tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post8635099639204485644..comments2024-03-24T13:26:57.317-07:00Comments on Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule: NO MORE EXCUSES: 12 I NEED TO SEEDennis Cozzaliohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-91594363533984560962008-09-26T08:19:00.000-07:002008-09-26T08:19:00.000-07:00Dennis,One quick note: one of the rules of this &q...Dennis,<BR/><BR/>One quick note: one of the rules of this "meme" (which was quickly lost in the shuffle in several places) was that you credit my blog for starting the ball rolling. Here's the link:<BR/><BR/>http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2008/08/another-dirty-dozen.html<BR/><BR/>(You can also follow that link to 2 others that I hoped people would tag: Out 1 & Lazy Eye Theatre, which led me to start this list in the first place).<BR/><BR/>Anyway, thanks for participating; you have some great selections on here - in particular, Masculin Feminin, White Heat, I vitelloni, and Ben-Hur are/have been among my favorite films of all time.<BR/><BR/>Glad this exercise led me to your site...keep up the good work.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-89285082751492893352008-09-23T09:09:00.000-07:002008-09-23T09:09:00.000-07:00I'm glad I'm finally not alone in the love-praise ...I'm glad I'm finally not alone in the love-praise for BEN HUR!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-2360739495969457402008-09-23T05:12:00.000-07:002008-09-23T05:12:00.000-07:00Krauthammer - Crap. That's what I should have don...Krauthammer - Crap. That's what <I>I</I> should have done.<BR/><BR/>Campaspe and Bob (and Dennis) - I'm glad to see at least some qualified love for <I>Ben-Hur</I> (Dennis, you seem to have placed me in the "don't like <I>Ben-Hur</I> camp by mistake...). It's been so long since I've seen it that I'm not able to mount much of a defense, beyond praising Heston, Boyd, and the chariot race, the latter of which <I>nobody</I> doesn't like. Anyway, I'll have to check it out again.<BR/><BR/>Maybe another good meme to circulate around would be a list of twelve (or whatever) classic or generally well-regarded films we think we'll probably hate.bill r.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17748572205731857892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-72409474234681279142008-09-22T17:33:00.000-07:002008-09-22T17:33:00.000-07:00Dennis, my meme is up. And I realized I needed to ...Dennis, my meme is up. And I realized I needed to come back and say that the silent Ben Hur is the one to see. It's quite brilliant. <BR/><BR/>The Wyler--well, we all know I love Wyler but it's a type of movie I don't relate to well, and the love interest is a drip. But Bob Cumbow has a point, despite my having dissed this movie in the Worst of the Best Picture Oscar poll. It has great visual flair and despite its length I would definitely argue that it moves much, much better than most modern popcorn movies of similar length. In addition to the sea battle and chariot race, watch for Stephen Boyd's last scene, one of the most pitiless of the era. I also like some smaller moments, like Ben-Hur meeting the horses. The horses are even more beautiful than Charlton Heston.The Sirenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13587505433284584391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-57470838486975654282008-09-22T15:29:00.000-07:002008-09-22T15:29:00.000-07:00Jamie, I'm by no means an expert in Godard but I a...Jamie, I'm by no means an expert in Godard but I am a great fan. And no, I don't have a blog, I'm saving that up for when I get, you know, good at writing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-64944880551082001492008-09-22T11:50:00.000-07:002008-09-22T11:50:00.000-07:00I guess I'm the only responder with a 50s sensibil...I guess I'm the only responder with a 50s sensibility. I like a lot about BEN-HUR besides the two big action pieces. I like the literate writing. I like the costumes and sets. I like the composition. I love the music. I like seeing lots of great British actors in bit parts. I even like the corny, overheated dramatics. I like spotting the ways in which it influenced peplums and spaghetti westerns. This is what's known as a guilty pleasure. I watch this film at least once every year. I admit it's too long--but only by about 20 minutes in my book.<BR/><BR/>Bob CumbowBob Cumbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05378094968461878378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-26530961375340203062008-09-22T07:46:00.000-07:002008-09-22T07:46:00.000-07:00Dennis, to my dismay the Borzage/Murnau set will p...Dennis, to my dismay the Borzage/Murnau set will probably cost around $240 retail. I guess I will have to say nice things about Fox between now and Christmas in hopes some flack will take pity and comp me one!The Sirenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13587505433284584391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-43819970875281983962008-09-22T07:44:00.000-07:002008-09-22T07:44:00.000-07:00good to hear 'Pierrot le fou' is your current Goda...good to hear 'Pierrot le fou' is your current Godard right now, if i had to pick one that would probably be my favorite Godard as well. is Krauthammer the resident Godard buff around here? if so i'd love to know if he/she has a blog.<BR/><BR/><BR/>off topic, but on the topic of 'movies i've always wanted to see but never been lucky enough too' i checked 'johnny guitar' off that list last night. for commenters here that are chicagoians and have cable/on demand service (it's comes free with cable i believe), it's a free rental for the next few weeks. it looks fantastic, i was so excited i taped it as well. as for the movie? as great as i expected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-53977035578025216212008-09-22T04:12:00.000-07:002008-09-22T04:12:00.000-07:00Working day and night, with a family at home? I u...Working day and night, with a family at home? I understand more than you know, alternating time between my job, gallery work with my wife and chaotic family life at home. It's not easy, but that's so great that you're student teaching kindergarten Dennis. I bet the kids all love you.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-47116110923203406272008-09-21T23:41:00.000-07:002008-09-21T23:41:00.000-07:00Okay, let me try this again (I am typing in Word t...Okay, let me try this again (I am typing in Word this time, just to be sure)…<BR/><BR/>First, as you may have deduced from my miniscule output of late, I’m finding that student-teaching kindergarten by day and working my day job at night, plus trying to wrangle kids and sock away some family time, is more taxing and time-consuming than I thought. I do promise that I actually do have some things to write about (their level of actual interest is, as always, in the eye of the beholder), but it’s just more difficult than usual right now to chip away an opportunity to do so.<BR/><BR/>Marty: Oh, if I only had MGM HD (or, more to the point, an HDTV!) Would it be too much to ask/hope that the appearance of the movie on this network might herald the upcoming appearance of <I>Hickey and Boggs</I> on a legit MGM/Fox DVD? I’ve hoped for a lot less in the past than that…<BR/><BR/>Jonathan, Bill, Flickhead: I’m afraid I’m all too inclined to give in to my presumptions, and your assessments of <I>Ben-Hur</I> as a spotty piece of epic filmmaking. I still wanna give it a try, but my commitment to it is very much in line with Ray’s sense of historical obligation as opposed to any strong desire to actually see it. <I>White Heat</I>, however, is top of the world on my Netflix queue now, which will really mean something once I actually see the three movies I’ve had in my possession for over a month now. (Dammit.)<BR/><BR/>And to Jonathan, Brian, Paul and Peter, many sincere apologies for not yet having commented on your lists at your own sites (I did ask, after all!) They are, without exception, much more interesting lists than mine. And Patrick, we gotta talk <I>California Split</I>! It’s absolutely great, but see it in a theater if you get the chance—the DVD was apparently altered slightly and cut to avoid music rights issues. Also, don’t be afraid of <I>Buffalo Bill and the Indians…</I>-- it’s one of Altman’s most underrated and underappreciated gems—it tickles me that he got that one out during the bicentennial! <BR/><BR/>The only person who I’ve had time to visit and comment all proper-like is Kimberly who, as I hoped she would, came through with a spectacular list of treats, none of which I have seen, some of which I have heard of, and all of which sound intriguing. As I said on your site, Kimberly, your list encapsulates precisely why I asked you to participate, because I knew you’d challenge me and open up new avenues and artists to my eyes. In a nutshell, that’s precisely why I love your site in general.<BR/><BR/>Campaspe: No need to eat that Leone box! Keep it! Treasure it! Also, re Borzage, we have been going through a LOT of early Borzage stuff for what I’m presuming is an upcoming box set along the lines of the Ford at Fox spectacular (or maybe it’s just a series of individual releases—seems less likely than a box, but I just don’t know. There may even be some info floating around about this by now, I’m not sure. ) But either way, it looks like you’re going to get your chance to fill in that blank in your experience very soon. Some of the ones I worked on were <I>Liliom, Song o’ My Heart, Bad Girl</I> and the Will Rogers starrer <I>They Had to See Paris</I>. <I>Liliom</I>, in particular, was lovely and visually magnificent. Also, many thanks for the mention in your contribution for the recent issue of <I>Cineaste</I>. That meant a lot to me, especially coming from you.<BR/><BR/>Krauthammer: My current favorite Godard is <I>Pierrot le fou</I>, and I’m going to get a chance to see <I>Vivre sa vie</I> on the big screen in the next couple, of weeks—I’ve been trying to see as many of the Godard rereleases on the big screen as possible (though I did miss <I>Contempt</I>). I’ll let you know when I finally catch up with <I>Masculin Feminin</I>.<BR/><BR/>Bill, Nate: And <I>Mad Love</I> is one of those movies that get some of the highest raised eyebrows when I admit I haven’t seen it. I just can’t figure out how I’ve missed it so far. But I’m so looking forward to it, and I think that all I read about it as a kid has finally slipped through my mental sieve so I probably can approach it relatively freshly. DON’T TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT! Lorre’s not bald or anything in it, is he? <BR/><BR/>Paul: As one Altman fan to another, I’d be interested in hearing your reactions to <I>H.E.A.L.T.H.</I>, a movie I’ve always quite liked (though it’s not in the same league as its thematic/stylistic cousins in the Altman oeuvre, <I>Nashville</I> or even <I>Brewster McCloud</I>.) I drove seven hours during the winter from my Oregon hometown to see it in Portland when it played there around 1981, so of course I loved it! My reaction was more muted when I came across it (cropped) on cable years later, and I’d love to compare notes with you if and when we ever get to see it again. As for <I>Quintet</I>, a movie I hated when I saw in theatrically, I actually liked it a little better when I did the subtitles for the recent DVD release. Which is still not to say it’s a good movie—it’s easily Altman’s most perversely pretentious and incoherent work. But it’s more entertaining (often because of the fact that it doesn’t hold together) than I was willing to admit back in 1979. <BR/><BR/>And I realize this is close to heresy in some quarters, but with the exception of <I>Love Streams</I> and <I>The Killing of a Chinese Bookie</I>, I remain underwhelmed by Cassavetes as a director (I feel like <I>Husbands</I> may be one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen.)<BR/><BR/>Peter: I know I’ll love the Fellini—there’s just too much precedent for me to think otherwise, particularly about his movies from this period. And I suspect I’ll feel equally taken by <I>Ulzana’s Raid</I>-- I don’t know exactly why I keyed into Aldrich’s sensibility to the degree I have over the last four or five years, but I have (it’s a little frightening, actually!), and I look forward to the grueling experience that likely lies in wait for me with that movie.<BR/><BR/>Patrick: Just by coincidence, I recently saw both <I>Grey Gardens</I> and <I>Salesman</I>. Both were fascinating, but I’m afraid I’ve got some of the well-explored issues about exploitation with <I>Grey Gardens</I>. <I>Salesman</I>, however, is absolutely heartbreaking.<BR/><BR/>Aaron: thanks for the tip and info on <I>Hickey and Boggs</I>. And like a jackass I just realized, I don’t think I ever thanked you for the birthday package you sent me—the Pauline Kael interview was very keen, and I am forever in your debt for <I>Matinee</I> (and <I>Mant!</I>). You are aces. Thank you a hundred times over! (By the way, my daughters and I are seeing <I>Explorers</I> next Sunday at the New Beverly! I will say hi to Joe for you if I see him!)<BR/><BR/>Jim: That picture just bowled me over too! I’m glad it tickled someone else as much as it did me! And as with Kimberly and everyone I tagged, I really look forward to seeing what you come up with because I know I’m going to learn something and have even more dark, cobwebby corners of my own experience exposed as a result, on top of a wave of inspiration to seek out more great films. I hope Toronto was rewarding and fun! And how’s Frances?<BR/><BR/>Okay, guys and dolls, I promise to do some actual writing this week, even if it kills me (and it might—just getting that guilt trip thing early in case I forget!) Thanks for sticking with me.Dennis Cozzaliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954848938471883431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-36666930724582826912008-09-21T20:01:00.000-07:002008-09-21T20:01:00.000-07:00I second (or third, or forth, or however many othe...I second (or third, or forth, or however many other posts have mentioned it so far) HICKEY & BOGGS, even if it proved a sour experience for Walter Hill (I believe he was re-written extensively).<BR/><BR/>Some supplementary material once you do: "Movie Talk from the Front Lines", by Steven Gaydos and Jerry Roberts. There's quite a lengthy interview with director/star Culp, and it's almost all he talks about.Aaron W. Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11988034390125865431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-5842022895002932512008-09-19T23:12:00.000-07:002008-09-19T23:12:00.000-07:00Yargh! Not only did I just learn, after 11 pm, tha...Yargh! Not only did I just learn, after 11 pm, that I've almost missed National Talk Like A Pirate Day, but I come to visit SLIFR for the first time since I got back from Toronto to find I have been tagged! (But really, at this moment I am so in love with your daughter's Martin Balsam costume that I can barely type.) I will get to it soon as I can. Thanks, Dennis!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-21468879208737583462008-09-19T08:18:00.000-07:002008-09-19T08:18:00.000-07:00I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing t...I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that it took me a good long while to come up with this list; either way, here it is. In no particular order:<BR/><BR/><I>Deep End.</I> I've wanted to see this since I first read about it in Danny Peary's <I>Cult Movies.</I> The brief clips I've seen on YouTube only whetted my appetite. Any idea why this isn't available?<BR/><BR/><I>The Best Years Of Our Lives.</I> One of those Tremendous Achievements in Cinema that I think I'd have to be in just the right mood to watch.<BR/><BR/><I>The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.</I> I'm reading Sloan Wilson's novel for the first time and enjoying it; I can only imagine that Gregory Peck in the title role will make it even better.<BR/><BR/><I>The Late Show.</I> I bought this for two bucks based on the cast (Art Carney, Lily Tomlin) and director (Robert Benton), and everything I've read about it makes it sound terrific. And yet I <I>still</I> haven't watched it. What's wrong with me?<BR/><BR/><I>Grey Gardens.</I> I've had enough people whose opinions I respect tell me I'd enjoy this that I'm pretty sure I would.<BR/><BR/><I>Salesman.</I> I actually watched the first twenty minutes of this, but the DVD was damaged and quit on me.<BR/><BR/><I>California Split.</I> This is the one '70s Altman I haven't seen that I'm dying to see - one day at a time. (Not so eager to get to <I>Images</I> or <I>Buffalo Bill & the Indians.</I>)<BR/><BR/><I>The Diane Linklater Story.</I> Early John Waters. Enough said.<BR/><BR/><I>Drive, He Said.</I> Aside from the fact that it was directed by a young Jack Nicholson, I know nothing about this. I'd like to keep it that way as best I can, and watch it with a wholly naive eye.<BR/><BR/><I>I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang.</I> Another one of those Tremendous Achievements, but this one I'm more interested in seeing for the story, rather than edification on cinema.<BR/><BR/><I>Vanishing Point.</I> I'd only seen clips of this in <I>The Celluloid Closet,</I> which didn't have me sprinting to my local movie emporium. But other things I've read, plus (I'll confess) Tarantino's nattering in <I>Death Proof,</I> has piqued my curiosity.<BR/><BR/><I>Destry Rides Again.</I> Dietrich. Stewart. Amen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-55978551907225276622008-09-18T16:06:00.000-07:002008-09-18T16:06:00.000-07:00Where's that long awaited posting you've been prom...Where's that long awaited posting you've been promising Dennis?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-59673034239283520542008-09-18T05:08:00.000-07:002008-09-18T05:08:00.000-07:00Oh, sure, make fun of the dumb guy. You guys suck...Oh, sure, make fun of the dumb guy. You guys suck!bill r.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17748572205731857892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-33748521247224321962008-09-17T22:26:00.000-07:002008-09-17T22:26:00.000-07:00I think he means like this. But hey: I hate self ...I think he means like <A HREF="coosacreek.org/mamb" REL="nofollow">this</A>. But hey: I hate self promotion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-83858821589943586502008-09-17T20:04:00.000-07:002008-09-17T20:04:00.000-07:00I think he means like this Peter.Or maybe he means...I think he means like <A HREF="http://wwwbillblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/12.html" REL="nofollow">this</A> Peter.<BR/><BR/>Or maybe he means like <A HREF="http://cinemastyles.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">this</A>. <BR/><BR/>Oh, I could do this all night.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-35384399187978583922008-09-17T19:13:00.000-07:002008-09-17T19:13:00.000-07:00You mean like this, Bill?You mean like <A HREF="http://wwwbillblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/12.html" REL="nofollow">this</A>, Bill?Peter Nellhaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04161286159856159772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-74953793856876387932008-09-17T17:06:00.000-07:002008-09-17T17:06:00.000-07:00Sorry, I don't know how to do that fancy embedding...Sorry, I don't know how to do that fancy embedding-the-link-in-words thing in comments...bill r.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17748572205731857892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-70762634959392429192008-09-17T17:05:00.000-07:002008-09-17T17:05:00.000-07:00Dennis, my list is up, if you're interested...http...Dennis, my list is up, if you're interested...<BR/><BR/>http://wwwbillblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/12.htmlbill r.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17748572205731857892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-82892630300911484712008-09-17T16:02:00.000-07:002008-09-17T16:02:00.000-07:00Oh, and I've already commented on both of their li...Oh, and I've already commented on both of their lists as well as Brian's - And I didn't even tag them. Come on Cozzalio get with the program.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05730146625671701859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-60745368384549072392008-09-17T14:48:00.000-07:002008-09-17T14:48:00.000-07:00I did my list a couple of days ago.I did <A HREF="http://www.coffeecoffeeandmorecoffee.com/archives/2008/09/12_films.html" REL="nofollow">my list</A> a couple of days ago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-68933235051684792852008-09-17T13:37:00.000-07:002008-09-17T13:37:00.000-07:00The task has been completed and my list can be fou...The task has been completed and my list can be found <A HREF="http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2008/09/17/12-movies-i-want-to-see/" REL="nofollow">here</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-53915705164910521182008-09-17T09:53:00.000-07:002008-09-17T09:53:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.TALKING MOVIEzzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621046844665110326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795280.post-54573044995212771362008-09-17T07:45:00.000-07:002008-09-17T07:45:00.000-07:00Dennis, My list is here. Thanks for tagging me!Dennis,<BR/> My list is <A HREF="http://bubblegum-cinephile.blogspot.com/2008/09/shames-of-cinephiles-nation.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>. Thanks for tagging me!Brian Doanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17903729233401672600noreply@blogger.com