Mary (2021)

I stumbled upon this movie because the opening caught my eye—just people diving off some island...

The visuals are stunning; given how beautiful the landscapes and underwater scenery are, you'd expect it to be great. However, the plot and the characters really get in the way. The intrigue leads nowhere, and the characters feel forced. The mother, father, and daughter are all stuck in their own little worlds of being misunderstood, which just gets tedious. They don't feel real at all. People living on an island should have this sun-drenched energy, and when they dive, they should look completely in their element. Instead, everyone just seems perpetually moody.

I was actually hoping for a fun crime thriller, especially since there's a father and daughter diving together. I expected themes of a love for the sea, maybe finding buried treasure, or some outsider trying to steal it, or even a mother working secretly with a stranger while an underwater tunnel leads to a cave holding some local legend. 😍

Instead, it turned into this story about repressed women. It felt like a commentary on the status of women in a small rural town back in the 1600s, just dressed in modern swimwear. 🤔

Still, it’s watchable, and if it’s better than most recent American productions, then fine. The psychological angle is that Julia is symbolically a Murina (or rather, the opposite)😁, acting simultaneously as a pale victim and a dangerous predator, culminating in her father nearly dying because of her (if I understood that correctly). The one thing that felt truly nonsensical was the depiction of those memorial stones for fallen firefighters being shown as land up for sale (if I caught that right). I honestly have no idea why they included that. 😕

Betty Jackson69 said:Honestly, the only thing that felt truly idiotic was portraying those memorial sites for fallen firefighters as if they were just some plots of land up for sale (if I even caught that correctly). I honestly have no clue what the point of that was supposed to be. 😕

The author is clearly calling out the hypocrisy of Americans. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a scenario play out soon where the memorial site for those fallen firefighters gets sold off to some massive hotel consortium. It’s not like we haven't seen "sacred ground" auctioned off to the highest bidder before.
That massive tattoo of the national emblem is nothing more than a joke—it’s just pure, unadulterated performative patriotism. Look, we love to talk about how our grandfathers bled for this country and how we’re all supposed to be these fierce, die-hard patriots, but let's be real. The second a customer walks through the door with a fat wallet, all those "sacred values" go right out the window. It's all for show.

Ethan Davis34 said:The author is clearly mocking American hypocrisy, and I honestly think it’s entirely possible in the near future that a site dedicated to fallen firefighters gets sold off to some hotel consortium (it happens all the time where "sacred" places are auctioned off).
Plus, that tattoo with the massive American crest can only be seen as a jab at such intense patriotism. Basically, we claim everything is our heritage and people died for it, making us huge patriots, but as soon as a buyer shows up, it all goes out the window.

That is quite an obsession. If someone owns land or a family legacy and decides to sell it, they might be a hypocrite claiming to be a great patriot, or maybe they just don't have any other choice. Then you have someone else who is a true patriot and refuses to sell—they aren't necessarily a hypocrite, though they could be for other reasons. People are different, and situations vary. Filmmakers, artists, and folks like that who are obsessed with this kind of hate and contempt for people in general often seem more full of themselves than actually talented.

Regarding selling the memorial for the fallen firefighters, I personally think it's pretty distasteful to use a scene like that in a movie just to "mock" anyone. It feels really ugly and sad. And incredibly hypocritical. 👎

Betty Jackson69 said:The level of obsession here is exhausting. If someone owns some land or an inheritance and decides to sell it, they might be a hypocrite masquerading as a patriot, or maybe they simply have no other choice. On the flip side, you have someone who claims to be a die-hard patriot and refuses to sell; they might be sincere, or they might be just as much of a hypocrite for entirely different reasons. Then there are those who aren't patriots at all, yet they end up being hypocrites regardless of whether they sell or hold on. People are complicated, and situations vary. Filmmakers, artists, and people like them—who are so consumed by this specific brand of hatred and contempt for people in general—usually turn out to be more full of themselves than they are actually talented.

As for the idea of using the site where those firefighters perished as a mere backdrop for a movie scene just to "mock" someone, I find that incredibly distasteful. It’s ugly, it’s pathetic, and it’s profoundly hypocritical. 👎

Well said.
That is my take on it as well; besides, this hollow argument about mockery doesn't make any sense whatsoever. This individual claims to be mocking American hypocrisy, but what is the payoff? Absolutely nothing. If little Julia thinks she's providing a clever rebuttal to that supposed American hypocrisy, then it’s a pretty bad joke. She’s arguably more hypocritical herself, given that she’s essentially offering herself up, selling out to some tacky foreigner for peanuts. She can hardly criticize her father for selling off land that should be treated with respect for the dead while simultaneously daydreaming about something as vague as "just getting out to Harvard!"

They are all hypocrites, or they aren't—it's a matter of perspective. The fact that their pretentiousness isn't clearly defined—and while pretentiousness can certainly drive a work, a creator still needs to develop why that attitude exists in the first place—doesn't mean we should accept it as some sort of "open ending" or say, "bravo, what a mess of a family." It's a fundamental failure of the work itself, no matter how much our dear colleague Patrick Martin might disagree.

Ethan Davis34 said:I actually have a short story of my own—which won first prize in a competition—that follows a very similar vein to Murina. In my version, the setting shifts to the American Hinterland, where a patriarchal father and his daughter head out on a wild boar hunt together. Even the ending carries a similar weight, though in my case, there’s this lingering ambiguity about whether the kill was the father or the beast.
For the most part, the idea that a young person can't truly find themselves in some remote corner of the Hinterland is clearly a persistent theme, given that both the author and I centered our work around it. But sure, if you want to call that an "unexplained rage," then go ahead; it's quite the oxymoron. 🤣

Exactly, because from the brief description you provided, it seems clear that neither you nor she truly understands how to execute the mechanics of actual storytelling.
The premise itself—a wild boar hunt in the Hinterland—is interesting enough. However, looking at your posts and your claims regarding the "inability of youth to develop in the Hinterland," the underlying meaning feels structurally unsound. If that is indeed your thesis, then your responsibility as a writer is twofold: you must demonstrate precisely why such development is impossible in that environment, while simultaneously ensuring that your narrative reflects the reality of the situation on the ground. In other words, you need to be convincing in your perspective.

So, here is the real question for you: what is the root of the conflict between this patriarchal father and his daughter, and how is that tension actually articulated through the specific metaphor of the wild boar hunt?

Justin Richardson7 said:Exactly, because based on your brief description, it’s obvious that neither you nor she actually understands how to make real art.
I dig the concept—hunting wild boars in the Hinterland. But honestly, everything feels semantically broken when I read your posts, especially this one where you ramble about the "impossibility of raising a young person in the Hinterland." If that’s really your angle, then your job as an author is twofold: first, you have to prove why it’s impossible for youth to thrive there, and second, ensure that thesis actually reflects the reality "on the ground." In other words, you need to be convincing if you want to hold a stance.

So, here is the real question for you: why does this patriarchal father have issues with his daughter, and how is that actually explored through the specific lens of the story "Hunting Wild Boars"?

Bravo. You managed to jump to a conclusion about my story without even reading it.
Whatever. For barely five pages of text, I got three $0.00, yet this director somehow snagged God knows how much funding and seven (7) awards for Murina. The real question is, what exactly did you gain by trashing everything American? And how is it that you can't even find work at a single publication—not even the bottom-of-the-barrel local rags? Don't tell me you aren't even capable of that.

Well, you’ve gone and tripped yourself up once again.
You love to lecture everyone else while hiding behind the supposed sanctity of art, yet you’re operating on a metric of three thousand bucks, kid. It’s pretty obvious why you can’t wrap your head around Murina's critique... because you’re just a confused little Julia, except in your case, we actually know what your price tag is.

By the way,
good for you for pulling off that little deal: five cards of text for three grand. You got your satisfaction out of it, so why should my objection matter to you at all??
We aren't even living in the same universe, so there's no need for any fear and loathing: maybe you'll find an audience elsewhere.

Justin Richardson7 said:Well, you really dug your own grave this time.
You’re out here preaching about art while carrying a price tag: three thousand bucks, kid. It’s obvious why you don't get Murina's critique... because you're just a confused little Julia, except in your case, we actually know what you're worth.

By the way,
Good for you on landing that deal: five cards of text for three grand. You got your fix, so why does my objection even matter to you??
We aren't even living in the same universe, so there's no fear: maybe other people will actually like you.

Money comes easy, but both pieces—whether they count as works or not—were recognized by professionals who actually know their stuff. And you? What do you know? What's your actual job? Why even bother watching American films if you hate them so much? Or are Americans on this forum the only ones reading your "brilliant" critiques? That's the perk of being in a small pond; any idiot can act like an expert.

I have developed a way to watch American films that is enough to make you freeze solid with pure discomfort.
And what exactly gives you the impression that they don't suit me?

So, you’ve decided to label me some kind of bitter American dinosaur on this forum. Fine. Go ahead and remember that if it helps you sleep at night. Just try not to tremble too much while you deal with my presence—me, your award-winning short story writer who spends his time calling out the relentless mockery and the deep-seated hypocrisy of Americans.

Look, let’s just settle this once and for all: I’m going to go back to writing my stories, and you should probably just walk away. Fighting is a waste of energy, and frankly, it’s beneath us. You have this restless, argumentative streak—always nitpicking over the smallest, most insignificant details—and to be honest, it’s just not my style. The experts have already validated you; they’ve recognized your talent, so there is really no point in you trying to pick a fight with some random anonymous user on a forum. It just doesn't make sense. I’ll put it plainly: we aren't even operating on the same wavelength. I am just an anonymous guy living my life, while you are an acclaimed, recognized talent with everything to prove. We exist in two different worlds. Let’s just agree to disagree and go our separate ways. God bless.

Ethan Davis34 said:It’s an easy way to make a buck, but both sides—whether you agree or not—were judged by industry professionals who actually know their stuff. So, what do you bring to the table? What’s your actual background? And if American films don't appeal to you, why bother watching them at all? Or am I just assuming Americans on this forum are the only ones reading your sharp little critiques? That’s the beauty of living in a massive country like ours—any random person can feel entitled to have an opinion.

Sometimes awards just aren't the gold standard—look at the Oscars over the last few years, for instance...

I recall back in 2006 when Hrvoje Šalković won 100 $0.00 for his best unpublished novel, "Pretend You Didn't See This"...

The book was essentially a blatant rip-off of Hunter S. Thompson's "fear and loathing in Las Vegas" (he even lifted a scene straight out of "Who Is That Pev" where Milivoje Tomić flies past the marshal and shouts, "Who are you calling a spy?")... and strictly because of that, he shouldn't have been allowed near that award... but, well, damn it, the industry gave it to him anyway...

There are plenty of instances like that—so I can't really say these are just isolated incidents...

Edward Watson18 said:Sometimes awards just aren't the benchmark, especially looking at some recent Oscars...

I still remember when Hrvoje Šalković picked up a hundred $0.00 for best unpublished novel back in 2006 for "Pretend You Didn't See This"...

The whole book was basically a blatant rip-off of Hunter S. Thompson's "fear and loathing in Las Vegas" (they even lifted a scene from "Who Is That Pev" where Milivoje Tomić storms out in front of the marshal and yells, "Who are you calling a spy?")... and honestly, for that reason alone, he shouldn't have touched that award... but whatever, the industry brass gave it to him anyway...

There's plenty of stuff like this... so I can't say these are just isolated incidents...

I agree, and I'd throw the Nobel Prize (for Literature) into that mix too. On the flip side, the movie Murina pulled in 7 awards from 7 different festivals around the globe, so it's hard to argue that's rigged in this particular case.

Ethan Davis34 said:I agree—though I’d throw a Nobel Prize (for literature) into the mix too. That said, the film Murina picked up seven awards from seven different festivals globally, so calling this one rigged feels like a stretch.

And just how many did it miss out on?

Ethan Davis34 said:I agree—though I’d also throw a Nobel Prize (for Literature) into the mix. That said, the film *Murina* picked up seven awards from seven different festivals around the world, so it's pretty hard to argue that this was anything but legitimate.

I’m actually thinking about catching his segment this weekend while I'm at work—I didn't get a chance to see him when he was on NBC a few days ago—so we'll just have to see how it turns out.

P.S. — I’ve been watching "Teresa 37"... it’s a solid film, really, but I don't think it's quite an Oscar contender.

Ethan Davis34 said:I agree—I’d also throw a Nobel Prize (for Literature) into the mix. That said, looking at the film Murina, it picked up seven awards from seven different festivals around the globe; so, in this particular instance, it’s hard to argue that anything was rigged.

Even the "marshal" managed to snag around seven or eight awards for that one—though, if you ask me, the movie itself is barely entertaining. Sure, the soundtrack is fantastic, and there are a few decent actors scattered throughout, but that’s about where the quality ends.

Justin Richardson7 said:No matter how much our dear friend Patrick Martin loses his cool.

Look, I'm not even getting worked up here. We're just having a regular discussion. You've got plenty of points, honestly, but...

...but for crying out loud, the whole movie takes place over just a few days. It doesn't spoon-feed us anything about what happened right before those days (or after), you know? We're just picking up on hints through their dialogue. Basically, we have to piece the picture together ourselves.

Based on what they actually show on screen, I can't exactly conclude this is some perfect, harmonious family unit. There’s a massive amount of confusion going on, and when things are that messy, it's damn near impossible to pin down anyone's true character. People act totally warped under that kind of pressure. And the father? He's clearly spiraling through some kind of mid-life breakdown.

So yeah, all this insistence from you guys on sticking to "ideals" is really starting to grate on my nerves.

At the end of the day, it's basically just a lot of nothing.

gracija Filipović just snagged the Oscar for Breakthrough Actor in Gotham

https://twitter.com/FilmUpdates/stat...83387618033664

hiddenranger7 said:gracija Filipović snagged an Oscar for Breakthrough Actor in Gotham

https://twitter.com/FilmUpdates/stat...83387618033664

probably just because of the bikini she wore☕

hiddenranger7 said:gracija Filipović won an Oscar for Breakthrough Actor in Gotham

https://twitter.com/FilmUpdates/stat...83387618033664

The haters are out in full force today. ☕

hiddenranger7 said:gracija Filipović won the Oscar for Breakthrough Actor in Gotham

https://twitter.com/FilmUpdates/stat...83387618033664

A history of Corruption in Gotham City.

The cinematography is gorgeous and honestly, it’s not bad at all, but man... if you have to sit through several minutes of intro just to figure out what the movie is even about or where the plot is heading... ☕