Threshold

Goddamnit I've gotta watch more Carpenter. The Thing and Escape from New York isn't just gonna cut it anymore.

I think it's a fun meta take of filmmaking, and there's a wonderful friendship between Ed and Bela, but I don't think it's strong enough to be placed into the Canon. As they said in the podcast- the girls kind of take a back-seat in the film with simplistic, boring, literally supportive roles. It was lovely to hear how connected they felt about the films take on art and the creation thereof, but sorry, I'm a wet blanket on this film. I'm going soft no.

Yeah- I do agree with everything you've mentioned- but I think considering the cultural restrictions of the time- it's amazing they did all this with the tone of positivity. I dunno- I feel like even if the intentions were bad at the time- I can view this now and read more positive things into it.

Well made movie, iffy twist, bad themes, bad influence.

Sweeney Todd, Big Fish or Sleepy Hollow. Most likely Sweeney Todd. But yeah- the straight-forward-ness of Ed-Wood is probably why I wasn't a big fan of it. I think Burton is too respectful of the material- I would've preferred something a bit more offbeat. Also- the trans stuff in Ed Wood seems to be inoffensive to everyone- weird enough for the anti-LGBT people to not get freaked out- and respectful enough to not be Anti-LGBT rights. I'm not really into that; like the titular Eddie within the film- I wish Burton/screenwriters would maybe go a bit harder in one direction or another. Also- Nightmare Before Christmas is Henry Selick's film- not Burton's- I've heard that's a pet peeve for Selick

I mentioned how much I did not enjoy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes on the homework thread- but I did not mention that I supremely enjoyed Some Like it Hot. It's just a real fun time- comedy beats work- the trans stuff still feels fresh and possibly respectful by todays standards (I assume- i'm just a white straight male)

I know it's the coolest Tim Burton film to like- but I did not get into it as much as I wanted to. The bizarre but emotional dynamic between Bela and 'Eddie' was terrific- but I think on the whole- honestly- it's more interesting to watch the film as a meta-narrative for the way Burton views himself. I'm probably a soft-no

Totally agree. I was reminded of the Feminist V Post-Feminist debate in regards to art. If we look at the film from a post-feminism world- it's great that these two women are doing their own thing- being sexual and/or superficial beings. Especially in regards to that Olympics song. But we aren't living in that world, or looking at it from that viewpoint, and 1953 certainly wasn't either. I think it's a film being mocked in Hail, Caesar at it's best- and a horrible contribution to casual sexism from the post-war world. If this film was slightly more progressive with its portrayal of the two main characters' open sexuality (particularly with Jane Russel's character) that second last scene with Jane Russel pretending to be Marilyn, livening up the French Court-room with her antics could have been a fun little screwball musical moment- but it doesn't quite gel with the rest of the movie.

I hadn't seen Gentlemen Prefer Blondes before- YEouch!! Some like it Hot rightfully will trounce

Any and All Edgar Wright films

Hope? Or will? Cause I can imagine Amy going Gentlemen- or is that too obvious? -Also for a film made the 50's, Some Like it Hot still holds up in regards to the LGBT thought process of today- I saw Tootsie for the first time recently- and was surprised to see how many gags were made about being gay, being lesbian, being trans. Some Like it Hot is bizarrely progressive, even by today's stance, I reckon. Although I'm not part of the LGBT community- so what do any LGBT people think of Some Like it Hot?

FUCK! While it does reinforce those garbage ideals (accidentally I reckon)- I think true conservatives would shy away from a film with a bi-sexual Ralph Fiennes. But yeah- damn! Interesting idea that kind of sprung from your list- A progressive war film - that's not explicitly 'anti-war' Does a good version of that exist? I can't even think now?...

Yeah, I'm totally for this

In one episode- I forget which one- Devin said something along the lines of 'Art is either continuing and therefore recommending the current cultural establishment, or condemning it.' (It was said better than that) Does anyone know if that's a quote from something- maybe a article he or someone else wrote? Would appreciate it- It's for a university paper- I would prefer citing an article rather than a podcast (Is that podcast-ist?) Cheers

Oh yeah! I guess objectivist is just a heightened version of bettering yourself to the nth degree. --Which is a conservative ideal, while being a usual narrative drive. I'm hoping it's just coincidence. BUH??? I didn't even think!? What themes are conservative?

That quote from Easy-E really is true. That scene with L.Fishburne talking in front of the billboard is laughable, but sad, since I do agree with the statements he is saying. A dodgy film with decent intentions. No for me.

I can sense the episode will be filled with a similar feeling of the American Beauty. But I adore The Usual Suspects- it is clearly built backwards from the twist, but I still think it's a real solid thriller.

I don't quite know, but I'm assuming maybe the dismissal of a criticism ties into the idea of mansplaining and the stereotype of women being fickle might come into it. +The connection of scarves to women cause fashion or whatever. The quote above mentioned it was vaguely sexist, so it's not quite- but it kind of re-enforces gender stereotypes however minute.

Just bumping this- Does Anyone remember which episode?

It's disappointing that Amy gets so bogged down with 'yellow scarves' because there are so many legitimate debates to have surrounding this film. Is this film a parable about nihilism? Does the film transcend the cop cliches? Should this be included as one of the few Fincher films placed in the Canon? But no, let's discuss fucking Aspirin bottles. Its kind of infuriating because I reckon she could have seriously engaged with this film and break down things like tonal choices; script etc.

Essentially it's between being influential V more worthy Fincher films portraying his nihilism being available. I'd argue Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is more intense, stylish and terrifying than this; but then again, it has kind of been forgotten in these past 5 years, and yet Se7en hasn't. I honestly don't know. Probably a soft, soft yes.

Children of MENNNN YES I'd like to see most Cuaron films in the canon- (Even the third Harry Potter)

Soft no You can see how influential it was on most modern thriller now- and yet its a great thriller in its own right- very tense scenes- and some incredibly innovative ideas in there as well- I love the scene where Olivier walks down a New York street with old jews recognising him- the paranoia for both protagonist and antagonist are there. There are negatives about the film though- enough for me not to vote for it. The relationship with the french/german woman is so male-centric 70's, and I'm saddened to see that most of those problems still pop up now in modern films. Dustin Hoffman always delivers a bizarre and yet disappointing performance. I have heard cynic non-cinephiles watch old films and complain about particular acting styles- the idea that to be a good performer back in the day would require being quiet for the whole film- and then shout wildly in one scene. I obviously don't believe that but Dustin's performances always portray that kind of quality to me. Him and his garbage method acting. This is very harsh, but I'm fine if most Hoffman films aren't in the Canon. Maybe All The President's Men. Anyway- solid thriller, clearly influencial- but doesn't push past the threshold of decency into Canon-Worthiness. PS regarding that Olivier story "Have you tried acting, young man?" I believe Hoffman has utilised the fact he is the only one left alive, and has changed that story for his own purposes. I have heard his excuse of partying, but I've also heard the excuse that he was stressed due to his divorce. It's gotta be he was doing his usual dickhead Method acting. I would be interested to hear what other Canon-Listeners believe as well. PPS Just finished the episode- looks like I pre-emptively agreed with most of Amy's thoughts!

I doubt there's any other Australian listeners- but it is on AUS Netflix as well.

I mentioned in the Homework thread for this film that I wasn't too impressed by it the first time I watched it. The second time I was more in the groove that this film sets up. A slow-moving, yet fascinating 'actors movie' in that the filmmakers set up complex ideas, all in the hope that the actors will do the characters (therefore story) justice. + Allowing the gay conversation in media to be widened. Yes for me