What I Watched, What You Watched: Installment #1
Godard, Scorsese, Scott, Polanski, Malle and more
When you run a movie website you will undoubtedly come across people and commenters that say one of two things:
- "I can't believe you haven't seen that movie!
- "You need to watch more movies!"
Depending on the site you run and the attitude you have I think these are two entirely legitimate comments. If you (in this case myself) intend to give an opinion on movies you should at least know a little something about what you are talking about, and not merely one single genre unless that is your site's target demographic. You can go back and look at reviews I wrote back in 2003 (when I started this site) and easily recognize how little I knew. I was overly congratulatory and simply inexperienced and tried making up for it with forced writing. I recognize it, but have only used my inexperience as a means to realize there is much, much more I need to see.
With RopeofSilicon I attempt to find quality and enjoyment in all movies from the most generic romantic-comedy to the most obscure classic films. However, I can't say I am well versed in all of these genres and have never attempted to claim I am. Instead I try to be as upfront and honest about my film watching history as I can, but I am also doing everything I can to improve on what I know and what I have seen. Not only does it allow me the opportunity to say, "Yes, I have seen that film," but I believe it gives me a larger collection of films to recommend and discuss with my readers, as well as affords me the opportunity to say, "If you liked X then you might like Y."
In the online world of film discussion there consistently appears to be negative connotations associated with someone that hasn't seen a specific movie, shaming people into believing they can't discuss movies unless they have seen a specific list of films. Such attitudes ultimately cause people to find little interest in returning to the discussion and most likely missing out on films they would otherwise enjoy and possibly enlighten others to details they have never thought of.
There is such a thing as a film snob, but it is oftentimes incorrectly associated to one group of people. A film snob is someone that looks down on others for what they have and have not seen and what they believe to be great. It's an inability to allow others their opinion through closed-minded attitudes. However, being a snob works both ways.
The typical categorization involves focusing on people that prefer art house films as snobs because they can't find intellectual stimulation in the majority of summer blockbusters. However, to label such a moviegoer as a snob is to be one yourself. Movies are movies no matter what genre they fulfill, and to judge someone based on their preference is silly, it's a closed-minded approach that only limits you and limits your ability to persuade and engage others. There is no right and wrong kind of movies to like, there are just movies and my hope with this new feature is to open up the opportunity for quality arguments and open-minded discussion on everything from documentaries to visual effects driven films.
With "What I Watched, What You Watched" I will detail the movies I have watched in the past week. Some I have seen once, twice or more and others will be my first time seeing them. I will give quick comments on each, and I encourage you to share the movies you watched over the past week, discuss those I watched and offer up suggestions. My Netflix queue currently holds 435 for home delivery and another 315 in my Instant queue… Suffice to say I have a lot to watch and re-watch, but I am always looking to add more.
This week I have listed 14 films. Since this is the virgin installment this is actually a list of films I watched over the last week-and-a-half so there are a couple extra included. I hope some of you have things to say about the list and my comments, and hopefully have some films to suggest and discuss simply based on the ones I have watched.
One last thing before we look at the list, if you are a Netflix user you can click here to connect with my Netflix account and take a look at my upcoming queue, the films I have watched and rated and vice-versa. I haven't really used the Netflix "friend" feature to any real extent just yet, but it would be pretty cool to be able to see what everyone else is watching and see how our tastes differ and how they are similar. After all, differences in opinions are often more interesting than similarities as long as neither side is personally ridiculed for their opinion.
Next time around I don't expect my intro to be so damned long. Apologies, let's dig in…
| 2 or 3 Things I Know about Her (1967) |
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| QUICK THOUGHTS: I have only just recently started getting into the works of Jean-Luc Godard and I believe 2 or 3 Things I Know about Her takes some serious knowledge of the director to really get into it and appreciate it. It's definitely nothing like the three previous films of his I have watched (Breathless, Band of Outsiders and Alphaville). I will be reviewing the upcoming Criterion release this Tuesday, but for now you can check out the trailer below, which does contain a little bit of nudity for those of you that may be watching from work. | |
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| Alien (1979) |
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| QUICK THOUGHTS: Last week we discussed how Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut turned ten-years-old, but can you believe Ridley Scott's Alien is 30-years-old? Personally this is my favorite of the Alien franchise and I can't even begin to think about how many times I have seen it. I love the opening title sequence, if for no other reason than I always think they won't be able to fit that last line in the middle to create the "E" (there just doesn't seem like there's enough room). Also, Dallas's (Tom Skerritt) death is one of my all-time personal favorite scary moments. That alien screaming and throwing open its hands is picture perfect editing and sound design. Makes me jump still to this day. | |
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| Au Revoir Les Enfants (1987) |
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| QUICK THOUGHTS: I had never seen Louis Malle's 1987 classic, but I can now understand why it's considered one. This film was fantastic from beginning to end. It manages to capture both what it means to be a child as well as create a thrilling scenario as it is set in a French boarding school during World War II. Definitely give this one a watch. | |
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This is great idea and article, If your getting into Godard you should see Pierrot Le Fou and Contempt. I have seen a good amount of his films and those are my two favorites. They are beautiful films with great cinemascope.
@Zack Solomon: Criterion is actually releasing Pierrot Le Fou on Blu-ray on September 22. I have it in my Netflix Instant queue, but I may wait for the Blu-ray to give it a shot. Contempt also already had in there.
Based on the four I have seen, Breathless is my absolute favorite and one I would already consider an all-time favorite of mine, but I would say it is easily the most accessible of the four I've seen. However, Godard is certainly an incredibly diverse director and I am anxious to check out more from him. Thanks for the recommendations!
Heh… I submit The Lion in Winter for candidacy as the best film of 1968. At any rate, it wasn't Oliver!. Not surprised to hear that Watchmen doesn't improve too much. I should add the ones I haven't seen to my list…
I love this article, and hope to read more of them. I have added a few of these that I haven't seen to my Facebook Flixter "Want to See" list, which is where I keep tabs on all the films I want to see or have seen.
Interesting combination of films. Yes, "Oliver" really does stink. I had no idea it had won an Oscar. When I read people arguing over what was the worst film to get an Oscar (or underserving) vs. the ones that were robbed, etc., I'm amazed that people seem to think it is the pinacle of honoraries. The Academy members have gotten it wrong as often as not. (That includes best actor/actress too.) It would be so much a reflection of the art and craft of movie making to have the field of nominations be the last step. But we're such a competitively driven society that it will never happen.
I applaud your inclusion of "The Last Tempation of Christ." It was such a brave film, and so indigative of Scorcese's unique vision. But I have to say that, to me, Dafoe retains his frightening edge in this film. Even when happy and smiling I see it just beneath the surface. It's who he is. And his casting alone was a statement.
Yes, "Sense and Sensibility" was overrated for many reasons. But I think it was Emma Thompson who was all wrong for her part. She provided a tremondous performance and I know she wrote the script, but she was way too old to play a 19 year old girl.
After Pfriday's Poster Puzzle, and Jon and Ted's comments, I watched Event Horizon for the first time last night. It's certainly no Alien but I had fun watching it. I was curious why the Alien trailer got added to the site. Great article, definitely looking forward to future installments.
As far as Godard goes I need to see more of his stuff, but I have seen Breathless, and I love it more than typed words can exclaim. Dod you ever see that terrible remake with Rachard Gere?
@Brad Brevet: I actually saw pierrot le fou for the first time on the netfilx instant queue and it's a very good print on there, although i have a great computer. If I didn't i might not watch movies on it. so it depends, but it was great when i did it.
I'm very happy to see Knife in the Water on the list, I love the movie. I mean, it's one of my favourite Polish movies, right next to Saragossa Manuscript or Ashes and Diamonds. Mentioning it makes me kinda sad I didn't see a Polish movie which could hold up internationally since the eighties.
@ogqozo: Ashes and Diamonds is a great movie… never seen Saragossa Manuscript though.
i just watched the girl in the cafe this weekend and while it was a very slow british movie i found myself captivated, as bill nighy can always do.
Last Temptation of Christ: AMAZING FILM! You reminded me that I need to buy it (I just about never buy films the first time I watch them because I don't want to risk "contaminating" my movie collection with films that don't reflect my tastes :D)
Sense and Sensibility: Hmm, I think I want to watch that again. My sister got it for her birthday back when she was like 12 or 13 or something, and when I was that age we rewatched films an awful lot, so I've seen that one maybe 6 or 7 times now. It was always a good film–it takes an awful lot of misdeed to completely ruin the genius of Jane Austen–but it was burdened by the same thing that burdened Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain: a pace that started to lag near the end. Both are great love stories, but both are much more fun AFTER you've watched them and you start thinking about them. Ang Lee's best, in my opinion, is "Lust, Caution." Though I warn any prospective viewers that you have to get past the first 70 minutes because that's just a really long exposition; the real meat is in the last 90 minutes when the affair actually starts: there, the film gets intense and absolutely heartbreaking, especially during a second viewing.
Oh, and since you mentioned Criterion a few times, Brad, I suggest you give "Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom" a spin, if I might use such casual language to describe such a rigorous experience. Criterion's re-release has some good extra features and a magnificent 90-page booklet that comes with the DVD. And the movie itself is restored in its full… er, I suppose glory isn't the right word… let's just say in its fullness. I own it, in any case. And have watched it thrice already; but it's a hard rewatch; it leaves me emotionally exhausted.
hey brad this is an interesting post…we can actually have a World WAR on Films discussion..and it seems there will be people mostly snobs and intellectuals who are dying to put their points and also simple cinephilies talking about their choice…
when you are talking about Godard and all…i would like to suggest you a movie..
"THE WEEKEND"..i am waiting to see this movie next week in pirated property..but the back cover tells a lot of great things about it..so go for it…and do have a look in Francois Truffaut's "DAY FOR NIGHT" its a must watch for all the cinephilies…right now i am taking a dive in Daniel Day-Lewis collections starting with Mann's Mohicans…l would love the users and you brad suggest me some movies that you think will shock me..i want some shocker now!!!waitin to get shocked!!!
Talking about WATCHMEN…my god it was horrible…its amust watch for the intellectuals…it was so frustrating…seeing same thing over and over again…dark atmosphere….dark characters…man didnt we had all these things in Daredevil and the Batman and last few super hero movies…it really pissed me off….
@Brad Brevet: My recommendation is: just watch The Saragossa Manuscript. It's commonly chosen as the best Polish movie ever created. It was extremely hard to find a running copy of the movie, even in Poland, until some folks in the States decided to help digging it out. These folks were people like Jerry Garcia, F.F. Coppolla and Martin Scorsese. Thanks to all of them, Saragossa Manuscript was lately released on DVD. From what I've heard, Luis Bunuel, Lars von Trier and Neil Gaiman also tend to rate it among their favourites. So it seems it's got some reputation overseas.
The movie is 45 years old now, so I suppose you won't be under such an impression, but I'm sure you'll appreciate what a fantastic piecie of movie it is.
Great article Brad. It was really interesting to see your Netflix queue. I think it said our similarity was about 81%. I was shocked to see you only gave 4/5 stars to The Dark Knight, considering you gave it an A+ rating, but perhaps your feelings on it have changed since the release.
As far as movies in your queue that you haven't seen that I have seen…I noticed "Misery", the movie based on the Stephen King novel and it is an excellent film. It has a creepy little twist at the end and the performances are great.
I also saw "Capote" which I wasn't a big fan of. I thought it was slow moving, and considering the great reviews it got, I was surprised at how emotionally distant it was. Hoffman was good in the lead role, but I didn't find myself caring at all for the characters involved.
@Danny: Actually I have seen Misery, I have that one in there for another go 'round someday, but no, I never actually ended up seeing Capote and every time it gets close to the top something else bumps it. One of these days I will see it.
Okay, my mistake.
Also just saw you 5 star rating for "Closer" and I'd have to agree with that. I just saw that a couple of days ago. Acting was spot on, it never lost a beat. I'm gonna try and see a lot of Mike Nichols' previous films now.
@Brad Brevet: @Danny: After looking at your queue, Brad, I'm not surprised at the films you haven't yet seen, but only amazed at the sheer ambition of what you wish to see. But I did see "Capote" and I highly recommend it. The cinematography is just stunning. The camera angles and the lighting add so much to the experience, they are the very finest. And as for "slow moving" and "emotionally distant", that's kind of the point.
This film tells an almost unbelievable story and something Truman himself might have written. Slow? How about measured. Truman was a fussy little pansy who talked in a high voiced lisp. Yet he made himself at home in rural Kansas for long periods of time to investigate his ground breaking book. He did what he had been doing since his sad, sad childhood. He recreated his environment, adapting it to him in subtle ways like the cleverest feral creature. This film does a brilliant job of depicting that. And the performances are spectacular.
I have clear memories of Truman Capote becoming his own parody in the early days of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. But I also remember reading his short stories and particularly "In Cold Blood" as a newly published novel. That man had a rare and fine gift as well as intelligence, all of which he sacrificed to his adictions in the end. This film shows Truman Capote at his pinacle. But it also shows that upon reaching it, the only way was down.
But for a man with a queue of 755 films, I can see that might not be enough to move you.
@Danny: If you haven't seen them, both Carnal Knowledge and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? are fantastic. Carnal Knowledge probably being my favorite between the two primarily because of the great scene between Jack Nicholson and Ann-Margret… CLICK HERE to see the scene I'm talking about.
@Patricia:
I'm not saying that I hated the film, I just didn't feel the power of it. Maybe I couldn't get as much out of it because I didn't really know much about Capote before I saw the flim, but I just never bought the relationship between Capote and Smith. I felt as if the movie was trying to convey Capote's character through the mood of the film rather than through the actual character.
Maybe I'll give it a second chance.
@Brad Brevet:
Yeah, Virginia Woolf is definitely in my queue. I've heard less about Carnal Knowledge, but I'll add that as well.
As for the clip, I think it's about 9 minutes long…does it give away any plot spoilers, or no?
@Brad Brevet: how about AMERICAN HISTORY X and Surviving Picasso??
"Crimes and Misdemeanors" may be the most pessimistic movie I've ever seen. It has almost zero hope in mankind. This and "Dogville" are enough to ruin anyone's day.
Needless to say, these two movies are masterpieces!
Last week, I watched Taken, which was better than I tought, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and I loved it even if I'm a HP fan, and the beginning of Goldfinger (was too tired to continue)