Sight and Sound (2002) Greatest Films Club - Page 30

george kaplan · 08-30-2003, 08:59 PM

Rashomon

First of all I think this is a great film (and I definitely think it is superior to Seven Samurai). But it is not a film without a flaw.

Although the lack of a definite resolution to the story (i.e., what really happened) doesn't ruin this film or keep it from being great, it definitly lessens the film, and keeps it from being even greater.

This is in contrast to Blow-Up in which the ending was so contrived and ridiculous and insulting that indeed that film was ruined.

I liked this film enough to add it to my to buy list, but I can't help but bemoan how much better it could have been.

And I am fully aware that it wasn't Kurosawa's intention to resolve the story. I'm simply saying that IMO if he had come up with the resolution, it would have been even greater. I know that many hold this film in high regard because of the lack of resolution, and that's your perogative, just as it is mine to regret it.

Brook K · 08-31-2003, 03:20 AM

george kaplan · 08-31-2003, 09:19 AM

-

Looks like I missed an interesting attack on my opinions once again.

Brook K · 08-31-2003, 08:40 PM

No, you're wrong again

It wasn't interesting, just really poor attempts at humor that came off mean. I quickly realized if somebody had written that about one of my posts I would have gotten pissed.

I have no idea why only your posts get me so riled. I'm sure it's long past getting old.

Let's just say I respectfully disagree that Rashomon requires any more resolution than it already has and that if it did have resolution, it would be a poorer film.

And the Sunrise DVD rules, Mucho Kudos to Fox!

george kaplan · 08-31-2003, 09:25 PM

Fair enough. While I certainly don't hesitate to post unpopular opinion about films, they are only that, opinions, no more right or wrong than the majority opinions, although they do represent the truth about the art of the films in the 'eye of the beholder' sense.

I sometimes think Brook that you and I are like two food critics, one whose primary criteria is taste, the other appearance, and while we sometimes agree, we often don't mostly because our criteria are so different, and it's difficult for either of us to really understand how someone can not share our criteria.

I really think we just have totally different ideas about what films are suppose to do.

Jeff Swearingen · 09-01-2003, 12:32 AM

Just got done with Black Narcissus this week. It moved rather slowly for me at times until about 20 minutes before the end I realized how much this film had enveloped and completely engrossed me.

Technicolor is almost too brilliant here! Criterion has another great release on its hand. I wonder if some of the overabundance of color in the early technicolor films was due to the influence (from what I think I have heard it was often unwanted) of Natalie Kalmus.

It's very hard to realize that it is actually Deborah Kerr you are seeing when she has the nun outfit on. This is obviously a studio picture and some of the process shots are very blatant.

I think this brings my count to 81 films seen...I'm working on All About Eve tonight. Since I'm taking a graduate course in British Cinema right now, any suggestions on where to go next on the list to supplant the class would be appreciated (Brazil and Third Man are obviously already taken care of, as well as most Hitch and David Lean)

Lew Crippen · 09-01-2003, 09:15 AM

Jeff, it does not seem as though you liked Black Narcissus all that much, but I highly recommend any of the P&P films on the list. Limelight is, I suppose a British film and it is sublime. Kubrik’s later films are all British. Barry Lyndon and A Clockwork Orange are both developed from British themes, so you might give them a go (although you have probably already seen them.

I think that Topsy-Turvy is a British film. Finally try The Thief of Bagdad another with which Michael Powell had a hand.

There are lots, of course that are not on the list.

Jeff Swearingen · 09-01-2003, 11:46 AM

Actually, I thought I hated Black Narcissus for a while until something clicked finally near the third act and I realized how swept up I was in the movie. I've had this happen several times before and really can't wait to screen Black Narcissus again.

Loved Topsy-Turvy and I think I own most of the Kubrick except for his first two (trying to upgrade from Warner's first DVD release to the REAL Warner Kubrick release as I have funds). I think I'll try to find some more Powell - probably Thief for this week.

Brook K · 09-02-2003, 03:43 AM

Thanks George, I think you may just have cracked the case. That's just about perfect, we definitely look for different things in film.

Jeff, the "overabundance" of color is also a stylistic choice. All films need not look the same, and I'd surely rather look at beautiful Technicolor like Black Narcissus or All That Heaven Allows rather than one of David Fincher's operating room sterile films.

As for other Brit films, besides those already suggested: Pygmalion, Olivier's Henry V, The Horses Mouth, Peeping Tom, The Ruling Class, The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa, How To Succeed In Advertising, Wonderland (Michael Winterbottom), and Ratcatcher would be a good start.

Someone else would be a better guide to the Ealing comedies or Hammer films if you're inclined to explore those. I've also been told that there was a "new wave" British movement of critics making films similar to the more popular French Cahier group, but I don't know anything about it.

Oh and George Kaplan would like to recommend Performance

george kaplan · 09-02-2003, 06:48 AM

Great British films on the S&S list (IMO) would include:

2001
Dr. Strangelove
A Clockwork Orange
Kind Hearts & Coronets
The Bridge on the River Kwai
The Lady Vanishes
Odd Man Out
The Third Man

and to a lesser degree,

Brief Encounter

Great British films (IMO) not on the S&S list would include

A Hard Day's Night
The Lavender Hill Mob
The Ladykillers
The Horse's Mouth
The 39 Steps
Blackmail
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Yellow Submarine
Dr. No
From Russia With Love
Goldfinger
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

and I'm sure others I'm forgetting.

Lew Crippen · 09-02-2003, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Thanks George, I think you may just have cracked the case. That's just about perfect, we definitely look for different things in film.

I have no idea as to my criteria, as I agree with both George and Brook much more often than I disagree with either. In my opinion you can both articulate why you like or dislike a film well enough that I can understand your view, even when disagreeing.