A-Z #65: Downfall

You can pick up hundreds of DVDs for a round-pound each - it doesn't matter. It's never about quantity, it's about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and understanding why I own the films ... or you can tell me why I should sell 'em

#65 - Downfall

Why did I buy it?

Because who doesn't want to see what happened in that bunker during those final hours. Hitler had pretty much lost the war and, somehow, he had to lead his army to the bitter end. I think the very idea of humanising such a monster equally intrigues me - think of how the terrorists are portrayed in Four Lions and, though two-dimensional to some extent, there are hints of a very human approach to terrorism in United 93.

Why do I still own it?

Because it still stands as a truly fascinating film. The filmmakers clearly tried to create a 'definitive' account of Hitler's final days. Bruno Ganz researched Hitler for months attempting to accurately portray Hitler's Austrian accent - to the point that Ian Kershaw for The Guardian wrote how his depiction was "chillingly authentic". The filmmakers used eye-witness accounts, survivors memoirs and other historical sources to accurately portray the bunker. All these facets came together to produce a film that is a fascinating historical tool. I think this film shows a true reflection of the horror of World War II - a powerful figure who, though human, was a corrupt human who had been created from a political construct rooted in racism, fear and power. But inevitably, as a human, he was defeated.

Have you seen Downfall? Do you agree?

Incredible Soundtrack #5: E.T. (Williams)

The music attached to a film creates the environment, I believe, moreso than the literal environment depicted through the visuals...

I have two John Williams soundtracks to be revealed over the next week I hope. This is the first one. As you can see on the A-Z, we are fast-approaching the 'E' section and this film, of course, will be amongst the choices. We could celebrate John Williams so much - his soundtracks are truly the '"stuff of legend". Star Wars, Superman and Harry Potter are three themes that he created. And none of them are directed by Spielberg - a director who Williams has worked alongside since The Sugarland Express.

E.T. is a soundtrack that, on one hand, it had to be family-friendly and - for want of a better word - 'fun'. On the other hand, it had to be quite sinister, spooky and scary. Its about a kid making friends with an alien. Its about the government trying to capture and experiment on the alien. Its about an alien changing a family. Its about a friend  of a child dying. And people trying to kidnap the friend. So many themes and factors to include on the soundtrack - which is why it is one of Williams best.

2. Far From Home/E.T. Alone - This is the first choice because it initially presents the flute whistling an innocent and 'wonder'-like theme before becoming much darker and sinister and scary. But it becomes ten-times better when the real E.T.-on-the-run theme begins following the epic sci-fi strings at 3.33. Beginning with the theme, on its own, lonely and imposing before ... the chase begins a 4.33... 



20. Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye - I think the vast majority of E.T. fans will recall this section. All the music from when Elliot and co set off in the van, through to the bike-chase (you can visualise the jumps as the bikes speed over those dusty hills - at 4.38 if you want to skip to it), through to the flying-on-bikes, through to the final exit as E.T. goes home. Emotion in my face every time.



21. End Credits - Something so simplistic about turning the theme into a piano riff, but as soon as the credits begin and this stunning piano-playing begins it just clarifies in your mind how great a composer John Williams is. I'd say underrated, but he's not - he is seen as the best composer in Hollywood and for good reason. This songs shows why.

'Screen Insight' Statistics (March)

Taking a little idea started on fellow Lib-Dem Blogger Mark, I thought I'd give a run down on some statistics for this blog. Since the move from the previous blog url (http://www.knowingviews.blogspot.com/) there has been an inevitable drop it hits, but it is steadily building up again. More importantly the bounce rate is substantially lower and the average time on the site is much higher than on the previous site. So, although the move has lost a few hits, it has gained a more quality readership. Obviously, thanks to all the folks who have continued to support the blog since that change over.

The most popular posts in the last month are as follows:

10. Incredible Soundtracks #4: The Village
9. A-Z: #50 The Color Purple
8. Incredible Soundtracks #1: A Single Man
7. Incredible Soundtracks #3: The Million Dollar Hotel
6. Incredible Soundtracks #2: The Social Network
5. 'Clock' by Christian Marclay
4. A-Z: #48 Closer
3. Redline (Takeshia Koike, 2010)
2. Boardroom Meeting with Zack Snyder
1. Top 5 'U2' Tracks Used in Cinema/TV

It's worth noting that 2, 3 and 10 were only released in the last week so it is clear that the site is getting that little bit more popular lately as the new URL is coming up on search-sites.

Secondly, despite the lack of comments on a few of the 'Incredible Soundtracks' posts, they are ultimately getting the most hits - moreso than the multiple 'A-Z' posts which have been posted in the last month - only two of which manage to make the Top 10.

Finally, I have found that posts about art galleries often make an appearance high up on the list. This may be something to do with the lack of information on the internet. If you are looking for a review on a popular film, i'll be the last place someone will look at using Google, whilst I may be amongst the top 10 sites about a specific art gallery, showing a specific work of art by a specific artist. The last analysis of Art - at The Saatchi Gallery - not only got a huge bunch of hits, but additionally had an artist commenting on the post! Mental.

Remember to use the search-bars on the left as everything is easily accessible and the reviews are not bound by time, in that, rather than being reviews, they are more an analysis of the themes and ideas post-viewing.

A-Z #64: "Don't Look Now"

You can pick up hundreds of DVD's for a round-pound each - it doesn't matter. Its never about quantity, its about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and understanding why I own the films ... or you can tell me why I should sell 'em

#64 - "Don't Look Now" 

Why did I buy it?

I had a conversation with Patrick, a fellow Art teacher, about incredible films and he noted this. I had only heard about it in passing - "one of the best horror films ever" is always touted around, but this film seems to be consistently highlighted as one of those very films. The seventies was rife with crazy-kids horror films - The Exorcist and The Omen amongst others. "Don't Look Now" was released in 1973 - the same year as The Exorcist - whilst The Omen, in 1976, quite categorically was inspired by both The Exorcist and Don't Look Now.

Why do I still own it?

Because I have only watched it once. And I am told it gets scarier and more interesting on multiple viewings. The film is all about confusion and obsession - and how small parts of the story are laid out at the start and are slowly brought together. Like broken pieces of glass, fragmented sections of memories, piecing itself together to make sense of the tragic start as a Mother and Father lose their young child. I intend to watch it again to truly understand the film.

Maybe one viewing should suffice, and I should sell it and accept that I 'didn't' get it.

Across the Blogosphere...

Its been a long time since I have written a linkage post. Since the finish of the podcast, I have tried to ensure that the site is as accessible as possible. Those A-Z's continue, the Incredible Soundtrack's have reached their fourth post whilst a new Top 5 List was created through the recent spat of music-in-movies obsession begun by Anomalous Materials and his Desert Island 'Movie' CD's.

There has also been some recent passings in the death of Elizabth Taylor and Farley Granger. Interestingly enough, though Taylor is much more of an icon, I have seen more Farley Granger films in Strangers on a Train and Rope than the zero films I have seen with Taylor in. At any rate, the Hitchcock Geek discusses the passing of Granger whilst A Shround of Thoughts discusses the passing of Taylor.

Last year, Blog Cabins had a beast Ladies of the 80's Tournament and so, inevitably, he has followed this up with the Ladies of the 90's Tournament that is currently running. Its a strange beast these tournaments ...  pitting hotties against each other. Hot or Not. Reminds me of The Social Network and the first Fash Mash - "Left", "Left", "Left", "Right", "Left"...

The Dark of the Matinee is always celebrated across the Blog world - and with good reason - especially as he has written a pretty controversial post about Americanism in movies. I was halfway through writing a comment and my laptop shutdown so I never replied to his post. But I will do in due course... because he has got a point.

Finally, a friend of mine, Mark, wrote a great post pondering 'What If..' Ronald Reagan died from his wounds following the assasination attempt on his life. What has this got to do with films? Well, indeed the reason the assasinator attempted to kill Reagan was because he wanted the attention of Jodie Foster...