tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27601672.post116128745415077320..comments2024-02-16T18:07:05.844-05:00Comments on ZONE: Recent Screeningscowboyangelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452987299073540171noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27601672.post-1161701089115815102006-10-24T10:44:00.000-04:002006-10-24T10:44:00.000-04:00John,Thanks for the kind words. "actually create ...John,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the kind words. <BR/><BR/>"actually create the physical sensations of difficulty as one struggles for comprehension."<BR/><BR/>I can't think of anyone who does that in cinema better than Godard. When I first saw Week-End at a cinema, the interminable traffic jam sequence literally caused people in the crowd to start yelling at the screen for it to end. It was one of the most dramatic moments I've ever experienced in a cinema. It was perfect. The intellectual/spiritual tension between Godard trying to depict something in a disturbing way and an audience screaming out for it to stop - partly, I think, because it made us realize how we really live. It was probably as close as I'll ever come to being at the Premiere of the Rite of Spring or some of the early Dada performances.<BR/><BR/>BTW, I don't think Le Mepris challenges the viewer intellectually like his other films from that time period do. It may be a disappointment for some people. But I actually like that he tried something different, that he gave in to aesthetics more than the intellect in this one. It makes a nice compliment to his other 1960s work. I actually like him going Hollywood. I only regret that he never made the big Technicolor Musical that he always wanted to make. That would have been something.<BR/>I'm not sure I feel the same way about Syriana, but I see your point. It IS hard to follow what's going on in the labyrinth of petrol politics. He connects some of the dots, but in a jarring fashion. Perhaps he wants us to "rewatch" the situation in the world, to pay more attention? I might buy that.cowboyangelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13452987299073540171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27601672.post-1161695825276814262006-10-24T09:17:00.000-04:002006-10-24T09:17:00.000-04:00I'm adding all of these to my netflicks queue, tho...I'm adding all of these to my netflicks queue, though I'm slow to follow up these days. But thanks!<BR/><BR/>Finally saw Syriana (recommended from an earlier post) and agree with most of your comments, especially about it being hard to follow. It was frustrating, sure, but I feel it needed to be, because of the material. I draw a parallel with what Yeats said about resistance, in which case a poem needs to be difficult -- actually create the physical sensations of difficulty as one struggles for comprehension -- in order to embody the material appropriately. And Liam (my older son's name, btw), may I address you at this point and say that you of all people should understand that, being a medievalist. My, you must have been asking for it. <BR/><BR/>Thanks again, William. I have to say, I prefer you to A O Scott and Manohla Dargis, by a thousand miles -- and even to Jane Dark (http://www.janedark.com).John Schertzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04694233349915868913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27601672.post-1161470064049330332006-10-21T18:34:00.000-04:002006-10-21T18:34:00.000-04:00I just asked Lukas if he's ever seen CCBB and he s...I just asked Lukas if he's ever seen CCBB and he said no (he's also never been to CBGB's, and now it's too late). We went to the Illusionist without him -- he was off with friends.<BR/><BR/>Actually, I do remember all the things about Le Mepris that you mentioned. No, I did not forget the shots of BB.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27601672.post-1161448296813220532006-10-21T12:31:00.000-04:002006-10-21T12:31:00.000-04:00Crystal,Thanks for the Can Can recommendation! I'...Crystal,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the <I>Can Can</I> recommendation! I've already ordered it from my local library.<BR/><BR/>I'm also curious about <I>The Prestige</I>. I liked Christopher Nolan's <I>Memento</I>, and the cast for this one looks good, though I find Scarlett Johannsen irritating at times. The <I>New York Times</I> calls <I>The Prestige</I> "a larger-scale, flashier — if ultimately less haunting — relative of 'The Illusionist.'" It was a somewhat mixed review, mostly positive. The <I>Washington Post</I> was more enthusiastic about it: "a classy, intriguing thriller that keeps viewers guessing but, unlike its less twisty but more opaque predecessor [The Illusionist], gives viewers a fighting chance to figure it all out before the third-act Big Reveal."<BR/><BR/>Was <I>The Illusionist</I> really that "opaque" or hard to figure out? I liked it precisely because the ending was somewhat ambiguous. But then the <I>Washington Post</I> may be writing for Beltway politicians, whose intelligence and subtlety are fairly suspect.<BR/><BR/>Liam,<BR/><BR/>You may be right about Norton's more understated performance. I felt the same thing at times but wanted a little more, I guess. I know others have praised him for the same thing.<BR/><BR/>Did Lukas like <I>The Illusionist</I>? Has he seen CCBB? I'd be very curious to know his take on both. <BR/><BR/>Interesting that you don't remember <I>Le Mepris</I> very well. Given that opening scene with Bardot and Piccoli in bed, I <I>could</I> make suggestions about your mahood. But won't. :-) I am a bit surprised, though. I had the opposite experience - it was one of JLG's films that really stayed with me (I saw it a year ago and had been wanting to re-see it ever since.) Coutard's photography was particularly memorable - the scenes of Capri, that amazing house, those weird statues... the colors of the film. Visually, it felt quite different for Godard. And some of the great lines stayed with me: "Whenever I hear the word 'culture,' I pull out my checkbook." (Palance) My only real problem with the film is the ending. I'm not sure how to read what happens with Bardot and Palance.cowboyangelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13452987299073540171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27601672.post-1161369419039077352006-10-20T14:36:00.000-04:002006-10-20T14:36:00.000-04:00We really enjoyed "The Illusionist" as well, I'm g...We really enjoyed "The Illusionist" as well, I'm glad you recommended it. One thing though -- I agree Giametti is great, but I think you under-rate Norton when you say he's just "fine." It's a very understated performance, but he manages to have a cryptic and inscrutible mask on while allowing a kind of intensity burn behind the mask.<BR/><BR/>I saw "Le Mepris" a few years ago and enjoyed it, though I don't remember it much. I haven't seen "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" since I was a child, but I remember it better that "Le Mepris" and second your recommendation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27601672.post-1161333467812303322006-10-20T04:37:00.000-04:002006-10-20T04:37:00.000-04:00I'm looking forward to seeing the Illusionist. I ...I'm looking forward to seeing the Illusionist. I wonder if The Prestige will also be good? <BR/><BR/>I haven't seen Pal Joey but the way you describe it reminds me of Can Can - also Frank Sinatra being a sort of loveable heel, with Shirley MacLaine, Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier and Juliet Prowse ... music and lyrics by Cole Porter ... and dancing :-)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the reviews.crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05681674503952991492noreply@blogger.com