Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Nikolai · 02-01-2003, 07:06 PM

This has probably been discussed before, but I'll go ahead and start this thread anyway. What did you think of the movie? I am, quite frankly, surprised by the nearly unanimous good reviews that it receives. Though funny at parts, it was rather predictible overall. The music is great, thought somewhat of a bluegrass fan there is definitely better stuff out there. The cinematography is great, the acting was above average, and the little twist in the end about "no atheists in foxhole" was a letdown (maybe I am misinterpreting??)

kwigibo · 02-01-2003, 07:10 PM

I think you answered your own question, there wasn't really anything in it that would provoke a bad review from most people.

Nikolai · 02-01-2003, 09:10 PM

Its not the absence of bad reviews, its the large number of 5-star reviews. If a movie is not bad it does not make it an excellent film.

kwigibo · 02-01-2003, 10:31 PM

and a 5-star review means absolutely nothing of consequence

Huginn · 02-02-2003, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Though funny at parts, it was rather predictible overall.

I'm not sure why you consider that a bad thing. Enjoying a film is about more than just being constantly surprised.

Nikolai · 02-02-2003, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Huginn
I'm not sure why you consider that a bad thing. Enjoying a film is about more than just being constantly surprised.

I mean the predictability of humour, not the predictability of the plot.

elwoodblues · 02-02-2003, 11:34 AM

Quote:

I mean the predictability of humour, not the predictability of the plot.

I beg your pardon? You were expecting a demonstration of countermarching in a massive Klan meeting?

It was more the surrealism of the film that did it for me. Also, the baptism scene was beautiful enough to be the centerpiece for any other movie. The music was astoundingly good, IMO.

never been there · 02-02-2003, 11:35 AM

Sometimes even smart people enjoy lazy humour. It was certainly highly entertaining in that way.

ex-idaho · 02-02-2003, 04:29 PM

I felt that this film was a character study more than a story. I found it absolutely hilarious and very refreshing. I am no fan of Clooney normally but he was brilliant in this one. The blending of fact and fiction made for a very entertaining 2 hours.

It deserved 5 stars.

Arvel Joffi · 02-03-2003, 09:07 AM

Nicolai,

Your reaction to the movie is why I recommend not paying a whole lot of attention to reviews. Sure, you''ve gotta see if anyone thinks a movie is a big ol' pile o' garbage before you go see it, but I always, always ignore the hype. Every time another "best film in years" or "funniest movie ever" or "it will scare the hell out of you" review comes up I just ignore it. If you pay attention to it, your expectations will be too high.

Case in point: The Blair Witch Project. For a no-budget film, it was pretty damned good. It kept me entertained. It was not "the scariest movie ever!" Everyone I know came out of that movie saying, "It was all right, but it wasn't that good." Of course it wasn't.

I loved O Brother Where Art Thou. It was thoroughly entertaining.

02-01-2003, 07:06 PM	#1
Nikolai Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 422	Oh Brother Where Art Thou This has probably been discussed before, but I'll go ahead and start this thread anyway. What did you think of the movie? I am, quite frankly, surprised by the nearly unanimous good reviews that it receives. Though funny at parts, it was rather predictible overall. The music is great, thought somewhat of a bluegrass fan there is definitely better stuff out there. The cinematography is great, the acting was above average, and the little twist in the end about "no atheists in foxhole" was a letdown (maybe I am misinterpreting??)

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02-01-2003, 07:10 PM	#2
kwigibo Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 5,814	I think you answered your own question, there wasn't really anything in it that would provoke a bad review from most people.

02-01-2003, 09:10 PM	#3
Nikolai Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 422	Its not the absence of bad reviews, its the large number of 5-star reviews. If a movie is not bad it does not make it an excellent film.

02-01-2003, 10:31 PM	#4
kwigibo Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 5,814	and a 5-star review means absolutely nothing of consequence

02-02-2003, 11:35 AM	#8
never been there Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 2,144	Sometimes even smart people enjoy lazy humour. It was certainly highly entertaining in that way.

02-02-2003, 04:29 PM	#9
ex-idaho Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Spudtopia, ID Posts: 5,315	I felt that this film was a character study more than a story. I found it absolutely hilarious and very refreshing. I am no fan of Clooney normally but he was brilliant in this one. The blending of fact and fiction made for a very entertaining 2 hours. It deserved 5 stars.

02-03-2003, 09:07 AM	#10
Arvel Joffi Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,359	Nicolai, Your reaction to the movie is why I recommend not paying a whole lot of attention to reviews. Sure, you''ve gotta see if anyone thinks a movie is a big ol' pile o' garbage before you go see it, but I always, always ignore the hype. Every time another "best film in years" or "funniest movie ever" or "it will scare the hell out of you" review comes up I just ignore it. If you pay attention to it, your expectations will be too high. Case in point: The Blair Witch Project. For a no-budget film, it was pretty damned good. It kept me entertained. It was not "the scariest movie ever!" Everyone I know came out of that movie saying, "It was all right, but it wasn't that good." Of course it wasn't. I loved O Brother Where Art Thou. It was thoroughly entertaining.

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