; I thought it was an early '80s film rather than one made in 1976. It might have seemed jarringly misplaced for the film's visuals and geographic setting but hey, it's Tangerine flipping Dream.
Warner's restoration of the print and the soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal, the latter mainly evident in the numerous explosions and storm-drenched bridge crossing scenes. From what it sounds, the production was a grueling nightmare fraught with setbacks and resulted in a financial bust ($21b production budget, $9b box office take). I just wish we had a commentary and some extras on the disc, even if just retrospective interviews.