Film Of The Week #23 - Memento

Karl Hungus

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/

The film that put Christopher Nolan on the map, and definetly one of the standout films of the new Millennium. There's very little I can say about this film, as it's the perfect thriller, and has such a phenominally good way of telling it's story.

No doubt about it, well deserved of it's position of Film Of The Week, and I'm certainly looking forward to what Nolan has to offer to his audiences in the future.

johnny_ultimate

I agree with Karl - little to say that hasnt been said about this wonderfully original thriller. Watched it again just last week and was thouroughly impressed once again.
And what can one say about Chris Nolan (first director to ge two FotW?). Easily one of the most exciting American directors today.

Karl Hungus

johnny_ultimate wrote:

And what can one say about Chris Nolan (first director to ge two FotW?).

Only noticed that now that you mention it.

I can certainly see The Prestige being nominated again, so maybe 3 times for Nolan?

Earthhorse

There are a few modern classics that I put off seeing for so long I ended up feeling dissapointed by them. The Usual Suspects and Fight Club spring to mind. Both were movies that I'd heard so much about that by the time I got to see them it was hard to know whether I was judging them fairly or whether the weight of expectation was weighing too heavily on them.

So when I put Memento in the DVD player for the first time the other month I was worried that something similar would happen. Boy was I wrong. The movie is perfectly paced, plotted and constructed. A clever conceit that, for once, manages to last the full span of the film.

Guy Pearce is great in the lead role and the movie does not try to rely on big-huge-really-clever twist which ultimately makes it more satisfying.

The jury's out on Nolan though. I thought Batman Begins was severely overrated. Will have to give The Prestige a look.

johnny_ultimate

Karl Hungus wrote:

Only noticed that now that you mention it.

I can certainly see The Prestige being nominated again, so maybe 3 times for Nolan?

We can only hope so. One of my favourites from last year.

ActorSeeksJob

What a movie, with an amazing director and excellent actors. The joy of watching this on dvd @ 3am after hearing nothing about it, was perfect.

Jello

Really enjoyed this too. Fantastic performance from Pearce and directing from Nolan.

It's on Film 4 on Tuesday btw..

Necronomicon

Anyone have the special ed dvd where you can watch the movie backwards? Ie, the proper chronological sequence of the scenes?

I still haven't watched it, every time I do I just put it on the normal way for fear of it not being as good. Great movie.

Sad Professor

At the time of it's release I considered this film highly overrated but it's grown on me a lot since. I still think the concept is gimmicky but Nolan pulls it off well. It's a good film but far more straight forward than people think and it certainly doesn't deserve to be #26 on the imdb top 250.

Slutmonkey57b

Necromomicon wrote:

Anyone have the special ed dvd where you can watch the movie backwards? Ie, the proper chronological sequence of the scenes?

I still haven't watched it, every time I do I just put it on the normal way for fear of it not being as good. Great movie.

Yes, but I haven't watched the chronological view all the way through yet, for some reason I can't bring myself to do it, it just seems "wrong" in some way. The extras menu on the special ed is actually a bit annoying, as it skips through constantly and you have to play "hit the button" to try and get the extra you want. Atmospheric? Yes. User Friendly? Not so much.

Even if it weren't such a brilliantly plotted film, it's just beautiful to look at. It's got absolutely no elaborate set-dressing or constuming frills, but it just looks beautiful. It's atmospherically quiet, and yet constantly interesting. Easy pick for Film of the Week.

One word springs to mind when ever I think of Memento, Perfection. Every aspect of the film is perfect, from the individual performances to Nolan's directing to the score.

The same can be said for any of Nolan's films. I've always felt that he doesn't receive the recognition he deserves, where as people like Tarantino and Roth are worshipped like cinematic Gods.

Karl Hungus

Deleted User wrote:

One word springs to mind when ever I think of Memento, Perfection. Every aspect of the film is perfect, from the individual performances to Nolan's directing to the score.

The same can be said for any of Nolan's films. I've always felt that he doesn't receive the recognition he deserves, where as people like Tarantino and Roth are worshipped like cinematic Gods.

What? Tarantino and Roth worshipped like cinematic gods? I generally spit on Tarantino's grave, but he is worshipped, but Roth? Eli Roth? Worshipped? By whom? He's a competent director, don't get me wrong, but I don't imagine many people worshipping him.

By all means, worship Kurawasa though.

Karl Hungus

Karl Hungus wrote:

What? Tarantino and Roth worshipped like cinematic gods? I generally spit on Tarantino's grave, but he is worshipped, but Roth? Eli Roth? Worshipped? By whom? He's a competent director, don't get me wrong, but I don't imagine many people worshipping him.

By all means, worship Kurawasa though.

I too spit on Tarantino. I wouldn't cross the road to piss on if his head was on fire He makes watchable films but there isn't an original idea present in any.

An awful lot of people,especially the horror film web sites and magazines love Roth. I've never seen the appeal myself, sure Cabin Fever was fun but Hostel was mediocre beyond belief and Hostel 2 just bored me.

I all readykneel at the throne of Kurosawa, and Kitano, Lynch and Del Toro also.

oxygen_old

Did nobody else think this movie kinda wimped out at the end?
Was it this guy, was it that guy, wait it was that guy. ok so.

Driver 8

Astounding movie. Nolan is a master. Super plotting, Guy Pearce is fantastic, and the fact that Gosford Park won the Oscar for original screenplay over this is nothing short of a crime.

The Bollox

I only watched this tonight and... erm wow. all that can be said was already said here. All I will say is I am looking forward to seeing The Prestige and any other Chris Nolan films, the man is amazing.

one question though: I have the three disc special edition and it says there are 3 alternate endings. I can't find them on any of the discs, how do you view them?

tman

From what I can tell, it's on disc 1, you need to have the commentary track playing as you cross over to the last chapter...
A menu would've been far too simple:p
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=55610

Fantastic movie, I might have to watch it in chronological order soon actually...