geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
I just love it when folks without a clue concerning that which they allege to critique hold forth.
Dear Wendy exposes the US’s gun culture
- Thread starter wingnutx
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Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
See this movie? Stay home and polish paper clips? See this movie? Stay home and polish paper clips?
Life includes some mighty tough choices sometimes!
eagle45
Member
I wonder if my dear old Gertrude could use a little lovin down at the range tonight? 
Next stop, The Twilight Zone. I can't do this review justice, you've got to read it for yourself. 
Review of Dear Wendy
Dear Wendy
Reviewed By Erik Childress
Posted 02/04/05 03:54:35
"OOOOOHHHH, Guns, Guns, GUNS!"
(Worth A Look)
SCREENED AT THE 2005 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: Amidst a moment of impending chaos, a young man writes a letter to his sweetheart. Like a soldier going off to war, he writes pages and pages, seemingly oblivious of the array of firearms being prepared behind him. A potential slaughter is approaching and this one-time pacifist may be penning his last words to his beloved Wendy. However, she is not a person nor even a pet. Wendy is the name of his gun. How did we get to this point?
In the mining town of Estherslope, young Dick (Jamie Bell) has grown up under the care of Clarabelle (Novella Nelson). His father died in the mine shafts, a life that never suited Dick from the get-go. He knows the other kids in town, but is more inclined to loner status. When he’s told to attend a birthday party for Clarabelle’s grandson, Dick goes present shopping and chooses a toy gun in the window of the local general store. Much to his surprise, the weapon is no toy at all and he feels compelled to grasp it.
Dick is a self-described pacifist, which is easy to label oneself in a town that looks as if its never seen violence in all its days. Sheriff Krugsby (Bill Pullman) even assures him that he’s “a good boy.” And he is. Even with a gun in his possession, Dick has no plans to use it for evil. But boy is it fun to shoot. His friend, Stevie (Mark Webber) also takes a shine to it and turns his mind to the education of all things weaponry until he becomes a roving encyclopedia of size, strength and impact.
Dick and Stevie begin an underground club called the Dandies. Naturally, where there’s a place to fit-in, others who have no place to fit will gravitate. Freddie (Michael Angarano) is constantly getting beat up at school, mainly because of his leg-braced brother, Huey (Chris Owen). Susan (Alison Pill) is the shy girl who sold Dick his new toy and with one in her own hand, she enjoys a Pygmalion-like transformation, somehow convinced that her newfound love is even responsible for her new ample bosom. The Dandies have nothing but good intentions; if you can call them intentions at all. They are just friends following a strict code never to draw their weapons. Classes are held about guns, names are given to their newborn loves and practice turns to perfection.
It should come as little surprise that the author of this little opus is none other than Lars Von Trier, who has made such scathing indictments of the American way of life involving Religion (Breaking the Waves), the Death Penalty (Dancer in the Dark) and Immigration & Religion & The Death Penalty (Dogville). Von Trier has been lashed out against for not only his heavy-handed “shame on you” screenplays, but also because he’s never set foot in America because he’s deathly afraid to travel. There’s a movie in there somewhere and I’d like to see Von Trier write it. Just because someone is critical, doesn’t mean he’s wrong.
The implication of America’s love with guns was evident in Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine. The Second Amendment is condemned and debated by liberals while it’s held like a red, white and blue blanket from mostly the gun nuts and gun lobbyists. A gun may be an ideal measure of prevention, but doesn’t carry that mutually-assured destruction that keeps nuclear missiles in their silos. If you’re good enough, you can kill the other person without dying. Even the NRA’s slogan suggests you must murder them before they drop their weapon (or their beliefs.) Similarly, The Dandies refer to firing as “loving.”
Shooting is fun. Even the staunchest of pacifists couldn’t deny that. It’s why we love action movies, video games and playing Cops & Robbers. Some take it further into skeet shooting and hunting. But there are variables that can turn dormancy into tragedy. Von Trier plays up our fear of stereotypes when this group of Caucasians is asked to look over a paroled criminal; a black man (Danso Gordon) who ironically happens to have once been the child to whom Dick was prepared to present with a toy gun.
Director Thomas Vinterberg has solid material to work with and presents it in a more cohesive narrative than his last Sundance effort, the oblique sci-fi parable, Its All About Love. Together with Von Trier, they can’t help but hammer the firearm debate on every nail they can find and when they run out, the search begins for fingers, utilizing tricks straight out of David O. Russell’s Three Kings to drive home the impact. Their surroundings take on a Pleasantville-like status as the time period looks like something out of the early 20th century. The kids begin to dress like the cowboy heroes we admired; mythical symbols of American history that soon give way to more modern technology and bigger guns. Dear Wendy will divide audiences and critics the same way that Von Trier’s directorial efforts have, but now more than ever, as the Zombies’ song harmoniously states, it’s the time of the season for loving.
© Copyright HBS Entertainment, Inc.
Review of Dear Wendy
Dear Wendy
Reviewed By Erik Childress
Posted 02/04/05 03:54:35
"OOOOOHHHH, Guns, Guns, GUNS!"
(Worth A Look)
SCREENED AT THE 2005 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: Amidst a moment of impending chaos, a young man writes a letter to his sweetheart. Like a soldier going off to war, he writes pages and pages, seemingly oblivious of the array of firearms being prepared behind him. A potential slaughter is approaching and this one-time pacifist may be penning his last words to his beloved Wendy. However, she is not a person nor even a pet. Wendy is the name of his gun. How did we get to this point?
In the mining town of Estherslope, young Dick (Jamie Bell) has grown up under the care of Clarabelle (Novella Nelson). His father died in the mine shafts, a life that never suited Dick from the get-go. He knows the other kids in town, but is more inclined to loner status. When he’s told to attend a birthday party for Clarabelle’s grandson, Dick goes present shopping and chooses a toy gun in the window of the local general store. Much to his surprise, the weapon is no toy at all and he feels compelled to grasp it.
Dick is a self-described pacifist, which is easy to label oneself in a town that looks as if its never seen violence in all its days. Sheriff Krugsby (Bill Pullman) even assures him that he’s “a good boy.” And he is. Even with a gun in his possession, Dick has no plans to use it for evil. But boy is it fun to shoot. His friend, Stevie (Mark Webber) also takes a shine to it and turns his mind to the education of all things weaponry until he becomes a roving encyclopedia of size, strength and impact.
Dick and Stevie begin an underground club called the Dandies. Naturally, where there’s a place to fit-in, others who have no place to fit will gravitate. Freddie (Michael Angarano) is constantly getting beat up at school, mainly because of his leg-braced brother, Huey (Chris Owen). Susan (Alison Pill) is the shy girl who sold Dick his new toy and with one in her own hand, she enjoys a Pygmalion-like transformation, somehow convinced that her newfound love is even responsible for her new ample bosom. The Dandies have nothing but good intentions; if you can call them intentions at all. They are just friends following a strict code never to draw their weapons. Classes are held about guns, names are given to their newborn loves and practice turns to perfection.
It should come as little surprise that the author of this little opus is none other than Lars Von Trier, who has made such scathing indictments of the American way of life involving Religion (Breaking the Waves), the Death Penalty (Dancer in the Dark) and Immigration & Religion & The Death Penalty (Dogville). Von Trier has been lashed out against for not only his heavy-handed “shame on you” screenplays, but also because he’s never set foot in America because he’s deathly afraid to travel. There’s a movie in there somewhere and I’d like to see Von Trier write it. Just because someone is critical, doesn’t mean he’s wrong.
The implication of America’s love with guns was evident in Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine. The Second Amendment is condemned and debated by liberals while it’s held like a red, white and blue blanket from mostly the gun nuts and gun lobbyists. A gun may be an ideal measure of prevention, but doesn’t carry that mutually-assured destruction that keeps nuclear missiles in their silos. If you’re good enough, you can kill the other person without dying. Even the NRA’s slogan suggests you must murder them before they drop their weapon (or their beliefs.) Similarly, The Dandies refer to firing as “loving.”
Shooting is fun. Even the staunchest of pacifists couldn’t deny that. It’s why we love action movies, video games and playing Cops & Robbers. Some take it further into skeet shooting and hunting. But there are variables that can turn dormancy into tragedy. Von Trier plays up our fear of stereotypes when this group of Caucasians is asked to look over a paroled criminal; a black man (Danso Gordon) who ironically happens to have once been the child to whom Dick was prepared to present with a toy gun.
Director Thomas Vinterberg has solid material to work with and presents it in a more cohesive narrative than his last Sundance effort, the oblique sci-fi parable, Its All About Love. Together with Von Trier, they can’t help but hammer the firearm debate on every nail they can find and when they run out, the search begins for fingers, utilizing tricks straight out of David O. Russell’s Three Kings to drive home the impact. Their surroundings take on a Pleasantville-like status as the time period looks like something out of the early 20th century. The kids begin to dress like the cowboy heroes we admired; mythical symbols of American history that soon give way to more modern technology and bigger guns. Dear Wendy will divide audiences and critics the same way that Von Trier’s directorial efforts have, but now more than ever, as the Zombies’ song harmoniously states, it’s the time of the season for loving.
© Copyright HBS Entertainment, Inc.
ZeroX
Member
Eeeeewwwww.
But my guess is that some entertainment show will give it plenty of coverage and it'll be a surprise smash hit.
But my guess is that some entertainment show will give it plenty of coverage and it'll be a surprise smash hit.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Variety ran an article on this movie earlier this year. It struck me as ill-informed pseudo-intellectual pandering then, and I'd have to say that given what I've read of it so far that my initial appraisal was spot on.
I'm sorry folks....but....I can't stop laughing...!!! Hahahaha!!!
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php4?article_id=7022
"Dear Wendy"
LMFAO-ROFL-OMG-***-BBQ!!!
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php4?article_id=7022
"Dear Wendy"
LMFAO-ROFL-OMG-***-BBQ!!!
NineseveN
member
:banghead:
ZeroX
Member
Somehow I doubt that those guys picked up the broomhandle or the musket at their local Wal-Mart. 
Moondoggie
Member
I must be missing out!
I've never considered naming any of my guns, and don't know anybody else who has, either.
What a load of horse manure!
I'm sure the lefties will slobber all over themselves since Mikey Moore seems to have dropped off of page 1.
I've never considered naming any of my guns, and don't know anybody else who has, either.
What a load of horse manure!
I'm sure the lefties will slobber all over themselves since Mikey Moore seems to have dropped off of page 1.
carebear
Member
I saw Dogville.
It was similar to having someone explain something in detail to you, whack you on the head with a stick with "the point" embossed on it, and then re-explaining.
In order to make his points the guy builds monodimensional characters with no redeeming factors (so we can tell they are truly as bad as they seem to be).
He then adds to that firm foundation contrived "artistically minimalist" set design and nuance-free storytelling and produces a steaming pile of juvenile crap.
Not impressed on any level, and I usually cut "artsy" types a break for trying something different. I swear my niece tells more compelling and complex stories.
It was similar to having someone explain something in detail to you, whack you on the head with a stick with "the point" embossed on it, and then re-explaining.
In order to make his points the guy builds monodimensional characters with no redeeming factors (so we can tell they are truly as bad as they seem to be).
He then adds to that firm foundation contrived "artistically minimalist" set design and nuance-free storytelling and produces a steaming pile of juvenile crap.
Not impressed on any level, and I usually cut "artsy" types a break for trying something different. I swear my niece tells more compelling and complex stories.
SAvulgarghost
Member
Socialist Worker?
Haha THR probably gave that farce of a review the vast majority of its hits, I wonder how many tens of people are gonna end up seeing that thing...
Haha THR probably gave that farce of a review the vast majority of its hits, I wonder how many tens of people are gonna end up seeing that thing...
Texian Pistolero
member
This Wendy does not reside on Planet Earth.
At such time that she evinces evidence of residing on Planet Earth,
then I will respond.
Otherwise,
huh?
So,
it is pretty much a matter of establishing residence on Planet Earth kinda thing.
And, in general, not my first priority.
At such time that she evinces evidence of residing on Planet Earth,
then I will respond.
Otherwise,
huh?
So,
it is pretty much a matter of establishing residence on Planet Earth kinda thing.
And, in general, not my first priority.
me too
I was modestly intrigued by the set-design since it was less than normal. However thats where the innovation stopped. It turned out to be a subpar nugget of dumbed down story telling wrapped in a glossy package with "art" written on the outside.
And to think, the filmaker was probably reigning in his "art" on that film, which was supposed to be comerically viable. I cant imagine the horror of this movie. It might be a good candidate for my next drunken bad movie night.
carebear
Member
I just kept waiting for hot Nicole Kidman action....
Not so much. :banghead:
Not so much. :banghead:
RaggedClaws
Member
You mean you want to actually experience something before you critique it? How quaint of you!
I saw Breaking the Waves and I found it disturbing and disgusting. I haven't seen a Lars Von Trier film since.
BerettaNut92
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2002
- Messages
- 9,723
Theatrical garb? I dress like a pirate!!
Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll (Chinese for arrrrrrrrrr)
Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll (Chinese for arrrrrrrrrr)
JohnBT
Member
Dear Wendy...
"And if she should tell you, 'Come closer'
And if she tempts you with her charms
Tell her no, no, no, no, no no no no
No, no, no, no, no no no no"
- Zombies
"And if she should tell you, 'Come closer'
And if she tempts you with her charms
Tell her no, no, no, no, no no no no
No, no, no, no, no no no no"
- Zombies
MatthewVanitas
Member
All this time and nobody's made a "limp wristing" comment yet?
Not a bad film overall, liked the mincing, didn't care for the prancing...
All jokes aside, I'll definitely see it when it comes out on DVD and I can get it from the library. Like many other films, I'll just ignore the ending and focus on the parts I like.
Young eccentrics with guns, what's not to like? I rather doubt that this film is going to sway that many people one way or the other on the issue. Heck, did "Bowling for Columbine" really do that much damage? Most of these preachy films just preach to the converted anyway. However, I wouldn't mind seeing a few more pro-gun films come out....
Not a bad film overall, liked the mincing, didn't care for the prancing...
All jokes aside, I'll definitely see it when it comes out on DVD and I can get it from the library. Like many other films, I'll just ignore the ending and focus on the parts I like.
Young eccentrics with guns, what's not to like? I rather doubt that this film is going to sway that many people one way or the other on the issue. Heck, did "Bowling for Columbine" really do that much damage? Most of these preachy films just preach to the converted anyway. However, I wouldn't mind seeing a few more pro-gun films come out....
Dirty Bob
Member
Lars Von Trier's stuff is so bad it doesn't even work as camp. The lefties love him, and he wins awards, but if I were you guys, I wouldn't waste my time. After seeing Dancer in the Dark, I wanted to get my two hours back!
Dirty Bob
Dirty Bob
Michael Zeleny
member
Thomas Vinterberg is responsible for the fine film Festen, a.k.a. The Celebration. I am looking forward to Dear Wendy.
The so called "gun culture" exists nowhere except in the minds of the liberal gun haters. It's their way of demonizing something that they fear and can't understand....people who are willing and able to defend themselves from evil. In return we should call their lifestyle "the sheep culture" or the "coward culture". Or the "ostrich with their head in the sand culture". Or maybe soon it will be the "cannon fodder culture".
Mulliga
Member
An anti-gunner can't even imagine a gun that won't eventually kill someone. It's beyond them.
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