The Sea of Trees : Palm D'or - official selection

One of my favorite directors! Hope he will win again this incredible prize. What do you think?

"Variety" story broke today; "Gus Van Sant's 'Sea of Trees' Booed at Cannes Premiere."

What do you think?

Anyone that knows anything about cinema is well aware that everything from Dreyer's "Gertrud" to Frankenheimers Seconds to Scorseses Taxi Driver and even Pulp Fiction received boos at Cannes, so that response is about as irrelevant as disgruntled IMDB reviews and rants.

Lighten up.

Matthew McConaughey and Ken Watanabe star in this risibly long-winded drama from Gus Van Sant.
Justin Chang
Chief Film Critic @JustinCChang

One way to pass the time during The Sea of Trees preferably during one of Matthew McConaugheys interminable misty-eyed monologues is to try and figure out exactly how many bad movies the actor, screenwriter Chris Sparling and director Gus Van Sant have managed to squeeze into their tale of a mans lonely quest to take his own life. Almost impressive in the way it shifts from dreary two-hander to so-so survival thriller to terminal-illness weepie to M. Night Shyamalan/Nicholas Sparks-level spiritual hokum, this risibly long-winded drama is perhaps above all a profound cultural insult, milking the lush green scenery of Japans famous Aokigahara forest for all its worth, while giving co-lead Ken Watanabe little to do other than moan in agony, mutter cryptically, and generally try to act as though McConaugheys every word isnt boring him (pardon the expression) to death.

That paragraphwow. If I thought like that person, "I would literally kill myself". Shyamalan said the same thing to a Mexican media rep who tried to summarize Night promoting The Last Airbender as an attempt to commercialize his movies more since his so-called 'failures' of recent movies like Lady in the Water and The Happening. Ha! Night is great! All his movies are awesome. Including Airbender. The movie alone is better than season 1 of the show, in my professional opinion.

I must agree with Mr. Chang. I envy him his ability to laugh at this long-winded navel gazing. I wanted to cry. If, as he suggests, it gets worse, I'm glad I quit when I did. This is unwatchable tripe.

On another subject, one responder derides Cannes for booing Pulp Fiction. That overwrought essay in depravity and violence won the Palme d'or instead of the Kieslowski masterpiece Three Colors: Red. So much for Cannes: it's no better at recognizing quality than Hollywood. Anybody who uses these awards as a measure of value deserves what he gets.

Why would providing factual information on the history of the Cannes Film Festival prompt a need to lighten up? Theres been a precedent of some fine films being booed at their codas during the festival, so it feels irrelevant versus actual singular criticism. David Lynchs Wild at Heart was booed and still was accorded the Palme d'Or.

Lighten up, keyboard clicker.

Agreed, I recall it coming out in the midst of the "Twin Peaks" furor and not caring for it at all, weird for weird's sake.

So, you did a quick Google on "Films that were booed at Cannes." That's hardly a recommendation for your relevance and knowledge of cinema, only a tribute to your skill at chickepecking a keyboard.

Taxi Driver Cannes review quite different than booing, and different from Sea of Trees reception and review - a one/two punch that's far from irrelevant, Mr. Troll.

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Assassins, mass murderers and other freakish criminals more often than not turn out to be the quiet kid down the street. "Taxi Driver" is Martin Scorsese's frighteningly plausible case history of such a person. It's a powerful film and a terrific showcase for the versatility of star Robert De Niro.
A.D. Murphy

Assassins, mass murderers and other freakish criminals more often than not turn out to be the quiet kid down the street, and not the nuts and radicals that society views with regular alarm. Taxi Driver is Martin Scorseses frighteningly plausible case history of such a person. Its a powerful film, an excellent credit for Scorsese, and a terrific showcase for the versatility of star Robert De Niro. The intricate production planning gives the Columbia release a quasi-documentary look, and the late Bernard Herrmanns final score is superb. Michael and Julia Phillips produced this hot b.o. item, which has class and mass audience appeal.

I referenced all from memory. Frankenheimer's "Seconds" was roundly booed until the audience realized the star was in the theater, then they stood to cheer him (albeit supposedly in acknowledgement of his illustrious career).

I thought these boards were about intelligent, respectful interactions. Having now referenced your profile page, you do appear to have some issues here. I am certainly not some gnome or elf.

Cronenberg's "Crash" was booed as well and I could certainly understand that, but kneejerk reactions are hardly dogma.

Your response was hardly in the realm of "intelligent, respectful interactions." And now you're crying, Mr. Troll. This is your first day here - learn the ropes and expect back what you give.

And keep googling. Like everyone's seen Gertrud.

http://www.andsoitbeginsfilms.com/2013/05/top-10-movies-booed-at-cannes.html

Next you'll reference L'Argent.

And lighten up, keyboardist.

Lol. Dude, you're a *beep* tool. Why don't you take your own advice?

*beep* off, you goddamn *beep* *beep*

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That's hardly a recommendation for your relevance and knowledge of cinema, only a tribute to your skill at chickepecking a keyboard.

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I'm not seeking "recommendation" and merely providing hopefully interesting information about the history of films that have received boos at Cannes. Unlike you, Ive worked in the film industry and attended the Cannes Festival several times. Its decidedly a different place now, but the impulsive vocal rejoinders from the international hordes remains ill-mannered.

Festival buzz should be taken with a grain of Cannes sea salt. Based on that sort of festival trajectory Ben Stillers The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was being bandied about as an Oscar contender, the next Forrest Gump heir apparent, instead it got maligned by anyone with taste and wound up a pretentious box office flop. It played like a two hour inspirational video from an ad agency selling travel packages. It wasn't actually "booed" anywhere, just dissected after its hasty demise.

Yawn. I can Google too.

I've noticed that you've now changed your profile to "award winning screenwriter and filmmaker" so I'm curious as to what you've done that I may have seen?

Admittedly, if I haven't seen any of your oeuvre, I wouldn't Google per se, just consult this actual site.

". . . that response is about as irrelevant as disgruntled IMDB reviews and rants."

Im referring to those individuals that are fecklessly hostile here and indiscriminately attack art as a form of schadenfreude against others that make a living at it. Most of the bile is borne from their own frustration at not being able to attain any stature in the arts. Its the same motivations as the cowardly boos.

". . . that response is about as irrelevant as disgruntled IMDB reviews and rants."

You rated Enough Said a 9??

Enough said.

And Tree of Life got booed too.

Probably didn't like Enough Said because it didn't star Matthew McConaughey, an actor with whom you seem obsessed as evidenced by a quick scan of board postings going back a few years, and nearly all regarding Mr. M.

Alright, alright, alright, another googler.

I wonder why I'd be a fangurl? Maybe because he has given brilliant performances non stop for 4 years? And he has good reviews for this one too.

Alright, alright, alright, another obsessed fangurl.

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Probably didn't like Enough Said because it didn't star Matthew McConaughey

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I liked it because it starred Gandolfini and was bittersweet, but the encompassing performances were littered with sitcom artificality. Not a "9" rating by any stretch of the imagination.

He also gave "Birdman" a lowly rating as well as the amusing "Bad Words" then brands anyone that politely disagrees with him, or offers experienced perspective, as a "troll." I'd certainly hate to sit in an Uber cab this person drives.

". . . that response is about as irrelevant as disgruntled IMDB reviews and rants."

He's a wanker. I love it when trolls come on board just to trash a movie and then you check and see what movies they loved! LOL!

Alright, alright, alright, just another obsessed fangurl.

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He's a wanker. I love it when trolls come on board just to trash a movie and then you check and see what movies they loved! LOL!

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Of yes, even more rich is to describe yourself as an award worthy screenwriter and filmmaker sans physical credentials. Perhaps I should describe myself as 007 as its just as authentic?

Cant imagine legitimate award winners would bother with the sheer volume of reviews this fellow writes as well as maligning other memberss. Actual filmmakers are too busy getting booed at Cannes!

". . . that response is about as irrelevant as disgruntled IMDB reviews and rants."

Liking Stillers Walter Mitty is the ultimate crucible. That emperor truly had no clothes. It was an insincere effort to win palms that only gulled insensible viewers that revere Hallmark movies.

". . . that response is about as irrelevant as disgruntled IMDB reviews and rants."

Precisely, these online sites are renowned as snake pits for unrequited gadflies and here Ive engaged one of those many legions on the very first day!

". . . that response is about as irrelevant as disgruntled IMDB reviews and rants."

It's getting bad buzz and was booed at Cannes, and yet, Gus Van Sant was nominated for the top director prize at Cannes.

If you're film is in competition, you're officially nominated for the Palme d'Or (not Best Director).

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