On Hands Off That Rumpus, Dave Eggers!
actually, i was trying to take it easy on these two new films by saying that they would be more sophisticated versions of the shrek trend, which is not quite right since sophistication (reflexivity and euphemism) is the problem with shrek. what i meant is that these two films will cater to adulthood in a different but equally bad way, and that way is... i don't know, something to do with indie rock and design snobbery and obama?
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On Hands Off That Rumpus, Dave Eggers!
i've reviewed a few children's movies, and now more than ever i guess the question nags: is this movie pandering to experience at the expense of innocence? shrek, etc. this is marketing rather than art, right? selling children's films to their adult parents? i watched miyazaki's ponyo a couple weeks ago. wonderful film for children. adults: not so much. i liked it a lot for this reason. the previews that preceded the film included (where the) wild things (are) and anderson's fantastic mr. fox. my question, which may not be but seems fair, is will kids enjoy theses films? they managed to enjoy shrek, clearly and regrettably, but will they enjoy these more sophisticated versions of the shrek trend?
related: do kids respond to the arcade fire? that band always struck me as sounding gestural and nostalgic, like it needed footnotes to truly enjoy--not in a complicated and smart or good way, only that its textures and spaces were the shadows of certain antecedents.
i don't have kids, but i want them to be happy and have their own good art. is that what's happening here?
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On New Video: Girls, "Substance"
I do not care either way, but, um, these guys write deeply ironic songs. Please listen better.