While I do not condone talking in a movie theater, I will listen to someone talk over my movie...on a commentary.
I am going to take this opportunity to try and make you see why commentaries are so wonderful. I am a (capital F) Fan of movie commentaries. I will pay more for a deluxe or special edition of a movie if it comes with a commentary. Forget deleted scenes or outtakes, the real thrill is sitting down and hearing exactly what the director and/or actors were thinking while filming a scene. Also included in many commentaries are bits of trivia and moments of humor that can make you laugh more than the actual movie.
Maybe you have never listened to a commentary and have no opinion, or maybe you are like my friend Gretchen who finds the talking during the movie annoying, but either way, I consider it my personal duty to sway your opinion towards commentary. With this in mind, I have compiled a short list of my favorite movie commentaries. It is my hope that you will watch one or more of these movies with the commentary on, and by so doing, find yourself to be a Fan of the commentary as well.
She's The Man - Leading actors and the director tease each other with the easy familiarity of friends...you know they all got along while filming, and Andy Fickman throws in all sorts of interesting tidbits.
Twilight - Robert Pattinson's self-deprecating humor steals the commentary from his costar and the director. It is possible I like this movie more with the commentary than without.
Ocean's Eleven - Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon are a power team, nuff said.
Anchorman - Will Ferrell does a commentary of his best movie ever, and he's freaking Will Ferrell, how could it not be funny?
Juno - In this case, less funny, more introspection on the movie, but still very interesting. Commentators are Diablo Cody (writer) and Jason Reitman (Director)
Connie and Carla - Nia Vardolos, writer and star, offers a glimpse into her inspiration for the movie, and you get to learn about all the drag queens' real lives.
A Walk To Remember - Any commentary with Adam Shankman is good, but I really like this one, because Mandy Moore and Shane West can be both poignant and amusing.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Any time you can listen to Johnny Depp talk for over two hours is time well spent.
Love Actually - With this movie, pretty much any way you watch it, its good. You could put on mute. But why, when you can listen to Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy and more discuss the movie with insight and genuine affection for their work.
I encourage you to take a chance on a commentary...and do let me know how it goes!
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Cask of Amontillado, Or Taking Vengance Too Seriously
In honor of Poe's 200th birthday (actually in January, but I think a 200th can be celebrated all year), and by my friend Bonnie's request, I have chosen to discuss the gruesome subject of being buried alive.
While being buried alive would definitely not be at the top of any one's list of "The Best Ways to Die" it does seem to be a favorite of authors, both of literary works and screenplays. Poe himself used it multiple times.
In addition to the story I have named in the title of this blog, there are many movies, books and episodes of television shows that center around a character being buried alive. A few examples: In Kill Bill: Volume 2, by Quentin Tarantino, the heroine is buried alive and escapes by punching through the coffin. In the 'Lost' episode 'Exposé' two characters are taken for dead and buried alive (in this case not on purpose.) There is a movie actually titled "Buried Alive." Nick Stokes was buried alive on CSI and Dr. Brennan and Dr. Hodgins are buried alive together in one episode of "Bones."
From the criminal's point of view, burying someone alive would seem to be one of the best options. No messy cleanup, and a lower chance of being caught. This crime is not, however, for the faint of heart. The victim of this crime is likely to make quite a racket when they discover their fate, and in general, I find, listening to that can be tedious. Take for example, the hero (antihero?) of The Cask of Amontillado. Montresor actually stops to listen to his friend (I use that term lightly, as I don't think many people would bury an actual friend of theirs alive) plead for his life. He even finds some sick pleasure in listening to the cries for help. Of course, you could always drug the person. or if they were near death when you buried them, there might be less chance that they make noise.
On the other side of the issue, while being buried alive is an awful way to go, it also offers more possibility of escape. Someone intent on murder is much more likely to succeed with a gun, a knife, baseball bat, a syringe of some poison or drug... I could go on , but I think you get the picture. At least if you are buried alive, you might find a way out of the situation. Maybe someone will hear your cries for help. Or if you're Uma Thurman, Buffy, or Dean Winchester, you could just punch your way out of the coffin and dig yourself out of the grave.
Also, if you wake up and find yourself buried, there is a chance it was accidental. Its horrible that someone would be so negligent, but at least no one was trying to kill you. A comforting thought as you suffocate. Or not. It does make a good argument for cremation, as there is no chance you will "wake up" in an urn on your family's mantle.
If anyone has been buried alive, I would certainly be interested in hearing a first hand account of the experience.
While being buried alive would definitely not be at the top of any one's list of "The Best Ways to Die" it does seem to be a favorite of authors, both of literary works and screenplays. Poe himself used it multiple times.
In addition to the story I have named in the title of this blog, there are many movies, books and episodes of television shows that center around a character being buried alive. A few examples: In Kill Bill: Volume 2, by Quentin Tarantino, the heroine is buried alive and escapes by punching through the coffin. In the 'Lost' episode 'Exposé' two characters are taken for dead and buried alive (in this case not on purpose.) There is a movie actually titled "Buried Alive." Nick Stokes was buried alive on CSI and Dr. Brennan and Dr. Hodgins are buried alive together in one episode of "Bones."
From the criminal's point of view, burying someone alive would seem to be one of the best options. No messy cleanup, and a lower chance of being caught. This crime is not, however, for the faint of heart. The victim of this crime is likely to make quite a racket when they discover their fate, and in general, I find, listening to that can be tedious. Take for example, the hero (antihero?) of The Cask of Amontillado. Montresor actually stops to listen to his friend (I use that term lightly, as I don't think many people would bury an actual friend of theirs alive) plead for his life. He even finds some sick pleasure in listening to the cries for help. Of course, you could always drug the person. or if they were near death when you buried them, there might be less chance that they make noise.
On the other side of the issue, while being buried alive is an awful way to go, it also offers more possibility of escape. Someone intent on murder is much more likely to succeed with a gun, a knife, baseball bat, a syringe of some poison or drug... I could go on , but I think you get the picture. At least if you are buried alive, you might find a way out of the situation. Maybe someone will hear your cries for help. Or if you're Uma Thurman, Buffy, or Dean Winchester, you could just punch your way out of the coffin and dig yourself out of the grave.
Also, if you wake up and find yourself buried, there is a chance it was accidental. Its horrible that someone would be so negligent, but at least no one was trying to kill you. A comforting thought as you suffocate. Or not. It does make a good argument for cremation, as there is no chance you will "wake up" in an urn on your family's mantle.
If anyone has been buried alive, I would certainly be interested in hearing a first hand account of the experience.
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