film #11

12 Angry Men

A classic. Rewatchable, I'd say- not true of every film I've enjoyed. The more I think about it, the more genuinely brilliant the concept- I mean, it's such a simple setting, but the story is so dramatic, and the character dynamics so rich. Initially I was a little suspicious, how can they possibly generate a full film from one dissenting guy and a room of people against him? And the first conversations certainly felt a little redundant. But the process of examining the case turned out to be pretty interesting, like a detective film really. Each of the characters, whether examined in depth or only touched upon, had a richly distinct personality, to the point where any time any two of them were talking to eachother, I was already interested- already excited to discover how these particular two would interact. And I must say, the ending… I love that ending. So simple. Really kindof stirring to think of the quick politeness, the slight moment of connection and courtesy, between two men who have undergone something incredible together. (I'm referring to the names, but this description also works for the jacket, I realize as I write.)

I really love the way the film feels present in its time- classic character archetypes of the 1950s (the meek, high voiced clerk, the cold, waspy stockbroker, the kramdenesque regular joe.) The conversations, priorities and personalities of the characters, even little details like the hats, the glasses, the opinions about women, discussions of baseball- it made me think of the cinematic concept of a period piece… and how film has now lasted long enough that then-contemporary films can also exist as a sort of period piece for their own era.

My only criticism… for a film about doubt, the morality gets somewhat annoyingly black and white at times. Later in the film, and perhaps this is the point, but the guilty faction just has nothing new or compelling to say. All they can do is find new ways to shout, "this is impossible! you're mixing it all up! he's guilty!" while #8 calmly proceeds from breakthrough to breakthrough. #4, the stockbroker, genuinely is a relief by the end of the film- when he has a fresh and compelling and reasonable case for guilt, rather than just angrily shouting, I felt reinvested in the story. There was actually a two-sided conflict again, rather than an inexorable march towards victory.

Although a little blatant at times, this is a wise political parable… and it's funny actually how blatantly it breaks down along political lines (typical liberal hollywood.) at the midpoint of the film, the heroes include the ringleader liberal, an intellectual, the elderly, the working man, the immigrant, the city kid born into poverty. the antagonists include an angry racist, a pompous businessman, a flippant salesman, an indecisive adman, the foreman (a perfectly good guy), and the bloodthirsty ringleader.

Altogether, really great. A little simplistic at times, a little belabored- but the characters, the story, the personality of the moment- thoroughly compelling.

film #10

The Battleship Potemkin

many intense, incredible images- the captain against the clouds, pointing dictatorially. the bow (and envisioning bodies hanging from it.) the priest- wild hair, flowing clouds- astonishing image. (chillingly blunt exchange: "Have fear of God!" "beat it, sorcerer!")… Vakulinchuk's funeral boat, the men standing. cloudy, gray shots of the harbor. Thick masses of people on narrow paths. and Wow- the Red flag. and the ODESSA STEPS- truly compelling. I watched this film a little bit bored and a little bit compelled by the images, but the Odessa Steps sequence absolutely earns its legend- it's mesmerizing. Fascinating fact learned after viewing- the actress portraying the mother was later killed in Stalin's Great Purge. The final scene is quite stirring- the drama builds magnificently, the release, classic.

There are no real characters in the film- it is the people. the community- the masses. Altogether a little bit boring, the way any old silent film might feel, but so many of the images are truly extraordinary, and the plot is thrillingly dark and dangerous- it's clear to see why this was banned. It's most exciting when considered in context- when thought of as a product of the 1920s Soviet Union, feared and rejected by the capitalist nations of the early/mid twentieth century.

film #9

Being John Malkovich

dark, stirring, smart. I really liked it. minor complaints: Maxine is utterly incomprehensible, her motives and her desires change so haphazardly- she only exists to advance the plot; I wasn't really convinced by some of her switches. Also, the ending is absolutely astonishing- that said, I'm a little suspicious of giving credit to the genius to tie those loose ends together, considering this is accomplished by entirely inventing all the rules of the world. It's just a little less impressive to write your ending and then have complete authority to invent the rules that allow you to reach that ending.

Overall though- really compelling watch. Liked it a lot.

crossword #10

omar bongo

legg mason

cabot cove

maeve binchy

bos'n (boatswain)

entr'acte

ernie els

crossword #9

Keystone Kops- bumbling policemen of silent film legend.

Olga Kurylenko- actress who played Bond Girl Camille Montes in Quantum of Solace

Sana'a- capital of Yemen, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.

a fact about The Battleship Potemkin: most famous, most brutal scene takes place at the Odessa Steps.

Orestes-

Eos-

SLR camera- single-lens reflex camera (read over this article more thoroughly, pick out what's interesting)

Concerto in F (Gershwin)-

XTC (the mayor of simpleton)

Elba-

emir-

mad dogs-

PDs-

axial-

glaxo-

FUCK SUCH A HARD CROSSWORD THIS WEEK!