Films you just don't 'get'
I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 1 last night and was left some what bewildered.
It's not that I didn't understand the film or the story. In fact, quite the opposite, I felt like sod all actually happened, the HP v Voldermort story was no further along than where it was before the film started (except for a couple of points). Yes, there were clearly some essential plot points such as what the Deathly Hallows were, why they were important, how to destroy a Horcrux, but that was pretty much it for nearly 2.5 hours. I realise as part 1 of 2 it's going to be open ended but I don't get why it's thought of as one of the best of the HP films. Maybe when seen in conjunction with P2 it will make sense but I somehow doubt it. I suspect I didn't get this film mainly because I haven't read the book.
Anyway, what films don't you 'get' and do you have an idea why?
It's not that I didn't understand the film or the story. In fact, quite the opposite, I felt like sod all actually happened, the HP v Voldermort story was no further along than where it was before the film started (except for a couple of points). Yes, there were clearly some essential plot points such as what the Deathly Hallows were, why they were important, how to destroy a Horcrux, but that was pretty much it for nearly 2.5 hours. I realise as part 1 of 2 it's going to be open ended but I don't get why it's thought of as one of the best of the HP films. Maybe when seen in conjunction with P2 it will make sense but I somehow doubt it. I suspect I didn't get this film mainly because I haven't read the book.
Anyway, what films don't you 'get' and do you have an idea why?
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For example, a lot of anime I don't fully understand as they rely on understanding often subtle Japanese cultural references, yet that doesn't stop me enjoying them.
On the other hand, I've seen plenty of films I fully understand, yet think are awful, and when some fan of it tells me I just don't 'get' it, well, it makes me want to punch them repeatedly in the face, to be honest - arrogant tossers! I know fully well what I don't like, and it's not a matter of 'getting' it, thank you very much.
Regards
Mark
The oxford murders - that was just strange
I'll second that.... I watched it twice and still didn't understand the plot!
I used to think I was clever until I watched that film! ha
Tried to read one of the books a few years ago, really tried to get into it...
But lets face it - it's for kids.
The Fountain .... very confusing
Southland Tales ...seriously WTF !
Oh god, I'd forgotten that one, what the hell was it about?
I watched it with someone who had watched it before and I still didn't really understand it
random
newman
Yeh that was a good ending, I thought
If I don't ''get'' a film and I don't really care that I don't ''get'' it I right it off as a bad film..... Inception (sorry fans, I just didn't care enough about the charactors to put the effort in).
That's the first one that sprang to my mind also. It's supposed to be good and acclaimed but I just felt like it was lacking.
I don't get Mulan Rouge or Titanic and Romeo and Juliet was pretty weak in my mind.
With Hallows #1 you just have to go with it because it is absolutely faithful to the book in every way a screenplay can be. So there's a lot of focus on the trio, on the run, undesirables one, two and three.
It's a major departure from the blend that made up the rest of the films before it. Bit the bit with the Dursleys, the journeys to Hogwarts, fighting evil at the castle.. etc etc.
In this film however that's all gone. It's down to Harry Vs Voldemort in a totalitarian evil world. They're alone and there's that chilling feeling of the gathering storm as it were, the big war to come. As such the trio are given so much more freedom to act and the difference is immense. So even if it's not the action you're enjoying it's the acting talent on offer, and I do use that word because the difference even between this and Half Blood Prince is breathtaking.
There are several stand out moments to keep you going during the film.
Malfoy Manor. ("Nagini, Dinner")
The opening scenes at the Burrow
Ron loses it and leaves the trio
The dance
The horcrux moment before Ron destroys it
The Hallows Animation (The tales of Beedle the Bard)
Dobby's death right at the very end
And for me the clincher... the cliffhanger at the end when Voldemort clasps his ands on the Elder Want.
But you're absolutely right. You need to read the books or at the very least get up to date on the previous films or you won't know what is going on. Having seen Hallows 2 twice, I still rate this as the best Potter film.
I thought it was Uber wanky
"oh wow like donnies all tortured maaaaaaaan"
naff off
In that case, i will say "Traffic." It was so critically acclaimed, but when I sat down to watch it, I found it so mind-numbingly dull and pretentious. One of those films that thinks if it tries to be as realisitc as possible, it is hard-hitting drama. Instead, it was just dull and uninteresting. I couldn't give a flying f**k about any of the characters and their lives. I didn't care one jot what happened to any of them, just so long as they got off my screen as quickly as possible. I even watched it throguh to the end, hoping some big twist would come along and make everything before worthwhile. Alas, it was just long and dull.
It's rare I actually find watching a film painful - even bad ones I can generally sit through to the end without constantly checking my watch - but this film is one of those few. I'd rather sit in silence, doing nothing, than have to sit through it again.
I know I am totally in the minority here. But I didn't 'get it'. Didn't think there was much laughs in it. Thought the tiger and baby in the hotel room was completely absurd. If it was a 'Scary Movie' or 'Austin Powers' type movie then it might have been funny. But it was just out of context and completely unbelievable in a film that was played for straight laughs.
Okay, you can all slaughter me now....