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Harry's DVD PICKS AND PEEKS Does The 3rd Week of May 2007 - Josephine Baker - Pan's Labyrinth - The Fountain - McQueen - Killers
Hey folks, Harry here - this is last week's DVD picks and peeks. I'm still working on this week's - which simply has too many John Wayne titles for me to get done tonight. So I'll continue to work on it today and hopefully will have it done by tonight. As for now, I must go watch HEROES with Yoko and cuddle. As always - you can click on the DVD art or titles to check out Amazon's info on the same title - and either buy it, or add it to your DVD list of to be watched items. As always, this is my interests and ranges from the films I'm curious about to having watched the release and recommend. To warning you about.
Here ya go...
Tuesday May 15th, 2007
PAN’S LABYRINTH
The Best film of 2006 is finally out on DVD. This 2-disc Platinum edition is worth every single red cent. This edition is loaded with extras – from the video prologue with Guillermo to his audio commentary – which is a delight to listen to. Then there’s the Featurettes covering just about everything you’d like to have revealed – the Charlie Rose Show, Storyboards and more. I have to say – I’m delighted to see this sold out everywhere I’ve gone since returning from Bucharest – as it seems to indicate that the film is as beloved by others as it is by me. As a bit of trivia for you. PAN’S LABYRINTH is the highest grossing film in the history of the ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE. Which just goes to show you, how wonderful the taste of those that frequent the Drafthouse is! Heh.
THE FOUNTAIN
I deeply love THE FOUNTAIN. I got my screener copy about 3 weeks ago and have watched it 3 times – the first time with my fiancée, the second and third – because I thought I could watch it as eye-candy in the background as I worked, but each time, it pulled me away from my work, consuming my attention. The extra features is kinda awesome. It tracks the pre-history of the film… the alternate universe version – and continues through to the one we did get. The only disappointment? There isn’t a featurette on Clint and his amazing score for this film. I’d love a revealing look on his process – as he’s an incredibly colorful character. My favorite revelation on this disc? The vomit foliage gag was practical. Fucking amazing!
BECKET
It should be bought for the Peter O’Toole commentary alone. To listen to O’Toole tell stories about this amazing production… well, it is bliss. That said – you really ought to get this because BECKET is just a fucking amazing film featuring not only a brilliant performance by Peter O’Toole… but Richard Burton and John Gielgud – and it is a toweringly brilliant film. Now – the dvd also has interviews with the editor, composer and… Richard Burton – from long long ago. O’Toole is Henry II – and always shall be. The role is his forever. Behold a masterpiece.
ARMY OF SHADOWS – Criterion Collection
Jean-Pierre Melville’s ARMY OF SHADOWS has always been a difficult film to come by. It wasn’t shown in the United States in any releasable form until last year. But for those that sought it out, it has always been known as arguably his best and most passionate work. It’s Melville’s amazing story of the French Underground during Nazi occupation. This is not a heroic film, but a necessary film. It is not about the triumph, but the cost to the French soul. It is haunting and matter of factly told. If you love Melville’s other work like LE SAMOURAI or LE CERCLE ROUGE.. then you absolutely owe it to yourself to see this film. As usual – Criterion does their masterful job.
TEX AVERY’S DROOPY – The Complete Theatrical Collection
Tex Avery is arguably – along with Bob Clampett and Chuck Jones and Dave Fleischer – my favorite animated short director of all time. And his Droopy series is kinda genius and this is all of them. Here’s what’s on the set – THE SHOOTING OF DAN MCGOO, DUMB-HOUNDED, NORTHWEST HOUNDED POLICE, WILD AND WOOLFY, SENOR DROOPY, WAGS TO RICHES, OUT-FOXED, THE CHUMP CHAMP, DAREDEVIL DROOPY, DROOPY’S GOOD DEED, DROOPY’S DOUBLE TROUBLE, CABELLERO DROOPY, THE THREE LITTLE PUPS, DRAG-A-LONG DROOPY, HOMESTEADER DROOPY, DIXIELAND DROOPY, DEPUTY DROOPY, MILLIONAIRE DROOPY and then there’s all those Michael Lah Directed Droopy’s in Scope that just do not satisfy in the least. That said – All the ones that I named – those are the Avery directed Droopy’s – and they’re all 100% awesome. These are classic old school theatrical toons – rude, crude and funny as hell.
ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES
This is a wonderful film that was overlooked by too many. Luc Besson’s children’s tale is a really great children’s tale – the CG is beautiful and completely unlike anything we’ve seen so far. It uses the JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH structure of being live action – but then through magic, turns into animation – this time CG not stop-motion. Of all the voices – my personal fave is David Bowie – as hearing him with the character he plays – it just is wonderful. So, whether you have kids or not – check this out. The transfer is beautiful.
WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE – Season Two
One of the sad realities of existence is… they don’t make Steve McQueen movies anymore. But you know what? Before Steve was the amazing movie star we all know and love – he was a bounty hunter in WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE – and I’d never seen a single episode til the first season hit DVD. And this show kicks ass on every level. It’s just thrilling to see Steve McQueen in something that I’ve never seen – and getting this set was yet another dose of McQueen – which is exactly what we all need. More Steve McQueen!
VENGEANCE IS MINE – Criterion Collection
One of the great aspects of the modern world we live in is that we’re lucky enough to have a format like DVD that allows us to discover gems that we would otherwise never see. This is one of those times. This is a brutal look at a psychopath. If you love hard films, this is amongst the hardest films focusing upon a killer I’ve seen. Think – HENRY, PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER hard. Criterion finds yet another jewel!
CREEPSHOW III
They bought ads on AICN. They sent me a screener. I have to warn you. This is one of the most horrifyingly awful films of all time. I watched the whole thing. Knowing that it was episodic – and knowing the greater glory of the name of CREEPSHOW – but reasoned by the knowledge that Stephen King and George Romero had nothing whatsoever to do with this piece of flaming shit… yet I hoped. And it’s fucking dreadful. A complete waste of time. Total shit!!!! STAY CLEAR!!!!!
LA REVUE DES REVUES
This and the next item are two of my personal favorites for both this week and next week. Watching Josephine Baker in all her glory is something I just never thought I’d have the opportunity to see till the advent of DVD. This film is from 1927 and is basically the trendsetter for the following 80 years of behind the scenes musicals. It’s a joy to watch one of the greatest follies performers of all time do her thing as only she could. Enjoy this.
THE JOSEPHINE BAKER COLLECTION ( ZOU ZOU / PRINCESS TAM TAM / SIREN OF THE TROPICS )
These 3 films span from 1927 to 1935 in the film career of Josephine Baker. They reveal a beautiful and talented musical, dance and dramatic performer. One of the first genuine musical film stars – period. In another era – she would have made a great deal more films – but she was amazing in a period where her skin tone did matter. These rare films have been brought to us by the wonderful folks at KINO – and you absolutely should experience them. They give you a glimpse at a period in film, music and dance that is stunning. Not only that, but experience the glory of Ms. Josephine Baker. One of the jewels of all time!
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was the man. Still is, actually.
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Why bother posting it now? Why not just take on THIS weeks releases at this point? Why the Amazon disclaimer each time? Why do the dvd column at all? At this point its a every other month post when you're not doing...uhhh..."wedding stuff" ;)
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Terrible, but very unsurprising news.
Can't wait to get my hands on THE FOUNTAIN -
Sorry boys and girls but for my money you really can't beat Josh Randall. I so hope that someone someday will see to it to continue his adventures in some form. Harry, you could not be more on the money with this or Pan's Labrynth. I wasn't aware of the collector's edition of Pan's. Thanks!
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Apocalypto, Letters from Iwo Jima, The Good German and the 5th season of Scrubs are coming out. And from the bottom end of Sam Fuller's body of work comes HELL & HIGH WATER -- which is still a solid submarine actioner and one of 20th Century Fox's first Cinemascope efforts. Standard Fuller lunacy applies, just in far smaller doses.
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I've been waiting for an uncut dvd release ever since they announced it and I'm heavily looking forward to kicking back to watching animated Sam J Jack kick some ass.
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one of the greatest films ever made
Aronofsky is one of the true greats -
I saw it years ago and have never forgotten it. Looking forward to getting a Criterion copy.
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One of my favorite films of all time. It's amazing.
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Best cartoon ever. Right on par with Mr Duck Steps Out, the Old Mill and Speedy Gonzales.
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Yeth
Yeth -
'The Getaway' is one of my favorite movies of all time. Loved him in Great Escape, Bullitt, Papillion etc. The guy was rock.
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from the amazon page...
"Josephine Baker appears in only 2 numbers with a screen time of less than 7 minutes in an overall running time of 103 so don't buy it just for her." A little more honest review and less salesmanship would be nice... -
May 22, 2007 9:07:30 AM CDT
Creepshow 3 couldn't buy Harry. They need Raimi/Sony $$
by mrsinister7381
Creepshow III can't compete with the big guns like Sony and WALDEN media. No transatlantic flights, no positive review. Creepshow 3 only bought a few banner ads and sent him a copy, not nearly enough to buy the Fat One these days.
Oh, and how about a review of this weeks dvds? How the fuck is this week old shit supposed to help geek DVD buyers? -
is fucking terrible.
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Thank Christ they changed it. BIG improvement.
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They exist, so I assume so.
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It's really a shame this was so overlooked as it was just an incredible film. Mia Farrow, David Bowie, Freddie Highmore, Madonna all lending their incredible talents. Really a great story and lesson told in this flick, without being cheesy - unlike so many other animated flicks. Definitely DVDworthy on my shelf.
- Wowie -
Good to know, I just picked up the regular edition, whatever the hell you call it - not knowing there was a special out there.
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what a great flick--hits you deep--i believe you have to care for someone very deeply and have an open mind of love to appreciate this film--one of my favs of all time--haunting and heartbreaking...
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I almost wish Del Toro had spent more time in the fantasy realm, it almost felt like it got short changed. But at least he left me wanting more, not less.
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BadMrWonka is going to call you a moron for thinking that.
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That's weird
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Because Harry just realized he was missing yet another opportunity to pimp his buddy's "masterpiece". Yeah Harry, Pan's Labyrinth was a real good movie. We get it. Thanks.
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What a beautiful, wonderful film. My personal fave.
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Pan's Labyrinth was ok...couldn't imagine sitting through it, again. I guess if you're an atheist or nihilist the ending might give you a boner. Fountain was very good, close to great, borrowing from masterworks like Solaris and 12 Monkeys. Angel A is better than both of them.
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Creepshow is terrible and you shouldn't buy it but we'll link to it anyway so you can buy it off Amazon or at the very least they'll know we're sending them customers. Not paid for indeed.
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Um - Sony placed ZERO Spider-Man 3 ads on AICN. What the fuck you talking about? And the Spidey 3 SIDESHOWS are based on commission, not ad buys.
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Did anyone else notice that the picture quality is somewhat off? It looks very soft.
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Overrated. Sorry, but it is.
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Wow! I feel sorry for anyone who enjoys that flaming turd. She's a tree!
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she aint a tree
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that there's no Harry review of PAN'S LABYRINTH. Or does the search engine suck that bad on this site?
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When he plants the seed at the end, Izzy could've become the tree that he was trying to rebirth at the end. BUT, the glorious thing about the Fountain is the different interpretations. And don't go so deep on Harry. He's got feelings, no matter what.
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oh, I get it. Religion is just a fantasy world that mankind created in order to escape the harsh realities of the real world. gee, thanks for enlightening me
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Look at me. I'm Hugh Jackman. I'm all serious, and grimacing. Look at me. I'm Rachel Weise. I'm all smiling, and wise. Painful, painful movie. And not in a good way
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I get that Harry didn't want this to turn into "This week in Criterion Releases" but how do you not mention this film being released today?
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Damn, I just got “Creepshow 3” in the mail from Netflix yesterday. Are you telling me I shouldn’t even bother opening it Harry? That’s too bad. “The Raft” from CS2 is one of my favorite horror film shorts.
Oh, and “thanks for the ride, lady, thanks for the ride.”
Couldn’t resist. -
Plenty of John Wayne movies, collections, etc. Got the Letters from Iwo Jima (but I got the Letters/Flags SE two pack w/ Gene Hackman Iwo Jima doc) from Eastwood, Apocalypto, and I think the Criterion re-release of The Third Man came out. Great week THIS week.
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and didn't read your blurb about John Wayne. I really want the Century Collection, but 100 years is 100 dollars. So I might get the Western collection for True Grit, Liberty Valance, etc. but it has El Dorado, which I already own and is kinda a bad remake of Rio Bravo.
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I couldn't agree more with your review there, Harry - I rented this hopefull that at least a couple of the stories would be worh the rental price... STAY AWAY FROM THE DVD!
The opening animation is worse than poor flash animation, and there was not one story that made sense, period. It makes Creepshow 2 look like a masterpiece, and we all know how good that one was.
Rented that and Catch and RElease for the lady... another complete waste of time! -
I thought BECKET was the best film of '64 along with DR. STRANGELOVE.I'm so happy it's FINALLY out on DVD!
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Sheesh. Nobody wants to hear about that. Most of us have girlfriends/wives that we have affections for. We don't have to talk about it every time we speak/write.
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it's his first girlfriend ever and Yoko is earning her Best Actress award in the form of a green card.
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First off, I like Creepshow 2. There's some hilarious stuff on there, and George Kennedy to boot. Thumbs up. Second, I had an email exchange a year back with one of the producers of this apparent turd; he was upset that I'd emailed them and thrashed it on a board somewhere without having seen it. He told me he was sending me a promo copy and said I should watch for myself. I guess I should feel lucky as it never arrived. Also, do a little digging and you'll find that this was made by the same idiots who did Day of the Dead 2. It has something to do with Romero/King losing the rights somewhere along the way. It's too bad. The original Creepshow concept was wonderful, and this just shows what happens to a franchise when it gets into the wrong hands.
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They are on pretty much every genre news website I visit and it's pissing me off.
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"Tex Avery is arguably – along with Bob Clampett and Chuck Jones and Dave Fleischer – my favorite animated short director of all time." Wow. I don't even know if that's a recommendation but it's definitely not a coherent thought. Arguably your favourite? How can something be arguably your favourite? Do you have a round table debate with other people who decide for you what your favourite is? Oh, arguably because you don't know whether he's your favourite or one of those other three guys? Well that's... I mean, animated short film directors? That's like saying that Cherry Coke is arguably one of your four favourite types of Coke. It's not like you had an endless pool of names to draw from there. He's either your favourite or he's not. If he's not, don't say he is. Say something like "He's one of my four favourite" or "four best" or something. Don't talk up a guy you can;t even commit to over three other guys. If he's great just say so. Don't murder a sentence and confuse people. Thanks.
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...but anyone that has bashed the FOuntain thus far clearly didn't "get it." As I said, I am loathe to use the phrase as it is always thrown out anytime somebody doesn't like a movie, but the two replies thus far that have bashed the fountain clearly qualify.
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What a powerful movie. This is about complete comittment and not selling out. I recommend kids right out of high school see this. This movie will point you in the right direction in life.
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Please note that I excluded all women because there is not a woman on this planet who could hate The Hair Bear!
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You suck, and so does your show. For spoiling the Fountain, I hope that your prick gets a horrible disease and hurts so bad when you piss that every time you do it you want to kill yourself from the pain.
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I couldn't agree with you more Harry about The Fountain. Saw it twice in the theater (which is very rare for me) and bought the soundtrack. I think Clint Mansell is genius. I don't understand why there is all this hate for the movie, and all claiming that Arnofsky was too-full of himself. Here might be some reasons:
Very thought provoking, can't really classify it, wears its feeling on its sleeve, very non-linear story, tries to tackle the fundamental questions of life, afterlife, love etc.
Genius and along with Pan's the best movie of the year. -
That was a standout that I MISSED last week that this column helped me to notice....sour turds who are complaining. Don't read it then!
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you are kidding me?
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Actively disliked it. Del Toro should just make horror movies, that's where his heart is. Sure, he is creative, but he leaves a lot to be desired.
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...and even he calls it shit. It's the same fuckers who directed "Day of the Dead 2: Contagium," so you knew in advance that it would be terrible.
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What? It doesn't hold up to the standards of other DTD movies like Return of the Living Dead 4 and 5??? Noooooooooooooo
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THE FOUNTAIN SUCKS DONKEY BALLS! Go to rotten tomatoes and see what the rating is. Pan's Labyrinth is a good movie, but I felt somewhat dissappointing. But at least with that film, I can understand why people love it. The Fountain...well, You guys need to sell me some of that stuff you're somking.
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Apocalypto was one of the best flicks of the year, it ASTOUNDS me that Harry didn't mention it.
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in getting Pan's Labyrinth, The Fountain and Army of Shadows.
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Bought them both and can honestly say I agree with Harry all the way on Creepshow. Stay far away from this crap it's horrible. Not even so bad it's good....It's just bad. It has none of the fun or spirit of either of the first two flicks.
Pan's Labyrinth I loved but would say it's the 2nd best film of the year. You're forgetting "The Host" which gets my vote for best. BTW I am hating he idea of a US remake.
Oh yeah and Michael Bay sucks. -
Nor, should I ever want to forget it. Great stuff.
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Juuuuude? When will The Man deem it appropriate to release this lovely fim of yours?
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i made the making of The Fountain and i have tons of shit on Clint and Jay the editor and Brian the sound designer and Mogwai, Kronos etc etc....and i wanted to include but Warners freaked out when i had an 84 minute film.. too long for a DVD...hence the split into 6 segment, and having to throw the interview on the HD DVD ..... I even got Darren to let me record his commentary which ill post soon. But Warner didnt push this film at all... a real bummer. hopefully Criterion will want to...
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Thanks Harry for putting the spotlight on "Vegeance Is Mine." What a film ... I believe it was based on a real life serial killer who terrorized Japan in the late 70s. Amazing film! Good to see Becket finally getting a release as well.
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I pre-ordered Becket because I recently saw for the first time A Man for All Seasons and am thus into 60's Historical Non-Epics About Loyalty Vs. Honor. I was a bit disappointed, but will watch it again sometime. Too much of this is devoted to O'Toole screaming about how he loves Burton and feels betrayed. It lacks the sharp focus of Man for All Seasons, which I found thrilling, and recommend it to everyone. The Fountain I saw and loved in the theater, and have been playing the score only occassionally because it's so potent and sad--that's a good review, btw. I popped in the DVD just to see what it looked like and was sucked in again. The only critic I read who seemed to really get what The Fountain was about was Harry. I won't repeat what he wrote, but I'll encapsulate the main point: it's not a science fiction movie. Those who claim it is clearly don't get what's right there in the movie. I don't think there's much room for interpretation, only for misinterpretation.
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Have to add my two cents regarding Gibson's "Apocalypto." Expected a fairly crummy movie and was pleasantly surprised. "WeinerPenis" pretty much nailed it with his comments.
I thought his "Passion of the Christ" flick was pretty wretched but this one is actually fairly involving even though once again Mel uses whatever "original" language the Aztecs and South American Indians supposedly spoke and subtitles it in English with translations that are full of modern day slang. One instance where someone gets bitten by a poisonous snake, his buddy's translation exclaims "you're fucked."
The movie is also peppered by comedy bits you'd highly doubt these people would play on each other back in the day like tricking a fellow Indian to eat a pigs balls and later rubbing some herbs on his dick to help him conceive children with his wife with almost 3 Stooges-like results.
But the draw here is the well done tension which permeates most of the simplistic and predictable plot liberally strewn with hard R rated violence and gore, some of which will leave a lasting impression. Gibson's a genuine unrepentant gorehound who kicks ass on that department more than most of the junk you'd find gracing the pages of Fangoria magazine.
One of these days, I gotta watch "Braveheart."
I really heard very little about "The Fountain" before renting it. Wolverine, er....Hugh Jackman as Neo, Dr House and one of the unseen conquistadors from Apocalypto proves he's a better actor than some people give him credit for. However the storyline with the intersecting plots was a bit too convoluted and made the first 1/3rd of the movie tough going. The movie is one of those flicks that is open to
various interpretations but I wouldn't place it even in the shadow of something like "2001 a Space Odyssey." Still, it's visually beautiful and has a soft lyrical quality which invites repeated viewings. I'd call it an ambitious failure. One thing I really did like though, was the soundtrack music which is probably the most relaxing music I've heard in a long time and is my favorite new film soundtrack since the Bernard Herrmannesque score for "The Machinist" a few years back.
"Pan's Labyrinth" is even more downbeat than The Fountain. In fact, it's pretty depressing. I liked it a lot and it was a movie I'd been waiting to see for a long time, but I can't say it's quite the masterpiece some people are calling it. The fantasy elements are really well done with a lot of imagination by director Del Toro. One creature who pops its eyes into its hands would be right at home in a Hellraiser flick. Del Toro is probably one of the very few directors working in fantasy/horror movies today that I've enjoyed to some extent every single movie he's done so far even when he doesn't quite hit a bull's-eye. -
And everyone will be worshipping this movie as a masterpiece. I liked it a lot and hear a lot of people bitching....its boring....pointless....painfully lame....well boys, if the film is too smart for you The Michael Bay box set is coming out next year...hehe
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I loved THE FOUNTAIN and its soundtrack, it's a film that deserves multiple viewings to appreciate how intricate it is. Well done, Mr. Aronofsky & crew.
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