Memorable performances with shockingly infantile messaging devoid of any real nuance or complexity. This wouldn't be a problem if the film didn't overtly behave as if the message wasn't the driving force, despite containing all the subtley in it's ideas of a painfully average teenager attempting to be edgy and socially aware. Great performances, though.
Dislaimer: I apologize for the overlong theory on why critics' represent an average proficiency in concept/intellect (only advanced in terms of artistic analytics, not cerebral) but it's necessary to explain why I believe a portion of a masterpiece like this was poorly reviewed. Also I am innately way too verbose. Wilde thinks I'm a simpleton and tbh I can't argue. If anyone reviews this without having seen On Cinema and Decker, that's a great indicator to just dismiss anything they say. The mixed/poor reviews are astounding. Yet, when one considers that critics are largely regular people and generally of no greater intellect than an average person, it makes a bit more sense. We incorrectly seem to assume critics have some esoteric knowledge unavailable to most audience members. The only outstanding aspect of a critic is their DEVELOPED taste, they have taken the time to watch and analyze more films than most. While that does give them experience and hones their taste (If something is overly derivative they'll be the first to know), it could be done by anyone with the desire and time and requires no special conceptual intellect or mental capacity. I do often consult critic amalgams, such as metacritic, because they have analyzed a far greater array of films than I have, but attributing anything beyond average minds to them seems silly (I have been guilty of it as well). A vast majority films that garner primarily poor reviews are of a lower quality, often targeting an audience that're pleased as long as a film hits certain notes. This is why films, on average, seem to subsist on quotidian concepts and entry level ideas and are still lauded as "high-concept" or "cerebral"...these are people who've dedicated a large portion of mental energy, time and space to analysis of an art form. That is time they HAVEN'T spent on sincere attempts to hone critical thought, which would improve their abilities to wrap their heads around truly novel concepts that're perhaps ahead of their time. Perhaps such a consistent exposure to various ideas may allow for some growth, but is far from an efficient manner in improving the ability to grasp more nuanced abstractions, explaining why films lauded for their intellect are quite often unremarkable in that way (which has little to no bearing on their ARTISTIC **** the concepts articulated through art are always decades behind actual thinkers, theories and the extend of our contemporary capabilities) There will be, however, the occassional film that is beyond the average critic's conceptual capacity. This is the best example of such a film that I've seen recently. The On Cinema universe is a project that outstrips everything else today in terms of payoff, nuanced conceptualization and complexity. No movie could get anything close into 2hrs. No TV show could possibly maintain mass appeal and do what On Cinema does utilizing only a single media format. Tim Heidecker is an artistic and comedic genius, perhaps the best example of an "ahead of his time" artist going today. Sure, his political and ideological stuff is pretty entry level and simplistic, but he is still better than most celebrities in that realm as well. The entire On Cinema project will eventually be recognized for the unmatched brilliance and novelty at some point. I guess the only metric quantifying HOW ahead this project is will be measured in the years prior to mainstream cultural appreciation. While most "indie" or countercultural expression is laden with far more pretension than genuine intelligence, this is not like most other work that skirts the mainstream. If you love On Cinema, of course watch **** be surprised if you haven't. If you find your taste in comedy feels unsatisfied by the generally simplistic offerings today, then check out On Cinema asap. No art REALLY requires any special intellect to appreciate, despite what many pretentious contrarians may try too hard to perpetuate, but instead only needs an open mind, honed taste by experiencing a lot and the willingness to put a shred of effort into consuming art. I'm a dimwit in most/all measurable way, so I hope anyone feels willing to put forth the (relatively negligible) effort to enjoy one of the most unique, brilliant and extensive comedic works of the 21st century.
Brilliantly ahead of it's time, for those of use who laugh at ostensibly real absurdities, the inflections people use and people's delusions seeping out to impact everyone around themselves, this is the type of comedy that really hits. Joaquin is a brilliant actor, but this shows he has shades of Tim Heidecker or Sasha Baron Cohen in his comedic side.
It's better than a vast majority of sports films because the sport itself is more impressive than any other. While I am biased, and therefore tempted to say the sport is "better", I realize such statements about unquantifiables is silly and hard to justify. I can say that mma is more impressive than any other sport for relatively obvious reasons. A fight is scarier and more demanding than hours of any team sport. The danger is greater. The sport itself transcends our cultural, temporal preferences in games...fighting is inherent to humanity unlike any other athletic text, along with maybe running. Great acting and a well crafted, if standard, plot. Well done emotional moments without the overt manipulation of "average" conceptual intelligence most films use. There are a number of reasons that this is one of the greatest sports films ever. If you like team games (baseball, basketball, patticake, etc.) over true tests of another person in a physical test (fighting and...well, that's it in sports) then tou may not agree. Most may share my opinion.
One of my all time favorite super hero films, along with one of the best "found footage" films (To be fair, I am biased. Found footage is one of the few trends I absolutely love even past the point where the culture tired of it). In less than 90 minutes, the director creates something very special.
I love how whenever something is critical of conservative ideals it is always lauded as great or at least clever, but if it so much as pokes at liberal ideals in the wrong way it's instantly discounted as trash. Im a liberal person in most respects. I have very little I agree with conservatives on. However, in 2020 I agree with them on one major issue....a makor disdain for the way most luberals have been actingfor about 5 years. Most popular culture is awfully biased towards the liberal way of thinkinf. Even in the worst ways. The comically hyperbolic versions of leftist thinking. I can likely summarize why...people who are inherently uninteresting and lack the capacity for individual and critical thought scan the culture for a personality to adopt. They see "being a liberal" as an identity in response to seeing people they admire doing so. They see being the most liberal as a valued commodity and, without thought, dive straight into that way of thinking. Now, any idea that strays from that thought process is no longer a disagreement, its a personal attack on their identity. You aren't challenging their ideas anymore, you are personally attacking their entire person. Anyway, I appreciate comedy/art that attacks both commonplace political ends of the spectrum, so I enjoyed this. Plus it was the source of misplaced controversy. That's always funny to me. People trying to stifle art because they disagree with the point should themselves be stifled and said art should be plastered theoughpit America in their faces.
6.5 or 7 stars. Well done, spooky imagery with a not particularly scary story. Enjoyable for any age, perhaps not scary for anyone older than 13 however. Enjoyable for sure, though. **** main actor (Stella) gives a particularly bad performance in a group that doesnt really stand out. Doesn't detract too much from the experience, however.
This was never gonna be great. Another movie meant solely as a 2 hour "Yaas **** not in a good way. Whatever scores it gets, itll get a huge boost because of its subject matter. So if they say its great, its good. If they say its good, its average. If they say its **** ****. I 100% support female lead films with strong women and feminist ideals. This is the wrong way to do that. Basically an obnoxious screech instead of a film. Ghostbusters syndrome. Oceans 7 syndrome. mire films like Arrival and Annihilation. Making "girl power" the central theme of the movie is alwYs gonna lead to a bad dilm. Let the actors and their characters speak for themselves. This **** is pandering to the simplest of people.
Did anyone expect a movie titles after a **** SNL song from a decade ago to be good? **** zany gals takin' on the world....like a boss. I bet they talk about how they have sex and how "they aint gonna be takin no **** So risque! I cringe everytime something like this is released.
I am pro abortion to a degree, and I certainly lean liberal on this (aside from later term abortions). I find it prettt gross that I can instantly guess what a movie's reviews are going to be based on the politics. A **** movies that allows liberal leaning people to enjoy a **** fantasy where they have the right ideas will always get at least decent reviews, even if its amateurish **** (see mohawk). I have no idea if this or other conservative seeming movies are any good but they will always be universally panned by the disgustingly biased critics. Im certainly more liberal than conservative but I belive art sululd be taken objectibely. This type of shut is why despite agreeing more with liberals...I hate them more than most groups in America.
