I've been watching a ton of old films in the last three or
four months (an endeavor I suggest highly) and I've come to
realize that it's effecting the way I perceive modern
movies. Films that I see in theaters today seem to hurtle
along at a faster pace, bereft of the sort of slow meander
I've come to really enjoy out of films made in the hazy days
of yesteryear. There's shots in these films that aren't
long, perhaps even standard for the time, that when I first
started digging in to films that had come before, I found
almost unbearably long. I would stare at the screen, begging
it to change, but it wouldn't. Now, years later, I find
myself entranced by the patience of older films and at
times, not always, turned off by the lack-of-attention
modern day movies seem to assume of their viewers.
Maybe I'm just thinking about this because I'm talking about
a Tony Scott film this week. I don't know, but I've
certainly found it interesting.
This week we've got a, ahem, flashily thrown together
remake, an Eddie Murphy movie that came straight out of
nowhere, and a new Francis Ford Coppola flick.
I believe bizarre is the proper description.
Hitting Theaters This Weekend:
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1, 2, 3
Director:
Tony Scott
Cast:
Denzel Washington, John Travolta
Summary:
Hoodlums (with Travolta at the head) take over a subway.
Only one schlubby Muni operator (Denzel Washington) can save
the day.
Thoughts:
Most film geeks are up in arms due to Tony Scott's decision
to remake the Joseph Sargent original. I'm up in arms
because I think Tony Scott is a shit-director, who somehow
hung on to his brother's coattails for long enough that he
was able to craft a sort of visual style all his own. That
visual style? Nauseau inducing editing overload. Also, who
in the hell is still casting Travolta in anything? He's
like Nicolas Cage but from five years ago. I want him, his
overacting, and his painful hairdos to go the way of the
dodo.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
43%
IMAGINE THAT
Director:
Karey Kirkpatrick
Cast:
: Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church
Summary:
A down-on-his-luck financial executive (Eddie Murphy) enters
his daughter's imaginary world and finds answers to his
problem. Worldwide seppuku is committed in protest.
Thoughts:
Jesus Eddie, can we please just stop? Stop with this
moronic comedies and family affairs, stop with the self-emoliation
of your once amazing career, stop with it all. Please, just
bow out from the limelight and let the world remember you
for what you were - a talented actor. This movie makes my
insides weep.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
38%
TETRO
Director:
Francis Ford Coppola
Cast:
Vincent Gallo, Alden Ehrenreich
Summary:
A brother (Alden Ehrenreich) journeys to Buenos Aires to
find his estranged brother, but instead happens upon his
unfinished manuscript. A journey of, hah, healing follows
... or something.
Thoughts:
I don't understand Coppola anymore. I truly believe that in
his old age he's gone a little more nuts than he already
was, but he's starting to at least try and make interesting
movies again. This one does seem a bit bloated and bizarre,
but hell, I'll probably, PROBABLY, give it a chance.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
55%
LIMITED FLICK:
MOON
Director:
Duncan Jones
Cast:
Sam Rockwell
Summary:
Astronaut Sam Bell (Rockwell) lives a solitary life on the
moon, working for a mining company trying to solve the
world's energy crisis. Being alone for a long time does odd
things to the mind, especially when your only
friend/computer starts fucking with you.
Thoughts:
Duncan Jones is David Bowie's son! That's awesome! I'd see
it based on that alone. Luckily, for me and for you and for
all the loving Bowie fans out there, Jones' first picture is
supposed be a true sci-fi treat, one I can't wait to see.
Sam Rockwell does crazy, deluded, and just on the edge of
normal better than anyone else. Hands down.
Rotten Tomatoes Score:
86%
Final Thoughts:
This is a week saved only by an astronaut flick featuring
Sam Rockwell, that might just be enough to call it a winner.
Noah Sanders is the blog/news editor at Light In The
Attic and a contributor at Sound On The Sound and
the KEXP blog. He also has his own
Criterion-based film site, Criterion Quest.
If you'd like to contact Noah in regards to his
writings here at Side One: Track One then please do
so
here.
- Noah Sanders
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