Jim Jarmusch is overrated!

[ellen_datlow]

I just watched BROKEN FLOWERS and hated it. Once upon a time I thought Jim Jarmusch made some interesting movies. But I realize that I've found more of his movies annoying and pretentious than not. I did like GHOST DOG and STRANGER THAN PARADISE and kind of liked NIGHT TRAIN AND DEAD MAN. But absolutely despised NIGHT ON EARTH. I hadn't been aware that BROKEN FLOWERS was by Jarmusch. If I had, I wouldn't have rented it.

However, I cleansed my palate with DAMN YANKEES starring Tab Hunter (who I always though cute if limited as an actor), Ray Walston, and the great Gwen Verdon. Watching her dance, and sing "Whatever Lola Wants" made me want to cheer.  Before I went to Japan I watched BYE BYE BIRDIE with Ann Margaret, Bobby Rydell (ick), Dick Van Dyke, and Janet Leigh. Also, Jessie Pearson, playing the Elvis like heart throb. Fun.
I enjoy the old musical movies despite their (usually) dated depictions of women.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Oddly, I loved Night on Earth (also liked Ghost Dog), but I HATED Broken Flowers. I thought it was ridiculous, including the gratuitous nudity. It is a movie waiting for something to happen.

JeffV

[the-flea-king.livejournal.com]

I sure loved the soundtrack to Broke Flowers though.

[squirrel-monkey.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Broken Flowers is Jarmusch being embarrassing. I liked Mystery Train and Stranger Than Paradise most (if only for Screamin' Jay Hawkins), and Dead Man and Down By Law were at the very least interesting. Ghost Dog was disappointing for mostly personal reasons, and I wanted to really like it. But Bill Murray is a bad actor and intensely irritating, which compounded all the other issues in Broken Flowers. I won't even mention Coffee and Cigarettes. Gah.

[deborahb.livejournal.com]

I liked GHOST DOG a heck of a lot, but I've not been tempted by his other offerings.

You know who I think is totally overrated? Tarantino. Seriously. The only Tarantino film I liked was RESERVOIR DOGS, and that was a total rip off of something else...

[benpeek.livejournal.com]

you know, i really like jaramusch, but even i hated BROKEN FLOWERS. it's almost redeemed by the end, but the fact that i have to sit there for two hours through those painful, trying moments in the film don't put me in any position to like it.

i do, however, like most of his other films--not so big on STRANGER THAN PARADISE--but i dig DOWN BY LAW, DEAD MAN, MYSTERY TRAIN, GHOST DOG, and CIGARETTES AND COFFEE (or is it COFFEE AND CIGARETTES?). NIGHT ON EARTH is a miss for me, though i quite like the russian piece, and the one with roberto bengini.

"dated depictions of women"

[(Anonymous)]

Old movie musicals' depiction of men aren't exactly up-to-date either.

Rick Bowes