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Post by frankhabets on Sept 16, 2014 7:50:43 GMT -5
I'll be going (maybe). Any 'vibes' out there that this is going to be popular? I wouldn't mind mingling with other DePalma fans at the DePalma capital of the world! (It's a long plane trip for me, but I don't mind)
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Post by frankhabets on Sept 7, 2013 9:36:13 GMT -5
A failure, according to rotten tomatos.
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Post by frankhabets on Jul 26, 2013 6:02:16 GMT -5
So many directors of note out there! Leone is always on the top of my list, tied with Hitchcock. For silent films, Buster Keaton is probably the best. Screwball comedies, Preston Sturges. Bittersweet comedy-dramas, Patrice Leconte. Anime, Satoshi Kon. Giallos, Dario Argento. Mindbenders, Duncan Jones. Teen movies, John Hughes. B-movie camp parodies, Lloyd Kaufman. British humour, Monty Python and anything by Simong Pegg/Nick Frost. Melodrama, Samuel Fuller.
I could go on and on!
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Post by frankhabets on Jul 25, 2013 8:17:14 GMT -5
I've always a soft spot for the John Williams score for The Fury. But hey, good list!
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Passion
Jun 25, 2013 15:45:28 GMT -5
Post by frankhabets on Jun 25, 2013 15:45:28 GMT -5
I thought it was evident throughout the film, from the architecture and design of JJ Koch's office environment, to Isabelle's & Christine's appartments, through to the 'L'après-midi d'un faune Ballet performance'. Many scenes too feature just one or two of the main protagonists - the screen is no-where near as 'busy' as say Snake-Eyes or The Black Dahlia as examples. In Passion there is no 'clutter'. This might also be to emphasise the elements of German expressionism that appear during the film, the bright colours (particularly use of White, Black and Red in clothing and the surrounding environment), the shading, and the canted camera angles mid-way through the film. I thought it was a very interesting and successful approach. Ah, we are indeed on the same page. The German expressionism, coupled with the corporate world's Bauhaus chic, shaped this minimalist look. A big contrast to, say, the wild kitsch of Scarface.
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Passion
Jun 25, 2013 15:34:58 GMT -5
Post by frankhabets on Jun 25, 2013 15:34:58 GMT -5
My second viewing of Passion changed my 'verdict' from great to masterpiece. Interesting. I'm curious as to how you reached that assessment? On my first viewing, I thought the film went overboard in referencing his earlier works, and hence a bit gimmicky. On the second viewing, I realized that the film worked very well on its own terms, and that those echoes and tricks were in fact clever variations. A couple of examples off the top of my head: The twin here was indeed just a dream. The nightmares, instead of reflecting a broken soul tortured by the awful events that hurt the protagonist, were in fact shaped by the evil deeds committed by the protagonist. In short, DePalma is not repeating himself, he's just further exploring his deliciously fun dreamscape cineverse.
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Passion
Jun 23, 2013 17:42:51 GMT -5
Post by frankhabets on Jun 23, 2013 17:42:51 GMT -5
Going back to Passion one other thing that that later struck me is the minimalist clean style and approach that De Palma uses in this film. I don't recall seeing that so much as a feature in his other works. I kinda see (or maybe not) the 'minimalist clean style' you ascribe to some or many scenes. Could you point one out in particular to see if we're on the same page? Thanks!
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Passion
Jun 23, 2013 17:36:14 GMT -5
Post by frankhabets on Jun 23, 2013 17:36:14 GMT -5
My second viewing of Passion changed my 'verdict' from great to masterpiece.
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Post by frankhabets on Jun 23, 2013 7:05:15 GMT -5
Blow Out Femme Fatale Phantom of the Paradise Dressed to Kill Carlito's Way Raising Cane The Fury Obsession Body Double Sisters Scarface Passion The Untouchables Greetings Snake Eyes
--oops, Carrie should be there too in the top five, and Casualties of War in the top ten.
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Post by frankhabets on Jun 23, 2013 5:59:58 GMT -5
My first DePalma was Phantom of the Paradise on the big screen on its first release. Then everyone of his subsequent films on opening night (with a few exceptions). So, obviously, I've been a DePalmaphile from day one.
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