The World Beyond BetterMost > The Culture Tent
Resurrecting the Movies thread...
Meryl:
I agree with all you've said about "Pan's Labyrinth," Barb. I almost didn't go, knowing about the violence, but nowadays if we avoid films with violence in them, we won't see much. And when all is said and done, I didn't think it was really gratuitous. Its very senselessness and severity was indicative of how far the commander had gone in losing his humanity. It's the first film I've seen since BBM that I felt was rich enough in ideas and execution to warrant the kind of analysis we've given our beloved movie here.
ednbarby:
--- Quote from: Meryl on January 30, 2007, 05:12:08 pm ---It's the first film I've seen since BBM that I felt was rich enough in ideas and execution to warrant the kind of analysis we've given our beloved movie here.
--- End quote ---
Couldn't agree more. I'm even toying with posting on its very own IMDb board about it, since I can't get it outta my head.
ednbarby:
OK, so I went to see Letters From Iwo Jima last night. And I have to say... Pfffffffffft. Not good. Not good at all. In fact, I'd daresay it's one of Eastwood's weakest films. Which isn't saying a lot, since I'm one of the few people on the planet who isn't bowled over by his directing prowess. Of all his movies, I thought Unforgiven was the best. By far. I honestly don't think he's ever come close to that again. A big part of the problem - perhaps the major part - is his collaborater - Paul Haggis. I can poop better dialog than that man can write. Here are just a few examples of what he had Japanese Imperial Army soldiers saying, in Japanese (I think it's almost more painful to read the triteness than to just hear it):
"Everything comes in threes."
"Every man for himself!"
"Do the right thing. Because it is the right thing."
Um... Hello? First of all, the first two expressions are purely Western/American. Second of all, I don't even want to talk about how gut-wrenchingly bad that third line is. Not to mention that he actually made it the theme of his movie, so it got repeated once or twice.
The good things about the movie (that Haggis the Hack had nothing to do with) are that the violence was more implied than shown - I always deeply appreciate that - and that it's always an enjoyable experience to watch Ken Watanabe, even when he's saying trite crap in Japanese. The other good thing about it that I have to concede he had something to do with was that at least an attempt was made to tell this story from the Japanese point of view and in a way that didn't paint them all as mindless, soulless robots. The attempt missed the mark in that even though they were speaking Japanese, it was still a very American story. But at least the attempt was made.
If this thing wins the BP award (and the fact that it was even nominated, and for screenplay besides, makes me wanna yak)... Well, it'll just be case in point for why the Academy has become utterly irrelevent and couldn't recognize real art if it tripped over it.
MaineWriter:
--- Quote from: ednbarby on January 31, 2007, 10:32:07 am ---OK, so I went to see Letters From Iwo Jima last night. And I have to say... Pfffffffffft. Not good. Not good at all. In fact, I'd daresay it's one of Eastwood's weakest films. Which isn't saying a lot, since I'm one of the few people on the planet who isn't bowled over by his directing prowess. Of all his movies, I thought Unforgiven was the best. By far. I honestly don't think he's ever come close to that again.
--- End quote ---
Amen to that, sweetheart. Don't even get me STARTED on Million Dollar Baby!
--- Quote ---If this thing wins the BP award (and the fact that it was even nominated, and for screenplay besides, makes me wanna yak)... Well, it'll just be case in point for why the Academy has become utterly irrelevent and couldn't recognize real art if it tripped over it.
--- End quote ---
And it may still win. Even though I predicted "Little Miss Sunshine" yesterday, part of my mind still believes that the cadre of old white men who vote will get some twisted notion in their heads of patriotism, WWII, the greatest generation and all the rest and decide this movie is deserving of the honor of best picture...to remind of us all of when America Was Great.
L
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: ednbarby on January 31, 2007, 10:32:07 am --- A big part of the problem - perhaps the major part - is his collaborater - Paul Haggis.
--- End quote ---
Whoa, Barb! I'm surprised you even consented to see it! :o
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