Megalopolis - Review - Francis Ford Coppola 100% on His Own Terms - Let's Discuss

[@SierraRift]

Actually saw it, and frankly I enjoyed it. It did feel a little “messy” but overall I enjoyed it. It actually stuck with me and I can’t wait to see it again. I love bold swings and Coppola has earned his. I think it will be regarded in the future differently than it is now. Cheers.

[@ginger22ly]

I will see it again.

[@user-jeffjack]

When my wife and i were trying to decide which movie to go see for us movie buffs there only was one choice. And Megalopolis delivered. I wished it would never end and will have to go see it again soon.

[@Pupeyes]

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is iconic. That movie is so cool

[@securityg]

It is a work of pure unadulterated GENIUS. - J.D. Watkins

[@Demention94]

​@@securitygAgreed. On par with book

[@vde1846]

The images, the effects, the score, the performances (even those with wonky accents), the unadulterated hyper-romanticism of it all: just *chef's kiss*

[@LuckyBastardProd]

It’s a beautiful looking turd. Why it’s called Bram Stoker’s is beyond me as it’s not even the same story.

[@wavion2]

I loved it when I first saw it as a young teenager. I watched it again like a decade later, and all I could think was, "Wow. Keanu's acting is really bad in this!"

[@bmax304]

haha! I literally said after the Q&A, "that was his best work since Dracula!"... Anyway, thanks a lot for the book recommendations. One of the bigger laughs at my screening was when she mentions naming the kid Frances! Glad I saw it, he's earned it.

[@wanzdoverprojects1064]

Every bad review I’ve heard makes it sound like a totally non-commercial weirdo art film. Which makes me want to see it more.🤷‍♀️

[@bigdreams5554]

Can confirm, definitely a weirdo art film. Worth watching, if you are into that sort of thing. A guaranteed commercial flop .

[@Alazoom76]

Couldn't agree more.

[@Demention94]

Weirdo art stuff > Men in spandex saving the world

[@adamw116]

Me to excited to see everything but Shai La Beof in a dress! You have to wonder if that was one of the studio....ahem, "notes"?

[@adamw116]

​​@@bigdreams5554It's so depressing, even if we, film fans, at least think it's interesting it's gonna get dismissed by normies as probably a 'pretentious mess'. Written off as something only anticipated ot appreciated by cinephiles. But most likely won't be available to see in a theatre in two weeks because average moviegoers want something more simplistic or just refuse to give it a chance! I hate those two words by the way, especially when it comes to movies...."pretentious and messy". This movie will most likely go down the road of Scorsese's Gangs of New York, which I still love despite the fact that its star was full of himself Dicaprio and the more recent supposed trainwreck Damian Chazelle's, Babylon which I've yet to see but heard is so crazy my interest is piqued!

[@TheVid54]

I'm pretty sure this dream movie is "one from the heart" for Coppola and company...for whatever that's worth.

[@omaridaniels8427]

I intend to see this film this weekend because even with everything surrounding it, I feel it has to be seen to be believed.

[@doublemintvariety]

100%

[@davidguy209]

The clips ive seen of this movie... are there any similarities with Terry Gilliam's 'Brazil'?

[@DenkyManner]

Aubrey Plaza suddenly everywhere and seemingly killing it. Good for her

[@idiot_city5444]

She's exactly the same every performance

[@peterlundskow4061]

My first experience with Coppola was in High School when I went to see The Godfather the weekend it opened in my City. I remember the whole experience of waiting in line, having to wait for an added midnight show because of the crowds & many of my and the audience ractions to scenes in the film. I really don't have as vivid memories of going to see a film as that & that was over 50 years ago!

[@rjkolb]

I cannot wait to see this again and could care less about “the story”.

[@YnotNomis]

All the reviews I've been reading and watching, mostly negative, actually has me more Interested in seeing the movie.

[@rosemariebarrientos]

Coppola captured social media aesthetics like the visual visionary master he is.

[@texan-american200]

8:52 There is a scene that kind of pulled it together for me, when Caesar and Cicero for playing cards and the discussion of Utopia and Cicero made a eye-opening statement about utopias can turn into dystopias.

[@aly4920]

Well, the positives: your plan to see both Anora and Megalopolis, as a double feature worked and you seem to really enjoy Anora. So, can't wait for Anora's review from you. Thank you for your thoughts on Megalopolis and your book recommendation.

[@OsloTime]

16:06 Ooo, thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely check out that book.

[@everythingisawesome76]

Holy shit. Listening to a Q&A with Deniro and spike lee talking about politics is a real exercise in masochism.

[@wavion2]

De Niro's massive Trump meltdown a few months ago was a sight to behold. The man is truly broken.

[@wavion2]

Wow. Apparently KZbin won't even allow me to name the Republican candidate. All I was saying was that I enjoyed De Niro's political meltdown a few months back.

[@remimomo]

Great review James, really enjoyed it. Good luck to you!

[@anthonywood9808]

This film is not, as you put it, “a mess.“ It’s high time we stop comparing the real genius filmmakers against the mainstream media we normally ingest. This is a broad fable with its heart on its sleeve. It’s complex, it’s dense, and sometimes when we don’t get something, we would rather lash out and say it’s not good rather than admit, we don’t get it. I would rather watch mediocre work by a genius, then the best work by mediocre filmmakers. And that’s what we normally get.

[@user-jeffjack]

It's a masterpiece. When you think about it Rome, back in the day, was like NY today, sloppy and messy.

[@markhoffman505]

What will I be doing this weekend? Seeing this movie!

[@bigdreams5554]

What??? I was at Garden State AMC as well!! Oh man, would have been cool to chat in person!!!

[@JohnMack-f3f]

Francis Ford Coppola or Kevin Costner. Who will lose more for “ passion “ projects?

[@nunyabusiness3666]

Kevin Costner didn't lose anything.

[@bobcobb3654]

Neither did Coppola. He sold a percentage of his wine company for an estimated half a billion dollars. That’s where the $120 million for this movie came from. He’s not going to be clipping coupons anytime soon.

[@JohnMack-f3f]

@@bobcobb3654 he’s not making money on his investment. It’s a tax write off and net financial loss. He can absorb the economic loss, but he can’t afford the reputation hits he’s taking in his later years.

[@jacobjones8731]

I have been eagerly awaiting this review!

[@adamw116]

I was eagerly awaiting the movie, still am! You want me to get very interested in seeing a movie, call it pretentious and messy, because I hate those words and even more so hate, by the numbers, mostly Disney made crap! I walked out of Mother! being, physically exhausted but enthralled at the same time!

[@AdrianMendoza23]

Great review. I will check it out.

[@jwomaha]

The one thing that you can say for "Megalopolis," which I saw last night is that it's a film you would never expect an 85yo director to make. It's imaginative and youthful, but doesn't work, of course. Coppola is my favorite director, but, personally, I really like his smaller films best like "The Conversation," "Rumble Fish," "The Rain People," the under-rated "Tetro," and even his first studio film, "You're a Big Boy Now."

[@calmcg6885]

Yeah, saw it last night at the local IMAX, audience participant and all. It was great and terrible, often in the same moment. Lots to like, particularly the kaleidoscopic visuals of the back half and the excellent score, as well as a couple of the performances. But good god, what an absolute mess it was as a story, a political manifesto, and really anything else FFC wanted it to be. So many interesting ideas introduced and then abandoned for another idea almost immediately, only for most of those ideas to ultimately be wasted by the time the credits rolled. Glad I saw it, and might even revisit it for some of the things I liked, but this was a big, beautiful disaster.

[@GraybushThreepwood]

Honestly it's more entertaining to me watching/reading reviewers claiming it's a masterpiece film and that anyone who doesn't like it simply just doesn't understand it. It's taylor made for the kind of people who wear fake glasses because they think it makes them look smarter.

[@ghostwolf1435]

I was looking forward to seeing this but I’m hearing from friends who’ve seen it early and said it was a Train Wreck I’ll reserve judgement

[@quiet_erp]

Worst movie going experience I've ever had. I was miserable. Hated almost every minute of it. I'm no artsy fartsy film critic but I have been watching movies for 39 years and i can say in all honesty that I do not remember ever feeling so disconnected from something I was trying so hard to get into. Truly a disappointment. Would have much rather spent my money to see almost any other film playing in the theater right now. On the other hand I really enjoyed "speak no evil". That was fun to watch.

[@samfrito]

Coppola has kept audiences believing in movies for generations. A lot of them seem so intrinsic and carefully crafted, like Tucker. It's a great look at the American Dream unraveling. You are correct about care and quality in Hollywood. It's a business to make enjoyment, but hard to watch failures is so consistent.

[@JohnMack-f3f]

There is no chance I’d watch this movie, but I’ll listen to the reviews.

[@TheHudsonValleyWanderer]

I fell asleep during it. I really wanted to like the film. This reviewer seems pretty spot on.

[@JohnMack-f3f]

@@TheHudsonValleyWanderer he’s usually pretty good. Likes some stuff I wouldn’t, but always a good review.

[@archvaldor]

You basically just said you can't think for yourself there.

[@JohnMack-f3f]

@@archvaldor no I didn’t buddy. I’m not interested in consuming trash, but I’ll listen to a report on a movie in an industry that I study and analyze.

[@chaberio1335]

Hey James, I wanted to just first say I'm a huge fan of your channel. I'm so glad I found it when I did and I always appreciate the way in which you conduct your opinions even when I don't agree. So, I'd like to just suggest a video topic down the road, if I may. I know you worship Orson and early Coppola, horror with more than a touch eroticism is your week spot lol. Personally, I'd love to see a Quintin breakdown of his 9 films plus True Romance because i want know how you rank them. So I would like to push the possibility of reviewing individual actors rather than directors that you respond to. Maybe bring in the newer to compare to classic of great actors like Timothee Chalamet where he is currently V Leo where he was at that point similarities would be cool. Idk, figure I'd ask. Thanks James! Keep it up.

[@Joe-hh8gd]

Hope you didn't miss Godfather 3 Coda. A worthy, if tragic, finale...one of the greatest trilogies ever made.

[@dnice4145]

Didn’t know Coppala was still making movies. Hope they ask him what he thinks about super hero movies during the press for this film.

[@jacketernity4609]

Looking forward to more reviews from The NYFF. Keep it up!

[@tenderloinstew1359]

"...it's not as good as The Godfather." Oh God, that sent me into hysterical laughter. Talk about being diplomatic.

[@MasonGrant0704]

I probably won't like this movie but I'm still going to check it out in theaters.

[@nickhtk6285]

Thank you for mentioning I, Claudius. If you ever wanted to do a retrospect, a comparison to the first season of HoD or other such results of its influence. (GRRM is honest in his sources) please dont let me stop you. Im hoping that one day, someone will decide it deserves a full production tv series remake. Now thats out of the way... Im looking forward to seeing this if only to see his final work. The end of a career that gave us some of the greatest films ever made. its the least I can do to pay respect.

[@auraroldan1420]

Best picture of the year kind of movie. I actually love it!

[@barryfields-h4v]

The REGAL PALACE in my area is only showing IMAX screenings at 6:30 and 9:30pm...no matinees at all except STD screens. Then the movie leaves the complex entirely after Oct 3....Now, I do not know what other complex's are planning but it seems REGAL is not banking on this movie at all and they're pulling it altogether before Oct. 4...so I will skip the IMAX (I cannot do evenings unfortunately) and see it on the largest STD screen at the complex. Yeah, the narrative will be a mess...but metaphorically may be interesting to explore....

[@AllanGildea]

Good review, plenty of insights and passion for cinema.

[@hcanderson3787]

I loved this film. I'm glad it's the shaggy dog it is. Thanks for the review. Also: UZUMAKI!!!

[@fieuline2536]

What I find fascinating about the reviews for this movie is almost everyone says “while the movie was mostly a mess, X gave the performance of their life,” but no one agrees on who X is.

[@bg365247]

If you play the rest of the clip from Heart of Darkness Coppola isn’t saying that pretentious movies are shit. He says pretentiousness does not, in and of itself, make a movie shit or deserved of being walked on. This is a very dishonest representation of the point he was making.

[@kjswhathappened1837]

Great job, thanks man!

[@CameronBrooks]

Sounds like it would Feel Awesome if I took a full dose of mushrooms beforehand

[@EdKidney33]

Penguin review?

[@harvey_22776]

I like penguins. 🐧. I agree he should review penguin. They have wings they adorable and they waddle 5/5 from me.

[@adamw116]

The man is reviewing what may be the last film by Frances Ford Coppolla and you want to hear about a Batman spinoff? Your not a film fan are you?

[@Demention94]

Yeah, so I just watched the trailer and got what you've taken from the film. It looks slightly pretentious and completely overwhelming. Adam Driver can amplify anything self-indulgent to new heights. Looks like a film I've always wanted to make yet would never even come close. Visually pleasing, I'm sure! I will go see this regardless! Hopefully, I'm wrong!

[@pedroervert]

Best film made in 20 years. It's a much needed film in the amateur output were seeing this decade

[@GuyEndore]

He has already announced his next film.

[@Patrick-sheen]

Francis Ford Coppola: `can’t wait to see it!’ Shia Lebouf: `scrap that’.

[@lisaboban]

I don't ever do this, James. But I'm going to recommend you check out another KZbinr's review of this movie. "Science Fiction with Damien Walter" has a unique take on this. It's less than 8 minutes. Please. But, as usual, I loved your take on this movie!

[@amcaesar]

Waiting on that ANORA review....

[@AZURAKAZ]

Thank you for reminding me about Jack, whehewh.

[@True-Faux]

“...The horror, the horror.”

[@Marienbad1895]

Robert Evans was not involved at all in Godfather Part 2 or Apocalypse Now, and those are also both masterpieces. Apocalypse Now also was fully self funded by Coppola and had no oversight imposed on him. So I don’t think it was just a lack of producer oversight that was the flaw in Megalopolis.

[@beavisdoge237]

He's making another movie!

[@TylerMatthewHarris]

A Christmas Carol had a baby with Mother! and Idiocracy, and the audience plays Ebeneezer Scrooge. It is a dream, not a traditional movie. As if Da Vinci made a Picasso as his final work.

[@markbringelson4119]

Can't wait to see it/ I'm enjoying your detailed review.

[@histubeness]

From reviews I've seen/heard so far, it seems that Megaloposis is for Copolla, what Babylon was for Damien Chazelle.

[@bobcobb3654]

Babylon worked for the story it was telling and capturing the Wild West feel of the early film industry. Sure, KZbin pundits were quick to act like it was a badly made film because it didn’t dethrone Avatar, but there are several very dumb people with KZbin channels.

[@apilgrim8715]

Is this movie like Holy Motors?

[@wallhagens2001]

Shout out to I, Claudius!

[@TheHudsonValleyWanderer]

I fell asleep during the film. I never do that.

[@johngoras73]

At least Coppola isn't going back and digitally tinkering with his old beloved movies like Lucas, Spielberg and Ridley Scott.

[@bobcobb3654]

He did recut Apocalypse Now and Godfather 3.

[@EndingSimple]

So, its "The Fountainhead" meets "Rome" with science fiction thrown in.

[@KadeemG61]

I try not to disrespect the late Robin Williams, but Jack is a far better movie than Megalopolis (though I agree Jack is still one of FFC’s weakest movies as a director). Megalopolis is going to be massively divisive from film journalists and moviegoers.

[@Koldeman]

5:27 Quentin Tarantino once said that moviemaking is a young man's game. Perhaps not literally, there are exceptions, but I understand what he meant. It can be apparent when a one-time great director should have hung it up. FFC's protégé George Lucas once said in an early 1980s interview that sci-fi movies that rely too heavily on special effects is a detriment, essentially existing to show off the fx work, which can bore an audience. His Star Wars "Special Editions" was released essentially as "show off presentations" to fund "Episode 1" where he proclaimed the CG character Jar-Jar Binks is the key to the whole picture. Yikes! Physician, heal thyself! It's disheartening to see FFC jumping headfirst into the very pitfalls he himself warned about in his youth.

[@stever4144]

This was nothing more than elder abuse, all these Hollywood companies just fleeced a failing 85 year old man, that's the real story. Anyone that has ever had a vulnerable, elderly relative understands what this movie is, we have all had our Megalopolis to deal with.

[@muroki302]

I wanted to love it so much but I’m confused

[@marcayres8567]

Oooh i love a bit of Aubrey💚🇬🇧🌱 unsure she's making that Agatha show work though? Unfortunately...

[@RightNowMan]

It is a great film.

[@RobertParks-h7r]

Love Aubrey Plaza,the best character on Parks and Rec besides Ron.

[@danskyder1564]

I want this to be good and succeed so bad

[@JacobCorenthose]

Coppola fell off big time in the 90s. He reminds me of Egoyan or Wenders in that regard. That said, at least this looks like a movie, as opposed to Twixt, which looked like an early 2000s PBS show. We're in agreement about Plaza. She's the only one who is in on the joke and she's the highlight of the film for that reason.

[@DrDetfink]

Francis Ford Coppola is soooo far removed from society, I highly doubt he has anything left to say.

[@jefferysteen1041]

The Godfather 4 would have been a better idea

[@EzeICE]

Damn lol 😂😂😂😂😂 that's harsh

[@KrystleLovesHorror]

I figured this was going to be a train wreck just from seeing the trailer. Lol. I definitely have no desire to watch this one, but thanks for confirming! 😄👍

[@EzeICE]

The trailer actually looked amazing. We'll, visually, however it really didn't give away the story or anything.

[@GreatGreebo]

💯

[@masudashizue777]

It's a masterpiece if you think it is and garbage if you think it is. Everyone's right.

[@RobinJohnstonphotography]

Shia can be good, like in Fury

[@Ekkis25]

"Rosebud..."

[@kristianbejb]

megalopolis = jupiter ascending x matrix ressurections = 0.0 x 5.0 = 0,0 thank you for your wasted time

[@texan-american200]

In a sense, it seemed like philosophy took some LSD and went with it.

[@chaberio1335]

Alright so Shia is one of my fav actors, Why do you find him annoying?

[@Lebowski55]

I can imagine that this movie is just as pretentious as 2001: A Space Odyssey.

[@christopheraquino9214]

You sound like the critics in 1972 that called The Godfather, "Self indulgent, experimental crap" Perhaps the problem with the film is not Megalopolis but with you. Yes, you. You are looking for something that you can understand, something you can label. Megalopolis transcends your mundane label driven review. This is pure cinema art at it's finest. Just because you don't immediately understand it doesn't mean it is a bad film.

[@idiot_city5444]

You're comparing The Godfather to Megalopolis...? Yeah, nobody takes you seriously

[@aidanlastname0187]

Stop being a pretentious asshole

[@bobthegamer1880]

The cinematography was beautiful but his the movie was painful to watch, people were just walking out.

[@njt002]

Just saw this. Holy shit it was bad. The editing was incomprehensible. I was bored. A few people walked out out of sheer frustration I'm assuming.

[@sideflectorollenverdilatEMF3am]

spoilers: talk about 4th wall labuff was trump so that assasattemp on film... also the acting reviewers r everywhere 1 guy luvd emannuel others dont same w rest of actors some like some dont pretty amazing havent seen this movie yet but i thk i would like since really diff... **Top Health Advice:** 1. Night Light orange tint blue light filter/blocking program function on devices saves eyesight: Use a large BROWNTANorDARKorange vinyl plastic see-through panel (see "acrylic sheets") paired with the computer's nightlight blue light software function for eye comfort for protection against harmful blue light. 2. Side Window Deflectors reduce driver-side eye damage and glare while driving, turning your car into a more comfortable space like a living room. 3. Avoid excessive screen time to prevent blindness increased screen time leads to the myopia pandemic. 4. Use Rollens sunglasses when outside; consider the orange-tinted "Gold Rollens." Can put multiple overlapping so can use 2 at same time for more protection. 5. Never stare at the sun to avoid retinal detachment and eye damage. 6. Avoid getting your eyes dilated DILATION LIQUID weakens eye muscles and leads to blindness. An old lady assistant spilled it and said "oops," now light-sensitive, reduction of accommodation, more myopic, never fully recovered. 7. Avoid the chickenpox vaccine to prevent shingles later in life. 8. Cigarette Smoke is responsible for numerous deaths and severe health consequences most die early. 9. Use eclipse glasses for eye protection. 10. Privacy screens can darken screens. 11. Eyejusters self-adjustable glasses come in stainless steel and hybrid materials. 12, SWIFT passes out earplugs to protect her fans anything over 70db = DEAF tinnitus ringing is dying ear cell freq u will never hear ever again. MUFFS!

[@bg365247]

“Megalopolis was incoherent.” Translation: I need everything explained to me and I get angry when something is over my head.

[@aidanlastname0187]

You obviously haven’t watched any of James’ videos before if you really think that

[@Cwmira453]

I think this film may be one of those avant garde movies, so avant garde, that no one gets it. In 50 or 60 years, people might be singing its praises, but today it's going to be a monumental flop.

[@richardnosiglia3736]

Sorry, Evans was a first class prick that did nothing but give Coppola grief and anguish. Coppola succeeded INSPITE of Evans, not because of him. 😖

[@johnwalsh4857]

Coppola's 21st century ONE FROM THE HEART....big flop when it comes out and a cult hit decades later. One from the Heart was made for 26 million USD earned 600K USD. with bad reviews at the time(the reviewers however loved the cinematography). Now its a cult classic but took like 40 years to do so. Also like Megalopolis, Coppolla front a lot of the money for One from the Heart.

[@bigdreams5554]

Saw it last night as well... Insane movie. Overall i enjoyed it, but my goodness is a mess, confusing, all over the place.

[@dr.decker911]

He’s an outdated PDF.

[@factualopinion4275]

damn. so it was a bad theme park

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

Coppola has been trash for decades. RIP Scorsese

[@larryromano7510]

James found a theater in a white neighborhood

[@jadapandy]

Meh. Not getting great vibes from this film. I can wait for a platform.

[@vipnetworker]

Megalopolis isn’t as good as Godfather 3.

[@richardnosiglia3736]

Nothing is ! Love GF III for the same reasons I love Megalopolis - big, bold, audacious, messy, and challenging. Can’t wait to see it again.

[@bg365247]

It’s ridiculous to say that producers are necessary to reign in directors. Kubrick had final cut and little to no input from producers, the one film he did was Spartacus and he hated how it turned out. That’s just one foolish claim out of many in this ridiculous, asinine review. You are no friend to cinema. You sir are the worst type type of filmgoer.

[@broghad8241]

Not every director is Kubrick, man

[@bg365247]

@@broghad8241 Coppola is pretty damn close, man.

[@zeynepgulsu1899]

ha ha ha ha ha