Capo
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Post by Capo on Jan 12, 2006 20:20:32 GMT
The Brown Bunny Vincent Gallo 2003 US/Japan/France 1st time; DVD A motorcycle racer travels across America to meet with his girlfriend; along the way, he tries to fill in her absence. An oddly beautiful film, which, stripped to its bare bones, is a road movie with an interesting closure; captivating for those who can take the director's heavy self-indulgence.I can't wait to revisit Buffalo '66 now. A slow week for films, Wet Dog, or have you stopped Proviewing already?
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Jan 12, 2006 20:23:51 GMT
Both. I'll catch up on them over the weekend.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Jan 12, 2006 22:50:37 GMT
A Knight's Tale(2001/Brian Helgeland) [First Viewing] When his master dies, a squire becomes a jousting champion.The director's (who wrote 'Mystic River' and 'L.A. Confidential' surprisingly) complete disregard for historical accuracy and down right silliness makes this by-the-numbers film even worse. It gets a star however because of the extraordinary performance by Paul Bettany. This gifted actor manages to upstage everyone in the film with his class and comedic ability. It's a shame he doesn't go out for bigger roles.
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Jan 12, 2006 23:22:09 GMT
Chong qing sen lin Chungking Express / Chungking Jungle Wong Kar Wai 1994, Hong Kong[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- Scripted and shot very quickly while Ashes of Time was on mid-production hiatus, this is, with the exception of As Tears Go By (1988), the least impressive Kar Wai film I've seen. It's still very good, though, in a more freeform, stream of consciousness way. There's an excellent use of musical shorthand to substitute characterisation, where a song is identified with a character and is played behind all their activities, so the song's connotations become the character's persona. Doyle's cinematography is beautiful, as usual.[/size] Hiroshima mon amour Hiroshima, My Love Alain Resnais 1959, France[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- Very impressive, but, unfortunately, and perhaps unfairly, burdened with dialogue of a stereotypical French portentousness that's been subject to decades of parody and, retrospectively, sounds like parody itself. It's absolutely gorgeously photographed, and the opening ten minutes or so is excellent, cutting between close-ups of two entwined bodies and footage of modern day Hiroshima as they second-guess their memories.[/size]
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 13, 2006 2:49:25 GMT
Narc - (Joe Carnahan;2002;USA/Canada) After a cop's murder goes unsolved, a Narcotics officer teams up with the dead man's partner to solve it.William Friedkin said that this film is very retro, somewhat like his film The French Connection, but I disagree with him in thinking it's a masterpiece. It is however, a very good crime film that not only shows an accurate portrayal of police, but is very atmospheric and gritty. The blue palettes used contribute a lot to that feeling. This is of course flawed by certain things, but made up for in others. This is Ray Liotta's best performance since Goodfellas, which holds a strong presence. I'm also glad it's distant from the buddy-cop cliche. Jason Patric's performance is also very good. I'll revisit this when I can get a Widescreen copy. You should check this out Capo.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Jan 13, 2006 16:13:23 GMT
Omar, check out Gangster No. 1 for, I believe, Bettany's biggest role, and certainly a juicy one too. Vercetti, I had seen Narc twice before, and am in due of a rewatch. Glad you enjyoed it. I thought it was up your street. Following Christopher Nolan 1998 UK 1st time; VHS A wannabe writer, following people for characters in a new work, comes into trouble when he meets a burglar. An inventive film in which all of the characters are expendably uninteresting; as a comment on privacy invasion and social identity, it outweighs its thriller conventions far more.
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 13, 2006 17:53:43 GMT
Glad you somewhat liked Following. What are your thoughts on Narc? I was having trouble deciding between two or three stars.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Jan 13, 2006 19:02:00 GMT
Yeah, I like Narc. Nothing particularly new in the film, but I love the opening chase, and its look and feel throughout. I give it one star.
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 13, 2006 19:10:44 GMT
What did you think of Ray Liotta? Considering all the bombs he's been in over the years, it was refreshing seeing him in this, especially since it was a good performance unlike most of the films he's in that don't demand much from him.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Jan 13, 2006 19:37:42 GMT
I agree. But really, I think GoodFellas was just a one-off for him, you know.
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Jan 14, 2006 0:15:15 GMT
Morderstwo Murder Roman Polanski 1957, Poland[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- A killer enters a dark bedroom, wordlessly plunges a blade into his sleeping victim's heart, and leaves. Earliest extant Polanski short. Establishes a distinctive audio-visual tone revisited in Repulsion (1965).[/size] Usmiech zebiczny Teeth Smile / A Toothful Smile Roman Polanski 1957, Poland[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- Descending a staircase, a man pauses to peer into a woman's bathroom. Interesting, mute short.[/size] Rozbijemy zabawe... Break Up the Dance Roman Polanski 1957, Poland[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- A group of young men crash a party they've been denied access to. Illustrates a maturation of Polanski's craft, with a broader scope than before. Fine photography, a dancing camera, and the first example of his world of barely restrained, encroaching chaos.[/size] Dwaj ludzie z szafa Two Men and a Wardrobe Roman Polanski 1958, Poland[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- Very funny, creative film in which two men emerge from the ocean carrying a wardrobe and transport it around the city. Absurdist social criticism.[/size] Lampa The Lamp Roman Polanski 1959, Poland[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- A dollmaker closes up his shop for the night, leaving us alone in the dark with his creations. An amazing film. If the Quays weren't influenced by this I'd be very surprised. It's not just the dismembered doll carcasses, the camerawork is very similar. Polanski's eye moves with the same spacial consciousness as the Quays', with a microscopic depth of field, swift, precise pivots, and smooth, articulate tracks along strict lateral planes. Fantastic stuff. Definitely Polanski's best short.[/size] Gdy spadaja anioly When Angels Fall Roman Polanski 1959, Poland[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- An elderly lavatory attendent is haunted by memories of her youth. Every single moment we're in that restroom in that miniature model town is masterful, but the colour flashbacks don't work quite as well, mainly due to budget restraints, I think. The finale is beautiful.[/size] Le gros et le maigre The Fat and the Lean Roman Polanski 1961, France[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- Hilarious social/industrial satire in which a young man (Polanski) plays servant to his fat master's every whim, trying to to get him to fall asleep so he can sneak away. It works just as well as a metaphor for cinema; artist vs establishment.[/size] Ssaki Mammals Roman Polanski 1962, Poland[/color] 1st viewing; DVD- A visual experiment in geographical reference points, much like Natali's Nothing (2003). Two men play and wrestle in a snow-covered field that becomes more and more overexposed as the film wears on. They wrap themselves in white bandages, becoming disjointed abstract shapes. Very clever. Polanski's last short film before he moved into features.[/size]
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 14, 2006 4:54:53 GMT
Jackie Brown - (Quentin Tarantino;1997;USA) A female flight attendant becomes a key figure in a plot between the police, an arms dealer, and a shitload of money.It's been too long since the last time I saw this, but now I feel like I appreciated it even more then my first viewing. Tarantino's direction is great as usual, and this film works on a dramatic level wonderfully. Pam Grier, Robert Forster, and Samuel L. Jackson lead this film with very entertaining presence, as well as the rest of the cast. An underrated film I feel is better then the Kill Bill films. The soundtrack is also great, especially Bobby Womack's "Across 110th Street." I also like the nod to The Graduate in the opening. Blazing Saddles - (Mel Brooks;1974;USA) A black sheriff is appointed to bring down a western town.This is definitely one of the best comedies ever. It maintains it's humor through the whole film. My favorite part of the movie is the ending, which becomes so absurd in it's parody that we can't help but piss ourselves. It would've been better if Richard Pryor was in it as it was originally planned but Cleavon Little is a great substitute. I can't wait to see Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein and The Producers. I really can't find anything to criticize about this. Bart: Mornin', ma'am. And isn't it a lovely mornin'? Elderly woman: Up yours nigger. ;D
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Jan 14, 2006 5:46:15 GMT
Solyaris Solaris(1972/Andrei Tarkovsky) [First Viewing] An astronaut travels to a remote space station and witnesses the ghost of his dead wife.An extremely beautiful film (surpassing "Andrei Rublev") and often interesting, but I had trouble with the presentation. Say I have bad taste or didn't get it or whatever. When all was said and done, I really wanted to love this film, but walked away feeling cold and half-fulfilled. Maybe a re-watch will help. A bout de souffle Breathless(1960/Jean-Luc Godard) [First Viewing] After killing a cop, a car thief tries to sway an American in Paris to run away with him.Quite a film to watch immediately after "Solyaris". Once you get used to the fast-paced style, this film is probably the coolest ever made, not to mention the most fun. Godard's constant references to cinema and literary work perfectly complement the groundbreaking style he creates with this film. This really makes me want to explore his other films.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Jan 14, 2006 17:25:08 GMT
Omar, a cold response to Tarkvosky's film creates an interest in me as to what you'd make of Soderbergh's version. Hunt it down, if you can. Glad you enjoyed Godard's film. Lawrence of Arabia David Lean 1962 UK 1st time; VHS A British military officer is transferred from Cairo to Arabia, and helps the Arabs to revolt. Astonishing epic, which, even at four hours, is a delightful, adventurous, and genuinely exciting affair. Powerful, essential stuff.
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Post by ronnierocketago on Jan 14, 2006 22:29:54 GMT
MANHUNTER - **1/2 out of 5 (Average/Decent)
Michael Mann is among the great filmmakers it seems in American cinema, but even he sometimes doesn't cut the mustard. After a brilliant debut with THIEF and the very nice if one oddball picture THE KEEP, Mann scripted and helmed the first film adaptation of Thomas Harris' best-selling serial killer thriller novel RED DRAGON, but because of circumstances, the film's title was changed to MANHUNTER(which actually is a crappy title, but oh well).
Thing is, I quite dug the 1st half of the movie where with the brutal crimes are understated, and the same with William Petersen's performance(makes one wonder if his character had gone into the FBI Witness Protection Program after Dr. Hannibal Lecktor tried to annihilate him behind bars, went to the field office in Minnesota, became an expert in bugs in his new life, and then eventually headed up the C.S.I. office in Las Vegas as one Gil Grissom...yes its a stretch, but at least give me a cookie for creativity).
In fact, what I loved is that its a good half-hour before we finally see the baddie himself, and we do, there isn't over-the-top gorey haunted house that we meet him at, but at a normal house...and the evil person himself isn't some tattoo-laden super freak. No, whats creepy is that there isn't a sound, and when the poor chap sees the "Tooth Fairy", hes only got what looks like pantyhose over his head, yet maybe its Tom Noonan's performance that makes it damn creepy.
Yet after we get detailed into the baddie's life, I lost interest as the film soon becomes quite basic and conventional. Not to mention the film's 80's annoying as hell soundtrack didn't help matters.
Still, I do dig how Brian Cox as Lecktor(not Lector like in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) is a cold non-over the top ruthless baddie that actually tries to take out the one person that despite being less intelligent, actually caught him. In fact, while audiences probably cheered as Hopkins escaped in LAMBS, we don't feel such a way with Cox...nor should we.
Still, Michael Mann took a good long break inbetween MANHUNTER and LAST OF THE MOHICANS, before starting with MOHICANS upon one quite crafty string of movies like HEAT, THE INSIDER, ALI(flawed? yes, but still impressive in many moments), COLLATERAL, etc....and he got rid of that stupid 80's synthesizer nonsense!
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Jan 14, 2006 23:19:43 GMT
From what I can remember, I much prefer Manhunter over any of the other Lecter films.
That flaming wheelchair shot is absolutely amazing.
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Post by ronnierocketago on Jan 15, 2006 0:21:17 GMT
I do admit that scene was pretty damn amazing...and done to a slimeball reporter, I couldn't care about him...I was just laughing personally when I saw it.
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Post by Mike Sullivan on Jan 15, 2006 4:15:04 GMT
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Post by Vercetti on Jan 15, 2006 5:49:54 GMT
Wise Guys - (Brian De Palma;1986;USA) Two low level mobsters lose $250,000 of their boss' money at the tracks, and are assigned to kill each other.Enjoyable for fans of the actors in it. It provides some laughs, but overall it's an average, B-movie comedy. De Palma's direction seems vacant, like Demme's Married to the Mob. It seems obvious this project was given very little care, direction-wise.
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Post by ronnierocketago on Jan 15, 2006 18:24:45 GMT
Well, after BODY DOUBLE, DePalma sorta just floated around the studio system for a few years, and one of those projects as a result was WISE GUYS, which really I bet DePalma was bored out of his mind when he made it...or very weak in terms of comedy(and to think Vercetti, this isn't even his WORST comedy. If you can stand pain, go rent THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES. ) . BTW Vercetti, you ever heard the story of how Scorsese was so insulted by MARRIED TO THE MOB that he called Demme's house and basically ripped him a new asshole with a diatribe that I bet it was fierce. Still, Dean Stockwell was the only interesting in that picture, which would explain I guess why he got an Oscar nod for it...or not.
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