tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post2127103586264799154..comments2024-03-13T06:28:44.715-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: the Directors: Brian De PalmaAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-46943959040517524362015-05-11T16:05:43.704-04:002015-05-11T16:05:43.704-04:00Totally agree, I love Rhames in this film, and I t...Totally agree, I love Rhames in this film, and I think that was very wise casting. Rhames is the man.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-22464303217439054422015-05-10T12:23:17.507-04:002015-05-10T12:23:17.507-04:00Here why I respect Brian De Palma for Mission: Imp...Here why I respect Brian De Palma for Mission: Impossible. I think it's pretty clear that we both love films. But I think that De Palma made one of the best casting choice ever hiring Ving "Marsellus Wallace" Rhames for this film. The I.T. genius is always some nerd but De Palma made a bold and brave choice for which I'll always respect for that. I think that both of us wouldn't hire Ving Rhames for this film. Which is bat-shit crazy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-11299549173081887442015-03-09T12:32:15.293-04:002015-03-09T12:32:15.293-04:00Thanks for this comment! We can't always agree...Thanks for this comment! We can't always agree, right? But I'm so pleased you respect my opinion. That means a lot.<br /><br />The Untouchables does get a little better every time I watch it. It has a handful of genuine "pure cinema" moments that I remain forever drawn to. And Morricone's music scores the action beautifully.<br /><br />Thanks again for stopping by!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-44480244734929155532015-03-06T22:34:16.505-05:002015-03-06T22:34:16.505-05:00Hey Alex. Pretty late to the conversation here, bu...Hey Alex. Pretty late to the conversation here, but I just happened to be watching Untouchables tonight and thought I would see if you had done a write-up on DePalma and sure enough here it is. In regards to this film in particular, I hadn't watched it in years and was just blown away upon rewatching. You mention the train station scene -- which is, of course, the iconic moment -- but there are others as well that are just as mesmerizing. The whole sequence involving Malone's death comes to mind. I love how De Palma "flips the script" on the home invasion scene. Normally, we would be given the POV of the homeowner, wondering where the intruder is. De Palma puts us literally in the perspective of the criminal, looking for our victim. Overall, upon rewatching, I really think the film is Scorsese-good. <br /><br />Anyway, thanks as always for the solid write-up. I don't always agree with you, but to quote Wes Mantooth, "goddammit, I respect you." Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-6054744536749355732014-11-26T13:04:56.210-05:002014-11-26T13:04:56.210-05:00Oh gotcha.Oh gotcha.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-8665833417648458412014-11-25T15:55:47.867-05:002014-11-25T15:55:47.867-05:00I said its excellent but its JUST great. Mission: ...I said its excellent but its JUST great. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol will be on tv soon and I didn't watch when it came out because I considered than a not great film. But you are right. (Excellent isn't Great).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-18494907371080432132014-11-25T12:42:12.133-05:002014-11-25T12:42:12.133-05:00I'm confused by your comment. Are you quoting ...I'm confused by your comment. Are you quoting yourself then retracting your three-day old quote, then, reaffirming your quote? Also, Mission: Impossible 4 (known as Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol) was released in 2011.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60749680379570425322014-11-25T07:21:29.833-05:002014-11-25T07:21:29.833-05:00"Mission: Impossible is an excellent action f..."Mission: Impossible is an excellent action flick". Mission: Impossible is just a good action flick. Mission: Impossible 2 is just EHH!!! Mission: Impossible is great, if the first didn't have nothing special, but look very real; this one did all great but was almost improbable. Soon will be the 4th part which I expect to be better than the first three films.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-19826533188454254292014-11-24T12:07:07.770-05:002014-11-24T12:07:07.770-05:00I agree with you. I don't think Scarface is pe...I agree with you. I don't think Scarface is perfect, but I do like a lot of the performances, for sure.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-32286067112087234072014-11-22T11:49:01.443-05:002014-11-22T11:49:01.443-05:00I just saw Scarface and Mission: Impossible. Both ...I just saw Scarface and Mission: Impossible. Both are very great, but Scarface is extremely well act by Pacino and have some great moments its too long, and Mission: Impossible is an excellent action flick (action flick in my opinion are bad because is "style over substance") have nothing special in it. Don't get me wrong, I think here is the best Tom Cruise performance ("here", Magnolia, Collateral), but beside that there are many good, but not great things.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-23715773248626540802014-08-05T10:53:39.686-04:002014-08-05T10:53:39.686-04:00Honestly, no, I don't think so. Including De P...Honestly, no, I don't think so. Including De Palma...Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-82329449740849282932014-08-04T23:44:00.972-04:002014-08-04T23:44:00.972-04:00Loved "Passion" ... but can anyone clari...Loved "Passion" ... but can anyone clarify what exactly happened in the last sixty seconds of the film ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-63809308049645922442014-01-20T14:40:41.559-05:002014-01-20T14:40:41.559-05:00First of all, thank you SO MUCH for presenting you...First of all, thank you SO MUCH for presenting your opinions in such a constructive way. I'm getting burnt out by people telling other people how their opinions are "wrong" because they liked <i>that</i> film or disliked <i>that</i> one. We clearly appreciate different De Palma films, and it is great that we can openly discuss that in a kind way. So thanks for that, really.<br /><br />As for the films, I actually love hearing your praise for Dahlia and Raising Cain in particular. I've only seen Cain twice, and I can definitely see potential of me enjoying it in that bonkers sort of way a few years from now. I haven't even heard of Magic Hour... but I certainly hope less time passes between his next film. Whether I end up liking it or not, I'm always game for De Palma.<br /><br />Thanks again for the comment!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60913671814811243692014-01-20T04:23:18.272-05:002014-01-20T04:23:18.272-05:00Interesting list Alex. What I like most about De P...Interesting list Alex. What I like most about De Palma filmography is that one De Palma's fan's 'clunker' is another fan's favourite! For example, I'm a huge fan of The Black Dahlia, it has some excellent set-pieces, and is shot perfectly in the directorial style (and acting) of classic 40's noir. (And yes I've also read the book and I still love the film). I'm also a big fan of Passion, it's a true De Palma film that is pure cinema and requires multiple-viewings to recognise how great it really is (just like most of his films since Femme Fatale). Raising Cain too, which IMHO is an absolutely bonkers black-comic thriller that hides under the surface of a glossy suburban soap-opera, & is also very underrated. Great calls though on Snake Eyes, Body Double, & Carlito's Way (my own personal favourite). Overall, what a great and varied filmography De Palma has - I just hope he keeps making the films he wants to make. I really hope 'Magic Hour' comes to fruition - it sounds very intriguing. Trevor Vantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-40434780120744035272014-01-20T01:37:24.889-05:002014-01-20T01:37:24.889-05:00Thanks buddy! It's funny, I used to feel the e...Thanks buddy! It's funny, I used to feel the exact same way about The Untouchables as you do now. But when I rewatched it a year ago, I had grown into the film, if that makes any sense. It's still a tad too slow, and Costner has certainly never been one of my favorites... but it works for me. It isn't perfect, but I'm on board with it.<br /><br />I love the New Hollywood fellas. Cassavettes is one of my all time favorites, so I'm definitely covering him soon. I've been working on Schrader for a while, but I can't binge watch his films, so it takes time. The director I'm featuring next came up at the same exact time as these New Hollywood guys, but he isn't considered NH, which is odd. To be continued!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-89351763475535931142014-01-19T20:37:14.407-05:002014-01-19T20:37:14.407-05:00Good analysis of De Palma's work. I've alw...Good analysis of De Palma's work. I've always found him to be the most exciting of the New Hollywood brats, his work is very daring. That said, his track record is super bumpy. I've always wanted to watch some of his earlier work and man, I'm excited to see this "Be Black, Baby" sequence, you sell it well. You're way more favorable on The Untouchables than I, I think despite the talent amassed, it falls super short for me. I think De Niro is sleepwalking, Costner is God awful, Connery is the only thing worth writing home about acting wise. Still Morricone kills it with one of the most iconic scores of all time and yeah, Mamet's script is tight as usual. <br /><br />I'm waiting for you to do some more New Hollywood digging. Cassavettes, Bogdonovich, Cimino, Schrader, Lumet! The world is your oyster! Great article man, keep it up. Tokarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807042060473464015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-54305909130421071592014-01-16T18:15:21.262-05:002014-01-16T18:15:21.262-05:00Hey Dan, thanks so much for reading and commenting...Hey Dan, thanks so much for reading and commenting. I love talking De Palma.<br /><br />You know, everytime I watch Dressed to Kill, I find myself liking it more. It just ends a little too neatly for me, I suppose.<br /><br />Seems that minus a few minor differences, we're pretty much in line here, which is really cool. Bonfire is such a waste, isn't it?Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-43716787567505917962014-01-16T18:11:07.037-05:002014-01-16T18:11:07.037-05:00Interesting stuff Alex. I'd give Raising Cain ...Interesting stuff Alex. I'd give Raising Cain a bit more credit simply because it's as "bat-shit insane" as Phantom of Paradise (okay, maybe not quite as insane!). But yeah, that one is a weaker effort.<br /><br />Agree with you on Scarface and Blow Out and Carlito's Way and Carrie and many of the others.<br /><br />I love Dressed To Kill, that's his best work in my opinion. His use of the camera, the twists and turns, the Scream-like early kill, Michael Caine like you've never seen him before - the film is incredible.<br /><br />I also like The Fury quite a bit. It gets under my skin which I like. Sisters is similarly unnerving but I'm less fond of its final third. Great to see plenty of love for Body Double too!<br /><br />Worst films? Bonfire and Mission to Mars for me.<br /><br />Great article Alex...I need to catch up on some of his more recent efforts, as well as his earliest stuff prior to Sisters. Danhttp://www.top10films.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-57513592002187655502014-01-16T16:52:17.103-05:002014-01-16T16:52:17.103-05:00I love that you're such a fan of Carlito's...I love that you're such a fan of Carlito's Way. Penn is brilliant in it, isn't he?<br /><br />I'll be really curious to hear your thoughts on Sisters.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-47540483313849524292014-01-16T16:46:21.739-05:002014-01-16T16:46:21.739-05:00Carlito’s Way is sooo good. I like this movie so m...Carlito’s Way is sooo good. I like this movie so much, I think this may be my favorite Sean Penn performance. <br /><br />I have Sisters in my Blind Spot for this year, I really need to find the time to finally see it.s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-83311535335498779712014-01-16T09:37:36.520-05:002014-01-16T09:37:36.520-05:00That segment in Hi, Mom! is... wow. It stunned me....That segment in Hi, Mom! is... wow. It stunned me. I was shocked and appalled. Heavy shit. I definitely recommend Blow Out if you haven't seen it. A very, very intricate and flawless thriller.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-70875188946181357482014-01-16T09:36:32.089-05:002014-01-16T09:36:32.089-05:00I LOVE that you're a Snake Eyes fan. I just ad...I LOVE that you're a Snake Eyes fan. I just adore that movie. You're right, it's crazy to look over all these films and realize they were made by the same guy. Such an eclectic body of work.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-25799175268698497752014-01-16T09:16:17.062-05:002014-01-16T09:16:17.062-05:00I'm in a weird place with De Palma. He's m...I'm in a weird place with De Palma. He's made several of my favorite movies of all time: The Untouchables, Carlito's Way, and Scarface (yeah, I'm one of "those"). Yet, I really haven't seen many of his other films. I haven't even heard of some of those early ones. I might have to start tracking some of these down. I'm most interested in "Hi, Mom!" That one sounds all sorts of intriguing.Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-89256117614537514912014-01-16T08:36:53.004-05:002014-01-16T08:36:53.004-05:00Awesome man, so happy to hear you dig this feature...Awesome man, so happy to hear you dig this feature. You certainly won't hear an argument from me about De Palma's films being boring. I totally get where you're coming from. They're all slow and purposeful, but you really have to be into the style of them to fully appreciate what's going on. Hell, it only works for me half the time with his movies. But, when he hits... he hits in all the best ways.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-76208537013767227352014-01-16T08:33:05.259-05:002014-01-16T08:33:05.259-05:00Thanks man! I definitely love all of those movies....Thanks man! I definitely love all of those movies. His earlier work is mostly skippable at best, but he has some gems in his later material.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.com