Random Movie Talk Part X: The Spy Who Loved Me

[lazarus]

I'm a big fan of the director's cut of that film, but it's not that good.

In my opinion Field produced two minor masterpieces for his first two films, a debut and follow-up that one may have to go back to Malick to find a parallel in terms of how sure-handed and mature the work feels. Coincidentally, Sissy Spacek was in both Badlands and In the Bedroom.

 

[powerhour24]

I admire In the Bedroom a lot, but Kingdom of Heaven is one of my favorites of the decade, and Little Children to me did not know what film it wanted to be, some strong acting and ideas but it was a mess... and don't even get me started on the voice over. I'll be interested to see how his career progresses, but I would never mention him in the same breath as Malick.

 

[LMP]

Little Children kicks the shit out of American Beauty as far as suburban melodramas are concerned.

I don't normally like degrading certain films, but AB and Hook are in that pantheon of movies whose popularity confuse me.

 

[lazarus]

I liked certain elements of American Beauty, but it hasn't aged well, and for me was trumped by the similarly-themed Fight Club in the same year.

But far worse and insulting films have won Best Picture.

 

[LMP]

I just fucking despise that film and its self-importance.

Agreed. There are a handful of Oscar winners that are so watered-down that I doubt I'll ever see (Driving Miss Daisy, A Beautiful Mind, Oliver!...) Crash is the worst Best Picture winner that I can think of, at least of the past 35 years.

 

[powerhour24]

I'll take Little Cildren over American Beauty, but that just shows how much I loathe American Beauty... yeah I get what you're going for, but satire is far more impressive when it's far more subtle. Menses and writer Alan Ball have both gone on to much better things. The Insider was my Best Picture 1999.

 

[lazarus]

I just fucking despise that film and its self-importance.

Agreed. There are a handful of Oscar winners that are so watered-down that I doubt I'll ever see (Driving Miss Daisy, A Beautiful Mind, Oliver!...) Crash is the worst Best Picture winner that I can think of, at least of the past 35 years.

I have a soft spot for Oliver!, mainly because we had to learn all the songs in grade school. But it really is worth watching for Ron Moody's fantastic perf as Fagin, and Jack Wild as Artful Dodger. Also, Carol Reed is no slouch in the director's chair, even if this ain't The Third Man.

Which reminds me, I really love Polanski's Oliver Twist, and can't believe that it was ignored during the awards season that year, esp. coming right after The Pianist. And I actually think it's better written and acted than what Polanski and Hardwood won their Oscars for.

 

[lazarus]

The BP winner you want to avoid is Around the World in Eighty Days. That's just crap.

 

[powerhour24]

Polanski's Oliver Twist is really underrated, the best adaptation of that story I've seen.

 

[LMP]

I'd go with Magnolia or Eyes Wide Shut myself.

I have a soft spot for Oliver!, mainly because we had to learn all the songs in grade school. But it really is worth watching for Ron Moody's fantastic perf as Fagin, and Jack Wild as Artful Dodger. Also, Carol Reed is no slouch in the director's chair, even if this ain't The Third Man.

Which reminds me, I really love Polanski's Oliver Twist, and can't believe that it was ignored during the awards season that year, esp. coming right after The Pianist. And I actually think it's better written and acted than what Polanski and Hardwood won their Oscars for.

I'm sure it's a good film, it was one BP winner that I have no interest in seeing soon. Reed's the man; Odd Man Out and The Fallen Idol are toward the top of my Netflix queue.

Funny you mention Polanski's take, I haven't heard a thing about it.

Around the World in 80 Days looks like garbage.

 

[powerhour24]

Magnolia's my favorite Anderson film, but I still don't like his work that much.

 

[If you shout...]

Remember when Magnolia was called Short Cuts? I do.

 

[LMP]

Both of them are great and extremely divergent beyond their initial conceit.

 

[lazarus]

My 1999 list, FWIW:

1. Fight Club
2. Eyes Wide Shut
3. Magnolia
4. The Talented Mr. Ripley
5. Snow Falling on Cedars
6. Being John Malkovich
7. eXistenZ
8. The Insider
9. The End of the Affair

This isn't including foreign stuff, I'm still without a computer and don't feel like looking that shit up on my phone.

Also, we need a Lists thread for ZS like we have over in B&C.

 

[powerhour24]

True, but I find much of Anderson's work as wannabe Altman, without the story. He is great with actors however.

Edit: that true was to LMP's post.

 

[LMP]

Altman's been his biggest influence, but less so as his career has progressed. What does "without the story" mean anyway?

Laz, great idea.

Holla at '99:

1. Magnolia
2. Eyes Wide Shut
3. Fight Club
4. The Insider
5. Being John Malkovich
6. The Iron Giant
7. Three Kings
8. The Talented Mr. Ripley
9. The Limey
10. Toy Story 2

Two animated films? Shee-it.

 

[powerhour24]

Without the story means that I find his films to focus far more on the characters than the plot as compared with bulk of Altman's works. I understand I'm one of the few that doesn't bow down to Anderson, but his films just irk me for the most part.

 

[If you shout...]

Without the story means that I find his films to focus far more on the characters than the plot as compared with bulk of Altman's works. I understand I'm one of the few that doesn't bow down to Anderson, but his films just irk me for the most part.

No, you're one of the many. Don't worry.

 

[LMP]

I'm not dogging you based on your assessment of Anderson, that's cool if you're not a fan.

So you're saying Altman's more concerned with plot than Anderson? If that's the case, then I strongly disagree. I've always found Altman's storytelling to be about as laconic and breezy as anything that I've seen. Shit, I have no idea what happens in the first 20 minutes of McCabe & Mrs. Miller, but it's awesome.

 

[Lancemc]

I'm not too big on Magnolia these days. Or Anderson's first two films for that matter.

Top of '99 - Eyes Wide Shut, with Beau Travail tailing close behind.

 

[If you shout...]

Not criticizing anybody's taste, by the way. Just stating a fact--the detractors are many and vocal, unless you only read a very small number of newspaper-type critics. Doesn't mean the detractors are right, though I'd have to agree with 'em.

 

[lazarus]

I like Altman a lot, but he doesn't have anywhere near the same visual gifts, and it's debatable whether or not he's ever made a film as good as There Will Be Blood.

 

[lazarus]

Oh, and thanks for mentioning The Limey, YLB. That would round out my incomplete domestic list above.

 

[GirlsAloudFan]

Neo and Morpheus have a bunch of cryptic shit to talk to you guys about your best movies of '99 lists.

 

[lazarus]

Since I had eXistenZ on my list I didn't feel the need to include the inferior film about alternate reality.

 

[GirlsAloudFan]

Inferior, schmimferior.

I just found a quality copy of BLACK SWAN online.

Bouts to hit it up. Very excited.

 

[Lancemc]

I'll take nearly everything Altman did in the 70s over TWBB personally.

 

[If you shout...]

I'll take nearly everything Altman did in the 70s over TWBB personally.

Quoted for otm-ness.

 

[If you shout...]

eXistenZ

Also, this is a fascinating, hilarious, bluntly provocative film. I have had one or two very rewarding viewings. Not really my style, but I couldn't look away or stop thinking about it.

 

[lazarus]

I'll take nearly everything Altman did in the 70s over TWBB personally.

Like I said, I love the guy's work. But I think TWBB is only
going to grow in stature and it's pretty high to begin with.

The only one I could make a serious case for being better is McCabe.