tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post2741243145926045276..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: the Directors: Denis VilleneuveAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-66926145707537843582016-11-08T16:42:38.537-05:002016-11-08T16:42:38.537-05:00Thanks! I'm so excited for that one.Thanks! I'm so excited for that one.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-71356834323585396272016-11-08T14:52:14.974-05:002016-11-08T14:52:14.974-05:00i'm already looking forward to your review for...i'm already looking forward to your review for Arrival <3Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02076861643556863971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-55115040562472301792015-10-21T12:52:10.235-04:002015-10-21T12:52:10.235-04:00So good, right? Really happy you enjoyed it. I'...So good, right? Really happy you enjoyed it. I'm excited to see it again soon too.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-82615436870483208302015-10-21T12:30:55.324-04:002015-10-21T12:30:55.324-04:00I feel like 'Sicario' is a masterpiece. I ...I feel like 'Sicario' is a masterpiece. I couldn't believe how good that movie was. I look forward to seeing more from this director in the future.msmariahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15486729990673366769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-33352807483957677412015-10-19T12:07:39.520-04:002015-10-19T12:07:39.520-04:00SO happy you're enjoying his work, he really i...SO happy you're enjoying his work, he really is an incredible filmmaker isn't he? I too think Blade Runner 2 can be great, as long as we get the experimental Villeneuve. But I fear that may not happen, as it's a studio film, but we shall see. Enemy really floored me, very few directors have the audacity to make movies like that anymore. I do love a good piece of surrealist cinema.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-29549504630844675012015-10-19T12:01:57.359-04:002015-10-19T12:01:57.359-04:00See man, that's what I'm saying haha.See man, that's what I'm saying haha.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-58774928988253025372015-10-18T13:59:41.704-04:002015-10-18T13:59:41.704-04:00Can you believe I’ve watched my two first Villeneu...Can you believe I’ve watched my two first Villeneuve films during the past few weeks? What a coincidence! It all started because a friend of mine recommended me Saramago’s novel, which Enemy is based on, and then I decided to watch the film, which I had already on my to watch list but never found the right time to do it before. Then I remembered Jake Gyllenhaal was the protagonist and I was more eager to watch it because I’m a great fan of his, and what a film! I was so shocked by it that I even told my mother she needed to watch it so we could talk about it (it’s an old habit for me to comment films like that one with my mother, probably because I started watching Bergman and Lynch with her and she's a psychologist and always offers me a different view on those films). And then, last Sunday, they premiered Prisoners on Spain’s national television and as I was staying at her house, we decided to watch it together. Needless to say we loved it too. I understand why you like Enemy more than Prisoners. I’m still haunted by the vision of the upside-down on the corridor and by the spider… I even had dreams about it. And I loved Adam Bell's monologues to his students, and the ending. But I also liked about Prisoners, quite a lot, even knowing about its faults, because of the tension on it and Gyllenhaal’s performance as Loki. It’s one of those unforgettable characters. If it would have been a TV series I’d demand a spin-off focused on Loki. I even see him as a possible counterpart of Saga Noren on Bron. I'd definitely check out Villeneuve's previous works (this post was very helpful) and Sicario, which I was already anticipating because of the plot and the cast. Moreover, I'm now less afraid about the Blade Runner sequel knowing Villeneuve might direct it. I loved what Ridley Scott did, a stunning film, but his approach was quite different to the novel and I feel like Villeneuve (in particular the Villeneuve of Enemy) could do a better job bringing to the screen Philip K. Dick's vision. There were some elements in the novel they didn’t use on the film and I think Villeneuve could use them.<br />I have to reply to your message, hope to do it asap!<br /><br />María Val. https://www.blogger.com/profile/17702353414253463871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-25476347258593114922015-10-15T05:50:36.468-04:002015-10-15T05:50:36.468-04:00Haha, something like that. I've always preferr...Haha, something like that. I've always preferred the 1992 director's cut, but I hear the 2007 final cut is pretty good.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-22836672700070830732015-10-12T12:20:32.179-04:002015-10-12T12:20:32.179-04:00Ha, gotcha. That's hilarious.Ha, gotcha. That's hilarious.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-11327112000290977272015-10-12T11:47:49.398-04:002015-10-12T11:47:49.398-04:00Nope ... you're good. I just wanna make sure e...Nope ... you're good. I just wanna make sure everyone knows. :)<br /><br />I wanna get people off of thinking Canadians are all weirdos like Chronenberg and Egoyan...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-83776989803780170282015-10-12T11:23:01.292-04:002015-10-12T11:23:01.292-04:00I'm a bit confused by your comment. I know Vil...I'm a bit confused by your comment. I know Villeneuve is Canadian. Did I say somewhere that he's not...?<br /><br />I'm glad you're a fan of his work. His films are so important and so damn well made.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-91501393001039610882015-10-12T11:20:20.459-04:002015-10-12T11:20:20.459-04:00I'm with Hamlet on this one. I pretty much ech...I'm with Hamlet on this one. I pretty much echoed this thought two comments above (in response to Sati). But what's really important is that we all loved the film. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-33131276119050403682015-10-12T11:18:57.737-04:002015-10-12T11:18:57.737-04:00House! I haven't seen that in so long. Need to...House! I haven't seen that in so long. Need to rewatch it asap. Whatta mind fuck.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-15489009968559579592015-10-11T16:34:30.917-04:002015-10-11T16:34:30.917-04:00I don't share your assessment of the cop subpl...I don't share your assessment of the cop subplot.<br /><br />I think Villeneuve is showing that the war on drugs envelops even those at the periphery ... even otherwise decent people. That isn't going to be a groundbreaking revelation but I think his reminder is that even the decent are forced to do things perhaps they wouldnt normally do on account of the war having solified the power of the overlords. <br /><br />I think the pausing of the soccer came and then its resuming - and the soccer game is connected to the cop because his son is playing - served nicely as a metaphor that the violence perpetuated by the war on drugs will go on even if this or that person seemingly responsible meets his or her end.Hamlet Noggshttps://landsofforever.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-85689171731231947562015-10-11T15:37:08.869-04:002015-10-11T15:37:08.869-04:00Everyone knows that Villeneuve is Canadian, right?...Everyone knows that Villeneuve is Canadian, right?<br /><br />(Well ... Quebecois so it's possible he doesn't consider himself Canadian).<br /><br />In any event ... I was blown away by the punch of Incendies and that was despite years and years of build up and desire to see it. I'm not sure why it took me so long.<br /><br />No issue with Prisoners - I really liked Prisoners actually - or Enemy and I really enjoyed Sicario. <br /><br />So ... while the Mexicans have taken over the film industry - and thank goodness - there's a good Canadian out there too. Hamlet Noggshttps://landsofforever.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-32450642692326415752015-10-11T10:25:51.665-04:002015-10-11T10:25:51.665-04:00I really loved Sicario, I'd give it an A-. The...I really loved Sicario, I'd give it an A-. The cop subplot felt a bit unnecessary, (spoilers) like they tried to pull off a Heat move but with a bit less development. Honestly, the story over all felt simple. A drug busting movie with revenge elements to it isn't really new but I am inclined to a decent story told in a great way (Memento), then a great premise wasted. I appreciate the storytelling aspect more then the story itself.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-24282322536534137242015-10-09T21:32:05.066-04:002015-10-09T21:32:05.066-04:00Thank you very, very much for that pronunciation. ...Thank you very, very much for that pronunciation. <br /><br />"Fucking out there" is exactly my kind of movie (ever see House/Hausu? One of my favorites), so the high levels of anticipation I feel for Queen of Earth have just shot up higher.Nick9000https://www.blogger.com/profile/04850668284839130387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-81614317089072020302015-10-09T19:17:41.687-04:002015-10-09T19:17:41.687-04:00Yeah for sure, he's really killing it.Yeah for sure, he's really killing it.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-8437393127465800232015-10-09T19:17:21.151-04:002015-10-09T19:17:21.151-04:00I loved that Mexican cop arc in Sicario because *s...I loved that Mexican cop arc in Sicario because *spoilers!* the flick spends an inordinate amount of time having the audience gain sympathy for him and them BAM! he's killed him off the second shit gets hot. Fucking merciless. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-43045685346171976632015-10-09T19:14:49.136-04:002015-10-09T19:14:49.136-04:00Can't say I'm very excited for Blade Runne...Can't say I'm very excited for Blade Runner 2 either. But I do have faith in Villeneuve, so we shall see. I know his earlier work is hard to find, but definitely keep trying. Such great work.<br /><br />Queen of Earth is good but fucking <i>out there</i>. I watched it twice in two days, and still need more viewings to fully process it.<br /><br />I believe it's Den-e Vill-n-oove.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-23970349314573075782015-10-09T14:43:40.424-04:002015-10-09T14:43:40.424-04:00This guy is really on a roll at the minute, I gott...This guy is really on a roll at the minute, I gotta see more of his movies. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-48402057299346160332015-10-09T14:21:53.444-04:002015-10-09T14:21:53.444-04:00Awesome write up! I couldn't dislike Prisoners...Awesome write up! I couldn't dislike Prisoners more but it's not because of his direction which was actually great, it's the script. The script was also pretty much the only issue I had with Sicario - that whole Mexican cop's family scenes just felt so unnecessary and cliche for me.But other than his films are just getting better and better and he really gets amazing work from his actorss.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-9426433893998766262015-10-09T00:45:06.131-04:002015-10-09T00:45:06.131-04:00Man, Sicario left me shaken. I agree that it's...Man, Sicario left me shaken. I agree that it's the best of the year (although Mad Max: Fury Road ranks very close behind it). But Sicario, man, each shot is just impeccable. The score and performances too. And the thought that something like that's going on, and in our own back yard. Christ.<br /><br />I feel like he gets better with ever film. I've seen Prisoners (B+), Enemy (A), and Sicario (A+).<br />I think he might be one of my Top Five favorite directors working today (along Michael Haneke, Wes Anderson, The Coen Brothers, and maybe either David Fincher or Spike Jonze). I just need to get my hands on copies on Incendies (easy enough), Maelstrom (not so easy), and Polytechnique ("currently unavailable" on Amazon. Fuck). I'm not really looking forward to Blade Runner 2, though, because it seems unnecessary to me, and also because I wasn't a fan of the original at all. But I think Villeneuve is a much, much, much better director than Ridley Scott, so who knows?<br /><br />I saw an earlier comment mentioning Queen of Earth. How was that? I really wanted to see it, but it didn't come around to my neck of the woods (I live in the Bay Area, you'd think it would at least come to San Francisco or something?). I'll just have to catch it on Blu-ray, I suppose.<br /><br />Also, can someone please tell me how to pronounce "Villeneuve"? I try to tell my friends about him, but I keep stumbling.<br />Nick9000https://www.blogger.com/profile/04850668284839130387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-69616856768747843362015-10-08T11:16:13.312-04:002015-10-08T11:16:13.312-04:00I just read an interview with Roger Deakins and he...I just read an interview with Roger Deakins and he said Blade Runner 2 will likely be converted to 3D in post. It's an interesting read, because he's clearly not happy about it, but he knows it's just part of the game now. I've had trouble with Blade Runner over the years, mostly because I have no idea which version to watch haha. Aren't there like seven?!<br /><br />Polytechnique, man. Just... man.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-57890671469493680032015-10-08T11:12:22.893-04:002015-10-08T11:12:22.893-04:00Totally agree. Incendies was the first film of his...Totally agree. Incendies was the first film of his that I saw, and I knew he was a filmmaker I was destined to love. How whacky is Next Floor?Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.com