living, thinking and writing
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| PRACTICE living, thinking and writing |
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Tuesday, March 02, 2004 movie (video/dvd) update American Splender: God, how could this movie not win any major award (not even "Independent spirit"?) it is almost a flawless movie for me. It is most close to my vision of American life and the type of Americans I like and I want to know more. I like the idea of "everyday life is complex" the complexity rise from our struggle with the banality we created while not be able to change. But seeing through its banality and paleness and extracting its essence, and eventually loving it is a splendor thing. The moment I like: "I don't mind, All American cities are the same depressing to me" Joyce replied to Harvey, when he asked her to move to Cleveland from Delaware, right after their first date. Lost in translation: God, How could this movie win so many awards? (it doesn't mean I don't like it) I would have liked it better if it not generating so much hype... a vanilla latte for high-browed, bitter and sweet, a little reflection of moral universe. You don't expect it was sold like coca cola, do you? And I don't really appreciate so many stereotypes and condescending. Swimming pool: a beautiful cinematography leading to no where. Man on the train: Refined and reserved. tear in the smile. Music is so cool. I like the scene when the old living-in-small- town-poetry-teacher decided to confront a rogue in a restaurant so as to add some heroism to his pale life, the rouge started to recite a love poem with admiration-because he was the old man's former student... really a sharp capture of small-town life. Nowhere in Africa: A little choppy, but still beautiful and touching. any film made in Africa is beautiful. It is never easy to adapt a memoir to the big screen. Dramatic moment of life is not easy to fit well into the repetitive cycle of daily life. Isn't it so? Farinelli: splendor, stunning. Indulge yourself in the richness of pure opera art. I've never been so touched by Haydn. The movie reminds me of "farewell My concubine" at some points. It makes me think the value of biological man and art, when they could not coexistent, which should be kept? Adaptation: ... I know, I watch this film so very late, after another round of Oscar. But what confused me is the ending: is it an intentional mock of the screenwriter's (by Cage) original ideal of "making a movie just about the flower", or is it the moviemaker's habitual conformity to Hollywood ending? posted by lmeimei @12:00 PM| permanent link| | |
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