Black Swan Avoidance

[Poolboy21409]

Just saw it three days ago and couldn't believe how bad it was despite all the "wonderful" reviews. The three other folks with me - 2 girls and a guy - were more unimpressed than I was. The only worse movie I have seen this year was The American with Clooney.

[josephga]

I have a screener copy i need to watch. i have a feeling previews make it look better than it really is

[Pegasus]

I have to agree guys. This movie is a mess. Apparently some people really love it and see it as beautiful. I didn't.

[jimboivyo]

many gay men I've talked with don't seem to like it, but I think that's more to do with it being a female-centric film than one based around males. I enjoyed it and think that portman will nab the oscar for her performance. To each their own, but I thought this film was superb, as did most reviewers for major newspapers and mags.

[Juan Vancouver]

I LOVED this film. (SPOILER ALERT.)

 

I would have to disagree.

 

Even if I can see why some people would find it disturbing and uncomfortable, and even if some gay men believe that it is about a female and her sexuality, (It is not; it is a study about growing up, about the creative process, about letting go and realizing that one has to let go of the desire to control in order to really be on top of things, a powerful study on life), I have to say that for me it is not only one of the best movies of the year, but perhaps it is among my top three movies of all times.

Beautifully written, elegantly filmed, masterfully acted, very moving and inspirational.

I am not comfortable with gore in any form and I didn't enjoy certain passages, I thought those moments were perfectly justified and were a very well used expressive tool, not an end, the way gore is used in most films. I am an actor and have been through that wonderful process of having to leave the old you behind before the new you is capable to understand a certain role, before you are able to incorporate and accept some hidden part of your psyche.

 

I think most people focus on the gore and the horror and the fight and the blood, but I believe the whole point of the movie is when she simply says:

 

"I felt it; it was perfect!"

 

Who among us would not, even for a moment have that feeling about life, about anything?

 

I have been very cautious when recommend it to anyone, but I can't wait to see it again. I sincerely hope everyone watches it and draws their own conclusions.

 

Happy HOlidays everyone!

[Diverdan]

It is on my list to see in the next few days. I appreciate the contrasting opinions here, and the reviews I have seen usually are favorable, although not uniformly so. Since I often disagree with reviewers, I am looking forward to seeing it and making my own judgements. I have not met you, Poolboy, so have no reference for your comments, but I respect them. I do know Juan and have always respected his opinion. However, movies, as in life itself, there is no one experience that fits for all of us. So, I am looking forward to seeing it myself. The other movie on my list right now is "I Love You Philip Morris" . I did see "Love and Other Drugs" and enjoyed it in spite of the weak script and predictable outcome. The eye candy of Jake was especially tantalizing, and there is so much speculation about the "lighting" on the sheet when Jake is nude, that it only adds spice to the viewing. I am sure some of the crew got an eyefull.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone. There are lots of new movies out and I am really looking forward to seeing the "Kings Speech" which opens tomorrow in our area. I think Collin Firth is a great actor, and is already being talked about for an Academy Award~!

DD

[edjames]

LOVED IT! I thought it was a good psychological thriller which has little to do with ballet, so if you're expecting performances from great ballets, the film will disappoint. If your into Hitchcockian-esque films, this will surpass your expectations. A terrific set of performances by Nataile Portman, Barbara Hershey, Mila Kunis (The 80's Show - who knew?) and Vincent Cassel. Wynonna Ryder makes an appearnce and truthfully, I didn't recognize her till her name appeared in the final credits! Portman is a strong Oscar conentder for her performance.

 

ED

[Guest GQ Pro]

It's on my list of movies to see. However, now I'm not too sure. A client of mine did mention wanting to bring me to see it. Maybe I'll wait for him to see it. At least then if I don't like the movie, at least I got paid to watch it

GQ Pro

Please check out my blog and feel free to leave your comments there as well. http://gqpro.tumblr.com/

[Epigonos]

I write dance (ballet) reviews for an on line review site. As I see it much of the problem with the film “Black Swan” is caused by the title. Many people go to the theatre expecting to see a film about dance. “Black Swan” is NOT primarily about dance. Dance is simply the setting in which the film maker has chosen to develop the story. As other posters have already noted it is really a film about growing up in a highly competitive, creative, and cut throat field of endeavor. It just happens that that field of endeavor is the world of dance.

[uwsman2]

It's also on my list - although it's been more of a "maybe" than a definite, although one of my colleagues at work raved about it the other day at lunch.

 

I went this afternoon to see "Undertow," which is playing at only one tiny theater in NYC (the former balcony at Cinema Village, and I was one of four members of the audience for the 1:05 pm screening this afternoon, Xmas eve). I would call this one "Six Feet Under" in a Peruvian fishing village with a same-sex relationship at the heart of the plot. The two men involved (and some of the others in supporting roles) are GORGEOUS if you like the dark, hispanic look.

[josephga]

I watched my screener copy this afternoon and liked it too. It pretty much was what I expected a psychological thriller.

[+ Italiano]

I didn't find it "terrible", but definitely came out of the theatre quite disappointed.

It reminded me of those quite obvious generic thriller of the 70s, of course beautifully made and with some good moments and images. In Italian I would define it "banale" (conventional, ordinary, unimaginative, uninteresting etc etc) sorry I can't find a specific English word to describe it.

[justaguy]

I was undecided about the film. With opinions so strongly divided, I've got to see it. The deciding factor was Jaun placing it in his top films of all time. I want to know why.

[Juan Vancouver]

Who among us would not, even for a moment have that feeling about life, about anything?

 

What I meant, of course, is who amongst us would not, even for a moment LOVE to have that feeling.

 

And xafnndapp, the words in english is banal.

 

It's fascinating to see how different people reacted to this film.

 

By the way, I just watched "Brotherhood", a film about a couple of neonazi guys falling in love with each other and all the chaos that that causes. Really interesting.

 

Happy HOlidays!

[+ Italiano]

 

And xafnndapp, the words in english is banal.

 

 

That was easy then!

Thank you, hot man.

[Guest FTLdude]

I agree that it wasn't a great movie, but I still kinda liked it. I didn't read any of the critic's reviews before I went to see it so I wasn't disappointed.

[RockCreekRunr]

Having not seen the film yet (and I cannot wait to see it), the diversity of reviews (pro and con) make me even more excited about this movie.

[GoodFella69]

Aronofsky has made some films that I've enjoyed very much (The Wrestler, The Fountain) and a film I was rather underwhelmed about (Requiem for a Dream). But, I'm not too excited about seeing The Black Swan and frankly I have no trouble believing it is just as campy and schlocky as the trailer would have me believe. I have two teen-age sons, so I had to watch (endure) TRON today. It was ok if only for the outstanding 3-D effects which were very cool and almost as well-done as Avatar in my opinion.

[Rick Munroe]

Enjoy: http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/3EFBFFFF01D305CB00170125D986/

[Steven_Draker]

Enjoy: http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/3EFBFFFF01D305CB00170125D986/

 

That was excellent, Rick! Thank you.

 

Looking forward to seeing the movie ... (not worrying about my boner)