This is topic O Brother, Where Art Thou? in forum Film Handlers' Movie Reviews at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Harry Robinson (Member # 265) on 01-16-2001, 05:27 PM:
As a Bluegrass musician I know I have to be somewhat predjudiced, but this was the most fun I've had in a theater in a long time. I won't go into the parallels with the Odyssey and the hip references to Preston Sturges' Sullivan's Travels. I think we can all do that on our own time.This is just a movie for people who love movies and Bluegrass.
Interestingly though, my son pointed out that the color balance shifted between scenes. For example during the chain gang sequences all of the green was pulled out. I'm curious if he's right. As I don't work in a theater, I don't have the opportnity to view scenes over and over like I hope some of you guys do.
So much for my rambling. I must r-u-n-n-o-f-t.
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 01-16-2001, 07:55 PM:
This great film was reviewed in an earlier thread here on Film-Tech. Yes, Kodak's Cinesite used the creative flexibility of "digital intermediate" to manipulate color and tone scale for artistic effect. Many have also noted the sharpness and steadiness enhancements in the film prints. My posting in the earlier thread gives some links to more information.------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Posted by Harry Robinson (Member # 265) on 01-16-2001, 09:27 PM:
Dopey me. I guess I didn't see the previous thread. The film only opened here a couple of weeks ago. Great articles, John.
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 01-17-2001, 12:37 PM:
All I want to know is why is this film being trashed all over the place?I laughed myself silly.
Coens rule.
Posted by Evans A Criswell (Member # 381) on 02-20-2001, 10:13 AM:
Attandance: 2000/02/19 21:10 Carmike Century Cinema 8. Decatur, AL
Auditorium 3 (32 foot auditorium, 27 foot screen (scope mode), movable side masking present).
I'd heard many good things about this movie and finally got a chance to see it. My thoughts about the movie while watching it were, "This is a comedy?" It wasn't until I'd absorbed the entire movie that I could really look back and categorize this movie as a whole. I think "drama" would be a more accurate categorization. There were plenty of elements of comedy (plenty of things to laugh at), but as a whole, there were plenty of sad and sometimes terrifying scenes (like the KKK scene, for an example).
If asked about the movie, all I could think of to say was "That was something else." It is different than anything I'd seen before. I recommend seeing it.
Evans
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 02-20-2001, 10:23 AM:
<<there were plenty of sad and sometimes
terrifying scenes (like the KKK scene, for an example).>>Are you kidding?
The KKK scene was hillarious.
Posted by Evans A Criswell (Member # 381) on 02-20-2001, 01:53 PM:
I guess on the first viewing, I didn't "get" a lot of the comedy. When the DVD comes out, I'll definitely watch it again. It was a very strange movie. When I'd see some of the scenes, I'd be thinking, "Should this be funny or sad or what?" I guess for me, the image of the KKK leader dressed in red invoked images of the devil, and since there was a large group of them about to hang the black guy, it just didn't seem funny to me. I knew the guys were going to rescue him somehow. Some scenes I did find funny, and sad at the same time. The poor guy that believed the other guy had become a toad was very funny, but it was sad that the guy was dumb enough to believe that. It was refreshing to see this movie because it was so different from most movies that are out these days. Most comedies these days rely on a bunch of dumb gross gags to be funny. Some such movies succeed wonderfully using that method, while others fail miserably.
For a while watching this movie, I was trying to figure out what track to put my mind on. It was like, "OK. What kind of movie is this?" I'd read no reviews and knew absolutely nothing about the movie before seeing it.
I'm amazed at how different people react in such different ways when they see something. It's like how some of my friends love The Three Stooges and think they're hilarious, and get tears in their eyes from laughing so hard, while others sit there and don't even crack a smile.
Evans
Posted by Nic Margherio (Member # 273) on 02-22-2001, 07:34 PM:
Evans, You bring up some things that could be said about almost every (if not all) Coen brothers movie. Typically they are very complex and interwoven and therefore take two or three (or even more) viewings to sort of "take it all in."
I've had a tendency in the past to dismiss their movies after the first viewing but now I've gotten to the point where I expect to not get it all at once and expect to watch it a couple of times. 'O Brother, Where Art Thou' was no exception.
The Dude abides.
Posted by Brian Potts (Member # 429) on 02-25-2001, 11:31 AM:
My theatre was fortunate enough to pick up this movie 6 weeks ago. I have seen it twice and will probably watch it again. I really like the music in this movie. The only complaint that I have heard from anyone is about the language used. We sold it out again last night. It has sold out every Saturday night since we've had it.
Posted by Rachel Carter (Member # 693) on 02-26-2001, 01:06 AM:
I am dying to see this movie! I must say, George Clooney looks really good 
I love the music in the preview and I think that is what attracted me to it.When I actually have the time to see it, I'll put my review up 
------------------
"Blood is thicker then blondes" - From the movie, Save the last Dance.
FUNNY!!!!!
Posted by Raj Sheth (Member # 121) on 03-05-2001, 01:58 PM:
The movie was good....but when I saw it a second time....it lost some of its hilarity.
Still a good movie though...
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 03-23-2001, 08:12 PM:
Harry! What do you play? I have a banjer I'm trying to learn.------------------
Better Projection Pays!
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 03-23-2001, 08:13 PM:
Btw, this picture looks terrific! Clooney's really taking off.------------------
Better Projection Pays!
Posted by Harry Robinson (Member # 265) on 04-05-2001, 11:37 AM:
Tim,
I play guitar and banjo. I spent about thirty years in the music business working with country and folk acts. Now I'm retired from that and working at a church in the Nashville area as director of music and arts programs. Ironically I grew up in Wellesley MA and aquired most of my influences from the Cambridge folk scene in the early sixties. Banjo is a difficult instrument to master, so be patient. And good luck to you!
Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 12-26-2014, 02:05 PM:
It has been 5013 days since the last post.
Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-26-2014, 02:05 PM:
I finally saw this movie...
I'm still scratching my head as to what I just saw. It definitely is a Cohen brothers movie.
I think I liked it but that is about a strong a review I can give it. I don't think I have a desire to see it again but don't consider the time I spent entirely wasted either.
Posted by Stu Jamieson (Member # 4626) on 12-28-2014, 05:51 PM:
I guess Rachel never got around to seeing it. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)