15 August 2004

Zatoichi, Predator, The Dreamers

Never having been a Samurai aficionado, I've arrived late at the genre and will probably never shake the kind of ethnographical relationship to it that I feel towards the Western. At times I am compelled and become involved, but quite often I am removed. Zatoichi is probably an excellent addition to the genre. And the Kitano quirkiness certainly pleases. I could have enjoyed more song-and-dance numbers, rhythmic hoeing and hammering, and other 'Beat' touches. For years it has seemed like Predator should be something I had seen. For some reason it has been till now that I have waited to see it. Alas, though the final confrontation built to some level of tension and excitement, all those involved have done better work -- whether the director with Die Hard or the actor with his roles in politics. The Dreamers looked interesting for mostly prurient reasons. That aspect was limited, but there was some charm in seeing an homage to a genre that was itself built on homage. Too bad that was limited, too.

Dark City

Watched Dark City for a second time, having seen it the first time on a CRT TV when the film first appeared on home video. It seemed a worthwhile test of whether: 1) It was as disappointing (only because it could have been so good) as I recalled, and 2) If I have better black levels on my current home setup. The verdict: 1) Yes. It would have been helped if the secrects were revealed later (final third of movie). But in the end it may be the most promising premise and execution that was ever entirely sidetracked by the protagonists horrid hairstyle. I know I'm not alone in noting the hair: I mentioned it to Dannette, who hadn't see the film in years, and she knew exactly what I was talking about -- "Oh you mean the bouffant?" 2) Nearly. I suspect I've solved things as well as possible with the tools I have (gray screen, ND filter) other than making the room "light tight". That logical next step may occur, or may be subsumed under the heading of Another Reason to Move.

12 August 2004

Vanilla Sky

Other than feeling guilty over not seeing the foreign (Open Your Eyes) original, first, I have to say that elements were fantastic (creepy) in a moving manner. Wasn't too sure of the final plot twist. Would have preferred a psychological angle (a la Jacobs Ladder) rather than a technological one. Paul didn't agree, and cited Fight Club as an example of a weak psycholigical twist undermining an otherwise good film. But then again, he saw Open Your Eyes before seeing Vanilla Sky.

06 August 2004

Those Who Love Me Can Take The Train, Friend, Before Sunset

Those Who Love Me Can Take The Train was intriguing in a French-Altman-esqe sort of way. The premise that we can see the deceased artist's family and friends pick at their emotional scabs while sharing a train ride to, and recovering from, "Me"'s funeral is a rather open ended construction, and it's used to good effect. Too bad the DVD mastering is horrid: Yes, it's in the Original Aspect Ratio of approx 2.35:1 which is GREAT. But it's not anamorphic and the english subtitles are burned-in. If it were an older film I would have sworn this was the master used for the VHS release. Criminal. Friend, from Korea, gives one the sense that even after laying on all kinds of Hollywood conventions and a story of gansters and thugs, it's tough not to see a whole bunch of the cultural weight given to family, friends, and similar bonds in Korea. Sill, if I were to watch a recent Korean film a second time, right now, it would be 2009 Lost Memories because it has even more of the Culture on display, along with more history -- and more action. Saw Before Sunset, which adds depth and meaning to Before Sunrise, which was always a nice little twenty-something fantasy piece. With Sunset, we are confronted slowly but surely not with another deeply-meaningful-seduction (which was fun at 25) but with a whole pile of missed opportunities and regrets (which are not irrevocable at 35). Perfect? No. But better than it seems, and it already seemed pretty good.

02 August 2004

People I Know

We watched "People I Know" this evening. Aside from being annoyed with the gray blacks I was seeing (at least in part a fault of my setup and not the mastering on the DVD) it was sad to see that even Pachino couldn't save this film. The plot twists became more silly with each new revelation, only to fall back on something approaching a likely (but anti-climactic) resolution. The style and flavor was all Hollywood superficiality, with more or less no one actually reaching a cruising altitude (either in the glossy vein or the gritty vein).