Gerry... REDUX! - Brows Held High

Original Upload Date: 11/9/2014
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[@AspelShuyin]

Gus Van Sant talking about video games is kind of adorable.

[@Rockario]

Some video games are storytellers like film Some video games are activities like sport Some video games are instructional like text books. And most video games live between these spaces. Culture expresses itself through media, and video games are one of those media.

[@Exmachinagamma]

After watching this, I'm gonna take my time with Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

+Cole McKinney Pretty much what I try to tell people when they say "so-n-so game is not a game"

[@WikiSorcerer]

That was beautiful. Where was that from?

[@Rockario]

Thank you. It is original, I spent a bunch of time after watching this for the first time trying to put this thought into words.

[@Furore2323]

To me, this is a key bit of BHH. The Redux, the look back, the re-evaluation. It's an important concept not only for art criticism, but also in every facet of our lives. No one is immune to mistake or misinterpretration, or simply to the way time changes us. It's kind of been key to the BHH thesis, and it should be for everyone every day. Okay, I'm not being super cogent but I think you will grasp what I'm trying to get at. PS. Super glad that the 'Gerry March Acappella' survived.

[@Barduwulf]

Furore2323 so, going along with the video game theme, does this make this video a new game +?

[@ingonyama70]

I hadn't even seen the first Gerry review, but this was brilliant. Side note: We already knew Kyle had a great voice, but that 5-minute medley? Genius. And hilarious. And awful. And genius. HE'S PLAYED JOURNEY. I'm not in the least bit surprised, but I LOVE this fact.

[@temporary7188]

"Here is nothing, now go find something." Jesus.

[@Dangeresque300]

So, from what I understand: this movie can be viewed as two guys, playing a multiplayer open world game, getting hopelessly lost and not knowing what they're supposed to do or where they're supposed to go because they haven't got any tutorial or walkthrough. Then one of them kills the other seemingly less out of mercy and more because he's bored and can't think of anything else that could possibly drive the story forward. It's the tragic tale of two noobs.

[@miliocito2293]

Just want to let you know I will use the phrase “the tragic tale of two noobs” whenever I describe this film from now on because holy shit 👏👏👏

[@fuzzballzz36]

"It's a film that tries to create an empty space, allowing the mind to wander. . . the mind begins to add information back in there, focusing on minutiae, tiny gestures, and even rhythm." EXACTLY what Andy Warhol's early films were about! :-)

[@RotaAbyssian]

That speech at the end is moving though. It is poignant to some one who has had games a part of their life since even BEFORE they were born as I have, the dulcet tones of Super Mario World being my Mozart. Video Games are a part of me I can never ignore, and I am glad to live in a world where their legitimacy is acknowledged instead of being seen as quote un-quote Kid stuff.

[@justnigel]

We need a Redux Redux, in the light of 1917 taking this video game over the shoulder first person technique/style to the next level.

[@asocksual4910]

I could watch Kyle singing along to those footsteps for hours

[@mikethegrunty5968]

Kyle has a lovely singing voice

[@theDENIMMAN]

Mike White I love it when he breaks it out...he doesnt do it enough

[@ingonyama70]

inorite?! DAT MEDLEY THO ...in five years I'm going to come across this comment and regret literally everything.

[@alitaniak7404]

@@ingonyama70 it's been 1-2 years...how do you feel now?

[@Galvion1980]

So he does! I'm always delighted when he sings for us...Seek out his review of "The Man Who Fell To Earth" if you haven't already...it is a joy to behold!

[@ROZWBRAZEL]

and it's still going strong

[@sirrliv]

If we're talking about comparing Gerry with video games in terms of games' use of long, uncut shots while the player travels from place to place, interacting with objects, monsters, and the like, even stopping simply to admire the game's world, then I certainly understand many of the comparisons Kyle raises; Tomb Raider seems a bit iffy, but Journey is a game built around finding enlightenment through a, well, journey, and Skyrim, while not directly focused on traveling, offers a vast game world for the player to explore, exploit, and generally travel through. But considering that premise, I'm surprised that, in addition to these and the numerous games brought up in the comments, one game seems to have slipped through the cracks so far: Minecraft. Consider: In Minecraft, the player spawns in a world in which he/she is the only one of their kind; until recently they were the only being in this world humanoid and non-monstrous until the introduction of Testificates/Villagers. Before the player stretches a world that is literally endless, limited only by the capabilities of the player's computer, and unknown to the player, each world being randomly generated as it is explored. In a way, does that not mirror the themes in Gerry? Two men wandering through a seemingly unending desert, seeming like the only two humans on their perception of Earth, never knowing what they will find if they keep walking? And yet in Minecraft, the only time the world doesn't change (apart from the day-night cycle and the movement of nearby animals) is when the player stands still and does nothing; the world does not exist until the player discovers it. And yet, is that strictly true? There are villages, but it is unclear if the Testificates are capable of activities like construction. There are also underground strongholds, often with seemingly no entrance, as well as desert pyramids, jungle temples, and most recently undersea temples. Who built them, and why? There are also rifts and cuts in the ground, many seeming quite unnatural or strange (even setting aside that the laws of gravity only seem to affect gravel and sand). What has happened to this world? What is happening to this world? Why are there zombies and skeletons, the remains of people not unlike yourself risen from the dead, that appear each night in seemingly unending numbers? Apologies, I think I got a bit off track. But something to think about: Gerry reflects aspects of many games, including Minecraft.

[@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat]

I dont disagree but the film's creator directly talked about tomb raider. Personally, I would've gone straight for journey or breath of the wild; it's a very different feel but jet set radio future and spiderman 2 (the old ps2 one) are games I used to play just for the fun of moving from place to place. When a creator specifically mentions a given work it's important to focus on the work mentioned. Again, absolutely no disrespect. I agree with what you've said. I'm just trying to explain where Kyle is coming from.

[@tatehildyard5332]

Fair enough but remember the kinds of games that were available during the time Van Sant was making Elephant and Gerry.

[@shinraangel]

I love the medley, it makes this review one of my favorites.

[@bill6843]

Definitely one of my comfort videos. This review made me so fascinated by this movie. Definitely not a masterpiece, but a very interesting and perplexing movie.

[@GeoNeilUK]

Speaking of the link between movies and video games, have a watch of *'71* which is shot mostly from the first person perspective of a soldier trapped in a hostile Northern Ireland. This is a film that looms very much like a let's play of a survival horror game set in Northern Ireland during the troubles and something that be well worth a watch, maybe even a review.

[@Sunomis]

Well, I liked it. What the desert, and emptiness, and extremely long takes convey, is that the Gerries are not going to be saved. And that moment of realisation was, to me, a really powerful emotional experience that, imho, was truly earned.

[@djiinraidinnae]

Another good "find something to do" game is Shadow of the Colossus. You're given an open field and you have to go find your adventure.

[@bloodyfangirl7628]

This video was worth it just for the musical interlude.

[@rangerkasdorf4476]

Another great video game with great use of "beautiful voids" is The Neverhood. You have to walk everywhere, and your character has one of the slowest walk cycles in video game history. It forces you to pay attention to the eerie and discomforting atmosphere.

[@milenameyer3043]

GAAAH This was such a good review! I want to create games as my job someday. These videos and your wonderful in-depth analysis have really inspired me totry create games as art and literature rather that just simple entertainment. I want to make games that explore what the medium is and can be, so thank you so much for creating content that's fun and that makes me think :)

[@janerecluse4344]

I always think of SOMA when I watch this review, because it's the kind of game where you step out of the action just to stare at the gorgeous underwater panorama, gazing at the fish overhead.

[@ROZWBRAZEL]

hello random person from 6 years ago you just motivated me to put on a playthrough of SOMA because I like seeing other people's faces crumble at the ending hahaha

[@ronyncato7206]

7:52 The Witness brought me back to this video. you get this vid in the game and I was thinking the whole time, "WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS?" Here. :D

[@rngwrldngnr]

Логан Кейн was it just me, or is the shot of the cathedral from The Witness edited?

[@pompousproductions]

Did Tarkovsky direct that short film about the Eclipse where we get lectured on how 100%ing a game is a bad idea? If so, fuck him.

[@Jay-zn9zw]

I really like how you highlighted the trek up the Throat of the World in Skyrim. I found that to be a very, very powerful moment in a game that I'm not afraid to admit didn't really grab me, narratively speaking. Even replaying it, that moment has a spiritual feeling to it, at least in the context of the game, its story and its world. It's such a great experience that I instinctively walk up the mountain, as opposed to running. AND YET, Bethesda managed to cock even THAT up. For some stupid goddamn reason, they threw in a troll to fight, which absolutely took me out of the experience and ruined the moment. The developers were so afraid to just let that pilgrimage stand on its own, without something so blatantly gamified, that they shoehorn in an encounter that, if you don't take the time to put off going to the Throat of the World and gain some levels, will probably send you running to High Hrothgar with your tail between your legs, forcing you to pass by the remaining stone markers. The developers had something truly beautiful there, and they screwed the pooch.

[@dmman33]

You have so many amazing videos/essays. The is one of your best. I wonder how much has changed-in you, gaming, movies, web video, the world at large-since you made it!

[@hypno-trash6067]

hearing kyle say that everyone is a gamer now makes me feel so hopefull, so manny people full of hate, hate to female gamers, to games because they are "sexists" hate all around because some people cant handle the evolution of this gorgeous industry, I really want the gaming culture to grow even more, to treat all with respect.

[@tatehildyard5332]

Taunka bloodhoof Really? I'm not a gamer at all so I didn't realize it was still a big problem. I knew they existed but I thought it was a small but really loud minority.

[@tatehildyard5332]

So it's just trolling?

[@Painocus]

Well, no. The sexists (most of them anyways) are legitimate sexists. The others are being strung a long by a genuine (if incorrect) fear that "their" culture is at risk of being dictated by a foreign ideology.

[@tatehildyard5332]

That sounds even worse.

[@canadmexi]

Shadow Of The Colosus is another game where you mostly just walk from point a to point b, that may actually be the most Gerry game ever made (P.S. really hyped for the PS4 version, I haven't actually played it yet.) Lord knows Gerry would've been better if a fucking giant robot ate them.

[@thacobell4700]

Tomb Raider inspiring Gerry makes a lot of sense in another way as well. A major aspect of Tomb Raider that you only experience when playing it, is ISOLATION. You spend the majority of your time exploring empty ruins completely alone with minimal music. Its a very quiet, introspective, and lonely experience with occasional bursts of danger.

[@MarkArandjus]

This episode blew me away!

[@highwind1991]

One of my favorite films from last year, A Ghost Story, had that infamous scene of Rooney Mara eating a pie for 5 minutes straight. And 3 people walked out in the theater I saw it in.

[@thegeekclub8810]

Okay, but now I REALLY need to you to talk about Breath of the Wild.

[@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat]

Too bad breath wouldn't come out for another few years...

[@rotomfan63]

my grandma says she once saw a movie where there were some guys in a desert and nothing happened. i think that was the movie she was talking about.

[@GdoubleWB]

4:06 Kyle just referenced "Digital Witness" by St. Vincent. God, I love this show.

[@4cam8]

I'm a little upset you didn't mention Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles.

[@simon9902]

Their is also maybe visceral representation of the concept ''Desert of the real'' in Gerry ?

[@cyanmanta]

I wish I could say something insightful and artsy here, but all I can think is OMG TMBG REFERENCE LOVE YOU.

[@CthulhusBFF2]

Rewatching this because of Daft Punk’s Epilogue

[@nymmkirimoto6310]

I love it when Kyle sings- its freaking hilarious.

[@lazyboyghrol]

I wonder if the point of Gerry, as a filmmaking exercise, based on the theory of video-game visuals, was to present these characters as they see themselves, as protagonists in their own game, sure that whatever they encounter, the game will ensure they emerge successful and victorious, only to find that their presumption was their biggest Gerry. If we follow that idea through to the end, then Gerry killing Gerry might be a presumed misunderstanding that, if you die in the game, you restart, only for Gerry to find out that, no, you don't come back.

[@nicholashurst780]

5 years on that pop song medley is still fantastic

[@EmpressTiffanyOfBrittany]

Gerry... The first ever walking simulator XD

[@karlkarling1444]

honestly I could watch Kyle sing over the walking scene all day.

[@lamecasuelas2]

Now i wonder, how many people in the video game industry (including,gamers,developers, etc.)can really appreciate their unique way of storytelling, i mean how many times have you people heard somebody complaining about the cinematic segments linking sections of a game? whining that they only wanna have their fun and play their game. Maybe to really evolve video gaming as a legit art it is also necessary for the community to to educate themselves, and teach themselves to identify and appreciate the whole language and range allowed and used by the media. Anyway, i'm so happy that i can finally comment properly on your videos, good stuff.

[@jef_3006]

I do

[@lamecasuelas2]

JEF_300​ good, we have one, now we know it is posible to raise awareness

[@lamecasuelas2]

***** right and also i think there's one thing in particular which video games are lacking to become art which is the fact that no matter what yipe of game you like or not, it is undeniable when a video game is good, thus making it really hard to create the kind of discussion you can see related to painting or music.

[@lamecasuelas2]

exactly, there's even moments in music for example when those moments can be even desired. Another thing is that for most video games you need a console, and in the era we live in you have only 3 options, which really limits the options, not to mention most games are really expensive, so in order to play you need to invest a reasonable amount of money, which again does not happen with music, or even movies. Hopefully with the coming of even cheaper and more powerful mobile devices with different operative systems some of them open coded allowing people who doesn't work for big gaming developing corporations to create and really express their unique voices, and i believe then we will finally see if they become a real art form.

[@lamecasuelas2]

***** i don't see em' as such either but in my opinion things are gonna get interesting in the next few years, and i haven't played video games in years, hell i haven't owned a console since the original play station, just for you to know.

[@miraprime474]

Journey has s breathtaking parallel to Gerry when tplayer is trudging up the snow covered mountain.

[@Altar360]

Say what you will about this movie, but if it lead up to the little medley Kyle sang to the beat of the walking is worth it. God bless your angelic voice and witty, intelligent analysis of cinema, Kyle!

[@francescomanzo3939]

BLASPHEMOUS!!!!! (not referred to film)

[@HyaenusDominae]

I like that video games and film have been able to have such profound influences on each other. What I don't like is that this has drawn to much focus toward the visual aspect of video games and away from the interactive aspect, which is really where the most focus should be, since simulating the feeling of "doing," rather than "watching," is something that only video games can do.

[@oddmerit6530]

i grinned so hard when you used the shot from scott pilgrim vs the world :D

[@PENGUINGIRL1210]

Thats why I enjoy immersive video games that are a bit more out there and avant garde with their presentation. My favorite "artsy" games Ive foubd so far are The Beginner's Guide, Bientôt l'Été, and Layers of Fear. It would be interesting if you could dissesct one of the more artsy video games! The Journey one you mentioned sounds very interesting and Ill have to check that one out sometime

[@dechha1981]

When Roger Ebert started the entire debate about whether videogames can be art, he doubted videogames are capable of the storytelling techniques of movies. We've reached a point where all of us can be amazed movies are capable of the storytelling techniques of videogames.

[@jeremyneill227]

This video reminds me of an interview between Hayao Miyazaki and Roger Ebert. And they talked about Miyazaki's style and the moments of silence he utilizes in his films.

[@Tuckerscreator]

Rewatching this after Kyle's Myst stream.

[@DyingToLive310]

Dark Souls had the most artistic, most beautiful piece of story telling I've ever seen in a video game. Dark Souls is art. If you pay attention to the story. And yes there is one. You'll find such tragic tales that actually make you sad enough to cry. Dark Souls is a masterpiece. It's not in a thousands books that you randomly pick up from the ground. It's told in very subtle but short dialog with characters and even just reading item descriptions. But it's a story about our own impending doom.

[@breehamilton5654]

I just watched the movie and I loved it. I understood it and heard the silence. It's just his own artistic piece and I'm sure he knew, as every artist does, that people will have different views and feelings about the film. Yeah it would have been nice to throw a water bottle in there somewhere but I appreciate it for what it is. 👍

[@Soberhamster11001100]

MIND FUCKING BLOOOOOOOWN.

[@andrewfleming611]

Penn & Teller's Smoke and Mirrors Desert Bus level was apparently part of a long tradition I was not aware of.

[@SamAronow]

All this talk about inaction reminds me what made the N64 Zelda games so good... The level of Detail in Majora's Mask especially makes you just want to go around and see stuff before you actually do anything.

[@HyaenusDominae]

Now I can't help but sing various songs to their footsteps either, including but not limited to: I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow I Was Made for Loving You Stayin' Alive Can You Feel the Love Tonight Auld Lang Syne the Angry Video Game Nerd theme

[@ingonyama70]

I start with Don't Stop Believin', then go into Smooth Criminal, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, and the AT4W theme song.

[@thenewyearparade]

Can we talk about how Van Sant told an interviewer at Cannes that Last Days is about the Industrial Revolution? I always loved that film, but since then I've been obsessed.

[@pauldecker4630]

7:10 funnily enough I first heard this shot described on an episode of Extra Credits.(on KZbin you can look them up.)

[@a-dub6434]

nice medley

[@nocturnGER]

Speaking of movies influenced by video games - I think the best example I've seen so far would be Reign over Me (suprisingly decent movie with Adam Sandler), where he just sits at home playing Shadow of the Colossus after losing his wife and daughter in 9/11

[@TheRenegadeMonk]

More singing!

[@Sigmundfruit]

Actually, now that you mention it, Gerry reminds me of Vanilla WoW. Players could not obtain flying mounts and you didn't get a horse until much later on. Sure you had flight points that could speed you to many of the towns in 5-6 minutes tops, but you needed to do some ground travel to get wherever you needed to go, which, back then, could've been any number of places in the massive world, and you needed to visit that town before you could use the flight point.

[@akinmytua4680]

Now I'm going to play games now

[@supjay3945]

2:47 your description of the movie was on spot. For me at least. I found that i stopped the movie at waaaaaalking.

[@tonymarshall3978]

I got to meet mark cousins and I think you should discuss a few more of his documentaries on how film effects us and the history of the moving image

[@jacgentile5913]

The first and only chance I got to play Journey, I found a shortcut and finished the story in an hour. It feels weird to be spoiled even having experienced the ending...

[@MF-fd2ug]

there was a point where i was wondering if the video was just going to be 20 minutes of songs over the beat of footsteps

[@RotaAbyssian]

Could you please post a loop of them walking in that rhythm? me and my friends want to do the songs bit you did here and in the original review in real life and make a game of it.

[@eamonnkelly8945]

Hey, Bela Tarr got a mention, I would love to hear your thoughts on more Tarr films. If you aren't up for Satantango (and who would be), Werckmeister Harmonies?

[@zachgamemaster3329]

So what your saying is.... Gerry is the best video game movie? I.... don't know what to think about that. It's oddly fitting and makes a lot of sense.

[@TrumpCardMAGA]

I guess the guy that made "Hardcore Henry" tried Duke Nukem before making it.

[@Sigmundfruit]

Mudcrab souls? are you a Mudcrabborn Kyle?

[@KyleKallgrenBHH]

+Robert Pysh The character that I was playing in the footage I captured had a sword that was enchanted to steal souls when it killed an enemy. It was a light enchantment, enough for lesser creatures that could fill up small soul gems. So I wound up looking for Mudcrabs to kill when my enchantments needed recharging.

[@JuanDVene]

+KyleKallgrenBHH I know this is an old comment, and what I'm about to comment is unrelated to the video, but seeing your repeated love of Skyrim has me curious about your taste in video games. So if you don't mind answering, are you a general fan of JRPGs? If so, which one is your favorite. Currently, mine is Xenoblade, but I think Zelda: Breath of the Wild might change that. Once again, I'm sorry if I'm intruding, just got real curious.

[@roll4max]

Gerry needs a run button.

[@Jaytheradical]

STALKER is a really beautiful video game, speaking of. I've really been wanting to check out the film, though I hear it can be a bit impenetrable, but then, they say the same thing about the game.

[@viziroth]

the rhythm bit was funny, then too long, then it got funny again

[@rebeccatrishel]

I kind of want to say that Gerry is more based on the experience of hiking in the desert. I mean, in most movies, a long trek is conveyed by a montage to music, but the actual experience of travel is ... Just walking. For a long time. Nothing happens but slow movement forward. Step, step, step. I guess that doesn't make it interesting to watch, but hiking is also very boring.

[@francescomanzo3939]

can you also add a step please

[@sesfilmsllc]

I just realized that Gerries are played by Matt Damon and Casey Affleck.

[@NetNerdy]

19:38 I understand now, undertale, rick & morty, tom& jerry, it all makes sence

[@ShootingStarNeo]

Let's play: Gerry.

[@Twisted_Logic]

If I remember correctly, Portal is or was at some point on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (along with such games as Pac-Man and Dwarf Fortress). Also: based on your rhetoric, I feel like you'd REALLY like Morrowind (an earlier game in the same series as Skyrim).

[@kaelang12]

The thing I'm taking away from this is that Gerry is Fallout: New Vegas

[@chrisdibella257]

Also the game 35mm might be up your alley Kyle. It's... actually the more I think about it a hybrid between Jerry and Stalker, but a video game. That, or definitely Pathologic. Both Russian, funny thing,

[@MrAfroShark]

Hey Kyle, you should play Miasmata. I think it'll redefine a lot about video games for you. It certainly did for I.

[@SirChubbyBunny]

Oh, God. Oh man! Oh, God. Oh man! OH, GOD. OH MAN!

[@francescomanzo3939]

BLASPHEMOUS!!!!!

[@canadmexi]

So the video games never cut thing, how about loading screens or fast-travel?

[@ingonyama70]

Fast travel wasn't widely implemented in video games until 2004-2005 or so. In 2002, the year Gerry was released, it was only just starting to become archetypal of certain games, usually the ones with big open worlds. The original Tomb Raider, which Gerry's camera style was based upon, had no fast travel.

[@emmijadeshow]

lol oh this is beautiful

[@poporopo913]

where is the first video? I just can't find it.

[@canadmexi]

Do you think the TR reboot series is casual or just the original series?

[@rngwrldngnr]

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on Breath of the Wild.

[@kelsea8767]

Okay but... Maybe can we just get a BHH about Journey? I know you do movies and film and all that but seriously can we get Journey on Brows Held High. If you need multi-player experience then I got you.

[@rafrodr]

!!!!!

[@wrywh]

4/4 time is a fun device isn't it.

[@wrywh]

I love the shot in nostalgia, like other media that rewards perseverance (*cough* Dark Souls *cough*) there is such a sense of completion, even of achievement when he reaches the end.

[@seanramsdell4172]

9:35 AKA The Story of Cinephiila

[@seanramsdell4172]

4:55 TUSK

[@KP-sx9zf]

Tarkovsky is one of my favorite directors.

[@asocksual4910]

where can I play myst?

[@arielmersel1834]

stalker is also a show i never watched

[@HobGungan]

Wait....is Affleck playing Phoney Bone?

[@canadmexi]

12:58 What movie's that?

[@MoorRoot]

canadmexi Satantango. He mentioned it earlier at 5:28

[@willwalters8391]

What happened to the My Own Private Idaho review

[@Dresdenflower]

Will Walters no idea but I wish he would repost. Maybe a copyright issue?