I'd love to tell you that last week, when I took time off work plus the Thanksgiving holiday, I spent that time resting and recuperating after the tiring yet exhilarating Machinima Expo... you know, doing non-machinima stuff.
Ah well, I did manage to recuperate, though the time wasn't what I'd call restful. Enjoyable? Oh absolutely.
But since I spent almost all of my computer time last week working on my next comedy short - which I don't want to talk about yet - I suppose I can take a few moments to share some other things I discovered while Away From Keyboard.
- I finally got around to seeing Pixar's Up. It's an absolute joy to watch, the course of the story is fairly unpredictable (which is nice), and the opening 20 minutes or so of story setup surpass even Finding Nemo in sheer emotional resonance. Rare to find a movie that puts me in tears of both empathy and laughter in the same storyline, but this movie did that. Truly an all-time great animated feature. Can hardly believe how good these guys are.
- Took my second trip through the Pixar Shorts DVD Volume 1. The impact of the technical evolution was a bit blunted on this repeat visit, but the short that I found myself spellbound by once again was the hilarious "For the Birds." That short is a wonderful example of a classic animation tradition done really well: the physical gag. And it's a great model for what one can achieve in a short span with no dialogue, just faces and actions. Far from the only gem on that DVD, but Birds in particular inspires me and has been very influential on some of my own production decisions with regard to my "silent" films.
- At my wife's recommendation, I caught Timur Bekmambetov's Day Watch on the Netflix Streaming. I didn't realize until later that this was the same director as the more recent American movie, Wanted - which I didn't enjoy quite as much as this. Day Watch had a pace and energy level that kept me glued to the screen, with an attention to detail that makes for a very rewarding experience for the attentive viewer. It's one of those movies that, when I watch it again I know I'll see things I didn't catch the first time, and yet having completed a first watch I don't feel like anything was missing. That is a careful balance few directors achieve or even aspire to. Comparable experience to Fincher's Fight Club - but at the same level of verve that you typically only see coming out of Hong Kong or Korea right now. Some of the effects were blisteringly cool as well. All in all, a highly enjoyable movie which I can't recommend enough.
- For a complete change of pace, I took in Buster Keaton's The General for the first time. What an amazing era that was, the kind of chances that were taken for the sake of physical comedy, it's mind-blowing to see. Add to that Keaton's trademark dumbfounded stare at both calamity and astounding good luck, some really quite good cinematography, and an intriguing blend of traditional film genres. Worth a watch for entertainment, and worthy of study to see a genius at work. For more about The General, check out this article.
- Have an unsatisfied itch that was once scratched by The Sopranos or maybe Deadwood? FX Network's Sons of Anarchy is exactly the show you've been waiting for. Ron Perlman and the rest of the cast are just magnificent, and the writing and storyline is gritty, equal parts funny and intense, and highly addictive. Currently wrapping up its second season, it very possibly might be the best show on television right now.
Overman,
I had to chime in on The Sons of Anarchy observation and heartily agree. The show is extremely addictive and I describe it anyone who hasn't seen it as The Sopranos on motorcycles. They have a common thread of franchise criminals and the power struggles in maintaining their power base. The one difference is while sometimes you would think the Sopranos story arc was building toward a climax you would sometimes sit through and episode or two with nothing happing and sometimes end up with a lost or abandoned storyline.
"SOA" has no such problem. There is always something happening action wise in each episdoe and it manages to maintain an unpredictible viewing experience by way of unexpected plot twists.
Sopranos at it's best was probably a better show but it's lack of consistency could be frustrating. BTW - I was also a big fan of Deadwood.
LOL, Norrie. Beware then. Day Watch has a "chalk of fate." Though I confess, it is a much MUCH better plot device than that weaver's thingy in Wanted.
Yes, Day Watch was preceded by Night Watch, which is next in my Netflix queue. Looking forward to it.
Phil "Overman" Rice
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i watched both nightwatch an daywatch over 2 yrs ago an really liked them:) Immortal is good too imho http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314063/
I'm not much of a Keaton fan. Or most other silent comedy, for that matter. Chaplin, Lloyd, Keystone Kops etc just don't do it for me. But The General truly is superb. It's the only Keaton I really like, and the only one in that genre I can watch over and over again.
Totally agree, Nahton. I think Sons succeeds in ways The Sopranos did not. In particular the latter part of this current (second) season, you want to talk about a show DELIVERING where others just don't? Woo-ee! Spectacular.
I'm all about Trailer Park Boys.
I haven't seen Day Watch yet, but wasn't it part two of a trilogy?
I watched Night Watch ages ago, and loved it. Sadly, the next part failed to cross my radar here (UK).
I watched Wanted on the strength of the above: "The Loom of Fate" and bendy bullets? Yikes.
Did I mention the "Loom of Fate'?
Damn, I'm jealous.
It's been so long since I've watched Night Watch, I would have to see that first, then Day.
It sucks being British :(
Caught all of the Bekmanbetov's ".... Watch" films in the theater. Day Watch was the last film shown at the famous Rialto Theater back in March, I think. What an experience. Glad you finally got around to catching them as they are terrif. The novels are great fun, too.
Not as keen as you on UP; too much sentimentality and plot problems for me. First 1/3 though were some of the best Pixar has ever created. Too bad they can't seem to climb out of the Robert McKee story bog they are in. Ponyo by the Sea by Miyazaki was a much better (and more adult film) film, IMO. Pixar shorts are wonderful. I know that Bird film you are talking about and the animation is remarkable. I've got a soft spot for "Red's Dream" with it's moody, jazz feel. Imagine seeing these for the first time at a Siggraph showing!
Buster Keaton is a remarkable actor. The Tom Dardis bio + the Silent Clowns book is required reading on him and the comedic silent film actors in general. I'm partial to Seven Chances as it's like watching an early Beckett play on screen. Can't wait to see the General on Blu Ray as the reviews are superlative.
My only film viewing post-Expo was the smack-you-on-the-head outrageous "Tokyo Gore Police" which is exactly like it sounds, but turns out to be a smart, political satire of Japan and it's past. If you don't mind fountains of ridiculous blood, it's worth the experience.
Lots of my friends praise SoA, but I haven't had a chance to see it yet. It's next up on my DVD list. Thanks for the rec.
....I'm back to work!
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