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I've seen, recently.
Werner Herzog has repeatedly proven he's as fine a documentarist as he is a dramatist.
Here, he ventures to the McMurdo Station, the Antarctic scientific outpost.
Yes, the scientific explorations of the world above and beneath the massive ice are fascinating, and the images are unforgettable. The volcano footage alone, with its steam-created caves, are other-worldly.
The creatures far beneath the ice, resting along the bottom of the ocean, also seem from another, alien, and altogether frightening world.
But it is the people that work there which are the true object of Herzog's unquenchable curiosity. The daring, deep-sea diving biologist who enjoys psychedelic jamming on his electric guitar during off hours, the philosopher turned large equipment operator, the neutrino-studying physicist who was continually amazed that "billions or trillions!" of the sub-atomic particles were "going through my nose as we speak!"
Yet, with all these fascinating, strange encounters, what moved me most was the image of one animal, common to the area, as it wandered about.
To understand that, you must see the film.
As much as I admire Herzog and his soulful body of work, I can't bring to mind a weaker example.
There's little here about the polar environment that we haven't seen before. The people are quirky but so what and who isn't when a camera is on them longer than they expect it to be. There's hardly a memorable character, event or image in the whole film. It simply lacks the director's own usual freshness and eccentricity. The physicist's explanation of a neutrino was so valley-girlish in vocabulary and articulation I really don't find him scientifically credible based on this appearance.
The mostly choral soundtrack was annoying to distraction. At times even inappropriate to the image as if it were the primary thing rather than an enhancement. As if it were trying to bring excitement or gravity or reverence artificially, telling us how to feel rather supporting or confirming the natural arousal of emotion inspired by visual majesty.
The whole thing was a puzzlement; then I saw who produced the movie and did the music - Henry Kaiser. Herzog mentions him early on as the one who introduced the film idea to him.
Henry is a nice man but - and I'm generalizing somewhat here - has used his family fortune and influence to pretty much buy his way through a zelig-life as adventurer and musician. His insights and creative expressions are ultimately mundane. I'm not saying he is deficient in accomplishment but his most notable may be one of endurance, not merit.
Herzog is great but this film is sadly diluted by Kaiser's watery, banal involvement.
I wanted to like this because I look forward always to his next film but Herzog really missed the mark here as far as I'm concerned. In a word, when compared to his other films I'm sorry to say, it's plain.
It has just occurred to me that maybe Herzog intends being deeply ironic. Perhaps he wants to show thru his lense that the deadly, exotic nature of the place, now so thoroughly populated by those who are attracted to it has become so well known that it's not so much different from the rest of the ordinary world. Maybe he edited out that polar Starbucks and McDonalds. Maybe I should rethink this.
the stories of the strange girl traveler didn't amuse you, well, so be it.
I, and it seemed all of the people in the full theater, loved the film (sustained applause at its end).
........Not one of the superlatives you earlier used. I don't recall that mild adjective being used by either of us. I don't watch Herzog for amusement.Maybe I was amused, now that you mention it, but I'm not sure that's the accolade this film hoped for.
Like I said I've seen most of this before. And I daresay so have you. Really, Tin, I admire your film acumen but I don't see your thinking this is one of his better films
Greatness warrants repeated watchings; is this on your rewatch list? Not mine. But I can easily name 10 more of Herzog's that are. Some I've seen a half dozen times.
As to the applause of your theater mates being reason for me or anyone to automatically praise a movie........did you join in? Just because the crowd did? Was it an American crowd? LOL. A Medved crowd; a Palin crowd, most likely, save you.
my second viewing and enjoyed it more.
I value your views, A-man, but this time you're just plain wrong! :-)
my references for film thinking. I learn a lot from you.
As I said earlier, I was disappointed in "Encounters...". Of course there are elements about it I enjoyed. I was looking to being transported - as Herzog can do for me. It just didn't happen in my viewing.
If it is there, I missed the full measure of his sincerity and commitment to this movie. To me, it seemed more a "project" than a revelation of his best idea at this point in time. Thus, my remarks about the unmistakable hand of Henry Kaiser.
It will be interesting to know Herzog's own ruminations on this film. More important than any single film is the pleasure of watching his creative arc. He is one whose work I follow, and I forgive him his momentary errors. I can say the same for you. ;-)
Thanks!
I also learn from your comments, as I do from other thoughtful and expressive viewers that post here.
I had tears in my ears (and not from sadness) but most everyone else was just laughing (and again when another walked by the scientist's).
"Certainly AIG though with the construction bonds that they're holding and with the insurance that they are holding very, very impactful to Americans..." -- Sarah Palin
nt
..your top 10. Seriously, I'm interested.
Top five:
Herzog; Bunuel; Straub; Kubrick; Fassbinder
next five:
Hitchcock; Rohmer; Fellini; Coppola; Antonioni
I'm glad you didn't ask me back. LOL. There are names there that could cross my lips, as well. My queue is heavy with most of them. I'm always adjusting.
I'm in with love Antonioni these days. Le Amiche is in my hands as we speak. I've never seen it. Il Grido haunts me in an abiding way, I swear. La Notte, so sweet.
I wish I could lay my hands on a rental copy of Zabriszie Point. No Netflix. Gotta copy?
BTW, what was YOUR impression of the new Herzog?
Movies are almost as essential as food. They touch similar emotions for me.
Appreciate you straight answer to my little challenge. You coulda bowed up.
Cheers.
I have an old copy on laser disc. The finale is one of the great cinematic moments in film history.
Regarding the director's list, on any given day I would rotate in Lynch, Welles, and Visconti, but my top five is pretty firm.
I loved Zabriskie Point when it first was released, and unfortunately MGM has locked it away in the vaults. Perhaps it was too revolutionary and political for them.
Great soundtrack as well, featuring Pink Floyd and Jerry Garcia, amongst others.
If you ever locate a copy....
And I would definitely add Bergman to the list of great directors, and rotate in Polanski.
I recently saw Fanny and Alexander years after the theatrical release. Masterful. Such is the folly really of top five or top ten lists. It boils down to subjectivity at that point.
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