Monday, April 28, 2014

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie - Luis Bunuel (1972)


          I really wanted to like this movie. While it will never be one of my favorites, I do appreciate the concept and am glad I watched it for its awkward mockery of the bourgeoisie. I won't be seeing it again, but it was amusing. I can't imagine many people willing to sit through it, so...

Eh. Watch it or don't watch it.

Transcendence - Wally Pfister (2014)


          I wasn't sure what to think throughout this whole movie. I didn't know who was good, evil, crazy, or just stupid, and I didn't know which cause was more worth fighting for. Which is why I liked it. The truth is that we never know how much it takes of a good thing for it to be a bad thing. This film touches on what it means to be human and whether or not engaging in technological advancement pushes us toward or away from our ideal of humanity.
Was it well-made? It's still Hollywood, so it has some cheesy, less-than-subtle symbolism that gives it a cheapness in some places. Overall, I like the concept, I like the story, and it looks cool. What I love is walking away from a film feeling exactly what the characters in the film felt - in this case - confused. A good film is not measured by its ability to fully convey a solid point of opinion; it is measured by its effectiveness. So well done, Wally Pfister, whoever the hell you are.

Watch it, suckers!