movies I've watched

[ellen_datlow]

I tried to watch Prophecy last night but netflix had sent me the wrong one: #2 instead of #1 and it wasn't interesting me enough to watch #2 (and I was po'd) so I stopped. Then I tried to watch Central Station and couldn't find the normal film, only a version with ongoing commentary--no set up on the disc to remove it or anything--this I can't even complain about to netflix as there's no form for such a problem--unless someone can point me there). Sooo. I watched a borrowed The Castle of Cagliostro, my first Lupin animation, which I quite liked.

And then...Black Snake Moan which was pretty damned good. I expected it to be campy, which it wasn't. Superficially, it sounds like a very silly plot, but it works--middle-aged black blues guitarist(Samuel L. Jackson) is screwed up because his wife dumped him and young white woman (Christina Ricci)is a nymphomaniac, struggling to control her sluttish impulses for the man she loves (and leaves in the first scene to go into the service). They meet, and help each other. The movie poster shows her chained in his house, which makes it a lot more melodramatic than it is. The acting is good and the movie quite moving. And the music's great.

Comments

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

I liked Snake a lot too. Surprisingly good.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I thought it was going to be a cheesy throwback to Mandingo. Happily it was not.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

I liked Moan quite a bit too, though really, she didn't HAVE TO go around for most of the movie in a sawed off t and bikini panties. No, REALLY, she didn't!

Love, C.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

No, but I admit I enjoyed it :-)

[satyrblade.livejournal.com]

I love Black Snake Moan. It stands up - and deepens - with repeated viewings. Author/director Craig Brewer says on the commentary that he deliberately constructs his films to resemble styles of music. Hustle and Flow was hip-hop, Black Snake Moan was blues, and his next film Maggie Lynn is country. His films incorporate the moods, themes and elements of those musical styles. The acting is solid in his films, but as a music fan I most enjoy his stylistic approach.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

The music is a very important element to the movie, and I'm sorry I skimped on that in my description. I haven't seen Hustle and Flow--I didn't realize it was by him--did you see it and like it?

[satyrblade.livejournal.com]

I did see it, but although it's a very well-made film, I didn't care for it.

Hustle & Flow does indeed follow the "style" of gangsta rap - in all its misogynistic "glamor." The protagonist is a pimp who finances his career on the labors of his whores. His first song is about beating women, his second is about how hard life is when you're a pimp. One of his girls even sings backup on the tracks, and although Brewer shows that she's angry and disgusted with him (and with herself) for going along with the effort, she does it.

There's a theme running through the film of men building their dreams off the degradation of women. That theme, however, has no negative payoff. I kept waiting for the rebellion of the women who put out (literally and otherwise) so that DJ and Key can have their dream. That moment never comes, and while the theme is true of the "style" of rap, it's one of the ugliest elements of that form - a truth that's hinted at but not really delivered on. That left a bad taste in my mouth.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the precis. I had the impression that that was what the movie was about (and its pov) and your description confirms that I don't want to see it.

[satyrblade.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I thought as much. I respect the honesty and artistry of the film, but can't honestly say I enjoyed it.

Happy Holidays!

[johnjosephadams.livejournal.com]

Did you try changing the audio track on Central Station? Usually you can turn on/off the commentary track by switching the audio track from English 1 to English 2 (or vice versa). This is the same option that you can use to change the audio to different languages.

If that doesn't work, you could try watching it on your PC via Netflix's "Watch Instantly" option. Of course, that defeats the purpose of actually having the DVD at your house.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

That's the problem. There was no "setup" on the menu at all--no possibility for subtitles or not...

[johnjosephadams.livejournal.com]

You can usually change the audio track as the movie is playing. Either your remote should have an "audio" button, or else an info button that should bring up an on-screen menu (over top of the film).

My DVD player has the info button, which brings up a number of options you can change as the DVD is playing. I can toggle on/off subtitles, change the audio track, jump to a different chapter, etc. I don't know if all DVD players have that feature though.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Interesting. Since I've never had the problem before I never used the remote for something like that. But too late, I've returned the DVD. Another time I'll try that.
Thanks

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Lucius thinks they sent me the wrong disc (the commentary disc)so I've tried again and requested it.