Legend says that there was a time different to the rest. A forgotten time etched in the pages of history forever. Dark unrepentant days. Of course the people hustled along as usual, trying to mask the weight they felt on the very essence of their souls. Yet, the horror was undeniable. Some believed the 16th of November 2012 was the end of humanity - the Mayan-predicted apocalypse come 35 days early. For that date the world received no pop culture evaluations, nor artistic recommendations, nor general life musings from Joe Christie. It was the day BEDN failed.
Now - a song for reflection:
Finished? Now the mourning period is over, I would like to re-introduce you to the project. What I'm now dubbing BMDN (Blog Most Days in November) will be what persists throughout the rest of the month, but do not fret. I still aim to bring you a blog every day this month, the name change is just a samurai-esque acknowledgement of my failure. Now the metaphorical elephant in the room has been shot (à la George Orwell), lets move on to todays topic.
REASSESSING FILMS
Have you ever watched a film that you hated but then went on to love? Or vice versa?
I can't remember off the top of my head if I've experienced such a polarised change of view, but there are plenty of times a film has gotten under my skin and slowly grown right to the top of my esteem. I think moving from love to hate is unusual, because I feel that to truly be able to love a piece of art, a fully committed statement must be made. Whether the statement is controversial or not is a factor, paramount also is how well the statement is made, and how earnestly it is presented. Deep down though you'll either inherently like that statement, or you'll think it's a piece of shit and make a judgement based on that.
For me, there are plenty of reasons that you can slowly begin to love a film that you initially deemed below expectation, or even sub-par. Age is a big factor. I remember watching the Pedro Almodóvar film 'All About My Mother' on Film 4 when I was about 12 and it completely went over my head to the extent that I couldn't even recall the basics of the plot to you now. It was an overwhelmingly adult experience. Similarly, I think experience itself (connected to age) is very important. I really really liked 2012 Oscar contender 'The Descendants', but my mother, having gone through a similar experience to George Clooney's character in the film actually had to turn it off. Alexander Payne's movie resonated too strongly with her, and altered her enjoyment and interpretation of said art as a result. But perhaps this emotional gut punch means the movie would be deemed successful as a result? I suppose its a matter of opinion.´
Before, I run off to tangent land as I almost did there, I want to use Nicolas Winding Refn's neo-noir thriller 'Drive' as an example. The problem with my initial viewing was both circumstance and the film itself. This is not personal circumstance as described above, but physical. I was tired and grouchy! And I was watching the film under a massive blanket far away from the tiny screen. The moody intricacies of the film never really stood a chance! When I say the problem was the film itself, I don't mean that the film was problematic, I mean that the film's nature is very subtle behind the very unsubtle graphic violence, and it's hard to notice thus appreciate on a first viewing. When you get past the wrist slashing, it's a very beautiful film. Also, I had never stomped a man to death the first time I saw 'Drive', so the second time I understood the emotional implications much better...
I jest, but the following scene epitomises everything I adored about 'Drive' on a second viewing - deceptively simple, earnest character moments drenched in style and cool:
Wonderfully atmospheric. Slow motion. Silent. A pulsating score. All used to pre-empt the moment Gosling's driver knows he's corrupted the relationship forever. But he still needs that one moment of emotional honesty before everything goes to shit. Brilliant stuff!
So, 'Drive' is my example of liked on first viewing; loved on second. What's yours? Do you disagree with me, in that there's a film you've gone from loving to loathing or vice versa? Please let me know.
It's good to get this show back on the road guys, and I just want to say thank you for continuing to read. This shit's fun!
To play us out, another gem from the 'Drive' soundtrack:
Tara x
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