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Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
Ok, I only have a couple of minutes here, then will be back past 11pm, when deadlines over. First, MsG: It isn't a matter of "getting it." I can safely claim that there isn't a film in existence, the intention of which I do not "get." I have the right to claim this after years and years of study ;) Now to Mr Fish, who claimed: "...but star-crossed lovers who can't admit to anyone that they are lovers, and that is where they move into the unconventional," Romeo and Juliet could admit who they loved? And they aren't the first. It is a standard in Greek tragedy to have illicit lovers who cannot proclaim their love. "...star-crossed lovers who can't admit they are in love, even to themselves," Lovers who can't admit to themselves that they are lovers, or love? Another standard! Sticking with Shakespeare, let's phone up the protags of Taming the Shrew! "...star-crossed lovers in a time when gay lovers were even less accepted than they are now," Star-crossed gay lovers are new only to the dominant conventional film industry. "and who are cowboys, I think that is where they break ground." Ok, maybe you got me with gay cowboys, maybe not. ;) Like I said, it has nothing with "getting it," either. I admitted I was greatly moved, all the strings done tugged. I am not in a "star-crossed" affair with it, see? Now, for me to shoot it down from the standpoint of the construction of the film, in terms of its reliance upon all of the usual devices--I'd need another partial viewing to bring up specifics. Maybe we can do a "film at 11" when I get off work. Let's also see what Duncan says then, just for s***s and giggles ;)— January 17, 2010 8:50 p.m.
Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
re: #30: Holly's redemption is pretty psycho, then. I'd a bitchslapped her, stopped the cab, and gone back to get my cat. Picked up a new cab and taken my new best friend home to dry off and have a dish of cream, as well as a few Whiskas "Temptations." Close scene. End of story ;) re: #31: Enjoy those cocktails--they've helped me manage having to sit around while a bunch of guys AND girls exhibit all kinds of non-witty Tourette's in front of a screenfull of what looks like a giant foosball machine. ;)— January 17, 2010 3:22 p.m.
Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
Ok, you peeps get back to your game, and I'll get some work done. We can come back to this later. I'll just say that whatever you argue about the emotionality of the film, what about the basic story, or the two protags's acting makes it affecting, I can diggit. What I'll argue back is that the way the film was CONSTRUCTED made it a rather conventional retelling of this tale, and that the cinematography was not out of the ordinary, either. I had watched tons of affecting gay cinema before I saw this. I am treating it from a holistic perspective, but that does not mean I don't understand where you two are coming from--on the contrary--I think I understand better ;) Go, [whatever team you like]!— January 17, 2010 2:41 p.m.
Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
Ha! It would simply have been a PASTORAL, Cuddle. What the heck is new about a predominantly pastoral love story? Sure, we see some of the difficulties of two men in love, but in every other aspect of their lives fulfilling the duties of hetero manly men and family providers. I don't dispute that. It is mainly the way the story is carried out that I see as conventional. If I am wrong on 'all accounts,' dispute my main point, which is that the film is articulated in conventional narrative ways. Ok, Lost in Translation could be called a love story--but so can any story dealing with the slow death of or disillusionment with romantic ideals. I didn't say that I didn't like Breakfast at Tiffany's, did I? I guess I left it at what I didn't like. Let me say that the bohemian lifestyle of the protag, and the whimsicality of it, I did like, especially the decision to have the past return in such unexpected form--the older gent she seduced and used back in Podunk. Nah, there were things I liked about it to be sure. Sorry I didn't give it enough attention earlier. I just am still so pissed about CAT! Yes, we are supposed to see her as like the stray shivering out in the cold, having figuratively and literally put herself out there by choice. But Cat is not just an allegorical figure of this character! Not fair! There is a real character in Cat, whose unceremonious dumping in the rain pushes Holly just sooo far toward sociopathy that I can't accept it, or forgive, or believe she deserves love. When "the man" and I saw her dump Cat in the rain, we both nearly jumped up in disbelief, and hated her even more. So the film did not exactly work well as a love story for us :)— January 17, 2010 2:26 p.m.
Elf Story
Hey Microsoft/Noel! Thanks for the compliments, but I honestly don't know what I'd talk about. I am neither a journalist nor a grant writer, have never written anything even slightly journalistic or grant-seeking (unless you count my messages on the Reader seeking the opinion of one MsGrant), and simply witnessed a man in black clothing steal the bag of an elderly gent with a cane--at least a decade ago. I do applaud your efforts, however; let us know what happens with your event. ;)— January 17, 2010 2:14 p.m.
Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
Oh btw, if you like stories of homosexuality articulated within social circumstances that "dare not speak its name," check out the Logo channel. There are some amazing films there, among the pap pieces that are indigenous, naturally, to a budding contemporary gay cinema.— January 17, 2010 2:06 p.m.
Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
Eww, I said "it's." I misused an apostrophe. Someone please whack me over the head.— January 17, 2010 2:04 p.m.
Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
Its subject matter was not run of the mill. It's cinematography, storyline, and acting styles were run of the mill. It was an exercise in taking a story of a homosexual relationship, and dumping it into the classic hetero love story framework. And remember, the idea of "cowboys" is not a new one.— January 17, 2010 2:03 p.m.
Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
re: #16: That speech rocked.— January 17, 2010 1:46 p.m.
Bonus Blog: Worst and Best Romance Movies
Lost in Translation: Pretty good film, and liked the idea of it being a sort of non-film, stuck in the windows of this highrise in Tokyo, where Scarlett Jo's character sits much of the time. That feeling of being unable to "get started" when in another country. The karaoke. The passings in the night, and through the lobbby, the bar. Excellent job at creating this non-film, and smuggling it by the censors who decry anything avant-garde not spooned up in pap. However, this is NOT a love story, per se. There is simply no chemistry. Doesn't a love story have to have chemistry? I felt none of it, and my erstwhile attraction to Murray failed in this one--it tends to if the camera favors the weaker portion of his jaw and acne scars rather than his sheepdoggy sexy-sleepy eyes. Cuddle, ya should have picked Ghost World instead of this one. Scarlett Jo and Buscemi.— January 17, 2010 1:41 p.m.