Natural Born Killers: love or hate?

[Heart_Collector]

I loved the dialog, the acting, the message, and the surrealist presentation; a visual interpretation of how the main characters' minds worked. One of the only things I liked Woody Harrelson in, Tommy Lee Jones was an awesome scumbag, and Robert Downey Jr. gave a great performance. It's ultra violent, but therein lies the message.

[aygie]

I do love NBK and what Oliver Stone did with it but i still would have loved to see the Tarintino version.....

[Blaumann]

I am strangely indifferent about this movie. Can't even remember if i ever saw it start to finish.

I'll be getting the Blu for sure, as seeing these kind of movies on blu i only have a f'ed up memory about, is like a second chance for that film. Afterwards i can say, if i either love or hate it. As it features Juliette Lewis, i am inclined to love it. heh heh.

[Grubert]

The review has just been posted and I think we can put that in the 'hate' category:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movie...17&show=review

Reading Oliver Stone's Director's Notes, it becomes clear just how confused and reactive the director is in his observations about society. Stone has simultaneously identified what he perceives to be a problem and become a major part of the problem. He has hit upon an anti-establishment message but in a way that clinches the large role he plays in the establishment (albeit the establishment of Hollywood). Stone writes, "Cops, wardens, prisons, reporters--they all must sense they have become part of a vast and bizarre web of cruel, totalitarian punishment." Excuse me, Mr. Stone, but why have you omitted irresponsible filmmakers like yourself from that list? And the idea is bullocks, regardless. Reading the notes, it becomes clear that Stone's contention (and the message of the film) boils down to the idea that it isn't really the criminal's fault s/he has committed murder. Authoritarian forces in society are forcing murderers to murder just to gain a few moments of fame. I find this idea objectionable because it essentially absolves the criminal of responsibility for his/her crime and makes the very people who try to fight or report crime responsible for violence. I know what Stone would say about that, but I wouldn't belabor the issue with him. Instead, I'd point to so many of his films that have glorified or normalized violence in media--and made him a fortune in the process--and ask him why, after he identified what he perceives to be a problem, did he choose to become such a big part of it.

[Jimbo976]

This Blu-ray and the movie itself are much better than what that reviewer posted.

[Monkey]

Absolutely hated it. Though I still remember the one dialog from that nasty chick to Woody. "You wannna F some other women now, etc etc." LOL.. Other than that it was pure crap.

[Riff Magnum]

Love it.

[hc666]

It was ok. I'm actually in the middle of this one. I would give it anything between 2 and 3 out of 5.

Had it's moments.

[Pondosinatra]

Loved it! Truly a classic.

[Riff Magnum]

Love it as well.
It's heavy handed and satirical, but the style is enough for me.

[J.Cornelius]

Did not care for it at all, only good thing about this movie is that Jane's Addiction is on the soundtrack.

[hc666]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

Did not care for it at all, only good thing about this movie is that Jane's Addiction is on the soundtrack.

Yes the soundtrack was awesome... it got me into Leanard Cohen!!! Waiting for the Miracle mofos lol

[Variable]

I was honestly shocked at that review, it's as far off base as I've ever felt anything on this site was. It felt like a review from someone who never even really got past the violence in the movie which makes it ultimately useless.

[Gremal]

I actually enjoy violence in movies, if it serves some purpose in telling a worthy story, e.g. Sopranos or Black Hawk Down. Stone's handling of the violence and his message of NBK was what I didn't like, as I said in the review.

Rumor has it that Tarantino and Stone came to blows over Stone's handling/changing of Tarantino's script. The film was initially not about media's role/culpability in violent crime but Stone CHOSE to make it into that. The other points are made in the review.

Anyhow, I gave low ratings to other films like Black Book and Apacolypto, which have many serious fans. You're always welcome to disagree with me.

[Variable]

Originally Posted by Gremal

I actually enjoy violence in movies, if it serves some purpose in telling a worthy story, e.g. Sopranos or Black Hawk Down. Stone's handling of the violence and his message of NBK was what I didn't like, as I said in the review.

Rumor has it that Tarantino and Stone came to blows over Stone's handling/changing of Tarantino's script. The film was initially not about media's role/culpability in violent crime but Stone CHOSE to make it into that. The other points are made in the review.

Anyhow, I gave low ratings to other films like Black Book and Apacolypto, which have many serious fans. You're always welcome to disagree with me.

great to see you comment.

I had heard the same about Tarantino and Stone, and while you can still find some clear Tarantino influence on the story it's obviously not what he had in mind.

I just don't see how you would say the violence in NBK doesn't serve a purpose.

I, of course, feel that everyone is entitled to an opinion and at least you back your up, and well. Some things about it just surprised me.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by hc666

Yes the soundtrack was awesome... it got me into Leanard Cohen!!! Waiting for the Miracle mofos lol

Definitely one of the best movie soundtracks of all time. It gave me my first exposure to two acts that I love today...the Cowboy Junkies and Leonard Cohen.

The movie itself is a masterpiece of modern cinema. Stone directed this movie in true virtuoso form.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by Variable

I just don't see how you would say the violence in NBK doesn't serve a purpose.

I said, "I actually enjoy violence in movies, if it serves some purpose in telling a worthy story." We all have different opinions of what constitutes "worthy". There is no doubt that violence is sensationalized by the media. I get it. I didn't need Stone to telegraph it like that, but if some folks see it and think "brilliant", that's their take.

[Show spoiler]I'd have a bit more respect for the guy if instead of a newsman joining M&M and being killed at the end, he'd have a director like himself. If he showed a director basing a movie on the duo in the way he showed Robert Downey, Jr. base his shows on the duo, maybe the satire would have worked for me. Of course, HE IS THAT DIRECTOR IN REAL LIFE and he can't admit it.

He needs to at least acknowledge on some level that his films are part of the media that he is demonizing. Instead he adopts the "ivory tower" approach, which is hypocritical and unjustifiable.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Gremal

He needs to at least acknowledge on some level that his films are part of the media that he is demonizing. Instead he adopts the "ivory tower" approach, which is hypocritical and unjustifiable.

That's a great point.

[Rothwilder Blu]

Loved it

[Variable]

Originally Posted by Grubert

That's a great point.

how could he acknowledge this, though? isn't such a statement inherent in the fact that he released the movie?