Screen cap from mind-blowing, sublime and haunting 'Melancholia' by Lars Von Trier
by Sam Juliano
The musical countdown ended this week, leaving in its wake a reference archive that stands as practically definitive in the genre. Many writers did some of their finest work in massive and fecund essays, and for three months swarms of commentators enriched the threads with astonishing analysis and personal experience in astounding prolific runs. Dee Dee’s work on the sidebar was spectacular and a large group of regular readers were there either every day or close to every day to impart their special breath of insight and taste – people like Judy Geater, Jon Warner, Pat Perry, R. D. Finch, Dennis Polifroni, Frank Gallo, Joel Bocko, Maurizio Roca, Marilyn Ferdinand, Pierre de Plume, Tony d’Ambra, Jim Clark, Frederick O., Peter M., David Noack, Samuel Wilson, Jamie Uhler, Jaime Grijalba, Laurie Buchanan, Terrill Welch, Murderous Ink, Patricia, Bob Clark, Sachin Gandhi, Stepen Morton, Mark Smith, Stephen Russell-Gebbet, Shubhajit Laheri, David Schleicher, Craig Kennedy, Broadway Bob, Ricky Chinigo, John R., Greg Ferrara and numerous others. The venture was time-consuming and exhaustive, yet in overwhelming measure it brought out the best in everyone. The next-to-last essay on The Wizard of Oz brought the largest number of comments (nearly 250 in fact) of the entire countdown, and by far the most contentiousness. But as always it is admirable how well just about everyone weathered the storm, and in true WitD fashion we have survived to fight the next battle. A special thanks again to Mr. Finch for bringing the blogger’s association and wonderful young writers like Brandie Ashe, Brian the Classic Film Boy and Kevin Deaney among others into the fold.
Ideas have begun for the planned “comedy countdown,” which will begin sometime in the Spring, with more voters and writers yet aboard. In the interim some other projects courtesy of Joel Bocko and Maurizio Roca are nearing fruition. Dennis Polifroni has indicated a Stanley Kubrick series is soon forthcoming as well.
The site’s regular series’ writers continue to offer up high quality prose: Jamie Uhler’s latest addition to his “Getting Over the Beatles” series, Bob Clark’s work with animation and superheros, and Jim Clark’s bi monthly essays on cinematic gems. Allan’s work on the Fish Obscuro series and on new releases continues to lead the way.
I was greatly honored to give the keynote speech at the wedding reception for Broadway Bob and his husband Jo Ramos, held appropriately enough at The Dish on 8th Avenue in Manhattan on Friday night, our Saturday night kitchen in front of 30 guests. Lucille, Broadway Bob and I regularly convene just about every Saturday for a film or theatrical staging, and Bob is my teaching colleague and close friend. A great night of food, remembrances and humor was enjoyed by all and the cameras were flashing all night. As all WitD readers have surely noticed Broadway Bob is always mentioned as a participant in our weekend cultural excursions, and even for other ventures during the week.
On the movie front Lucille and I mustered up three visits to theatres:
Melancholia **** 1/2 (Saturday afternoon) Angelika Film Center
J. Edgar ** 1/2 (Saturday evening) Chelsea Cinemas
West Side Story ***** (Wednesday evening) Edgewater multiplex
Seeing WEST SIDE STORY on the big screen with a documentary featuring the whereabouts of the stars who are still living and an interview with Producer Walter Mirasch, actor George Chakiris and singer Marni Nixon brought back priceless memories. The print and the sound were stunning as expected. The 50th Anniversary screening coincided with the final days of the musical countdown, where the film finished among the Top Five. Of course, it is my own #1 musical film of all time, and Wednesday’s viewing with Lucille, Dennis and three of the kids enhanced that opinion. The film boasts the greatest score ever written for a show or film by Bernstein and Sondheim and Jerome Robbins’s electrifying dancing. But Marilyn Ferdinand’s countdown review says it all.
Lars Von Trier’s haunting, sublime and symbolic MELANCHOLIA holds the viewer at bay with the usual combination of angst, depression and mental illness, but Von Trier brings the indellible images into proper context, particularly a magnificent opening that defies description. The director’s use of the prelude from Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” is nearly revelatory, and the whole experiences comes together like a fevered dream with sensory overload. Dunst is exceptional. It’s unquestionably one of the year’s best films.
J EDGAR is often lifeless, with a poor focus, and a script that dosen’t even scratch the surface of this enigmatic figure. To say the film concerns itself with all the surface anecdotes and biographical information would be an understatement. The old age makeup is ghastly and the film grows wearisome as it goes along. Clint Eastwood seems too conservative to put any teeth into Hoover’s hidden life, and the entire Lindberg/Bruno Hauptman section is rushed. Only Leonardo Di Caprio can be applauded for his work here.
Now a family emergency blocks me from the updates tonight. All is well but I must leave the house now. I will update piece meal tomorrow. I know some are thinking the practice has fizzled out, but I assure you it has most definitely not.
John Greco’s second part of his interview with Peter Winkler – who penned a volume on actor Dennis Hopper – is a riveting read! it’s at Twenty Four Frames: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/interview-with-author-peter-l-winkler-part-two/
Judy Geater has unearthed another desirable curiosity at Movie Classics with a superb review of “Laughter” starring Nancy Carroll, Frederick March and Frank Morgan: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/laughter-harry-d%e2%80%99abbadie-d%e2%80%99arrast-1930/
The ever brilliant writer and commentator R.D. Finch of The Movie Projector concludes his four-post series on Ken Russell with “Ken Russell at the BBC: Part 4, Song of Summer” http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2011/10/ken-russell-at-bbc-part-3-dantes.html
Murderous Ink offers a fascinating description of the chaos that was early Japanese film screening at Vermillion and One Nights: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2011/10/frames-per-second.html
Jaime Grijalba’s October countdown to Halloween has been a joy for fans, and he continues his progression through the history of horror with “Halloween H20″ at Exodus 8:2: http://exodus8-2.blogspot.com/2011/10/23-freddy-vs-jason-2003.html
Jon Warner offers his positive take on the love-it/hate-it minimalist western “Meek’s Cutoff” Films Worth Watching: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2011/10/naked-spur-1953-directed-by-anthony.html
Pat Perry has authored a fantastic double review of two highly-regarded multiplexers (50/50 and The Help) of recent weeks at Doodad Kind of Town: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2011/10/5050-and-help-diary-of-friday-afternoon.html
Filmmaker and blogger extraordinaire Jeffrey Goodman offers up an extraordinary list of La Novelle Vague titles that are essential for cineastes at The Last Lullaby: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/satsang-sacred-listening/
Laurie Buchanan asks her readers to ponder “What Do You Do With Fear” at Speaking From The Heart: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/what-do-you-do-with-fear/
Tony d’Ambra’s newest post at FilmsNoir.net in his marvelous ‘Film Origins’ series features 1940′s “Angels Over Broadway”: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/film-noir-origins-angels-over-broadway-1940.html
At Mondo 70, Samuel Wilson has penned an utterly fascinating review of the Spanish language “Dracula”: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2011/10/wendigo-cumpla-dracula-1931.html
Roderick Heath has authored a master class review at Ferdy-on-Films of Spielberg’s “Jaws”: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/?p=11979
Murderous Ink in Tokyo has penned a brilliant historical and political essay on two celebrated Kinoshita featues, “Army” and “Twenty-Four Eyes” at Vermillion and One Nights: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2011/09/apron-as-weapon.html
Sachin Gandhi of Scribbles and Ramblings has a fascinating, glowing report up at his place on the Calgary International Film Festival: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2011/10/ciff-2011-all-about-mavericks.html
Terrill Welch reports on the success of her second “Salish Sea Sunday Savings” sale at the Creativepotager’s blogsite: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/second-salish-sea-sunday-savings/
Qalandar reviews the Hindi gangster flick “Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster” at Satyamshot: http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/qalandar-reviews-saheb-biwi-aur-gangster-hindi-2011/
Shubhajit Laheri has penned a superlative capsule review of “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid” at Cinemascope: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2011/10/pat-garrett-and-billy-kid-1973.html
Craig Kennedy’s “Movie Quote of the Day” at Living in Cinema is from Brian de Palma’s “Carrie” based on Stephen King’s novel: http://livingincinema.com/2011/10/23/movie-quote-of-the-day-carrie-1976/
Patricia examines a book “You are Not So Smart” by David McRaney at Patricia’s Wisdom: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2011/10/you-are-not-so-smart-david-mcraney/
Stephen Russell-Gebbett has penned an utterly brilliant review of Von Trier’s “Melancholia” at Checking on my Sausages: http://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/2011/10/melancholia-lars-von-trier.html
David Schleicher takes on Von Trier’s “Melancholia” brilliantly at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2011/10/10/melancholia-marriage-and-the-end-of-the-world/
Srikanth (Just Another Film Buff) featues Chuck Workman’s “Precious Images” at The Seventh Art, making a comparison to Joel Bocko’s brilliant montage series: http://theseventhart.info/2011/10/23/short-films-13/
Michael Harford has a new collage up at the venerable Coffee Messiah’s place on “Coffee and Seuss”: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-give-up-i-believe-in-you-all.html
Again Ed Howard and Jason Bellamy have produced a towering installment in their monumental “Conversations” series with a brilliant discussion on Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon”: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2011/10/conversations-28-barry-lyndon.html
Jason Bellamy has penned an exceptional essay on “The Ides of March” at The Cooler: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2011/10/men-behind-curtain-ides-of-march.html
Ed Howard has a terrific new piece in his “Films That I Love” series on Ernst Lubitsch’s “The Shop Around the Corner” at Only The Cinema: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2011/10/films-i-love-55-shop-around-corner.html
In a set of links, the Film Doctor explores a number of economic and political topics, from Google & Facebook as Big Brother, to the illusion behind the “creative industry” myth: http://filmdr.blogspot.com/2011/10/reactionary-links.html
At Movies Over Matter Jason Marshall names “The Apple” as one of his favorite “bad” movies: http://moviesovermatter.com/2011/09/17/hes-so-eager-to-believe-and-so-easily-deceived-like-a-baby-watching-magic-hes-so-gullible-its-tragic-the-apple-my–favorite-bad-movies/
James Hansen has written an outstanding essay in defense of “Drive” at Out One Film Journal: http://www.out1filmjournal.com/2011/09/shadowing-spotlight-nicolas-winding.html
At Radiator Heaven J.D. reviews ”A Scanner Darkly” which he considers the first accurate translation of Philip K. Dick from page to screen: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2011/09/scanner-darkly.html
Srikanth (Just Another Film Buff) offers a fascinating review of Kevin MacDonald’s “A Life in the Day” at The Seventh Art: http://theseventhart.info/2011/10/16/ellipsis-49/
Roderick Heath at This Island Rod has penned a towering essay on 1968′s “The Lost Continent”: http://thisislandrod.blogspot.com/2011/10/lost-continent-1968.html
TCM’s Greg Ferrara rescues rare clips of Christopher Lee telling ghost stories from a defunct CD-ROM on Cinema Styles: http://cinemastyles.blogspot.com/2011/10/christopher-lee-tells-stories-and-gives.html
At Cinema Viewfinder, Tony Dayoub kicks of New York Film Festival coverage with a thoughtful review of “George Harrison: Living in the Material World,” Martin Scorsese’s latest music documentary: http://www.cinemaviewfinder.com/2011/10/nyff11-movie-review-george-harrison.html
Steven Morton’s “First Thoughts on Tree of Life” are up at Petrified Fountain of Thought: http://petrifiedfountainofthought.blogspot.com/2011/10/first-thoughts-on-tree-of-life.html
Craig at The Man From Porlock analyzes the faults of Moneyball, and wonders why sports films keep raising the position of their “underdog” heroes: http://themanfromporlock.blogspot.com/2011/09/off-field-moneyball.html
Hokahey at Little Worlds marvels at the formal prowess of the Oregon Trail film “Meek’s Cutoff”, praising its “magnificent dissolves” and “real-time realism”: http://hokahey-littleworlds.blogspot.com/2011/10/oregon-trail-verite-meeks-cutoff-2011.html
At Not Just Movies Jake Cole discusses “The Blue Angel” and wonders why the Germans – kings of the silents – made such a strong transition into sound: http://armchairc.blogspot.com/2011/10/blue-angel-josef-von-sternberg-1930.html
Record Club #4 – The Dirty South” is leading the way at Elusive as Robert Denby, and proctor Troy Olson has quite a comment thread to show: http://troyolson.blogspot.com/2011/08/record-club-4-drive-by-truckers-dirty.html
Kevin J. Olson announces the return of his Italian Horror blog-a-thon at Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies: http://kolson-kevinsblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/italian-horror-blog-thon-returns.html
The saddest of times for Jeopardy Girl as she movingly relates at The Continuing Story of Jeopardy Girl. Wonders in the Dark extends it’s deepest condolences to our friend up north: http://jeopardygirl.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/gone/
Adam Zanzie continues his recap of the book “War Horse” on Icebox Movies in anticipation of the upcoming Spielberg film: http://iceboxmovies.blogspot.com/2011/09/war-horse-1982-chapters-6-10.html
Dave Van Poppel at Visions of Non-Fiction has posted a terrific review of the documentary “Project Nim”: http://visionsofnonfiction.blogspot.com/2011/08/project-nim.html
Andrew Wyatt defends the 80s monster movie “Q” at Gateway Cinephiles: http://gatewaycinephiles.com/2011/09/30/looklisten-q-at-the-wufs
Jo Eagleson Ramos (left) Dish owner Andreas (center) and Bob Eagleson-Ramos at wedding reception Friday evening.
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Writers/Founders
Wonders in the Dark 
Sam,
Apologies for my absence at WitD for some time now. Was pretty occupied offline. Haven’t been reading, blogging or surfing much.
Congratulations for the successful completion of the Musicals Countdown. Astounding stuff, haven’t heard of half the entries there. Great work.
I’m looking forward to J EDGAR, now that it’s split the critics right down the middle.
Cheers!
Srikanth—
I know you have been busy, and have been working off-line. It is impossible to keep a torrid pace in this business all year long, and you certainly need some cultural variety. Likewise I have been somewhat delinquent as of late at your place and others, in large measure because of the daily demands of the musical countdown. The results and the essays are indeed worthy of a reference archive here, and so many really did some of their best work.
But my friend, with the year winding down, we’ll certainly be discussing some great stuff in the coming weeks.
Many thanks for stopping in!!!
Sam – I’m expecting full Melancholia write-up from you post haste, sir! Glad you found it in great favor. I saw it on the big screen this weekend (after seeing it first On-Demand) and it held up beautifully. Nothing beats the walls of a theater shaking because of Wagner!
At home I watched:
Key Largo – ***1/2 – Entertaining enough, with some shining moments, but a bit “by the numbers” for its era.
Tarkovsky’s The Sacrifice – ***1/2 – I would rank this as a lesser Tarkosky. Being his death-bed film, it surely was ponderous…and I can’t deny it made me have a dream about it the night after watching it – but it bored me to tears for long stretches and I found the “characters” (if you can even call them that) to be not relatable on any level. I still liked it better than Stalker (which I feel is vastly overrated) but it pales in comparison to The Mirror, Ivan’s Childhood and Solaris.
Despite the poor reviews I plan on catching J. Edgar and Immortals sometime this week.
Bob – I saw MELANCHOLIA OnDemand first and loved it, but you are absolutely right – you really have to be in a theatre wtih the wall shaking to get the full effect of that final scene.
Oops, sorry I meant DAVID – looking at the wrong commenter name, my apologies
David—-
You are really tempting me with a MELANCHOLIA review, but I’ll have to see if I can manage it this week. I was sent a preview copy of a CD opera (“Philidor”) and must post a review for Monday. But I can’t get teh Von Trier movie out of my head. What you say there about Wagner is dead on!!!!!!!!!!
I’m a bit higher than you on both KEY LARGO and THE SACRIFICE, though your points on both are well-taken and delineated! True that the Tarkovsky pales next to those three (and ANDREI RUBLEV). Yeah I’d certainly see J EDGAR to confirm a as-of-late judgement on Eastwood and for Di Caprio’s work.
Thanks very much for the great comment my friend!
I caught “Urbanized” finally this weekend. Long story short, I like it a lot better than the other two films of the director’s Design Trilogy, and think it genuinely makes some headway at talking about the human issues of urban development, especially in the developing world, where slums are still the norm. However, he still spends way too much time looking at the particulars of posh, rich cities whose problems pale in comparison to the rest of the world (really, that stuff about converting a rusted L-Train track in Manhattan to a kind of community park center just struck me as rather odd). And as much as the focus of showing how some communities are trying to come together in the face of disasters like Katrina or reduce their energy footprint is interesting, he still avoids the major issues of labor in the urban areas. Perhaps he should produce another documentary on the work question, but I’m not entirely certain if his comfortable position gives him a great perspective on that matter.
Bob—
Thanks for the thoughtful and acute assessment of RBANIZED, which is a film I have not yet seen. I know it will be at the IFC Film Center, so perhaps I may be able to see it this coming weekend. I am not quite sure yet. But great stuff!
Sam, I liked J. Edgar a little better than you did, but it’s definitely dubious history. The Lindbergh business seemed interminable rather than rushed and the chronology relative to other events in Hoover’s career was fubar. I found it interesting for its continuity with some themes and motifs in late Eastwood but the script’s narrow focus on Hoover’s sexual hangups and its implication that those explain Hoover’s policies limit its appeal. I did think that DiCaprio’s makeup was at least adequate, but Hammer’s was amateurish. Despite everything, the film was moving in a guilty way.
At home, I found myself watching a lot of Marie Dressler movies. Her Oscar-winning turn in Min and Bill ran the gamut, while her later star vehicles are marred by the obnoxious, superfluous presence of Polly Moran as comic relief to a comedienne, a Durante to Dressler’s Keaton if you will. Politics was an interesting variation on the vigilante tendency in cinema circa 1933, with women uniting to take power legally through the Lysistrata method, while Prosperity is an ironically-titled Depression melodrama that mixes broad slapstick with suicidal pathos. Given Dressler’s improbably popularity, these films are neglectedly important pieces of pre-Code cinema without being especially pre-Code, if you get my drift. Apart from those, I also saw Robert Siodmak’s Escape From East Berlin, a corny anti-Commie tale but a bracing bit of late chiaroscuro from a noir master, Budd Boetticher’s Seminole, a Rock Hudson vehicle with colorful location work but probably too many characters for the director to handle properly, and Michele Placido’s Vallanzasca: Angel of Evil, which seems to be Italy’s answer to France’s Mesrine films and feels too much like that to have any real bite.
On a sad note, I had to give back the Spencer Tracy book after two weeks when another library patron reserved the book and made renewal impossible. With all the movie watching and other reading I do, getting through the Curtis volume was too daunting a task. Just to give you an idea, Tracy meets Hepburn approximately halfway through the book — on page 434! But when the book becomes available again I intend to finish it.
Interesting to hear about those Dressler movies, Samuel – she is great in ‘Min and Bill’ (I can hardly watch the fight scene, which is amazing but goes on for so long), but I haven’t seen the others you mention. I’d been wondering about that Spencer Tracy biography – must check if my local library has it too. Hope you are able to get it back again soon!
Judy, what really bulks up the Tracy book is Curtis’s decision to write a virtual joint biography of the actor and his wife. At a certain point you question whether the accumulating detail is really that enlightening, but Curtis finds it necessary to set the record straight on a man who’d been reduced to a supporting role in someone else’s story — and sometimes a villain role at that. There’s a nasty appendix in which Curtis lambastes a host of Hepburn biographers who’ve allegedly misrepresented Tracy, but I’ll have to get the book back before I can read Curtis’s version of the truth.
Those Dresslers are fascinating, if not necessarily enjoyable, for their mix of very broad slapstick (especially in Prosperity) and pathos bordering on bathos. I’ve learned a new dislike for Polly Moran from them, but they’re interesting, in their necessary lack of salaciousness, as an alternate vision of pre-Code reality. And it’s too bad that studios were so rigid with their talent, since it made the team-up of the decade impossible: Dressler and Arliss!
Samuel—
I know the statement I made about the Lindberg affair wasn’t consistent with what I said about the film in general. But I recognize that it was the supreme event in Hoover’s reign, and it seemed they wanted to race through the arrest and trial. I wish the film had more focus and narrative cohesion, and as you admit yourself the makeup (especially Hammer’s) was ghastly. And yes, it certainly did steer clear of the sexual politics that would provide for the film’s most fascinating underpinning. Di Caprio was fine though. Yes I hear what you are saying about the Dresslers. MIN AND BILL was a an admirable effort, and of course provided the actress with her Oscar.
I have a soft spot for Siodmak’s ESCAPE FROM EAST BERLIN, which I saw many times over teh years since I was a child. It’s a well-done escape yarn, that builds to nail biting suspence. It’s not A MAN ESCAPED or LE TROU, but it’s memorable. Can’t agree with you more on SEMINOLE, but haven’t seen that Placido film.
That’s too bad about the book return, but hopefully you have your reservation in for the next opportunity.
Thanks as always my very good friend!
Sam, if J. Edgar errs, it’s on the side of explaining everything with sexual politics. I can’t shake this odd feeling that Eastwood may have seen this as his Citizen Kane (with or without a Rosebud), so lack of ambition isn’t the problem here. He wants to play the non-linear game with an unreliable narrator but too often creates confusion over whether any given scene is Hoover’s dictated history, his private memory, or objective fact. Eastwood’s problem now may simply be that he no longer knows his limitations. Nevertheless, the film is morbidly fascinating for its perverse attempt to make us feel sorry for Hoover.
Can’t blame you for liking the Siodmak; it looks great, and I always like to see Werner Klemperer in a straight role.
J. Edgar has been getting some awful reviews. Leo in old man makeup gave me a healthy chuckle when I saw the trailer. I’m basically going to skip it like I did Invictus and Hereafter. Clint should just retire already and be put out to pasture. What I saw these last two weeks…
Crumb ****1/2
The Ides Of March ***1/2
American Splendor ****1/2
Golddiggers Of 1937 **1/2
The Small Black Room ****
Heavy Metal Parking Lot **
Well off I go for the remainder of the week away from WITD. Unless a shark eats me in the warm beaches of the Caribbean, I shall be back by next sunday night. Great to hear about the wedding ceremony you attended and the speech you gave. Talk soon Sam…
Have a great time in the Caribbean Maurizio! I’m sure you’ll be able to stay clear of those predators! Clint should retire, but as Samuel Wilson just said in another response here, there’s a fat chance of that happening.
I would go a bit lower on CRUMB, but yes, it’s a remarkable documentary for sure. With you completely on IDES and AMERICAN SPLENDOR and in fact on THE SMALL BACK ROOM, and can’t argue the lower grade on GOLD DIGGERS. I don’t believe I have seen HEAVY METAL PARKING LOT.
Thanks for the good words on the weeding ceremony, and again have a great respite my friend!!! Many thanks!
Sam, I too saw J Edgar and was underwhelmed. My reaction may be a bit more like Samuel Wilson’s (above), probably because I was successful at times in regarding the film as a People magazine-type diversion. At least Armie Hammer’s insouciance was refreshing (but small compensation for that horrible makeup). What was Clint thinking? I kept asking myself. I just think he’s become too old to give a shit.
Pierre: Clint has been reeling the last several times out. I think we have seen his best work, and he’s just occupying the time in his advanced age. J EDGAR hasn’t received the best of reviews, but I still had some slim hope based on the fascination inherent in his character, and in Di Caprio’s recent acting surge. As I stated the film was episodic, unfocused, and resistent to deeper psychology. The makeu-up was awful, I couldn’t agree more.
You and I are on the same page here my friend! Many thanks as always!
WEST SIDE STORY on the big screen is the only way to see it. The visual tapestry of color, set design and location photography seemlessly brings the viewer into the heart of Bernsteins operatic/dramatic score and it sweeps you off your feet. Reviews for J. EDGAR have been just as poisonous and I’ll probably wait for DVD before I attempt a brave dive into that one. MELANCHOLIA is one of those few that I cannot wait to see. Sad that the Music count is over but still buzzing from the fun it brought. The Stanley Kubrick series is steaming ahead and the work is coming along fine. I’m thinking it’ll kick off in late January/early February. The series will look at each one of his films and will be detailed with information and anecdotes pertaining to Stanley’s life during the making of each. The series will cover every film in his canon from the elusive early features FEAR AND DESIRE and DAY OF THE FIGHT and will conclude with Spielbergs adaptation of Stanleys A.I. It a project I’ve been planning for a while. 🙂
Dennis—
The Kubrick project sounds great, and it and another proposed venture that has been brought to my attention will precede the comedy countdown, which will tentatively launch either in March, April or May (probably April) Yep, you should probably wait for J EDGAR to appear on DVD, but by all means see MELANCHOLIA pronto. It was great to see WEST SIDE STORY with you on Wednesday evening! A night to remember for sure!
Many thanks my friend!
Sounds as if you had a busy weekend yet again, Sam. Thanks for the plug and for all your work running the musical countdown! I’m currently reading two biographies, Claire Tomalin’s new one of Dickens and James Kaplan’s book on Sinatra’s early career, ‘Frank: The Making of a Legend’, both of which are very interesting so far.
I’m continuing to catch up with John Ford classics and this week saw ‘They Were Expendable’ – a masterpiece which is growing on me even more in retrospect. I also saw the 1930 French animation ‘The Tale of the Fox’ which Joel highlighted in his ‘Fixing a Hole’ series here, which is fascinating if a bit slow in the middle.
The third film I saw this week was a pre-Code melodrama, ‘Devil and the Deep’, (1932), from Russian director Marion Gering, which was Charles Laughton’s Hollywood debut – he totally steals the movie as a submarine commander insanely jealous of his wife, Tallulah Bankhead. Gary Cooper is one of my favourite actors but does seem a bit stilted in this as Bankhead’s lover, while Cary Grant also has a small part – quite a cast, and a pretty good movie, odd that it isn’t better known.
Judy—
You are to be thanked a hundred times over for all you did to support, enrich and promote the musical countdown day in and day out. It was surely a trip none of us will ever forget taking. And when it comes to busy weeks you are in the top brachet. Taking on those two books -and quite diverse obviously- is a feat, and thenn to see those films to boot. I must be the only person in the US who isn’t a fan of THEY WERE EXPENDABLE. I agree with you on FOX, which begins to lag after the spirited early segments.
Excllent capsule there on DEVIL AND THE DEEP, which sadly I have not seen yet. Laughton’s performance alone would make it essential I know.
Have a great week my fiend! And many thanks as always!
Thanks for the congrats and the for heart-felt speech you made Friday night at our celebration. It was a dream come true for us. The only sad note to the weekend festivities was seeing ‘J. Edgar’ on Saturday night….too long, too disjointed and too much make-up!!!!
You got that right Bob!
What a great time! And a wonderful gathering of friends in a second home!
Sam, thanks so much for the wonderful mention!
First off, congratulations on concluding the musical countdown. It was a tremendous undertaking and one that I much enjoyed following. Also, congrats on Broadway Bob’s wedding this weekend. Ah, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for that one. I know it was a great time had by all.
This week was actually the first in a long time when I did not see any movies. Just one of those weeks. But I’m sure this next week will be much different!
Here’s to another awesome week, Sam! Thanks so much for all that you do.
Jeffrey—
The musical countdown was the site’s crowning achievemnt if you factor in the fantastic comments threads and record-breaking page view totals. But perhaps most significantly it featured some of the best writing ever from a talented contingent.
Thanks very much for the very kind words about the Friday night wedding at the Dish. Everyone who attended will surely have many stories to tell in the future.
This is probably the first time since you have been regularly visiting the site that you haven’t a movie report. But heck, you do need a break, and it’s remarkable you haven’t had more. The movie season is all set to enter its most prestigious period, so you will have your hands full, in addition to your filmmaking progress.
Thanks as always my exceedingly valued friend!
Hi Sam,
Yes sounds like you are still quite the busy guy and hope the family emergency thing is okay with you and yours. We had a rough weekend here with fevers and runny noses everywhere. Not fun. Plus, I’m packing to leave on my trip today to the UK. I will return in 24 days! My blogging and surfing may take a huge hit over this time depending on my schedule, which I’ll admit is totally unformed right now. We’ll see. I hope to stay up with everything.
My favorite film of the week was Ray’s They Live By Night, which although I didn’t find to be as much of a film noir as I expected, it was still a flat out brilliant film with an engaging central love story and some terrific melodrama. I appreciated it far more on those levels than as a film noir. Maybe that’s just me. Still one of Ray’s best though!
So Melancholia. Sounds like you rated it highly, but just short of masterpiece status. What did you feel kept it from getting your highest rating?
I would imagine that seeing West Side Story on the big screen was a tremendous experience. I know you went with the family which must have made it extra special. I wish we had a theatre around here that showed classics that I could take the family to. Anyways, there’s the old standby called the couch and the dvd player for us! Have a great week friend!
Jon—
I wish you the best time during your upcoming trip. I can well understand you will have difficulty spending much time on-line. I wasn’ aare it was for 24 days! Wow. (I finally got something in the mail to you this morning. The main item was never found, as part of my collection is in disarray–the part that stacks the copies, not the originals. I will eventually find it, but I sent on a number of excellent and hard to find titles in its place, most pre-coders not on DVD. I feel bad that you won’t be home to see these, at least not for several weeks.
4 1/2 stars is my “holding pattern” rating. This means I can either leave it at that or raise the rating to 5 stars. I am leaning toward the five star rating at this point, and surely consider the film (MELANCHOLIA) in my Top Five of the year. There really isn’t anything in the film that I can say was problematic, and I thought it a unified artistic experience with some breathtakingly beautiful visuals and music. It was indeed a special experience to have the family aboard for WEST SIDE STORY.
THEY LIVE BY NIGHT is indeed one of Ray’s masterpieces! Look forward to your essay.
Thanks for your incredible performance throughout the musical countdown and for your infectious spirit my very good friend!
Have a great time in the UK! Stay aways from fish n chips!
Sam!
I’ve already landed now and trying to work through the jet lag. Thanks so much for sending that shipment and don’t feel bad at all! I am eagerly looking forward to digging into it when I get home! It’ll be like a welcome home care package. Yes I’m working on an essay for They Live By Night and thanks for clarifying you position on Melancholia. Looking forward to seeing it myself. It was indeed a privilege to be part of the Musical countdown. Thank YOU!
A great big hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Bob and Jo — Whoohoo! That’s just wonderful. The photograph you included is fantastic!
I think the documentary featuring the whereabouts of the still-living stars of WEST SIDE STORY would be pretty darned cool.
MELANCHOLIA sounds like the perfect title as it dishes up angst, depression, and mental illness. I’m going to take a pass on that one. J EDGAR holds no draw for me, either.
I hope that the family emergency is behind you and that all is well. Holding HeartLight for you and yours.
Laurie—
Thanks for the spirited and lovely response to Bob and Jo’s wedding! And yes, what a super photo they took with Andreas!
That documentary on WEST SIDE STORY was really fascinating, and I am thinking it may be included on the soon-to-be-released blu ray. It was great hearing anecdotes from Richard Beymer, Russ (“I don’t smoke anymore”) Tamblyn, and those gathering for the interview.
I can well understand you taking a pass on MELANCHOLIA, Laurie, as it won’t brighten up yours or anyone’s day. I am often fascinated with Von Trier, but as I learned with ANTI-CHRIST the psychological price to pay is prohibitive. And yeah, they’ll be great stuff out there to allow for a miss on J. EDGAR.
Yes, the family emergency worked out. it involved my 89 year-old aunt (father’s sister) who fell, but nothing is broken, and the woman miraculously takes no pills or medication of any kind. Her father (my grandfather) lived to 96, so she’ll be around for sure! I had to accompany my cousin to the hospital.
many thanks as alway smy excellent friend!
Sam – I’m oh-so-glad that your aunt didn’t break any bones. WOW! She’s sure got some longevity in her genes. She’s probably doing so darned well because she has a natural mind-set.
The wording you used, “…the psychological price to pay is prohibitive” is the very best explanation I’ve ever heard for how I feel about so many films (i.e., I’ve yet to see “Silence of the Lambs” for that very reason).
Sam –
I am happy to see your glowing review of MELANCHOLIA. I saw it on the big screen Friday night with an opening night audience that was vociferoulsy negative, to say the least. (I have a post in the works about the experience, which I should have up in the next day or so.)
On Saturday night, Marlon was working, so I took the oppotunity to catch up with my DVR queue, starting with Rosellini’s OPEN CITY – a truly great film. (I have definite plans now to see the rest of trilogy.) But, after the double-whammy of angst from MELANCHOLIA and OPEN CITY, I felt the need to see something funny and ridiculous right away and unfortunately chose the Farrelly Brothers’ HALL PASS through OnDemand. Midly amusing, but I didn’t even make it till the end.
I didn’t have the time last week to catch the 50th anniversary screening of WEST SIDE STORY, but knew it would be wonderful. So glad you enjoyed it!
And, lest I forget, congratulations to Broadyay Bob on his nuptials!! That’s a wonderful thing to celebrate, and I’m sure your keynote address was eloquent and memorable.
Pat—
I am not at all surprised at that audience reaction to MELANCHOLIA. It is certainly a film that tests audience patience and perseverence, but like you I have been there with Von Trier before and in large measure have been fascinated and ravishing by his vision. I do look greatly forward to your planned review of the film. I am not yet sure if I will be able to pen one myself because of some other assignments, but be rest assured that this is (to me) one of 2011’s very best films. But again it is Von Trier, which means he will split audiences pretty much down the middle. Those opening eight minutes were breathtaking and transformative.
Yes, OPEN CITY is a masterpiece of the cinema (and Rossellini’s most renowned work) but taken in with MELANCHOLIA, I think you had enough angst to last you for a very long time! Ha! I never did see HALL PASS, but am hardly surprised you never made it to the end.
Perhaps they will offer an encore of that WEST SIDE STORY presentation! I think it is likely, especially since they do with every opera.
Thanks for the very kind words on the wedding and the speech. It was a beautiful time for sure.
Many thanks as always my excellent friend!
Sam – My post on MELANCHOLIA is now up. It’s not as exhaustive as I would have liked it to be, but I was writing in a hotel room last night with a wifi connection that kept fading in and out, so I wrapped it up as best I could. Would be interested to get your response.
Pat, thanks for the heads up!! Good show there!!! I will absolutely be over there today to read and respond.
And I will be over to Marilyn’s too. I was at the screening of THE CROWD last night, and when I got home it was too late to respond.
I extend my congratulations to Broadway Bob and Jo on their weekend wedding. I can imagine the great time had by all.
I’ve been itching to see Melancholia, and appreciate that you saw it on the big screen, even with all those screeners floating around.
Fred–
In behalf of Broadway Bob and Jo I appreciate your greetings. Yes, a great time was indeed had by all.
Seeing MELANCHOLIA on the big screen is absolutely the way to go, at least for the first viewing.
Thanks as always for stopping by my friend!
Hi, Sam, and thanks again for being the ringleader extraordinaire for the musicals countdown. Looking forward to the comedy countdown.
I was in Paris from Oct 19 – Nov 2 and jetlagged for about a week, so my movie viewing took a tumble. While in Paris, I went to the famed Cinematheque Francaise and saw their mindblowing exhibition on Metropolis, which included production stills, pieces of sheet music and script, original costumes, a replica of the robot, and a detailed account of the restoration of the film from the Argentina find. The museum proper filled with artifacts collected by Henri Langlois was amazing. I was particularly happy to see some of Theda Bara’s costuming and jewelry, since so little from her film career has survived. The dummy head of Mother from Psycho was a highlight, as were letters of protest at Langlois’ ouster from the Cinematheque from such luminaries as Orson Welles, Luis Bunuel, Godard, Hitch, many saying they would not allow their films to be screened at the Cinematheque until he was reinstated. The evening was capped with a screening of Fritz Lang’s Der Mude Tod, with my cousin translating the French subtitles for me. I never realized how huge the Langlois theatre is, and it was packed; apparently live accompaniment for silent films is quite a rarity in Paris. Who would have thunk it? On Halloween, we watched the very fun Zombieland with my cousin’s son and his friend.
On the home front, we’ve been trying to catch up on DVR’d recordings, as well as the screeners that are coming in by the barrelful. I watched Here Comes the Navy (review on FonF) and an anti-Nazi film from 1940, Escape, which was pretty good. Melancholia was my weekend highlight, and I’m noodling a review now that might be a little different from what’s out on the ‘net right now.
Marilyn – I am really looking forward to your thoughts on MELANCHOLIA, particurlarly if you have unique perspective. I’ve read so many reviews already that I’m kind of maxed out. As noted in my comment above, I’m working on my own post, but it will be less a review than a description of what it was like to love the movie while surrounded by an audience that mostly hated it.
Here you go, Pat: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/?p=12190
Marilyn—
Thanks very much for that, and thanks to you for writing several of the venture’s most accomplished pieces. Certainly your final submission (on WEST SIDE STORY) sits with the very best essays posted, a fact that was gleefully trumpeted by readers in the comment section.
The comedy countdown is indeed something to begin mental preparations for. It will differ from the musicals countdown mainly by way of “film length.” Short films (even any in the “Little Rascas” series ot “Three Stooges,” as well as all the silent Keaton, Chaplin and Lloyd shorst would of course be eligible, so what a blast this will be to make a list, not to mention prepare writings. The comedy overlap from musical, noir and other genres also makes things interesting.
I see your piece on MELANCHOLIA is up and I will be reading and commenting on it soon, especially after seeing the film over the weekend, and liking it very much. Also saw the great piece on NAVY!
God, I greatly envy the places you saw in Paris, and much appreciate the superb and fascinating description of CINEMATHEQUE FRANCAISE and the controversy surrounding Langlois. And the dummy head of the mother in PYSCHO was there? Wow. The Lang with the cousin translations is fantastic too! With the Film Forum doing a silent series with piano accompaniment starting tonight I can say without question that the USA is most regular with this kind of thing, but I would have thought Paris would be a major exception. I see the METROPOLIS exhibition though was the centerpiece, and I’m not surprised. Awesome stuff. Peopel come to the diary to relate their recent “movie experience.” Now this submission takes the cake.
I think ZOMBIELAND is fun.
Thanks for this titanic submission my very good friend!
The biggest problem with J Edgar, which I saw Friday night with Sue was that never reallyeven attempted to go any further than the normal conventions and timelines surrounding his life. Yeah the make up was hysterical. Di Caprio was adequate, no more.
Congratulations to Broadway Bob and Jo Ramos.
Frank–
My sentiments are very close to yours. I also felt the narrative was episodic with little focus, though I think I liked Di Caprio’s work a little more. Yes, the makeup was laughable. Eastwood seems to be losing it as he approaches retirement.
I’m sure Broadway Bob and Jo will much appreciate the kind words.
Thanks as always my friend!
“Approaching retirement?” Retirement? I doubt Clint knows the meaning of the word — he seems determined to work until he dies, but it does sometimes seem like there’s no other point to his work lately. I acknowledge more ambition in J. Edgar than in his last couple of films, but the thing is a muddle of more interest to auteurists than to ordinary moviegoers. It’s a case where the filmmakers made the point they wanted to make, but you can question whether the point was worth making. Would America be a better place if Hoover got laid? Despite the movie, I have my doubts.
Ha Samuel, that final point is well-taken! But yeah, it is doubtful Clint knows what it means to retire. This was the first time that I was really disappointed with his musical contribution too.
I thought I would mention here that this evening at the Film Forum, another glorious venture begins – a Monday night series that runs into February that will offer up an essential collection of MGM silent films, with piano accompaniment by Steve Sterner. The pianist had previously done stellar work for the Keaton and Chaplin series at the house. Though like so many others I have seen just about all the films numerous times (save for one) the full presentation does encourage repeat viewings. Lucille, two of the boys and I will be aboard for the 8:15 P.M. screening of King Vidor’s 1928 masterpiece THE CROWD.
Other features that will be shown include in this 13 film retrospective include: BEN-HUR, THE WIND, GREED, THE BIG PARADE, SHOW PEOPLE, THE SCARLET LETTER, THE KISS, THE PATSY, THE UNKOWN, THE CAMERAMAN, FLESH AND THE DEVIL and THE MERRY WIDOW.
http://www.filmforum.org/films/silentroar.html#crowd
Wow, I envy you seeing these movies on the big screen with piano accompaniment. Hope you enjoy ‘The Crowd’ tonight, Sam – such a great film and a great performance from James Murray. On the subject of silent films, today brought the exciting news via the Classicflix blog that Wellman’s ‘Wings’ will finally be released on DVD and Blu-ray in January!
Thanks so much Judy!
I am a huge fan of THE CROWD and can’t wait to hear Mr. Sterner’s sure-to-be-distinguished accompaniment. You are so right about Murray too. That is fantastic news about WINGS! It’s a Paramount title, so Turner couldn’t block it!
Thanks a lot Sam for the mention. Yes, the Musical countdown was indeed yet another memorable feather in WitD’s already illustrious cap. It was a pleasure following it, more so given the spectacular write-ups that were penned for the countdown. And well, I’m already excited about the Comedy countdown which, given the sheer breadth of this incredible genre, is sure to be something absolutely terrific.
Since my term-end exams, for the fifth and penultimate trimester of my stint with academia (at least for now), are fast approaching, life has again started to get extremely hectic for me.The good news is, the last trimester is going to be the lightest in my two-year post-graduate programme, and that essentially means I might very well get back to my movie viewing days of old. I managed to catch just two movies in the meantime – And Then There Were None, an interesting mystery thriller adapted from Agatha Cristie’s novel, and Kurosawa’s much underrated Hugh & Low. I’d watched Otto Preminger’s terrific courtroom drama Anatomy of a Murder, and Sam Peckinpah’s brilliant Western The Wild Bunch, before that.
I might be slightly out of the radar for the next one week or so. But, as I mentioned above, I hope to be back with hopefully a bang once this trimester gets over.
Shubhajit—
Thanks so much for the very favorable and generous appraisal of the musical countdown, which surely was one of the site’s crowning achievements. You can be sure you’ll be having a role in the comedy countdown if you so wish. We are figuing on March or April for the launching of that project.
I completely understand the difficulties with your studies as of late, and as always continue to be amazed at your deft juggling. At least as you explain there is a bit of a reprieve in that regard this semester.
I love Claire’s AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, and have always had strong regard for the Kurosawa. ANATOMY OF A MURDER was just announced for a Criterion blu-ray to be released in February.
Many thanks as always my very good friend! And best wishes at University!
Hello Sam and everyone!
Thanks for portraying my blog (check out my Melancholia review at my blog) at your blog roll, it’s always a pleasure to be named among such a good amount of names with big opinions on films. I’d also repeat my congratulations to every writer that participated in this musical countdown and see you all at the comedy countdown!
By the way… is that the next one? Don’t we have the sci fi countdown? Or anything else? Huhn? We better have a meeting guyz, through email, ya know, maybe we can squeeze both in the time being, specially with the winter season coming, those are many days before spring.
So, I’ve been having lots and lots of work with my short film going, I’M FILMING THIS FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY and soooo much money is being thrown out of the window on many many many things, and I have so little, huhn. Anyway, today everything is being settled forever so we can look forward to the weekend of shooting.
Last week was spent, basically, on that, and on thursday I presented with all the other guys and girls, the panel about the reunification of Korea we had been preparing for many many weeks. I represented South Korea and everything went smoothly, I’m very proud of my endeavour, and that is all.
I’ve seen so little films, I saw:
– Dream House (2011, Jim Sheridan) ** Good Lord, I know I sometimes I’m exceptical about reviews, usually films aren’t as bad as people say (Silent Hill, Scream 4), and they’re usually not as good as the concensus says (Drive, Harry Potter, Tree of Life). But this? I totally agree. It’s a mess, a clearly production company made mess. It’s stupid and makes no sense, and it has great actors in it! What’s up with that?
– The Human Centipede (First Sequence) (2009, Tom Six) ***1/2 Regarding criticism and reviews and how people see films, many people may think that this movie is shit because it features shit, even if we don’t ever see it in the film. The film manages to give some intellectual food for thought, but then it becomes about the human centipede, and then… and then it makes strange decissions, which are interesting on their own, but still strange. Worth checking, if you can “stomach” it.
That’s it Sam, have a good week!
On the movies you saw, by the way, of course Melancholia is a ****1/2 like you said, and J. Edgar and West Side Story are two movies I want to see.
Jaime—
I will indeed check out your MELANCHOLIA review ASAP! Your opinion of the film was one of the first ones I came across among those in our inner circle.
I have some answers to your inquiry regarding upcoming projects at WitD.
1.) The “comedy” countdown is tentatively planned to have a late March or early April launching. This will be as MAJOR a project as the musical countdown and will again include a group of writers to share teh essays. Again 70 will be the key number, though there will be considerably more than the 7 voters who decided the musical placements. The major difference between what is chosen for the comedy countdown and teh musical countdown is that the comedy one will include “short” films. Or at least they are eligible for voters to choose on their ballots: Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd, Langdon, Laurel & Hardy, The Little Rascals, The Three Stooges and others. These shorts are films, not television installments, as they were all originally seen in movie theatres. So what a project that will be! And then you think of Jacques Tati, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks and the modern people, and the task won’t be easy. But I have only scratched teh surface, and it is anticipated YOU will be involved!
Dennis Polifroni will be chairing a Stanley Kubrick project at the site in January! Stay tuned for that too!
Please keep me abreast on the shooting of your short film and best of luck!!! And great to hear you were South Korea on that panel discussion! Ha!
Haven’t seen Jim Sheridan’s DREAM HOUSE yet, but appreciate the fairly favorable response. As to HUMAN CENTIPEDE, I did see it. I don’t consider it shit, but it is not an easy film to sit through! Ha!
Thanks as always for the spectacular wrap my friend, and have a great week!
Hello Sam – been dry here film wise, due to information shared earlier –
Congratulations to your friend Broadway Bob and his partner – it’s about time this all were accepted –
Saw a preview on the boob tube about Edgar – and am not surprised by your reaction after seeing what I did –
Otherwise, hope to catch up again during the winter months = Cheers!
Michael–
I hope to catch you well before that. I have missed speaking with you to be honest, and also must return to a regular routine at the great Coffee Messiah’s blogsite! What you say about the wedding is so true, and I’m sure Bob will much appreciate the congrats.
Yeah, J. EDGAR has some serious problems. It’s hardly unwatchable, but it missed the mark by a very wide margin.
So happy that you stopped by my friend and many thanks!
Thanks for the link as always, Sam! I have finally gotten out another post–a review of J. Edgar–posted real late last night. I always seem to put up posts late Sunday night, though it’s not my intended schedule. Hopefully I’ll have a couple more up in the next couple days–I’ve seen 50/50, Moneyball, The Ides of March, and The Mill and the Cross all recently and like to put up at least blurbs about them.
I’ve also seen a few classics this week, including a re-watch of one of my all-time favorites, Chungking Express, and first-time viewings of Ivan’s Childhood, Distant Voices, Still Lives, and The Long Day Closes. Ivan’s Childhood showed Tarkovsky’s young brilliance, though nowhere near as good as Andrei Rublev–it actually sort of reminded me of NIght of the Hunter in its creative camera angles and nightmares. Davies’ DVSL was pretty much a masterpiece, but I wasn’t as big a fan of LDC–the first seemed to open things up to the passage of time, with powerful emotions and ups and downs, but LDC–while still incredibly accomplished from a craft standpoint–seemed closed off and static, and rarely connected with me emotionally. Anyway, a good week for movies.
Stephen–
I did indeed see your J EDGAR review, which was brilliantly written! I entered a response under it.
http://petrifiedfountainofthought.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-j-edgar.html
Wow, you saw some very fine stuff there, and look forward to your takes on each, especially THE MILL AND THE CROSS, which is unquestionably one of my favorite films of the year.
CHUNGKING EXPRESS is a visceral masterwork, and the two Davies films for me are monumental, both masterpieces. I completely agree with what you say in a Tarkovsky comparative sense about IVAN’S CHILDHOOD. You did have abanner week there for movies.
Thanks as always for the wonderful report my very good friend!
Yes, the musical countdown was indeed fantastic. I only wish I could have participated in it. I will be up and running for the comedy countdown though, a genre that is near and dear to my heart.
I haven’t made it to the movies this week (my drought continues and the movies theaters in the area are beginning to cut back employee hours until I start up again), but I am sorry to hear about J. Edgar. Eastwood has always been a hit or miss director for me and I was really hoping this would be one of the hits. It’s a great subject.
I see you and several other people I respect are enthralled by Melancholia. I’ll see it, but only with the greatest trepidation. Von Trier and I have an even more turbulent relationship than Eastwood and me. But I will see it.. at some point.
Hope all is well with you and your family!
Jason–
Thanks for the glowing words about the musical countdown. Yes, as I stated to you months ago, I feel you are as qualified as anyone out there to evaluate teh greatets screen comedies, and to pen some appraisals. I look forward to working with you on the project, which is tentatively set to go in late March or so. Ha! what you say about employee hourse being cut back! You were a regular with torrid attendance so no wonder! But I have confidence you will be returning now for the year-end prestide season.
Thought you did a sensational job on your review of ANONYMOUS, though I still need to see the film.
I know you are no Von Trier fan, but I do think there is a fair enough chance you will like MELANCHOLIA still. We’ll see.
The family is great thanks. Look forward to speak to you more, my very good friend!
Sam, thank you for the mention.
Melancholia won’t open here until next February, so I will just wait. von Trier was criticized for his confused statement at Cannes, which was truly regrettable. I hope his future output will not be marred by this event.
I have been exploring early Japanese silents lately, which resulted in two articles at my site. Still working on ‘49 series, it will be sometime before it will be ready.
Have a good week!
MI
Import the UK Blu Ray or DVD in January, MI.
MI—-
Von Trier erred badly when he made that statement, and it has yet to be seen how much permanent damage was done. Of course, MELANCHOLIA’s artistry is another matter, and I’d be more than curious to know what you think. In a visual sense, it may be his most beautiful film, and the use of Wagner is truly sublime.
I must check out your work on those early Japanese silents ASAP! I suspect I may know one of them!
Thanks as always my great friend. Have a very good week!
Thanks Sam. The musical countdown was incredible. I had 2-3 guesses on the ultimate #1 film and as the final entries were revealed, two of my guesses were eliminated leaving only one option for me. Although part of me wondered if the top film was going to be something I had not heard of. Big congrats to all the writers for some incredible work.
Also congrats to Bob for the wedding. Yes Sam, I have noticed a lot of post film outings featured Bob so glad to see the Dish was an appropriate venue for this joyous occasion.
Surprized you risked seeing West Side Story in a multiplex because there you cannot examine the quality of the print in advance like at the Forum as astutely observed by Maurizio 🙂
I have been hearing and seeing more negativity comments about J. Edgar so quite curious now.
My film watching has been non-existent because I ended up spending almost 2 weeks watching nothing but seasons 1-3 of MAD MEN. I thought the first season was the best of the three but I also was getting fatigued by non-stop watching. Even when I was complaining, I kept watching. I will now go back to films and pick up the 4th season in the future.
Thank you Sachin for your friendship and regular comments here!
Yes, I well know you had the #1 figured. With the seven ballots cast, it was less likely that there would be any kind of a surprise as there was when Allan voted alone.
Bob will surely appreciatiate those very kind words for his big night. And just think you are one of the very few people on this thread who can say you know the Dish up front, having passed it, and having it pointed out! Ha!
As it turns out Sachin, WEST SIDE STORY was not offered at the Film Forum, as this was actually a nationwide 50th Anniversary screening event. It played in thousands of multiplexes, and as such boasted superlative sound and large screens. This would be one of the very few times where teh Film Forum couldn’t match them.
Glad to hear you are enjoying MAD MEN, and fully understand you taking a break this week from the film watching. You will be busy enough in that regard very soon!
Thanks again my friend!
I just so enjoyed the musical countdown – but then I love music and musicals, so it was just a pleasure for daily reading.
I liked too how musicals are so uplifting even if they are about hard subjects they just do not minimize the emotions or focus on just one to the dismissal of others.
I thought this list today looked interesting until we got to all the mental illness and depression – I think we could use a bit more Shirley Temple and Hope these day….more using the creative juices and dissing materialism – would that not be counterculture right now?
I am giving away a huge and beautiful gift to one of my commenter on Nov. 24,25,26th …drop by for a rather huge surprise of positivity.
oh yes, I am reviewing the promised movie on the 17th – hey That is tomorrow
another strange and wonderful experience 🙂
Patricia—
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the musical countdown so much, and appreciate hearing as much on these weekly diary posts! Yes, I can’t deny that in almost every instance (save for maybe Dennis Potter and DANCER IN THE DARK. Ha!) musical films are uplifting and exhilarating. This has alienated many of them from those with a more cynical world view, but seasoned veterans particularly have fond memories of what they meant years ago. The artistry of many though, can’t be denied.
Yes, MELANCHOLIA is not likely to attract anyone looking for some positive viewing, though for various reasons I have issued a strongly favorable reaction.
I’ll definitely be over to PATRICIA’S WISDOM later today Pat to check out the latest and possibly any information regarding that big giveaway. The news of the upcoming film review has me excited too! The musical countdown has crimped my style on the blogging front, but I will now return.
Thanks as always my very good friend!
Why did you like Melancholia?
Cough, ahem…Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde…cough! 🙂
ahem…….ahem…….why did I like BREAKING THE WAVES, DOGVILLE and MANDERLAY……..No Wagner, no classical music……ahem!
Hi Sam, I’ve been away for a couple of weeks or so, away from the internet, away from most of my hobbies, dealing with life little interruptions. Anyway, I’d like to congratulate you and all the writers involved the the spectacular musical countdown. It’s been quite a feast catching up with all the entries.
As for the movies I’ve caught up on;
L’Amore – an Italian movie – famous too – but I found most of it a bore, hysterically acted melodrama.
One Eyed Jacks** – A superior western, beautifully shot and the first half very entertaining with Brando and Karl Malden both terrific. It wilts away with the romance – which didn’t ring true for me.
Judge Priest – Avery dated Ford from the eraly ’30s. A simple, romanticised homespun yarn of the good ‘ol days in the South.
The Life of Python – a dreadful BBC dramatisation of the controversy of the release of the film ‘The Life of Brian’. The impersonations are fine but it’s not funny, Michael Palin’s wife is played by a guy in drag, and it has over-the-top moments of gore. Woeful!
Fatherland* – Based on the Robert Harris’s novel about an alternate world in which the Nazis won the war – it’s 1960 and Joe Kennedy in the President about to sue for peace with Hitler. The a some good moments in this but they are all undercut by an ending that defies belief in it’s falseness.
Alice in Wonderland* – A lively 1933 adaption that I’ve been meaning to catch up with. It’s short enough and goes by the Tennial illustrations and has an all star cast- all behind masks so that much of the fun is kind of lost.
A pity about ‘J. Edgar’ – I was looking forward towards it, alas.
Bobby J—-
I completely understand, and know well that to remain sane you NEED to pull back from on line activities, that’s for sure! Thanks very much for the kind words on the musical countdown, which was the project dearest to my heart than any other during this site’s three year, three month existence. The stupendous writing by the big staff, the insightful comments, the site’s rise in internet ratings, it really was a win-win for all concerned. I know well you followed it right along and appreciate the great comments you placed.
I must say I liked L’AMOUR (A AM LOVE) more than you did overall, but I can defionitely see why you are anyone would come to that conclusion, and in fact the prevailing criticism of the film makes pretty much the same point. I only saw it once, and would like to take a look at the blu-ray at some point, but I do remember being very impressed with Tilda Swinton, especially, and the physical look of the film.
Excellent point about the wiltede romance in ONE EYED JACKS. I completely agree with your overall assessment and rating. I like the film, but always found it a bit overrated. I also agree with the minimal regard for FATHERLAND, though it appears I like JUDGE PRIEST a bit more. Still it’s not one by the director one would usually bring up.
Wow on what you say about THE LIFE OF PYTHON, which I did not see! It does sound like a definite miss! I love Palin of course, but who would argue that?
The ALICE IN WONDERLAN is minor for sure.
You may like J EDGAR more, especially as you are a huge history buff and know the period exceedingly well. It is not without stronger elements, but it could have been so much better. This is a fascinating subject, given surface conscription.
Thanks as always my great friend! It’s always a treat!
Great article.