Televison is a salvagable medium. Tons of trash aside, some of the best entertainment is on TV.
The Sopranos, The Wire, and Twin Peaks are solid strokes of genius.
Other comedies such as Californacation and Mr. Show have been great. If one can weed out the shit and stay off one’s high horse, much is to be enjoyed.
Bad cinema is damn near the most important thing in this postmodern society. If Troma didn’t exist, life would suck. It is important for people who understand art, to appreciate entertainment. Otherwise, mindless movie watchers are alienated from cinephiles and a gross segregation ensues.
Oddly enough, Across the Universe is a defining film of the 2000s. Its quasi-informed cultural reference and other-wordly portrayal of the Beatles is quenticencially postmodern. Generation Y really feels that way about the 60s.
To Andrew Kay. You mentioned his dialogue seemed empty. A lot of people said that about Cassavettes. Quentin Tarantino is no Cassavettes, but the idea is character. These characters live and breath in the seemingly empty dialogue. Also I think die-hard Tarantino lovers shouldn’t be offended by your post. It was very fair.
Bookwibble has a good point.
All together what I’m saying is, it’s Will Smith. I don’t think anyone should have seriously expected anything but the Fresh Prince to show up. He is glorified charisma. I understand your point Alanedit, I have a couple of respectable friends who love him, but you seem surprised that this happened. And that surprises me.
Don’t mistake my criticism for invalidating your point. Your observations are astute and frankly, you’re right. However, you are righting as if you are concerned or dissapointed in some way, like you expected more from Will Smith. I am surprised that you would think some thing other than what you have observed would happen. I appologize if I was too blunt.
Your further expansion helps in clarifying your point (not that it was necessarily unclear before.)
What you say about hero and celebrity is interesting. You may have studied about the hero myth and the relating anthropological observations. Joseph Campbell has some wonderful insight on the subject.
The story of the Hero is different than that of the contemporary celebrity, although there are parallels. This is partly due to the level of education in the Western World. The populous is more diverse than it has been during any other historical period, and it does not percieve information as one group, but as an amalgumation of groups.
Although the impact of stars is not as easily generalized as it once was, nor are stars synonymous with heroicism, I too, hate it when stars veil themselves with heroics, mainly because its truely not effective in the ways one would expect, therefore rendering it pathetic.
I really hate to pose such an absurd question, but I was thinking about my personal list and it was damn near impossible to decide. I want to here what the Auteurs have to say. Try to think as objectively as possible, not just personal favorites.
Seven Samurai, This is a difficult question to answer satisfactorily. It is a good question and easy enough to answer if one goes with one’s gut feeling. It’s just so hard not to pick one many people will think of.
Also 2001: A Space Odyssey
Best film of the 80's? over 3 years ago
All, worthy competetors. I would add Ran and Full Metal Jacket to the discussion.
Go to Comment
Television... a query. over 3 years ago
Televison is a salvagable medium. Tons of trash aside, some of the best entertainment is on TV.
The Sopranos, The Wire, and Twin Peaks are solid strokes of genius.
Other comedies such as Californacation and Mr. Show have been great. If one can weed out the shit and stay off one’s high horse, much is to be enjoyed.
Go to Comment
Anybody seen films from India? over 3 years ago
Lest we forget, Monsoon Wedding.
Go to Comment
Best Criterion? over 3 years ago
It is impossible and illogical to label, blanketly, the “Best” Criterion release.
So I will say, by packaging,
1. Thone of Blood
2. The Ice Storm
3. Wages of Fear
Go to Comment
You know it's gonna be bad, but you watch it anyway... over 3 years ago
Bad cinema is damn near the most important thing in this postmodern society. If Troma didn’t exist, life would suck. It is important for people who understand art, to appreciate entertainment. Otherwise, mindless movie watchers are alienated from cinephiles and a gross segregation ensues.
Lighten the fuck up, Transformers kicked ass.
Go to Comment
Successful Singers turned into questionable actors over 3 years ago
Meatloaf, not too shabby.
Go to Comment
Defining films of the deacade over 3 years ago
Oddly enough, Across the Universe is a defining film of the 2000s. Its quasi-informed cultural reference and other-wordly portrayal of the Beatles is quenticencially postmodern. Generation Y really feels that way about the 60s.
Go to Comment
Quentin Tarantino over 3 years ago
He’s talented. Over rated by a young fan base, but talented. His constant homage to cult cinema is great.
Go to Comment
Quentin Tarantino over 3 years ago
To Andrew Kay. You mentioned his dialogue seemed empty. A lot of people said that about Cassavettes. Quentin Tarantino is no Cassavettes, but the idea is character. These characters live and breath in the seemingly empty dialogue. Also I think die-hard Tarantino lovers shouldn’t be offended by your post. It was very fair.
Go to Comment
Most erotic films you've seen. over 3 years ago
I didn’t read all of the posts, so I ignorantly ask, did anyone see Night Porter?
Go to Comment
Most erotic films you've seen. over 3 years ago
To Joe Bowman
You do know it is Crash with Holly Hunter and not Matt Dillon?
Go to Comment
Howzabout Some Horror on Criterion? over 3 years ago
Suspiria deserves a release.
TO AKASH KUMAR:
Are you from the Bay area?
Go to Comment
Favorite Films In Which the Heroes Die over 3 years ago
Dustin Hoffman version of Death of a Salesman.
Go to Comment
Unexpected over 3 years ago
A deeply evocative film is Jeux Noelle. It’s a newer title. Check it out.
Go to Comment
What was the first Criterion movie you watched? over 3 years ago
Royal Tennenbaum’s. I knew by the cover, it was going to be good.
Go to Comment
Will Smith over 3 years ago
I mean no offense, however, it seems that by using so much energy toward this subject, you’ve become part of the problem.
Go to Comment
WHICH MOVIES...PUT OUT IN LAST 5 YEARS...DO YOU THINK WILL ONE DAY JOIN THE CRITERION COLLECTION? over 3 years ago
I hope to see more Tarkovsky, i.e. The SACRIFICE and STALKER. Any David Lynch. ABOUT SCHMIDT would fit oddly well.
Go to Comment
Will Smith over 3 years ago
Bookwibble has a good point.
All together what I’m saying is, it’s Will Smith. I don’t think anyone should have seriously expected anything but the Fresh Prince to show up. He is glorified charisma. I understand your point Alanedit, I have a couple of respectable friends who love him, but you seem surprised that this happened. And that surprises me.
Go to Comment
The most beautiful films? over 3 years ago
Hero
Nosferatu
Go to Comment
Will Smith over 3 years ago
Alanedit
Don’t mistake my criticism for invalidating your point. Your observations are astute and frankly, you’re right. However, you are righting as if you are concerned or dissapointed in some way, like you expected more from Will Smith. I am surprised that you would think some thing other than what you have observed would happen. I appologize if I was too blunt.
Go to Comment
Will Smith over 3 years ago
Your further expansion helps in clarifying your point (not that it was necessarily unclear before.)
What you say about hero and celebrity is interesting. You may have studied about the hero myth and the relating anthropological observations. Joseph Campbell has some wonderful insight on the subject.
The story of the Hero is different than that of the contemporary celebrity, although there are parallels. This is partly due to the level of education in the Western World. The populous is more diverse than it has been during any other historical period, and it does not percieve information as one group, but as an amalgumation of groups.
Although the impact of stars is not as easily generalized as it once was, nor are stars synonymous with heroicism, I too, hate it when stars veil themselves with heroics, mainly because its truely not effective in the ways one would expect, therefore rendering it pathetic.
Go to Comment
Favorite Gary Oldman Role!! over 3 years ago
His role as Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
in the Fifth Element was good. He did a great job as Jackie Flannery in State of Grace.
Go to Comment
Here it is... Top 10 films of all time? over 3 years ago
I really hate to pose such an absurd question, but I was thinking about my personal list and it was damn near impossible to decide. I want to here what the Auteurs have to say. Try to think as objectively as possible, not just personal favorites.
Go to Comment
Greatest samurai film of all time? over 3 years ago
My vote is for Seven Samurai.
Go to Comment
Greatest samurai film of all time? over 3 years ago
Eli Lamb,
I considered excluding Seven Samurai, and I think it’s a good idea. I approve,
Go to Comment
Best shot movie(s) and its cinematographer over 3 years ago
Seven Samurai-Asakazu Nakai
The Aviator-Robert Richardson
Rashamon-Kazuo Miyagawa
Go to Comment
Last movie you saw and rate it over 3 years ago
Seven Samurai : 9.999/10
Go to Comment
Best shot movie(s) and its cinematographer over 3 years ago
Last Emporer. Good choice Mchil
Go to Comment
When I say "A Perfect Film", What One Film Pops Into Your Head First? over 3 years ago
Seven Samurai, This is a difficult question to answer satisfactorily. It is a good question and easy enough to answer if one goes with one’s gut feeling. It’s just so hard not to pick one many people will think of.
Also 2001: A Space Odyssey
Go to Comment
Your Favorite Pychotronic Films over 3 years ago
I watched the trailer for blood freak… incredible.
One of my favorites is the originakl Pumpkinhead. It’s hard to find but well worth it if you do.
Go to Comment