Comments for Left Film Review

Comment on Matewan (1987) by Harlan County, USA (1976) « Left Film Review

Harlan County, USA (1976) « Left Film Review — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:03:47 +0000

[...] various times throughout American history, but the film itself inspired other films, for example Matewan. (John Sayles on Harlan [...]

Comment on Avatar (2009) by Hunger Games: Tired of submission and synthetic spectacle? « Kasama

Hunger Games: Tired of submission and synthetic spectacle? « Kasama — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:43:36 +0000

[...] wing. Instead films should be viewed for what they “bring to the table” overall. For example, Avatar was an interesting case of what could be considered an anti-imperialist film becoming one of the [...]

Comment on The Hunger Games (2012) by Hunger Games: Tired of submission and synthetic spectacle? « Kasama

Hunger Games: Tired of submission and synthetic spectacle? « Kasama — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:43:35 +0000

[...] As always here on Kasama, posting this is not an endorsement of its conclusions. We are sharing an essay that can, we believe, help spark a discussion both of this film itself AND of the revolutionary approach to artistic work. This essay also appeared on Left Film Review. [...]

Comment on The Hunger Games (2012) by KurtFF8

KurtFF8 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:34:26 +0000

I do agree that there were missed opportunitites in the film, and I cannot comment on the book as I haven’t read it. That said, I can certainly see the perspective that my review is giving too much credit to the film. But I was trying to simply point out that such “commentary” (whether mild or subdle) is much needed in the arena (mass Hollywood releases) is needed and that is why it is worthy of at least some consideration.

Comment on The Hunger Games (2012) by Confused.

Confused. — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:05:59 +0000

I read the first book- didn’t find it radical at all- found it annoyingly trite (and this is from a big leftie adult who loves YA). Thought it was completely confusing that the author set up this world based on imperialism and oppression and then kept skittering around it. And I know it’s meant to be critical of the world of reality tv meets actual war but at times it seemed like a love poem to it. This book actually drives me bonkers. When I think of Octavia Butler’s world of the Parable of the Sower which takes on oppression, inequality and rebellion head on- Hunger Games seems to almost infantilize these issues. I was a big a reader when I was kid- and I would’ve hated this book then too- is it weird that I found it to be surface area nonsense? I think kids books can take on big issues head on and treat them beautifully. I don’t think Hunger Games did that. I haven’t read the other two, and don’t plan on seeing the movie- No Name- does it get better than this?

According to this review the book and the movie share a lot: the nature of the plot is commentary, but it lacks any depth at all. Where there is depth it’s about clothes, teenage crushes, and a kind of voyeur sexualization/objectification of Katniss in the Capitol. The commentary is the back drop- without it I could be reading Twilight (which I haven’t for the record). Once we get to the games themselves I feel like we’re on MILF Island (30 Rock parody of survivor type reality shows) but with kid death. It should be brutal, and it is, but there are so many missed opportunities to take it one step further. Wow- now I’ve gone on a lot about a kids book I didn’t like. Sorry about that, just finished it last night and am still trying to figure out what all the fuss is about.

Comment on The Hunger Games (2012) by No name

No name — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:32:31 +0000

Embarrassingly enough I actually read the books, and they’re far more radical believe it or not.

Comment on Avatar (2009) by The Hunger Games (2012) « Left Film Review

The Hunger Games (2012) « Left Film Review — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:34:34 +0000

[...] Instead films should be viewed for what they “bring to the table” overall. For example, Avatar was an interesting case of what could be considered an anti-imperialist film becoming one of the [...]

Comment on Left Film Review Exclusive: Interview with the director of The Trotsky by Philosopher Jay

Philosopher Jay — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:33:23 +0000

Tierney is brilliant and so is the film “the Trotsky.”

Comment on Che (2008) by Bitacora Anarquista

Bitacora Anarquista — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:34:36 +0000

I would like to add that I got so much distracted by Del Toro’s accent in Spanish. Gael Garcia Bernal in Motorcycle Diaries does a fine job and he’s not Argentinian either (Mexican). At times, it seemed that Del Toro didn’t master Spanish, and that killed it for me. I couldn’t focus on the film, that and also the way he was protraying El Che lacked emotion. He was calmed under any situation.

Comment on Documentary a Day: Mine War on Blackberry Creek (1986) by KurtFF8

KurtFF8 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:57:23 +0000

Thank you very much for sharing