Tuesday, July 30, 2002

I was really looking forward to this, the new film from John Sayles, being a huge fan and all. While I wouldn't say its his best film, I certainly enjoyed it quite a bit. Its no Lone Star or Limbo though. [more]

Posted by gdd @ 09:56 AM CST [Link]

Tuesday, July 23, 2002

I was totally stoked when I saw that Film Center was bringing these two Kiarostami features, which I had never seen. I had pretty much resigned myself to having to catch most of the older Kiarostami on video at some point, and the opportunity to see these films projected is a real treat (even in scratchy somewhat worn prints.) [more]

Posted by gdd @ 06:50 AM CST [Link]

Thursday, July 18, 2002

This is by far the best news I've had all week. It has been a longstanding travesty that this film has not been available in its proper aspect ratio since its release. Now how about the rest of the Errol Morris films?

Posted by gdd @ 11:03 AM CST [Link]

Thursday, July 11, 2002

Things are very very busy right now with work right now, and I've been trying to actually see a movie or two on the weekend. I actually wrote this piece three days ago and haven't had time to put it up until now. I have pieces to write about ivans xtc and Where Is The Friend's House? which will hopefully show up sometime next week, plus I'm seeing Life And Nothing More and Sunshine State this weekend. Anyways, on with the crap.

I'm really not all that familiar with Welles' history or his work when it comes right down to it. Of the films he's directed, I've only seen Citizen Kane, A Touch Of Evil and Othello. I was hoping this documentary would offer some history and fill in some context for his work, but I was sadly disappointed. Working With Orson Welles was put together by Gary Graver, who worked as Welles' cameraman for his later films, and it largely covers the making of one of Welles' unfinished works - The Other Side Of The Wind. Graver interviews various people involved with the project and offers up some clips and things, but it is all done just so poorly. A friend of mine described it as being like "you got cornered by Graver at a party for an hour and a half" and he really hit the nail on the head with that one. [more]

Posted by gdd @ 11:00 PM CST [Link]

Monday, July 8, 2002

Brief notes on some things I've seen recently

--

Erin Brockovich was fairly disappointing. It was shot pretty standardly, or at least standard for Soderbergh. His use of jump cuts was all over the place, it was almost like he was trying to liven things up. The performances were OK, everything was fine. There was just nothing particularly special about it. The film ran long as well, it was in desperate need of some tightening. The one thing I will give it some kudos for is its portrayal of someone doing good who you have mixed feelings about. There are many scenes in which Erin is portrayed as a very unlikeable person, yet she's out there doing good things and helping people. That aspect of it I enjoyed, as it toyed with our expectations and preconceptions somewhat and added a level of complexity that normally wouldn't exist. OK, I enjoyed Aaron Eckhart's performance as George too. Be that as it may, it wasn't enough to save the movie. [more]

Posted by gdd @ 12:44 PM CST [Link]

Wednesday, July 3, 2002

So I recently made the decision that watching films for the first time on the train was a losing proposition. Too many times after watching something, I would say to myself, "Man, I wish I had waited to watch that." This will reduce my number of films seen, but raise the viewing experience. At least, I hope so. However, decided I don't have a problem watching things I've already seen before, which gives me a chance to revisit some things and catch up on commentaries and bonus materials. Last weekend I was in Pittsburgh for a pinball tournament, and while there I visited a used DVD store and picked up a copy of David O'Russell's virtuoso masterpiece Three Kings.
[more]

Posted by gdd @ 09:53 PM CST [Link]

Monday, July 1, 2002

I went into this with hig hopes only to have them somewhat dashed. As a massive Phillip K. Dick fan, I'm always interested when a new adaptation comes along. Also, early buzz on this seemed to positive. Alas, gaping plot holes and a poor ending brought me back to Earth.
[more]

Posted by gdd @ 12:13 PM CST [Link]

Search entries: