Guess what I just happened to have in the trunk of my car?

[ysobelle]

Hero.


Well, that one wrung a few tears from me, but again, I was so uplifted by the beauty of it, I almost couldn't cry at all. Oh, G-d, the colours! And oh, that I were tall and graceful as Flying Snow, and that good with a sword. But one of the last swordfights I was in ended much differently, though no less interestingly. Who knew it to be such an aphrodesiac? Mm. Well. Oh, that I could use Fidessa more often, and in a more structured setting. And without having to drive three hours each way.

I'm not sure I've ever seen such a dramatic use of colour, nor have I ever-- I'm fairly certain-- seen a film wherein the flow of fabric was so important. The falling green silk banners in the King's palace will probably stay with me for years. Snow's sleeves, as well. And the streaming pennants of the guards, in ranks upon ranks of sunlit cavalry.

There's a relationship in here somewhere to anime, and I'm not sure I've worked that all out in my head as yet. Something having to do with pushing always for the most stunning visual, the most meaningful detail, the most harmonic display. It may well be a cultural thing, too. It just reminds me that I really am "cinematically challenged."

Next?

Comments

[smileitsme.livejournal.com]

What's Hero?

YAY!

[hennabee.livejournal.com]

Hero is only one of my favorite, favorite films, for the same reasons that you fell in love with it!

Then may I suggest the Last Samurai for a more minimalist go at color and composition? Ignore that Tom Cruise is in it and focus on the scenery and the background. Very nice.

The movie I was thinking about before is in my hands and entitled Musa: The Warrior. Many of the same actors in that one as well.

Also, if you are simply going for artistry, have you seen The Cell? Ignore that Jennifer Lopez is in it, and a rather graphic and gross scene involving entrails and some weird thing set up like an organ-grinder's box (comes towards the end, you'll see it coming and can fast-forward.) I bought that one simply because of the visuals. The story does not really follow a logical progression. But then again, it is about dreams! :)

And finally...Brotherhood of the Wolf (aka Le Pace des Loupes). It's a French Kung-Fu/Suspense/Romance movie. Sounds weird, but it works. Very beautifully shot. A recommendation...if you haven't already begun doing it, listen to it in the original language with the subtitles on. It just adds something more to the experience and you aren't distracted by mismatched dubs with lips moving oddly.

Re: YAY!

[grinning-fox.livejournal.com]

I add my two bits to this stack ^_^ Nothing else quite so visually stunning comes to mind, but yeah. The dubbing in Le Pace des Loupes is pretty foul and I, for one, found it intesnly distracting. This would be what I get for knowing how to read lips? Ack. Hidalgo! I knew it would come if I rambled a bit. Really well put together and besides which...it's got a Vigo. And nasty, angry little mustangs. How wrong can you go? A good story.

Re: YAY!

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

Musa, hm? Okay. I'll try to find it. Thank you!

Re: YAY!

[well-artesia.livejournal.com]

Yay indeed... you know how I feel about color; that's why you HAD to see 'Hero' in my book. It was just so flippin' beautiful! :)

Kinda like you should see 'Elizabethtown' for the music.

Anyway- FWIW, I turned off 'The Cell' about an hour in, when I just couldn't hack the gore any longer - gorgeously represented, yes - and twisted and sick use of that art, too. Ugh. I still can't get some of the images out of my head.

You've seen the now very old 'Restoration', right?