Best movies of 2017

[oscar jubis]

Roger Deakins and his brother reportedly walked four miles to see a movie from their little town near Devon, UK. That's how you learn to respect the art form. He spent his teens painting. That's a good way to lear framing, composition, and the use of light and color. Worth admiring, for sure.
Did you watch Coco?

[cinemabon]

I have not seen Coco yet and as you know, I'm a huge fan of animation in all of its forms. I missed it in the theaters (a minor family crisis over the holiday break) and look forward to catching it on DVD. I'd have preferred "Loving Vincent" since I saw the doc on how it was made. I did not see that film either; therefore, can't judge one over the other. (my bad - the current colloquialism) I'm somewhat familiar with the Mexican holiday though should brush up on the custom before I see it. Thanks for the info on Deakins. Such a soft spoken man. In the group of cinematographers, he spoke last. When he did, the others just sat and listened as if it was time for the professor to speak. That's posted through the Hollywood Reporter, which runs a YouTube program prior to the Oscars about Directors, Set Designers, Costume, Cinematographers, Editors and so on. Very informative.

[cinemabon]

FYI - years ago I used to hang with an independent writer who submitted articles for the "Reporter" and often called me to attend certain premieres as he understood my penchant for Sci-Fi. While in Hollywood, he also introduced me to a variety of people - Christopher Isherwood, Don Bachardy, Mel Brooks, Ron Haver, many, many others; including Francis Coppola (went to the premiere of "Apocalypse Now - A Billy Graham Presentation" in Westwood. Gene Hackman tried to steal my seat. I read the trade every now and then. Makes me feel as if I'm in touch, which I'm not.

[oscar jubis]

I have not seen Coco yet and as you know, I'm a huge fan of animation in all of its forms. I'm somewhat familiar with the Mexican holiday though should brush up on the custom before I see it.

I'm only superficially familiar with the custom but no preparation is required to appreciate and share in the joy of Coco. You and the fam will love it. Check it out. It's spectacular in 3D but good'ol 2-dimensional will do.

Back to the thread's topic, I have no doubts, in the midst of a second viewing, that David Lynch and David Frost's 17-hour, made-for-cable
Twin Peaks: The Return
is clearly the best movie of 2017. It is also a work of art at the vanguard of audiovisual culture and not something that a general audience would enjoy. It's clearly the most influential and consequential of the ten 2017 releases I listed earlier.

[Chris Knipp]

And I must see it, and thanks for the reminder. I found Lynch very simpatico seeing his early life story in The Art Life this time last year.
Busy with the San Francisco film festival now though.
Hoping to review more of the films; it's still on for six more days.
Again I remind you all that fans of animation should rush to see Isle of Dogs

[cinemabon]

Having seen smidgens of it here and there (I only just got Showtime back); I wondered, Oscar, what you thought of the ending. I've read several interpretations. Unfortunately, Chris said he hasn't seen it. (Did you see the original, Chris?) The first series which aired decades ago starred Kyle MacLachlin, who also starred in the Lynch production, "Blue Velvet," fresh off his debut in "Dune." The first series attracted an unusual crowd of murder mystery and sci-fi/horror fans as Lynch played to several audiences (ABC network TV). The first series ended (mostly due to ratings) with no resolution. That they brought it back spoke more to Lynch wanting closure, I believe. I'm certain fans of the series must have hounded him to death.

Speaking of death, many actors connected to the series either died during or just after the shooting concluded (Harry Dean Stanton and others). Even David Bowie is featured with a dubbed voice. Twin Peaks - the Return is available to stream. Lynch premiered the series at last year's Cannes. The audience responded with a five-minute standing ovation.

Interesting choice, Oscar.

[Chris Knipp]

"Twin Peaks" ? Yes, I followed the original on TV.
I don't think figuring out the ending is a very worthwhile activity. Willing suspension is the best way to enjoy the wild invention that is David Lynch.
There has been some discussion of whether this new extension can be a "film" to list as a "best film" of the year and, indeed, accepting TV series as "films" seems like a bad direction. But I might make an exception in the case of Lynch, as one would accept other miniseries that could be considered artistic long films, such as Olivier Assayas' 2010 much-admired Carlos, starring Edgar Ramírez.

[cinemabon]

Spielberg just argued to the contrary, decrying "Netflix" as undermining the award process. Several outlets carried the story. Here's a link to one: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/20...eserve-oscars/

[oscar jubis]

Having seen smidgens of it here and there (I only just got Showtime back); I wondered, Oscar, what you thought of the ending. I've read several interpretations. Unfortunately, Chris said he hasn't seen it. (Did you see the original, Chris?) The first series which aired decades ago starred Kyle MacLachlin, who also starred in the Lynch production, "Blue Velvet," fresh off his debut in "Dune." The first series attracted an unusual crowd of murder mystery and sci-fi/horror fans as Lynch played to several audiences (ABC network TV). The first series ended (mostly due to ratings) with no resolution. That they brought it back spoke more to Lynch wanting closure, I believe. I'm certain fans of the series must have hounded him to death.

Speaking of death, many actors connected to the series either died during or just after the shooting concluded (Harry Dean Stanton and others). Even David Bowie is featured with a dubbed voice. Twin Peaks - the Return is available to stream. Lynch premiered the series at last year's Cannes. The audience responded with a five-minute standing ovation.

Interesting choice, Oscar.

Apologies for taking so long to respond to your query, and also for not providing my interpretation of the ending; being lazy I guess since it would require stringing many thoughts together.I am happy Lynch again decided to make it strange in unexpected ways, to continue moving forward with his characteristic aesthetic. Again, he gives us a series the public is not quite ready for. He breaks with narrative convention in a more pronounced way in this series and you can thank technology (CGI, etc) for the means or tools to do it. The 2017 series incorporates purely avant-grade, basically non-narrative, expressionistic image-making and the sound designed and mixed by David Lynch himself is a crucial element in achieving the emotional, cognitive and physical effects the material aims to elicit.

Thanks for the post.

[cinemabon]

Let ambiguity and nihilism reign supreme!