Italian For Beginners

[Walter]

Ok, my copy of Italian For Beginners shipped today meaning it either came out last Tuesday or is coming out next Tuesday. If you don't usually watch foreign films but like Amelie I can almost guarantee you'll love this one as well. It's one of my favorites ever.

So, with the wise words of Michael, I went out to discover the fantasticness of this movie, and I must admit... 1.5 thumbs down!

Perhaps, it's because Michael compared it to Amelie, which is fantastic, and I really like it. Perhaps, it's because he said it was good, and I just don't agree, or perhaps, it just wasn't that good.

I'm thinking it was the latter...

With the comparison of Amelie, I was looking for an amazingly splendid score, which I not only didn't find, but I didn't even find a score! I was also looking for creativity, which was pretty lacking I think, and I was definitely looking for some great cinematography (If you find some in this movie, tell me where it was).

The story was basically about lots of people who coincidentally had really miserable lives all at the same time, and all ran into each other at, or caused each other to go to, the same Italian language class.

There were no happy people there.

Then they all went through some hubbub and fell in love with each other, and in the end they went to Italy, and everyone was happy.

I think this movie displayed many nonenjoyable coincidences, much unlike the very enjoyable coincidences you'd find in a story, such as, A Tale of Two Cities (which, unlike this movie, deserves italics :D).

Hmmm... Maybe this movie wasn't quite as bad as I'm making it sound, but it's fun to trash because Michael liked it. Now, I'll let Michael tell his story (which will probably be posted within 20 minutes if I know Michael correctly. :D)

[Michael]

The movie is done in the dogma style which means it is very basic - here is a description I found online...


Back in 1995 two Danish filmmakers - Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg - got together and posted a list of rules they called Dogma 95, that would make movies 'purer' than ever: use only hand-held cameras, don't use created lighting, no film music, no retakes, no costumes, and not even a director's credit - well, you get the point.

I felt that put the emphasis on the story, dialog, and characters - all of which I thought were excellent. I also thought the movie did a great job at extracting a wide range of emotions. Sorry you didn't like it.

[Walter]

Haha... Michael, no hard feelings, right? :D

And you took over 2 hours!! A day filled with surprises. ;)

[Michael]

I have to sleep sometime. :)

FWIW, Funkified saw it and liked it. Maybe she'll chime in with her opinion. I guess people need to ask themselves who has better taste - me or you. :D

[YumHummus]

In The Name of the Father - great pic!

[WonderRandy]

I saw Italian for Beginners in the theatre (we have a lovely old historic theatre here that shows all the foreign and art films). I thought it was simple and charming. nice. sweet.

that's about it....

[Walter]

That's about it is right, WR knows what I'm saying... :naughty:

Err... Maybe not. :D


Originally Posted By: Funkified
thanks for the recommendation. now you have to go watch in the name of the father, michael :)
This is a good example of why we have to capitolize and italicize. ;)

[Walter]

I'll just point out that your signature has capitols, and then rest my case. :D

[mushroom]

I have to agree with Mikie...we rented this movie a couple of months ago and none of us liked it much.

[Epinephrine]

i liked it :p :love:

i think most dogme 95 movies are great.

[Walter]

That's right, mushroom. Sing it. :D

Now if Italian for Beginners was as good as Epinephrine's new avatar, then I'd be all over it like a plate. ;)

[dicharry]

oh, i thought Italian for Beginners was the awesomest - i thought it started out slowly and then really became something lovely by the end - maybe i was in the right frame of mind when i saw it - i also saw it in a lovely old theater - sigh.

[Walter]

Michael thinks I'm the only one who didn't like the movie - is that true, VB? :D

[IamJen]

Thumbs up here. Amelie, shamelie (not a fan).

[Walter]

Thumbs up here. Amelie, shamelie (not a fan).

Obviously don't wathc many movies. :no:

[IamJen]

Obviously don't wathc many movies. :no:

maybe not in a parallel universe :) The folks at one of the local theatres know me by name.

Did you see Dirty Pretty Things w/ Audrey Tatou from Amelie? It' a bit gory, but I liked it much better.

[Walter]

No, I didn't, but I'd love to see another movie with her! She's great.

[mayuko]

*gasp* not a fan of amélie? :no:

oh well. i knew there had to be at least one out there :p

i should see this italian for beginners of which you speak, even if i turn out to totally hate it *nod*

[MsRuthieB]

I luv foreign languages. Specially Italian and Spanish....whispered in my ear is extra wonderful. :p

[IamJen]

*gasp* not a fan of amélie? :no:

oh well. i knew there had to be at least one out there :p

i should see this italian for beginners of which you speak, even if i turn out to totally hate it *nod*

heh heh

It's good to have you back :)

[mayuko]

whispered in my ear is extra wonderful

ah, i wish i've had such a pleasure in my lifetime :p but i got a lot of time left kicking around here.. :)

[Reda]

I liked Italian For Beginners, but it's not nearly one of the best Dogme movies in my opinion. It's charming and it has it's moments, but I forgot it quickly after I left the cinema. *shrug*