Films you've seen lately

[richardfinegold]

I can't recommend Aftersun (MUBI) too highly. A very naturalistic portrayal of a father-young daughter relationship, set on a holiday in Turkey for which Dad, separated from the Mother, has custody. They have a lovely close and easy relationship, the more so because the Father himself is quite young - just 30; Sophie is 11. Dad seems troubled by something; we're not quite sure what; does Tai Chi, has medication. But he looks after Sophie with a lovely blend of freedom and care.

The holiday is framed as a recollection by the adult Sophie, starting with video camera footage of her Dad, then we go back to the early 2000s in Turkey. Beautifully shot, directed and written (Charlotte Wells) it is deceptively low-key and quite elliptical; I had to see it again to understand the many subtleties I'd missed, with much review reading between.
(I must mention the soundtrack (Oliver Coates): subtle. drifting electronics, very atmospheric and apt to the passing moods; never loud or intrusive; perfect, really).

Paul Mescal is marvellous in this touchingly tender, desperately moving film, as is his child co-star Frankie Corio. By the end of my second viewing I was sobbing my heart out; one of the most devastatingly beautiful films I've ever seen, in a lengthening life of movie-loving obsessions. I'm getting that lump in my throat again just writing this.

Unknown to me, but I will seek it out

[richardfinegold]

We took a train to visit relatives and watched Little Shop Of Horrors yesterday. My wife had never seen it and I hadn’t for over 30 years. Ever since meeting her whenever a song by the Four Tops plays on the Radio, I would attempt to imitate Levi Stubbs “Feed me, Seymour” schtick, and after a few decades of this she finally asked me what I was doing and it emerged that she had never seen it.
Steve Martin as the sadistic Dentist had us falling out seats laughing, and the music is by Allan Mencken who went on to write the great Disney scores for Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, et. al. There is a Supremes-ish Trio that besides having some good songs functions as a Greek Chorus

[Serial_Apologist]

We took a train to visit relatives and watched Little Shop Of Horrors yesterday. My wife had never seen it and I hadn’t for over 30 years. Ever since meeting her whenever a song by the Four Tops plays on the Radio, I would attempt to imitate Levi Stubbs “Feed me, Seymour” schtick, and after a few decades of this she finally asked me what I was doing and it emerged that she had never seen it.
Steve Martin as the sadistic Dentist had us falling out seats laughing, and the music is by Allan Mencken who went on to write the great Disney scores for Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, et. al. There is a Supremes-ish Trio that besides having some good songs functions as a Greek Chorus

That would have set my teeth on edge.

[pastoralguy]

I’ll try to arrange a nice Superhero movie for you next time, PG

The Fablemans has to be one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen and as an ex cinema projectionist I have seen a LOT of movies!

Total self indulgent twaddle.

[jayne lee wilson]

The Fablemans has to be one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen and as an ex cinema projectionist I have seen a LOT of movies!

Total self indulgent twaddle.

Perhaps this review might help? Generally find Bradshaw a useful guide....

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jan/25/the-fabelmans-review-spielbergs-beguiling-ode-to-a-life-made-by-movies-will-leave-you-on-a-high

I often watch a film, then read more reviews, then watch again; the second viewing can be far more rewarding.... things seem to click into place.. I'll certainly watch this once its on stream....

*****
Once again - if you see one film, make sure its Aftersun; a wonderful very moving creation, full of love, warmth and depth. See #1290 above...

[Belgrove]

Pastoralguy’s summary of The Fableman’s plot-line is spot on. Being forewarned (but being blessed with a very high boredom threshold), I was nevertheless utterly beguiled and enchanted by it. The casting throughout is pretty much perfect, and the screenplay by Spielberg and previous collaborator Tony Kushner is artful without being arty - the scene between young Sam and his fairground-performing Uncle Bruno about what it is to be an artist is beautifully written and performed. On checking the Oscar nominations, it’s not listed in the editing category, which is a shame because although it’s unflashy (unlike the frenetic Babylon), it’s enormously skilful. Indeed the art of editing is used in a crucial episode to show how different cuts reveal different truths, from which consequences obtain. And the last shot is a good gag. The film is an unexpected delight.

[pastoralguy]

Pastoralguy’s summary of The Fableman’s plot-line is spot on. Being forewarned (but being blessed with a very high boredom threshold), I was nevertheless utterly beguiled and enchanted by it. The casting throughout is pretty much perfect, and the screenplay by Spielberg and previous collaborator Tony Kushner is artful without being arty - the scene between young Sam and his fairground-performing Uncle Bruno about what it is to be an artist is beautifully written and performed. On checking the Oscar nominations, it’s not listed in the editing category, which is a shame because although it’s unflashy (unlike the frenetic Babylon), it’s enormously skilful. Indeed the art of editing is used in a crucial episode to show how different cuts reveal different truths, from which consequences obtain. And the last shot is a good gag. The film is an unexpected delight.

I thought the ‘circus uncle’ section was the highlight of the movie. Yes, the last shot is a good gag but I felt the mother’s mental instability stability was only hinted at.

So why is it that I couldn’t respond to ‘The Fablemans’ and yet ‘Cinema Paradiso’ is possibly my favourite movie which I have seen dozens of times?

[richardfinegold]

Pastoralguy’s summary of The Fableman’s plot-line is spot on. Being forewarned (but being blessed with a very high boredom threshold), I was nevertheless utterly beguiled and enchanted by it. The casting throughout is pretty much perfect, and the screenplay by Spielberg and previous collaborator Tony Kushner is artful without being arty - the scene between young Sam and his fairground-performing Uncle Bruno about what it is to be an artist is beautifully written and performed. On checking the Oscar nominations, it’s not listed in the editing category, which is a shame because although it’s unflashy (unlike the frenetic Babylon), it’s enormously skilful. Indeed the art of editing is used in a crucial episode to show how different cuts reveal different truths, from which consequences obtain. And the last shot is a good gag. The film is an unexpected delight.

Agree with all of the above except I found Judd Hirsch to be to over the top with his Yiddische Uncle schtick

[kernelbogey]

Interesting essay by Charlotte Higgins in today's Guardian, touching on both Tár and The Fabelmans [sic].

[richardfinegold]

Interesting essay by Charlotte Higgins in today's Guardian, touching on both Tár and The Fabelmans [sic].

Thanks for sharing that. I do like the way that she summarized reactions to Tar and she was very perceptive about The Fablemans

[RichardB]

Interesting essay by Charlotte Higgins in today's Guardian, touching on both Tár and The Fabelmans [sic].

Indeed, although I haven't seen The Fabelmans and I don't have any particular interest in doing so. (Probably I'll get round to it at some point, but there are so many things I want to see first!)

I found particularly interesting Charlotte Higgins's observation that films about or around classical music or musicians tend also to be about mental illness. I don't think classical musicians are in general less sane than members of any other profession, but this obviously has more to do with the way they're perceived, or misunderstood. Are there any films centring on classical musicians which focus on the intensely fulfilling aspects of that way of life, as opposed to its dark side of obsession and borderline-pathological self-criticism (all of which are real of course)? I can't think of one offhand.

[kernelbogey]

[jayne lee wilson]

Indeed, although I haven't seen The Fabelmans and I don't have any particular interest in doing so. (Probably I'll get round to it at some point, but there are so many things I want to see first!)

I found particularly interesting Charlotte Higgins's observation that films about or around classical music or musicians tend also to be about mental illness. I don't think classical musicians are in general less sane than members of any other profession, but this obviously has more to do with the way they're perceived, or misunderstood. Are there any films centring on classical musicians which focus on the intensely fulfilling aspects of that way of life, as opposed to its dark side of obsession and borderline-pathological self-criticism (all of which are real of course)? I can't think of one offhand.

Well, you need some drama of course; happy and fulfilled lives rarely produce that for the screen, unless you have the conflict-overcome, tragedy-to-triumph scenarios. But there aren't many good films about classical music or musicians really, are there? Ken Russell's Mahler and The Music Lovers may be in the exception-proving-the-rule category....

The Pianist was very compelling; and I've long had a soft spot for Amadeus...

[teamsaint]

Well, you need some drama of course; happy and fulfilled lives rarely produce that for the screen, unless you have the conflict-overcome, tragedy-to-triumph scenarios. But there aren't many good films about classical music or musicians really, are there? Ken Russell's Mahler and The Music Lovers may be in the exception-proving-the-rule category....

The Pianist was very compelling; and I've long had a soft spot for Amadeus...

I like Eroica. But I am not a film buff.

Away from Classical music, keep an eye out for BAFTA nominated ( and BIFA winner ) Blue Jean, opening Feb 10. Jayne, this should be right up your street.

[smittims]

RichardB's question about positive classical music films has me thinking: I haven't seen it but isn't 'Mr. Holland's Opus' mean to be that? Maybe it's too saccharine to be much use. I thought 'A Late Quartet' presented a good useful portrait of musicians' lives, but again, it did centre on their personal problems and inadequacies rather than the value of music.

I suppose it's the age-old difficulty of making goodness entertaining. Richard III is more fun that Henry V.

As for 'The Fabelmans' I cannot criticise it as I haven't seen it, but the trailer was enough to make me want to keep out of sight and earshot of it for the rest of my life. I don't think trailers are meant to do that.