Tideland TwoDisc Collectors Edition DVD (R) +Movie Reviews

Beautiful, but not for everyone

Lady Lana | 02/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD has an introduction from Terry Gilliam at the beginning of the film, in it he says "I've got a confession to make, a lot of you aren't going to like this film." It's sad, but it's true, it's true because there are some very controversial scenes in the film, it's sad because a lot people won't be able to look past that, and see what a brilliant film this really is. No, these scenes don't have to be in the film, but maybe Gilliam's making a point about how we see the world; "If it's disturbing it's because it's innocent."

Tideland is the story of a little girl named Jeliza- Rose who travels to a small house in the country with her father, the film shows how she deals with her difficult life with imagination, the film's dark and disturbing, but ultimately optimistic.

There's a lot for Gilliam fans here, the camera angles, the odd fantasy elements and the strange dark humor.

This film could have been terrible if it hadn't been done properly, but the film stays interesting and gripping because of the connection Gilliam gives us to Jeliza-Rose.

I'm not here to judge, and if people don't like this film they're entitled to, but all I'm saying is give it a chance, because a fair few of you, like me, are going to love it for the beautiful film it is."

This is a review of the dvd, not the film

BionicVapourDude | 03/04/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This region 1 dvd really dropped the ball. The correct aspect ratio of the movie is 2.35:1, which is a dramatically wide picture. This dvd is 1.85:1, which has quite a bit of the picture cropped off. Nowhere on the package does it mention this, so if you're thinking you're getting to see the movie the way Gilliam intended, you are not. I can think of no reason this was done, and it is a true disservice to anyone who purchases this dvd. I hope a new edition is released in the future, but this version is a total waste of money."

REMEMBER ANDREW WYETH'S PAINTING OF A GIRL IN A FIELD LOOKIN

Roy Clark | Edge of Toiyabe Nat'l Forest, NV | 03/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WELL, THIS'S IT, only swirled with near-psychedelic images (beautifully shot) and a bizarre, unsettling and confounding story and characters seldom seen on screen. Akin to CITY OF LOST CHILDREN, it's touching and scary at the same time. Taboos abound.

Tideland is insane. Delusional. Disturbing. Frequently dizzying. Made to be more felt than understood. It left me roiling over its strange characters, images and (maybe) hidden meanings. Shed your preconceptions and prejudices, expect to be frustrated and confused; but in the end you'll feel more stirred than shaken. It's definitely a see and re-see to be appreciated kinda movie. (And definitely a love-it or hate-it movie. Totally formula-less.)

Perhaps it meant to be so-overtly over-the-edge; maybe Genius Gilliam unleashed his visual and conceptual elegance so extravagantly to reach raw depths. Maybe he was on something; whatever, this is an Experience. Good luck."

DO NOT PURCHASE THIS DVD!

Ramon Olivo | New York, Ny | 03/07/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Gilliam wanted this dvd released at 2.25.1 aspect ratio and instead ThinkFilm is distributing it at 1.77.1, cropping out image that Gilliam wants you to see! To make matters worse Gilliam gave them the correct aspect ratio and ThinkFilm decided to against it. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS DVD! Wait for a better edition which ThinFilm claims there will be!"

ONE OF A KIND MOVIE THAT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE.

Darth J | Somewhere In Time | 07/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Tideland' is a 2005 movie directed by Terry Gilliam and is adapted from the Mitch Cullen novel. It stars powerhouse child actress Jodelle Ferland, Jeff Bridges(a corpse in much of the film), Janet McTeer, Brenden Fletcher, and a short apperance by Jennifer Tilly.

When the story starts, we see the very dysfuctional life of little Jeliza-Rose(Ferland). Right from the start we see her her parents are heroin addicts and obscenely dysfunctional(irresponsible). After a short apperance, which implies that Jeliza didn't like her mom, she dies of a drug overdose. Jeliza's father, Noah(Bridges)in a panic, packs up and leaves for his childhood home, an isolated farm house out on the plains of rural Texas. On the first night there, Noah dies of a drug overdose, and Jeliza is left to herself. As time goes on, she begins delving into a fantacy world where her doll heads come to life. She then meets her distant neighbors; The child-like Dickens(Fletcher), and his witch-like sister Dell(McTeer)who takes care of him. As the story moves, Jeliza falls further and further into her fantacy world, and she(and the viewer)learn of the history of Dell and Noah, as well as Jeliza's grandmother.

This is a bizarre movie, and is not for everyone, it's almost like a twisted combination of 'Pan's Labrynth' and 'Trainspotting'. Gilliam applies his trademark fantacy, but it also has a 'dark drama' edge to it. This movie is disturbing, but becuase it's from the point-of-view of a child, it's made to be 'cute' and 'innocent'.

The acting and dialoge is amazing. Jodelle Ferland(much like Dakota Fanning)posseses unbelievable acting chops, and carries this film. It's almost creepy how she handles the adult content, but I almost have to question her parents for letting her be in this. Brenden Fletcher gives a sincire, and moving performance. Jeff Bridges(although a corpse in most of the movie)and Janet Mcteer give memorable performances. This movie has a minimalist cast, so the acting is very important to keeping the story going. The dialoge is great(although bizarre). As Jeliza falls into her fantacy world, she talks to her doll-heads and each reflect a side of her psyche. Again, amazing for someone as young as Ferland, and anyone for that matter.

The editing and cinematography is exellent, and crucial for a surealist film. This is definetly a surealist film, and anyone who has seen 'Time Bandits' and 'The Adventures of Baron Von Muncheusen' should know what to expect. There's alot of off-center camera shots and angles, unique lighting, and jump-cuts to give it a 'trippy' edge. The way the film moves from disturbing to cute, from real to sureal is flawless.

I've seen this film three times now, and I find it more compelling each time I see it. This is a highly unique film, and I can't recall another movie that uses these type of 'mechanics' in this way.

Some will not care for this, This movie can be quite disturbing. For example; Jeliza and Dickens develop a relationship of sorts and talk about being boyfriend and girlfriend, and speak of loving each other, but neither has any concept of sex and an adult relationship, so a few scenes that can be somewhat disturbing become innocent and harmless. In my last viewing, I noticed that it was Jeliza who cooked up the hit that killed her father, so again, this movie is disturbing and not for everyone.

One issue that needs to be adressed is the DVD. I don't own this film, but many have said that the transfer is not the right ratio, and the sound quality is poor. Gilliam is planning a re-release, but no date has yet been set.

Overall, 'Tideland' is a pleasently dark, bizarre, sureal film that any fan of these type of flicks will enjoy."

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