December 14, 2004
fran goes to the movies
So umm, yeah...
The end of the year requires bloggers to dish out some lists. That and the fact that I mention on top that I am supposed to write about film. Unfortunately, I can't say much as far as best films of 2004 go but I'll give it a try nonetheless. I have yet to watch the films that I have been even remotely interested in seeing. Worse still, the films that I really want to watch haven't even been released yet. Cinema, at least in America is in a very sorry state right now. East Asia has become the dominant force in film. However, the biggest problem in America begins with distribution:
Films that I should have been allowed to see.
(The one night screenings don't count)
01: 2046. Wong Kar Wai is currently my favorite modern director. He has official ownership of my soul after In the Mood for Love. Wong Kar Wai is quite possibly the most romantic person alive. And it takes a lot to make me cry because of that subject matter nowadays.
02: Bad Education. Almodovar. 'Nuff said. Why on earth can I not see this and 2046. Even more proof that Americans have absolutely no taste. How can this film not be screened everywhere after how amazing (and well received for that matter) his last two (err, eight) films were.
03: Undertow. After George Washington & All the Real Girls, how can David Gordon Green go wrong. I mean he knew enough to stop making Confederacy of Dunces instead of making some half-assed version. In the artistic world of the make them and take them down mentality, this man is too smart even for my petty cynicism.
04: Twillight Samurai. At least I have it on my upcoming Netflix cue. Even though it will take a while.
05: Goodbye Dragon Inn. Tsai is further proof of Asia's resurgence of dominance of film these past few years. Though once again I must point out that I fucking hate Japanese Yakuza/gore-action cinema. For crying out loud, this man made a musical about the impending end of the world!!
Films that I should have seen:
01: Sideways. Why haven't I seen this yet? (Election) Oh yeah. (About Schmidt)
02: Finding Neverland. Nobody wanted to see it with me.
03: After Sunset. I guess my heart is too bitter to see this yet.
04: Million Dollar Baby. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Eastwood. I mean, he's fuckin' UNFORGIVEN man!
Finally the Films that I did see:
01: Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman. So beautiful. Takeshi is a marvelous actor/director. How can such a man with such a violent streak love people so much? Though the end segment left my friends confused, I was smiling the whole way. This man loves.
02: Shaun of the Dead. So VERY funny. Notice how even British losers are smarter than American losers. British Zombies too.
03: The Incredibles. More action, better characters, and less CGI than Spiderman 2!
04: Eternal Sunshine. Not bad at all. For yet another Kaufman flick. It was definitely a very good movie but many elements in Kaufman's scripts keep on getting recycled. It would be better for us all if he would take a break. I'm sure you no longer need money that bad. Maybe learn from David Gordon Green. Oh and Gondry you sly dog, Kirsten Dunst wouldn't let you film her topless but you managed to make her one of the most visually pleasing women ever caught on film. (Not that it took much work, just a tank top) Suggestion will always be better than the real thing and he knows this. Now thats a real dirty Frenchman!
- Notes:
- I know I know better, (I won't even acknowledge Garden State) but why for the sake of everything that is good did I watch Napoleon Dynamite?
- I HATE Quentin Terrantino. The Kill Bill movies were pretty dissapointing in general. However, Terrantino himself is the problem. Talk about believing your own hype. He is my nominee for biggest jackass in Hollywood. (He does get points for Jackie Brown though)
- I hope Alex Proyas made bank with I, Robot and that he will make the movie of his dreams. That movie is the definition of "taking one for the team". I shudder to think if he doesn't. If you are into film noir and sci-fi, check out Dark City. (Thought I was gonna say Bladerunner right?) Ebert's commentary track is the best on dvd.
So I should mention that I saw Brumont's L'Humanite last night. The reason I haven't seen too many films in the theater is because I am usually at home watching contemporary French cinema by him and Haneke instead. Vive la France!
Posted by Fran at December 14, 2004 06:33 PM