At Wonders in the Dark we enjoyed one of our banner weeks, as several threads boasted some of our most fascinating comment threads and heftiest totals. At the top was the review for Von Trier’s Antichrist, but superlative response was also affored the countdown reviews for The Truman Show and The Double Life of Veronique, as well as reviews of Campion’s Bright Star and an opera, Janacek’s From the House of the Dead, the latter of which received a delightfully surprising and exhilarating response.
The two biggest “events” for me this week were the Wednesday evening opera (Janacek’s From the House of the Dead, –based on Dostoyevsky-directed by film and opera luminary Patrice Chereau) at the Met (reviewed on Friday here at WitD) which was a shattering experience, and a magnificent Saturday night showing of Chaplin’s masterpiece, Modern Times, with Lucille and all the kids at the Loews Jersey City movie palace and their gigantic screen and werlitzer organ, which navigated a pre-film Christmas carol session with the movie patrons, many of whom -surprisingly – were teenagers. When my own kids admitted to me that they liked Modern Times, it really warmed my heart, as this, City Lights and The Gold Rush are three of my favorite films of all-time, as is the case with many other film fans. As a number of you will remember our pal Dave Hicks chose the film as his best of 1936 in his completed annual countdown at GoodFellas, and he penned a fabulous essay here: http://goodfellamovies.blogspot.com/2009/06/1936-modern-times-charles-chaplin.html
I saw three new releases in the theatres:
UP IN THE AIR is the is the year’s biggest bust, a classic example of a film that is grossly overrated, and seemingly is headed for the Best Picture Oscar, in a decision that will mark it as the worst choice in Academy history. This is a smug, emotionally distancing film that attempts to impart some existential substance on what is a slender and tedious premise, and George Clooney plays George Clooney is a situation that putters out after a half hour, and never segues into that level of melancholy which would give this romantic comedy any level of real significance. It’s passable at best, but the recognition it is receiving is kind of appalling.
BROTHERS, a Jim Sheridan re-make of Suzanne Blier’s superior film from a few years back, is a decent enough effort, a bit better than I expected, though it doesn’t have any resonance beyond it’s narrow focus. Still, it grips on the strength of it’s performances, and competant direction, even if those flashback sequences are rather predictable. It’s worth a look.
EVERYBODY’S FINE. The weekend’s best film is the one that was almost guaranteed to be the worst one. The trailers were abysmal and appeared to make the film look trite and formulaic in the worst sense, yet Kirk Jones has surprisingly fashioned a nuanced, probing and truthful look at a dysfunctional family, that has been compared to ABOUT SCHMIDT, but also with some distant kinship to Ozu’s TOKYO STORY, but with a dash of lies and secrets. As Bob Clark reminded me online today, it’s based on a 1990 Tornatore film I didn’t see, but it’s Robert DeNiro’s unexpected subtlety in a role that could have inspired saccharine overload, that really fueled this deeply-affected dramedy, that is rather a trap for snobs. This film had particular emotional resonance for me in my personal life as of late, as one sub-plot involved a situation I am most familiar with, and continue to mourn.
Anyway, as I am not yet aware of how the sports teams have fared, I’ll let Dave Hicks and Joel talk about the Bengals and Pats. The Olson family though is rightly thrilled about the Ducks and their upcoming Rose Bowl appearance!
Around the blogosphere there is quite a bit of action, and it’s by and large most stimulating:
At Darkness Into Light, Dee Dee is running a series of Lubitch reviews by her good friend, Australian Andrew Katsis. His latest is on Ninotchka: http://noirishcity.blogspot.com/2009/12/counting-down-twenty-five-days-to_04.html
Tony d’Ambra has traveled north to Southeast Asia for ten days on business, but he’s provided an invaluable noir list for his “Recess Noir” post at FilmsNoir.net. We wish him the best during his trip: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/recess-noir.html
John Greco continues to illuminate the blogosphere with his ever-prolific writings on film known and relatively unseen. His latest is Where Danger Lives: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/where-danger-lives-1950-john-farrow/
WitD’s favorite Garden State scribe, the ever-versatile David Schleicher has what appears to be a fascinating look into the past with a personal memoir: http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/the-spiral-of-the-seasons/
Troy Olson has finished his comprehensive ‘Italy Trip Report’ and it really deserves everyone’s attention, especially those who have travel plans or wish they did: http://troyolson.blogspot.com/2009/12/italy-trip-report-finally-finished.html
Craig Kennedy, preparing his popular Watercooler thread, has a perceptive piece up on thedocumentary The Cove, which he was no fan of: http://livingincinema.com/2009/12/05/dvd-review-the-cove-2009-12/
After penning one of the great internet reviews of recent months on Wellman’s silent classic Wings, our dear UK friend Judy is back on top in what appears to be another gem on Wellman’s Beggars of Life: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/beggars-of-life-1928/
Daniel Getahun, ever-prolific as always has an engaging essay in his “300” series on New York, I Love You at Getafilm: http://getafilm.blogspot.com/2009/12/300-words-about-new-york-i-love-you.html
Ed Howard’s stupendous review of Hitchcock’s Sabotage at “Only the Cinema” also includes a lively and contentious comment thread that’s quite worth a look: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2009/12/sabotage.html
Long-time South African friend and blogger Nick Plowman is back in print at Fataculture with a superlative review of Three Monkeys: http://fataculture.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/review-three-monkeys/
At Gateway Cinephiles, Missouri’s finest film critic, Andrew Wyatt, apparently has som every good things to say about The Road, which needs to be read: http://gatewaycinephiles.com/2009/12/05/here-at-the-end-of-all-things/
At “Cinemascope” our very good friend Shubhajit has one of his cae capsules up on the Dardennes’s The Son: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2009/12/son-le-fils-2002.html
Samuel Wilson has a review up at Mondo 70 of 1982’s Vice Squad: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2009/12/vice-squad-1982.html
Marilyn Ferdinand, Writer Extraordinaire, has what appears to be yet another extraordinary essay up on a Jewish film, Defamation: http://ferdyonfilms.com/
A most-interesting quiz that has been circulating the net is presently at Pat’s place, “Doodad Kind of Town: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2009/12/lets-get-quizzical.html
The esteemed Film Doctor has the Media Links post up at his place right now: http://filmdr.blogspot.com/2009/12/notable-film-and-media-links-december-3.html
Jason Bellamy, fresh off his marathon complicity with Ed Howard on their Monthly Conversations (this time with Lawrence of Arabia, which shamefully I haven’t gotten over to yet), has a Weekly Rant up on “Prop Blunders” at his place, “The Cooler”: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-rant-best-prop-blunder.html
J.D. at Radiator Heaven is featuring that Thanksgiving/Christmas quiz in his lead position: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2009/12/slifrs-thanksgivingchristmas-movie-quiz.html
Our dear friend Qalandar has a piece up at his place titled “The Museum of Innocence”: http://qalandari.blogspot.com/2009/12/fragment-on-museum-of-innocence.html
R.D. Finch has his typically elaborate, well-penned essay up on Renoir’s The Golden Coach: http://movieprojector.blogspot.com/2009/11/theater-of-life-jean-renoirs-golden.html
Rick Olson’s latest post, always a must read, is “A Tale of Two Openings” at Coosa Creek Cinema: http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/12/05/a-tale-of-two-openings/
And last but by no means least is Tony Dayoub, who presently has a review I will most assuredly be getting to on Herzog’s film at The View Finder : http://www.cinemaviewfinder.com/2009/12/movie-review-bad-lieutenant-port-of.html Tony also reviewed “Everybody’s Fine” I see, which I must read tonight!
Although I can concur, Sam, that Up in the Air is not superior cinema, I did find it entertaining, enjoyable and well done. It does seem a bit light in the gait for a best picture Oscar, but I won’t be surprised if it wins.
That’s certainly a more than fair enough assessment Pierre, and one that I really wish I can stand with. I did like Reitman’s previous film JUNO a lot more as that one had a beating heart at its center, and defended it against its detractors. But hey, as I’ve said, I am just on eopinion, and it appears that I am in a very tiny minority. If you found it entertaining, enjoyable and well-done, well then it worked, and i can begrudge you that. Thanks as always for your much-valued and always scholarly contribution my very good friend.
Thanks for the link to the Modern Times essay, Sam… it seems like so long ago that we were at 1936 in the countdown! That must have been awesome to see Modern Times in theater, probably made an even greater thrill by the fact that your children enjoyed it as well. It is still my favorite Chaplin film and on the short list of the best comedies I’ve ever seen.
I’m incredibly excited for the silent film series here at WitD, as almost everything will be new to me. There are a select few silents that I have seen and absolutely loved — The Passion of Joan of Arc and Sherlock, Jr. being two of the best movies I’ve ever seen — but outside of those and Chaplin, I’m a complete novice. I do have some classic silents recorded and waiting to be watched, so hopefully I will get to both The Crowd and The Wind this week.
And I know I haven’t posted in over at week at Goodfella’s, but within the next few days I’ll start throwing stuff up about how the noir countdown will go, when it will start, etc. So keep an out.
As for the Bengals… they improved to 9-3 today, handling the overmatched Lions, but most importantly was the fact that the Steelers dropped a fourth straight game. The division is almost completely locked up for the Bengals now!
Dave: I know how much you love MODERN TIMES and I remembered your towering essay, which deserves some kind of an encore. Yes, it does seem like yesterday when you posted it.
Ah, THE WIND and THE CROWD are masterpieces of that era, no question. I’m certain they will finish high on Allan’s countdown, and they surely be be prominently placed on my own listing! And SHERLOCK JR. and PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC, well you are talking staggering masterpieces there!!!
Congrats on the Bengals, and thanks for posting their recent win here, as I was hoping you would!
Looking forward to your next post!
FUCK… I can’t tell you how truly miserable I feel in not being able to join you on MODERN TIMES with the kids. I was with my biggest client from 3pm till about 930pm and just never got the chance to connect with you. If anything, just to be in the room with the kids, Jeremy and his belief in magic particularly, would have been enough for me. Like you, I revere MODERN TIMES as one of the all-time greats in cinema history (I do prefer CITY LIGHTS and THE GOLD RUSH, but its a hair-line preference) and considert Chaplin one of the ten greatest film-makers-PERIOD. To see MODERN TIMES that way is THE ONLY WAY to see it. I’ll have to suffice with showing the kids THE GOLD RUSH, NOSFERATU, SHERLOCK JR, and THE SINKING OF THE LUCITANIA instead. Anyway, I’ll see you, Lucille, Dumb-bell Douglas, Bob O’Shit and Angelo (not to forget “Sausage Russell”) at dinner on Tuesday.
Yes, you be seeing us all soon! LOL!!! Too bad things didn’t work out with MODERN TIMES, but there will be many other opportunities in those hallowed halls! Thanks as always.
Don’t get to sure of yourselves on UP IN THE AIR as the lock for BEST PICTURE at the Oscars. My feeling is INVICTUS could nail this thing. Its about Nelson Mandela, history, Morgan Freeman is playing Mandela and the whole thing is guided by the Academy’s favorite director: CLINT EASTWOOD. Eastwood could film himself stepping in a lump of dog shit and win a Oscar. So far, the only lock is Cary Mulligan as BEST ACTRESS for AN EDUCATION. So far………..
Well, INVICTUS could score, you never know. But I see the D.C. critics just named UP IN THE AIR as Best Film, so there seems to be a concensus building, sad to say. But some of the WitD faithful may yet rally behind it. I am just a single voice in the dark!
Dennis – I agree…I think UP IN THE AIR is a lock for a nomination, but INVICTUS just has that “Best Picture Winner” look — it has too many Oscar-bait elements not to strike some kind of chord…but who knows…it’s always fun to be proven wrong in these regards.
ALSO: finished reading Glenn Beck’s COMMON SENSE. For what its worth, I’ve never read anything that so effectively dissects the problems this country is having with paying off 18 trillion dollars of debt, rallying to unite as a country that speaks to its government rather than having it speak DOWN to us and all of us demanding COMMON SENSE before anymore bad decisions and life threatening (this includes way of life) situations occur. Obama should do what he did best in the beginning of his term: step back, take a deep breath, think things over, and then speak. I love the guy, but he really needs to fine tooth what Beck is saying. A learned man who bones up before he shouts, Beck’s COMMON SENSE is a call for logic in illogical times. The constitution was not written to be bent, it was written to set the rules and examples. That’s something government has forgotten. I suggest this book for anyone that’s confused by all that’s hitting the news.
hehe…I’m thinking Dennis just assured that this post passes the 100 comment mark here 😉
Ha Troy! I see it building!
dennis I love you as a film poster around here but to suggest that the rather calm, rather intellectual Pres. Obama needs to take advice from a global-warming denying, race baiter like Glenn Becker is rather laughable. I think I’d rather read an OUT-DATED telephone book from a state I don’t even reside in before I’d read two paragraphs of trash written by Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, ect.
I will read ‘Common Sense’ at your urging… I will just being reading the one that resides on my shelf written by Thomas Paine. The fact that Glenn Beck, a man who just last week on his show said people should ‘stock up on the three G’s’ in this time of duress (the three G’s being, of course, God, Guns and Gold), would co-opt a great mind like Thomas Paine (I wonder if Bible beating Glenn has ever leaved through Paine’s ‘Common Sense’) speaks volumes about his character. Oh it should be noted that the urging of his fans to buy Gold, is because it’s estimated that 60-79% of Beck’s sponsors are companies like that ‘Cash for Gold’ garbage. This is all Beck is; a stupid pitchman who will fork anything for the highest bidder… ‘A Face in the Crowd’ set in 2009.
Sorry I had to be so harsh. It’s just that I have strong thoughts in the negative for these guys. That’s all. I do await your review of Palin’s ‘Going Rouge’ though dennis :-).
I am not so well versed to make a valid contribution here Jamie, but I enjoyed your response to Dennis here immensely. I’m sure he will offer a further explanation.
I’m not sure and Dennis would have to confirm it, but I think he may have been joking!
Beck is the guy who does the Peter Finch from ‘Network’ impression on the Fox Propaganda Channel, right.
Say it ain’t so joe, I mean, Dennis.
“In 2006, Beck asked Muslim congressman-elect Keith Ellison, a guest on his show, to “prove to me that you are not working with our enemies…And I know you’re not. I’m not accusing you of being an enemy, but that’s the way I feel.”
Bobby, that sounds exactly like the just-out-of-prison skinhead in the movie This is England, which I just watched the other night (and just reviewed on the Examiner). Makes the black character declare if he considers himself “English” or “Jamaican”, later smokes up with him and bonds over music and dope but the scene ends tragically, as you suspect it might…
I liked ‘This is England’ (‘400 Blows’ ripoffs aside), reminded me quite a bit of another I like ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’. I love all those Chelsea girls in ‘This is England’, plus it’s named after a great post-Mick Jones Clash song.
And the scene you mention, with the great Percy Sledge song… love that soundtrack.
Sam, I saw BROTHERS, too, though thought it was pretty lousy (but entertaining in a melodramatic kind of way). I had a most interesting weekend (spent mostly in NYC).
Check out the full round up here:
http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/of-music-moroccan-food-and-brothers/
I’m sad to hear about UP IN THE AIR, though I still am looking forward to it. I hope to finally catch the Herzog/Cage extravaganza of off-kilterness BL:POCNO sometime this week…wish me luck in that endeavor!
Great to hear you were in NYC David! I’m sure you had a great time. My opinion of UP IN THE AIR, though meticulously reached, seems to be an extreme one, so as much as I appreciate your confidence in me, I will be looking forward to your reaction.
I will head over now to see your review on BROTHERS! I wish you luck on BL, and have my fingers crossed as i am a big fan of that one as you know.
Thanks for the splendid re-cap!
Thanks very much again for the too-kind words, Sam! Seeing Chaplin on the big screen with a Wurlitzer organ must have been amazing. This weekend I also saw a silent film at the cinema, a rarity, ‘Children of Divorce (1927)’, which stars Clara Bow and Gary Cooper and was directed by Frank Lloyd but then taken over and partly remade by Joseph von Sternberg – it was screened as part of a von Sternberg season at the BFI in London. We had a pianist accompanying the film, who was excellent. I think this might have been the first time I’ve seen a silent at the cinema, but I’d definitely like to see more of them, and am looking forward to the focus on silents here!
Apart from that, I’ve also been watching more Wellman movies, and have just read Anne Tyler’s latest novel, ‘Noah’s Compass’, which I thought was great though very short.
Judy, you are really seeing some quality stuff as of late (not that you don’t on a regular basis) but th etiming seems to be perfect as far as this site is concerned, what with the silent poll nearly upon us. I haven’t seen CHILDREN OF DIVORCE, but there you have one that people preparing for the poll can check out, as its stars and directors are pretty much essential. I will certainly look forward to your exquisite take on it at Movie Classics, if you plan on doing something. That Von Sternberg festival is a great thing, as everyone would agree.
Yes, live accompaniment is a special treat for theatrical showcasing of silents. It adds so much. Ah, Ms. Tyler. I did read INTERVIEW a while back, but since then have never been able to find time to go further. I bet a few of the avid readers here have read NOAH’S COMPASS.
Thanks again Judy.
Sam, I’d have to say ‘Children of Divorce’ is a minor work for both these directors – it’s wild melodrama, which appeals to me, and I was interested to see it because it ties in so much with what I’ve been watching lately, but it’s definitely not up there with Wings (no pun intended!) I do mean to write something about it, though. Thanks.
Thanks for that clarification Judy. Somehow I am reminded of De Mille’s silent MALE OR FEMALE, but I’m sure I am way off there. I understand what you are saying there though, and that is that there are many other silents that need to be promoted before this one. I will be looking to see what you write on it.
There was a theater in SF we went to back in the 80s, that showed silents and had a live performer for the music.
This is where we first saw some silent L & H and the young children we had then loved it too.
Sadly, as I read more of the reviews, there aren’t too many films that we see coming out that we ever see in the theater out here. Of course, the independent and foreign only play at 2 theaters near us, one 45 minutes away, the other 2 hrs. Makes for a costly viewing.
Coffee Messiah, was that theatre the “Castro?” I know that reverent place regularly stages retros and various festivals, and that’s the first one that comes to my mind. Seeing L & H in that fashion with an interactive audience is really the best way to enjoy that iconic duo, and the memories certainly stay with you. Yep, what you say there is true. There are very few films worth making such a prohibitive trip for, in the absence of theatres close by; that is understandable. The temptation of going regularly can only be realized for those of us who have these theatres right up close, which as you note can be costly. That is definitely the downside.
Thanks so very much Coffee Messiah for adding to the Monday Morning Diary, our very good friend.
I’m sure if Up in the Air wins Best Picture it won’t be the worst choice in history, when that body has recognised Mrs Miniver, A Beautiful Mind and that piece of shit by Bruce Beresford I cannot even bring myself to type the name of. A love of that film calling anything else rubbish is like Adolf Hitler calling for crimes against humanity against Stalin. Pots, kettles, anyone.
Right, keep spinning. If you have nothing good to say don’t say anything at all. I acknowledged that UP IN THE AIR had 90% of the critics, maybe you should acknowledge that DMD also has 90% of them, which it does. The filmmakers aren’t bothered by one ludicrously angry Brit, of that you can be certain. And we’re back to that again eh, passing stern judgement without seeing a film. Right.
What would this place be without a little fire and brimstone?
True Peter. I know a few who come to see battles, which sometimes we do oblige them with! Ha!
Sam, glad you and the family had a great time with the Chaplin film, one of his greats to be sure, and seeing on the big screen with live organ music is the only way to go if possible. I believe I mentioned over at 24frames that back in the 90’s, when I live in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to see City Lights with a full orchestra. Watching silent films with live musicians is unbeatable.
Interesting your dislike of Up in the Air, it is a film I am looking forward to watching, though I won’t get a chance this coming weekend to go to the movies. I am tied up both days (volunteering as a photographer for a pet adoption group taking pictures of Santa with peoples pets!). Anyway, on the movie front I also saw “Everybody’s Fine” and agree with the comparison to About Schmidt. DeNiro gives one of his best performances of late, subtle and touching. I though Drew Barrymore did a nice job too. I think Jones skirted the line between suprpy emotions and the deep-rooted feelings and conflicts that exist in families. I liked NY Times critic Stephen Holden’s, line, who hated the film, about DeNiro who with this film officially “heralds his entrance into Geezer territory.” Holden is extremely harsh on the film overall.
On the DVD side, I saw “Slightly Scarlet” a flamboyant Technicolor 50’s B noir based on a James M. Cain novel with John Payne, and two great looking redheads, Arlene Dahl and Rhonda Fleming. I will be writing more on this at 24 frames. Finally, yesterday afternoon, I watched Colorado Territory, Allan Dwan’s remake of his earlier High Sierra, This time a western with Joel McCrea, Virginia Mayo and Dorothy Malone. It is decent but the characters are less ambiguous and as a result less interesting, still a adequate western just not up to the standards of the original.
John: Did you notice that Paul McCartney song playing over the end credits of EVERYBODY’S FINE? Purportedly, McCartney was shown the movie and was so impressed that he offered to write a song for it. And Holden was way too harsh. Sometimes I find myself diametrically opposed to him. Here’s a very interesting review by Stephanie Zaharek, who I see as one of our best critics:
http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2009/12/03/everybodys_fine/index.html
I’m thrilled to hear your reaction, which is similar to my own, but even if you didn’t agree I’d still be thrilled to hear what you’d say.
You are one busy guy working as a volunteer photographer for a pet adoption group. Kudos again to you Sir! Another wonderful community service by you! And I know you are an ace with a camera!
Yes the MODERN TIMES experience was really priceless, as was your with CITY LIGHTS in Atlanta. I agree with everything you say there.
I will be looking for your upcoming piece on SLIGHTLY SCARLET, which is a film I’ve seen, and will be commenting on.
I ordered COLORADO TERRITORY last week from Warner Archives!!!! I haven’t yet seen it.
Thanks again for this magnificent re-cap.
Sam, thanks for the link to the Zaharek review, she hits it right on the nose. Sure, there is nothing new here, it seems like every year around this time a film comes out about a dysfunctional family ,still there is something that resonates here. It is part DeNiro’s performance that seems to have the very touches that make it believable without going over the edge.
“It wobbles dangerously close to “Look how we turned out, and it’s all your fault!” territory, in which alleged grown-ups, sometimes with kids of their own, scrutinize their parents’ child-rearing methods and find them wanting.”
I think this statement by Zaharek says it all. The entire picture titters on the edge but Kirk Jones manages not to fall off . And yes, I caught the McCartney tune at the end.
Forgot to mention before, thanks again for the link.
JAMIE-No offense taken. I didn’t say I AGREED with everything Beck is saying. However, I do, firmly, agree with Beck in his position on speaking up for our rights, really looking at the national debt and trying tp stop kidding ourselves that it can ever be paid in our life time and sticking to the Constitution. Yes, I cannot say I go for all he says, but I do see some validity here. ALSO: I’m the master of throwing a comment out here to stir everyone up and keep the threads rolling. Remember THE BIG LEBOWSKI or THE TRUMAN SHOW. LOL!!!! I rest my case. LOL!!!!!!!!
I’m glad you took no offense. While I agree with your comments about being concerned with spending… I’d just urge you too look what respected economists, and intellectuals have to say on the matter. Stay away from people whose only credential is that they have the largest megaphone and shout the loudest from a bully pulpit. You also can’t take any of Glenn Beck’s ‘Common Sense’ seriously, he wants no more spending because he makes about 10-15 million a year, it’s all about him not being taxed higher. He couldn’t give two shits about future generations.
The economics I’ve read (and granted it’s not vast) I like Paul Krugman’s essays and books. Perhaps you can look into him and find something you like.
Wow, I’m surprise for such high praise for EVERYBODY’S FINE as most reviews out there seem to suggest that it is blatantly manipulative and features De Niro on autopilot yet again. Hmm… I might have to give it a look when it comes out on video. I really want to see BROTHERS which looks quite good and I do enjoy the three leads in it. Should be interesting to see if it gets any Oscar nods.
Hey J.D. Thanks again for contributing to this thread. As i stated (above) in response to John Greco, who also rather liked the film, it’s one that managed to defy that awful trailer that has been circulating for a few months. A few “key” critics liked the film including Ms. Zaharek, and the concensus was rather divided, not definitely negative. Some clearly loved the film, while others fall under the parameters you describe. David Scheicher, whose opinion I GREATLY respect was no fan of BROTHERS, but all in all I thought it was fairly good. Gyllenthal and the kids were effective, but maguire seems to be out of his element. I’m not sure if Oscar will call, but it could happen. I’d be interested in knowing what you think.
Rather not talk about the Pats right now, thank you very much. 😦
That was a shocking loss to the Dolphins. The Pats are 7-5 now, and are struggling. But football is crazy. Now the Giants are back in the hunt with a surprising win over Dallas.
Yeah, but I think the Pats are still practically certain to make the playoffs (I think.)
Let’s hope so, Sam, but the thrill is gone. I truly fear they’ll never functionally recover that devastating loss to the Giants in ’08: it’s been downhill ever since (albeit often for reasons out of their control, like Brady’s injury, but then they always were a team of destiny). The loss to the Saints was crushing and humiliating, but the Dolphins loss was simply unnecessary and proof that their defense just isn’t up to par with the team’s reputation. No wonder Belicheck didn’t trust them and went for it on 4th & 2 a few weeks back. They just don’t have it in them. A disappointing season, but my major fear is that this is all part of a downward trend. I’ve so relished the Patriots’ glory since 2001 that it somewhat depresses me to think that the story has hit its climax and is winding down. I don’t want it to be true, especially with that brutal Super Bowl anticlimax serving as the beginning of the end. But they’ve surprised us before and I hope they can do it again (just get some better defenders onto the team next year, Bill!).
A Colts-Saints SB would be very exciting and unprecedented, though I’m not sure the drama would be worth two teams inevitably diminishing the Pats’ accomplishment or near-accomplishment a few years ago.
You may be right Movie Man, but I wouldn’t be writing any obituaries just yet. They are the kind of team that always surprises, and when you least expect it they can make the big play in the late stages, as you well know. But there could very well be a “downward trend” at this point, and they may have reached their peak.
Sam, thanks as always for the link and the good words.
Bunked office today in order to give an exam. And now that my dinner is over, I’m planning to watch either Johny To’s Fulltime Killer or Bong Joon-Ho’s Barking Dogs Never Bite. In need of a reasonably fast-paced flick since I’m now in no mood for a “heavy” movie. So I narrowed down to these 2 over the likes of The Silence of Lorna, Movern Callar, Antichrist, etc 🙂
Most interesting choices there Shubhajit, though admittedly I’ve seen neither. But don’t do ANTICHRIST on a dreary day. It may be insufferable. Thanks as always for the enriching wrap-up.
SAM-Thought here… Is it possible to write up a post that would inform us of the critics cirle winners? I know SIGHT and SOUND put up their choices as well as THE GOTHAM awards, D.C. CRITICS and THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW. A post on all their choices as well as posts for the others, as they come in, would be informative and a great spread sheet to help us prognosticate the Oscars (for fun, that is). Whatya say?
From what I read, Dennis, the D.C. gang went with “Up in the Air” as did the National Board of Review. But S & S named a foreign-language film “The Prophet” by Jacques Audiard as tops.
Dennis, I will definitely have a comprehensive post on all the critic winners so far after WEDNESDAY, when NY and LA will have checked in. Excellent proposal there.
I too am stunned at your reaction to “Up in the Air.” But I thought “Juno” was overrated, so maybe this will be something similar. But so far it appears this is the film to beat for the Oscars and some of the critics groups that soon will announce their winners. I had a chance to see “Brothers” but I couldn’t quite make it. It’s nice to know that De Niro hasn’t lost it.
Yes Joe, it is gathering momentum, and it wouldn’t surprise me if either NY or LA (or both for that matter) were to annoint it top film over the next few days. It’s really perplexing.
Seeing ‘Modern Times’ on that screen was a wonderful thing, and the icing on the cake was the kids loving it. The Loews movie palace is a great place to visit over the holidays, especially for the youngest kids, who even get to meet Santa Claus.
I saw ‘Brothers’ and I feel much the same way as you did. I liked Jake Gyllenthal, but Toby McGuire isn’t so effective in showing emotional catharsis. The movie you talk about by Suzanne Blier is far better, but that was given even before they starting shooting this new one.
We missed Santa Frank, as he appeared in the afternoon. But we’ll have a few more chances at that. Only 7 year old Jeremy seems to be holding on in that regard though two others don’t discuss it.
I would say you are dead-on with what you say there about Maguire’s performance. This man is not a very good actor.
Sam, reading about your Modern Times experience makes me reminiscent. Around twenty years ago, one of our local surviving movie palaces, the Proctor’s theater in Schenectady, dedicated a summer season to the Barrymores, including a remarkable number of silent films. I was in college at the time and my summer was free so I spent many an afternoon hearing the theater’s Wurlitzer accompanying the likes of Beau Brummel and The Sea Beast, not to mention some films that did NOT require organ accompaniment, such as Don Juan and The (1929) Mysterious Island. Every film came with a serial chapter (either Hazards of Helen or Exploits of Elaine; I don’t quite remember which) and the theater, then partially restored but not yet revamped to accommodate Broadway-scale stage shows, had that popcorn ambience that could convince you that you had stepped back in time. It’s too bad more people can’t have that kind of experience in our time.
Anyway, my viewing highlights for the weekend (apart from Vice Squad) were King Vidor’s Street Scene on TCM on Saturday morning and a cheap-bin DVD score of the spaghetti western Today It’s Me, Tomorrow You. The Vidor was an interesting adaptation of a singe-set stage play with a slow buildup to an explosive burst of violence and montage, and it was noteworthy for what I assume is the first playing of Alfred Newman’s theme music, which came in the 1950s to be identified (through How to Marry a Millionaire, etc)with a swankier side of New York than its original source. As for the western, I’ll review it later this week but I’ll tantalize you with the thought that it represents (I believe) the sole appearance in the Italian genre by Tatsuya Nakadai of Ran, Kagemusha and Human Condition fame. Interested?…
Samuel, is Scanecdady actually synonymous with SYNCHODOCHE? I always confuse the two, or are they the same? Don’t mind me. Great great story there, and always a treat to have you here. That’s great that you got to hear the organ even for films that didn’t require it, like MYSTERIOUS ISLAND and DON JUAN. But a summer Barrymore retro is really something tremendous. I don’t think the Film Forum has done anything on the Barrymores in years, except for a few of the more well-known titles, which were part of other festivals.
I have NOT seen that Vidor, very sorry to admit, but you make it more than enticing. Perhaps Allan knows it or may have seen it?
You know what my answer is on that upcoming review of a Nakadei film!!!!!! I will be looking forward to it!!!
Did you really dislike Up in the Air that much, and would you consider seeing it again?
Allan Fish has ceased being funny with those attacks against Driving Miss Daisy. Does he feel that by repeating himself again and again that he will change people’s minds? The intense hatred is grandstanding if you ask me.
Let’s say I didn’t care for it much Fred. It was passable, but nota film that stayed with me in any significant way. However, I will see is again to see if I feel exactly the same way. Thank you.
I really enjoyed Up In the Air. It does feel like it is a bit light to be Best Picture, but I thought it was thoroughly funny and moving. I thought Anna Kendrick was fantastic. The only detractors were, like you said, George Clooney playing George Clooney (every time someone called him Ryan Bingham I got completely sucked out of the movie because I just expected he should have been called George) and that it felt a bit one-liner-y. Other than that I thought it was well made and I fell for its messages. I thought it was definitely better than Juno – which really didn’t have a great message for young girls (if you get pregnant, everything will be just fine!).
I did see The Fantastic Mr Fox this weekend which was great, and rented La double vie de Véronique after watching your fantastic poll over these weeks. I will probably get to watching it tonight.
Thanks for coming over to this thread David!!! Foir many months you graced us with your regular appearances at the Guess the Pic and at countdown entries, but it’s great to be able to hear what you are up to. Well, David, you are not alone on UP IN THE AIR. Men have been banging at my door since I came home from school, and my wife claims they are from some local psychiatric ward, wanting to know if I’m sane. I will definitely look at this film a second time, but I found it oppressive in a number of ways. But i completely agree with you that Kendrick was excellent. Her performance resonated. I liked JUNO more (in spite of the sledgehammer message) as it wasn’t the least bit emotionally distancing, but much of this is taste.
FANTASTIC MR. FOX is a near-great film, that seemed to lose a bit at the end, but all in all, I’m with you and I am a lifelong fan of the satiric Roald Dahl, one of the greatest of all children’s lit authors.
Can’t wait to hear your reaction to VERONIQUE!
……..reitman is no John Ford. Maybe he isn’t even ron howard come to think of it……..
You are a card, Frank!
So Sam, when do you plan on posting your Ten-Best list? Will you wait until the end of December? Or will you have seen most of the films of importance before that date?
Joe, I always post on the first few days of January. It’s my tradition. True, by then I will have seen everything I need to see to embark on that undertaking.
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan, and WitD readers,
Sam Juliano said,”and a magnificent Saturday night showing of Chaplin’s masterpiece, Modern Times, with Lucille and all the kids at the Loews Jersey City movie palace and their gigantic screen and werlitzer organ, which navigated a pre-film Christmas carol session with the movie patrons, many of whom -surprisingly – were teenagers. When my own kids admitted to me that they liked Modern Times, it really warmed my heart, as this, City Lights and The Gold Rush are three of my favorite films of all-time, as is the case with many other film fans…”
I must admit that your film viewing and activities with your family this week was very interesting…to say the least. By the way, I’am not surprised that a lot of teenagers, college students and 30something people like classic films.
Because out there in the blogoshere the classic film blogs created by teenagers, college students, and 30somethings are… plentiful!
Sam Juliano’s rating for…Brothers (Sheridan) *** 1/2 Saturday afternoon; Edgewater multiplex
Sam Juliano, I must admit that I have been reading several mixed reviews about this film too.
Sam Juliano, as usual… thanks, for mentioning the happenings on my blog. (Oh! Yes, and thanks, for the “nod” in the direction of the seventh wonder from downunder…Andrew.)
First of all, I was sadden to hear and read the news (reported by another one of my archival writer(s) name Gary,) about British actor
Richard Todd’s death over the weekend…for more information about actor Richard Todd’s death…
British actor Richard Todd (Note: I was also sadden to read how many of his “love ones” committed suicide.)
As for my film watching…
I watched Francois Truffant’s
400 Blows for the first time…Fin
and I spending a great deal of time over there at TCM…
watching several festival namely…actor Humphrey Bogart’s festival,
Christmas films, as I await the upcoming… Sherlock Holmes, Hitchcock, and Thin Man series.
BOGIE’S LINEUP
HOLMES
CHRISTMAS FILMS
Literature: That I Added To The Bookshelf:
Books on my (book) shelf and they are: Due to the fact, that I “hang” out with a literary crowd (In most instances, just listening, observing and reading…as usual.)
I’am sorry…no new titles have been added to the shelf this week!
1. “One to Many Blows Too the Head”…by author Eric Beetner and J.B.Kohl…
2 “The Thief Maker” by author D.H. Schleicher…
3. The Hollows: Book 1 – The Ticking by Ben Larken
I’am in search of new authors as we type…
Being a fan of film noir…I’am eagerly, awaiting the release of these two boxset in February… The Bad Girls of Film Noir Volume I and Volume II…
…For more information about The Bad Girls of Film Noir boxset…visit Tony here where I discussed the titles in more details…By the way, Sam Juliano, have already mentioned Tony’s
Tony’s Filmsnoir.net
The ArtWork For The Bad Girls of Film Noir
The ArtWork For The Bad Girls of Film Noir
Videoeta has 2 listings (with UPC numbers and February 2 release date) for Bad Girls of Film Noir Volume 1 and Bad Girls of Film Noir Volume 2. Each set contains 2 discs and list price is 24.95.
Actual titles are not listed although I suspect they decided to break a recently rumored set into 2 volumes. That set was going to include:
Over-Exposed (1956)
Glass Wall, The (1953)
One Girl’s Confession (1953)
Two of a Kind (1951)
Bad for Each Other (1953)
Killer That Stalked New York, The (1950)
========================================
Movie Memorabilia: Just recently acquired six lobby cards which I plan to send to author Eddie Muller’s wonderful Film Noir Foundation Archives Noircity
in honor of his 8th annual Noircity festival next month.
Music…No Comment
Food … Hmmm…a very light touch…as usual.
Sports… No Comment…
Politics…No Comment…
I guess that about wrap up my week in review for this week.
DeeDee 😉
———————————————————————————————————
Dee Dee: Thanks for this delightful confection of links, compliments, information and embellishments. Your style here is utterly unique and it is greatly appreciated in so many ways.
Yes, you are right there what you say about teenage bloggers, many of whom have developed an interest in the classics because of the PC. In Jersey City that night it appeared that a number of them saw this as “a night out” in a place that wasn’t all that far from their homes. Still there were others from towns outside the city. It was a great sight to behold.
It’s true what you say there about BROTHERS, which as both fans and detractors and others like myself who are more in the middle. David S. was one of the detractors if you haven’t already noticed, and that’s fair enough. I won’t go to the mat for this film, but won’t tear it down either.
Thanks very much for the links there to the TCM Bogies and the Christmas films, which I will check out!
Truffaut’s THE 400 BLOWS is a New Wave masterpiece, and i hop you were moved by it.
Thanks for the reminder of Mr. Todd’s passing and of providing the links. I was unaware of those suicides. Very sad.
Thanks for that art work to THE BAD GIRLS OF FILM NOIR set and also for the contents. I know several here at WitD, myself included are most intereste din that one!
Thanks ever so much again for this tireless report!
You’ve made us very happy with your glowing report on Everybody’s Fine. It wasn’t a perfect film, but there were universal truth sthere, well studied and performed. De Niro gave the best performance he’s given in a long time, and I agree with you that he underplayed the role purposely. This cut down on the sugar and made this a more pensive kind of a role. Sue was all broken up at the end, but that was expected. Rockwell, Beckinsale and Barrymore was all fine as the title would imply. If Brothers had not sold out, we wouldn’t have even gotten in to see this.
Peter, you and Susan made my day! Thanks for that.
SAM-I think what Allan is saying is this: That sometimes the critics throw bouguets at films too fast. I happen to like DRIVING MISS DAISY, never had a problem with it. HOWEVER, you know as well as I do, and better than most, that just because a film racks up a high score on ROTTEN TOMATOES or META-CRITIC doesn’t mean there aren’t better films or that they deserve the praise. I always thought the Academy should make its picks by selecting films with “obvious” longevity. DAISY is a good film. DO THE RIGHT THING was better, and it social message more pronounced, its got staying power and is better remembered. Regardless to what ROTTEN TOMATOES says. Critics aren’t always right. Remember TITANIC???? BRAVEHEART??? CRASH??? OLIVER???
Look Dennis, I know exactly what he is saying, but the dialogue there was completely unfair and hostile for no good reason. The discussion was on a single film which he hasn’t yet seen, so the declarative statements should not really even have been broached.
Best viewing of the week, as Sam alluded to above, was watching as the Oregon Ducks won the Civil War, giving them a spot in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State. Also in sports news, my brother and I attended the Blazer game against the Rockets on Saturday night, which the Blazers won, but with the sad side effect of losing Greg Oden for the season (of which I wrote about yesterday on my blog).
As for the movies…
SATANTANGO — Finished all 7 hours of this over the course of four seperate viewings. Perhaps not the ideal way to watch. As I’ve sat and thought about over the last few days, I simply can’t see any way that this isn’t a five-star film.
No, it’s not easy, by any stretch, but if for nothing but the ambition and technical prowess that Bela Tarr puts on display is worthy of adulation. Tarr’s patience with the camera is incredible, the shots he uses could easily be squirm inducing for an ADD person like me, but then they seem to hit a point where you become entirely enveloped in them and quit waiting for the cut to occur. It’s actually quite a fascinating experience in that respect.
Tarr’s use of sound and music is equally as important. Accordion music takes you in and out of several scenes and you seem to hear every guttural noise typically used against harsh silence — scribbling, labored breathing, a cat purring, fire, wind, rain, creaking chairs, cows mooing, liquid being poured, drinking, pissing, clocks and bells — seemingly nondescript things which are all part of the tapestry.
There is much more I could write, but I’ll keep this comment short for now and finish these thoughts later. *****
THE ICE STORM — I had completely forgotten just how great this film is. There are similarities here to Atom Egoyan’s THE SWEET HEREAFTER, as well as to AMERICAN BEAUTY. I think it is close to equal of the former, and well superior to the latter. Ang Lee does a good job by never making anything too “on the nose,” especially in regards to the 70’s details — too many films set in such a distinct era tend to draw attention to all of the pop cultural nuances of the time (I’m looking at you, FORREST GUMP). Lee avoids that and let’s the era’s styles, events, and music be simply a backdrop and connection point to the viewers.
As for the comparison to AMERICAN BEAUTY…Lee’s film takes those same middle-class suburban family issues and goes at them in a much more subtle, subdued, and emotionally real way. ***** (yeah, I’m shocked I gave it all five-stars).
BLACK ROBE — Just finished this up, and thought it handled the culture-clash, world mixing aspect of the French-Canadian Jesuit and Algonquin Native American with a deft touch (much better than, say, DANCES WITH WOLVES). In the end, everyone comes off as a legitimate human and, moreso, it feels accurate to the timeframe it takes place in, instead of placing modern day religious and cultural thinking into an era where that just would not be the case. Too often in this kind of movie it’s “bad white man” and “noble savages,” making everyone a cipher.
Throw on top of that, some beautiful photography of the Canadian wilderness and some surprisingly intense scenes, and you have a very fine film. Oh, and it’s by the same guy who did DRIVING MISS DAISY, just so I can bring that back into the comment thread 😛 ****
THE PROWLER aka ROSEMARY’S KILLER — Kevin and I watched this after the Blazer game. It’s not bad for what it is (early 80’s American slasher) as it was still a bit ahead of the curve when it came to genre tropes. It actually tries to hew close to the HALLOWEEN mold, but in the end, it’s just not that interesting or suspenseful and there are just way too many plot holes. I’m guessing the main appeal to this are Tom Savini’s gore f/x. Also, it loses a half-star for the screeching sound that was made everytime a false jump/scare occurred. That one hurt my ears. **
Wow Troy! That description of the sounds from Tarr’s SATANTANGO is fantastic, and I not only completely agree, but also had a suspicion that would rally behind this film based on some clues from your previous responses. I agree Tarr is a difficult director for impatient viewers, and it takes a while to become accustomed and accepting of his style. But yeah, this a flat-out five-star masterpiece a nd deserving of high placement on any 90’s list. Tremendous capsule here.
Like you I love THE ICE STORM, and I would have to agree with you that it must rate ahead of AMERICAN BEAUTY (even though I like the latter well enough, and have gone to the mat for it) Th epop culture, events, styles, and music of that time as you astutely point out, are integral to this deeply-moving drama, which has to be considered one of Lee’s best films, period.
And yet again I concur that BLACK ROBE (from that man who directed DAISY!!! hahaha! Truth is Allan and I are extremely close friends, but we can get away with talking to each other the way we do in the trenches) is a much stronger film that DANCES WITH WOLVES. BR was exquisitely filmed, with an emphasis on weather, but you own discussion there is dead-on too. I always felt that next to this austere and resonant work, DANCES WITH WOLVES was superficial.
I am unfamiliar with Savini’s THE PROWLER. I’ll have to look that up, but your notes there are complete and your less-than-enthused response lessens my interest.
Congrats again on the Ducks, Troy, and thanks very much for posting these exquisite capsule reviews.
Just returned from a week long trip and have got a lot of catching up to do at WiTD…
Modern Times in the big screen? This is heaven. As usual, thanks for all the wonderful capsule reviews Sam…
Welcome back, JAFB! I will be visiting you at your place soon! Yes, the Chaplin was a priceless experience in that palace, thank you.
This week i started casually reading ‘The Mad Ones: Crazy Joe Gallo and the Revolution at the Edge of the Underworld’ by Tom Folsom, and I wanted to drop a quick note here. It’s a pretty great read full of very crazy characters and events, that I think all the film noir lovers on this site (DeeDee, Tony, ect) would really love.
I’ve also read the movie rights are already sold and in production. It will make a fantastic feature I think–from what I’ve read.
Hey Jamie! Sorry for getting here late, but this always beloved weekly thread may have gotten lost in the shuffle here over the past days. The new one goes up late tomorrow night. That Gallo work would indeed be a find of the film noir lovers if they haven’t come across it! The movie rights are promising. I’ll certainly be there.
Late in reporting here, but thanks for the mention Sam. I can’t remember if you saw New York, I Love You, but I would be shocked if you found any of it either worthwhile or recognizable.
And good grief, we continue to be on the same page about so many movies this year. Like you, I found Up in the Air underwhelming, however still pretty entertaining. Probably 3 stars. I just couldn’t understand the message – there were themes flying all over the place and touching down for only a few minutes at a time, just like George Clooney.
That’s quite OK Dan, it’s always great to have you here! I have not seen NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU yet, but have seen you piece!! We have been in agreement all year. I did not find UP IN THE AIR entertaining, but torturous. But what you subsequently say there is true in my book. Clooney playing Clooney again too.
Maybe if the prestige films spread themselves out a little more in their release schedule there would be time to sort the good eggs from the bad eggs a little quicker – give some time to sit on some films, get a 2nd viewing in even — sometimes it’s not until mid way through the next year am I able to really evaluate whether the previous film year was a good one or not.