Good movies are self-aware. Not everything needs to be a masterpiece of acting and cinematography, or have the best effects, or the best writing. But they have to know what they are. I don’t mean breaking the fourth wall or self-deprecating humor. More like understanding their limits.
The people making Sharknado knew they were doing a campy action film (series) with sharks in tornadoes. Fun Movie. Would watch again.
M. Night Shyamalan is a great writer and director, but a lot of his films have a feeling of over-dramatized self-importance, where it seems like he really wants you to know how clever he is. So they get panned.
Chrisopher Nolan (I think) puts similar importance on symbols and archetypes with a dramatic and artistic style, but his movies have a feel of like “I don’t give a shit if you get it, just enjoy the ride.” He makes good films.
He can kinda string together the main bits of a plot, but the dude can’t write to save his life.
Rebel Moon had the ingredients for a decent 7 samurai sci-fi thing. But holy fuck did he go so far style over substance with it that all the substance was left out 😆
Same with JJ Abrams, dude makes good visuals and can start a mystery box plot like very few can.
But for the love of all that’s holy, don’t let him decide what’s in the box.
George Lucas can do world building that’s a kilometre wide and a millimetre deep.
So many things that hint at depth: space ship models that are dirty, droids that are both futuristic but also somehow junky. Quick turns of phrase that make something seem both alien and familiar, like “moisture farming”. But, it seems like in all his world building he’s never once asked himself “Why?”
but his movies have a feel of like “I don’t give a shit if you get it, just enjoy the ride.” He makes good films.
This is very clear when he made Tenet, which i quite like it but a confusing maze. Heck i’m pretty sure 80% of the people doesn’t really understand what the heck is that even about.
Good movies are self-aware. Not everything needs to be a masterpiece of acting and cinematography, or have the best effects, or the best writing. But they have to know what they are. I don’t mean breaking the fourth wall or self-deprecating humor. More like understanding their limits.
The people making Sharknado knew they were doing a campy action film (series) with sharks in tornadoes. Fun Movie. Would watch again.
M. Night Shyamalan is a great writer and director, but a lot of his films have a feeling of over-dramatized self-importance, where it seems like he really wants you to know how clever he is. So they get panned.
Chrisopher Nolan (I think) puts similar importance on symbols and archetypes with a dramatic and artistic style, but his movies have a feel of like “I don’t give a shit if you get it, just enjoy the ride.” He makes good films.
Zak Snyder makes AMAZING visuals and set pieces.
He can kinda string together the main bits of a plot, but the dude can’t write to save his life.
Rebel Moon had the ingredients for a decent 7 samurai sci-fi thing. But holy fuck did he go so far style over substance with it that all the substance was left out 😆
Same with JJ Abrams, dude makes good visuals and can start a mystery box plot like very few can.
But for the love of all that’s holy, don’t let him decide what’s in the box.
I have never been able to set the brightness high enough to see them though.
George Lucas can do world building that’s a kilometre wide and a millimetre deep.
So many things that hint at depth: space ship models that are dirty, droids that are both futuristic but also somehow junky. Quick turns of phrase that make something seem both alien and familiar, like “moisture farming”. But, it seems like in all his world building he’s never once asked himself “Why?”
This is very clear when he made Tenet, which i quite like it but a confusing maze. Heck i’m pretty sure 80% of the people doesn’t really understand what the heck is that even about.
I’m convinced he’s trying to see if there’s a limit to how many mental backflips an audience can take before they start to reign him in.
But before Tenet there was Primer, and it was a cult hit.