Has anyone seen Spider? imdb.com/title/tt0278731/
I thought it was great, nice twist at the end, and a strong and assured sense of direction. I didn't realize what Miranda Richardson was doing till more than half-way through. Maybe I am just not as familiar with her face so I didn't recognize her in the right places. Ralph Fiennes was very good, though it's was difficult to get much from his performance since it was so subdued (intentionally, of course).
Obviously this is not strictly standard Cronenberg fare, but that sense of obfuscated identity/reality and general malaise felt extremely familiar.
I thought it was great, nice twist at the end, and a strong and assured sense of direction. I didn't realize what Miranda Richardson was doing till more than half-way through. Maybe I am just not as familiar with her face so I didn't recognize her in the right places. Ralph Fiennes was very good, though it's was difficult to get much from his performance since it was so subdued (intentionally, of course).
Obviously this is not strictly standard Cronenberg fare, but that sense of obfuscated identity/reality and general malaise felt extremely familiar.
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Thu, November 13, 2003 - 10:19 AMI thought it was brilliantly shot. Probably the most visualy complex film Cronenberg has ever made... That said, I found it really friggin' boring! It was a pretty short film (1 1/2 hrs?) but felt much, much longer...
Plus, the story just seemed so generic/artsy to me... Insane guy delves into his past and finds a crappy childhood? I don't know. I was expecting something more complex from Cronenberg
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Fri, November 14, 2003 - 8:12 PMi think i need to go shopping
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Sat, November 22, 2003 - 2:23 PMI heard so many great things about this movie from Cronenburg buffs and non-buffs alike, I was terribly disappointed when it went in and out of the one local theater that played it in a week, waited for it to hit DVD and searched the stores til I found one that had it in. Maybe all that built up to much anticipation, but I didn't enjoy the movie at all. Its been a while so I cannot recall all my complaints about it except it hit me as dull and pointless. Perhaps it just didn't fit my mood of the moment, maybe down the road I'll see it again and enjoy it, but I dunno. -
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Sat, November 22, 2003 - 3:14 PMI can understand this film not hitting the right buttons, especially for someone already informed by DC's previous work. It takes a bit of effort to get through, and it does not have a whole lot of "payoff." That being said, I think that if you are in the right frame of mind to view it, you can catch the current and ride the movie through to it's end. You are basically picking up on the aura, ambience, psyche, and tempo of the main subject, which DC pulls off wonderfully.
I fully look forward to his next work though (Painkillers), and hope for a return to his previous form. -
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Sun, November 23, 2003 - 4:22 AMI thought Ralph Fiennes was incredible in it - such a complex role!! But then again, he's not really known for choosing straight-laced material I guess.. -
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Sun, November 23, 2003 - 7:00 PMI thought he was perfect in the role, but the character itself was soooo subdued (although there was *much* going on beneath the surface), that it may be difficult to become enraptured in it unless you are willing to expend the attention necessary. It is *not* an easy watch, though that may be what I find so fascinating about it.
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Tue, February 10, 2004 - 1:20 PMThis is a great movie to recomend to your grandparents when they ask you why your so infatuated with Cronenberg. -
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Tue, May 11, 2004 - 10:33 PMsooo, i finally got to watch spider today...i thought it was pretty good...but very little payoff. i thought the character studies were great, and the imagery...
i liked it.
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Fri, May 21, 2004 - 9:15 PMahaheauuhh, yaawwwwnnn.
sorry did you say something, i was asleep watching Spider.
didn't like the book didn't find anything really interesting in the movie.
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Wed, October 20, 2004 - 1:25 PMLoved it. It's the only true portrait of acute mental illness.
I interviewed Croneneberg for it; on transcribing, I realized he spoke in multi-paragraph-long, perfectly wrought sentences. Brilliant person. -
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Sat, January 22, 2005 - 6:53 AMNow I have to see it.
heheheh -
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Wed, April 27, 2005 - 9:04 AMi finally saw it... althogh i did like it i can see why alot of people didn't... -
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Thu, April 28, 2005 - 9:41 PMRegenerating an old thread here with ya - I agree with Shannon above - terribly disappointed. Visually sharp but not very imaginative portrait of mental illness / troubled childhood.
I'd probably have liked it more if I hadn't been expecting a 'Cronenberg movie' -
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Re: Spider [possible spoilers]
Fri, April 29, 2005 - 10:22 PMOne of the best things about it was that it wasn't an imaginative portrait of mental illness - If one let themselves go and be absorbed by it then it was totally on point and poignant. It totally made sense story wise as a natural progression after eXistenZ... Yes, it was subtle and subdues, but the detail that was there in the film, both in story and visually is incredible.
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