Xavier,

I just rewatched The Bling Ring last night, and I still find it fascinating. I think that there is clear narrative choice without Sofia Coppola ever even hinting at a moral or solution. Even down to the small physical gestures that the characters make, which undermine or at least complicate the vacuous drivel that is coming out of their mouths, this film is an exquisitely controlled piece. I think I like it even more now that it’s had time to season and marinate.

I’m very much with you on Only God Forgives, I found it a fascinating exercise. I cannot believe there is no awards discussion around the cinematography in both it and Stoker.

Finally, I find it interesting that you mention several films like Ain’t them Bodies Saints and American Hustle being compared as derivatives of Malick and Scorcese films respectively (I agree that in each case they are more than just riffs on their influences). I too have noticed this and I find it interesting because one critically lauded film that I found to be entirely derivative without going beyond homage was the Italian film The Great Beauty. I found it to be entirely derivative of Fellini, while not furthering that style of film and in almost every case its satire or commentary was far less subtle or biting than its original incarnation. Yet it seems to be the same people who champion the Great Beauty for the same reasons they want to pull down American Hustle and Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.

Warren, I’m making The Bling Ring part of my holiday tradition. Hopefully it will catch on and soon we’ll have 24hrs of The Bling Ring every Thanksgiving on TBS.