At some level, what Godard does just doesn't resonate with me. Its just not my thing. From a craft and technical standpoint I actually see a lot of value in them - it is impossible to deny the place in film history that Breathless deservedly holds, despite i think the film is kind of stupid. M/F actually emodies much of what I dislike about Godard. Much of these films just remind me of the kind of stupid crap I saw arty sophomore film students doing when i was in college. This is especially true of the titles accompanied by gunshots. It seems very blatant and it just annoys the shit out of me. "This film could be called the children of marxism and coca-cola" is the kind of thing i can see coming from the mouth of the 17 year radical-chic hipsters walking around my college campus in Marx shirts. Of course this is the kind of person being portrayed in the film, but based on every Godard film I've seen it appears to me that JLG himself never got past this level of political thought. I also have to face the fact that I just like traditional storytelling, and if you want to get those points across, i'd rather see it done in the context of a story that has emotional resonance, rather than thrown up on the screen and shoved in my face. Oh these kids have become de-sensitized to death. There are ways to express that without randomly killing three people on the screen and having the kids not be phased. I am able to read context and subtlety, I don't need everything shoved down my throat. I've got Hollywood for that.
I've seen a lot of his movies too - Breathless, My Life To Live, Contempt, Band Of Outsiders, Alphaville, M/F, Weekend, Germany Year Nine Zero, and about half of Histoires Du Cinema (which I fell asleep during.) So its not like I'm speaking from a completely limited pallette.
The only one of his movies I have unqualified love for is Contempt. Of course, this is the one most JLG lovers hate. I also somewhat liked My Life To Live and Alphaville. The rest can pretty much jump in the lake and that includes Breathless.
I am considering, like everyone else does, redoing my rating system. Or maybe not redoing it, but re-evaluating how I rate. As you can see, I'm generally pretty generous, and I am beginning to believe I am too generous. This came about tonight as Kent mentioned to me that I had given The Small Back Room an A here, which in retrospect seems a bit much. I did like the film, but it was below about four of the other Powells, and I think its high rating is a result of the fact that at the time I posted I was very focused on what the film did right (still a lot) and well it did it (very.) Still, its not a masterpiece and its sure as fuck not Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp, The Red Shoes or A Matter Of Life And Death.
So anyways, I suspect a lot of re-rating will be coming.
Based on the oblique comments that I HAD heard, and the fact that I knew there was a heavy plot spoiler in the end, I had it pretty much figured out around the time when Maggie started her title fight. Still, it was a very good film even given that, as I don't believe that is the central point of the story by any means.
Here is a question of some import. Lets say I go over to their website and watch the oscar winning short film Ryan via streaming video. Have I actually seen this in any meaningful way, and as such does it deserve to be added to the viewing list?
Me and Kza both saw it tonight! Really good movie, not may favorite of the Powells, a lot different than the other two I had seen. Shore is purty tho! Are you watching the Criterion DVD? I saw it has a documentary on the cinematography as well as commentary by Powell and Scorsese! Would be interested to hear how those are.
No the Bertollucci retro is in town so I caught it on film, which is currently the only possible way to catch it subtitled and uncropped. All the VHS copies are dubbed and pan-and-scan, and there was a pan-and-scan laserdisc but I don't know if it was dubbed or not. Did HBO show it recently? That seems odd.
Dude, what kind of crack are you smoking. Maybe the big screen made the difference, but I thought the first hour of Time Of The Wolf was mond-bogglingly great. That scene out in the forest, where its totally dark except the far in the distance dot of light ... all that shit blew my mind.
Admittedly it goes downhill later on, great ending though.
At some level, what Godard does just doesn't resonate with me. Its just not my thing. From a craft and technical standpoint I actually see a lot of value in them - it is impossible to deny the place in film history that Breathless deservedly holds, despite i think the film is kind of stupid. M/F actually emodies much of what I dislike about Godard. Much of these films just remind me of the kind of stupid crap I saw arty sophomore film students doing when i was in college. This is especially true of the titles accompanied by gunshots. It seems very blatant and it just annoys the shit out of me. "This film could be called the children of marxism and coca-cola" is the kind of thing i can see coming from the mouth of the 17 year radical-chic hipsters walking around my college campus in Marx shirts. Of course this is the kind of person being portrayed in the film, but based on every Godard film I've seen it appears to me that JLG himself never got past this level of political thought. I also have to face the fact that I just like traditional storytelling, and if you want to get those points across, i'd rather see it done in the context of a story that has emotional resonance, rather than thrown up on the screen and shoved in my face. Oh these kids have become de-sensitized to death. There are ways to express that without randomly killing three people on the screen and having the kids not be phased. I am able to read context and subtlety, I don't need everything shoved down my throat. I've got Hollywood for that.
I've seen a lot of his movies too - Breathless, My Life To Live, Contempt, Band Of Outsiders, Alphaville, M/F, Weekend, Germany Year Nine Zero, and about half of Histoires Du Cinema (which I fell asleep during.) So its not like I'm speaking from a completely limited pallette.
It seemed a little contrived maybe, but certainly it added a twist. The film itself was tons of fun overall.
The only one of his movies I have unqualified love for is Contempt. Of course, this is the one most JLG lovers hate. I also somewhat liked My Life To Live and Alphaville. The rest can pretty much jump in the lake and that includes Breathless.
It is done! Not that my meager total is any threat to anyone in the slightest.
I am considering, like everyone else does, redoing my rating system. Or maybe not redoing it, but re-evaluating how I rate. As you can see, I'm generally pretty generous, and I am beginning to believe I am too generous. This came about tonight as Kent mentioned to me that I had given The Small Back Room an A here, which in retrospect seems a bit much. I did like the film, but it was below about four of the other Powells, and I think its high rating is a result of the fact that at the time I posted I was very focused on what the film did right (still a lot) and well it did it (very.) Still, its not a masterpiece and its sure as fuck not Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp, The Red Shoes or A Matter Of Life And Death.
So anyways, I suspect a lot of re-rating will be coming.
Based on the oblique comments that I HAD heard, and the fact that I knew there was a heavy plot spoiler in the end, I had it pretty much figured out around the time when Maggie started her title fight. Still, it was a very good film even given that, as I don't believe that is the central point of the story by any means.
I will never beat you in sheer numbers but I've got you beat here!
Here is a question of some import. Lets say I go over to their website and watch the oscar winning short film Ryan via streaming video. Have I actually seen this in any meaningful way, and as such does it deserve to be added to the viewing list?
Discuss.
I saw Battles Without Honor Or Humanity last year, what are the rest of the Fukasukus like in comparison?
Well, that saves me a couple hours, thanks!
Me and Kza both saw it tonight! Really good movie, not may favorite of the Powells, a lot different than the other two I had seen. Shore is purty tho! Are you watching the Criterion DVD? I saw it has a documentary on the cinematography as well as commentary by Powell and Scorsese! Would be interested to hear how those are.
You may as well add me although my pathetic total isn't even worth laughing at. Starting to pick up though.
That show was awesome! I have that box if you want to borrow it.
No the Bertollucci retro is in town so I caught it on film, which is currently the only possible way to catch it subtitled and uncropped. All the VHS copies are dubbed and pan-and-scan, and there was a pan-and-scan laserdisc but I don't know if it was dubbed or not. Did HBO show it recently? That seems odd.
Dude, what kind of crack are you smoking. Maybe the big screen made the difference, but I thought the first hour of Time Of The Wolf was mond-bogglingly great. That scene out in the forest, where its totally dark except the far in the distance dot of light ... all that shit blew my mind.
Admittedly it goes downhill later on, great ending though.