Previews can get me into the theater for films I probably wouldn't have even known existed. The first trailer for this movie gave me the following information: Kirsten Dunst, Sofia Coppola, punk rock and 1770s France... what a combination. Coppola made "The Virgin Suicides" and "Lost in Translation", two very different films, and now with "Marie Antionette" she has made something else completely different. The film doesn't have a very good story, more or less it just follows Marie. She leaves Austria to marry the French crown prince, and her life as she deals with adjusting to foriegn customs in the spotlight. I like that in a film entitled "Marie Antionette", Marie Antionette was the focus, the center of the whole film. Other characters came and went, events unfolded, but we were watching Marie. I also liked the richness of the film. Lush landscapes, vibrant colors, deep and layered interior shots. Sofia has her father's eye for detail. I don't believe that she has found a great story to tell, or a cause to stand up for, but she gives us something unique and interesting.
I read that Darren Aronofsky was at one point lined up to direct the next Batman movie (which Christopher Nolan recently made "Batman Begins"). The basic premise of the movie was going to have a bankrupt Bruce Wayne and a homeless Alfred, Wayne donning a makeshift Bat-suit and becoming a brutal vigilante. Now I enjoyed "Batman Begins" and it had enough of an original perspective on Batman to entertain, but when will we stop putting up with Hollywood's cookie-cutter approach to pumping out movies? Maybe the should let Sofia Coppola direct the next Batman. Could she find beauty in Gotham? Is there more to the women in Batman's life than screaming on cue? If Alfred is Batman's father-figure, where is his mother? I know it'll never happen, but it's nice to think about the possibilities.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Flags of Our Fathers, The Prestige and The Nightmare Before Christmas (Digital 3-D)
Yesterday I got to see two movies, and today I got to see a third, so it's been a pretty good weekend.
Let's start with the weakest of the three films, "Flags of Our Fathers". I don't often agree with Clint Eastwood, but at least he makes me think, and he doesn't beat me over the head with his opinions, he presents a moral dilemma, and then deals with it reasonably. "Flags of Our Fathers" deals with the concept of doing what is right for your country at the cost of your own personal principles. Three men who fought at the battle for Iwo Jima, and were part of the famous flag raising, must deal with what they know is true, and what is best for their country. As far as the substance of the film goes, I enjoyed the way that Eastwood presented the issue, and allowed his characters to struggle and come to realistic conclusions. Unfortunately the film itself was too bouncy. Without good explanation we start in modern times, bounce back to Iwo Jima, then to the States for war bond drive, and back and forth throughout the film. Nate and I were talking and he commented on the camera techniques during the battle scenes. They were very Private Ryanesque without purpose, almost like if you shoot a beach invasion scene you must do it like Spielberg, which doesn't make any sense. Anyways, I was also kind of hoping that they would play Cash's Ira Hayes somewhere in the film, even if only during the end credits, it's such a great song that it stands alone, almost making a film representation unnecessary.
I finally get to answer the question of "The Illusionist" versus "The Prestige". Read the following review and tell me if it was even close... Also, I must warn you, it's almost impossible to talk about "The Prestige" without ruining some of the fun of seeing it for the first time, so please read no further until you've seen the movie, which you should... Christopher Nolan, who directed one of my favorite movies "Memento", has done it again, in a different way. He sets up the entire film with a line of dialogue by Michael Cain, explaining how a magician sets up his audience with a series of three acts, concluding with "the prestige" where we see something like we've never seen before. Nolan sets himself up big time with a line like that, how can a his movie deliver? Instead of tricking us, or surprising us at the very end, he gives us clues along the way. Makes us believe that we've figured out the mystery before we were supposed to. The "prestige" of the film experience is that after the movie is over, when everything is laid clearly before us, we realize that we have made judgements and supported characters that were all wrong. It's not a twist at the end of the film that makes it enjoyable, it's a twist in our minds, in the way we perceived the film watching experience. This film is one that you'll enjoy thinking about later, more than even watching the first time. I want to see it again, because as in "Memento", I know that there is a rich layer of clues that I missed, only because I was misdirected to the easy set of clues. Everyone can make easy clues, it's called television, in good filmmaking there is more, and this was great filmmaking.
I really enjoy "The Nightmare Before Christmas" It's what Edgar Allen Poe would have done if he worked for Disney. Of course I've seen it before on video a number of times, but it was fun to see it on the big screen, and Disney did a great job transferring the whole film into the 3-D format. I sat in the front row (sold out show, and I showed up late) so I did get a little nauseous, but it wasn't the movie's fault. I enjoy the music by Danny Elfman, I enjoy the animation technique, and I get a kick out of all the characters and the story too. The release right before Halloween is right, this is a Halloween movie, not a Christmas move. If I personally had to rate Holidays, here's how I'd approach it. My Birthday (because it's about me and German Chocolate cake), Halloween (because it's about the candy), St. Patrick's Day (Corned beef and cabbage), Thanksgiving (real mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and turkey) and then Christmas (Christmas music, lights, Christmas movies). Of course I would say that Good Friday, Easter and Christmas are the most important Holidays to me, but as far as fun goes, my Birthday just wins hands down. I went off on that tangent merely to illustrate that Halloween can be fun, and just like we shouldn't let the Devil have all the good music, as far as I'm concerned he can't have Halloween either. Let him have Secretary Day, or Arbor Day, but not Halloween!
Let's start with the weakest of the three films, "Flags of Our Fathers". I don't often agree with Clint Eastwood, but at least he makes me think, and he doesn't beat me over the head with his opinions, he presents a moral dilemma, and then deals with it reasonably. "Flags of Our Fathers" deals with the concept of doing what is right for your country at the cost of your own personal principles. Three men who fought at the battle for Iwo Jima, and were part of the famous flag raising, must deal with what they know is true, and what is best for their country. As far as the substance of the film goes, I enjoyed the way that Eastwood presented the issue, and allowed his characters to struggle and come to realistic conclusions. Unfortunately the film itself was too bouncy. Without good explanation we start in modern times, bounce back to Iwo Jima, then to the States for war bond drive, and back and forth throughout the film. Nate and I were talking and he commented on the camera techniques during the battle scenes. They were very Private Ryanesque without purpose, almost like if you shoot a beach invasion scene you must do it like Spielberg, which doesn't make any sense. Anyways, I was also kind of hoping that they would play Cash's Ira Hayes somewhere in the film, even if only during the end credits, it's such a great song that it stands alone, almost making a film representation unnecessary.
I finally get to answer the question of "The Illusionist" versus "The Prestige". Read the following review and tell me if it was even close... Also, I must warn you, it's almost impossible to talk about "The Prestige" without ruining some of the fun of seeing it for the first time, so please read no further until you've seen the movie, which you should... Christopher Nolan, who directed one of my favorite movies "Memento", has done it again, in a different way. He sets up the entire film with a line of dialogue by Michael Cain, explaining how a magician sets up his audience with a series of three acts, concluding with "the prestige" where we see something like we've never seen before. Nolan sets himself up big time with a line like that, how can a his movie deliver? Instead of tricking us, or surprising us at the very end, he gives us clues along the way. Makes us believe that we've figured out the mystery before we were supposed to. The "prestige" of the film experience is that after the movie is over, when everything is laid clearly before us, we realize that we have made judgements and supported characters that were all wrong. It's not a twist at the end of the film that makes it enjoyable, it's a twist in our minds, in the way we perceived the film watching experience. This film is one that you'll enjoy thinking about later, more than even watching the first time. I want to see it again, because as in "Memento", I know that there is a rich layer of clues that I missed, only because I was misdirected to the easy set of clues. Everyone can make easy clues, it's called television, in good filmmaking there is more, and this was great filmmaking.
I really enjoy "The Nightmare Before Christmas" It's what Edgar Allen Poe would have done if he worked for Disney. Of course I've seen it before on video a number of times, but it was fun to see it on the big screen, and Disney did a great job transferring the whole film into the 3-D format. I sat in the front row (sold out show, and I showed up late) so I did get a little nauseous, but it wasn't the movie's fault. I enjoy the music by Danny Elfman, I enjoy the animation technique, and I get a kick out of all the characters and the story too. The release right before Halloween is right, this is a Halloween movie, not a Christmas move. If I personally had to rate Holidays, here's how I'd approach it. My Birthday (because it's about me and German Chocolate cake), Halloween (because it's about the candy), St. Patrick's Day (Corned beef and cabbage), Thanksgiving (real mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and turkey) and then Christmas (Christmas music, lights, Christmas movies). Of course I would say that Good Friday, Easter and Christmas are the most important Holidays to me, but as far as fun goes, my Birthday just wins hands down. I went off on that tangent merely to illustrate that Halloween can be fun, and just like we shouldn't let the Devil have all the good music, as far as I'm concerned he can't have Halloween either. Let him have Secretary Day, or Arbor Day, but not Halloween!
Saturday, October 07, 2006
The Departed
I like to go to movies around 10:00 on Friday night. This gives me a chance to spend time with the kids, then spend time with Jess before I spend a couple hours at a movie. This is also a good time to see movies because there are less teenagers and older people, and it's usually less crowded. It is also good because when the movie lets out, generally after midnight, the streets are quieter and this allows me to contemplate the movie I just saw. I open up this review with all this information merely to set the stage for my thoughts about the movie I saw last night "The Departed".
First of all let me tag on a little disclaimer. Most of you do not want to see this movie. Some of you would hate this movie, and some I must say wouldn't understand this movie. I myself struggle with why I like certain movies. I have already talked to some of you about this, specifically regarding "The Godfather". I think, to be honest there is a part of me that is drawn to the idea of the criminal life. It is something foreign to me, just as much fantasy as "Lord of the Rings" or "Star Wars". I also think that I bring my perspective into the theater. I do look for good and beauty in films that are dark and pessimistic. That being said, "The Departed" is the best film I've seen in a long time. This movie is on a level above "The Illusionist" and "Good Night and Good Luck". Scorsese extends this film beyond mere storytelling or entertainment. It is about core human behaviour and motivation. This takes place in a fallen world, so the picture painted is not pretty. There is a criminal who pretends to be a cop, and a cop who pretends to be a criminal. The irony is that in a way they are what they are pretending to be, the lines of good vs. evil are blurred. This is a very basic summary of the film, what stands the film apart are its characters. I need to apologize to Leonardo, he seems to distinguish himself further with each new role he takes on, and this is my favorite. Let's just say, back when he made "Titanic", I'm pretty sure my little sister could have beat him up, easily. Now he is a man to be taken seriously, and it would probably take Nate and my little sister to beat him up. And what about Matt Damon, he gets to use his "Good Will Hunting" accent, and he gets to go head to head with one of the greatest... And that brings me to Jack Nicholson, a little bit paranoid, a little bit crazy, a little bit of The Joker and not at all afraid to get his hands dirty (although that red stuff wasn't dirt). The DiCaprio/Damon perfomances left me thinking, the Nicholson perfomance just left me hoping I never run into him in a dark alley, or even a nice sunny open park, unless he's in a very good mood.
First of all let me tag on a little disclaimer. Most of you do not want to see this movie. Some of you would hate this movie, and some I must say wouldn't understand this movie. I myself struggle with why I like certain movies. I have already talked to some of you about this, specifically regarding "The Godfather". I think, to be honest there is a part of me that is drawn to the idea of the criminal life. It is something foreign to me, just as much fantasy as "Lord of the Rings" or "Star Wars". I also think that I bring my perspective into the theater. I do look for good and beauty in films that are dark and pessimistic. That being said, "The Departed" is the best film I've seen in a long time. This movie is on a level above "The Illusionist" and "Good Night and Good Luck". Scorsese extends this film beyond mere storytelling or entertainment. It is about core human behaviour and motivation. This takes place in a fallen world, so the picture painted is not pretty. There is a criminal who pretends to be a cop, and a cop who pretends to be a criminal. The irony is that in a way they are what they are pretending to be, the lines of good vs. evil are blurred. This is a very basic summary of the film, what stands the film apart are its characters. I need to apologize to Leonardo, he seems to distinguish himself further with each new role he takes on, and this is my favorite. Let's just say, back when he made "Titanic", I'm pretty sure my little sister could have beat him up, easily. Now he is a man to be taken seriously, and it would probably take Nate and my little sister to beat him up. And what about Matt Damon, he gets to use his "Good Will Hunting" accent, and he gets to go head to head with one of the greatest... And that brings me to Jack Nicholson, a little bit paranoid, a little bit crazy, a little bit of The Joker and not at all afraid to get his hands dirty (although that red stuff wasn't dirt). The DiCaprio/Damon perfomances left me thinking, the Nicholson perfomance just left me hoping I never run into him in a dark alley, or even a nice sunny open park, unless he's in a very good mood.
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