tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8545661733980837263.post7064785452518720967..comments2023-03-30T16:56:53.692-07:00Comments on Icebox Movies: My Top Five of 2009Adam Zanziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14524618281515322239noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8545661733980837263.post-31872040027348716882010-03-17T23:11:36.914-07:002010-03-17T23:11:36.914-07:00To a point, I understand what you're getting a...To a point, I understand what you're getting at by leaving the triad of films off your list. That said, I think that they're some of the best films of 2009, which was admittedly a sparse year for cinephiles like us. Clearly, if one feels differently, that's cool, but don't you think that something like this is worth sticking up for? <br /><br />For example, it may not be the hip thing to dig around the people I work with (who happen know their movies really well), but I can't deny that Avatar was the best film I saw last year. It shocked me to have to admit that, as I'm normally the stereotypical film snob amongst my circle of friends. The fact remains that it's the truth. <br /><br />I understand that you've grown weary of debating those films and getting into discussions that delve more deeply into the intent behind their creation than you'd like. I've had my share of dealings with individuals like that, and I'm certain that I've shared your frustration. That said, I recall the line Roger's always quoting, "A man goes to the movies. A critic must be brave enough to admit that he is that man."<br /><br />All the best,<br />-AdamAdamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04082737604796435170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8545661733980837263.post-79540753734613511662010-03-12T23:18:14.615-08:002010-03-12T23:18:14.615-08:00Sam, by my calculations, you may in fact be in the...Sam, by my calculations, you may in fact be in the majority regarding your dislike of <i>The Road</i>. I didn't find very many people who were as enthusiastic about the film as I was. There aren't any reviews on Metacritic that give it a maximum high rating (the highest is probably Ebert's 3 1/2 star review). And the local blogs that we usually frequent- Cinema Viewfinder and The Cooler come to mind for me- didn't think much of the film, either. <br /><br />I'm surprised you thought that the film was a "ghoulish horror confection", since I thought McCarthy's novel was even more graphic and disturbing. The way I looked at <i>The Road</i>, I just loved how Hillcoat stuck to the relationship between the Man and the Son, and went no further. True, the flashback scenes with the wife were superfluous, but at the same time I thought Charlize Theron was pretty successful with the scenes that she had. The rest of the movie was Mortensen and the kid fending for themselves without much violence in the way, and that was all I needed. <br /><br />I think that after a decade passes, <i>Avatar</i> won't be as hated as it is now; it took a while for <i>Titanic</i> to be taken seriously, too. I definitely recall your courageous defenses of <i>Avatar</i> at the other blogs. Haha.<br /><br />Just thinking about <i>A Serious Man</i> makes me want to go out and buy it. Still haven't.Adam Zanziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14524618281515322239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8545661733980837263.post-17954666801702021302010-03-12T23:10:11.408-08:002010-03-12T23:10:11.408-08:00Stephen, which of these films did you not like, sp...Stephen, which of these films did you not like, specifically? I'm interested in hearing your comments.<br /><br />The closest Lynch has ever come to a documentary is really those short films on his website (which I haven't watched). My only fear regarding <i>Maharishi</i> is that I don't know if it's actually going to be released in theaters. I don't know if maybe it's just my own wild paranoia, but when I met Lynch back in November, I sensed that he wasn't as enthusiastic about movies as he used to be. Oh, I'm sure he'll continue to shoot these little experiments for his website, but now that Lynch has branched out onto the Internet (particularly Twitter), I'm not sure if he wants to come back to actual cinema.Adam Zanziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14524618281515322239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8545661733980837263.post-77616822010124863152010-03-12T13:09:32.142-08:002010-03-12T13:09:32.142-08:00Adam, the only film in your top five that I did no...Adam, the only film in your top five that I did not like was THE ROAD, which for me, degenerated into a ghoulish horror confection, despite some arresting cinematography, but I know I'm in the minority here, and many people I respect (including yourself) are fans. The Disney A Christmas Carol was a bit better than some gave it credit for, but I wouldn't quite go as far as you did here, though again I admire your honesty and passion.<br /><br />And no aplogies for AVATAR. I am with you lock, stock and barrel, and even went gangbusters at some sites you frequent, raising all bloody hell! Ha! For me the dialoque (an issue of contention with many)is rendered insignificant by the visual design here, which as we both know is electrifying.<br /><br />A SERIOUS MAN by the way is a superlative choice for #1 for all sorts odf reasons. I think it is now my favorite Coens film, as it may be in a philosophical sense their deepest work, even more resonant than some of their past existential entries.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8545661733980837263.post-86736267757332863762010-03-10T23:07:53.501-08:002010-03-10T23:07:53.501-08:00Adam,
I can't say I enjoyed the films you ch...Adam, <br /><br />I can't say I enjoyed the films you chose here but, as always you write with style and enthusiasm. <br /><br />My Top 5 would be: Antichrist, Ponyo, Avatar, Public Enemies, Police Adjective <br /><br />I had no idea Lynch was doing a documentary (I've just looked it up). I don't know if he's done one before but that's certainly intriguing. Thanks for tip.Stephenhttp://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com