o brother

[Sir Bronking]

o brother where art thou (cracking film)
is showing on abc 1 this month
see here

 

[rolfw]

Excellent film, loved every bit of it.

Clooney plays a con who starts a bluegrass band, trivial but very enjoyable plot.

 

[PaulR]

The standout point is the concert that the cons give. It's a pity that it isn't Clooney actually singing but it's still a good movie.

 

[spiney]

Couldn't disagree more, found this boring pretentious drivel (the constant references to the Odyssey being especially pointless).

A pity, cos the Coen Bros' previous films - especially Raising Arizona, Hudsucker, Fargo, etc, were excellent, in concept and execution.

I also understand their so-called "remake" of The Ladykillers - not having actually seen it yet - is dire utter tripe!

(For some reason, many respected critics regard all the Coens' films as worthless rubbish, a viewpoint I don't share, but I certainly do agree with them about O Brother).

 

[Channel Hopper]

Fargo really was the pits.

Gratuitous violence on screen, shock tactics to help distract the viewer away from the plot holes. On par with all Tarantino offerings since Jackie Brown.

 

[Llew]

William H Macy always gets my vote whatever he's in though.

Llew

 

[Channel Hopper]

William H Macy always gets my vote whatever he's in though.

Even so, he couldn't save that stinkfest.

 

[BarMoo]

I also understand their so-called "remake" of The Ladykillers - not having actually seen it yet - is dire utter tripe!).

Hanks does his best (in voice/make-up) to 'emulate' Sir Alec Guinness's genial performance - but, while the remake has a few laugh-out-loud moments - it is as tedious as the remake of other great Brit films like 'The Italian Job' (about the same new release time?).

Hollywood can try, but they won't beat the english versions of these films, EVER.

Still, good DVD rental fonder. And I must admit I copied the new vers. of Italian Job - only because I have a lust for one of the actors.

.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Still, good DVD rental fonder. And I must admit I copied the new vers. of Italian Job - only because I have a lust for one of the actors.
.

Not Marky Mark ? ;)

NB - Devil's Advocate is worth a look

 

[spiney]

Well, Barmoo, a remake might be different, in fact, that's the only "excuse" for doing it, otherwise the motive is simply money!

However, they've entirely missed the whole point of The Ladykillers, which was about Clem Atlee's government! If they'd made it about Jimmy Carter ......

 

[BarMoo]

.... which was about Clem Atlee's government! If they'd made it about Jimmy Carter ......

Uuumm, sorry, I am lost now. Didn't know it was a satirical reflection of the time or a politically motivated film I just enjoyed the ride. Or, do you mean Sir Alec looking like Atlee?

Well, the remake is set in contemporary Southern America (I think, LOL); albeit, Hank's character looks more like Abe Lincoln. Very odd.

.

 

[spiney]

Well, ok Barmoo, that claim's disputed - with limited references (eg, see: http://www.britishpictures.com/books/ealing.htm ) - but all the same, I believe it's fairly clear.

If u watch Ladykillers (original version, obviously!), then near start of film, where Johnson goes BACK to her house from police station, she passes a tramp. Suddenly, there's a huge thunderstorm, and he turns his chalk drawn portrait of Churchill to face the wall, so it doesn't get wet! Entirely deliberate, and an obvious reference to the British electorate's rejection of Churchill immediately after World War 2 (which hugely upset him). That much is certainly true, what's disputed is whether the ENTIRE film is actually "about" this (at the very least, it can certainly be interpreted in this way, a fact which director Mackendrick was well aware of!).

As I've said several times before, there was much socialist and trade union "bashing" in Brit films from this era (not excluing those of Michael Powell!). This theme runs thorugh ALL the Ealing Comedies, influenced as they were by Michael Balcon.

 

[Llew]

Allegorical references in films to political and social issues of the day have been made since Eisenstein. Good examples are those US UFO films made in the '50's with their underlying Commie -bashing themes.

Just sit back and enjoy them for heaven's sake O-Ha

Llew

 

[spiney]

Just sit back and enjoy them for heaven's sake O-Ha

Llew

The original Ladykillers is utterly hilarious, without any of that, but I believe knowing such things heightens appreciation .... in what way would it be better NOT to know that?

Point is, Llew, although very easily missed (most people don't see it!) the reference is quite clear and explicit, not a small detail, hence - in some way - vitally important (ambiguity is cruical; having once made that reference, it would then have been quite easy to "deactivate" it, but this is not done, with the result that it's still there, but easily "deniable" in case anyone asks!).

added - I don't think it was commie "bashing", so much as outright utter fear (they're going to get us!), eg, bodysnatching, etc.

 

[Sir Bronking]

Couldn't disagree more, found this boring pretentious drivel (the constant references to the Odyssey being especially pointless).

oh spinney....

can you not just watch a film without analising and do as barmoo does just go along for the ride, i watched many a film and at the end thought what a load of crap that was, but it still had me watching (spellbound) till the end, which at times is the point

and ch cannot believe you didn't like fargo, lovely ride that was, but again felt cheated at the end

 

[spiney]

Sir Bronking .....

Yes, indeedy, you're absolutely right, I couldn't agree more!

Films are entertainment, first and foremost. If they don't do that, they're not worth watching at all. End of argument.

However, some films are even more entertaining with repeated viewing, one reason being there's a lot in them, not all immediately apparent!

Have you ever watched a film more than once? If so, why?

(actually, I DID like Fargo, that's what it says above!).

My point about remakes is, a "famous title" is used purely and cynically to make money, and nothing else, hence the remake is usually very poor (it has low entertainment value, and the audience is cheated).

 

[Channel Hopper]

and ch cannot believe you didn't like fargo, lovely ride that was, but again felt cheated at the end

After having paid £14 at Leicester Square for two tickets, yes I felt cheated.

 

[Sir Bronking]

Sir Bronking .....

Yes, indeedy, you're absolutely right, I couldn't agree more! WOW



(actually, I DID like Fargo, that's what it says above!).

.

i was on about your thought on o brother

agree with the remake theory though having said that....

there maybe a film (cannot not think of one offhand) that depending on which version you saw first could have a big influence as to which one you most like...

or maybe you see a film adaptation like it so read the book and feel disapointed (and b4 spiney's that would depend on the slant the director has taken i mean in general)

 

[spiney]

Anyway, O Brother is on again soon, so will try to watch it again ......

 

[spiney]

O Brother is on film 4 tomorrow (Thur 22 Sept) film 4 9pm.