Today, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have a show at the Majestic Theater in Dallas, Texas, which I'm going to! Are you?
Interestingly, I learned that Wings of Desire was shot in Berlin in 1987 when Nick Cave lived there. Wim Wenders went on to say later that he couldn't imagine making a film there without showing one of Caves concerts, calling him " A real Berlin hero right now."
Did you know that Peter Faulk was not cast until filming started? Wenders planned to have a famous local politician or artist play the role until Wim's assistant, Claire Denis, suggested the American "Columbo" star. She said he would be familiar to everyone. Faulk, who was used to improvisation with Cassavettes, hopped right in without batting an eye.
The black and white and color are obvious nods to "Wizard of Oz," but it never feels like a copy. The camera angles and voiceovers are all original pieces of work. It brings you to a familiar place that you've never been. Wenders brings you into his backyard that he knows so well.
I won't go into the plot too much. It's a tale of angels who think immortality is for the birds. I watched this film a while back and knew nothing much about it. I love everything Wim Wenders has made; he does not disappoint.
The one thing I'll mention is the genius of the angles in long overcoats as if to hide their wings. The simplicity of this film draws you in, lets it breathe, and then dazzles you in the end.
After you watch this film and fall in love with Bruno Ganz, do yourself a favor and watch one of my favorite films ever. "The American Friend."
Oh, and that film just so happens to be made by Wim Wenders!
- Josh
The Player, Robert Altman's 1992 film, still speaks the truth today. After popping popcorn and pouring a prosecco or two, Jess and I settled in for this month's final Friday Night Film Club. You have to be settled in when you watch an Altman film. Before the titles even start or before it fades out to black, for that matter, you have to be ready. I love Altman, a fire, aim, ready type of filmmaker. Actors could act and walk over each other's lines. He would find the dialogue in post and make the film in the edit, covering his bases.
Altman invented what indie film is today, except the studios paid for all of it. It pulls the curtain back on the machine, the great and powerful Oz. The thriller, comedy, and drama aspects are all just words on a page for Altman to poke holes in the Hollywood industry. And they paid him well to do so; he always got the last laugh.
Tim Robbins said, " Bob told me there will be people around that are going to try to tell us what to do. I want you to know that if it becomes a pain in the ass and it's not fun anymore, I want your word that you'll walk off the set with me."
That's Robert Altman, my spirit animal.
"I think that eighty percent of my creative function or work is finished the moment I get the film cast."
- Robert Altman
I believe this to be true. You write with people in mind or cast the right people. You pick the crew you want to have fun with and trust their gut. The rest becomes your playground, And who knows where it will take you?
- Josh
So I recently rewatched Jane Campion's Power Of The Dog. At first glance, it has visual feelings of a John Ford "The Searchers" style, but when I watched again, underneath, the tone is definitely on the type of Claire Denis's "Beau Travail, the film we watched for this past Friday Night Film Club. You can now enjoy the 4K restoration of the once hard-to-find BEAU TRAVAIL (1999) on Criterion BluRay or online streaming.
Both of these films peel back the scab of toxic masculinity, both in their unique way and both with stunning visual excellence. These films are like an onion, revealing something new after each watch. I realize that female directors like Clarie Denis and Lucrecia Martel are some of my favorite. We need more.
Lastly, I saw Beau Travail at the Texas Theater. Not knowing much about it, I took the advice from a friend and went and saw it by myself.
The last scene of the film blew me away. Never saw it coming. I sat in my chair with a feeling I hadn't had in a long time.
I stumbled out of the theater crossed to the dark parking lot lit by the Texas Theater Marquee, unable to process my feelings. I knew everything had changed. I wanted to make movies that feel like that.
Thank you for that gift, Claire Denis.
- Josh
"The Magician" by Ingmar Bergman will save you $250,000 in film school tuition. Buy it for $20 on Amazon or do yourself a favor and get The Criterion Channel subscription for $10 a month. My son Julian gifted me this Blue Ray for Christmas; it was beyond perfect. Also... are you kidding me, making a film like this in 1958? It's sharp, moody, sensual, funny, and makes you want to pour another glass of Prosecco. I don't want to point out anything I thought about this film because I was so drawn into and shocked by the opening scene: the framing, the everything. I wrote a whole diary entry and then deleted it. You need to dive into this film. We can all hope to make films like this. I know I do. "The Magician." Thank you for this perfection, Ingmar. Join the Friday Night Film Club; it's virtual and flexible; everyone has a seat in this theater.
- Josh
Dallas, Texas, isn't known for its trusty drivers in the snow. So we are hunkering down tonight with Jess's pozole verde, a nice glass of red wine, the Criterion Channel, and some cats. They like to watch movies from 8-10. Let me know what ya'll are watching!
- Josh
