D. X. Taylor VIIII

sorrow and torment make art bloom

[dxtviiii]

Faces Places Dir: Agnès Varda, JR * * Varda and JR cruise around villages and small towns in France to meet with local communities and create large posters of them to plaster on nearby surroundings. * * Coining it as an "unassuming masterpiece", this film does meet up to its compliments. Quirky and spontaneous the film throws viewers into an adventure heartwarming and exciting for the soul to feast. * * Regardless of time, memories flash back and forth reminiscing on past memories of notoriety, thus bringing perspectives to how current it is with the present time. Apart from that, it shows one's positivity and enthusiasm in doing what they love despite physical shortcomings and the little things that makes people who they are and continue living lives happily. * * An adventurous road movie, it's not a surprise this film would intrigue curious viewers pondering what the movie is about. In every circumstance, there's a tinge of beauty in communing with strangers and fulfilling little things in life and photos, no matter the size, tell the tales of precious memories smiling back at us. #cinema #film #cinematography #filmography #france #frenchnewwave #agnesvarda #jr #facesplaces #visagesvillages #roadmovie #photography #art https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv_Hw1cHZaF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xb9bydgjs2mc

[dxtviiii]

A film after a long hiatus. Only God Forgives Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn * * American expatriate Julian (Ryan Gosling) is sent by his mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) to avenge the death of his brother. * * With its unconventional synth-organ influenced soundtrack and neon-like aesthetics, the movie graces itself within the crevices of art house films as a pleasing and eye soothing visual work of art. * * Don't let the title fool you as the film blends the narrative of human struggle, subliminal indications of incest and intimate self-glorification and one's pursuit of divine redemption. These factors catapult the film's potential way beyond conventional story writing and acting. * * Pity. Athough it competed at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, it failed to grapple favor from the public turning into one of the film industry's black sheep. Perhaps context and opinions do differ, as for this film's acceptance within the general public. Other than controversial entities revolving around the film, it stands as one's personal intimate prophecy to fulfill and a lesson in forgiving oneself. #cinematography #cinema #film #filmography #action #aesthetic #neon #thai #nicolaswindingrefn #onlygodforgives #ryangosling #kristinscottthomas #vithayapansringarm #rhathaphongam https://www.instagram.com/p/BvYtbJMnbvW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13v5rjn6gi3y9

[dxtviiii]

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) Dir: Joel & Ethan Coen * * The Ballad of Buster Scruggs tell the tales of people from different walks of life on the American frontier in 6 uniquely versatile short stories. * * An easy way to see this film would be in the eyes of a traveler, wandering from one story to another. Often times we empathise and sympathise the plight of characters when conflict rises but as travellers in the film, their anguish and grief is not for us to partake. From that, one learns that a road of the character's choice and personal conflict is their's and their's alone. * * All in all, this film is also a good example for a classical textbook film for film students. Each short story dabbles in movie making aspects from cliffhanger endings, suspenseful banter to subliminal dark humor. It does not sugarcoat film making wisdom nor does it lack in any order. Abundant and overflowing, it comes written in an anthology, ripe and rich. #film #filmography #cinema #cinematography #wildwest #shortstory #anthology #theballadofbusterscruggs #joelcoen #ethancoen #timblakenelson #tynedaly #jamesfranco #brendangleeson #zoekazan #liamneeson #tomwaits https://www.instagram.com/p/BunhCQaHibN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2b969u4206p5

[dxtviiii]

Youth Without Youth Dir: Francis Ford Coppola * * * Longing in sorrow for the love of his youth, Laura (Alexandra Maria Lara), Dominic Matei (Tim Roth) travels to Bucharest determined to commit suicide only to be abruptly struck by lightning which rejuvenated him to a younger man. * Tragically bittersweet, the plot plays to one's longing of answers in love, wisdom and life. Recurring themes include philosophy and theology which, although may seem misplaced, fits well compensating one another. * Exotically unorthodox, the soundtrack is another strong point, as it poises itself suits well to the situation of each designated scene. Indirectly, it puts viewers on an auditory trance while the plot progresses. * Frankly, it comes as a surprise to me that this film isn't well accepted although it's produced, written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, although there are some aspects and reasons that isn't told or displayed in the film. Apart from that, this film stand solid and competent as a fantasy-mystery drama dabbling in one's madness seeking for the contrasting theme of love, wisdom and personal validation. #film #cinema #cinematography #filmography #art #arthouse #philosophy #love #wisdom #fantasy #drama #tragedy #youthwithoutyouth #timroth #alexandramarialara #brunoganz https://www.instagram.com/p/BuS3KNvHP7V/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vdg5cz5es2uk

[dxtviiii]

The Last Emperor (1987) Dir: Bernardo Bertolucci * * Trialled as a political prisoner and war criminal, China's last emperor Puyi (John Lone) retells his life and times from a young emperor to a failing monarch. * * A striking film of a past long gone. * * #film #cinema #cinematography #filmography #war #politics #politicalfilms #china #qingdynasty #thelastemperor #bernadobertolucci #johnlone https://www.instagram.com/p/BuLGMhYnk0R/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ojaeptv5gnb8

[dxtviiii]

Another masterpieces starring the late Bruno Ganz. Wings of Desire Dir: Will Wenders * * * Unbeknownst to mortals, Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander) roam among the realm of the living, listening to their thoughts, joy and torment alike while lamenting the dread to partake in humanly pleasures and privileges of mankind. - The film perfectly encapsulates the nature of angels (or divine beings) wandering among mortals. Each monologue from every mortal tells their personal predicament, whether in joy or torment in detail, which enables the viewer to understand their morale and struggles as a human being. The monologues ring the ear and heart, evoking familiarity in the history of human emotions and past experiences. - Strong and powerful, subtext plays an excellent role in keeping the viewer interested to get into the minds of the angels and mortals. Monologues, conversations and interactions can only do so much to tell the story. At times philosophical, the values are encrypted in forms of parables, reminiscing from past to present how much a particular subject has changed as time flies and their minds has alps been conditioned to the surroundings that no longer remain familiar. - Not necessarily a film about religion nor agnostic beliefs, rather, it emerges as a proverbial film discussing one's progression in life and the never ending desire to plunge into the unknown to make one's soul whole again. #film #cinema #cinematography #arthouse #wingsofdesire #brunoganz #ottosander #peterfalk #solveigdommartin #german #swiss #deutsche https://www.instagram.com/p/BuDXt-GnDd0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5hpdi3y30qrl

[dxtviiii]

Rest in peace, Bruno Ganz. (1941 - 2019) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt-Bx4IHl_-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ir5ve2m5q3na

[dxtviiii]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Dir: Michel Gondry * * * After a breakup, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) undergoes a memory-erasing operation to rid him the memories of his old flame, Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet) only to desperately save every precious memory he wanted gone. Every feature in the film, from character to scene portrayal, it allows creativity to fill in the crevices of mysteries in lucid dreaming as the film smashes the concept of time into oblivion, nullifying the conformity of logic and reason. Deeper and deeper the film also explores the extent of impulsive acts, one's truest feelings and intentions of love, regret, confrontation of fears and the will to cling on to what matters the most, even when inevitable end marches closer. For a variation of romantic comedy, it shouldn't be frowned upon solely based on its genre type. It's philosophy goes way deeper and profound, etched into the surprise sheet of what makes this movie one of a kind. And through every madness-driven trip in dreamland, there's an adventure worth dreaming on. #film #cinema #cinematography #art #dreams #luciddreams #eternalsunshineofthespotlessmind #jimcarrey #katewinslet https://www.instagram.com/p/BtiA6asHeb6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xydis7e9nii9

[dxtviiii]

No Country for Old Men Dir: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen * * * On the run, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) is relentlessly pursued by a psychopathic hitman Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) while the local sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) slowly catches wind of the deaths left in their wake. As a familiar genre, it would be a shame for one to throw this film back into its stereotype. Not many can be understood from the surface but on a cryptic standpoint, however, the ice will eventually float. Thus, watching this film once would not do enough justice of the obscurity and mystery it offers. Instead of broadcasting the act of conquering over the antagonist, this film captures the total opposite of happy endings. It poses as a lesson to the full extent of what our past actions could do to ripple our destiny and in most occasions, the self-determination of others around us, resulting in an unstoppable force of inevitability, regardless good or bad. Each man is his own lawmaker, judge and jury, and his hands and mind do the work. It's a film deserving more than one screenings. Films such as this won't let you go that easy, especially when they have more to tell you. It is, truly, a buried jewel waiting to be dug up. #film #cinema #cinematography #art #wildwest #texas #nocountryforoldmen #joshbrolin #javierbardem #tommyleejones https://www.instagram.com/p/BtYcrvYnkAp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ppstiiyezc5o

[dxtviiii]

Good Bye, Lenin! (2003) Dir: Wolfgang Becker * * * Living within socialist confines, the Kerner Family are stuck with mishap when Christiane Kerner (Katrin Saß), mother to Alex (Daniel Brühl) and Ariane Kerner (Maria Simon) fell into a deep coma. Eight months later, Alex attempts to shield her from fatal shock, should she realize the fall of the Berlin Wall and denouement of socialism. The dynamics are spectacularly immaculate. From start to end it shows in detailed progression of the once socialist East Germany to the ever-progressing consumerism/ cosmopolitan unified Germany. To some, the movie embeds a great deal of Ostalgie, a sensation referring to the nostalgic lifestyle and culture of the former GDR (German Democratic Republic), which vanished like a lost dream after the reunification. As a tragicomedy, the plot plays it's role well to entice viewers with moments of laughter and tears in turns. One gets to feel the ecstatic joy in finding stacks of East German Marks, only to retreat in sadness when the defunct currency is no longer allowed to be exchanged for the shining new German Mark. Like a star in the dark skies of the cosmos, it reminds us that all that is lost may not have been lost at all, for through determination, love and a ginormous pinch of effort, it continues to live in us through the rest of our lives, comforting and complimenting us in the present time. #film #cinematography #cinema #art #coldwar #ddr #gdr #communism #socialism #eastgermany #ostalgie #goodbyelenin #danielbrühl #katrinsass #mariasimon https://www.instagram.com/p/BtPssV1HbdV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vxq5ulkp4diz

[dxtviiii]

Der Untergang (2004) Dir: Oliver Hirschbiegel * * * From Nazi Germany's days of peak military prowess to her final days, young Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara) continues to serve Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) as his personal secretary as the regime slowly crumbles to delusion, treason and eventually, capitulation. Negating favoritism of internet humor, Der Untergang stands as an example to how a story can be told, even when the plot is already know to all. In the simplicity of each scene, emotion and dialogue, it enables us to "travel" and relive Germany's falling days inside, outside and beyond the Führerbunker, similar to a "been there, done that" feel. Performance-wise, stellar is a word best to describe each actor's authenticity to their real life counterparts. Occasionally, in the movie, it slips my mind that Bruno Ganz and Adolf Hitler are not the same person as Bruno's acting blurs his true self. Overall, I'd say it's a good film to watch, no matter the occasion. It just never gets old. #film #cinematography #cinema #art #war #warfilms #wwii #deruntergang #alexandramarialara #brunoganz https://www.instagram.com/p/BtLJvycHYIl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5adbw3d9uc50

[dxtviiii]

Pawn Sacrifice (2014) Dir: Edward Zwick * * * Based on a true story, Pawn Sacrifice puts us in the life and mind of Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire) pursuing a mentally tormented quest of winning theWorld Chess Championship from Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber) as The Cold War rages on. #film #cinema #cinematography #art #chess #pawnsacrifice #tobeymaguire #lievschreiber https://www.instagram.com/p/BtI0jbFnKVz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=uonzp4zu1rgi

[dxtviiii]

Loving Vincent (2017) Dir: Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman * * * "You want to know so much about his death, but whtat do you know of his life?" https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs4fb9MnzkS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wlf11jeuv48x

[dxtviiii]

Kedi (2016) Dir: Ceyda Torun * * * "Dogs think people are God, but cats don't. Cats are aware of God's existence. Cats know that people act as middlemen to God's will. They're not ungrateful, they just know better." https://www.instagram.com/p/BsfNqKlHC2l/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15nihvvj0hxyk

[dxtviiii]

First movie in 2019. The Seventh Seal (1957) Dir: Ingmar Bergman * * * "Then life is a preposterous horror. No man can live faced with Death, knowing everything's nothingness." https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIDYRTH3IT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1oashqvnwbej

[dxtviiii]

First movie in 2019. The Seventh Seal (1957) Dir: Ingmar Bergman "Then life is a preposterous horror. No man can live faced with Death, knowing everything's nothingness." https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIB-OZnDwX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wyj3g0v0kdbt

[thethirdbear]

[dxtviiii]

r/accidentalrennaisance