It’s that time of year again. I was so pleased to be asked to participate in Dennis Cozzalio’s SLIFR Tree House again, a gathering of writers to talk about the films of 2011. We did it last year too and it was a lot of fun. Gathering in the tree house this year are Jason Bellamy, Jim Emerson, Simon Abrams, and Steven Boone. Jim Emerson is the only one I have not yet met personally. Some day, Jim!
But it’s going to be a fun week talking about movies.
1. INTRODUCTIONS AND AN OPENING SALVO. Dennis Cozzalio.
2. AGONY, ECSTASY, AND THESPIAN PRIDE. Yours Truly.
3. FESTIVAL FAVORITES AND NETFLIX NUGGETS. Simon Abrams.
4. CHURCH OF THE MULTIPLEX. Steven Boone.
5. PEDIGREE ‘BETTER THAN’ HYPE?. Jason Bellamy.
6. DISCOVERY THROUGH A SECOND LOOK. Jim Emerson.
7. BOMBAST, BIG BUDGETS, AND BREAKFAST BURRITOS. Dennis Cozzalio.
8. RARIFIED REACHES. Steven Boone.
9. WHERE’S MARTIN YAN WHEN YOU REALLY NEED HIM? Simon Abrams.
10. MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGEMENT. Dennis Cozzalio.
11. REVOLUTION AND SHOW BUSINESS. Yours Truly.
12. THE MOVIES MUST MOVE US. Jason Bellamy.
13. SPIRITS AND INFLUENCES. Jim Emerson.
14. ACADEMY LEADERS. Dennis Cozzalio.
15. MALICK’S GOD, CORNISH’S MONSTERS. Steven Boone.
16. FAITH LOST AND FOUND. Dennis Cozzalio.
17. STORIES, DREAMS, MEMORIES. Yours Truly.
18. THIS ONE GOES TO ELEVEN. Jason Bellamy.
I will add links here as the conversation continues. Some more from me and the rest of us to follow.
Good piece, Sheila. It reminded me how many of last year’s films I have to catch up on, but on your recommendation (and since I’ve been home sick for literally over a week), I saw Copie Conforme. Man is that good. She is a study in playing an impulsive person, wildly unlikeable sometimes and adorable at others, but she flitted from impulse to impulse without comment. There was not an ounce of that actory show of too-wide eyes and a jumpy body all on the toes that screams – THIS IS AN IMPULSIVE CHARACTER, aren’t I funny? Please don’t hate me. Really good movie. When I can be seen in public again (and drink wine again), we HAVE to talk.
Ted – I am thrilled to hear you saw it. I knew you would like it. I love your thoughts on her performance. I totally agree. I love that yes, she was obviously pretty obnoxious – one of my favorite moments is when they get out of the car at the museum, and he stops to take in the view, and says, “Ahhh, look at that”, and she quickly glances at the beautiful landscape and then just turns away. It’s a very funny moment. She is on a mission. She could not care less about the beauty of the rolling fields.
And I love her transformation over the course of the thing. I still haven’t quite worked it all out yet – but I don’t think it’s to BE worked out. I like the mystery of it.
And yes: we must get together soon.
How Kiroastami plays with the idea of art as replica and then the idea of replicating a marriage in the work of art we’re seeing is just stunning. It’s the ‘magic if’ brought to life. Really philosophically sophisticated on the one hand, but shown plainly so that anyone watching it can get it.
She could do your play!
Ted – funny you should say that. That character reminded me of Neve a little bit. The one line where she says, “Yes, I wasn’t well in those days …”
And yes – Kiarostami who has often been a bit precious and intellectual in the past (for my taste) – does the same thing here and yet creates a deeply emotional even passionate piece of work.
The intellectual conversations about copies and originals at first seem like two battering rams of opposing philosophies – but then – beautifully – it becomes about love.
I just loved it!