[Indi]

Round 5: Dead Poets Society vs. There Will Be Blood

Rules:
No polls, just a review and your opinion on why you believe the film you've chosen should stay higher up in the list. 50 words or more, 40 is accepted if you have expressed your opinion in a satisfactory standard.

Have fun!

[TheCacti]

Well, don't mind if I get this one rolling.

Just saw There Will Be Blood last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's just an all around solid film: good characters, plausible representations of both the characters themselves and the environment/setting/context, and with some distinct qualities of story telling (e.g. scenes without dialogue). I like this film because it offers a glimpse of what could have very well been the Daniels, Abes, and Elis during the American rush for black gold. And I always appreciate a film's ability to sneak in some genuinely funny moments in what is an otherwise somber atmosphere.

I like Dead Poets Society for much of the same reasons. I thought the acting was superb, the story convincing, and boasts a very memorable and touching soundtrack. While TWBB was entertaining if not informing, DPS is simply inspiring. One could argue that the whole "you're an individual snowflake" themes are played out and tiring, and I don't wholly object to that argument, but DPS is an example how to do it right. Its story is original, memorable, and the message as salient as ever. Also, the ending is one of the most tear-jerking, glorious scenes of any film I've ever seen.

I'm not so sure that one of these films stands superior to the other in terms of cinematic qualities, but I do hold the latter in higher regards since its purpose as a film goes beyond that of an isolated story in time. DPS was more about life in general, and as a viewer I take away much more from it.

I vote Dead Poets Society.

edited for some stuff here and there

This post has been edited by TheCacti on Sunday, Jun 17 2012, 16:15

[El_Diablo]

this matchup sucks

I love both of these movies but they're SO different.
I'm gonna' have to take the line of thought offered by TheCacti.

There Will Be Blood is a fantastic film, no doubt, in virtually every aspect.
but there's something about Dead Poets Society that is indispensable. if I was stranded on a desert island and could only take one of these 2 pictures with me, it would have to be Dead Poets. TWBB is a quality film all the way around but it's also cold and has a very sad ending.

Dead Poets is a thought-provoking, funny, and inspiring story that never gets tired.
the vote is for Dead Poets Society.

[Fnorg]

Dead Poets Society was 'eh' for me. TWBB however, is a masterpiece all around, beautifully crafted and carried through. Daniel Day-Lewis is a f*cking powerhouse in it, and that alone would be enough for me to vote for the movie, but no. There's also the beautifully minimalistic soundtrack by Jonny Greenwood, the gorgeous cinematography and Paul Thomas Anderson's masterful direction. Despite its restrained beauty, it's a dark and miserable story about greed, betrayal and dreams of wealth.

I vote for There Will Be Blood.

PS: I drink your milkshake.

[Indi]

Voting stopped.

Dead Poets Society wins.