tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post3116727156935431125..comments2024-03-24T08:18:33.058-04:00Comments on Conversations Over Chai: Il Gattopardo (1963)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-2514180399445010982013-05-24T17:25:57.872-04:002013-05-24T17:25:57.872-04:00Yeah, my husband liked it too. It repelled me. *s...Yeah, my husband liked it too. It repelled me. *shrug*<br /><br /><br />Will definitely keep an eye out for the fully restored version of 1900. It is not the length of the film, but its ability to engage me that keeps me engrossed. Or even an hour-and-a-half movie can bore me to tears.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-56744082432168778002013-05-24T16:57:00.365-04:002013-05-24T16:57:00.365-04:00It was a cold movie but I liked it. Dirk Bogarde w...It was a cold movie but I liked it. Dirk Bogarde was a peculiar actor who is always fascinating to watch. I really like the Servant based on a screenplay by Harold Painter. It might have been a play as well ,not sure. <br />I think you will like 1900 but try to find the fully restored version. It's 4hrs long and since you like long movies it is right up your alley mrs.Warrier!kGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-79383755708379133972013-05-24T08:31:26.532-04:002013-05-24T08:31:26.532-04:00I have seen Death in Venice. The movie was good (a...I have seen <i>Death in Venice</i>. The movie was good (and I like Dirk Bogarde). So was the Thomas Mann novel on which it was based. I just didn't like it. Again, I really have no particular reason why. I have not seen 1900. Thank you for the recommendation. One more for my 'to-watch' list. <i><b>WDIGTT?!</b></i>Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-80065707276567678122013-05-24T08:24:35.057-04:002013-05-24T08:24:35.057-04:00I think it was more because he was Marlon Brando p...I think it was more because he was Marlon Brando playing Marlon Brando. I don't know really - it's just an instinctive reaction towards some people. It is not as if I knew anything about his personal life (or would have cared much if I did) when I was a kid. I know he is considered a great actor, so obviously, my view is not that of the majority.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-51562274725717222212013-05-23T21:21:37.883-04:002013-05-23T21:21:37.883-04:00Please forgive me! I should have read your review ...Please forgive me! I should have read your review more carefully the reason I brought up Bertolucci is because I confused 1900 by him with the Leopard. Both movies were restored and rereleased around mid eighties. 1900 stars Robert DeNero and Gerard Depardue. It's a 4hr epic about the rise of fascism in Italy. I think you would enjoy it since you like history based epics. But I stand by my opinion of the Leopard. It was a bout the demise of the aristocracy in Italy ,something I really couldn't relate to but none the less a great movie. My favorite Visconti movie is Death in Venice. It's also based on a great novel and deals with the last days of a dying aristocrat who is also a homosexual. I highly recommend mrs. Warrier.kGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-37396492216294136422013-05-23T12:44:12.443-04:002013-05-23T12:44:12.443-04:00He is one of those actors whose lesser known works...He is one of those actors whose lesser known works are just as remarkable as his more famous. One of my favorite roles of him is Reflections of a Golden Eye. But I understand some one not liking him. I think his personal life and contemptuous attitude towards others was a turn off for most. He really laid it all out in Last Tango though ,his soul and much more. I guess we agree to disagree!kGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-12128569965974460862013-05-23T11:43:26.771-04:002013-05-23T11:43:26.771-04:00I'm not very fond of Marlon Brando. And I must...I'm not very fond of Marlon Brando. And I must admit (ashamedly) to <i>not</i> liking <i>The Last Tango in Paris</i> at all!Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-19099737943135957042013-05-22T23:59:08.027-04:002013-05-22T23:59:08.027-04:00Of course you are right and Burt Lancaster was gre...Of course you are right and Burt Lancaster was great. Bertolucci' movies are always interesting to watch but I like his more personal movies Last Tango in Paris and the one with Jack Nicholson,I forget the title.kGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-164928210241841632013-05-22T23:37:13.710-04:002013-05-22T23:37:13.710-04:00Yes, The Leopard was definitely Italian - in its l...Yes, <i>The Leopard</i> was definitely Italian - in its language and ethos. But I love history, so it was fantastic to see the movie playing out that period in the history of a nation.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-72704752284182115072013-05-22T22:25:31.649-04:002013-05-22T22:25:31.649-04:00Oh, sorry I didn't realize you had commented o...Oh, sorry I didn't realize you had commented on my Delon comment. He was much more than a pretty face As u know. His persona of the doomed ,amoral criminal is better than any one ever. Two of my favorite actors of all time are Brando and Delon. Le Samuri is my favorite movie. Have you ever seen Purple Noon? Any of his movies is worth watching. I realize The Leopard is a grand movie but I thought it was too specifically Italian in its history and context. Great review though!kGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-68973800598395557442013-05-06T13:34:18.644-04:002013-05-06T13:34:18.644-04:00Why didn't I see this comment before?
It i...Why didn't I see this comment before? <br /><br /><br /><br />It is a beautiful film, Shilpi. If you can get your hands on it, please do watch!Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-26851265426143986162013-05-06T13:33:32.246-04:002013-05-06T13:33:32.246-04:00That really says it all, doesn't it? [grin]That really says it all, doesn't it? [grin]Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-30370440541157402412013-05-05T02:44:51.858-04:002013-05-05T02:44:51.858-04:00Man,Alain delon. The most handsome man ever. Man,Alain delon. The most handsome man ever. kGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-85625854028851259292013-04-13T02:02:27.537-04:002013-04-13T02:02:27.537-04:00Yes I finally read the review and as expected it ...Yes I finally read the review and as expected it has a good story and what's more it has history. I love such films.Shilpi Bosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-50769586142111512072013-04-10T18:40:06.197-04:002013-04-10T18:40:06.197-04:00I liked the beginning shots myself. The never-endi...I liked the beginning shots myself. The never-ending prayer, and the younger family members itching to go out and see what's happening. The ending was tragic really, even though it is not dwelt upon - you can see Don Salina's sadness. And even Tancredi's discomfort - he knows something is wrong. <br /><br /><br /><br />Yes, I know Visconti was born a noble; there is a very good essay on the dichotomy of what he filmed versus his background that is part of the Criterion Collection's DVD set. How he and Tomasi were both similar and at odds at the same time. <br /><br /><br /><br />It is interesting about Concetta's belief - incidentally, all through the film, that is what I thought - that his tenderness towards Concetta was somehow more real, than his absolute fascination with Angelica. So I would veer towards thinking that Tancredi's liason with Angelica was very pragmatic but just an initial passion that would fail under the constraints of a longer relationship.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-17608150751825370102013-04-10T18:34:05.422-04:002013-04-10T18:34:05.422-04:00I like your description about your memory's ki...I like your description about your memory's kindness towards you. :) Yes, do watch it again.<br /><br /><i>Poor you, losing on French men. That leaves more for us! ;-) </i><br />Laughing out loud at this. Hey, I only talked about Frenchmen in films. Now, goodlooking Gallic men....hmm...Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-34743723011914911792013-04-10T17:14:55.054-04:002013-04-10T17:14:55.054-04:00The way the film begins with the opening of the wi...The way the film begins with the opening of the windows after the family prayers and the sounds of shots and the winds billowing the castle curtains inwards bringing with it the scents and memories of the dead soldiers body in the gardens is wonderful. The winds of change are already at the door.<br /><br />Interestingly Visconti chose to end the film with Don Fabrizio walking away from the ball and kneeling and looking at the stars . Before he does that he tells Tancredi to take his family home. Is that symbolic of handing over the reins to the younger man and a sign of the prince's coming death. I think Visconti did not want the leopard to die.<br /><br />But, the book ends when the prince is long dead and his family is losing the last of their prestige and possessions. When he wrote the book Tomasi had seen his island bombed to bits by the Allied Bombers and he wanted to depict the end, as a form of catharsis perhaps.<br /><br />In the book, only at the end does Concetta realise (or is this what she chooses to believe ?) that Tancredi really loved her and Angelica was just "amore" a fleeting fancy followed by years of ashes. But Tancredi is dead too and so is the family prestige and everything is symbolically thrown out onto the rubbish heap. This is not there in the film. Perhaps Visconti did not want to show all that, did he think of himself as the Prince. Lancaster said in an interview that he modelled his idea of the Prince from watching Visconti. Remember Visconti himself was a born into an aristocratic family was the Count of Lonate PozzoloSSWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-3614135371301062982013-04-10T11:58:00.289-04:002013-04-10T11:58:00.289-04:00Such a fabulous film! I saw it ages back on TV. Lo...Such a fabulous film! I saw it ages back on TV. Loved every minute of it. I think I saw the longer version. It was long but I didn't mind. The attention detail and the intricate play betweent he characters make it nearly an intimate play at times and then it sweeps you away to bigger canvases, Hats off to the master director!<br /><br />But my memory is always ver ykind to me. I have forgotten enarl yeverything of the film and thus I can watch it again. I think I recorded it at that time on a video cassette. Should excavate it one of these days!<br /><br />"Alain Delon, who, in my opinion, is possibly the only good looking actor in French filmdom"<br />Poor you, losing on French men. That leaves more for us! ;-)harveynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-22865472171746259952013-04-10T01:02:07.986-04:002013-04-10T01:02:07.986-04:00Good show. Thanks, Madhu. With both of you recomme...Good show. Thanks, Madhu. With both of you recommending it, now I have to see where I can find it.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-88847770966906900272013-04-10T01:00:49.969-04:002013-04-10T01:00:49.969-04:00:):)Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-63100730030790541272013-04-10T00:44:07.234-04:002013-04-10T00:44:07.234-04:00"But then I find Daniel Autiel good looking, ..."<i>But then I find Daniel Autiel good looking, so... :)</i>"<br /><br />:-DMadhulika Liddlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-89704078176277652972013-04-10T00:41:52.677-04:002013-04-10T00:41:52.677-04:00I second Shilpi's recommendation of The Train ...I second Shilpi's recommendation of <i>The Train</i> - a really good film. Do watch if you come across it, Anu.Madhulika Liddlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-87510491117502384042013-04-09T16:49:40.565-04:002013-04-09T16:49:40.565-04:00I hope you get the time, Shilpi. :) And thanks for...I hope you get the time, Shilpi. :) And thanks for the recommendation. I shall look for that film as well.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-38434111290528872422013-04-09T09:34:04.003-04:002013-04-09T09:34:04.003-04:00Two of my favourite actors, Burt Lancaster and Ala...Two of my favourite actors, Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon, need I ask for more? No, of course not. I will be honest, I just skimmed through the review, you know lack of time and all that. Besides I want to read it at leisure after all my fav stars feature in this film. However what little I read made one thing obvious and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I will repeat what I always say and that is old films had a story. It was not all about ear splitting sound and computer graphics. <br /><br />By the way if you were to ask me to choose one Burt Lancaster film, it would be 'The Train'. My father often talked about it and I later had the opportunity to see it, just loved it.Shilpi Bosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-87912989485237667442013-04-09T08:16:09.324-04:002013-04-09T08:16:09.324-04:00*Grin* I always found Louis Jordan, when young, a ...*Grin* I always found Louis Jordan, when young, a rather petulant young man. I mean, yeah, he is good looking, I guess, but he doesn't appeal to me. No, Jean Dujardin doesn't really appeal to me in the looks department either. But then I find Daniel Autiel good looking, so... :)<br /><br /><br />Yes, I told you about the film when I first watched it; then I waxed eloquent about it when I got my hands on the Blu-Ray about a year and a half ago... *grin* Yes, please, please, do get the Criterion edition. Otherwise all you will get is the horribly cut English version. :(Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com