Coosa Creek Times, 4-18-2008
Apr 18th, 2008 | By Rick | Category: News & Comment
Marilyn Ferdinand has a review of Errol Morris’ (right) new documentary on the Standard Operating Procedure, and a very thought-provoking interview with Morris here. After a rocky start, the interview makes telling points about the Abu Ghraib incidents and how our citizens deal with clear evidence of the wrong-doings of our government. Way to hang in there, Marilyn!
Matthew Lucas has a review of a much-maligned “new release” (it was made a couple of years ago) starring Al Pacino, who looked positively thrilled to be flogging it on Good Morning America this morning. Lucas says that the flick was released theatrically to spare Pacino the embarrassment of a direct-to-video offering. Judging from the reviews, I believe it.
Movie Zeal’s month-long Coen-fest continues with a great review of O Brother, Where Art Thou? If you haven’t yet, check out all the stuff at their site. And guys? My own contribution is almost done. Honest.
Norma Desmond is continuing her quixotic (did I spell that right?) quest to review 100 films in 100 days. Yesterday’s was Murnau’s Nosferatu, which some folks think is the best of the Dracula adaptations. (I actually prefer Herzog’s remake). Yesterday, Nosferatu; tomorrow the world! Who said movie bloggers were sane?
Pat Graham, at The Chicago Reader, has a contrarian reading (at least I think it’s contrarian) of Hou Hsiao-hsien that just might get your goat, if you’re a fan of Hou’s like me, that is. Provocative reading, which is just what Graham sought to create.
Speaking of Asian auteurs, Jim Emerson’s got a review on Roger Ebert’s site of Wong Kar Wai’s latest, Blueberry Nights, which the Weinstein brothers, in their infinite beneficence, have finally let some of us see. Jim’s not exactly enamored, leveling the common accusation that Wong’s films are merely pretty trifles. Could be, but I like ‘em anyway.
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Hey Rick! My emails to you are bounced back. It happened three or four times already, from two different email accounts. Server problems or whatever. Do you have a second email address? Just send me a message.
Thanks, Rick. And thank you for your intelligent comments on my interview. I hope the movie gets people really talking and doing something about the crimes sanctions by our current administration.
Pat Graham has been a friend of mine for more than 20 years. His passion for cinema is inexhaustible, his opinions densely worded. As I have seen nothing by Hou (a gap, I know) and walked out of the only Oliviera film I ever went to (a Jonathan Rosenbaum pick for a festival, no less!), I’m out of the discussion. But I would take seriously Pat’s ideas about visual meaning. He’s pretty close to deaf at this point, and his visual acuity is really sharp. I’d definitely look at a Hou film with his viewpoint in mind.
Of course, Rick, I’d love to have your viewpoint as well!