posted
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.
Posts: 1332 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
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.
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posted
of course, it could just be that everybody agrees with you and decides to leave your reviews unchallenged...
Posts: 993 | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
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.
Posts: 3960 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
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.
Posts: 1332 | Registered: Apr 2005
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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! Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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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.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
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.
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posted
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.
Posts: 1138 | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
"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.
Posts: 1332 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
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.
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