As a Minnesotan, one might have thought that before I became "an adult" I would have seen Fargo. Sadly, this assumption should not be made. Fargo and No Country for Old Men really caught my attention as movies that I either could relate to or found interesting. At this moment I am feeling the inspiration to discuss the latter of those two films.
A scene from No Country that really disturbed me was when Sheriff Ed Tom Bell returns to the crime scene where Moss was killed. As Bell approaches the door we see that the lock has been characteristically blown out by Chigurh. At this time, we cut to a shot of Chigurh, inside the motel room where Moss had been staying, hiding behind the door with the light from the hole shining just enough to show his face and his gun. OK, when this flashed up on the screen, my heart skipped a couple beats. Sheriff Bell was my FAVORITE character in the film and there was no way he was gonna just be taken out like that. Back to the movie; Feeling that perhaps Chigurh could be in there, Bell reaches for his gun. When he opens the door nothing happens. Bell looks around the room and sees no one nor anything (this made me happpy).
As Tom sits on the bed he looks down to the side at an AC vent and we see the whole story. Now, what I would like to focus on now is the fact that sitting next to the vent cover is a dime with the heads side UP. In past encounters- the store clerk, Mrs. Moss- heads up has been lucky. My view is that Chirgurh asked himself whether or not to wait and see if Bell came back. The heads signified that Bell was really not a threat to him and that he did not need to die.
Truly, I have never seen another thriller/psycho killer film where the murderer has such a place in his brain for fate. In most slasher movies there is nothing that can be done to stop what has been set in motion. However, in No Country for Old Men Anton Chigurgh looks to fate and the unexpected to guide him on his true destiny. I thought this to be VERY cool!
Even though the film was not based off original material from the Coens AND it supposedly held faithful to the book, it can obviously be stamped a Coen Brothers film. Whether it was the setting that influenced the characters and events around them or the somewhat dumb nature of others. These are just two examples of typical Coen elements among many in such a a fantastic film.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Movement Three: Quite the Allegro!
All I can say is. "Matchpoint" (Woody Allen, 2006) really kept my heart beating. The plot was the most riveting part of this movie. The similarities to other recent Allen films were limited in number. However, I can say, in depth, they were quite....deep.
I think you would be happy to know that the awkwardness made another appearance in the next product of the Allen production lines. "Matchpoint" surely mocks "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (or would it be the other way around..?) with its vivid sex scenes. One absolute; both movies star Scarlett Johansson. The awkward dialogue found in VCB is not found as commonly here.
Cinematography-wise, this movie was quite flat. Most, if not 99.99% of the shots were medium-long shots. I counted the exact amount of close-up shots in the movie... grand total: 3! All of these emotionally raw accounts were centered on Chris (the tennis-player/instructor turned adulterer to his super-rich wife, whom cannot conceive a baby). This sadly, left me wanting more!!! I could barely make out the acting on most of the faces of people in most of the shots. Perhaps this, dare I say, is an attempt to mask bad acting? Though I doubt this very much, who knows. Thoughts? haha.
Character development isn't as deep as I would have liked, but it was more multi-dimensional than the cinematography... ouch! Scarlett's character, Nola, seems to make a serious turn of thought when she is suddenly the one in the affair between she and Chris that needs the other. Even MORE surprising is the fact that Chris commits DOUBLE HOMICIDE!!!! (WHAT?!?!?) I know.. Kind of caught you off guard, right? But it's true! This was truly just weird. I mean, this was not in his characteristic physche at ALL. I am quite disappointed by this seemingly cheap plot-driven prostitute of a ploy! :( :( :(
As you can see. I am sad. Plus, it's hard for me to deal with such suspenseful movies. I think it will give me heart disease!
I think you would be happy to know that the awkwardness made another appearance in the next product of the Allen production lines. "Matchpoint" surely mocks "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (or would it be the other way around..?) with its vivid sex scenes. One absolute; both movies star Scarlett Johansson. The awkward dialogue found in VCB is not found as commonly here.
Cinematography-wise, this movie was quite flat. Most, if not 99.99% of the shots were medium-long shots. I counted the exact amount of close-up shots in the movie... grand total: 3! All of these emotionally raw accounts were centered on Chris (the tennis-player/instructor turned adulterer to his super-rich wife, whom cannot conceive a baby). This sadly, left me wanting more!!! I could barely make out the acting on most of the faces of people in most of the shots. Perhaps this, dare I say, is an attempt to mask bad acting? Though I doubt this very much, who knows. Thoughts? haha.
Character development isn't as deep as I would have liked, but it was more multi-dimensional than the cinematography... ouch! Scarlett's character, Nola, seems to make a serious turn of thought when she is suddenly the one in the affair between she and Chris that needs the other. Even MORE surprising is the fact that Chris commits DOUBLE HOMICIDE!!!! (WHAT?!?!?) I know.. Kind of caught you off guard, right? But it's true! This was truly just weird. I mean, this was not in his characteristic physche at ALL. I am quite disappointed by this seemingly cheap plot-driven prostitute of a ploy! :( :( :(
As you can see. I am sad. Plus, it's hard for me to deal with such suspenseful movies. I think it will give me heart disease!
Friday, December 5, 2008
La Vie Noir
With the latest update to my Xbox 360 I now can watch thousands of videos from Netflix immediately on my TV! Even in HD! So, I've started to ravenously explore this and picked out, like, 30 movies to put into my queue. At the top was "La Vie en Rose" Marion Cotillard won best actress for her role in this film as the famous Parisian singer Edith Piaf. So onto the couch i plopped myself and eyes glued to the TV...
About 40 minutes into the film I thought to myself how many of the heart-wrenching aspects of the movie were stark throw backs to the "Film Noir" era. First was the non-chronilogical timeline that is a staple of many mid Noir cycle films.
In addition, the film is so dark, and depressing. You would never think that so many terrible things could happen to just one person. One real hard moment was when she revealed that she was only 44 in a scene where she is being cared for for a liver problem. However, she looks much older, maybe 70 years old. The music was the way that Edith hid. When she was in public, all she wanted to do was sing, because she was afraid that if she did not sing a certain show that night, she would never get another gig again.
I would recommend "La Vie En Rose" to anyone that has interests in music, french, or seeing a star rise from no where and dig herself a hole deeper than where she began.
Watch it!
About 40 minutes into the film I thought to myself how many of the heart-wrenching aspects of the movie were stark throw backs to the "Film Noir" era. First was the non-chronilogical timeline that is a staple of many mid Noir cycle films.
In addition, the film is so dark, and depressing. You would never think that so many terrible things could happen to just one person. One real hard moment was when she revealed that she was only 44 in a scene where she is being cared for for a liver problem. However, she looks much older, maybe 70 years old. The music was the way that Edith hid. When she was in public, all she wanted to do was sing, because she was afraid that if she did not sing a certain show that night, she would never get another gig again.
I would recommend "La Vie En Rose" to anyone that has interests in music, french, or seeing a star rise from no where and dig herself a hole deeper than where she began.
Watch it!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Rape of Europa... A little closer to home.
This past weekend I sat down with my latest Netflix arrival, "The Rape of Europa." This film was based on a book by Lynn Nicholas in 1995. In addition, this had been a repeat viewing. The first time I saw the movie was last spring at the local Landmark Theater. The music hooked me instantly, and I was on iTunes the minutes I got home from the theater. I also loved seeing a different side of history that normally isn't explored in our regular courses offered at the high school.
Even in the opening scene, chills were sent down my back becuase of the music. Intense disonance is used to create uncomfortable chords. If you've seen the movie you know what I mean. If you haven't, here's a link to the trailer, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK55VI23uXs
Rape of Europa does a very good job of supporting its ideas. Included in the film are interviews with Polish historians, French art historians, and residences of Florence at the time of the destruction of the city by Nazi Germany before the end of the war.
One quote, also noted in the trailer, is made by a former "Monument Man," art historians that traveled with troops on the frontline to help with the preservation of masterpieces and historically significant art. He asks, "Which is more important, a work of art, or a human life?"
If you choose to respond to this post, I'd like to hear your opinion on this question. Would you risk your life for a work of art?
Even in the opening scene, chills were sent down my back becuase of the music. Intense disonance is used to create uncomfortable chords. If you've seen the movie you know what I mean. If you haven't, here's a link to the trailer, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK55VI23uXs
Rape of Europa does a very good job of supporting its ideas. Included in the film are interviews with Polish historians, French art historians, and residences of Florence at the time of the destruction of the city by Nazi Germany before the end of the war.
One quote, also noted in the trailer, is made by a former "Monument Man," art historians that traveled with troops on the frontline to help with the preservation of masterpieces and historically significant art. He asks, "Which is more important, a work of art, or a human life?"
If you choose to respond to this post, I'd like to hear your opinion on this question. Would you risk your life for a work of art?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Halloween: NOT so Demonish!
On Halloween night, I thought i was getting a treat! A scary treat at that. Poised to receive the scare of my life, my friends suggest we watch "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (Tim Burton, 2007). I was horrified by two things; the singing, and the "special"-effects.
Casting led to a weak and unskilled set of lungs to support this boisterous score. Sadly, I think some personal favors got in the way. The seemingly common law "marriage" (they aren't actually married) between Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs. Lovett) seems to be the first culprit. As a musical person myself, i was disappointed with how terrible the singing was, this being a musical movie. In addition, the constant annoying singing led to my strong dislike for Sweeney Todd.
In the first scene, I was greeted with the worst CGI i have ever witnessed. I mean, this movie put out worse graphics than my N64 when I was, like, 12 years old! I thought to myself, "Why the heck is a multi-million dollar budget movie doing using crappy CGI for what should be the realest looking blood I've ever seen in my life?" If anything it inspired me to be unafraid of what was to come.
Even worse? Oh yes, I was about to FALL ASLEEP the plot was so dis-compelling.
Sorry, Tim. I guess you'll have to try again some other time :(
Casting led to a weak and unskilled set of lungs to support this boisterous score. Sadly, I think some personal favors got in the way. The seemingly common law "marriage" (they aren't actually married) between Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs. Lovett) seems to be the first culprit. As a musical person myself, i was disappointed with how terrible the singing was, this being a musical movie. In addition, the constant annoying singing led to my strong dislike for Sweeney Todd.
In the first scene, I was greeted with the worst CGI i have ever witnessed. I mean, this movie put out worse graphics than my N64 when I was, like, 12 years old! I thought to myself, "Why the heck is a multi-million dollar budget movie doing using crappy CGI for what should be the realest looking blood I've ever seen in my life?" If anything it inspired me to be unafraid of what was to come.
Even worse? Oh yes, I was about to FALL ASLEEP the plot was so dis-compelling.
Sorry, Tim. I guess you'll have to try again some other time :(
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Shut Up and Let Me Go!
I guess one would expect me to write something meaningful within the pages of this blog. However, I cannot promise that everything that I write will be deep, or even reasonable. Just my opinion!
I cannot believe that we have only watched one (1) movie in the past 5 weeks of Art of Film. That film happens to be "Citizen Kane". Now, I can't say that I've suddenly "developed a new taste for black and white film" or anything artsy like that. However, I did like it. I find it amazing that a man (Welles) can write so eloquently behind the camera and really deliver the emotion in front of the camera. In a way, Mr. K., you have opened my eyes to a new genre of film. That genre of film just happens to represent a time period:
Before the 1990s! (a.k.a before I was born)
Now to turn the subject. In particular there is a movie that has caught my eye in the commercials lately. "The Duchess" staring Keira Knightley looks like another visually stunning "blast from the past". To let you in on what looks to be a fantastic movie, I've included a link to the trailer in True High Definition (this may cause your computer to load it at a slower rate- but trust me, it looks superb!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpGVOzuskL4&feature=related
I cannot believe that we have only watched one (1) movie in the past 5 weeks of Art of Film. That film happens to be "Citizen Kane". Now, I can't say that I've suddenly "developed a new taste for black and white film" or anything artsy like that. However, I did like it. I find it amazing that a man (Welles) can write so eloquently behind the camera and really deliver the emotion in front of the camera. In a way, Mr. K., you have opened my eyes to a new genre of film. That genre of film just happens to represent a time period:
Before the 1990s! (a.k.a before I was born)
Now to turn the subject. In particular there is a movie that has caught my eye in the commercials lately. "The Duchess" staring Keira Knightley looks like another visually stunning "blast from the past". To let you in on what looks to be a fantastic movie, I've included a link to the trailer in True High Definition (this may cause your computer to load it at a slower rate- but trust me, it looks superb!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpGVOzuskL4&feature=related
Friday, September 19, 2008
Why I <3 Film
I <3 film because it gives me a chance to relate. My favorite kind of film is foreign film. The reason being that I love learning the intricacies of foreign culture. Being in the know- about anything- is always important to me! The most recent foreign film I watched was "Les Choristes" (The Chorus) directed by first time director Barratier. Two movies that I recently received from netflix are "Mon Oncle" by Jacques Tati and "Notre Dame de Paris" by Luc Plamondon. "Notre Dame" is a musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's masterpiece of the same name.
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