Alexander Payne

[ie]

I couldn't find a photograph that didn't make Alexander Payne look ordinary or just kind of there.


Ceeman (critieronmaster ) seems to really like Election.

My theory for this is that while Payne was working on getting some kind of recognition, he was more willing to make movies that everyone could like. So once he's able to afford to make movies he wants to, he goes and makes these really adult movies that people C-Master's age, or even my age (20) would not really be able to appreciate.

I don't think that's really a maturity factor or anything like where you'd have to be mature to enjoy Sideways, or anything like that. Just that About Schmit had very little impression on me, and I kind of felt the same way about Sideways. I arrived too early.

A basic way of saying my thoughts on this director would be that he really only makes people for 30+ year olds. If you're younger and you like his work, good. But you're probably not going to.


Wandering aside, See-Man thought I should post about this director, so I did. I don't hate or love his work. That is all.

[PTAhole]

You think Dan likes Election? I love that film with so much, it's ridiculous. As far as his other two, I dig them a lot. Sideways is awesome. (Dan, you have failed to give me a reason for your dislike of this film.) About Schmit was good, but it's been a while since I've seen it. He's an interesting director.

[captainofbeef]

I liked Election and About Schmidt. I LOVED Sideways. It was very witty and made me fall on the floor laughing at least four times. The only reason Dan doesnt like the film is because he thinks its "pretentious." Which seems to be the only reason he doesnt like certain films anymore.

[criterionmaster]

I don't find it pretentious*, I find it painfully boring. The subject matter doesn't interest me at all, and not only that I can't stand the characters. Why should I care about what happens to them or their relationships when I haven't even connected with them? But also all the Oscar shit pissed me off, for some reason this film got so much attention that I didn't feel it deserved at all.

As for Election (ptahole) I did give it an 8, which is a great score for me. I love Broderick and found it pretty funny too. It was a well-made film and an entertaining watch.

*That is not the only reason I don't like certain movies CoB, it just happens that I was watching a lot of movies that happen to fit that bill for me. What is it that makes a movie pretentious for me is when something feels forced or out of place. Something just for the sake of coolness. It is easier to give examples then to give a definition.

[PTAhole]

I just recently rewatched both Election and Sideways, and both are becoming a couple of my favorites. I liked Sideways before (9/10), but now I think it's one of, if not the best mid-life crisis movie ever made. Election is a film I've always loved, so there you go. Notice the striking difference between the two! Election is pretty much a straight comedy, Sideways has some funny moments, but overall, it's a drama.
I haven't seen his first film, Citizen Ruth. Has anyone here seen it. Is it good?

[dontdigonswine]

I have an autographed copy of Sideways! I met Payne too, he's a really down to earth and intelligent man.

I have yet to see Citizen Ruth, though our arthouse theatre has a poster of it. Whenever I see the poster, my yearning to see the movie grows.