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Kitty's Corner

Requiem for a Dream

Monday, 9. November 2009, 04:42:59

,

It's seldom I review movies I haven't seen in the cinema. Mostly because I watch a lot of DVDs, and this blog would end up as a movie blog only if I reviewed all the movies I'm watching. But the other day I bought "Requiem for a Dream" - and several people both here and IRL told me that it was a good and very strong movie - and I was requested to review it.

I watched the movie on Friday night - and after having seen it, I decided to wait a few days with my review. It is indeed a very powerful movie, that leaves both goosebumps and a huge impression of desperation.

For those of you who don't know the movie, it tells the story of four people, connected either through blood or some kind of personal relationship, whether it be family, girlfriend, or business partner. All of the four characters have drugs affect their lives, which eventually take over their lives. The movie documents how for each of the 4 people are effected and eroded by drugs.

The actors played very well - but I feel like pointing out one of the actors, namely Ellen Burstyn, who plays the mother of one of the characters. She got nominated for an Oscar as best actress in 2001, but didn't get it. I'd say she deserved it - she really played a convincing role! (Julia Roberts got the Oscar for her role as Erin Brockovich).

I've wondered what it is that makes this movie so strong, because it is not "just" the stories of the four described persons. The combination of slow and fast motion shots and extreme close-ups influence more than I first realized when I saw it. The film leads the audience down a spiral of addiction until the very end of it, which features a montage of graphically intense scenes and images. I've never watched anything as intense as that - and it took me a while of gazing at the roll-up titles before I turned off my computer.

If you're easily shocked, squeamish, or upset, don't watch it. If you only like movies that take you to a happy place, stay away. There's no happy endings in Requiem for a Dream.

I like happy endings. I like positive movies. I like a lot of things that this movie just don't provide. But I think this movie is important - so even though it might take a long while before I watch it again, I'll give it :star::star::star::star::star::star: out of 6.

Guessing time again!Burning Love ~ Brændende Kærlighed

Comments

Dacotah 9. November 2009, 04:46

I've never heard of this movie.
Great review.

Zaphira 9. November 2009, 05:49

Thank you Carol. :smile:

Dacotah 9. November 2009, 05:57

You are welcome Kitty. :smile:

KYren 9. November 2009, 05:57

By God , sometimes I get so angry with you westerners. Why the hell you get addicted to the drugs? To help fund the talibani jihadi opium traders in Pakistan & Afghanistan, eh?
Isn't there any other way to curb the depression and stress?

Zaphira 9. November 2009, 05:58

We don't all get addicted to drugs, you know.

Dacotah 9. November 2009, 06:58

I'm a westerner and I am not addicted to drugs.

Stardancer 9. November 2009, 07:26

Sounds like a good movie, Kitty. I'll give it a look.

(I'm not addicted to drugs, either.)

:smile:

clean 9. November 2009, 07:47

Glad you liked it, Zappy! Nice review! :up:

(I'm not addicted to drugs. Well ... Coffee. And naps. Uh ... wait ... ) :wink:

rose-marie 9. November 2009, 08:55

I haven't seen it in a very long time, but what stands out for me is the mother. Excellent interpretation!

Spaggyj 9. November 2009, 12:33

Holy crap, 6 out of 6? I've so gotta see this.

ellinidata 9. November 2009, 14:40

I got "the itch" to rent it .... thanks for sharing! :up:

Suntana 9. November 2009, 16:41

Us Westerners are all addicted to drugs?
You shouldn't generalize, KYren.
Most of us are NOT addicted to drugs.

Suntana 9. November 2009, 16:43

I've never seen the movie, Zaph.
Man! That's one nasty arm there! :yikes: :yuck:

Spaggyj 9. November 2009, 17:39

It's also not just westerners who do idiotic things like drugs either, by the way. Go visit a few countries to the east. See how drug-free they are. The whole world is equally idiotic in my opinion. Frankly, Kiran, given the way you've been treated due to caste and thus, hate to be tarred with a brush, I'd expect you not to generalize people.

garlingmatthews 9. November 2009, 18:16

I saw this in the cinema, which wasn't yesterday, and haven't needed to watch it since. It lives on in the memory.

ellinidata 9. November 2009, 18:56

@ KYren,

as a Europeans living in the USA, I can say for sure, ethnicity has nothing to do with addiction... I never did drugs in Europe or in the USA, and I am confident when I say,
"Middle East and India are countries that are in the same or higher level of addictions as the rest of the world."

it doesn't matter if it is gabling, sex, Internet or stealing .......

Zaphira 9. November 2009, 20:06

@ Star ~ It is special, but good, in my opinion. A very strong movie. :up:

@ David ~ Thank you.
Umm, you know, I think I'm addicted to naps as well. :left:

@ Rose ~ It's the mother that made the biggest impression on me too. I think it's because she is not a stereotype of a drug abuser. At least not as I think of it. :smile:

@ Kimmie ~ Please let me know what you think if you get to see it. :up:

@ Angeliki ~ You've got teenagers, right? The movie is PG15 rated (here)- but do consider if your children should see it too. For preventative causes, you know. :up:

@ Sunny ~ That arms is going to look even worse later on in the movie. :yikes:

@ Gavin ~ I understand that. I am somehow glad I didn't see it in the cinema.



garlingmatthews 9. November 2009, 20:09

My best friend and I came out shell shocked. I only wish that I'd made my little brother watch it, it might have saved us years of worry.

Zaphira 9. November 2009, 20:16

That doesn't sound good, Gavin! :/

garlingmatthews 9. November 2009, 20:19

It's okay now, but it wasn't a lot of fun for a long time.

Zaphira 9. November 2009, 20:23

How about your brother? Is he okay?

garlingmatthews 9. November 2009, 20:26

Oh, he's fine now. We got lucky. He's tried just about everything, including stuff that could have truly ruined his life. But he met the right girl. Girls truly rock.

ellinidata 10. November 2009, 00:50

Originally posted by Zaphira:

For preventative causes, you know.



:o: thanks!

Zaphira 10. November 2009, 05:36

@ Gavin ~ I'm glad to hear that - once on that course - it can go terribly wrong.
Girls rock - in the right company! :yes:

@ Angeliki ~ You're welcome. It would be nice to hear what your children think about it. :smile:

Phantom2 10. November 2009, 06:01

:up: Excellent review Kitty!
I remember seeing this movie at the theater many years ago with someone who had already seen it once. They warned me it was intense...and they told the truth. Not for the weak of heart.

The word I think more appropriate to describe this movie would be "disturbing."

Zaphira 10. November 2009, 07:36

Disturbing, yes, that pretty much covers the film. And important too - it feels so real if you know what I mean.

KYren 10. November 2009, 07:57

If there's no demand and consequent high price for the drugs why the characters in the movie decide to be drug dealers? It's said that drugs can give such a high that even sex can't give. Okay... But it has to be remembered that drugs can change the structure of the brain and make a person completely dependent on them. I am not generalizing, I know that the people where the drugs are produced and exported from are also getting addicted to it. Not all but many from the west get addicted or at least try drugs once in their lives.
http://www.michaelshouse.com/blog/5-world-countries-with-the-worst-drug-problems/
Out of the five three are western. May be other than drugs there's no other worthwhile thing to spend money on?
Btw, I am glad friends that you are aware of the concept of individuality, I am also.

Spaggyj 10. November 2009, 15:24

Oh my goodness, can we not just stay on a post without getting all serious and finger-pointing anymore?

KYren 10. November 2009, 16:03

One more brain eaten. My life's purpose is solved. :D
Excellent review Zap. :D

Zaphira 10. November 2009, 18:05

*hums a little tune*

*feeling in extraordinary good mood right now* :happy:

garlingmatthews 10. November 2009, 18:13

More zombies! We're everywhere! :insane:

Zaphira 10. November 2009, 18:14

Isn't it grand? :happy:

garlingmatthews 10. November 2009, 18:16

:happy:

clean 10. November 2009, 22:25

Originally posted by Zaphira:

*hums a little tune*



Is it a tune from the movie? I have the odd one here and there if you'd like ... :whistle:

Zaphira 11. November 2009, 05:17

:smile:
No it's not. I wouldn't be able to hum a tune from the movie even if I had to. I rarely buy soundtracks - except for music movies, you know. :up:

ruledbymars 11. November 2009, 07:28

Hi Zaphira!! See Avatar <- Lol Yes I loved it for the powerful nature. Very Thought inspiring despite the NEED drugs can ruin EVERYTHING in your life. jared lost 20 pounds or more for this role also. It was disturbing and (although I own it) have not since watched it. Jared is one of my favourites. The backing orchestral music is powerful, Ellen Burstyn is wonderful, I agree, but am biased by the great and disturbing job that Mr Leto himself did. Knowing his history for disfigurment for his films (Panic Room , Chapter 27 (67pound weight gain), Fight Club, Requiem) I think he did a great job. Not one of his soppier movies, no xo Thanks for the review it's wonderful. xo Dee :up: :up: :coffee:
Echelon?Mars Army Member plug:- THIS IS WAR the new album by 30 Seconds To Mars released is December 8 2009!!! (Hey, It's my Job!!) :hat: :faint: :wizard: :lol: :yes: :coffee:

Zaphira 11. November 2009, 07:44

Thanks for that, Dee, I'm glad you liked the reading. :up:

Have a great day. :wizard:

Minenow 12. November 2009, 04:28

lalalalalalal

I cannot read the post because I am watching this movie this weekend. The house I'm staying at has the biggest private movie collection i've ever seen... *lafs* Mainly shelved on my "bedroom" walls, and I have this on the stack of "must watches".

I haven't rented a movie in weeks.. that's a big upside.

Minenow 12. November 2009, 04:29

:sst: I saw it got all the stars because I had to peek at that. :yes: Now I'm excited even more.

Zaphira 12. November 2009, 06:25

I don't believe the post reveals any spoilers, but when you've seen it, I'd be delighted to hear what you think of it. :yes:

Minenow 12. November 2009, 20:37

I will letcha know. :up:

My friends have said it's good, but kind of weird and trippy.

I dig different. 8 mm, Butterfly Effect, Pulp Fiction, Momento etc. :happy:

Zaphira 12. November 2009, 20:50

I've only seen 8mm and Pulp Fiction. I liked both. :happy:

Minenow 12. November 2009, 21:52

The Butterfly Effect is one of my alltime favorites, along with Shawshank Redeption.

Being a movie lover, I hope you get to see them.

Most movies are so predictable. Rarely, a movie comes along that changes how you view things, really captures you in a new way....

Those kind of movies are the ones I'm especially passionate about. :o:

Zaphira 12. November 2009, 22:49

I loved the Shawshank Redeption for sure - that's a cool movie. I was actually invited to watch the Butterfly effect once, but I said no thank you. I don't remember why anymore :D I'll look for it! :up:

Minenow 13. November 2009, 03:06

Oh my! You said noooo?

I got to watch it in the theater... God it was cool..

Yes, yes... I'll watch this one and you watch that. Sounds like a lovely plan and I imagine we'll both me happy.

I shall share my popcorn.. :happy:

Zaphira 13. November 2009, 05:11

I said no, and got to watch something else instead, can't remember what that was right now. :smile:
*runs to read what it's about*
:yay: @ the shared popcorn. :happy: I have Pepsi! :yes:

garlingmatthews 13. November 2009, 08:51

B.E. has two endings, I've been told. A friend saw it in the cinema and loved it, so he bought the D.V.D., and it ended differently.

Zaphira 13. November 2009, 09:05

That's weird. Did he say which ending he liked best?? :interested:

garlingmatthews 13. November 2009, 09:10

The film ending; and they are very different

Minenow 13. November 2009, 14:41

There are two endings. The original one is better. God, I love that movie. Ever seen it Garling?

Pepsi?? :love: I'm drinking a Pepsi right now. :D

I KNEW you had impecible taste. :o:

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