3 ms·

I think it depends on whether you can get over its style (which is probably also chosen due to budget constraints). For me it is one of these films that get my

I think it depends on whether you can get over its style (which is probably also chosen due to budget constraints). For me it is one of these films that get my imagination going, and I actually prefer that to one that just feeds you everything on a silver spoon. It's certainly a matter of taste though, I totally understand if it's not for everyone.

tambourine_man 10y ago
I like its style, it's the execution that bugs me. If you pay attention, you can almost always tell if a movie is a low budget production, but the good ones don't feel like one. But in Europa Report, that's evident through and through
- dave_sullivan 10y ago
  > you can almost always tell if a movie is a low budget production, but the good ones don't feel like one. I've noticed that too and found the difference to be largely not enough time spent (or no time spent) on post processing (color grading, adding film grain, etc) and sound (both foley and simple-to-produce atmospheric music). These things are all cheap to do yourself, yet often neglected for some reason. They never skimp on this in big budget productions and so you get that "big budget cinematic look".
  - tambourine_man 10y ago
    That makes a lot of difference, for sure. But to me, acting and scripting are where it hurts the most. And you can't “fix that in post” But color grading is far from the easy but neglected icing on the cake. I've been to an editing studio and it's amazing how it's essential to the story sometimes.
    - jessriedel 10y ago
      Yep, the basic story and setting of the money were fantastic, and I had no trouble suspending disbelief regarding the low-tech effects. But I could not get past the awful community-theatre acting and the cliche-filled scrip.
- m_mueller 10y ago
  I had the same reaction as you... until it grabbed me. As I wrote, it depends on whether you can get over the first half hour or so - after that you're kind of used to it as for me I could start appreciating it for what it is.

tambourine_man 10y ago

I like its style, it's the execution that bugs me. If you pay attention, you can almost always tell if a movie is a low budget production, but the good ones don't feel like one. But in Europa Report, that's evident through and through

dave_sullivan 10y ago
> you can almost always tell if a movie is a low budget production, but the good ones don't feel like one. I've noticed that too and found the difference to be largely not enough time spent (or no time spent) on post processing (color grading, adding film grain, etc) and sound (both foley and simple-to-produce atmospheric music). These things are all cheap to do yourself, yet often neglected for some reason. They never skimp on this in big budget productions and so you get that "big budget cinematic look".
- tambourine_man 10y ago
  That makes a lot of difference, for sure. But to me, acting and scripting are where it hurts the most. And you can't “fix that in post” But color grading is far from the easy but neglected icing on the cake. I've been to an editing studio and it's amazing how it's essential to the story sometimes.
  - jessriedel 10y ago
    Yep, the basic story and setting of the money were fantastic, and I had no trouble suspending disbelief regarding the low-tech effects. But I could not get past the awful community-theatre acting and the cliche-filled scrip.
m_mueller 10y ago
I had the same reaction as you... until it grabbed me. As I wrote, it depends on whether you can get over the first half hour or so - after that you're kind of used to it as for me I could start appreciating it for what it is.