Jonathan's comments
(member since Mar 07, 2009)
Jonathan's comments from the Movies We've Just Watched group.
(showing 1-14 of 14)
I definitely recommend "Standard Operating Procedure" (about Abu Ghraib) and, on a lighter note, "Fast, Cheap and Out of Control."
Cissy wrote: "Wow, Jonathan... That would be awesome, meeting him. He does seem like a really intelligent man. "He really is. But even more impressive, he's truly committed to what he does. I was stunned to learn that he subsidizes his documentary "habit" with commercial work; evidently, his docs, popular though they are, don't produce much in the way of revenue. So it really is a labor of love.
I've had the good fortune to meet Errol Morris recently, and I just have to say that, while I've always appreciated his work, I've become even more of a fan since I've had a chance to get to know him a bit. I mention it only because it seems so rare that a public figure whose work you admire turns out to be a *person* you admire. A pleasant turn of events.
Alex DeLarge wrote: Jonathan, if you have a region-free dvd player (or Blu-ray player), you can order it from the UK. But it is ..."Unfortunately we don't have a region-free or Blu-ray player. I guess we'll just have to wait until it's released in US format. Or maybe it will be in a NY theater?
A new Wallace & Gromit! How did I miss this? Must track it down. Thanks!
I've had the good fortune to meet Erroll Morris recently (on Goodreads!), and I've been thinking about his documentary Standard Operating Procedure which argued that the torture at Abu Ghraib was not simply a case of "a few bad apples" but a systemic policy. Watching his film again recently, I was struck by how fully his point seems to be supported by the recent release of the "torture memos." What I'm wondering is whether people think that the film had an impact on the American public's perception of the problem? If it, in a delayed way, prompted the release of the memos? Other thoughts?
In another GR group someone mentioned the new movie THE INTERNATIONAL as one that relates to cons. It sounds interesting, and is supposed to be beautifully filmed, but I haven't seen it yet.
Two from the early part of this decade:- THE NEXT BIG THING (about an artist who makes up a phony back story to sell his work)
- MATCHSTICK MEN (about two flim-flam men)
Steve-O wrote: "A few of these mentioned are playing on TCM this week. , including these back-to-back-to-back on Friday night:"That looks like a great line-up! I've seen them all, but they're all well worth watching again.
Wasn't there a fairly recent (last 15 years) version of Postman? I didn't see it, but have a vague recollection of it coming out. Has anyone seen it?
So there are 4 different movies based on the one Highsmith novel? That's really interesting.
Tom wrote: "They're not really con men in AMERICAN BUFFALO, are they? Just petty slimebag thieves.Now that I think about it you're right about American Buffalo, Tom. They are just petty thieves. I got carried away.
I've never seen the Italian Job, mentioned by Phillip. I hear there's a Mini Cooper chase scene. Sounds like fun.
Those are good ones, Matt. Now that you mention House of Games I guess there are others by David Mamet that also fit the bill -- American Buffalo comes to mind. And maybe Glengarry Glenn Ross?
Some of the films mentioned:- "The Lady Eve"
- "Paper Moon"
- "The Sting"
Any others come to mind?
This morning "On the Media" (NPR) had a discussion of books and films about con men, presented in light of the Bernie Madoff scam and other recent swindles. I thought this was a great topic -- Hollywood's fascination with scam artists. It seems to be a natural fit!
Movies We've Just Watched
