tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post2296523818890060534..comments2024-01-21T11:18:54.087-05:00Comments on Lost in the Movies: Living in the Nineties 1995 - 1999 • "32 Days of Movies" Day 29Joel Bockohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-75661327125198431132011-10-31T09:39:31.774-04:002011-10-31T09:39:31.774-04:00Sorry for the delay in posting this, Shubhajit, I ...Sorry for the delay in posting this, Shubhajit, I was unfortunately without power for about 36 hours due to a snowstorm (in October!!!).<br /><br />I agree that Anderson is among the most talented, maybe in terms of sheer skill and imagination, the most, but unfortunately he needs good collaborators to reign him in (think of the writer in 8 1/2 tying a rope to Marcello's leg as he floats in the sky - sometimes that rope is necessary!) I know Owen Wilson had a lot of input on the Rushmore screenplay, which is probably Wes' most wry, self-knowing, human film and that he had less but still participated in Royal Tenenbaums, which is Anderson's last truly successful live-action film I think.<br /><br />Since then he's worked with Noah Baumbach, whose brand of stuffy misanthropy (intermittently successful in his own films) is just the wrong poison for Anderson to pick - it brings out the most artificial, cocooned, phony instincts in him. A real shame, because I think he could be creating masterpieces, but then again maybe he's too prone to the Faberge school of filmmaking to create something with as much substance as style.<br /><br />I actually think Lebowski may be the Coens' best film! Glad you like it.<br /><br />Before Sunrise is far and away my favorite Linklater, an accomplished director whom I'm not entirely enchanted with.<br /><br />American Beauty I think is a well-made, enjoyable film but somewhat overrated. And along with Fight Club and some other films of the same time (The Matrix, Memento) it seemed to usher in a certain epoch of cinema which doesn't really appeal to me - a cinema of great stylistic aplomb but somewhat one-dimensional (in this case for all of the talk of a spiritual rebirth/consciousness it seems a little glib, and I never got a real sense of what it feels like to be in Spacey's head as he wakes up and says, "This is not my beautiful house! This is not my beautiful wife!"). But that's something of a quibble, it is a good movie, and that iconic opening made for a great closer here!Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-9552161423674739572011-10-30T12:03:56.730-04:002011-10-30T12:03:56.730-04:00After the lull of the 80's, American cinema fl...After the lull of the 80's, American cinema flourished in the 90's, and the earlier chapter & this one bear full testimony to that.<br /><br />Here's what I've seen.<br /><br />Before Sunrise - Lovely concept & beautifully filmed. What could have been dull & boring, turned out to be surprisingly affecting & engaging. I liked the sequel too.<br /><br />Donnie Brasco - I found this undercover cop story quite interesting & suspenseful. Not a great work, but certainly worth a watch.<br /><br />Rushmore - One of many well-crafted black comedies on dysfunction by Wes Anderson, undoubtedly among the most talented directors of his generation even though not as popular as a number of his contemporaries.<br /><br />The Big Lebowski - Though Fargo & No Country remain, in my opinion, Coen Bros' best works, and that too by some distance, this one undoubtedly remains as their most iconic film. And yes, a damn entertaining film!<br /><br />American Beauty - The decade close with a bang thanks to this brilliant film. What pungent & tar-black humour & satire! And not to forget, great performances by all, especially by Kevin Spacey. Though Sam Mendes has made a few noteworthy films post this movie, but none remotely as good as this one.<br /><br />Ah, so now we've arrived at the final leg of this incredible series of your!!! Looking forward to the final 3 "Days of Movies" :)Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.com