SF Film/Cinema Thread

[gdl203]

As much as I love Oldboy, I'm starting to think that Lady Vengeance was a better, more "achieved" film. What did you think of it?

 

[dkzzzz]

Originally Posted by gdl203

On the top of my head, I cannot think of any other prolific and talented director who has made only great films. All of my favorite directors (including Kusturica, Polanski, Scorsese, the Coen brothers, Lynch...) have made some crappy movies. I can only think of Kubrick as the only great prolific filmmaker with a perfect filmography

The answer is Ingmar Bergman.

And to lesser exstend Charlie Chaplin.


P.S. "Redicule" by Lelush is an absolute drek. The movie is flat and so uneven you will wonder what was the point at all. Reminds me of that stupid Coppola flik a lot.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

The answer is Ingmar Bergman.

And to lesser exstend Charlie Chaplin.


P.S. "Redicule" by Lelush is an absolute drek. The movie is flat and so uneven you will wonder what was the point at all. Reminds me of that stupid Coppola flik a lot.

Who is Lelush?
What is "redicule"?

I'm assuming you mean "Ridicule" by Patrice Leconte...

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by gdl203

As much as I love Oldboy, I'm starting to think that Lady Vengeance was a better, more "achieved" film. What did you think of it?

It is definitely a more mature work, relying on pacing and characterization to advance the plot while Oldboy is more « gimmicky ». I think Oldboy's strength lies in being the quintessential representation of the hyperrealist universe that Park's characters inhabit, possibly the purest tour one can have of that "other" world he has developed in his recent films. By the way I just got a copy of the Tartan 2 disc DVD, can't wait to watch that version (same cut, better quality, interesting extras).

Some recent asian movie viewings (while we're on that topic):
Strawberry shortcakes
After this our exile
Adrenaline drive

 

[Ivan Kipling]

Fuuma . . . I cannot remember the name of a fairly recent Japanese film, from about two or three years ago. It dealt with a man whose wife collected couture garments, obsessively, simply to admire their beauty. In the end, her husband dies in a car crash while admiring a detail on one of his wife's garments. Slow, absorbing, sensitive and poignant. Disturbing, as well. Too bad I can't remember the name.

 

[dkzzzz]

Originally Posted by Fuuma

Who is Lelush? What is "redicule"? I'm assuming you mean "Ridicule" by Patrice Leconte...
No I meant "redicule" a small bag popular in France around 17th century and Klod Lelush: famous French director.

P.S. I have never seen an Asian movie that I could get into. They all look completely foreign to me in their aesthetics and especially humor. Just as I could never play Asian video game or watch one of those Manga cartoons. Two of my fav. movies are "Angel Heart" Allan Parker and "Pope of Greenwich Village" by someone. Also "Bar Fly" with Fay Danavey and M. Rourke And one more:"Drugstore Cowboy", Matt Dillon, what a movie. Oh yea wonderful B&W a must see Shakespearian "Rumble Fish" Nick Cage, Matt Dillon, M Rurke, and many others.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by Ivan Kipling

Fuuma . . . I cannot remember the name of a fairly recent Japanese film, from about two or three years ago. It dealt with a man whose wife collected couture garments, obsessively, simply to admire their beauty. In the end, her husband dies in a car crash while admiring a detail on one of his wife's garments. Slow, absorbing, sensitive and poignant. Disturbing, as well. Too bad I can't remember the name. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...20faces/22.gif

Tony Takitani, a Jun Ichikawa movie adaptation of a short story by Haruki Murakami, I liked it a lot too. Seems right your cup of tea, as the central character is a strong (in a sense) obsessive female that brings forth something that was dormant in an emotionally withdrawn man (the title character). By the way what did you think about Laura and other similar movies with a high dose of drama and glamour coupled with some sultry singing? Removing a glove was never this sensual...

Dkzzz: I haven't seen Barfly but really think Rourke is one of the strongest American actors presently working. That's the Buckowski adaptation, right?

You should try watching some of Kurosawa's later works, the humanist themes are very much in tune with European sensibilities, which should be nearer to your concerns. A little bit like Wong-Kar-Wai, those were the people praising him the most anyway (think French intellectuals and films festivals).

An existentialist fable like Woman in the dunes might also be more in line with what you're looking for.

 

[Ivan Kipling]

Thanks, Fuuma. I loved that movie. Stayed with me, for quite some time.

By the way what did you think about Laura and other similar movies with a high dose of drama and glamour coupled with some sultry singing? Removing a glove was never this sensual...
*********************
Fuuma, I think you mean GILDA, with Rita Hayworth. Oh, yes . . . once while guesting on the Carol Burnett Show, a clip of Gilda was shown. Burnett asked Hayworth, the following question: 'how'd you keep that dress on?'
Hayworth's reply: 'Two good reasons.'

Jean Louis was a superb costume designer. He dressed Hayworth in Gilda, and in a number of other films.

 

[.bishop.]

On the subject of older japanese film, I haven't seen Kobayashi mentioned once. Maybe I missed it? I saw all the other famous directors from the 50's and 60's but not Koybayashi. Harakiri and Kwaidan are easily two of my favorite films from that time period. The "Hoichi the Earless" story in Kwaidan is amazing.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by Ivan Kipling

Thanks, Fuuma. I loved that movie. Stayed with me, for quite some time.

By the way what did you think about Laura and other similar movies with a high dose of drama and glamour coupled with some sultry singing? Removing a glove was never this sensual...
*********************
Fuuma, I think you mean GILDA, with Rita Hayworth. Oh, yes . . . once while guesting on the Carol Burnett Show, a clip of Gilda was shown. Burnett asked Hayworth, the following question: 'how'd you keep that dress on?'
Hayworth's reply: 'Two good reasons.'

Jean Louis was a superb costume designer. He dressed Hayworth in Gilda, and in a number of other films.

Damn, as much as I love "Laura" the movie I was referring to was indeed "Gilda" with Hayworth, slip of the keyboard I guess.

 

[Ivan Kipling]

You see, Fuuma? You've got to stay on top of things, every single minute.
Mommie Dearest

 

[dkzzzz]

Originally Posted by Fuuma

Dkzzz: I haven't seen Barfly but really think Rourke is one of the strongest American actors presently working. That's the Buckowski adaptation, right?

You should try watching some of Kurosawa's later works, the humanist themes are very much in tune with European sensibilities, which should be nearer to your concerns. A little bit like Wong-Kar-Wai, those were the people praising him the most anyway (think French intellectuals and films festivals).

An existentialist fable like Woman in the dunes might also be more in line with what you're looking for.

I feel the same about Rourke.
He is so method, I love him. Too bad his mouth made him persona non-grata in Hollywood for over a decade. He actually reminds me of Bukowski himself. Quitting movie carrier in favor of prize-fighting is that a Bukowski plot twist or what?

P.S. "Francis" by Liliana Cavani with Rourke is an unusual movie.

One of my all time fav. athmospheric movies "Light Sleeper" with Will Dafoe & Susan sarandon, as well as "Naked Lunch".

Movie that is better than a book it is based on : "The Unberable Lightness of Being". Haunting and superbly edited.Monumental movie about human life. Title alone deserves some sort of prize.

 

[Manny Calavera]

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

P.S. I have never seen an Asian movie that I could get into. They all look completely foreign to me in their aesthetics and especially humor.
Just as I could never play Asian video game or watch one of those Manga cartoons.
.

What the **** is wrong with you? I mean, ahem, I think Ozu is among the least ethnocentric of the masters, and I second the recommendation of Teshigahara. Also, as Fuuma stated, Kurosawa's later work may be to your liking, though the more I re-watch Kurosawa the more I appreciate his heavily ethnic works and samurai flicks, where the humanist tales seem to be aging poorly and losing their place in the pantheon as more people are discovering the likes of Ozu, Yamanaka and Mizo.

But yeah, a cinephile and gamer who does not appreciate Asian aesthetics blows my mind.

Originally Posted by .bishop.

On the subject of older japanese film, I haven't seen Kobayashi mentioned once. Maybe I missed it? I saw all the other famous directors from the 50's and 60's but not Koybayashi. Harakiri and Kwaidan are easily two of my favorite films from that time period. The "Hoichi the Earless" story in Kwaidan is amazing.

You haven't seen Kobayashi mentioned because I haven't completed my list yet.

How about The Human Condition trilogy?

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

I feel the same about Rourke.
He is so method, I love him. Too bad his mouth made him persona non-grata in Hollywood for over a decade. He actually reminds me of Bukowski himself. Quitting movie carrier in favor of prize-fighting is that a Bukowski plot twist or what?

P.S. "Francis" by Liliana Cavani with Rourke is an unusual movie.

One of my all time fav. athmospheric movies "Light Sleeper" with Will Dafoe & Susan sarandon, as well as "Naked Lunch".

Movie that is better than a book it is based on : "The Unberable Lightness of Being". Haunting and superbly edited.Monumental movie about human life. Title alone deserves some sort of prize.

On Rourke: +1, need to watch more of his work. I really enjoyed the "Bob le flambeur" remake (The good thief) thanks to his charisma.

The unbearable lightness of being: You need to read more Kundera, and watch out for translations as his style was notoriously butchered in many versions.

 

[Ivan Kipling]

The Bad Seed

Hugely entertaining, overwrought, relentless and absorbing. Nancy Kelly is beautiful and chic as Christine Penmark. She carries the gene for 'bad seeds.' Patty McCormack will curdle your brains, as child murderess, Rhoda. Carpy, cunning, convincing and cruel: 'Rhoda, remember that old woman in Germany? The one who fell down the stairs, and died?'
'Yes.'
'Is that what really happened? You slipped against her by mistake. She fell, and that was all?'
'No. That wasn't all.'
'Then what happened?'
'I slipped against her, on purpose.'
Eileen Heckart is brilliant as the alcoholic mother of Rhoda's victim, Claude Daigle. The boy whose penmanship medal, Rhoda coveted.
Trumped up Hollywood ending, diminishes things. Still a great show.