Francis Ford Coppola

[The Ghost of LLC]

After careful consideration, I've updated my rankings for the first time since seeing The Conversation. In my opinion, it's his best film.

[Boz]

Wow I just noticed you've got 0 stars for GFII, Wetdog.

Does that still apply?

[RNL]

Oh yeah.

[Boz]

Well, I'm awful interested to know why there partner.

[RNL]

I posted about why earlier in the thread. Nearly got crucified.

[Boz]

I'm surprised that your main criticism seemed to be you weren't sure why we were being shown the young Vito storyline. Aren't there plenty of films you like where there's no real reason you're being shown what you're being shown?

[RNL]

My main criticism was that none of it was interesting, but yes, the Vito storyline is basically one big foregone conclusion that's seemingly there only to stretch the film out to 'epic' length.

And if what I'm being shown is interesting in and of itself, then that's generally reason enough to be shown it. But I would prefer a film to be coherent, and this isn't the only time I've criticised a film for incorporating an incongruent subplot - it's just that this one is excruciating to behold.

Godfather II just torturously elaborates on developments that were clearly implied at the end of the first film.

[RNL]

Interview with Harry Knowles.

[Capo]

In the end, you quite liked Godfather Part III, wetdog?

[RNL]

Yeah, it's very good.

It has the momentum and purpose that the second film lacks.

[Capo]

(In response to a deleted post):

It depends. Wetdog thought Part II was a pointless exercise. I can see where he's coming from, in a way, though I used to be really, really riveted by that kind of stuff a few years ago: intrigue, both business and political, and corruption on all levels, a corruption which is heightened and made poignant by showing how the Family came to that power in the first place - the years with Vito in Sicily. On the one hand, it's an extension of the character which ends the first film prominently, but that extension is given emotional weight with the flashbacks too. I don't necessarily have to care for the business deals (though did at one point, and probably still do when I watch it again), but it's essentially a character study, of Michael, by means of showing his father's rise too.

I think it's a very good character study which looks extremely rich and extends the collaborative solidity of the first film. Richard Costellano is the only person missing, but Michael V. Gazzo compensates and then some.

[RNL]

Wellll... you guys are right, Part II is a masterpiece. I don't know what I was thinking, I'm embarrassed.

While I'm at it, Dracula's pretty damn great too. Yes, Reeves and Rider and badly miscast and Hopkins gives one of the most self-centered, vacuous performances of all time, but it's a masterpiece of visual baroque. The imagery is stunning, and not just periodically, it's a completely coherent visual experiment. The optical compositions during Harker's train journey to Transylvania are indelible. Way, way, way underrated.

[Capo]

I could really kiss you right now.

[RNL]

The only film I can think of that might be subject to such a total reversal of opinion is Ordet.

There's a great interview with Coppola here. Annoyingly it's cut up into twenty(!) sections that all have to load individually, but I think it's worth the time. His comments on Youth Without Youth have got me verrry interested indeed.

[Michael]

wetdog said:

Wellll... you guys are right, Part II is a masterpiece. I don't know what I was thinking, I'm embarrassed.

Awesome! ;D

[svsg]

wetdog said:

The only film I can think of that might be subject to such a total reversal of opinion is Ordet.

There's a great interview with Coppola here. Annoyingly it's cut up into twenty(!) sections that all have to load individually, but I think it's worth the time. His comments on Youth Without Youth have got me verrry interested indeed.

Coppola always has something interesting to say. Thanks for posting wetdog!

[Capo]

Wetdog, does your rating of Apocalypse Now include the Redux version?

[RNL]

I haven't seen it yet, but I own it. And I haven't seen the original cut in years either.

[Capo]

What, may I ask, gave you the incentive to revisit those two films? It's something which obviously requires a lot of patience, and something I can only do when somebody else whose opinions I'm in tune with urges me to see the things I had apparently missed. As an example: your appraisal of Cronenberg in general and Spider in particular.

That interview seems very good - I'd've expected him to be vocal, though, he always has been, and very articulate too. His commentaries on The Godfather DVDs are recommended. I haven't watched all that interview, though, because for some reason, the snippets are taking a while to upload for me. When I have more time...

I'm waaaay overdue a rewatch of The Godfather Trilogy, which I used to watch on a regular basis.

[svsg]

Even 'The outsiders', not one of coppola's great movies, deals with some good themes. Which teen movie deals with a theme like "staying gold"? !!