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BaftaBaby
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 15:25:14
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Having recently seen this I have more than a premonition that you should avoid it
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Demisemicenturian "Four ever European"
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 15:38:09
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Yep, it is not great. When one thinks about some of the timelines, they do not make any sense. There are also other weird plot shifts. However, the poster, while not particularly relevant, is a great design. |
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BaftaBaby "Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 15:53:58
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quote: Originally posted by Salopian
Yep, it is not great. When one thinks about some of the timelines, they do not make any sense. There are also other weird plot shifts. However, the poster, while not particularly relevant, is a great design.
It's lovely, I agree ... would that a similar level of artistry had gone into the script!
It's another of those trying to be too clever for its own good -- it ain't about timelines and logic -- because in the end it actually does all make sense in the sense of what it's really about. But it's trying to con you into thinking there's a woo-woo/woo-woo overtone, or at least a thriller overtone. When it ain't. [and I don't wanna give anything away here.]
If it had decided to be one thing or the other perhaps we'd have come to care about the characters. As it is - the conceit is so wonky ... in the end, we just don't give a stuff.
Ah, well, tonight it's Road Hogs and Red Road -- which probably reads like a better karmic double-bill than it will prove.
I'll letcha know
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Demisemicenturian "Four ever European"
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 16:21:32
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quote: Originally posted by BaftaBabe
It's another of those trying to be too clever for its own good -- it ain't about timelines and logic -- because in the end it actually does all make sense in the sense of what it's really about.
Not sure quite what you mean, but here's what I meant. I don't think these are spoilers, since they are just examples of the set-up that is clear from the trailer.
On the first day (film-wise), Wednesday, the daughter's face is fine. Later on, on Tuesday, she gets injured, having already carried this injury into Saturday, when no one (apart from the daughters it turns out) knew how it happened. This is confused in so many ways.
Bullock's character creates a chart of days to fill in her experiences. She gives Sunday as the first day, which she hasn't re-experienced yet - how did she know that she was going to? She must have experienced it originally, as when she wakes up on Thursday, she thinks everything is normal, and she knows what day it is. |
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Demisemicenturian "Four ever European"
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 16:22:25
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Basically, I don't have any problem with suspending belief for time-travel fiction, but it has to make sense within its own reality. |
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BaftaBaby "Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 16:35:33
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Nope, that's not what I meant. In the realm of trying to deconstruct the unfolding of scene by scene, none of it makes sense. But that isn't what the film's about, so it almost doesn't matter -- except to try to con you into thinking that's what it IS about.
By the end you realize what it's really about, and then it does all make sense. Not that it's a particularly satisfying ending, and certainly not an original one.
The real story is straight out of a True Romance comic book. That's it. All the rest is a con job.
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Demisemicenturian "Four ever European"
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 17:26:29
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Without getting into the debate about the value of plot again, I guess the timeshift plot is what the film is about for me. I don't think there is enough else being represented in it to take over. Am I missing a metaphorical level?! I had also forgotten about the ending and all the silliness involved in that!
On the upside, I do like Sandra Bullock and Julian McMahon is a god. So all in all it was a 3/5 for me (with 2/5 being the borderline for me between acceptable and not). |
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BaftaBaby "Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 17:51:05
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Let's just say the ending is the beginning. But, honestly, this film ain't worth this much discussion.
I'm glad you got something out of it, though.
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demonic "Cinemaniac"
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 18:23:48
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I have a premonition BB that you'll enjoy the fine lead performances in "Red Road" a lot more than the star turns in "Premonition". |
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BaftaBaby "Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/20/2007 : 22:53:44
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quote: Originally posted by demonic
I have a premonition BB that you'll enjoy the fine lead performances in "Red Road" a lot more than the star turns in "Premonition".
Just got back, Dem, and surprise, surprise ... you're absolutely right! Hell, I even enjoyed Wild Hogs more than Premo
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Demisemicenturian "Four ever European"
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Posted - 03/21/2007 : 09:34:16
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quote: Originally posted by BaftaBabe
Let's just say the ending is the beginning.
Oh yep, that aspect could have been pulled off a lot better - I don't mind that type of concept in theory. |
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Demisemicenturian "Four ever European"
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Posted - 03/21/2007 : 09:35:35
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Yup, Red Road is good, isn't it? I was fascinated by the symmetry of the woman's face in profile (nose-lip-lip-chin)! Did you prefer that or London to Brighton? I preferred the latter somewhat. |
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BaftaBaby "Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/21/2007 : 11:12:24
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quote: Originally posted by Salopian
Yup, Red Road is good, isn't it? I was fascinated by the symmetry of the woman's face in profile (nose-lip-lip-chin)! Did you prefer that or London to Brighton? I preferred the latter somewhat.
Yeah, I agree --- L>B was much more satisfying. Something to do with its better addressing the demands of cinema as opposed to telly.
BTW I've added Red Road to my Get the Picture accolade because the cctv cameras are so central to the plot.
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Demisemicenturian "Four ever European"
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Posted - 03/21/2007 : 12:07:53
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Indeed they are. I really liked that aspect as it is the first film I've seen that addresses that creeping feature of our lives (except for Nineteen Eighty-Four, sci-fi etc.). |
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demonic "Cinemaniac"
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Posted - 03/22/2007 : 00:17:24
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The day I planned to see "London to Brighton" was the day I realised I had the flu and couldn't stand up, so it remains unseen at the moment.
The best thing about "Red Road" was the uncertainty of the situation I think (and of course the lead performances which were superb) - as soon as the answer clicked into place it didn't quite live up to the horrors I had imagined. I think it'll seem more satisfying on a second viewing. I must say though - the cinematography was brilliant as well - so many beautiful images of very unphotogenic places. |
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