ExtremeSleuth
Veteran
he should just get the award cause he's ****ing steven spielberg LOL. i really can't say enough about how good the film was though....
Munich
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ExtremeSleuth
Veteran
uhrgl said:
I'll be sick if it loses to "Brokeback Mountain" for Best Picture or Best Director cause I thought Brokeback Mountain was a crappy movie... I didn't like it at all... it has nothing to do with the subject matter cause i could care less about the subject matter. i just didn't think it was a good movie.
Ralph Oshiro
Veteran
My review:
Two words . . . TOO LONG!
Cut the scenes with the mother. Forget about the backstory of the father. Cut the "paranoid" scene. In other words, "cut to the chase." Make it shorter. Cut the "fat." Look, as a filmmaker, I enjoyed every frame. I really love Janusz Kaminski's work, and often try to emulate his heavily backlit style. But, when the first frame came on the screen, I was like, "Oh, it's not a 'genre thriller'--it's a 'message-thriller' movie." Authentically characterized, and richly textured with layers of context and backstory, but certainly not cut or directed like a mainstream action movie (which is what I really wanted).
I like the BBC, Frontline and Mother Jones for journalistic information--I go to the movies really to be entertained. If I have to think too (like Syriana), that's even better, but entertain me first (like Syriana).
Two words . . . TOO LONG!
Cut the scenes with the mother. Forget about the backstory of the father. Cut the "paranoid" scene. In other words, "cut to the chase." Make it shorter. Cut the "fat." Look, as a filmmaker, I enjoyed every frame. I really love Janusz Kaminski's work, and often try to emulate his heavily backlit style. But, when the first frame came on the screen, I was like, "Oh, it's not a 'genre thriller'--it's a 'message-thriller' movie." Authentically characterized, and richly textured with layers of context and backstory, but certainly not cut or directed like a mainstream action movie (which is what I really wanted).
I like the BBC, Frontline and Mother Jones for journalistic information--I go to the movies really to be entertained. If I have to think too (like Syriana), that's even better, but entertain me first (like Syriana).
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ExtremeSleuth
Veteran
NBCshooter said:
it wasn't supposed to be a mainstream action movie! it was never marketed that way, never reviewed that way. it was made as a political drama to make people think about how they treat people and how they misconcieve most people of other ethnicities, races, or religions. It's a drama. it was made to bring light to a world crisis that's been going on for years. Palestine vs. Israel. I personally didn't think it leaned either way but some people will argue against that, that's fine. But to think it was going to be an action movie??
NBCshooter said:
Well if you read or watched any of those news stations or read a review of the film you would have known it wasn't an action movie. I thought Munich was very entertaining and it made me think about it afterwards. It made me think about how people get treated because of their religion, race, ethnicity what have you. Lengthwise I thought it was OK too. But that's just me.
Yas Kassana
Well-known member
I thought Munich was great, I don't it was slow, or it was being even handed, or liberal etc.. I just thought it was a very intelligent movie. I was angered that it wasn't even nominated for the BAFTAs.
Ralph Oshiro
Veteran
I generally don't read reviews and don't want to know anything about a movie before I see it. I like to see movies "blind." The fact that this was a major director, a major studio release, with 1,000+ screens (don't know how many actual screens), makes it a "mainstream Hollywood movie." I knew when the first few minutes played out, that it was not going to be a typical action-genre flick. Actually, I had guessed this before I entered the theater, but I thought there was a chance that it still might be one. I think the impact could have been stronger, if it were tighter. Then again, I tend to be hypercritical.ravinesedge said:
Ralph Oshiro
Veteran
Well, forget everything I said. I really liked Munich. I really did.
Luis Caffesse
Admin
Am I the only one who had a lukewarm reaction to this movie?
Maybe it's because it's Speilberg - and I feel that after so many years maybe I've "built up a tolerance" to his movies...
What I mean by that is that he is working at such a level that it gets harder and harder for me to be impressed by him - Munich looked beautiful, it was incredibly well shot, well edited, well acted and well paced for the most part .... but I expect nothing less from Speilberg at this point.
I don't know... it just didn't grab me like it seems to have grabbed so many other people. I haven't been able to put my finger on what it was... perhaps it was the length, perhaps it was the sex scene at the end which I found to be "below" what I would normally expect from Speilberg.... (honestly, that intercutting reminded me of something you'd see in a film school project)
Don't get me wrong - it's still a good movie - I mean, it's Speilberg.
But his best? I don't know about that.
Maybe it's because it's Speilberg - and I feel that after so many years maybe I've "built up a tolerance" to his movies...
What I mean by that is that he is working at such a level that it gets harder and harder for me to be impressed by him - Munich looked beautiful, it was incredibly well shot, well edited, well acted and well paced for the most part .... but I expect nothing less from Speilberg at this point.
I don't know... it just didn't grab me like it seems to have grabbed so many other people. I haven't been able to put my finger on what it was... perhaps it was the length, perhaps it was the sex scene at the end which I found to be "below" what I would normally expect from Speilberg.... (honestly, that intercutting reminded me of something you'd see in a film school project)
Don't get me wrong - it's still a good movie - I mean, it's Speilberg.
But his best? I don't know about that.
Ralph Oshiro
Veteran
Yeah, I know what you mean, Luis. I really enjoyed it, but the tedium of some of the scenes bothered me (I know--it's supposed to bother you . . . oh well, you know what I mean). The sex scene intercutting did seem "film schoolish" to me as well. Anyway, I like him for taking chances. I liked the sheer craftsmanship of the work. Maybe I need to see it again (on DVD, in the comfort of my own BED!). But, I hear, ya, Luis . . .Luis Caffesse said:
Luis Caffesse
Admin
NBCshooter said:
Whew - as soon as I wrote that I thought "great, now you're going to catch some sh&t"
I'm glad I wasn't the only one. But you hit the nail on the head when you said you like him for taking chances. I do like seeing that he's not sitting back in his later years and coasting on autopilot (like so many other directors seem to later in the careers). And I will probably watch this film again on DVD - so that says something about how I felt about it.
But yeah, glad I'm not the only one - I can't really stand up and cheer about this movie, but I can't say it was "bad" by a long shot. Just not sure what to make of it yet I guess.
Sean Michael
Well-known member
I just watched this on DVD, and thought it was brilliant.
The DVD includes an introduction by Speilberg. He states that Munich is 'not an argument for non-response to terrorism,' nor is it a criticism of Israeli policies. Rather, it's an examination of the consequences (intended and otherwise) of response.
The movie is definitely murky and morally conflicted. But that's by design. Speilberg is raising questions that have no easy answers.
I appreciated several of his filmmaking choices (such as the subtle use of zoom, etc.) that enhanced the 70s feel. I liked the concluding shot of the World Trade Center.
No, it's not my favorite Speilberg film. But it's one of his most thought-provoking and unique. . . . a non-commercial work from our most commercially successful director.
The DVD includes an introduction by Speilberg. He states that Munich is 'not an argument for non-response to terrorism,' nor is it a criticism of Israeli policies. Rather, it's an examination of the consequences (intended and otherwise) of response.
The movie is definitely murky and morally conflicted. But that's by design. Speilberg is raising questions that have no easy answers.
I appreciated several of his filmmaking choices (such as the subtle use of zoom, etc.) that enhanced the 70s feel. I liked the concluding shot of the World Trade Center.
No, it's not my favorite Speilberg film. But it's one of his most thought-provoking and unique. . . . a non-commercial work from our most commercially successful director.
The Machinist
Respected Member
Out of curiosity do you have the regular DVD release or the limited edition 2 disc version?
I've been trying to find the 2 disc version but have had no luck here in the city.
Maybe someone in NY has seen it somewhere? I've been to 8 different outlets in the past few days trying to find it. Tower Records, Best Buy, Virgin, etc....
I've been trying to find the 2 disc version but have had no luck here in the city.
Maybe someone in NY has seen it somewhere? I've been to 8 different outlets in the past few days trying to find it. Tower Records, Best Buy, Virgin, etc....
Sean Michael
Well-known member
I watched Munich via Netflix . . . so I only got the one DVD containing the film. I'll have to rent the 'bonus features' disc separately.
I was wondering whether the bonus disc was worth watching. Sometimes the DVD commentaries, documentaries, etc. are like little film schools.
BTW, I'd have no qualms about buying Munich. I will definitely be watching it again.
I was wondering whether the bonus disc was worth watching. Sometimes the DVD commentaries, documentaries, etc. are like little film schools.
BTW, I'd have no qualms about buying Munich. I will definitely be watching it again.
The Machinist
Respected Member
I believe the bonus disc is a series of 5 making of documentaries.
I very much want to get my hands on them.
I very much want to get my hands on them.
ExtremeSleuth
Veteran
i got my 2 disc Munich dvd at Best Buy... a little expensive but worth getting. great special features plus an intro to the film by Spielberg... great movie... you can get the 2 disc at amazon.com or see about the best buy closest to you...
The Machinist
Respected Member
Amazon, Good idea.
Every best buy in the NYC area (Went to 5 different ones personally and checked the rest online) was sold out of the special edition the day after it was released. I couldn't believe it.
Every best buy in the NYC area (Went to 5 different ones personally and checked the rest online) was sold out of the special edition the day after it was released. I couldn't believe it.
ExtremeSleuth
Veteran
the best buy i got mine at didnt even know there WAS a special edition.. there were only 2 and i got one and the manager came up and took down the information on it so they could order more... the 2 disc is being marketed horribly....
oneinfiniteloop
Veteran
ravinesedge said:
Yeah, I haven't heard much the two disc version. I rented it and watched it again and I'm beginning to feel the underlying theme is less about terrorism, etc, but about what a man has to do to protect his home, his family. Every man has that responsibility, and I think Speilberg portrays that very well.
Sean Michael
Well-known member
For me the driving theme of Munich was summed up with that line: 'every society makes compromises with its own values.'
To what extent do we adopt the methods of the enemy?
It was reinforced in the train station scene when the bomb maker states that being Jewish 'is about being righteous. . . if I lose that, I've lost everything."
During the latter half of the film, we see how conflicted the assassins are about their mission, and what they've accomplished. There's a fine line between justifiable homicide and outright murder.
BTW, I thought the death of the Dutch woman was particularly disturbing. Afterwards, the Hans character said he 'wished I'd let you (Avner) close her housecoat" . . . as if killing her was justified, but humiliating her corpse was uncivilized.
In Speilberg's DVD intro he doesn't really take a stance one way or another. In fact, he implies that sometimes the "right response" to violence may be counter-violence . . . but that may lead to unintended consequences, and a fresh wave of heightened violence.
To what extent do we adopt the methods of the enemy?
It was reinforced in the train station scene when the bomb maker states that being Jewish 'is about being righteous. . . if I lose that, I've lost everything."
During the latter half of the film, we see how conflicted the assassins are about their mission, and what they've accomplished. There's a fine line between justifiable homicide and outright murder.
BTW, I thought the death of the Dutch woman was particularly disturbing. Afterwards, the Hans character said he 'wished I'd let you (Avner) close her housecoat" . . . as if killing her was justified, but humiliating her corpse was uncivilized.
In Speilberg's DVD intro he doesn't really take a stance one way or another. In fact, he implies that sometimes the "right response" to violence may be counter-violence . . . but that may lead to unintended consequences, and a fresh wave of heightened violence.