Screen grab from James Cameron's extraordinary "Avatar"
by Sam Juliano
A raging snowstorm blanketed the NY metropolitan area, dropping over a foot in the city, northern New Jersey and on Long Island, leaving behind a white landscape that will reportedly insure a white Christmas, but preliminary findings indicate more may be coming around the 25th. While the holiday spirit and shopping has cramped the schedules of movie goers and music lovers, it has surely fueled the end of the year excitement that always makes this time the most special of the year.
At Wonders in the Dark, the 90’s poll results were announced in a lively post, where Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas was named top film in a close race with Kieslowski’s Three Colors: Blue, and the “silent” poll, (which is actually films released before 1930) commenced with Allan’s extended Top 100 countdown. Discussion has been typically most impressive. A series of posts from Joel Bocko on contemporary films, which were first posted at the Boston Examiner have been appearing and several, like Grizzly Man, and Kings and Queen have attracted film lovers in the comment sections. Bocko’s reviews will be ongoing.
Lucille and I had a busy week, first attending an off-off-Broadway play at a small theatre in a housing complex on 26th Street titled In Fields Where They Lay. this two act play was rather torturous to sit through even if the central idea, the real-life Christmas truce between the French and German soldiers during Christmas of 1914 is a potentially potent one (the film Noel from a few years ago dealt with it far more successfully) but the staging was static, the dialogue muffled, and the lighting ineffective. Too bad, as small productions by unknown but dedicated artists are what we normally need more of.
On Friday night, we saw a one-man show with famed filmmaker and comedian John Waters at the Landmark State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey, but I’m sorry to say that the one-hour presentation of peppered one-liners was stale, redundant and only sporadically amusing. But the audience questions afterward were far more interesting. At $47 a ticket, I think we got taken to the cleaners, even if I am a lifelong fan of the director and think Female Trouble and Desparate Living minor masterpieces of raunchy comedy. Even the “turkey burger” I had at Fuddrucker’s afterwards was a losing proposition.
But then after the beginnings of the two-day blizzrd things really hit their stride starting with a Saturday afternoon HD multicast of Jacques Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann aired from the Metropolitan Opera House at nationwide theatres at 1:00 P.M. The staging, brand new at the Met, was directed by Barlett Sher, who also helmed the musical show South Pacific, which is running across the courtyard at Lincoln Center. The result was spectacular, and the singing, set design and costumes of this lyrical masterpiece were visionary. Again the question of whether HD broadcasts are actually a better experiences than attending the opera is a valid one. In fact my most updated views will be expressed in a review that will appear at WitD on Thursday.
Then came the two recent films I saw in theatres:
Nine (Marshall) *** 1/2 Saturday night (Ziegfeld Theatre, Manhattan)
Avatar (Cameron) ***** Sunday afternoon (Edgewater Multiplex)
Rob Marshall’s NINE is nowhere near as bad as some critics claim, but it has some obvious narrative issies, and not all the songs in this average score are remotely memorable. Still, with magic moments like “Italia” and Judy Dench’s solo number, as well as that terrific beginning, there’s at least a trace of Fellini in the air and the chain smoking Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, marion Cotillard, Ms. Dench and Sophia Loren are all up to the task. Marshall’s fluid editing, the strength of his past work, manages to conceal the slightness of the material. It’s fun though, and that’s a good part of why we go to the movies.
Then came one of those sublime, enrapturing experiences that we get only once or twice a year, and when it happens it restores your faith in contemporary cinema. The fact that the man who created the film is none other than that infamous “King of the World” James Cameron makes this a highly unlikely development. But there you have it. AVATAR is a masterpiece – an often operatic, lyrical and sweeping spectacle that stirs and moves on a level rarely aspired to, much less achieved. To look for flaws (every film ever made has flaws) or to attempt to downplay the film’s transporting quality and its transcendence it to willfully deny one of the greatest cinematic experiences of recent year’s and for me a film that seriously challenges Jane Campion’s Bright Star as film of the year. There are some set pieces in the film’s middle are so visually stunning and ravishing, that you are left mouth open, chilled down your spine, and tears running down your cheeks. The whole affair makes you happy to be have been still alive to witness such greatness. Nah, I don’t wanna talk about suggested flaws. Who really cares? Pedestrian dialogue isn’t the point, when that is not the focus of this extended and immersive “tone poem.” It’s a ruminative ride that won’t ever be forgotten, and it’s clear Cameron was influenced here by Malick and Jackson’s The Return of the King and Darren Aronofsky’s metaphysical slant in The Fountain.
Around the blogosphere, many of our favorite writers have their pre-Christmas posts and reviews up:
At Living in Cinema Craig Kennedy has quite a lively discussion going under his “Shelter From the Avatar Storm” post:
Over at Satyamshot, Kaleem Hasan is also talking Avatar with his fantastic essay:
One of the internet’s most festive souls, fecund writer Extraordinaire John Greco is keeping this diverse at “Twenty Four Frames” where his most recent post is on the film Christmas Holiday:
Troy Olson’s torrid pace continues with excellent extended capsule reviews of The Baader-Meinhoff Complex, Zombieland and House of the Devil at his place:
At “GoodFellas” Dave Hicks is nearing the launch of his much-anticipated Top 100 Noir Countdown, which he talks about here:
The “Christmas Spirit” is soaring at Dee Dee’s Darkness Into Light, and she has a full program, most recently featuring Alexander Coleman’s outstanding review of Christmas in Connecticut:
Our dear friend Judy at Movie Classics is really honing in on the silent poll in a big way and her latest piece is on a vintage 1927 silent:
Samuel Wilson has gone into silent mode, posting what is truly an extraordinary essay on the 1924 Fairbanks The Thief of Baghdad. This is one of the week’s best reviews by any writer, plain and simple folks!:
In the past month Dan Getahun’s place has become real hot, and his comment sections are among the best out there. After reading Dan’s thoughful essay on the film, check out the lively comment section:
Jason Bellamy has a nifty poster display that takes in some of the best films of 2009 at The Cooler:
No doubt Mr. Versatility himself, author David Schleicher of The Schleicher Spin, will have a report on some weekend filmgoing ready to post soon, he’s still headlining with his marvelous travelogue piece “Carolina on My Mind”:
R.D. Finch at “The Movie Projector” has a marvelous post up on “Lucy’s Characters”:
One of net’s most delightful bloggers is the effervescent “Coffee Messiah” and he always brings an interesting perspective to things with topics that appeal to just about everyone, as is the case with his latest post here:
Dorothy Porker has again been busy at Inside the Gold and here’s her latest awards announcement:
The always fecund and observant “Just Another Film Buff” is no fan of Avatar. Check out his superbly-written piece:
At “Aspiring Sellout” Jon Lanthier has a sleigh pictured with some music to hear:
The gifted Kevin J. Olson is back, and his latest review is on Michael Mann’s The Insider, which has also generated some great discussion at his place:
Missouri’s best film critic, Andrew Wyatt, is back with an excellent capsule of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, which I will surely visit tomorrow:
Film Dr. has his popular and creative “Notable Links in Film and Media” post up:
In the absense of a conventional ten-best list Ed Howard speaks of the greatest experiences of year he’s had at Only The Cinema:
Marilyn Ferdinand has let her exceptional partner Roderick Heath take center stage this week, and Heath has penned an excellent review of Bright Star as well as his Top 25 of the decade roundup at “Ferdy on Films:” It’s definitely a must visit:
Ari of “The Aspect Ratio” which is also the home of our close friend Bob Clark ha shis Top 25 of the decade up now, and I’ll be there tomorrow, that’s for sure!:
Always cognizant of world cinema, Rick Olson has what appears to be an essential read at his place up now on Wim Wenders and Akira Kurosawa:
Tony Dayoub has been very busy at “Cinema Viewfinder” and his latest post talks about the Best Films of the “00s”:
At “Radiator Heaven” J.D. has a terrific post up on his favorite acting performances of the past decade:
One of WitD’s most prolific and revered commenters is Anu, and he has quite an excellent piece up on the Japanese acting legend, Tatsuya Nakadei
Thesis-writing T.S. of Screen Savour is on a holding pattern, but he’s still commited to finishing his Keaton series and continue with silent cinema. He has an awards post up at his place presently:
Qalandar’s latest post at his place is titled “Legal Trouble:”
Drew at The Blue Vial is still headling a superlative review on a Louis Malle film:
Our excellent friend Ric Burke at Films For the Soul may be using the holidays as a resting period for a new beginning for the Zeroes Project in January:
and then of course there’s Tony. Tony has just returned from an enjoyable trip north from Down Under:
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Thanks for the links, as ever and, Sam, I envy you that you loved Avatar to no limits.
Whenever I put up a negative review, it leaves a bad aftertaste for me. It is as if I could have merely left the film alone. I’m thinking of avoiding negative reviews altogether on my blog, but then that would also suck.
The whole Avatar debate can classified into two camps – one which says that there is no story/dialog/characters and the other which tells that the story is immaterial compared to the visual experience. Unfortunately, or perhaps I saw the 2D version, both were missing for me. The joy of watching an Indiana Jones or a Jurassic Park (both of which seem flawed now, but then Spielberg knew how to wow the audience like never before) was completely absent here.
My whole week was characterized by Avatar talk and apart from that, I caught up with a couple of Ramin Bahrani movies.
I haven’t seen Avatar, and wasn’t planning to. Such a rapturous response certainly makes me reconsider, although not conclusively – however, I have a feeling this will be another Return of the King experience for me given that Sam’s response to that one was similar. A friend saw it this weekend and hated it, but other than that I haven’t heard much about it – as some of you may have gathered, I don’t do a very good job following the contemporary film scene (a far cry from my childhood, when I followed everything from pre-release buzz to box office stats with something approaching religious devotion).
Anyway, I’ll be interested to check out that Craig Kennedy article and the comments underneath, which I briefly perused last night. In the final analysis, CGI just doesn’t do it for me – I find excessive computer animation overwrought and unmoving, lacking the tactile qualities of live action or the commitment to complete fantasy of animation. Sometimes there’s a brief dazzle upon viewing, but it usually fizzles afterwards, like junk food or soda. We’ll see (eventually) if this is any different for me.
Joel, I’ll agree that much of the reaction to this kind of thing as well as anything else all boils down to taste. But there’s little question that some supreme heavyweights have come down in AVATAR’s corner. The massive favorable response includes one of our finest and most discerning writers – Manola Dargis of THE NEW YORK TIMES and a host of other critical luminaries. The ‘Best Picture of 2009’ accolade bestowed upon the film by the prestigious New York Critics Online Society is more than a bit telling, not to mention today’s announcement from the ultra-highbrow London Critics Film Critics Circle that it’s among the five films nominated for their own Best Picture prize.
What I’m saying here (not to get into trouble by again making reference to professional critics) is that the film’s major supporters are not the popcorn populists, but the scholarly intellectuals. There’s a big difference there. It is reaching people who are not easily reached, and in a big emotional way.
In this instance I am with them loick, stock and barrel. There are some similarities to THE RETURN OF THE KING, but AVATAR is a different animal in a number of vital ways, which I hope to examine in a review scheduled to be posted in the morning.
The downside to film criticism as construed by the masses is that whenever something is effusively praised, there’s always some blogger who wants to play intellectual hero. If it didn’t move you fine, but the application of disclaimers to back up an argument reeks of courtroom postering in more instances than I’d like to talk about here.
Maybe some bloggers who are at the very least ‘amateur’ critics, should pay less attention to the general concensus, or even try and tune out the reactions until they’ve seen the films. If the major intent is to ‘even the score’ it makes the entire appraisal process artificial.
Don’t know about the critics, Sam. My sense is that a lot of them bend over backwards to praise popcorn fare lest they seem like snobs (sort of the reverse problem of what you’re talking about with bloggers). Not that this is necessarily conscious or accounts for all the praise – but there’s often a definite tone of “see, we’re people too!” in some of the positive reviews I’ve read of blockbusters. Which just ends up looking silly to my eyes, something like like the old white guy dressing in baggy clothes and trying to use hip-hop slang. They often seem like they’re condescending to the material when they praise it.
This is neither here nor there as to the quality of Avatar or your enjoyment of it – just a disclaimer that I tend to take critics’ praise of these films with a grain of salt, and have ever since King Kong.
Richard Corliss’ apologia for special effects films, about a year old, is Exhibit A for the prosecution. Don’t get me wrong: big-budget entertainment is often worth praising, and I think to a certain extent many of these critics are sincere in their views. But when 90s blockbuster after 90s blockbuster, often more entertaining if less pretentious than today’s big hits, got slagged – and suddenly many of the same critics are bending over backwards to seem populist I find myself a bit skeptical.
And the whole CGI phenomenon I just find depressing – the critical establishment’s wholesale “we don’t want to seem behind the times!” acceptance of the trend is disappointing.
Anyway, the movie might be good but these are general thoughts incurred by the wider phenomenon.
Also, JAFB I know what you mean when it comes to small films, but when it comes to films which are praised and popular, I have no problem tearing them a new one if they deserve it. It seems unfair to pick on little movies that no one would see anyway but these behomeths, much as they deserve praise when they work, got everything they needed to succeed and it’s hard for me to feel sorry for them if they don’t.
This is as brilliant a comment as I could ever hope to receive at this site. It’s good-natured and with a hefty dose of humanity, to me far more important than any cold, cerebral response. But you are a gifted guy JAFB and you do have it both ways. I hear what you are saying about the after taste, but it’s true you are better off being honest. I’ll admit I “felt” this film as strongly as I did “Bright Star” for this year, but they are completely different ventures, as you can well imagine. You are a film scholar in my eyes, but you are also an exceedingly lovely and humble person, and those traits make me smile from ear to ear.
That statement about the two camps is precisely my take to a tee!!! I am obviously in the camp that believes that with tone-poem type of approach the dialogue only needs to be serviceble, no more. But for those who didn’t feel this film’s magic it’s only natural they will go to that aspect to tear it down.
I’m assuming you watched GOODBYE SOLO?
Thanks so much for the kind words, Sam. It’s really sour to not be in the merry bandwagon…
Yes, I saw GS and Chop Shop, which I liked more.
JAFB, did you see Man Push Cart and what did you think? I found it left a rather sour taste in my mouth. After all the praise it received, the photography was impressive but also kind of sterile, the dialogue and performance often stilted, and there was a kind of fustiness about the picture I didn’t care for. All in all, it didn’t seem like Bahrani was of his milieu but straining ever so hard to commit to it. It was all right, but something about it just rang false to me. There was a phoney knowing attitude about the whole thing I can’t quite put my finger on. Overall, it seemed like the film was a “good for you” venture.
I liked Chop Shop much more; it seemed more invested in its situation and locale, the story less contrived, and the poetry less uneasy, as if Bahrani wasn’t afraid to wring beauty from grim circumstances (as De Sica before him was not – interesting that just as Bicycle Thieves slyly introduced romanticism to a dire and “realistic” situation via a little kid, so the child’s perspective in Bahrani’s second film warms up his work). Have not seen Goodbye Solo.
I shouldn’t be biting as I’m only on my second paragraph of my AVATAR review and am struggling with the wording (I want to post it late tonight) but I can’t help but join in with you just to let you know I had similar issues with MAN PUSH CART – you expressed them beautifully – and loved CHOP SHOP way more. Let’s see what JAFB says.
WIll be seeing MPC shortly, but why I found Chop Shop to be better than Goodbye Solo was that the humanism was not so on-your-face in the former. I mean, I like GS very much,, but Chop Shop is a wonderful film with so much hope brimming underneath that never surfaces needlessly unlike GS. The restraint and the truthfulness that can be found in the city noise is strangely absent in the silence of Goodbye Solo,
Sam, Sam, Sam….. RAGING BULL did NOT win the finale in our poll of the 90’s. GOODFELLA’S did.
Yes Allan called me a “dozy bastard’ in an e mail this morning! That pretty much sums it up.
The reviews that I have read for AVATAR all, resoundingly, allude to it being unlike anything we’ve ever seen committed to film. David Denby alluded that (I’m paraphrasing here) “if one can over-look the few slight inconsistencies of logic that mildly dot this film, the viewer will most definately feel that they have been swept along into a great dream.”. Roger Ebert salivated over AVATAR this past Friday, basically saying what our dear Schmulee has said. Although Ill have nothing to do with the bloated, wrongly Oscared TITANIC, I will say that I have nothing bad to say about Camerons other films. THE TERMINATOR still resonates after all these years. ALIENS is a superior action/thriller that engulfs you in its ingenuity. TERMINATOR: JUDGEMENT DAY is a juggernaut of a film that doesn’t allow enough time to breath let alone pick at the flaws. THE ABYSS, in the directors cut, is a brilliantly soulful SCI-FI that does what THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL did back in the 50’s. I can’t wait to see AVATAR!
Cameron’s track record aside from “Titanic” is an impressive one Dennis. I agree.
Dennis, I concur. I disliked TITANIC exceedingly (as you know) but thought ALIENS and TERMINATOR II were very good for what they were. However, AVATAR is light years ahead of these films. Cameron has really reached the upper etchelon here.
Thanks for the link, Sam… preparation for the noir countdown is pretty much taking up all of my movie watching. I’m trying to squeeze in as many new ones as I can before getting things started. It’s been fun though. I’m also planning on getting in THE WHITE RIBBON in the next day or two, as I remain very intrigued to see what it is like.
I didn’t get as many movies in the last few days as I had planned, due to reading the outstanding book “Crucible of War” by Fred Anderson. It is about the French and Indian War and is incredible — a nice mixture of scholarly work and digestible/readable history. It’s a period of American history I know little about, so everything in it is fascinating. Highly recommended.
Rough week for the Bengals… the Chris Henry death and then losing a heartbreaker in San Diego. I didn’t expect them to win this week, as the Chargers are on fire, but it was one that they very easily could have stolen. They still need one more win or a Ravens loss to guarantee a playoff birth, but that win should be had next week against the Chiefs.
Dave, I am admittedly anxious to know how THE WHITE RIBBON goes down with you. At the very least it’s a feast for the eyes. I will watch it a second time myself over the holidays, and see if it comes together. The last time I had an experience where a film improved ten-fold on second viewing was with Kar-Wei’s MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS, and for that metamorphosis I credit Craig Kennedy.
I know the noir countdown requires a massive time commitment, but the passion and knowledge are there in spades. i know you will do a spectacular job, and I speak for many when I say I am looking forward to it.
I just write down CRUCIBLE OF WAR. I love that kind of thing.
I am sorry about the Bengals. But you have it figured right, and it’s a given they are in the playoffs. But they do need to re-established their winning ways. The last several weeks seem to have been a bit of a struggle.
“Then came one of those sublime, enrapturing experiences that we get only once or twice a year, and when it happens it restores your faith in contemporary cinema.”
This is why we go to and write about the movies, isn’t it? I’m delighted you had such an experience with Avatar, Sam and I have to say I’m a bit jealous I didn’t.
Rather than try and pee on your camp fire, I just want to repeat what I’ve said numerous times this weekend: I’ve been hard on Cameron and his films. I dislike Titanic quite a bit and feel like Terminator 2 is terribly overrated. Having said that, he deserves a truckload of respect for what he’s pulled off with Avatar. The final product didn’t grab me the way it did you, but how often do we get a big, expensive entertainment that is (for the most part) an original creation?
It’s happening increasingly less as studios get more skittish and filmmakers acquiesce to demands for branding and franchises and more of the same old schlock.
If nothing else, Avatar is a victory for epic filmmaking.
Quite a marvelous response here Craig, and one that really shows your sportsmanship splendidly. I’ll remember how gracious you’ve been here towards those who have gone head over heels over a film that you liked but did not love, and when the position is reversed I’ll learn from a seasoned veteran. Like you I disliked TITANIC and was rather appalled it won the Oscar for Best Picture – even if that is mostly the way of the world – and the other Cameron films, excepting the dazzling ALIENS, were good, but not great. I agree with what you say about this being a “victory for epic filmmaking.”
Thanks for the plug, Sam, and for all the great links to explore. I thought we’d had a lot of snow in my part of the UK, but nothing compared to the amount you have had! Sorry to hear that the play you saw about the First World War truce wasn’t all that good, since it’s such a powerful subject, but glad you loved Avatar – I suspect it won’t be my kind of thing, but your comments have me tempted.
I’ve just watched ‘Pride of the Marines’ (Delmer Daves, 1945), starring John Garfield, which is a strange movie as it seems to consist of three very different mini-films, starting as a romantic comedy and ending up as a melodrama with a war film in the middle – the last section is also set at Christmas, which I hadn’t realised before watching it.
Judy, thanks as always for the lovely response. Yes, we had quite a snowfall here, but as of now are the streets are blacktopped. They are saying we may get some kind of ‘wintry mix’ on Christmas Day, which in one sense isn’t so bad. I’m hoping to see the new SHERLOCK HOLMES film that night, as it does open on the 25th.
I want to again thank you for all you have done for the silent poll, and the enthusism you’ve publicly shared.
AVATAR is tough to gage, and you may not react the way I did, but that’s perfectly understandable.
I look forward to reading about that Garfield film, PRIDE OF THE MARINES!
Sam, thanks. I saw the new Sherlock Holmes film today and enjoyed it – will be interested to hear what you think. I can see it isn’t for purists and there are some bits which I didn’t like, such as the very violent prizefight sequence, but for the most part I was carried away with Downey’s performance as Holmes.
Ah Judy, I saw it this afternoon myself, and didn’t like it as much as you, though I completely agree with what you say there about Downey. I was rather bored with the endless daredevil pyrotechnics, which weren’t Holmesian, though I can’t take fault with the decision to bring Holmes into the style of contemporary cinema. But it wasn’t my cup of tea, though I am happy you got what you did out of it Judy.
Sam, as usual, I appreciate the mention. Looks like you did not let the weather hold you back. Looking forward to seeing Avatar, which we will probably catch over the holidays along with some other works. Saw two films in the theater this week, Clint’s “Invictus” which I thought was rather average. Freeman was very good but you saw very little of what made Mandela the icon he was. Very little depth to the characters and Matt Damon’s mumbling was just annoying. Overall, an okay film but hardly a must see. Yesterday, we saw “Up in the Air” which I if I remember you did not care for. I liked it a lot more than you did. Thought Clooney and Anna Kendrick were engaging. The film reflects two sides of the recession we are going through now. We those many Americans who have lost jobs, homes, their lives, who will now have to struggle to survive after years of working jobs that define who they are versus a Corporate culture that cold heartedly informs them that losing their jobs of 15-20-25 years is just a new opportunity to start all over again. Sure, it is all wrapped up in a romance (Clooney sand Vera Farmiga) but even that does not end with the typical Hollywood ending. And Clooney character’s who’s devoid of any real relationship finally finds himself wanting one and is left out in the cold, lost in some ways just like the people he travels around the country firing.
On DVD, I watched Ida Lupino’s “The Hitch-hiker” which will be coming up on 24 Frames and John Ford’s “3 Godfathers.” I’m sure many are familiar with Ford’s film, an understated western with spiritual overtones, more importantly; the film is beautifully photographed and visually stunning.
God, John, we couldn’t agree more on INVICTUS! That main issue there is the one I had myself. Yeah Freeman is always reliable. You have presented an excellently reasonable argument as to why UP IN THE AIR works. (as it has for the vast majority.) I know I missed the boat here, but it was a grind for me, with no real emotional connection. But I fully understand exactly what make it tick with you and so many. I can’t argue about the performances of Clooney and Kendrick, even if the former never let me forget who was playing the role.
Oh, I am definitely looking forward to your reviews on those two films, which I know well!!! Thanks as always for the fabulous wrap.
Thanks for the shout-out, Sam. Yes, you’ve got the right phrase: “holding pattern.” It’s all rather embarrassing, since everyone else in my blog-circle is producing such great work. I plan to churn out some Keaton reviews shortly, though, beginning with “College” and writing on through “Spite Marriage” by the new year.
Your excitement regarding “Avatar” is, hopefully, good news for me when I see it. I’m nervous about the dialogue and script, of which I’ve heard a drumbeat of grumbling—yes, as you say, it’s not really the point of the film, but it does strike me as a bit counter-intuitive to invest so much energy and craft into the spectacle of the film and hope to slip by on an inferior script. I should stop talking because I haven’t seen the film and I don’t want to be one of those audience members, but I do think it’s a debate worth having. (Just maybe a few other people can debate it in my stead.)
My wife and I haven’t been to the movies in a while, but we’re planning to take in both “Avatar” and “Up in the Air” over the holiday. Lately we’ve seen “Funny People” (which I thought was better than most people gave it credit for; my wife thought it was remarkably perceptive and responsive to the human condition). I watched “Whatever Works” on a whim on Saturday because I was in the mood for a comedy and my Netflix Instant-Watch queue is full of rather somber ’09 dramas. I was very disappointed, both in Allen’s script and direction and David’s “non-performance performance.”
In other media: I recommend the recent Pushcart anthology to any readers (it’s a best-of-the-small-press collection of short fiction, poetry, and essays). I also recommending re-reading “A Streetcar Named Desire” if you, like me, were depressed you couldn’t see the lovely Cate Blanchett in the show’s revival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. And finally, although I do not know the first thing about video games, I’ve had the recent opportunity to play “Beatles Rock Band,” which is a grand time and a finely crafted tribute.
Oh T.S., I was one of the ones shut of the Cate Blanchett STREETCAR at BAM (a place I frequently visit) and only could have gone if I was willing to shell out $120 for a ticket. Since I have seen two stage STREETCARS in the last 14 months (both quite effective) I figured I’d pass on this. But I know exactly what you are saying there by promoting a reading of this titanic work of American literature by one of our two pre-eminent playrights.
We have “Beatles Rock Band” entering this house for Christmas. Santa Claus is bringing it!!! They already have the standard rock band, and have enjoyed it for over a year. I can’t say I’m familiar though, with that Pushcart Anthology, though I’ll research it.
You make a valid argument there with the dialogue situation in AVATAR, but as you note yourself, you’ll have to experience it to know how significant this aspect really is.
I didn’t care for FUNNY PEOPLE myself, but there’s always a second viewing over the holiday break, and yeah WHATEVER WORKS is nothing special, though I found it mildly amusing at best.
I REALLY want to know where you wind up with as far as AVATAR and UP IN THE AIR goes. I’ll be watching your blogsite closely.
Thanks for asll the meaningful marathon comments you’ve left at WitD th epast week, and I’ll be watching for Buster.
Saw Avatar in 3D Friday afternoon. It was an awesome experience, and for the most part I share your enthusiasm Sam. Sometimes the plot was confusing, but I’m certain a second viewing will clarify some things. I’m sure this will be up for the major Oscars.
Had dinner at the Outback. The bloomin onion is always good, but you pay later. Loved the potato cream soup.
The jets are through.
You are learning that “second viewing” thing from me Joe! Ha! Well, finally someone who is precisely where I am on it.
The bloomin onion id something to avoid, but otherwise a reliable place.
Yep, the Jets and Giants are both finished.
You really have me excited about “Avatar.” Yes I did notice it won the Best Picture prize from the NY Critics Online. But the reviews (with only a few exceptions) have been on par with your own assessment. I chickened out with the snow. I plan to see it later this week, and maybe I’ll fit in “Sherlock Holmes” too.
Too bad about Waters. I know how much you love his films, so I can certainly feel your disappointment. But a stage appearance is usually toned down. You wouldn’t get much of that raunchiness you speak about.
That upcoming “Hoffmann” review sounds really exciting.
The Waters thing was disappointing, I can’t deny it, especially since it was an hour each way to New Brunswick. But seeing the state theatre was a treat of sorts. My friend, Pierre la Plume admitted to me by e mail that Waters’s public appearances are conservative, so my expectations were unreasonable, perhaps.
The “Hoffmann” was one of the year’s greatest moments for me in a cultural sense.
I will be seeing SHERLOCK HOLMES as well on Christmas Day later at night when all the festivities are over. It’s a family tradition.
Thanks as always Frank!
Thanks for showcasing Rod’s exceptional work this week, Sam. I did not watch, but I did listen to “Tales of Hoffman,” which was absolutely delightful! What a treat that you watched it.
And thank you Marilyn for stopping by. Listening to HOFFMANN is really the major aspect, as Offenbach’s score is the primary element. I didn’t actually get to the Met for this one, but watched the movie theatre HD broadcast, which in a number of ways was preferable to being in the opera house. My strategy this year is to go to the Met only for the operas that are not being offered on the HD schedule lineup.
Thanks for making my place lively on a regular basis, Sam – but WitD is where the real conversations happen!
Anyway, I had about as giddy a time as you did at Avatar, but I couldn’t well forgive every flaw. Either way it was about everything I had expected in the best way, which is rarely the case with movies these days. Saw it in 2D and would like to check it out now in 3D.
Daniel, thanks as always. As I stated on another thread, a film this auspicious MUST have flaws. It’s impossible to score on every artistic decision. But it’s teh overall reaction to the work – so intensely emotional – that far outstrips any minor issues, which in the grand scheme of things means little. But I agree that it all comes down to how STRONGLY you feel about the film. Your own reaction is fair enough as far as I am concerned.
I took my kids to The Princess and the Frog. I was bored but my daughter seemed to like it. Personally, I preferred Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Thanks for chiming in Ricky. I liked PRINCESS, but it’s behind UP and (as you note) FANTASTIC MR. FOX.
………So many people were rooting for Cameron to fall on his face. Looks like a long winter for many………….
Indeed Frank, indeed. It certainly does appear that way, doesn’t it?
Did you see ‘Avatar’ in 3D, Sam? I think that’s really the way to go with this. Sue and I had the same kind of experience that you did. We were awestruck. The visceral impact of the film was amazing. Nothing that Cameron has done comes close to measuring up to this. Even Horner’s score was astounding. I look forward to seeing ‘Crazy Hearts’ with Jeff Bridges as soon as it opens on this side.
Peter, I did not see it in 3D, though I plan to leap that hurdle tomorrow night with Dennis. I am imagining it may well be an even more awesome experience, though my previous forays into theatre 3D presentations have underwhelmed me.
I also want to see that Jeff Bridges film ASAP. Thanks as always, and let me know what you think of CRAZY HEARTS.
I saw “Avatar” in 3D myself. It was mostly fun, but honestly I imagine I would’ve been bored out of my skull if I’d been seeing it in 2D. Everything in the story and aesthetics is just too derivative and ill-concieved to impress without the added aspect of multi-layer depth. Save for the level of technical craftsmanship, it’s thoroughly disposable escapist entertainment for me. Maybe I’m just too much of a cynic at times to fully buy into this Disney-meets-Heavy Metal comic-book stuff, but I’m frankly surprised by the rave reviews it’s been getting.
Bob, at least you gave it a shot. I’ll be the first to admit it’s largely a matter of taste.
Sam, I agree, and also think that it might be a matter of overfamiliarity. I don’t know how much of Cameron’s stuff you’ve watched over the years, but I’ve always liked “Aliens”, the “Terminator” films and “The Abyss”, and watched them regularly both myself and with friends. “Avatar”, therefore, is filled to the brim of stuff I’ve already seen before. The macho space-marines coming out of cryo-sleep? Seen it. The big honkin’ robot battle-suits? Likewise. The psychotic military man going to war against the otherworldly glowing nature creatures? Ibid.
Everyone’s been noticing how Cameron is derivative of others’ works, but an even bigger issue is how dervative he is of his own stuff, here. It has some good qualities, but for me it’s the sci-fi equivalent of “The Last Samurai”.
Or, to continue the theme of a director aping their own, better work, the sci-fi equivalent of “Femme Fatale”.
I also thought I would come back and gloat over the haul I made off with this morning from a local used book/movie store. For 70 bucks I came away with:
– Chaplin Collection Vol. 1 (it includes The Gold Rush, Modern Times, The Great Dictator, Limelight)
– CITY LIGHTS 2 DVD Chaplin Collection
– THE KID 2 DVD Chaplin Collection
– Kubrick’s KILLER’S KISS
– Fritz Lang’s METROPOLIS
The reason I feel like I made out like a bandit is that I see the Chaplin Collection going for like $90 used on Amazon. I already owned Modern Times and The Great Dictator, but not in these editions. Similarly, this edition of City Lights, which will replace my recorded TCM version, is $99 used on Amazon. A great morning of browsing! 🙂
Dave: You did make quite a killing there and it’s clear you are motivated by the silent poll! Didn’t realize Amazon wanted so much for the Chaplin set, but you really did extremely well with that and with both the Lang and Kubrick DVDs! You have your viewing all cut out for you!
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan and Wonders in the Dark readers…
Here wishing all the readers of Wonders in the Dark a pleasant, safe and happy holidays season (for those who celebrate Christmas and for those who don’t celebrate Christmas.)
My Christmas Card…to my fellow bloggers
Sam Juliano thanks, for mentioning the happenings on my blog… per… as usual.
Sam, very interesting film(s) that you watched and reviewed this week on your blog…It seems as if Cameron’s Avatar is the only film for… you 🙄 ….Hmm…I wonder if it will receive any Oscar@ nominations?
Sam Juliano said,”Lucille and I had a busy week, first attending an off-off-Broadway play at a small theatre in a housing complex on 26th Street titled In Fields Where They Lay. this two act play was rather torturous to sit through even if the central idea, the real-life Christmas truce between the French and German soldiers during Christmas of 1914 is a potentially potent one (the film Noel from a few years ago dealt with it far more successfully)…
Wow…it seems that we are on the same page…because two fellow (a male and a female) bloggers, recommended that I seek out
Joyeux Noël, which I plan to do real…soon!
By the way, I rewatched some Christmas films, too…
…Christmas Carol,
It A Wonderful Life,
The Bishop Wife,
Holiday Affair,
A Christmas Wish,
A Christmas List,
Christmas Holiday, and
Christmas in Connecticut…
…In honor of actress Audrey Totter’s 91st Birthday…I plan to watch a couple of film noir(s) that she appeared in such as…
Lady in the Lake, The Unsuspected, Tension, FBI Girl, High Wall, and Alias Nick Beal.
I hope to watch Women’s Prison, once it’s released next year as part of the “Bad Girls of Film Noir” collection.
(In Fact, Women’s Prison will be screened at NoirCity next month.)
and I also watched Cry Danger with D.Powell.
Literature: That I Added To The Bookshelf :
Due to the fact, that I “hang” out with a literary crowd (In most instances, just listening, observing and reading…as usual.)
I have placed the following books on my (book) shelf and they are… 1. One to Many Blows Too the Head still lead on the shelf…
2 “The Thief Maker” author D.H. Schleicher… slowly, but surely is approaching the end. (I’am closing in on the last chapter(s)…if the truth be told I could have completed “The Thief Maker” sooner, but I was “holding” on to it…intentionally.
3. I’am still in search of titles for January…
Music…Christmas music…
Food … Hmmm…a very light touch…as usual.
Sports… No Comment…
Politics…No Comment
Sam Juliano, I guess that about wrap up my week in review for this week.
DeeDee 😉 🙂
As always Dee Dee, your warmth is deeply-felt and this Christmas card is lovely. Your submission once again is comprehensive and loaded with goodies. It’s a treasure, as you are. Yes Dee Dee, I have been unable to control myself as far as AVATAR goes. It’s one of those rare instances where a simple trip to a movie theatre results in a transporting experience. I will be seeing it again tomorrow night in 3D with Dennis and two of the kids who want to go again in our local multiplex. I am certain dee Dee, that AVATAR will be nominated for Best Picture, and in all probability Cameron’s name will appear on that Best Director shortlist. It’s one of three films (the others are THE HURT LOCKER and UP IN THE AIR) that will surely contend for the big prize.
Yes, thanks for helping get that title right………..JOYEUX NOEL……that’s a fairly affecting film, and you will probably like it quite a bit since it’s a life-affirming experience, thus an acknowledgement of your own philosophy.
The Christmas movie list is of course loaded with the vintage chestnuts we have all grown up with and have loved, and the mini-festival to Ms. Totter is wonderful! The Bad Girls of Film Noir Collection is one I look forward to myself, but you certainly have some fine noirs lined up there!
Glad to see that “One Too Many Blows” and “The Thief Maker” and tops in the literary department, and I fully understand why you’d want to keep David’s book in the public eye.
Christmas music indeed! With the time ticking away to Friday, we all need to take advantage of those all too fleeting hours.
Merry Christmas to you my very dear friend.
Too bad about the play. One time, in the Mission District of SF, below street level, a friend was in a small play. There were pipes over head and the buzz from street traffic could be heard. Sadly, he was so loud, it became obnoxious and he didn’t like hearing it, but we weren’t the only ones commenting. He went to LA to make it big, didn’t, and heard he’s back in N Ca simply involved in local theater.
$47 for Waters or anyone would be off my radar screen these days. When we had our coffeehouse, some would ask if we’d see so and so locally (music or theater types) who were big in the past and still out there working the house……..I vowed, after growing up, if I didn’t see them in their prime, I’ll pass. Er, except, at that time someone at the local theater gave us Gordon Lightfoot tickets. I stepped outside my box, and boy was I sorry ; ( Sadly, they thought he was so good, they brought him back the following year.
Looking forward to Avatar, and am sorry we have missed the 3D version, ’cause then you can forget the dialog, etc and simply enjoy it for what it is. Which we will do over the weekend.
Cheers!!!
Coffee Messiah: Thanks so very much for the telling anecdote there. Small repetory theatres are always struggling, and the tangible reasons you describe there make it difficult for some groups and plays to attract customers. There were only 27 people in the theatre that night, as I counted heads from the back row where I sat with my friend, Broadway Bob Eagleson. The temperature outside was frigidly cold (maybe around 20 degrees) and it was obvious some stayed away. The guy who wrote the play was pacing the inside lobby greeting the few who showed with a big smile, so I really wanted to see this succeed. I refuse to write a bad review, so I won’t write anything at all, but to still recommend JOYEUX NOEL to honor one of the past century’s most beautiful, miraculous moments.
Yeah, the Waters thing was admittedly a foolhardy decision, but I am never one to exercise moderation I’m loathe to admit. You have it all figured out right C.M. So the Gordon Lightfoot concert did not pan out either, eh? A shame. “If You Could Read My Mind” is one song I’ve always liked quite a bit.
I’m sorry you missed the 3D version of AVETAR, CM, but perhaps it’s still nearby, as it only opened Friday. I saw it in 2D and I was ravished. i can only imagine what I’ll think after tomorrow night!
Happy Holidays to you my friend!
Hi! Sam Juliano, Tony and C.M.,…
Author Eric Beetner, has returned from China and is in the process of shipping me your books. Therefore, once I receive the books I will be sure to ship them to you…immediately!
Thanks, for your patience!
DeeDee 😉 🙂
Wonderful news there Dee Dee! I know they must have had the trip of their lives, and I wish them all the happiness in the world.
I managed to watch a few things this week (although mostly due to the fact I stayed home sick for a day), most of which I wrote capsule reviews over on my site:
In trying to catch up on films from this year, I saw THE BAADER-MEINHOFF COMPLEX (**1/2), THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (***), ZOMBIELAND (**), GOODBYE SOLO (****1/2), and ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL (**). As those ratings show, I only thoroughly endorsed GOODBYE SOLO, although THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL is worth a viewing, if you like horror (and I may have been a bit harsh on it, in retrospect). (all star ratings out of 5-stars).
My wife and I, after a big weekend of family wedding activities, vegged out in front of the TV on Sunday, watching whatever came on —
PARENTHOOD, a passable little comedy where Ron Howard thinks he’s Woody Allen (newsflash: he’s not) made funnier mostly by the fact that Tricia and I are about to become parents. It also reminded me that Steve Martin WAS funny at one point in his career.
CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT: A great Christmas movie buoyed by the always outstanding Barbara Stanwyck. I chose to imagine her character as Martha Stewart (Robert Osborne told me to!) and it helped make the film even funnier.
CELLULAR: Wow, this is one outstandingly bad movie. So bad, that we had a lot of fun watching it. Pretty much, the writers took every possible plot-point that you could get out of a cell phone and then wrote a kidnapping story around that, defying logic in most of the situations. Oh, and after having seen this, RANSOM, and FIREWALL — are all kidnapping films identical? You can see the “twists” coming from 20 miles away. So annoying, but again, it was good for a chuckle
One final comment in regards to CELLULAR — what’s worse, Academy Award Winner Kim Basinger or Academy Award Winner Cuba Gooding Jr.?
LOL Troy, that last question is a doozer! I’ll admit though that I actually haven’t seen CELLULAR, though you don’t exactly provide me with reasons to make the plunge. Thanks for the heads up!
Well, I did see your typically excellent reviews up at your hallowed halls, Troy, and I definitely agreed with you on BAADER-MEINHOF COMPLEX, but liked THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL more than you. But you still like it enough to recommend it, which is fair enough. ZOMBIELAND did rub you wrong though, but you do like SHAUN OF THE DEAD, which is probably the one preferred by most.
Ah, Christmas in Connecticut. Always a seasonal chestnut. I completely agree with what you say here and also with your relative indifference with PARENTHOOD, and your quip that there once was a time Steve martin was funny. He was surely much better (with Michael Caine) in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and I kind of fell for ROXANNE, though the original CYRANO DE BERGERAC was far superior, as you’d expect. I can’t wait to hear the big news with you and your wife Troy.
As I stated at your place, I feel the same way you do about ANVIL, and fully endorce your rave of GOODBYE SOLO, which creaps up on you and concludes with a deeply emotional final scene. It may be Bahreni’s best film.
As always, a terrific round-up, much valued here.
Being snowed in spoiled plans to see UP IN THE AIR and potentially AVATAR (which I am surprised you love so much, Sam, and has me very intrigued now).
So, while abating cabin fever, I watched:
THREE COLORS: RED — **** Excellent, of course, though it probably would not make an amended ’90’s list for me, while BLUE (which I watched a few weeks ago and would easily award ***** to) most certainly would make the top 25. Next up for me, THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE.
AGUIRRE: THE WRATH OF GOD — ***1/2 I am now a full fledged Herzog fan, so naturally I had to catch up on some of his essentials which I had only studied briefly in film class before but never watched fully for the “experience”. This one left me cold (or feverish and slightly delusional?) but those Amazonian location shoots were astounding to say the least. Next up for me on the Herzog take…FITZCARRALDO.
THREE MONKEYS — ***1/2 Very interesting Turkish (melodrama?) that had some narrative problems but featured interesting performances and absolutely jaw-dropping “digital camera” cinematography of Istanbul. It’s no EDGE OF HEAVEN, but it’s robust international fare none the less. The director, Nuri Bilge Ceylan previously made a film CLIMATES that drew comparisons to Ingmar Bergman (and appears to have equally great cinematography) that I plan to queue up shortly.
Thanks very much for the much-valued roundup David, though I know you have since gotten out to see AVATAR, and have read your excellent review of it. (even if we are in some disagreement). The other movies you saw while cabin bound of course are tremendous, with TWELVE MONKEYS the least of those, as you note. I agree that BLUE is the greatest of the Kieslowski Three Colors trilogy, though I love RED almost as much. You’ll probably like FITZCARRALDO more, based on what you say here about AGUIRE, though I assure you there are others who seem to have felt the same way, from what I’ve read.
Sorry to have gotten back to this so late, I don’t usyually take that long.
Happy Holidays to you and Yours David!
I plan to see Avatar over the weekend. I am going over to your review right now.
BTW I see the Giants won last night. They are hanging in there, albeit by a thread.
David I look forward to your views on AVATAR! I wouldn’t put too much hope into the situation with the Giants, though I too am hoping.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Will see you back at you-know-where in 11 days.
Just a quick message to say thanks to you, Sam, Allan, DeeDee, Movieman, Tony, Dennis and all the rest of the gang for reviving my dormant passion for movies in the last year. Will post Christmas viewings soon, bur A merry cChristmas to you and a happy new year.
Bobby, your grand expertise and passion on the film scene (as well as on various political, historical and humanitarian discussions) has been a great boon to this site for over a year now. I can’t express enough how appreciated you are here, and your loyalty is miraculous. Your Monday Morning roundsups are the best too!
Merry Christmas Bobby, to you and yours in the UK!
Thanks Bobby. Best wishes to all for the festive season.
I’ll second Bobby J’s comment in regards to the revival of movie passion and also hope that everyone here has a wonderful Christmas (and a minimal amount of family drama)!
For those that don’t observe the holiday, at least enjoy your chance to relax and have the day off 🙂
Troy: It’s really been wonderful getting to know you over the past year. You are one awesome person, and your enthuasiam is second to none. And you are one heck of a writer as well.
Have a very merry one and here’s to the best year ever in 2010!
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