― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Thursday, 19 December 2002 13:10 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Queen G (Queeng), Thursday, 19 December 2002 14:25 (twenty-one years ago) link
Who of us can look in his own heart and blame him?
― Aimless, Thursday, 19 December 2002 18:30 (twenty-one years ago) link
― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 19 December 2002 19:55 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Thursday, 19 December 2002 20:12 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mary (Mary), Friday, 20 December 2002 03:01 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Friday, 20 December 2002 12:57 (twenty-one years ago) link
― erik, Friday, 20 December 2002 13:28 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mary (Mary), Saturday, 21 December 2002 06:53 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Dan I., Saturday, 21 December 2002 07:20 (twenty-one years ago) link
― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Saturday, 21 December 2002 13:06 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mary (Mary), Sunday, 28 March 2004 20:36 (twenty years ago) link
on paper there's lots to despise (ie. warm tones and elliott smith soundtrack predates/predicts fetal rock/emo boom, robin williams in maudlin mode, "how dya like them apples", its launching of the hydraheaded damon/affleck monster) but in practice i found it well-written, capably-acted and surprisingly engrossing. the funny thing is that i can't remember a single person disliking this film when it came out, and now i'd have a hard time finding anyone who rates it. has your relationship with it changed? and if so, why?
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:12 (eighteen years ago) link
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:16 (eighteen years ago) link
― Tuomas (Tuomas), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:21 (eighteen years ago) link
In short, it's an honorable mainstream hit. I don't get some of the hate it inspires.
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:39 (eighteen years ago) link
was this considered a mainstream film at the time of its release? williams aside, none of the actors were particularly well-known.
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:43 (eighteen years ago) link
mainstream = 2 Oscars
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:48 (eighteen years ago) link
― Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:50 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:51 (eighteen years ago) link
how was the "it's not your fault" scene fraudulent?
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 18:56 (eighteen years ago) link
Same here, kinda. I did see it again a few years ago and still liked it.
There was a bit of buzz. I specifically remember my mom was watching an Oprah that featured Matt and Ben (and maybe Williams?) talking about GWH around the time of the release and she called me into the room to watch it, because she thought I might find it interesting.
― sleep (sleep), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:03 (eighteen years ago) link
Now, if the performances move you, that's a matter of taste.
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:03 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:04 (eighteen years ago) link
Alfred OTM, my understanding is that psychotherapy doesn't have "one-moment cures" like that. (I'm an Irish Catholic who embraces his guilt, so I've never tried it.) It's the equivalent of the"A-HA!" moment in artist biopics, where he discovers his style.
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:05 (eighteen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:08 (eighteen years ago) link
xp
― sleep (sleep), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:08 (eighteen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:10 (eighteen years ago) link
Quite so. I vividly remember during the Titanic box office lockdown that Good Will and As Good As It Gets were the top two and three films for many weeks.
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:11 (eighteen years ago) link
It imitates every psychoanalyst-patient relationship filmed by Hollywood
every single one? even what about bob? an incredible achievement!
my understanding is that psychotherapy doesn't have "one-moment cures" like that.
you're right! but only because psychotherapy doesn't preach "cures", period. or at least not in my experience. a better suited term might be "breakthrough". these tend to happen very fraudulently, sometimes in single moments, thanks to generous forces of accumulated pressure and/or anguish.
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:23 (eighteen years ago) link
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:25 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:26 (eighteen years ago) link
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:27 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:28 (eighteen years ago) link
― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:28 (eighteen years ago) link
Robin Williams doing Dr Judd Hirsch, genius janitor who looks great shirtless gets the girl ... the triumph of this movie is that it was well-crafted enough not to get laughed off the screen.
I've never seen "Bob?" but I certainly prefer my shrink movies to be comedies.
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:29 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:30 (eighteen years ago) link
'fraudulent' in relation to what? your experience? or everyone's?
Remember the next scene? Damon finally decies to Wise Up, abandoning his buddy to Follow His Dreams.
you were expecting him to stay in boston... ? and if he were to leave, would you rather it were apropos of absolutely nothing? or is an action causing a reaction too 'hollywood'?
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:40 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:44 (eighteen years ago) link
(xpost)
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:44 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:45 (eighteen years ago) link
― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:46 (eighteen years ago) link
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 19:51 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 20:16 (eighteen years ago) link
― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 8 August 2005 20:18 (eighteen years ago) link
http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/miramax_films/good_will_hunting/_group_photos/matt_damon7.jpg
― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 8 August 2005 20:31 (eighteen years ago) link
― Remy (x Jeremy), Monday, 8 August 2005 20:34 (eighteen years ago) link
it's funny, at the top of the thread it's all 'argh sell-out!' gvs has now 'gone back to his roots. does he now seem 'less fraudulent'?
― N_RQ, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 12:09 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 14:55 (eighteen years ago) link
― latebloomer (latebloomer), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 18:20 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 18:25 (eighteen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 19:04 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 19:09 (eighteen years ago) link
hahaha otm!
― latebloomer (latebloomer), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 19:15 (eighteen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 19:17 (eighteen years ago) link
― latebloomer (latebloomer), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 19:23 (eighteen years ago) link
― ryan (ryan), Wednesday, 10 August 2005 00:50 (eighteen years ago) link
― Real Goths Don't Wear Black (Enrique), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 12:59 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 13:31 (eighteen years ago) link
― latebloomer: band to the planet mars (latebloomer), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 13:35 (eighteen years ago) link
― latebloomer: band to the planet mars (latebloomer), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 13:37 (eighteen years ago) link
― Big Willy and the Twins (miloaukerman), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 18:16 (eighteen years ago) link
― Eric H. (Eric H.), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 18:29 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 18:30 (eighteen years ago) link
― Eric H. (Eric H.), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 18:41 (eighteen years ago) link
― Eric H. (Eric H.), Tuesday, 28 March 2006 18:42 (eighteen years ago) link
It's coming soon. End of the year on Criterion.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 22 June 2007 13:10 (sixteen years ago) link
october, to be precise (nice cover, too)
(i didn't really like this at all tho)
― impudent harlot, Tuesday, 17 July 2007 03:54 (sixteen years ago) link
PUNISHMENT PARK
― admrl, Tuesday, 17 July 2007 04:12 (sixteen years ago) link
paranoid?
― impudent harlot, Tuesday, 17 July 2007 04:47 (sixteen years ago) link
anyone else seen paranoid park? does it really not come out in the US until March? (outside of NYFF, i mean.)
it was good.
― poortheatre, Sunday, 28 October 2007 23:33 (sixteen years ago) link
i really liked elephant, but last days was pretty bad, and gerry... fucking hell, that was the worst movie i've ever seen. and i have generally low standards.
― Rubyredd, Monday, 29 October 2007 01:47 (sixteen years ago) link
This was the tread on which I was introduced to Morbz!
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 29 October 2007 01:57 (sixteen years ago) link
Mala Noche out at last.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Saturday, 10 November 2007 15:49 (sixteen years ago) link
These two consecutive comments:
I just remembered that my budding socialist college film-geek friend, who was openly disdainful of "mainstream culture," saw this when it came out and confessed to being moved to tears. -- jaymc (jaymc), Monday, August 8, 2005
I vividly remember during the Titanic box office lockdown that Good Will and As Good As It Gets were the top two and three films for many weeks. -- Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, August 8, 2005
... sent me straight back to that time period, when I was the only one in my group of college friends who preferred Titanic to Hunting and thought the latter was every bit as shameless a weepy as the former.
― Eric H., Saturday, 10 November 2007 17:39 (sixteen years ago) link
GVS is doing the Harvey Milk biopic, starring Sean Penn. Newly cast are Josh Brolin as his assassin, Emile Hirsch as a gay activist, James Franco as Milk's lover (very savvy hotness quotient).
http://www.towleroad.com/2007/12/emile-hirsch-jo.html
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:01 (sixteen years ago) link
hmmmm - there was an open casting call for this in SF a few weeks ago
― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:02 (sixteen years ago) link
won't Dianne Feinstein be a character in this? was she Council prez?
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:08 (sixteen years ago) link
She was Supervisor on the Board (equivalent to City Council) - this definitely catapulted her political career.
I sort of hate her these days.
― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:09 (sixteen years ago) link
Emile Hirsch as a gay activist
Who will figure into approximately 80 percent of the film's running time.
― Eric H., Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:19 (sixteen years ago) link
in painted-on denim.
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:25 (sixteen years ago) link
in 1993 he was talking about casting Robin Williams. It'd make more sense now that Williams is more of a bear than ever.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:26 (sixteen years ago) link
way too old now, tho? Harvey was surely too lean to be bearish?
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:27 (sixteen years ago) link
yeah Harvey was skinny (more like an otter - lolz)
― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:30 (sixteen years ago) link
Penn's a better choice than Williams I think.
The writer is a guy from "Big Love."
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 5 December 2007 18:35 (sixteen years ago) link
Time for SFists to grow big broom 'staches!
The Castro is set to receive a makeover next month – Hollywood style – as the creative team behind the biopic on the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to office in the U.S., recasts the gay neighborhood back to its 1970s glory days.
Longtime denizens are likely to find some old haunts return to Castro Street, like the fabled Toad Hall bar – now part of Walgreens – and Milk's old camera shop – now the home of gift store Given – as the filmmakers recreate the streetscape from the days when Milk reigned over the area as the "mayor" of Castro Street.
"We want to dress this neighborhood the best we can like the 1970s," said Jonathan Shedd, the film's location manager. "We hope to create a feel that works."
Cars from the era will be parked on the streets. Awnings and street signs of businesses postdating that time will be changed. Even the Castro Theatre will be swept up by the time warp.
The movie-house's marquee, damaged by a Muni bus that ran into it while PG&E crews were doing work out front this fall, will be repaired next month and repainted to match the color palette it sported four decades ago. In addition to the settlement they receive from Muni – expected to be finalized in early January – the theater owners plan to spend upwards of $12,000 on the project.
http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2555
― Dr Morbius, Friday, 28 December 2007 15:48 (sixteen years ago) link
"I sort of hate her these days."
Sort of? THESE DAYS! I've hated her forever.
Not sure this movie won't be a little to close for enjoyment (unlike Zodiac I was alive for and remember the fallout from Milk's assassination much clearer.) Brolin might be a good choice for White, but I can't imagine Penn as Milk at all.
― Alex in SF, Friday, 28 December 2007 15:56 (sixteen years ago) link
Finally (after 15 years or so) got to see Mala Noche and it was good (probably his second best film), but not a patch on Drugstore Cowboy obv.
― Alex in SF, Friday, 28 December 2007 15:59 (sixteen years ago) link
not a patch on Idaho, either (but a test run).
When we were drinking for ian's birthday in Brooklyn, the bar was showing a Hitchcock/Van Sant mashup of the Psychos. It's scene-for-scene but NOT always shot-for-shot.
― Dr Morbius, Friday, 28 December 2007 16:04 (sixteen years ago) link
Drugstore Cowboy was good but come on, thread
― wanko ergo sum, Friday, 28 December 2007 16:17 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm not a fan of Idaho actually. The best sequences are the ones where Van Sant is talking to the real kids.
― Alex in SF, Friday, 28 December 2007 18:19 (sixteen years ago) link
I thought Elephant was one of the most beautiful Movies ever made. The scenes with that red hoodie were amazing.
― I know, right?, Friday, 28 December 2007 18:31 (sixteen years ago) link
I could not get through more than like 20 minutes of Last Days, despite having been thoroughly into Elephant.
― nabisco, Friday, 28 December 2007 18:50 (sixteen years ago) link
I really want to see it. I love Kim Gordon.
― I know, right?, Friday, 28 December 2007 18:51 (sixteen years ago) link
I too loved Elephant. Moonlight Sonata, so perfect.
― wanko ergo sum, Friday, 28 December 2007 18:52 (sixteen years ago) link
This may or may not have to do with the Nothing preceding a looming shooting in a crowded, complex social environment being WAY more interesting than the predictable aimless depression preceding a looming suicide
― nabisco, Friday, 28 December 2007 18:53 (sixteen years ago) link
Moonlight Sonata, so perfect.
Thank you for reminding me of the scene where the camera pans all the way around the room so, so slowly.
― I know, right?, Friday, 28 December 2007 18:54 (sixteen years ago) link
I just think of it as a mood piece. The beautiful colours the narcotically woozy camera movements. Those shots of the sky are gorgeous.
― I know, right?, Friday, 28 December 2007 18:56 (sixteen years ago) link
My ex-boss is scouting for the Milk film and I walked into one of my locals the other day and was surprised to see him there. Apparently they're going to shoot some in the Haight, too.
― Michael White, Friday, 28 December 2007 22:06 (sixteen years ago) link
Michael can you let me know when they have an open call for extras? My wife really wants to be shell-shocked lesbian #12 or possibly emotional marcher #657.
― Alex in SF, Friday, 28 December 2007 22:08 (sixteen years ago) link
Alex, I'm not that dialed in anymore and don't care to, but you might want to to call the Film Commission and they can ususally tell you who's doing extras casting though it's early days right now so I don't know.
― Michael White, Friday, 28 December 2007 22:14 (sixteen years ago) link
Cool beans. I'll let her know. I'm looking forward to them closing the Diesel store in honor of this movie.
― Alex in SF, Friday, 28 December 2007 22:17 (sixteen years ago) link
SFists, GVS wants you to be a '70s queer.
http://milkmarch.com/
On Monday night, February 4th and Friday night, February 8th, the feature film MILK (directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk) will be re-creating three 1970's marches through the Castro. We are looking for volunteers to appear in the these marches in the film. THERE ARE NO AUDITIONS. IF YOU SIGN-UP ON THIS SITE AND SHOW UP, YOU WILL BE USED.
And here's Josh Brolin as Dan White:
http://www.towleroad.com/2008/01/first-look-at-j.html
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 23 January 2008 21:54 (sixteen years ago) link
"I was under the impression that he’s agreed to direct an upcoming version of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Tom Wolfe’s nonfiction account of the aforementioned Kesey’s LSD-fueled 1964 bus trip across the United States. As it turns out, Van Sant has yet to officially sign on to this project (he said he was still in the midst of negotiating the deal and writing the script).
from Chuck Klosterman's On the Road piece in the latest issue of The Believer.
― Drugs A. Money, Friday, 14 March 2008 17:12 (sixteen years ago) link
can be found here
― Drugs A. Money, Friday, 14 March 2008 17:14 (sixteen years ago) link
I don't know what Dargis & Hoberman are smoking, but Paranoid Park was barely better than Last Days. Plz don't put me in the head of a skateboarder for 84 minutes.
― Dr Morbius, Friday, 2 May 2008 14:41 (sixteen years ago) link
I was surprised to find myself fairly engrossed in "Paranoid Park" (but I think "Elephant" and "Last Days" are his two worst films).
Didn't mind being put in the head of skateboarder for 84 mins.
I still think the ENDLESS lingering shots of billowy-lipped, hairless, baby-faced skateboard boys can come at the expense of other concerns, though (GVS and Larry Clark in a battle to the finish).
― Savannah Smiles, Friday, 2 May 2008 14:59 (sixteen years ago) link
Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park
― Alba, Friday, 2 May 2008 15:03 (sixteen years ago) link
I think Elephant was probably his best film, but barely got through Last Days. This one splits the difference. All are still preferable to Good Will Hunting.
― Eric H., Friday, 2 May 2008 17:20 (sixteen years ago) link
Need to see Mala Noche.
― Eric H., Friday, 2 May 2008 17:22 (sixteen years ago) link
Mala Noche is just Private Idaho w/out the greatness.
― Dr Morbius, Friday, 2 May 2008 17:32 (sixteen years ago) link
http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/starz-greenlights-drama-series-starring-kelsey-grammer-and-directed-by-gus-van-sant/
― dick roach (schlump), Friday, 19 November 2010 11:10 (thirteen years ago) link
has anyone seen restless? i really want to go see but like I hear you're not meant to
― the contemporary jazz guitar gettin mad liberated (schlump), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 14:08 (twelve years ago) link
i've sat through way too many gvs movies in order to realize i like the idea of this guy more than i like this guy's work.
― strongo hulkington's ghost dad, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 14:15 (twelve years ago) link
Well, you just need to watch "To Die For" again
― ste throkes (Ówen P.), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 23:27 (twelve years ago) link
I like all his movies a lot - that is, after long reflection, my pretty uncomplicated take on gus van sant
― pathos of the unwarranted encore (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 23:30 (twelve years ago) link
nb I never saw good will hunting so I might not like that one.
― pathos of the unwarranted encore (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 23:31 (twelve years ago) link
if you also like all of robin williams' movies a lot then oh boy just you wait
― the contemporary jazz guitar gettin mad liberated (schlump), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 23:32 (twelve years ago) link
restless trailer makes it look v bad
going to give this boss telly prog with which he's involved a go
― conrad, Wednesday, 26 October 2011 23:34 (twelve years ago) link
aero do you like apples
― unorthodox economic revenge (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 23:34 (twelve years ago) link
wrt restless, i cant imagine what drew him to the material. has anyone seen/liked it?
― The sham nation of Israel should be destroyed. (Princess TamTam), Wednesday, 26 October 2011 23:35 (twelve years ago) link
he's done some bad stuff but also a bunch of really good stuff. i appreciate his jumping from artier movies to more mainstream movies and back. i was really really into "paranoid park" (probably posted about it on the above-linked thread) and to a lesser extent "last days" but still haven't watched "elephant."
― congratulations (n/a), Thursday, 27 October 2011 00:39 (twelve years ago) link
otm. and Milk was a deserved "crossover" hit.
― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 27 October 2011 00:41 (twelve years ago) link
I was kind of determined to see Restless anyway, but the critics have managed to put me off.
― Alba, Thursday, 27 October 2011 00:42 (twelve years ago) link
Every time I see that title I think of a rewrite of that Corrs hit.
― lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 27 October 2011 00:43 (twelve years ago) link
YOU LEAVE ME RESTLESS
James Franco, on Restless and other recent Van Sant:
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2011/11/10/the-star-crossed/
Also just read that VS directed the pilot episode of Boss.
― Tower Feist (Eazy), Friday, 11 November 2011 15:26 (twelve years ago) link
― The sham nation of Israel should be destroyed. (Princess TamTam), Thursday, 27 October 2011 00:35 (2 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
i just saw this & actually kinda really liked it? i think i would otm any critical takedown raised of it, because it's so cloying, almost entirely, in so many respects (overdone/cutesy/formulaic/sufjanwave) &c&c&c. & yet there are frequently parts that are quietly (rather than through the strength of the material), warmly affecting. there's a passage in which footage of the nagasaki a-bomb aftermath is accompanied by sensitive, sub-elliott smith, anonymous acoustic guitar musing, which does the work of going further than any absurdist criticism of what's terrible about touchy-feely modern teenage movies would feel compelled to go. & for all of that it was good. i feel like i ought to ps 'this movie is terrible', because it technically is, but that mattered less to me as its emotional charge deepened; as a film it kinda almost has the teenage naivete that teenagers in paranoid park are invested in (though is on another planet in terms of its accurate/thoughtful rendering of the teenagers), being so distant from a realism and so committed to a brief & romantic way of being.
i think it is meant as a young-adult thing for twilight fans, i guess, & there is something intriguing to me about GVS working in those confines.
― quick brown fox triangle (schlump), Sunday, 22 January 2012 01:29 (twelve years ago) link
links on the late Harris Savides:
http://www.fandor.com/blog/daily-harris-savides-1957-2012
― cancer, kizz my hairy irish azz (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 11 October 2012 21:42 (eleven years ago) link
I forgot how glowingly gutter-contrasty the b&w 16mm in Mala Noche. Also the chickenhawkish whiteboy clerk is preety plainly depicted as racist, tho he wouldn't cop to it (he bypassingly even mentions his "privilege" in 1984).
The teen who played his lust object was Native, not Mexican, and hence all his Spanish dialogue was dubbed.
My rewatch was inspired by this:
https://www.fandor.com/keyframe/the-modern-breakthrough-of-mala-noche-628
― helpless before THRILLARY (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 12 July 2016 19:02 (seven years ago) link
this universally panned one, unveiled
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvC9V1eLsE
― The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 24 August 2016 21:09 (seven years ago) link
Looks fine with the sound off.
― thrill of transgressin (Eazy), Wednesday, 24 August 2016 21:26 (seven years ago) link
GERRY, an ambitious American independent film, premiered 15 years ago and was/is genuinely different.— Vadim Rizov (@vrizov) July 7, 2017
― Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Friday, 7 July 2017 21:08 (six years ago) link
always liked that one tbh
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Saturday, 8 July 2017 15:11 (six years ago) link
new movie DON'T WORRY, HE WON'T GET FAR ON FOOT out this year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYWrgLTNKP4
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 21:23 (six years ago) link
has Joaquin P been in any of his films since To Die For?
― ice cream social justice (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 16 January 2018 21:38 (six years ago) link
nope
just looked JP's wiki to make sure, and am fucking shocked he is only 43
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 21:40 (six years ago) link
ok just watched the trailer, excellent use of John Lennon's "Isolation."
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 22:12 (six years ago) link
It's going to be at Berlin, and I'm going. So now I'm trying to catch up on his filmography.
Did anyone see what will probably be called the Logan Paul one henceforth?
― Frederik B, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 22:35 (six years ago) link
did anyone see his new movie? I think it played here for a week tops
― flappy bird, Monday, 10 December 2018 20:14 (five years ago) link
got ok reviews, looks middling but serviceable. maybe the studio (amazon) didn't back it because they're worried Van Sant would be me too'd soon ( he has a reputation)?
― ( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) (jim in vancouver), Monday, 10 December 2018 21:06 (five years ago) link
he does?
― flappy bird, Monday, 10 December 2018 21:48 (five years ago) link
ever see Mala Noche?
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Monday, 10 December 2018 22:11 (five years ago) link
I saw it at Berlin. There's a scene at an AA meeting where one character stands up and says how proud he is to have achieved mediocrity. Gus van Sant really seems to have taken that notion to heart...
― Frederik B, Tuesday, 11 December 2018 11:41 (five years ago) link
Boy, he's not getting much American distribution anymore, is he?
Anyway, he peaked early. His smaller 2000s-era "experimental" films don't hold up well, but I admire his insistence on investing his Hollywood capital in'em.
― Your sweetie-pie-coo-coo I love ya (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 25 January 2019 14:08 (five years ago) link
I'd maybe swap Milk and Elephant's spots but otherwise, otm. Paranoid Park def the best of that run.
― resident hack (Simon H.), Friday, 25 January 2019 14:19 (five years ago) link
Gerry + Elephant is as good a one-two, one-year punch as any American director has managed in probably my lifetime.
― forrest drumpf (Eric H.), Friday, 25 January 2019 15:12 (five years ago) link
Elephant is his best
― . (Michael B), Friday, 25 January 2019 15:14 (five years ago) link
I haven't seen Elephant since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving 2003, and it tends to live in my memory despite not thinking it was fully realized at the time.
― Your sweetie-pie-coo-coo I love ya (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 25 January 2019 15:21 (five years ago) link
pretty much exactly my experience, alfred. I've had a DVD of it for a while but never feel like revisiting it.
― flappy bird, Friday, 25 January 2019 17:05 (five years ago) link
Some things aren’t meant to be rewatched. In a good way. I don’t think I could bear it.
― Nerdstrom Poindexter, Friday, 25 January 2019 17:08 (five years ago) link
I've seen Elephant maybe 8 times. I've always found it utterly transfixing, despite the horror.
― circa1916, Friday, 25 January 2019 17:09 (five years ago) link
Haven’t seen since the theater but just extremely sad but certain details have really stuck with me.
― Nerdstrom Poindexter, Friday, 25 January 2019 17:09 (five years ago) link
It's my #1 from GVS
― circa1916, Friday, 25 January 2019 17:11 (five years ago) link
xp the image that has never left me is the CU of the first girl with her brains blown all over the library stacks
― flappy bird, Friday, 25 January 2019 17:15 (five years ago) link
never felt like i could deal with 'elephant' but loved 'paranoid park' and 'last days'
― na (NA), Friday, 25 January 2019 17:20 (five years ago) link
The look the one girl gives the two mean girls in the bathroom after she runs in is one of those for me.
― forrest drumpf (Eric H.), Friday, 25 January 2019 17:21 (five years ago) link
I think To Die For is his best, followed closely by Elephant. Never got the appeal of Idaho
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 25 January 2019 17:49 (five years ago) link
Boys II Men scene in Last Days is so good.
― ... (Eazy), Friday, 25 January 2019 17:50 (five years ago) link
I’m really interested in the fact that so many people can never revisit Elephant again while I’ve literally played it twice in a row on more than one night. The inevitable doom is crushing, but for whatever reason that dream take walk through that day with those kids makes it something beyond the ultimate tragedy. It’s a haunter that pierces some primal things for me.
― circa1916, Saturday, 26 January 2019 08:36 (five years ago) link
circa1916 - I watched Elephant for the first time since 2003 per your post the other day. You're right, it's completely hypnotic, and less thoroughly terrifying. I could easily imagine watching it on a loop if it weren't for the shooting, which imo goes on too long, or takes up too much of the movie's time (forgot how short it is, only 80 minutes). But the kids are fantastic, excellent use of non actors and long, lingering takes. Many beautiful moments: closeup of the girl kissing Alex, the punk kids, everything with Michelle, Timothy Bottoms (!) as the dad at the end, the drawn out banal everyday trauma of an alcoholic parent faced with acute traumatic violence, him mildly putting his hand on his son's shoulder as they watch the school burn. also forgot about the Gerrycount game.
― flappy bird, Friday, 8 February 2019 05:57 (five years ago) link
In 'c'mon folks, you could have also led with THIS too' news, the Ryan Murphy/FX publicity machine is doing everyone a disservice because I only just found out today that van Sant has directed the first four of eight episodes of Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, and maybe more too. You know, minor details!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 26 January 2024 20:44 (three months ago) link
Whaaaat
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 26 January 2024 21:53 (three months ago) link
I know, right! Jesus Christ, way to bury the lead!
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 27 January 2024 17:46 (three months ago) link
Finished both S5 of Fargo and E1 of the Capote series today; couldn't help noticing the similarity between Jennifer Jason Leigh's jailhouse speech in Fargo and Diane Lane's reaction to "La Côte Basque" in The Swans.
― clemenza, Saturday, 3 February 2024 06:33 (three months ago) link
Feud looks so fuckin good, Gus still king
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 3 February 2024 07:03 (three months ago) link
Gira is really branching out.
― Sassy Boutonnière (ledriver), Saturday, 3 February 2024 08:04 (three months ago) link
love diane lane
― Swen, Saturday, 3 February 2024 18:53 (three months ago) link
and chloeeeeee my heart
Two episodes in. The performances are uniformly good, with so much opportunity for caricature. Enjoying the score, too--kind of new-agey classical. (Didn't get the Michael Gira joke above at first, so I checked to see if he'd done it...)
― clemenza, Sunday, 4 February 2024 01:37 (three months ago) link
Flashing back to the '66 ball for the third episode was a great idea. Like a lot of people it seems, my first question was whether or not this Maysles Brothers film exists. Yes, sort of:
http://mayslesfilms.com/film/with-love-from-truman/
There was a book a few years ago about the ball that I read; truly fascinating snapshot of a moment.
― clemenza, Monday, 12 February 2024 02:08 (two months ago) link
https://www.vulture.com/article/gus-van-sant-feud-truman-capote-black-and-white-ball-interview.html
― fpsa, Monday, 12 February 2024 15:07 (two months ago) link
Watched the first ep and at least so far GVS is in for-hire mode here. Can't overcome the Ryan Murphy-ness of it all
― Rich E. (Eric H.), Monday, 12 February 2024 15:12 (two months ago) link
Didn't like E4 as much as the first three, but I think two great performances are emerging. I love Capote and PSH--almost a comfort movie for me--but I think Tom Hollander might be even better, or at the very least benefits from his comparative anonymity. (PSH is such a presence for me, I don't think I can ever stop being entirely aware it's him.) And Naomi Watts is someone for whom I've always had an arm's-length appreciation, but I think she's so good here.
― clemenza, Thursday, 15 February 2024 17:50 (two months ago) link
episode 3 was pretty great the way GVS recreated the Maysles style was so good, esp since there never was Maysles footage of the ball or anything! the only thing they ever did together irl was just a very short reel of interview w Truman in long island apparently the ball looked amazing, and the side by side scenes of truman dancing alone then w his mother was so good havent seen ep4 yet
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 15 February 2024 18:02 (two months ago) link
E3 was a classic self-contained episode--I think you could enjoy it without watching the rest of the series.
― clemenza, Thursday, 15 February 2024 18:03 (two months ago) link
Watts plays Babe Paley. The real-life version:
https://i.postimg.cc/vHYZfdXZ/babe.jpg
― clemenza, Thursday, 15 February 2024 18:12 (two months ago) link
Wasn't 100% sure whether this week's episode was the last--it could've worked as the finale, although they would have needed a written postscript. (Which I'm sure will be part of any finale.) Anyway, two more, next one directed by Jennifer Lynch. Thought E5 and E6 were both pretty good, although E3 is still the highlight so far. Getting "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" in there was nice.
― clemenza, Sunday, 3 March 2024 02:04 (two months ago) link
Thought Capaote's drunken TV appearance in E7 was the series' worst scene--accurate, maybe, but overracted--but the Babe Paley stuff, especially their conversation on Truman's deathbed, was very good. Intrigued as to how they'll handle Dead Truman in E8; hope they don't get overly clever.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 March 2024 14:23 (one month ago) link
yeah the babe/truman scenes were great & agree abt the drunk tvi love this show but there’s also something about it that i find a little boring? idk what it is
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 10 March 2024 15:46 (one month ago) link
I guess it's that there's not really a lot of room for surprises. Truman drinks, Truman tries to finish the book, and that's about it (and we know the ending already). I loved the ending of E7, the way it led to the last line. Hope Tom Hollander and Naomi Watts win Emmys--I take it there's a separate category for this kind of show?
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 March 2024 17:05 (one month ago) link
Try as I might, I can't really find Truman Capote a particularly interesting historical figure
― Rich E. (Eric H.), Sunday, 10 March 2024 17:12 (one month ago) link
i think limited series? idk abt such thingsbut yeah Watts & Hollander are incredible. also like Sevigny toonot a fan of Ringwald in this tho? her performance feels very strained somehow
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 10 March 2024 17:13 (one month ago) link
Agree--she just seems wrong. Weird to watch Treat Williams play the husband of a dying woman, knowing he died himself after making this.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 March 2024 17:31 (one month ago) link
yeah it’s nice seeing him in this oh you know who i love in this? Calista Flockhart - her Lee Radziwll is really good, very arch & shady and Demi was excellent her small role
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 10 March 2024 18:01 (one month ago) link
I like both of them. I'm a little on the fence with Sevigny, probably because her performance is so different from what I'm used to with her.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 March 2024 18:03 (one month ago) link
Holly Golightly = Carol Matthau...I guess that's true? Hard to picture Walter Matthau married to the Holly Golightly of the movie.
― clemenza, Sunday, 10 March 2024 18:05 (one month ago) link
oh huh i didn’t know that! matthau irl seems too curmudgeonly to tolerate a golightly but there you gothere’s someone for everyone i guess
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 10 March 2024 18:13 (one month ago) link
Wait, what? I just came across her name elsewhere.
― The Ginger Bakersfield Sound (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 10 March 2024 21:04 (one month ago) link
Regarding Glenn Close's performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaptation of Sunset Boulevard.
Close modeled Norma’s grotesque look on Walter Matthau’s wife, Carol. Close didn’t know her, but she’d heard that when Carol was young she had porcelain skin. As she got older, she applied white makeup to her face, which made her look odd, even a little frightening. “But I’m sure when she looked in the mirror she saw that porcelain skin,” Close said. “Norma’s makeup morphed into something grotesque. But she was seeing something different in the mirror. She was seeing what she looked like in the 1920s.”Riedel, Michael. Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway (pp. 20-21). Simon & Schuster
― The Ginger Bakersfield Sound (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 10 March 2024 21:08 (one month ago) link
You hope for a strong finale; thought this one meandered, so I'll knock the series down a notch overall. They should have ended with E7.
I did like the very ending though, the last five minutes and the final shot. I don't know if that young couple bidding had special significance--I thought something was going to be revealed about them, but no. Love that bit of music at the end, which played throughout the series.
The ending was of a piece with the Black and White Ball. I think I find that so interesting because it feels like the last time that glamour and celebrity still largely belonged to people over 40 (pick whatever number you want--50 maybe). From '67 forward, that changed.
I watched the whole thing thinking Answered Prayers was eventually published in more or less its finished form. I guess not, although the version published in 1986 is 180 pages long.
― clemenza, Sunday, 17 March 2024 02:49 (one month ago) link