The Good German (2006)

um... IT'S SODERBERGH?!!!

seriously. Soderbergh directed (and did the cinematography) for this film... above and beyond all THIS IS A SODERBERGH FILM. He's up there with the likes of David Lynch and Cronenberg and various other experimentalists or avant-garde-ists. "The Good German" is beyond simply being a film noir, or having A-List actors in it (which he always does)- the film is to produce an effect and evoke something more than your average or even above average film can accomplish.

when you deal with a director with this much vision and true artistry, viewers are bound to be polarized (even the "thinking" ones). None of his films do particularly well at the box office and are usually very limited run and more often than not they will be sitting on your local Blockbuster's shelf waiting to be rented by YOU.

Solaris: based on a book AND a prior Russian film. lots of people "didn't get it", others hated it because they felt it was a bad 'adaptation'... simply, it's sodergergh's way of doing it.

Kafka: for those that think they didn't like "The Good German" or Kafka, try this one on, then put your critic's hat on (or live under it).

i could go on, but i'm really just trying to say that when you watch a Soderbergh film, that's exactly what you going to get- not your film and not anything else.

...and if your precious little Spider Man suddenly has a foul mouth, a scum-fk personality, and is abusive to women and it stopped you from enjoying the film, then i guess his character was conceived just right ;) September 8, 2008

worthy and entertaining homage

THE GOOD GERMAN isn't bad. C'mom, comparing it to the classics it is inspired by and ripping off isn't fair. Enjoy it for what's it's worth, which isn't a whole, whole lot, but is still better than most junk coming out of Hollywoodland. The acting is good as is, in my opinion, the script. I found the story involving American efforts to snatch up Nazi rocket scientists, a quintessential American jack ***, a murderous lying prostitute, the cool well intended George Clooney trapped in a film noir plot, the score, the black and white picture, and war ravaged setting add up to a something worth the price of a rental fee. Guess I like the films THE GOOD GERMAN copies and don't mind that Steven Soderbergh didn't make a new classic on their level. Kind of a tall order there folks. I give him props for his efforts. Film snobs, just stick to your library of Criterion Collection films and your expensive wine and cheeses.



September 5, 2008

The Bad Idea

They must have thought this was great in the studio producers' suite when they saw the bleached, scratchy, black and white film and the big name 'stars' hamming it up for all they're worth in a 'film noir' wartime thriller. Another artistic intelligent classic, eh, guys... one for the Oscars!

But when you watch it and you realise the only thing going for this dreary and stultifyingly dull slice of old tat IS the grainy black and white film, you know you're in deep trouble. Mind, chances are you'll be fast asleep long before you give up caring what's going on, i.e. after about 10 minutes.

Get Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid with Steve Martin instead - at least that's REALLY clever AND funny, and you have some fun watching the big screen stars of yesteryear grafted into it with some genuine style and panache. August 16, 2008

The Book Was Much Better

I loved the black and white format of this film, but found the acting wooden and the plot tired. The book was much better. This film, albeit an interesting and creative technical piece, sorely lacked the nuance and brilliance of the book. One star for effort and one star for the black-and-white. July 31, 2008

Dark and moody

I was disappointed in this film considering the top class actors playing the main roles. I understand the intent in filming in black and white but, as a viewer, I like to be entertained not only by the story but also the scenery, particularly on a widescreen HD TV. This picture doesn't measure up. It would be ok on an old square TV. I thought the film was drawn out. May 26, 2008

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