Lots of insane stuff in this movie but IMHO the most audacious move was to visually reference the Wicker Man remake during the climax. That is some next level cinematic trolling.
― Conceptualize Wyverns (latebloomer), Thursday, 4 July 2019 08:00 (four years ago) link
Good new Haxan Cloak interview re the score:https://thequietus.com/articles/26744-the-haxan-cloak-midsommar-ari-aster-bobby-krlic-interviewAlso worth noting — when I mentioned to my partner how I thought all the constant background activity was one of the film’s best points, she immediately said it made her think of Drowning By Numbers. Lo and behold, Krlic brings up that both he and Aster bonded over a mutual Peter Greenaway love among other things.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 4 July 2019 13:35 (four years ago) link
Seeing this tonight, but another thing I find interesting about this guy's movies is that no one can seem to agree about their degree of intentionality. I saw someone on twitter argue, for instance, that the ending of this one was "funny" and "wasn't supposed to be." Meanwhile in an AVClub interview Aster says he thinks of the movie as a dark comedy and specifically cited the ending!
― Simon H., Thursday, 4 July 2019 14:50 (four years ago) link
I’m a bit bemused at the idea of seeing this film and thinking the humour was unintentional
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Thursday, 4 July 2019 15:43 (four years ago) link
Ari Aster is incredible at inserting bleak humor into his films. The reveal at the start of his short The Strange Thing About the Johnsons is simultaneously the darkest and funniest sight gag I think I've ever seen.
― OneSecondBefore, Thursday, 4 July 2019 16:52 (four years ago) link
I enjoyed this.
Spoilery question - after the boyfriend was supposedly taken to the airport, did anybody else hear a woman screaming in the scene a few minutes later?
― Fuck Trump, cops, and the CBP (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 July 2019 16:58 (four years ago) link
Yeah that was clearly Connie.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 4 July 2019 20:38 (four years ago) link
Figured. Thought that was a great touch. It was unsettling.
― Fuck Trump, cops, and the CBP (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 July 2019 22:13 (four years ago) link
Loooooooved this for so many reasons. Haven’t read the thread yet. Some things I liked including but not limited to : — casting no famous ppl, yes— Dani was perfect, the intro scenes set up her emotional state perfectly, her face!! — in spite of some of the gruesome scenes (the cliff!!), nothing about this movie rung gross to me — I’ve never seen a cis het male character so obviously uncomfortable in a sex scene and I appreciated that, nice change of pace
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Friday, 5 July 2019 02:42 (four years ago) link
SPOILERS!
Dug this a lot, though it's definitely too long. It could have painlessly lost 20-30 minutes. I'm a big fan of the way Aster juxtaposes fussy imagery with lowbrow humor. (I did wonder how many of Poulter's lines were ADR'd in after the fact.) Pugh was of course great but I really loved Reynor in this, so convincingly loathsome in a way we all recognize, yet also touchingly pathetic throughout the final act. (It helped that I related deeply to his physical discomfort while surrounded by revelry, having recently enjoyed a nervous breakdown whilst on vacation.)
I don't really understand Alfred's objection here:
Coming after a battle with Christian about who will take credit over their shared thesis about village customs, it’s hard to know who’s exploiting whom when it’s easier to see which minority gets punished for being smart; Aster stages the scene as if Josh is getting his comeuppance.
I mean, he *is*, for blatantly disrespecting an explicit rule pretty gravely given to him a couple of scenes earlier. It's in character, too, since it makes sense that he would be driven to do a distinctly better job than Reynor's character and will take any advantage he can get. He's not punished for "being smart." I get that it plays differently given the tropes associated w/ black guys in horror movies but I don't think it's fair to say that it's staged with glee or lingering violence compared to, say, the extended daytime hillside-mallet deaths. (Also, if DJP is looking for a precise answer to his earlier question: WJH bites it in roughly the order of his billing, and the final girl isn't really involved in any fashion.)
If there's an obvious political objection to this movie, I would think it would be the use of the disfigured inbred character, which is some straight-out-of-the-70s (or earlier) shit. Though Reynor and Harper's cultural relativism/detached academic interest in the proceedings was fairly timeless.
― Simon H., Friday, 5 July 2019 05:45 (four years ago) link
Also, Krlic's score was cool, and way out of his Haxan Cloak wheelhouse, but I can't imagine listening to it in isolation like I sometimes do with Stetson's score for Hereditary.
― Simon H., Friday, 5 July 2019 05:46 (four years ago) link
I’ve never seen a cis het male character so obviously uncomfortable in a sex scene and I appreciated that, nice change of pace
this was very deliberate it seems
https://www.thewrap.com/midsommar-jack-reynor-full-frontal-nudity-ari-aster/
― Simon H., Friday, 5 July 2019 05:53 (four years ago) link
"If there's an obvious political objection to this movie, I would think it would be the use of the disfigured inbred character, which is some straight-out-of-the-70s (or earlier) shit."
It's weirdly never used though... except for a couple of shots and then the incest "joke".
I really liked this and it was only in the last twenty or so minutes that I was like wait how fucking long is this movie??!?! it really breezes along nicely until then. I am going to make a lot of jokes about my Swedish friends from now on too.
― One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Friday, 5 July 2019 22:23 (four years ago) link
I knew it was long going in and I didn’t feel any drag at all even tho my screening finished up around midnight I did wonder how many of Poulter's lines were ADR'd in after the fact.)A lot of the dialogue had the feel of obvious adr, disembodied and too-prominent whether it’s a background character or protagonist, which is a part of the sound design Ned was talking about
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Friday, 5 July 2019 22:37 (four years ago) link
I wonder if when they cast William Jackson Harper, there was any thought as to maybe poking fun at the extreme whiteness of the cult and how clearly they only go for *certain types* of outsiders for "breeding purposes." Seems like a missed opportunity for a few extra lols
― Simon H., Friday, 5 July 2019 23:45 (four years ago) link
For once a reason to share a Bustle link:https://www.bustle.com/p/the-breathing-in-midsommar-serves-a-much-larger-purpose-than-just-creeping-you-out-18136430
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 7 July 2019 12:37 (four years ago) link
I am so into Krlic's score for this, can't wait to see the actual film
― flamboyant goon tie included, Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:39 (four years ago) link
tbh I just want to know how long it takes them to kill the black guy― brigadier pudding (DJP), Wednesday, July 3, 2019 9:08 AM (four days ago) bookmarkflaglink
― brigadier pudding (DJP), Wednesday, July 3, 2019 9:08 AM (four days ago) bookmarkflaglink
Point acknowledged. On the other hand, how about Dani and horror's "last girl" tradition?
At any rate, I would compare it to Get Out--this beautiful and elite community is in a way recruiting you, but it is very much on *their* terms. And I liked the retort to the American stereotype of the Scandinavian countries as free love with blond bombshells (of both genders).
― Anne Hedonia (j.lu), Sunday, 7 July 2019 20:29 (four years ago) link
Surprisingly didn't mind or notice the length, kept me hooked til the end, at the same time I'm also just like WHY the fuck would you ever go to a place like this or accept an invitation...
Great follow-up to Hereditary in that it was very much its own thing, didn't feel at all rushed (like Us), and the question of whether or not it's better than Hereditary never occurred to me, they're both very good. no sophomore slump at all.
I can see the black comedy angle. I gotta read more interviews with this guy.
many xps but what was the Wicker Man remake reference? the bear?
Aster is clearly a major director - I hope he does something other than horror next, just to switch it up.
― flappy bird, Sunday, 7 July 2019 20:46 (four years ago) link
I found Jack Reynor weirdly cute.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 7 July 2019 20:52 (four years ago) link
he looked like bootleg Chris Pine to me. like a Chris Pine marionette. he has very big eyes
― flappy bird, Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:03 (four years ago) link
Chris Pine + Seth Rogen
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:04 (four years ago) link
^ great elevator pitch for a remake of The Fly
― flappy bird, Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:05 (four years ago) link
― flappy bird, Sunday, July 7, 2019 1:46 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink
he doesn't seem to like horror very much so probably
― american bradass (BradNelson), Monday, 8 July 2019 11:58 (four years ago) link
For someone who hates horror he sure loves staging horror setpieces and paying homage to classic horror movies
― Simon H., Monday, 8 July 2019 14:34 (four years ago) link
Yeah, what? Read an interview with him recently where he said he spent his youth renting and watching just about every horror movie he could get his hands on.
― circa1916, Monday, 8 July 2019 14:36 (four years ago) link
hereditary’s only a horror movie bc that’s how he could secure the funding, should i have said “he doesn’t seem to actually want to make horror”? is there a particular reason everyone’s jumping down my throat to defend the eli roth of elevated horror cinema
i’m seeing this thursday btw
― american bradass (BradNelson), Monday, 8 July 2019 14:39 (four years ago) link
sorry y'all, i really hate ari aster but i'm gonna try to like this comedy anyway
― american bradass (BradNelson), Monday, 8 July 2019 14:47 (four years ago) link
"the eli roth of elevated horror cinema" is an excellent grade-A burn
― brigadier pudding (DJP), Monday, 8 July 2019 14:52 (four years ago) link
i don't think it's accurate but it's a solid attempt at being caustic
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 8 July 2019 15:03 (four years ago) link
i *am* being mean
― american bradass (BradNelson), Monday, 8 July 2019 15:10 (four years ago) link
hereditary’s only a horror movie bc that’s how he could secure the funding, should i have said “he doesn’t seem to actually want to make horror”This is I think more accurate and doesn’t I think really matter
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Monday, 8 July 2019 15:27 (four years ago) link
i think it's totally fair that other people don't think it matters
― american bradass (BradNelson), Monday, 8 July 2019 15:31 (four years ago) link
Several friends who disdain horror have, guess what, embraced this one because It Transcends Horror.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 8 July 2019 15:34 (four years ago) link
Midsommer is the Frank Ocean of horror.
ppl say that shit about rosemary’s baby too and it’s also good
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Monday, 8 July 2019 15:35 (four years ago) link
hated this so much. peace out!
― Nhex, Monday, 8 July 2019 15:52 (four years ago) link
lol
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Monday, 8 July 2019 15:56 (four years ago) link
I’m seeing it again tomorrow, will be interesting to see how it holds up
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Monday, 8 July 2019 15:57 (four years ago) link
I made it years with no Hereditary spoilers, but I'm going to try to see this one a lot faster. Alas, first spoiler: it's apparently 2 1/2 hours long! Gonna be tough to find a window.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 8 July 2019 16:00 (four years ago) link
I know it's only been a day. I need to watch his shorts to confirm my suspicions. But the more time I get away from both of his features, the less I like them and the more this criticism rings true (via Letterboxd):
this guy has built his rep on being solid at the drama stuff (directing actors) and really swinging for the fences with the horror/gore shit but has completely failed to synthesize them in any real way so its all just kinda thrown together into a collection of scenes that actually work, until they dont - i guess the real accomplishment is making drama audiences watch gore & gore audiences watch a drama?? in this & hereditary all the real-life family tragedy shit is wielded like a kid who just discovered racial slurs, excited that hes "hacked" his way into getting a emotional reaction - its unsettling but kinda empty & irresponsible
Honestly feels OTM - when I wished that he would switch it up next time, I was sure he could. Can he though? Midsommar is more consistent than Hereditary but it doesn't top the first half of that movie. Oh my god, the ending of that movie is such a fucking joke! During a lot of Midsommar, I had that stupid "HAIL KING PAIMON!" chant stuck in my head. I know he loves Bergman and shit but could he make something like Cries and Whispers? Midsommar might be as close as he gets.
The strategic use of wild, insane violence/gore feels essential to Hereditary (less so this one, and here it feels almost perfunctory because all of the big kills come at regularly scheduled interviews & they're not a surprise). So I'm not as confident in him as a writer, but he is certainly a talented director - one thing that doesn't get enough credit is the camera in both of these movies, which moves with such authority and inhumanity. But I'd like to see the pre-horror draft of Hereditary.
― flappy bird, Monday, 8 July 2019 17:08 (four years ago) link
*intervals
― flappy bird, Monday, 8 July 2019 17:09 (four years ago) link
Lol I love the ending of hereditary What did you think about “HAIL SATAN” in rb?
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Monday, 8 July 2019 17:12 (four years ago) link
I still have no idea what "elevated horror" means. horror with elaborate production design?
― Simon H., Monday, 8 July 2019 17:14 (four years ago) link
Probably someone's way of saying "better than that icky quicky genre trash."
― Anne Hedonia (j.lu), Monday, 8 July 2019 17:17 (four years ago) link
Isn’t it just prestige/respectable/middlebrow? Not worth fussing too much about imo
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Monday, 8 July 2019 17:18 (four years ago) link
xp yeah
xps
I think it works in RB because that movie is so much more rigorous and disciplined. As it goes on, you're just getting trapped in the Dakota, the walls are closing in, you're SURE that this all has to be in Rosemary's head, the tension just keeps rising until that final reveal and BAM it's actually fucking Satan! the casting of that group is essential too imo, they're genuinely fucking scary- and the line "HAIL SATAN!" is like popping the balloon of a nightmare only to wake up into a worse reality!
the second half of Hereditary is too undisciplined and there's too much space, doesn't feel focused, and the cult is much more obscure and less scary. there isn't that claustrophobic, and completely plausible dread that RB has. of course you could argue that Hereditary might be all in someone's head, but idk to me the crucial difference between the two is that RB never loses its realism while Hereditary just runs itself off the road.
― flappy bird, Monday, 8 July 2019 17:19 (four years ago) link
That's a dumb moviegoer distinction. What does it mean on a formal or aesthetic level? Xp
― Simon H., Monday, 8 July 2019 17:20 (four years ago) link
Nothingxp you make a persuasive argument!
― shhh / let peaceful like things (wins), Monday, 8 July 2019 17:21 (four years ago) link
finally watching the director’s cut
this movie is so fucking amazing
― STOCK FIST-PUMPER BRAD (BradNelson), Monday, 26 July 2021 01:05 (two years ago) link
Someone should tell those girls they're walkin stupid
― making splashes at Dan Flashes (Neanderthal), Monday, 26 July 2021 02:15 (two years ago) link
lmao
― STOCK FIST-PUMPER BRAD (BradNelson), Monday, 26 July 2021 02:21 (two years ago) link
I feel like I wast a whole genre of this movie.
MidsummerOg Wicker Man
― making splashes at Dan Flashes (Neanderthal), Monday, 26 July 2021 02:37 (two years ago) link
Yesterday I randomly remembered the scene where the kids are watching a DVD of Austin Powers and started lmfao in a hotel lobby
― Sonned by a comedy podcast after a dairy network beef (bernard snowy), Friday, 23 September 2022 12:16 (one year ago) link
Someone tell those girls they're walking stupid
― i eat ass with a knife and fork (Neanderthal), Friday, 23 September 2022 12:48 (one year ago) link
lol i just came here to post “somebody should tell these girls they’re walking stupid”
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Sunday, 9 October 2022 17:04 (one year ago) link