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Post by smittysgelato on Apr 10, 2023 0:17:20 GMT
Honestly, even when The Northman is trying to be subtle it isn't.
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Post by Ingram on Apr 10, 2023 2:09:07 GMT
Today I watched Robert Eggers' The Northman. A Viking revenge tale. I was pretty sure it wouldn't be my cup of tea and I was right. I find revenge to be nihilistic so I prefer anti-revenge movies. Ben-Hur, Munich, and the Star Wars Sextet are the best examples. The Northman is well crafted in many ways. Great cinematography, especially in the moments when things get weird during all of the freaky rituals. Despite all of the craftsmanship and my obvious distaste for revenge, there is still something about this movie that irks me. I can't put my finger on it after only one viewing, but there is something about it that feels obnoxiously dumb to me. Might it have something to do with the fact that the movie is obnoxiously dumb...? In step with the current cornucopia of lofty genre works (horror and sci-fi especially) The Northman was fashioned with all of the reach and immersion of an average digital grade indie-pop music video. Astroproject your mind back in time and tell your past-self to skip it. Instead, go with Richard Fleischer's 1958 swashbuckler classic The Vikings or, for that matter, The 13th Warrior from 1999, directed by John McTiernan and with some reshoots my Michael Crichton; narratively compromised but still a robust adventure movie for guys who like movies. Neither waste time with hipster nihilism. |
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Post by smittysgelato on Apr 10, 2023 4:34:32 GMT
Yes. This. Exactly. That is exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks Ingram.
On the other hand, I re-watched Dragonslayer recently, which was made by one of George's USC buddies. Now there's an adventure film that is far better than it is given credit for. The violence in that one is far better handled, utilized at key moments to great effect.
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Post by Ingram on Apr 10, 2023 4:53:28 GMT
Yes. This. Exactly. That is exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks Ingram. On the other hand, I re-watched Dragonslayer recently, which was made by one of George's USC buddies. Now there's an adventure film that is far better than it is given credit for. The violence in that one is far better handled, utilized at key moments to great effect. holds a comfortable, insured slot among my Top 10 fantasy films. I just recently upgraded to the long-overdue 4K. |
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Post by Subtext Mining on Apr 10, 2023 9:59:37 GMT
The Northman sounds like Jan Žižka / Medieval. The only movie I saw in theatres last year. I wanted to see it for the Czech history and legend, but it was 99% fighting for gory fighting's sake, and 1% inconsistent, wonky story. I don't recommend it unless you're into Czech lore or Michael Caine. The only redeeming quality for me was recognizing most of the filming locations having hiked to them during the pandemic when there was nothing else to do. I also applaud their choice for the female lead, she was super obscure and was perfect for the role.
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Post by smittysgelato on Apr 10, 2023 23:36:05 GMT
Yes. This. Exactly. That is exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks Ingram. On the other hand, I re-watched Dragonslayer recently, which was made by one of George's USC buddies. Now there's an adventure film that is far better than it is given credit for. The violence in that one is far better handled, utilized at key moments to great effect. holds a comfortable, insured slot among my Top 10 fantasy films. I just recently upgraded to the long-overdue 4K. The 4K disc is quite handsome. Maybe a little too much DNR here or there, but not enough to destroy the movie. The soundtrack has some robustness to it is as well. One thing I want to make clear about The Northman is that my dislike doesn't stem from the same place as it does for some. I have seen reviews around the internet that suggest that some were hoping for a grounded historical epic, and were put off by the more supernatural elements. I have seen some call it a fantasy film, which I'm don't think is accurate, but there you go. I think people might be so caught up in their own worldview that they are forgetting that The Northman deals with a culture that believed in the Norse gods, so the characters' view of reality isn't going to be the same as yours or mine. In fact, the supernatural elements prevent this movie from becoming completely dull. |
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Post by jppiper on Apr 11, 2023 1:06:50 GMT
Yes. This. Exactly. That is exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks Ingram. On the other hand, I re-watched Dragonslayer recently, which was made by one of George's USC buddies. Now there's an adventure film that is far better than it is given credit for. The violence in that one is far better handled, utilized at key moments to great effect. And a Young Ian McDiarmid! |
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Post by smittysgelato on Apr 11, 2023 4:19:02 GMT
Yes. This. Exactly. That is exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks Ingram. On the other hand, I re-watched Dragonslayer recently, which was made by one of George's USC buddies. Now there's an adventure film that is far better than it is given credit for. The violence in that one is far better handled, utilized at key moments to great effect. And a Young Ian McDiarmid! As a creepy priest, no less. He was destined to be cult leader of the Sith. |
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Post by stampidhd280pro on Apr 11, 2023 4:26:05 GMT
Lucas is credited with working on Dragonslayer, perhaps just overseeing the special effects, but Im not sure. Ill have to watch that too.
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Post by eljedicolombiano on Apr 12, 2023 1:10:53 GMT
Speaking of Medieval films, I had the chance to watch Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev recently. Quite a good film, though perhaps not as great as its fame proclaims it to be. I prefer Bergman's The Seventh Seal for what its worth.
Also seeing the last page and speaking of Hitchcock, Spellbound is also on YouTube, with my main man Gregory Peck as lead. Great movie!
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Post by Ingram on Apr 12, 2023 3:20:29 GMT
Lucas is credited with working on Dragonslayer, perhaps just overseeing the special effects, but Im not sure. Ill have to watch that too. 
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Post by Subtext Mining on Apr 13, 2023 20:52:55 GMT
Speaking of Medieval films, I had the chance to watch Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev recently. Quite a good film, though perhaps not as great as its fame proclaims it to be. I prefer Bergman's The Seventh Seal for what its worth. Also seeing the last page and speaking of Hitchcock, Spellbound is also on YouTube, with my main man Gregory Peck as lead. Great movie! I love The Seventh Seal. I'm going to start watching Spellbound tonight or tomorrow. Thanks! |
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Post by Subtext Mining on Apr 15, 2023 9:43:48 GMT
Ok, Spellboind was great, my kind of movie. Suspense and mystery that keeps you wondering throughout, steeped in psychology made more complex by romance. Brilliant lighting, camerawork & editing, lavish music, exquisite classic dramatic acting, and a nice psychedelic dream sequence overseen by Dali. And of course I couldn't help but notice a lot of similarities with the prequels. Gregory Peck's character is a tall, lanky, young awkward man, but handsome with a good heart. Bergman's character, one bound to her profession and not quick to fall in love, is immediately smitten, but also very soon notices there's something a little off about him. However she does not spurn him, but rather sees the good in him and resolves be there for him. They then soon go on a picnic which continues to awaken her fun, carefree side. He helps her feel like herself. She sneaks off to find and talk sense into him after hearing about bad things he might have done. Peck's character is haunted by subconscious guilt and pain, and disturbed by a dream which is the key to everything. She can't believe it when informed that he tried to kill another character, because in her heart she knew he wouldn't willingly do that. Despite his problems and the labels the doctors give him, she says he's a man. ("I'm a person." "To be angry is to be human.") Finding balance between the mind and the heart. The final scene, with Murchison, relates so much to Anakin's fall, but I don't want to give anything away for those that haven't seen it. And that romantic leitmotif has got to be an influence on both Han & Leia's theme and Across The Stars. And I liked the Pittsburg guy  |
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Post by eljedicolombiano on Apr 15, 2023 11:50:42 GMT
Subtext you have Cary Grant and Gregory Peck confused  But yes I agree great movie- Miklos Rozsa is a underrated Hollywood composer, on of the the greatest in my view |
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Post by Subtext Mining on Apr 15, 2023 12:00:46 GMT
Woops, force of habit from talking about Notorious. Changed it.
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Post by Subtext Mining on May 13, 2023 9:20:26 GMT
Wow, I dont know how I've never heard of this film before. The Innocents from 1961 starring the illustrious Deborah Kerr, an adaptation of the novella The Turn of the Screw, co-written by Truman Capote and directed by Jack Clayton. This film is widely regarded as the best gothic psychological horror of all time, transcending the genre, and I agree. Not only is the cinematography exquisite (filmed by Freddie Francis in 2.40:1), brimming with suggestive symbolism and metaphor, the acting pitch perfect even by the kids, but it crafts that Rorschachian ambiguity that I absolutely love to see in movies. After awhile you begin to slowly realize this story doesnt unfold as one straight narrative and you aren't sure who is imagining things and what is really happening. And the beauty of this film is whichever stance you take, it holds up -- you can back it up with evidence, while also not confirming anything. m.youtube.com/watch?v=-0P4yNjMUvAIf you like such movies as The Shining and Rosemary's Baby, this is the central jewel in the crown. And even if you don't, I recommend this one because it's crafted so palatably. There's no exploitive quality to it. The Innocents is an immaculately concocted suspense drama from the classic era. And I can't help but notice here a lot of similarities in Deborah Kerr's acting and carriage to that of Ian McDiarmid's. I wonder if they had some of the same instructors/schools.  |
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Post by Ingram on May 13, 2023 10:43:59 GMT
I've owned the Criterion blu-ray for a few years now. Yes, it's a classic, and exhibits one of my favorite opening credits, from black to the delayed 20th Century Fox logo onward. The entire film is languidly paced in this regard, but effective in its results. In addition to the cinematography, mad props to some innovative sound editing as well.
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Post by smittysgelato on May 13, 2023 19:14:34 GMT
I do enjoy beautiful women in nightgowns. Horror is always reliable in that regard.
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Post by Subtext Mining on May 14, 2023 11:33:12 GMT
Yes, I wanted to mention that the creative soundscapes are very captivating. And that haunting intro, yes! I have mad respect for each aspect of this film. It suffered poor promotion upon release and has never really risen above cult classic status, but I think it should be a household name up there with Psycho, The Excorcist and The Shining.
What comes to mind for me as a comparison is Samuel Barber's Adagio. This movie continually avoids any sort of resolve. It's never fully decided which scenario is happening, and the end is the most mysterious of all.
I've watched every review of it I can find and everyone says, yes, either the ghosts are real or she's imagining it. But what I think is happening, is the whole thing is all a fantasy dream of hers, intruded by elements of her subconscious.
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Post by stampidhd280pro on May 14, 2023 12:30:21 GMT
Watched Godfather Coda this morning. The Death of Michael Corleone. Havent cried like that since Ep III. It had the same effect as More American Graffiti, where you just expect certain characters to die at any moment.
Also, Happy Birthday George!
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