This is Why: Days of Heaven
So the Wave-inatrix was combing the video store as I am wont to do, for something I haven't seen. And there is plenty. Only so many hours in the day, dontcha know. This evening, I watched Terrence Malick's DAYS OF HEAVEN. I have not been this engrossed in a movie for a long, long time. I'd seen BADLANDS years ago, in film class and I loved it. I loved THE THIN RED LINE. But this - this DAYS OF HEAVEN was by far my favorite. If you haven't seen it, this is why you should:
Because nobody makes the landscape a character like Terrence Malick does
Because cinematography this stunning is why I love the movies
Because Malick takes the first six minutes to set up a lifetime of back story
Because the score is haunting, beautiful and perfect
Because the story has a slow but magnificent build
Because when God made Richard Gere, he did a very, very good thing
Because if John Steinbeck and Terrence Malick had a baby it would be this movie
Do you have a movie that Wavers really ought to see? Can you parse it out with a few quick becauses? Wavers can make a list of the This is Why movies posted on the Rouge Wave and like a goofy book-of-the-month club, we can work down the list. Is there a movie you feel is a must-see? Tell me why by leaving a comment - or if you'd like, tell me why via email and I'll post it for everyone to see and comment on.
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8 comments:
The Fall. Because this is cinematography that reminds cinematographers why they love filmmaking. And I thought the story was incredible, but apparently the critics didn't. Screw critics, this movie is well worth a drive out of your way or a wait for DVD release. I think it's still in theaters!
Also, this movie almost rivals Days of Heaven in terms of beauty. No joke. And Days of Heaven reinspired me to continue my filmmaking dreams when I wa about ready to quit.
Run Lola Run. Because it is a movie that showed me that you can do a lot of beautiful crazy things in movies. Not only the way it is told, but also the cinematography. The use of video , 35 mm and Animation.
To Kill A Mockingbird.
Beautiful storytelling, biting characters, powerful acting.
I wanted Atticus Finch to be my Dad. Still do.
BLUE VELVET
Because it is the closest you will ever get to a lucid dream
Because it shows Lynch's unflinching mixture of slap-happy wonderful and nightmarish disgust
Because it presents itself like an Andy Kaufman joke that defies you to know how to react, and proves what a hack Ebert is and how brilliant Siskel was if you watch the At the Movies archives
Because it's my fourth fave film of all time, and by coincidence holds the same place in Entertainment Weekly's recent list of new classics
Brodre (Brothers)
Because the acting is exemplary and seamless. Suzanne Bier is not afraid to direct subtle and authentic emotion or to show restraint in a world of obvious and over the top films. It deals with a difficult subject in a beautiful way. The cinematography serves the story not the other way around. Because the Danes rock!
Dancer In The Dark. An astounding experience. Bjork was amazing as Selma. And I think the choice of telling this story in musical form was brilliant. If it were a straight narrative film, it would be hard to sit through, as in depressing.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Because the use of theme in writing this deconstruction of an American hero myth - criminality and fame and our never ending obsession with celebrity is sublime. Modern. Fresh. A blend of influences has created a truly new Western classic for the ages.
Amadeus
A perfect film is one that you can jump in at any scene and still find yourself wrapped up and watching until the end. From the first time I saw the film (probably when I was about 12 years old) I found myself fascinated with the themes of talent, success, genius, jealousy, and the struggle to create something grand and beautiful.
In a way the classical composers of Motzart's era were like today's great film directors. There is much to be gleaned from great works of art, and Amadeus is certainly that.
"Why plant the desire and then deny me the talent?" I think at some point we can all relate to Salieri's frustration.
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