Movies
On Saturday night I saw “Pretty Persuasion” and last night I saw a German movie called “The Edukators”. They were very different in that the former is an American black comedy and the latter is a German kidnapping drama shot on DV, but they were both very interesting (and pretty good) in their indictment of late capitalism and materialist culture. Has anyone else seen either of these fims?
DS
August 15th, 2005 at 11:02 am
Hmmmm, “The Edukators” was one of the films I had wanted to see during the 2005 “Philadelphia Film Festival” this past Spring. Unfortunately, it was either at a time when I could not attend (5:30) was at work. I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s hard to find good films now adays. I did however see one, out of four movies at the festival which I thought was interesting. It was called, “Ma mere”, from France & Portugal (worth seeing in my opinion)… it got a little weird near the end, but that’s Art for you. The others were either boring or made me just fall asleep. This one was very artfully done.
bw :)
August 15th, 2005 at 11:06 am
I’ll have to look for these two Movies now. Thanks for reminding us D. You know I usually do not watch any television, but an occasional intelligent, artsy Movie I do enjoy. :)
Have a nice day. Stay Cool….
August 15th, 2005 at 12:19 pm
No foreign, art house or indie films to recommend but you should think about seeing March of The Penguins. I just thought it was wonderful!!
August 15th, 2005 at 12:23 pm
Ummm, no have not seen either but thanks for the quick review…”Pretty Persuasion”…seem promising…reminds me of the black comedy…”Election” by Alexander Payne(I think)…looks to be loaded with lots of issues…lack of parental authority and guidance, the power of the $$$, the influence of the media(k, very dark indeed)…the other one will have to read up on, never heard of it. I did see…
“Happy Endings” and “Me And You And Everyone Else”…for those into arty films, check it out too :-)
Cheers,
Leveriza
August 15th, 2005 at 12:27 pm
oops, wrong title…it should be “Me And You and Everyone We Know” apologies…it is still fairly early here in the west coast :-)
Cheers(again),
Leveriza
August 15th, 2005 at 12:51 pm
A bunch of us were going to see “Pretty Persuasion” on Saturday, but decided to check out the Frying Pan instead. Have you ever been there? It’s on a really cool formerly-sunken ship just beyond that Chelsea Piers sports monstrosity thing. A long walk from the train (especially in this heat), but very much worth the trip.
As far as movie recommendations, I have to say that “Junebug” is a fine, fine film that everyone should see.
August 15th, 2005 at 2:00 pm
I haven’t seen either, but I’ll seek them out. Thank you for the recommendations.
As for criticism of capitalism and consumerism, I highly recommend the documentary “The Corporation.” It closely examines the way corporations function in modern society. Using traits these corporations exhibit, the filmmakers prove that if treated like people (which they are, legally), corporations would be classified as textbook psychopaths.
I also think everyone should watch “Brazil” (Terry Gilliam). I’ll just say that he and Tom Stoppard had it all figured out in 1985. It’s creepy how relevant it all is…
- Maria
August 15th, 2005 at 4:02 pm
Neither film has been available within my immediate viewing area, although a hacker friend did recomended me “Edukators”.
As for art films, I would recommend “Stalker” by Andrei Tarkovsky, 1979…… it is a 3hr long film (not movie)….. it is not about materialism persay, but it is a beautiful film. Highly recommended, it is very poetic, thoughtful, comtemplative…. a film about the search for hope and truth….I love its dialoge (or rather monologues)….. my #1 favorite film. Tarkovsky was a great filmmaker (r.i.p) …. also, “The Sacrifice” ‘86 by Tarkovsky is also excellent and very poingnat for our times.
And a film about capitalism, manipulation and greed (via TV) and how it can seduce even the most virtuous-driven man to become a mockery of himself…. “The Man Who Fell To Earth” by Nicholas Roeg, 1976… another long film, quite extravagant and shocking at times, but I really enjoy it. A bonus for me is that Mr. David Bowie starts in it. Not for the faint of heart due to certain intense scenes (if you get the director’s cut, which I recommend). Highly recommended too……
And yes, “Brazil” is a great film too! Although it makes me sad to watch it sometimes (at the end).
So there’s my two cents….. -_-
August 15th, 2005 at 4:16 pm
i saw Pretty Persuasion over the weekend in chelsea.. Ron Livingston and Evan Rachel Wood were incredible.
August 15th, 2005 at 7:54 pm
No new movies to report, sadly.
Have really torn through the Dead Like Me dvds though.
I suggest it to anyone who’s interested in the afterlife… as seen by a Grim Reaper who’s having difficulty adjusting to her new status.
Taking souls can cause so much moral objection…
There are some really sick accidents though. :squeamish:
Hope all is well in the world of Mr. Scruffy Chin.
Keep the eye on foreign, and keep making suggestions.
Time to eat some chicken tenders. Yum!
Susann
PS. Dorothy Mantooth is a saint.
August 16th, 2005 at 6:15 am
Movie of the week-
“The Story of the Weeping Camel”
Valerie
August 16th, 2005 at 11:18 am
…I don’t believe “Persuasion” is available in my area eIther. ???
I’d like to see “Me and You & EWK” …sounds promising.
Despite the Wes Craven signature, I want to see “Red Eye” Friday. I’ll need a hand to hold on to tho … the confinement scenario might trigger too much of a adrenaline/cortisol rush … :)
August 16th, 2005 at 12:59 pm
I like a movie called “The Station Agent”, I’m a Photographer who enjoys taking photos of old steam engines. The movies not all about trains, it’s also about friendships. Hope you’ll check it out, it’s on video now.
Lisa
August 16th, 2005 at 2:10 pm
“The Station Agent” is a fantastic movie. I can’t explain how much I love that movie. Everyone should definitely check it out. I’ve read about both movies (’Pretty’ and ‘Edukators’) but unfortunately, we don’t get movies as soon as a lot of other cities here in Milwaukee. I usually drive 45 min to IL to catch certain movies. Even though I live in a city with one of the Top Ten theatres in America (accoring to Entertainment Weekly) we don’t get too many movies there. We get some, but not all the ones I hope for.
August 16th, 2005 at 6:57 pm
I’m gearing up for the new Joss Whedon flick. Anyone else out there seen the awesomeness that is “Firefly”? I don’t watch much TV because I’m mostly a fan of my own reality, but the genius of Joss’s dialogue always tickles my fancy…and really, who wouldn’t want their fancy tickled?
August 17th, 2005 at 2:00 pm
I am also a Browncoat. I cannot wait for ‘Serenity.’ I tried getting into ‘Buffy’ but I didn’t like it. ‘Firefly’ was an amazing show though.
August 18th, 2005 at 2:17 am
i really haven’t seen anything in the movie theaters that was even worth paying for these days, and of course the movies you’ve suggested aren’t in my town.
tonight i watched a very very cheap film called “stranger.” it was a little too boring at some times, but there’s nothing quite like a perceptive homicidal homeless man narrating his life on the streets.
also, has anyone seen julien donkey-boy?? Or seen anything by Harmony Korine?
-erika-
August 18th, 2005 at 7:42 am
Oh! Great Oden’s raven! I thought of one!
Two Words: Sin City.
I know that it was a “blockbuster” and whatnot, but it was one of the most amazing films I’ve ever seen. The lack of any real gray and high contrasts of B&W? Beautiful. There were moments where I felt like I was watching an old flick from the late 40s, the lighting was so well thought out. And as for the specific coloring… There’s gotta be a method to it. Must watch it again. (If I can come with something solid from Donnie Darko, surely this shouldn?t be too tough, right?)
So yeah. I know it’s mainstream and not in the vein of “disconnected stagnation,” but seriously. It’ll knock your skocks off.
Yes, skocks people
Gotta get my backend to the jobby,
have an loverly day!
August 18th, 2005 at 8:22 am
I’ve not seen either of those films. I did see “March of the Penguins” and it is brilliant. Who knew penguins could be so interesting??
A German film shot on DV? Interesting..
August 18th, 2005 at 9:11 am
Did someone say BROWNCOAT?? Man, I so cannot wait for Sept. 30!
Anyways, just good to know that I’m not the only overlap between Duncan Sheik and Firefly/Serenity.
August 18th, 2005 at 2:52 pm
No worries Mike. Sept 30 cannot come fast enough for me either.
August 18th, 2005 at 4:43 pm
Seriously, how can you not love both the Sheik and the Whedon?
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