tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post3460434926778764467..comments2024-03-27T15:36:10.416-07:00Comments on Film Reviews from Two Guys in the Dark: Hitchcock, Killing Them Softly, Anna KareninaKen Burke; Pat Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-51996427626912260722015-05-23T23:04:53.579-07:002015-05-23T23:04:53.579-07:00Hi Jason, Thanks so much both for reading my revie...Hi Jason, Thanks so much both for reading my review and commenting on it. KenKen Burke; Pat Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-54723634073619128382015-05-21T00:47:44.947-07:002015-05-21T00:47:44.947-07:00Ken, great to have your insights about Anna Kareni...Ken, great to have your insights about Anna Karenina...I read some of the novel many years ago and my recollection is that the film concentrates on several relationships that are either faltering or just starting to collect together a fully rounded critique of how men and women are (were) judged in Imperial, late 19th C. Russia. <br /><br />I never got passed the chapter after chapter about agricultural methods in Russia at the time and chucked it to one side, in favour of the lovely Greta Garbo, whose 1935 version cropped on magically on the TV one day to relive the literary tedium.<br /><br />I'm glad the theatrical staging didn't distract you as it did me...I felt too much was mad of it, but it was a clever trick and beautifully realised none the less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-39563874627508666142012-12-16T00:05:57.316-08:002012-12-16T00:05:57.316-08:00Hi again rj,
Thanks again for your ongoing contri...Hi again rj, <br />Thanks again for your ongoing contributions (looks like we need to make this table for 4); sorry if I went public with a private post but I wanted to be sure that you were on the record with our First Anniversary material. Anyway, it's great to have your very insightful comments on the films as well as your thoughtful comments on the tragedy in the Northeast. I agree completely: fewer guns, more dialogue, and anything we can salvage about our humanity in the meantime from some contemplation on our cinematic art form, however its various manifestations may appeal (or not) to individual ones of us.<br /><br />Please keep up your contributions. I see you as a regular partner in our enterprise. KenKen Burke; Pat Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-35054668904929571192012-12-15T22:59:33.693-08:002012-12-15T22:59:33.693-08:00I can see that I need to be careful about sending ...I can see that I need to be careful about sending off-the-cuff remarks to Ken <i>"Siskle"</i> Burke, at least until he publishes his quite detailed and frankly very good reviews. I must agree with Mr. Caine that our English teachers always preached "clear and concise"; but Ken's "rambling" is what brought me to the site in the first place. His reflections often transcend a simple review and provide stimulus for further insight and discussion. <br /><br />It's also interesting that Mr. Burke often begins by stating a film disappoints but often goes on to making a strong argument for the film. His <i>Hitchcock</i> review appears to follow the pattern. <br /><br />The movie would have succeeded simply by effectively reminding us how cultural norms have changed through the perspective of a 60's movie production. I too remember the ground breaking marketing for Psycho and how effective it was in creating a stir in the days before Twitter and Facebook (or even before answering machines). Considering <i>Alfred Hitchcock Presents</i> was a free over the air broadcast every week, it was easy to imagine the director as over exposed and past his prime.<br /><br />Then again, Rod Sterling was doing quite well with his televised <i>Twilight Zone</i>. Personally I liked Hitch's earlier work better, but I can't argue with his taste in Blondes.<br /><br />Scarlett Johansson is one intriguing female and enough reason to spend a couple hours in the dark. Ken seems to be unphased (or perhaps cautious) with little comment on this version of a Hitchcock Blonde. I am not so enamored with her as an action hero or even a comedian, but in dramas....yes, now we are talking. <br /><br />I'll let my "confidential" <i>Killing Them Softly</i> remarks speak for themself. Well maybe not. (I bet Romney would like to have his "47%" and "self-deport" jewels back) Anyway, when any of the hundreds of HBO Sopranos episodes probably had better scripts and production values, <i>Killing Them Softly</i>, to me seems to be someone's vanity project. Save your money. <br /><br />As a post script, I must admit a continuing uneasiness about the role some of these films play in young men's perceptions of themselves and the cultural stereotypes they may wish to emulate. Once again we have to grieve for the slaughter of innocents, this time Friday in an elementary school, that somehow manages to repeat itself over and over again in real life. Yes I know, guns don't kill, people do...but maybe it's time to put down our guns and talk about our problem. Meanwhile, let's go to the movies!rjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025728540081089210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-46371641880981848132012-12-14T22:23:07.609-08:002012-12-14T22:23:07.609-08:0012/14/12 (one week before Doomsday)
Regular contri...12/14/12 (one week before Doomsday)<br />Regular contributor rjp had a brief exchange with me this week before I even got the review finished so maybe I can save him some effort and just post it myself (but further comments are always welcome). Hey, man, thanks for your consistent support. Ken<br /><br />From: Parker Richard J <br />Date: Monday, December 10, 2012 6:35 PM<br />To: Ken Burke <br />Subject: Killing Them Softly and Hitchcock<br /><br />Killing was terrible! I almost asked for my money back. What the heck, Brad?<br /><br />Hitchcock the movie was good and kept my attention. Hopkins, as always, excellent. When I first saw the trailer I did not immediately realize Hopkins was playing the role. Scarlet J was appropriately restrained and very good. Mirren also good. <br />rjp<br /><br />On Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 9:12 PM, Ken Burke wrote:<br /><br />Hi rjp,<br />Thanks for the input. I'll be reviewing both of these before the week is out but I'll forewarn you that my twisted aesthetic found more to appreciate about Killing Them Softly than you did but I'm still working on what to say and how to say it. We're in sync on Hitchcock regarding the acting quality but overall I'm still not sure why we needed this film, except to appreciate those fine performances. Anyway, real comments posted by Friday at the latest. Thanks as always for the comments. Ken<br /><br />Monday, December 10, 2012 8:13 PM<br />he only reason Siskle and Ebert made it big was because they would argue half the time.<br />rjpKen Burke; Pat Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.com