I'm a bit surprised that there isn't more of a discussion on Leone up here.  THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY does a remarkably creative job in foregrounding the Western's aestheticization of violence as a means of valorizing masculine notions of individualism and professionalism against a backdrop of dehumanized…

I'm a bit surprised that there isn't more of a discussion on Leone up here.  THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY does a remarkably creative job in foregrounding the Western's aestheticization of violence as a means of valorizing masculine notions of individualism and professionalism against a backdrop of dehumanized…

If anything, the film's sophomoric social commentary undermines the style

If anything, the film's sophomoric social commentary undermines the style

I was thinking on how its sexuality is framed in 1) a dark, gothic sensibility while also being self reflexive and explicitly erotic.  It engages our relationship with the movie in more diverse and contradictory ways than in raising our disgust at the characters' urges and desires (unlike Cronenberg and, for that…

I was thinking on how its sexuality is framed in 1) a dark, gothic sensibility while also being self reflexive and explicitly erotic.  It engages our relationship with the movie in more diverse and contradictory ways than in raising our disgust at the characters' urges and desires (unlike Cronenberg and, for that…

Isn't  it interesting that most of the serious discussions about sex in movies focus on depictions that are more noteworthy for their perversity than overall eroticism.  Anyway, MULHOLLAND DRIVE should get an honorable mention for being both sexy and macabre.  I'd also give kudos to BOOGIE NIGHTS for taking a blunt,…

Isn't  it interesting that most of the serious discussions about sex in movies focus on depictions that are more noteworthy for their perversity than overall eroticism.  Anyway, MULHOLLAND DRIVE should get an honorable mention for being both sexy and macabre.  I'd also give kudos to BOOGIE NIGHTS for taking a blunt,…

Phil—You summed up my feelings about Peckinpah to perfection

Phil—You summed up my feelings about Peckinpah to perfection

Lets not forget Hitchcock while we're at it.

Lets not forget Hitchcock while we're at it.

While I am hearing complaints that the movie is long, I couldn't find any fat on it.  If anything it felt like a somewhat tighter cut than might have been desirable from an artistic point of view.

While I am hearing complaints that the movie is long, I couldn't find any fat on it.  If anything it felt like a somewhat tighter cut than might have been desirable from an artistic point of view.

I  think it is the culmination of his work up to date.

I  think it is the culmination of his work up to date.

From the reviews and comments that I've been seeing, I get a sense that a lot of people aren't really on the wavelength of Anderson's world view.  Most of his films explore issues related to addiction and consumerism, and offer a critique of the therapeutic assumptions of selfhood used to correct these issues as…

From the reviews and comments that I've been seeing, I get a sense that a lot of people aren't really on the wavelength of Anderson's world view.  Most of his films explore issues related to addiction and consumerism, and offer a critique of the therapeutic assumptions of selfhood used to correct these issues as…

A re-trial would not have necessarily been a slam dunk for acquittal, as the conviction was not achieved on the basis of physical evidence, but on testimony and circumstantial evidence that the jury found convincing despite reservations pointed out by the defense.  It would have taken years to resolve in either case.

A re-trial would not have necessarily been a slam dunk for acquittal, as the conviction was not achieved on the basis of physical evidence, but on testimony and circumstantial evidence that the jury found convincing despite reservations pointed out by the defense.  It would have taken years to resolve in either case.