list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around The Ice Storm on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/The_Ice_Storm/111076/default.aspx Title: The Ice Storm
Year: 1997
Director: Ang Lee
Plot: Set on Thanksgiving weekend of 1973, The Ice Storm looks into the lives of a wealthy Connecticut family who are calm and civil on the outside, but whose lives are quietly falling into chaos. Sixteen-year-old Paul Hood (Tobey Maguire) is home for the holidays from prep school; he'd just as soon have stayed at school, given the usual level of tension around the house and his desire to win the affections of Casey (Katie Holmes), a girl living in Manhattan. His 14-year-old sister, Wendy (Christina Ricci), is already a hardened cynic obsessed with the ongoing Watergate investigation, and she has begun acting out sexually with a neighbor boy, Mikey (Elijah Wood). Apparently, this runs in the family: Wendy's father, Ben (Kevin Kline), is having an affair with Mikey's mother, Janey (Sigourney Weaver), though Ben sees a future in the relationship and Janey does not. Elena (Joan Allen), Ben's wife, knows something is wrong with her marriage and her life, but she has no idea what she should do about it. As the teenagers surreptitiously experiment with drugs and alcohol, and the adults drift into mate-swapping, a dangerous blanket of freezing rain begins to cover New Canaan. The Ice Storm was adapted from the acclaimed novel by Rick Moody. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 68
Number of Lists: 38
Number of blog posts: 9
Number of discussion threads: 1
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:41:10 GMTThe Ice Storm1997Ang LeeSet on Thanksgiving weekend of 1973, The Ice Storm looks into the lives of a wealthy Connecticut family who are calm and civil on the outside, but whose lives are quietly falling into chaos. Sixteen-year-old Paul Hood (<a href="/players/P___196872/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Tobey Maguire</a>) is home for the holidays from prep school; he'd just as soon have stayed at school, given the usual level of tension around the house and his desire to win the affections of Casey (<a href="/players/P___225994/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Katie Holmes</a>), a girl living in Manhattan. His 14-year-old sister, Wendy (<a href="/players/P____59916/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Christina Ricci</a>), is already a hardened cynic obsessed with the ongoing Watergate investigation, and she has begun acting out sexually with a neighbor boy, Mikey (<a href="/players/P____77309/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Elijah Wood</a>). Apparently, this runs in the family: Wendy's father, Ben (<a href="/players/P____38699/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Kevin Kline</a>), is having an affair with Mikey's mother, Janey (<a href="/players/P____75144/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Sigourney Weaver</a>), though Ben sees a future in the relationship and Janey does not. Elena (<a href="/players/P_____1026/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Joan Allen</a>), Ben's wife, knows something is wrong with her marriage and her life, but she has no idea what she should do about it. As the teenagers surreptitiously experiment with drugs and alcohol, and the adults drift into mate-swapping, a dangerous blanket of freezing rain begins to cover New Canaan. The Ice Storm was adapted from the acclaimed novel by Rick Moody. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide68Tag Target (>10)38913http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t10187k8nuk.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Ice_Storm/111076/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/atacta/archive/2008/11/28/37721.aspx Post By: atacta
Post To: atacta Blog
Post Date: 11/28/2008 4:14:00 PM
Body: in Hey, I love the Blues, I like Ricci (until she has those 'Oscar moment dialogues' near the end), I love Ricci in other stuff especially Buffalo 66' and The Ice Storm, I love Jackson and greatly respect the fact that he learned the guitar on this film. Justin Timberlake - - not so good. I found him much more appealing in his small role in Southland Tales. He was awful!In fact, its the Timberlake sequence with the preacher near the end as well as the end itself which is contrived. The ending is pure Hollywood tripe and I do not buy it.After the film, I will pick up my guitar and attempt again to play it well. Watching a bit of the Blu-Ray extra features solidified my views on the film - this was strategic Hollywood product. ** 1/2 / ***** Buffalo '66 (1998) The Ice Storm (1997) Southland Tales (2006)
]]>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:14:00 GMTatactaatacta Blog11/28/2008 4:14:00 PMin Hey, I love the Blues, I like Ricci (until she has those 'Oscar moment dialogues' near the end), I love Ricci in other stuff especially Buffalo 66' and The Ice Storm, I love Jackson and greatly respect the fact that he learned the guitar on this film. Justin Timberlake - - not so good. I found him much more appealing in his small role in Southland Tales. He was awful!In fact, its the Timberlake sequence with the preacher near the end as well as the end itself which is contrived. The ending is pure Hollywood tripe and I do not buy it.After the film, I will pick up my guitar and attempt again to play it well. Watching a bit of the Blu-Ray extra features solidified my views on the film - this was strategic Hollywood product. ** 1/2 / ***** Buffalo '66 (1998) The Ice Storm (1997) Southland Tales (2006) http://www.spout.com/blogs/atacta/archive/2008/11/28/37714.aspx Post By: atacta
Post To: atacta Blog
Post Date: 11/28/2008 3:16:40 PM
Body: This is Altman vs. Anderson, plus Ice Storm and Affliction and a little Sweet Hereafter plus Warner Brothers plus the saddest no dialogue communication scene involving the death of a child (with the possible exception of Sean Penn inMystic River) plus Todd Fields plus a score that could have been much better had DGG hired me. Plus Warner Brothers (is their final stamp all over it or am I silly b****). Amy Sedaris (absolutely love her) casting really bad. Rockwell and Beckinsale earned a new respect from me – its melodrama that generally gets me anyway. The random trio (older black man, middle-aged woman and Rockwell) scene is very touching. The ending - a misogynistic portrayal of divorce? Been through one, related to the film in that way.First David Gordon Green and I admire it. The Ice Storm (1997) Affliction (1997) The Sweet Hereafter (1997) Mystic River (2003)
]]>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:16:40 GMTatactaatacta Blog11/28/2008 3:16:40 PMThis is Altman vs. Anderson, plus Ice Storm and Affliction and a little Sweet Hereafter plus Warner Brothers plus the saddest no dialogue communication scene involving the death of a child (with the possible exception of Sean Penn inMystic River) plus Todd Fields plus a score that could have been much better had DGG hired me. Plus Warner Brothers (is their final stamp all over it or am I silly b****). Amy Sedaris (absolutely love her) casting really bad. Rockwell and Beckinsale earned a new respect from me &ndash; its melodrama that generally gets me anyway. The random trio (older black man, middle-aged woman and Rockwell) scene is very touching. The ending - a misogynistic portrayal of divorce? Been through one, related to the film in that way.First David Gordon Green and I admire it. The Ice Storm (1997) Affliction (1997) The Sweet Hereafter (1997) Mystic River (2003) http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Depressing_holidays_dysfunctional_families_fo/190/37287/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: STEPHENtheDIRECTOR
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 11/13/2008 4:38:42 PM
Body: Depressing holidays: Pieces of April The Ice Storm Groundhog Day The Apartment Planes, Trains & Automobiles Dysfunctional Families: Pieces of April The Royal Tenebaums Psycho Happiness Running With Scissors Most Accessible Foreign Films: Amelie Night Watch Run Lola Run The Lives of Others Pan's Labyrinth
]]>Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:38:42 GMTSTEPHENtheDIRECTORTop 511/13/2008 4:38:42 PMDepressing holidays: Pieces of April The Ice Storm Groundhog Day The Apartment Planes, Trains &amp; Automobiles Dysfunctional Families: Pieces of April The Royal Tenebaums Psycho Happiness Running With Scissors Most Accessible Foreign Films: Amelie Night Watch Run Lola Run The Lives of Others Pan's Labyrinth http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/11/12/37255.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 11/12/2008 3:00:44 PM
Body: I saw Christmas decorations in a storefront Sunday, so I guess it’s already time to break out the holiday movies. And it’s evidently time for distributors to release holiday fare to theaters, even if Desplechin’s A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël), which hits theaters this Friday, isn’t exactly the latest crowd-pleasing installment of the Santa Clause franchise. In fact, with such ingredients as estrangement, mental illness, alcoholism and cancer, it doesn’t seem like a very happy holidays kind of film. Even if it is actually a comedy. But then how many holiday movies are completely void of depressing themes and scenes? I’m sure to have grown up thinking more about the homeless, suicide and family dysfunction from films set at Christmas and Thanksgiving than I did thinking about the happiness that comes with these holidays. One of the most tearjerking moments for me as a kid was certainly seeing Mickey Mouse crying over his dead son in Mickey’s Christmas Carol. It’s no wonder so many people get sad this time of year. Movies are influential, and for every bit of slapstick we see this season, there’s potentially room for thoughts of abandoned children to go along with it. Worse for our tearducts are the films that aren’t necessarily thought of as “holiday movies,” which are typically more honest about how much of a bummer holidays can truly be. So get out your hanky and check out our list of ten most depressing holidays in movies: Movie: Planes, Trains and Automobiles Depressing holiday: Thanksgiving It’s likely that John Hughes is a real drag on holidays. His scripts feature kids forgotten at Christmastime (Home Alone and its sequels), poor teens who get cartons of cigarettes as presents (The Breakfast Club) and yuletide kidnappings (Christmas Vacation). Thanksgiving seems to be the most melancholy for him, though, as is clear from the bittersweet road trip movies Dutch and Planes, Trains and Automobiles, the latter of which is up there with the saddest “comedies” ever made. Sure, it ultimately has a happy ending, but those last few minutes leave you bawling as you watch the montage and subsequent scene revealing John Candy’s true living situation. Film: The Apartment Depressing Holiday: Christmas It’s sad enough to be a lonely bachelor on Christmas Eve. It’s even sadder to be loaning out your home as a lover’s hideaway on such a night. Saddest of all, though, has to be returning to said apartment to find a half-dead woman in your bed who has attempted suicide with your sleeping pills (bonus points for her being your crush). The Apartment also has one of the more depressing New Year’s Eves on film, even if it does kind of figure into a “happy” ending. Film: Lethal Weapon Depressing Holiday: Christmas Sgt. Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) is also a lonely man on Christmas Eve dealing with suicide, but here it’s the contemplation of his own. While watching Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Carol on TV and thinking about his dead wife, he loads up his gun and wrestles with his demons. It’s one of the most heart-wrenching scenes to ever be included in an action movie. Film: The War at Home Depressing Holiday: Thanksgiving Like Martin Riggs, Jeremy Collier (Emilio Estevez) is a Vietnam vet, and also like Riggs, he has trouble putting his gun away during the holidays. Unlike Riggs, though, Jeremy’s weapon is directed at his father (Martin Sheen) rather than himself, and that leads to a less-depressing but no less disheartening situation. Film: A Midnight Clear Depressing Holiday: Christmas One of the most bittersweet war films ever made, A Midnight Clear is set during Christmas, 1944, in the middle of WWII and involves an intended holiday truce between American and German troops. Unfortunately, things go wrong. Not only does the film remind us currently that so many soldiers are away from home and potentially fighting on Christmas, it also displays some depressing truths about humanity and war that are saddening regardless of the season. Film: The Ice Storm Depressing Holiday: Thanksgiving This movie (which could also qualify for yesterday’s list of best dysfunctional families) reminds us of how sad Thanksgiving can be on an historical level thanks to the sardonic pre-dinne grace said by Wendy (Christina Ricci) regarding both America’s tradition of killing and robbing the Indians and its gluttonous disregard for the starving people around the world (didn’t we all go through that holiday protest phase?). Oh, and it features one of the most unsettling death-by-electrocution scenes ever. Film: Gremlins Depressing Holiday: Christmas The present holiday of this horror comedy classic is pretty sad considering all the death and destruction being caused by little green monsters, but the real depressing Christmas is the one from the past that Kate (Phoebe Cates) tells about. You know, the one where her father broke his neck and died on Christmas Eve while playing Santa Claus. And by recalling the details so slowly and in depth (she could have just simply said that her dad died on Christmas), she makes it even more somber a story than is welcome at such an already fearsome occasion. Film: Critters 2: The Main Course Depressing Holiday: Easter Obviously taking a cue from Gremlins, this sequel similarly involves little creatures terrorizing a small town during a holiday. And while not quite as gloomy for a young viewer as the earlier, better film, Critters 2 does feature a relatively upsetting scene in which “the Easter Bunny” is attacked by Crites and then crashes through a church window, ultimately bleeding from the mouth, dead. Film: Groundhog Day Depressing Holiday: Groundhog Day Not that anyone really celebrates this “holiday” (neither school nor post office is closed), but whatever. Though treated as black comedy, there is something quite depressing about all those suicide attempts made by Phil Connors (Bill Murray). It’s enough to cast a shadow (yuk yuk) on all the happiness that otherwise would come from Groundhog Day if it actually involved celebratory activities. Film: Roger & Me Depressing Holiday: Christmas Documentaries have the ability to make for the most depressing holidays, because they feature real life events — like a family being evicted from their home on Christmas day. This one is especially grim this year, as it’s possible that with the economy and mortgage crisis what they are that some families across America will be experiencing such a fate this December 25. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:00:44 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com11/12/2008 3:00:44 PMI saw Christmas decorations in a storefront Sunday, so I guess it’s already time to break out the holiday movies. And it’s evidently time for distributors to release holiday fare to theaters, even if Desplechin’s A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël), which hits theaters this Friday, isn’t exactly the latest crowd-pleasing installment of the Santa Clause franchise. In fact, with such ingredients as estrangement, mental illness, alcoholism and cancer, it doesn’t seem like a very happy holidays kind of film. Even if it is actually a comedy. But then how many holiday movies are completely void of depressing themes and scenes? I’m sure to have grown up thinking more about the homeless, suicide and family dysfunction from films set at Christmas and Thanksgiving than I did thinking about the happiness that comes with these holidays. One of the most tearjerking moments for me as a kid was certainly seeing Mickey Mouse crying over his dead son in Mickey’s Christmas Carol. It’s no wonder so many people get sad this time of year. Movies are influential, and for every bit of slapstick we see this season, there’s potentially room for thoughts of abandoned children to go along with it. Worse for our tearducts are the films that aren’t necessarily thought of as “holiday movies,” which are typically more honest about how much of a bummer holidays can truly be. So get out your hanky and check out our list of ten most depressing holidays in movies: Movie: Planes, Trains and Automobiles Depressing holiday: Thanksgiving It’s likely that John Hughes is a real drag on holidays. His scripts feature kids forgotten at Christmastime (Home Alone and its sequels), poor teens who get cartons of cigarettes as presents (The Breakfast Club) and yuletide kidnappings (Christmas Vacation). Thanksgiving seems to be the most melancholy for him, though, as is clear from the bittersweet road trip movies Dutch and Planes, Trains and Automobiles, the latter of which is up there with the saddest “comedies” ever made. Sure, it ultimately has a happy ending, but those last few minutes leave you bawling as you watch the montage and subsequent scene revealing John Candy’s true living situation. Film: The Apartment Depressing Holiday: Christmas It’s sad enough to be a lonely bachelor on Christmas Eve. It’s even sadder to be loaning out your home as a lover’s hideaway on such a night. Saddest of all, though, has to be returning to said apartment to find a half-dead woman in your bed who has attempted suicide with your sleeping pills (bonus points for her being your crush). The Apartment also has one of the more depressing New Year’s Eves on film, even if it does kind of figure into a “happy” ending. Film: Lethal Weapon Depressing Holiday: Christmas Sgt. Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) is also a lonely man on Christmas Eve dealing with suicide, but here it’s the contemplation of his own. While watching Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Carol on TV and thinking about his dead wife, he loads up his gun and wrestles with his demons. It’s one of the most heart-wrenching scenes to ever be included in an action movie. Film: The War at Home Depressing Holiday: Thanksgiving Like Martin Riggs, Jeremy Collier (Emilio Estevez) is a Vietnam vet, and also like Riggs, he has trouble putting his gun away during the holidays. Unlike Riggs, though, Jeremy’s weapon is directed at his father (Martin Sheen) rather than himself, and that leads to a less-depressing but no less disheartening situation. Film: A Midnight Clear Depressing Holiday: Christmas One of the most bittersweet war films ever made, A Midnight Clear is set during Christmas, 1944, in the middle of WWII and involves an intended holiday truce between American and German troops. Unfortunately, things go wrong. Not only does the film remind us currently that so many soldiers are away from home and potentially fighting on Christmas, it also displays some depressing truths about humanity and war that are saddening regardless of the season. Film: The Ice Storm Depressing Holiday: Thanksgiving This movie (which could also qualify for yesterday’s list of best dysfunctional families) reminds us of how sad Thanksgiving can be on an historical level thanks to the sardonic pre-dinne grace said by Wendy (Christina Ricci) regarding both America’s tradition of killing and robbing the Indians and its gluttonous disregard for the starving people around the world (didn’t we all go through that holiday protest phase?). Oh, and it features one of the most unsettling death-by-electrocution scenes ever. Film: Gremlins Depressing Holiday: Christmas The present holiday of this horror comedy classic is pretty sad considering all the death and destruction being caused by little green monsters, but the real depressing Christmas is the one from the past that Kate (Phoebe Cates) tells about. You know, the one where her father broke his neck and died on Christmas Eve while playing Santa Claus. And by recalling the details so slowly and in depth (she could have just simply said that her dad died on Christmas), she makes it even more somber a story than is welcome at such an already fearsome occasion. Film: Critters 2: The Main Course Depressing Holiday: Easter Obviously taking a cue from Gremlins, this sequel similarly involves little creatures terrorizing a small town during a holiday. And while not quite as gloomy for a young viewer as the earlier, better film, Critters 2 does feature a relatively upsetting scene in which “the Easter Bunny” is attacked by Crites and then crashes through a church window, ultimately bleeding from the mouth, dead. Film: Groundhog Day Depressing Holiday: Groundhog Day Not that anyone really celebrates this “holiday” (neither school nor post office is closed), but whatever. Though treated as black comedy, there is something quite depressing about all those suicide attempts made by Phil Connors (Bill Murray). It’s enough to cast a shadow (yuk yuk) on all the happiness that otherwise would come from Groundhog Day if it actually involved celebratory activities. Film: Roger & Me Depressing Holiday: Christmas Documentaries have the ability to make for the most depressing holidays, because they feature real life events — like a family being evicted from their home on Christmas day. This one is especially grim this year, as it’s possible that with the economy and mortgage crisis what they are that some families across America will be experiencing such a fate this December 25. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/minerwerks/archive/2008/10/5/35905.aspx Post By: minerwerks
Post To: minerwerks Blog
Post Date: 10/5/2008 4:47:00 PM
Body: Palm Pictures' DVD of 'Summer Palace' arrived adorned with a 'BANNED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT' banner and reviews touting sex and politics "on full boil." In reality, this tells me about good old American hype than anything about the Chinese government. While interesting, the film wasn't quite as hot as the quotes imply.Yu Hong (Hao Lei) is a young girl from northern China near the border of North Korea. She travels to Beijing to attend University in the late 1980s. Upon meeting fellow student Li Ti (Hu Lingling), Yu Hong begins to open up to the new experiences the school and the city have to offer, as well as her awakening passions. These passions are further drawn out when she meets Zhou Wei (Guo Xiaodong), and the two become lovers.As a backdrop to the personal drama, there are hints of a growing political unease, which culminates in many of the students taking part in the famous demonstration in Tiananmen Square. The swift reaction of the Chinese government sends the various characters to places around the world, launching the film into a more sedate second half. Yu Hong heads back to her home temporarily, eventually heading south. Zhou Wei is initially mandated to join the Chinese military, but he and Li Ti eventually end up in Germany. Eventually, a tragedy sets up a chance for the former lovers to meet, but after a decade apart, how will they react to each other?Champions of art can make all the waves they want about how unfair it is that the Chinese government has sanctioned the makers of 'Summer Palace,' but to try and be coy about the film's meaning is just as silly as the Chinese claiming the film was rejected due to audio and visual problems. Though the film is subtle in the lyrical, meditative way that certain Asian films can be, it becomes clear by the end that the characters are emotionally damaged by government repression. Curiosity is replaced by shame, leading Yu Hong to rote sexual encounters and Zhou Wei to a dull, unspecific longing. After having a taste of great freedom cut short abruptly these students are more afraid to express their real needs and desires than to speak out against their country's leaders.I can't claim to be familiar with much Chinese cinema, though 'Summer Palace' is pretty much right in line with what I expect. It's interesting these films are skillfully assembled, but are not overtly stamped with the voice of a director, which is something I'm used to from American films. In this case, director Lou Ye assembles a great cast, sets about having them subtly convey longing and excitement and makes it all look and sound beautiful. If immaculate tone poems are more your speed, then by all means, don't miss this film. As an admirer of naturalistic film, I appreciated many parts of 'Summer Palace,' but I found that when the emotion drained out of the characters in the second half of the film, my interest went with it.RECOMMENDATION: Director Ang Lee is from Taiwan, but was born to Chinese parents and was encouraged to study Chinese culture. His films such as 'The Ice Storm' and 'Brokeback Mountain' evoke the tradition of subtle, lyrical character stories that 'Summer Palace' tries to be a part of. But Lee's command of film language feels much more natural and universal, which can be seen in his broad range of films. His breakout film, 'The Wedding Banquet,' was a great character piece but also part screwball comedy.The plot concerns a gay Taiwanese man, Wai-Tung, living with his partner in Manhattan. The young man's parents are eager for marriage and a grandchild, so they begin trying to set him up through a dating service. Wai-Tung decides on a marriage of convenience with a poor girl from China so she can get a green card and to keep his parents happy. The parents, however, are determined to stage a huge wedding.The result is a touching, entertaining concoction that was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
]]>Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:47:00 GMTminerwerksminerwerks Blog10/5/2008 4:47:00 PMPalm Pictures' DVD of 'Summer Palace' arrived adorned with a 'BANNED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT' banner and reviews touting sex and politics "on full boil." In reality, this tells me about good old American hype than anything about the Chinese government. While interesting, the film wasn't quite as hot as the quotes imply.Yu Hong (Hao Lei) is a young girl from northern China near the border of North Korea. She travels to Beijing to attend University in the late 1980s. Upon meeting fellow student Li Ti (Hu Lingling), Yu Hong begins to open up to the new experiences the school and the city have to offer, as well as her awakening passions. These passions are further drawn out when she meets Zhou Wei (Guo Xiaodong), and the two become lovers.As a backdrop to the personal drama, there are hints of a growing political unease, which culminates in many of the students taking part in the famous demonstration in Tiananmen Square. The swift reaction of the Chinese government sends the various characters to places around the world, launching the film into a more sedate second half. Yu Hong heads back to her home temporarily, eventually heading south. Zhou Wei is initially mandated to join the Chinese military, but he and Li Ti eventually end up in Germany. Eventually, a tragedy sets up a chance for the former lovers to meet, but after a decade apart, how will they react to each other?Champions of art can make all the waves they want about how unfair it is that the Chinese government has sanctioned the makers of 'Summer Palace,' but to try and be coy about the film's meaning is just as silly as the Chinese claiming the film was rejected due to audio and visual problems. Though the film is subtle in the lyrical, meditative way that certain Asian films can be, it becomes clear by the end that the characters are emotionally damaged by government repression. Curiosity is replaced by shame, leading Yu Hong to rote sexual encounters and Zhou Wei to a dull, unspecific longing. After having a taste of great freedom cut short abruptly these students are more afraid to express their real needs and desires than to speak out against their country's leaders.I can't claim to be familiar with much Chinese cinema, though 'Summer Palace' is pretty much right in line with what I expect. It's interesting these films are skillfully assembled, but are not overtly stamped with the voice of a director, which is something I'm used to from American films. In this case, director Lou Ye assembles a great cast, sets about having them subtly convey longing and excitement and makes it all look and sound beautiful. If immaculate tone poems are more your speed, then by all means, don't miss this film. As an admirer of naturalistic film, I appreciated many parts of 'Summer Palace,' but I found that when the emotion drained out of the characters in the second half of the film, my interest went with it.RECOMMENDATION: Director Ang Lee is from Taiwan, but was born to Chinese parents and was encouraged to study Chinese culture. His films such as 'The Ice Storm' and 'Brokeback Mountain' evoke the tradition of subtle, lyrical character stories that 'Summer Palace' tries to be a part of. But Lee's command of film language feels much more natural and universal, which can be seen in his broad range of films. His breakout film, 'The Wedding Banquet,' was a great character piece but also part screwball comedy.The plot concerns a gay Taiwanese man, Wai-Tung, living with his partner in Manhattan. The young man's parents are eager for marriage and a grandchild, so they begin trying to set him up through a dating service. Wai-Tung decides on a marriage of convenience with a poor girl from China so she can get a green card and to keep his parents happy. The parents, however, are determined to stage a huge wedding.The result is a touching, entertaining concoction that was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. http://www.spout.com/blogs/zularian/archive/2008/7/15/32601.aspx Post By: Zularian
Post To: Zularian Blog
Post Date: 7/15/2008 9:31:17 PM
Body: I'd like to say a few words about Ang Lee's latest film, Lust, Caution. For anyone who has seen Mr. Lee's films that came before The Ice storm this will seem like yet another odd contribution from this talented filmmaker. If you are not familiar with his earliest films I would highly recommend watching them. They are small, quirky little movies that are very human and moving. Lust, Caution is none of these things which is odd because it should be. Instead it is a rather large, disconnected movie that skips around in time (I think) to try and make a rather bland story more engrossing movie. The acting is superb and although the running time is quite long (two and a half hours I believe) the film has a steady pace that keeps the movie from dragging. Which is to say this movie has a number of things going for it. What the film does not have, as far as I am concerned, is a story worth telling. This is yet another movie where if a person were to sum up the story to you in a sentence or two (I won't, don't worry) I think most people would be thankful for being allowed to keep the remaining two hours and twenty-eight minutes. This is all the more upsetting because the cast is truly fantastic and Tony Leung almost achieves the impossible -- that is he almost makes the central point of the story believable. I would highly recommend finding someone to give you that two sentence plot summary before watching this film, knowing the ending should not ruin the movie for anyone who would still watch it after being informed.
]]>Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:31:17 GMTZularianZularian Blog7/15/2008 9:31:17 PMI'd like to say a few words about Ang Lee's latest film, Lust, Caution. For anyone who has seen Mr. Lee's films that came before The Ice storm this will seem like yet another odd contribution from this talented filmmaker. If you are not familiar with his earliest films I would highly recommend watching them. They are small, quirky little movies that are very human and moving. Lust, Caution is none of these things which is odd because it should be. Instead it is a rather large, disconnected movie that skips around in time (I think) to try and make a rather bland story more engrossing movie. The acting is superb and although the running time is quite long (two and a half hours I believe) the film has a steady pace that keeps the movie from dragging. Which is to say this movie has a number of things going for it. What the film does not have, as far as I am concerned, is a story worth telling. This is yet another movie where if a person were to sum up the story to you in a sentence or two (I won't, don't worry) I think most people would be thankful for being allowed to keep the remaining two hours and twenty-eight minutes. This is all the more upsetting because the cast is truly fantastic and Tony Leung almost achieves the impossible -- that is he almost makes the central point of the story believable. I would highly recommend finding someone to give you that two sentence plot summary before watching this film, knowing the ending should not ruin the movie for anyone who would still watch it after being informed. http://www.spout.com/blogs/jakestevens/archive/2007/11/25/21999.aspx Post By: JakeStevens
Post To: JakeStevens Blog
Post Date: 11/25/2007 1:07:43 PM
Body: ...I love it more and more. I remember seeing this in the theater in Boston in 1997, and it perfectly fit the overall tone of that trek so well. I owned it on VHS, and now I own it on DVD. Every viewing, I feel closer to the characters, my stomach churns every time someone makes a mistake or has an uncomfortable reveal. Great writing, great acting (especially for Ricci and Wood, who need more roles like these), great cinematography and most of all, great direction. A fantastic film.
]]>Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:07:43 GMTJakeStevensJakeStevens Blog11/25/2007 1:07:43 PM...I love it more and more. I remember seeing this in the theater in Boston in 1997, and it perfectly fit the overall tone of that trek so well. I owned it on VHS, and now I own it on DVD. Every viewing, I feel closer to the characters, my stomach churns every time someone makes a mistake or has an uncomfortable reveal. Great writing, great acting (especially for Ricci and Wood, who need more roles like these), great cinematography and most of all, great direction. A fantastic film. http://www.spout.com/blogs/marymcilwain/archive/2007/7/13/13856.aspx Post By: marymcilwain
Post To: Dollar Video Curator
Post Date: 7/13/2007 4:00:23 PM
Body: Are you aware that Allison Janney rules the skool? Possibly not, cause she’s seldom seen. She’s in a couple of upcomings, but has been spending an awful lot of time on TV lately, (Whatever, West Wing) rarely gracing the Curator’s shelves with her co-starring phenomenon, a gushing, bubbly waterfall of reddish hair and sharp knifed laughter. Her parts may be sparse but she packs a punch. We will look at: 10 Things I Hate About You, The Ice Storm, American Beauty 10 Things I Hate About You Our Ms. Janney clocks a total of 4 minutes in this teeny-flick as guidance councilor “Ms. Perky,” but manages to do more in those couple minutes than the rest of the cast does in 97. Combined. Her accomplishments include writing a romance novel on the company dime whilst brushing the kiddies and their nonsense problems aside, and putting dopey little shits Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in their places faster than you can say “I hope I get to play a gay cowboy someday to add some weight to my miserably fluffy resume.” Go Allison, Go! The Ice Storm Allison co-stars awesomely as Dot Halford, otherwise known as “the lady who has the key party.” Her part may be small, but she plays an ever important role: that of the woman who has the party. The party that forces everyone to confront their morality, sexuality, comfort zones, the ever valuable tool of peer pressure, and the limitations of screwing in an early-70’s model family sedan. American Beauty Here Janney darkens up the screen as Barbara Fitts, mother to our diamond-in-the-rough, filmmaker-in-training, non-traditional beauty loving Ricky Fitts, and wife to “shocking” homophobe/homosexual Col. Frank Fitts. She starkly sits in a room devoid of dust and soul, as if pushed to the corner of casting room of life, always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Summary: Short concise post, short concise woman. You are never invisible in our eye. Rock on Ms. Janney. Originally posted on:Dollar Video Curator
]]>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:00:23 GMTmarymcilwainDollar Video Curator7/13/2007 4:00:23 PMAre you aware that Allison Janney rules the skool? Possibly not, cause she’s seldom seen. She’s in a couple of upcomings, but has been spending an awful lot of time on TV lately, (Whatever, West Wing) rarely gracing the Curator’s shelves with her co-starring phenomenon, a gushing, bubbly waterfall of reddish hair and sharp knifed laughter. Her parts may be sparse but she packs a punch. We will look at: 10 Things I Hate About You, The Ice Storm, American Beauty 10 Things I Hate About You Our Ms. Janney clocks a total of 4 minutes in this teeny-flick as guidance councilor “Ms. Perky,” but manages to do more in those couple minutes than the rest of the cast does in 97. Combined. Her accomplishments include writing a romance novel on the company dime whilst brushing the kiddies and their nonsense problems aside, and putting dopey little shits Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in their places faster than you can say “I hope I get to play a gay cowboy someday to add some weight to my miserably fluffy resume.” Go Allison, Go! The Ice Storm Allison co-stars awesomely as Dot Halford, otherwise known as “the lady who has the key party.” Her part may be small, but she plays an ever important role: that of the woman who has the party. The party that forces everyone to confront their morality, sexuality, comfort zones, the ever valuable tool of peer pressure, and the limitations of screwing in an early-70’s model family sedan. American Beauty Here Janney darkens up the screen as Barbara Fitts, mother to our diamond-in-the-rough, filmmaker-in-training, non-traditional beauty loving Ricky Fitts, and wife to “shocking” homophobe/homosexual Col. Frank Fitts. She starkly sits in a room devoid of dust and soul, as if pushed to the corner of casting room of life, always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Summary: Short concise post, short concise woman. You are never invisible in our eye. Rock on Ms. Janney. Originally posted on:Dollar Video Curator http://www.spout.com/blogs/marymcilwain/archive/2007/7/9/13540.aspx Post By: marymcilwain
Post To: Dollar Video Curator
Post Date: 7/9/2007 4:15:12 PM
Body: Are you aware that Allison Janney rules the skool? Possibly not, cause she’s seldom seen. She’s in a couple of upcomings, but has been spending an awful lot of time on TV lately, (Whatever, West Wing) rarely gracing the Curator’s shelves with her co-starring phenomenon, a gushing, bubbly waterfall of reddish hair and sharp knifed laughter. Her parts may be sparse but she packs a punch. We will look at: 10 Things I Hate About You, The Ice Storm, American Beauty 10 Things I Hate About You Our Ms. Janney clocks a total of 4 minutes in this teeny-flick as guidance councilor “Ms. Perky,” but manages to do more in those couple minutes than the rest of the cast does in 97. Combined. Her accomplishments include writing a romance novel on the company dime whilst brushing the kiddies and their nonsense problems aside, and putting dopey little shits Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in their places faster than you can say “I hope I get to play a gay cowboy someday to add some weight to my miserably fluffy resume.” Go Allison, Go! The Ice Storm Allison co-stars awesomely as Dot Halford, otherwise known as “the lady who has the key party.” Her part may be small, but she plays an ever important role: that of the woman who has the party. The party that forces everyone to confront their morality, sexuality, comfort zones, the ever valuable tool of peer pressure, and the limitations of screwing in an early-70’s model family sedan. American Beauty Here Janney darkens up the screen as Barbara Fitts, mother to our diamond-in-the-rough, filmmaker-in-training, non-traditional beauty loving Ricky Fitts, and wife to “shocking” homophobe/homosexual Col. Frank Fitts. She starkly sits in a room devoid of dust and soul, as if pushed to the corner of casting room of life, always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Summary: Short concise post, short concise woman. You are never invisible in our eye. Rock on Ms. Janney. Originally posted on:Dollar Video Curator
]]>Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:15:12 GMTmarymcilwainDollar Video Curator7/9/2007 4:15:12 PMAre you aware that Allison Janney rules the skool? Possibly not, cause she’s seldom seen. She’s in a couple of upcomings, but has been spending an awful lot of time on TV lately, (Whatever, West Wing) rarely gracing the Curator’s shelves with her co-starring phenomenon, a gushing, bubbly waterfall of reddish hair and sharp knifed laughter. Her parts may be sparse but she packs a punch. We will look at: 10 Things I Hate About You, The Ice Storm, American Beauty 10 Things I Hate About You Our Ms. Janney clocks a total of 4 minutes in this teeny-flick as guidance councilor “Ms. Perky,” but manages to do more in those couple minutes than the rest of the cast does in 97. Combined. Her accomplishments include writing a romance novel on the company dime whilst brushing the kiddies and their nonsense problems aside, and putting dopey little shits Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in their places faster than you can say “I hope I get to play a gay cowboy someday to add some weight to my miserably fluffy resume.” Go Allison, Go! The Ice Storm Allison co-stars awesomely as Dot Halford, otherwise known as “the lady who has the key party.” Her part may be small, but she plays an ever important role: that of the woman who has the party. The party that forces everyone to confront their morality, sexuality, comfort zones, the ever valuable tool of peer pressure, and the limitations of screwing in an early-70’s model family sedan. American Beauty Here Janney darkens up the screen as Barbara Fitts, mother to our diamond-in-the-rough, filmmaker-in-training, non-traditional beauty loving Ricky Fitts, and wife to “shocking” homophobe/homosexual Col. Frank Fitts. She starkly sits in a room devoid of dust and soul, as if pushed to the corner of casting room of life, always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Summary: Short concise post, short concise woman. You are never invisible in our eye. Rock on Ms. Janney. Originally posted on:Dollar Video Curator http://www.spout.com/blogs/jezcab/archive/2007/4/16/7148.aspx Post By: Jezcab
Post To: Jezcab Blog
Post Date: 4/16/2007 3:08:46 PM
Body: This is by far one of the most painful American films I have ever seen. It's very well done... keeps you hopeful for the characters. Ang Lee knows how to make really engage the audience!
]]>Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:08:46 GMTJezcabJezcab Blog4/16/2007 3:08:46 PMThis is by far one of the most painful American films I have ever seen. It&#39;s very well done... keeps you hopeful for the characters. Ang Lee knows how to make really engage the audience! http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/family/MemberTagFilms.aspxfamily
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