My Own Technical Category
Many members of one of my online haunts were watching the Academy Awards the other night, so I jumped off a cliff and turned it on while puttering around. This reminded me I really meant to talk about a couple movies I saw in the theatre recently, which is an increasingly rare occurrence. As it turns out, both movies, Children of Men and Pan’s Labyrinth, racked up several nominations.
I enjoyed both movies immensely, but I’m not quite sure what I was thinking seeing them both back-to-back on successive days. They are both good, but not exactly light fare or uplifting feel-good movies.
It was a shame that Children of Men didn’t win for cinematography, or pick up a visual effects nomination. The movie itself was solid, a rare sci-fish film with an above least-common denominator script. It is also a prime example of a film wielding exceptional technical artistry to magnify its emotional and visceral impact. There were two extended sequences in particular that left me utterly drained at their conclusion. One sobering side thought was just how effectively you can now create a completely convincing ‘fake’ reality. The opening scene of the movie didn’t really happen, but I’d have to scrutinize HD quality video of the sequence to try and find visual telltales that it didn’t.
I intentionally tried to limit my knowledge regarding Pan’s Labyrinth before going to see it. About all I knew was ‘adult fairy tale’, and ‘civil war era Spain’. Both those things were true. It was well shot, well directed, and very touching, but it was a heavy, sad piece. I found it hauntingly beautiful in spots but hard to watch, even though it was good because happy was not in the cards. Not to say I want saccharine and happy endings, but after Children of Men, I found Pan’s Labyrinth good, enjoyable but as depressing as thought-provoking for its ending of multiple interpretations.
Both are worth watching, both deserved their nominations. Soon I have to get off my rear and rent some titles I’ve been meaning to watch: “The Fountain”, “Stranger Than Fiction”, “The Illusionist” “The Prestige” and “Thank You For Smoking”.
I enjoyed both movies immensely, but I’m not quite sure what I was thinking seeing them both back-to-back on successive days. They are both good, but not exactly light fare or uplifting feel-good movies.
It was a shame that Children of Men didn’t win for cinematography, or pick up a visual effects nomination. The movie itself was solid, a rare sci-fish film with an above least-common denominator script. It is also a prime example of a film wielding exceptional technical artistry to magnify its emotional and visceral impact. There were two extended sequences in particular that left me utterly drained at their conclusion. One sobering side thought was just how effectively you can now create a completely convincing ‘fake’ reality. The opening scene of the movie didn’t really happen, but I’d have to scrutinize HD quality video of the sequence to try and find visual telltales that it didn’t.
I intentionally tried to limit my knowledge regarding Pan’s Labyrinth before going to see it. About all I knew was ‘adult fairy tale’, and ‘civil war era Spain’. Both those things were true. It was well shot, well directed, and very touching, but it was a heavy, sad piece. I found it hauntingly beautiful in spots but hard to watch, even though it was good because happy was not in the cards. Not to say I want saccharine and happy endings, but after Children of Men, I found Pan’s Labyrinth good, enjoyable but as depressing as thought-provoking for its ending of multiple interpretations.
Both are worth watching, both deserved their nominations. Soon I have to get off my rear and rent some titles I’ve been meaning to watch: “The Fountain”, “Stranger Than Fiction”, “The Illusionist” “The Prestige” and “Thank You For Smoking”.
Posted by Nathaniel Trost on
Tuesday February 27, 2007 at 6:37pm