One sentence summary:
A man finds out he is dying of cancer and realizes he has never lived.
A man finds out he is dying of cancer and realizes he has never lived.
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
No, not in this one.
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
Bureaucracy also seems bizarre, doesn't it?
Bureaucracy also seems bizarre, doesn't it?
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
No. The main character's son seems so indifferent in this film. That's a bit hard to watch.
No. The main character's son seems so indifferent in this film. That's a bit hard to watch.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
Is it ever too late to start "living"? What does it mean to really live?
Is it ever too late to start "living"? What does it mean to really live?
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
Again, no.
Again, no.
6. Will you feel tortured if you watch this film?
In spite of the incredibly depressing subject matter, the film is over all uplifting.
One sentence summary:
A student is more interested in extracurriculars than classwork.
A student is more interested in extracurriculars than classwork.
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
No.
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
The atmosphere, and the characters, are a bit strange, but not bizarre.
The atmosphere, and the characters, are a bit strange, but not bizarre.
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
No, the rivalry between the two male characters get way out of control, and for a comedy, the revenge tactics are presented in a sort of serious way.
No, the rivalry between the two male characters get way out of control, and for a comedy, the revenge tactics are presented in a sort of serious way.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
Are relationships just a purposeful distraction from uncertainty and depression?
Are relationships just a purposeful distraction from uncertainty and depression?
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
Psychologically, I imagine the characters would all have reason to answer this question with a yes.
Psychologically, I imagine the characters would all have reason to answer this question with a yes.
No, the comedy does seem to win out in the end. The main character seems to have matured for his trials in love, school, and friendship. Overall, it's an endearing yet enigmatic film.
One sentence summary:
A group of kids have to survive in the Australian outback until they can find their way back to "civilization."
A group of kids have to survive in the Australian outback until they can find their way back to "civilization."
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
No, the murder attempt is a bust, but there are two people who commit suicide.
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
The atmosphere of the film had a surreal quality to it. Especially the oasis scene, but overall it's hard to put a finger on why it feels surreal.
The atmosphere of the film had a surreal quality to it. Especially the oasis scene, but overall it's hard to put a finger on why it feels surreal.
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
When a movie opens with a father shooting at his own children and then killing himself, that's a bit disturbing.
When a movie opens with a father shooting at his own children and then killing himself, that's a bit disturbing.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
Is the "civilized" world dangerous than the "wild"?
Is the "civilized" world dangerous than the "wild"?
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
No
No
That's doubtful, but it will raise some uncomfortable feelings about suburbia, if that's where you are, perhaps.
One sentence summary:
Everyone hates a witch.
Everyone hates a witch.
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
The cover pretty much gives this one away...
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
Sadly, burning an woman alive for "witchcraft" is a pretty ordinary part of religious history.
Sadly, burning an woman alive for "witchcraft" is a pretty ordinary part of religious history.
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
Only if you consider burning innocent women alive.
Only if you consider burning innocent women alive.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
You'd think the question would be "why was this insanity allowed to happen?" but the film really seems to be asking "Isn't this kind of thing always with us in one form or the other?"
You'd think the question would be "why was this insanity allowed to happen?" but the film really seems to be asking "Isn't this kind of thing always with us in one form or the other?"
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
Torture and witch hunts go hand and hand.
Torture and witch hunts go hand and hand.
I have no idea how anyone could watch this and not feel a bit like he/she is being tortured as well. From the opening scene, an elderly woman is slowly "running" from those who hunt her. An audience knows where the story of a witch trial will lead the female characters, and it's a bit torturous knowing that as well.
One sentence summary:
An uncle with an incestuous obsession leads indirectly to some other disturbing things.
An uncle with an incestuous obsession leads indirectly to some other disturbing things.
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
Not really.
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
Drugging and dressing a relative up in your dead wife's wedding gown is a bit bizarre.
Drugging and dressing a relative up in your dead wife's wedding gown is a bit bizarre.
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
Many found the homeless characters' reckless, vandalizing, impromptu party-- shot to look like Christ's Last Supper--to be disturbing.
Many found the homeless characters' reckless, vandalizing, impromptu party-- shot to look like Christ's Last Supper--to be disturbing.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
Is naivete a kind of sin itself? How much do we stereotype the homeless as either all good or all bad?
Is naivete a kind of sin itself? How much do we stereotype the homeless as either all good or all bad?
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
No one was tied up and tortured per se, but I did have a distinct feeling of Viridiana being psychologically tortured by her Uncle and eventually by the homeless people she was trying to help.
No one was tied up and tortured per se, but I did have a distinct feeling of Viridiana being psychologically tortured by her Uncle and eventually by the homeless people she was trying to help.
You might, especially if you are fairly religious. The film asks some hard questions that are a bit hard to look at. At the very least I'd say most people will be left with an comfortable feeling after viewing this film.
One sentence summary:
A group of kids have to create civilization.
A group of kids have to create civilization.
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
Yep.
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
In the context of elementary school boys stranded together after a plane crash and having to make their own world, nothing seemed that bizarre.
In the context of elementary school boys stranded together after a plane crash and having to make their own world, nothing seemed that bizarre.
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
This is one of those films that is less disturbing because we all know the plot even if we have never seen the film. Still, pretty disturbing comments about human nature.
This is one of those films that is less disturbing because we all know the plot even if we have never seen the film. Still, pretty disturbing comments about human nature.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
Does might make right?
Does might make right?
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
I'd say yes on that one.
I'd say yes on that one.
No, there are a lot of important themes and philosophical aspects to this film. It's too bad everyone knows the storyline though.
One sentence summary:
A kid really hates school.
A kid really hates school.
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
Uh, huh.
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
Yes, but it sort of sneaks up on you in this one.
Yes, but it sort of sneaks up on you in this one.
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
I'd say most people would find the ending rather disturbing.
I'd say most people would find the ending rather disturbing.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
What's it like to live in someone's giant shadow?
What's it like to live in someone's giant shadow?
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
No one was tortured per se.
No one was tortured per se.
6. Will you feel tortured if you watch this film?
Well, you might feel tortured if you are bit anal about grammar. Why the four dots instead of three? It has never made sense to me. You don't put a period at the end of a movie title, especially one where you are using ellispses!
One sentence summary:
A group of college friends don't want to walk up and shake hands with the "real world."
A group of college friends don't want to walk up and shake hands with the "real world."
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
Life wasn't that bad for them. Poor guys.
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
Not a thing.
Not a thing.
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
Just the horror we all faced after college.
Just the horror we all faced after college.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
Do I really have to grow up? Do I? Really?
Do I really have to grow up? Do I? Really?
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
I wonder how the characters in the film would answer this question.
I wonder how the characters in the film would answer this question.
6. Will you feel tortured if you watch this film?
It's not that kind of film, man. I wanted to love this film, but in the end the angst got the better of me. It would have been so much more fun with all the witty and zany lines without so much stab-me-in-the-eye anxiety. But then it wouldn't have been a Generation X film I guess.
My rating of the 12 Criterion films I saw this year from best to worst:
1. Seventh Seal
2. Third Man
3. Life of Brian
4. Withnail and I
5. Brazil
6. Black Narcissus
7. Bank Dick
8. 8 1/2
9. 400 Blows
10. Amarcord
11. Firemen's Ball
12. Salo
I have now seen a total of 22 Criterion films. I hope to double that number in 2007.
One sentence summary:
A guy named Brian lives a life that oddly parallels another figure in history.
A guy named Brian lives a life that oddly parallels another figure in history.
1. Did at least one person go insane or get murdered during the course of the film?
Does crucifixion count?
Does crucifixion count?
2. Did anything bizarre/surreal happen?
As usual, it would depend on your definition of those terms.
As usual, it would depend on your definition of those terms.
3. Is there any remarkably disturbing subject matter in the film?
Are you fairly religious? If might affect the answer.
Are you fairly religious? If might affect the answer.
4. What is the philosophical question(s) raised in the film?
What's it like to live in someone's giant shadow?
What's it like to live in someone's giant shadow?
5. Were any characters tortured in this film?
Crucifixion = torture
Crucifixion = torture
6. Will you feel tortured if you watch this film?
No, it's pretty entertaining.
