Super Mario Bros + The Sixth Sense
Nov. 28th, 2024 07:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rynlingI’ve been trying to watch more movies recently. I’m starting off easy.
The Sixth Sense
I remember this movie’s portrayal of Philadelphia making me never want to have anything to do with the city. Now that I live here, I realize that Shyamalan only shot in the super nice neighborhoods, generally around Old City. Which is fair. The interiors of those old townhouses really do have a lot of creepy elements, but the outdoor cityscape is lovely. Also, I now realize that what Shyamalan was aiming for was an ethnographic study of Philadelphia Irish Catholics, and his observations are immaculate. Even knowing the Bruce Willis twist, I really enjoyed this movie. It was originally released in 1999 but holds up remarkably well.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
I put off watching this movie because I read a handful of very smart essays decrying it as soulless. Having now watched it myself, I understand where the essayists were coming from, but I don’t agree. This is a very commercial movie, and it’s obviously for young children, but I thought it was a lot of fun. It’s meant to be big and bright and flashy, and I enjoyed the spectacle. There was a lot of discourse around Chris Pratt voicing Mario, but he does an okay job actually! Meanwhile, every scene with Jack Black is a gift and a blessing. I was afraid that it was going to be a chore to watch this movie, but I had a great time. There’s also a scene between Bowser and Luigi that was… a special treat for the sickos in the audience, let’s say.
The Sixth Sense
I remember this movie’s portrayal of Philadelphia making me never want to have anything to do with the city. Now that I live here, I realize that Shyamalan only shot in the super nice neighborhoods, generally around Old City. Which is fair. The interiors of those old townhouses really do have a lot of creepy elements, but the outdoor cityscape is lovely. Also, I now realize that what Shyamalan was aiming for was an ethnographic study of Philadelphia Irish Catholics, and his observations are immaculate. Even knowing the Bruce Willis twist, I really enjoyed this movie. It was originally released in 1999 but holds up remarkably well.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
I put off watching this movie because I read a handful of very smart essays decrying it as soulless. Having now watched it myself, I understand where the essayists were coming from, but I don’t agree. This is a very commercial movie, and it’s obviously for young children, but I thought it was a lot of fun. It’s meant to be big and bright and flashy, and I enjoyed the spectacle. There was a lot of discourse around Chris Pratt voicing Mario, but he does an okay job actually! Meanwhile, every scene with Jack Black is a gift and a blessing. I was afraid that it was going to be a chore to watch this movie, but I had a great time. There’s also a scene between Bowser and Luigi that was… a special treat for the sickos in the audience, let’s say.
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Date: 2024-11-28 03:26 pm (UTC)I had nightmares after watching Sixth Sense the first time, but as I didn't know nor figure out the twist while watching, I still think it'd be neat to watch again someday. Nice to know it generally holds up! (I also had nightmares after watching something like Coraline, I'm just a mega lightweight in general.)
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Date: 2024-11-29 01:17 pm (UTC)Me either! I often find myself getting about 20 minutes into a movie before walking away. I'm trying to do better, but it's going to need to be a process of rediscovering what I used to enjoy about movies.
If you don't mind me asking, why do you think you haven't watched any feature-length movies lately? Is it just that you've been watching shorter work? And if so, where do you find it? But no pressure to reply of course!
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Date: 2024-11-30 10:29 am (UTC)You make a good point about "rediscovering what I used to enjoy about movies" though 🤔 I've watched maybe 2 movies a year since I lost that focus, and while there were a couple of pleasantly satisfying experiences, I grew impatient/unfocused too many times to really enjoy it overall, so I'm less keen to repeat... Are you being systematic about that process or mainly trying things out to see what sticks?? (*ready to take notes* XD)
All along though, I did keep watching "shorter" works but that's because I like anime and an episode lasts about 25 minutes. Right around the length of your "walking away" window ;) When you hit a series you enjoy, you usually know you'll get more of the same while the season lasts. Netflix and Crunchyroll have a bunch, but if that's not your thing YMMV and all :D
Edit: Hahahaha I wrote all this then went to watch a DVD of Deadpool vs Wolverine and brought my phone with me for when it got long, but after the first couple of scenes I was completely hooked and enjoyed the whole thing 🤣 Maybe the issue is that my tastes are ass and I try to be refined? XD
also I have a new shipno subject
Date: 2024-12-01 11:19 pm (UTC)That’s good to know!! I've seen excellent fan art, which is unironically how I judge any given movie's quality these days.
And I hear you about the past four years ðŸ«
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Date: 2024-12-02 08:01 pm (UTC)Agreed on Jack Black's scenes.
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Date: 2024-12-03 03:07 pm (UTC)"It was fine, and I don't regret the time I spent watching it" doesn't get enough appreciation. Not everything has to be epic or groundbreaking.
I also admire the narrative artistry devoted to not creating any sort of meaningful backstory for any of the characters. Sometimes I think I want Nintendo to give these characters lore, but then I remember what happened to the Sonic franchise. 😬
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Date: 2024-12-07 12:11 am (UTC)Not everything has to be epic or groundbreaking is an entirely excellent summation. A competent premise well-executed is enjoyable in its own right.