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Re: Thanks for your response, RGA!

Posted by Gee LP (A) on May 31, 2005 at 00:53:24

In Reply to: Re:It ain't yer commas, Victor, it's yer apostrophes! posted by RGA on May 30, 2005 at 22:12:32:

It is considered and to the point. Probably more than mine! So let's take a look at what you say:

Walt Whitman would appreciate your comments on experts, as you surely must know. He too thought every artistic creation had value, every work was an expression of, at the least, the times it was created.

Pauline Kael wrote an essay that you might have read concerning the same ideas: "Trash, Art, and the Movies," saying that our trash, our B-movies and drive-in flicks, can express more of the American culture than our high-art films. Certainly, I enjoy watching "The Wild Angels" or "The Last Man on Earth" than many other films from 1966 or 1962, respectively.

But I disagree with you on the idea that "many older films don't 'translate' well with today's viewers." They wouldn't be shown on TV or issued on DVDs if they didn't sell, and it isn't the older audience that drives these markets (except maybe that Red Skelton set I saw...but I digress!).

For someone who writes "film is far too low an art form to be considered worthy of my time," you sure post a lot on this forum! There is nothing wrong with admitting you like movies, LOL! And then saying "I don't really care how one judges a film to be quite honest," and putting that statement in a post where you lengthily explain part of what goes into your judgement of films. May I point out the contradiction? I know, consistency, hobgoblin, small minds. There is nothing wrong with being inconsistant every now and then. No one has ever accused me of being too consistent! Other posts that you've have written show also quite a concern with how film is judged.

I personally don't dismiss the Hollywood summer blockbuster out of hand. I actually LOVE "Jaws," "Star Wars," and "E.T.", saw each when they first came out (I saw "Jaws" on my very first date). I just don't think big theatrical re-issues alone show that a film has stood the test of time. You elaborate on this in your response (BTW, where did the comments about Spielberg being Jewish come from? But that is another post for another time, it is much too late to open THAT can of worms now!). I also think "Die Hard" will stand any test of time that is presented. There are others I can name, but I hope you get the gist of what I am saying.

To be stunningly obvious: just because a film opens "big" or has a huge advertising budget does not make it a classic that will live for the ages. But there are films that do open big and have huge advertising budgets and lots of stars and will be seen and enjoyed as long as movies are watched. And, as you point out, just because a film is low-budget and features serious navel-gazing, ALSO does not guarantee it classic status (the recent run of films like "Dogville" and "The King is Alive" are excruciating for me to even click by on TV!).

When you slow down and actually write what you think instead of relying on cheap comments you show yourself a better critic than you may want to let on. Of course that comment can apply to everyone, myself included. Let's face it, film is pretty damned interesting, and it's fun to talk about it.

Just two more things! Shakespeare IS incredibly deep IMHO, and it's the amazing combination of thought with word that makes him live today. Take a look at Stephen Greenblatt's book "Will in the World" for a good take on current Shakespeare scholarship that isn't too deep dish.

And I try not to put words in other people's mouths...too much! But you posted 207.81.75.114 under the title "Re: How about a specialty forum for American or English language films?" on March 15, 2004:

3rd paragraph, talking about "Citizen Kane": "I have the conclusion that it's probably better suited to the American mind-set of the American Dream. I personally think it's handled better in Dustin Hoffman's Death of a Salesman (I never saw the original however). This was made for TV film based off of one of the great American novels."

This is where my quote of this statement comes from.

There are other things we can talk about but it is getting late...or early! Another time, perhaps. But I look forward to discussing them with you.

Take care and have fun, RGA!

PS: You indicated in an earlier post you are studying to be a teacher. And in this post you say "30+ year old RGA." Have you returned to school? I am a 46-year-old college student, preparing to teach high school English and Social Studies. Watch out! The day is coming when I plan to inflict Melville on bewildered students! What are you planning to teach?

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