Sight and Sound (2002) Greatest Films Club - Page 21

Matt<>Broon · 06-19-2003, 11:23 AM

I sort of agree with you Holadem, at least I can see exactly where you're coming from.

I had exactly the same problem with the peasant characters on the first viewing. I have to say though that their annoyance factor diminished significantly second time through. I think I grew significantly in sympathy for the two poor downtrodden souls, despite their numerous all too human failings.

They are still annoying, however I can't help but feel without them the film simply wouldn't work.

It's not my favourite Kurosawa by a long shot but neither is it without its plus points, the moments you raise are all excellent examples. My favourite moment is the scene in the forest where the group is being tracked. The figures disappear in and out of shot through the mist like ghosts. It's terrific!

Hard to believe the lowlifes where the inspiration for the droids of Star Wars isn't it?

Brook K · 06-19-2003, 05:00 PM

First, I finally printed out the full list and did a recount and came up with a total of 210. Looks like as of now, between DVD, Netflix, and VHS I've taped from TV, I have access to 35 more films from the list. But there are several others I know will be getting R1 DVD releases in the next year and I could order more from overseas. And I need to catch one of the times that TCM broadcasts Hawks' The Thing.

Second, I can see why you'd find the characters annoying. To me they're just silly comic relief. Hidden Fortress has several outstanding action sequences, but lacks the substance of most of Kurosawa's other films. It's fun action-adventure storytelling, but I also think along with Sanjuro and Sanshiro Sugata is my least favorite of his films. It's showing this Saturday in Atlanta, not sure if I'm going or not, can't miss Lewis/Klitschko

Third, The style of George Washington is notable and I understand the Malick comparisons since he styled the voice-over very close to that of Days of Heaven. I was very interested as the film unfolded into these complex and different interpersonal relationships, but the

Spoiler:

seemed somewhat contrived to me and unnatural. I think the story was developing wonderfully without the need for a jarring event to take the story in a different direction. I greatly preferred the "before" story to the "after" story when the focus narrowed away from the large ensemble.

Third,

Seth Paxton · 06-19-2003, 05:45 PM

I just watched the lovely The Red Shoes the other day. Great film, classic paralleling between the stage production and the lives of the performers. At first I wasn't sure where the film was going for it to be so well regarded, but once they hit the presentation of the Red Shoes production the film really took off.

That was my 133 film seen on the list.

Kirk Tsai · 06-20-2003, 06:15 PM

RE: George Washington

Spoiler:

They aren't on the list, but what do you guys think of the Antoine Doinel series after The 400 Blows. I've just watched Stolen Kisses and Bed and Board on the new Criterion discs.

ShawnFr · 06-20-2003, 08:42 PM

Well, since my post was lost about Wages of Fear, I'll just post my grade: B-. I changed my rating slightly since I reviewed it. I felt that the ending was completely unnecessary. I will not go more into it, for the fact that I read through all of the comments through April 15th and it was discussed before.

I also changed what I watched next. I decided to revisit Fargo, one of those movies I have watched before but never really sat down and watched it. In fact, my first time watching it was when it first came to video. I watched it with my parents. It was one of those movies that I wished I hadn't done so because I was too busy squirming, wondering if they would like it. Then I bought the DVD 2 years ago and did the same thing with my wife (she is not a movie buff).

So anyways, I love the Coen brothers. Everything they have done that I have seen has not disappointed me. The humor in this movie is outstanding. I love how the Cutlass Sierra is towed to Fargo by Jerry's (Macy's) Cutlass Sierra. It's an odd (but truthful) scene that you will only see in the Midwest. I also love how Marge's friend from high school, Mike, is Asian but speaks with both an Asian and Minnesota accent. It's the little things in Coen movies.
Also, did anyone ever see in the credits who is credited for the man shot in the snow? None other than Prince (a Minnesota native). But that is definitely not him driving the car no more than a minute before that (unless if the Coens really made him up).
Now the strength of the movie lies in both the plot and the ensemble cast. I mean, when the lead actress can first appear 1/3 of the way into the movie and still be such a strong and important part of the film, both aspects have to be there for it to work.
Two things. First, why is that scene in there with Mike and Marge at the Radison Hotel lounge? Is there any significance to this? To me, it seemed that there had to be a reason, I just couldn't see it. Also, with the importance of the money in this film, I thought it was funny that they did not show what happened with the briefcase of money afterwords.
Last comment. I hate William H. Macy!!!(all the indy film fans are sure to BBQ me now on an open flame, but that's okay) I never noticed it before how much he ruins films for me until I watched Fargo last night. He is the sole reason I cannot stand Magnolia. (And yes, I have watched it more than once, Magnolia fans, I've watched it 3 1/2 times, the last time through, I simply couldn't take it and turned it off) He plays annoying characters and his mannerisms drive me up the wall. But the reason why I loved Fargo this time: William H. Macy! He was perfect for the role of Jerry. He needed to be that way. And after I realized that I hate Macy but liked his character, my eyes and mind was opened to watch this film again.

So here it goes: Fargo gets a rating of A.
Not a masterpiece because a few things could have been wrapped up and the Mike/Marge scene, but definitely right there.

Kirk Tsai · 06-21-2003, 05:24 AM

Shawn, I had a post regarding the ending to the Wages of Fear along with Jules and Jim lost, too, so I feel your pain.

In short, I have no problem with the end of Wages of Fear because it seems like the filmmaker is making the point that one 1) can only escape death so many time, or 2) that the greed that pushed the character along to achieve the goal comes back and bites in in the butt, a sort of poetic justice. Either way, I greatly appreciated the ending; why do you feel it is problematic?

Holadem · 06-21-2003, 01:47 PM

The Searchers

The passage of time is not handled very well IMO. There are standard devices that could have been used with more effectiveness than the dialog - which would then act as supplement. The movie is an interesting look at the harsh reality of the frontier. I see it on a great many western lists, it certainly showcases the breathtaking landscapes which are a staple of the genre, but I much prefer the (relatively) much maligned High Noon. Perhpas a second viewing much further down the road is in other. The complexity of the characters certainly warrants it.
[EDIT] I have downgraded this after enjoying the far superior Stagecoach.

Some Like it Hot

Comedies do not get very high ratings from me, especially those based on cross dressing. As Ebert said some week ago, it seems Hollywood believes there is something inherently funny in having one gender dress like the other. In any case, this is one charming movie, first full length Monroe movie at that. And my god, (here comes the revelation) is she gorgeous

. How shobiz moved from the likes of her to the anorexic type is beyond me.

You know, I find myself thinkign about Rashomon more and more everyday. Strange for a movie I rated 3/4. It is such a structural and technical masterpiece that even the somewhat uninvolving story is growing on me. I guess I am going to put it on my to buy list now

.

Next: Stagecoach, Brazil.

--
Holadem

Brook K · 06-21-2003, 05:27 PM

I watched White Heat and did another recount and saw I missed another one I'd seen so my count is 212.

I'll add a review of this very fine crime film and also talk about why the Marge/Mike scene is the pivotal scene of Fargo when I have more time.

ShawnFr · 06-22-2003, 01:12 AM

Regarding the ending of Wages of Fear: Maybe its that it was a first time view for me but more than likely its that I really liked Mario as a character and then to have him do something stupid and totally against character like that at the end, it was absurd. Also, it was too obvious! I knew that was coming when he didn't die when he pulled into the station. And the second I saw that he was the one driving back to town, it was given away (at least to me, I don't know about for anyone else). I might rent it again or try to get it from the library but I suspect that another viewing will only frustrate me even more.

My count, by the way, is up to 8, after watching The Exorcist, which I give a B-. Definitely not a stellar movie and not even one I would place in my top 340. So why a B- then? Because of 1)Linda Blair (only during the possession scenes) & 2)Max von Sydow. I think that the acting is otherwise abyssmal. Ellen Burstyn as Ms. MacNeil is boring and at times awful. And her scenes with Blair at the beginning, whew, I could barely stomach them. Father Karras is okay, as is the detective but... I think this movie is highly overrated and depends on shock too much.

Matt<>Broon · 06-22-2003, 04:28 PM

Rebecca: A-

What a fine film. Helped by the fact that the young Joan Fontaine looks uncannily like my own ma in her youth I found myself swept away by this unsettling drama from the very first line. True some parts struck me as twee or overly melodramatic but Hitchcock's mastery of the majority of the film is m