tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post117025777356201861..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: Coming Back to VolverNATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170515780117692622007-02-03T10:16:00.000-05:002007-02-03T10:16:00.000-05:00Oh, and Vitus didn't get nominated. I'll be firin...Oh, and Vitus didn't get nominated. I'll be firing all my fact checkers now :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170515178256302602007-02-03T10:06:00.000-05:002007-02-03T10:06:00.000-05:00Beautiful writing, Nathaniel! And I'm seeing this...Beautiful writing, Nathaniel! And I'm seeing this today over at the Landmark, finally! I've never seen an Almodovar in the theatre before.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170482345010679542007-02-03T00:59:00.000-05:002007-02-03T00:59:00.000-05:00it wasnt necessarily WATER that replaced Volver bu...it wasnt necessarily WATER that replaced Volver but Water and Pans are the only films from the list that have opened in the states up until this weekend hence they were the ones discussed.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170469063087395722007-02-02T21:17:00.000-05:002007-02-02T21:17:00.000-05:00Ummmm... How about the change in the way they vot...Ummmm... How about the change in the way they vote?<BR/><BR/> Only 20 people decided who would be the final five. 20. That's it. There are 6000 people in the academy. Less than 1% of them decide this category. So if one or two people find your film overrated, you could easily be out. I have to agree with jason j that I was also pretty disappointed in Volver. The climactic revelation (about Carmen Maura's character) was practically film-destroying. I can't help but think that the majority of Cruz's praise comes from people who haven't seen her do anything good. I enjoyed the rest of the cast (they had an unforced naturalism that Cruz lacked).<BR/><BR/> But yes - I think Volver suffers when compared to Almdovar's academy triumphs. Talk to Her is so astonishingly beautiful it's practically sensual; the fetishization and evocation of Spanish culture, the glorious Dario Grandinetti (his face is so expressive), the beautiful Alberto Iglesias score. I believe that the final forty minutes of TTH form the finest section of filmmaking this decade has seen. And yes, that's an impossibly high standard to set (so I'll admit that Volver is more disappointing when compared to Almodovar's best works).<BR/><BR/> And was it Water that "replaced" Volver? I assumed it was Vitus or After the Wedding. I had Water placed in fourth behind Pan's, Lives and Volver.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170468097000164872007-02-02T21:01:00.000-05:002007-02-02T21:01:00.000-05:00AdamLuis, don't feel bad about the City of God snu...AdamLuis, don't feel bad about the <I>City of God</I> snub. If it had gotten nominated it wouldn't have been eligible for the <B>four</B> other awards it <I>was</I> nominated for one year later. I'd rather live knowing <I>City of God</I> has four nominations including screenplay, editing, cinematography and BEST DIRECTOR than knowing it simply has a Foreign Language Film nomination.Glenn Dunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05424659636310160482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170465905073337312007-02-02T20:25:00.000-05:002007-02-02T20:25:00.000-05:00Whoa. I agree with Borja Nuñez. Almodovar has beco...Whoa. I agree with Borja Nuñez. Almodovar has become a director-diva, a lot of people would agree on that (as I do).<BR/><BR/>And let's face it, Volver is minor Almodovar. Great directors sometimes do film minor work.<BR/><BR/>A little bit off topic, not so much, I've only asked once for an autograph. It was to Todd Solodnz, and he behaved like a real gentleman (unlike Pedro).Paxton Hernandezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07311147658112558727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170448054639438812007-02-02T15:27:00.000-05:002007-02-02T15:27:00.000-05:00I think sending the VIVA PEDRO series to theatres ...I think sending the VIVA PEDRO series to theatres acoss the land in anticipation of <I>Volver</I> might have actually been a miscalculation. I hate to say it out loud because I love theatrical retrospectives and used the opportunity to fill some of my most egregious Almódovar gaps. But <I>Volver</I> had to fight an uphill battle to match the recent memory of seeing some of his greatest masterpieces on the big screen, at least for me. I might have had a better reaction to the film if it had felt like a cool spring in the midst of a Pedro drought.<BR/><BR/>If <I>the Departed</I> is having trouble living up to Scorsese's prior films, imagine how much greater this effect might be if new prints of <I>Goodfellas</I>, <I>Taxi Driver</I> and <I>the King of Comedy</I> were touring theatres across the country?Brian Darrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17693169310367670898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170447396341341832007-02-02T15:16:00.000-05:002007-02-02T15:16:00.000-05:00I thought it was extremely overrated... hated by s...I thought it was extremely overrated... hated by so many here in Spain... what's wrong with Almodovar's ego I'm proud of him as a Spaniard, but seriously anyone has met him here? I have he is the most arrogant man I've ever met... I was like "hi I admire your work so much, can you give me an autograph"<BR/><BR/>he is like "of course I won't it is not my job to give autographs, I hate when people ask me that, JODER" <BR/><BR/>such an arrogant bullshiting mother.#*$&# but I liked the film actually... overrated but I liked him...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170444648667575422007-02-02T14:30:00.000-05:002007-02-02T14:30:00.000-05:00a little bit maybe --they're unquestionably my two...a little bit maybe --they're unquestionably my two favorites though so no biggie.<BR/><BR/>i always have doubts. ranking art is after all very silly --no matter how addictive the process may be.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170438726312904902007-02-02T12:52:00.000-05:002007-02-02T12:52:00.000-05:00Here's what I'm curious about...are you regretting...Here's what I'm curious about...are you regretting not ranking Volver as number 1 in your Top 10 of the year? (I personally thought it blew Marie Antoinette out of the water, no contest).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170432152456584942007-02-02T11:02:00.000-05:002007-02-02T11:02:00.000-05:00As you know from my enthusiasm after the screening...As you know from my enthusiasm after the screening, I couldn't agree with you more. I had been waiting a loooong time to really love a film again. <BR/><BR/>Not only did it immediately make it to the top of my list for 2006 (if I was listing), but for whatever reason it resonated more for me than any of his other films that I've seen.<BR/><BR/>One thing I've been thinking about a lot since I've seen it is how the humorous melodrama hit me at a much deeper level than films that tackle serious topics with a sledgehammer approach. (<I>Babel</I> comes to mind, having seen it a couple days prior to <I>Volver</I>.)<BR/><BR/>Anyway, great film (and thanks for the linkage, Nathaniel).SusanPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09247068663993460537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170431243401947662007-02-02T10:47:00.000-05:002007-02-02T10:47:00.000-05:00Don't forget the snubs of Osama and Spring, Summer...Don't forget the snubs of Osama and Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall...and Spring, even though the latter didn't get attention from critics and audiences until AFTER the fact. You could also put Atanjurat: The Fast Runner in that category of tragic snubs as well. <BR/><BR/>I don't know if should hate this category or not. Lately, I've liked their individual winners rather than their nominations as a whole. 1999-2001 was a really amazing run. 2003 also produced a very strong and 2002 and 2004 were solid if conventional choices. (I haven't seen Tsotsi.)<BR/><BR/>Still, that doesn't make up for their un-recognition of gems: City of God, In the Mood For Love, and Volver, plus the three I mentioned, plus House of Flying Daggers. Plus their awful winners like Life is Beautiful. <BR/><BR/>Does anyone think Volver may have made it in under the old system of voting?<BR/><BR/>- AdamLuisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170431081388255572007-02-02T10:44:00.000-05:002007-02-02T10:44:00.000-05:00Dammit, Nat, now I have to go and see it again. I'...Dammit, Nat, now I have to go and see it again. I'd been considering doing so anyway; I liked it okay the first viewing, but for some reason the film's haunted me, more than anything I've seen this year, and I've found myself thinking about it all the time.Jason Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18254334131909339157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170430850607798862007-02-02T10:40:00.000-05:002007-02-02T10:40:00.000-05:00Oppla! Sorry, Nathaniel, know you love the movie.....Oppla! Sorry, Nathaniel, know you love the movie... it is just i love it soooo much! Couldn´t stand reading it your fourth in the list... anyway, why do you have to number everything?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170429196587479442007-02-02T10:13:00.000-05:002007-02-02T10:13:00.000-05:00I agree - a really superb film, and frankly Cruz d...I agree - a really superb film, and frankly Cruz deserves the Oscar over Mirren, who could have played THE QUEEN in her sleep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170424061043733082007-02-02T08:47:00.000-05:002007-02-02T08:47:00.000-05:00I adored this film, my 4th of 2006. Penélope was e...I adored this film, my 4th of 2006. Penélope was exquisite.Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09809699267788752653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170422001112692252007-02-02T08:13:00.000-05:002007-02-02T08:13:00.000-05:00I've never really understood the love for Talk to ...I've never really understood the love for Talk to Her, which I think is actually one of the weakest films of his recent production (same goes for Bad Education). I think Law of Desire, ¿Qué he hecho yo para merecer esto!, All About My Mother and now Volver should rank much higher. By the way, I would love to know (just out of cross-cultural curiosity) what your appreciation of humour in Almodóvar's films is. I would have thought a lot of it could only work in a Spanish context, but that doesn't seem to be the case (which I find wonderful).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170421357908637372007-02-02T08:02:00.000-05:002007-02-02T08:02:00.000-05:00I could not agree more Nat. Volve is an amazing f...I could not agree more Nat. Volve is an amazing film.qtahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01907222771263313661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170421259559525002007-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:002007-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:00I think Macaco meant to type "I can't agree more w...I think Macaco meant to type "I can't agree more with your post" or something like that. He/She obviously likes the movie.<BR/><BR/><I>Talk to Her</I> is only my fourth favourite Almodovar, but I want to watch it again. I have a big soft spot for <I>Live Flesh</I> as, like <I>Law of Desire</I> for you, the very first Almodovar I saw and thought it was brilliant. Then I remembered I had blind-bought <I>All About My Mother</I> for $5 and watched it and it's one of my all-time favourites.<BR/><BR/>He's probably my #2 living director (after La Lynch)Glenn Dunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05424659636310160482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170419228608559892007-02-02T07:27:00.000-05:002007-02-02T07:27:00.000-05:00Macoco -I'm not sure i understand. I obviously lov...Macoco -I'm not sure i understand. I obviously love Volver very much.<BR/><BR/>anyway... when I say not on the same level of <I>Talk To Her</I> I'm in no way saying it's not a freaking fantastic movie. It is. I'm just saying... it's not one of my three favorite Almodovars. At this writing (and this obviously may change) I'd place it 4th or 5th of his films after <I>talk to her, all about my mother</I> and my sentimental favorite (the first i saw) <I>law of desire</I> and on par with <I>women on the verge</I> maybe better than that... but same level. <BR/><BR/>And he's my favorite living director at this pointNATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170418882551987222007-02-02T07:21:00.000-05:002007-02-02T07:21:00.000-05:00Very good article. You should write more reviews, ...Very good article. You should write more reviews, they're great. And I agree with almost everything you wrote, except for your best actress ballot in FB. Penelope is great, but, really, Kate Winslet in Little Children is far superior.<BR/><BR/>-cal rothAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170408524319940332007-02-02T04:28:00.000-05:002007-02-02T04:28:00.000-05:00I agree that Volver was excellent. I have not seen...I agree that Volver was excellent. I have not seen The Queen yet, so cannot compare the performances.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps Penelope is too pretty, my God, is that now a disadvantage. I think she is radiant in this film and I love the close-ups, the emotion and the funny moments. I love the loud kisses throughout, so lively and evocative.<BR/><BR/>I have seen Bad Education, and thorougly enjoyed that but Volver is earthier and so real.<BR/><BR/>All the women were beautiful and I loved the red in every scene,<BR/><BR/>Spoiler<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/> even the blood. Her cleaning this up was also a real moment and the time it took her to put the body in the freezer.<BR/><BR/>I want to see it again so I can concentrate more on the film instead of the sub titles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170406926714256132007-02-02T04:02:00.000-05:002007-02-02T04:02:00.000-05:00I can´t agree with your post. I do think Volver is...I can´t agree with your post. <BR/>I do think Volver is really one of Almódovar´s best, on the same level of subtlety and sheer beauty of Talk to Her. The effort is even more remarkable being the characters and plot so common. <BR/><BR/>Unlike in other Almódovar films the parallel stories are very good integrated in the main story line. The screenplay is simply perfect, all women in the movie are perfectly displayed and developed, and the balance between them is alone a masterwork (screen time, weight in the plot, etc): in which other movie do you have 5 story-driving roles as well written as in this one? I can´t think of many!<BR/>The dialogues are very well written, and the comical scapes well dosed.<BR/><BR/>As for Penélope Cruz her portrayal of Raimunda is easily the best performance of the last years, in any language. The problem is obviously that she is so pretty. Hollywood would probably have expected from an actress playing a low class working mother a transformation à la Charlize Theron; I don´t know US that well, but I can tell you that in Europe even people without money can afford to look good and be clean, it must be the genes (and the good taste).<BR/><BR/>**SPOILERS**<BR/>Her reactions all along the film are incredible; I love two moments: the scene at the hospital with Agustina, refusing to help her, trying at the same time to remain loving, but with a hint of disdain; and the fantastic opening of the last act, running back to see her mother schlepping her daughter the way back to Sole´s flat (Her face and body language in this short scene are a piece of art).<BR/>Striking is also her physical work in the scenes with her husband´s corpse. <BR/><BR/>I love Volver and love Penélope, can´t wait to see more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170404301838268942007-02-02T03:18:00.000-05:002007-02-02T03:18:00.000-05:00Maybe they want to really hate the gays? No gay di...Maybe they want to really hate the gays? No gay directors nominated, no "gay movies" nominated. <BR/><BR/>Of course, I kid. They don't hate us THAT much, do they?<BR/><BR/>Now, Water isn't THAT bad - the cinematography alone is worth watching, I just like seeing the greens and the whites in each scene. <BR/><BR/>Pan's Labyrinth, however, was. I just wanted to slap that little child so much - it ALMOST made me sympathize with the crazed general. Stupid kid - don't eat the freaking dusty grape!!! She can't wait 20 seconds to go back across the barrier and call one of the chefs in those compounds to get her something to eat. GOD.<BR/><BR/>Five bucks say they'll change the category next year so that it's just "Foreign Language" - not "Foreign Country" film. You know, so that Clint Eastwood and Mel Gibson might want to team up and make a giant "screw you" to Martin Scorsese.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1170401823514938452007-02-02T02:37:00.000-05:002007-02-02T02:37:00.000-05:00"inelegantly acted"What does that even mean? I'm t..."inelegantly acted"<BR/><BR/>What does that even <I>mean</I>? I'm truly curious. I can picture Sharon Stone acting ineligently. Or some other actors that really ACT and could come off as harsh, but the women in <I>Volver</I>? They seem natural and breathy and full of life. ...shame you didn't like it.<BR/><BR/>It's snub in Foreign Film was particularly disappointing on Oscar morning. It was strange too. Even the man-hating angle that Adam takes doesn't seem to sound right. I mean, isn't this just the sort of the movie they usually nominate? Hmmm.<BR/><BR/>Penelope deserves the Oscar that this year. The one she's not going to get.<BR/><BR/>It's sort of annoying that people are all "they're finally acknowledging older actresses", but it's now annoying that there's a young actress that really deserves the prize (Halle didn't, Nicole isn't "young" in the way that the other winners were and, well, Charlize deserved it I suppose) and she doesn't have a chance. Oh well. Such is life.Glenn Dunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05424659636310160482noreply@blogger.com