Photographer
Stanley L Moore
Posts: 1681
Houston, Texas, US
Noah was a bit different from my Sunday school days. Granted that was 60 years ago but my memory isn't that bad. Got to reread the source book.
Photographer
Gelsen Aripia Images
Posts: 230
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I'm a big Russell Crowe fan, but I have mixed feelings about Darren Aronofsky's work. I hated "The Fountain"--I thought it was boring, pretentious tripe. But, I absolutely loved "The Wrestler", it was wonderful. I might see "Noah" just for Crowe alone. He's been worth the price of admission before, for me. He brings that unique mix of power and pathos.
Photographer
Orca Bay Images
Posts: 33877
Arcata, California, US
Stanley L Moore wrote:
Noah was a bit different from my Sunday school days. Granted that was 60 years ago but my memory isn't that bad. Got to reread the source book. The makers of the Noah movie are playing it coy, saying that the movie is not era-specific. Could be in the Biblical timeline, could be 2,000 years in the future. So if they're playing it that loose with the time-setting, who knows what other details they might be loosey-goosey with?
Photographer
kickfight
Posts: 35054
Portland, Oregon, US
Stanley L Moore wrote:
Noah was a bit different from my Sunday school days. Granted that was 60 years ago but my memory isn't that bad. Got to reread the source book. I'd suggest that ANY adaptation from page to screen will involve some changes by necessity. Jon Stewart recently teased Aronofsky about not doing it as a trilogy, a la LOTR. Darren chuckled and, IIRC, mentioned something about budgets. 
Photographer
udor
Posts: 25255
New York, New York, US
kickfight wrote:
I'd suggest that ANY adaptation from page to screen will involve some changes by necessity. Jon Stewart recently teased Aronofsky about not doing it as a trilogy, a la LOTR. Darren chuckled and, IIRC, mentioned something about budgets. True, it's common that any script based on a book of fiction will get it's rewrite.
No different with the work of fiction that Noah is based on!
LOTR took decades and decades before the technology was so advanced that they could actually do an "as close to original" movie.
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
Eugenya Donald Photo wrote:
I'm a big Russell Crowe fan, but I have mixed feelings about Darren Aronofsky's work. I hated "The Fountain"--I thought it was boring, pretentious tripe. But, I absolutely loved "The Wrestler", it was wonderful. I might see "Noah" just for Crowe alone. He's been worth the price of admission before, for me. He brings that unique mix of power and pathos. I...have never ever met anyone who disliked the Fountain. If you did, one would guess you either; 1. only watched it once or 2. didn't bother to think of the bigger meaning of it.
I can understand how someone wouldn't enjoy Pi, but The Fountain? That is rather odd.
Photographer
Shot By Adam
Posts: 8095
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
As an atheist I think it odd that the adaptation of Noah was so radically different than the biblical message. Assuming that the story of Noah and the ark is true (which I do not believe it to be personally) then why would you have someone make such a massive change to the story? What purpose does it serve unless it's just pure arrogance of the director and writers. From what I understand, the message behind the movie couldn't be more distant from the original story if it were a pixar film about a family building a space ship to go to Jupiter.
Photographer
Click Hamilton
Posts: 36555
San Diego, California, US
Noah 76% of critics liked it. 52% of viewers liked it. Rotten Tomatoes The trailer is pretty empty. Looks like its going to flop. Maybe the people who respect the Bible don't like the movie, and the people who are not religious don't care anyway. That leaves the Russell Crowe fans and the Anthony Hopkins fans who will watch anything that includes those names. I like Anthony Hopkins, but when I watch Russell Crowe in interviews he kills my interest in seeing his movies. Without a role to play the doesn't have much of a personality. LOL at their attempts to use the Pope for traction to launch their movie: http://variety.com/2014/film/news/noah- … 201148643/ "He gave us great seats" in the VIP section (with thousands of others) for his Father's Day sermon.
Photographer
Jay Edwards
Posts: 18616
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
Model Sarah wrote:
I...have never ever met anyone who disliked the Fountain. If you did, one would guess you either; 1. only watched it once or 2. didn't bother to think of the bigger meaning of it.
I can understand how someone wouldn't enjoy Pi, but The Fountain? That is rather odd. 51% of critics liked it.
74% of viewers liked it.
Rotten Tomatoes
Looks like a lot of people didn't like it...so, not odd at all.
Now, Noah seems like a bore -- I'm skipping it.
Photographer
Gelsen Aripia Images
Posts: 230
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Model Sarah wrote:
I...have never ever met anyone who disliked the Fountain. If you did, one would guess you either; 1. only watched it once or 2. didn't bother to think of the bigger meaning of it.
I can understand how someone wouldn't enjoy Pi, but The Fountain? That is rather odd. Yes, I only watched it once (won't be watching it again, as I already think it was 2 hours I can't get back). Yes, I did consider the bigger meaning of it and still think it's stupid, boring, pretentious, utter tripe. Yes, I am an odd woman. I was an odd child, and now I'm an odd woman. Oh well. My kids think I'm funny, so I guess I'm doing alright in at least one area of life.
I'm glad I'm the only person you've heard of who didn't like The Fountain. Stuff like that makes me proud.
Photographer
kickfight
Posts: 35054
Portland, Oregon, US
Model Sarah wrote:
I can understand how someone wouldn't enjoy Pi, but The Fountain? That is rather odd. OK, but... Sarah, that is one seriously complex film. It's 3 layers of stories that have an inference of overlap (outside of time, of course) but may only be distorted-mirror images of each other, and it's LOADED with symbolism. The Tomas storyline itself is saturated with Mayan mythology, which must be understood both in its context *and* in reference to the other 2 storylines (specifically the Tommy (a.k.a. Major Tom) storyline). Understanding of Jewish mysticism (specifically Kabbalah) is also kind of a requirement. And there's all sorts of other stuff in there as well.
Hell, even the music is comprised of a collection of fragments that Clint Mansell put together over the course of years, which were first assembled and then deliberately deconstructed and reassembled to create a specific atmosphere, and its participants include performers as disparate as Kronos Quartet and Mogwai.
In other words, it's a pretty challenging experience on all levels, and I don't think it's too surprising that it did not register fully with everyone. Frankly, he was asking way too much of a general audience, and I'd suggest that's why he followed that up with a really basic, stripped-down, straightforward story of a down-on-his-luck wrestler, something written by someone else entirely.
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
Jay Edwards wrote:
Now, Noah seems like a bore -- I'm skipping it. Not really surprising of you to say that.
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
kickfight wrote:
OK, but... Sarah, that is one seriously complex film. It's 3 layers of stories that have an inference of overlap (outside of time, of course) but may only be distorted-mirror images of each other, and it's LOADED with symbolism. The Tomas storyline itself is saturated with Mayan mythology, which must be understood both in its context *and* in reference to the other 2 storylines (specifically the Tommy (a.k.a. Major Tom) storyline). Understanding of Jewish mysticism (specifically Kabbalah) is also kind of a requirement. And there's all sorts of other stuff in there as well.
Hell, even the music is comprised of a collection of fragments that Clint Mansell put together over the course of years, which were first assembled and then deliberately deconstructed and reassembled to create a specific atmosphere, and its participants include performers as disparate as Kronos Quartet and Mogwai.
In other words, it's a pretty challenging experience on all levels, and I don't think it's too surprising that it did not register fully with everyone. Frankly, he was asking way too much of a general audience, and I'd suggest that's why he followed that up with a really basic, stripped-down, straightforward story of a down-on-his-luck wrestler, something written by someone else entirely. I guess I read a lot.  I didn't think it was that hard to figure out. All three layers are the same story about the tree of life. It all ends the same way. You do not have to understand any of what you're saying. It wasn't specialized it was all universal symbolism. It was all Jungian archetypes and the idea of the quest for immortality which is the impulse of life itself. Life wants to live forever but death is always there. That's all it was about.
I definitely get what you're saying, I just think that if a movie is going over your head then it doesn't therefor suck. If someone actually bothered to think then they would really enjoy it. It's one of the greatest films I've ever watched. It is also incredibly beautiful. Clint Mansell's work with the soundtrack was amazing. People want to entertained too much and not every movie is like that.
Model
Gelsen Aripia
Posts: 1407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Eugenya Donald Photo wrote:
I'm a big Russell Crowe fan, but I have mixed feelings about Darren Aronofsky's work. I hated "The Fountain"--I thought it was boring, pretentious tripe. But, I absolutely loved "The Wrestler", it was wonderful. I might see "Noah" just for Crowe alone. He's been worth the price of admission before, for me. He brings that unique mix of power and pathos. I hated "The Fountain", too.
Photographer
Gelsen Aripia Images
Posts: 230
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Model Sarah wrote:
I guess I read a lot. I didn't think it was that hard to figure out. All three layers are the same story about the tree of life. It all ends the same way. You do not have to understand any of what you're saying. It wasn't specialized it was all universal symbolism. It was all Jungian archetypes and the idea of the quest for immortality which is the impulse of life itself. Life wants to live forever but death is always there. That's all it was about.
I definitely get what you're saying, I just think that if a movie is going over your head then it doesn't therefor suck. If someone actually bothered to think then they would really enjoy it. It's one of the greatest films I've ever watched. It is also incredibly beautiful. Clint Mansell's work with the soundtrack was amazing. People want to entertained too much and not every movie is like that. The Fountain was not going over my head. I simply didn't like it at all. I'm an extremely symbolic sort, too. I just. didn't. like it.
I love how you're intimating that I don't think about things (I'm stupid) and that I merely want to be entertained when I watch a film. I got that inference from your first post quoting me. I also find it fascinating that you infer all these things indirectly, while quoting @kickfight, rather than bothering to say anything to me. Stuff like that is so interesting to me. I get ignored constantly in my life. I will figure out why one of these years.
I did absolutely love Aronofsky's "The Wrestler". What a wonderful, poignant film. I adore Mickey Rourke's performance. That was a beautiful movie. I would watch that one several times in a row, gladly.
Photographer
SPRINGHEEL
Posts: 38224
Detroit, Michigan, US
Photographer
Jay Edwards
Posts: 18616
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
Model Sarah wrote:
Not really surprising of you to say that. Oh, and that's because you know me so well? puh-leeze
This is just you trying to get in a dig because you have no valid response to the facts I presented. Again.
So, are you going to see Noah?
Model
Gelsen Aripia
Posts: 1407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
SPRINGHEEL wrote:
Well this is fun I was thinking that about this thread last night ...
Photographer
SPRINGHEEL
Posts: 38224
Detroit, Michigan, US
Eugenya wrote:
I was thinking that about this thread last night ... Thats so odd that you say that because I was thinking the same thing about this thread last night as well...
AND I DIDN'T EVEN SEE THIS THREAD UNTIL THIS MORNING
I live on three different planes of existence full of symbolism and metaphor.
You people wouldn't understand.
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
Eugenya Donald Photo wrote:
The Fountain was not going over my head. I simply didn't like it at all. I'm an extremely symbolic sort, too. I just. didn't. like it.
I love how you're intimating that I don't think about things (I'm stupid) and that I merely want to be entertained when I watch a film. I got that inference from your first post quoting me. I also find it fascinating that you infer all these things indirectly, while quoting @kickfight, rather than bothering to say anything to me. Stuff like that is so interesting to me. I get ignored constantly in my life. I will figure out why one of these years.
I did absolutely love Aronofsky's "The Wrestler". What a wonderful, poignant film. I adore Mickey Rourke's performance. That was a beautiful movie. I would watch that one several times in a row, gladly. That wasn't directed at you. I'm sorry you're assuming that but I was talking to someone else. I never even talked directly to you except that you're the first person I've ever seen that didn't like The Fountain. That's all. I'm not sure why you feel the need to assume the worst, again not directed at you at all.
I liked the Wrestler a lot. Weirdly enough, I've only watched it once. Maybe I should watch it again. I always get more out of movies when I do that.
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
SPRINGHEEL wrote:
Thats so odd that you say that because I was thinking the same thing about this thread last night as well...
AND I DIDN'T EVEN SEE THIS THREAD UNTIL THIS MORNING
I live on three different planes of existence full of symbolism and metaphor.
You people wouldn't understand. 
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
Jay Edwards wrote:
Oh, and that's because you know me so well? puh-leeze
This is just you trying to get in a dig because you have no valid response to the facts I presented. Again.
So, are you going to see Noah? No it isn't. Reviews do not mean anything so I ignored your "facts"...whatever that means.
Yes, today in fact.
Model
Gelsen Aripia
Posts: 1407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
SPRINGHEEL wrote:
Thats so odd that you say that because I was thinking the same thing about this thread last night as well...
AND I DIDN'T EVEN SEE THIS THREAD UNTIL THIS MORNING
I live on three different planes of existence full of symbolism and metaphor.
You people wouldn't understand. I definitely don't get it. You need to be more clear.
Model
Model Sarah
Posts: 40987
Columbus, Ohio, US
Eugenya wrote:
I definitely don't get it. You need to be more clear. It's because you're Canadian! (just kidding)
Photographer
Gelsen Aripia Images
Posts: 230
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Model Sarah wrote:
That wasn't directed at you. I'm sorry you're assuming that but I was talking to someone else. I never even talked directly to you except that you're the first person I've ever seen that didn't like The Fountain. That's all. I'm not sure why you feel the need to assume the worst, again not directed at you at all.
I liked the Wrestler a lot. Weirdly enough, I've only watched it once. Maybe I should watch it again. I always get more out of movies when I do that. I definitely get this one.
Photographer
Jay Edwards
Posts: 18616
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
Model Sarah wrote:
No it isn't. Reviews do not mean anything so I ignored your "facts"...whatever that means.
Yes, today in fact. Um, the facts are that many people did not like the movie (those pesky reviews).
You stated the opposite in an earlier post.
However, I can see why you think that has no meaning.
Enjoy the show.
Photographer
Click Hamilton
Posts: 36555
San Diego, California, US
SPRINGHEEL wrote:
I live on three different planes of existence full of symbolism and metaphor.
You people wouldn't understand. That's why I like you.
Photographer
Bob Helm Photography
Posts: 18909
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, US
Well when they promote it as the "least Biblical" telling of the story it seems that you are aiming the movie at people who are not religious. In the US that is a minority, add in the Crow's fans and that is a narrow base for a 140 million dollar movie.
The Book is much better, regardless of if you think it fact or fiction. The story is a good one even if you don't believe it and it is an important part of our cultural history.
I'll watch it on TV someday but I would not pay a dime to people who seem to express contempt for my beliefs. They have freedom of speech, I have freedom of how I spend my money. BTW I am a fan of Crow.
Photographer
kickfight
Posts: 35054
Portland, Oregon, US
SPRINGHEEL wrote:
I live on three different planes of existence full of symbolism and metaphor.
You people wouldn't understand. What? Speak American, son! This ain't no goddamn fancy pants college campus.
Photographer
Jerry Nemeth
Posts: 33355
Dearborn, Michigan, US
Model Sarah wrote:
No it isn't. Reviews do not mean anything so I ignored your "facts"...whatever that means.
Yes, today in fact. I don't pay much attention to reviews myself. I also will be seeing Noah.
Photographer
MMDesign
Posts: 18647
Louisville, Kentucky, US
I live in Kentucky where they're supposedly going to build the real thing so I'll just wait and experience it for real... if another flood ever happens. Though the chance of them letting me on the boat are probably pretty thin. 
Photographer
Reflected
Posts: 16390
New York, New York, US
SPRINGHEEL wrote:
I live on three different planes of existence full of symbolism and metaphor.
You people wouldn't understand. I once cried because I had no hat until I metaphor who had no head.
Photographer
Reflected
Posts: 16390
New York, New York, US
MMDesign wrote:
I live in Kentucky where they're supposedly going to build the real thing so I'll just wait and experience it for real... if another flood ever happens.
Though the chance of them letting me on the boat are probably pretty thin. 70,000 square feet of "prepare to believe"
Photographer
Brian Diaz
Posts: 65617
Danbury, Connecticut, US
After a couple of them, I stopped watching Darren Aronofsky films because I was always disappointed that they weren't Pi.
Same thing happened to Wes Anderson. I kept being disappointed that none of his other films were Rushmore.
I'm sure I'll get over that in time, but it's really awful when someone makes a truly brilliant piece of art, and that spoils all the other very good pieces of art that person makes for me.
But maybe I won't get over it. I still want every T.S. Eliot poem to be Prufrock.
Photographer
Brian Diaz
Posts: 65617
Danbury, Connecticut, US
On a note even further aside, I really miss Roget Ebert.
Model
P I X I E
Posts: 35440
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I don't plan on seeing it unless I don't have to pay.
Photographer
MMDesign
Posts: 18647
Louisville, Kentucky, US
Photographer
Reflected
Posts: 16390
New York, New York, US
Photographer
MMDesign
Posts: 18647
Louisville, Kentucky, US
Reflected wrote:
That's because you're too intelligently designed. I lost a pretty big client when I laughed at my contact there when she said that humans and dinosaurs lived at the same time. I honestly thought she was joking.
And, hey, how are you?
Photographer
Reflected
Posts: 16390
New York, New York, US
Brian Diaz wrote:
After a couple of them, I stopped watching Darren Aronofsky films because I was always disappointed that they weren't Pi. By far his best. And with each increase in budget, he's farther and farther from it.
Brian Diaz wrote:
But maybe I won't get over it. I still want every T.S. Eliot poem to be Prufrock. Though you've read Preludes and The Hollow Men?
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I didn't think it was that hard to figure out. All three layers are the same story about the tree of life. It all ends the same way. You do not have to understand any of what you're saying. It wasn't specialized it was all universal symbolism. It was all Jungian archetypes and the idea of the quest for immortality which is the impulse of life itself. Life wants to live forever but death is always there. That's all it was about. 
