Darren Aronofsky

[Diesel]

Here's his latest project:

Jennifer Lopez - I've Got The Music In Me Kohl's Commercial . - YouTube

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by X12Celtics3

Didn't work out so well with The Fountain...

He knew exactly what he wanted out of his film and he got it. It was perfect for those of us who appreciate art.

Remember, with Aronovsky it isn't about making money. It's about making a film worthy of watching. In many eyes (not those of reviewers) it is still quite an amazing piece of cinema.

I love The Fountain.

[X12Celtics3]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Well, he's right. Critically and revenue wise, The Fountain didnt perform very well. Thats true. However, thats only beacuse there are too many people who are not sufficiently evolved to understand that The Fountain is the best film ever made.

Jackman was phenomenal in it.

I didn't particularly care for The Fountain... its certainly not my favorite Aronofsky film. The film was a visual treat in every way, simply one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, but the plot simply seemed like a bit of a mess from what I remember. The scenes that were meant to be emotional simply felt hollow to me, and the movie seemed a bit too wide-reaching and ambitious for its own good as a story. I certainly think it was a good movie at all, but it didn't feel like it lived up to what Aronofsky had intended as a story despite its amazing visual spectacle.

I did, however, only view it once... and that was several years ago now. I've also yet to see Requiem for a Dream, so maybe eventually I'll go through his whole filmography and possibly gain a greater appreciation of The Fountain.

Anyway, I do like most other things I've seen by him. Black Swan was an incredible experience, The Wrestler was a good movie, and Pi is an incredibly unique film that I'd like to watch again if I find myself in the mood for it (I recall it being a very paranoid, almost stressful film... in a good way).

Edit:

It was perfect for those of us who appreciate art.

I absolutely hate it when people do this. Taste is entirely subjective, so saying that I'm incapable of appreciating art simply because I do not consider The Fountain to be a great film is ridiculous. A lot of posters here seem to believe that the world is divided into two classes of people: those who watch mindless action films like Transformers and those who are refined and advanced to enough that their taste is superior to everybody else's.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by X12Celtics3

I absolutely hate it when people do this. Taste is entirely subjective, so saying that I'm incapable of appreciating art simply because I do not consider The Fountain to be a great film is ridiculous. A lot of posters here seem to believe that the world is divided into two classes of people: those who watch mindless action films like Transformers and those who are refined and advanced to enough that their taste is superior to everybody else's.

Sorry. I should have been more specific with that statement. I admit that it isn't a perfect film. However it was a perfect experience for those who appreciate artistic endeavours. The film creates A LOT of ideas to think about and discuss. Through plot points, visual concepts, metaphor, colour, symmetry, and almost all production design elements, it really does offer a plethora of unending material to delve into in further detail.

Of course it is all subjective. And that's what makes a film like The Fountain so great as art. It forces objectivity. It is what it is and doesn't try to be something definitive. If I want a great artistc film experience, I'd watch The Fountain a thousand times again before touching any Transformers film... and I love that franchise passionately as well.

[DesertFoxGoggles]

I'm never terribly excited when I hear he has new stuff coming out, I'm not a complete hater of him, I just find him overrated. I mean, I hate to put a downer on the thread, but...
I can't stand how so many people seem to kiss this guy's ass and believe that every one of his films are the epitome of art. And then they put down others who dislike his films, by claiming they're morons who "just don't understand such representational, deep, meaningful films!" I like his films, but that's as far as it goes. Otherwise, I find him really pretentious. I'm so glad he decided not to do Robocop.
Oh, and don't tell me to go watch Transformers.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by DesertFoxGoggles

I'm never terribly excited when I hear he has new stuff coming out, I'm not a complete hater of him, I just find him overrated. I mean, I hate to put a downer on the thread, but...
I can't stand how so many people seem to kiss this guy's ass and believe that every one of his films are the epitome of art. And then they put down others who dislike his films, by claiming they're morons who "just don't understand such representational, deep, meaningful films!" I like his films, but that's as far as it goes. Otherwise, I find him really pretentious. I'm so glad he decided not to do Robocop.
Oh, and don't tell me to go watch Transformers.

Ok. We won't.

[Show spoiler]Go watch 300 or The Dark Knight or Clash Of The Titans or Crank or Die Hard or I Robot or Independence Day or Mr & Mrs Smith or Mission Impossible or Rambo or Sucker Punch or The Terminator or X-Men.... and the list goes on.

[VoodooSamurai]

Originally Posted by DesertFoxGoggles

I'm never terribly excited when I hear he has new stuff coming out, I'm not a complete hater of him, I just find him overrated. I mean, I hate to put a downer on the thread, but...
I can't stand how so many people seem to kiss this guy's ass and believe that every one of his films are the epitome of art. And then they put down others who dislike his films, by claiming they're morons who "just don't understand such representational, deep, meaningful films!" I like his films, but that's as far as it goes. Otherwise, I find him really pretentious. I'm so glad he decided not to do Robocop.
Oh, and don't tell me to go watch Transformers.

totally agree. his work is just shallow. it is skin deep. never leaves you with anything to think about afterward. but it pretends to be deep. this is confirmed in every interview with him I've seen. for someone considered an auteur he has nothing to say. like most gen X directors it is all just flashy visuals

[BStecke]

I haven't seen one I didn't really like, but I wasn't as blown away as people seem to be by Requiem for a Dream or The Fountain. I liked Black Swan quite a bit, but my favorite film of his is by far The Wrestler.

[DesertFoxGoggles]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Ok. We won't.

[Show spoiler]Go watch 300 or The Dark Knight or Clash Of The Titans or Crank or Die Hard or I Robot or Independence Day or Mr & Mrs Smith or Mission Impossible or Rambo or Sucker Punch or The Terminator or X-Men.... and the list goes on.

Really?

[Rblu-Dblu]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Ok. We won't.

[Show spoiler]Go watch 300 or The Dark Knight or Clash Of The Titans or Crank or Die Hard or I Robot or Independence Day or Mr & Mrs Smith or Mission Impossible or Rambo or Sucker Punch or The Terminator or X-Men.... and the list goes on.

Hey! I like 300, The Dark Knight, Die Hard, Rambo, Sucker Punch, The Terminator, and X-Men.

I love Black Swan and I liked the Fountain as well. Havent seen the rest of his films. Oh, I did see the Wrestler which I thought was on Ok film.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by VoodooSamurai

totally agree. his work is just shallow. it is skin deep. never leaves you with anything to think about afterward. but it pretends to be deep. this is confirmed in every interview with him I've seen. for someone considered an auteur he has nothing to say. like most gen X directors it is all just flashy visuals

Only the Fountain has flashy visuals. The rest are gritty and very "kitchen sink."

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by X12Celtics3

I didn't particularly care for The Fountain... its certainly not my favorite Aronofsky film. The film was a visual treat in every way, simply one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, but the plot simply seemed like a bit of a mess from what I remember. The scenes that were meant to be emotional simply felt hollow to me, and the movie seemed a bit too wide-reaching and ambitious for its own good as a story. I certainly think it was a good movie at all, but it didn't feel like it lived up to what Aronofsky had intended as a story despite its amazing visual spectacle.

I did, however, only view it once... and that was several years ago now. I've also yet to see Requiem for a Dream, so maybe eventually I'll go through his whole filmography and possibly gain a greater appreciation of The Fountain.

Anyway, I do like most other things I've seen by him. Black Swan was an incredible experience, The Wrestler was a good movie, and Pi is an incredibly unique film that I'd like to watch again if I find myself in the mood for it (I recall it being a very paranoid, almost stressful film... in a good way).

Edit:
I absolutely hate it when people do this. Taste is entirely subjective, so saying that I'm incapable of appreciating art simply because I do not consider The Fountain to be a great film is ridiculous. A lot of posters here seem to believe that the world is divided into two classes of people: those who watch mindless action films like Transformers and those who are refined and advanced to enough that their taste is superior to everybody else's.

Procrastinate no longer regarding Requiem. It's got a punch.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Ok. We won't.

[Show spoiler]Go watch 300 or The Dark Knight or Clash Of The Titans or Crank or Die Hard or I Robot or Independence Day or Mr & Mrs Smith or Mission Impossible or Rambo or Sucker Punch or The Terminator or X-Men.... and the list goes on.

I like a bunch of those films in your spoiler. Especially

[Show spoiler]Sucker Punch

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DesertFoxGoggles

I'm never terribly excited when I hear he has new stuff coming out, I'm not a complete hater of him, I just find him overrated. I mean, I hate to put a downer on the thread, but...
I can't stand how so many people seem to kiss this guy's ass and believe that every one of his films are the epitome of art. And then they put down others who dislike his films, by claiming they're morons who "just don't understand such representational, deep, meaningful films!" I like his films, but that's as far as it goes. Otherwise, I find him really pretentious. I'm so glad he decided not to do Robocop.
Oh, and don't tell me to go watch Transformers.

All opinions are welcome. One thing is certain, his films are not bland and his style is going to push some people away.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by VoodooSamurai

totally agree. his work is just shallow. it is skin deep. never leaves you with anything to think about afterward. but it pretends to be deep. this is confirmed in every interview with him I've seen. for someone considered an auteur he has nothing to say. like most gen X directors it is all just flashy visuals

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by DesertFoxGoggles

I'm never terribly excited when I hear he has new stuff coming out, I'm not a complete hater of him, I just find him overrated. I mean, I hate to put a downer on the thread, but...
I can't stand how so many people seem to kiss this guy's ass and believe that every one of his films are the epitome of art. And then they put down others who dislike his films, by claiming they're morons who "just don't understand such representational, deep, meaningful films!" I like his films, but that's as far as it goes. Otherwise, I find him really pretentious. I'm so glad he decided not to do Robocop.
Oh, and don't tell me to go watch Transformers.

How is saying that people who like his movies are kissing his ass any different? And the word "pretentious" must be the most overused word for any non-mainstream movie ever made.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by DesertFoxGoggles

Really?

You didn't want us telling you to go watch a specific "mindless action" film because you were dissing the more sophisticated works of Aronofsky. So, I gave you a more general list from which to take your pick.

Originally Posted by Rblu-Dblu

Hey! I like 300, The Dark Knight, Die Hard, Rambo, Sucker Punch, The Terminator, and X-Men.

I love Black Swan and I liked the Fountain as well. Havent seen the rest of his films. Oh, I did see the Wrestler which I thought was on Ok film.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I like a bunch of those films in your spoiler. Especially

[Show spoiler]Sucker Punch

Easy there you two. You'll notice that each and everytitle I listed there is in my collection. Just because I was referring to them as mindless action films, that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy the sh!t out of them.

[DesertFoxGoggles]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

You didn't want us telling you to go watch a specific "mindless action" film because you were dissing the more sophisticated works of Aronofsky. So, I gave you a more general list from which to take your pick.

His films are about as sophisticated as the Uncharted series...oh wait...Awkward. But seriously, I found Black Swan to be rather mindless itself. I mean, all of the good techniques used in that film were stolen from Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue, and don't even get me started on that constant unnecessary use of 'shaky cam.' Oh wait, sorry it 'reprents her feelings and lack of stability.' Oh and then there's the lesbian scene, too, don't get me wrong I'm all for a bit of love action - but what purpose did that serve in the film other than to make it 'dark and edgy?' I thought it was clear she had the hots for Lily, plus it's dropped straight after that happens.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by DesertFoxGoggles

His films are about as sophisticated as the Uncharted series...oh wait...Awkward. But seriously, I found Black Swan to be rather mindless itself. I mean, all of the good techniques used in that film were stolen from Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue, and don't even get me started on that constant unnecessary use of 'shaky cam.' Oh wait, sorry it 'reprents her feelings and lack of stability.' Oh and then there's the lesbian scene, too, don't get me wrong I'm all for a bit of love action - but what purpose did that serve in the film other than to make it 'dark and edgy?' I thought it was clear she had the hots for Lily, plus it's dropped straight after that happens.

Well, this shows clearly that you have no sense of metaphorical significance. That scene is a crucial aspect of understanding exactly how Portman's deeper desires are willing to welcome the change once her inhibitions are loosened (alcohol). That scene is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to the story... AND, the scene actually has NOTHING to do with sex or sexual desire or sexual attraction.

P.S. Uncharted is by and large more sophisticated than Tomb Raider.

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by DesertFoxGoggles

His films are about as sophisticated as the Uncharted series...oh wait...Awkward. But seriously, I found Black Swan to be rather mindless itself. I mean, all of the good techniques used in that film were stolen from Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue, and don't even get me started on that constant unnecessary use of 'shaky cam.' Oh wait, sorry it 'reprents her feelings and lack of stability.' Oh and then there's the lesbian scene, too, don't get me wrong I'm all for a bit of love action - but what purpose did that serve in the film other than to make it 'dark and edgy?' I thought it was clear she had the hots for Lily, plus it's dropped straight after that happens.

Black Swan is about a girl becoming a woman. How can sex not be a part of that?