Reviews: "O Brother" And Others 145
You won't see a stranger, more inspired or more charmingly off-kilter movie than O Brother, Where Art You? from the blessedly weird Coen brothers (Fargo, The Big Lebowski, The Hudsucker Proxy.)
This one is making both best and worst lists of major critics, which isn't surprising, since it's utterly bizarre and responding to it requires a particular kind of humor and sensibility. It's title comes from a 1942 Preston Sturges movie, Sullivan's Travels. The opening credits announce that O, Brother is based on Homer's "The Odyssey," but this isn't a retelling of Odysseus's voyage so much as it is a jazzy riff on it, and on some good old-fashioned American "values," like the twin loves of God and country.
Set in Mississippi during the Depression, "Brother" follows three escaped and hotly-pursued convicts (George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson) as they set out to dig up some buried treasure before a new dam floods its burial place or the evil (possibly satanic) sheriff catches up to them. It's a much more good-natured trip than the one Odysseus took, though anybody who remembers the classic will have fun spotting all sorts of familiar characters popping up here, from muses to sirens to the cyclops (in the form of John Goodman.)
The Coen brothers are at their most unnervingly original here, and while they don't appear to be taking themselves seriously, they do have ambitions in this nostalgic portrait of (barely) pre-mass media, high tech, politically correct America, and of the Southern streak of moral and religious high-mindedness that still crops up in American politics and Washington debates over values, morality and culture. Clooney and his two dim-witted associates managed to stop off at a radio station to make a few bucks crooning and unknowingly launch a smash single. T-Bone Burnett deserves kudos too, for assembling a terrific old-time bluegrass/country soundtrack, some of it antique and some contemporary.
Clooney is edgy at first in this strange role, but eventually gets comfortable with it and is terrific as the undeterrable, brave (and yes, innocent) wanderer in search of his treasure and his lost family, getting past one hurdle after another on the way.
Be prepared for a movie that like Crouching Tiger is nothing like traditional Hollywood fare. Bravely inventive, it doesn't move in a straight line. It probably helps to have a strange streak if you go see this film; maybe leave your straight friends behind. But this holiday season, let's give thanks for the Coen brothers, for whom no character, major or minor, is anything less than memorable. Weirdos pop up from every direction all through this movie, including a brilliant Charles Durning as the foul-tempered governor who turns to pop culture to save his political career (a prescient commentary on conventional political hypocrisy and moral posturing about kids).
Crouching Tiger, which we mulled over in this space last week, is one of the most original movie in years, and it held up beautifully the second time around. (Though I offer a warning: you may find when some moviegoers are on unfamiliar ground, they laugh nervously during the eerie choreographed fighting scenes, which are a real surprise).
Unbreakable, also discussed previously here, also holds up as an amazingly dark, well- made movie, true to the superhero comic- book genre which inspired it. It might have Bruce Willis' best-ever acting performance, and it's one of those films that really captures the imagination.
As for the rest of the stuff at the megaplex:
I thought there was something off about Cast Away, even though most critics wet their pants over Tom Hank's Robinson Crusoe scenes. Perhaps it was the pointlessly sappy ending sequence, or maybe I couldn't quite get past wondering if there were still anyplace in the world where a human being could languish unnoticed for four years by people, boats, satellites or other machines (a consequence maybe of working for Slashdot).
Tom Hanks seems stuck in this kind of character, the decent, take-what-comes heroic everyman. Watching this movie -- at times beautiful, even wrenching -- I couldn't get the astronaut, the prison guard and the dutiful soldier out of my head, or remember exactly which one had wound up marooned in the South Pacific Island. If Fedex really had guys like this, we wouldn't even have to wait overnight. But the whole drama for Hank's character isn't really survival, it's getting back to Helen Hunt. For me, this was a monumental flaw.
Still, among it's high points was a nightmarish, skillfully animated plane crash that made you feel as if you were inside the cabin as it hurtled into the sea.
State and Main is David Mamet's biting Hollywood satire, a knowing and unsparing romp in which a beleaguered film crew tries to shoot a movie in what appears to be a hick Vermont town. The L.A. slickies vs. the gullible locals who are smarter than they appear is hardly a fresh idea, but Mamet's skewering of the film industry is great fun. William Macy plays the monomaniacal, manipulative and sleazy director with great enthusiasm.
What Women Want is a vehicle for Mel Gibson to break out of the action genre with the help of the aforementioned Helen Hunt, who really needs to play somebody -- just once -- who isn't in such deadly earnest. It's a solid B movie whose premise is that a macho male acquires the ability to understand women because he can hear their thoughts (a gift bestowed him after he is hit by lightning, perhaps a metaphorical message). To me, this idea is a bit creepy, but the movie was pleasant enough, like eating a vanilla ice cream cone. A painless way to kill a few hours, but it could easily go on the "can miss" list.
All The Pretty Horses is actor/director Billy Bob Thornton's game rendition of the terrific novel by Cormac McCarthy. This is an end-of-innocence, coming-of-age, buddy/road trip movie, the story of an unassuming Texas kid (Matt Damon) who heads to Mexico for some adventure in the late 40s, and finds plenty. The movie is beautiful but hollow; it has an epic feeling, but really isn't very dramatic. The end result is more pretentious than powerful. It's too long, seems to circle around forever without quite landing anywhere. It lacks the edge of the book and somehow, it's tiresome to be reminded all the time that we used to be a purer, simpler nation. We know. So what? Soda used to be a nickel and milk used to be delivered to your backdoor.
I liked Proof Of Life, the Russell Crowe adventure flick, a lot. This movie, about the exploits of an Australian "k & r" (kidnap and rescue) specialist sent from London to save Meg Ryan's husband from South American guerrillas who have kidnapped him and are holding him for ransom is restrained and realistic. The local scenes (shot in Ecuador) are beautiful, and Crowe, as good as he was in Gladiator handles the role of the last ethical hero perfectly.
Perhaps the worst movie of the season so far is Sean Connery's Finding Forrester, a insipid, politically-correct tale about a reclusive writer and a brilliant minority kid from the Bronx. The movie has about every dumb cliche regarding race, class and writing that you could stuff into a movie. Even Connery can't save this woofer, make it worthwhile seeing, or keep you awake for all of it.
So how do you think this season is shaping up? I'd say it's better than average. But notice the strange and atypical absence of natural disasters, war flicks or futuristic Armageddon movies full of computer-generated FX and evil geek programmers spying on us and plotting the end of the world. (Some of you may have already seen those great trailers for next summer's anticipated Spielberg blockbuster about an AI kid. That'll give us plenty to talk about.)
Re:Yuen Woo Ping (Score:1)
But at the same time, the movie's dialogue dates the Green Destiny to the Han period (ending around 200 AD). Maybe they said the Tang (ending 900 AD)? Either way, if I remember correctly, they said that the sword is 400 years old, which would bring us either to 600 AD or 1300 AD, hundreds of years earlier than the beginning of the Qing dynasty. Am I misremembering the chronology of the Green Destiny? I've been doing google searches and I can't find any other reference to the apparent vintage of the sword. Any pointers would be appreciated.
Jeff Hwang
jeff8ATpacbellDOTnet
Watchmen (Score:1)
Watchmen is incredible! I've read it many times already and now when I read it again during the Christmas holidays I still find it extremely thought provoking.
When I first read that I had to put down the book for awhile to recover. Someone had not only managed to put on paper what I had felt all my life but in such a beautiful language too..
Re:filter by posters - PLEASE! (Score:1)
Re:Crouching Tiger (Score:1)
Suspension of disbelief? PLEASE. And Katz's comment about "nervous laughter" -- give me a break. People were laughing out-loud in the theater because of how ridiculously STUPID the final fighting scenes were.
The dialog was uninspired, the acting was nonexistant, the plot was random and yet predictable at the same time.
This was the most boring, predictable, and contrived movies I have ever seen. I'm sorry I spent $9.50 on it.
Why did O Brother get delayed in US? (Score:1)
(and as luck would have it, I'm in the US at the moment, so I get to see it on the big screen again
Re:Short Term Memory! Ummm... Hidden Fortress anyo (Score:1)
(Really? Jade Fox, the Zhang Ziyi character, Dark Cloud et al. don't qualify?)
Jade Fox == Darth Vader? No - she's not a despotic villian. At best she's Jaba the Hut - but she's not even that powerful.
Besides the "You killed my master - I must avenge his death!" is the oldest Kung Fu movie staple in the book.
Lo == Han Solo? This is a little closer as he's an outlaw but there's no revolution to join up with here...
Anyway - this ALL misses the point that the book predates the script for STAR WARS by decades. It's been a classic best seller in China for a very long time. Even if you feel - that I obviously don't - that it bears a suspicious similarity to SW then you should acuse SW of ripping off the book not vice versa.
=tkk
PS If you want to see the movie _Star Wars_ ripped off ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H got a lot of insipartion from see The Hidden Fortress.
_The Hidden Fortress_ is to _Star Wars_ as _The Seven Samurai_ is _The Magnificent Seven_.
Short Term Memory! Ummm... Hidden Fortress anyone? (Score:1)
[South_Park_Kyle's_Mom_Voice_On] Wha, wha, wha, what?!? [/SPKMV]
Ummm... no oppressive evil government, no revolution in the making, no central despotic villian, no hiding princess, no ragtag bunch of outlaws... but other than that JUST like Star Wars... ;)
Other than the fact that the book predates SW but decades I also might suggest that you check out an old B&W Japanese flick called Hidden Fortress. Not to give it away but it starts with a tall skinny guy and short fat guy walking together across a vast desert. They quarrel, part but are reunited by when they are both captured by slave traders. It also involves a princess in hiding and an ancient samurai warrior who comes out of retirement to look after her..... but I don't want to give away the ending....
=tkk
Bravo! (Score:1)
Mod this up (Score:1)
Just skip it friend.. (Score:1)
Sorry your censorship software is messed up, but ain't nobody putting a gun to your head..Just skip it, and let people who want to read and talk read and talk. A free site, no? Keep your blood pressure down.
You can count on me (Score:1)
Can Count On Me on holidays in Toronto, and YCCOM
was the best of the lot. Crouching Tiger is a good HK movie, Unbreakable is an above-average
Hollywood action movie, but it's nothing special.
You Can Count On Me is just basically brilliant.
If it's still out near you, go see it.
K.
-
Re:Thank god for Katz filters (Score:1)
Except for this one, of course. Else how did you get here?
Re:Comics and movies inspired by them (Score:1)
Alan Moore seems to differ with you on this point. His runs writing several books have been excellent by many reports. Personally, I have only really read Watchmen and his current series Promethea, but they are both amazingly great and VERY serious (but with plenty of humor).
Re:no crouching tiger here in houston.. (Score:1)
If you're too lazy to go there, Houston opened 12/22. Hopefully it hasn't already closed.....
Re:Just skip it friend.. (Score:1)
He, like I, was probably suckered in by mention of CTHD, and failed to see your name on the story.
Re:Crouching Tiger (Score:1)
Re:Thanks for this post... (Score:1)
Re:no crouching tiger here in houston.. (Score:1)
Re:no crouching tiger here in houston.. (Score:1)
Re:Question... (Score:1)
Cheers and Happy New Year!
Re:Question... (Score:1)
Re:Short Term Memory! Ummm... Hidden Fortress anyo (Score:1)
(Really? Jade Fox, the Zhang Ziyi character, Dark Cloud et al. don't qualify?)
I don't mean to belabor this point. Obviously the filmmakers did not sit down at a table and say to each other, "What is the most obscure way we can rip off Star Wars?" or otherwise think explicitly about SW in any other way.
Nor do I believe there is anything particularly original to SW about the plot elements and themes this film shares with SW. (See the other poster's reference to Joseph Campbell.)
I was simply trying to give a rough impression of the film (which would among other things convey that this film aims higher than, e.g., Armor of God 2, in the same way that SW aimed higher than some Amazon Women On The Moon-type 1950s sci-fi film. Don't get me wrong, I love Jackie Chan to death, but this film has different aspirations).
Re:Three worth seeing (Score:1)
Really? Your response makes clear that you yourself recognize CTHD does bear certain similarities to SW.
Just because it includes a desert and a wise master doesn't necessarily make it derivative, you know.
I don't think CTHD is derivative, at least not in a bad way. I just meant to point out that it uses a lot of the same plot elements and themes as SW. (There's no question that Ang Lee and Jim Schamus, the creative team behind CTHD, have both seen SW.) SW itself recycles plot elements and themes from The Wizard Of Oz. Nihil novum sub sole.
Re:Oniric? (Score:1)
Main Entry: oneiric /-ri-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Pronunciation: O-'nI-rik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek oneiros dream; akin to Armenian anurj dream
Date: 1859
: of or relating to dreams : DREAMY
- oneirically
Re:To me, a very good point..... (Score:1)
But as for raw acting chops, I'd throw William Hurt or Laurence Fishburne in a steel cage with your Welshman any day.(2)
(Notes:)
(1) I saw a little bit of Travolta in Urban Cowboy again the other day while channel-flipping. He is incredibly amazing with the right material.
(2) Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Alec Baldwin and Kevin Kline are all quite good but I've seen them in too much poor material to be wholly confident. Baldwin vs. Hopkins in The Edge is worth seeing for those interested in this kind of face-off.
Three worth seeing (Score:1)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is, in a nutshell, Star Wars remade as a Chinese martial arts fantasy. It is strange and beautiful and everyone should go see it. (In the unusual event that there are parents reading this, the film is rated PG-13 but is completely appropriate for any child old enough to read subtitles.)
One film JK did not remark on is You Can Count On Me, which tells the story of a single mother in upstate New York and her relationship with her drifter brother. This sounds like a "chick flick," to be sure, but is so well told that it serves to demonstrate the emptiness of the "family values porn" (Entertainment Weekly's description of The Family Man) which Hollywood churns out. For those who are afraid of abject sentimentality, I would note that the title would be more accurate if it were phrased as a question.
Re:filter by posters - PLEASE! (Score:1)
Re:filter by posters - PLEASE! (Score:1)
Re:Crouching Tiger (Score:1)
I saw this movie last night and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't really know what to expect going in (martial arts/action/romance?), so I think the fact that I had no expectations other than an interesting movie helped.
The friends I went to see it with and I were talking afterwards and we were discussing the parallels between the action in the movie to that in some anime, particularly Ranma 1/2. Flying across rooftops, fast martial arts action, one girl beating up on a lot of armed guys (episode one?).
Nevertheless, it was a very good story. I think if the ending of the movie had been different, it would have lessened the movie. I felt it was well worth the time and money spent.
I recommended it to a friend and she said that already 4 others had recommended it to her in the last 3 days. I think that the lack of advertising (at least up here in Edmonton - I haven't seen many ads for this movie) is going to be made up for by word of mouth.
-Dexx
Re:Chinese perspective? (Score:1)
Re:Three worth seeing (Score:1)
Correction (Score:1)
Re:Three worth seeing (Score:1)
How does the movie bear any similarity whatsoever to Star Wars? Just because it includes a desert and a wise master doesn't necessarily make it derivative, you know.
I was cracking up in the bamboo scene (Score:1)
Was this movie intended as a comedy? (They corny dialog seems to suggest so.) Regardless, I recomend it to anyone looking for a good laugh, albiet perhaps at someone elses expense.
Cheers,
Rick Kirkland
It's ANG Lee. (Score:1)
Semicolons can be used for lists (Score:1)
Re:"Requiem for a Dream" & "Dancer in the Dark" (Score:1)
Do one thing..... (Score:1)
At least get the title right in a review. How can I trust an opinion when the given title is wrong?
Re:Castaway (Score:1)
Re:Castaway (Score:1)
Irony is pretty ironic (Score:1)
I love it how some of the highest praise that can be slathered on a new movie is how it isn't like anything else Hollywood produces. Kind of makes movie reviewers look like stock analysts in the back pockets of the corporations they cover. When they say Buy it means they want to Sell.
Re:What do the Chinese think ? (Score:1)
Actually, they did have accents from all over, because they were, in fact, from all over. Westerns have it all wrong. :)
Re:MPAA? (Score:1)
Well at least it's foreign
Re:MPAA? (Score:1)
What about Dracula 2000? (Score:1)
I saw it on Friday and I must say that the plot was well thought-out, the special effects were effective not excessive, and the explanation of Dracula's origins was surprising and fun.
I came out of Dracula 2000 having had a great time, and although it is not typical holiday fare it was very satisfying nonetheless. Admittedly, I've only seen Cast Away out of all the movies mentioned here, so maybe there some real gems, but don't discount Dracula 2000 as just another vampire movie. Well worth your time and money.
Re:Crouching Tiger (Score:1)
Re:reality check (Score:1)
Okay. Kidding. I watched it all the way through. But...
Bush was elected?!
Re:Chinese perspective? (Score:1)
Admitted? Geez, man. Not to challenge any world-views, but it's not like she's committed some crime or done something terrible. She's presented three-dimensional characters. Is it morally or factually wrong to portray women as strong? No. This isn't a distortion of reality or the plotline, only of how you think. And that, dear boy, is a good thing. People challenging your preconceptions is positive. Sometimes you realize you weren't all that smart to begin with. Women are people, just like men, and are capable of strength and weakness, just like men. You see weak women in countries where women are considered inferior and weak. It's a cultural thing, enforced by the environment in which they're raised. It has nothing to do with biology, spirit, or, even, reality. Culture is the mutual fantasy of a sect. It's great, it gives life flavor, but sometimes it's wrong and harmful. Here's hoping that sometime in the future you can look back at you saying the comic having strong women characters is a distortion and see that you weren't quite in tune with reality, yet.
Re:Cast Away questions... (Score:1)
AI... (Score:1)
Re:My take... (Score:1)
(Score: -1, Redundant)
[Note to the humor-impaired: yes, this is a weak attempt at humor.]
What do the Chinese think ? (Score:1)
Re:Chinese perspective? (Score:1)
best movie out there not mentioned yet! (Score:2)
The actors (especially the kid who plays the title character, and the woman who plays his ballet teacher) are fantastic in their roles. Even the supporting characters such as Billy's best friend, and the teacher's daughter, are done quite well (and they have more than their share of odd moments to delight in).
I've been this movie twice already. When I came back from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', my first thought was, "It's very good, but it's no Billy Elliot'.
As for 'Dracula 2000' - typical Wes Craven - great idea, bad execution. If you're going to see Jeri Ryan (7 of 9 from Star Trek: Voyager) - don't bother, she's in it very briefly. The movie has an interesting backstory (about how Van Helsing captured Dracula), and also about a new origin for Dracula, but it just can't pull it off. Might be worth watching on TV for some of the interesting ideas, but I was disappointed because it could've been done much better. Some definite inspiration got ruined. *sigh*
Re:O Brother, Where are Thou = scarce US culture (Score:2)
--
Thanks for this post... (Score:2)
Helpful, but a question: (Score:2)
Why the giggles at all? The movie is so clearly not a comedy..it is a reflex, or genuine confusion, or some kind of a statement..I saw the movie twice, and heard laughs throughout, but not at the ending. It's good, I think, to prepare people for it, so that it doesn' t take away from this amazing movie. But I'm glad it's not just my town..seems to me to be youngish males who are laughing, but I could be wrong.
Er... (Score:2)
Isn't this sort of the point of the movie?
Thanks: Should have said it more clearly.. (Score:2)
Yes, it wasn't Matrix inspired, but Yuen Wo ping has said the decision to take off on the Matrix stuff in this movie was definitely inspired by the success of the Matrix and his work there.. That might be a clearer way to put it.
Good to hear this.. (Score:2)
I've heard mixed things about this movie, so it's good to hear this..I think Shadows has definitely overshadowed it..We ought to have a Dracula discussion in a week or two..Nosferatu, Shadows of the Vampire and Dracula 2000 would make a memorable topic..
Thanks Ken..Noted and Fixed.. (Score:2)
Noted and fixed...and you should know. Why would the audience laugh at those parts, though? I left the movie wondering about the ending..I don't want to discuss it here, but did she really make the right choice..
Chinese perspective? (Score:2)
I don't have box office stats but I know the movie was successful in China and praised there. I'd also be interesting in knowing anybody's thoughts about this question, but I'm not sure I get how it would be pandering to women, who are portrayed in very different ways. I would be amazed of there were women warriors like this in Confucius's time, but one thing about Slashdot, somebody will know.
Great Art (Score:2)
I don't know of any certain absolute criteria for a good film, as it happens, nor do I consider that this is great art. I wouldn't know, for sure. Just talking movies. But you are completely right. There is no right way to interpret art, just conversations about what we like and what we don't. Did I say otherwise?
To me, a very good point..... (Score:2)
I think Hanks is over-hyped, and the Hopkins performance is a good one to summon up..There was a grand-slam. Hanks is great to me at playing one kind of probably non-existent character, the everyday American hero that we want to believe exists but have a hard time running across. I think Hopkins is the greatest actor alive, though I'd be curious about other people's nominees...
Some Indian films.. (Score:2)
I've heard a lot about the great films coming out of India, but don't know of any and haven't seen any. Could AC or anybody else name some? I'd be interested. And where in Eastern Europe? This would be helpful. Can't say all Hollywood films stink, but can't disagree with the schmaltzy notion either.
Don't know.. (Score:2)
if it's brilliant and original, but without giving the story away, it's more than inspired by Nosferatu..but to say more would be spoiling, I think, assuming you're struggling to be witty and sarcastic..
Oscars, I assume.. (Score:2)
I don't know this, but I assume they popped it out this week to qualify for the Oscars for the past year, like a bunch of others..anybody know?
You mean "plagiarize?" (Score:2)
Naww..the real reason is to get rich..
Once... (Score:2)
But a sheep, not a goat...or was it a cow?
Coens and Lee (Score:2)
You're right. The whole film wasn't inspired by the Matrix, but Yuen Woo Ping's involvement was, or so he says. It's quite great, though I'm not sure I'd compare it to Drunken Master..
The megaplex.. (Score:2)
. I do go to the megaplex many days of the year, silly. Specially in December. That should be obvious..and a great job it is. You can't get rich from it, but it sure beats commuting
Question... (Score:2)
Do you think the movie did well by Fedex? The company is sure portrayed as if it cares deeply about its ontime performance...They are also shown as being compassionate re: the accident.
Really? (Score:2)
I guess I'd have to respectfully disagree with this. I'd say the movie is definitely out of the martial arts tradition -- apparently a throwback to the original cinematic style. Fight scenes take up an enormous part of the movie, vastly more than romance, I'd guess. The Legend of Drunken Master was great..funny and great fight scenes, but I'm not sure the comparison holds up..Completely different kinds of movies..I can't quite see Yo-Yo Ma doing the score of Drunken Master.
You Can Count On Me.. (Score:2)
Thanks, Alkali for adding this to the list. I did see it a month or so ago, and it is terrific. And I completely agree with you..it's not a chick flick at all but a great movie about family. I also thought Matthew Broderick was terrific and unheralded as the dorky bank manager. I'm figuring on seeing the Family Man this weekend.
I hear many mixed things about it. Family values porn is a great term...
Miss Congeniality.. (Score:2)
Thanks for the Miss Congeniality reference. The trailers were a turn-off, but I'll put it on the list..It really got whacked. Other people like Vertical Limit?
Can you say more? (Score:2)
Every movie is subjective, natch. Can you say a bit more about what you didnt' like?
Re:filter by posters - PLEASE! (Score:2)
Re:What do the Chinese think ? (Score:2)
The film was well received by Chinese everywhere. However, according to my father, one unintentionally funny feature was the mishmash of accents in the film. Only the actress who played the young girl, Jen, was able to properly speak the classical Mandarin required for the time period. The remaining actors, being from places like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, had accents from their respective origins. Imagine if you were watching a Western in which the cowboys had a mix of New York, California, and Southern accents. Still, he said most viewers were forgiving about it.
Another feature was that the subtitles were not an exact translation of the dialogue. My Chinese isn't all that great, but I could tell that in some places, the dialogue was simplified, or rendered into (IMHO) overly-colloquial English. Not a big deal, and anyone who watches Anime will probably be familiar with the transliteration vs. translation arguement.
"Does it pander overly to a western audience and the strong potrayal of women - Is it activism gone crazy or was it true of ancient China?"
There have been strong women in Chinese literature from time to time -- for instance, Mulan (A quasi-historical figure who may or may not have actually existed). Anyway, in this case the film was based on a series of books written sometime in the 1930's or 1940's (?), although I can't say whether or not it was influenced by the mores of that time. One interesting note--the martial arts genre of novels and films was banned in mainland China during the 60's, and its authors persecuted.
BTW, there is more to the novel both before and after the events in the film, and director Ang Lee has suggested he will be making a prequel and sequel to the film.
Re:Cast Away questions... (Score:2)
She said he was "The love of my life." But she waited something like a year before she got married and had a kid? I'm sorry, but it seems that she gave up on him too easily and then regretted it. It could take a lifetime to get over the loss of the love of your life, but this culture dosn't want to recognize that. This movie wasn't about to buck that piece of cultural "wisdom".
I saw a bit on HBO on the making of Cast Away. TH was 40-50 lbs lighter for the last bit on the island. Moscow and the first year span on the island were filmed in April 1999. The second bit on the island was filmed in April 2000.
Re:Coens and Lee (Score:2)
Fair enough. As I said, I haven't seen the film, so I'm not going to talk about influences. I did suspect that the similarity in style may have been the result of Yuen, rather than any hint of hommage[1]; hence my comment
As for Drunken Master: no comparison was intended. I just feel it my duty to mention how cool the film is on every conceivable occasion.
[1]Personally I consider saying hommage instead of homage to be wanky in the extreme, but I seem to be alone in this, and I'm too weak-willed to stand alone.
PS go watch Drunken Master. And Wing Chun. And Magnificent Butcher. &c.
PPS Am I the only one who can't figure out when BR tags are needed, and when they're not?
Re:Three worth seeing (Score:2)
filter by posters - PLEASE! (Score:2)
enough of jon katz for me
something on the topic: unbreakable is worse than you might imagine, don't expect a second 6th sense! (it's interesting though, but expect nothing
Re:Miss Congeniality.. (Score:2)
People, roped together, climbing dangerous terrain. One slips, pulls the rest down, everyone is hanging by one clip/ice axe.
The only difference between scenes is who is hanging from the cliff or whatever, how many people there are, and who (if anyone) dies. The terrain varies slightly, too. Oh yeah, people repeatedly get blown up by nitro.
Miss Congeniality was slightly better, although kind of formula...
giggles aren't necessarily newbies (Score:2)
Also, the only people giggling in the packed theatre we saw it in were the three of us. I don't think the people were lauging because they were newbies or oldies like us, but because they found humor in flying people.
Re:Castaway (Score:2)
"Requiem for a Dream" & "Dancer in the Dark" (Score:2)
I've yet to see any mention of the above two films.
"Dancer in the Dark," the most recent film released under the Dogma95 banner, was directed by Lars Von Trier (Breaking the Waves, The Idiots). In my mind, one of the only "must see" movies of 2000. But then, in my mind Bjork can do no wrong, so take my opinion with a teensie weensie grain of salt.
"Requiem for a Dream," directed by Darren Aronofsky, is a crushingly depressing film about drug abuse. Aronofsky's last effort, "Pi" was enjoyable, but not brilliant. Requiem is. Without question the best film I've seen all year.
I urge you, if you love films, you owe it to yourself to see these two masterpieces. They're not without their flaws, but I can't think of one movie release this year that compares.
reality check (Score:2)
Gimme a break! To assert that folks in the South have a monopoly on "religious high mindedness", is a bit of a stretch, even for a movie review. I can understand how shocking it may be for those of you from big metropolitan areas to see that in much of rural America (Southern or Northern), religion is a huge influence for many people.
And OH MY GOODNESS religion could influence their politics! We're doomed! But why is it so alarming to some of you that religion MAY color someone's worldview??? It is fine to disagree politically with these people, but please restrain yourself from ATTACKING them. When you attack them, it is like shooting fish in a barrel.
BTW {OT}, from the Mamet review, for the record there are no hicks in Vermont (hicks are indeed from the South, which includes anyplace beyond Massachusetts), natives are known as "woodchucks".
Different Strokes, I guess (Score:2)
Episode One, for example, if you need a movie with glimpses of the metaphysical, about good and evil, of being balanced and true...
The fight scenes among the Bamboo were a little too much for me.
Uninspired dialogue? Give an example of inspired dialogue, please. This is very traditional, classic, and even a little cliched; but it was never expected to be anything else.
Acting? I got the very strong impression that Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat had a very restrained, repressed attraction that neither would allow to emerge. I also found that Ang Lee's exuberant recklessness very real. A teenager with her first car, almost.
Plot was random? I guess that's what you saw.
We saw the story of an Empress Palpatine man hater, and her young disciple. The young disciple wants to push herself and her world, being greater than the master. She sees an opportunity to escape her destiny when she meets Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat, but in doing so destroys the lives of everyone she loves.
Her lover is the one that gives her the first inkling of what living outside the system may be like. Perhaps you were put off by the extra long flashback sequence around her comb?
Oh well. I'm glad I saw it, at least.
Geek dating! [bunnyhop.com]
Speaking of films (Score:2)
My take on three of 'em (Score:2)
Crouching Tiger -- Probably the best movie of the year. No, not influenced by The Matrix! The Hong Kong influence came first, and this is Ang Lee's exploration and celebration of this school of film. It is a great mix of epic tales, romance, eastern philosophy, and the most lyrically beautiful fight scenes I've ever seen. I'll never forget the fight on the tree tops for sheer elegance and beauty.
Finding Forrester -- I seem to disagree with Katz on this one, for I enjoyed it very much. I especially enjoyed the way they didn't dwell on the usual racial stereotypes, so evidently either I missed something, or Katz saw something that wasn't there. Good acting by all. And probably one of the better movies about writing I've seen (although the ending cops out a bit on that score).
________________
Re:O Brother, Where are Thou = scarce US culture (Score:2)
I think the rest of the world has a choice of whether to buy American films and TV shows or not. Its not their fault that foreign countries are always avid audiences for American films. Also, AFAIK, these days when Hollywood makes films it does so with the rest of the world in mind. So they are not 'Imperialists' at all! You have a choice, and they cater to your needs.
And to say that they are backward is terrible rubbish (I'm really sorry, but it is). They are actually quite advanced.
American films are the best that sre made in the world, IMO. The same isn't true for their TV programs perhaps, but it certainly is for their films. Otherwise, why would everyone all over the whole wide world choose to watch them? Because they like them, thats why!
Proof of Life - correction (Score:3)
I should know, the movie was based on the kidnapping of Thomas Hargrove, my Uncle, outside Cali, Colombia.
You can read my Uncle's testimony to Congress at
http://www.g21.net/narco.html
But yes, the negotiation scenes were extremely realistic -- they were based on video that my cousin (who has a film degree) shot of the actual kidnapping negotiations.
The rest of the movie was, shall we say, heavily influenced by the needs of Hollywood.
Interestingly, they had originally planned a much fuller romance between Ryan and Crowe (and had shot love scenes, etc) but in test runs the audiences laughed at these parts!
Ken McKinney
kenmckinney@email.com
Re:Question... (Score:3)
Also... since the marketing group was involved.. the benefits of having the company essentially "co-star" in a major film were incalculable. The writers initially selected FedEx because the entire operation of the company is extrememly tine-sensitive. If your priority over night package is not delivered by 10:30 am then you do not have to pay for the shippping and the company does not make any money. I think that played a huge part in the development of Hanks's character.. he's a task master that constantly watches the clock and suddenly he's alone on a deserted island where he suddenly has "inifinite" time. No deadlines... nothing.
I have not seen the film yet, but everyone that I know who has seen it said that the company was portrayed in a "goood light". The operations in Moscow are really not htat bad though.. that was another thing they had to do in order to advnace the story though.
As far as performance goes, the production guys count every minute. The sooner you can get the sort completed, the sooner the truck or plane can leave- and the sooner your packages can be delivered. I have spent some time in the hub here in Memphis and when the sort is going on you do not have much time to think. It's extremely fascinating to watch though... several thousand men and women scrambling around moving packages and all the automated sorting equipment. If you ever get an opportunity to tour one of the hubs (try to do it if you ever make it to Memphis- that one is the largest) take it. You have to go around 1:00 in the morning though
From my experience, FedEx is very "people oriented" and I believe that the upper management does care about the employees. I've been very happy wrking there for the past few years. The majority of the people I work with have been with the company for over 10 years. A few of them have "three digit" employee id's which means that they have been there since the beginning. Several members of upper management started out as handlers in a hub or one of the stations so they know what it's like to be shoving boxes around in the freezing cold or summer heat. If I remember correctly, the current CEO of FedEx Express (the airline & my employer) (Fred Smith is the CEO of FedEx Corporation- the holding company) stated out as a handler in a hub while in college. of course, there are some bad things... it is a huge corporation after all. But over all, I think it's a great place to work.
Cast Away questions... (Score:3)
In fact, my boyfriend and Ihad gotten tix for Cast Away a few days before that, and seeing a whole bunch of FedEx stuff and Tom Hanks yelling at people, we were like, "What the heck?" and theatre-hopped over to How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which was what I'd REALLY wanted to see anyway. (BTW, that was cute. Real cute.)
*Caution: This post contains SCADS and HORDES of SPOILERS! Don't read this if you've not seen the movie. It'll ruin it for you.*
Anyway, Cast Away. Immediately I saw that the romantic aspect of Helen Hunt was going to be a huge factor. The whole time Hanks was on the island, I kept thinking, "But what of his girlfriend? What about her?" Big letdown for the audience to see her already married with a daughter when Hanks gets off the island and back into Memphis, but I think the tragedy of that was an excellent theatrical device--the audience wanted to see more. More, what would Mr. Everyday American Hero Hanks do? "Just wait for what the tide brings in", and then some rather vague ending as a redhead in an old pickup in Texas flirtatiously gives Hanks some directions. Okay. That was the ultimate "WHAT the HECK!?" for all of us. The movie ends with a shot of Hanks squinting slightly under the sun, looking into the camera, presumably into the direction that the redhead's truck, bearing the cryptic tri-ringed gold wings of some sort, as she heads back to her ranch. What the HECK? Can anyone give me some sort of analysis on that?
Next off, I missed it, and I'm sure I could come up with answers somewhere but where was this movie filmed?
Last of all...I'd really like to know what they did to Mr. Hanks' diet. I realize actors have to gain and lose weight often at the whims of their directors, but Hanks started off as a pink, slightly pudgy FedEx worker, and by the time the ship picked him up he was lean and tanned. Quite a dramatic change, if you ask me. Anyone know what kind of diet they put the man on? I want it.
I LIKED this movie. Not having any hype beforehand helped a bit, I suppose--I came away from it mostly satisfied. The scene I'll likely be having nightmares over for the rest of my life will be the plane crash--watching the ocean rushing up at you from the cockpit, huge and black and menacing, at a horrifically WRONG angle--that was outright terrifying. I have to FLY to get back to college. *shiver*
It's ANG LEE! (Score:3)
The mis-spelling took place in the original articles I saw.
All Those duly offended rightly deserve the most profound apologies.
An artist of merit of course deserves to have their name spelled correctly, and I certainly apologise for any anguish, agony, or dishonor felt by his expert, knowledgable, and caring fans because of the mis-spelling.
As a final note, I shared the material because I felt it was worthwhile. The karma points are not that important.
Really.
Re:Yuen Woo Ping (Score:3)
Yuen Woo Ping (Score:4)
On the subject of O Brother Where Art Thou (the only film mentioned to have been released thus far in Ireland), I've got to echo the opinion of millions; the Coen brothers (like Ang Lee) can do no wrong. The only question is whether I'll see all these films in the cinema, or whether the US DVDs will be available first.
Comics and movies inspired by them (Score:4)
Does this sound like a good comic to you? It's called an art driven comic, where they let the artists take the headlines and hire some hack writer to do the job, or sometimes great writers who really aren't that great [See Scott Lobdell and Chris Claremont]. How does a movie get inspired by shit like this? It doesn't. UNBREAKABLE was a slow paced movie with a 'surprise' ending [from the maker of SIXTH SENSE, how could we not expect this]. And Jackson's character tries to tell me those superhero comics are highbrow literature? Fucking christ, those comics he showed me are the FULL HOUSE of comic books. Serious comics aren't about superheroes [few exceptions such as Miracle Man or any of Alex Ross's future stories]. If you want to read the only good superhero comic on the market, pick up AUTHORITY. Don't get me wrong, there are great comics. TRANSMETROPOLITAN and PLANETARY by Warren Ellis are great. POWERS and JINX by Brian Bendis are excellent too. There is also Grant Morrison's INVISIBLES [the comic that really inspired MATRIX [ie. the MATRIX was a blatant ripoff and gave absolutely no credit with the parallel plot], but with better dialogue.
But I don't know, I could be wrong about all this. But I think I am of some authority since I used to buy over 50 comics and month and see about 60 movies a year in theatre.
Gaelen
Castaway (Score:4)
Just before the movie was released we got this lengthy memo with detailed annswers to common questions about the movie. Apparantly FedEx did not pay to be in the film but the marketing folks did work closely wth the writers and such. They also pointed out all of the "errors" in the film (such as Tom Hanks's Character drinking wine while jumpseating- you can't get anywhere near a FedEx plane with booze). Many of the extras in the scenes filmed in Memphis were "real" FedEx employees. Fred Smith, the CEO had a brief cameo also.. I gues sit was when Hanks's character returnned home or something. They also auctioned off the clothes that Hanks wore during the FedEx shots to raise money for the United Way.
Anyway, I have not seen the movie yet. I'm just sitting here bored on a Sunday morning and felt like blabbing.
Happy New Year
Crouching Tiger (Score:5)
Here are some links to some reviews and interviews on NPR (in RealAudio format) that might be interesting to follow up on: