Every Kat Rosenfield article on the FP seems to be a variation on "Think X is bad? Actually, X is good!" Not that they aren't interesting most of the time: it's a good schtick... if intentional.
Matt Damon explained why good movies are rare in Hollywood today: streaming services and social media have wrecked the industry’s profits. Even a low-budget romcom needs around $200,000 just for marketing, plus payroll and theater fees, which quickly adds up. In the past, they could rely on DVD sales to make up for box office losses, but now that’s off the table and betting on a cult classic isn’t an option. When even Francis Ford Coppola has to jump through a million hoops to make a quality film, you know it's rough. I’m just glad he did it. I'm craving something that's not another Marvel sequel. Plus, that cast looks excellent!
The $500 million!!! Did his family consider putting a psychiatric hold on him to assess his ability to make rational decisions. Is this when hubris meets the insidious onset of psychosis and/or dementia. Apocalypse Now was his unicorn. Can someone expect to find two unicorns in a lifetime. I look forward to seeing this movie. Some great movies are never famous or lucrative. Some movies are forgotten after the shouted bombast.
Well, while you gals rattle your jewelry and discuss the latest harness oil, I'm going to finish my nap, find grandma, and lay some pipe. If you know what I mean.
Been married 49 years, and when I take off my glasses, she's 19 years old, all over again. Life is good.
During the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo di Vinci, painted a picture on a wall, using oils, and then lamps to help it dry. Unfortunately parts of it dripped into other parts. For all that, artists all over Italy, ran to see it, in all its failed glory. Coming away amazed, awed, and sad just a failure happened to something so great. Megalopolis may be such a creation. Hopefully it will not be removed from our sight, so that others can see it, and judge for themselves, just what it is and its true worth.
One thing stands out that makes me believe the harsh reactions referenced by the author are probably justified. He is clearly addicted to cannabis (9% of people who use cannabis become addicted (2015)), which affects judgment, as well as a whole slew of negative effects on brain chemistry that impairs thinking. The behaviors described are textbook examples. That's a tragedy. Sounds like it might have been a great movie, the kind of movie Hollywood no longer seems capable of making.
The age of the auteur is almost gone. Francis Ford Coppola is among the last of a strange, obsessive, creative breed -- with all the obscene excesses of film-making, the iconic milieu of twentieth century cinema, from Goldrush to Kane to Oz to Godfather, and all the ersatz kings, queens and aristocracy we of our freeholding age so craved. His whalesong is weird and untamed, but so worth the watch, if for nothing else than experiencing the joy of pure audience. I love Kat!
"Someday, the filmmaker who launches himself in the direction of the sun might actually touch it—or maybe he’ll inspire other people to try,"
I always thought the fable of Icarus was to teach one to fly but getting too close to the sun if not touching it would lead to a crash landing. For me in the sense of art is that, yes fly Icarus fly but not too close to the sun because you will never survive to tell the tale.
We are living in an age of narcissism, and this might be as you have described it the greatest narcissistic movie ever made and that says a lot because there are plenty that top the list. Art can be daring but ultimately the greatest works have something to say to the public, the common man, not just the author!
You make a fair point about narcissism, but I will accept some and allow for the indulgences of those who have flown closer to the sun than most without falling - the alternative seems to be Spiderman 10 or a remake of an average movie from the 80's or the movie version of a TV show. BTWs, anyone notice AppleTV doing the series from a movie thing (Presumed Innocent, Time Bandits)?
I have an AMC A-list subscription; I can see it in IMAX and not feel ripped off if it's not for me or gives me a migraine. (A-list lets me to stumble into movies that are unlikely, but otherwise great, like 'Kneecap.')
Every Kat Rosenfield article on the FP seems to be a variation on "Think X is bad? Actually, X is good!" Not that they aren't interesting most of the time: it's a good schtick... if intentional.
Matt Damon explained why good movies are rare in Hollywood today: streaming services and social media have wrecked the industry’s profits. Even a low-budget romcom needs around $200,000 just for marketing, plus payroll and theater fees, which quickly adds up. In the past, they could rely on DVD sales to make up for box office losses, but now that’s off the table and betting on a cult classic isn’t an option. When even Francis Ford Coppola has to jump through a million hoops to make a quality film, you know it's rough. I’m just glad he did it. I'm craving something that's not another Marvel sequel. Plus, that cast looks excellent!
I was living a reasonably successful life without this movie, and I imagine that I will continue to do so whether I see it or not.
Small quibble but he was 31 when he was tasked with directing The Godfather.
The $500 million!!! Did his family consider putting a psychiatric hold on him to assess his ability to make rational decisions. Is this when hubris meets the insidious onset of psychosis and/or dementia. Apocalypse Now was his unicorn. Can someone expect to find two unicorns in a lifetime. I look forward to seeing this movie. Some great movies are never famous or lucrative. Some movies are forgotten after the shouted bombast.
“you may at least appreciate that it’s too much of something you’ve never seen before.” Key words. At least it is original.
Icarus. What a goof.
Pre-enlightenment stooge.
How you gonna flap wings to the sun through a vacuum?
And even if you could, what are you gonna do once arrived? Tan?
Jeez. Come on Daedalus. Do your job.
That said. I’ll watch Frannie’s movie. What the hell.
Good review
Wait, he sold off a $500-million stake in his vineyard to finance this film? Telling, right?
Well, while you gals rattle your jewelry and discuss the latest harness oil, I'm going to finish my nap, find grandma, and lay some pipe. If you know what I mean.
Been married 49 years, and when I take off my glasses, she's 19 years old, all over again. Life is good.
During the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo di Vinci, painted a picture on a wall, using oils, and then lamps to help it dry. Unfortunately parts of it dripped into other parts. For all that, artists all over Italy, ran to see it, in all its failed glory. Coming away amazed, awed, and sad just a failure happened to something so great. Megalopolis may be such a creation. Hopefully it will not be removed from our sight, so that others can see it, and judge for themselves, just what it is and its true worth.
One thing stands out that makes me believe the harsh reactions referenced by the author are probably justified. He is clearly addicted to cannabis (9% of people who use cannabis become addicted (2015)), which affects judgment, as well as a whole slew of negative effects on brain chemistry that impairs thinking. The behaviors described are textbook examples. That's a tragedy. Sounds like it might have been a great movie, the kind of movie Hollywood no longer seems capable of making.
The age of the auteur is almost gone. Francis Ford Coppola is among the last of a strange, obsessive, creative breed -- with all the obscene excesses of film-making, the iconic milieu of twentieth century cinema, from Goldrush to Kane to Oz to Godfather, and all the ersatz kings, queens and aristocracy we of our freeholding age so craved. His whalesong is weird and untamed, but so worth the watch, if for nothing else than experiencing the joy of pure audience. I love Kat!
Perhaps Coppola had to get in the mind of a megalomaniac (his set behavior) to make this happen? I can’t wait to see it - at home.
Great review.
"Someday, the filmmaker who launches himself in the direction of the sun might actually touch it—or maybe he’ll inspire other people to try,"
I always thought the fable of Icarus was to teach one to fly but getting too close to the sun if not touching it would lead to a crash landing. For me in the sense of art is that, yes fly Icarus fly but not too close to the sun because you will never survive to tell the tale.
We are living in an age of narcissism, and this might be as you have described it the greatest narcissistic movie ever made and that says a lot because there are plenty that top the list. Art can be daring but ultimately the greatest works have something to say to the public, the common man, not just the author!
You make a fair point about narcissism, but I will accept some and allow for the indulgences of those who have flown closer to the sun than most without falling - the alternative seems to be Spiderman 10 or a remake of an average movie from the 80's or the movie version of a TV show. BTWs, anyone notice AppleTV doing the series from a movie thing (Presumed Innocent, Time Bandits)?
I have an AMC A-list subscription; I can see it in IMAX and not feel ripped off if it's not for me or gives me a migraine. (A-list lets me to stumble into movies that are unlikely, but otherwise great, like 'Kneecap.')