Additional Rattling
Remember this post?
Well, Walaka then did one of his own, and it generated the most traffic to my site I've ever seen.
The results are in and you can read about them here.
My comments? Action Comics #1 was one of my picks, but it was a shoo-in. The Crisis cover (by Mr. Detail, George Perez) is mindful of other work. The "Flash" cover is more influential for the story it illustrates than for the cover itself. Frank Miller's "Dark Knight" cover is sublimely simple, and owes as much to wife LynnVarley's color work than anything Miller did on it (sorta like what he does these days as a matter of course), but I think its the same situation as the "Flash of Two Worlds" situation-it's the story inside that garnered the votes. And I think the "Killing Joke" cover by Brian Bolland is a classic, no doubt about it.
Next....
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Along with seeing "Children of Men" with FarmerScott and Bolt' and "Pan's Labyrinth" on my lonesome, I rented three movies "49Up," The Illusionist" and "Little Miss Sunshine," all of which are worth looks.
"49Up" is Michael Apted's seven-year cycle of films examin
ing (although some of the participants would say "intruding") the lives of a handful of British citizens that were first introduced in the television program "7Up." A "reality show" in every sense, every seven years they are interviewed, filmed and their current situation in life presented. For those who've been following the films, it's a bit like catching up with old friends and it's particularly interesting to see how they've changed in the last seven--some have grandchildren, some are starting new families, some have had their dreams dashed and are rebuilding new lives. And short answer for those who've seen the series--Neil is alive...and doing well. There is also a good interview between Apted and Roger Ebert where Ebert asks the hard questions --"What will you do when one of them is about to die?":"Who'll take over this project when you die?" Fascinating stuff. Highly recommended.*
"The Illusionist" was last year's other "magic" movie (the other being "The Prestige"), and although a much simpler story has a much more artful time in presenting its story. Filmed in the half-light sepia tone of a daguerrotype, it boasts fine performances by Edward Norton (probably the best actor of his generation, although he still rarely generates sympathy) and Paul Giamatti (whose purring formal police captain is far removed from the usual schlubs he plays--the guy has great range). Jessica Biel trades up from her role in the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake, and Rufus Sewell makes a terrifically evil Prince Leopold. Worth seeing.
"Little Miss Sunshine" fulfills all the traditions of the indie film (Eccentrice characters, check. Road trip, check. Pervasive streak of dark humor, check), and has a terrific cast (Alan Arkin is always worth seeing, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, and utility player Steve Carell), there is some terrifically off-hand writing which is the only reason the various outcomes of the story aren't immediately telegraphed once each character is introduced. But it's a fine diversion, but one has to ask--"Best Picture nominee? Really? Really?"
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Saw a nice quote in somebody's office today, attributed to Brigid Brophy:
"Whenever someone says 'we mustn't' be sentimental,' you can take it they are about to do something cruel.
And if they add 'we must be realistic' they mean they are going to make money out of it."
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Finally, while I was out moving large pieces of wood in my yard in the rain, I was treated to a spectacular sight. I climbed half-way up the enbankment behind the cabin to give you this view of a double-rainbow.
Twice the luck.
Have a good week.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, Walaka then did one of his own, and it generated the most traffic to my site I've ever seen.
The results are in and you can read about them here.
My comments? Action Comics #1 was one of my picks, but it was a shoo-in. The Crisis cover (by Mr. Detail, George Perez) is mindful of other work. The "Flash" cover is more influential for the story it illustrates than for the cover itself. Frank Miller's "Dark Knight" cover is sublimely simple, and owes as much to wife LynnVarley's color work than anything Miller did on it (sorta like what he does these days as a matter of course), but I think its the same situation as the "Flash of Two Worlds" situation-it's the story inside that garnered the votes. And I think the "Killing Joke" cover by Brian Bolland is a classic, no doubt about it.
Next....
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Along with seeing "Children of Men" with FarmerScott and Bolt' and "Pan's Labyrinth" on my lonesome, I rented three movies "49Up," The Illusionist" and "Little Miss Sunshine," all of which are worth looks.
"49Up" is Michael Apted's seven-year cycle of films examin
ing (although some of the participants would say "intruding") the lives of a handful of British citizens that were first introduced in the television program "7Up." A "reality show" in every sense, every seven years they are interviewed, filmed and their current situation in life presented. For those who've been following the films, it's a bit like catching up with old friends and it's particularly interesting to see how they've changed in the last seven--some have grandchildren, some are starting new families, some have had their dreams dashed and are rebuilding new lives. And short answer for those who've seen the series--Neil is alive...and doing well. There is also a good interview between Apted and Roger Ebert where Ebert asks the hard questions --"What will you do when one of them is about to die?":"Who'll take over this project when you die?" Fascinating stuff. Highly recommended.*
"The Illusionist" was last year's other "magic" movie (the other being "The Prestige"), and although a much simpler story has a much more artful time in presenting its story. Filmed in the half-light sepia tone of a daguerrotype, it boasts fine performances by Edward Norton (probably the best actor of his generation, although he still rarely generates sympathy) and Paul Giamatti (whose purring formal police captain is far removed from the usual schlubs he plays--the guy has great range). Jessica Biel trades up from her role in the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake, and Rufus Sewell makes a terrifically evil Prince Leopold. Worth seeing.
"Little Miss Sunshine" fulfills all the traditions of the indie film (Eccentrice characters, check. Road trip, check. Pervasive streak of dark humor, check), and has a terrific cast (Alan Arkin is always worth seeing, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, and utility player Steve Carell), there is some terrifically off-hand writing which is the only reason the various outcomes of the story aren't immediately telegraphed once each character is introduced. But it's a fine diversion, but one has to ask--"Best Picture nominee? Really? Really?"
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Saw a nice quote in somebody's office today, attributed to Brigid Brophy:
"Whenever someone says 'we mustn't' be sentimental,' you can take it they are about to do something cruel.
And if they add 'we must be realistic' they mean they are going to make money out of it."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, while I was out moving large pieces of wood in my yard in the rain, I was treated to a spectacular sight. I climbed half-way up the enbankment behind the cabin to give you this view of a double-rainbow.
Twice the luck.
Have a good week.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------* Lovely joke in "49 Up:" How can you tell an engineer is an extrovert? He looks at your shoes when he talks.
Song in my Head: "Living Years" Mike and the Mechanics
Whistling: "Women of Ireland" (Barry Lyndon soundtrack)
3 comments:
Gotta agree about Little Miss Sunshine: fun but Oscar-worthy?
Pan's Labyrinth should have been a contender instead.
Well, you know what I thought of "Pan's Labyrinth"--extraordinary film, in structure, writing and production--in fact, I didn't know DelToro had it in him. Just a superb film all the way around. A masterpiece. I would have been delighted to see it in place of "Sunshine"...but, I guess you can't have two films from Spanish directors for Best Picture. Wouldn't want to discourage Eastwood or Scorsese now, would we?
I've been avoiding "Babel" like the plague but my sister-in-law saw it and recommended it highly. Maybe this week (though I was looking forward to "Last King of Scotland" or "Little Children").
Thanks for writing, Jon. Always a pleasure.
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