FoolForALife wrote:I am kind of frustrated that I don't seem to get what's so great about him. Then again, maybe I am trying too hard, and after all, he just isn't that exceptional like everyone says.
I feel this way about a lot of things. I'm probably right there right now with Hitchcock. I get angry at the work and at other people, but I'm just frustrated with myself.
Maybe I'm right and everyone else is wrong, but until then I'll knuckle down and keep watching, reading, thinking, living in the striving for things to fall in to place.
I haven't gelled with Herzog, despite finding his films intellectually fascinating. A lot of cerebral movie buffs seem to have a similar mentality as WH, but his ideas are so base yet deep-running and universal that a prerequisite connection of mind should not be essential in appreciating his films.
Try the documentaries - especially the ones around himself and the films. If you're anything like me, context is important and has a substantial effect.
Edit:
Also, have low expectations. Subjectivity removes blame. Herzog is a delicacy. I think that's a good description. Fear of exclusion and disrespect based on taste should be paradoxical in this context. To put it practically - I'm not fond of Hitchcock (and not always with justification), yet I have enough confidence in my taste to assume preclusion of disrespect. This relieves the fear, which relieves the venting on fans of above average directors and the directors themselves. Meanwhile, Michael Bay sleeps comfortably in his bed at night, probably with a Russian supermodel and a pet Dodo. Probably.
