History of violence - REVIEWED!
Quotes from other critics - lets just take a look
"With no real heroes, no real lessons and no real resolution, it
leaves a lingering sense of 'huh?' But damnit if those exit -- Mike
Ward, RICHMOND.COM
"Cronenberg's best for a long time, broad and entertaining enough
for those unacquainted with the director's work, but layered with the
themes of infection and mutation that have defined his work."
-- Adam Smith, EMPIRE MAGAZINE [UK]
"Olson should have studied a history of screenwriting before
attempting to adapt A History of Violence. One of the most aimless,
derivative films to ever be overrated."
-- Alex Sandell, JUICY CEREBELLUM
"A History of Violence is a great movie … for an hour."
-- Willie Waffle, WAFFLEMOVIES.COM
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Yeah critics loved it.. and slammed it at the same time.
Well here's my review.
Cronenberg - director of the Fly, has this thing with grotesque scenes, an attempt to show post violence scenerios.
Critics like Ong Soh Fern from Straits Times, rated it 5 stars for
its open ended ending. These guys just like contemplative endings that make you ponder and
become philosphical. I have never liked open ended endings. Its a sloppy excuse by sloppy directors, I feel. If you are a responisble director, you will do 2 endings.. like Sepet. Ya the intellectuals
will think tat maybe I am not deep enough to analyse the ending and
think of the implications of the movie in terms of the social and
political context... to them - whatever really! I paid $8.50 for pure
pleasure, maybe add a bit of social messages or intellectual shit,
but please don't end the show halfway and expect me to finish it
myself... sometimes I left my brain at home and could still enjoy the
movie. ;p
History of Violence has such a simple script, that it could easily cut as a C grade movie. The only reason (I thought) it could buy some critics was the fact that the director was dubious about certain
characters, and he does it with the intention for freedom of interpretation - where the thinkers, analyst, smart critics can draw their own good conclusions and walk out of the movie theatre truely amazed by their own 'intellectual' conclusions. hehe Besides, being subtle for the sake of philosophy can put u up with the league of Oscar nominated movies, so why not. And I am pretty sure it will get
the academy nods, kind of reminscence of what happened to Mystic River (Another one of those).
Great movies don't need to be contemplative, let's face it. Just to add, trying to be a sensationalist like another Kill Bill (which didn't quite make it), didn't really help.
I rate it :
