Blucher One of the worst movies I've ever seen

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

maymaymonarch This movie... I probably shouldn't write this review, because I'm in English and I'm not ready to fully process what I just saw. This movie is not going to make you taller, it will not give you an A in all of your classes, it probably won't change your outlook on life, but in light of the world we live in now, with constant terrorist attacks and brutal violence between religions, beliefs, worldviews, etc. this is quite an interesting look at it... even 15 years later. Many people will swear that this movie says nothing and does nothing, but in all honesty, I think that's the point. It doesn't seem like anyone was trying to put a message in here, but it was more of an event. Think of it like someone just standing and saying, "Hello, I'm standing here." It does not try to justify what it does or what is shown and it does not try to condemn what is shown either. It's just THERE. Take it or leave it. The violence is disturbing, and I'm one of those people that watches gore and violence as much as possible for fun. I think it's because it seems real, more real than real life would present it, because just like the movie, it's just there. It's hard to say much about a movie that doesn't say much itself, but anyone that watches this will have one of two reactions, they'll love it or hate it. I happened to love it, and I hope anyone reading this does too.

crutt-34407 The premise, interesting. The timing,poignant. The execution (probably not the appropriate word) horrid. If you like your films pretentious,pointlessly artsy and most of all feel the need to like such films that every art critic under the sun adores then this will be a nice way to waste an hour and twenty minutes. I cannot fathom spending a day with anyone who really truly liked this film. At one point it felt as though the film may go somewhere, the lack of dialogue may help to emphatise with characters and we may see some understanding as to why this happened and how it would effect the students we followed from the start. I felt no empathy towards any character. I feel empathy for the viewer and I beg of you if you have any common sense do not waste your time. I wasted my time writing a review but i do it for the people who detest films like this, stay away

sharky_55 The students are mostly part stereotype. The girls who parade to the bathroom in groups to vomit up their lunch, and quarrel over how one of them might be spending too much time with her boyfriend. The nerdy, bespectacled girl who is bad and sports and finds solace in the library. The jocks with their cheerleader girlfriends. The quieter students whom are bullied by those jocks, and so on. But stereotypes always have an inkling of truth to them, they don't sprout from nowhere. Every school will have these people. And this makes it all the more frightening; who could be next? Van Sant has a simple style that serves his objective. The camera glides alongside these students, capturing every deep and shallow observation, every quote from Shakespeare and every "Want to go shopping?" He layers the story lines with each other; Michelle walks right into the centre of frame, obscuring the jocks at their football game, as if to declare that she too is important. And then on the second level, he builds each storyline towards the inevitable climax, leaving little clues and timestamps for us to look out for. Tension is slowly accumulated, and as a rational viewer we want to spot those telltale signs, a motive, something. Van Sant dangles all the usual indications when an event like this occurs; the boys playing a first-person shooter, the scenes of bullying, the clutching of the forehead in pain to signal mental illness. It is also a marvel of sound design. There is no score, but the sound levels are masterfully controlled for maximum impact. In one instance the cafeteria's mundane sounds build and build until they drown out everything else, and we begin to suspect a pained existence for the shooters. In another, Alex is practising his piano, and the soft, melodic tune gradually increases in intensity as Eric accumulates his kill-streak on the computer game until he gives up and gives the ritual a middle finger - it's a brilliant example of audio-visual association. And in a haunting sequence, they quietly yet nonchalantly go over their plan, and this is intercut with the deafening gunshots of their later massacre. As the title dictates, four blind men each touch a part of an elephant's body, and declare it to be a different animal. But they are only grasping a small part of the bigger picture, and are unable to piece it all together. And so Van Sant regards the endless speculation on these types of shootings; he dangle clues but does not give them any more than a moment's notice. This links itself to the scene of the Gay-Straight Alliance - the leader poses whether it is possible to discern sexual orientation simply by physical appearance, and the camera arcs around the group discussion, as if to urge us to try and guess. But of course, we cannot with any certainty. They cracked because of the incessant bullying? Tell that to poor Michelle, the first victim of the shooting who would never hurt a fly. Van Sant sees it all so clear, and without a hint of an agenda. There is no building of unfortunate circumstance, no impression of luck - it would be simple to insert such scenarios into the film to ramp up the tragedy: a pregnant teacher, a blossoming football genius, a class on the verge of graduation. But he doesn't - this could've happened on any school day. The 'action' of the shooting itself is cold and calculated. They discuss briefly before they storm the school, and remind themselves to "have fun", as if it was a coach giving a pep talk to his little group of soccer players. The gunshots are loud without comparison, and they take life so swiftly, without reason. There is no moment of remorse, no hero moment for Benny, no miraculous escape against the odds. Good action scenes makes us want to watch again and again for the breathtaking thrills they provide. Great action scenes that are concerned with realistic violence and subject matter such as this are unwatchable, because it does not seek to prop up a cause, or trying to sensationalise a conscientious topic. As Alex counts down to an agonising inevitability, I could barely keep my eyes on the screen.

ironhorse_iv Being the second film in director Gus Van Sant's "Death Trilogy" — the first is Gerry (2002) and the third Last Days (2005) in which, all three of which are loosely based on actual events. Elephant is by far, the most disturbing and most riveting of the three, because it deals with mass-murders. While, school violence has existed, since the born of the education system, it's the real-life events of the Columbine High School massacre of 1999 that put the issue on the map. Widely held to be a serious problem in recent decades in many countries, especially where weapons such as guns or knives are involved. Elephant is allowing an inside look at how something so unthinkable and surreal such as mass-murder, can logistic happen, using an illusory story in fictional high school in Portland, OR. The film stars mostly new or non-professional actors, including John Robinson, Alex Frost, and Eric Deulen, in very limited dialogue roles, and the script was "written" to its final form during shooting, with cast members improvising freely and collaborating in the direction of scenes, gives the movie, it's realistic, yet mysterious tone. While, this movie might not have much story. Still, with its brilliant narrative construction—where some scenes leading up to a high school massacre are seen at different times from three different perspectives—combined with cinematographer Harris Savides' camera roving the hallways in tracking shots, Elephant's subtle examination of Columbine provides no easy answers to teen angst, but certainly asks questions about what's is wrong with some of America's youth. Is bullying, a big cause of this teen angst? Yes, it is, but like my review of 2011's documentary, 'Bully', bullying is a complex issue. Not only does, it can detrimental to a child's well-being and development, but also, it does somewhat builds character that is need for the harsh adult life. It's need for children to interact with those having diverse points of view. In some ways, bullying is just part of life, you just have to deal with it, in a positive or negative matter. It's the same of other issues in which this film showcase, like gun rights, gay rights, drug use, media, juvenile delinquency, racism and social classes. There is no real true 'black and white', answer to this. After all, who is to blame for this tragedy!? The killers or society's harsh reality. I just glad, the movie isn't heavy-handed or preachy. However, Gus Van Sant's movie also feels a bit exploitation; capitalizing on a national tragedy, just to make a few bucks. It's somewhat offensive to every victim that die, in such of an event, before. Being the first high-profile movie to depict a high school shooting since Columbine, despite being released after similar film, 2003's Zero Day & 1999's Duck! The Carbine High Massacre. The film was so-controversial for its subject matter and possible influence on teenage copy-cats that some protests call for a ban or boycott of the film. Nevertheless, I can understand, their worries. It's clear, that the movie does have a subliminal message toward violence. After all, it did supposedly cause the Red Lake shootings of 2005, after the gunman viewed the movie, 17 days earlier, before committing to his crime. Indeed, watching movies based in part on the 1999 Columbine High School massacre could be view as unhealthy. However, the movie can also be viewed, as soul-searching, and inspiring to open and useful discussion. The movie does always show a positive message about learning tolerance and trying to help, your fellow man. Some of the students in the film, does this. Not everybody in the film, was cookie cutter, evil or good. It's a lot more complex than that. It's like the parable of the blind men and elephant in Anekantavada. It's hard to describe. However, I do have to say, the movie seem to be, very influence, by the 1989 British short film by director Alan Clarke of the same name. Not only does, Gus Van Sant's film borrowed Clarke's title, but also closely mirrors his minimalist style in which the movie's disconnected and ethereal quality flows. Overall: This powerful and provocative movie might not be for everybody. It's really is hard to watch, but a very well-made film. Check it out, on your own risk.