Last week I rented Black Snake Moan, because it's been on my list of movies to see since I first heard of it, and when I walked into the video store it was the first title I saw that I could rent for a week. (I have so many movies I want to see, I spend very little time choosing one.) I don't think it's a great movie, but I liked it, mainly because the performances are so strong, and because the story tries to be different. I like movies that are a little bit off, a little bit strange, but not completely crazy impossible to get a handle on. Movies like this usually don't end up having a wide appeal, and often don't do well at the box office, and I don't think this was an exception. But it appeals to me, and I thought I might become a fan and supporter of writer/director Craig Brewer.
I'd heard nothing but great things about Hustle & Flow, so, after renting and liking Black Snake Moan, I figured I might as well see the guy's other movie, which I had at one point intended to see first, for the sake of being chronological, but it just didn't happen that way. And I didn't really like it. There's nothing bad to say about it, it's a strong film, decent storytelling, but I just didn't feel like it was anything new the way Black Snake is. It was all right, but I knew every beat of the story before it happened, I felt exactly where it was going every step of the way, and I just didn't care.
So the end result of this: I can see a lot of love and talent and hard hard work went into both movies, probably a lot more into Hustle & Flow, just because it's his first major film and it's always more difficult to establish oneself the first time, but after all of that work has been done and the movie is in place and it exists on its own, what separates the two? Story. How is it told, what does it show us, what do we experience in the telling? That's really what everything comes down to. The older I get, and the more I write, and the greater number of movies I see, the truer this maxim proves itself to be: story above all.
I don't care if you're a complete nobody with a mini dv and a bunch of friends and no money; you can make a great movie if you tell a great story. You can be a superbigshot badass with two hundred million dollars and a three hundred person crew and the greatest equipment in the galaxy, and if your story is pedestrian, the viewer's interest will walk out on you; heh heh. Story story story story story. Art painted on the sidewalk is still art. Beauty is beauty, truth is truth, in all its forms and incarnations.
Okay, so I titled this The World of Craig Brewer and went off topic a bit, not saying much about his movies, but I said what I feel and that's all I'm trying to do. The guy knows how to make a film, and if he keeps it new and interesting, I'm on board for the next one.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Big Open
The Simpsons movie opened this past weekend and made a lot of money. I'm not going to look up the precise box office take, because I don't really give a shit; if you do, you're reading the wrong blog. It will stay in the theaters for a little while, and it will make more money, but all the hype will be gone, because it seems to be more important than ever these days for a movie to open big. And I think that kinda sucks.
Movie advertising runs on such a predictable schedule now, that it's all too easy for people like me, who pay attention to what's going on but don't actually care about anything but the movies themselves, to see the big picture all too clearly. There are the early trailers, the teasers, that generally contain no footage from the movie itself, but are designed to interest everyone in seeing the movie several months down the line. If they do use actual footage, typically it's assembled quite hastily, and it shows. Then about two months before release, there are full trailers everywhere. I might be off on the dates here, but this isn't the important part, so lighten up. Trailers online, official websites, on new release DVD's, in theaters before movies believed to have the same target audience. TV ads all over the place. A month before release, you see something every day, often two or three times an hour. During commercials, on buses, billboards, pop-ups...constant advertising. Then it mostly disappears for a while, until the week of release, when they REALLY bombard you. Then it's Friday, and the movie opens, and they shut the fuck up. The gates are open, the bull is loose, and all they can do is hope for a wild ride.
Maybe, during opening weekend, up through the following weekend, you might see and hear ads telling you it's the #1 movie, but after that, almost nothing. That's it. It's over. It's like they figure, if you haven't gone to see it by then, either you're not going to, or you've made up your mind to see it eventually whether you're exposed to more advertising or not, and advertising to you at that point would be a waste of money. So as far as the studios are concerned, they need you opening weekend, or forget it.
And that's the way they have to do it, because there's too much demand on the attention of the consumer, which is generally short and fickle, not to mention the wallet of the consumer, which is also fickle, and not really all that deep, even though one might not think so considering the spending habits on economic display these days. I think it sucks they're forced to advertise this way, they're stuck with putting all their eggs in the basket of opening weekend. Because I remember the days of a movie staying in first run theaters for 3 or 4 months, then moving to second run theaters, dollar shows, and occasionally still being there when they came out on video 6 months after opening weekend. This was not that long ago, people; I'm not that old. But the speed of commerce is accelerating so rapidly, I'm starting to feel old pretty fast here.
Let me put it this way: I remember being amazed by the release of Batman Returns on VHS only four months after its theatrical release. That was practically unheard of at the time. In addition, it was also released FOR SALE on the same date made available for rent. This too was quite rare. The only movies released for sale and rent at the same time were children's movies, Disney stuff, because a lot of people did (and still do) buy those movies for their kids without actually having seen the movie. So for Warner Bros. to do this on a major motion picture, that had done well in theaters, was a totally new thing.
Clearly it was done to increase holiday revenue; the movie even takes place at christmastime. I'm sure it worked, and everyone else said hey, we should do that, we can make more year-end money releasing summer movies in time for holiday shopping. I can't say I blame them, but still, the rush for sales is maddening to someone who just wants to see the movie without all this pressure. Now, it's like I've got to see it right away, or just wait to rent it. There's no middle ground anymore. There was even a time, not too long ago, when movies were released on DVD shortly after being out on VHS for a little while. Sometimes, you couldn't even rent the DVD, it was only for sale. All of this is gone now. Everything comes out in 4-6 months, immediately for sale, often on sale, sometimes advertised more heavily than it was for its theatrical release. Personally, I kinda miss the old days.
Not the old old days, pre-VCR...I'm not a baby boomer or some crazy old fart; give me a break. I just like movies to stay in the theater for a while. They can't do that now; there are too many releases, and if they don't have enough screenings of the newest movie, they won't pull in enough money. Everything's gotta be fast fast fast and move on. What movies opened a month ago? Live Free or Die Hard. Transformers. Something else, I'm sure. I haven't seen an ad for either of those big movies in weeks. But I did go see Die Hard last week. I liked it. And the theater was far from crowded. Pretty soon, they'll only be showing it after 8pm, and the week after that, it's gone, not to be seen again until christmas shopping is upon us, and the DVD shows up.
I actually have extremely vague memories of my father taking me to see Star Wars in August of '77, and I was only three and half years old. Star Wars opened in May. They all have, I think, but the point is, as successful as that movie was in its time, if it opened in May of '07, I'm sure it'd be long gone from theaters, with ads for the DVD just around the corner. And I think that's sad. I think we're missing something. Making movies is a business, but the business is speeding up so fast, the movies are being left behind.
Movie advertising runs on such a predictable schedule now, that it's all too easy for people like me, who pay attention to what's going on but don't actually care about anything but the movies themselves, to see the big picture all too clearly. There are the early trailers, the teasers, that generally contain no footage from the movie itself, but are designed to interest everyone in seeing the movie several months down the line. If they do use actual footage, typically it's assembled quite hastily, and it shows. Then about two months before release, there are full trailers everywhere. I might be off on the dates here, but this isn't the important part, so lighten up. Trailers online, official websites, on new release DVD's, in theaters before movies believed to have the same target audience. TV ads all over the place. A month before release, you see something every day, often two or three times an hour. During commercials, on buses, billboards, pop-ups...constant advertising. Then it mostly disappears for a while, until the week of release, when they REALLY bombard you. Then it's Friday, and the movie opens, and they shut the fuck up. The gates are open, the bull is loose, and all they can do is hope for a wild ride.
Maybe, during opening weekend, up through the following weekend, you might see and hear ads telling you it's the #1 movie, but after that, almost nothing. That's it. It's over. It's like they figure, if you haven't gone to see it by then, either you're not going to, or you've made up your mind to see it eventually whether you're exposed to more advertising or not, and advertising to you at that point would be a waste of money. So as far as the studios are concerned, they need you opening weekend, or forget it.
And that's the way they have to do it, because there's too much demand on the attention of the consumer, which is generally short and fickle, not to mention the wallet of the consumer, which is also fickle, and not really all that deep, even though one might not think so considering the spending habits on economic display these days. I think it sucks they're forced to advertise this way, they're stuck with putting all their eggs in the basket of opening weekend. Because I remember the days of a movie staying in first run theaters for 3 or 4 months, then moving to second run theaters, dollar shows, and occasionally still being there when they came out on video 6 months after opening weekend. This was not that long ago, people; I'm not that old. But the speed of commerce is accelerating so rapidly, I'm starting to feel old pretty fast here.
Let me put it this way: I remember being amazed by the release of Batman Returns on VHS only four months after its theatrical release. That was practically unheard of at the time. In addition, it was also released FOR SALE on the same date made available for rent. This too was quite rare. The only movies released for sale and rent at the same time were children's movies, Disney stuff, because a lot of people did (and still do) buy those movies for their kids without actually having seen the movie. So for Warner Bros. to do this on a major motion picture, that had done well in theaters, was a totally new thing.
Clearly it was done to increase holiday revenue; the movie even takes place at christmastime. I'm sure it worked, and everyone else said hey, we should do that, we can make more year-end money releasing summer movies in time for holiday shopping. I can't say I blame them, but still, the rush for sales is maddening to someone who just wants to see the movie without all this pressure. Now, it's like I've got to see it right away, or just wait to rent it. There's no middle ground anymore. There was even a time, not too long ago, when movies were released on DVD shortly after being out on VHS for a little while. Sometimes, you couldn't even rent the DVD, it was only for sale. All of this is gone now. Everything comes out in 4-6 months, immediately for sale, often on sale, sometimes advertised more heavily than it was for its theatrical release. Personally, I kinda miss the old days.
Not the old old days, pre-VCR...I'm not a baby boomer or some crazy old fart; give me a break. I just like movies to stay in the theater for a while. They can't do that now; there are too many releases, and if they don't have enough screenings of the newest movie, they won't pull in enough money. Everything's gotta be fast fast fast and move on. What movies opened a month ago? Live Free or Die Hard. Transformers. Something else, I'm sure. I haven't seen an ad for either of those big movies in weeks. But I did go see Die Hard last week. I liked it. And the theater was far from crowded. Pretty soon, they'll only be showing it after 8pm, and the week after that, it's gone, not to be seen again until christmas shopping is upon us, and the DVD shows up.
I actually have extremely vague memories of my father taking me to see Star Wars in August of '77, and I was only three and half years old. Star Wars opened in May. They all have, I think, but the point is, as successful as that movie was in its time, if it opened in May of '07, I'm sure it'd be long gone from theaters, with ads for the DVD just around the corner. And I think that's sad. I think we're missing something. Making movies is a business, but the business is speeding up so fast, the movies are being left behind.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Songs Remain the Same
I find it very interesting when a song I've heard before, that I'm somewhat familiar with, is used during a scene in a movie, but used so well and so meaningfully that I can no longer hear the song without being taken back to that moment in the film - when the visual and emotional elements in the film become inextricable from the music. Here are a dozen examples off the top of my head - arranged, naturally, obsessively, even, some might say, in chronological order. (Mind you, these are not songs from movies, but songs already written, then used in the movie...songs with a life of their own prior to the existence of the film.)
Twist & Shout by The Beatles in Ferris Bueller's Day Off - How could anyone hear this song and not immediately picture Matthew Broderick on a parade float? Certainly no one from my generation...
Outshined by Soundgarden in True Romance - Brad Pitt smokin' a honey bear bong...those were the days, man.
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd in Forrest Gump - along with Sweet Home Alabama (also used in Gump), probably their most widely known song...it's shown up in all kinds of movies over the years - the most recent in my memory being Rob Zombie's The Devil's Rejects (which used the entire song in a really stupid and boring way) - but the scene in which a despondent Jenny, fed up with her life of drug addiction, abuse, and loneliness, considers taking a dive from a balcony, edited to the pace of the music, really makes a strong cinematic impression, and that particular marriage of music and film really sticks with me.
Let's Stay Together by Al Green in Pulp Fiction - Hearing this, I can't help but picture a band-aid on the back of Ving Rhames' neck, and Bruce Willis' unchanging expression. Tarantino in particular is often mentioned as a filmmaker who creates indelible visual associations with certain music...I mean, who could possibly hear Stuck In The Middle With You by Dealer's Wheel and not think of Michael Madsen in Reservoir Dogs...the dancing psycho, the ear slicer...I mention it only because I listed another song from another Tarantino film, but it's not officially on my list...because it's just too easy.
The Seeker by The Who in American Beauty - Lester whistles the tune after a morning jog, on the last day of his life. The sound of a man who is doomed, yet surprisingly happy.
Where Is My Mind by The Pixies in Fight Club - I'd heard this song on the radio long before I saw the movie, and didn't think much of it...until the explosions went off. Now I can't imagine one without the other.
All Star by Smash Mouth in Shrek - Never a fan of the band, but a big green ogre washing himself in mud seems like a good match for the song...which I'm pretty sure was also used in the trailer for Mystery Men.
Notorious by Duran Duran in Donnie Darko - This movie uses a lot of eighties music to good effect, but for some reason, Sparkle Motion is a more distinct match...which is weird, considering they shot the scene using West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys, but couldn't get the rights to it.
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey in Monster - I don't think I've ever seen a song used so beautifully, and so powerfully, to drive a scene. Astonishing. I won't go into detail about it, because if you haven't seen it, I simply couldn't do it justice here. Rent it - the whole movie uses music very well, and this scene simply stands out.
Don't Stop Me Now by Queen in Shaun Of The Dead - I heard this on the radio yesterday, and totally felt like beating the crap out of a Zed-word with a pool stick. Also, the U.S. trailer shows our intrepid heroes approaching the Winchester, imitating the very crowd they walk amongst, to the tune of Pretend We're Dead by L7. A bit too on the nose, yes, but a great song, and it was still funny.
Something In The Way by Nirvana in Jarhead - I became an instant fan when Nirvana first hit the airwaves nationwide, and I've heard this song hundreds of times off the album, but it's become difficult to distinguish my own personal experience of the song from Swofford's predicament, his frustration, and that image of the sink filling up with vomited sand. Pretty strong stuff.
Super Freak by Rick James in Little Miss Sunshine - The song's been around a long time, and certainly doesn't have any deep psychological insight, but come on...Olive's crazy dance finally brings her family together. What can I say? I just love this movie.
If you want to hear any of these songs and see what they make you think of...well, go look 'em up! You've got an internet connection. After that, watch the movie. Tell me what you think. I like to hear opinions.
Twist & Shout by The Beatles in Ferris Bueller's Day Off - How could anyone hear this song and not immediately picture Matthew Broderick on a parade float? Certainly no one from my generation...
Outshined by Soundgarden in True Romance - Brad Pitt smokin' a honey bear bong...those were the days, man.
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd in Forrest Gump - along with Sweet Home Alabama (also used in Gump), probably their most widely known song...it's shown up in all kinds of movies over the years - the most recent in my memory being Rob Zombie's The Devil's Rejects (which used the entire song in a really stupid and boring way) - but the scene in which a despondent Jenny, fed up with her life of drug addiction, abuse, and loneliness, considers taking a dive from a balcony, edited to the pace of the music, really makes a strong cinematic impression, and that particular marriage of music and film really sticks with me.
Let's Stay Together by Al Green in Pulp Fiction - Hearing this, I can't help but picture a band-aid on the back of Ving Rhames' neck, and Bruce Willis' unchanging expression. Tarantino in particular is often mentioned as a filmmaker who creates indelible visual associations with certain music...I mean, who could possibly hear Stuck In The Middle With You by Dealer's Wheel and not think of Michael Madsen in Reservoir Dogs...the dancing psycho, the ear slicer...I mention it only because I listed another song from another Tarantino film, but it's not officially on my list...because it's just too easy.
The Seeker by The Who in American Beauty - Lester whistles the tune after a morning jog, on the last day of his life. The sound of a man who is doomed, yet surprisingly happy.
Where Is My Mind by The Pixies in Fight Club - I'd heard this song on the radio long before I saw the movie, and didn't think much of it...until the explosions went off. Now I can't imagine one without the other.
All Star by Smash Mouth in Shrek - Never a fan of the band, but a big green ogre washing himself in mud seems like a good match for the song...which I'm pretty sure was also used in the trailer for Mystery Men.
Notorious by Duran Duran in Donnie Darko - This movie uses a lot of eighties music to good effect, but for some reason, Sparkle Motion is a more distinct match...which is weird, considering they shot the scene using West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys, but couldn't get the rights to it.
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey in Monster - I don't think I've ever seen a song used so beautifully, and so powerfully, to drive a scene. Astonishing. I won't go into detail about it, because if you haven't seen it, I simply couldn't do it justice here. Rent it - the whole movie uses music very well, and this scene simply stands out.
Don't Stop Me Now by Queen in Shaun Of The Dead - I heard this on the radio yesterday, and totally felt like beating the crap out of a Zed-word with a pool stick. Also, the U.S. trailer shows our intrepid heroes approaching the Winchester, imitating the very crowd they walk amongst, to the tune of Pretend We're Dead by L7. A bit too on the nose, yes, but a great song, and it was still funny.
Something In The Way by Nirvana in Jarhead - I became an instant fan when Nirvana first hit the airwaves nationwide, and I've heard this song hundreds of times off the album, but it's become difficult to distinguish my own personal experience of the song from Swofford's predicament, his frustration, and that image of the sink filling up with vomited sand. Pretty strong stuff.
Super Freak by Rick James in Little Miss Sunshine - The song's been around a long time, and certainly doesn't have any deep psychological insight, but come on...Olive's crazy dance finally brings her family together. What can I say? I just love this movie.
If you want to hear any of these songs and see what they make you think of...well, go look 'em up! You've got an internet connection. After that, watch the movie. Tell me what you think. I like to hear opinions.
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