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BABEL: Santaolalla and Prieto Together
Lynne:
Fox News, calls Babel a 'masterpiece,' but is considerably less enthusiastic. Guess we'll have to go see it and make up our own minds. -Lynne
"Babel," which stars Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt among a cast of mostly unknown yet terrific actors, is a masterpiece. But for the life of me I don't know why anyone would want to see it. This independent film, by Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu, is so intense and emotionally disturbing that no dialogue is needed.
With incredible original music by Gustavo Santaolalla, "Babel" would work with the score alone, even without dialogue.
...
Every storyline is tinged with impending doom, and none disappoint. You'll find yourself squirming in your seat, closing your eyes and pretty much wondering why you spent $10 to put yourself through such agony, particularly if you're a parent.
From the tragic story of the rifle boys in Morocco, to the touching story of Chieko as she struggles to find herself and ultimately the loss of the children in the desert around the Mexican border, Iñárritu leaves no parent un-squirmed. It's ironic then that he dedicates this film to his own children, his "lights in this dark world." Indeed. After watching this film, you'll rush home to pay the babysitter, and you just might wake up in the bunk bed next to the light of your life, who is safe in your arms.
...
"Babel" makes you think about what you have, and how suddenly and easily the things you care for most could be in danger. That said, while a commendable reminder, we do have the nightly local news for that.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,225722,00.html
SFEnnisSF:
Well, I liked Amores Perros and 21 Grams, and Brokeback Mountain. So I'll be seeing Babel... :D
Lynne:
People are saying good things about Gustavo's work in Babel:
http://www.voymusic.com/radio/news-50540-gustavo_santaolalla_receives_critical_acclaim_for_score_of_babel
And he's being nominated for a Golden Globe award:
"...And the circle of nominated composers read like a survey of world music with the French-born Alexandre Desplat ("The Painted Veil"), British-born Clint Mansell ("The Fountain"), Argentinean Gustavo Santaolalla ("Babel"), Italian Carlo Siliotto ("Nomad") and German-born Hans Zimmer ("The Da Vinci Code")."
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i38f393d69cad0c9a7bfc6499ee710b02
I must go see it, but when? Maybe over the holidays...Has anyone seen it yet??
Lynne:
... and Broadcast Film Critics Nominations:
"Babel" also garnered a best picture nomination, along with two nods for best supporting actress (Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi), best acting ensemble, best writer (Guillermo Arriaga), best soundtrack and best composer (Gustavo Santaolalla).
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/critics/env-broadcastcritics-noms-12dec12,0,150959.story?coll=env-home-headlines
Lynne:
A friend and I saw Babel last night, and I loved both Gustavo's and Rodrigo's work! It is well worth seeing, and I'll be getting the soundtrack soon.
The sound in the theatre was too loud, so that was annoying. Nevertheless, Gustavo's plaintive guitar strains - Spanish style for the scenes in Mexico, and Middle Eastern for Morocco - were completely identifiable as HIS. His use of simplicity and silence - no Brokie could mistake it for anyone else. There were also more frenetic, very intricate pieces for more dramatic moments to build tension - charango, I think - which were amazing.
And Rodrigo - goodness - the sweeping vistas of the deserts, infinite blue sky, relentless heat, Tokyo - unending city at night - the sense of lights as far as you can see, the fast pace of Tokyo city streets - unending motion, some terrific aerial shots. There was also excellent work of faces, expressions up close and personal.
(I'm no critic, so someone please come along behind me and do a better job describing this!)
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