Lena Dunham

[domino harvey]

Something something why won't Criterion release

[SpiderBaby]

Maybe Becker, Wes Anderson and Lena Dunham are really, um, close.

(Incidentally, I don't mean to endorse the suggestion that any woman who accomplishes something I don't like or don't understand did so through sexual favors.)

I didn't imply it like that, as I said Becker & Wes prob has the same relationship.

But back on point, that Criterion would pass on all it has and release this nascent nonsense is just pathetic, really

nothing to add.

[matrixschmatrix]

Maybe Becker, Wes Anderson and Lena Dunham are really, um, close.

(Incidentally, I don't mean to endorse the suggestion that any woman who accomplishes something I don't like or don't understand did so through sexual favors.)

I didn't imply it like that, as I said Becker & Wes prob has the same relationship.

Yeah, that wasn't intended as a slam on you, I just felt like that suggestion was floating around and wanted to distance myself from it.

[SpiderBaby]

^Understood. Thanks.

[Crab Society North]

I just can't understand Tiny Furniture getting a release. It's just the same old hipster garbage that's been circulating the "Indie" film circuit since Wes Anderson and Sofia Coppola hit it big on the scene. What about the story or characters is so new to the subject? I really wish the folks at CC would come out straight and say either: "Hey we actually like this movie" or "We just need the minimal amount of money this release will make so we can finally bring you (insert any back burner title) in a glorious SE"

[SpiderBaby]

I'm pretty sure everyone will agree with you here. Now how to tell them this? There is Facebook, but you might get ripped apart by "Indie" fans before you get your answer.

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

I really wish the folks at CC would come out straight and say either: "Hey we actually like this movie" or "We just need the minimal amount of money this release will make so we can finally bring you (insert any back burner title) in a glorious SE"

That's a little extreme, don't ya think?

It's one film out of 550+. Albeit one I personally think is terrible, but I think everything is going to be okay.

On a side note, I hated Aaron Katz's first two features but caught Cold Weather today and I think it's pretty incredible, actually. If they are picking up Lena Dunham, I wouldn't be surprised if they picked up this film. It's the first film I've seen from the "mumblecore" directors that's actually focused, well shot, edited excellently, very funny and it's a recognizable genre, the mystery! And for once, it isn't about twenty-somethings who just bitch and moan about their relationships. I think he can't really be considered "mumblecore" anymore.

[HistoryProf]

They can't be that picky if they are planning a special edition of Tiny Furniture.

This. oh my. There is going to be some foot stomping about this one. And rightly so. eesh.

Here's a question: has anyone here actually seen Tiny Furniture?

i did because my wife heard Dunham on Fresh Air and thought it sounded "quirky and fun" - I went in blind and HATED it. like, wanted to leave 20 minutes in. I honestly don't remember much beyond the visceral annoyance I felt through the whole thing. It was just inescapably so self-satisfied and precocious without any actual skill, intellect, or insight on display. It's one long cliche, and for the life of me I can not understand any of the acclaim, other than some Hipster cult has powerful friends in the media....or critics are too afraid to offend hipster sensibilities. I don't know.

The one thing that sticks in my memory is a segment of her Fresh Air interview where she took tremendous offense at discussions of her having lost weight after making the film as some sign of her "selling out" to hollywood.....she went to great pains to emphasize how awesomely average she is physically as though that validated her as an auteur. She's not only a woman, but also not pretty! What incredible adversity she has overcome in her troubled life! I wanted to reach into the radio and smack her.


So yeah, I didn't like it. and this news has seriously bummed me out.

[Arthur House]

The more I think about it, I can sorta see why Criterion is picking upTiny Furniture:

• Dunham has two previous short films. Include them, cut a commentary on the feature and throw in an interview of some sort and BAM! They've got a disc ready to go!
  Time the release to coincide w/the premiere of her next flick Girls to capitalize on publicity.
  It's time to piss people off again.

[Tom Hagen]

It's actually much worse than a new movie: she's doing an entire series on HBO.

Lena Dunham will star in a new HBO show about early 20-somethings trying to carve out a living in New York.

"Girls" is executive produced by comedy kingmaker Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner.

It stars Dunham as Hannah, an "eternal intern" at a publishing house in SoHo, Marnie (Allison Williams), an ambitious assistant at a PR firm and Jessa (Jemima Kirke), a spacey wannabe artist and teacher.

I feel like Kyle in that episode of South Park when he loses his faith in God and the will to live after Cartman wins a million dollars and buys his own theme park.

[SpiderBaby]

I feel like Kyle in that episode of South Park when he loses his faith in God and the will to live after Cartman wins a million dollars and buys his own theme park.

[oldsheperd]

it seems like she's most interested in basically the kind of movies she makes- small, low budget movies with low key emotions and a sort of Dogme aesthetic. I don't know that her disinterest in other stuff, however kneejerk (and weirdly gendered) that disinterest is, is all that damning to her as a filmmaker.

She reminds me of the type of woman I would meet at parties and talk to about film. Please see my Jim Jarmusch post in Infighting and Navel Gazing for more info.

She's not only a woman, but also not pretty! What incredible adversity she has overcome in her troubled life! I wanted to reach into the radio and smack her.

Does she wear cat's eye glasses or big thick rims?

[ShellOilJunior]

Anyone that uses "utterly" in a film review shouldn't have a Criterion spine.

[oldsheperd]

I wonder if she's seen The Graduate?

[Mr. Ned]

I didn't believe all the negativity was legit so I found the trailer on YouTube, which was basically the last four years of my life (college) condensed into two minutes and twenty six seconds: forced witticisms, half-baked Nietzschean references and frumpy girls in secondhand clothing who smack of upper-middle class entitlement. This girl getting a film released, garnering praise, and getting a fucking CC edition only reaffirms that life is a crock of shit.

[Tom Hagen]

Also, obligitory "humourous" pot experimentation.

[Finch]

This sounds like this year's Border Radio.

[Professor Wagstaff]

This sounds like this year's Border Radio.

May I suggest the "Most Disappointing Release" category in the yearly forum awards be changed to "This Year's Border Radio" or "The Border Radio Memorial Prize" or something of that kind.

[onedimension]

Sounds like a movie about someone going through the same thing I did in my early 20's, so of course I despise it/her/myself!

This sounds like this year's "Chasing Amy" - superficially charming, with an indie sheen masking a conventional imagination. Her mom's apartment in the trailer looks pretty rad.

I would still probably go out with her, but her "Bigger Than Life" reaction broke my spirit a little, at least for this morning.

[Crab Society North]

Lena Dunham will star in a new HBO show about early 20-somethings trying to carve out a living in New York.

Oh brother.... someone needs to do something about the hipster population of America.

Also I'm well aware things could be worse as far as releases go. Remember that time Criterion was going to potentially release a Joe Swanberg title? yikes.

[Tom Hagen]

Sounds like a movie about someone going through the same thing I did in my early 20's, so of course I despise it/her/myself!

Actually when I finished my liberal arts degree, I went to grad school, found a job that allowed me the free time to imbibe in cultural recreations, and even managed to date someone without sabotaging the relationship through my insecurities and self-absorption.

[matrixschmatrix]

Well to be fair, she managed to get a movie made, distributed, and released by Criterion

[Tom Hagen]

All the more reason for her to put the "L.E.S. Artistes"-style posturing aside, right?

[Mr. Ned]

Sounds like a movie about someone going through the same thing I did in my early 20's, so of course I despise it/her/myself!

Actually when I finished my liberal arts degree, I went to grad school, found a job that allowed me the free time to imbibe in cultural recreations, and even managed to date someone without sabotaging the relationship through my insecurities and self-absorption.

Being on the cusp of deciding between ambition or 20-something aimlessness--dude, TEACH ME. Because I'm definitely not going to hit the jackpot and start making crappy movies and TV shows about myself to great acclaim like little miss creative writing major on topic here.

[Tom Hagen]

The best thing I can teach you is to watch Kicking and Screaming. Laugh, cry, and resolve to yourself: I will not become these guys.