Storytelling

[Squall91]

I guess this is related to Matador as the soundtrack for this movie was released on this label...

I want to rent this movie maybe later this week but I've read/heard mainly negative reviews about this movie. I want to know, does anyone on this board actually like this movie? If not, how is it bad?

Just give me the whole deal as to why or why not you liked it.

[johansen smith]

considering the director cut out an entire 1/3 of the movie, it's pretty slight.

[josh]

he added it back for the DVD thought right?

[Funk]

Originally posted by josh
he added it back for the DVD thought right?

I don't think so. But there has to be a huge demand to see James Van der Beek get raped, right?

[Gerard]

I really enjoyed it. the 3rd in Todd Solondz' series of uncomfortable character studies, perhaps not as fully realized as "Happiness", but still awfully good in my estimation. Two, not necessarily connected short films that each serve as a rumination on the nature of exploitation. I think you are allowed to laugh at them (though some of the other patrons in the cinema I attended kept giving me dirty looks....at least it wasn't very crowded). But keep in mind I've already gone on record as saying that Paul Giamatti is a christ-like figure in the world of character acting.

I also spent about 90 minutes the other night watching "Shattered Promises" on Ch. 5, starring Treat Williams and Brian Dennehy. Man, can those guys emote!
Maybe they'll be in the next Todd Solondz film?

[evil_speakers]

I enjoyed the film quite a bit, though it left the sort of sour taste in my mouth that Todd Solodnz's previous films did. Not because they are bad, but because the subject matter is difficult to swallow; as Gerard said, these are "uncomfortable character studies". I would say I like Happiness and Dollhouse more, but Storytelling is certainly worth a viewing, as I read somewhere that the Paul Giamatti character is in a way a portrait of Solondz, who has been accused of "exploiting" the characters in his movies. Giamatti's film maker character is accused of the same thing and responds with "I don't hate them, I love them", or something to that effect. Solondz is an excellent film maker who doesn't hide behind cliche and doesn't shock for the sake of shock. These people are all-too-real suburbanites who live behind a mask of peacfull bliss hiding depression and sadness.

[lester1/2jr]

I thought it was of similar quality to his other films. The thing is, he gets alittle, I don't know if "allegorical" is the right word, but there are times when the characters are clearly servicing the point of the director in a distracting way. I haven't seen the DVD though. They play the " FUCK ME HARD NIGGER" bit on Stern all the time.

[Joseph]

Squall91: I would suggest you rent the movie and see for yerself if it's any good. I loved it, especially the scenes in the creative writing class, but I can see how others may not have enjoyed it as much -- it's a very unfriendly little film.

Best of all, you get to see Selma Blair naked, so that should sell even the most jaded viewer on the movie's greatness.

Seven tentacles up!

The DVD contains the same version of the film that was in theatres -- no Dawson action, I'm afraid. And thankfully there isn't a commentary track (those who have seen Solodnz being interviewed on TV will catch my drift, I'm sure).

[jt. r]

i'm sure i'm in the minority when i feel that todd solondz is a little overrated. there are elements of happiness that i really liked, particularly the attempt to generate sympathy for the pedophile, but overall his work communicates the same self-loathing you can get elsewhere. i'd rather check out the far more chilling freaks in a terry gilliam movie (or jean pierre jeunet) than solondz. for my money, t. solondz is the coen bros. of distorted social realism: quirky, but ultimately working within a self-extinguishing genre that grows increasingly predictable and pretentious. when a director actively lashes out at his critics through his medium, it seems to me at least that the self-consciousness has overwhelmed the artifice. or you could just look into more of george grosz's stuff with the orig. cabaret voltaire, since he asserted that people are generally already corpses.
before you check out "storytelling" you should rent "american movie". and while you're at it, rent "withnail and i" for a buddy movie about self-loathing. more importantly: has anyone seen the new commercials for adult ADD? why isn't it possible that folks are distracted because their lives/jobs are so categorically boring?
i'd like to rent "Delicatessen" please.

[lester1/2jr]

storytelling totally disses american movie

[Joseph]

Originally posted by jt. r

before you check out "storytelling" you should rent "american movie".

I'm fairly certain that the 2nd half of Storytelling was supposed to be a parody of American Movie.

why isn't it possible that folks are distracted because their lives/jobs are so categorically boring?

That sounds about right to me.

[anagrama]

Storytelling was great.

The wit in it is so good. Todd Solondz movies just have these characters that are so pathetic....and thats what makes good films....really awkward characters saying completely human....but stupid things. Its this odd, really smart, really specific type of humour....that you either get or you just...dont. Its like Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy, in that sense. This isnt as funny as Happiness....Happiness was fucking brilliant, but this is sort of the same formula....but with less plot...less innovation.

ps. Its got John Goodman! how can you go wrong?!?!

"You know I was upstairs....just listening to a little old Elton John....ya know"

"I thought Marcus would be different than the other guys on campus, he's got C.P."

"Marcus I dont even like his books they are all so aggressively confrontational"

"You just want to fuck him, like all the other white bitches on campus"

[Paul]

ps. Its got John Goodman! how can you go wrong?!?

Ever seen "King Ralph?"

[anagrama]

yes...good point.

king ralph, matinee and rosanne are the exceptions.

otherwise...he's great.

[Paul]

Okay, you were way too agreeable there. How about this one?

"Its this odd, really smart, really specific type of humour....that you either get or you just...dont. Its like Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy, in that sense. "

What kind of mental midget doesn't get "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy?"

(and, for the record, Roseanne is classic American sitcom television, bucko!)

[evil_speakers]

Firstly, there was NOTHING funny about Happiness. That was a sad, sad movie. Sure, being pathetic to that level could be considered humorous, but if you though it was hilarious, then you have some serious issues. If you find the people to be so "real" (which, I think, they are), then you should have some sympathy or at least pity for them. Humor is not the first thing I think when pondering "Happiness".

Secondly, "Roseanne" was a terrible show. Bucko.

[anagrama]

Originally posted by Paul
Okay, you were way too agreeable there. How about this one?

"Its this odd, really smart, really specific type of humour....that you either get or you just...dont. Its like Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy, in that sense. "

What kind of mental midget doesn't get "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy?"

(and, for the record, Roseanne is classic American sitcom television, bucko!)

1. Its not necessarily an issue of "getting" Deep Thoughts...its an issue of finding it funny....there are people that can listen to some Deep Thoughts and not understand the humour, not smile, not laugh.....or course I want nothing to do with these people. This kind of humour to me is reminiscent of things occasionally found in Solondz films. Ok...well Deep Thoughts is funnier but its the same vein of humour as the Solondz shit just a little more mainstream, if one can think of Deep Thoughts as mainstream.

2. Rosanne sucked.

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by anagrama
if one can think of Deep Thoughts as mainstream.

well, it was a regular feature on Saturday Night Live on NBC for years, so I don't know how much more mainstream it could get.

[lester1/2jr]

You meet people with weird opinions online. I used to post at badmovies.org alot. One guy was totally dissing Happiness and saying "lair of the White Worm" was better because it had better costumes and lighting or some shit.

[vesper]

Originally posted by lester1/2jr
You meet people with weird opinions online. I used to post at badmovies.org alot. One guy was totally dissing Happiness and saying "lair of the White Worm" was better because it had better costumes and lighting or some shit.

Is that "Lair of the White Worm" flick the one with a woman being uuhhh, you know, with that horn or something?

[Funk]

Originally posted by lester1/2jr
You meet people with weird opinions online. I used to post at badmovies.org alot. One guy was totally dissing Happiness and saying "lair of the White Worm" was better because it had better costumes and lighting or some shit.

Lair of the White Worm has a naked Amanda Donohoe running around with a giant dildo attachted to her; Happiness has a dog licking semen off a railing. White Worm wins.

[Jason]

Originally posted by anagrama
yes...good point.

king ralph, matinee and rosanne are the exceptions.

otherwise...he's great.

Matinee is a great movie, ya hoser.

I'm not much of a Belle & Sebastian fan, but I really like the song that plays over the closing credits of Storytelling. I keep meaning to buy the album just for that song.

[johansen smith]

but "Happiness" IS a comedy.

[Squall91]

Wow, who would've ever thunk (ha, always wanted to use that for some reason) that Roseanne would ever be mentioned on the Matador board?