memfree

They'd be welcome on !creative@beehaw.org

I have to disagree on this one. I loved the movie then immediately read the book, whereupon I discovered that as good as I'd found the movie, the book was even better. While I've ended up seeing the movie several times (when it happens to air), I've only reread the book once, but the book was, is, and will always be superior.

I think my view of the English came from a cross between Monty Python and the Alec Guiness in both Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Bridge Over the River Kwai -- maybe with an unrelated bit of The Man Who Would Be King thrown in for good measure. Anyway, I only have the best things to say about the TV version, and I'm only now realizing that nere in the U.S., we missed 25 minutes of it to editing.

I've only seen four Tarkovsky films, but yes, he's a fabulous director. I've not read the book and don't know if an English translation would do it justice, so I'll take your word for it that the extremely good movie was better than its source.

Note that I didn't make that list of 6. I just thought the movie community might like to read the article. Y'all don't have to call me out with all things they skipped because I'd have put stuff like the Wizard of Oz and Ran on there (and then quickly ducked because no one gets away with saying a movie is better than Shakespear's original work).

I wasn't gonna split that hair because it was based on some of Clarke's shorter works that were optioned for the basis of the film. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(novel)

Well, if you're going to go there, then A Clockwork Orange and 2001: A Space Odyssey. One can easily complain that Anthony Burgess wrote a better book filled with imagery and politics (and a glossary!) which Kubrick failed to capture, so that one might be arguable. On the other hand, while Arthur C. Clarke wrote a good book that Kubrick largely ignored, the result was one of the most innovative films in history. The film brought space to life in a way that printed words could not. Sure, Kubrick's work can now be easily CGI-ed up, but he thought to do all of it and he did it the hard way before we had computers.

As far as Eyes Wide Shut goes... I kinda hated it because it felt like the default daydream of old men fantasizing about what they wish they'd done back when they couild still get it up. I read an article years ago about how for years Kubrick had script readers who would read hundreds of books and scripts to give him recommendations for what to make into his his next movie and they were all terrified of recommending something beneath The Master, and then he didn't like the things he did see, and this went on and on, and I feel like he was stuck with material that a concensus would find acceptable/interesting rather than anything that was more avant garde.

Have you rewatched it recently? I ask because I rewatched it a few years ago and (while I still love it) I thought that modern audiences would complain about the pacing and such.

Mostly old B&W movies, as I'm want to do. The stand out was:

• The Scarlet Empress (1934), which was absolutely gorgeous and full of horses charging about. Not walking, but galloping into towns, up stairs, and everywhere. It is littered with fantastic sets, dramatic lighting, and shots of Marlene Dietrich at her height, ranging from shy, to coquettish, to powerful, she chewed up every scene.

The rest are mostly skippable, but I recommend the first couple to film lovers for reference if for nothing else:

• As the Earth Turns (1934) - the film gives a dichotomy between city and farm life in the desires of two of its characters. It isn't entirely successful at exploring different points of view, but overall, it was an interesting look back in time for: choice of subject, manner of delivery, set designs, and perhaps as reference for cinematography (it wasn't a standout like the Scarlet Empress, but it was shot well enough for a lower budget, simple film).
• Civil War (2024) - Near-future dramatization of what it is like to be a photojournalist in a war. I appreciated that political parties weren't mentioned. We can make guesses based on stuff like the non-military racist who's killing people out in the boonies and similar hints, but that has nothing to do with the main story: photojournalist life during wartime.
• Movie Crazy (1932) - The premise is that Our Hero accidentally mails a handsome headshot to hollywood instead of his own image, whereupon he sets off for a screentest and sees an actress in costume that he later can't identify as the some person such that he flirts with both her personnas and annoys her. Lots of pratfall-style silliness throughout via Harold Lloyd. Pre-code film with post-code content (nothing too risque, and an ending fight seen meant to be funny and long, but not that violent).
• They Met in Argentina (1941) - predictable, repetitive light fare, but the singing was nice.
• Baby Take a Bow (1934) - It's got Shirley Temple, if that works for you. She was about 5 and yes, she does some dancing.
• The Blue Bird (1940) - It's got Shirley Temple. She was about 11.
• Honeymoon (1947) - It's got Shirley Temple. She was about 18.

I saw your earlier plug for Penny Dreadful, but I kinda want to boycott Paramount/Showtime after the 60 minutes & Colbert fiascos (After you asked about Legion, I commented about it in this post's threads).

I make everyone I can watch The Shop Around the Corner <3

Kinda liking Revival. Started Sandman S2, but only watching 1 per week with friend.

Finished Dying for Sex. It was ok, but I kept getting distracted by thoughts like, "I bet this was uglier in real life." Of course, we probably want our media to be more fun and exciting than real life, but it is rare that I'm disrtacted by the ... 'cleanliness?' of a show.

side note: I did NOT like Interior Chinatown. I enjoyed the first couple episodes, but then it dragged, and I found the ending completely unsatisfying, with big holes left unfilled.

Debating if I should rewatch S1 of Peasemaker before starting S2.

Heads up: It is a Paramount/Showtime product (for anyone boycotting after the 60 minutes & Colbert incidents).