tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post8134543016545042000..comments2024-03-05T21:05:36.848-05:00Comments on CommentaramaFilms: The Great (film) Debates vol. 101AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-68183442713494860162013-11-25T12:32:05.020-05:002013-11-25T12:32:05.020-05:00Backthrow, I like Grindhouse as well, though inter...Backthrow, I like <i>Grindhouse</i> as well, though interestingly, over time I've come to like <i>Planet Terror</i> better than <i>Deathproof</i> even though initially I felt the reverse.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-41230250770043856692013-11-25T12:23:19.328-05:002013-11-25T12:23:19.328-05:00Koshcat, I'll do my best. :)Koshcat, I'll do my best. :)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-20319564171100547842013-11-25T11:32:24.934-05:002013-11-25T11:32:24.934-05:001986: Attending commercial art school in north cen...1986: Attending commercial art school in north central NJ, movies were virtually our only form of entertainment. This was the only time in my life where I'd regularly go to the cinema at least once a week. The multiplex there had a regular 'dinnertime discount', basically a matinee price at their point of slowest business, weeknights at dinnertime. On Halloween, 20th Century Fox had a special promotional event at theaters around the country, a re-issued double feature of two movies they had released that past Summer, priced as a 2-for-1 special. So we went to see David Cronenberg's <i>THE FLY</i>, and James Cameron's <i>ALIENS</i>, back-to-back (a short intermission between, where we'd have to stand in the lobby), for one regular ticket price, which was half the price of a regular ticket, being at dinnertime. And I'd seen both that Summer, so I knew both films would rock. Easily the greatest bang-for-the-buck value I’ve ever gotten at the movies, seeing both hits together for a grand total of $1.50.<br /><br />1988: Still at school in NJ, beginning of the school year, so some late-Summer fare was still playing. A bunch of us wanted to go see <i>MIDNIGHT RUN</i>, but found out as we walked in that it had come and gone. Some of our crew suggested we see this new flick, called <i>'DIE HARD'</i>, instead. Starring that guy from <i>MOONLIGHTING</i> (which I despised... probably the hype more than the show). I was sure it wouldn't be any good. Few things are better than going into a great movie, cold, with really low expectations.<br /><br />1995: A new Sony multiplex had their grand opening in Danbury, CT. The place was spotless. <i>BRAVEHEART</i> had just started playing. The film was great, the crowd (all adults, no sign of any little kids dragged in) was completely into it (great audience reactions in all the right places, without being distracting or annoying) and the theater had a tent erected in the parking lot, giving out free 2-liter bottles of Coke to all its new patrons, since it was the grand opening. <br /><br />The last memorable movie theater experience I've had was seeing Tarantino & Rodriguez's <i>GRINDHOUSE</i> with a fellow geek at a local theater in 2007. The audience was small, but enthusiastic, and the two films and fake trailers between them were fun.Backthrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02289433396695381105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-1085206943561992362013-11-25T11:18:12.065-05:002013-11-25T11:18:12.065-05:00I, too, have several.
1977: STAR WARS, at this th...I, too, have several.<br /><br />1977: <i>STAR WARS</i>, at <a href="http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/13509" rel="nofollow">this theater</a> in Lynchburg, VA. The line wrapped around the building, well into the area behind it. I was 9, and after getting our tickets, my dad and I sat on a bench in the lobby, just outside of the screening room, and we could hear the climax to the previous showing. Nothing was spoiled, but since I didn't know what a 'tie fighter' was at the time, I thought the roars I heard were the heroes fighting some big dragon-monster at the end. The opening was very memorable; the imperial battle cruiser seemed so huge, the underside going on seemingly forever. The whole movie was incredible for a kid that age, in that era. A great, temporary escape from a world with Carter in charge. <i>CLOSE ENCOUNTERS</i>, a few weeks later, had the same effect, and I liked it even more than <i>STAR WARS</i>, if that was even possible.<br /><br />That same summer, a school pal's mom took us <a href="http://www.driveins.org/va-lynchburg-forttwin.htm" rel="nofollow">here</a>, to see a double bill of <i>JASON & THE ARGONAUTS</i> (I'm not quite sure how I was able to relate to a film made 14 years earlier, and 5 years before my birth... but I managed, somehow) and <i>SINBAD & THE EYE OF THE TIGER</i>. We popped huge quantities of popcorn at home and filled a trash bag or two, and filled a couple of plastic milk jugs with lemonade, and those were our economical movie snacks, smuggled in.<br /><br />1980: Again at the Pittman Plaza theater where I saw STAR WARS, another school chum and I caught an evening show of the re-released <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QXP0LVnd3k" rel="nofollow">INFRA-MAN</a>. Cheesy as all get out, but we, and the entire (full) theater audience went nuts over it. Later, seeing <i>SUPERMAN II</i>, at the brand-spanking-new <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joearchitect/3612051093/" rel="nofollow">theater</a> at the new mall that had opened, was a big deal, and I remember the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end when the trailer ahead of it was for... <i>THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK</i>, caught later that year, which was the unparalleled movie event of the year, made even sweeter when Reagan won in a landslide that Fall.<br /><br />1981: The River Ridge IV theater at the mall became the venue of choice. My dad took me to see the big new movie from George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, which sounded to me like it was going to be filled with boring religious stuff: <i>RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK</i>. Wow. <br /><br />I was a day student at a private school that year, and for some reason they had arranged the school schedule so we'd get out on noon on Fridays, so I'd hop a city bus to the mall, and caught the movie two more times at the earliest matinee showing; one time sneaking in a Chick Filet sandwich and seeing Indy outwit Nazis, totally alone in an empty theater, center seat. Sweet.<br /><br />1982: Same mall theater. I was with some friends, to see <i>POLTERGEIST</i>. The theater had a couple of video game machines, past the snack counter, just in front of the door to the screens. Waiting to be let in, I played <i>Galaxian</i>, which I was fairly good at, and was pretty absorbed in the game. When I was done, ready to go in at showtime, my friends informed me that a couple, standing inches behind me while I was at the game console, had gotten into a loud fight, and the boyfriend had pulled a knife, and mall security had come in and escorted them out of the building. I never saw nor heard anything. *jawdrop* --the movie was, of course, terrific, and I was fooled into thinking the story was over when Zelda Rubenstein had driven the spirits out, but then... *double-jawdrop*.<br /><br />[continued]Backthrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02289433396695381105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-72103804636895914562013-11-25T11:06:56.585-05:002013-11-25T11:06:56.585-05:00I really like Muholland Drive but I think it takes...I really like Muholland Drive but I think it takes a few watchings to fully appreciate it. It is really difficult to separate reality from fantasy and he screws with the timeline. Not to mention a nice sex scene.Koshcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00552108950848576633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-17085567917038166612013-11-24T22:28:58.191-05:002013-11-24T22:28:58.191-05:00Jed, LOL! If I had the time, I would do more.Jed, LOL! If I had the time, I would do more.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-40793513908390686702013-11-24T22:28:05.693-05:002013-11-24T22:28:05.693-05:00John, That's my guess too because what they st...John, That's my guess too because what they stripped out was anything even remotely sexual. But that really is integral because it shows how she stops trying to buy him off and instead becomes his friend. It changes the nature of their relationship.<br /><br />That they did. It's a very sexy film.<br />AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-28039472997434216962013-11-24T22:27:15.821-05:002013-11-24T22:27:15.821-05:00That's particularly good Andrew since I no lon...That's particularly good Andrew since I no longer do them l.o.l!Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-77813238128040206472013-11-24T22:20:41.670-05:002013-11-24T22:20:41.670-05:00Luckily, I saw the European version of Leon first....Luckily, I saw the European version of Leon first. I think the LA screen-testers may have been uncomfortable with the Lolita and other adult-like aspects of Mathilde's relationship with Leon, whereas they are integral to the plot: in many ways, Leon is the more child-like/innocent of the two. I agree, it is a fantastic film.<br /><br />As for Lopez and Clooney, they certainly sparked and sparkled.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105609617071999765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-66869746456802317312013-11-24T21:58:02.928-05:002013-11-24T21:58:02.928-05:00Jed, I'll do a review. :)Jed, I'll do a review. :)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-60181216980423134052013-11-24T21:57:31.321-05:002013-11-24T21:57:31.321-05:00John, Thanks! No rush.
I definitely intend to re...John, Thanks! No rush.<br /><br />I definitely intend to review both films at some point. They are two of my favorites from the 1990s. I love the sense of cool in <i>Out of Sight</i> and the chemistry between Lopez and Clooney is fantastic.<br /><br /><i>Leon</i> is an interesting film because the American version is not very good. They stripped out a lot of the relationship between Leon and Portman because it didn't test well. The result is awkward and incomplete. But when you see the European/long version, the whole story comes through much better, it all makes sense, and it's a fantastic film. Their relationship really is very strong and very touching, even as it's contrasted against the idea of this being a killer teaching a young girl to be a killer. I highly recommend the long version of this film (135 minutes).AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-30150013861228216932013-11-24T21:44:28.942-05:002013-11-24T21:44:28.942-05:00It is my favorite Lynch movie too. It can't be...It is my favorite Lynch movie too. It can't be discussed without spoilers: maybe once Andrew has seen it, you and he can do a double bill review? I would comment!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105609617071999765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-56845439885071208292013-11-24T21:42:01.570-05:002013-11-24T21:42:01.570-05:00Scott, thanks for getting the link to work:)Scott, thanks for getting the link to work:)Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-32138474726868522102013-11-24T21:39:08.852-05:002013-11-24T21:39:08.852-05:00I have Muholland Drive, and have screened it numer...I have Muholland Drive, and have screened it numerous times. I have copious notes, and it has long been a film I considered reviewing for C.F. even have an outline done. In the end, I decided not to submit it because 1) nobody can comment if they haven't seen it 2) you cannot do a review justice without discussing monumental spoilers. To me, it is Lynch's masterwork, and the best acting of Naomi Watts' career. And yes, at times Lynch does get too cute by a degree or so. that said, it is a great film.Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-465570291692278422013-11-24T21:11:50.120-05:002013-11-24T21:11:50.120-05:00Wow - great list (and a great response to my other...Wow - great list (and a great response to my other post, which I won't have time to respond to for a while). There are many great movies I thought you would mention (e.g. Sixth Sense, Pulp Fiction, Fifth Element, Men in Black, The Matrix), some borderline but unsurprising (Jurassic Park, Austin Powers, 12 Monkeys). However, I am most struck by two movies that I never expected you to mention: Leon and Out of Sight. These are probably my favorite crime/thriller movies of the 90s, although they transcend genre, being borderline romcoms, among other themes. It would be interesting to review them together. One thing they have in common is that the plot is driven by a strong emotional connection between the two leads. Another is that they try to depict the distinction between "bad cool" and immorality/evil. I think both films also invite us to contrast their fantasy worlds with reality, and compare our own fantasy expectations of morality with realistic ones. Very interesting.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105609617071999765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-38073885145678660482013-11-24T20:39:03.149-05:002013-11-24T20:39:03.149-05:00John, Don't worry, I'll watch that part t...John, Don't worry, I'll watch that part too. :)<br /><br />Off the top of my head, here some of my favorites from the 1990s (they're not all early): The Sixth Sense, Fight Club, Hunt for Red October, Terminator 2, Silence of the Lambs, Army of Darkness, True Romance, Demolition Man, True Lies, Pulp Fiction, The Addams Family I & II, Glengarry Glen Ross, Jurassic Park, Hudsucker Proxy, Dark City, The Big Lebowski, Austin Powers, LA Confidential, Last Man Standing, Men in Black, Leon, Toy Story, Apollo 13, The Matrix, The Mummy, Seven, 12 Monkeys, Clueless, The Fifth Element, Reservoir Dogs, Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, The Game, Out of Sight, Ronin.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-83336956016074217842013-11-24T19:43:48.774-05:002013-11-24T19:43:48.774-05:00Great: I'm sure you have been warned already n...Great: I'm sure you have been warned already not to ignore the bit before the opening credits. I hope the TV channel didn''t mess that up!<br /><br />Interested by your view on the late 1970s and early 1990s, what are your early 1990s favorites?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105609617071999765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-10808029544124717842013-11-24T19:31:18.018-05:002013-11-24T19:31:18.018-05:00John, Was it a better time? I generally dismiss t...John, Was it a better time? I generally dismiss things like that as nostalgia, but in this case I would actually say yes, when it comes to movies. I think that the late 1970s and the early 1990s are probably our two best periods for great films. Both periods seemed to involve greater creativity and if you start listing "great films," I think you'll see that both periods are over-represented compared to other time periods.<br /><br />At the same time, those periods were pre-internet and the 1970s was before the widespread use of cable television. So films tended to be much more surprising to people, i.e. they weren't spoiled, and they tended to be "events" because of a lack of competition. So when something like <i>Star Wars</i> came out, <i>everyone</i> went to see it, everyone was stunned, and you saw people talking about it everywhere. That seemed to make films "larger than life," which is something you rarely get today.<br /><br />Today, films are just one small option in a crowded culture, so events films are kind of rare. And it's very much a struggle to avoid knowing everything about a film before you see it. If <i>Star Trek II</i> came out today, it would almost be impossible not find out that Spock dies before you see the film.<br /><br /><br />On <i>Shawshank</i>, I like the film a lot as a film. It's well done and beautifully filmed. I am annoyed though that the film is a rip-off of <i>Escape From Alcatraz</i> without giving any credit to the prior film. That's a Stephen King issue that really bothers me time and again.<br /><br />On <i>Mulholland Drive</i>, you'll be happy to know that it was on TV the other day and I taped it. I plan to watch it soon and review it. :)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-21136695761741027662013-11-24T19:10:48.151-05:002013-11-24T19:10:48.151-05:00Andrew, presumably you've seen Shawshank Redem...Andrew, presumably you've seen Shawshank Redemption. What did you think? I'd like to add this to "Mulholland Drive" as movies I think you should review!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105609617071999765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-44800773687778090982013-11-24T19:07:49.921-05:002013-11-24T19:07:49.921-05:00Was it really better in the 1980/90s than the 2000...Was it really better in the 1980/90s than the 2000/10s? That's an interesting question!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105609617071999765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-77400550660944358392013-11-24T18:05:37.504-05:002013-11-24T18:05:37.504-05:00T-Rav, I won't lie... cinema used to be better...T-Rav, I won't lie... cinema used to be better.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-24848097508044256122013-11-24T18:05:17.241-05:002013-11-24T18:05:17.241-05:00John, The Usual Suspects blew me away. That's...John, <i>The Usual Suspects</i> blew me away. That's one of my favorite films of all time.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-57142202187069880842013-11-24T18:01:08.104-05:002013-11-24T18:01:08.104-05:00You older guys have all the fun movie-going experi...You older guys have all the fun movie-going experiences. I just got a bunch of CGI disappointment. Well, I take that back--there was <i>The Dark Knight</i>, and <i>The Avengers</i>, which was a pretty cool experience because it's the only time I've ever heard an audience applaud at the end. But otherwise, not so much.T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-26387603397733461162013-11-24T17:49:42.546-05:002013-11-24T17:49:42.546-05:00A few other movies have come close: Shawshank Rede...A few other movies have come close: Shawshank Redemption, for example has a wonderfully rich payoff at the end, as does The Usual Suspects. But the emotional, cinematographic and conceptual density of the last few minutes of Blade Runner are probably unparalleled, and totally blew me away.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105609617071999765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-85744031116059767102013-11-24T17:39:12.174-05:002013-11-24T17:39:12.174-05:00John, That is a heck of an ending on a great film....John, That is a heck of an ending on a great film. It's amazing how much can be conveyed with such little dialog at that point.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com