Beasts of the Southern WildMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Beasts of the Southern Wild."

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Must Go!
Written September 3, 2012
Must go! Must see!

by dstdiva

Can't remember the last time I saw a film that I enjoyed so much! The characters are downtrodden Louisiana water dwellers, but they are fiercely independent and wouldn't change their lives for anything. The "star" of this movie is the little girl/narrator, Hushpuppy. You will LOVE her! I can't say enough good things about this movie. The themes are so much bigger than the movie itself. Go see it!
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written August 13, 2012
Beasts of the Southern Wild

by Phyllis Freeman

First, the trailer is deceptive. The trailer makes it look like it is a "feel good, inspirational" movie for kids. Wrong. It is a gritty reality movie about people who are very poor alcoholics living in squalor in the swamps of Louisiana pre and post Katrina.
Second, why is it that movies have million dollar budgets but can't afford a tripod? I would have loved to actually have been able to watch the movie, which did have amazing visual footage, but I spent most of my time with my eyes closed, battling being queasy. The film was done with 80% closeup shots that imitated what one would see if they were watching footage of a kid's birthday party if it was shot with a hand held camera by a drunken relative going through detox. What possible reason did the director have for making the film unwatchable. I even moved to the very back row of the theater to minimize the bouncy camera action. Even my teenage children complained that it was difficult to watch.
- 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 19, 2012
Beasts of th Southern Wild

by WCLJ

Loved it! Laughed and cried a little. Visually beautiful. It felt like a story in a great book, where you get a glimpse but you are still on the outside looking in. Their world existed in a place that worked for all of them, and made you know that the "Beasts" we fear may be confronted and tamed. Hush Puppy and her Daddy had a complex relationship that worked for both of them. This could have been a chapter added to Tom Sawyer as his adventures took him down the river. The theater was so completely quiet at times, I was almost afraid to breathe. Stunning film!
- 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 3, 2012
Beasts of the Southern Wild

by Francoitalian

I had wanted to see this movie since I read an excellent review before its national release. It did not disappoint. The young actree (and star) was absolutely captivating and gave an Oscar-worthy performance.

It is NOT for children although there are a few children featured.

Do go see it!
- 13 out of 21 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written July 24, 2012
Beasts of the Southern Wild

by kentridge

I felt this movie was like a magical short story - it drifted along amidst laughter, tears, storms and dreams changing our perceptions of reality and forcing us to dismantle any judgements we may have had about people and how they choose to live - on the grid - off the grid - in a dream or in the real world. Go see the film!
- 16 out of 27 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 1, 2012
Amazing

by kickindajunk02

This movie will blow you away with the story line. It is very well written and it's actually one of the 1st movies I have seen in a long time where I would watch it again at the theater. I recommend this to anyone. It will surprise you and melt your heart at the same time.
- 11 out of 17 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written July 16, 2012
Beast of the Southern Wild

by RBryan1011

A pretty phenomenal story and bit of story telling. It is amazing that the two main characters were new actors/actresses since they played great roles and the need to develop more independent films similar to this. In this age of pure garbage from an entertainment perspective or minimal creativity and imagination it is great to see that there are still some master story tellers and creative people out there making great movies. All kudos has to go to the director and producer of this movie for taking such a bold step in the release of a great movie focusing on such an area with unlimited cultural richness.

This is a movie that will not be watched by most Americans that do not want to explore new adventures and love to keep their heads in the sand of comfortability without challenging themselves. For those limited in imagination and creativity...Stay comfortable and boring my friends!!! For those that want to see, taste and smell everything life has to offer keep making new movies.
- 36 out of 67 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written July 15, 2012
Beasts of the Southern Wilds

by tek999

Highly original film. Exquisite sense of place. The actors were terrific. I really enjoyed the music in it as well. If I had any negative criticism, there is an atttempt for the cinematographer to reduce the point of view to that of the child, the result being that some scenes have a very claustrophobic quality to them. I would recommend this film enthusiastically.
- 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 26, 2012
Understanding Beasts of the Southern Wild

by RNJackie

When I first saw this movie I had very little information about the story behind it. I highly recommend reading the story or reviewing a critical analysis before going.
"Beasts of the Southern Wild" is a powerful story of how a child interprets the world and her part in it in a setting which is primitive, isolated and unimaginable by any who lives beyond the levee. This film reminded me of another favorite film, "Pan's Labyrinth."
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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No
Written August 11, 2012
This one left me behind

by djpasullivan

A 6 year old tries to fend for herself in a community of alcoholics living in remote coastal Louisiana.
Interesting photography, stark, disturbing scenery, a wonderful child actor, but the story left me way behind.

Not entertaining. Maybe informative, maybe wrenching, maybe "good for you," but not entertaining.
- 11 out of 17 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written July 10, 2012
Can be depressing

by JimJabu

A small girl tries to make sense of her world, a poverty stricken island off the coast of Louisiana, when she must deal with disaster, sickness, ignorance, squalor and despair. The performances are terrific and the photography is marvelous, but the story itself can be depressing.
- 13 out of 21 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written July 28, 2012
What were they thinking?

by Chuck1107

Rated as a "must see" by some movie critics, my wife and I felt this was a waste of time and money. No broad appeal, no message that you could carry home - a colonoscopy would have been more fun.
- 15 out of 25 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written September 15, 2012
Beasts of the Southern Wild

by White Cloud

Totally over rated. Story makes little sense and the "Beast" (pigs with horns) really hurt the story because they bring nothing to the film. We went because of the great reviews, but these reviewers are the same ones that missed Searching for Sugar Man until last week. The film has some good performances and visuals but unpalatable (Oh NO!) scripting. The kid "Hush Puppy" is simply able to make different pouting faces and that is considered acting? Save your time and money. It's like the King's New Clothes ....missing everything.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written July 16, 2012
Great art film

by veedwards

Loved it! It will stick with me for a long time to come. Visually arresting, Plausible, yet inventive story and amazing acting by the adorable 5 year old lead, Quvenzhané Wallis (now 7 y.o. I believe). Although she's very young, I could very well see her ending up with a best actress Oscar nom.
- 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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I'll Pass
Written August 5, 2012
Wanted to leave

by Pfoto5

I don't understand all the glowing reviews. Yes, the acting was good and the little girl was charming, but the movie was grim and depressing and boring after the parable or moral of the story became obvious in the first ten minutes. After that I was hoping for some brighter days or surprises, but mostly I was watching dreary images that didn't stir any emotions, except dread of having to sit through the whole thing.
- 18 out of 32 found this review helpful.
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