Honestly, from an analytical perspective, Nicolas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lily-Rose Depp are like a Voltron of lightweight acting. Every time Willem Dafoe or my man Orlok were offscreen, I struggled to keep my eyes open.
It was a snoozefest. I thought some performances were better than others, with Skarsgard being the least commendable. He's a good actor, generally, so have to think it's the direction on this one...
"If your idea of a good film is measured solely in its cinematic/visual storytelling, then this will be for you. I think it makes you pompous, but I can sort of respect it."
Love the shoutout to Interview With the Vampire, such a fantastic show. Definitely agree that Robert Eggers seems to be a style over substance sort of director at least from what I have seen from him, sometimes that works to create a compelling atmosphere which makes the story more engaging but it can also sort of make the movie feel so stylized that nothing is relatable or that compelling. Lily-Rose Depp is having an odd career, part of me struggles to root for her given her nepotism upbringing, but then I remember the failed HBO series The Idol which was criticized so heavily and I kind of want her to prove the doubters wrong.
Thx Matthew. Style over substance is a real good way of putting it. The verdict is out for me on Depp's talent and I think you see evidence of it in this film, so here's hoping. I never saw, "The Idol" - I just couldn't...
I was so bored by Nosferatu. I feel like I need to turn in my film-y card because I didn't really like it or The Brutalist. Like, I can appreciate the filmmaking, but as a movie I want to revisit? Nope.
Thx for sharing. I saw "The Brutalist" preview ahead of this one and don't have a strong desire to see it, but I think the 3+ hour run time puts me over the edge. Is it just looking at big, tall buildings like the preview alludes to? And seeing the word "Monumental" played out in various metaphorical ways? The presentation made me think of ways it could be parodied, such as Ryan Gosling's SNL skit, "Papyrus," in its pretentiousness, but yeah, I guess my film card will get revoked for not loving "Nosferatu." Then again, I guess there are perks to not having one or being a card-carrying club member. ;)
I feel like vampires are so last season. LOL Y'know, we had "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" back in the day, two shows that I lurved and watched until the very end. Before that, I was watching "Forever Knight" and then for a minute there was "Moonlight". Then there was "The Vampire Diaries" which I never got into. Then the movie "Interview with a Vampire." Lordty, Brad Pitt made a sexy as fuck vampire. And then.... and then... AND THEEEEENNNNNN... there was "True Blood." I think I lost my damn mind with that show because ALL. THAT. MAN CANDY! Unh! Gah! I could barely handle it. Incredibly disappointed about the series finale, though.
It's been a long time since we've seen vampire-type shows. They tried with "Dracula" (there was potential there with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as the lead role because that man is fine as fuck) and the newer "NOS4A2" didn't last very long. I'd heard about the show "Interview with a Vampire" but don't watch it. I just don't think vampires are trending right now? BWAHA! Or maybe it just depends on who's making it.
I was very excited for this movie and it fell flat for me too. I struggled to stay awake, I know Eggers' loves a slow burn but he forgot to light the pilot here.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson gave a career worst performance and Lily-Rose Depp felt out of her depth. I agree that Dafoe was magnetic though, he almost saved the movie. I haven't seen Juror #2 yet, but the other two Hoult performances from December did not land for me, even if he was one of the brighter spots in this movie.
Anora was kind of dull to me as well, but I saw Baker's Tangerine after it and loved that.
Thx for sharing. I closed my eyes a few times during the film while never falling asleep. Hoult’s resting nearly crying face doesn’t help. I may give Juror #12 a whirl tonight if “The Agency” doesn’t suck me in which it may.
A friend of mine saw Juror #2 and I asked if it was a throwback to all the 90s courtroom drama films that reviews have been proclaiming it (The Firm, A Few Good Men, etc) and she said absolutely not. So this has me weary but ya know even not so great films make for funny reflections so it’s a win.
Ha, I must be a freak because I loved Nosferatu! While I did feel it was overly long… I truly enjoyed it. I’m honestly surprised at the many negative responses.
I think it's awesome that you loved it. I know I'm on to something when I have wildly different views of a film from the mainstream (my dislike of the lauded films - "The Substance" and "Challengers" being prime examples). Wave your freak flag and embrace it.
“I needed subtitles for at least 3/4 of the things he said.” Hahaha that was me and my husband. I feel like I can’t hear like I used to either! Yea, I’m a big horror guy and I love vampires but Nosferatu had nothing interesting to say. I love Bram Stoker’s Dracula because it presents the count as a kind of symbol of sexual liberation. The 1922 version is all about shock and cinematic tricks. But the remake just felt meh to me. Also, not very scary.
To be kind a good chunk of the film is in Latin and Romanian (I think?) and the rest nonsensical so it’s not all hearing. But yeah, to your point it’s boring. Non of the sexual interest of the 1992 “Dracula” with Oldman and Ryder and it’s been a century since the first Nosferatu to figure out the style stuff so give us something more to nibble on except flesh. Know what I’m saying?
Haha. Very true! Yea, still cameras and pretty pictures aren’t good enough for me. Give me contrast and suggestion through editing, morally dubious characters, and in horror movies, shock me with primal scares. Even the rats felt a bit tame for me.
Haven't read this yet, but the opening has me in stitches already. 🤣 After your Note yesterday, I went to Wikipedia, read the synopsis and didn't even make it to the end of that, haha.
I’ve got “Logan” but not a fan of those kind of movies, but kinda bored now I’ve published (after burning thru that review!) so maybe I’ll throw it on and get that yellow curry I didn’t pop for last night! lol.
Honestly, from an analytical perspective, Nicolas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lily-Rose Depp are like a Voltron of lightweight acting. Every time Willem Dafoe or my man Orlok were offscreen, I struggled to keep my eyes open.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
It was a snoozefest. I thought some performances were better than others, with Skarsgard being the least commendable. He's a good actor, generally, so have to think it's the direction on this one...
Bill Skarsgård? Started "Boy Kills World" the other night. It's a nope from me.
You barely know it’s him. I only know because of the film’s credits
In that case, the production budget was overinflated, haha.
Are we even sure that was Skarsgaard? Could have been anyone doing an accent with a gnarly subwoofer. Could've been Stellan!
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
Ha! Had the same thought!
Great review Beth! I'm in agreement here!
"If your idea of a good film is measured solely in its cinematic/visual storytelling, then this will be for you. I think it makes you pompous, but I can sort of respect it."
Bahahahaha
No, Beth, tell me what you really think. 😆
Haha this cracked me up too. I feel the same but I don't know if I would have dated writing it this way 😂
Sassy Beth is the best!
Love the shoutout to Interview With the Vampire, such a fantastic show. Definitely agree that Robert Eggers seems to be a style over substance sort of director at least from what I have seen from him, sometimes that works to create a compelling atmosphere which makes the story more engaging but it can also sort of make the movie feel so stylized that nothing is relatable or that compelling. Lily-Rose Depp is having an odd career, part of me struggles to root for her given her nepotism upbringing, but then I remember the failed HBO series The Idol which was criticized so heavily and I kind of want her to prove the doubters wrong.
Thx Matthew. Style over substance is a real good way of putting it. The verdict is out for me on Depp's talent and I think you see evidence of it in this film, so here's hoping. I never saw, "The Idol" - I just couldn't...
I was so bored by Nosferatu. I feel like I need to turn in my film-y card because I didn't really like it or The Brutalist. Like, I can appreciate the filmmaking, but as a movie I want to revisit? Nope.
Thx for sharing. I saw "The Brutalist" preview ahead of this one and don't have a strong desire to see it, but I think the 3+ hour run time puts me over the edge. Is it just looking at big, tall buildings like the preview alludes to? And seeing the word "Monumental" played out in various metaphorical ways? The presentation made me think of ways it could be parodied, such as Ryan Gosling's SNL skit, "Papyrus," in its pretentiousness, but yeah, I guess my film card will get revoked for not loving "Nosferatu." Then again, I guess there are perks to not having one or being a card-carrying club member. ;)
I feel like vampires are so last season. LOL Y'know, we had "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" back in the day, two shows that I lurved and watched until the very end. Before that, I was watching "Forever Knight" and then for a minute there was "Moonlight". Then there was "The Vampire Diaries" which I never got into. Then the movie "Interview with a Vampire." Lordty, Brad Pitt made a sexy as fuck vampire. And then.... and then... AND THEEEEENNNNNN... there was "True Blood." I think I lost my damn mind with that show because ALL. THAT. MAN CANDY! Unh! Gah! I could barely handle it. Incredibly disappointed about the series finale, though.
It's been a long time since we've seen vampire-type shows. They tried with "Dracula" (there was potential there with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as the lead role because that man is fine as fuck) and the newer "NOS4A2" didn't last very long. I'd heard about the show "Interview with a Vampire" but don't watch it. I just don't think vampires are trending right now? BWAHA! Or maybe it just depends on who's making it.
I was very excited for this movie and it fell flat for me too. I struggled to stay awake, I know Eggers' loves a slow burn but he forgot to light the pilot here.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson gave a career worst performance and Lily-Rose Depp felt out of her depth. I agree that Dafoe was magnetic though, he almost saved the movie. I haven't seen Juror #2 yet, but the other two Hoult performances from December did not land for me, even if he was one of the brighter spots in this movie.
Anora was kind of dull to me as well, but I saw Baker's Tangerine after it and loved that.
Thx for sharing. I closed my eyes a few times during the film while never falling asleep. Hoult’s resting nearly crying face doesn’t help. I may give Juror #12 a whirl tonight if “The Agency” doesn’t suck me in which it may.
I managed to stay awake as well, but it was a struggle. Vs the VVitch, which I saw while sick and it kept me engaged.
I like Eastwood's films generally, even if I don't align politically.
A friend of mine saw Juror #2 and I asked if it was a throwback to all the 90s courtroom drama films that reviews have been proclaiming it (The Firm, A Few Good Men, etc) and she said absolutely not. So this has me weary but ya know even not so great films make for funny reflections so it’s a win.
Ha, I must be a freak because I loved Nosferatu! While I did feel it was overly long… I truly enjoyed it. I’m honestly surprised at the many negative responses.
I think it's awesome that you loved it. I know I'm on to something when I have wildly different views of a film from the mainstream (my dislike of the lauded films - "The Substance" and "Challengers" being prime examples). Wave your freak flag and embrace it.
So we should rewatch the "Uta Refson" episode from the L Word instead. Got it.
Exactly
Willem Dafoe is the only reason I would go and watch it. Horror just isn’t my genre. I’m curious about Babygirl though.
“I needed subtitles for at least 3/4 of the things he said.” Hahaha that was me and my husband. I feel like I can’t hear like I used to either! Yea, I’m a big horror guy and I love vampires but Nosferatu had nothing interesting to say. I love Bram Stoker’s Dracula because it presents the count as a kind of symbol of sexual liberation. The 1922 version is all about shock and cinematic tricks. But the remake just felt meh to me. Also, not very scary.
To be kind a good chunk of the film is in Latin and Romanian (I think?) and the rest nonsensical so it’s not all hearing. But yeah, to your point it’s boring. Non of the sexual interest of the 1992 “Dracula” with Oldman and Ryder and it’s been a century since the first Nosferatu to figure out the style stuff so give us something more to nibble on except flesh. Know what I’m saying?
Haha. Very true! Yea, still cameras and pretty pictures aren’t good enough for me. Give me contrast and suggestion through editing, morally dubious characters, and in horror movies, shock me with primal scares. Even the rats felt a bit tame for me.
Haven't read this yet, but the opening has me in stitches already. 🤣 After your Note yesterday, I went to Wikipedia, read the synopsis and didn't even make it to the end of that, haha.
Hrm. Hadn't planned to see that and suddenly got into watching as much Mangold movies and I could get my hands on! lol.
Stick with Mangold. I can’t wait to read your “A Complete Unknown” review. Heading there in a little while…
I’ve got “Logan” but not a fan of those kind of movies, but kinda bored now I’ve published (after burning thru that review!) so maybe I’ll throw it on and get that yellow curry I didn’t pop for last night! lol.