I Stand Alone

Starring:Philippe Nahon, Blandine Lenoir, Frankie Pain, Martine Audrain, Jean-FranÃ§ois Rauger, Guillaume Nicloux, Olivier Doran, AÃ¯ssa Djabri, Serge Faurie, Paule Abecassis, StÃ©phanie Sec, Arlette Balkis, FrÃ©dÃ©ric Pfohl, Gil Bertharion Jr., Rado, Nicolas Jouhet, Ahmed Bounacir, Roland GuÃ©ridon, Sophie Nicolle, HervÃ© Gueridon
Director: Gaspar NoÃ©
Studio: Strand Releasing
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Go Inside the Mind of an Ordinary Man Driven Nearly Mad by Circumstances and See what He Thinks
Not What I Expected...
Not even worth a rental.
An Incredible Film
A Gritty Psychological Assault On The Viewer...

I Stand Alone
Starring: Philippe Nahon , Blandine Lenoir , Frankie Pain , Martine Audrain , and Jean-François Rauger
Director: Gaspar Noé
Manufacturer: Strand Releasing
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Irreversible
Man Bites Dog - Criterion Collection
Thriller - A Cruel Picture
Visitor Q (Sub)
Ichi the Killer (Unrated Edition)

ASIN: B00005K9O8
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Customer Reviews:

Go Inside the Mind of an Ordinary Man Driven Nearly Mad by Circumstances and See what He Thinks.......2007-05-09

I Stand Alone

Gaspar Noe's SEUL CONTRE TOUT is a cinematic masterwork. Though this film is clearly not for the faint-hearted, it offers those willing to go where it takes them into a stark, ultra-violent, ultra-real world where truth is painful, but is a kind of truth that perhaps we need to hear and see. With exceptional mastery, Noe's style of film-making literally explodes in each frame of I STAND ALONE. The 16 mm, anamorphic vision is punctuated by gunshot sounds and quick, hard jumps into close-up shots. Violence, it seems, underlies each scene, but it is repressed. This leads us to feel tension of an unparalleled kind, and we wonder when this violence might explode. The film is 85 minutes of character study of one man, the Butcher, whose unedited, uncensored thoughts are put forth without pomp or circumstance. The Butcher's thoughts are the entire crux of the film and are exposed in long internal monologues. The thoughts we are allowed to "overhear" are disturbing, no doubt, but some, though not all, of these thoughts are similar to those we might have actually had at one time or another. This is troubling because no one wants to admit that they have these kinds of ideas. What is even more troubling is that we find ourselves compelled to see where all these repressed thoughts of loathing and hate lead to. We know it will be harsh, but we want to see it just the same. If you're looking for easy answers and simple truths sugarcoated for your pleasure, this is not a film for you. If, however, you're looking to see an original film that thrusts itself deep into your psyche and asks you hard questions without giving you the answers, you need to see this.

Not What I Expected..........2007-05-04

Maybe I'm jaded, I have seen a few "extreme" films, though I have been powerfully affected by more than a few (usually NOT the most violent or goriest). I did not find this film particularly shocking. Yes, the XXX clip is graphic for non-porn film --think Human Anatomy 101, and the final violent "fantasy" sequence is prolonged to the point of discomfort.

Still, those looking to see the envelope pushed will be disappointed. This is not "Ichi the Killer" or "The Devil's Rejects".

In fact, all the hype about how "shocking" this film is obscured the fact that the main character is well-drawn, wonderfully portrayed and though he's full of rage and violence, it's hard not to pity the dumb brute as he bludgeons his way hopelessly through the bleak slums like an enraged, tormented bull, soon to be put out of its misery . This film is ultimately a tragic character study. It is mature and thoughful.

The butcher is definitely not a sympathetic character, but like Keitel's cop in the Bad Lieutenant, he is doomed, trapped by his self-hatred and misanthropy. The Butcher's "redemption" is as twisted and illusory as his values. Like a Kafka character, he is lost in a world that he cannot understand or control.

It's a great, bleak look at alienation in Western society. If that appeals to you see it!!!
If you want action, over-the-top-violence or some sort of neat Hollywood moral or resolution, avoid this film.

Not even worth a rental........2007-03-23

Unless your french and speak the language don't bother with ths drawn out boring movie. Many critics have praised this stale and boring excuse for a movie but don't take the rotton bait. Don't bite like a sucker fish, it's a complete waste of time. Not even worth a rental.

An Incredible Film.......2007-02-05

If you are easily moved or offended by films, stay away from this. If you watch it and found yourself wanting to turn away or turn it off, and you have made it to the warning that gives you 30 seconds before the film starts again -- turn it off. It gets worse.

This is one of the few movies I've seen (and I've seen thousands) that has had a psychological affect on me. After watching it, I hated everyone and everything. I cried. I was angry at Gaspar Noe (one of the best directors ever) for jerking me around in a very effective way. I accepted the ride and was worse off for it. Simply incredible.

You can read the plot in other reviews or in the summary. I suggest you stay away from that, though, and go into this with an open mind. Realize that if you look away there is an interesting trick that will cause your attention to constantly be drawn back to the screen. And like I've mentioned before, if you've found the film hard to watch up to the warning, turn it off when that comes on screen because the real pain is just about to start.

Easily one of the best films ever made if only from an emotional standpoint. With it, Noe has earned my respect. He just may earn yours, too, if you can stomach the entire film.

A Gritty Psychological Assault On The Viewer..........2007-02-02

(but not as shocking as I had been led to believe)...

... Perhaps my expectations were too high. Perhaps I am jaded. Perhaps I have seen films like 'Salo', 'The Untold Story', and 'Cannibal Holocaust' too many times...

Gasper Noe's first official film 'I Stand Alone' has quite a reputation. I almost wish I would not have read so many reviews before hand. If I had went into this film with no expectations it very likely would've knocked me over with it's sheer nihilistic impact. However, after hearing a few rumblings about the shocking and disturbing nature of this film I became intrigued. Consequently I went and read a number of comments and reviews from IMDb & Amazon whilst I patiently awaited for my DVD to arrive...

I don't want to say that I was let down- this was a very entertaining and effective film. Very well-done (as we should expect from Noe). However, the prior knowledge I had of this film before hand perhaps muted and dulled the effects of viewing...

In my opinion, the pregnant-wife battering scene was much more shocking and brutal than the ending. The on-screen warning near the end of the film seemed a bit extraneous and actually unnecessary. If anything, that warning should've been placed before he beat on his pregnant wife. The ambiguous incestuous ending did not really shock or surprise me. It was actually kind of sweet, as it was the first time that the Butcher appeared human and capable of love. It actually redeemed him abit to me...

The Butcher was just about the most loathsome and pathetic creature I have ever seen upon the screen. He actually had me laughing out loud many times at what a miserable, nihilistic freak he was. I found myself wishing he would end his laugh to spare me having to listen to him anymore. He was utterly ridiculous. I say many of the awful and terrible things he says from time to time- the difference is that I am joking. The Butcher actually meant all of this. Incredible that someone could be so negative and pathetic...

All in all, this was a rather entertaining and unique film. If you are anticipating a blood-soaked shock-fest, you will be very disappointed. However, if you leave your expectations at the door and watch with an open mind, you will likely be amused and entertained. Do I recommend purchasing this film? That all depends on your level of obsessive DVD collection. If you have not had the pleasure of viewing Noe's 'Irreversible', most definitely see that first. I can whole heartedly recommend 'Irreversible' as a blind buy. Alas, I cannot do the same for 'I Stand Alone'...

Although it is a very effective work; an example of fine cutting edge film-making, tempered with a heavy doe of psychological battery; it is not quite as good as 'Irreversible' (in my opinion). However, if you are a fan of edgy cinema, and looking for something different, you can do much worse that 'I Stand Alone'...

Ghost in the Shell - Stand Alone Complex 2nd G.I.G.

Average customer rating:

Ghost in the Shell - Stand Alone Complex 2nd G.I.G.

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ghost in the Shell SAC Complete Collection Box Set

ASIN: B000RNLF22

I Stand Alone (Seul contre tou) (Uncut) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

When people pass their use by date

I Stand Alone (Seul contre tou) (Uncut) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]
Director: Gaspar Noe
Manufacturer: Accent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Irreversible

ASIN: B000AV8ZGA

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: o English (subtitles) o French (Dolby Digital 2.0) Synopsis: In this French drama, Gaspar Noe, who won awards (Prix Georges Sadoul, Cannes Crix Week) for his 40-minute Carne (1991), continues where that film ended, beginning with a Carne recap: The Butcher (Philippe Nahon) narrates, telling how, as a war orphan working at 14, he opened his horsemeat butcher shop and fathered a mute, retarded daughter. After the mother and daughter left for life in a Paris suburb, he served a prison term after an assault on someone he mistakenly believed had raped his daughter. The follow-up sequel, set in a Lille suburb, begins in 1980: Obese bar owner (Franjkyie Pain) is pregnant by The Butcher, who is unable to find work. The couple moves in with her mother, but he becomes irritated with the two women and goes to Paris where the humiliation of job-hunting and the sum total of futility and hopelessness triggers thoughts of what he might accomplish with his gun and his last three bullets. Shown at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. Special Features: o Interactive Menu o Scene Access o Uncut

Customer Reviews:

When people pass their use by date.......2006-07-21

One person's stuggle with the world is sometimes hard to watch at times and in some respects the way he treats people comes back to haunt him,The lead does a good job of a person who's world falls apart around him.
The fairly explict sex scenes and domestic violence would not make it in mainstream viewing.
Worst part is this could be any city in the world and in a world where the almighty dollar rules

Average customer rating:

I Stand Alone [Region 4]
Starring: I Stand Alone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000A2W9J8
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Average customer rating:

Go Inside the Mind of an Ordinary Man Driven Nearly Mad by Circumstances and See what He Thinks
Not What I Expected...
Not even worth a rental.
An Incredible Film
A Gritty Psychological Assault On The Viewer...

I Stand Alone [Region 2]
Starring: Philippe Nahon , Blandine Lenoir , Frankie Pain , Martine Audrain , and Jean-François Rauger
Director: Gaspar Noé
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Irreversible
Man Bites Dog - Criterion Collection
Thriller - A Cruel Picture
Visitor Q (Sub)
Ichi the Killer (Unrated Edition)

ASIN: B00004VY6E

Customer Reviews:

Go Inside the Mind of an Ordinary Man Driven Nearly Mad by Circumstances and See what He Thinks.......2007-05-09

Not What I Expected..........2007-05-04

Not even worth a rental........2007-03-23

An Incredible Film.......2007-02-05

A Gritty Psychological Assault On The Viewer..........2007-02-02

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