Celluloid Considerations Two

I’ve just looked again at the list of Oscar Winners and realised that out of the 13 compensated I have only seen two.
Inglourious Basterds I reviewed here - and Up - which is so beautiful I defy you not to cry.

However, two out of thirteen seems a poor return, so either my tastes and that of the academy diverge significantly or I should get out more.

The worst film I’ve ever seen was a French 2000 offering called “Sans plomb” – which surprisingly included a guest appearance from Elvis Costello - playing himself.

It was filmed up the road from where I live and for a couple of months the journey to work was frustratingly elongated through a labrynth of country lanes as they had chosen to film during the daytime on the only main road between here and Albi.

The film was exceptionally bad and I say this not only because I used up so much petrol and time on their deviation, but because it was B A D.

If you go to Elvis’s wikipedia section there is no mention of the fact in his filmography and I suspect he employs a team of dedicated individuals who work day and night systematically removing all references to him. I even expect they will delete this post.

In fact wikipedia has no mention of the film anywhere– and it is right to remain silent on what was, simply, a disaster.

I think the history of post-production was – first a showing in the local village hall, which I attended, a week in a Parisian cinema and then an un-ceremonial burying.

It’s a pity though, because it should be part of every film school diet and budding cineastes should sit and study it religiously –as an example of what NOT to do it is unsurpassed.

I love films and I love going to the cinema.

I like the way, the room goes slowly dark, the world around disappears and a new one begins.

I liked the people who used to stand and sell ice cream from trays during the interval.

But I’m glad they don’t play the National Anthem before the film starts anymore.

And i hated that time some boys from my school sat behind me and pushed my seat up with their feet, forcing me to stand through the trailers whilst my girlfriend giggled.

There isn’t much on the Oscar list that thrills me at the prospect and although I think it is excellent that a woman has taken top prize I don’t think I will be rushing to see the work – because of the subject. I know this is a very blinkered attitude.

However, a film that DOES entice me is Tim Burton’s, soon to appear Alice in Wonderland. See above.

I wasn’t a huge fan at first; I saw his early work but didn’t care enough to notice the Director’s name.

That’s terrible isn’t it?

But how often do we remember the film, the actors and actresses but have no knowledge of the director?

Who reading this, without looking it up, can name the director of Casablanca?

Ok maybe you don’t all agree with me that it is THE greatest film ever but you get my drift.

However, Tim Burton has been getting better and better and he really made me take notice in 2003 with Big Fish. An excellent film that weaves stories into stories and If you haven’t seen it, get it out on video - or whatever it is people use nowadays.

His version of Alice in Wonderland just LOOKS scrumptious, and shouldn't a FILM be just that?

Also, Alice serves as a nifty bridge for me to move from the Oscars (last week) to Mirrors (coming next).