As an experiment, I have decided to write a review, much briefer than OSC's usually are, about two films, focusing on their moral character. Instead of Christians/Mormons, I shall examine the portrayal of young people.
Firstly, "A Little Romance" has undeniable artistry, especially in the brilliant score and Laurence Oliver's brilliant performance. As a film about youth, it is even more spectacular. Many critics, Roger Ebert atypically among them, thought that the two main characters were supposed to be "normal" or "average" thirteen-year olds, and, at this, it certain fails, although by less of a margin than it is often accused of. They are not normal, but brilliant (the French story was called "E=Mc^2 Amore"), and serve very well as ideal young people, Thelonius Bernard's character of Daniel especially so. One of the most positive portrayals of youth in film.
The considerably more recent film "Raising Helen" certainly lacks the earlier films artistry, and is far more negative in its portrayal of youth, despite , or, perhaps because of , the fact that it is more clearly aimed at young teenagers and preteens. The character of the eldest daughter and her friends is one-dimensional and stereotypical, showing teenage girls as being stupid and sluty, which would be more bearable if there were any admirable young people in the film. There are not, the moral seems to be that all young people, if not aggressively parented, are doomed to a life of sex and drugs. The film actually seems to tell mothers not to trust their adolescent children, because they will betray that trust. Now, that is morally sickening.
That was very satisfying.
Posted by Pelegius (Member # 7868) on :
Should I have posted this on the other side?
I am assuming that, based on prior experience, at least a significant number of Hatrakers have seen one or both of these films.
Or is the problem that I am seen as mocking OSC? Actually, I am not, although I am playing of his slightly eccentric way of reviewing films, I am perfectly serious in what I say.
Posted by Eduardo St. Elmo (Member # 9566) on :
of course, it could just be that everybody agrees with you and decides to leave your reviews unchallenged...
Posted by Pelegius (Member # 7868) on :
Always a possibility, but totally unprecedented in Hatrack history as I remember.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
Also possible that people (such as myself) haven't seen the two movies in question. Though, I must say that the tone of your reviews did sound remarkably similar to OSCs at points.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
This made me think of Pelegius.
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
Haven't seen either of the movies. But you do sound like OSC.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Do an OSC style review of like...The Princess Bride or something.
Posted by Pelegius (Member # 7868) on :
mr_porteiro_head, funny I don't think anyone who knows me would see me as at all like that. The idea of me being, in any way, a gamer, is so bizarre as to merit guffows from any of my friends.
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
I think he meant the stuff about regulating the actions of minors, independent of any gaming context.
Sheesh.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by Eduardo St. Elmo: of course, it could just be that everybody agrees with you and decides to leave your reviews unchallenged...
That's the stupidest thing I ever heard..
j/k I agreed but I wanted to post something here! Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by Pelegius: Always a possibility, but totally unprecedented in Hatrack history as I remember.
No, it happens all the time. Not all of your threads get past this stage. This one has no steam at all. It will die like many, on the vine.
Posted by Pelegius (Member # 7868) on :
I shall resurrect this topic whenever I have another good review.
I just bought the first season of House on dvd, of course, it is an excellent series, if some what unrealistic. That is why I bought it.
One episode, however, stood out as particularly fine, The Socratic Method. The plot is interesting, dealing with mental illness, but Aaron Himelstein's performance as the teenaged-son of a schizophrenic woman is breathtaking. Not only is he clearly a much better actor than the woman who played a nun in the previous episode (I felt his anguish, hers made my laugh, largely because it sounded like she was laughing), but the role is well written and provides a refreshing example of both a well-portrayed, intelligent and capable teenager in a difficult situation and also one of the few good portrayals of mental illness I have seen.
I must admit that I am biased, I am a teenager and my mother's mental illness, while currently under good control, has been a shaping force in my life. I was intensely grateful to see such an beautiful portrayal in the media.
Posted by cheiros do ender (Member # 8849) on :
OSc doesn't use that many "big" words crammed together that much.
OSC tends to have one point per paragraph. Pelegius' review has several.
OSC tends not to mention other film reviewers.
quote:The considerably more recent film "Raising Helen" certainly lacks the earlier films artistry, and is far more negative in its portrayal of youth, despite , or, perhaps because of , the fact that it is more clearly aimed at young teenagers and preteens. The character of the eldest daughter and her friends is one-dimensional and stereotypical, showing teenage girls as being stupid and sluty, which would be more bearable if there were any admirable young people in the film.
That part sounds a fair bit like OSC, however.
Posted by Pelegius (Member # 7868) on :
"OSc doesn't use that many "big" words crammed together that much.
OSC tends to have one point per paragraph. Pelegius' review has several.
OSC tends not to mention other film reviewers."
I did not try to imitate OSC, the reviews were written taking into account his criteria, but in my own style.
Posted by Demonstrocity (Member # 9579) on :
quote:I did not try to imitate OSC, the reviews were written taking into account his criteria, but in my own style.
quote:An OSC-Style film Review.
Um.
Posted by Pelegius (Member # 7868) on :
Fine then, a film review using the technique of Orson Scott Card but not nesicarly employing his writing style. I think we can agree that somethings are too long to make a good title, even if they are more accurate.
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)