Seen Selection
The Magnificent Ambersons (3 stars, 90 minutes is not enough time to flesh out characterization of the Ambersons or those who surround them, however, the cinematography and direction was unique, though a bit over dramatic. His use of shadows felt like a perfect introduction to the age of Hitchcock while his narration reminded me that he still belonged to an age where radio ruled and voice was everything -- great film!)
Vanya on 42nd St, Malle (2 stars, I thought the roles were poorly cast)
8 1/2, Fellini (4 stars, I think I should post something about this one)
Revolutionary Road, Mendes (2 stars, no better than last time I saw it, too sterile!)
The Spirit of the Beehive, Erice (3 stars, refer to comment on your post)
Weekend, Godard (1 star, far too avant garde for my taste)
Coming Attractions
Code Unknown, Haneke
Qatsi Trilogy, Reggio
Three Colors Trilogy, Kieslowski
Autumn Sonata, Bergman
Bicycle Thieves, De Sico
The earrings of Madame de --, Ophuls
And what about your star ranking systems? Or are you going to do thumbs?
ReplyDeleteI'll go with your four star system but I'm hesitant to apply a unified rating system for these films. I mean, I'd give the same rating to Funny Games (I enjoyed the tension and the self awareness of film though it was by no means perfect) as I would 400 Blows (I respect this film as an important work but I felt no connection to it) and I just don't think thats fair, as my reasons for one being 3 stars is completely different from the other (ie they don't belong in the same class of films and yet are grouped together by my rating) whatever, I'll just try to explain my ratings.
ReplyDeleteIsn't 8 1/2 amazing? Its like Synechdoche, NY, in that it manages to be a feat of self-referential paradox, while managing to be quite moving. It is of course infinitely more beautiful to watch. We will have to watch/discuss it sometime. Have you seen any other Fellini? (Dolche vita!) Also, I don't think the commentary will do much to boost your opinion of 400 blows. If you didn't enjoy it from just viewing it. Its really for me like The Spirit and Au revoir led enfants - adventures in childhood, often visually stunning.
ReplyDeleteAnd to simplify, I don't see the stars necessarily as a standardized scale, it just means better or worse than average (3 or 2) or a lot better or worse than average (4 or 1). Not having a middle star (as in a five Star system, means you sort of have to take a stand, and you can do that more or less emphatically. But I don't take it too seriously - I just wanted our 'seen lists' to be more than a list of titles, but also have some elaboration of our experience. I read an article in NYRB about nebraska, and am excited to see it at the Naro.
PS - I could've guessed your reaction to the Godard. He gets very abstract very quick. He's like Finnegan's Wake: place at the end of your lifelong reading/watching list; that way you'll be more prepared to make sense of it; or maybe you'll just never get around to it. Either way.
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ReplyDeleteI loved 8 1/2. I thought the cinematography was gorgeous and with so many layers to the film (especially the fuzzy dream/reality distinction) I am sure to watch it over and over again. I have not seen any other Fellini yet, but I will certainly be adding some of my works to my coming attractions (as well as anything with Marcello Mastroianni :)
ReplyDeleteIf you end up liking Nebraska you should really rent The Descendants, it is so bittersweet and beautiful and comic and tragic all at the same time. Also, may I recommend Le Feu Follet? I watched that a week ago and I am still preoccupied with thoughts of it. It is based on a story by Pierre Drieu La Rochelle which I just bought from Amazon (I'll have to confront the sorry state of my languishing French skills in order to read it, but I'm sure it'll be worth it, particularly if we still intend to read Duras!)