MrMiltonBanana

Love to you, Neil.

It's been a while since I posted but.. I was wondering: jawk jaw! where it is?

Congrats, Mr. Banana! :banana: Good to see you again. :hi: You won't believe it. I just happened to sign in that day, thinking "I know my anniversary is somewhere around now." Somewhere, indeed. It feels good to be in double digits.

Well.... 10 years. Now I feel mighty old.

Gave a lot of people a very unfortunate first impression of one of the best bands ever: Sparks.

Fanny & Alexander - Ingmar Bergman (1982) I've seen this film a few times before, originally in its 3-hr theatrical version, but a repeated times since in the superior-in-every-way 5-hr television version. An epic miniseries, shot with ultimate craft by the legendary Bergman, it never ceases to amaze me. Watching the whole film over one day (with meals between episodes) or over a weekend is a holiday tradition for many film fans across the globe. It would seem like one of the greatest literary adaptations of all time, were it not for the fact that the script (though divinely inspired by the works of Hoffmann and Dickens) is an entirely original creation, and a perfect summation (and, as originally conceived, a final statement) of the great master's career. Chilling, beautiful, nostalgic, funny, real, and magical all at once, there is almost nothing that doesn't happen in this film where "Everything can happen [and] everything is possible and probable." One of the greatest works of art in the history of humanity. http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/product_images/520-9f0dc45a0aa0270d7127c942ac2980ef/Film_261w_FannyAlex_original.jpg

Basically Dumb and Dumber about ladies, but the characters are actually kind of believable. The two leads have moments of great subtlety and elevate the material. This film is way better than I remember, and probably better than it has the right to be. I don't think I've ever heard someone say something bad about it. The denouements and all of the 3rd act is a little slight; I think that's why they padded the running time with the huge dream sequence. Happy to have seen this one again, and had many laughs. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Romy_and_michele_s_high_school_reunion.jpg

Merry Boxing Day from me and my wife:

Take any of Kitano's Yakuza films, tone down the violence, turn up the sweet melancholy of a Joe Hisaishi score (aim it closer to his My Neighbor Totoro soundtrack), and amplify Kitano's usual channelling of Chaplin timing and you might get something pretty close to Summer of Kikujiro. Definitely recommended as a sweet companion to one of his dramas like Hana-bi or Sonatine. http://images.moviepostershop.com/kikujiro-movie-poster-1999-1020204095.jpg

Watched the first three films in this set last night. Exciting for their time (and definitely exciting from the perspective of a modern-day New Yorker), they are early structuralist/minimalist films shot in NYC by Belgian director Chantal Akerman towards the early half of her 20s. The third film includes shots of streets I have lived on, looking just recognizable enough for me to notice. Nothing pretentious in their approach, they feel very naturalistic, honest, and genuine; that said, I'm sure people might consider them like watching paint dry. La Chambre is probably the most effective film, and it's only 11 minutes long. It keeps you hyperaware of yourself and the film's enviroment, and it's all in a single shot. I'll watch the two other films in the set soon, which are narrative films. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71tXWfKXVLL._SL1500_.jpg

So they could bitch throughout the movie and ruin the experience for everyone else? Anything for an insignificant impact at the box office. I want bad people to have a bad time and "waste" their money. It pleases me.

Birdman. Really tremendous filmmaking. I hope stupid people went to see it thinking it was superhero action schlock. Here's an article relating to Birdland but mostly about Hollywood's trend for sequels and franchises that will hopefully reach a breaking point soon. http://grantland.com/features/2014-hollywood-blockbusters-franchises-box-office/ http://static.rogerebert.com/redactor_assets/pictures/54075982cd3b5661fe000123/birdmanposter.jpg

My favorite film is arguably a Christmas film. http://cdn.filmschoolrejects.com/images/HolidayBrazil.png Brazil, Terry Gilliam (1985) And as mentioned before, Die Hard is a great choice.

Really enjoyed this. Can't believe it took me almost a decade and a half to watch it. Will be seeing the show on Broadway in a few weeks and am even more excited. Great songs, great humor, and beautifully poignant. Also, very well directed and JCM earned a well-deserved Best Director at Sundance. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/62/HedwigandtheAngryInchMoviePoster.jpg

Everyone gets old, sadly. Like, Lillian Gish is obviously a doll face, but I wouldn't give her a smooch in Whales of August.