Comments on: The Essentials: Richard Linklater’s Best Films

By: Figures

Figures — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:10:04 +0000

I agree with Nathan below, Waking Life is incredible. "It's a shame that the film doesn't quite have the content to match the style." Also, the old "not-particularly inspirational ramblings of a stoned grad student" critique of people who are actually talking about philosophy is as cliche and
lazy as it gets.

By: jimmiescoffee

jimmiescoffee — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:10:04 +0000

im a huge linklater fan but ive always thought his 'before' films were big time overrated.

By: T

Fri, 13 May 2016 07:10:04 +0000

You might want to rewrite some of the older entries, particularly Before Sunset… I don't think there's just "talk" of a third installment of the Before trilogy anymore, and your skepticism about its quality seems a bit ludicrous now!

By: Nathan Duke

Nathan Duke — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:10:04 +0000

Good list overall, but really disagree with your take on 'Waking Life,' which is one of Linklater's best films and better than 'A Scanner Darkly.' Looking forward to 'Boyhood.'

By: viola

viola — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:10:03 +0000

I've seen those kids of Suburbia hanging around 7/11s for years and in so many different Australian suburbs. They're the outsiders still out there in all their nihilistic glory.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:10:03 +0000

I LOVE Bernie! I have it on DVD and have watched it many times. I just adore that movie — it has become one of my favorite comedies.

By: Billy T

Billy T — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:10:03 +0000

I think your critique of "Inning by Inning" is way off base. Not only is it an insightful critique of a man who is the best at his craft, it takes you into places that the audience has never seen before. Inside a top flight college baseball locker room and you can hear every word said to the players on deck and to the umpire during an argument. Isn't that the point of documentary film making? Any fan of sport would do well to see that film.

By: Loz in Transit

Loz in Transit — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:10:03 +0000

I wouldn't minimise Linklater's scope as an "insightful observer[s] of American life". I can't think of anyone who captures existentialism so fully in their art. Granted a lot of his work is Texas-centric being a proud Austinite.
But seeing as you mentioned it, I wonder how universal a movie like Boyhood would be? As an Australian, I understood Ethan Hawke's shift in Politics as he matured, moved about and found his partner but I wonder if it translated for others. However when it comes to the essense of life, Linklater is in a class all his own.