The thing about the "twist" is that the movie's not at all dependent on the HSQ moment in order to work - I actually think it's better on rewatch because once you know what's really going on, it's just a hilarious black romantic comedy about one incredibly fucked up guy.
Have I mentioned my personal reading of the text as an especially violent PSA about the dangers of self-abuse? (I fully admit, it's totally fanwanking. Fanwanking of which I'm sure I'm a solo practitioner, as appropriate for the reading, naturally.)
it's just a hilarious black romantic comedy about one incredibly fucked up guy.
This! This! I don't find Fight Club profound in the slightest; I just think it's a funny, funny movie.
Hey Plei! We should schedule a double-feature of Gingersnaps (the first one) and Jennifer's Body!
I knew the twist to Fight Club going in, and I understood that it was a black comedy. I think my friend Zachary actually convinced me to see it based on that. I just didn't think it was very funny. (Not that I thought it was "serious"; I mean the way I don't think Will Ferrell's movies are funny.)
I mean the way I don't think Will Ferrell's movies are funny.
Except Talladega Nights.
Wait, are you calling Will Ferrell a nihilist?
Yes! Or else no!
(Which will be more controversial?)
Again, I'm having trouble understanding exactly what is so profound about Kubrick's movies. Once you scratch below the surface, I'm not finding a whole lot of substance there.
I honestly think that Kubrick's movies are overrated because of his persona. He acted so mysterious and profound, therefore there has to be something to his films. Also, he really did pay a lot of attention to the craft of filmmaking, and people assume he has a deep personality to go along with that.
Meanwhile I think that Tarantino's films are underrated—people think that his films have less substance because he acts like such a Goofus in real life.
With a formalist like Kubrick I don't think you can really separate style and substance.
With works like Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, Barry Lyndon and The Shining he is serving the original material, though admittedly bending things to his vision. Those movies do deal with serious themes and are substantial and powerful.
His earlier film noir movies are fantastic, late exemplars of the genre.
2001 got over on a lot of pot-addled "Dude...."
Meanwhile I think that Tarantino's films are underrated—people think that his films have less substance because he acts like such a Goofus in real life.
Partly this, but when he suborns history to the genre conventions of sixties WWII movies then he's going to piss people off too. His defense of grindhouse and other marginal, "low" genres also distorts critical response to his work. Not in film journals where they get what he's doing, but in newspapers.
A prequel to Wizard of Oz? With Robert Downey, Jr.?
Is this a good idea?
[link]
Meanwhile I think that Tarantino's films are underrated—people think that his films have less substance because he acts like such a Goofus in real life.
I agree with this while also loving Barry Lyndon beyond all reason.
