Not a member?
Signup for free!
What the f*ck is MOVIE FAN CENTRAL?
Watch the intro video!
Username:
Password: forget? click here
Remember me
Image_9b6d38ede
May 2013
SMTWTFS
2829301234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930311

Birthday
June 30th

Sex
Male

Relationship Status
N/A

Location
Other (USA)

Work/School
Proud Mom

Links


254 friends > See all
What's this?

Fan of 0 items > See all
Chinatown
#1 Movie of All-Time
The Big Lebowski
#1 Comedy
Raiders of the Lost Ark
#1 Action
Dark City
#1 Sci-Fi
Rosemary's Baby
#1 Horror
Casablanca
#1 Romance
Dazed and Confused
#1 Stoner
WALL-E
#1 Animated
Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
#1 Fantasy
It Happened One Night
#1 Romantic Comedy
Akira Kurosawa
#1 Director
Scarlett Johannson
#1 Hottie
Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr.
#1 Movie Character
... View the rest.
Servo
Offline
Badge_01
Round 2 tonight
TOTAL POSTS
4,427 Posts
Super Schmoe
Servo posted a BLOG item 3 months ago

Beasts of the Southern Wild - Don't Believe This Movie, Being Poor Actually Sucks

I have two different critiques of this film. One is based purely on whether or not it was a well-crafted film with memorable performances and an engaging story, and the other is based on how suburban white kids need to shut up.

Beasts of the Southern Wild is obviously a fantasy, and it offers a twist on the genre by having it set in a very familiar 21st Century-ish New Orleans in a somewhat flooded land called Bathtub, or as I call it, Not-New Orleans. When the world is thrown out of whack by a massive storm that causes the town to be completely flooded, a young girl by the name of Hushpuppy sets out with her father and company to bring stability back to their home. If you could call what they had "stability."

See, the people in Bathtub are poor. And like most poor people perceived by suburban white kids that free wheel on cargo trains every summer, they have way better lives in their poorness than we do. They reject healthcare because who needs it, they drink every day because it's not a crutch for the standards of living, they're just living in the moment! And Wink, Hushpuppy's father, well, smacking his daughter repeatedly in the face is just a trial for Hushpuppy to overcome for her to find her own inner strength!

Yes, life in the Bathtub, though not exactly glamorous, is something to be envied by us all, because they've totally rejected society, man.

Dear lord, where do I even begin.

I'm conflicted. When Spike Jonze made Where The Wild Things Are, I wanted to love it because of its gorgeous visuals and authenticity within its own fantasy world. But the film's lack of a true narrative, no engaging story, and a less-than-stellar performance by its lead made what could be a memorable experience into something forgettable and mediocre.

That's not the case with Beasts. For one, the performances are incredible. In fact, the acting alone is, I'm sure, the reason it has been so embraced by the Academy. Quvenzhané Wallis is an acting warrioress, and the amount of energy and presence she exudes is baffling considering her size. I hope she sticks to acting, and I hope she takes it in the right direction, because I think she has what it takes to transcend child-stardom and become a true actress. There's also Dwight Henry as Wink, Hushpuppy's troubled father. Like Wallis, Henry has no background in acting, and is in fact a baker in New Orleans, yet he delivers a powerful and tragic (albeit frustrating - I hate his character. More on that later.) performance.

The story is about finding one's inner strength while searching for stability in a world turned upside down. The story may not make sense at first but the more I dwelled on it the more sense it made, and I understood the point. And unlike Where The Wild Things Are, it had a direction to accompany the amazing visual language and gorgeous score.

Having said that…

There is nothing charming about poverty. It isn't kitschy or cute, and I found the relationship between Wink and Hushpuppy way too disturbing, and thought that it hit way too close to home for me to even begin to root or even feel for a character like Wink. I know I'm letting my moral flag fly with this one, and I'll most likely be looked at as oversensitive. But the presentation of their relationship isn't cautionary, it isn't used to display the dangers of abuse, but as a way of life that we should accept and celebrate, because it's part of what molds Hushpuppy on her journey. And I hate that. I feel like this a prevailing theme in cinema, television, literature, hell, even comics, that the only way a woman can become strong and independent is to have the shit beat out of her by someone abusive and controlling. I'm sure Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar were well-intentioned, but to me they missed the mark. I think they told a good story, and I think they crafted a well-made film, but it's subtext is what bothers me, and the representation of America's poor that a lot of suburban white kids completely misconstrue. It's on par with the college kid that travels to Africa and takes hundreds of pictures of themselves holding malnourished babies, only to go home two weeks later and return to their spin classes and Pinterest parties.

I'm glad that the Academy continues to recognize films of this scope, as this is a prime example of what I would consider to be a true independent film, and I continue to support that. But even though it's well-made, I can't completely support the film's views. Though I'm sure it is being recognized for its performances and visual language, I'm not so naive to think the Academy isn't once again patting themselves on their backs and reveling in their misguided views and exaggerated affection for the downtrodden of this country, and even the world.


Mood: Chillin'
Derek237
Derek237 at 12:11 PM Feb 18

I'm conflicted about it because on one hand I can almost forgive/understand its sort of "fairy tale" like presentation, because the main character is a child and it's all seen through a child's eyes, and there's an innocence to that and if the story is shown through her point of view and there's nothing to do with actual politics or morality as far as she's concerned, but there's also just no growth and no kind of catharsis. She goes from point A to point B but then back to point A. Along the way we see this alarming underbelly of America that must be forgotten by the rest of the world. We saw a very similar world in Winter's Bone, also with a strong female character who fights to protect it. So I wonder why I would love that movie with so little hesitation but feel a little uneased about this one. I think the movie does unfortunately talk down to the audience just a little bit, while Winter's Bone didn't pull any punches, and was frank about its subject matter. But hell, look at Dickens, look at the poverty and desperation at the height of the industrial revolution, presented as a whimsical tale in Oliver Twist...so obviously it can be done, but shit, it's just such touchy subject matter. Beasts had one foot in fantasy and the other in a harsh reality, and I think it's that imbalance that makes it so hard - for me- to love. Maybe you just can't have it both ways. Also it would help if it actually had something to say, some kind of stance or viewpoint other than, "isn't this so charming and magical?" But it doesn't. Not really.

Servo updated his STATUS: 5 months ago

Round 2 tonight
RandomK1NG
RandomK1NG at 12:52 PM Jan 01

That's bad ass! The movie and the gif

Servo updated his STATUS: 5 months ago

Did anyone happen to catch Holy Motors? All of my favorite critics are raving about it, saying it was the best of 2012. And since I live in Who Gives A Fuck, Florida it passed over me. It sounds amazingly bizarre and intriguing.
cerealkiller182
cerealkiller182 at 02:19 PM Dec 31

yea I dug it. Bizarre and intriguing for sure

RandomK1NG
RandomK1NG at 03:01 PM Dec 31

It's one big pile of weird. I didn't love it or hate it.

Servo updated his STATUS: 5 months ago

I'm not sure who it was that convinced me to not see John Carter in theaters, but they better pray I don't remember. This movie is really cool and I totally regret not having the full cinematic experience.
JohnLocke2342
JohnLocke2342 at 01:46 PM Dec 31

Yeah I wasn't too much of a fan either.. glad you dug it, though

Cochise
Cochise at 02:28 PM Dec 31

I regret downloading it for free, what a mess

randychico
randychico at 03:06 PM Dec 31

Well it wasn't me... I thought it was a fun surprise :)

Read all 7 comments >>

Servo updated his STATUS: 5 months ago

Nite Owl
Nite Owl at 08:46 PM Dec 25

Servo updated his STATUS: 5 months ago

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills? Yeah. I watched it. Don't give a fuck either.
Derek237
Derek237 at 08:08 PM Dec 22

That sounds sexy where can I find a copy?

klinteastwood
klinteastwood at 01:22 AM Dec 23

ha, i used to watch that too..basically a power rangers ripoff on the usa network..i liked it as a kid though

Servo updated his STATUS: 5 months ago

Looking forward to a Michael Bay movie, new world
Servo updated his STATUS: 5 months ago

Nick from New Girl = ME
Derek237
Derek237 at 02:24 PM Dec 15

hahahahaha

Derek237
Derek237 at 02:25 PM Dec 15

DON"T LISTEN TO ANYTHING LEESE SAYS IT IS A GREAT SHOW

And I'm totally with you on Nick, he's the most relatable character and he MAKES the show. Jake Johnson is a great comedic actor too, in fact the main reason I got into New Girl is because I liked him in Safety Not Guaranteed so much.

randychico
randychico at 06:58 PM Dec 15

I think I'm a combination of Nick and Jess

Read all 5 comments >>

Servo updated his STATUS: 5 months ago

I have no fucking clue about what's going on in the trailers for Shane Carruth's Upstream Color but I am sooo there. Also: everyone see Primer
Servo
Servo at 06:32 AM Dec 15

Oh y'know the usual, recovering from a hangover

Derek237
Derek237 at 06:43 AM Dec 15

randychico
randychico at 07:20 PM Dec 15

"Shane Carruth's Upstream Color" I don't know what you just said... but I liked Primer so...

Read all 4 comments >>

Servo updated his STATUS: 6 months ago

So I'm watching Jaws 2 and it suddenly occurs to me...this is a slasher movie. Hear me out guys. The shark stalks a group of teenagers, (all of whom represent the usual slasher victim cliches), it has a disfigured face, and doesn't leave any witnesses.
YoshioKun13
YoshioKun13 at 07:19 PM Nov 30

You're not the 1st I've seen to suggest this notion...

Derek237
Derek237 at 09:43 PM Nov 30

I wish they went with SNL's route and had the shark going door to door victimizing housewives.

Servo updated his STATUS: 6 months ago

So I'm still without a computer, and MFC is difficult to navigate via iPhone. So if any of you wanna connect and stuff follow me on twitter @thatjpjones
cerealkiller182
cerealkiller182 at 02:03 PM Nov 29

yea it is a pain on the iphone

JFernandes
JFernandes at 07:47 PM Nov 29

K!

Laksmikanti
Laksmikanti at 09:34 AM Nov 30

my iphone is not getting into twitter, get wassup application yo!

Servo updated his STATUS: 6 months ago

The article that is currently exploding twitter: http://www.themarysue.com/james-gunnsuperhero-sex-post/ I'm just gonna leave this here. I don't really know what my stance is. The original article was clearly satirical but...I still kinda winced reading some of it. discuss?
Terminal_83
Terminal_83 at 09:19 AM Nov 29

I agree.

Terminal_83
Terminal_83 at 09:20 AM Nov 29

@Cerealkiller182: I'm familiar with his work and found a lot of the comments over the top. There's humor and there's taking it to the extreme.

cerealkiller182
cerealkiller182 at 11:18 AM Nov 29

@Term, I agree, its totally extreme and off-putting and unfunny, but my point about being familiar with his work is that I can tell he's trying to be funny while that website makes him out to be a big sincere bigot

Read all 11 comments >>

Servo posted a BLOG item 6 months ago

Phone bloggin: x-men shit

Please don't judge my poor grammar and spelling and complete lack of articulation, I'm typing this blog with my thumb.

Okay so it was announced that Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are reprising their roles as Charles and Erik for the new X-Men flick. That's cool I guess. Honestly, these two were the most interesting and the most engaging characters of the franchise, and all four of them were played by excellent performers, so I'm not complaining about their return.

But man, I've got beef with this franchise.

First of all, everyone's praise for Singer returning is baffling. This guy hasn't made a good movie in ten years. And that Jack and The Beanstalk movie looks like absolute ass.

Guys, this franchise is so fucked its not even funny, thanks to two really atrocious films and a complete disregard for any kind of consistency. Honestly, X-Men: First Class has a pretty good script, but Matthew Vaughn should be awarded the Nobel fucking Prize for making a new X-Men movie watchable. The fact that they intend to fuck with the film's timeline even more (this time with the convenience of time travel) is hilarious to me. The X-Men film franchise is like a perfect representation of why the comic book industry is so fucked: continuity? haha fuck that shit.

But whatever, sentinels are gonna be in this one right? So yay I guess. Maybe Hugh Jackman can say fuck again, kids seem to like that.

Look, I love X-Men, and growing up I loved them as much as I loved Batman, so I inherently have some fanboy tendencies when I see something I love get fucked with. And y'know it's not even for the sake of cinema sometimes when certain changes are made. Focusing so much on Wolverine was absolute geek pandering because Fox doesn't want to waste time on characters that aren't "totallay kewl brah."

Ok there's a point to all of this somewhere

Right

I don't have high hopes for the next movie. I think it was a total mistake not to completely reboot the franchise, or at the very least focus on the actual first class.

Also why the hell do people hate Cyclops so much. is it because he's not edgy enough. I mean seriously how many more edgy characters do people need within the landscape of cinema before every movie that comes out is about some hardcore mysterious badass

Whatever. I'm gonna go find an X-Men arcade game and unload 809 quarters playing as DAZZLER f u


Mood: Bored

Derek237
Derek237 at 07:12 AM Nov 28

The timeline of the franchise is fucked and this movie is just going to make it worse. I loved the X-Men animated series as a kid and read a good deal of comics too but I was never absolutely gaga over X-Men and to be honest I feel the same about the movies. They're good movies but not great and shit man I even like The Last Stand so take that for what you will. Wolverine, though, was a piece of shit and at least they corrected their mistakes with First Class and made a proper prequel. And I do have to give the brains behind the franchise credit for still trying to salvage everything before resorting to a reboot.

And you know what, you're right about Singer. I would be much happier with Vaughn returning. He took a fucking DEAD series and breathed new life into it by making it feel like an actual movie instead of X-Men Branded CGI Stuff Flies At The Screen Give Us Your Money bullshit.

If anything, Days of Future Past will work strictly as a novelty, which to be honest, I'm cool with. If they can make it work as an actual decent story and maybe even establish a plausible continuity, then hey, power to them.

Oh and about Cyclops....eh, I don't know. I don't think it's the fault of the viewers necessarily, if we're strictly speaking the movies, because it's no secret they made the series basically "The Wolverine Show." So they made Cyclops out to be the preppy jock douchebag who is vanilla as fuck and Wolverine out to be the super awesome badass rebel smoking under the bleachers.

Kitty Green
Kitty Green at 09:38 AM Nov 28

"Honestly, X-Men: First Class has a pretty good script, but Matthew Vaughn should be awarded the Nobel fucking Prize for making a new X-Men movie watchable." AMEN to that!

"The fact that they intend to fuck with the film's timeline even more (this time with the convenience of time travel) is hilarious to me." Agreed. Can we say COP OUT?

"Also why the hell do people hate Cyclops so much. is it because he's not edgy enough." For me, it had nothing to do with edge, or lack of it; I just thought his character (or the way he was portrayed by Marsden) was a dick! I do think that people place way too much emphasis on "edge" these days, and soon enough, there won't be such a thing as being "edgy" since that characteristic is so common & overused. Why can't characters just be "people" with different personalities, even if they are seemingly "soft"? Variety is the spice of life. Geez! Sorry. Tangent. My bad.

Anyway... Bravo to this blog! I've been on the fence since I'd read the news, but the more I think about it, the less "on board" I'm feeling.

leesemarie
leesemarie at 11:35 AM Nov 28

lol dazzler

Read all 5 comments >>

Servo updated his STATUS: 6 months ago

No I was not singing along to the end credits of Ghostbusters 2 while eating homemade nachos that would just be sad and classless.
Servo
Servo at 03:45 PM Nov 27

Publix brand cheese is pretty good. Shredded sharp cheddar? The shreds are kinda long so you've got some good range over the chips, y'know?

Servo
Servo at 03:47 PM Nov 27

There's probably like two people here that know what Publix is. No matter, they kick the shit out of Ralph's.

leesemarie
leesemarie at 05:43 PM Nov 27

omfg the publix subs? yes plz

Servo updated his STATUS: 6 months ago

Homeland just needs to go by Shit Gets Really Fucking Real: The Series. PS, teefury, please don't make a useless Homeland t-shirt design. c'mon. does everything have to be geeky
Derek237
Derek237 at 07:20 PM Nov 23

It's bigger than U.S. Steel

Derek237
Derek237 at 07:20 PM Nov 23

which is probably true

Derek237
Derek237 at 07:21 PM Nov 23

lol economy

Read all 4 comments >>

Tee-ads-mfc2 JoBlo.com Arrow in the Head Movie Hotties JoBlo Videos