CINEMANIA:

Conversations with Ben VII--A Silent Film Slapdown: Chaplin vs. Keaton

Ben sed:

I did notice at Cinemarati that my comment about Chaplin being the thinking man's Keaton was a source of horror for a couple of folks, you included. So I thought I would take this moment to explain my thinking. Of course, I can't promise that my explanation will provide comfort to those of you so disdainful of my statement. I would appreciate it if you would post this as I don't know how.

What does it mean to be "the thinking man's" what-have-you? I suspect that I am coming at this phrase from a different angle then B. Frazer and D. Jardine. I suppose that for them the phrase connotes an intellectualism that regards direct appeals to the emotions as alien to the given approach.

Conversations with Ben VI

On today's agenda: Akira Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress

Then Ben:

I was almost disappointed to discover that this film is much better than I anticipated it would be. Years ago, shopping for records with my brother, I picked up an album by the always great - that's the point - Art Blakey.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (USA, 2005, Shane Black) AKA Love Me Deadly

My review for this film is up at Apollo Guide, but I have a few additional thoughts. Consider this portion my version of the director's cut. At first, I struggled with the concern that Kiss Kiss Bang Bang lacks a firm sense of raison d’etre.

Shopgirl (USA, 2005, Tucker) AKA Lost in Oblivion

Yawn. Shopgirl is everything you might fear a film translated from the novella of a Hollywood celebrity might be. Self-conscious, hollow and dull. Any film that is going to return to that singularly over-worn garment of the May/October romance had better be bringing something more to the festivities than this thread-bare offering.

Conversations with Ben V

On today's agenda: The Early Films of Krystof Kieslowski

Ben sed:

Turning to The Scar, I have to brag this time. Half-way though the film I said to Monica, "This is like some sort of socialist, Solidarity's coming 'Nashville.'" She asked me if I had read the CD cover and I told her I had not, which was true. You may recall that the cover speaks of the film as Altmanesque.

Conversations with Ben IV

On today’s agenda: Zhang Yimou’s Hero

Ben sed:

I was all set to dive into the three hours that is Red Beard but the others pushed for something shorter and lighter, hence Hero. Turned out Monica and Jacob had seen it already at the theatre. They didn't remember the title. They've also seen House of Flying Daggers.

Conversations with Ben III

On the agenda: Rashomon

Ben sez:

What are ya gonna do? Sometimes the critics are right. Sometimes the director and cinematographer remember correctly as well. Fifty-five years later all that's left for me to do is confirm that it continues to stand the test of time, job one for great art.

Conversations With Ben II

On the agenda: David Cronenberg's ouevre

Dan:

I saw two films that could not possibly be more unalike this weekend: Wallace and Gromit and David Cronenberg's A History of Violence. The former was charming as hell (no surprise to a committed W & G fan), and a real film lover's delight (Nick Parks just loves dropping references to other films in his work). The latter is almost certainly going to be one of the more controversial and divisive films of the year.

Conversations with Ben

Ben Livant is a jazz lover and good friend of mine who I have been lending movies to for awhile now. His appreciation knows no bounds. Well, actually, his willingness to talk talk talk, usually about himself, knows no bounds. But he's a bright fellow and an all around good chap, so I asked him if he'd mind if I published some of our email conversations about film. I present to you now the first of many such chats.