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Re: Nicely done. (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Thank you, holy diver.
CHILDREN OF MEN, I think, may have seemed too darkly dull in its mis-en-scene for bright-eyed Americans. Those eyes have not been clouded by two World Wars.
I appreciate your comments.
Alex -- Macresarf1
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Nov 10 '07
6:23 pm PST
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Nicely done. (Reply to this comment)
by holy_diver
Just when I was convincing myself how terrible cinema has become these days (yes, I am in-line with that stereotypical line of thinking), I read you overview, and am reminded that great movies are still being made, though some are often overlooked. I'm very glad Children of Men made it to #2 - indeed, that film is one of the most unique and powerful movies I've seen in a while, fermented even more by an exquisite cinematography style (perfect for a visceral depiction of Earth as it slides further into apocalypse).
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Nov 09 '07
1:29 pm PST
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Re: . (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Thank you, Teresa, for the comment.
Your question is a most perceptive one, from my point of view.
My physical ailments to one side, I have been been singularly turned off be the movie I've seen (and haven't seen) this year. I find a triviality, a dullness, running through them. The touted pictures are as over-produced and bloated as ever. The programme flicks plough deeper into idiocy. The foreign films begin to have a predictable sameness. And the "indie" films just put me to sleep.
Of the films I've seen this year, ZODIAC and THE HOAX, despite flaws, interested me. To tell the truth, some films I liked best, such as THE RAPE OF EUROPA and BAMAKO, I have not gotten around to reviewing.
This may be the year when films and mini-series made for Cable came into their own. In the wake of THE SOPRANOS and DEADWOOD, works like THE COMPANY and MAD MEN seemed much more interesting than the multiplex offerings. Heck, even DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES often has more wit than the average theatrical film.
Perhaps, the World of Cinema has at last become thoroughly disoriented by the political, military and environmental madness we have loosed on people over the last 25 years.
There seems abroad a flat hopelessness, a synthetic prosperity, that we must overcome.
I urge you to support the impeachment and prosecution of the gang in power now.
Perhaps, if we could bring off a thorough political and moral house-cleaning, restoring the primacy of the Constitution, we could save the Republic. And incidentally, even absurdly, that might stimulate a new renaissance of movie making.
Regards.
Alex
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Aug 21 '07
1:41 pm PDT
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. (Reply to this comment)
by virtuelle2
Excellent list, Alex. So what's made the list for 2007 so far? Not much, by my estimation (only 'Sicko' comes to mind. (Of course, living in the sticks, I don't get to see most of what plays in the big urban centers.
What's happened to the social conscience of movies this year?
Thanks for this, as always.
~ Teresa
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Aug 20 '07
12:10 pm PDT
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Re: A very fine list, Alex. (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Thanks, Ed.
Yes, it has always been my understanding that the rating should be based on how helpful the review is in deciding a choice to try the product. Obviously, if the product is an intellectual property which deals with a political or a historical matter, that information needs to be presented.
Only a few of our colleagues go out after others on a political basis. If I have made a mistake of fact, or misrepresented a product, I'm usually happy to make a correction. But I can't lie or ignore facts to please others.
Strangely, a couple of those who do rate with a political bias are among the cheerleaders for Epinions management on the message boards, or those who are always back slapping those whose political attitudes they endorse.
Always glad to have your opinions, Ed. A series of physical ailments, the latest being a bad back, limits my time at the typerwriter so severely that I have become one of the procrastinators, too. So much so, that I may throw in my hand here.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Alex
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Aug 14 '07
1:03 pm PDT
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A very fine list, Alex. (Reply to this comment)
by Ed.Williamson
As usual, you put a good deal of thought into this one.
I wish I were in a location where I could see these. Unfortunately, my choices are limited by geography and probably marketing demographics, but I did see 2 or 3 you listed.
I respect your choice of Pan's Labyrinth, even though I had a subjective and visceral revulsion to it. The ending was a bit too much for me, but that said, I can see why it has merit.
I am always perplexed when someone says a review is Not Helpful because they don't like the injection of the personal tastes of the review's author, or object because of such things as the author's politics and religion, or philosophical views. A personal review inherently is personal, and at this site you are free to speak in just about any way you please, unless I am missing something. And what you give us is always worth reading.
Sorry for the late rating & comment. Procrastination is an occasional liability here.
Ed
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Aug 13 '07
10:47 pm PDT
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Re: All good choices, EXCEPT (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
I guess, I believe Shaw's General in "Man and Superman," fool that the old soldier was, that "A good cry is half the battle!" AMERICAN DREAMZ seemed to me an old-fashioned homage to Preston Sturges. I quickly agree that it was NOT Preston Sturges.
But I wonder what the public and critics would say about our comic genius's take on "the war on terror"?
Well, nine out of ten, in this dark list is not too bad.
Thank you, Simply Crispy.
Alex
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Jul 22 '07
2:38 pm PDT
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Re: A very surprising list! (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Dear Solohans 1: I've been pretty depressed personally, and in regards to the worsening state of the World -- and America's responsibility in that -- which may explain much of my list.
CHILDREN OF MEN was definitely an an interesting film, an important one, which has stayed with me, in certain scenes and circumstances, long after I've seen it.
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH is that rare didactic work of art, which its execution to one side, is important for its impact on history. The film has brought Global Climate Change into the public discussion in the same way that SICKO has encouraged debate about our health care system. AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH is the more significant simply because we shall not be able to obfuscate much longer the consequences of ignoring that change. [It also opens up a vast new market for Corporatism.]
I did not see NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, but I did suffer THE DA VINCI CODE. It was a long, tedious watch, believe me. It was so bad that it failed to be good.
Thank you for your reactions.
Alex
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Jul 22 '07
2:30 pm PDT
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All good choices, EXCEPT (Reply to this comment)
by Simply_Crispy
"American Dreamz". Did not appreciate that film one little bit. Hated it in fact. But that's just me.
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Jul 21 '07
3:14 pm PDT
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A very surprising list! (Reply to this comment)
by solohans1
M.,
Your list had a few mentions that surprised me. 'Children Of Men' for instance. I didn't see the movie, but really wanted to and for almost certain will see in the future(no pun intended). Usually anything in SciFi (sifi, as true fans will call it) vein doesn't get much respect.
I didn't expect Al Gore's documentary, but 'why not?', I heard it too was well made and can be enjoyed whether one believes in 'global warming' or not. I haven't seen the movie, but understand Gore is very much the environmentalist. He wrote at least one book on the earth's precarious nature.
Thanks for including the eclectic choices. solo
BTW, I agree wiith 'Museum' as being one of the worst films. I don't know about 'Code', but I heard it was torturously long with a myriad of detail about the code that just confused movie goer. (And, what was with Hank's haircut in that film?)-solo
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Jul 21 '07
12:26 pm PDT
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Re: Can't argue with any of these.. (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Thanks NFP.
If I knew that THE LIVES OF OTHERS was a first time effort, I'd forgotten. It was a substantial film, but I did not find it quite so fascinating as others did.
Thank you for your remarks.
I appreciate them.
Alex
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Jul 12 '07
9:52 am PDT
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Can't argue with any of these.. (Reply to this comment)
by NFP
...though I would try hard to squeeze in the German winner of the Best Foreigh Film Oscar "The Lives of Others" in there if I could somehow. Remarkable movie, all the more so as a first film.
nick
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Jul 11 '07
3:42 pm PDT
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Re: What a tremendous list! (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Thank you, Mike.
It is a little strange that, although the evidence is splashing across every news channel and newspaper, and even the Administration is making muttering statements about dealing with Global Climate Change (six years late), neither many of the Republican Presidential Candidates, nor Our President's Science Advisor, will admit to watching AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.
Looks like a place where politics and the public interest collide!
I appreciated your wise comment, Mike.
Alex
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May 22 '07
1:33 pm PDT
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What a tremendous list! (Reply to this comment)
by mike.holmes
I saw almost all of these films (and now want to see them all) and I agree with you that this was an amazing year for socially significant films. Your choice of the top film should be required viewing for all Americans (although all the Republican candidates say they haven't seen it). Thanks for putting together a list that renews my faith in the film industry.
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May 21 '07
1:33 pm PDT
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Re: * (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Thank you, Jack.
Glad you agree with me.
I guess that old bottom line is, no matter if this climate change is primarily natural or man-made, our children and their children will be boiled, freeze-dried, and fried over the next hundred years, if we do not act, right now.
Regards.
Alex
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May 18 '07
10:26 am PDT
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* (Reply to this comment)
by jackai
Great list and commentary, Alex (sorry I'm so late to read) and I absolutely agree with your #1 choice. I still have friends (educated, well read friends, mind you) who still don't believe global warming is a real threat, but a natural progression of the earth's climate cycle.
It's the classic put a frog in boiling water and it'll jump out, but put it in warm water, increase the temperature gradually and it'll stay.
Jack
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May 17 '07
8:34 am PDT
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Re: interesting list (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Thanks, Jan. That de-natured color scheme may have put you off CHILDREN OF MEN. It is very much a film which might have been made by Geoffrey Chaucer, had he been able to command a cine-camera. It is a tale of pilgrims in a dark age.
I'll look forward to your list.
Alex
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May 05 '07
1:33 am PDT
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interesting list (Reply to this comment)
by jankp
I've seen Why We Fight and Gore's doc and loved them, but wasn't that impressed with Flags. Some of these I need to see before I make my list.
Jan
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May 05 '07
12:19 am PDT
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Re: Thank you... (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
I hope you find them interesting and informative, Vasilis.
Thank you for the comment.
Alex
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May 01 '07
10:32 pm PDT
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Re: A good collection and worrisome theme... (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Thanks, Maurice.
I fear you are right.
I could never have quite imagined the prescience of Wells, when I was a young man.
Alex
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May 01 '07
10:31 pm PDT
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Thank you... (Reply to this comment)
by lammet
Alex for this compilation. If past suggestions are any indication these 10 will prove essential viewing.
Which brings up my problem... I have only seen four... need to make time to watch the rest... :o)
-Vasilis
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May 01 '07
7:29 am PDT
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A good collection and worrisome theme... (Reply to this comment)
by ASourdough4
It is a timely list; I have just finished plowing through "Outline of History" by H.G. Wells". From which, one might infer nothing new with U.S., just the players...
Regards - Maurice
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May 01 '07
2:20 am PDT
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Re: Re: Dear Alex... (Reply to this comment)
by milena_zepeda
My pleasure, Alex! Keep up the wonderful work! :)
MZ
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Apr 30 '07
3:19 pm PDT
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Re: Dear Alex... (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Think nothing of it, milena.
You always seem to bring me good news.
Thank you for the praise.
Alex -- Macresarf1
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Apr 30 '07
1:48 pm PDT
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Dear Alex... (Reply to this comment)
by milena_zepeda
Thank you for a remarkably fascinating review, as always! :)
Take care,
MZ (who is sorry it took me 3 days to get here!)
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Apr 30 '07
1:00 pm PDT
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Re: Not a helpful list: Here's why ... (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Dear epops: I'm sorry that this list did not please you, It must have been very bad indeed because seldom does a fellow Epinionator mark a Ten Best List NOT HELPFUL.
The list deals with ten movies one reviewer found the most memorable.
The problem I have with your criticism is that 1) it is my list; 2) the movies picked reflect only particular tastes and attitudes; 3) over half these movies, as is noted, cannot be discussed without resorting to discussion of didactic themes they contain. Because you, understandably, I hope, cannot reasonably ask me to change my character, would you be so kind and helpful to point out where an entry does not indicate what the movie is about?
Give me some specific errors I may correct, or a misrepresentation I should change or withdraw.
If you want more information about the particular films, you are referred to full reviews, mine and others.
As for following metalluk's example, unfortunately that estimable reviewer has not dealt with Movies in well over a year. If I am not mistaken, when he was a Top Reviewer and Advisor, he made some what he thought reasonable suggestions to the management, which were rejected. Then, he was (he seemed to indicate) attacked on the Message Boards. He quit entirely over the matter, I believe, but later has come back to review books and music. I never quite understood the crux of the dispute, not spending much time on those Boards, but he certainly appeared very unhappy. He expressed a sense of persecution.
I trust he did not leave Movies because his political expression was somehow restricted. In a real or imagined way.
Anyhow, come back to me with some reasonable specifics, and I'll see if it's in my limited powers to accommodate you.
Thank you for your criticism and all the best.
Alex -- Macresarf1
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Apr 29 '07
12:08 pm PDT
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Not a helpful list: Here's why ... (Reply to this comment)
by epops
You are obviously capable of writing very competent movie reviews, some of which I have in the past found very helpful. With this list, however, you have taken the opportunity to once again flog your political views, which I'm not the slightest bit interested in, without giving me any reason to see the movies.
Of course your political opinions differ from mine - that's not my point. When I read a movie review I want to find out about the movie, why it's entertaining, why it's a good artistic creation, not about how self-righteous and politically virtuous the reviewer is.
Why don't you do as Metalluk does and expound your politics in separate essays, rather than mixing them in with your reviews? I would actually be interested in reading such an exposition, and I would enjoy your movie reviews a lot more minus the political editorials.
epops
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Apr 28 '07
7:58 pm PDT
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Re: Alas (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Dear Tom: I mentioned that THE LIVES OF OTHERS and THE DEPARTED were two more technically deserving pictures, but that I had pushed them to one side. I think, in the case of THE LIVES OF OTHERS, it was because, somehow, PAN'S LABYRINTH illustrated the themes of totalitarianism more vividly.
But if purely artistic considerations had dominated my critical choices on this list, I would have included THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Thank you for your comment.
Alex -- Macresarf1
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Apr 28 '07
11:03 am PDT
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Alas (Reply to this comment)
by stactom
as with all lists, a person thinks that one was left out. My orphan is "The Lives of Others."
Tom
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Apr 28 '07
4:18 am PDT
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Re: You (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
You were in at the chimes of midnight with your list, Stephen.
I enjoyed it, and pointed out over there, your list would eventually influence mine.
Happy post-Hogmanay.
Alex
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Apr 27 '07
10:12 pm PDT
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