I've been bogged down with work so haven't had much time to comment. I have read the reviews
(yes I have!) as they've been posted, some good stuff! A few comments...
Rebecca
One of the things that hasn't been mentioned that much was the Manderlay Estate itself which was pretty exquisite and beautiful to take in...As well as the numerous tumult shots of said sea suggesting such violence and danger, each and every time.
I caught a hint of Frau Blucher from Young Frankenstein and wondered if Cloris Leachman was giving a tip of the hat to Danvers, visually, I mean. Including the mole.
...the Hays Code be d@mned for its prudish restrictions.
Good call on the exquisite beauty of Manderlay Estate, yes it was stunning and literally another character in the movie.
You might be onto something with Cloris Leachman's character in
Frankenstein being pattered off of Danvers.
Believe or not, I like the Hays Code era
Without the Hays Code movies wouldn't have been forced to develop subtleties in dealing with adult themes. The Hays Code forced movies back then to try harder to have more substances and style.
If it wasn't for the Hays Code a lot of the great films wouldn't have been made, instead Hollywood would have went where the money was and made more: low brow T & A and violence/gore movies (sort of like today)...So count me as a fan of the Hays Code (and of Pre Code films too!)
Glory
Unlike some US mofos, I didn’t watch this at school.
The music is far too overwrought though, and there’s a limit to how many ‘inspiring’ moments and speeches one film needs. It’s not exactly subtle or natural. It’s a film about bravery, but it’s not really a brave film, it’s rather a conventional one.
I never seen it at school either, we watched
The Taming of the Shrew and
Auntie Mame instead
I have to agree with what you said about it.
The Station Agent
..No deep conversation. No incredible reveals at an attempt at closure; you simply hung out. Nothing was going on but it felt like everything was happening at an exciting level. If that makes any sense.
That does make sense! And that's why I said in my review it's a Citizen Rules type movie
The Elephant Man
I'd love to see Lynch make another black and white film, because both of his first two B&W films look soooooooooo good. The mood and tone of the film would not be the same had it been filmed in color. I doubt the look of Merrick would be as good in color and perhaps cause it to look too much like a Power Ranger villain.
Much like Eraserhead, the look and sound of this film was uncomfortable and beautiful. Totally tremendous film on that front alone.
Add to it that it's a film with great humanity without ever crossing the line into unnecessary schmaltz. It's a beautiful film.
I agree with your entire review
I'd also though about what the film would've been like if it was shot in color, and I don't think it would be so visually memorable. I love B & W anyway and Lynch really makes awesome use of it. Loved the heavy industrial equipment and the cobblestone streets.
Definitely a film with lots of heart! I should watch more Lynch I was really impressed with
Eraserhead. But I've more or less avoided Lynch as his subject matter can be outside of my comfort zone...but I have to say he's one helluva director.
In the Mood for Love
Focusing on the ones being cheated on and their wish for understanding while still retaining their own honor when it comes to respecting both their vows and the other person while dealing with their heartbreak and loneliness.
I found so much of this far more seductive than if we were involved those doing the cheating. The two leads were ideal and together they brought us a poetic and beautifully tragic love story. I completely felt for both of them and what they went through and all those intimate moments brought out the romantic in me far more than if they had actually committed anything sexual.
And to answer a question in Thursday's review, I don't believe that her son was conceived while they were together. For one, I didn't see any indication that the love extended to anything sexual and, secondly, much like her husband and his wife, we do not see the son's face when she calls him and he takes her hand and walks out the door. That seemed to hint that he was outside their intimate world that they once had.
Damn impressive review, I'm hiring you to write my future reviews
...I agree here with you too....the ideal that their love is unfulfilled and that they won't consummate because of the ethics of their marriage vows...is a much more powerful take than had they just romped and humped away.
I was very impressed with the film. Though maybe it could have used a different title as many seem to have expected something 180 degrees different. I would have called it,
A Vow Unbroken.
Glory
I agree wholeheartedly about the over-usage of 'inspiring' speeches.
If you think about it,
Glory is the exact opposite of
The Station Agent.
Out of the Blue
My biggest issue with the film is that the dialogue feels to improvised. If you are going to make a film that doesn't follow a cohesive narrative then the character work needs to be top notch. By the end of the film their were several characters who I didn't feel like I had any grasp on. Then you have Raymond Burr play a character who seems to be in an entirely different movie.
I liked the free flow narrative that felt unscripted and so felt real to me. I have to agree with what you said about Raymond Burr's character and scenes...yes, they felt like something out of another movie. Other than Burr's part, the movie felt pretty true to itself.