Weekly Theme

Weekly Theme for August 17: Death Row

Hey there y'all.... So, I watched a pretty damn amazing film last night called The Widow of Saint-Pierre. It stars Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteuil and is directed by Patrice Leconte. This is the first Leconte film I've seen but I'm pretty excited to see more.

Anyway, this film is about a convicted murderer awaiting excecution while the jailer's wife (Binoche) takes upon herself to show the community that this is a good man. I really loved this film. The acting was superb, the script was amazing but what really sinched it for me was the combination of cinematography and art direction. The choreography of camera angles, movement and starkly contrasted color palletes (that still look organic) was very beautiful.

So let's talk about some more films about prisoners on death row. The only other film I'll mention for right now will be 1998's Return to Paradise. I know this film has a few problems but it never fails to pull my heart-strings with a pretty phenominal performance by hip-hop star Joaquin Phoenix....

Re:Weekly Theme for August 17: Death Row

The Night of the Hunter - Not really about an execution, but the film centers around some money that the cellmate of a death row inmate overhears and takes upon himself to find upon his release.

Sin City - The film that brought back Mickey Rourke from mediocrity. Not to give anything away but his character Marv was one fucking badass that just wouldn't die peacefully.

Capote & Infamous - Both good films about the murders that took place in Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and the subsequent executions of the murderers.

Elizabeth - The first act of the film centers on whether Elizabeth is going to be executed or become queen.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - I believe the latter part of the film centered around an execution but all I remember is the bizarre orgy. Need to watch it again.

Marie Antoinette - The one thing that got a lot of people mad about this film was the lack of any depiction of her execution.

The Messenger - Again, doesn't get to the actual act, but nonetheless.

Alice in Wonderland - OFF WITH HER HEAD!

Salo - Kinda sorta fits the theme. A bunch of young girls and boys are kidnapped from the countryside and ritualistically tortured and executed. Worth checking out if you feel like vomiting.

Dancer in the Dark - I love von Trier and Bjork but not so much together in this film. Definitely on my re-watch list.

Starship Troopers - There is a particularly hilarious scene in the film where a murderers execution is going to be aired on live television. 

Re:Weekly Theme for August 17: Death Row

mercurial:

 

The Night of the Hunter - Not really about an execution, but the film centers around some money that the cellmate of a death row inmate overhears and takes upon himself to find upon his release.

 

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - I believe the latter part of the film centered around an execution but all I remember is the bizarre orgy. Need to watch it again.

 

The Night of the Hunter is one of those that I always felt was overrated. There were just too many moments of that film that made it very obvious that what you were watching was shot on a set in the back lot somewhere. It took me out of the film several times

Perfume's is one of my favorites from the last few years. Total eye candy but I really got into the story too.

Re:Weekly Theme for August 17: Death Row

The obvious movie to mention here is The Green Mile.  Pretty much the primary setting is a death row facility in this wonderful three hour film.  You have all seen it right??

Also a movie that come to mind to me that I have actually never seen is The Life of David Gale.  Has anyone here seen this?  The reason why it sticks with me is because of Roger Ebert's famous review.  Actually I just read it again and am really interested in seeing the movie because he can't reveal the spoilers but indicates how much the results angered him.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030221/REVIEWS/302210304/1023

A movie that Ebert does mention at the end of the review is another one I thought of that I have seen though.  In Cold Blood ends up with a little while at death row.  I believe this is where Truman Capote met the real men and coerced their story from them.  It's also an amazing film and worth watching.

Re:Weekly Theme for August 17: Death Row

Risselada:

 

Also a movie that come to mind to me that I have actually never seen is The Life of David Gale.  Has anyone here seen this?  The reason why it sticks with me is because of Roger Ebert's famous review.  Actually I just read it again and am really interested in seeing the movie because he can't reveal the spoilers but indicates how much the results angered him.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030221/REVIEWS/302210304/1023

 

Wow.. I had never read that review but I have to say that I pretty much thought the exact same thing the Ebert claims. The final (what a twist) reveal ending is only intelligent for about two or three seconds until you realize: Wait a minute... What the hell was that supposed to prove??!?!!? As soon as it looses it's shock value, and your forced to analyse the events that actually took place, the entire argument that the film is trying to make completely falls apart.

As strongly as I feel about this being a very bad and misguided film, you should see it. At least to satify the curiousity. Then report back.