review by David Valkenet
Bug 2006
Watched Aug 08, 2012
David Valkenet’s review:
William Friedkin is fast becoming one of my favorite directors. He's adapted to the different eras he has worked in and created wonderful and masterful films in each. Even his stinkers, such as Deal of the Century are interesting (I have yet to see Rules of Engagement).
Bug is a fairly unassuming and modest film about paranoia that is extremely effective. There is a crucial scene towards the end that goes for what felt like hours. Making the scene longer than is expected is such an amazing decision. The audience intellectually understands the point of the scene after the first minute or so but to extend it as Friedkin does really puts you on edge. By the end of the film I felt like I needed a shower.
I feel like the rating will go up after some rewatches but as it stand this is a wonderful piece of work from a director in his element.
Shannon is so freaking awesome in this and I think Judd does relatively well as the counterbalance. I need to re-watch this one soon.
I was surprised at how well Judd did. Shannon is a force of nature and it's incredible that he can meet this incredibly high standard he has set for himself time and time again.
And I love love love that he is willing to do genre films like this one.
I enjoyed the hell out of this crazy ass film, and it was the first time I really noticed the talent of Shannon. He impressed me in this, and blew me away in Take Shelter.
I can't think of anything he hasn't been good in. Even in a steaming pile of horse tranquillised donkey diarrhoea that was The Runaways he was tolerable. And he had so many things working against him in that film.
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done is Shannon in full-tilt, Herzogian whack-a-doo.
Yup, totally with you there. Loved that movie and him in it.
Is My Son, My son, What Have Ye Done worth seeing? I have interest in it because of Shannon, but pretty much everywhere I look it has mostly bad reviews.
I saw it at the cinema and was swept up by it and really engrossed. Herzog and Lynch is a must see collaboration in my book - even if you don't like it it is an interesting watch.
OK thanks I suppose it can't hurt to give it a shot sometime since I like everyone involved.
I'll second David. I really dug it, but you're either on board with it or not.
I find it hard to recommend certain kinds of films, that is one of them. Especially to someone whose taste I am not overly familiar with. Have you seen/like many of Herzog's films? I'd say he's an acquired taste.
I've seen Grizzly Man and Rescue Dawn. I liked Grizzly Man and thought Rescue Dawn was OK. I have his docs Cave of Forgotten Dreams and Into the Abyss on my watchlist, but oustide of that I guess I'm not that familiar with his films.
You must watch Stroszek now. Seriously, turn off your computer and watch it now.
It's definitely closer to Rescue Dawn. Even so My Son, My Son is far weirder.
I dunno, I'd say give it a go, it's only short and you can always turn it off!
Hah, yeah, what Len said.
Yeah I really like Shannon's work and it looks interesting so I'll definitely check it out. I rarely turn a film off it has to be really really bad for me to do that.