Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Babel

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Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 10-20-2006, 11:55 PM:

I saw this movie about a week ago. At the time, I liked it, but was expecting more. But I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since, and the more I do, the more I appreciate it. It's put together very solidly, with top-notch craftsmenship all the way around, and it has a very simple, yet important message.

The director has said that he considers this to be the third in a trilogy with AMORES PERROS and 21 GRAMS. While it doesn't reach the last film's level of near perfection, it's way more ambitious than the other two. Check it out. You won't regret it.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 11-12-2006, 08:26 PM:

Today 11/12/2006, 12:00 noon, Cinemark 17 in Springfield, House #4. Attendance around 25 or so. The digital preshow was so dim it was laughable. It was also shifted left about 2 feet. The film presentation was VERY shaky for the trailers and about the first half of the movie. After that it settled down some.

On 4/23/2003 I said this about "Malibu's Most Wanted" in this house: "It seemed like for the first couple reels, the left-screen and left-surround channels were reversed. Then the rest of the movie was fine."

on 4/6/2002 I said this about "High Crimes" in this house: "The screen-left audio channel was completely dead until about 10 mins. before the movie ended, when it suddenly popped on."

On 3/10/2002 I said this about "All About the Benjamins" in this house: "The left screen channel was dead during the trailers and the first 45 mins of the feature."

It's now over 4 1/2 years since "All About the Benjamins", and guess what -- The left screen channel is still dropping out. [Roll Eyes]

I haven't seen either of the director's prequels to Babel, can't speak to that. I can say that Babel reminds me a lot of Syriana, only the events are on a smaller scale. It's well-crafted and the locations seem very authentic. Brad Pitt is less obnoxious than usual. Like Mike Schindler said, it still has me thinking about it.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Posted by Jared Thornton (Member # 3580) on 11-14-2006, 02:39 AM:

I agree with Mike in that its a solid film you'll think about for a long time after. Definately worth checking out. 3.25 stars out of 4

Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 11-27-2006, 04:19 PM:

Saw this at Landmark's Mayan Theatre in Denver over the weekend. Excellent projection and great sound! [thumbsup]

Why can't all Landmark theatres be like this?

I thought there were some good emotional moments and some good acting, but I left feeling like I missed the point. Was there one? 21 Grams was better.

Posted by Richard P. May (Member # 3598) on 11-29-2006, 11:17 AM:

I liked this more than I expected to. The Japanese portion could have been shortened, as most of it had nothing to do with the other interconnected story line.
BUT... that ^*&#(#&& hand-held camera!!! Not necessary, and distracting from the drama. When will "modern" filmmakers discover that our heads don't bounce separately from our eyes?

RPM