Curious Cat Question
It was weird when andrew eldritch mentioned a quote from a movie that brought back a blast from the ole' memoried past.
Specifically, it was around mid-90s and laser discs were still the main form for watching movies on the home system (yes, I was that old). I was a regular borrower from ACA Video at that time and there would be days when there would be nothing new in the new arrival-bins. As such, I'd be forced to check out other stuff.
It was then I picked up a movie with then-unknown actors (except for Eric Stoltz) called Kicking and Screaming (1995). I suppose the movie resonated for me because it was about a group of friends who just graduated from college and were feeling a bit lost. Funny enough, I first found about this movie because I caught the end of it on cable: one of the characters, Grover, was about to follow his girlfriend to Europe but found out he didn't have a passport. Boom, that was the end of the movie. How could I not try to find out what the story was behind the ending?
Likewise, it was the first time I came across a 'talky' movie. Yes, I'm such philistine.
Another 'talky' movie that made an impact with me was a play written by Tom Stoppard and turned into a movie: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990). Starring Gary Oldman, Tim Roth and Richard Dreyfuss, this movie reminded me of Waiting for Godot but was totally surreal, funny and mindbending all at the same time. I can't remember now why I picked up this movie except that: it's about Shakespeare, but it's not. Really.
In the end I suppose these two movies made me realize that I can actually watch movies that involved two or more people sitting-- or walking-- around for hours. (Now what does that remind you of?)
So what two old movies made a mark on impressionable ole' you?
9 comments:
Talky movies? I'd definitely recommend Jim Jarmusch's Coffee & Cigarettes. Of course there' Before Sunrise but...
Old movies that I still see in my head even though I saw them years ago: Bergman's Seventh Seal and Tod Browning's Freaks. Freaks was shown on the Marcos era channel 2 in the 80s late at night. It was awesome!
I've liked what few I've seen by Jarmusch and the very title of Coffee and Cigarettes highlights my two favorite addictions, so I'm keeping an eye out for that one.
And while I've never seen Freaks, which is shameful, I remember how the first time I watched The Seventh Seal, I immediately played the film again afterwards. (And doesn't it piss you off when you talk about this film and people assume you're talking about The Seventh Sign?)
Banzai Cat, if I had money...
And also, I'd like to recommend the films of Hal Hartley, especially Surviving Desire.
hey banze. youve changed template -dont know what to say. as for old movies - i kind of appreicate something pretty unglam by some standards - 'Paper Moon'. for leave more questions unanswered.
mark: Mmmm... Coffee and Cigarettes, my favorite occupation. Might try that out. And yes, was referring to the ultimate talky, Before Sunrise. ;-)
On the other hand, might give Seventh Seal and Freaks a look-see.
andrew: Heh, Seventh Sign-- an interesting concept movie but forgettable in execution. Heck, I saw it this year on cable and I thought the movie-- like Demi Moore-- didn't age well. ;-)
I wonder though if CD pirates have the director's edition already? (Though I could always look for that laser disc again.)
Hal Hartley? Hmmm...
finny: Hallo! Long time no hear (or is that here?). :-)
Yep, got bored one time and went looking for a new template. One reason why one should never let a cat get bored. ;-)
As for Paper Moon, this looks interesting. At least it reminds me that I haven't gotten around to watching O Brother Where Art Thou>
R & G Are Dead is one of my favorite movies! So few people know of it which is a real shame. Then again, perhaps alot of people really wouldn't get it...
Hehe I knew you had good taste in movies! :-D
ok, so i am ashamed to say that i have never seen the movie version of R & G Are Dead :( - however, The Seventh Seal definitly made me sit up and take notice. another old movie i love for entirely different reasons is Arsenic & Old Lace - who doesn't love Cary Grant running around like he thinks he's losing his mind ;)
p.s. Oh Brother Where Art Thou has a kickass sound track
mysfit: Arsenic and Old Lace? With Audrey Hepburn? Or are my memory wires getting a short-fuse? Heh.
And I should really get that soundtrack. Unfortunately am out of funds. :-(
You okay my friend?
Post a Comment