I realize that I haven't babbled on and on about films lately the way that I used to, and it's simply because I've been deprived of my movie-going-passion.
I hunger for movies, and trips to the theater to see them, but the movie-making world just isn't obliging these days, and I find it very depressing. This is the biggest thing (and this might sound sad), but it is the biggest thing I miss about living in Brooklyn. (Almost) every DAY I could see a new movie if I wanted...sometimes twice a day! After a sad Summer of movies, it seems like we're ushering in a sad Autumn of movies (which scarcely seems possible, given that it is usually the flourishing "which-one-should-we-see-tonight" time). All that said, I actually spent two evenings at the cinema early this week, and it did my soul some considerable good.
Monday night we saw Elizabeth, The Golden Age, which I've been anxiously anticipating.
I liked the first Elizabeth, of course, but this one also had the Clive factor in its favor. Josiah and I both really liked it...I thought that the costumes were opulent and beautiful, Cate did her thing to great effect, and it was all entertaining and well and good. I didn't think "Oh, my god...I must own this" or anything that extreme, but I did think it was a nice little movie. When we were walking about of the theater, Josiah turned to me and said "I didn't want you to know this going into it, but this movie got horrible reviews". He wasn't kidding, Rotten Tomatoes gave it like a 25% fresh rating or something. But I just don't get the reviewer's problems with the movie, which seem to be all the things I liked about it...over-the-top costumes, interpersonal drama, not too heavy on the battle-scenes.
Herrumph.
Tuesday night, we caught the last screening of Pierrot Le Fou, a Godard movie I had wanted to see (but I think it's out of print until the Criterion comes out? Maybe?).
(Isn't this image the best? I had to look around forever online to find it...it's the poster they had at the local theater promoting the film)
Anyway, I always think it's so special when I get to see an older film (especially from such a director!) on a big screen. I mean, I get very warm and geeky and happy about it...I suppose just because it's so rare, as American doesn't have a great tradition of Revival houses.
I was so warm and cozy, wrapped up in my blanket of feeling lucky-to-be-there that it didn't bother me one bit that I didn't love this film. I liked it, the first half is really wonderful...but it lost me a little at the end (not the very end, which is pretty great). I guess the second half just felt a little too like Weekend somehow, which is a film that doesn't send me. I love Anna Karina, and believe I could watch her do an insurance informercial and be bewitched...but she shimmered a little less in this than she does in my favorites, Vivre sa Vie and Une femme est une femme. It was still a wisely spent 2 hours, and I still feel lucky to have seen it on a big screen (I wish so much I could seen either of the aforementioned two at a theater!).
Enough of the rambling!
I've missed it, though, so please forgive me the indulgence. ;)
xoxo
Comments (17)
Oh, we're becoming more and more fond of going to the theater, as there are several theaters in Portland, built in the 1920's-1940's that still show films (one of them does vaudeville shows once a month too), and they usually play second-run, old, and art films, and for $3 (as opposed to $9 at the giant theaters), and you can get pizza and beer and take it in the theater. We recently saw two films that are well worth seeing if you have a chance... Paris, Je t'aime and Once. They were both ones we would like to buy. Oh, and Stardust :) Not sure if we'd buy Stardust, but it was really entertaining. We also just saw The Wolf Man, which was fun :)
Plus, it just feels so much more glamorous to go to a small 1920's art-deco theater with a big neon marquee than a gigantic brick of concrete. It's definitely one of the highlights of Portland.
Dave · October 18, 2007 at 07:58 PM
I just wanted to say that I feel the same way about Anna Karina. I love her
Nancy Cook · October 18, 2007 at 08:28 PM
Hey here might be some rentworthy movies if you have not seen them before... The Persuit of Happyness, White Oleander, Abandon, Jarhead, Lord of War, Life as a House, Rules of Attraction, American Beauty, Thirteen,Jawbreaker, fight club,and Pretty Persuasion. Some are bad movies with some great scenes but all are rentworthy. Also Across the Universe was pretty good but a tough one to find in the theatres.
www.projectblancoyd.typepad.com · October 18, 2007 at 08:44 PM
I think I'm going to go see the Elizabeth movie this weekend. Even if it isn't the greatest movie ever, it just looks so pretty. And honestly I can't think of the last movie I saw in the Theatre and that is just sad.
Jessica Marie · October 18, 2007 at 10:05 PM
Yes, one of the many things I miss about Philadelphia... the three art-house theaters within two blocks of my apartment.
Alison Whittington · October 18, 2007 at 11:41 PM
oh Emily, a sad autumn of movies? How can you say such a thing, with Mr. Burton's film version of Sweeney Todd to look forward to? Mr. Depp will be so heartbroken to hear! Though I'm very sad that Giles won't be in it *sigh*
... and this is of course not even to mention Golden Compass, which has me shrieking like a small girl whenever I see the previews.
sarah · October 19, 2007 at 02:44 AM
such classic movies for us little frenchies :)
I have made a quick search for you in our national stores, but it seems that this poster you saw at your local theatre is the new version. We only have the original one here, with Jean-Paul Belmondo's face painted in blue..
hope you'll find it anyway! happy friday!
annejulie · October 19, 2007 at 04:08 AM
You've got carte blanche to babble about the cinema from me! Hope you get to the movies a bit more frequently, it's a treat to hear you talk about them.
Webbo · October 19, 2007 at 05:46 AM
Yes, you're right. Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?" is #1 at the box office. Maybe it's good, but I thought he was known for silly fluff.
The new Julie Delpy is pretty great, IMHO. I'm looking forward to the new one from the director of Pieces of April, Dan in Real Life. Also Darjeeling Unlimited and Lars and the Real Girl.
Cirilia · October 19, 2007 at 06:25 AM
I fully agree that there are no movies to get excited about right now. There are a few I would like to see, but when you factor in the price of a ticket, the usual un-cleanliness of the theater, and the unpleasant people that always seem to be seated just behind you, it never really feels worth it. I miss the days of waiting in anticipation for a great movie. sigh...
Jessica · October 19, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Oh how I love Jean Paul Belmondo! He is so amazing to watch. You must see more of his films. "That Man From Rio" is one of my faves :)
Dandelions & Daisies Sue · October 19, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Hi,
I was just stopping by for a look. It's so funny you mentioned Pierrot Le Fou, I was just at the Criterion offices this week (one of my close friends works there) and saw the poster for this film. I saw it on your blog and thought that sure looks familiar. I'll have to check it out.
elise · October 19, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Elizabeth being my FAVORITE movie, you can imagine my excitment seeing previews to The Golden Age...I practically peed, never expecting to see another...Having two little nurslings, I don't know when I can get to the theater...but looking forward to it....
Asha · October 19, 2007 at 12:09 PM
A movie that I've seen in the past week is "Reign over me"...it's amazing!!! You should rent it :)
Thanks for the great review about Elizabeth...I really want to see that one!!!
Danielle Nilsson · October 19, 2007 at 12:18 PM
Thanks for that little review! I have been wanting to see the new Elizabeth but because of the terrible reviews I thought I might just skip it to avoid disappointment (Clive factor and all)... however I may now give it a chance.
I recently saw Across the Universe... which I was hoping and praying would eventually come to my little town and was so delighted that it finally did just last week. I have to say that I HIGHLY recommend it. It is such a beautiful movie, whether you are a fan of Beatles music or not (I am, of course). In fact, my husband and I loved it so much that we may go see it again this weekend!
Suzy · October 19, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Ok..hope you don't mind if i as a total stranger start commenting on stuff. I absolutely love Godard. The aire in Pierrot is sooo nice. In some absurd way i get hints of the same feeling i get when i watch Picnic At Hanging Rock.
Otherwise my two absolute Godard-faves are Une Femme Est Une Femme and Bande A Part. Watching Une Femme is like being at a party and you never want to leave it.
Peter · October 19, 2007 at 04:41 PM
I watched Pierrot Le Fou the other day as well - the latest in my godard/anna karina/ jp belmondo obsession phase and I liked the beginning but got bored halfway through and turned it off! Now I'm tempted to get it again for the ending...
Claire · October 21, 2007 at 02:56 PM