JordanR is correct. If you walk into Borders and base your judgment of literature today on the front display of bestsellers and new releases, you're not getting the full picture. Same with movies. Dozens of movies slide under the radar each year, and its not just "film school high-horse" indie and foreign releases.
One of the funniest movies I've seen in a while is The Foot Fist Way, which is an independent film that Will Ferrell discovered and helped distribute. It should've been a summer blockbuster, but absolutely nobody went to see it. Therefore, in many people's minds its considered an "off the radar" indie, but the truth is that its simply a very funny comedy made on a shoe string budget.
People who complain about the state of movies today need to dig deeper. For every shitty hollywood formula blockbuster that comes out each week, I can point you to a lesser-known movie that is worth your time.
And OKJerm-- it's true that foreign movies can suck just as badly as hollywood. Fortunately, the american indie studios that acquire foreign films for distribution usually have pretty high standards for what it is they're willing to invest in. Foreign films are a tough sell, and studios can't expect to bank transformer dollars on them. So they appeal to the critics to help promote the movies. Which means the movies have to be good.
Not saying that every foreign film that makes its way to america is great, but there is a screening process that weeds out a lot of the crap.
And by the way, between cory and I combined, we've reviewed at least 30 or 40 "beyond the radar" movies so far this year. Unfortunately those movies are just white noise to many people.
Just because a film falls into the "indie" or "art house" category does not automatically make it great. A Japanese or German film can suck just a badly as anything Hollywood throws on the screen... it's just going to have subtitles.
jordanr, if Cory only reviewed your "beyond the radar" films there would only be 5 movie reviews a year in Urban Tulsa. The column is there to support ad review from Tinseltown. Please step off your film school high horse.
"I'm afraid I have to disagree with jordanr. I think most movies these days are crap. We get a few good movies a year and the rest are not worth the time or money."
gotta reiterate, you're just watching the wrong movies if you think that. It's an understandable point of view if you're only willing to watch whatever the AMC theaters are playing, but anyone knowledgeable about foreign/indie film knows that today's as good as any cinematic era. I'm consistently amazed at the quality of some of the films released these days (including Assayas's SUMMER HOURS, playing recently at the Circle). If your experience of contemporary film is a poor one, dig deeper.
I'm afraid I have to disagree with jordanr. I think most movies these days are crap. We get a few good movies a year and the rest are not worth the time or money.
I'm going to miss you, my brother - in more ways than one. It's always good to have a compatriot with a good bullshit meter, and if for that alone your departure will be great loss. Now enjoy your time with that little girl and keep in touch.
"The more films I watch, the worse they, as a medium, seem to become."
People say this kind of thing, but whenever I hear it I just think "in that case you're watching the wrong movies." It's true that a lot of great theatrical experiences are inaccessible in Tulsa, despite the Circle's great efforts, but if I really had to choose between wasting money seeing "Year One" in the theater or watching the latest Apichatpong Weerasethakul film on video...well, it wouldn't be a choice at all. No one should limit themselves to the junk that gets mainstream American distribution and then complain about the poor quality of movies these days, when there's tons and tons of good stuff beyond the radar of what's profitable for theaters and distributors.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. No refunds are issued. Back issues are available for $10/copy.
We accept Visa, M/C, checks and money orders. Call to charge by phone 918-592-5550. Enter your contact information in the form below and we will contact you.
If ordering by mail, make checks and money orders payable to Urban Tulsa Weekly. Send your payment along with your complete postal delivery address to Urban Tulsa Weekly, Attn: Samantha, PO Box 50499, Tulsa, OK 74150
Address:
Address2:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Email:
Phone:
Comments:
Urban Tulsa Weekly
1924 E. 6th St.
Tulsa OK 74104
Phone: (918) 592-5550
Fax: (918) 592-5970
e-mail: Subscriptions
COMMENTS
Re: The Last Picture Show
9 comments total
Sort Comments: Most Recent | Oldest First
Re: The Last Picture Show
One of the funniest movies I've seen in a while is The Foot Fist Way, which is an independent film that Will Ferrell discovered and helped distribute. It should've been a summer blockbuster, but absolutely nobody went to see it. Therefore, in many people's minds its considered an "off the radar" indie, but the truth is that its simply a very funny comedy made on a shoe string budget.
People who complain about the state of movies today need to dig deeper. For every shitty hollywood formula blockbuster that comes out each week, I can point you to a lesser-known movie that is worth your time.
And OKJerm-- it's true that foreign movies can suck just as badly as hollywood. Fortunately, the american indie studios that acquire foreign films for distribution usually have pretty high standards for what it is they're willing to invest in. Foreign films are a tough sell, and studios can't expect to bank transformer dollars on them. So they appeal to the critics to help promote the movies. Which means the movies have to be good.
Not saying that every foreign film that makes its way to america is great, but there is a screening process that weeds out a lot of the crap.
And by the way, between cory and I combined, we've reviewed at least 30 or 40 "beyond the radar" movies so far this year. Unfortunately those movies are just white noise to many people.
Re: The Last Picture Show
jordanr, if Cory only reviewed your "beyond the radar" films there would only be 5 movie reviews a year in Urban Tulsa. The column is there to support ad review from Tinseltown. Please step off your film school high horse.
Re: The Last Picture Show
"I'm afraid I have to disagree with jordanr. I think most movies these days are crap. We get a few good movies a year and the rest are not worth the time or money."
gotta reiterate, you're just watching the wrong movies if you think that. It's an understandable point of view if you're only willing to watch whatever the AMC theaters are playing, but anyone knowledgeable about foreign/indie film knows that today's as good as any cinematic era. I'm consistently amazed at the quality of some of the films released these days (including Assayas's SUMMER HOURS, playing recently at the Circle). If your experience of contemporary film is a poor one, dig deeper.
Re: The Last Picture Show
Re: The Last Picture Show
Re: The Last Picture Show
It's always good to have a compatriot with a good bullshit meter, and if for that alone your departure will be great loss. Now enjoy your time with that little girl and keep in touch.
Re: The Last Picture Show
Re: The Last Picture Show
Re: The Last Picture Show
People say this kind of thing, but whenever I hear it I just think "in that case you're watching the wrong movies." It's true that a lot of great theatrical experiences are inaccessible in Tulsa, despite the Circle's great efforts, but if I really had to choose between wasting money seeing "Year One" in the theater or watching the latest Apichatpong Weerasethakul film on video...well, it wouldn't be a choice at all. No one should limit themselves to the junk that gets mainstream American distribution and then complain about the poor quality of movies these days, when there's tons and tons of good stuff beyond the radar of what's profitable for theaters and distributors.