[crouton] Nathaniel Trost: My Own Technical Category

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Posted by Nathaniel Trost:
My Own Technical Category
http://crouton.powerblogs.com/archives/archive_2007_02_25-2007_03_03.shtml#1172630272


   Many members of one of my online haunts were watching the Academy
   Awards the other night, so I jumped off a cliff and turned it on while
   puttering around. This reminded me I really meant to talk about a
   couple movies I saw in the theatre recently, which is an increasingly
   rare occurrence. As it turns out, both movies, Children of Men and
   Panâs Labyrinth, racked up several nominations.
   I enjoyed both movies immensely, but Iâm not quite sure what I was
   thinking seeing them both back-to-back on successive days. They are
   both good, but not exactly light fare or uplifting feel-good movies.
   It was a shame that Children of Men didnât win for cinematography, or
   pick up a visual effects nomination. The movie itself was solid, a
   rare sci-fish film with an above least-common denominator script. It
   is also a prime example of a film wielding exceptional technical
   artistry to magnify its emotional and visceral impact. There were two
   extended sequences in particular that left me utterly drained at their
   conclusion. One sobering side thought was just how effectively you can
   now create a completely convincing âfakeâ reality. The opening scene
   of the movie didnât really happen, but Iâd have to scrutinize HD
   quality video of the sequence to try and find visual telltales that it
   didnât.
   I intentionally tried to limit my knowledge regarding Panâs Labyrinth
   before going to see it. About all I knew was âadult fairy taleâ, and
   âcivil war era Spainâ. Both those things were true. It was well shot,
   well directed, and very touching, but it was a heavy, sad piece. I
   found it hauntingly beautiful in spots but hard to watch, even though
   it was good because happy was not in the cards. Not to say I want
   saccharine and happy endings, but after Children of Men, I found Panâs
   Labyrinth good, enjoyable but as depressing as thought-provoking for
   its ending of multiple interpretations.
   Both are worth watching, both deserved their nominations. Soon I have
   to get off my rear and rent some titles Iâve been meaning to watch:
   âThe Fountainâ, âStranger Than Fictionâ, âThe Illusionistâ âThe
   Prestigeâ and âThank You For Smokingâ.