The WHF Film Club

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

An unusually early heads up of an upcoming film from me. Wadjda is on Film4 at 9pm on Thursday. I haven't seen it, but it's meant to be one of the best foreign films of recent years.

Set.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Was there also a rule about a film being knocked out if others had seen it?

Yes, but I can't quite remember if that was agreed on, and the numbers. I do think that if 3 or more have seen it before, it really should be dropped.

 

[strapped for cash]

Have to say, I didn't get that last paragraph out of what he was saying (I ended up not getting much of an overarching thesis, partly a lack of clarity on his part and partly I'm sure my failings), but if he was saying then I agree it's very reasonable.

I'm struggling to recall anything by way of summation, probably because a few months have passed since I watched the documentary.

My thesis statement (on Zizek's behalf and without his authority) was based on general recollections and pulling together threads of argument. I should watch the film again.

On other subjects, as Ben notes, Film4 is showing Wadjda later this week. I haven't seen it, but I've scheduled the recording.

It's good to make notes when watching a film. This keeps you sharp and becomes invaluable when offering commentary. As a non member this is beyond my remit, but I think all members should make notes while viewing film club choices.

One last thing, it perhaps escaped members' attention, but film club celebrated its first birthday on Saturday. I'm not sure, but film club might be the most successful thread in WHF forum history. So, happy birthday film club, and kudos to BBB for getting things started!

 

[BenLaw]

Not that I'm disagreeing, but how are you defining success?

 

[strapped for cash]

Best of all was Bigger than Life. Directed by Nicholas Ray (Rebel Without a Cause) and the only film produced by James Mason, I'd recommend it for anyone interested in the portrayal of mental illness or in subversive critique of the American dream. It begins looking like simple Technicolour family drama but turns into a quietly complex little film with a brilliant performance from Mason at its heart. Definitely one of the best 1950s film I've seen.

What did you think of Bigger than Life stylistically, Ben?

Given the filmmaking approaches we've discussed, can you trace the film's stylistic origins? If so, what does this tell us about the filmmakers' intentions? Sorry, those are cruel questions!

Sirkian melodramas (Imitation of Life, Written on the Wind, and All that Heaven Allows, which inspired Far from Heaven) were critically derided on release and dismissed as "women's pictures."

Bigger than Life is of this mould. Decades later, through the prism of auteurist criticism, these films were given due attention and recognition.

 

[BenLaw]

Anyone seen Guardians of the Galaxy yet? I don't really go in for comic book films (although I have the Nolan Batman boxset) but this one sounds like it might have a bit more about it.

I wanted to until I watched Avengers Assemble, and now I'm thinking it might be more of the same.

Going to the cinema this week, so it's either Inbetweeners 2 or GOTG.

Definitely not the inbetweeners! GOTG sounds a bit different (funnier) than the others.

 

[strapped for cash]

Not that I'm disagreeing, but how are you defining success?

It's still going!

 

[BenLaw]

Was there also a rule about a film being knocked out if others had seen it?

Yes, but I can't quite remember if that was agreed on, and the numbers. I do think that if 3 or more have seen it before, it really should be dropped.

I agree. I think the issue would be if two have seen it. Two's probably too many with only five members.

 

[BenLaw]

Best of all was Bigger than Life. Directed by Nicholas Ray (Rebel Without a Cause) and the only film produced by James Mason, I'd recommend it for anyone interested in the portrayal of mental illness or in subversive critique of the American dream. It begins looking like simple Technicolour family drama but turns into a quietly complex little film with a brilliant performance from Mason at its heart. Definitely one of the best 1950s film I've seen.

What did you think of Bigger than Life stylistically, Ben?

Given the filmmaking approaches we've discussed, can you trace the film's stylistic origins? If so, what does this tell us about the filmmakers' intentions? Sorry, those are cruel questions!

Sirkian melodramas (Imitation of Life, Written on the Wind, and All that Heaven Allows, which inspired Far from Heaven) were critically derided on release and dismissed as "women's pictures."

Bigger than Life is of this mould. Decades later, through the prism of auteurist criticism, these films were given due attention and recognition.

Not that I think I'll have an intelligent answer but I'll have to leave this one til I'm back on a computer!

 

[strapped for cash]

Not that I think I'll have an intelligent answer but I'll have to leave this one til I'm back on a computer!

That's entirely reasonable.

I'm not asking for detailed textual analysis.

We've discussed stylistic approaches in early(ish) cinema (surrealism, expressionism, montage, etc.).

Bigger than Life draws on and updates (following the advent of colour) earlier stylistic methods, and blends these techniques with Hollywood filmmakers' insistence on continuity and intelligibility.

 

[BenLaw]

Not that I'm disagreeing, but how are you defining success?

It's still going!

Well the what are you listening to and what are you watching threads are both older and longer - but definitely not as good!

 

[strapped for cash]

Well the what are you listening to and what are you watching threads are both older and longer - but definitely not as good!

I'd forgotten about the "what are you" threads. Longevity is just one marker of success, however.

Film club's first birthday should still be celebrated.

 

[BenLaw]

I agree, happy birthday and well done BBB. Now, who'd like a beer?

 

[strapped for cash]

If virtual beers are all you're offering, I'll *** to the fridge.

 

[BenLaw]

I was rather hoping you or BBB might be buying.

 

[richardw42]

Whilst trying to track down the meaning of colours, I can across this article on Jeunets films.

http://ibfilmsas.wikispaces.com/Delicatessen

I noted the Ones jumper was green with red stripes

the woman in the bar was in a vivid red dress, could this be an indicator of the adult Crumb want to become. Also, in the dream at the end, as Crumb got older her dress seemed even more red (or was that me ?).

The boat they rowed away in at the end was red compared to the one with the clones.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I was rather hoping you or BBB might be buying.

I did, and as far as I know, it's still on the bar waiting for you..

Happy Birthday to the thread. We've lost some members on the way, but if thet ever get this site running properly again, I'm sure we'll reach another birthday.

I really do hope that the powers that be are working their nuts off to get things working properly again, because a couple of the regular posters on the vinyl threads are hardly showing their faces anymore, and something that is supposed to be fun, has turned into a bit of a chore.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

My copy of Requiem arrived today.

I ordered from Zoverstocks via Play.com, which was the best price I could find. It actually describes it as used, but my copy arrived still sealed.

http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/3257152/Requiem/Product.html?searchstring=requiem&searchsource=2&searchfilters=s%7brequiem%7d%2bc%7b57%7d%2b&urlrefer=search&ob=PriceDelivered&fb=2

 

[richardw42]

Cheers, just ordered it from Zoverstocks. I couldn't see any cheap copies on Amazon when I looked so was going to rent from iTunes.

But it wasn't much cheaper, and at least I'll have a copy to keep.

Is the last film finished with ?

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Is the last film finished with ?

I don't think so, though I'd have to watch it again to be able to add anything to the discussion. I think we're all just a bit tired of the new look site.

I'm almost settled on my list of films. There will be four altogether, one I haven't seen, one I've nominated before, and two that I've seen and feel would be quite popular with other members. I'll probably list them within the next few days, so we can all vote before the end of the month.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Decided on my films tonight, so I might as well list them for the vote.

As I said, there are four altogether, so vote 4/3/2/1 points.

1st film is MY LIFE AS A DOG. This is the film that I've nominated before, and whether or not it gets voted for this time, I really think it deserves to be seen. It's not spectacular, it's nothing that hasn't been done before, but it's just a lovely film, and has one scene that my wife and I watched repeatedly for 5 minutes, and each time we laughed our heads off.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089606/?ref_=nv_sr_1

2nd film is THE CHASER. I'm classing this as a film I haven't seen, though I have, but I can't remember anything about it as I was watching a lot of Korean/Japanese films at the time I watched it, and they've all kind of blurred into one. The reviews are great, and I'm sure that I enjoyed it, so it deserves to be in the four.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1190539/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

3rd film is BLACK CAT WHITE CAT. I first watched this a few years ago, as it was recommended to me by a former WHF forum member. It's a relatively simple tale, but it's very quirky, very funny, and absolutely relentless. A great watch.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118843/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The 4th film is SPRING, SUMMER, AUTUMN, WINTER.....AND SPRING. I know Ben has seen this and enjoyed it. It's another very simple story, but it's so beautifully shot and told, that it really should be seen by everyone. Another wonderful film.

I realise that I've picked four great films, and I did consider putting in a dud to make the voting easier, but whichever film gets voted for, I'm certain it will be well received. I can't recommend all these films enough, and whichever one gets chosen, I do hope you'll all try to make time to watch the others.

It's up to you. *smile*

 

[BenLaw]

Wow, that's a tough list to choose from. From brief imdb descriptions I find it hard to discern which I might like most and I don't like to delve deeper. Spring etc is brilliant and everyone should indeed watch it. I will do it the honour of not voting it last as I have every other film I've already seen.

Dog - 4 points

Chaser - 3 poibts

Spring - 2 points

Cat - 1 point

 

[BenLaw]

Agree not finished discussing last film but I haven't had time to read richard's recent link.

I will ill have to rent Requiem once I have seen my rentals this weekend.

 

[BenLaw]

Think I'll be next to nominate after we've seen BBB's film. Slightly worried as I've had 3 films selected for a while on a common theme - not sure if I'll be able to squeeze a fourth one in that's appropriate. I shall ponder.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Think I'll be next to nominate after we've seen BBB's film. Slightly worried as I've had 3 films selected for a while on a common theme - not sure if I'll be able to squeeze a fourth one in that's appropriate. I shall ponder.

Is there a film that you've nominated before that would fit in to the theme Ben?