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'IF' - a movie review
a year ago
You have to keep a little crazy hidden away in your back pocket just to maintain your sanity.
Vixyy Fox
Vixyy Fox
First and foremost, to my way of thinking, this is a five star movie.
WARNING: DO NOT TAKE YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN (as we did) TO SEE THIS MOVIE. There are no gunfights, explosions, car chases, and so forth, so when it comes to the slower parts where you're busy crying your eyes out, their annoying little voices will find your ears with, 'I'mmmm thirstyyyyy.'
This movie is about 'imaginary friends', and if you live with yours as I do with mine, it will solidly pluck at your heart strings.
The animation is good, as is the setup to the movie, and yes I also laughed quite a bit.
I understood the movie got off to a bad start because people are totally suspicious of anything Disney or Disneyesk these days, but Paramount Pictures apparently got the message - there is nothing woke about this movie at all. It is also heartfelt and very enjoyable.
Now - a moment to discuss something. The movie theaters are going broke. I totally understand this, and a few of the reasons why (aside from all the movies being churned out that really stink).
Start time was 11:00. First you have to sit through no less than a solid 30 minutes of commercials - one after the next after the next. Way back when, you paid for a ticket and all you got was the movie.
Next, you have to sit through the coming attractions (which are not too bad) and then more commercials.
Andddddd... as a by the way... they're coming out with a remake of the Wizard of Oz, and in the modern way of things, the wicked witch is actually the good guy, while the wizard and all of his cronies are the bad guys. Reallyyyyyyyyyy????
It truly is a pity the writers, or AI, or whatever it is they're using these days can't come up with an original story.
Vixyy
WARNING: DO NOT TAKE YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN (as we did) TO SEE THIS MOVIE. There are no gunfights, explosions, car chases, and so forth, so when it comes to the slower parts where you're busy crying your eyes out, their annoying little voices will find your ears with, 'I'mmmm thirstyyyyy.'
This movie is about 'imaginary friends', and if you live with yours as I do with mine, it will solidly pluck at your heart strings.
The animation is good, as is the setup to the movie, and yes I also laughed quite a bit.
I understood the movie got off to a bad start because people are totally suspicious of anything Disney or Disneyesk these days, but Paramount Pictures apparently got the message - there is nothing woke about this movie at all. It is also heartfelt and very enjoyable.
Now - a moment to discuss something. The movie theaters are going broke. I totally understand this, and a few of the reasons why (aside from all the movies being churned out that really stink).
Start time was 11:00. First you have to sit through no less than a solid 30 minutes of commercials - one after the next after the next. Way back when, you paid for a ticket and all you got was the movie.
Next, you have to sit through the coming attractions (which are not too bad) and then more commercials.
Andddddd... as a by the way... they're coming out with a remake of the Wizard of Oz, and in the modern way of things, the wicked witch is actually the good guy, while the wizard and all of his cronies are the bad guys. Reallyyyyyyyyyy????
It truly is a pity the writers, or AI, or whatever it is they're using these days can't come up with an original story.
Vixyy
Vix
a) Too damned expensive
b) Aurora, Colorado.
Vix
So glad I haven't had to deal with whiny grandkids. My niece was never like that (best kid ever!) but I wouldn't give you two cents for any of the kids I've met lately.
Vix
Hopefully we learn from the mistakes of those who raised us as well as what they did right.
Vix
I might need to hunt those down and watch them again.
The movie you're referring to, Wicked, is based on a play apparently that came out a few decades ago and was on the forefront of the whole "Bad is good and good is bad" thing that so many movies keep trying (and failing) to do.
Vix
Vix
https://youtu.be/wYTeyNB1k5g?si=6nLiGPgFg0PZHCW9
Can't say much about the storyline though
Vix
And regarding kids, if there is some sort of instinct in humans that makes them want to have children I completely don't have it. I don't even really understand why people tend to consider it so important to have a partner for example too. But I don't mean it in any way negatively toward children. If for some reason I had to take care of one I would try my best and it makes me sad when children are neglected and left with some smartphone or TV for an entire day alone or something like that.
And with this Wizard of Oz, I don't know why these remakes of everything in this style are so popular. Maybe it just has good ratio of cost and profit.
Also as I looked at what this movie even is (I didn't know about its existence until seeing this post) it's weird to me that your grandchild was kinda bored with it considering it seems like a movie for children definitely, haha. I don't know what might have been wrong about it.
Vix
Also it's nice to have someone to laugh at your jokes, try out your story ideas on, and pick stuff up at the grocery store on the way home from work
I got married for the first time at 40. Best thing I ever did.
so you are the wife of Horace Rumpole of the Bailey? (one of my most favorite stories/series)...
Vix
Vix
That won't save all of them, but a few more might survive than otherwise.
There have been long movie nights before. I remember one where people could watch Star Trek I-VII in a row.
Mad Max 1-3 and other shorter movie series might be more feasable.
BTW, that Wizard of Oz movie is based on a novel from 1995 and has already been a musical in 2003. Apparently the author of the novel was part of the scriptwriting team. I do question the mention of the original 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' author in the scriptwriting credits. Looks like they are cashing in the dead author's name trying to give their movie more legitimacy.
Despite the age of the novel, it fits current agendas perfectly.
Personally I hope this two-parter flops hard.
Yes, walking into the movie, I felt so old as all the spaces in the ticket booth outside area were totally empty.
Vix
Vix
Vix
Vix
Vix
It's been quite a while since I've gone to a movie.
Vix
Vix
On the other hand, I did drag myself out to see Dune Part Two in IMAX and was captivated by the spectacle. It’s sad to have such magic disappear in favor of two million different streaming services.
As for Wicked, I was about to defend the musical’s take on things (in spite of its “villain is the good guy” premise) but then I read that the novel author is one of the writers for the movie version. The original novels were dark as an edgy teenager’s fanfiction and threw every possible political interpretation of the Baum books at the wall to see what stuck. Doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Vix
Perhaps the edgy fanfiction comparison was overly harsh, but understand this is coming from someone who hadn't even been born yet at the time the novel was written. When I was growing up, three-dimensional villains and anti-heroes were actually present in media aimed at children. By the time I was a teenager I was already familiar with the concepts of nature vs. nurture and the complexities of evil, even if I wasn't fully aware of it. Getting into anime got me even more used to complex antagonists. I've simply gotten used to considering the psychology, the true nature of a villain with less explicit prompting than Wicked.
And as a 21st Century Boy (Schizoid Man?), my era has featured tons upon tons of writers, novice and professional, trying to deconstruct or revise classical genres and settings, some do so skillfully, others descend into grimdark, or into political messaging so overt it overshadows the narrative.
So by the time I actually read the Wicked book, it didn't feel like anything special or particularly subtle to me. The musical, by virtue of being lighter in tone, actually held my interest better because it was something closer to Baum without going what I felt was overboard on darker events (Even if Elphaba is a more complex character in the books)
tl;dr: I ironically thought less of the Wicked novel due to the influence of all the trends it helped inspire.
Vix
I'm sure I don't need to tell you that movies (and musicals) often fail to capture what a novel's story really set out to do.
In a conversation between characters in the book, the nature of evil, and the origin of evil are recurring themes and the question is never really resolved. In discussing the popular understanding of evil:
"...there need be no pour quoi tale about where evil arises; it just arises; it always is. One never learns how the witch became wicked, or whether that was the right choice for her--is it ever the right choice? Does the devil ever struggle to be good again? If so is he not a devil?"
Is the Wicked Witch driven to evil acts, or was she always evil and the proof is the decisions she made? In the book she's the main character but by no means does she come across as a hero, and is at some points distinctly unlikable.
That being said, I'd probably skip the movie because I doubt it delves into these things. But please don't think the book was so shallow!
You'll get no argument from me, Hauke, books will always be better.
Vix
It's not common. We create the movie in our head when we read a book. If it's well written, that's usually better.
Vix
Wouldn't be surprised in the least if the book was better, though.
One example of a movie I found better than the book was Walkabout. I really liked the book, but the movie was really excellent.
Nicolas Roeg is a remarkable filmmaker, though. I've loved everything I've seen by him.
Vix
Thanks for this review! I will endeavor to purchase it when it becomes available (Also no fan of the huge theater cost to see any movie these days!)!
Vix
(As with most things, there are always exceptions, but damned it's been a long time since I could say I 'Enjoyed' going to the theater! Also sadly, I totally missed seeing both 'Maverick,' AND the two 'Dune' movies. Just didn't have the time/$$$.)
Vix
Vix
Vix
What I dislike most about the theater (besides in seat dining) is the compressed sound; I need to wear earplugs to tone down the Shock and Awe. I walked out on the Tom Cruise remake of War of the Worlds due to the sound sounding like a PsyOps mission.
I guess I'm broken from lockdown yet: If I want a theater, I put my VR headset on and watch it in my virtual home theater.
And I totally agree to all of the rest. I've had to take my hearing aids out.
Vix
I's like wearing an I-Max theater.
Vix
Vix
Vix
Wuff was curious, looked like an interesting premise but hadn't heard much about it. And the junk being passed off as "family fare" from other studios (you may have an idea who wuffy is speaking of) has soured Vrghr from attending things without getting some feedback from prior audiences. Not to mention the crazy prices for a seat these days.
Vrghr did get out to see the new Garfield movie with a friend that loves the cat and urged wuffy to take them along. It was okay. Not the greatest by any means, but wholesome entertainment with no signs of "the agenda" or other messaging. Got a few chuckles out of this wuff along the way, and there's nothing wrong with that. Though Odie the dog was a totally non-speaking part, he definitely stole a lot of the scenes and giggles.
Take care, and looking forward to saying "hi" and meeting again at Megaplex!
Vix
I have to advise you not to use the word "Woke" in that context. It's a black American idiom that means "Being politically aware", a completely positive thing.
That word has been co opted by the far right here, purposely twisting its meaning. It's plainly racist, much like the condemnations by those same people of "CRT" and DEI. Not a very good look. I find myself being really embarrassed for anyone I like who makes use of that.
Otherwise, I know nothing of the movie. Nice to hear your positive review.
Vix
If I was going to take offense at something it would be this. Let me explain. I do not see 'furry' as being a life choice; it is simply an interest. When I go to a con, I accept everyone. That's what I loved so much the first con I ever went to. I still love it. There was never a chip on anyone's shoulder. The way the suiters would interact with my grandchildren was so wonderful.
*sighs... I wish the world would learn to do that.
Vix
Kids certainly aren't going to "Catch the gay" from a Lego commercial or playing with toys. Having positive attitudes towards LGBT folks is certainly not a bad thing, let alone any kind of a threat. This crap is all about sowing fear and hatred.
Whether the characters depicted as furries are or not is completely open to interpretation, just to start with. Of course Breitbart would conflate being a furry with being gay or trans. The far right have been doing that for at least a couple of years now. See the catboxes in schools thing, or this: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10848723/. Also see her following journal.
Being LGBT is no more of a "Lifestyle choice" than being a furry is, unless you consider being closeted as a positive thing. Of course being a furry isn't a "Lifestyle choice". Neither is being LGBT. Being gay or transgender is not an "Ideology". This is also a narrative being pushed by the far right.
I've encountered people saying that furcons should be restricted to those over eighteen because they're adult events. That's like saying drag story hours is about trans people grooming kids. And that certainly doesn't apply to FC, my local con, and I doubt any others. They're scrupulous about separating the adult stuff from the more family friendly. I've seen the suiters interacting with the kids. It's delightful.
Honestly, I don't trust much of anything anymore when it comes to news.
Cheers for now - dinner time. And that I do trust.
Vix
Always question all sources, and consult other trusted sources, of course. Breitbart is just a particularly bad place to start.