HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show - Page 2

Re: HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show

Ever see IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES? The characters are modeled after Bogdanovich, Polly Platt (his wife at one time) and Cybill Shepherd.

Personally, I have always liked his work. He directed PICTURE SHOW, WHAT'S UP DOC? and PAPER MOON back to back. All three are classics in my opinion. I also liked TARGETS, THEY ALL LAUGHED, NICKELODEON, MASK, SAINT JACK, THE THING CALLED LOVE, and even found things to like in TEXASVILLE.

My guess is that his arrogant additude in Hollywood killed his momentum more than a couple of box office failures. His talent was evident and he really produced quality films. After I while there gets to be a point in Hollywood where you become such a pain in the ass that it is not worth it. Recent example: Lindsay Lohan. I think Bogdanovich's personality was poision more than his films.

Re: HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show

And he is also on the commentary track (along with those archival recordings) of the upcoming LIBERTY VALANCE and EL DORADO DVDs from Paramount.

Re: HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show

Let's be fair.

In view of all the documentaries and scholarship that's been published on Hitchcock, Welles, and Ford, it's hardly fair to accuse Bogdanovich of appointing himself a de facto guardian. He made a professional effort to understand their methods by studying their work and by interviewing them at length. The old masters respected Bogdanovich, welcomed his friendship, and opened up to him. So he is an obvious choice for biographers, historians, and documentarians who are looking for insights on these directors. He is merely one of a number of authorities who is routinely asked for his input. What you perceive as an arch attitude I perceive as the voice of experience, and if he has an ego, it's because he's earned it.

As a director, some of his more recent films are of very highly quality regardless of box-office performance. If his recent films were financially unsuccessful he wouldn't be making them.

Richard

Re: HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show

As I said in my initial post, I fully acknowledge this. Of the 70s crop of young filmmakers, he was the one who devoted the most time and energy to learning about the previous generation.
True...that is my perception. I don't know him personally. I've also certainly never avoided any supplemental material he's participated in, and indeed often find his info quite valuable. His tone just makes me roll my eyes at times, and he has a tendency to drift into personal anecdotes when I'm interested in more detailed historical info (which I'm certain he probably knows as well).

Re: HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show

I'd love to sit down and talk film with Bogdanovich. I've always appreciated him as a filmmaker and prefer his work to many directors everyone adores.

Re: HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show

I can't stand it when he does impersonations of his idols. It's SO cheesy.

Re: HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show

I have to say I'm one of the people that has no problem listening to Peter talk about film. I think the more stuff he participates in the better.

Re: HTF DVD REVIEW: Nickelodeon/The Last Picture Show

I saw "Nickelodeon" in December 1976 under unusual circumstances. As a promotional gimmick, Columbia lowered the admission price for the film to 5 cents for a single screening per theater. I don't recall offhand if the discount was for a public "sneak preview" advance showing shortly before the release date or for the first screening on opening day. I attended one of those 5 cent shows---the theater was packed (a situation that was rarely replicated for screenings at full price). Many theaters participated in this promotion, which attracted a fair amount of attention at the time.