tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post6009634388772518439..comments2024-01-30T04:32:47.585-05:00Comments on The Cooler: Shiny and New: SamsaraJason Bellamyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-22663078586881166002012-12-02T22:30:25.046-05:002012-12-02T22:30:25.046-05:00Aye Jason, my wife is a lovely person, but the mov...Aye Jason, my wife is a lovely person, but the movie theaters do often put her in that "meditative" state!<br /><br />Another great point about the clay mask! But the movie does stay with you for sure.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-27646231025732971062012-12-01T20:30:42.907-05:002012-12-01T20:30:42.907-05:00So she fell asleep I'm guessing? That's on...So she fell asleep I'm guessing? That's one way to meditate on the movie's images! Ha!<br /><br />Indeed, sounds like a good experience overall. Thanks for weighing in. Yeah, not all of it works (he's a little too interested with that performance artist with the clay mask), but this movie sure hangs with me. And while it's great on a big screen, I'm sure I'll find it plenty engrossing in Blu-ray!Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-32318338688205184782012-12-01T08:10:13.316-05:002012-12-01T08:10:13.316-05:00"There is an artistic voice here, too, in the..."There is an artistic voice here, too, in the unmistakable social/environmental commentary that takes shape over several portions of the documentary, and in the film's infectious awe for these pictures."<br /><br />Well I can finally now corroborate this statement Jason, as Lucille and I traveled 11 miles to Westchester, New York last night to watch the film in the quaint 'Picture House Theatre' in the town of Pelham. The film was not playing in their main auditorium (which was showing THE INTOUCHABLES) but in their 14 seat "screening room", a new addition that provides blu-ray projection on a 16 ft screen and comfortable reclining sofa chairs. This theatre and rustic environs were quite a find, and a nice Italian restaurant to boot!<br /><br />In any case, SAMSARA was often captivating and meditative, and I thought the soundtrack contained some sublime and haunting passages including the employment of the harp, organ, chorals and a talented African female. I didn't find that everything worked throughout, but that's the risk when the approach though discerning is till somewhat random. The disturbing sequences of conveyor line dismantling of food products from their sources recalls a recent documentary from Denmark about the systematic killing and pachaging of farm animals and FOOD INC., though the manner in which these sequences are presented in SAMSARA is more in the 'fast lane' spirit of the Italian MONDO CARNE, with it's off-the-beacon-track visual montages. I thought Fricke's previous BARAKA was more mystical and awe-inspiring, but I like the director's attention in SAMSARA to visual order and how crowd-filling screnes are united by color, movement and shape. There's no denying that there is an epic scope to this melting pot, and there are images here that become enveloping, intoxicating and mesmerizing. I am aware that the very best way to see this film would be on the very big screen as you saw it, but the blu-ray projection and the intimacy of the experience at least trumps any home viewing. I wasn't fully engaged with SAMSARA throughout, but the flashes of brilliance and the still unique presentation is one I don't regret availing myself of, and I fully attribute your great view for this impulsive burst of resolve. Lucille? Ah well, she was tired and it was her birthday yesterday. Ha!<br />Saqm Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-29240751745833057882012-11-29T19:21:51.662-05:002012-11-29T19:21:51.662-05:00Jake: I've seen not quite half of BARAKA. (I&#...Jake: I've seen not quite half of BARAKA. (I'm struggling to remember the scenario that led to that.) Something I need to remedy. Have not seen the Qatsi Trilogy. Will add that to the list!<br /><br />(And thanks for the kind words. It's been great to get more of a writing routine going; of course, the long weekend really helped. I'm hopeful 2013 will have more writing than 2012. And I'd like to start that now!)<br /><br />Sam: Thanks much. I admit I ALMOST went to SAMSARA at least three times before finally seeing it. So glad I did. This could end up in my top 10 of the year.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-83768340590359033962012-11-29T11:41:46.853-05:002012-11-29T11:41:46.853-05:00"Watching this movie, falling under its spell..."Watching this movie, falling under its spell, reminded me of my childhood routine of spreading out on the floor to flip through issues of National Geographic, staring long and hard at images that, as the months went by, I'd gazed into several times before but never ceased to find compelling."<br /><br /><br />I am also thinking of BARAKA here and of course the Reggio films that are slated fro Criterion blu-ray release, a fact that no doubt has those with a taste for high def ravishment ecstatic. I count myself in that company for sure and I rejoice in this splendid essay on a film that I am infuriated with myself for not seeing this point. I came close on two occasions, and one was even in front of the Landmark during it's run, but allowed myself to be persuaded to see another film in a decision I now regreat. Quite telling that you say this film "really had no business working" what with the endless availability of the internet's machinations. Great anecdote of the childhood adoration for National Geographic (one I must say I shared as well) but I fully understand your comparison point here is not at all meant to be insulting but in fact to elevate this experience. Your descriptive language in sizing the sensory appeal of the film is very exciting, and will immediately have me scouring through theatre listings to see if it's yet being screened even for one day, in advance of the blu-ray that is still due very soon from what i have read in the upcoming release list. Ok I get there may be some heavy-handed maneuverings here, but the comparion to the Tree of Life sequence in TREE OF LIFE is really the ultimate compliment.<br /><br />I'm there and soon. Fabulous essay here in every sense!Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-76654819384276945022012-11-28T22:31:29.138-05:002012-11-28T22:31:29.138-05:00"In a nod to Madonna's "Like a Virgi..."In a nod to Madonna's "Like a Virgin," care of Quentin Tarantino's monologue in Reservoir Dogs, Samsara can make even the most world-wise moviegoer feel touched for the very first time."<br /><br />Cracked up at that, well done. <br /><br />I assume you've seen the "Qatsi Trilogy," and I'd be curious to know how this (and "Baraka," also by Fricke, who was cinematographer on the first of the Qatsi trilogy, "Koyaanisqatsi") stack up against those three films. Those Philip Glass scores were always so haunting, and I definitely felt a sense of underlying dread during each of those movies (especially the third one). <br /><br />If you've seen those Qatsi films, would you say that these match their levels of intensity? <br /><br />And thanks for such prolific reviewing lately! I'm holding off on your "Anna Karenina" review because I'm reading it and looking forward to seeing it directly afterward. But I'll read your review after that. <br /><br />jakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377590117374193997noreply@blogger.com