NRoberson86

Thanks for the heads up. I'll go with the digital rental over a library DVD copy this week.

This grabbed my vote early on. My relationship with alcohol seems to be tracking along Devin's path. I still drink, but nowhere near as much as I did in my mid-twenties. This was after much abstaining due to fear of alcoholism within my family. The scenes that sealed the deal for me were Milland's adoration and relief upon getting his two bottles of rye back to his apartment. His facial expressions there made the whiskey seem so enticing, so comforting. I craved a drink. Minutes later, we get the flashback at the opera, and the same dynamic between this viewer and the screen is now occurring between the lead character and the stage. It is what we would now call meta. Truly masterful writing and directing from Wilder (natch). Easy yes vote.

This episode is an example of why I love this show. I watched this about two weeks ago for the first time. I was a sci-fi kid, not caring much for swashbuckling and fantasy. Therefore, this was not a staple of my childhood. In watching this film I understood some reasons for its nomination, such as the color, or Flynn's performance. I did not fully grasp the nuance of de Havilland, or the rawness to the fight scenes and stunts. The discussion illuminated these elements for me, and moved my vote from a soft yes to a hard yes.

I've been swayed a few times. Always after.

What perfect timing for this episode. Since a MoMI screening of Nashville two weekends ago I've been obsessed with baroque techniques in film. Nashville's DNA is in this incredible work, but it is by no means a mere clone. Linklater took Altman's ideas and ran with them in a bold, new direction, allowing the camera to entertain the realm of possibility. It's an easy yes vote.

Saw this Maddin film at a screening today and found myself mesmerized. Love the haunting imagery and the perfectly stilted performances, not to mention the inventive set design. Oh yeah, and the incest. Who doesn't want an episode where we have to reckon with incest?

I listen to The Canon to hear discussion on movies that could be genuine triumphs in some regard. While movies like Plan 9 might be considered influential, they're not fantastic achievements. It is fun to watch these movies to laugh at how inept they are, but what discussion beyond, "can you believe it?!" is there to be had?

I took notes like a dork, and the first thing I wrote for Batman was THIS SCORE!!! It truly is one of the all-time greats.

I find the "extended cut" to be even more boring and uneven. I had to look up this distinction. Donner considers the theatrical version to be his vision. The extended cut is based on some cut footage put back in for the TV debut.

So far I'm amazed with people's responses. I thought this would be a blow out for Batman.

Batman wins for me, hands down. This was my fourth or fifth time trying to watch Superman, and my record remains: I've fallen asleep every single time. Superman is a boring movie. As mentioned in the episode, it does have nice character moments, but Batman has some great ones too and remains exciting to watch. I agree that Batman does have some technical issues that reveal themselves upon repeat viewings. The miniature at the end really does not hold up, nor does the matte shot of Batman on the roof at the beginning. However, technical failings aside, there is real tension in this film with action sequences that keep things moving at a great pace. Superman's final sequence is the only real instance of any action. I'm no fan of superhero movies, but I should at least get to witness a few exciting sequences. At the end of the day, Batman movies are the only superhero flicks I've really enjoyed. I think this has to do with stakes. Batman is mortal, and therefore vulnerable. I'm now old enough to understand that no character that is a "property" is truly in any danger. Yet as a child, this fear engaged me. Superman was bulletproof, and again, boring. I know nostalgia is a shitty point to argue, but isn't nostalgia driving this entire genre? With that conceit, Batman wins for me yet again.

Just wanted to remind people of a great resource for DVDs and maybe Blu-Rays: your local library. They're a totally free and legitimate way to get your hands on almost anything discussed on The Canon. I've probably made this shill for those book-peddling sons of bitches before, but not on this new forum. Going to pick up Superman on Blu-Ray in just a few!

Great to hear this. I've always thought that religious people would appreciate Temptation if they actually watched it. I'm a gay man in NY, so my social circle is a bit lacking in the devout area. I've never had the chance to put the experiment to the test.

Good point. Come to think of it, this is why I didn't see Risen, the recent film Amy brought up. When I noticed the end of the trailer had contact info for "group ticketing" I figured it was a pandering work.

We're in agreement, but here's something else to chew on. No one talks about Passion any more. Meanwhile, I feel I could discuss Last Temptation with a stranger in a bar later tonight. Any discussion of the same sort on Passion I imagine would amount to, "Man, wasn't that gruesome?"

I think this one will be a blowout. Can any self-respecting cinephile vote for Passion over Temptation? I would vote for Temptation simply for its incredible lighting. Amy touched on color a bit, which relates. In particular, I'm always struck by the light coming in and out during the scene of Mary Magdalene cleaning Jesus's wounds. I agree that the narrative shift makes it so much more of an engaging experience. Also, David Bowie, my favorite person of all time, is in Temptation. It automatically wins on that note.