Flying Dutchman
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Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow
The TV arts doc is so grimly formulaic, trapped by the trend for biography, celebrity commentators and remits for accessibility, this contemplative documentary is a revelation. We are given the opportunity to experience the artwork up close and as sensually as the medium allows with little distraction. Entertained not by narrative but by art. The filmmaker cunningly turns the production of the art into art itself.
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Robert Regan
18Apr12
Well, Olly, I'm not sure that I could have survived a whole year of film theory, an area that I get further away from as time goes by. So much of academic writing on film seems to choose its subject as a vehicle for whatever "ism" the writer is preoccupied with, rather than selecting from the multiplicity of approaches to film in order to illuminate a particular artist of work of art. I remember wading through lengthy analyses of Morocco and Young Mr. Lincoln in Screen which did contain valuable insights, but they could have been presented in a few pages. So, I congratulate you on getting through this year. Bergman/Antonioni sounds promising, as do Welles and Denis. ///// I've not seen the Ladykillers remake which the die hard Coen fans seem to dislike, but maybe I should take a look, as they generally despise Intolerable Cruelty which I have probably mentioned is my absolute favorite Coen! I was not too crazy about Martha Marcy... either. I did like The Deep Blue Sea, especially Weisz, though I find it disturbing to see someone lose her selfness. If it makes you so miserable, it ain't love! And glad to see your top ratings for the Dennis Potter tv shows, both of which were so poorly remade for the big screen. I'm sure I have already expressed my high opinion of Mr. Potter. I have only seen the first four of Tulio's surviving films and am eagerly awaiting the second of three sets. So far, The Way You Wanted Me is my favorite. His only flaw, and I understand this changes in later films, is the apparent belief that whenever a good girl is seduced and abandoned, she will sooner or later become a prostitute! ///// Being reminded of a very dapper young man I knew who always wore a three-piece suit and always carried an umbrella (yes, an American!), I chose the name Cosmo. This was heartily seconded by my younger daughter Sally whose immediate association was Cosmo Brown in Singing in the Rain. Cheers, Olly. Bob
Robert Regan
16Apr12
Hello Olly, Being busy is very good, but it is also good to have a break now and then. I'd like to hear more about your classes and schoolwork, and whatever you have had time to see. I've been catching up on some 2011 releases now on dvd, but seem to be reaching the bottom of the barrel, except perhaps for Tinker Tailor which should be in my mailbox soon. So far, my favorites of the year have been Meek's Cutoff, The Skin I Live In, My Week with Marilyn, and We Need to Talk About Kevin. There have also been a couple of previously unknown (to me) and departed European directors recommended by fellow Mubiites, namely the Czech Frantisek Vlacil and the Finn Teuvo Tulio. I have also been seeing a lot of Romola Garai, not my "type", but fascinating because she is very good, but I frequently don't recognize her or remember her in films that I have seen. In some cases this is understandable as in Atonement where she was in the thankless position of coming between the striking young Miss Ronan and the incomparable Miss Redgrave. Usually, I think, she tries to look different for each part. This can make it difficult for us to connect with her as an individual, but then that may be just what she is aiming for. Other than that, the warmer weather is highly welcome, though the recent very sudden and unexpected death of my twelve year old cat Cosmo has cast a shadow over everything. Well, now I can leave a loaf of bread on the kitchen counter, and it will still be there unattacked when I get to it. Stay well, my friend. Bob
Robert Regan
3Jan12
Frankly, Olly, I hate holidays, but I did see some good movies. How is school going? Happy New Year. Bob
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