Here is something I consider quite a good topic - do people sometimes feel that movies often end with loads of questions unanswered which needed to be tied up (unless it is a cliffhanger ending, like in the italian job).
I have found that some of the most complete movies are ones which give some sort of an epilogue, either verbally, through writing or sometimes simply through scenes which make it obvious as to what happened to the characters in the long term.
Does anybody else feel this or is it just my own thing?
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexWe get plenty of Epilogues...for example :
Here is something I consider quite a good topic - do people sometimes feel that movies often end with loads of questions unanswered which needed to be tied up (unless it is a cliffhanger ending, like in the italian job).
I have found that some of the most complete movies are ones which give some sort of an epilogue, either verbally, through writ ...[text shortened]... d to the characters in the long term.
Does anybody else feel this or is it just my own thing?
"XYZ 2"
😛
I think it is much more compelling when some things are left unclear. The best movies and books make you think, and should continue to make you think after they're done. That's not to say they should have no ending, but a viewer or reader doesn't need to know what every character went on to do with their lives. I think it's kinda corny.
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexYeah, I think Star Wars could have done with another episode. I've always felt there were unanswered questions at the end of The Empire Strikes Back.
Here is something I consider quite a good topic - do people sometimes feel that movies often end with loads of questions unanswered which needed to be tied up (unless it is a cliffhanger ending, like in the italian job).
I have found that some of the most complete movies are ones which give some sort of an epilogue, either verbally, through writ ...[text shortened]... d to the characters in the long term.
Does anybody else feel this or is it just my own thing?
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexY'know, I completely disagree. I find that one of the things which will really annoy me about a movie is the Hollywood tendency to underestimate its audience - usually with a completely unnecessary epilogue or [even worse!!!] a completely unnecessary voice over narration. It just seems like lazy movie making: it's like the writer/director can't figure out how to convey how the character has developed except by taking us thirty years (or whatever) past when the story ends, or not trusting the actors to be able to convey what the character is feeling, so they feel they have to add a voice over. In both cases the audience are removed from the action of the story for an explanation of what has happened, which, although there are many great exceptions, is usually really irritating.
...I have found that some of the most complete movies are ones which give some sort of an epilogue, either verbally, through writing or sometimes simply through scenes which make it obvious as to what happened to the characters in the long term.
Does anybody else feel this or is it just my own thing?
At least to me.
And no offense, like I said, there are some really great exceptions.
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexI'm in complete disagreement. I think it is the culture in western cinema to need a linear end point and that many films are left the worse for it. It stems, I think, from the fashion of movie making for money and not for art. Audiences have become expectant of simple stories, devoid of questions and only sprinkled lightly with real depth and meaning. It's a lesser version of the 'tv is the opiate for the masses' and leads to the majority of films made being a waste of money.
Here is something I consider quite a good topic - do people sometimes feel that movies often end with loads of questions unanswered which needed to be tied up (unless it is a cliffhanger ending, like in the italian job).
I have found that some of the most complete movies are ones which give some sort of an epilogue, either verbally, through writ ...[text shortened]... d to the characters in the long term.
Does anybody else feel this or is it just my own thing?
Originally posted by StarrmanThe best movies leave your conscious still guessing (with your imagination going round and round trying to bite its tail) but you subconscious either completely satisfied but exhausted..... like the Sevent Seal by Bergmann
I'm in complete disagreement. I think it is the culture in western cinema to need a linear end point and that many films are left the worse for it. It stems, I think, from the fashion of movie making for money and not for art. Audiences have become expectant of simple stories, devoid of questions and only sprinkled lightly with real depth and meaning. I ...[text shortened]... s the opiate for the masses' and leads to the majority of films made being a waste of money.
I like the Pirates of the Carriabean films. The last one has a really naff bit at the end where Kira is on a cliff with a ten year old son. This is naff, in my opinion, because firstly it's not really relevent that Will has a son and secondly because the make-up people on the film didn't try to make Kira look ten years older. That last bit was just silly and comes from viewers wanting closure.
When I was younger though, I always wanted to know what 'happily ever after' actually was because it always sounded better then the story.
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexCheck out "Mulholland Drive". It's a nice film with a pretty straightforward plot. What's great too, is the way everything is explained in the end. I like that.
Here is something I consider quite a good topic - do people sometimes feel that movies often end with loads of questions unanswered which needed to be tied up (unless it is a cliffhanger ending, like in the italian job).
I have found that some of the most complete movies are ones which give some sort of an epilogue, either verbally, through writ ...[text shortened]... d to the characters in the long term.
Does anybody else feel this or is it just my own thing?
It keeps my world...simple.
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexIt may be that those movies with epilogues are just ones that were better than the movies you saw that didn't have them.
Here is something I consider quite a good topic - do people sometimes feel that movies often end with loads of questions unanswered which needed to be tied up (unless it is a cliffhanger ending, like in the italian job).
I have found that some of the most complete movies are ones which give some sort of an epilogue, either verbally, through writ ...[text shortened]... d to the characters in the long term.
Does anybody else feel this or is it just my own thing?
Authors tend to do the same thing. Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors. By leaving the story without complete resolution you end up turning that last page expecting more development. It is assuredly more engaging for the reader.
Many times the more enduring works leave more unsaid and unfinished.
But of course, there is many exceptions in books as well as film.
And then people will read/watch the sequel, right?
The reason I am in favour of them is that I quite like comedy movies and some of them can end absolutely terribly, and get known as being bad from then onwards. These sorts of film can be greatly enhanced by just filling in the last details, for completeness.
Not that I think ALL films should have them - for example, all the best horror movies leave the watcher guessing at the end. One of my favourite examples of this is The Thing which ends with two characters left stranded in the antarctic, neither one knowing for sure whether the other might still be an alien.
So, in conclusion, I think that any 'bad' movie which has been panned by critics could be improved greatly by a good epilogue.
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexI have never watched a comedy film where I was left with unanswered questions. I don't think it works in comedy to fail to deliver the punchline. Can you name any examples?
The reason I am in favour of them is that I quite like comedy movies and some of them can end absolutely terribly, and get known as being bad from then onwards. These sorts of film can be greatly enhanced by just filling in the last details, for completeness.
Not that I think ALL films should have them - for example, all the best horror movies ...[text shortened]... any 'bad' movie which has been panned by critics could be improved greatly by a good epilogue.
Also, I very much disagree with the last statement, bad movies are bad movies, they can't just be rescued by tying up loose ends.
Originally posted by StarrmanWell I saw this one yesterday called Bewitched (with nicole kidman and will ferrell) and there were loads of questions unanswered at the end. Also, it has a bit of a reputation of being a bad movie too so is espcially relevent. Having said that, will ferrell has a few funny moments, but the character he plays just doesnt quite suit his style.
I have never watched a comedy film where I was left with unanswered questions. I don't think it works in comedy to fail to deliver the punchline. Can you name any examples?
Also, I very much disagree with the last statement, bad movies are bad movies, they can't just be rescued by tying up loose ends.
Comedies tend to tell you what happened to the main characters, but often forget completely about some of the minor characters and sub plots which have been going on. Those are the sort of loose ends I would like to see tied up.