Really loved Hereditary. I don't mind movies that take their time. But I was rather dissapointed by midsommar. It felt like a remix of hereditary. Main character in mourning, pagan rituals, genetically challenged child that scribbles, naked chanters,... and of course the end is predictable as Aster wanted to pay hommage to a certain movie. Aster said this is a breakup movie like he said hereditary was a movie about mourning. but the end result is neither fish nor meat
Aster has potential but he needs to do some critical thinking.
Reviews
5 Reviews
haunted by love, haunted by reality, no escape
14 July 2006
summary: A schoolteacher (Miereveld or "nest of ants") is entranced by one of his students (Fran). Not being able to have his love fulfilled he tries to escape it and moves house and job. Working for the justice department he is invited by the coroner to join a post mortem examination which leads to an encounter with his former student and the possibility to no longer escape his love.
review: The theme of escape is very prevalent throughout all facets of this movie. The off-voice narration creates a sort of detachment that reflects the detachment of the character with reality and even with the feelings inside him. Seldom the characters speak while facing the camera and the music is a wonderful accompaniment to the narrative: fairy-like and enchanting or confusing and detached. As the inner feelings and reflections of the characters are the main subject of this movie, it is strongly narrative driven rather than driven by actions and therefor it might not suit every 21st century viewer. But I strongly urge people to allow themselves to follow the reflections and balance on the stream of consciousness of the characters and see where it takes them. Near the end different elements fall into place although it may be a place that not everyone likes or even understands. Strong visuals, strong music, strong acting, but not suitable for a day when you're on the couch struck by the flu.
review: The theme of escape is very prevalent throughout all facets of this movie. The off-voice narration creates a sort of detachment that reflects the detachment of the character with reality and even with the feelings inside him. Seldom the characters speak while facing the camera and the music is a wonderful accompaniment to the narrative: fairy-like and enchanting or confusing and detached. As the inner feelings and reflections of the characters are the main subject of this movie, it is strongly narrative driven rather than driven by actions and therefor it might not suit every 21st century viewer. But I strongly urge people to allow themselves to follow the reflections and balance on the stream of consciousness of the characters and see where it takes them. Near the end different elements fall into place although it may be a place that not everyone likes or even understands. Strong visuals, strong music, strong acting, but not suitable for a day when you're on the couch struck by the flu.
The Smurfs
(1981–1989)
a Belgian perspective
14 July 2006
It is surprising that there are no Belgian comments on this series. As a Belgian girl i grew up with these and there has never been anything that could remotely match this. Yes they were cute, adorable and their personalities just drew you into the stories. they had wonderful adventures but never the gooey type like the Carebears. Peyo, the creator of the comics and series did sometimes get his inspiration from current events. There is one book that deals with a language issue (should a blowpipe be called blowsmurf or smurfpipe?) that is a parody on the language issues that still exist in Belgium. But i can assure there was no antisemitism or KKK or even communist intentions. The coexisting was more an idea of peace and harmony than it was about communism. Yes, there are morals to the stories sometimes but they are never really the in you face kind of morals you find in current cartoons or Disney movies. it is the kind of show that never goes out of date. the comics are still being made although peyo has died and the quality of the stories is appalling. Stick to the original stuff, it's timeless.
The Center of the World
(2001)
Realism and artificiality
29 April 2005
I recently saw this movie again and although the topic may still be important in todays society, as a subject for a movie it however seems a bit outdated. However, it is still a very nice movie. A lot of people are drawn towards this film because of the rumors of graphic visual material. However this is not a pornographic movie and less "shocking" than a movie like "Baise-moi". But this is definitely not the essence of the movie.
It deals with the subject of realism in several aspects. One is the reality or artificiality of the life of the computer dude that lives through computers. The internet is his world and is taking over the real world. He can no longer relate to people in a regular way and starts an artificial relationship with a stripper. The movie deals with the question how real these relations can be and where the real world and real emotions fit into this artificiality.
This aspect is enhanced by the use of different ways of filming. At certain times it is filmed like any other movie and this cinematic quality fits the "artificial" aspect of the movie. At other times the makers switch to a style of filming whose hand-held camera footage is reminiscent of documentaries and reality shows and whose graininess reminds us of home movies. I find that the makers have made some very nice and efficient cinematographic choices to bring their message. For that alone I find the movie worthwhile. People seem to forget that hand-held does not automatically equate to Blair Witch type movies and can convey so much more.
Definitely an interesting movie to watch.
It deals with the subject of realism in several aspects. One is the reality or artificiality of the life of the computer dude that lives through computers. The internet is his world and is taking over the real world. He can no longer relate to people in a regular way and starts an artificial relationship with a stripper. The movie deals with the question how real these relations can be and where the real world and real emotions fit into this artificiality.
This aspect is enhanced by the use of different ways of filming. At certain times it is filmed like any other movie and this cinematic quality fits the "artificial" aspect of the movie. At other times the makers switch to a style of filming whose hand-held camera footage is reminiscent of documentaries and reality shows and whose graininess reminds us of home movies. I find that the makers have made some very nice and efficient cinematographic choices to bring their message. For that alone I find the movie worthwhile. People seem to forget that hand-held does not automatically equate to Blair Witch type movies and can convey so much more.
Definitely an interesting movie to watch.
3 petites filles
(2004)
Innocence versus growing up, dreams versus reality
11 October 2004
As the title says, it's about three girls. Lucie is a little troubled soul who experiments on her cats but they all have their worries. For Lilia it is the most urgent as her family plans to return to Algiers to marry her to a cousin. She finds little help from her family and as the mother of Pauline - her best friend - tells her, legally there is little they can do. In contrast to these two girls Pauline had a wonderful moment as she saw Johnny Depp, her idol, sit on the bus across her. Of course her friends don't believe her even if she brings a magazine to school that mentions how Johnny and Vanessa are holidaying in a secluded place in Corsica. Lilia tries to escape her fate by running away and they end up "running" after Johnny depp, hoping to find him and alert him to Lilia's problem and that he will cause a bit of mayhem in the media to help her out. What follows is a roadmovie in which the girls discover more about themselves and their views on live especially when their ideals are put in sharp contrast with the lifestyle of a couple they meet on the way (Paolo and Laetitia), who helps them out and with reality. The movie is a story of 3 girls on the verge of growing up, what they hope to gain but also what they will need to give up in the process when they can no longer be the innocent child. The story is not as mellow as the above may lead you to think. On their departure there is an incident that causes the girls to live on a delicate balance between running towards a dream and running away as Pauline is terribly worried that she will be found by the police. There are quite some tense moments as the police gets closer. But I do dare you not to cry at the end of the movie. The major plusses for this movie are the wonderful acting of all involved and the choice of the music to accompany the scenes (featuring Radiohead among others). For the Depp fans I would like to add that neither he or Vanessa make a cameo appearance in this movie.
Tell Your Friends