Comments on: P & P Blog-a-thon: Gone to Earth http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/ Where monkeys learn to write Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:43:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: philosopherouge http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-814 philosopherouge Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:03:30 +0000 http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-814 :( I'm now officially sad on the inside. :( I’m now officially sad on the inside.

]]> By: Mango http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-807 Mango Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:07:31 +0000 http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-807 Oh, Justine. :cry: Where have you lost your heart? A curse: you will die as you will live: without Mango! *storms off* Oh, Justine. :cry: Where have you lost your heart?

A curse: you will die as you will live: without Mango!
*storms off*

]]> By: philosopherouge http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-805 philosopherouge Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:49:44 +0000 http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-805 I have joined the dark side I have joined the dark side

]]> By: Mango http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-804 Mango Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:37:53 +0000 http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-804 Oh great--great!--throw it in my face? Here you are timidly recommending this film, unsure of its kitsch and sexuality--aspects of film that, if it is not notorious already, I LOVE--telling us it is worth watching, and I can't even watch it! You're such an awful person, Justine. :evil: My love for Powell, my lust for Jennifer Jones, my adoration of classical sexual deviations, and you dangle this film in front of me. It's Christmas. If I don't receive this from you as a gift, you will never be forgiven. P.S. to Lauren: As one who is proud to know your taste, I predict you will hate those films. I doubt you'll like any P+P, but you especially won't take to The Red Shoes. If you're still up for more P+P after those, go watch I Know Where I'm Going! Oh great–great!–throw it in my face? Here you are timidly recommending this film, unsure of its kitsch and sexuality–aspects of film that, if it is not notorious already, I LOVE–telling us it is worth watching, and I can’t even watch it! You’re such an awful person, Justine. :evil:
My love for Powell, my lust for Jennifer Jones, my adoration of classical sexual deviations, and you dangle this film in front of me.
It’s Christmas. If I don’t receive this from you as a gift, you will never be forgiven.

P.S. to Lauren: As one who is proud to know your taste, I predict you will hate those films. I doubt you’ll like any P+P, but you especially won’t take to The Red Shoes. If you’re still up for more P+P after those, go watch I Know Where I’m Going!

]]> By: Lauren http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-788 Lauren Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:24:25 +0000 http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-788 Cool project -- I happen to have my first two P&P films on hand now: Red Shoes & Black Narcissus. Perhaps I will contribute something from the pov of a total noob. :) This film sounds terrific, too. Cool project — I happen to have my first two P&P films on hand now: Red Shoes & Black Narcissus. Perhaps I will contribute something from the pov of a total noob. :) This film sounds terrific, too.

]]> By: philosopherouge http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-787 philosopherouge Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:19:41 +0000 http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-787 It's true, the term is thrown around very easily and lightly. It really applies in this case, at least nearly. It's very much in the vein of cult classic Duel in the Sun, also with Jones... but with a bit more restraint because of Powell & Pressburger. It doesn't quite seem to be their doing, but rather the external influence of Selznick. I would never call Sirk Kitsch, because it is his conscious decision to approach the material in this particular way that is essential to his visual and storytelling style. Written on the Wind, however, is probably my least favourite of his films (that I've seen), Imitation of Life is where it's at. You're very right, I think too many people see film's goal as being to achieve reality; which is not only impossible, but an archaic idea about art. It's the same as dismissing modern, or abstract art because it doesn't aim to achieve reality. It's not an issue of escapism (which some pin it down to, because "gritty" equates a "serious" film that has to be contemplated) but a lack of willingness to explore and analyze a visual aesthetic that's in conflict with your expectations. It’s true, the term is thrown around very easily and lightly. It really applies in this case, at least nearly. It’s very much in the vein of cult classic Duel in the Sun, also with Jones… but with a bit more restraint because of Powell & Pressburger. It doesn’t quite seem to be their doing, but rather the external influence of Selznick.

I would never call Sirk Kitsch, because it is his conscious decision to approach the material in this particular way that is essential to his visual and storytelling style. Written on the Wind, however, is probably my least favourite of his films (that I’ve seen), Imitation of Life is where it’s at.

You’re very right, I think too many people see film’s goal as being to achieve reality; which is not only impossible, but an archaic idea about art. It’s the same as dismissing modern, or abstract art because it doesn’t aim to achieve reality. It’s not an issue of escapism (which some pin it down to, because “gritty” equates a “serious” film that has to be contemplated) but a lack of willingness to explore and analyze a visual aesthetic that’s in conflict with your expectations.

]]> By: Jonathan Lapper http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-786 Jonathan Lapper Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:39:39 +0000 http://philosopherouge.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/p-p-blog-a-thon-gone-to-earth/#comment-786 This is one of the few Powell/Pressburgers I haven't seen but I'd love to. When you said that it had been described as "kitsch" I had to smile. I've heard so much of Powell's work described that way. Whenever anyone sees anything from the forties or fifties that uses technicolor, innuendo and sub-surface desire they describe it as kitsch. It's an easy moniker that allows the viewer a way out of any deeper analysis. When I watch Sirk's <b>Written on the Wind</b> I can see all the elements that one might describe as kitsch but I can also see that there is much more going on visually that calls out for a deeper look. Back to Powell, I think <b>Black Narcissus</b> is one of the most gorgeous and captivating films I've ever seen and whenever I hear it written off as kitsch it just makes my blood boil. I don't think many average moviegoers today appreciate what filmmakers like Powell and Pressburger (and Sirk for that matter) were trying to do. They are not for the gritty realist or the literal minded. Thanks for calling attetion to this and their work with this blogathon. Ever since I saw <b>The Red Shoes</b> for the first time they have been among my most beloved filmmakers. This is one of the few Powell/Pressburgers I haven’t seen but I’d love to. When you said that it had been described as “kitsch” I had to smile. I’ve heard so much of Powell’s work described that way. Whenever anyone sees anything from the forties or fifties that uses technicolor, innuendo and sub-surface desire they describe it as kitsch. It’s an easy moniker that allows the viewer a way out of any deeper analysis.

When I watch Sirk’s Written on the Wind I can see all the elements that one might describe as kitsch but I can also see that there is much more going on visually that calls out for a deeper look.

Back to Powell, I think Black Narcissus is one of the most gorgeous and captivating films I’ve ever seen and whenever I hear it written off as kitsch it just makes my blood boil. I don’t think many average moviegoers today appreciate what filmmakers like Powell and Pressburger (and Sirk for that matter) were trying to do. They are not for the gritty realist or the literal minded.

Thanks for calling attetion to this and their work with this blogathon. Ever since I saw The Red Shoes for the first time they have been among my most beloved filmmakers.

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