The Protected Child - Movies We Defend

Having spent the last week going through each Harry Potter film from beginning up until now, it got me reflecting on movies that people like to bash that I often feel as if I spend more time defending than I do enjoying. Movies like Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets, who through the 'alright' direction of Chris Columbus have become the go to stomping stone for anyone in need of a quick slide at the Potter series. I for one enjoy the movies and think they capture the wonder and awe of the magical world J.K. Rowling created in their accompanying novels. Sure, they aren't exactly masterpieces in their own right, but they are what they needed to be. A draw, charming and enticing that lured in readers and set them up for the tale to come. The same could be said of the films.

I've always hated the notion of defending a movie, but I do understand its place. There is a line between disagreeing about someone with a movie and believing they're approaching it from the wrong direction. Perhaps it's because you feel their expectations are blinding them from the quality of the film, or that they are misinterpreting key aspects of the plot. So, it has on more than one occasion come to pass that I find myself 'defending' - in my own way - these early Potter journeys when people get riled up and hop on the bash machine (run ride if you've never been). Another such film in the series is Deathly Hallows Part 1. But these aren't the only ones.

At points in my life I took up the cause of the second and third Matrix films, the 2005 version of King Kong, and the pre-Drunken Angel works of Kurosawa (nothing but love). Other films have come and gone from this level of protection, depending on my passion for them vs my desire to get caught up unnecessary arguments.

So, I ask - what movies (whether you love them or just enjoy them) do you find yourself defending and why?

Simply a Perfect Scene...

Finding a scene one would label perfect is not an easy task. Especially when you consider the overkill of the word "perfect" - and its related components. But perfection means exactly that - it is without the capability for improvement. Now, we all know that's entirely an arbitrary and impossible to determine attribute, but all the same it doesn't mean I'm going to try. Perhaps the closest scene I can think of that in terms of all the defining factors of the film, that I would change nothing is the shootout scene outside the church in Road to Perdition. The lighting, score, camera angles, shots, pacing, sound, and expressions on the characters' faces are all exactly as I would dream them to be were I to ever direct such a moment in a film.



*Warning - Spoilers*




So, if you were asked to pick the perfect scene - what would spring to your mind?

Sound Off: Worst Casting Ever

David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method - in all its Keira Knightley overboard glory - I started reminiscing a bit on those frustrating moments in cinema acting. You know the ones. The film is fine, teasing with the notion of greatness, when all of the sudden 'that' person comes onto the screen. In any other role, in any other film they'd be a legend, mesmerizing star whisking you off your feet with each and every movement. Here, however, they're chewing up more scenery than a goat on speed. And it's such a shame because with each effort they make, the film just falls farther and farther from grace. Maybe in multiple viewings you're able to drop that agitation. Maybe you've come to accept it and overlook that performance for the greater good of the overall picture. But the fact remains that the film forever suffers for that one poor casting decision.

So, I ask you - What is the worst performance you've seen in a movie you love, or would have loved otherwise?

Those Lovely 3 A.M. Regrets

I should be banned from watching television after about 1:30 in the morning. By some random act of nature, once I cross that threshold, all sense of social awareness, civic responsibility, human decency, and rational thought cease, and my mind turns into a puddled mesh of horrid decision making. Knowledge that I need to wake up in a handful of hours, for some reason that is likely respectable and (possibly even) admirable, dissipates and I'm left with only what the television offers....

"Hey look, It's Pat is on!" Why? Why can't I just turn off the TV? Would it be too great a crime against my senses for me to seek rest instead of subject myself to torture such as this? Of course it doesn't help that I don't become consciously aware that I've spent the last hour watching From Justin to Kelly until it's far too late to do anything about it. Then my mind justifies seeing it through to the end, all the while constantly reminding me of the stupidity of its own decision.

Oh yes, those lovely little decisions made in a time well beyond the signal to have retired for the evening. In those moments, anything is possible, and everything sounds reasonable. "A two hour documentary on Donald Trump's hair? Score!" Willpower you say? How could I possibly refuse three straight hours of competitive backgammon!? There's just no end to my desire for early morning nothingness.

So, I ask - what viewing decisions have you made in those quiet moments prior to the break of dawn that you've found yourself going "what the hell was I thinking?" the following day?

If You Could Go Back....

What if someone came up to you today and offered you an opportunity unlike any other you'd ever experience. The opportunity to see one film you've already seen for the first time all over again. Your memory would be wiped clean (for the time being - nothing permanent), you'd get the perfect seat in the theater, and you'd be immersed into that world with fresh and clean eyes. What would movie would you choose? Would it be one of your all time favorites? Maybe a movie that warped your perception of cinema a bit, and now you'd like a do-over. Heck, if you really wanted to take it the full nine yards you could pick a movie you hated the first time but like now. Or a movie you hate now but liked the first time you saw it. Your entire viewing catalog is at your disposal.

So I ask - what film would you choose to go back and watch again for the first time? Pick wisely, you only get one.

Better With Company

Like it or not, movie going is an inherently social experience. Together, in a packed theater, a crowded living room, or just a couple of friends hanging out in a dorm, movies are simply better when shared with someone else. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that the core group surrounding you enjoys watching the same movies you do. It's even worse when they continue to drag you through a series of muck they think everyone loves and then get annoyed when you invite them to that new foreign film at the local indie theater. I would like to I'm speaking from experience, but on the whole I've got myself a pretty solid, well rounded surrounding cast of movie watchers to join in on the fun. But I know that's not the case for everyone. So I'm throwing today's post out to you:

You're Dr. Frankenstein, in a manner of speak. This is your lab. No worries about tap dancing routines, Helena Bonham Carter turning into a monster, or being attacked by some evil Robert DeNiro/Boris Karloff mutation (plus points for each reference catch - pretty easy triple threat here). So, I ask you now. Construct your ideal movie watching partner. Remember to keep in mind the 10 parts of the movie going experience:

1. The movie selection
2. The trip there together/meeting there
3. Payment method of choice
4. Food selection
5. Seating arrangement
6. Pre-Film Trailer personality
7. Throughout runtime personality
8. Credits exit theater timing
9. The after movie discussion
10. The after movie activity - straight home/night cap/party/etc

There you go - Construct Away!

Black and White: The Power of A World Uncrowded By Color

Few movies have been as upfront with the use of symbolism as the 1998 film, American History X. A past of black and white against a present of color. Simplicity vs. Openness. Racism vs. Acceptance. Darkness vs. Brightness. With the widespread use of color that is placed throughout all our cinemas, highlighted on giant IMAX screens with 3D popping at our eyes, it is easy to forget the power that can be derived by using the most classic of cinematic techniques. You can transport people back to World War 2. Invest them in a world beyond imagination. Show them a man painted a freak by those who only see through a limited scope. Or just effectively use the limited resources you have available. While the world of bright colors may wow the eyes, the ability to effectively use black and white can own the mind. And for that I salute those directors that do so with such grace.

 

So, to beg the question - what are some of your favorite examples of modern films (for argument's sake I used 1980 as my 'base point') that use black and white to tell their tale?

Shoot the Devil

"It was Keyser Soze, Agent Kujan. I mean the Devil himself. How do you shoot the Devil in the back?... What if you miss?"

Say what you will about our love for the heroic champions of morality, few things in the world resonate as well with the public as an embodiment of evil. From modern giants of Keyser Soze and Hannibal Lecter to the classic masters like Norman Bates, Darth Vader, and The Wicked Witch of the West. How many of you can spit out the name HAL-9000 without batting an eye, but struggle to remember Dave Bowman?

It's a common place aspect of society in which cinema has finally found its niche. The right villain with the right actor/actress can present a world so vile, cold, and cynical that we can't help but turn away. They are theatrical performers on a stage of evil, representing the aspects of the world we fail to understand. Because of it they can get away with anything, and everything. Every thought we ever dreamed of having. Every action we ever wanted to take. In their own interests they act, because that's what we've made them.

After all, when it comes down to it. For them, it's only business.

So, what are some of your favorite film villains and why?

Live Out Cinema

You've been given a once in a lifetime opportunity. A brand new machine has been created that will allow you to enact one scene from one film as any character you wish. I'm not talking about playing a video game either. This is full on virtual reality the way science fiction has always dreamed of it. However, there's a catch. The second you finish that scene the machine will be destroyed and the time needed to recreate it will far exceed the span of your lifetime. So here you are. The entire catalog of cinema as you know it at your disposal. What do you pick?

Now I know it may be a cliche choice by most people's standards, but I'm going the Star Wars: A New Hope Death Star run every single time. Oh, and of course I'm going as Luke. Why? Because he's the only one who manages to blow anything up! Even though I have always had a soft spot for Wedge (he never did get enough screen time... *tear*). Besides, the intensity of the moment, the ability to fly a space fighter. Oh these would be far too enticing for me to pass up. But then again, that's just me.

What I want to know is this: What scene would you go for and why?

I Paid Money For That?

Mad Hatter's article today on going to the theater alone got me to thinking about something when looking back. The movies we go see with friends, just because it's something to do together.

I've always had a bit of a gift for sensing a movie I'm not going to like from a long distance away. And, at times, I have been wrong, but for the most part I bat a solid .750 (take that A-Rod!) in my predictive value for stinkers. So, as you can imagine, I justly avoid them whenever possible. Still, sometimes when it comes to friends, or loved ones, you just get roped into seeing something because. That sense of camaraderie that forces you to venture into the depths of cinema crap just to spend time with one another.

And while I am, by personal preference, most often prone to going to the movies alone, or with my mom (very similar tastes), I have gone quite often to see movies with friends. Unfortunately these cases have come with very mixed results.

The worst two cases of this being: THE FOG and ERAGON. Two movies so dreadful I actually went into the low 3's in my scoring. Even good company made it hard to swallow those two. But all is not bad, we did go see movies like Star Wars Revenge of the Sith, and the not too horrible (thanks to Angus Macfadyen) Saw III (but not too good either).

It's an odd thing though, the movie we go see for others.

So, ladies and gents, I ask thee: What horrible movies did you go see just because your friends were going?

Thinking Out Loud

I was just sitting around thinking today and I got to wondering. We all know Tarantino is as solid a director as there is working today. As well we all know many of us still feel he was snubbed for Pulp Fiction (although he did win best writing with Roger Avary). Now I don't think his latest outing in Inglourious Basterds will win him a best picture oscar, far too polarizing a film, but I do wonder, do you think he may get a Best Director win as sort of a lifetime achievement award?

The reason I ask this is if you look at the favorite best picture nominees there's really no hype for any of them director wise. Perhaps The Hurt Locker would be a strong director contender, as well Jason Reitman has gained lots of fans from his last two outings. But neither of them really hold a candle to the lack of Oscar love for Tarantino's films (especially since more often than not the public widely embraces his quirky ways). Precious may be a strong contender, but from everything I've read the movie succeeds in spite of the director, not because of him.

I have to say I think the Best Director race may just be the most exciting of all the races this year. So many deserving candidates, and several with backlogs of debates on why they haven't won yet. Let me know what you all think, and come Oscar time I suppose we'll find out!

Question to Readers

So, for those that have followed my blog for any length of time, I'm sure you know by now when it comes to directors there isn't a single one within 10 miles of my love for Akira Kurosawa. The guy holds 3 films in my top 10, 4 in my top 50, and 5 in my top 100, there's just no explaining how much I love him as a director. So, here it goes:

This upcoming March will mark 100 years since Kurosawa's birth, something I feel must be celebrated. Also I've noticed not a whole lot of my viewers have seen a lot of Kurosawa films so I was wondering:

1) Would you all be interested if I did a sort of self blog-a-thon leading up to the day reviewing mass quantities of his films

or, instead:

2) Would anyone be interesting in joining me in doing a mini-blog-a-thon looking as just a handful of his films?

I could pick the films, others could pick the films, doesn't matter. Just know if I go on my own I'm going to be reviewing somewhere in the 20+films range, so if there's a group it's prob come down to about 3-5ish. I know it's a long time before then but I'd like to get a feel now so I can start compiling a list!

Let me know!

Your First....

I remember as a kid when it came to movies it was always rather simple up until I was about 12/13 years old. We would go to the local video rental store, me and my sister would pick out the "family" movie, and my parents would pick out their "parents movie." I still remember many a night in which I would lay in bed listening to the explosions, yells, dialogue, and other noises which echoed throughout our house as my parents watched their film. I was often curious about R-rated films, but very cautious when it came to violence, for the longest time I couldn't stand the site of it (now my top 100 list would argue quite near the opposite).

One day my parents decided it was time for a bit of a change. We rented Speed, a film they had seen a couple of years earlier and decided wasn't too violent, and watched it as a family. Sitting down, and watching Speed was a dual experience. I was constantly worried that extremely violent moments would happen around the corner, and at the same time I was insanely captivated by the story at hand. I vividly remember my reactions to each scene. The deaths still stick with my memory as certain characters I just didn't want to go, and wasn't used to seeing them. It's a unique experience watching your first true R film. The amount of realism, and yet absurdity, combined to present this intense product was sort of an eye opener for me in the world of film. I have to say, as first time R-Rated films go, I'm not sure any other film would capture all the new emotions I felt as vividly as Speed did.

So, out of curiosity, what was your first R-Rated film?

Another Random Question

Since I don't have time to do a usual mid-day review I'm going to throw out another fun random question.

If you were a filmmaker which would you rather be?

1) An independent film maker (true independent, not $25million budget independent)

or

2) A big studio film maker

Once again there's nothing to this, I'm just overly curious and want you all to feel involved :)

Random Question

If you were to become an actor, which of the following would you prefer?

1) To be incredibly famous, maybe win an oscar or two, but years after your death all of your films have become forgotten.

or

2) Never achieve fame, manage to do only one film, but years after your death that film be considered the greatest film ever made.

Don't worry it's not a psychology exam, it's just a question that I was thinking of... and to be honest I don't have a good answer for, I want both dammit! :) Your thoughts?

Today's Group Question: More frustrating?

So following the popularity of yesterdays moral question I figured I'd stick with it a while, see how it holds up popularity wise... I'll try to keep them movie based, but no guarantees. Anyways here is today's question:

Which group of people are more frustrating?

A) Film/Art/Literature supremacists? You know, the people who believe that anyone who likes something other than they like are lesser than them.

or

B) People who respond with "well that's your opinion" to an opposing answer for a question that is entirely devoid of opinion.


My answer: both.
I know I know! Make up your mind argh. Well to be honest the first group of people are insanely annoying because they try to calculate something that is, at its very core, grounded in an incalculable number of variables that come into personal taste. The second, especially living in the US and in the South (which I do), is possibly the most frustrating people to deal with, because they take scientific and mathematical fact and try to substitute them for taste and personal opinion.

What do you think? Which gets under your skin more? Or do you even care? Answer away!

Online Film Fans: Which is more pathetic?

I'm bored so I figured I'd throw out a question to the readers of my blog.

Today: Which group of people are more pathetic?

a) People who go on RottenTomatoes and disagree/yell at early critic reviews before they've even seen the movie themselves

or

b) People who go on IMDB, find a film well loved, and put a post on the forums in all caps: WORST MOVIE EVER!!!!!


My answer: b.
Two reasons
1) Have you seen every movie ever made? No, then I don't think you're qualified to state that.

2) Even if you're defense is hyperbole (my favorite word), you're still an attention seeking ass.

What are you thoughts? Which do you think is worse? You agree/disagree with me?