For those of you wondering if I ever planned to write about those movies in queue..
The Wrestler (2008) -- This is a nice case study for the “open ending.” I was indifferent at first about the success of The Wrestler’s end. But, the more I think about it, the more I focus on that final shot. A lasting final image is evidence of a powerful ending, right?
Revolutionary Road (2008) -- If I could adequately articulate my thoughts on this film, I would have done so (I’m still trying). I think the film is fantastic.
I read this while doing some homework on Richard Yates (author of Revolutionary Road, the novel (which is the final book of my summer reading list)): “And I think it's a curious thing, maybe a significant thing, that good novels - let's say great novels - have almost never been adapted into good movies.”
Read the full interview, here: http://www.pshares.org/issues/article.cfm?prmArticleID=128
Choke (2008) -- I think this is what Forrest Gump meant when he said “Stupid is as stupid does.” But, I’m still trying to figure out what Gump meant.
Changeling (2008) -- The first time I sat down to watch it, I drank too much and fell asleep before it ended. The second time, I fell asleep before it ended and I regret not drinking. Sorry, Mom.
Blindness (2008) -- I didn’t take too much away from this film, either. DP (my roommate) sat down in the middle of it and after a few minutes asked, “Are we supposed to be blind, too?”
…But DP has me thinking about the relationship of free and indirect style to film…and the limits of free and indirect style…
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Blindness (2008) was an odd one. I couldn't tell if the story was going post-apocalyptic or simply making social commentary on how sudden epidemics will be/have been treated ignorantly and that violent, militant reactions are what we should expect from future epidemics.
ReplyDeleteChangeling (2008) was slow in some areas and too quick in others. From a writer's point of view, I have a feeling that because the story was a true one, portions that people would question are the 'quick' parts. Also, the child's motivation wasn't clear until the end, so I also couldn't believe in the mother's investigatory abilities (or lack thereof).
I watched Revolutionary Road (2008) after seeing Far From Heaven (2002) again, so I found myself comparing the 50s-ishness of the two films. Something we should learn (as writers) from RR is how environment and body language speak as much as dialogue. Also, the story takes on controversial subjects still relevant to society without having to step into a courtroom / politics (like so many stories do today). I appreciated the focus in this film. I think it's tempting to anyone doing period pieces to bring in all the historical bits, and RR avoids thinning the story.
Thanks, Su, for giving those movies a "fair trial."
ReplyDeleteYour comment makes me recognize that Changeling goes into the courtroom while RR doesn't. Changeling, also a period piece, is a movie I never believed in and it may have something to do with its murder / mystery / CSI style plotline.