Tuesday, July 30, 2002
Ethan, I think that's a great idea. Let's do it. I can already think of five lyricists (sp?) I would consider. If we do it, though, bloggers (that's you guys) should be required to post their favorite lyrics, or a beloved example, along with their commentary.
And believe it or not, I am working on my movie list. I should (will!) have it posted by the end of the week. It's a hard list to compile intelligently, but I'm doing my best.
Did you guys see Minority Report? Here's a well-written, thoughtful review. It's a good read.
Fight Club: Matt, I agree: art is still worth appreciating even if it's been sold. As you noted, it would be silly to expect otherwise, and more important, what would that say about my CD collection? That said, Fight Club is a unique piece of art in this respect because it's message (or one of them anyhow) is that consumerism and capitalism fosters a bland, formulaic life--a life that's not worth living. The movie's dinstinctly commercial nature therefore seems pretty relevant in determining it's "worth" as art. Fight Club preaches that we need to break away from our mundane, methodical lives and break the rules lest we get trapped in a redundant, stultifying existence. Well, Fight Club followed all of the rules and it ended up being a pretty bland, unoriginal movie because of it. There were so many cliched plot twists [Brad Pitt and Ed Norton are really one person! Where have I seen that kind of trick before? (Usual Suspects and The Sixth Sense?)] and themes (capitalism bad; free spirits good) that Brad Pitt's idealistic, quixotic rants came off (to me) as a Hollywood movie executive's response to a consumer poll suggesting that people are tired of shopping at the Gap and Pottery Barn because there's no originality.
It's a weird movie, because I actually liked it at first. But the more I reflected on it, its aims and what it's message, the more it bugged me. Relatedly, American Beauty rubbed me almost exactly the same way. "Big movie-house tells me that suburban American life is unfulfilling and stifling." Uh-huh.
So in essense, I agree with you. The question is, like you said, "what separates a deliberate attempt toward communicating a true idea from a contrived attempt to cash in?" That's the question to ask, and it's a fine line that we usually can't see (how do we know the true motivation?). To me, I guess, it's a "totality of the circumstances" test; there's no bright-line rule that distinguishes between the two. It's inexact, inconsistent, and highly subjective. But that's art. And you know, I'm less concerned with the true motivation than I am with having an "air of believability." If you're goal is to make make, you better be damned good because if I can sense it, it ruins it for me. But if you can fool me, well then I'm as sated as my cats sleeping in a sun spot on the floor. Okay, enough of this.
Let's see now, where do I rank The Bridges of Madison County?
And believe it or not, I am working on my movie list. I should (will!) have it posted by the end of the week. It's a hard list to compile intelligently, but I'm doing my best.
Did you guys see Minority Report? Here's a well-written, thoughtful review. It's a good read.
Fight Club: Matt, I agree: art is still worth appreciating even if it's been sold. As you noted, it would be silly to expect otherwise, and more important, what would that say about my CD collection? That said, Fight Club is a unique piece of art in this respect because it's message (or one of them anyhow) is that consumerism and capitalism fosters a bland, formulaic life--a life that's not worth living. The movie's dinstinctly commercial nature therefore seems pretty relevant in determining it's "worth" as art. Fight Club preaches that we need to break away from our mundane, methodical lives and break the rules lest we get trapped in a redundant, stultifying existence. Well, Fight Club followed all of the rules and it ended up being a pretty bland, unoriginal movie because of it. There were so many cliched plot twists [Brad Pitt and Ed Norton are really one person! Where have I seen that kind of trick before? (Usual Suspects and The Sixth Sense?)] and themes (capitalism bad; free spirits good) that Brad Pitt's idealistic, quixotic rants came off (to me) as a Hollywood movie executive's response to a consumer poll suggesting that people are tired of shopping at the Gap and Pottery Barn because there's no originality.
It's a weird movie, because I actually liked it at first. But the more I reflected on it, its aims and what it's message, the more it bugged me. Relatedly, American Beauty rubbed me almost exactly the same way. "Big movie-house tells me that suburban American life is unfulfilling and stifling." Uh-huh.
So in essense, I agree with you. The question is, like you said, "what separates a deliberate attempt toward communicating a true idea from a contrived attempt to cash in?" That's the question to ask, and it's a fine line that we usually can't see (how do we know the true motivation?). To me, I guess, it's a "totality of the circumstances" test; there's no bright-line rule that distinguishes between the two. It's inexact, inconsistent, and highly subjective. But that's art. And you know, I'm less concerned with the true motivation than I am with having an "air of believability." If you're goal is to make make, you better be damned good because if I can sense it, it ruins it for me. But if you can fool me, well then I'm as sated as my cats sleeping in a sun spot on the floor. Okay, enough of this.
Let's see now, where do I rank The Bridges of Madison County?
Thursday, July 25, 2002
Hi. This website is insanely cool.
Friday, July 12, 2002
I just thought I would put my 2 cents in about Fight Club. Other aspects of the film being put aside, I have to say that the messages being conveyed are more humorous to me than inspiring. To me this movie is like Rage Against the Machine babbling on about third-world poverty/ consumerism/ Che Guevara/ "Guerilla Radio." How can I take this message seriously from anyone who makes tens of millions of dollars? This movie was made (and the book written) for the same reason Rage makes their music. Rage wants to convince teens and young adults that by buying Rage's music, both groups are working together to beat down all that is wrong in this world. Basically, they are just packaging teen angst and rebellion and selling it. I don't know. I guess I just find it hard to take this message from Brad Pitt.
Nolan's Top 10
Star Wars Trilogy
I know I'm sort of cheating by putting all 3 into 1, but all of these films go together for me. I can't even begin to explain how much I was into Star Wars as a kid. I didn't own any GI Joes or Transformers, but I had so much damn plastic Star Wars junk that I would be a pretty rich man if I hadn't actually opened them up and played with them. Not much else I have to say about these movies that hasn't already been said.
Dumbo
I'll be very surprised if anyone else picks a Disney film for their top 10. I had to put this in my list because I can remember watching it over and over again as a kid. I can't really discuss this movie any more because I haven't seen it in over 15 years (all I can remember is the basic "ugly duckling" plot and the weird scene where Dumbo gets drunk and dreams of pink elephants). Maybe I'll just have to borrow it from someone and see if I still like it.
Stand By Me
Although I'm not particularly enamored with most adaptations of Stephen King works, this is one of my favorite films. Even though this film's plot is an oft-repeated one (losing the innocence of youth), the vivid characters and dialog make this a great movie.
The Natural
This is probably my favorite sports-based film (and book). Robert Redford is great as the aging Roy Hobbs, and the rest of the cast is also amazing (Robert Duvall as the dirty reporter, Glenn Close as Hobb's first love, and Kim Basinger as the temptress). Again, this movie is based on the Hollywood cliché of a man overcoming his past to achieve greatness. However, I simply enjoy the story and the way the film looks (old school with no stupid special effects).
Spartacus
I like almost all of Kubrick's films, but I chose this one for my list. I like historical dramas if they are done well, and this one is very good. Kirk Douglas is amazing as the slave warrior Spartacus, Laurence Olivier is great as the typical opulent Roman Crassus, and Jean Simmons is wonderful as Spartacus' lover. While obviously entirely different in some aspects from Kubrick's other films, the messages in this film are just as powerful.
Dances with Wolves
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard all the criticisms there are to make about this film (particularly the polarized stereotypes of the romantic "Noble Sioux" and the evil "manifest destiny" driven white man). Again, I have to say that I just like watching this movie. The acting and story are both good, and the scenery and score are amazing as well.
Shadowlands
This is a film based on the life of C.S Lewis. Great acting from Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. This movie is a beautiful, thought provoking, and highly effective look at how love, death, joy, and pain all coexist in our lives.
Say Anything
Keymaster, Gas ‘N Sip, Lloyd Dobler, Diane Court, Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” coming from a huge ass boombox. This is by far the best and funniest of the 80’s teen romantic comedy flicks.
Real Life
Albert Brooks at his best. Who can forget the stupid head-held cameras? “Only six of these were ever made. Only five ever worked. We have four of those.” And the funniest parts of the film might just be when Brooks isn’t even on camera (but on a speakerphone). I could go into a long commentary about how this movie demonstrates the ridiculousness of “reality television,” but I won’t.
Royal Tenenbaums
I love all of Wes Anderson’s films, but I think this one is my favorite (even though I’ve only seen it once). Everything that was done in the making of this movie was near perfect. The acting, directing, and writing were great. And, as with Anderson’s other films, the music is chosen very carefully and utilized as if it is just as important as any other aspect of the film.
Other favorites: Godfather I and II, Taxi Driver, Full Metal Jacket, Rushmore, Office Space, Goonies, Big Lebowski, Dr. Strangelove, Ben-Hur, and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (the first movie I ever saw in a theater).
Star Wars Trilogy
I know I'm sort of cheating by putting all 3 into 1, but all of these films go together for me. I can't even begin to explain how much I was into Star Wars as a kid. I didn't own any GI Joes or Transformers, but I had so much damn plastic Star Wars junk that I would be a pretty rich man if I hadn't actually opened them up and played with them. Not much else I have to say about these movies that hasn't already been said.
Dumbo
I'll be very surprised if anyone else picks a Disney film for their top 10. I had to put this in my list because I can remember watching it over and over again as a kid. I can't really discuss this movie any more because I haven't seen it in over 15 years (all I can remember is the basic "ugly duckling" plot and the weird scene where Dumbo gets drunk and dreams of pink elephants). Maybe I'll just have to borrow it from someone and see if I still like it.
Stand By Me
Although I'm not particularly enamored with most adaptations of Stephen King works, this is one of my favorite films. Even though this film's plot is an oft-repeated one (losing the innocence of youth), the vivid characters and dialog make this a great movie.
The Natural
This is probably my favorite sports-based film (and book). Robert Redford is great as the aging Roy Hobbs, and the rest of the cast is also amazing (Robert Duvall as the dirty reporter, Glenn Close as Hobb's first love, and Kim Basinger as the temptress). Again, this movie is based on the Hollywood cliché of a man overcoming his past to achieve greatness. However, I simply enjoy the story and the way the film looks (old school with no stupid special effects).
Spartacus
I like almost all of Kubrick's films, but I chose this one for my list. I like historical dramas if they are done well, and this one is very good. Kirk Douglas is amazing as the slave warrior Spartacus, Laurence Olivier is great as the typical opulent Roman Crassus, and Jean Simmons is wonderful as Spartacus' lover. While obviously entirely different in some aspects from Kubrick's other films, the messages in this film are just as powerful.
Dances with Wolves
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard all the criticisms there are to make about this film (particularly the polarized stereotypes of the romantic "Noble Sioux" and the evil "manifest destiny" driven white man). Again, I have to say that I just like watching this movie. The acting and story are both good, and the scenery and score are amazing as well.
Shadowlands
This is a film based on the life of C.S Lewis. Great acting from Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. This movie is a beautiful, thought provoking, and highly effective look at how love, death, joy, and pain all coexist in our lives.
Say Anything
Keymaster, Gas ‘N Sip, Lloyd Dobler, Diane Court, Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” coming from a huge ass boombox. This is by far the best and funniest of the 80’s teen romantic comedy flicks.
Real Life
Albert Brooks at his best. Who can forget the stupid head-held cameras? “Only six of these were ever made. Only five ever worked. We have four of those.” And the funniest parts of the film might just be when Brooks isn’t even on camera (but on a speakerphone). I could go into a long commentary about how this movie demonstrates the ridiculousness of “reality television,” but I won’t.
Royal Tenenbaums
I love all of Wes Anderson’s films, but I think this one is my favorite (even though I’ve only seen it once). Everything that was done in the making of this movie was near perfect. The acting, directing, and writing were great. And, as with Anderson’s other films, the music is chosen very carefully and utilized as if it is just as important as any other aspect of the film.
Other favorites: Godfather I and II, Taxi Driver, Full Metal Jacket, Rushmore, Office Space, Goonies, Big Lebowski, Dr. Strangelove, Ben-Hur, and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (the first movie I ever saw in a theater).
Tuesday, July 09, 2002
Matt, we're leaving you hangin'. Sorry about that. You're list rocks. (Small aside: I think we should all have a talk about Fight Club.) I really am working on my top 10 list, and I hope everyone else is. But the (relative) insanity of Adam's wedding, the Fourth of July festivities, and an unannounced visit from my soon-to-be mother-in-law (vacuous) have left me little time to write.
PS: Did you know there's a band called Not Waving But Drowning? I think that's totally hilarious.
PS: Did you know there's a band called Not Waving But Drowning? I think that's totally hilarious.
