tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post4379622350398847243..comments2024-03-13T06:28:44.715-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: the Directors: Noah BaumbachAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-23925601366146837562015-05-05T14:26:32.972-04:002015-05-05T14:26:32.972-04:00Obviously, I totally understand why you turned Gre...Obviously, I totally understand why you turned Greenberg off. If I hadn't seen it in the theater first, I probably would've cut it as well. But man, the reversal I had with that one is insane. Definitely check out Squid when you can. It's a gem.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-14453362038709354232015-05-05T14:25:10.997-04:002015-05-05T14:25:10.997-04:00I watched Highball on Google Play the other week. ...I watched Highball on Google Play the other week. I was definitely scared of it as well, but I'm glad I finally saw it, if for no other reason than to say I have haha.<br /><br />Dude, 1,000 times YES to your "care" comment. I too will never understand why some viewers have to like or care about character in order to fully appreciate a film. That was the main criticism that most detractors of Rust and Bone had, that they couldn't get into love story about miserable people. Which is, of course, the exact reason I loved it. Down and out people need love too, you know?Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-88147526796298714392015-05-05T14:21:34.219-04:002015-05-05T14:21:34.219-04:00I'll admit, I do have a bit of trouble with Bl...I'll admit, I do have a bit of trouble with Black in Margot, but I'm willing to forgive it, mostly because his "fight" with Ciarán Hinds is so funny.<br /><br />Unfortunately, you're definitely not missing much from his '97 work. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-31174931756931533132015-05-05T14:19:08.752-04:002015-05-05T14:19:08.752-04:00My Greenberg reversal was so bizarre. I had no ide...My Greenberg reversal was so bizarre. I had no idea I would like it as much as I do know. So cool when that happens. Can't wait to hear what you think of While We're Young.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-72912853280707201452015-05-05T14:18:14.555-04:002015-05-05T14:18:14.555-04:00Hell yeah man, his flicks definitely have a stamp....Hell yeah man, his flicks definitely have a stamp. And I always respect that in a filmmaker, even if I don't always identify with the style of the movies. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-23371246146638662282015-05-05T14:16:07.872-04:002015-05-05T14:16:07.872-04:00It's crazy that Girls and Frances Ha were made...It's crazy that Girls and Frances Ha were made at the same time, independent of each other. So many similarities.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-35078253467529720842015-05-05T12:51:38.266-04:002015-05-05T12:51:38.266-04:00I have only seen Greenberg of his movies. Well, ha...I have only seen Greenberg of his movies. Well, half of it. I turned it of half way through. Didn't really like that one much. Maybe i should give it another chance like you did. I have always wanted to see The Squid and the Whale though, but never really gotten around to it. Henrik J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12675100900709348187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-78612573744365402322015-05-05T09:58:55.660-04:002015-05-05T09:58:55.660-04:00Yes I loved it! I can really see where Lena Dunham...Yes I loved it! I can really see where Lena Dunham took the inspiration. Angela Nitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05165732456257972736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-72110308539894036122015-05-05T09:44:37.500-04:002015-05-05T09:44:37.500-04:00"And while the repulsiveness of the Margot ch..."And while the repulsiveness of the Margot character turned many viewers off, I’ve always found myself oddly compelled by Kidman’s dedicated work in the film." YES!!! I don't get why people can't separate their intense dislike of the character to appreciate how Kidman is playing the character, or what Baumbach is trying to say with the character. That notion of having to "care" for every character in a movie has never made sense to me and I always felt like Noah & Nicole were brilliantly skewering that very idea.<br /><br />Also, very impressed you've tracked down "Highball." Never had the guts to do it myself. I'm a huge Baumbach devotee and it's always scared me off. For me, "Frances Ha" & "Kicking and Screaming" (which has cult status amongst me and many of my friends) are the peaks, but I'm a fan of his for life. Great work, Alex, as always.Nick Priggehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17895803287589438170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-15271819736777635732015-05-05T04:52:03.229-04:002015-05-05T04:52:03.229-04:00I'm with you that Margot at the Wedding is ver...I'm with you that Margot at the Wedding is very good (and underappreciated). Like you say Margot's character turned many viewers off, and I remember people complained Jack Black was miscast.<br />I haven't seen his two films from 1997, Mr. Jealousy & Highball, looks like I'm not missing much there.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395044055566348346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-72458435104476811272015-05-04T22:16:37.879-04:002015-05-04T22:16:37.879-04:00Like Fisti, I haven't seen his early work, but...Like Fisti, I haven't seen his early work, but I a fan of everything else I've seen. I love Squid, Frances Ha, and even Greenberg, which I'm thrilled you appreciate more now. Can't wait to see While We're Young!Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-30821222164085687772015-05-04T20:14:19.781-04:002015-05-04T20:14:19.781-04:00I need to see his earlier work...as I haven't ...I need to see his earlier work...as I haven't seen anything pre-Squid...but that is SO GOOD. He's certainly talented and has such vision as a director. He knows what he wants to say and how he wants it to be said. His films have his stamp, which is very important as a director.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-16216494757317136062015-05-04T18:33:59.733-04:002015-05-04T18:33:59.733-04:00Ha, fair enough! Damn fine film though.Ha, fair enough! Damn fine film though.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-20380854502705947512015-05-04T18:33:41.921-04:002015-05-04T18:33:41.921-04:00That's what can make his films so interesting,...That's what can make his films so interesting, the fact that we feel like the characters as we're watching them. I totally get your Greenberg hate, but I'm thrilled that you like Frances. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-72619419555890780352015-05-04T18:23:59.777-04:002015-05-04T18:23:59.777-04:00I enjoyed WWY, but it wasn't Frances Ha good. ...I enjoyed WWY, but it wasn't Frances Ha good. Baumbach really doesn't create likable characters. Very ballsy character choices.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-74816122995148779602015-05-04T18:23:05.079-04:002015-05-04T18:23:05.079-04:00Hope you like them!Hope you like them!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-33654115849529734832015-05-04T18:22:49.563-04:002015-05-04T18:22:49.563-04:00Haha exactly! I love how Daniels crashes their dat...Haha exactly! I love how Daniels crashes their date and suggests Blue Velvet. Fucking hysterical.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37935687168312801432015-05-04T18:21:57.399-04:002015-05-04T18:21:57.399-04:00Love Frances. Do you enjoy that one? It's real...Love Frances. Do you enjoy that one? It's really unlike any of his other films, in the best possible way.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-51953158292388742022015-05-04T18:21:15.459-04:002015-05-04T18:21:15.459-04:00Margot is suuuuch a bitch. I mean she's so bad...Margot is suuuuch a bitch. I mean she's so bad, you almost can't help but be in awe of her haha. Would love to know what you think of it!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-90130838990301463422015-05-04T18:19:59.448-04:002015-05-04T18:19:59.448-04:00I totally agree that there is a pompousness to his...I totally agree that there is a pompousness to his writing. But I would argue that it is very intentional, which still doesn't make it necessarily enjoyable, but at least his pretentiousness is deliberate, you know? <br /><br />I felt the exact same way about Kicking & Screaming the first time I watched it. I thought most every character was absolutely deplorable. So strange that it works so well for me now. Crazy how that works.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-31777616628580524872015-05-04T18:05:16.213-04:002015-05-04T18:05:16.213-04:00Great list. Frances Ha is so damn good. I'm re...Great list. Frances Ha is so damn good. I'm really excited for Mistress America, really hoping that's released this year too.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-16274613695542050732015-05-04T18:03:01.400-04:002015-05-04T18:03:01.400-04:00No, no, the way you describe your reaction to Squi...No, no, the way you describe your reaction to Squid makes perfect sense. When we're lucky enough to feel that way during a film, it's very difficult to put it into words after. The first time I saw Warrior, I was so emotionally gutted that I convinced myself I didn't like it. It just hit too close for me. If I see a movie with someone, I love to talk about it after. But walking out of that movie with my then girlfriend, I couldn't even talk.<br /><br />It's scary to feel that way sometimes, but such is the power of film.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-31030881863945316252015-05-04T17:59:10.638-04:002015-05-04T17:59:10.638-04:00I couldn't fully get into Driver in WYY either...I couldn't fully get into Driver in WYY either. And I usually love the guy. But I dunno, something about his performance felt a tad false. Seyfried seemed much more confident with her performance.<br /><br />Squid is so good. The humor is so damn vicious.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-76834842303589177802015-05-04T17:57:08.293-04:002015-05-04T17:57:08.293-04:00Stiller did go a little off the rails in that WWY&...Stiller did go a little off the rails in that WWY's last act, but I did like the movie a lot overall. Margot is very polarizing, so I'd love to hear what you think. I actually think you might love Kidman in it. Or at least love to hate her.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-71095274216340366192015-05-04T12:09:52.790-04:002015-05-04T12:09:52.790-04:00Frances Ha is probably my favorite on this nice li...Frances Ha is probably my favorite on this nice list but I'm not a very good judge; it's the only one I've seen! :)Katyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00287429151542133314noreply@blogger.com