Bambouche throwing up joy division lyrics in the beef thread reminded me of this. and i'm not sure why this exists, but figure some would appreciate. it's well executed at least i want to see Control. has anyone seen it?
Bambouche throwing up joy division lyrics in the beef thread reminded me of this. and i'm not sure why this exists, but figure some would appreciate. it's well executed at least
i want to see Control. has anyone seen it?
good looking. I havent seen control but i heard its a real good bio on ian curtis. 24 hour party people only briefly focuses on Ian so its good to see that they made a proper bio for dude. I own the book that it was based on, Touching From a Distance, but never got around to reading it yet.
I saw Control a few days back. Honestly, I was disappointed. The film looks cool, and the actors do an amazing job looking and sounding like Joy Division. That said, the film has very little depth and as far as storytelling goes suffers from the same faults as 98% of all biopics -- episodic structure, by-the-numbers chronology, charicature instead of character development, etc.
I felt very little of the anguish and confusion that Ian Curtis presumably felt, and the other band members barely register as characters, let alone as major contributors to this seminal music.
Interesting, the film largely portrays Curtis as a guy who lived a rather mundane life yet created some exceptional music along the way. I found that perspective interesting, but then the film tries to have its cake and eat it too -- he's just an average dude, but then he's also tragic and glamorous and mysterious... that aspect just didn't add up.
Still worth seeing, but for a current film with a tangentially related subject matter, I much preferred This Is England. That one really captured the look and feel of an early 80s Mike Leigh or Stephen Frears film.
maybe i'll love it now that my expectations are low.
don't get me wrong, it's a decent movie with a few exceptional qualities (cinematography, the "band"'s performances)... people had just overhyped it a bit, and also I'd specifically been told that the story unfolds in a more subtle manner than the usual biopic, which isn't true.
I'm looking forward to seeing this early next week. I'm on vacation, and was psyched to see the Joy Division film as one of my daytrip options.
Joy Division are on some serious GOAT status to me. From the day I painted my bedroom walls black (my Mom was in tears) back in 1986 right up until yesterday, Unknown Pleasures has been in heavy rotation for me.
One great thing about JD/NO is that they were very high-profile for such a small band in such a remote scene ... point being, there are tons of youtube videos and live recordings for the faithful.
I saw Control a few days back. Honestly, I was disappointed. The film looks cool, and the actors do an amazing job looking and sounding like Joy Division. That said, the film has very little depth and as far as storytelling goes suffers from the same faults as 98% of all biopics -- episodic structure, by-the-numbers chronology, charicature instead of character development, etc.
I felt very little of the anguish and confusion that Ian Curtis presumably felt, and the other band members barely register as characters, let alone as major contributors to this seminal music.
Interesting, the film largely portrays Curtis as a guy who lived a rather mundane life yet created some exceptional music along the way. I found that perspective interesting, but then the film tries to have its cake and eat it too -- he's just an average dude, but then he's also tragic and glamorous and mysterious... that aspect just didn't add up.
Still worth seeing, but for a current film with a tangentially related subject matter, I much preferred This Is England. That one really captured the look and feel of an early 80s Mike Leigh or Stephen Frears film.
I agree with some of your points but I really liked this movie. Remember, it's not about the band it's about him. And it took a much more distant, fly on the wall, approach. So you weren't really able to get inside his head as much as I would like but overal I liked the approach.
I agree with some of your points but I really liked this movie. Remember, it's not about the band it's about him. And it took a much more distant, fly on the wall, approach. So you weren't really able to get inside his head as much as I would like but overal I liked the approach.
I hear you... but even though it's his story, not theirs, I would have found his story more compelling if they made the band members more present and nuanced. The film made the point that Curtis was very emotionally distanced from everyone in his life -- wife, girlfriend, parents, child, bandmates -- but that point would have been felt more deeply IMO if more of those characters had been portrayed with more complexity.
It also made the writing and recording of their music seem effortless, and only the live performances fraught with tension and difficulty. I'm guessing that wasn't the case...
I agree with some of your points but I really liked this movie. Remember, it's not about the band it's about him. And it took a much more distant, fly on the wall, approach. So you weren't really able to get inside his head as much as I would like but overal I liked the approach.
I hear you... but even though it's his story, not theirs, I would have found his story more compelling if they made the band members more present and nuanced. The film made the point that Curtis was very emotionally distanced from everyone in his life -- wife, girlfriend, parents, child, bandmates -- but that point would have been felt more deeply IMO if more of those characters had been portrayed with more complexity.
It also made the writing and recording of their music seem effortless, and only the live performances fraught with tension and difficulty. I'm guessing that wasn't the case...
Yeah, definitely.
It's worth saying tho that I pretty much dragged my girlfriend to see this (she's not really deep into music beyond Timberlake/Al Green) but she really liked it, to the point of looking JD stuff up on the internet for hours after we got home. So it seems to have some kind of universal appeal, not just for JD fans.
Bambouche throwing up joy division lyrics in the beef thread reminded me of this. and i'm not sure why this exists, but figure some would appreciate. it's well executed at least
I have no desire to see this movie. Ian's widow endured a lifetime's worth of guilt and loss and grief and hatred, and the complexities that are no doubt abundant in that relationship I'm sure will be lost on this film. Plus, I'm "lucky," if I want to dwell on suicide all I need to do is call a friend.
I have no desire to see this movie. Ian's widow endured a lifetime's worth of guilt and loss and grief and hatred, and the complexities that are no doubt abundant in that relationship I'm sure will be lost on this film. Plus, I'm "lucky," if I want to dwell on suicide all I need to do is call a friend.
actually his widow is a co-producer and wrote the book on which its based (though i guess you knew that), i didnt get an reductive vibe at all, in fact i felt all kinds of subtlety, despite the reserved fly on the wall treatment. I thought it was an excellent film, compelling and beautifully shot.
I saw Control a few days back. Honestly, I was disappointed. The film looks cool, and the actors do an amazing job looking and sounding like Joy Division. That said, the film has very little depth and as far as storytelling goes suffers from the same faults as 98% of all biopics -- episodic structure, by-the-numbers chronology, charicature instead of character development, etc.
I felt very little of the anguish and confusion that Ian Curtis presumably felt, and the other band members barely register as characters, let alone as major contributors to this seminal music.
Interesting, the film largely portrays Curtis as a guy who lived a rather mundane life yet created some exceptional music along the way. I found that perspective interesting, but then the film tries to have its cake and eat it too -- he's just an average dude, but then he's also tragic and glamorous and mysterious... that aspect just didn't add up.
Still worth seeing, but for a current film with a tangentially related subject matter, I much preferred This Is England. That one really captured the look and feel of an early 80s Mike Leigh or Stephen Frears film.
I agree with some of your points but I really liked this movie. Remember, it's not about the band it's about him. And it took a much more distant, fly on the wall, approach. So you weren't really able to get inside his head as much as I would like but overal I liked the approach.
Ditto. It's flawed but I enjoyed the movie and Sam Riley as Curtis was truly great.
DocMcCoy"Go and laugh in your own country!" 5,917 Posts
DocMcCoy"Go and laugh in your own country!" 5,917 Posts
This Is England.
I could imagine that something like this mightn't travel well, but I think it's a great film. Same director did this, which I think is the best British film in years.
I saw Control a few days back. Honestly, I was disappointed. The film looks cool, and the actors do an amazing job looking and sounding like Joy Division. That said, the film has very little depth and as far as storytelling goes suffers from the same faults as 98% of all biopics -- episodic structure, by-the-numbers chronology, charicature instead of character development, etc.
I felt very little of the anguish and confusion that Ian Curtis presumably felt, and the other band members barely register as characters, let alone as major contributors to this seminal music.
Interesting, the film largely portrays Curtis as a guy who lived a rather mundane life yet created some exceptional music along the way. I found that perspective interesting, but then the film tries to have its cake and eat it too -- he's just an average dude, but then he's also tragic and glamorous and mysterious... that aspect just didn't add up.
Still worth seeing, but for a current film with a tangentially related subject matter, I much preferred This Is England. That one really captured the look and feel of an early 80s Mike Leigh or Stephen Frears film.
^^^I agree, saw it last night and wondered where the magic went. Def a must see for fans of the music though. What's up with that crazy Bob Dylan movie???
I saw Control a few days back. Honestly, I was disappointed. The film looks cool, and the actors do an amazing job looking and sounding like Joy Division. That said, the film has very little depth and as far as storytelling goes suffers from the same faults as 98% of all biopics -- episodic structure, by-the-numbers chronology, charicature instead of character development, etc.
I felt very little of the anguish and confusion that Ian Curtis presumably felt, and the other band members barely register as characters, let alone as major contributors to this seminal music.
Interesting, the film largely portrays Curtis as a guy who lived a rather mundane life yet created some exceptional music along the way. I found that perspective interesting, but then the film tries to have its cake and eat it too -- he's just an average dude, but then he's also tragic and glamorous and mysterious... that aspect just didn't add up.
Still worth seeing, but for a current film with a tangentially related subject matter, I much preferred This Is England. That one really captured the look and feel of an early 80s Mike Leigh or Stephen Frears film.
^^^I agree, saw it last night and wondered where the magic went. Def a must see for fans of the music though. What's up with that crazy Bob Dylan movie???
I saw it and posted some (rant-related) thoughts here:
I saw this last week, and thought it was fantastic. Certainly Sam Riley's performance was phenomenal no matter what, but I also felt watching the film that if you aren't a fan of Joy Division, it may seem dull and pointless to you. A great film for fans of the band/Manchester scene, but maybe irrelevant to anyone else. For this reason, I had problems recommending it to anyone except my fellow JD fans, although some film buffs could appreciate it for the gorgeous photography alone.
Comments
good looking. I havent seen control but i heard its a real good bio on ian curtis. 24 hour party people only briefly focuses on Ian so its good to see that they made a proper bio for dude. I own the book that it was based on, Touching From a Distance, but never got around to reading it yet.
I felt very little of the anguish and confusion that Ian Curtis presumably felt, and the other band members barely register as characters, let alone as major contributors to this seminal music.
Interesting, the film largely portrays Curtis as a guy who lived a rather mundane life yet created some exceptional music along the way. I found that perspective interesting, but then the film tries to have its cake and eat it too -- he's just an average dude, but then he's also tragic and glamorous and mysterious... that aspect just didn't add up.
Still worth seeing, but for a current film with a tangentially related subject matter, I much preferred This Is England. That one really captured the look and feel of an early 80s Mike Leigh or Stephen Frears film.
maybe i'll love it now that my expectations are low.
i don't know how to ask this, but is that a monkey with a mic wearing all over print in your avatar? because that is what i see. am i crazy
don't get me wrong, it's a decent movie with a few exceptional qualities (cinematography, the "band"'s performances)... people had just overhyped it a bit, and also I'd specifically been told that the story unfolds in a more subtle manner than the usual biopic, which isn't true.
I'm on vacation, and was psyched to see the Joy Division
film as one of my daytrip options.
Joy Division are on some serious GOAT status to me.
From the day I painted my bedroom walls black (my Mom
was in tears) back in 1986 right up until yesterday,
Unknown Pleasures has been in heavy rotation for me.
One great thing about JD/NO is that they were very high-profile
for such a small band in such a remote scene ... point being, there
are tons of youtube videos and live recordings for the faithful.
I agree with some of your points but I really liked this movie. Remember, it's not about the band it's about him. And it took a much more distant, fly on the wall, approach. So you weren't really able to get inside his head as much as I would like but overal I liked the approach.
I hear you... but even though it's his story, not theirs, I would have found his story more compelling if they made the band members more present and nuanced. The film made the point that Curtis was very emotionally distanced from everyone in his life -- wife, girlfriend, parents, child, bandmates -- but that point would have been felt more deeply IMO if more of those characters had been portrayed with more complexity.
It also made the writing and recording of their music seem effortless, and only the live performances fraught with tension and difficulty. I'm guessing that wasn't the case...
Yeah, definitely.
It's worth saying tho that I pretty much dragged my girlfriend to see this (she's not really deep into music beyond Timberlake/Al Green) but she really liked it, to the point of looking JD stuff up on the internet for hours after we got home. So it seems to have some kind of universal appeal, not just for JD fans.
Me. Everything from Movement to Low Life at least, with the
"Everything's Gone Green" EP being my favorite.
If you like that, check this out:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ovvcrv3I-PA
wtf?!
I have no desire to see this movie. Ian's widow endured a lifetime's worth of guilt and loss and grief and hatred, and the complexities that are no doubt abundant in that relationship I'm sure will be lost on this film. Plus, I'm "lucky," if I want to dwell on suicide all I need to do is call a friend.
actually his widow is a co-producer and wrote the book on which its based (though i guess you knew that), i didnt get an reductive vibe at all, in fact i felt all kinds of subtlety, despite the reserved fly on the wall treatment. I thought it was an excellent film, compelling and beautifully shot.
Ditto. It's flawed but I enjoyed the movie and Sam Riley as Curtis was truly great.
Yeah, I saw it early last month. I likeded it.
not a mic...lollipop.
thanks for everyone's input...i'm excited to see the film!
what didn't you like about it?
I could imagine that something like this mightn't travel well, but I think it's a great film. Same director did this, which I think is the best British film in years.
i really enjoyed the flick too! visually it was beautiful...it was so stark and desolate. it really made me feel curtis' isolation.
i enjoyed the jokes about the buzzcocks and the fall.
tragic. sigh.
^^^I agree, saw it last night and wondered where the magic went. Def a must see for fans of the music though. What's up with that crazy Bob Dylan movie???
I saw it and posted some (rant-related) thoughts here:
http://www.soulstrut.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=990678&an=0&page=3#Post990678
In summary:
Control is definitely a class act by comparison.
Sam Riley's performance was phenomenal no matter what, but I
also felt watching the film that if you aren't a fan of Joy
Division, it may seem dull and pointless to you. A great film
for fans of the band/Manchester scene, but maybe irrelevant to
anyone else. For this reason, I had problems recommending it to
anyone except my fellow JD fans, although some film buffs could
appreciate it for the gorgeous photography alone.