Raging Bull-
I hadn't seen this movie in about 20 years. So I watched it to see how it stands the test of time and if it still lives up to the hype of it's greatness.
It doesn't.
Don't get me wrong, there are great scenes and some beautiful images. But as a whole it's choppy. We never seem to learn much about the characters. We get a lot of the same thing over and over and over. Yes De Niro's performance is still great but past that there just wasn't enough there to make me still love this movie.
Now before you think I'm completely off base, when is the last time you watched the movie? You may find out you too would have rather kept your memory of a great movie, and wish you hadn't re-visited it.
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10 comments:
I saw this about 6 weeks ago on tv. You are right.
I am glad it wasn't just me. I am sure there are many people who still love it and think it's one of the best pictures ever. But I am not one of them. To each there own.
It is just like the godfather movies. I watch them now and think they are not as good.
You two are retarded....especially the Godfather comment (unless you're referring to GF3).
what do you know
Petey,
When was the last time you watched Raging Bull?
That was my whole point. I too used to think it was great. But now re-visiting it, it just doesn't hold up for me. Everyone has those movies that are supposed to be great that they just don't like. Another one for me is The Deer Hunter. When it came out it was depressing and shocking, but now it almost seems tame. And then compare it to Platoon or Black Hawk Down and those movies to me show the horrors of war far better.
And as I said in my last comment, to each there own.
I understand what you're trying to say (except for ding-dong stlwalnut who should stick their head in the sand and never see the light of day again), but you're not comparing apples to apples. I would think you'd still have to watch the films in the context and frame of mind/year they were made. When RB was made, boxing fight scenes were often laughable to watch in their recreation; however, RB tried to bring the realism of what it was like to be in the ring/arena – and it succeeded at the time. But of course it doesn't feel as real as it once did, but I can appreciate what Scorsese was doing at that time.
To just dismiss a film that was made 20+ years ago because it feels dated? Doesn't the original Star Wars feel dated? Do you want Scorsese to pull a George Lucas and revisit the film and add CG? Or add color just to make it current?
BTW, I watched it 2-3 weeks ago on IFC.
But I don't think it seems dated. I think the boxing scenes look cool. I don't think they ever seemed realistic. It's not that the movie feels dated.I never said that. Just in my recent viewing the story doesn't hold up. For a movie that is over 2 hours long it doesn't tell us a lot and yet isn't focused enough either. I think great movies always feel great, no matter if the effects are cheesy by todays standards or what not. And while yes you can judge movies in a vaccum on what they were when they came out, that is exactly what I am saying I don't want to do to measure a movies greatness.
A viewer shouldn't have to have knowledge of film history to like or dislike a movie.
There are tons of movies that are 20+ years old that I still think are amazing.
I feel this same way about far lesser movies as well. Night of the comet is one of those movies. In the 80's I thought that movie was cool. When I recently saw it, it sucked so bad it was barely watchable. Peoples tastes change as does their perception.
I haven't watched Godfather in many years. maybe I will do that soon and see how I feel about it now.
Once again to each their own. If everyone agreed on movies they could make just 1 or 2 a year. No need for choices if we all feel the same.
I guess I interpreted your comment of 'holding up" meaning "dated". However, STLbuttnut is still a moron for the Godfather comment.
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