tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post8431758633303425060..comments2024-03-27T10:27:59.266-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: CULT MOVIE REVIEW: Gamer (2009)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-83925356668051893582011-10-30T06:34:47.180-04:002011-10-30T06:34:47.180-04:00Such a clear cut analysis of the film. Using this ...Such a clear cut analysis of the film. Using this text for my HSC based on the evolution of technology and the ramifications it has on the human psyche. Couldn't have been better put. This review highlights the moral degradation of 'society' in the face of unchecked progress. Would definately be recommending this article to next years batch of Extension English students.Garlonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-22347199576389203202010-04-16T08:33:36.103-04:002010-04-16T08:33:36.103-04:00Hi Indiephantom:
Thanks for the comment!
I'm...Hi Indiephantom:<br /><br />Thanks for the comment!<br /><br />I'm glad to encounter another reviewer and viewer who appreciates the interesting aspects of Gamer...and they are many, really. <br /><br />I agree with you that the movie's true powera arises from its depiction of the, -- as you said -- "grossly exploitative communites" of "Society" and "Slayers." I would have liked a movie just exploring this universe, this world. If movies are becoming more experiential and less narrative-driven (and I believe they are), just a tour through this world would have been fascinating; perhaps a series of short vignettes, instead of a traditional hero-defeats-bad-guy narrative.<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-15101513595664415782010-04-16T03:22:02.845-04:002010-04-16T03:22:02.845-04:00This was one of those filmgoing experiences where ...This was one of those filmgoing experiences where I ended up being the only person in the theatre during the matinee slot I saw it in (happened for me with PANDORUM last year, too). I have been a total sucker for the Neveldine/Taylor stuff and this might be my favorite. Yet, I do recognize its shortcomings. I found the actual "gameplay" to be pretty tedious. Its the grossly exploitative communities that I find fascinating here. Would love to have just observed the diegetic world a bit more on the whole. I felt the same way about SURROGATES and the recent futuristic vampire film DAYBREAKERS. The conventional narratives can seriously limit the fun. But the eye candy mixed with the aggressive style here was enough to keep me happy. The film hits cable here in Canada this weekend and I'm looking forward to watching it again. Always happy to hear something positive about a film that I felt somewhat alone in liking...but I certainly don't mind those occasions when I get to see movies by myself on the big screen!!Indiephantomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01706177538219702080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-10319442725247413752010-04-12T09:29:01.657-04:002010-04-12T09:29:01.657-04:00Word Warrior:
Thanks for following! And I don...Word Warrior:<br /><br />Thanks for following! And I don't disagree with you. The movie features many, many disturbing visuals and concepts, but the execution of the narrative is just not up to snuff. I know it's supposed to be more "experiential," mimicking the form of the interactive video game, but I still would have liked the narrative to match the blazing imagery.<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-5274749323521203212010-04-12T00:41:14.600-04:002010-04-12T00:41:14.600-04:00This movie pulled way too many punchesThis movie pulled way too many punchesCadencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10602414007634556175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-79461280498348873392010-04-11T14:29:18.222-04:002010-04-11T14:29:18.222-04:00Woodchuckgod:
You're right to bring up the si...Woodchuckgod:<br /><br />You're right to bring up the similarities here to Demolition Man -- that one escaped my radar, but after your comment...yep, the similarities are numerous.<br /><br />Gamer definitely has some major problems, be assured, but the world it sets up is powerful, dark and bleak. The film is brimming with ideas that have currency today; it's just in the execution of the ideas (particularly in the third act...) that it falls down.<br /><br />It might be rewarding to watch Surrogates (which also has its flaws) and Gamer back-to-back, or night-to-night, to immerse yourself in the year of the "avatar," and see how different filmmakers reckon with some identical themes (and even some identical characters).<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-37535727830959755842010-04-11T14:18:10.227-04:002010-04-11T14:18:10.227-04:00Once again, I'm now intrigued. My time being w...Once again, I'm now intrigued. My time being what it is, I don't get out to many films and I opted not to make this one of them based on some lackluster trailers.<br /><br />Knowing more - I think I now owe myself a viewing. Thank you.<br /><br />As I was reading, by the by, I found myself noting parallels also to <b>Demolition Man</b>. The reforming savior of the prison system being the chief villain of the piece, a society laced with high levels of control, and a resistance movement underneath it all. It was certainly cartoony as well, though I've always felt it played that card frequently and on purpose.<br /><br />Definitely going to have to catch <b>Gamer</b> & <b>Surrogates</b> as well. I'll be curious to see their take on it firsthand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com