Lonesome Dove - This epic 6 hour miniseries deserves it's own post. Let me start by saying that I'm not big on Westerns but for some reason, this film (and it is a film, despite being made for TV) transcends its genres. It's a romance, a buddy film, a tragedy, a Lear-like end-of-life realization, a father-son drama, a coming-of-age adventure. It's just so big and so real and dirty and gritty and hard and painful. I think it touches me because, while all of the main characters are men, most of them are motivated by the women in their lives. Jake goes on the drive because of Lorena, Gus agrees to go because he might see Clare Allen, July goes after Jake because of Peach, changes course to find Almira and finds his new place in the world because of Clare, Woodrow takes in Newt because of the love he can't admit for Maggie. Jake even falls in with the outlaws and eventually gets hanged because he's avoiding a madam trying to get him to clean up a customer she shot. I can enjoy this film because it acknowledges the meaning and importance of women in these men's lives even though they are rough and tumble cowboys off on their last adventure.
The dirtiness of the production design is also very appealing to me. I love dirty movies. Where the hats are worn, the pants dusty and patched, the hair messy, the faces smudged, the horses sweaty and frothy. Its one of the reasons I didn't like The English Patient. Not dirty enough. It's a metaphor for life, in my opinion. Messy, crusty, dirty life. And it takes a lot of work to get that dirt on screen. There are many different stages of dirtiness as well. You can see the deterioration of the clothing as representative of the breaking down of the characters outer shells as the narrative arc progresses. You also see their attempts at putting themselves back together as they reenter more civilized towns. And one of my favorite lines: "Well, he's never been one to quit on a garment just cuz it's got a little age." The characters acknowedge the role that clothing plays in society quite a few times in the dialogue. It's really fascinating.
I may have more to write on this film later.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Alphabetical Movie Marathon - J, K & L1
Julie & Julia - It's cliche to say, I know, but the book was better. Of course, it was, it always is. It was also snarkier and Julie is bitchier and the kitchen is way messier in your head than they made it in the movie. I was sad that they cut the maggots under the dish drainer scene. That being said, I really did enjoy the movie and all it made me want to do is cook with butter. I love foodie movies. I need to look into more of them.
Juno - A Minnesota film. Gotta love it. Ellen Page is so natural and subtle for such a young actress. And like our other J movie, I love the snarkiness and sarcasm. Have to deride it for brushing off the abortion issue but I think the world needs more teen pregnancy movies. And more adoption movies. It could only be a good thing. That scene at the end after she has the baby and her dad talks to her . . . so beautiful and real and touching.
Karate Kid - Classic! Can't get over how much I loved this film as a kid and it's still so good! I can totally relate to the uncool, picked on kid. I never got to find a mentor and beat the crap out of the bullies but it's always good to see the underdog gain the necessary skills and life wisdon to win against the bad guys. Always try to catch flies with my chopsticks when I eat Asian food.
Ladyhawke - An oldie but a goodie. I love the historic era film mixed with the rock-n-roll/synch background music. And it contains my favorite fundamentalist Christain comeback line ever: "I talk to God all the time and, no offence, but he never mentioned you." I'm a big fan of Rutger Hauer as well. There's something very intense and oddly attractive about him.
Labrynth - I'm not as in love with this movie as I was as a kid but I still enjoy the puppetry effects and the sophistication of it for a movie essentially aimed at children. The hands catching her as she falls down the obelisk and talking to her when she stops is so cool. I see it very much like the Broadway version of Lion King. Very complicated symbolism and simple effects that you see right through and know exactly how it was done, but it doesn't matter. It's just so clever that you go with it.
Juno - A Minnesota film. Gotta love it. Ellen Page is so natural and subtle for such a young actress. And like our other J movie, I love the snarkiness and sarcasm. Have to deride it for brushing off the abortion issue but I think the world needs more teen pregnancy movies. And more adoption movies. It could only be a good thing. That scene at the end after she has the baby and her dad talks to her . . . so beautiful and real and touching.
Karate Kid - Classic! Can't get over how much I loved this film as a kid and it's still so good! I can totally relate to the uncool, picked on kid. I never got to find a mentor and beat the crap out of the bullies but it's always good to see the underdog gain the necessary skills and life wisdon to win against the bad guys. Always try to catch flies with my chopsticks when I eat Asian food.
Ladyhawke - An oldie but a goodie. I love the historic era film mixed with the rock-n-roll/synch background music. And it contains my favorite fundamentalist Christain comeback line ever: "I talk to God all the time and, no offence, but he never mentioned you." I'm a big fan of Rutger Hauer as well. There's something very intense and oddly attractive about him.
Labrynth - I'm not as in love with this movie as I was as a kid but I still enjoy the puppetry effects and the sophistication of it for a movie essentially aimed at children. The hands catching her as she falls down the obelisk and talking to her when she stops is so cool. I see it very much like the Broadway version of Lion King. Very complicated symbolism and simple effects that you see right through and know exactly how it was done, but it doesn't matter. It's just so clever that you go with it.
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