Student Film Reviews

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1. Jackson Davis 11.26.18 / 11pm

   I agree with the pacing issues. While it was fast paced for most it, the 5th part slowed to a screeching halt. Overall, I thought it was very well shot, and very well written.
2. Jordan Barr 11.28.18 / 11pm

   I really wanted to see this film just because I love the Coen brothers, although it sounds like this one isn’t as fantastic as some of their other movies.
3. William Geare 01.30.19 / 10am

   While I understand where you’re coming from, I think the beautiful thing about anthologies is that they CAN be so many different things at once. The fact that we start the film as a musical comedy and later lead into everything from a tragic love story to ghost story is what I think the film’s biggest strength. I do not think the film is perfect, as I thought certain segments were stronger than others (my personal favorite was the wagon train story, but we can chalk that up to a difference in taste), but overall I found the tonal shifts to be surprising and welcome additions to the film, adding new flavor and making the viewing experience enjoyably unpredictable.
4. Maya Portier 02.07.19 / 1pm

   I really wanted to watch this film. I thought that James Franco and the Coen Brothers would bring something better. For such accomplished filmmakers I expect more than an unsure review but I trust your judgement as you watched it three times. Besides the cadence of the movie, it seemed that the writing had some redeeming qualities. I’m not sure that “pacing issues” will be something to notice when I’m watching a bittersweet story told right but I am maybe being too optimistic.Your review has not deterred me from wanting to watch it but as I watch I will definitely scrutinize it.
5. Addison Lueras 03.08.19 / 9pm

   Fine review and well written. I have watched this movie twice and I keep enjoying it more and more. While I do agree with you that the other stories may not have been as fast paced as the first two, I have come to believe the Coen brothers intentionally slowed the rest of the stories down to try to show what the western days were really like and that there was more to this decade than action and violence, as well as how different peoples lives were lived during this time period. An example of this is the story of the Impresario, played by Liam Neeson ends up throwing his friend who has no arms or legs into the ice cold river just because the impresario is struggling to make money. For years, he sacrificed his own life to help his friend out and we feel sympathy for the both of them, but when he pulls such a cruel act, the audience is shocked and can’t believe what just took place. I think this is skit was designed as a shock factor and also shows the cruelty of humans. I believe this is what the Coen brothers were trying to achieve, just at this part of there film went slow and many were probably ready to move on to the next story, the Coen brothers wanted us to imagine how painfully slow and tough life must be for the both of them. Overall, well thought out review. Good job.
6. Sabil Kaddoura 03.14.19 / 12am

   When this movie came out, I was really excited to see it. However, just like you, I don’t really know what to think about it. I thought the stories were cool ideas and they were well shot, but I’m not sure I get the purpose/point of them. All the unrelated stories were very long, and I was waiting for them to be somehow connected, but they never did. I will say though, that some parts of the movie were quite funny. Good review!
7. Thomas Milin 06.08.19 / 8pm

   I’m so glad someone reviewed this film, because I absolutely loved it. To see a Western style slapstick comedy with modern filmmaking influence was truly amazing to me. I’ve always been a fan of the Coen brothers style and this movie was a fun experience as a viewer. The Coen brothers are able to peak the audiences interests, as well as providing classic humor, in a refreshing way. The fact that Buster constantly breaks and talks directly to the audience is unique and I considered it enjoyable with the storyline. I thought the fast paced stories made the movie easier to follow and kept me intrigued, especially by combining all the classic elements of Western films while making it humorous. The movie had some great close-ups of the characters, such as the dialogue with James Franco as he’s about to be hung (for the second time). It also had great long-shots, such as Buster breaking to talk to the camera in the saloon, in which the mise-en-scene depicts an overwhelming amount of Western style props, characters, and lighting.
8. Randal Kamradt 11.06.21 / 2pm

   I agree that this film is disjointed and the pace fluctuates quite a bit. This is in contrast to a typical Coen brothers film which will usually have incredible control on pacing. In this case, I really cannot count this against the film(s). Their approach appears to be to give each short story exactly the pacing and tone which that individual story demands, without any interest or concern as to how they will work together when presented as a single film. My extra-textual understanding is that they even started making The Ballad of Buster Scruggs as a season of television for Netflix, without the intention of these short films being glued together as a feature. Given that approach, the shorts themselves are quite exceptional.

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