fitzcarraldo Blog

Great President...interesting viewpoint

fitzcarraldo — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:25:35 GMT

I appreciated the glimpses behind the scenes of this enigmatic yet unassuming leader. I had no idea he had studied nuclear physics... I was struck by the power in his humility. The anecdotes regarding Sadat and Begin at Camp David were eye-opening.

(Also, cool title treatments for you typography geeks out there...)

The place between life and death...

fitzcarraldo — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:09:06 GMT

If you liked reading like Krakauer's Into Thin Air or Into the Wild, you'll be engaged by this re-enactment of a true mountaineerig survival story. Makes you wonder, what song would go through your deteriorating psyche at the point of near death?

Save your time...

fitzcarraldo — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:54:45 GMT

All the emotional and plot depth of an afterschool special, wrapped up in a tidy bow at the end. So what's up with the music video-like soundtrack throughout the film? Bright-shiny-object diversion for the lack of character development? The only redeeming aspect of the film is a funny performance by Thomas Haden Church.

Well-made documentary

fitzcarraldo — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:01:07 GMT

A compelling life. And I wouldn't want to shortchange the film as a simple narrative of a manic-depressive musical genius.

One comment that struck me most from the film was how Townes said he knew he pretty much had to "blow it all off"...family, friends, even life itself to be absolutely great in music. It does seem that ultimately for Van Zandt the music really was all it was about.

I'm not a huge fan of the music, but his passion for it was inspiring. My only difficulty with the film was that it was hard to sync with the hero worship that seems to pervade the film, but then again, this film is for and by those who loved the man.

It was especially touching to see the impact he had on his children, who despite his shortcomings seemed to want to do right by those he loved.

Definitely a great film for the fans, and the narrative style kept me intrigued despite my complete ignorance of his body of work.

Riveting, arresting...

fitzcarraldo — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:33:10 GMT

This film was like a book you just can't put down. What makes Dieter Dengler's story so intensely compelling is because it delivers a message that the human experience lived by an individual (and ultimately, those around us...including maybe people you would never suspect) can be unbelievable. Dream-like. Nightmarish. But yet unflinchingly real.

And told from the voice of the person who experienced both the absolute horrors and unspeakable elation of life up until and possibly crossing into death makes it an important film to see

In a way, Herzog is like some sort of prophet of the human condition, bringing into view life seen from impossible angles -- alien territory and indescribable depths of experience -- depicting human existence in a way many of us can and may never fathom.

It's a great film

Suprisingly Western

fitzcarraldo — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:25:04 GMT

So I decided to watch some of Kurosawa's older films, starting with Throne of Blood and this film, Ikiru (To Live).

Initially, I was struck by the western feel of this film, i.e. the use of the narrarative voice at points in the film and the style of the storytelling reminded me of It's a Wonderful Life. Indeed, the film is about an old man coming to grips with a short time to live due to stomach cancer and the change that can ensue with that information. Other notable Western influences were the "underground" Japan after-dark scenes, some of the music choices at times are decidedly non-Japanese.

The last 45 minutes or so were a bit slow for me, but the use of flashbacks to help finish the story through the eyes of men who knew the protagonist was interesting...maybe influenced by Citizen Kane?

For those interested in a contrast between the No-theatre influenced samurai films of Kurosawa, this is worth a watch.

Tragic Fairytale

fitzcarraldo — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 04:08:00 GMT

Pan's Labyrinth is an amazing film... a fairytale definitely not for kids (it's bloody, has scenes of torture, frightening monsters, etc.) but with a strongly emotional story. Haunting is a good word for this film. Complete with a young protagonist, wicked stepfather, war-torn backdrop, freedom fighters, fauns, and fairies. I found the story effectively interweaving between a mystical Underground Realm and an unsettling real-world -- it's hard to tell which is scarier -- and intriguing to think how they co-exist so naturally in the minds of the innocent. Also, the Spanish dialogue (with English subtitles) enhanced the sense of another place and time through the film. In the end, a deeply moving experience despite it's gory character.

10 minutes is enough...

fitzcarraldo — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 04:24:00 GMT

After failing to see the humor in jokes about incest, anti-semitism, mental retardation, bare-assed thongs, annoying people on the street and a chicken on the subway, I thought...could the next 72 minutes be worth it? I thought maybe because I saw this post-hype and had already seen/heard Cohen's story in the media I was jaded and couldn't enjoy the film. But I rented it anyway, in hopes that all the rave reviews would hold true despite waiting so long to see it. What a waste of time...it reminded me of silly bathroom humor for high school kids. Am I the only one that feels this way? I wasn't at all entertained...

Genius Madmen: Herzog and Kinski

fitzcarraldo — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 04:03:17 GMT

The eccentricities of both Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski are depicted honestly in this documentary by Herzog. Kinski appears to have been truly off the scale in terms of mood swings and unusual and alarming behavior -- the evidence is here in the film. However, you can also experience the true genius of his art ... Case in point: A remarkable quote from Kinski to Herzog -- there is no worthwhile landscape on earth except the human face. Both egomaniacal but superiorly professional about the craft of acting...Kinksi's presence in film is arguably one of the most intriguing. The comparison between th bell-ringing scene in Herzog's epic Fitzcarraldo says it all. Herzog presents the same scene acted by Jason Robards/Mick Jagger against Kinski's portrayal, which reaches an entirely different level of intensity and emotion. Kinski was truly born to play Fitzcarraldo. The other interesting thing about the film is how Werner Herzog can so honestly point the camera at himself, and reveal his own idiosyncratic behavior (perhaps unintentionally). A very interesting film for those interested in these two enigmatic filmmakers.

Living a Grounded Life

fitzcarraldo — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:23:00 GMT

I've been a long-time admirer of Andy Goldworthy's natural works art and this was a real treat to see the artisan at work. From a pragmatic standpoint, I've always wondered about "the how" in many of his works. This film provides that plus so much more of "the why" of his artwork. It's great to hear in his own words what he is attempting to accomplish through his work. It's also a treat to see the artist at home with his family, and someone who truly loves (or is inexplicably compelled to do) what they do.

The imagery in this film is beautiful and an amazing musical score underscores as well as amplifies the beauty of the visuals. It is an art film, and as in the Art world, many in the general public might not "get" the depth of his work. I can't say that I can even approach Andy's passion either for revealing the innate, easily overlooked character of the natural world.

But a great takeaway from the film is a wonderfully tactile testament to the powerful beauty and the often unheard voices in our environment. Thanks to Mr. Goldsworthy for helping deliver this message.