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Film Review: QUEER: Daniel Craig Astonishes in a Strange but Ambitious Film That Will Divide Audiences [NYFF 2024] https://film-book.com/film-review-queer-daniel-craig-astonishes-in-a-strange-but-ambitious-film-that-will-divide-audiences-nyff-2024/?feed_id=158410&_unique_id=6702b1d22abbd
Back from watching #TheNorthman at my local #VueCinema (@vue). Really enjoyed this. A story that could easily have been ripped from the Old Norse Eddas - and as it's actually based on the Old Icelandic legend of Amleth, which was the inspiration for #Shakespeare's #Hamlet (and in turn also Disney's #TheLionKing), I'm actually not far off on that comparison. It tells the tale of a Viking prince seeking bloody vengeance against his traitorous uncle who, years before, murdered his father and married his mother. As epic as it is brutal, the majestic vistas of Iceland are spectacular, and the violence is visceral and bloody, 'The Northman' also manages to weave in threads of Norse mythology and folklore into its tale, something that I enjoyed, adding slivers of the fantastical and mystical to this barbarous revenge story, which elevates it above being just a tale of Viking revenge. 'The Northman' is a film with sublime cinematography, compelling performances from a very fine cast, that is clearly absorbed by its Norse Saga origins and setting. And that's a very good thing! I've not seen any other #RobertEggers films before (I'm not a big horror fan), but I would make the obvious comparison to #DavidLowery's #TheGreenKnight, so if you enjoyed that, I think you'll enjoy this too. Recommended viewing. #InstaMovieReview (at Vue) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcbkKFMt-cY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
The Green Knight (2021)
The Green Knight is too profound – and R-Rated – for young audiences but it’s exactly the kind of formative fantasy adventure you would see as a youth and carry with you for the rest of your life. Visually striking, layered, masterfully conceived by writer/director David Lowery, it knocks you off your feet.
On Christmas Day, the mysterious Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) barges into King Arthur’s hall with a game: he will give his enchanted ax to anyone who can land a blow on him but in a year, they must travel to the Green Chapel and receive an equal strike in return. When Gawain (Dev Patel) decapitates the Green Knight, he believes he’s found a loophole - until the eerie stranger picks himself up and tells him they will see each other again.
Based on the 14th-century Arthurian story, this is a faithful adaptation and a revisionist interpretation. It fills the gaps in the original narrative and tweaks the ending to be ambiguous if you’re familiar with the story or deeply mature and self-reflective if you haven’t. The Round Table and its knights evoke images of pure hearts. Gaiwan (he’s no “Sir” yet) is no hero. He's introduced waking up in a brothel next to his lover, Essel (Alicia Vikander). He might love her, but enough to bring her into his world? It's unlikely. When Arthur asks Gaiwan to humor him with a tale of his heroism. He has none to offer. After decapitating the Green Knight, he revels for a year – hardly taking any time to prepare for his quest. He may dress like a knight but we know he isn’t one. He does too.
This is a gorgeous film with striking colors and environments that would inspire the same sort of myths we're seeing. From the sumptuous costumes to the titular Green Knight, there’s so much to look at you kind of want to play the movie at one-tenth the speed so you can drink in every detail - but that would interrupt the story.
The flawed protagonist makes The Green Knight completely unpredictable. You can see who Gaiwan could be if he remembers and learns from the strange encounters along the way to the Green Chapel. In a world where magic is real, it seems possible for him to become a good man. You're unsure. The adult themes with the gore, sex, and disturbing imagery mean unpleasant truths fit right at home in this story.
There’s so much to unpack in The Green Knight. Its themes of legacy and righteousness, the post-credit scene I’m still not sure I understand but only because I’ve only seen the film once, the choice of characters incorporated in the story, the changes that make this feel like it’s the story that inspired the story, the ending, art direction, cast, sets, costumes make it a great film. What takes it to the level are the performances. They aren’t flashy but add so much. Dev Patel is particularly excellent.
It’s not just that I can’t wait to see The Green Knight again; it’s that I need to see it again with others so we can discuss it at length. (January 18, 2021)
A GHOST STORY / DAVID LOWERY / 2017
FRAMES
Seminal, influential alternative/country/roots rockers Cracker (@thebandcracker) with a brilliant career-spanning set at City Winery tonight. #cracker #citywinery #citywinerynyc #davidlowery #johnnyhickman #thebandcracker #nyc #concert @citywinerynyc (at City Winery NYC)
Thoughts : A Ghost Story (2017)
An under the radar gem from 2017. Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara take center stage in a tale of love, devotion, acceptance and moving on. The film was written and directed by David Lowery, and is a completely encompassing and wholly moving experience to behold.
The way that the film plays with space and time is brilliant. The loops in this story play out somewhere between rings in a tree and ven diagrams. Mirroring elements play off of one another, keeping what would otherwise be a wholly abstract work logically sound. As in real life, most moments are allowed time to breathe, to captivate, and to resonate.
Although the film deals heavily in supernatural and otherworldly elements, the drama keeps the whole thing quite grounded. Motivations are clear, sometimes even providing explanations that are easy to digest for what would normally be classified as unexplained phenomena. Even with nearly no dialogue spoken by our protagonist, you are still able to feel his angst, his pain, his desires and his decisions.
Shot for shot, not many movies can stand up to the raw beauty of A Ghost Story. The film appears to have been originally shot in widescreen, and then framed in an 8mm style square frame. The end result is akin to experiencing deeply personal home movies... as if you are invading the privacy of a lost spirit. The editing is snappy, even with a healthy use of long takes... it almost creates a stilted rhythm, very reminiscent of how Affleck’s character experiences time while in ghost form.
If A Ghost Story is one that you missed in 2017, I highly suggest seeking it out in 2018. It will motivate creators, entertain casual fans, and inspire lovers.
Film-Highlight: 'Mother Mary'! ✨🎬
Ein Popstar, eine Designerin und die Geister der Vergangenheit. David Lowery erschafft mit 'Mother Mary' eine traumwandlerische Welt, die man gesehen haben muss. Anne Hathaway und Michaela Coel brillieren in diesem visuell berauschenden Melodram. 4/5 Sterne. 🖼️🎤 #MotherMary #AnneHathaway #Kino #DavidLowery #Filmkritik
Unsere Filmkritik zu 'Mother Mary'. Anne Hathaway und Michaela Coel in David Lowerys visuellem Meisterwerk. Ein Horror-Melodram über Pop, Mo
