1. Brazil
2. Chinatown
3. Happiness
4. The Jacket
5. Adaptation
6. Blue Velvet
7. Army of Darkness
8. Requiem for a Dream
9. Natural Born Killers
10. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Don't see the Grimm Brothers movie. You'll thank me.
November 25 2005, 1:12 AM
The only one I don't like from your list is Natural Born Killers. Happiness and Adaptation are both films that would have been in my top ten at one point.
You couldn't convince me not to go see Grimm, I've been looking forward to Gilliam's latest all year. Can i ask, why you don't like Natural Born Killers?
i have to agree with paul, i'm afraid navinia - although i think oliver stone has made the occasional good film (ie: nixon) amid the bombast (ie: The Doors) - i found NBK pretty loathsome. i hate films that allege to be anti-violence, but revel in gore. if you want to see a truly great couple-on-a-killing spree, see "Badlands" or "Thieves Like Us" or "Gun Crazy" (the original, not the Drew Barrymore version) or even "Bonnie & Clyde", for pete's sake.
anyways, this is why we're here - spirited debate. ha.
Is that supposed to be anti-violence? Wow, I totally didn't get that. I guess if Mr. Stone claims it's anti-violence then we'd have to take his word for it. It seemed more anti-media than anything.
I guess his stance is:
Violence in movies: A-OK.
Violence in reality: Yucky.
I don't like NBK much either. A bit like Paul, it made me feel dirty watching it. I must say though, I thought that JFK was a masterpiece. Should have put that sucker in my top 10. Oh well.
Natural born killers is not stupid and does not preach non-violence while being violent... Here are some of the reasons why i like it, NOT in order of preference:
1. It is bursting with style; the acting, the settings, the cinematography, the direction, everything!
2. It is, unlike Kill Fucking Bill and the like, making a very interesting commentary about the way that violence is portrayed in the media.
3. It delves deep into the mind of a serial killer and shows the intricacies behind Mickey Knox's character and the reason why he is what he is.
4. It's romantic, fantastic, adventurous, action-packed and suspenseful all at once.
5. Robert Downey Jr.'s character is awesome. He represents the media and the last shot, of them killing him, shows media-influenced individuals turning back against the very thing that created them, kinda like the Frankenstein Complex.
I could go on but I think I've made my point.
So, I dare everyone to watch it again, with an open mind, and not just dismiss it as a violently stupid film.
We are surrounded by violence and I think it is important for contemporary artists to represent topics that are affecting our society and destroying peace in the world.
We are surrounded by violence, sure (sometimes), but Natural Born Killers is a cheap stab (pun intended) at a very DUH DUH issue. Like, no shit sherlock - violent society huh? Wow, you're clever. The film doesn't go into why there America is a violent society, or even why these particular violent things are happening. And the one thing that I think spoils the (supposed) point of the film...
It's just plain ridiculously over the top.
But apart from the meaning and such, the film is just tacky. The style is random and jarring, swapping film ad nauseum for no reason. (I particularly have a problem with the sit-com scene - which may be funny on it's own but only serves to emphasise how shoddily held together the whole film is), it is over-acted (especially Downey Junior). And I don't remember any explanation as to why they are serial killers, aside from having nothing else to do. There is not an ounce of suspense, where did you get the idea that there is suspense? And most of it just doesn't make sense.
The stupid camera angles, the black and white bits, the 16mm bits (or whatever), the psychodelic rear projection bullshit, the random stock footage. And lets not forget the orgy of stupid violence at the end. It's just a really awful experience all round.
And I DID go into it with an open mind. This opinion was formed AFTER watching the director's cut recently. But, no, I'm not going to watch it again. I can't bring myself to do it.
