Films of Note

From ex-film-critic, gsf - 1/24

Now and then wanna let my small circle of friends-and-such know of films I strongly recommend .... but, on the other hand, saw one today that bored me to tears:

"The New World" - an endless, difficult-to-follow story of 17th Century settlers in the new world ... and the relationships endured and enjoyed by a pretty Indian maiden (her makeup mostly very 21st Century), who eventually ends up in the British royal court. Lots of brutal Indian massacre stuff, too. But the movie is endless ... with long scenes of lovers just staring at each other. Plus lots of shots of trees. And rippling waters. And more trees. Nevertheless, must have been an expensive production ... and one has to wonder how and why these things get made .... in this case, someone with a lot of spare money, was talked into investing in this dreary drama.

I saw "MATCH POINT", and found it one of the most powerful I've seen in quite a while .... loved the ending ! .... On the other hand - don't know why, but I now recall that a few days earlier, boredom made me squirm in my seat, while watching "THE PRODUCERS" ...

Saw another fascinating film, Memoirs of a Geisha - a fascinating study of pre-war (II) and post-war Japanese woman .... and makes me think about what life might have become, if I'd stayed in the post-Korean War U.S. military .... and maybe helped to breed Jewish/Asian kids.

So much Hollywood garbage flowing through the flick theaters nowadays .... childish sex-crap and feces humor currently dominating the neighbs .... and, lately, a sudden, scary, influx of homosexuality-themed Hollywood.

As I've said before, I think Hollywood - and theaterical film-going - ain't long for this current world. Attendance is way down. Sales of large-screen TV's way up. What other conclusion can one come to ?

Mark my words: The (theatrical) film industry is in its preliminary death throes .... another coupla years, and most neighborhood movie houses will be electronic/home delivery grocery supermarkets. The huge upswing in sales of giant-screen home sets, is a clear prognosticator. Remember: you heard it here first.

And then there's the sudden, scary upsurge of films and TV programs with dominant homosexual themes and basic story lines .........

Great new world.

Cheers,

gary f