I am SO happy to hear “A Thousand Clowns” mentioned, even in passing. This is one of the best edited comedies ever. Do yourself a favor and read “When The Shooting Stops” by Editor Ralph Rosenblum. My perspective on this film has been greatly enhanced by knowing the great lengths that Rosenblum and writer Herb Gardner went to translate what was a very entertaining yet wordy play to the screen.
It is a really wonderful film with several great performances. I originally saw it because I’m a big fan of Jason Robards, but also was aware that it was the film for which Martin Balsam received an Oscar. So I went in just to see a couple good performances and what I got was a really fascinating, energized film. I could see people coming away from that film annoyed with its lead character. I loved it, though.
In many ways, it reminds of me Mike Leigh’s “Happy-Go-Lucky.”
Man, I could write a dissertation on how amazing DOMINO is. I’m not even kidding. Perhaps the only film aside from RUSSIAN ARK that embraces the digital potential (shooting format for ARK, editing for DOMINO) of a constantly-unfolding moving picture. Tackles the medium with the same fervor as any of Brakhage’s stuff. I’ll probably go to my grave without a single person (besides apparently Edgar Wright and that Ignatiay dude on Ebert) agreeing, but I’ll never stop trying.
I would read the hell out of that dissertation (or blog post,hint-hint). Because I tend to agree with your premise but I don’t think it keeps the film itself from being awful.
Maybe if/when I come out the other end of the year-end stuff alive I could tackle that. I’ve written about it a couple other times in the past but never dedicated an entire piece to every little wonderful thing about it, so I might just do it. For now, for those interested, it’s touched on in these two pieces:
The band is Thee Oh Sees and the album is Carrion Crawler. Though it was only Johnny who said it was his favorite. I do love the album but I’m not sure it’s my favorite. The Mountain Goats fanboy in me wants to go with their All Eternals Deck and the hipster in me wants to go with The Weeknd’s two online releases, House of Balloons and Thursday.
Man I love Tokyo Drift, the fact that they took the classic inspirational Sports/Martial Arts plot and transplanted it wholesale onto a movie about racing cars is amazing. If I am remembering right the main character even goes off into the mountains to learn how to race better from a master or something.
I am SO happy to hear “A Thousand Clowns” mentioned, even in passing. This is one of the best edited comedies ever. Do yourself a favor and read “When The Shooting Stops” by Editor Ralph Rosenblum. My perspective on this film has been greatly enhanced by knowing the great lengths that Rosenblum and writer Herb Gardner went to translate what was a very entertaining yet wordy play to the screen.
It is a really wonderful film with several great performances. I originally saw it because I’m a big fan of Jason Robards, but also was aware that it was the film for which Martin Balsam received an Oscar. So I went in just to see a couple good performances and what I got was a really fascinating, energized film. I could see people coming away from that film annoyed with its lead character. I loved it, though.
In many ways, it reminds of me Mike Leigh’s “Happy-Go-Lucky.”
Man, I could write a dissertation on how amazing DOMINO is. I’m not even kidding. Perhaps the only film aside from RUSSIAN ARK that embraces the digital potential (shooting format for ARK, editing for DOMINO) of a constantly-unfolding moving picture. Tackles the medium with the same fervor as any of Brakhage’s stuff. I’ll probably go to my grave without a single person (besides apparently Edgar Wright and that Ignatiay dude on Ebert) agreeing, but I’ll never stop trying.
I would read the hell out of that dissertation (or blog post,hint-hint). Because I tend to agree with your premise but I don’t think it keeps the film itself from being awful.
– David
Maybe if/when I come out the other end of the year-end stuff alive I could tackle that. I’ve written about it a couple other times in the past but never dedicated an entire piece to every little wonderful thing about it, so I might just do it. For now, for those interested, it’s touched on in these two pieces:
http://www.railoftomorrow.com/2011/08/chaos-cinema-abstract-painting-and.html
http://www.railoftomorrow.com/2009/03/art-and-cinema-part-2.html
Hello
David, what was the album that you and Johnny both thought was the best album of the year? I’d be curious to check it out.
Thank you
The band is Thee Oh Sees and the album is Carrion Crawler. Though it was only Johnny who said it was his favorite. I do love the album but I’m not sure it’s my favorite. The Mountain Goats fanboy in me wants to go with their All Eternals Deck and the hipster in me wants to go with The Weeknd’s two online releases, House of Balloons and Thursday.
– David
Man I love Tokyo Drift, the fact that they took the classic inspirational Sports/Martial Arts plot and transplanted it wholesale onto a movie about racing cars is amazing. If I am remembering right the main character even goes off into the mountains to learn how to race better from a master or something.