Every time we begin to doubt A24's ability to remain the freshest and funnest and most reliably high quality distributor, they remind us to continue in the faith. Look, for example, at this brilliant insanity they've cooked up to promote MidSommar...
You may have seen that already but we're sharing it as an excuse to discuss the movie again.
Though it's no secret that your host here at The Film Experience is not a fan of the movie (hear the podcast discussion) Murtada was correct in his assertion that the film has inspired some great critical writing. Whether you love the movie like our own Chris Feil or dislike it, like me, it's quite easy to enjoy after the fact. It's already inspiring great fan art, silly memes, and fine critical writing. CONSIDER....
Fun Mashup
Wet Hot American MidSommar... the title says it all but this is really fun
Fan art we like...
Clicking on these images will take you to the artist's Instagram pages for a better look
and finally some key critical writing
We thought it might be fun to do a mini round of awards or nominations for responses to the movie - we aren't eligible of course so we can't honor Chris Feil's review but that one is a goodie, too. We've never done this before but have considered doing it for other films that inspired lots of interesting reviews so let us know if you enjoy. It's an experiment brought to you by one day where I was procrastinating all work and just reading. Oops
OUTSTANDING LEDE
In my summer at the National Critics Institute we spent hours analyzing opening 'graphs of reviews and how difficult it is to perfect them and how important they are for capturing the imagination. I bow to these three, for their skill sets in this regard.
- Madeline Whittle at Film Comment "Midsommar is a many-splendored --many-categoried-- thing..."
- Ray Pride at New City Film "Oh, shit: shit happens..."
- Adam Nayman at The Ringer "We know what Ari Aster did last summer."
FUNNIEST REVIEWS
- Rich Smith at The Stranger - "Some blonde guy held open the door for me as I made my way out. He was a murderer..."
- Dominic Griffin at Spectrum Culture - "Aster introduces us to Dani (Florence Pugh) and Christian (Jack Reynor), a couple who should, before anything else, absolutely break the fuck up.
MOST OBSESSIVE ABOUT THE MINUTIAE
- Phil Nobile Jr at Birth. Movies. Death - He goes on (in gif form) about Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Josephine Livingston at The New Republic - She goes off on the film's abundant runes
- Nick Johnston at Vanyaland -yes, he is going there with the Wicker Man comparisons
PERFECT SINGLE SENTENCE
- Simran Hans at The Guardian "Aster, I believe, is taking the piss."
- Ray Pride at New City Film "She has moments --all of them."
- Kimberly Elizabeth at Nightmare on Film Street "Midsommar is a nightmare resting gently on dewy grass, the lingering unease of being an outsider among those closest to you. "
OTHER THOUGHTFUL REVIEWS WORTH READING
- George Elkind at Detroit Metro Times
- Richard Brody at The New Yorker
- Chris Hewitt at Star Tribute
- Andrew Kendall at Stabroek News
MOST HATEFUL 'INTENTIONALLY FILLED-WITH-ABUNDANT-SPOILERS TO PURPOSEFULLY RUIN IT FOR OTHERS' REVIEW - THIS IS NOT AN AWARD, OBVS.