IN PRAISE OF LOVE — CANNES 2001

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French New Wave Cinema standard bearer Jean-Luc Godard's 2001 study in inventive filmic expression carries significant weight.

Godard refracts historic, personal, and editorial messaging through pure cinematic poetry.

The narrative involves a filmmaker navigating his current documentary navigating his current project while recovering emotionally after the break-up of a 10-year relationship.

A shift from black-and-white to color has a profound effect on the audience.

Godard's kaleidoscopic approach to storytelling is refreshing for his willingness to to make political statements big and small.

Jean-Luc Godard takes a steely knife to Stephen Spielberg, who he detests with an obvious fury.

Love isn't all that Godard is praising.

Hollywood and Americans represent people who refuse to ever become adults.

"In Praise of Love" could easily serve as a permanent installment at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I screened this beautiful film in its truly amazing 4K restoration, kicking off the L’Alliance New York's Version restaurée series, held at the lovely Florence Gould Theater in Midtown Manhattan.

Check it out.

The every-Tuesday night series runs Tuesday, September 10, 2024 - Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

Rated PG. 97 mins.

THE FALL GUY — EXTENDED CUT

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Groupthink doesn't live here, critical thought does. This ad-free website is dedicated to Agnès Varda and to Luis Buñuel. Punk heart still beating.

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It is only until now that an all-out action romance comedy, shamelessly celebrating stunt people and their teams of assistants, has been made.

A lot of stunt people and film crew assistants are cheering over this great movie.

Genius British screenwriter Drew Pearce provides a highly polished script, steeped in the lexicon of movie crew lingo .

 "Holster that."

The wild stunts and over-the-top action sequences serve to accentuate bang-on performances by Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, two of the finest actors in the business.

Ryan Gosling is redeemed for his toolishness regarding everything and anything "Barbie."

Just, Ryan, don't do it again.

Emily Blunt is sensational as always.

Director David Leitch ("Bullet Train"), a stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and actor, shows off his virtuosic skills with splash and fury.

If ever there was a big screen IMAX movie to sit with your pals and eat popcorn, "The Fall Guy" is that precious movie.

The extended cut does go on a bit too long for its own good, but sometimes more is more.

I had so much fun watching this masterfully crafted action/romance picture that I could watch it again anytime if even just for its clever dialogue, and to see Emily Blunt do her thing of course.

Fast, sexy, hilarious, and endlessly entertaining, "The Fall Guy" is a true masterpiece regardless of whether it's the short or long version that you see.

Memo to the Academy, if you want greater viewership then start giving out Oscars for Stunt People.

Rated PG-13. 146 mins.

BLAZE

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Groupthink doesn't live here, critical thought does. This ad-free website is dedicated to Agnès Varda and to Luis Buñuel. Punk heart still beating.

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Director Ethan Hawke does justice to the memory of Texas Outlaw Blues singer/songwriter Blaze Foley in this transfixing biopic.

Co-written with Blaze Foley's widow Sybil Rosen, Ethan Hawke employs a satisfying elliptical story form. The method proves especially practical in keeping the complex narrative grounded in the poetry and integrity of Blaze Foley's gentle demeanor and keen philosophies. 

Ben Foley's heartfelt songs take center stage.

Ben Dickey is a revelation in the role of Blaze; this is not your run-of-the-mill biopic performance. Damn this actor/musician is good — really fuckin' good.

Charlie Sexton brings illuminating thematic and character ballast as singer/songwriter Townes Van Sandt, in a portrayal that is wry as it is weathered.

Still, the role proves to be a thankless task in light of the grave-robbing that Van Sandt committed in order to get the pawn ticket out of Blaze Foley's jacket pocket that Van Sandt could redeem for Foley's last guitar.

Classy.

Sybil Rosen seems to take direct aim at Townes Van Sandt as being a class-A asshole who contributed to Foley's failed music career. Backstabber? Seems like.

The deep love connection between Blaze and his actress girlfriend Sybil (Alia Shawkat) gives this impressive film its emotional core.

The roots of American social themes and attitudes run through "Blaze" like a twisting river.

The life of a troubadour is always a difficult one. Blaze Foley proves up to the challenge.

Damn, this is a great movie.

Rated R. 129 mins.