I was watching "The Outrage" with Paul Newman on TCM today. He plays a Mexican bandito who kills a man and rapes his wife. The story is told four times in flashback. I immediately thought that it sounded a lot like "Roshamon," a classic of Japanese cinema directed by Akira Kurosawa (who wrote the screenplay upon which Runaway Train was based).
I saw Roshamon over thirty years ago, but I recall the story vaguely. Again, a rape/murder recalled by the particpants, and then the truth revealed by a hitherto unknown witness. It's considered a seminal work and an icon of "post-modernism," where truth is always relative. My opinion of it at the time was that it suffered from a fatal flaw, namely that it asked the viewers to accept the last version of events, those related by the "impartial" witness, as being "true." Even as a callow youth of 19 or so, it was not lost upon me that a truly post-modern statement would not allow that any version of events contains ultimate truth. All versions must be suspect. Thus did I turn up my nose upon Roshamon.
But this version was truly laughable! Paul Newman, of all people playing the role of the Frito Bandito, dark greasy hair, handle-bar mustache, and classically stereotypical Mexican bad-ass accent, with long eeeee sounds, as in weeeeel for will, and constant use of the third person form while referring to himself.
Hollywood usually turned to its favorite "half-breeds" of dubious ancestry to take on such roles. Favorite among this group is Anthony Quinn. Others of the same ilk included Ricardo Montalban, Jack Palance, Fernando Ferrar, and a few others. My all-time favorite fake Mexican desperado is Eli Wallach, in real life a Jewish kid from Brooklyn. His "Tuco" in the Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is among the great performances in cinema. Certainly the role of a life-time. But, Paul Newman? No way. Unless...
Yes, perhaps the movie's makers knew their audience well. The one thing all versions of the story agree upon is that the woman is raped. It's strong stuff. Perhaps, in order to soften the impact of the violation, they wanted an actor who was "attractive," if you will. In most of the four versions of the story that is told, the woman is ambiguous in her feelings towards her attacker. Perhaps the director felt that the audience would be better able to accept such a portrayal if the actor was acceptable on some level.
If you are interested in any of this stuff, I would advise you to watch Roshamon, (which I may be mis-spelling). It is one of the giant films of cinema history, up there with "Citizen Kane." The remake is justifiablly not highly regarded or remembered.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Julia? Delightful. Julie? Like needles in eyes
I walked out of Julie and Julia last night. The film was broken into two separate strands, like The Godfather Part II, or The Hours (which was three strands, actually). The story-line about the famous culinary personality Julia Child, with Meryl Streep playing the lead, was very entertaining, especially for a Francophile and recent visitor to France, like myself. But, the strand about the modern yuppie who writes a blog about her experiences in cooking through Juilia CHild's most famous cookbook, is so unwatchably painful and boring that I had to leave. Never has the "fast-forward" button been desired more fervently at a film. Could I have skipped the one section in favor of the other, I would have stayed. Hence, my recommendation for this film is to wait for it to come out on DVD, when your remote control button will be near at hand.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Words to live by.
Not a day goes by that I don't quote a specific line of dialogue from Dr. Strangelove. It comes from the scene where General Turgidson is explaining to the President that General Ripper has sent his bombers to attack Russia. He reads a message from Ripper that ends with a reference to precious bodily fluids. Turgidson comments to the effect that "we are still trying to figure out what that means." The President's reply is my current favorite line from a film, and my guide to surviving in a crazy world. Says he, "There's nothing to figure out. The man is clearly a psychotic!"
Every day, either I, or the people around me, or the press, or the governemnt, is "trying to figure out" why someone has behaved in a manner that directly goes against common sense and their own best interests. For years I would join in the analysis, delving into matters of passion, psychology, philosophy, etc. But no more. Now, I end all such conversations very quickly by saying, "There's nothing to figure out. [Fill in name] is clearly a psychotic."
Once you adopt this simple guide to understanding the behavior of others, your life becomes so simple. In fact, it is particularly useful in matters dealing with the relations between the sexes. Consider the amount of time spent by men trying to figure out why women act the way they do. Meanwhile, the answer is clear. (Ok, gals, I was just kidding. I'm sure the formula works just as well for women who want to analyze the actions of men. However, being male, I can't help but feel that it has greater resonance when pointed toward the distaff half.)
Anyway, please try it out for yourself at the earliest opportunity. You will be amazed and gratified at how incredibly wise you sound, and your friends and family will hail you as a genius. As soon as anyone starts in with that same old litany, "oh, did you hear about so and so, and what he did, now why did blah blah,..." cut them off immediately "There's nothing to figure out. The man is clearly....
Every day, either I, or the people around me, or the press, or the governemnt, is "trying to figure out" why someone has behaved in a manner that directly goes against common sense and their own best interests. For years I would join in the analysis, delving into matters of passion, psychology, philosophy, etc. But no more. Now, I end all such conversations very quickly by saying, "There's nothing to figure out. [Fill in name] is clearly a psychotic."
Once you adopt this simple guide to understanding the behavior of others, your life becomes so simple. In fact, it is particularly useful in matters dealing with the relations between the sexes. Consider the amount of time spent by men trying to figure out why women act the way they do. Meanwhile, the answer is clear. (Ok, gals, I was just kidding. I'm sure the formula works just as well for women who want to analyze the actions of men. However, being male, I can't help but feel that it has greater resonance when pointed toward the distaff half.)
Anyway, please try it out for yourself at the earliest opportunity. You will be amazed and gratified at how incredibly wise you sound, and your friends and family will hail you as a genius. As soon as anyone starts in with that same old litany, "oh, did you hear about so and so, and what he did, now why did blah blah,..." cut them off immediately "There's nothing to figure out. The man is clearly....
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Two pre-code gems
I recommend two film for your enjoyment. The first is "Baby Face" 1933, with Barbara Stanwyck. They recently found the uncut version and I saw it on TCM not too long ago. Netflix will probably still have the cut version, unfortunately. Frankly, those of us used to very tame themes in older films will find this tale of a girl who sleeps her way to the top of the corporate ladder, an eye-opener.
The second is "The Smart Money" with Edward G. Robinson. Again, a film from 1931 that portrays a morally ambiguous protagonist, namely, Eddie G. as a gambling skirt-chaser with a heart of gold. This one is guaranteed to please. Order it and watch it with the whole family. Don't worry. It's not too risque' for Mom.
The second is "The Smart Money" with Edward G. Robinson. Again, a film from 1931 that portrays a morally ambiguous protagonist, namely, Eddie G. as a gambling skirt-chaser with a heart of gold. This one is guaranteed to please. Order it and watch it with the whole family. Don't worry. It's not too risque' for Mom.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A sendoff, of sorts
I posted this on my Xanga blog back in August of '06. If it alleviates any fear you might be experiencing on the eve of your departure for college, then I'm glad.
I guess a lot of my old friends from the class of '06 are on their way to college this week. I would imagine that you are feeling a certain level of anxiety. After all, college is one of those destinations that you've been heading for for so many years. And now, here it is. So, it would be sort of strange if you felt no anxiety at all over such a significant milestone in your life.
Well, for what it's worth, let me tell you that the single most interesting and rewarding experience of my life was going away to college. More happened to me in that four year period than has happened in all the years since, I think. And I look back on it with such fondness and nostalgia. Of course, I could never live like that again, sharing a single room with a stranger and having no money in my pocket. But, to be on my own like that for the first time was such bliss. And of course, I was able to confirm what I had suspected for many years, namely that I was smarter and better-looking than just about everybody else. Of course, I also found out that being smarter and better looking than everyone else really doesn't count for much.
In all seriousness, it was the professors who really changed my outlook on things. Talk about being smarter than everybody else! To have the opportunity to spend several hours a day in the presence of such brain power. It really opened my eyes about a lot of stuff.
Anyway, the first year had some rough edges. I actually found myself feeling a touch of homesickness on occasion. But, after that, I never looked back. And by the time my last year rolled around, I really didn't want to leave. So, be of good cheer my friends. You're off on the start of a great adventure, one that you must not miss. I envy you.
I guess a lot of my old friends from the class of '06 are on their way to college this week. I would imagine that you are feeling a certain level of anxiety. After all, college is one of those destinations that you've been heading for for so many years. And now, here it is. So, it would be sort of strange if you felt no anxiety at all over such a significant milestone in your life.
Well, for what it's worth, let me tell you that the single most interesting and rewarding experience of my life was going away to college. More happened to me in that four year period than has happened in all the years since, I think. And I look back on it with such fondness and nostalgia. Of course, I could never live like that again, sharing a single room with a stranger and having no money in my pocket. But, to be on my own like that for the first time was such bliss. And of course, I was able to confirm what I had suspected for many years, namely that I was smarter and better-looking than just about everybody else. Of course, I also found out that being smarter and better looking than everyone else really doesn't count for much.
In all seriousness, it was the professors who really changed my outlook on things. Talk about being smarter than everybody else! To have the opportunity to spend several hours a day in the presence of such brain power. It really opened my eyes about a lot of stuff.
Anyway, the first year had some rough edges. I actually found myself feeling a touch of homesickness on occasion. But, after that, I never looked back. And by the time my last year rolled around, I really didn't want to leave. So, be of good cheer my friends. You're off on the start of a great adventure, one that you must not miss. I envy you.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Another anomaly
For some reason, my blog says that I am not "following" anyone. Is it possible that I pressed a "delete" button of some sort? Oh well.
Anyway, the summer has been pleasant, as all summers are. I travelled to Brussels, then drove to a number of interesting places in Belgium and France. I recommend them all, at least for lovers of art, culture, food, beautiful landscapes, great biking, friendly people, stunning architecture. Here are the places I went:
1. Brussels
2. Ghent, site of Van Eyck's Altarpiece of the "mystical lamb." an amazing work of art. I saw the house that they signed the treaty that ended the War of 1812, too.
3. Bruges. I have to see the film again. The city is like an enchanted fairytale. Alas the main museum was closed for repairs. Did I mention that I was so disappointed that I cried. I cry rarely, and only when people die or when spectacular meals are ruined somehow.
4. Ypres. A battlefield site from World War One.
5. Bayeaux. The famous tapestry of the same name is worth the trip to Europe alone. But, great art moves me in a way that it might not some one else. I recall a student from a few years ago, I think she's still at Tech, so I won't out her, complained in a strident manner about how I sent the class to a museum. She went on and on about it, saying how awful it was and how meaningless etc. I rather liked her before this outburst, but afterward, I sort of felt like she and I were not members of the same species.
6. Normandy. Site of American invasion on D-day, but a lot of other stuff too, like Mont St. Michel, a sublime monastery set on an island just off the coast.
7. Chartres. The only cathedral left with a full compliment of 13th century stained glass. In every other cathedral, the local citizens destroyed all the glass during the French Revolution. Gives you some idea of how much the Church was hated.
8. Verdun. Scene of the single worst, most wasteful battle in history.
9. Argonne Forest. Site of the American offensive during World War One. There's a cemetary there that is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is the largest American Cemetary outside the US, and I was the only person there. It is immaculately maintained with the most beautiful gardens, ponds, enormous tree lined paths, perfectly manicured lawns, ... and the graves of 15,000 dead Americans.
I guess most of you are packing your bags for college. A certain degree of anxiety must accompany that. I wrote an essay on my old Xanga a few years ago that I sent to my students who were "on their way." I'll try to dig it up and post it here later tonight or tomorrow.
Anyway, the summer has been pleasant, as all summers are. I travelled to Brussels, then drove to a number of interesting places in Belgium and France. I recommend them all, at least for lovers of art, culture, food, beautiful landscapes, great biking, friendly people, stunning architecture. Here are the places I went:
1. Brussels
2. Ghent, site of Van Eyck's Altarpiece of the "mystical lamb." an amazing work of art. I saw the house that they signed the treaty that ended the War of 1812, too.
3. Bruges. I have to see the film again. The city is like an enchanted fairytale. Alas the main museum was closed for repairs. Did I mention that I was so disappointed that I cried. I cry rarely, and only when people die or when spectacular meals are ruined somehow.
4. Ypres. A battlefield site from World War One.
5. Bayeaux. The famous tapestry of the same name is worth the trip to Europe alone. But, great art moves me in a way that it might not some one else. I recall a student from a few years ago, I think she's still at Tech, so I won't out her, complained in a strident manner about how I sent the class to a museum. She went on and on about it, saying how awful it was and how meaningless etc. I rather liked her before this outburst, but afterward, I sort of felt like she and I were not members of the same species.
6. Normandy. Site of American invasion on D-day, but a lot of other stuff too, like Mont St. Michel, a sublime monastery set on an island just off the coast.
7. Chartres. The only cathedral left with a full compliment of 13th century stained glass. In every other cathedral, the local citizens destroyed all the glass during the French Revolution. Gives you some idea of how much the Church was hated.
8. Verdun. Scene of the single worst, most wasteful battle in history.
9. Argonne Forest. Site of the American offensive during World War One. There's a cemetary there that is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is the largest American Cemetary outside the US, and I was the only person there. It is immaculately maintained with the most beautiful gardens, ponds, enormous tree lined paths, perfectly manicured lawns, ... and the graves of 15,000 dead Americans.
I guess most of you are packing your bags for college. A certain degree of anxiety must accompany that. I wrote an essay on my old Xanga a few years ago that I sent to my students who were "on their way." I'll try to dig it up and post it here later tonight or tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
