Why Can't Films Tell a Story from Start to Finish?
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Just got back from cinema where I watched Little Women. Yes, it was a lovely film and would recommend if it is your type of film but why, oh why, do they have to keep jumping backwards and forwards in time. The book wasn't written that way.
Had I not read all 4 books I would have got a bit lost as the sisters were exactly the same even 7 years back and forth, and more years later on. It had no titles to say what time it was currently in and was not easy to follow. In fact in Little Women they are really teens and pre-teen but this story was more into the second book showing them all married, but then I guess in this day and age they couldn't call it Good Wives!
There are good movies and good films, the latter is praised more as an art form whereas a critic if he calls it a "movie" then it's more of a disposable product.
For example, Joker (2019) is a masterpiece of a film and while I've seen it a couple of times already, I'll be rewatching it again. It's just that damn good, and surprisingly realistic.
I haven't seen the latest version of Little Women yet, but this disjointed non-linear style of storytelling can be effective if handled well, for example I liked Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Cloud Atlas. I've just finished watching Season 1 of Treadstone on Amazon Prime Video, which keeps jumping between the 1970s and the present day. This show is intentionally confusing and flipping between time periods creates a sense of disorientation, which also mirrors the state of mind of some of the leading characters
Lol, I am confused enough already and in this instance would have preferred the story to unfold as it does in the book. However, I agree there are some films that can benefit from moving in time. Especially if the story starts in the present and the lead up is told in back flashes.
I have not seen the movie yet but I find it really annoying when the movie is nothing like the book
I watched 1917 and it was photographically beautiful. The story revolves around WW1, but there's not much violence in this film although it can be graphic at times.
The score was spectacular, too.
I'm guessing the next film I'll watch will be SONIC.
I am looking forward to seeing it. Some films have beautiful scores and I especially love Hans Zimmer's music for Gladiator.
That’s disappointing, although it explains why the likes of Florence Pugh is up for an award, when the grown up Amy’s part is only really towards the end. I don’t think I’ll be watching this version anytime soon
The recently shown War of the Worlds on the BBC was a show that threaded 2 timelines it was a complete mess and nothing of interest really happened in either timeline. It's like a directing technique that has become popular but has to be implemented well which definitely wasn't the case with War of the Worlds. Also it seems modern action movies especially involving super heroes are often a total mess of random sequences with little interest in providing a smooth telling of a story. I hope this style of directing passes I'm not into it myself I prefer older more classic directing styles where you understood how scenes flowed into each other.
I was really disappointed with War of the Worlds having grown up with various versions and the wonderful music of Jeff Wayne. The back and forth did not enhance it at all.
As an aside, I was also very disappointed with the BBC's Dracula recently although I could see how the story favoured backflash as the nuns were interviewing the guy who had gone to Drac's castle.
It's becoming a trend and in some cases it works well and in others drives me insane. I really enjoyed the Bourne series of films so thought 'Treadstone' would be good. It jumps back and forwards so many times, with a couple of bearded characters that look very similar, leaving me asking too many questions and spoiling the flow. Hopefully the industry will 'get over it' because they totally threw us all into a giddy-bubble with overly jumpy, moving camerawork a few years ago and had to tone them down due to complaints.
Lynibis It's a series spin-off from the films and I was so sure it would be good but even OH keeps saying:- 'is this now or then?' so I am relieved - don't bother. I even stopped 20 minutes in to the latest MI film. I obviously have a low boredom threshold when it comes to repetition.
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