Last Movie You Watched

[milk]

You think it's obvious. Okay then.

So again to clarify: WHO is saying the wife's actions are immoral (assuming these are actually the wife's actions): you, or a character?

If you could just try answering that this time.

I'm not sure if I answered directly enough but she herself lies about her reaction out of shame. All the character do. So one answer is according to herself. They're all shameful according to the woodcutters view - which is the one we live with at the end. They almost lose all hope reflecting on the immorality of all of the three but find compassion for a baby and, thus, hope for humanity. This is the point of the film. Not mine. ETA: she provokes the murder of her husband in the most trustworthy version of events. This is one of what the characters at the end see as immoral.

[Madiel]

I'm not sure if I answered directly enough but she herself lies about her reaction out of shame. All the character do. So one answer is according to herself. They're all shameful according to the woodcutters view - which is the one we live with at the end. They almost lose all hope reflecting on the immorality of all of the three but find compassion for a baby and, thus, hope for humanity. This is the point of the film. Not mine. ETA: she provokes the murder of her husband in the most trustworthy version of events. This is one of what the characters at the end see as immoral.

No, you still haven't answered. Do you say her action was immoral, or does a character say it was immoral.

You keep describing what people do as if you expect me to just infer what is immoral. As if you now expect me to sit in judgement of a rape victim, when my whole point is that I have a problem with sitting in judgement about how a rape victim is supposed to behave. Especially if that involves a 21st century American judging the actions of a character from a thousand years earlier and an entirely different culture. But more generally not recognising all the ways that women still have to deal with the reality of men being in power. Otherwise MeToo would never have happened. Women wouldn't be speaking up YEARS later.

I note that this interesting article, which succeeds in saying far better than you have what the woodcutter thinks of the other characters, also points out that the woodcutter is the character who has most clearly lied about something.

https://infoh.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Rashomon.pdf

[Madiel]

It is perhaps worth mentioning at this point in the conversation that I've just watched the season finale of The Handmaid's Tale. A show that not infrequently shows women talking politely with their captors and rapists because the alternative is being murdered.

[milk]

No, you still haven't answered. Do you say her action was immoral, or does a character say it was immoral.

You keep describing what people do as if you expect me to just infer what is immoral. As if you now expect me to sit in judgement of a rape victim, when my whole point is that I have a problem with sitting in judgement about how a rape victim is supposed to behave. Especially if that involves a 21st century American judging the actions of a character from a thousand years earlier and an entirely different culture. But more generally not recognising all the ways that women still have to deal with the reality of men being in power. Otherwise MeToo would never have happened. Women wouldn't be speaking up YEARS later.

I note that this interesting article, which succeeds in saying far better than you have what the woodcutter thinks of the other characters, also points out that the woodcutter is the character who has most clearly lied about something.

https://infoh.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Rashomon.pdf

"...this one rape (or is it seduction?)"
Yeah...I don't find this review very insightful.
I'm glad you think it's far better than me. Why don't you stick with it then? I've no need to insult you over this nor have I written here with any pretension of being some great writer.

[Karl Henning]

Yet people complain much less about a much more recent film, Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America (1984) where the protagonist brutally rapes Deborah yet in one of the later scenes of the movie Deborah chats with him like there had happened absolutely nothing.

I never watched to that point, the rape scene sent me packing.

[NikF]

Watched Rashomon today. I hadn't remembered that this movie turns on a rape. In fact, I couldn't enjoy this that much because of the way the rape is treated. Mifune plays the rapist and is the most magnetic performer here. His character is even the most likable at times, which left me pretty disgusted. It's magnificently filmed to be sure, but obviously for another time when women were treated non-seriously and as somewhat less than human. It's not just the way the characters are; to me, it's the perspective of the film itself which trivializes the rape and the significance of the woman's reality as well. Just my impression.

BS. And don't you ever again send me an unsolicited PM dictating which messages I'm allowed to reply to.

Admin, if you're reading this and want to know more, hit me up and I'll forward the message in question. But the next thing you'll see is the line I've drawn under it.
_______________________

Tonight we went to see Mildred Pierce, directed by Michael Curtiz.  Michael Curtiz

Anyone have anything they would like to say about it? On any level? I'm all ears - and that comes with the bonus of me not getting hysterical if you disagree with anything I write

What we watched was newly restored and as such took my aging eyes a few moments to adjust. But the work of Ernest Haller was revealed in fine fashion. I suppose to many he's known for his Oscar winning 3 strip Technicolour photography in Gone with the Wind (although much later his career ended with a famous and bizarre final frontier) but IMO he's great at taking advantage of how black and white can be used subtly manipulate the viewer.

He has a task and the order of the day is consistency. And here he uses - and gets away with - employing light throughout in a manner that's less clumsy than Charlie bars but also less flattering than them.





No matter what other elements are in the scene or anything the dialogue imparts, he's steady and maintains his discipline. 'It's a stylistic decision, typical of noir' - bollocks, it's more than that because here the changes are subtle. He's leaning heavily on it but gets away without it ever appearing as a gimmick; What's the light source where is it coming from how near/far is it? Who cares because I'm that good I can make it work every single time.





So, a fine career indeed. And at the end of it, what was his last gig?



Anyway, there's another (and trivial) thing that popped into my head while watching. The wardrobe of Crawford (and Blyth too) with the earrings is sometimes like a heavy handed example of why outside of work you'll often see models and dancers wearing studs in their ears, because they serve to throw a little light around the face in a way that can be flattering. Problem is, it's one of those effects that's hard to perceive until it's removed. But look close and maybe you'll see it and then never be able to unsee it.

Okay, that's it, I brought some noodles in and they'll be getting cold. Spicy chicken chow mein after a cool old film. Good stuff.

[milk]

BS. And don't you ever again send me an unsolicited PM dictating which messages I'm allowed to reply to.

Admin, if you're reading this and want to know more, hit me up and I'll forward the message in question. But the next thing you'll see is the line I've drawn under it.
_______________________

Anyone have anything they would like to say about it? On any level? I'm all ears - and that comes with the bonus of me not getting hysterical if you disagree with anything I write

you're on my ignore list because you're a bully.

[SimonNZ]

Yet people complain much less about a much more recent film, Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America (1984) where the protagonist brutally rapes Deborah yet in one of the later scenes of the movie Deborah chats with him like there had happened absolutely nothing.

See also: Saturday Night Fever. Or better yet, don't.


watched last night:



Following Samantha Power, John Kerry and Ben Rhodes at work and talking about their efforts in diplomatic problem solving around the globe through 2016, up to, and including Trumps depressing win and the knowledge that all their efforts will be undone.

Watchable but a missed opportunity as it never trusts the viewer to get into a deep discussion of each issue, instead bouncing around and going seldom beyond the superficial. With its quick edits, snappy soundbites and constant music what it most resembles is a trailer for itself.

Pity, because on the cutting room floor must be the footage for a really great documentary.

[Madiel]

See also: Saturday Night Fever. Or better yet, don't.

I say do, but don't assume that the Bee Gees soundtrack is an indication of a light and happy film. It's not really a film about fun disco dancing and people tend to THINK it is because they had fun dancing to the disco music.

[Ken B]

I don't see why people should be defensive about critiquing any film. And I don't think you have to be a feminist to see how the "male gaze" exists. There's a joke in Animal Crackers about "darkies." Is it politically correct to find it offensive? No way. I love the Marx Brothers but I cringe when I hear the joke.

People aren't upset that you are "critiquing" a film. I think the objection is to your absurd accusations against people based on nothing. I for instance noted simply that people's memory varies and you went off on an accusatory rant. Others seem upset at your accusations that they must be moral failures because their impression of the movie differs from yours.

[lisa needs braces]

Strangers On a Train



It's been almost 15 years since I've first seen this, and I liked it better the second time around. It was more lighthearted than I remembered.  For its duration I was confusing the actor who played the villain with Robert Mitchum, but it was actually a guy named Robert Walker who died the same year the film was released at age 32.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Walker_(actor,_born_1918)

[Abuelo Igor]

I say do, but don't assume that the Bee Gees soundtrack is an indication of a light and happy film. It's not really a film about fun disco dancing and people tend to THINK it is because they had fun dancing to the disco music.

I think the reference has to do with a certain scene that takes place in the back seat of a car and that would be quite controversial today (does anybody outside Spain know what "La Manada" is?)

[Madiel]

I think the reference has to do with a certain scene that takes place in the back seat of a car and that would be quite controversial today (does anybody outside Spain know what "La Manada" is?)

Yes, I know what is being referenced. As I said, it's not a light and happy film. You're not supposed to watch it thinking that everything that happens in it is wonderful and good. The whole point is that the music is an escape.

[NikF]

I think the reference has to do with a certain scene that takes place in the back seat of a car and that would be quite controversial today (does anybody outside Spain know what "La Manada" is?)

It was a gang rape. And unless I'm mistaking it for another case, I think it was filmed and then disseminated via social media. That's all I know.

[NikF]

Yes, I know what is being referenced. As I said, it's not a light and happy film. You're not supposed to watch it thinking that everything that happens in it is wonderful and good. The whole point is that the music is an escape.

Indeed. Remove the music and dance, then replace it with alcohol or drugs or arranging to meet a gang from another neighbourhood (even taking an unannounced and intentionally provocative, antagonistic tour through theirs) and it'll still work.

[SonicMan46]

Strangers On a Train



It's been almost 15 years since I've first seen this, and I liked it better the second time around. It was more lighthearted than I remembered.  For its duration I was confusing the actor who played the villain with Robert Mitchum, but it was actually a guy named Robert Walker who died the same year the film was released at age 32.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Walker_(actor,_born_1918)

Enjoy that film and own the BD below; Robert Walker was married to Jennifer Jones - their son, Robert Walker, Jr. became a film and TV star and was active in the 60s, 70s and into the early 80s - their resemblance is amazing - below in the middle, Robert Walker; far right, his son.  Dave

   

[Karl Henning]

Strangers on a Train is magnificent.

[Ken B]

Strangers on a Train is magnificent.

Based on a book by the wonderful writer Patricia Highsmith.

[LKB]

...their son, Robert Walker, Jr. became a film and TV star and was active in the 60s, 70s and into the early 80s..

   

" Charlie X ", for fans of the original Star Trek . Also featured in Ensign Pulver with Walter Matthau and, if memory serves, E.G. Marshall.*

Moving,

LKB

* My bad,  the captain was actually played by Burl Ives.

[NikF]

" Charlie X ", for fans of the original Star Trek . Also featured in Ensign Pulver with Walter Matthau and, if memory serves, E.G. Marshall.

Moving,

LKB

Now that had been bugging me since the post was made, because I couldn't remember the specific role or even show.