the station agent.

all that they say and more. quirky characters are thrown together in an unlikely setting (the rural community of newfoundland, new jersey) in a very northern exposure-esque manner. the main character, finn, is a little person; naturally the film addresses the difficulties he faces in day-to-day life due to his stature. but replace finn with a "normal sized" (a character's words) guy and the effect is much the same. they laugh, cry, run the gamut. at first in their private and separate ways, then together. and when this togetherness finally peaks, the film abruptly ends--and beautifully so. I'll say no more. just see it if you can.

metropolis.

intense. fritz lang was a true visionary. no wonder the nazis liked him so much (thankfully, the feeling wasn't mutual). I saw the latest restoration--the one by the f.w. murnau foundation--and am anxious to see earlier ones as well. metropolis is one of those great films that makes you see other movies in a new light ("so that's where they got that idea!"). and I've never seen a 2 hr+ movie go by so quickly; the pacing is so fast! but the most amazing thing about it? I just kept marveling to myself: this film was made in fucking 1926. how some of those effects were pulled off is beyond me.

rashomon.

okay. will someone please tell me why this film is so wonderful? pretty please? okay, the direction is good. the fight scenes are great; so raw and realistic. but I honestly don't see what all the fuss is about. someone gets murdered. we hear four accounts of the murder. so what? I was drawn to rashomon after reading that it appeals to fans of lawless heart, but the two films are apples and oranges to me. I've heard enough about kurosawa to see more of his work. but unless I find something more worthwhile in the next one that I see, it will probably be my last.

(by the way, if you are on the faculty of any film school and read that last bit, don't hold it against me. I know, I'm just a stupid american.)
- posted by Jeremy @ 5:59 AM