Bummer about Lisa Frankenstein. I found the trailer charming and with how often I go to the movies, most trailers get categorized as grating or annoying pretty quick. Even The Taste of Things, which was already a shoo-in for a movie I was going to catch in theaters, has a trailer that went from captivating to "please just pork each other middle-aged French people" after about three viewings.
I always say that if it looks appealing check it out. It might be more for you than for me and others around me seemed more into it. I was grateful to see an original film with a distinct voice, if nothing else.
I just had a fabulous time with Lisa Frankenstein, but I also don’t disagree with a single thing Keith wrote. Sometimes something just hits you in the pleasure center of your brain and you disappear for 100 minutes. I only wish it had been rated R!
So did I! As I was watching it, all I could think about were the middle schoolers who this will be a formative movie for. It's something I would have seen it on USA Up All Night or after Zapped! Again on Comedy Central in 1993. And it would have a 2k remaster from Vinegar Syndrome coming out this summer.
Totally! It felt like one of the hundreds of trashy movies I fell in love with watching mid-90s cable. It might not be very good (the first twenty minutes were especially shaky, and the editing overall seemed like kind of an afterthought), but it spoke to me in my stupid love language. Hell, I had such a good time with it that I'm dragging some like-minded friends next week.
Scott, thank you for your review of The Taste of Things -- it is as warm as the movie itself. I'm so sad that it wasn't nominated for best international -- it's like an impressionist painting come to life, over and over again, plus that opening cooking scene is just dynamite. Also, the scene where the men eat that cornish-hen-like bird with all of their napkins over their heads is unforgettable!
Now for those who haven't seen this movie yet -- big time SPOILER ahead! So please proceed with caution.
Initially I considered this to be a tragic love story, but the more I think of it, the more it seems like it could be a version of a Greek mythology. You know how in Greek mythologies, humans can get hugely screwed? Take Cassandra, for example -- I think it's Apollo who gives her the gift of sight, but then he also curses her with nobody believing her. It's really super cruel -- and it feels like the same tragedy befalls Dodin. He has this luminous, preternaturally gifted cook that he also adores, and he asks her again and again to be his wife. And when she finally grants his wish, it's almost as if the gods themselves take her away from him. There's no finger pointing, of course -- the movie is too good to do anything so crass -- but I think it could be interpreted that way.
"This year’s committee, which ended up clashing violently over the final decision, according to several insiders, included former Lionsgate boss Patrick Wachsberger, Charles Gillibert, the producer of “Annette,” Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat, as well as directors Olivier Assayas (“Carlos”) and Mounia Meddour (“Papicha”), and sales agents Sabine Chemaly and Tanja Meissner. The vote came down to 4-3 split but then one person who had voted for “The Taste of Things” changed their mind and asked for a second vote which was turned down, according to an insider."
Bummer about Lisa Frankenstein. I found the trailer charming and with how often I go to the movies, most trailers get categorized as grating or annoying pretty quick. Even The Taste of Things, which was already a shoo-in for a movie I was going to catch in theaters, has a trailer that went from captivating to "please just pork each other middle-aged French people" after about three viewings.
I always say that if it looks appealing check it out. It might be more for you than for me and others around me seemed more into it. I was grateful to see an original film with a distinct voice, if nothing else.
Ready for the Tranaissance. Been ready.
According to GOP parents the tranissance is already sweeping our nation's schools
There’s a funny typo in the first sentence of THE TASTE OF THINGS review!
Not anymore there isn't! (Stupid autocorrect. "Benoit Magical"?!?!)
Lol! I’ve taken to turning off autocorrect whenever I can. It harms more often than it helps.
In fairness, Daniel Craig's performance as Benoit Blanc is pretty magical.
I just had a fabulous time with Lisa Frankenstein, but I also don’t disagree with a single thing Keith wrote. Sometimes something just hits you in the pleasure center of your brain and you disappear for 100 minutes. I only wish it had been rated R!
So did I! As I was watching it, all I could think about were the middle schoolers who this will be a formative movie for. It's something I would have seen it on USA Up All Night or after Zapped! Again on Comedy Central in 1993. And it would have a 2k remaster from Vinegar Syndrome coming out this summer.
And I mean all that in the best way!
Totally! It felt like one of the hundreds of trashy movies I fell in love with watching mid-90s cable. It might not be very good (the first twenty minutes were especially shaky, and the editing overall seemed like kind of an afterthought), but it spoke to me in my stupid love language. Hell, I had such a good time with it that I'm dragging some like-minded friends next week.
Do not watch The Taste of Things on an empty stomach.
Scott, thank you for your review of The Taste of Things -- it is as warm as the movie itself. I'm so sad that it wasn't nominated for best international -- it's like an impressionist painting come to life, over and over again, plus that opening cooking scene is just dynamite. Also, the scene where the men eat that cornish-hen-like bird with all of their napkins over their heads is unforgettable!
Now for those who haven't seen this movie yet -- big time SPOILER ahead! So please proceed with caution.
Initially I considered this to be a tragic love story, but the more I think of it, the more it seems like it could be a version of a Greek mythology. You know how in Greek mythologies, humans can get hugely screwed? Take Cassandra, for example -- I think it's Apollo who gives her the gift of sight, but then he also curses her with nobody believing her. It's really super cruel -- and it feels like the same tragedy befalls Dodin. He has this luminous, preternaturally gifted cook that he also adores, and he asks her again and again to be his wife. And when she finally grants his wish, it's almost as if the gods themselves take her away from him. There's no finger pointing, of course -- the movie is too good to do anything so crass -- but I think it could be interpreted that way.
Even though Anatomy of a Fall would've no doubt had a much better chance of being nominated for best international, I'm glad the committee went with this one. They sort of fell on their sword, but sometimes, you have to do a little sword falling. Here's what I found on Variety (https://variety.com/2024/film/global/france-dysfunctional-oscar-committee-anatomy-of-a-fall-1235880857/):
"This year’s committee, which ended up clashing violently over the final decision, according to several insiders, included former Lionsgate boss Patrick Wachsberger, Charles Gillibert, the producer of “Annette,” Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat, as well as directors Olivier Assayas (“Carlos”) and Mounia Meddour (“Papicha”), and sales agents Sabine Chemaly and Tanja Meissner. The vote came down to 4-3 split but then one person who had voted for “The Taste of Things” changed their mind and asked for a second vote which was turned down, according to an insider."
Happy Oscar Day!