I think it would have to be Raiders of the Lost Ark… that opening scene and the reveal of Indy as he steps out of the shadow… man, I’d love to see that again for the first time… you just knew you were in for something entirely different at that point.
Till Human Voices Wake Us (2003)
I love the dreamlike quality of this film… it may be quiet, and a bit ponderous… but I think it works. There’s something very haunting about it, and the performances by Guy Pearce and Helena Bonham-Carter are great. Reminds me alot of one of my favorite songs about childhood memories “Kentucky Avenue” by Tom Waits… there’s actually some scenes that seem to be lifted directly from the song, I’ve always wondered if the writer was inspired by it at all.
One of the worst I’ve ever seen is in “Anaconda” when they apparently forgot to shoot the footage of the boat leaving the waterfall, so they just reversed the footage… with the water going UP the waterfall in the background.
I’m a big fan of the opening shot of “Touch of Evil” but I’d have to give mention to Zemeckis’ opening shot of Contact where he zooms to the far reaches of the universe from the earth, then into the reflection of a little girl’s eye. Trickery, yes, but fun… especially the way you zoom out and eventually pass all of earth’s original radio and tv signals on the way out. (Not technically a tracking shot… but impressive all the same)
As crappy as his films may be, Michael Bay is a product of the ticket-buying moviegoer… he does all he’s asked to do. Don’t get me wrong, his movies ARE crap, but sadly, there’s a LOT of people who will buy the tickets, and even more sadly, there’s studios that will STILL keep giving this guy millions to make movies. Looking for quality in a Michael Bay movie is like looking for a good meal in a bag of Doritos. I don’t get the feeling he’s losing any sleep over the reviews of Transformers 2… the guy sees numbers, and he’s probably happy as hell right now… as are the studio heads. It’s a sad scene… but all the more reason to support indie film!!!
Last summer, as part of the “Celebrate Brooklyn” festival at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY, They showed “Enter the Dragon” on the big screen on a hot summer night at the outdoor pavilion.
The soundtrack had been removed from the film, and a NEW soundtrack was written and performed live by Karsh Kale…
It was such an incredible experience, to see hundreds of people enjoying a classic like that with all new live music, in such a festive environment… seeing people cheer for Bruce Lee in the fight scenes.
I’m a big fan of Collateral. Although a bit implausible at points, the dynamic between Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise was great, and the first sequence with Foxx and Jada Pinkett Smith is fantastic. I could have gone for a whole movie of that alone, action aside… the music was worked well into the story and the LA sky at night was shot beautifully (Mann has done wonderful things with digital filming)
I always get stuck in front of some person who bought a hot dog… a big, relishy, oniony, mustardy, stinkin hot dog.
Few things worse for the moviegoer than trying to enjoy Letters from Iwo Jima while some jackass burps up frankfurter three feet behind your head.
Please, I beg of you, if you’re about to enjoy a film and you need to dish out the nineteen bucks to buy a snack… ixnay on the hotdog, man. At least have the courtesy to follow up the dog with the seven dollar box of junior mints.
Ten Nights of Dreams… well worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWOg6wCltfI&feature=PlayList&p=98115EBEB988F6F4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=7
Only during the film itself? On a long drive? While working? Writing? I’m just curious as to how film scores inspire you and how you enjoy them outside of the film itself, if at all.
Tom, I first read that as “stairs” not stars and it cracked me up!
I used to spend my lunch breaks, when working in NYC, sitting on the steps in Grand Central with good headphones with a good film score and watch the people scurry about… very surreal and extremely cool… if you have the means, I’d highly recommend it.
The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers almost 3 years ago
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If you could see any film again for the first time what would it be? almost 3 years ago
I think it would have to be Raiders of the Lost Ark… that opening scene and the reveal of Indy as he steps out of the shadow… man, I’d love to see that again for the first time… you just knew you were in for something entirely different at that point.
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Great performances that hardly ever get discussed almost 3 years ago
I agree with AHNMIN LEE… Samantha Morton in Sweet and Lowdown. One of my favorite performances in years
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What underrated, forgotten (or critically panned) films do you love? almost 3 years ago
Till Human Voices Wake Us (2003)
I love the dreamlike quality of this film… it may be quiet, and a bit ponderous… but I think it works. There’s something very haunting about it, and the performances by Guy Pearce and Helena Bonham-Carter are great. Reminds me alot of one of my favorite songs about childhood memories “Kentucky Avenue” by Tom Waits… there’s actually some scenes that seem to be lifted directly from the song, I’ve always wondered if the writer was inspired by it at all.
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Great performances that hardly ever get discussed almost 3 years ago
Also Ken Watanabe in the Last Samurai… can’t take your eyes off him, he’s got an incredible screen presence.
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What underrated, forgotten (or critically panned) films do you love? almost 3 years ago
Garrett, I agree with Door in the Floor… very cool movie. Also one of my favorite film scores.
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Great Underappreciated Film Scores almost 3 years ago
The Door in the Floor by Marcelo Zarvos & Peter Vronsky… sad and beautiful… check out the track “Reprise” it’s on Itunes
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers almost 3 years ago
Thanks! Likewise!
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Favorite bloopers that made it into films? almost 3 years ago
One of the worst I’ve ever seen is in “Anaconda” when they apparently forgot to shoot the footage of the boat leaving the waterfall, so they just reversed the footage… with the water going UP the waterfall in the background.
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Best Musical Moments almost 3 years ago
The final scene of Heat on the airport tarmac… playing Moby’s “God Moving Over the Face of the Waters”
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Most impressive one-take tracking shot? almost 3 years ago
I’m a big fan of the opening shot of “Touch of Evil” but I’d have to give mention to Zemeckis’ opening shot of Contact where he zooms to the far reaches of the universe from the earth, then into the reflection of a little girl’s eye. Trickery, yes, but fun… especially the way you zoom out and eventually pass all of earth’s original radio and tv signals on the way out. (Not technically a tracking shot… but impressive all the same)
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Great Books on Film almost 3 years ago
The BFI (British Film Institute) Modern Classics Series
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Cinema toy tie ins, merchandise. almost 3 years ago
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you cringe when someone tells you they love this film... almost 3 years ago
Reality Bites
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Is Michael Bay the worst director of all time? almost 3 years ago
As crappy as his films may be, Michael Bay is a product of the ticket-buying moviegoer… he does all he’s asked to do. Don’t get me wrong, his movies ARE crap, but sadly, there’s a LOT of people who will buy the tickets, and even more sadly, there’s studios that will STILL keep giving this guy millions to make movies. Looking for quality in a Michael Bay movie is like looking for a good meal in a bag of Doritos. I don’t get the feeling he’s losing any sleep over the reviews of Transformers 2… the guy sees numbers, and he’s probably happy as hell right now… as are the studio heads. It’s a sad scene… but all the more reason to support indie film!!!
Go to Comment
What is your most memorable film going experience? (Only one per post please!) almost 3 years ago
Last summer, as part of the “Celebrate Brooklyn” festival at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY, They showed “Enter the Dragon” on the big screen on a hot summer night at the outdoor pavilion.
The soundtrack had been removed from the film, and a NEW soundtrack was written and performed live by Karsh Kale…
It was such an incredible experience, to see hundreds of people enjoying a classic like that with all new live music, in such a festive environment… seeing people cheer for Bruce Lee in the fight scenes.
Go to Comment
Your opinion on Michael Mann? almost 3 years ago
I’m a big fan of Collateral. Although a bit implausible at points, the dynamic between Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise was great, and the first sequence with Foxx and Jada Pinkett Smith is fantastic. I could have gone for a whole movie of that alone, action aside… the music was worked well into the story and the LA sky at night was shot beautifully (Mann has done wonderful things with digital filming)
Go to Comment
popcorn/candy almost 3 years ago
I always get stuck in front of some person who bought a hot dog… a big, relishy, oniony, mustardy, stinkin hot dog.
Few things worse for the moviegoer than trying to enjoy Letters from Iwo Jima while some jackass burps up frankfurter three feet behind your head.
Please, I beg of you, if you’re about to enjoy a film and you need to dish out the nineteen bucks to buy a snack… ixnay on the hotdog, man. At least have the courtesy to follow up the dog with the seven dollar box of junior mints.
Go to Comment
Best Dream Sequence in a film? almost 3 years ago
Ten Nights of Dreams… well worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWOg6wCltfI&feature=PlayList&p=98115EBEB988F6F4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=7
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Best movie to use New york Locations almost 3 years ago
C.B., Great call on Blast of Silence… the Criterion edition has some great extras where they revisit locations where the original scenes were filmed.
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Our favourite paintings: the great Auteur Gallery almost 3 years ago
Early Sunday Morning by Edward Hopper
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What Is "Movie Hell" For You? almost 3 years ago
A Star Wars prequel, written by Diablo Cody and starring Uma Thurman and Jeremy Sisto
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Nocturnal Journeys almost 3 years ago
David Fincher’s “The Game”… most of which takes place at night and one of the only films in recent years to make San Francisco look sinister…
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What Is "Movie Hell" For You? almost 3 years ago
Yeah, kinda scared myself with that one…
/shudder
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers almost 3 years ago
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Stand-Up Comedy almost 3 years ago
Mitch Hedburg: “Every book is a kid’s book if the kid can read”
Woody Allen’s “The Moose”
Bob Newhart
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers almost 3 years ago
Ha! Thanks… Many, many apologies to the great Saul Bass :)
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When do you listen to your favorite film scores? almost 3 years ago
Only during the film itself? On a long drive? While working? Writing? I’m just curious as to how film scores inspire you and how you enjoy them outside of the film itself, if at all.
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When do you listen to your favorite film scores? almost 3 years ago
Now I’ve got the 8 1/2 theme stuck in my head…
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When do you listen to your favorite film scores? almost 3 years ago
Tom, I first read that as “stairs” not stars and it cracked me up!
I used to spend my lunch breaks, when working in NYC, sitting on the steps in Grand Central with good headphones with a good film score and watch the people scurry about… very surreal and extremely cool… if you have the means, I’d highly recommend it.
Go to Comment