12:46am Tuesday, 24th Feb - Getting Textual
February 23rd 2009 14:14
Category: No Category
I bought Foucault's 'History of Sexuality' today... it was only $9.95, so it was almost a shame not to... I also want to buy The New York Trilogy by Auster and Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Nietzsche, since they've been recommended to me by postmodern fiction-reading acquaintances, following the advice of whom is exactly the kind of whim I fancy. (Fancy a whim, madame/monsieur?)
I've seen some very interesting films over the past couple of months... when I first saw Vicky Cristina Barcelona I was distressed and couldn't focus on it, so I went to see it again, really enjoyed it and plan to own it on DVD when it comes out... Penelope Cruz was electrically charged in the role of Maria Elena, commanding my attention in every scene she was in. I read today that she was insecure about her presence in the movie, which did not surprise me - her 'burden of freedom' mindset showed up when she was switching from one mode to another, especially when she was asked to pose for Cristina's photos. There was a reluctance to adopt that kind of shaky stillness, but she infused it into her character very well, making Maria Elena seems like the scrutiniser as much as the scrutinised. There was a portrait of a woman who feels at once cornered (up against the wall) and cornering, intimidating and intimidated. A woman aware of her own power, despite her deep vulnerability.
The entire movie was drenched in earthy sweetness, like the colour of the yellow-orange walls in Juan Antonio's bedroom, and proved a tireless tribute to the complexities of love and attraction. I've decided Woody Allen could be doing a lot worse in his old age.
Then there was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which I want to like more than I do. It's a fine film, but lacking the kind of charisma that is necessary to connect with an audience, to really reach out and grab people. Slumdog Millionaire had that in spades - each part of the journey was memorable, and it doesn't sacrifice on the technical aspects at all. Both films were lavishly mounted, with the kind of light that makes your eyes dance with delight, the kind of editing that makes you want to squeal with delight (or something), the kind of art direction that makes you want to pay the closest attention to the faces of the characters possible, and many other fabulous touches which add so much zest and character to the camera's proceedings.
I must ahoy to bed, me mateys... Arr - be past Epiphanie's bedtime!
I've seen some very interesting films over the past couple of months... when I first saw Vicky Cristina Barcelona I was distressed and couldn't focus on it, so I went to see it again, really enjoyed it and plan to own it on DVD when it comes out... Penelope Cruz was electrically charged in the role of Maria Elena, commanding my attention in every scene she was in. I read today that she was insecure about her presence in the movie, which did not surprise me - her 'burden of freedom' mindset showed up when she was switching from one mode to another, especially when she was asked to pose for Cristina's photos. There was a reluctance to adopt that kind of shaky stillness, but she infused it into her character very well, making Maria Elena seems like the scrutiniser as much as the scrutinised. There was a portrait of a woman who feels at once cornered (up against the wall) and cornering, intimidating and intimidated. A woman aware of her own power, despite her deep vulnerability.
The entire movie was drenched in earthy sweetness, like the colour of the yellow-orange walls in Juan Antonio's bedroom, and proved a tireless tribute to the complexities of love and attraction. I've decided Woody Allen could be doing a lot worse in his old age.
Then there was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which I want to like more than I do. It's a fine film, but lacking the kind of charisma that is necessary to connect with an audience, to really reach out and grab people. Slumdog Millionaire had that in spades - each part of the journey was memorable, and it doesn't sacrifice on the technical aspects at all. Both films were lavishly mounted, with the kind of light that makes your eyes dance with delight, the kind of editing that makes you want to squeal with delight (or something), the kind of art direction that makes you want to pay the closest attention to the faces of the characters possible, and many other fabulous touches which add so much zest and character to the camera's proceedings.
I must ahoy to bed, me mateys... Arr - be past Epiphanie's bedtime!
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
your description of Vicky Christina Barcelona makes me want to watch it
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I think you'd really like VCB! It manages to be quite unconventional for a romantic comedy. Besides, Barcelona is a beautiful backdrop, always filling the frame with warm light and interesting shapes and designs.
Thanks for stopping by~