"Nightcrawler"

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Stewball
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"Nightcrawler"

Post by Stewball »

Really dark look of what is ultimately a widespread insatiable social disease, sensational gore, and the lengths those who provide it will go to. I'm sure the drug cartels could learn a thing or two about ruthlessness from Louis Bloom. This and "End of Watch" are bookends to the amazing range of Gyllenhaal's talent. To borrow a line from "Her", He's a really creepy dude. So far, a very high average (8.3) from Criticker members. 9/10

Suture Self
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by Suture Self »

I've always liked Gyllenhaal and he was easily the best part of this movie. I thought it started out really strong but didn't really know how to end, unfortunately. Still a good movie, though.

Stewball
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by Stewball »

FarCryss wrote:I've always liked Gyllenhaal and he was easily the best part of this movie. I thought it started out really strong but didn't really know how to end, unfortunately. Still a good movie, though.


What? The ending validated the rest of the movie. All you need is drive, talent and a complete lack of ethics.

Suture Self
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by Suture Self »

I suppose that's true. I can see how the film would be an economic horror story in some sense. Lou was essentially Ayn Rand's philosophy taken to its logical conclusion.

Stewball
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by Stewball »

FarCryss wrote:I suppose that's true. I can see how the film would be an economic horror story in some sense. Lou was essentially Ayn Rand's philosophy taken to its logical conclusion.


Yeah, as always with freedom, which is what libertarianism is all about, it brings out the opportunity seekers which includes the geeks and the creeps--Halloween 24/365, and as the title say, especially at night.

martryn
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by martryn »

I disagree about the comment on Ayn Rand. I think it misses the mark and someone fails to understand Objectivism, which is typical given the liberal bias present in academics and media completely distorting the youth of America.

Anyways, I went and saw this tonight instead of Interstellar and loved it. Gyllenhaal fucking nailed this shit. This movie and Drive could be part of a spiritual trilogy of films because of the ambiance in both films. Of the four "main" characters in this film (Gyllenhaal, Russo, Paxton, and Ahmed) I felt like none were identifiable or redeemable and, for once, I didn't care. The movie ended and I wanted to keep watching, which seldom happens.

Also great is that I went with my wife, we had the theater to ourselves, and she hated it. I kept laughing at the most inappropriate times out of sheer glee. I kept looking over at her and telling her that this is creepy as fuck. Man, I hate this "film is art" shit that people talk about on this site, but this film was art, and it was enjoyable as well. And I credit that to Gyllenhaal.

Stewball
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by Stewball »

martryn wrote:I disagree about the comment on Ayn Rand. I think it misses the mark and someone fails to understand Objectivism, which is typical given the liberal bias present in academics and media completely distorting the youth of America.

Anyways, I went and saw this tonight instead of Interstellar and loved it. Gyllenhaal fucking nailed this shit. This movie and Drive could be part of a spiritual trilogy of films because of the ambiance in both films. Of the four "main" characters in this film (Gyllenhaal, Russo, Paxton, and Ahmed) I felt like none were identifiable or redeemable and, for once, I didn't care. The movie ended and I wanted to keep watching, which seldom happens.

Also great is that I went with my wife, we had the theater to ourselves, and she hated it. I kept laughing at the most inappropriate times out of sheer glee. I kept looking over at her and telling her that this is creepy as fuck. Man, I hate this "film is art" shit that people talk about on this site, but this film was art, and it was enjoyable as well. And I credit that to Gyllenhaal.


I agree, except I'm not sure what you're getting at in the first paragraph. And what is your current stance on "film as art" now?

Ocelot
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by Ocelot »

martryn wrote:I disagree about the comment on Ayn Rand. I think it misses the mark and someone fails to understand Objectivism, which is typical given the liberal bias present in academics and media completely distorting the youth of America.

First of all, what the fuck? Secondly, Lou Bloom is objectivism incarnate. I don't really know why he wouldn't be unless you have your own definition for it.

martryn
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by martryn »

I agree, except I'm not sure what you're getting at in the first paragraph. And what is your current stance on "film as art" now?


I think films should be entertaining, and if a movie fails to do that, I think it fails in it's primary purpose. I can like artsy films, too, but I can walk through the Tate Gallery and recognize that I'm looking at something magnificent and still wish I was sitting at home jerking off to internet porn of dubious origin.

First of all, what the fuck? Secondly, Lou Bloom is objectivism incarnate. I don't really know why he wouldn't be unless you have your own definition for it.


Well, Bloom was way too impulse driven, and that goes against Rand's philosophy. That much was obvious at the beginning of the film. And you're confusing Ayn Rand's version of selfishness with what most people think of when we think of being selfish. Living life for the sake of our own personal achievement and happiness (which is what most people do anyways) is different to Bloom removing obstacles to his achievement from his path.

Stewball
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Re: "Nightcrawler"

Post by Stewball »

Ocelot wrote:
martryn wrote:I disagree about the comment on Ayn Rand. I think it misses the mark and someone fails to understand Objectivism, which is typical given the liberal bias present in academics and media completely distorting the youth of America.

First of all, what the fuck? Secondly, Lou Bloom is objectivism incarnate. I don't really know why he wouldn't be unless you have your own definition for it.


He was objectivism incarnate up until he started manipulating things (moving bodies, cutting break lines, withholding evidence, framing a shootout, setting up his partner) in order to pander to the public's thirst for gore at the expense of the objective Truth--not to mention petty retribution. The news director said an ideal shot would be a white woman running down the street with her throat cut, the spirit of which he pursued with all the gusto at his command. Objectivism isn't about satisfying our prurient interests, it's about getting and reporting the facts, and about justice. Instead, they'd suppress the facts to support their ratings.

martryn wrote:I think films should be entertaining, and if a movie fails to do that, I think it fails in it's primary purpose. I can like artsy films, too, but I can walk through the Tate Gallery and recognize that I'm looking at something magnificent and still wish I was sitting at home jerking off to internet porn of dubious origin.


If all a film is is entertainment or mete for masturbation, I wouldn't call it art, but something more like a superficial pastime. Art, true art, meaningful art, is a compelling Truth; re: Nightcrawler, which is also a painful Truth.

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