It was technically a masterpiece. Costumes, Makeup, CINAMATOGROPHY(!), music (I wish there was more). The performances were great (although I do feel betrayed by the total 6 lines by Thewlis, who was actually, what, the fourth or fifth actor billed in the credits? ). There's no doubt that Malick does appreciate film as a medium of art.

Yet, even though it LOOKS incredible, that hardly makes it an incredible film.

I don't consider myself one to have a short attention span, nor do I consider myself to be all too ignorant of some of the things Malick was trying to convey in this movie. It was still one of the most painful and excrutiating movies I've seen in theaters. The movie perhaps would have moved faster if it had given the audience any chances to lay down a steady understanding and connection to the characters. I had far too many unanswered questions as to the motives of the characters. I frequently could not make out what was being spoken, and when I did, the dialogue seemed incredibly uninteresting.

Perhaps I just had the wrong expectations of the movie. But as it stands, I cannot recommend this to anyone who wouldn't appreciate it's heavy artistic values. It's audience is very limited, in my opinion. Luckily for most of you, you will be able to enjoy the movie where I couldn't.

See... i-dude can get a badge too.

It continues.

Seriously, the tone of this thread changed so dramatically in the past hour or two, it's kinda funny.

And, yeah, my theory about the praise raising the expectations of others and setting them up for a disappointment is dead on. Most people saw it because of this thread.



Where's my badge? I appreciated the cinematography and even gave it an FYC.

Actually, scratch that. I don't want one.

For a grade, I'll have to settle on a C-, or in Yahoo's term, "disappointing". The artistic value can only carry a film so far.

Not really. The earlier viewers viewers had high energy, whilst everyone veered away from the film in the first place. Now that people who had been straddling the fence are trickling in with comments, twas bound to happen. Alot of people were frustrated in my theatre. I couldn't personally relate to it, as I was pretty captivated on a visual level. But it was certainly a love-or-hate experience.



Yes, well its only due to that high praise that people even gave it a shot. You talk about the movies you find interesting, and encourage people to see them too don't you? It sets expectations high, true, but at least it gets people (usually who have tastes I respect) through the door in the first place.

As to the comments on distance (Xia) and lack of relateable characters (sommie) I think they go hand-in-hand.

For me, that was a point of comfort actually, as no one knows what Pocahontas was actually thinking, and Smith's diaries, Rolfe's notes are always written in the aftermath having the additional need to be submitted to royalty for evaluation (at least Smith). So all the "primary" information is ambiguous, and I prefer it be left at the point of conjection rather than trying to assign palpable characters. Truth is, no one really knew their personalities beyond what's been handed down in writing, and I liked how the style of that guessing and theorizing was used for the voiceovers.

I did find that it needed more, content-wise than the love story aspects between Smith and Pocahontas. I preferred it after Smith left, actually. It does, however, lead to that distance, make it hard to really relate to any character. I think makeshift brought that up as well.

I guess everyone noticed the technical aspects, which is nice, since Malick apparently took care while filming. What did you guys think of the acting?

I find the links to Master and Commander spot on, as both were equally beautiful and equally boring. It also brings to mind The Passion of the Christ, which had wonderful production values but little substance.

LOL! That's odd, because I never even thought about it, and just thought Lecter and Andaroo were joking around. I guess I see you point now, and its a pretty good one. Um, I liked M&C too, though.

I found M&C immensely enjoyable.

Hm... I didn't like Master and Commander.

I didn't think New World was particularly boring. On an emotional level it didn't work extremely well for me, though I did think the relationship between Pocahontas and John was well done when he stays with the tribe.

While I did think Farrell was alright, I feel they should have gotten someone else... *shrug*

Well, all good things must come to an end I suppose. Alas, the prospect of great reviews across the board at KJ was just a dream. Time to drown my sorrows...



Really though, a congratulations to all participants in this thread; Dolce for her thoughtful responses to everyone's queries and her uncanny manipulative tactics , Loyal for supplying the club with those spiffy t-shirts, Lennier and DaTorri for their fantastic argument that resulted in a couple extra pages for this thread and all the other fine folks who contributed reviews. 13 pages and counting....wow.


Oh, and my favourite scene?

"Are you kind?" -That line delivered by Pocahontas to Rolfe just crushed me.

There was also this wonderful shot that is shown as part of the montage leading to Smith's return to the colony after spending months with Pocahontas' tribe. It is a humble hand-held shot that circles Pocahontas from right to left, but what makes it so special is the bolts of lighting that are captured in the background. That shot floored me and it also doesn't hurt that this section is backed by that Wagner piece, which is it's second appearance in the movie.

And of course this...

I call BS...



(I lost quite a bit of respect for your intellectual integrity on that one...)

Finally, some sanity returns to this thread.

Master and Commander never came to mind...

I did enjoy M & C but it doesn't carry the same vibe as The New World.

Master & Commander was fine. I don't care much for Crowe, the period is only somewhat interesting, and I definitely wasn't as impressed with the technical aspects. It was a solid film, but nothing as great as The New World.

Beyond the tech side, it's that sense of ambiguity dolce was talking about that I love. Pocohantas is fleshed out just enough to get a sense of personality, but left alone at the same time. I think characters can be much more interesting if the audience is aloud to participate- to give a character their own sense of identity.

I'm not sure if I'm making sense. It's frustrating to explain.

Master and Commander (in my view) was one of the best movies of the decade. sooo!

I liked them both. They were both ambiguous. Though in afterthought, M&C was less problematic content-wise, but New World had more visual strength.

The comparison only goes so far though, as I do think they're two completely different beasts.

The New World is like Master and Commander and Snow Falling on Ceders having a love child.

is this any good?

I've haven't seen it, but I have heard it referred to as Paint Drying on Walls...

Haha, two of the only 7-8 films I have ever fell asleep to for some minutes in theatre!

Snow Falling on Cedars was zzzzzzzzzzz

I like Snow Falling on Cedars

Did you just disagree with THE Loyal?