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ROMA

Started by Twit 2, December 01, 2018, 08:59:44 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Twit 2

This be getting a lot of hype. It ticks a lot of my boxes, I must say. In terms of ambition it's got the whiff of The Tree of Life about it (or a large egg) - big and small at the same time, intensely personal and sensual, beautifully shot. Shot of a lizard or some shit running along in the trailer made me nearly lose it. I don't think I can bear this kind of thing, I just find these kind of earnest films by masterful directors rip my soul apart.

Z

I assume it's getting a theatrical release? Cuaron seemed like the kind of guy who would turn down Netflix on principle alone

Twit 2

Limited release I think. Guessing it's the sort of thing that wouldn't be made if not for Netflix, which balances that out.

cliggg

Quote from: Z on December 01, 2018, 11:41:16 AM
I assume it's getting a theatrical release? Cuaron seemed like the kind of guy who would turn down Netflix on principle alone
Quote from: Twit 2 on December 01, 2018, 07:32:48 PM
Limited release I think. Guessing it's the sort of thing that wouldn't be made if not for Netflix, which balances that out.
Yes it debuts on Netflix December 14th but has a very limited cinema release (2 screenings in 1 cinema for the whole of Ireland) the same day so it can be eligible for Oscar nominations. 

non capisco

Disappointed that this isn't the big screen debut of The Hoobs, to be honest. Groove was always my favourite, he sounded like Stewart Lee.

Sin Agog

Hope its focus on a middle-class family bastioned in against an impoverished world in upheaval doesn't get too much on my tits.  Usually in such cases I'm begging the movie to ditch the squares and focus on whatever's going on outside instead, but I'm sure I can be swayed if the tone's right.  Sounds like Cuaron had a similar kind of upbringing to Bunuel.  Would be good if this does well so's Netflix continues to fund this kind of stuff, but from the people I share my account with I suspect too many users who already watch the sub-Sky Moviemax filler will just be bemused by any attempts they make at artier fare.  You can't be everything to everyone.

Z

I dunno, on the whole was kind of cold for me tbh... it's good and has some great pieces but I'm pretty underwhelmed.

Quote from: Sin Agog on December 03, 2018, 03:53:46 AM
Hope its focus on a middle-class family bastioned in against an impoverished world in upheaval doesn't get too much on my tits.  Usually in such cases I'm begging the movie to ditch the squares and focus on whatever's going on outside instead, but I'm sure I can be swayed if the tone's right.  Sounds like Cuaron had a similar kind of upbringing to Bunuel.  Would be good if this does well so's Netflix continues to fund this kind of stuff, but from the people I share my account with I suspect too many users who already watch the sub-Sky Moviemax filler will just be bemused by any attempts they make at artier fare.  You can't be everything to everyone.
Netflix have no real interest in artier fare, there's far easier market segments to snab than snobs like me; they've interest in collecting a few academy awards.

Shit Good Nose

Quote from: Z on December 15, 2018, 06:16:13 PM
Netflix have no real interest in artier fare

Not sure I'd completely agree with that.  Whilst it's true the bulk of their business is mainstream (and Adam fucking Sandler films), they do make quite a song and dance when they acquire or have some involvement with arty/indie films - they were hugely bigging up three of Ron Fricke's films when they added those a few years ago, massively pushed Beasts of No Nation, they've been bigging up Roma for quite a while and, unlike Amazon Prime, the stuff they show is always in its correct aspect ratio and with the original language soundtrack (and they get even geekier/more purist than that as with some of the Chinese/Hong Kong films they have both the Cantonese AND Mandarin soundtracks).

They don't pretend to be art house champions, but they are rather like the streaming equivalent of those rare multiplex cinemas that always make sure they have the odd screen or two dedicated purely to indie and foreign films as an acknowledgement of both the market and the importance.

Z

I'm really trying to think more about this film since seeing it but it really done absolutely nothing for me. The only thing I seem to have an interest in thinking about is whether this was his story to tell (at least in the way which it was told, any issues there may not have been clear until after completion though).

Can't imagine this is that good at all at home, not so much because of the visuals (although some very nicely framed shots with a LOT going on may be diminished on a TV) but the sound design was outstandingly immersive, clearly far more thought put into the ambient sounds than most other films.

Quote from: Shit Good Nose on December 15, 2018, 06:41:45 PM
They don't pretend to be art house champions, but they are rather like the streaming equivalent of those rare multiplex cinemas that always make sure they have the odd screen or two dedicated purely to indie and foreign films as an acknowledgement of both the market and the importance.
See, what I view those multiplexes as doing is deliberately taking a hit on something they know isn't going to do great to drain some money away from the kind of smaller chains and independents that depend on those bigger critical darlings. The goal isn't to please a certain audience, it's to obliterate the alternatives so they can minimize the number of options provided and maximise profits.

mjwilson

Chap next to me at the cinema had to leave after
Spoiler alert
the traumatic bit
[close]
.

Z

Quote from: mjwilson on December 16, 2018, 08:11:10 AM
Chap next to me at the cinema had to leave after
Spoiler alert
the traumatic bit
[close]
.
That bit was really strong but it's the only bit of the whole thing that has stuck with me on an emotional level and I'm honestly not that sure that it wouldn't have been just as strong done as a ten (or whatever) minute short by itself.

zomgmouse

Saw this in a cinema yesterday and was pretty bowled over. Wasn't sure what to expect and found it very effective in an understated sort of way. Captures a time and situation very deftly and handles emotional moments really well. Absolutely loved it.

Sebastian Cobb

Quote from: Shit Good Nose on December 15, 2018, 06:41:45 PM
Not sure I'd completely agree with that.  Whilst it's true the bulk of their business is mainstream (and Adam fucking Sandler films), they do make quite a song and dance when they acquire or have some involvement with arty/indie films - they were hugely bigging up three of Ron Fricke's films when they added those a few years ago, massively pushed Beasts of No Nation, they've been bigging up Roma for quite a while and, unlike Amazon Prime, the stuff they show is always in its correct aspect ratio and with the original language soundtrack (and they get even geekier/more purist than that as with some of the Chinese/Hong Kong films they have both the Cantonese AND Mandarin soundtracks).

They don't pretend to be art house champions, but they are rather like the streaming equivalent of those rare multiplex cinemas that always make sure they have the odd screen or two dedicated purely to indie and foreign films as an acknowledgement of both the market and the importance.

Netflix and Mubi seem to be taking up distribution of artier stuff (in cinemas) these days, presumably with some caveat about streaming it later.

I imagine in Netflix's case they'll do it so long as it breaks even, if they make a profit it'll probably end up being ploughed back into their productions that are equivalent to retail park cinema though.

Then again they're burning through VC money (over 8 billion in debt) but the name, subscriber base and infrastructure is probably worth more than that to some people.

I go through phases of netflix; I should probably cancel it for 6 months or so and let their library of things I've not seen build up and sign up to BFI player instead.

amputeeporn

Well, this really landed for me me. It's visually gorgeous without being too showy - and I connected to the characters. When I think back over some of the set pieces as well, I can't see how it's anything other than a great way to spend a couple of hours even if it doesn't fully connect for you (ie you have no heart)

CaledonianGonzo

Likewise. It's a triumph on all levels.  Some of the set-pieces are staggering.

Watched Bird Box right afterwards and.......it's not.

billyandthecloneasaurus

Quote from: non capisco on December 02, 2018, 11:05:40 PM
Disappointed that this isn't the big screen debut of The Hoobs, to be honest. Groove was always my favourite, he sounded like Stewart Lee.

Ha, I loved the Hoobs.  Even as a small child watching it, I was taken by how formulaic the episodes were.  Roma was fucking hopeless.  Cute, but hopeless.

CaledonianGonzo


amputeeporn

Damn, that's great. Not seen Y Tu since I was a kid but really primed for a rewatch.

Puce Moment

This definitely did not work for me. Lovely cinematography, the pacing and tone are wonderful, but it just didn't hit me emotionally. I'm not sure why, it ticks so many boxes. Perhaps I wanted it to be more abstract like Tarkovsky's Mirror, or to spend time with the protagonist. I'm not keen on characters stating their emotional state or epiphany/revelation, rather than showing it, so the beach scene didn't really land for me.

I'm also not sure if my two prejudices held me back from enjoying Roma (I think Cuarón is over-rated, and I find the idea of poor people giving up their lives to look after rich people really depressing).

wooders1978

20 mins in - it's pretty enough but I am FUCKING bored

Just came here to say I'm delighted to announce that I managed to not only accomplish but maintain THAT yoga pose in the film.

It got to that bit where the sort of mystic instructor does the stance and the crowd are all trying to imitate him. Most of them can't even assume the position let alone keep it. I said jokingly 'aw that makes me really tempted to try it' and my housemate was like 'go.on then'...initially I wasnt going to but I gave it a go on a whim and succeeded with not much trouble...once I found it I held it for 20 seconds. Dozens of extras in the film got nowhere near as I did so I feel pretty powerful right now.

My housemate scoffed for me to swap legs as if thatd show me up but if anything it was easier being supported on the sturdier leg. No drama.

Give it a go and reportt back if you can do the #romayogastancechallenge

Just to add Ive never even done Yoga before !!!

Gamma Ray


Z

Quote from: Puce Moment on January 15, 2019, 12:44:54 PM
This definitely did not work for me. Lovely cinematography, the pacing and tone are wonderful, but it just didn't hit me emotionally. I'm not sure why, it ticks so many boxes. Perhaps I wanted it to be more abstract like Tarkovsky's Mirror, or to spend time with the protagonist. I'm not keen on characters stating their emotional state or epiphany/revelation, rather than showing it, so the beach scene didn't really land for me.

I'm also not sure if my two prejudices held me back from enjoying Roma (I think Cuarón is over-rated, and I find the idea of poor people giving up their lives to look after rich people really depressing).
Yeah, asides from thinking Cuaron is overrated (Gravity's a great amusement park ride imo), I agree with all of that.


I've a friend whose family wouldn't be too far off from the leads and even her own mother spent as much or more time taking care of a rich family's as her own. She seemed to think that me having big issues with that part was insulting as it removes the positives they done in their life and just further trivialises their experiences (or something).
Even with that though, I guess the positive is that Cuaron and his siblings grew up to be good people? Kinda hard to tell when he's so totally evasive of his own role in the whole thing.


Maybe it was too jumpy? It felt awkwardly between a dreamy type nostalgic recollection and a pretty linear consistent narrative piece. Everything had its clear function to the narrative and just about everything had a sense of narrative completion too.

Keebleman

Just watch this so I can say I've seen it before it nabs Best Picture (which it probably won't, but fair play to the Academy for going over so big in the nominations for a film that is so very non-Hollywood).

I thought it got better as it went on.  The tracking shots at the start took a couple of minutes to tell us what a well-framed static shot could have told us in a couple of seconds, but a lot of the detail of everyday life was terrific, really absorbing, and the rarely felt it was trying too hard (cf Gravity.

My favourite parts were the more elaborate ones.  Dad's arrival in his too-big car was an amusing set-piece, and there was something of Fellini in several moments, such as that shot with the human cannonball and all of that business with the strong man. 

Crabwalk

'And the Acadamy Award for most dog eggs goes to....ROMA'