Hugo Impressions

Hugo finally came out on disc yesterday. With the amount of awards it garnered, I was eager to watch it last night.

It left me feeling unsatisfied, the anti-Snickers bar of cinema. I understand why critics love it, but it was such a boring movie. All the parts were there for a great film: terrific set and costume design (especially the latter half of the movie), pretty good acting - especially the strong supporting cast of Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Christopher Lee, the cinematography was very good for the most part, and the dialogue was serviceable, if unremarkable.

The best scenes were the brief glimpses we get of the remarkable films produced by Georges Méliès (Ben Kingsley). They showed far more ingenuity than anything else on screen.

I think Hugo got so much love because it incorporated a few elements that critics are absolute suckers for:

a) it took place just after World War I

b) it dealt with the origins of cinema

c) an orphan kid was the main protagonist

For an estimated 170 million, it better be a good looking film - and it is. But the basic story driving the action is just that. Basic. Nothing of worth really happens for the first half of the running time. When I finally abandoned the movie to go do something else for 10-15 minutes I apparently missed all of the important plot movement that there was to see. I came back to the couch and the story was wrapping up. If you missed those crucial few minutes, like I did, you find it hard to believe in the outcome.

Again, Hugo had the parts to be a great movie. They just fit together in a way that I found unappealing. In that way this reminds me forcibly of Super 8. The same lesson could be learned here. Story first, kids.

2.5/4

Nostalgia

So at what length of time between rewatching something would you guys say it takes to feel nostalgia? Also, what are some of the best environments to establish a sense of nostalgia? As I sit here and rewatch season 2 of Dexter with my father I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia from the first time I watched this. I would have to wait until I got the daughter to bed and the wife would already be in bed, but then I would grab a snack and a drink and sit on the couch. Sometimes the lights would be off and sometimes on but I just remember how encaptured I was through it. There are numerous films and tv shows I remember doing the exact same thing. I don't quite remember ever feeling that way at a movie theater. Not that I don't enjoy viewing a good film in the theater with some great surround sound and big screen quality, but there is something about being able to watch in your own style and comfort that brings about that great sense of nostalgia. I'd say it was about a year and a half or so ago when I first watched Dexter, but I feel like if I hadn't waited that long, even if sitting in the same environment and not the one I'm currently in, I don't think I would feel it as I do now. Even just hearing the music and theme songs stir it up. I can remember watching all the Bond movies with my dad back in the day. Lost will probably always be one of my favs and I watched that show mostly by myself as well. I think you have a stronger sense of nostalgia when you watch something with someone, but even by yourself can be pretty awesome depending on the environment and what you're watching. Anyway, what are some of your favorite nostalgic film/tv viewing moments?