tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post4567724989886503847..comments2023-10-22T11:05:03.401-04:00Comments on Turtleneck Films: Movie Review: Amir Motlagh's WHALETom Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11703805451041069182noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post-59824012571430892212011-03-29T23:49:48.939-04:002011-03-29T23:49:48.939-04:00http://turtleneckfilms.blogspot.com/2011/03/open-l...http://turtleneckfilms.blogspot.com/2011/03/open-letter-to-that-guy-in-whale.htmlTom Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943912870055113512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post-79965082080458998642011-03-29T18:36:40.428-04:002011-03-29T18:36:40.428-04:00I guess you do like it and I don't understand ...I guess you do like it and I don't understand that.<br />In fact, my lack of understanding is so deep that the only conclusion I can arrive at is that there's something in it for you to give it a favorable review.<br /><br />Imagine if I took a photograph of a dog turd and put it on the wall of an art gallery. What would you think if someone commented, "...I see how the artist was invoking his inner child by contrasting dark images with lighter sepia tones. An evocative take on what really drives us all...it's honest and bold and really delves deep into the milieu of stereotypes we pretend to hide daily. This piece notes truth and I applaud this visionary!"<br /><br />Be honest, you would respond, "Are you freaking kidding me? It's a piece of crap! If THIS is classified as art, then noone will ever go to art museums!"<br /><br />Now excuse me, as I have to go rent Ghostbusters to evacuate my nostrils of the stench of rotting flipper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post-80854001830397007042011-03-29T15:37:16.352-04:002011-03-29T15:37:16.352-04:00Kay:
That's actually not quite what I said; I...Kay:<br /><br />That's actually not quite what I said; I'm not implying it works on some elusive level beyond the kin of those who don't like it. I'm saying simply that I liked it-- in the piece I talked at length about the things I liked about it. <br /><br />You didn't like those things, didn't like the film? Fine. So it goes. I'm making no value judgement on you or anyone else who doesn't care for this film or any other film. There are plenty of films-- films others might praise to the heavens-- that I just can't stand or don't care for. About half the screeners I'm sent by filmmakers to review don't get reviewed for this reason.<br /><br />It has nothing to do with one's intellectual capacities, and everything to do with one's taste-- and taste in this sense, again, does not imply that one taste is superior to another. I mean taste as in, These Are Things I Like, and These Are Things I Don't, and my personal pallette w/r/t film, books, television, music, what-have-you will invariably be different than yours.<br /><br />What I don't understand-- from the comments posted here and on some other independent film reviews I've done-- is the hostility. I don't take umbrage to the fact that you and others disagree with me-- what I've been trying to say here is that it's perfectly normal-- but I do take umbrage to the bizarre implication that somehow I'm lying, that the words I wrote about the film aren't how I genuinely feel about the film. That's no way to actually engage someone in conversation or debate; it's downright uncivil and, I think, uncalled for.<br /><br />I mean, you're a human being, I'm a human being. Can't we just agree to disagree?Tom Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943912870055113512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post-10522513458833168432011-03-29T12:20:35.142-04:002011-03-29T12:20:35.142-04:00Why is it that defenders of bad independent films ...Why is it that defenders of bad independent films always invoke some variation of the idea that it's "really great that you also didn't like it" and why are said defenders invariably independent filmmakers themselves?<br /><br />Is it so hard to make a movie - any movie - that even something as meaningless and shallow as Whale should be applauded as an artistic achievement on some elusive level the rest of us don't understand?<br /><br />Or are all independent filmmakers just shameless self-promoters who work under the tacit understanding that their absurdly high praise will be returned in kind when it's their turn to sell a movie?<br /><br />-KayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post-49946333947463070652011-03-28T16:23:28.703-04:002011-03-28T16:23:28.703-04:00This "movie" doesnt deserve to be review...This "movie" doesnt deserve to be reviewed in any more depth than, "what a waste of miniDV tapes."<br />Reader, if you care to maintain an interest in indie film, DON'T see this one, as you will never attempt to trudge through another!<br /><br />Now I have to go watch The Fly to erase the taint of baleen from my palate.<br /><br />-Unhappy in UgandaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post-59775381743084121482011-03-28T12:57:28.926-04:002011-03-28T12:57:28.926-04:00Or: It could be that I liked the film, found much ...Or: It could be that I liked the film, found much of it noteworthy and promising, and you didn't.<br /><br />Which is okay. Which is, in fact, more than okay-- everyone has different tastes and different litmuses, and if everything were to everyone's taste, life would be a little boring.Tom Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943912870055113512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post-7417255227784509842011-03-27T22:35:13.679-04:002011-03-27T22:35:13.679-04:00Haha are you kidding?
This reviewer is clearly in ...Haha are you kidding?<br />This reviewer is clearly in bed with the filmmaker.<br />This "movie" is a worthless bunch of assembled video clips. There is no story, plot, conflict, or purpose.<br />It's just a vehicle for Motlagh to show his naked butt, which is clearly all he has to present.<br /><br />If this is what indie movies are, then it's no wonder why Hollywood movies are different...nobody could possibly enjoy this type of "movie"!<br /><br />Excuse me but now I have to go watch Jurassic Park to get the bad taste of whale blubber out of my mouth.<br /><br />Disappointed in AmericaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30601092.post-47075500940278775212009-07-25T06:06:32.826-04:002009-07-25T06:06:32.826-04:00Very interesting review of a film i want to see, b...Very interesting review of a film i want to see, but don't have any idea where i can see it.Bennynoreply@blogger.com