An Education, somebody educate Me on Why This is the Year's Best

[Idioteque...]

Seriously nothing against the movie, entertaining but it wasn't even that good or amazing. I liked it better when it was called The Thumbsucker.

Ignoring the performances most of the characters here are just hateable especially our protagonist. She's just so naive and pretentious. Sure I get the whole wanting to adventure stuff but her parents are so acceptive of the guy. Do they not realize the age difference? And don't get me started on how predictable it was. I was more shocked at the end because they wanted me to accept the reveal as a shocker. I knew how it would end from the beginning I thought it would be different since it's supposed to be one of the year's best.

I think Olivia Williams' character was probably the most likable but I always remember her for her greatness in Rushmore so that plays an effect there.

And the last 15 minutes just feel so rushed. I really expected more from this film and anything this film said has been said numerous times and the plot similarities were so similar to the superior Thumbsucker. That didn't get a best picture nod but this did? Over movies like The Road and Moon and 500 Days of Summer?

Surely I must be missing out on something. I was very disappointed with this movie.

[Idioteque...]

45 views and no replies? Just wow.

[SquidPuppet]

Maybe we dont have an answer either.

[Jeremy1983]

I though it was a quite charming coming-of-age story with great performances combined with a uniquely interesting 1960's period setting in Europe. It was very enjoyable, but nothing oscar-worthy other than a much-earned nomination for Carey Mulligan's performance.

[jjbsn5192]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

Seriously nothing against the movie, entertaining but it wasn't even that good or amazing. I liked it better when it was called The Thumbsucker.

Ignoring the performances most of the characters here are just hateable especially our protagonist. She's just so naive and pretentious. Sure I get the whole wanting to adventure stuff but her parents are so acceptive of the guy. Do they not realize the age difference? And don't get me started on how predictable it was. I was more shocked at the end because they wanted me to accept the reveal as a shocker. I knew how it would end from the beginning I thought it would be different since it's supposed to be one of the year's best.

I think Olivia Williams' character was probably the most likable but I always remember her for her greatness in Rushmore so that plays an effect there.

And the last 15 minutes just feel so rushed. I really expected more from this film and anything this film said has been said numerous times and the plot similarities were so similar to the superior Thumbsucker. That didn't get a best picture nod but this did? Over movies like The Road and Moon and 500 Days of Summer?

Surely I must be missing out on something. I was very disappointed with this movie.

i havent seen the film.. but ive been wanting to watch Moon
and The Road, they both look very good!

[J. J. Hunsecker]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

I though it was a quite charming coming-of-age story with great performances combined with a uniquely interesting 1960's period setting in Europe. It was very enjoyable, but nothing oscar-worthy other than a much-earned nomination for Carey Mulligan's performance.

This sums up pretty much how I felt about the movie, too.

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

Ignoring the performances most of the characters here are just hateable especially our protagonist. She's just so naive and pretentious.

Remember that her father had made her lead a life of strict discipline regarding her school studies, not because she might enjoy the subjects or expand her knowledge, but because her father believes it will get her into a good college. This even includes extracurricular events like learning a musical instrument, again not for the enjoyment of it but for the ulterior motive that it will look good on her college applications. It's no wonder that the character of Jenny is jaded and joyless in the beginning of the story. No wonder she falls for David, since he is fun to be around and shows her all the things she's been missing while studying. He experiences life, while she has only read about it. This is why she is "naive", because all her thoughts on life come from poetry or fiction.

She's not really pretentious, though. She's a little too overconfident because she is the smartest girl in class.

Sure I get the whole wanting to adventure stuff but her parents are so acceptive of the guy. Do they not realize the age difference?

It was a different era. People were expected to get married at a much earlier age (usually just out of high school) than today. Plus an older man marrying a very young girl was not considered unusual back then. (David would have been considered a "good catch" back then, too -- he's charming, sophisticated, and financially secure.) Remember that Jerry Lee Lewis married his thirteen year old cousin in the 50's!!

I think Olivia Williams' character was probably the most likable but I always remember her for her greatness in Rushmore so that plays an effect there.

Well, she's supposed to be likable. She's the voice of reason, as well as experience. Jenny is making a terrible mistake, throwing away her education because she's having fun for the moment. She just doesn't know what it'll lead to, and being young and inexperienced it's easier for her to reject her teacher's advice.

[jhiggy23]

I haven't seen it yet so I can't comment, except this: have you SEEN the Oscar nominees this year? Proof that 10 nominees is an absolute embarassment.

[toef]

I agree with JJ and Jeremy, except as Jhiggy said, it's a pretty weak year, so I'm not surprised this found it's way in.

If The Hurt Locker is the favorite for Best Picture, anything is open to be nominated.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by toefer

If The Hurt Locker is the favorite for Best Picture, anything is open to be nominated.

I can certainly agree with that.

And it obviously gets the Uwe Boll seal of approval.

Logan

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I haven't seen it yet so I can't comment, except this: have you SEEN the Oscar nominees this year? Proof that 10 nominees is an absolute embarassment.

Yeah sadly if anything I feel my top 10 movies are more deserving of an Oscar nomination then their's.

1. Up in the Air
2. Moon
3. 500 Days of Summer
4. Up
5. Fantastic Mr Fox
6. Inglourious Basterds
7. Black Dynamite
8. Where The Wild Things Are
9. The Road
10. The Messenger.

And funny thing is only 3 of my 10 was nominated. Hilarious. And I agree weak year because I've never had 3 children's flicks in my top 10 or more than 2 comedies.

Originally Posted by toefer

I agree with JJ and Jeremy, except as Jhiggy said, it's a pretty weak year, so I'm not surprised this found it's way in.

If The Hurt Locker is the favorite for Best Picture, anything is open to be nominated.

Yes that's true. I don't think ever really get Best Picture right or for the past few years.

Imo I think for 2008 it should have been Ben button, 2007 Jesse James 2006 The Fountain or Blood Diamond and 2005 should have Kingdom of Heaven DC screened.

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

I though it was a quite charming coming-of-age story with great performances combined with a uniquely interesting 1960's period setting in Europe. It was very enjoyable, but nothing oscar-worthy other than a much-earned nomination for Carey Mulligan's performance.

If anything yeah Carey deserves a nomination.

Originally Posted by J. J. Hunsecker

This sums up pretty much how I felt about the movie, too.

Remember that her father had made her lead a life of strict discipline regarding her school studies, not because she might enjoy the subjects or expand her knowledge, but because her father believes it will get her into a good college. This even includes extracurricular events like learning a musical instrument, again not for the enjoyment of it but for the ulterior motive that it will look good on her college applications. It's no wonder that the character of Jenny is jaded and joyless in the beginning of the story. No wonder she falls for David, since he is fun to be around and shows her all the things she's been missing while studying. He experiences life, while she has only read about it. This is why she is "naive", because all her thoughts on life come from poetry or fiction.

She's not really pretentious, though. She's a little too overconfident because she is the smartest girl in class.

It was a different era. People were expected to get married at a much earlier age (usually just out of high school) than today. Plus an older man marrying a very young girl was not considered unusual back then. (David would have been considered a "good catch" back then, too -- he's charming, sophisticated, and financially secure.) Remember that Jerry Lee Lewis married his thirteen year old cousin in the 50's!!


Well, she's supposed to be likable. She's the voice of reason, as well as experience. Jenny is making a terrible mistake, throwing away her education because she's having fun for the moment. She just doesn't know what it'll lead to, and being young and inexperienced it's easier for her to reject her teacher's advice.

Well good points and I understood the whole reason of everything but Jenny still continues to criticize people even when she's wrong. I mean sure your parents are wrong but go yell at your friends. They're also to blame for supporting you. You're stupid and accept it.

Like I said the whole concept and moral of this movie was done by the far superior Thumbsucker with far better characters and writing. And with Thumbsucker I could really identify with that whole high school growing up experience and he had actual issues in life plus a strict father.

Moreover this movie felt like a chick flick if anything which was yawn.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

Yeah sadly if anything I feel my top 10 movies are more deserving of an Oscar nomination then their's.

1. Up in the Air
2. Moon
3. 500 Days of Summer
4. Up
5. Fantastic Mr Fox
6. Inglourious Basterds
7. Black Dynamite
8. Where The Wild Things Are
9. The Road
10. The Messenger.

And funny thing is only 3 of my 10 was nominated. Hilarious. And I agree weak year because I've never had 3 children's flicks in my top 10 or more than 2 comedies.



Yes that's true. I don't think ever really get Best Picture right or for the past few years.

Imo I think for 2008 it should have been Ben button, 2007 Jesse James 2006 The Fountain or Blood Diamond and 2005 should have Kingdom of Heaven DC screened.



If anything yeah Carey deserves a nomination.



Well good points and I understood the whole reason of everything but Jenny still continues to criticize people even when she's wrong. I mean sure your parents are wrong but go yell at your friends. They're also to blame for supporting you. You're stupid and accept it.

Like I said the whole concept and moral of this movie was done by the far superior Thumbsucker with far better characters and writing. And with Thumbsucker I could really identify with that whole high school growing up experience and he had actual issues in life plus a strict father.

Moreover this movie felt like a chick flick if anything which was yawn.

Can't comment on your top 10 because I haven't seen all of them yet, but The Cove and Sin Nombre are by far the best films I've seen from last year as of right now, with Up a distant third. Of course, this will undoubtedly change once I see more but there is no way those three are not in the top 10.

[Fighter]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

Yeah sadly if anything I feel my top 10 movies are more deserving of an Oscar nomination then their's.

1. Up in the Air
2. Moon
3. 500 Days of Summer
4. Up
5. Fantastic Mr Fox
6. Inglourious Basterds
7. Black Dynamite
8. Where The Wild Things Are
9. The Road
10. The Messenger.

And funny thing is only 3 of my 10 was nominated. Hilarious. And I agree weak year because I've never had 3 children's flicks in my top 10 or more than 2 comedies.



Yes that's true. I don't think ever really get Best Picture right or for the past few years.

Imo I think for 2008 it should have been Ben button, 2007 Jesse James 2006 The Fountain or Blood Diamond and 2005 should have Kingdom of Heaven DC screened.



If anything yeah Carey deserves a nomination.



Well good points and I understood the whole reason of everything but Jenny still continues to criticize people even when she's wrong. I mean sure your parents are wrong but go yell at your friends. They're also to blame for supporting you. You're stupid and accept it.

Like I said the whole concept and moral of this movie was done by the far superior Thumbsucker with far better characters and writing. And with Thumbsucker I could really identify with that whole high school growing up experience and he had actual issues in life plus a strict father.

Moreover this movie felt like a chick flick if anything which was yawn.

I would swap District 9 for 500 Days of Summer & Zombieland for Black Dynamite...everything else is solid.

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by Fighter

I would swap District 9 for 500 Days of Summer & Zombieland for Black Dynamite...everything else is solid.

I'm sorry Fighter but 500 Days of Summer is just a bit more realistic and fun to watch than District 9. D9 was good but it just came off a bit nerdy. It's a very simple story and 500 Days of Summer just hits home for me. I had the same thing happen and the soundtrack was fantastic. And I rather look at Zooey for 2 hours rather than some ugly ass alien lol. Besides D9 wasn't that amazing. It was good and entertaining.

As for Zombieland, good movie but way overrated. The first act is very good, then the middle just gets boring. It becomes another road trip movie and then you have the stupid love story added in and the end redeems the movie. Not enough Zombie action. Black Dynamite was pure out clever satire. It wasn't so bad that it was funny, it poked fun at the things we found bad and you find yourself laughing at it and the action sequences were fun. It has all the pros of Zombieland but none of the cons.