(no subject)
Dec. 5th, 2009 11:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
floatingleafJust got back from seeing The Road again. I was supposed to go with a friend, but she decided to wait till they start showing the movie somewhere in the suburbs. It's only being shown in three Chicago theaters so far, all of them downtown - which means either steep parking fees (the first time I went, with Akasha, the parking cost us more than the tickets), or taking public transportation in the cold weather. So my friend said she'd rather wait another week or so and see what happens. I have a feeling, however, that this particular movie isn't going to get a very wide exposure at all. It may be popular with the critics, but it's definitely not a standard 'holiday season' movie (quite the opposite, in fact) - so I won't be surprised if the suburban theaters don't pick it up at all. So I went again by myself, to the same theater as before (I took the train this time). If my friend changes her mind and decides she does want to see it in a week or two, I'll go with her for the third time - no problem.:) After all, I went to see Eastern Promises in a theater five times (sic!... or sick, if you prefer ;P), A History of Violence four times and Appaloosa twice. And had I the opportunity, I would probably have seen Good and Alatriste about five times each, too.
But anyway... I cried again, but very quietly this time, so I didn't make a fool of myself in public.:P And like I said before, second viewings are my favorite, because I am no longer angsting about what's going to happen, but can focus more on whatever escaped my attention the first time around. For example, this time I really noticed the music. The score is absolutely beautiful - very quiet and unobtrusive, sad and lyrical without ever becoming melodramatic. It sort of blends into the background, enhancing the feeling of desolation, and yet somehow imbuing it with hope. Obviously, Nick Cave is even more of a great composer than I thought he was.
I am tempted to indulge in some spoilery reflections, but I'll leave that for later, since I suppose most people on my flist haven't seen the movie yet. I just can't help mentioning one image that's really stuck in my head: trampled remnants of Christmas decorations strewn about on the ground, along with a handful of banknotes, among the rubble of a defunct shopping mall. Both items - the trinkets and the money - provide a perfect counterpoint to Viggo's voice telling the viewer that people worry mostly about food. Food and the cold, and our shoes. All vestiges of a consumerist culture are perfectly useless trash if they can't feed you, keep you warm, or protect you from discomfort and pain. So obvious, and yet so shockingly revealing. Definitely something to ponder during this holiday season.
I also want to mention another film I saw yesterday. Chinese drama The King of Masks. A very touching story, which, incidentally, has quite a lot in common with The Road - since its main theme is the emotional bond between an aging man and a child. There are hardships and tragedies too, but love overcomes them all in the end. I must say this is probably the first Chinese film I have ever seen which has a happy ending. I honestly thought that Chinese culture, in general, had a problem with happy endings.;) Anyway... it's still heartbreaking, and absolutely unforgettable. Chinese cinematography is simply stunning. It makes my jaw drop every time. And I don't mean the spectacular fight sequences or colorful costumes in epics like Hero or House of Flying Daggers - though that is quite impressive too. I mean the artistic quality, the emotional depth, the acting, the pure human drama, the symbolism... the sheer spiritual power of it. I've seen probably about 20 Chinese movies so far, and each single one was outstanding. And I don't think I can say the same of any other country whose cinematographic offerings I have sampled. Everyone else has good AND bad movies. China has good and better ones. Or am I just so incredibly lucky to only have stumbled upon the very best so far? I think not.
Well... time to regretfully shut up now. It's late, and my eyes are refusing to stay open. *yawns*
But anyway... I cried again, but very quietly this time, so I didn't make a fool of myself in public.:P And like I said before, second viewings are my favorite, because I am no longer angsting about what's going to happen, but can focus more on whatever escaped my attention the first time around. For example, this time I really noticed the music. The score is absolutely beautiful - very quiet and unobtrusive, sad and lyrical without ever becoming melodramatic. It sort of blends into the background, enhancing the feeling of desolation, and yet somehow imbuing it with hope. Obviously, Nick Cave is even more of a great composer than I thought he was.
I am tempted to indulge in some spoilery reflections, but I'll leave that for later, since I suppose most people on my flist haven't seen the movie yet. I just can't help mentioning one image that's really stuck in my head: trampled remnants of Christmas decorations strewn about on the ground, along with a handful of banknotes, among the rubble of a defunct shopping mall. Both items - the trinkets and the money - provide a perfect counterpoint to Viggo's voice telling the viewer that people worry mostly about food. Food and the cold, and our shoes. All vestiges of a consumerist culture are perfectly useless trash if they can't feed you, keep you warm, or protect you from discomfort and pain. So obvious, and yet so shockingly revealing. Definitely something to ponder during this holiday season.
I also want to mention another film I saw yesterday. Chinese drama The King of Masks. A very touching story, which, incidentally, has quite a lot in common with The Road - since its main theme is the emotional bond between an aging man and a child. There are hardships and tragedies too, but love overcomes them all in the end. I must say this is probably the first Chinese film I have ever seen which has a happy ending. I honestly thought that Chinese culture, in general, had a problem with happy endings.;) Anyway... it's still heartbreaking, and absolutely unforgettable. Chinese cinematography is simply stunning. It makes my jaw drop every time. And I don't mean the spectacular fight sequences or colorful costumes in epics like Hero or House of Flying Daggers - though that is quite impressive too. I mean the artistic quality, the emotional depth, the acting, the pure human drama, the symbolism... the sheer spiritual power of it. I've seen probably about 20 Chinese movies so far, and each single one was outstanding. And I don't think I can say the same of any other country whose cinematographic offerings I have sampled. Everyone else has good AND bad movies. China has good and better ones. Or am I just so incredibly lucky to only have stumbled upon the very best so far? I think not.
Well... time to regretfully shut up now. It's late, and my eyes are refusing to stay open. *yawns*
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(no subject)
Date: 2009-12-07 10:19 am (UTC)Yes, I love that.
I just read another book similar to The Road and it's really gotten me thinking about what's important and where we're going and that kind of thing. I feel very...strange and confused and on edge. Shutting up my rambling now.
*hugs*
(no subject)
Date: 2009-12-08 01:47 am (UTC)I know the feeling. It's been with me for weeks. Maybe months. Ever since I started paying attention to what's happening outside of my little personal bubble. *sigh*
Shutting up my rambling now.
How many times do I have to tell you that I LOVE your rambling?...;) *hugs back*