There are a lot of films out that I want to see, but while in Spokane, I’ve managed only to see a couple. The first was the new Mike Nichols film, Closer. It was a sort of film about relationships, in particular-complicated love triangles between the four leads: Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, and Clive Owen. It was an oddly compelling film, because there didn’t seem to be much of a moral to the story-other than people do horrible things to one another in the pursuit self gratification. It makes you wonder how anyone stays married beyond a couple of years-it underscores the complications that are a part of every relationship, where there a roles of the lover and the loved to be filled. All of the leads were great and Nichols does an excellent job of capturing the dreary grayness of London as well.
The other film I saw was The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, the latest by Wes Anderson. I like Wes Anderson films, but they often suffer from a sort of hipster show-offiness. I get distracted from the story by Anderson’s obsession with retro props, music, etc… It’s like he’s trying to show you how cool and quirky he is. The subtle, dry humor has a place, but sometimes it feels forced. I’d have to say that I appreciated Rushmore and The Royal Tennabaums more, even though they suffer form the same sort of cloying “look at me, I’m so hip, I‘m so whimsical” attitude. That being said there were some really funny scenes and I really liked the David Bowie songs that were sung in Portuguese by the Brazilian deckhand, Pele, in the movie. The movies seems as though it could have been edited down to a more manageable length as well-say 100 minutes.
Additionally: I have to say that Roger Evert once again explicates my sentiments in his review, in saying that he can't recommend it, but wouldn't dissuade anyone from seeing it.
Life Aquatic was a bizarre film, I found myself enthralled at points and utterrly disapointed at others. I think this film could have been great though I did enjoyed the beach invasion scene and treatment of the interns was classic ... what song was playing during the beach and hotel attack ??
Posted by: mike | January 07, 2005 at 03:09 PM
Hey Mike, I agree with your sentiments. The song during Bill Murray's fight with the pirates on the ship was "Search & Destroy" by Iggy & the Stooges, but I don't remember the beach invasion music-probably David Bowie.
Posted by: MC | January 08, 2005 at 12:33 AM
The beach & hotel assault scene had some sort of techno beat to it, thought it sounded intresting. Might see if it is loaded onto the music soundtrack.
Posted by: mike | January 09, 2005 at 03:28 AM
The beach invasion song is applicably named "Ping Island/Lighting Strikes Rescue Op" by Mark Mothersbaugh.
You can hear a sample of it on the itunes music store.
i own the cd. it's pretty good...
however, not as good as rushmore's soundtrack (kinda like the movie...not as good as rushmore).
i still give it a thumbs up.
Bill Murray, Willem DaFoe, and Jeff Goldblum were great.
I'm getting tired of owen wilson...no depth.
Posted by: redpine | January 11, 2005 at 11:19 AM
Thanks, I will have to pick up the soundtrack
Posted by: Mike | January 12, 2005 at 05:35 AM