Messages

41

Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Most Disturbing Films

« on: January 17, 2009, 11:08:04 PM »

Salò, 1975, very disturbing the first time around but once you start to understand the message that is being transmitted it gets more disturbing

Salò is hands down the most disturbing film I've ever seen.  I, being a film major, wanted to see it because I'd heard rumors it was so disgusting, and I thought having seen other pretty disturbing and grotesque films I could handle it......  I've never been more wrong.  Honest to goodness, and no other film has ever made me feel this way, I felt like I was going to throw up the entire time.  I took me seriously 4 days to sit through the whole film, I couldn't stomach it.  In fact I had to get my friend to sit there and watch it with me, and she is just as, if not more, tolerant of grotesque images as I am.  And, the by the end we were both turning our heads away wanting to gag. 

It might sound like I'm exaggerating, but I'm not it was just THAT gross.  I mean by today's standards of gore and blood Salò doesn't compare.  However, in terms of story, and just flat out nasty dialogue Salò beats anything I've seen.  I think for me the reason that Salò is so depressing is that the kids are innocent, and there is no hope what-so-ever at the end of the film.  And, while I can see why some people might see some deeper meaning in the torture and what the kids endured through the film, mostly the fascination with the morbid, death, and torture...  it felt more to me like the director, Pier Paolo Pasolini, was more just being disgusting for the sake of being disgusting. 

As a side note, Pasolini, was murdered shortly after this film was finished.  And, it was banned from Italy and other European countries.

I really wish I'd turned the film off. 

42

Trivia Games / Re: 15 Questions... keeps on rolling, rolling, rolling...

« on: January 02, 2009, 07:58:40 PM »

Sounds good to me.

43

Trivia Games / Re: 15 Questions... keeps on rolling, rolling, rolling...

« on: January 01, 2009, 04:45:52 PM »

If we do one tonight or tomorrow I'm off from work.  :-)

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Eastwood News / Re: Who saw GRAN TORINO? Members' Comments (WARNING: SPOILERS ALLOWED!)

« on: January 01, 2009, 04:34:33 PM »

So despite the fact that I'm so incredibly busy, I did make time on my day off to see this.  I went with two of my guy friends who neither thought that Clint was all that amazing.  Then we saw this and they suddenly realized all these years that my unbelievable love and appreciation of Clint was not some fanatical, crazy notion, but rather a well thought out, sincere, and respectable love for a master of cinema.  Needless to say the loved the film as did I.  Fortunately now because of this film, I've managed to create two more Clint fans. 

As for what I thought about the film.  I really truly enjoyed the story.  I thought it had a very good arc in terms of character, Clint's character, Walt, has perhaps one of the most challenging issues to confront (in relation to what's important to him), and Clint manages to portray the change of heart in a subtle, and slightly comedic but not over the top way.  His performance seems to echo a combination of Dirty Harry and Frankie Dunn (Million Dollar Baby).  So I think for the fans who do appreciate Clint and his huge body of work the film is very gratifying because in a way it is like reliving Dirty Harry, but we get dive more in depth with him like we do in Million Dollar Baby.   

In terms of the the actual story, I thought it was very well written.  I wouldn't of expected that Michigan there would be such an issue with gangs, but it seems to be a prevalent issue in the country that is probably facing more areas than we could realize.  And, in many ways I felt that the story was a more of a sociological allegory for the changing times that we are now facing in our country politically, racially, and just the general generational gap.   But, within the actual movie itself and not looking too deep into the possibly political subtext of it, the conflict I feel is very strong thus when the dramatic scene came about it did not seem over the top.  There were very powerful and almost terrifying scenes in the film, especially the scene where Sue comes into her house bloodied and beaten.  That scene, for me, was absolutely terrifying.  As well the ending scene where Walt dies, was superbly written, though I do have to say the Christ-like death of Walt and symbolism in that scene was a little heavy handed, but the point was made.  Also the script had a nice blend of drama and comedy.  I've always thought Clint was very good at being comedic while still maintaining a strong, masculine personality, Dirty Harry again is another perfect example of that.  The book ends of the funeral and the reflections of life and death summed the movie up well, and gave a nice almost peaceful feeling at the beginning and end, which I think is important since the drama is so high for a good part of the movie.

I thought Clint's direction was very good.   I think those of us who have watched Clint's film for a long time it's very easy to see his style in the film, it's all very clean cut.  As well the use of lighting and camera work is like how Clint normally does his films.  So in terms of direction for me it didn't blow my mind, but perhaps I'm more use to his style.  I think though for my friends they were more stunned about how the film was directed since it was so clean and no scene went to waste.  Both of them are film majors, but Clint's style is really truly unique, and something that they don't see much of, especially since generally now in film classes we're forced to watch this "surrealist, post modernism, art pieces" which really have no substance, but are praised for the great cinematography thus making it a master piece.  So this film ended up being more of a reality check that there are actually stories out there that are powerful and aren't just about pretty shots. 

While I don't believe Clint will win an Oscar or anything for this performance I do think that it is one of his best.  For the fans who have watched him all this time, like I said before it is very gratifying.  Seeing the depth of characters Clint has played over the year, it all is pretty much summed up in Walt, he sings in the credits.  And, for Clint I think it is a worthy film for him to end his acting career with, even if I do secretly wish he would do another western. 

The film is powerful and it is a very worthy piece of cinema.

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: THE ENDLESS, POINTLESS thread

« on: June 02, 2008, 02:03:13 AM »

Congratulations Chessie on 4 years with the CEWB.       

August 10th is 4 years for me too.   Where has that time gone???

Thank you.

I seriously have no idea where the time went.  But, it's gone that's for sure.  Amazing how long we've all known each other and been around.  It blows my mind some days. 

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: THE ENDLESS, POINTLESS thread

« on: May 29, 2008, 11:26:45 AM »

"Cast members" is what they call employees there?

As we put it, Disneyland is a big show.  It's like being in a theatrical production, a very big, epic, theatrical production.  So we are called cast members because we are in fact part of the show.  It's like the cast of a play.  In fact we're backstage when we're behind the closed doors that guests can't see, and then on stage when we step in front of them out to where the guests see us. 

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: THE ENDLESS, POINTLESS thread

« on: May 24, 2008, 03:19:51 AM »

Yeah basically guest control is crowd control, but you know how at Disneyland at customers are guests.  It's keeping people in the right viewing areas during our shows, as well as running something we call circular flow during our fireworks show, which is our Mickey Mouse freeway system of getting around the park.  It's a hard thing to do.  I love doing it though, I'm trained in another three areas in addition to guest control, but guest control is my favorite by far. 

It is hard.  Not everyone is cut out for guest control.  Seriously, people are evil a lot of the time... or just stupid.  But it's hard for some people to be around that many people at a time as well as being assertive.  Some cast members just aren't cut out for it.  But, I love it.  I'm good at it.  I've trained upwards of about 75 people on the parade route, and I'd say about half of them really like it.  Which isn't bad considering that before I came along and we got the leads out there who were good and wanted to be out there, people would call out and no show for parade shifts all the time.  Now we're all fighting each other for them.  It's cool.

It actually is good training for directing.  Since I've wanted to be a parade lead for so long I had to change my entire leadership style, which ultimately was awesome and helped me out a lot as a director. 

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: THE ENDLESS, POINTLESS thread

« on: May 23, 2008, 04:28:32 PM »

Haha.  I've been very busy.  I work at the happiest place on Earth... Yes Disneyland.  And, I'm about to come up on my one year work anniversary, this Monday actually.  Just today I actually had my interview for a lead position.  I do guest control during the parades and fireworks, so I interviewed to be a guest control lead for that.  And, I love my job.

As well just finished up school.  I directed a huge project that was shot live to tape for my television production class.  There's a possibility it could be aired on local TV out here. 

Other than that doing well.  Just getting through.   

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: THE ENDLESS, POINTLESS thread

« on: May 23, 2008, 04:08:51 PM »

So I can hardly believe this, but today marks my fourth year on the CEWB.  And, it blows my mind how the time has just flown by.  So I wanted to say thank you for all those of you who have made these four years absolutely terrific.  Thank you!   

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday Lin!

« on: May 22, 2008, 05:45:32 PM »

Happy Birthday!!! 

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Trivia Games / Re: Eastwood Quotes

« on: March 15, 2008, 05:09:47 AM »

Is it Bronco Billy?

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday philo!

« on: March 06, 2008, 01:04:38 AM »

Happy Birthday!!!   

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General Discussion / Re: The CEWB Definitive Top Ten List of Eastwood Movies

« on: January 14, 2008, 02:24:06 AM »

1. 5 Points - Unforgiven
2. 4 Points - Fistful of Dollars
3. 4 Points - Bridges of Madison County
4. 4 Points - The Beguiled
5. 3 Points - Million Dollar Baby
6. 3 Points - Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
7. 2 Points - Letters from Iwo Jima
8. 2 Points - Dirty Harry
9. 1 Point - Tightrope
10. 1 Point - Play Misty For Me

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General Discussion / Re: Eastwood Film Survivor

« on: November 15, 2007, 04:12:49 AM »

Blood Work and The Enforcer

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General Discussion / Re: Eastwood Film Survivor

« on: November 12, 2007, 11:16:56 PM »

Wow I cannot believe it's been over two years since the last game!  Crazy!!!

City Heat

Joe Kidd

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday Glenny!

« on: August 14, 2007, 07:20:33 PM »

Happy Birthday!!! 

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday Xichado

« on: July 30, 2007, 10:33:54 PM »

Happy Birthday!!!   

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General Discussion / Re: Tag, You're It! #4

« on: July 21, 2007, 04:55:58 PM »

Sylvie, Lin, Chessie and Lilly Eastwood is organizing an auction at the Mission Ranch in Carmel. He's decided to sell a couple of things that he's worn in his films. You tell him you've been a fan for years, and to thank you for your dedication, he tells you that you can bring back home two things for free  Here's a list of what's up for auction:

EWW jeans and t-shirt combo
Honkytonk Man towell
The Enforcer suit
Magnum Force pilot uniform or Band-Aid seen in the very last scene
White Hunter Black Heart bathrobe and slippers combo
Unforgiven long coat
BOMC white shirt Robert is wearing in the first kitchen scene or silver bracelet
Tightrope tie or handcuffs
Dollars Trilogy poncho
In The Line Of Fire white t-shirt (bedroom scene) or black suit and tie combo
Bronco Billy cowboy shirt
High Plains Drifter black scarf
The Outlaw Josey Wales hat
Heartbreak Ridge camo pants/tight black t-shirt combo or army uniform

 Dollars poncho for sure.  And, I'd go with the handcuffs from Tightrope.

Chessie: Is there a particular actor, living or dead, you would have liked to have seen Clint make a film with? And what kind of film?

I'd enjoy seeing Clint get together with Paul Newman and Robert Redford, there was a rumor going around for a while of them doing a film together, but I think it's died down now.  But it sounded cool.

TAG:

Lin - Are there any novels that you think Clint should adapt and make into a film, and why?

AB - If Clint was going to star in another romance movie (like Bridges) who would you cast as his leading lady, that isn't Meryl Streep?

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday, Satu!

« on: July 18, 2007, 09:57:14 AM »

Happy Birthday!

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Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday Chessie!

« on: June 14, 2007, 02:12:04 PM »

Thank you all for your kind wishes!!!