Comments on: Review: ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ A Stunner With A Breakout Turn By Elizabeth Olsen

By: jingmei

jingmei — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

Like both Take Shelter and MMMM, and completely agree that \”Maybe it wasn’t on the surface, but there was plenty going on underneath\”.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

I honestly don\’t get the gripe with the title. First, it\’s original and sounds different than \”A Better Way\” or \”Just Because\” or \”Martha\” and all the other boring film titles. Second, it fits the story perfectly. Just like the scenes between the farm and her sister\’s house, the title flows together so you don\’t know where reality begins and ends.

If you thought this was boring, honestly, it\’s because you don\’t have an attention span. Every shot and direction was filled with complete, aware motivation for conveying the story. So it didn\’t have traditional plot beats, that doesn\’t mean nothing was going on. Maybe it wasn\’t on the surface, but there was plenty going on underneath. Agree with the A+, would probably rank in among the best films of the past 20 years.

By: Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

YES FLETCHER. FOR CHRIST\’S SAKE, SOMEONE NEEDS TO LIST JAN NEMEC.

And say \”Christ,\” apparently.

I\’m with KJ with MMMM though. Script was very problematic for me and the cinematography was very flawed… that said, it lingered with me more than most movies this year.

By: Kevin Jagernauth

Kevin Jagernauth — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

I will slightly agree with you Fletcher. I liked it, but didn\’t love it. I would probably give it a B. That said, to say its \”first rate bore\” is pretty dismissive and reactionary.

And fyi, \”Take Shelter\” is one of the best movies of the year.

By: Fletcher Murdock

Fletcher Murdock — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

I think the problem is the opposite, actually. My tastes are not generic and/or milquetoast enough to be duped into praising this sort of indie arthouse b.s. At least Super 8 is what it is unabashedly and it works. I cited it because it\’s a movie we\’ve probably all seen. Would you rather I list Jan Nemec or Kenji Mizoguchi? Will someone back me up on this? It\’s BORING! And not about ANYTHING!

By: Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

I liked MMMM and Take Shelter — the latter moreso. Fletcher\’s entitled to his tastes no matter how generic it is.

By: jimmiescoffee

jimmiescoffee — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

awful title. good movie.

By: Fletcher Murdock

Fletcher Murdock — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

Well, knock yourself out. Sadly, there are no details – you know, a plot, or even interesting ideas, camera work, etc. – to spoil.

By: Nik Grape

Nik Grape — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

Calling Super 8 excellent, Take Shelter bad and saying Shame and Drive are pretty flawed won\’t get you much trust from me. Sorry.

I can\’t wait for MMMM and I\’m refusing to read this review only because I\’d like no details spoiled.

By: Fletcher Murdock

Fletcher Murdock — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

Money ball was pretty great. Contagion was solid. Shame and Drive were both pretty flawed but definitely worth seeing. Super 8 was excellent. Midnight in Paris and Horrible Bosses were both embarrassing.

By: Fred

Fred — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

@Murdock
Since you ask us \”Trust me on this one folks,\” how about touting two of your favorite recent films to establish where your tastes lie so we can decide if you\’re \”trustworthy.\”

By: Fletcher Murdock

Fletcher Murdock — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:39:07 +0000

I could not disagree more. MMMM was – much like the equally bad TAKE SHELTER – a first rate bore, made by some film school clown who thinks \”pregnant pauses\” equate to tension and being sullen equates to acting. Trust me on this one folks another over-hyped sundance time-waster.