I actually prefer the second chase sequence over the opening one just because of how it works. The opening one deserves plenty of love and credit but the second one feels like something out of a 90s or 70s action movie.
Printable View
The underlying reason why the film switched to the cameras during that scene wasn't because it was Ramsay's first preference in presenting it, though, but because of the limited timeframe they were given to make the film in (less than one month), which forced them to figure out a way to shoot that scene in one day's time, which is part of the reason why the scene (and the film as a whole) failed to be immersive as it should've been, since it was a creative decision motivated more by the limitations placed upon the production, and less by what would've been the most effective for the scene (and, since it's a graphic moment in a Psychological Thriller that otherwise takes the PoV of an extremely disturbed, unstable individual, detaching us from it makes little sense). That being said though, you misunderstood me when I mentioned the "immersiveness" of movies' aesthetics, because when I discuss that, I'm not talking about being immersed in the reality of a film's world to the point that we forget that we're watching a movie, I mean that a film's style immerses us deeply into a particular atmosphere, headspace, or mood (like the lush daydream vibe of Drive), regardless of whether it not that feels "real" or not.
That's also the reason why I wouldn't single out the LotR trilogy for having a particularly "immersive" aesthetic, as, while they're all well-directed films, and did immerse me deeply into the world of Middle Earth, that had less to do with their maniuplation of the stylistic elements that are unique to movies as a medium (cinematography, editing, sound design, etc.), and more to do with the practical elements of the costumes, the locations, or the esoteric, fantasy-based dialogue, all of which would also have immersed me if I had merely been there on-set to personally witness the scenes being filmed myself, similar to the effect that people get from playing a LARP, going through a really good "Haunted House", or attending a Renaissance Fair, you know?
Absolutely, and it's why I'm baffled by the complaints I've seen about the film not being interested in digging into why The Driver's penchant for violence runs strong, when that's very self-explanatory from what the film presents to us; []
As far as I'm concerned, the behind-the-scenes info is irrelevant; all that counts is what winds up on the screen. And in this case, precisely because the protagonist is a disturbed, unstable individual whom we can neither root for unproblematically nor reject outright, it makes sense that Ramsay's style would vacillate between aligning the spectator with his subjective impressions and a more distanced, outside perspective on his actions.
In the not-so-humble opinion of the board, what are the best Miami films?
Miami Vice is pretty damn good. Bad Boys series. Miami Connection lol
Not sure if this counts, but I feel like I Am Cuba is a insanely good film that provides a sense of the culture and it's roots than many of the whitewashed films that like to provide stereotypical representations of what Miami culture seems like from the outside.
Man. Looking at upcoming movies and there's nothing that really gets me excited for most of the summer. I'll see Zola, but other than that, sheesh....
s/o Miami Connection which contains maybe the greatest title card drop in film history
A few titles where I think a Miami/ South Florida setting is essential to the story:
- Adaptation
- Cocaine Cowboys
- Goldfinger
- Out of Sight
- The Birdcage
- Body Heat
- Thunderball
- Wild Things
If novels had double bills, I'd pair this with Elmore Leonard's "Stick" (and then carefully avoid the movies made from these books).
The phrase you're probably looking for is mise-en-scène.
After my first viewing of 8 1/2 in several years, I remember why I didn’t understand much about it when I was in high school: It's really heady and packed with philosophical ideas about life, art and the film industry, leaving viewers with a lot to ruminate on well after the film’s conclusion. That said, I still love how grounded the dream sequences are while still feeling surreal, I love the soundtrack, and the film has been impeccably restored. At the end of it all, though, what is clear is the film's point that making a film is a replication of existence on Earth. Despite the pressures and stressors that come with it, the act of filmmaking is a grand union of eclectic stars and businessmen with eccentric artists, all of whom are carrying personal stories and employ them to not only put on a show for all audiences to enjoy, but also to replicate the spectacle of life itself.
And I intend to see it again sometime next month because it's coming back as part of a month-long Fellini retrospective! My favorite arthouse theater here is playing mostly 4K DCPs of 8 1/2 and the following (bolded are the films I plan to see):
La Strada
The White Sheik
I Vitelloni
Il Bidone
Nights of Cabiria (have seen and liked)
La Dolce Vita
Juliet of the Spirits
Amarcord (have seen before and did not like)
Orchestra Rehearsal
And The Ship Sails On
Anything else in this retrospective I should definitely seek out? Fellini's one of my blind spots as a cinephile so I can't wait to fill it in the coming weeks.
De Palma's Scarface is a good movie IMO, but I don't know if I should bring it up as a good example of a Miami movie, even though it's probably the most iconic depiction of that city to come out of Hollywood, since most of it was actually shot in LA, haha.
I definitely don't think any movie has really captured what South Beach is like.
At least with Wild Things, it felt muggy and humid.
Haven't seen The Birdcage...
I watched Miami Blues not long ago. Like the actual city, it has its highlights but I'm not a fan overall.
Miami Blues was a great recommendation, thanks guys! Loved Alec Baldwin's offbeat character.
It was the first and only one I could think of.
Anyway, I made a list.
Link isnt working for me