Movies I Watched This Week(s) 5/18-5/31
Ok, this is actually two weeks worth of movies, but I didn't get a chance to post with all the insanity of the past two weeks of holiday weekendness, end of the school year stuff at work and training for my new job, and of course hockey! But here they are, i know you all were dying to know:
Gates of Heaven- The magic of Errol Morris' films are in keeping the camera rolling as people talk and talk until they reveal themselves in a way that wouldn't happen in a interview interrupted by a filmmaker's prodding questions. In this film, (Morris's first) were are introduced to bereaved pet owners and the people in the business of providing funeral and burial services for their dearly departed pets. Some of those involved in this business seemed sincere in their desire to see pets laid to rest while to others it was just a business. Two brothers who worked for their father's pet cemetery seemed to fall into the latter category, electing to talk about their sweet stereo system or self-motivational strategies. A bit mundane at parts but I'm of the opinion that most good films do have mundane moments. Oh, and I'm really pumped to see Morris' new film about the Abu Grhaib photographs, Standard Operating Procedure ,which is playing at Regent Square at the end of this week.
Shadows-John Cassevetes' first film. I love seeing filmmakers's early work. Lots of nonactors and a note at the end of the film says that the film was improvised. Looks at race without being an "issues" movie. I know next to nothing about Cassevetes after seeing this I'm looking forward to watching more of his stuff.
The Letter- I can't get enough of Bette Davis, when she's on the screen she's all there is. I enjoy a good dose of melodrama ever now and then and Bette is my go-to lady. This wasn't her best but certainly enjoyable.
Gangs of New York- I'm not crazy about Scorsese and I saw this because I needed to see more Daniel Day Lewis after There Will Be Blood. He was the best part of the film, but I just didn't dig it too much otherwise, mostly due to Leo and Cameron Diaz, blech!
Diner- I enjoy Barry Levinson's nostalgic films although they always feel like a t.v. miniseries for some reason. This was enjoyable.
Pieces-slasher from the 80s, way too much fun, thank you Tessa!
The Seventh Seal-I can't believe it has taken me so long to see this classic. For some reason it intimidated me since it is lauded as one of the greatest films of all time. I also think that someone told me it was literally a man playing chess with Death for two hours. So not true. This movie is a intense look at death but also a beautiful look at life and filled with some hilarious moments, as well as some sobering ones of course. I was pleasantly surprised, definitely merits a rewatching in the near future.
This still is from one of my favorite scenes of the film in which a young squirrel spontaneously leaped onto the stump of a tree Death had just chopped down (of course there was someone in it). An amazing beautiful moment that speaks loads about life and death.
The Cat Returns-Super fun animated film from Studio Ghibli. I love a good story about parallel worlds and this world is inhabited by cats!
The Bakery Girl of Monceau- The first of Eric Rhomer's Moral Tales. In a way I was hoping I wouldn't like this because this guy has made so many films. But alas, I thoroughly enjoyed it and a have another pile of movies to add to my infinitely long list of films I need to see.
The Heart of the World- some say this six minute short is the best thing Guy Maddin has done. It's as epic as a story under ten minutes can be, loaded with Maddin's humor, melodrama, silent movie style, and utter amazingness!
Gates of Heaven- The magic of Errol Morris' films are in keeping the camera rolling as people talk and talk until they reveal themselves in a way that wouldn't happen in a interview interrupted by a filmmaker's prodding questions. In this film, (Morris's first) were are introduced to bereaved pet owners and the people in the business of providing funeral and burial services for their dearly departed pets. Some of those involved in this business seemed sincere in their desire to see pets laid to rest while to others it was just a business. Two brothers who worked for their father's pet cemetery seemed to fall into the latter category, electing to talk about their sweet stereo system or self-motivational strategies. A bit mundane at parts but I'm of the opinion that most good films do have mundane moments. Oh, and I'm really pumped to see Morris' new film about the Abu Grhaib photographs, Standard Operating Procedure ,which is playing at Regent Square at the end of this week.
Shadows-John Cassevetes' first film. I love seeing filmmakers's early work. Lots of nonactors and a note at the end of the film says that the film was improvised. Looks at race without being an "issues" movie. I know next to nothing about Cassevetes after seeing this I'm looking forward to watching more of his stuff.
The Letter- I can't get enough of Bette Davis, when she's on the screen she's all there is. I enjoy a good dose of melodrama ever now and then and Bette is my go-to lady. This wasn't her best but certainly enjoyable.
Gangs of New York- I'm not crazy about Scorsese and I saw this because I needed to see more Daniel Day Lewis after There Will Be Blood. He was the best part of the film, but I just didn't dig it too much otherwise, mostly due to Leo and Cameron Diaz, blech!
Diner- I enjoy Barry Levinson's nostalgic films although they always feel like a t.v. miniseries for some reason. This was enjoyable.
Pieces-slasher from the 80s, way too much fun, thank you Tessa!
The Seventh Seal-I can't believe it has taken me so long to see this classic. For some reason it intimidated me since it is lauded as one of the greatest films of all time. I also think that someone told me it was literally a man playing chess with Death for two hours. So not true. This movie is a intense look at death but also a beautiful look at life and filled with some hilarious moments, as well as some sobering ones of course. I was pleasantly surprised, definitely merits a rewatching in the near future.
This still is from one of my favorite scenes of the film in which a young squirrel spontaneously leaped onto the stump of a tree Death had just chopped down (of course there was someone in it). An amazing beautiful moment that speaks loads about life and death.
The Cat Returns-Super fun animated film from Studio Ghibli. I love a good story about parallel worlds and this world is inhabited by cats!
The Bakery Girl of Monceau- The first of Eric Rhomer's Moral Tales. In a way I was hoping I wouldn't like this because this guy has made so many films. But alas, I thoroughly enjoyed it and a have another pile of movies to add to my infinitely long list of films I need to see.
The Heart of the World- some say this six minute short is the best thing Guy Maddin has done. It's as epic as a story under ten minutes can be, loaded with Maddin's humor, melodrama, silent movie style, and utter amazingness!
posted by emsley at
2:09 PM
1 Comments:
That's a lot! I didn't know the half of it.
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