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Massawyrm Completely Falls For Tarsem's THE FALL!!
Hola all. Massawyrm here.
Alright guys, it’s official. It’s time to let Tarsem out of the box.
It seems weird that the first (and more importantly, last) film we saw from the singularly named music video turned feature director was 8 years ago. The Cell, a visually arresting but ultimately hollow piece of filmmaking, seemed to simultaneously announce both his arrival and his departure from the industry. He became an overnight joke, his name representing the very worst of style versus substance arguments. Forget Michael Bay. At least he seemed to know who and what he was. And he also had his defenders. But not Tarsem. The combination of representing himself with one name, while delivering something that could only be described as sheer artistry-for-artistry’s-sake seemed incredibly pretentious when his film just couldn’t back up its visuals. I’ve never seen a backlash so immediate and vicious as the one he received, which is why his name is so indelibly burned into many of our brains.
Well, he’s back, this time with an independently produced genius level masterpiece of a film that will prove to be his complete and utter reversal of fortune. If there was ever such a thing as a ½ lb. Shut the Fuck Up Burger with a side of Blow Me Fanboy Fries, The Fall would be it. The Fall is everything Tarsem seemed to set out to do with The Cell, only 100% successful. Masterpiece. This thing is a fucking masterpiece. It is such a singularly unique vision, such a highly original concept, that it is nearly impossible to describe.
Imagine, if you will, being in some sort of accident that hospitalizes you, trapping you in bed and putting you on a steady morphine drip. One of your buddies decides that he needs to come be with you for a while – nothing gay like holding your hand and telling you it’s all gonna be okay or anything – just hanging. But you’re in no shape to talk, so he clicks on the TV. Unfortunately for him, he finds himself in a dilemma. One station is showing Yimou Zhang’s epic kung fu opus Hero. The other is showing Guillermo del Toro’s magnificent Pan’s Labyrinth. Now he’s seen both a million, zillion ties – just as any good geek should have – but can’t decide which one he wants to watch more. So instead he decides to flip back and forth between them. High as a kite and numb on a cloud from the slow, delicious drip of painkillers, you drift in and out of consciousness, catching a scene here and a scene there of each film. And while asleep, rather than the heavy black of a dreamless void, you are caught in a lucid fever dream in which your mind creates new images for the dialog playing in the background of the room. Brilliant colors set on desert landscapes while a little girl floats in and out of a fantasy world.
Not only is that pretty much the plot of The Fall, it is also pretty much what it is like watching it. It is beautifully surreal, a view from the minds eye of a 5-year-old immigrant child (played by Catinca Untaru) trying to comprehend the nearly incoherent story told by a fellow hospital patient (Lee Pace.) And unlike The Cell, this movie has soul and pathos by the fistful. This isn’t another hollow artistic endeavor. It is the real deal, carrying just as much weight and beauty as both Pan’s Labyrinth and Hero. Throw in a splash of classic Gilliam and you begin to get the idea of just what this thing really is while still needing to see it for yourself to fully understand.
I have never quite seen a film that so totally made me pull a 180 on a director like this. It was as if he was driven by what the critical press had to say about his film and went off on a six-year journey to prove us all wrong. Well, he did. I want desperately to see more work out of him. This is a talent that we have yet to see fully tapped. Watching this, one wonders how much of The Cell was Tarsem’s fault and how much was studio meddling. I’m not saying it wasn’t his fault – but he’s certainly made amends if it was.
This is a movie that must be sought out and seen on the big screen by anyone who loves any of the names I’ve invoked in this piece. It really is a sweet, soulful look at the world through the eyes of a child. And it is about the most wonderful thing you’re going to see anytime soon. For anyone who hates the lack of real substance in the theatres during the summer, I tell you now – go see The Fall.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
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Which is what many other reviewers have said. Guess I'll have to see for myself (I liked The Cell, actually).
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Damn You Michael Bay
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.. at the very least. And I like the review a lot. Creative in itself and inspires curiousity as well.
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Jan Micheal Vincent gotta eat.
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"One of your buddies decides that he needs to come be with you for a while – nothing gay like holding your hand and telling you it’s all gonna be okay or anything – just hanging." Pfft.
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i liked the cell. for both its visuals and for Vincent DeNofrio's(sp?) performance. i would love to see another movie by the same dude, but i wonder how long that style can maintain an audience. could we see 5 or 6 films done teh same way, Massa? would we get bored?
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Sounds great Massa. Although I liked The Cell as well, I'm a sucker for amazing and imaginative cinematic visuals, and Howard Shore's score for that is fantastic as well. Some fantastic jump- scares in it too. But this sounds like a heavy-duty must-see film, so thanks for the article.
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Helping out with the icons now? I wanna see this movie. BUT the only independent/art house movie theater near me decided that it'd be better to get POSTAL instead. God how do people fucking get into movies? Its like hey I enjoy movies I should work for them? Seriously. I've actually complained to the movie theater for not getting this film and opting for Postal. Demanding that they tell me how they came to this decision. I eagerly await their response.
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Face it. Price Naseem can direct the hell out of some crazy outlandish shit, that works well in music videos. And his two movies seem to have the common thread of heres reality and heres crazy gonzo MC Escher/Salvidor Dali land. And the Prince seems to not be getting the real world right. Why not for his next movie just make it all based in batshit crazy world? ...... OK PAUSE, www.greatglam.com???????????????????? what the fuck? I mean I've seen some random ass ads on this site, but I think that tops it. Were there some hidden fees for Harrys operation? Ok anyways, Prince Naseem may have been the undefeated one punch knockout king of the lightweights but I've totally fergot what I was talking about.
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you lost me, dude.
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May 23, 2008 8:44:50 AM CDT
I loved The Cell. Whats wrong with style over substance in conce
by spikey
I reckon all the haters just hated on the cell because they were told to. Most reviews went something like "Such blatant style over substance is bad m'kay so you gotta hate this film", and sure enough we got style over substance and most fell for it.
Is a still picture of a beautiful woman still not beautiful without any emotional involvement or personality present?
If it were only ever presented as a series of frames in an art gallery it would be praised. If you want to hate and be dissapointed that badly then go right ahead. Ill appreciate it as it was meant to be and be happy. -
Massa's description sounds like the worst nightmare (or worst trip) ever. I'm curious, especially 'cause I dig Lee Pace from Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies, but I'm skeptical.
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and thrilling -- even J-lo and Vince Vaughn acted well in it -- a feat they haven't been able to pull off in the same YEAR, much less the same movie.It's worth watching again -- give it another chance.
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i liked the cell as well, but the plot was a super thin method of moving us from one spectacular mindscape to another. visually it was amazing, obviously, but i understand the problems peopel have with the plot. it didn't send Tarsem into my neverwatchamoviebythisguyagain bag, though.
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obviously.
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I think it was a lush, inventive take on the serial killer genre. I can't wait to see this film.
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May 23, 2008 9:26:43 AM CDT
If you want to know much more about the making of this film...
by archcarrier
...check out this very insightful interview at the AV Club: http://www.avclub.com/content/interview/tarsem
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I liked the movie, and what problems you guys have with it?
I dont have any, as far as i can remember
Looking forward to Tarsem´s (weird, is that the way he´s marketing himself?)new movie...
I remember some years ago that he was up to direct Constantine but jumped the wagon when Nic Cage was supposed to play John... -
I would vote Tarsem for an ELRIC Melnibone film or even CONAN.
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Python Gilliam or Brazil Gilliam...or hell, 12 monkeys Gilliam...I dont know what you mean!
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I might go check it out now thanks for the review!
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Good review
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to seeing this film more than anything else than Indy or Iron Man
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Thanks for that link, that was a pretty amazing interview. I urge everybody to check it out.
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obviously didn't edit that last statement so well, I meant I've been looking forward to The Fall more than Indy or Iron Man
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... check out the review on the AV Club (http://www.avclub.com/content/ interview/tarsem) and you'll at least better understand what went on with The Cell. Also, it'll give you more reason to check out The Fall and let you understand a little more about what Tarsem's thinking (which is WAYY eff'd up but also quite ingenious.)
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I can't say this guy's pretentious one name unless I do it in a "Sprockets" accent.
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It's really getting old. Fast.
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Zoolander 3: The Wrath of Catinca Untaru -
Its ok man, I lost myself in that one a bit too. I am just pissed off that I'll probably have to wait till DVD to see this movie.
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that cell was shit so I aint paying any money to see his movies..!!
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and has been since the first trailer. Batman comes after this one on my list. It looks so fucking incredible!
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I seriously doubt you saw the film. Anyone who has seen the trailer could have wrote this. What a fucking lazy half assed posting. Damn you are so fucking worthless to this site, your "reviews" could be shit out by some swollen butt baboon.
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The Cell was the only dvd my ex gave me back when we split up.
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I just found out it's coming to my area next week and I'm psyched! This looks like one eye orgasm after another. If it's as good as it looks, I hope it gets a wider release, critical acclaim, and more work for Tarsem. This, "Red Cliff," and "Dark Knight." And "WALL E." Okay, so maybe there are some good films coming out...
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i just like massawrym's little graphic. the six armed joint is farting some purple sticky punch smoke.
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I loved this film. and am going to see it again. Most of the stright press didn't like it, but I really got a lot out of it. A cross of Pan's L/Princess Bride/Barron Von Munch.
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Rather, Tarsem employed unique uses of traditional optical effects, al a Georges Melies and Jean Cocteau, and, of course amazing art and cinematography.
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But it certainly wasn't the trainwreck Mass seems to imagine, over night joke? Tarsem didn't write the flick, which is where most of its fault was, and hollow as it was, that Tarsem had talent was pretty obvious, I doubt there were too many people eagerly writing him off.
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Maybe that's a bit harsh - I'm glad you like him and all, but really man, look in a few art books and you'll cringe at the original comment. He's not just 'inspired by', he outright steals and he's shameless about it. Holy cow, even he should've known everyone saw the slowmo dervishes shot in Romanek's (who also cribs from fine art but adds more to it at least) Madonna video.
In Spike and Fincher I trust though, and I'll go see it if only to wash the taste of The Cell from my mouth. -
Give me a break. And yes, the guy's good.
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I found The Cell very visually pleasing (particularly J-Lo in her panties ;) but I was pretty young when I saw it. To be honest, it scared the shit out of me. I'm glad to hear that this one will be so much better and it sounds fun as hell!
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I'm a half-brain because I called you out for not knowing the meaning of a word as simple as 'original'? Your reply is completely redundant. You first said "a true original". Meaning he's NOT one of those directors that rips off others. Learn to write. Now you've made a fool of yourself twice. Once for not knowing what original means, two for forgetting why I ragged on you in the first place. His wholesale lifting of images WITHOUT filtering is completely at odds with your SINGULAR vision assertion. My point was he DOESN'T (from the Cell and the trailer for this) put his own 'personal twist' on it. Hopefully the full movie will change my mind a bit. But the same fucking elephant shot? Come ON man. I wrestle with the unoriginal thing, and I've come to the conclusion that if it's in context and can be justified in terms of storytelling then it's fair game (but you can NOT claim originality). HOWEVER, if the image distracts the audience from your story because they're thinking of the earlier use of the image, you're both a thief and a bad storyteller because you're too greedy to know it's working against you.
You haven't looked in those art books yet have you?
Dude, come back when you're open and gracious enough to admit the error in your original (geddit?!) choice of words. -
Forget the art books mate and look up a dictionary and the word 'original'. Your 'learn to write' comeback was pretty hilarious though, considering your "he can rip off himself"!
So much for open and gracious. Also too bad you can't get over yourself ("go really slow so you can understand"!) enough to stop arguing the second thing rather than conceding your original mistake which if you recall was your description of him as "a true ORIGINAL". By your own comments about recombination you contradict it! I guess you can't even agree to disagree on that. I'm not even going to start on why you don't know the meaning of the word auteur in relation to The Cell. Try being a bigger man and see beyond yourself and your apparent infallibility. Later man. -
I rest my case.
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C'mon, its good, and you guys know it. It's creepy and visually arresting, even if the plot is out of a CSI-meets-Star Trek episode. And D'onofrio and Vaughn are fucking great in that movie. I dunno why people hated it.
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I feel your pain dude. My theater isn't even getting Speed Racer! There is no god!
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Captivating film.
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