28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[Boner M]

Nice. The other 3 in the box set are even better, so enjoy.

Yeah, I have a feeling that I might downgrade my rating after watching the other three, but I thought this one was really moving, esp. the final 10 minutes. Maybe it does lack the trademark ghostly, elegant roving camera that came to characterise his subsequent films, but it's a more fleet film in its critique of society's mercilessness, with the brisk inevitability of its subject's downfall coming across forcefully. Mizoguchi's mastery particularly surfaces in the use of grid-like compositions and vertical lines for an appropriately stifling mise-en-scene - even his establishing shots of cityscapes make them look diminutive and anonymous, and the sky look like it's weighing down on the world.

[B-side]

Yeah, I have a feeling that I might downgrade my rating after watching the other three, but I thought this one was really moving, esp. the final 10 minutes. Maybe it does lack the trademark ghostly, elegant roving camera that came to characterise his subsequent films, but it's a more fleet film in its critique of society's mercilessness, with the brisk inevitability of its subject's downfall coming across forcefully. Mizoguchi's mastery particularly surfaces in the use of grid-like compositions and vertical lines for an appropriately stifling mise-en-scene - even his establishing shots of cityscapes make them look diminutive and anonymous, and the sky look like it's weighing down on the world.

Sisters of the Gion is littered with gorgeous tracking shots. As is Story of the Last Chrysanthemum. Utamaro a bit less so, but it's hardly worse off for it. Mizoguchi definitely settled down with the camera a bit late in his career, which is probably why I prefer his earlier work.

[Morris Schæffer]

Well, the blu-ray for a trip to the moon looks astonishing

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/A-Trip.../36593/#Review

[Gizmo]

Finally managed to watch the whole The Thin Red Line. So long. I just cannot get into Malick's movies, no matter how well put together they are, there's not not enough narrative/action to hold my interest. There were some good scenes in this, but overall I was mostly bored and fighting to keep interest.

[Pop Trash]

Has there ever been a movie that is so awesome in yet so ridiculous as Zabriskie Point?

[Izzy Black]

Before this falls into the annals of FDT's back pages, I want to re-emphasize my giddy enthusiasm of this discovery. Rather than try to clumsily put into words my feelings, I want to encourage interested parties (and there are definitely certain people on this site -- and you know who you are -- who really need to see this film) to check out the following review, which nails everything I felt about Black Night and conveys the film's essence brilliantly. I agree with every word of it.

http://www.cinelogue.com/reviews/nuit-noire

Anyone who appreciates amazing surreal imagery and impeccable sound design (again, think Lynch) should make this film a priority.

If you're still not convinced, here's the NSFW trailer:

[youtube]zRgfUnFnndQ[/youtube]

Looks like David Lynch and Franz Kafka's aborted love child.

[Izzy Black]

Has there ever been a movie that is so awesome in yet so ridiculous as Zabriskie Point?

No there hasn't. It owns the space of simultaneous awesomeness and ridiculousness like no other.

[B-side]

I managed to rather enjoy Love Me Tonight despite finding Maurice Chevalier a pretty off-putting presence. Oddly, I found him more palatable when he was being somber or low-key.

[Grouchy]

Nobody warned me that Bottle Rocket was so much better than the rest of Anderson's films.

[Raiders]

Nobody warned me that Bottle Rocket was so much better than the rest of Anderson's films.

That's because nobody else thinks that.

[Sven]

That's because nobody else thinks that.

Cheeky. But in all seriousness, I know several IRL folk who cite it so.

[Derek]

Cheeky. But in all seriousness, I know several IRL folk who cite it so.

Much better? You know several silly people IRL if that's the case.

[Derek]

I managed to rather enjoy Love Me Tonight despite finding Maurice Chevalier a pretty off-putting presence. Oddly, I found him more palatable when he was being somber or low-key.

Well yeah, he's basically the prototype for most French accent mockeries, so it makes sense you'd prefer him in his more toned down moments. He can be off-putting at times, but his innate smarminess usually fits in well with his characters. You should check him out in Lubitsch's quality The Smiling Lieutenant and The Merry Widow.

[Sven]

You know several silly people IRL if that's the case.

This has been the case since I can remember.

[Spinal]

Bottle Rocket is my favorite.

[Raiders]

Bottle Rocket is my favorite.

Huh, I didn't know you were IRL friends with Sven.

[Watashi]

Every Wes Anderson movie is my favorite.

[Dead & Messed Up]

It's my favorite.

[Qrazy]

His best is obviously the short film Bottle Rocket which was then later remade into the piece of Hollywood sell out filth similarly titled 'Bottle Rocket'. Anyone who doesn't realize this is just a hipster nihilist posocateur (combination of poseur and provocateur).

[Ezee E]

I like his short with Schwartzman and Portman the most.

[Sycophant]

There have definitely been days (usually right after watching it) where I feel compelled to saying Bottle Rocket is Anderson's best film, but I usually settle on the Royal Tenenbaums given enough time. At any rate, it's excellent, and about as good as anything he's done.

[B-side]

Well yeah, he's basically the prototype for most French accent mockeries, so it makes sense you'd prefer him in his more toned down moments. He can be off-putting at times, but his innate smarminess usually fits in well with his characters. You should check him out in Lubitsch's quality The Smiling Lieutenant and The Merry Widow.

I've seen and enjoyed The Merry Widow. Need to see more Lubitsch in general.

[Grouchy]

To expand a little on my opinion, I find the contrast between the quirky, dreamy attitude of the protagonists of Bottle Rocket and the real world they inhabit more compelling than the 100% weirdness worlds Anderson presented us with later.

Not to make a general statement on anything, just saying that something like The Darjeeling Limited didn't involve me so much as this one.

[Spinal]

Huh, I didn't know you were IRL friends with Sven.

Well, he is the only one of you I've actually met.

[Derek]

To expand a little on my opinion, I find the contrast between the quirky, dreamy attitude of the protagonists of Bottle Rocket and the real world they inhabit more compelling than the 100% weirdness worlds Anderson presented us with later.

Not to make a general statement on anything, just saying that something like The Darjeeling Limited didn't involve me so much as this one.

Aside from Rushmore's Max, I'd say Dignan is Anderson's most compelling character.