i just got back from talk cinema. i think i've mentioned it before here. it's a film series that i subscribe to and that shows art house-type movies before the films are released. after they show us the film, there is some kind of discussion, usually led by a film critic or film professor (or both). the films run every few weeks, but i never know what the film is until i show up at the theater. two weeks ago the film was kitchen stories (a norwegian comedy), but during the discussion harlan (the guy who hosts the series) let it slip that he was originally planning to show mel's latest instead. the deal fell through at the last minute and harlan had to scramble to get the norwegian film which we saw instead.
today, before they started the film, harlan brought up "the passion" again and asked if anyone in the audience had seen it yet. only one or two hands went up, so harlan made a pitch to convince us all to see it. his point was that whether good or bad the film is now part of the zeit geist and so to be informed filmgoers we all really should see it. he also noted that the opinions of those who have seen it have not been unanimous but rather divide roughtly down the middle between those who love it and hate it. given that, there really is no telling which side any of us will fall on until we go and see it for ourselves. i don't totally buy the zeit geist argument (after all, i do not think my life would be less complete had i never seen titantic) . but the argument that i should go and make up my own mind about the film was kinda compelling. he didn't totally get me with that argument, but i am wondering if i should again. i guess i'm back to waivering. it doesn't mean i will see it, but i might.
in other news, today's talk cinema film was eternal sunshine of the spotless mind which i loved. i don't think i've ever liked a jim carrey movie this much. he wasn't overacting and didn't have his usual shit-eating smirk. in fact was able to completely forget it was jim carrey on the screen and just enjoy the film. the plot was creative and convoluted, and, not surprisingly, written by charlie kaufman, the guy who wrote being john malkovich and adaptation (two other movies i really liked)
on the other hand, most people in the theater with me hated it. as the closing credits rolled the old guy behind me said "that was the worst film i have ever seen." i dunno how many films he's seen. probably not nudist colony of the dead or curse of the queerwolf. but still, maybe eternal sunshine is not for everyone. but i liked it. so there.
