Rescue Dawn's Recent Activity - Spout

Film:Rescue Dawn

Tue, 12 May 2009 03:54:47 GMT

Title: Rescue Dawn
Year: 2007
Director: Werner Herzog
Plot: Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog returns to direct his first feature since 2001's Invincible with this dramatic action film inspired by his own 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly and detailing the escape efforts of a German-American pilot who was taken as a prisoner-of-war after being shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War. When U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) escaped death after being shot down over one of the most intense front lines in the Vietnam War, his troubles were only beginning. Subsequently taken captive by the enemy and forced to endure a harrowing stint in a Vietnamese prison camp, Dengler and his fellow captives stag a death-defying escape that would later inspire one of German's most accomplished directors to capture the remarkable tale on camera. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

An Interview with Harry Knapp about Rescue Dawn
Paul interviews Harry Knapp (producer, Rescue Dawn) on The Red Carpet at Starz Denver Film Festival.
(11/19/2006 Starz Denver film Festival)

An Interview with Jeremy Davies about Rescue Dawn
Paul interviews Jeremy Davies on The Red Carpet at Starz Denver Film Festival before screening Rescue Dawn.
(11/19/2006 Starz Denver Film Festival)

Times Tagged: 20
Number of Lists: 22
Number of blog posts: 18
Number of discussion threads: 9
SpoutRating: 4

Spout Post: 10 Documentaries Hollywood Should Adapt Into Dramatic Features

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:00:46 GMT

Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/30/2009 1:00:46 PM
Body: It was shut out of the Oscar race for Best Documentary Feature, but Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh, now playing in New York City, could easily inspire a Hollywood film about the life of its heroic subject. And that dramatic version could potentially garner multiple Academy Award nominations. It wouldn’t be the first time a figure documented in a nonfiction film was later portrayed in an Oscar-nominated movie. In fact, one of this year’s Best Picture contenders, Milk, is almost like a remake of the 1984 Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk. Actual dramatic remakes of documentaries include Werner Herzogs’ Rescue Dawn, which revisits the subject of his earlier nonfiction film Little Dieter Needs to Fly, Michael Caton-Jones’ Memphis Belle, which fictionalizes the story of William Wyler’s doc The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress, and Martin Bell’s American Heart, which is loosely based on one of the subjects of his Oscar-nominated doc Streetwise. Also, the upcoming HBO dramatic film Grey Gardens was inspired by the Maysles brothers’ doc of the same name, and Hollywood has toyed with or announced remakes of the films The King of Kong, Murderball, Bra Boys and Sherman’s March. To carry on the tradition, we’ve selected nine nonfiction films in addition to Blessed is the Match that would make great dramatic features. Beyond the Call (2006) This little-seen documentary has played at a number of film festivals (I reviewed it at Tribeca) and seems to have been quite popular at each, yet it isn’t likely that it’ll ever come to a theater near you. It may never even be available for your Netflix queue. But you’ve just got to see the work of the three old men who call themselves Knightsbridge, even if it has to be in a fictionalized form. So pray that someone in Hollywood grabs onto their story, which is filled with dangerous humanitarian aid missions and lots of humor. According to the doc’s official synopsis, the film is “an Indiana Jones meets Mother Theresa adventure,” and that’s just the kind of tagline that would suit a summer blockbuster based on this true story. Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh (2008) One of the few Holocaust-related docs to not garner an Academy Award nomination, Roberta Grossman’s film is about Hannah Senesh, a Jewish poet who became part of a dangerous rescue mission to save Hungarian Jews and was eventually caught, tortured and executed by the Nazis. A dramatic film, which would be far more Hollywoodized than the doc’s re-enactment scenes, might be like a cross between Oscar-nominated films Defiance and Sophie Scholl – The Final Days. Brother’s Keeper (1992) Fratricide has made for great stories, from The Bible onward, but mainstream audiences may not run out to see a movie based on Brother’s Keeper, even if it does hold onto the Biblically influenced title. However, while homosexual incest and illiterate old country folk are difficult subjects to sell to moviegoers, murder mysteries will always fascinate people, and anyway the story of the Ward brothers could be more like a male Grey Gardens meets Capote than a dark, depressing drama that would only appeal to Sundance crowds. Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker (1992) Now that the life of Harvey Milk has been turned into an Oscar-nominated dramatic feature, Hollywood should take on a biopic about Dr. Evelyn Hooker, whose life and work are depicted in this Oscar-nominated documentary from Richard Schmiechen (who also won an Oscar for producing The Times of Harvey Milk). Hooker’s research in the 1950s led to the discovery that homosexuality is not a disease. And subsequent study and activism resulted in the eventual removal, in 1974, of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental disorders. A remake of Changing Our Minds would be like a cross between Milk and Kinsey. (note: the video above is not from Changing Our Minds, but is the best available alternative I have to present a clip of Hooker). Crazy Love (2007) In the typical Hollywood romance, female audiences see the same old reinforced fantasy about finding a man: while most guys lie, cheat, etc., there are Prince Charmings out there. Well, a dramatized version of Crazy Love might be the perfect romantic comedy for men to drag their girlfriends to. No, not to show them that they’d better not leave or they’ll get acid in the face. Rather, to say, “Look, no matter what I do, at least I’m not the kinda guy who blinds and disfigures the love of his life.” (Or, in other words, a lie to your face is not as bad as lye in your face.) Besides the appeal to boys who will be boys, however, a romantic comedy in which the couple meet, fall in love, are separated when the guy goes to prison for having the girl crippled, are reunited many years later, and eventually marry, is just crazy enough to hit a chord with moviegoers tired of the usual Renee Zellweger/Reese Witherspoon/Drew Barrymore crap. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) In her review of this documentary, Karina writes that it “sets up a foundation which it knows it’s going to pull out from under us, and that makes it every bit as emotionally manipulative as a studio film.” Perfect, the film already offers Hollywood a structure for the dramatic version. Other than that, though, the remake would potentially focus on Shirley Turner, who murdered her boyfriend and then gave birth to his child, rather than on the character of Kurt Kuenne, who documents the story in the original. Then again, it could stick with Kuenne, and, though not be as personal as the nonfiction film, might be along the lines of an investigative drama, such as Zodiac. Either way, due to his name appearing in Karina’s review, M. Night Shyamalan has to direct it. Deliver Us from Evil (2006) With Doubt a big success as far as Oscar nominations go (if not as far as box office is concerned), it might be an okay time for Hollywood to make a film that’s more directly focused on the subject of pedophilic priests. It could hardly make less money than Doubt, and if a great actor were to portray Father O’Grady, it could be as popular with the Academy, which already nominated the original film for Best Documentary Feature. Golden Venture (2006) Another little-seen documentary that played Tribeca a few years ago (I reviewed the film then), Golden Venture depicts a failed attempt at an illegal alien smuggling operation and its aftermath. In its first ten minutes, the film offers enough action involving a sea voyage from China to New York City, during which there was mutiny, gang violence and ultimately a Coast Guard rescue, that a dramatic version might not even have time to get to the aftermath part. But as much as turning the doc into an action movie could work, the more interesting stuff relating to immigration and population control should be integrated, too. Like the original film, the dramatized version could separately follow the paths of four characters, each of whom has a different outcome. Tim Robbins, who narrated the doc, could direct it. Street Fight (2005) Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s name has been tossed about on news channels over the past few months due to his similarities with newly elected President Barack Obama. So, considering entertainment magazines predict the new administration will have an effect on pop culture, why not honor that idea by making a dramatic film about Booker’s battle with incumbent Sharpe James for City Hall. It would be a little like Milk, only without the gay rights angle or the tragic ending. And to make it more crowd-pleasing than Marshall Curry’s doc, the new movie wouldn’t end with Booker’s loss in 2002 but would see him all the way to the Mayor’s office in 2006. Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004) Hollywood has never tired of boxing movies and it always loves a good civil rights struggle, so it’s amazing that no studio has tackled an official biopic about Jack Johnson, the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World. Sure, there’s The Great White Hope, which is somewhat based on Johnson’s life. And sure, if people want the truth they can check out this doc from Ken Burns (or, if it’s ever released on video, the earlier Oscar-nominated film Jack Johnson). But again, Hollywood never tires of boxing movies, and it always loves a good civil rights struggle, so perhaps it’s just a matter of time before we see this story dramatized for real. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog

Spout Post: Re:Collaboration - Best Films of 2007

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:09:19 GMT

Post By: Risselada
Post To: Community Recommendations
Post Date: 12/11/2008 12:09:19 PM
Body: So here are my favorites, with my most favorites at the top: No Country for Old Men The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters For the Bible Tells Me So - pretty great documentary. Surprised I've never heard anyone mention it on any of the discussions here. Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters - almost as long of a title as The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Grindhouse Paris, je t'aime - this one made the film festival rounds in 2006 but didn't really get a wider theatrical release in the US until 2007 Rescue Dawn - same case as Paris, je t'aime Fay Grim - also the same case Honerable mention - Election Day - a lot of you probably haven't seen this but my girlfriend knows one of the producers and I saw a screening of it at the Gene Siskel center. Worth checking out. BTW, I have yet to see There Will Be Blood, but I can't doubt it will make my list.

Spout Post: Re:Share your reviews -- New movies in theaters & on DVD (Week of 11/28)

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:19:57 GMT

Post By: SkyPilot
Post To: Coming Soon
Post Date: 11/24/2008 2:19:57 PM
Body: If your familiy is like mine, you guys always watch a movie after Thanksgiving dinner. When I was younger, my uncle usually picked the movies. He had questionable judgment...* As I got older, they started letting me pick the movies, and I took this responsibility very seriously. Here's how some of the movies went over with my family. I'd love to hear about your family movie experiences. Top 5 Movies Good for the Whole Family on Thanksgiving 1. Stardust (2007) -- Watch the trailer. I love this movie, and so did the rest of the family. It's very much in the tradition of The Princess Bride, though I like Stardust more. 2. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) -- Watch the trailer. Even the people who don't normally like fantasy were able to get into the story. 3. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) -- Watch the trailer. Goofy and incredibly smart at the same time, this has always been my favorite Will Ferrell movie. This one's only safe if people don't mind the "hard" PG-13 rating. 4. Thank You for Smoking (2005) -- Watch the trailer. A good mix of important message and just plain fun. If there are young viewers around, just remember there's a semi-graphic sex scene between Aaron Eckhart and Katie Holmes. They're both fully clothed, but somehow it's still embarrassing to watch with young cousins in the room. 5. Best In Show (2000) -- Watch the trailer. Maybe this one only worked so well because there are so many animal lovers in our family, but I've always thought this is the most accessible Christopher Guest movie. Note: my relative who breeds show animals did not like it. The 3 Biggest Mistakes I Made When Selecting Movies 1. Death Race 2000 (1975) -- Watch the trailer. Why did I do it? My family likes comedies, so I thought I'd introduce them to camp. My family started a mutiny at about the ten minute mark. 2. Rescue Dawn (2006) -- Watch the trailer. We actually didn't even watch this one because my sister had the sense to talk me out of it. I thought everyone would find it hopeful, but now I don't know what I was thinking. 3. About Schmidt (2002) -- Watch the trailer. For the love of God, don't show this one to your family, especially if the film reminds you of your family! *My uncle's picks. The only time I saw Highlander was on Thanksgiving, when I was far too young for it. And I was the oldest child in the room! Another year I remember we watched The Rock with Nic Cage and Sean Connery ("Lomax, you bastard!") Sure we had fun, but in retrospect, I wonder what the adults were thinking?

Spout Post: Unbreakable spirit

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:56:47 GMT

Post By: lmstanley
Post To: lmstanley Blog
Post Date: 7/21/2008 1:56:47 PM
Body: I've been thinking about this film for days now. It takes you through the journey of a U.S. fighter pilot, Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) trying to escape a Vietnam POW camp. The most moving part of this film for me is watching Dieter's amazing resolve to survive against all odds. His positive outlook and ingenuity truly enabled him to plot against his captures. This being based on a true story makes me process this film differently, and ask myself if I could survive in that situation. I’ve struggled with thinking that I’m not sure how I’d handle a similar situation, and I pray that I’ll never have to. It’s a truly great film highlighting the mysterious depths of the human spirit when faced with great challenges. Now I want to watch the documentary on Dieter, “Little Dieter Needs to Fly”, to pay homage to this inspiring man.

Spout Post: July 16th - Rescue Dawn

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:15:23 GMT

Post By: csprague
Post To: Movie Watchin Wednesday
Post Date: 7/17/2008 10:15:23 AM
Body: Directed by Werner Herzog. Starring Christian Bale, Galen Yuen, Jeremy Davies, Steve Zahn, Abhijati Jusakul. Watch trailer Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog returns to direct his first feature since 2001's Invincible with this dramatic action film inspired by his own 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly and detailing the escape efforts of a German-American pilot who was taken as a prisoner-of-war after being shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War. When U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) escaped death after being shot down over one of the most intense front lines in the Vietnam War, his troubles were only beginning. Subsequently taken captive by the enemy and forced to endure a harrowing stint in a Vietnamese prison camp, Dengler and his fellow captives stag a death-defying escape that would later inspire one of German's most accomplished directors to capture the remarkable tale on camera. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie GuideAn Interview with Harry Knapp about Rescue DawnPaul interviews Harry Knapp (producer, Rescue Dawn) on The Red Carpet at Starz Denver Film Festival.(11/19/2006 Starz Denver film Festival) An Interview with Jeremy Davies about Rescue DawnPaul interviews Jeremy Davies on The Red Carpet at Starz Denver Film Festival before screening Rescue Dawn.(11/19/2006 Starz Denver Film Festival)

Spout Post: Enter Indiana Jones to Rescue Shapeshifter from Flower of My Secret

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:11:11 GMT

Post By: dibot
Post To: dibot Blog
Post Date: 7/3/2008 7:11:11 PM
Body: Shapeshifter has a group of people trapped in a jail with a man who can turn from human to beast at will. Poor acting, terrible dialogue, dumb editing, sub-par effects. Avoid.Rescue Dawn pairs Christian Bale ("The Dark Knight") with Steve Zahn ("Strange Wilderness"). It was like a little party just for me. Writer/director Werner Herzog ("Encounters at the End of the World") helms a narrative film based on his own documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly, the story of a guy who wants to fly so badly, he joins the Air Force only to be shot down over Laos and taken prisoner, during his first mission. In the camp, he meets several men who have been there for years, and he tries to organize them in an escape. The really cool thing about this film is that Bale plays upbeat and quirky, and Zahn plays serious. Plus the compelling story and horrors of POW life. The lush jungle shots. A little cheesy at the end, but, all in all, very good.Written and directed by Pedro Almodovar ("Volver"), The Flower of My Secret, follows the emotional life of a writer, Marisa Paredes ("Ana's Way"), as she deals wit her crumbling marriage, a new love interest and an aging mother. The colors and music are gorgeous. I felt Paredes' pain, even when I didn't care for her that much. It's beautiful, humorous and mesmerizing.I don't have much experience in the martial arts genre, but Enter the Dragon seems to have influenced everything I have seen. Bruce Lee ("Game of Death") stars as an undercover agent infiltrating a martial arts contest on a private island owned by a crime lord. It's dubbed, so sometimes the voices are ridiculous. But the fighting is awesome. The story is a bit cheesy, and there are definite James Bond moments, but I see why this is considered a classic. And why Lee is revered.I've heard alot of people say that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is ruining their childhood. I am not in that camp. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent watching Harrison Ford ("Firewall") chase the bad guys, be reunited with Karen Allen ("When Will I Be Loved") and discover he has a son (Shia LaBeouf, "Transformers"). The effects were mostly good, and though there were some cheese moments, a good time was had by both me and my mom.

Spout Post: 10 Most Critically Acclaimed Action Movies of the Past 10 Years

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:00:43 GMT

Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 6/26/2008 5:00:43 PM
Body: Over the weekend, Wanted had a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.com. It’s since gone down to 81% (at the time of this writing — and with top critics it’s down to 67%), though that’s still pretty good for a movie that initially looked like just another Matrix knockoff. But will the good reviews make for great box office? Last night, while viewing the latest trailer in a theater with some friends, I mentioned that Wanted was receiving great reviews. Nobody believed me at first, and then they didn’t care; they still thought it looked terrible. Good reviews rarely help an action movie, and bad reviews rarely deter audiences from seeing them. However, if we look at the top 5 most critically acclaimed action movies, it’s clear that people do often prefer a good action film to a bad one. The next 5, on the other hand… The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 94% (top critics: 98%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #9 ($377 million) Sample Critic Quote: “The film event of the millennium.” (Richard Corliss, Time) My Analysis: In terms of both reviews and gross, it is possible that, yes, this final LOTR film was the film event of the millennium only three years in. It even won the Oscar for Best Picture, as well as ten other Academy Awards. However, we do have a few hundred years left, and Corliss’ assessment is likely to be challenged one of these centuries. Casino Royale (2006) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 94% (top critics: 95%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #133 ($167.5 million) Sample Critic Quote: “This is the best James Bond film in at least 17 years, and Daniel Craig might be the best 007 … ever.” (Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com) My Analysis: Most critics and audiences agreed that this was one of the best 007 films ever and that Craig was at least the best Bond since Connery. Still, it only grossed a mere $7 million more than Die Another Day, which was certified rotten by RT. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 93% (top critics: 97%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #62 ($227.5 million) Sample Critic Quote: “It is probably the best action films to date that doesn’t involved so much special effects.” (Wilson Morales, BlackFilm.com) My Analysis: I agree that it’s the best of the series and one of the best action movies in years, maybe even best to date not involving special effects, as Morales says. But really the only reason that Ultimatum is higher up on the b.o. charts than The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy is because people took awhile to get into the series, with many of Ultimatum’s audience having seen the previous two for the first time on DVD. Still, along with both Return of the King and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, it’s one of the rare threequels that earned the highest gross of its series. Considering Return, that says one thing, while considering Indy, that says something else. Spider-Man 2 (2004) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 93% (top critics: 95%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #10 ($373.6 million) Sample Critic Quote: “[It's sure to] join the upper echelons of action movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, and Die Hard.” (Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer) My Analysis: If this sequel were switched in ranking with its predecessor (see below), it might say something more about reviews equaling revenue, but otherwise between the two installments, there is evidence that good superhero movies will perform better than bad ones. Just don’t pay any attention to Spider-Man 3, which is also pretty close on the b.o. charts, but which is pretty far below in RT ranking (62%, whole; 44%, top critics). Iron Man (2008) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 93% (top critics: 92%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #26 ($305.9 million and counting) Sample Critic Quote: “It’s the best movie of its kind since the second Spider-Man movie four years ago.” (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) My Analysis: Fitting to LaSalle’s quote that Iron Man is just behind Spider-Man 2, and with only another $70 million to go in order to be just behind it on the b.o. chart. Unfortunately, as far as ticket sales show, it’s really only the best movie of its kind since the third Spider-Man movie one year ago. Spy Kids (2001) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 92% (top critics: 96%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #309 ($112.7 million) Sample Critic Quote: “To sum up, if you want your children to someday appreciate the true art of cinema, Spy Kids is a terrific movie to start with.” (Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News) My Analysis: If by “true art of cinema” Strauss means the kind of action movies that receive good reviews, then he’s right. Film critics love the well-directed spy movies (see #2 and #3). As for kids, they don’t care about reviews, which explains why Alvin and the Chipmunks made almost double what Spy Kids grossed. Out of Sight (1998) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 92% (top critics: 90%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #1,395 ($37.6 million) Sample Critic Quote: “In a summer filled with mega-hyped disappointments, Out of Sight proves the undeniable value of story, characterization, and — most of all — intelligence.” (Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat) My Analysis: The mega-hyped disappointments of that summer include Godzilla, which made about $100 million more than this film. Of course, Out of Sight isn’t really an action-packed action movie, and it only starred George Clooney, who despite being a huge movie star has never really been that big a box office draw. Meanwhile, 1998’s biggest box office winner, the more-action-packed Saving Private Ryan (which RT apparently doesn’t consider to be an action movie), was also one of the five best-reviewed films of the year. Hot Fuzz (2007) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 90% (top critics: 92%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #2,029 ($23.6 million) Sample Critic Quote: “Hot Fuzz is everything an action-comedy should be. It achieves through parody what most films in the genre can’t accomplish straight.” (Nathan Rabin, The Onion A.V. Club) My Analysis: The best action buddy comedy in ten years, yet it’s gross is hardly comparable to the box office success of the Rush Hour movies, Bad Boys II, Lethal Weapon 4 and … Starsky & Hutch? Even Jimmy Fallon’s Taxi performed better domestically. Rescue Dawn (2006) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 90% (top critics: 88%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #3,970 ($5.5 million) Sample Critic Quote: “A potentially commercial audience-pleaser that retains all of the characteristic Herzog complexity and nuance, Rescue Dawn is an electrifying action adventure that clamps your nerves with jaws of steel.” (Rex Reed, New York Observer) My Analysis: Too bad more moviegoers don’t read Rex Reed, because that’s a mighty good sell. Unfortunately, Rescue Dawn suffered a double blow because of who directed it. Critics certainly overpraised it, just because it’s an Herzog film; audiences likely avoided it because of the same reason (not by name, but had it opened bigger right away, audiences wouldn’t have even noticed the art house connection and might have gone to see the new action movie starring “Batman”). Spider-Man (2002) Rotten Tomatoes’ “T-Meter” score: 90% (top critics: 85%) All Time Domestic Box Office Rank: #7 ($403.7 million) Sample Critic Quote: “Let the gauntlet be thrown: Spider-Man may be the best comic adaptation of all time.” (Todd Gilchrest, FilmStew.com) My Analysis: In terms of box office receipts, it is indeed the best comic adaptation of all time. But as we see by two titles above, it’s since been beat in terms of critical acclaim, just in this decade alone (and from earlier, at least Superman: The Movie has a better RT score). Still, it would almost be evidence that critics and box office can sometimes go hand in hand if it weren’t for that certified rotten movie that ranks just above it on the box office chart: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog

Spout Post: Rescue Dawn (2007, USA, Werner Herzog) ***

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:43:47 GMT

Post By: CinemaRian
Post To: CinemaRian Blog
Post Date: 5/12/2008 11:43:47 AM
Body: Note: For a plot synopsis, see my review of Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Werner Herzog is an obsessed man. We all know that. What is strange is that he seems to be obsessed with the story of Dieter Dengler, the subject of Rescue Dawn, who as Herzog protagonist goal, is among the most normal. His goal is pretty reasonable- to escape from the Vietnamese prison camp he's being held in. That's fairly reasonable in my book, and the fictionalized Dengler of Rescue Dawn seems even more normal than the real subject that we meant in Herzog's documentary Little Dieter Needs To Fly. Dengler has made such an impression on Herzog that he's become one of the very few major director to remake his own film. When this happens, the inentivable question is "Which one is better?" Although both are three star movies, I think that Rescue Dawn slightly edges out the documentary because it's more immediate. Instead of the real Dengler tellings us what the experience was like, Herzog can show us, and I know from seeing the document that the new movie is mostly accurate. Although we have seen a lot of the movie before in other Vietnam and POW movies, there are some scenes that are really disturbing. For me it was the absolutely inhuman way the prisoners are handcuffed together at night. The claustrophobia is overwhelming. There is also the scene where the soldiers are served larve for dinner, simply because there is no other food. Does this scene go for a cheap shot? No, I don't think so. It's disgusting, all right, but then again, living in that camp must have been disgusting. Long time Herzog viewers may be surprised at the movie's pace- aside from a brief prologue, there is little of the long, contemplative shots of nature the director is famous for. Although there is some fine location photography in Thailand, the movie is not so much of a mood piece as opposed to an actual, semi-commercial war movie. That's not bad, exactly, but the film's main drawback is that it is not as much of a character study as it needs to be. It is moving to watch the prisoners bond during their hellish torture, but it would have been even more moving if what could understand what they were thinking about, or their psychological motivation. We focus more on what happens as opposed who it happens to. The acting is not a problem. Although Christian Bale doesn't look much like Dengler, he obviously studied videos of the real subject and has captured his mannerisms and speech patterns- it's an impressive performance that few who haven't seen the documentary will probably appreciate. Steve Zahn is so good in his showy role as Dengler's best friend that he might get an Oscar nomination out of it. So this, like its predecessor, is a good movie about an interesting subject, but I can't help but have the feeling that there was a great movie that should have been made from this material. A story of survival is impressive, yes, but I still want to know- how did Dieter adapt when he got out of the jungle? Rescue Dawn (2006)

Spout Post: Best Films of 2007: Honorable Mention

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:19:26 GMT

Post By: Tenenbaums
Post To: Tenenbaums Blog
Post Date: 1/2/2008 1:19:26 PM
Body: Rescue DawnWerner Herzog’s film of Dieter Dengler’s true survival and escape from a Vietnam P.O.W. camp is a tale of two tales. Early scenes of peacetime military life feel staged and out of place, but once Dengler’s plane crashes, the story takes off in a major way. Christian Bale delivers another solid performance as Dengler, harrowingly depicting the daily torture of captivity, but the real surprise is Steve Zahn as fellow prisoner Duane. Zahn, finally in a non-goofy role, steals every scene that he’s in. His comedically googly eyes are ever present, though here they mirror a frantic need to survive in horrific circumstances. I may never be able to look at him the same again. Despite Duane’s authenticity, Herzog asks the audience to stretch themselves in believing Dengler’s characterization. Dengler is apparently so determined in his ways that he will yell at his captors immediately after being tortured as if he expects no consequences for his actions. If such action accomplishes anything, it’s only internal for Dengler. In interviews, Herzog has said that Dengler was a unique person and that Bale’s portrayal is entirely accurate. Without an explanation for his motivation and attitude other than “that’s just how Dieter was,” it’s hard to accept many of Dengler’s actions. Regardless of this shortcoming, the 4/5 of the film set in the jungle are some of the most powerful images of the year.Eastern PromisesDavid Cronenberg’s latest thoroughly dark film builds on the intensity of his A History of Violence, though topping that film is going to take an extraordinary effort. Once again, Viggo Mortensen lends a strong performance as a Russian bodyguard keeping a powerful syndicate family together despite the reckless decisions of its spoiled son (Vincent Cassel) and corrupted leadership of its father (Armin Mueller-Stahl). The male triumvirate’s exceptional strength makes Naomi Watts’ phoned-in performance as the female catalyst all the more surprising, though her character’s general mundaneness rests more on the screenwriter than her. Promises also contains the most exhilarating sequence of the year in which Mortensen engages in a steam room brawl with a pair of knife-armed rival mobsters...while in the buff. Mortensen’s vulnerability couldn’t be captured in a better way and the technical fluidity of the scene is utterly mesmerizing. Though leading the league in throat slashings and eye stabbings, the cruelty throughout is thankfully redeemed by the end, a resolution that offers more hope than similar downers such as Seven. The surprise isn’t that the film is good. It’s that hardly anyone is talking about how good it is.American GangsterA battle of the titans that was billed for longer than any Don King promoted heavyweight fight ends up being singular showcases instead of the hopeful unified collaboration. Ridley Scott’s most focused film since Gladiator benefits from his commitment to an authentic 1970s setting just as much as its monster performances by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. What saves the film from being simply another Scarface is that once the inevitable drug lord (Washington)’s fall comes, it’s easier and more fascinating to deal with since the cop bringing him down (Crowe) is so appealing. Gangster hasn’t broken any social or cinematic barriers (Washington’s other film this year, The Great Debaters, does a better job of the social aspect), but following the pattern of Heat instead of The Mexican, it proves that the best way to use two superstars is to primarily keep them apart.Other notable enjoyable films: Ocean’s Thirteen; Shrek 3; Live Free or Die Hard; Sicko; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; A Mighty Heart; Hot Fuzz; Waitress; Stardust; The Simpsons Movie; The Golden Compass; Enchanted; The Great Debaters; and Knocked Up.

Spout Post: Telluride 2007: Werner Herzog

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:16:00 GMT

Post By: paul
Post To: paul on spout.com
Post Date: 12/21/2007 4:16:00 PM
Body: I got five minutes to talk to Werner Herzog (it felt like an hour at the time). He’s here with his new documentary on Antarctica, Encounters at the End of the World. But when you get five minutes with a living legend, you don’t want to spend it on a movie synopsis you can read online. So, we talk about life, risk and how his mom quit smoking. Note: I reference Dieter Dengler of Herzog’s Rescue Dawn and Little Dieter Needs to Fly as well as a panel discussion he was on regarding Sean Penn’s Into the Wild. Werner Herzog interview John Krakauer, Sean Penn, Werner Herzog and moderator on a TFF 2007 panel discussion?? Werner Herzog, Encounters at the End of the World Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Paul

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