@NOFS Review: "Upstream Color"

It feels a little awkward to compare a one of a kind film to anything else. Somehow, by putting it side by side with a similar movie - maybe one that is highly regarded - you are putting your knowledge of cinema and ability to express that knowledge on the line. An argument can be made about almost anything, but can you be convincing? Basically, you’ll either be thought of in a scholarly manner, or looked at as a weirdo from Room 237.

With that, I will now make the following case: Upstream Color is the successor to Inland Empire.

@Twitter #Thoughts: "Dredd"

I wasn't able to include Dredd in my Best of 2012 list, but, if it means anything now, I should have seen it much sooner. Here are my live tweets of my first viewing of this awesome flick:

Napoleonic Optimism

I forget exactly how I first came across Abel Gance's "Napoleon", but I do remember how I fell in love with it; by reading Kevin Brownlow's book. He chronicles the pre production, production and exhibition of, in my opinion, one of the greatest cinematic achievements ever - an opinion I formed from the book alone! The innovation in the project alone is breathtaking.

Thought lost for decades, Mr. Browlow slowly and painstakingly put together as close of a restoration as possible (now clocking in at almost 6 hours!) - a restoration that was screened just a week or so ago in this country. Being unable to attend - even suggesting to the promoters that the screening be streamed online - I started, as I had when I first finished the book, dreaming about an appropriate home video release.

And for that matter, why isn't Abel Gance's epic "Napoleon" on Criterion? http://j.mp/dpmzad
— Roger Ebert (@ebertchicago) May 27, 2010

Some years ago, it was almost impossible to think that a Criterion DVD of "Napoleon" would be released, considering the legal trouble between Francis Ford Coppola - who assisted with a version in the early 80's - and Brownlow over their respective cuts. But, considering the recent screening event being green lit by both parties, I think we may be closer than ever to watching a complete set of the film at home. Consider also the following from an interview with Brownlow on in70mm.com:

ML: In other words, there has been a rapprochement between all parties. 

KB: Yes, well the idea is that the Coppola version will be upgraded with our material and eventually we hope that our version will be on DVD. 

ML: On Bluray ?

KB: Yes.
ML: Hopefully this will be with the Carl Davies score. Has there been a compromise with the Carmine Coppola score?

KB: No! That will always be on their version.

ML: But they have given permission to release both versions?

KB: I think that the idea is that both versions will be available but, God, it is taking a long time.

And this little nugget from a NYTimes article:

"Mr. Harris agreed with the characterization of the festival screenings as a kind of a test run for the digital restoration, which suggests that he and Zoetrope (Coppola) have plans for future exploitation, including, maybe, a DVD and Blu-ray."

Sure, I've read a few articles where Brownlow suggests - and flat out says - that no DVD release is planned, but I refuse to accept that as the final answer. I think that the ultimate goal here ought to be in bringing the film to the attention of as many movie lovers as possible. If money is an issue, would a kickstarter like campaign be too naive?

I'm not trying to suggest that viewing the film - especially the grand triptych finale - on a TV would be the same as seeing it in a theater with a live orchestral performance; because it's not. And I understand that there is still some footage that has yet to be recovered. But, if "Metropolis" - a film that equally deserves theatrical presentation and also has some footage missing - can get a home video release and thus be enjoyed by just about anybody...

Will a Blu Ray/DVD release of "Napoleon" ever happen? I'd like to think so.

I Think It Would Be Fun To...Watch A Blu-Ray

A few months ago, my friend and fellow blogger OogieRah got in on the whole Blu-Ray thing. With his new HDTV, He can now view such classics as "2001: A Space Odyssey" and, yes, even "Salo or The 120 Days of Sodom". The other day, He told me that He was considering purchasing the new Blu Ray edition of Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane". Being the Wellesian I try to be, I gave him a warning - not that He asked or cared.

Image via WikipediaThere's a bit of controversy over this home video release, specifically over the special features. The best discussion I've been able to find has come from WellesNet.com. According to them, to put movies like "RKO 281" and "The Battle Over 'Citizen Kane'" on this release is to say that you don't know/didn't bother to learn anything about Orson. These features, using old rumors as facts, paint a poor picture of one of the greatest directors of all time.

When the announcement over the features was made, a pretty heated conversation occurred on the WellesNet Facebook page. What bonus features could possibly make the 70th Anniversary release of "Citizen Kane" worse? Well, let's come up with a list (which I may add to at my leisure):

1. Newly recorded commentary track by dedicated Welles fan Steven Spielberg
2. Alternate ending, where it's all revealed to be a fever dream had by Charles as a child. He gets out of bed on Christmas morning, hugs his mom and dad, and plays with his sled.
3. Alternate cut guest directed by George Lucas - Joseph Cotten has now been replaced by Hayden Christensen.
4. Digitally restored outtakes of Orson's wine commercials.
5. DVD supervised by Jess Franco.
6. Extended musical sequence with Charles and the dancers, featuring new music by Ke$ha.
7. Free tickets to "Anonymous" with every purchase!
8. Deleted scene - the car crash that killed Charles' wife and son, orchestrated by Gettys.
9. Alternate cut guest directed by George Lucas - Charles screams "Noooooo!" when He destroys his bedroom.
10. The Ted Turner cut - In Color, presented in 3D.

At the end of the day, I couldn't completely recommend this edition to my friend. I probably won't be buying it, but He can go ahead; at least it'll look pretty.