Edgar Wright’s curating abilities blew my mind this weekend. Even though I didn’t make it out to Head on Saturday night, the double bill of Dames and Phantom of the Paradise was more than enough to keep this film fan satiated for a *long* time. Video and more after the jump.
All I can say is it’s true. For so many years I had heard the rumors, that there had been a man who had made the big screen such a spectacle that it had to be seen to be believed. I never really believed it because it never seemed possible and tonight it was proven – beyond a shadow of a doubt – to be true… and spectacular! For the first hour of the movie, like he says in a brilliant intro below, it’s pretty standard stuff. But then the show that has caused all the on screen trouble starts and you can’t think about anything else. When it really gets going if you’re not sitting forward in your seat with your jaw agape then I believe there is something wrong with you. It’s possible that it’ll lose something (a ton, actually) if viewed on anything other than the big screen, but I do not believe that you should miss this – or any other Busby Berkeley movie. This is what I would call ‘film foundation.’ Often imitated, never duplicated, and never to be seen again in this form. Enjoy below.
Ah The Phantom of the Paradise. It’s an incredible movie to watch at any time, in any place, but I can say that seeing this movie after so long, and on the big screen to boot, that this is definitely a movie that has aged very well. It’s a movie that on the surface is about Faust (duh), but if you go slightly deeper it’s about what greed does to you and, a layer below that, it’s about voyeurism. I don’t actually think that the viewing audience in the 70s was any less voyeuristic than we are today, I just think we have more unfettered access to each other now and, as a result, our boundaries have changed. I love how ridiculous and serious this movie is at the same time. Not to mention it’s some of the best music for any movie ever and contains some fantastic performances. Enjoy intro below, including an email from Paul Williams.
The Wright Stuff continues to impress and if that’s not good enough, you can watch some genuinely awesome movies with Edgar Wright and friends. And by friends I mean Don McKellar, Alison Pill (which may or may not put that Scott Pilgrim rumor to rest), Eric Peterson, Eric Cera and more I’m sure.
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Though I’ll watch anything with Joan Blondell (not just because she was gorgeous – which she was – but she’s got a fire about her and you just want to hang out with her, you know?), I liked “Footlight Parade” even better. Jimmy Cagney is added to the Blondell/Powell/Keelor mix and he’s at his best here – with the snappy one-liners and the quick as all get out patter. And the Berkeley numbers at the end are just terrific. They are supposed to be ow budget “prologues” done live to a crowd before a movie starts – but they are these huge spectacles that obviously require a soundstage. It’s great, great fun.
Glad you enjoyed “Dames” so much. How was the crowd size for that screening?
I think there were 5 people… plus the pass holders…. and Edgar…. so…. 5…..
No I’m kidding. There wasn’t tons, but it was by no means full. Maybe 100 people altogether including Edgar’s entourage.
I really loved it though. I’m (slowly) getting a taste for the black and whites.