Beasts of the Southern Wild

[question everything]

This movie came in the summer but now, that it is nominated for an Oscar, has been re-released.

I am no movie critic and am not going to offer any - even though I think it deserves the prize because it is so unique.

No, what I finally realized was why so many people refused to evacuate during Katrina, and some years later, in Texas, during Ike, and Harry S. Truman in 1980 when Mt. St. Helen erupted. All disappeared never to be heard again.

While I've always lived in a city, when houses are connected to a grid via pipes, I can now understand why many really just want to be left alone. They don't want to evacuate, they probably have no idea, once the disaster is over, what to do next.

And I admire their resolve.

[HereSince1628]

1. Some remarkable performances from essentially unknowns

really. I hope some of them get recognized, but I don't think that little girl has a chance...considering the other women who had leading roles.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. Once there was a Hushpuppy, and she lived with her Daddy in the Bathtub

I'm not a cryer.

This was different.

If we think of the catalogue of father-daughter movies (and several good ones came out last year, including Eastwood's Trouble with the Curve), there's no way Beasts doesn't make the top five. I'm attentive to this kind of stuff now that my daughter is six and I'm thinking of all the ways we might narrate our own experience.

[question everything]

14. I am glad that you recognize the father-daugther bond

Locally, at least, there were protests that the movie "glorified" child abuse. The way he was yelling at her, even slapped her once.

I am no expert at child abuse, but it was clear to me that he could have just split, or let social service and foster parents step in. Instead, he saw this as his responsibility to raise her to be self sufficient - as much as she could - even before he became sick.

[NoOneMan]

3. Excellent movie of what our future might look like

As global warming threatens industrial society--which will respond by shrinking and building walls to keep out nature--some people may just not want to do it any more. The people in the Bathtub accepted an eventual flood, that they are dropping on the food chain, and their inevitable deaths. In exchange, every day in the bathtub was a party. There were no hard jobs or taxes, nor excrutiating studies besides understanding the world and their place in it. They were liberated from the tyranny of our modern economy in the face of impending doom, and yet subject to the tyranny of nature in exchange (if you can call it that).

The movie was original on many levels, and especially because it implicitly rejected all the messages our culture sends out about our indentured involvement in it. Truly for some, further participation may only chain them more the a whithering entity that is destroying their freedom. Instead, being tough and partying everyday may be a lifestyle that brings more joy and experience in the short period of existence it may grant for its adherents.

In any case, we have very tough times ahead and our system isn't going to be able to protect everyone from loads of pain. Some may choose to drop out and take care of themselves in small communities. Some will try and slave further to the system until it determines they are not useful enough to keep around in a world of growing chaos.

[question everything]

15. We can only envy them

The rest of us are always in a race to.... achieve, get ahead, succeed.

At least when my generation - the baby boomers - was in college, many took it at a slower pace. Many took off a year, or two, volunteered to the peace corps, protested, were dreaming of making a difference.

Now we hear that liberal arts studies is a "waste." That colleges should prepare students for jobs. That they should concentrate on skills that the job market seeks. Even older people who lost their jobs are being sent, again and again, to learn new skills where the benefits are doubtful.

[KaryninMiami]

4. Loved this film- breathtakingly lush

And oh so beautiful- the acting was superb and the story so compelling and powerful yet also so simple and pure. I hope it gets seen by many more now that it's been re- released and if anyone at DU has not yet seen this masterpiece, don't miss it. And try to see it in a theatre- on a TV will not be the same.

[11 Bravo]

5. FUCK! I was expecting a Lindsey Graham and Bobby Jindal at the beach pic!

[mcar]

6. That little girl.was incredible

It was a magical film.

[AsahinaKimi]

7. This was a wonderful movie..

The little girl was so sweet, made me cry. It was an awesome film and deserves as many awards as it can get.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

9. thank you for this trailer!

Wow, I hadn't even heard of this movie!

Yet another Thank Goodness for DU moment!!

[AsahinaKimi]

10. You're welcome

Its a sweet movie, I am sure you will enjoy it. It took me totally by surprise.

[underpants]

8. I would love to see it - is it appropriate for a 7 year old?

Just asking.

[AsahinaKimi]

11. Absolutely

You can watch the trailer above, I posted it.

[truth2power]

12. The last scene...with the beasts...was extraordinary. Won't spoil it. n/t

[Zorra]

13. That was a very outside the box film. I loved it. nt

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

16. Just a technicality here

Harry S Truman, former President, died in 1972. Harry R Truman, caretaker of the Mt St Helens Lodge and no relation to the President, died during the eruption.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Randall_Truman
I can understand the reluctance to evacuate.

[question everything]

17. OOps. Thanks

The similarity in names was so great that I carried it to its conclusion.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

18. Harry R certainly...

...did become something of a celebrity.