The conceit of Miller's Crossing is that it's a hash of three sources, rather than ripping off one novel unattributed. So yeah, Miller's Crossing has some Red Harvest in it, although the main premise comes from The Glass Key and the climax from Nathanael West's Miss Lonelyhearts.
Yes. Lucky for you, people may be in danger.
Buffy ,'Him'
Buffista Movies 5: Development Hell
A place to talk about movies--old and new, good and bad, high art and high cheese. It's the place to place your kittens on the award winners, gossip about upcoming fims and discuss DVD releases and extras. Spoiler policy: White font all plot-related discussion until a movie's been in wide release two weeks, and keep the major HSQ in white font until two weeks after the video/DVD release.
Nutty - Jan 26, 2007 3:39:31 am PST #7211 of 10001
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
Frankenbuddha - Jan 26, 2007 4:35:26 am PST #7212 of 10001
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
Speaking of movies featuring treachery and betrayal, I saw CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER last night. To quote (or more likely paraphrase) Crow T. Robot, "No one in this movie knew when to stop decorating!"
That said, it was unbelievably gorgeous, like SUSPIRIA-era Argento got hit on the head and thought he was a Chinese Kurosawa. The action scenes were stunning too, both for the choreography and the sheer massiveness.
I feel like half an hour of backstory was missing, though, as I couldn't figure out what the Emporer had done to set off the Empress (if, in fact, she seduced her stepson to set events in motion, I don't get her motives, but it didn't really look like reckless passion either - she seemed very calculating, and the poisoning certainly was in response to the nature of her infidelity). I also think Chow was miscast, as he is at his best when playing charming or conflicted, and he was neither here.
All in all, I really liked it, but it's may be the first movie I've seen where the scenery chews the actors.
Matt the Bruins fan - Jan 26, 2007 6:07:21 am PST #7213 of 10001
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand
Bwah! Great way to put it, Frank.
Nutty - Jan 26, 2007 6:25:07 am PST #7214 of 10001
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
I did not even read this review, but feel the need to quote the summary of it (both, I presume, by a combination of A. O. Scott and his editors):
“Smokin’ Aces” is a Viagra suppository for compulsive action fetishists and a movie that may not only be dumb in itself, but also the cause of dumbness in others.
Tell us how you really feel, dude!
Hayden - Jan 26, 2007 6:30:52 am PST #7215 of 10001
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
The conceit of Miller's Crossing is that it's a hash of three sources, rather than ripping off one novel unattributed.
Whereas Brick is pretty much the one I mentioned in high school.
Frankenbuddha - Jan 26, 2007 6:40:07 am PST #7216 of 10001
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
RED HARVEST is essentially the template for YOJIMBO which begat FISTFULL OF DOLLARS which begat LAST MAN STANDING which begat...
Right? I really need to read that some day soon.
Hayden - Jan 26, 2007 6:56:16 am PST #7217 of 10001
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
Yeah, that's pretty much right. The book itself is fairly short, but Hammett at his spare best.
DavidS - Jan 26, 2007 6:57:18 am PST #7218 of 10001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
but Hammett at his spare best.
Excellent last line too.
Hayden - Jan 26, 2007 7:00:06 am PST #7219 of 10001
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
I've forgotten it, unfortunately. Can you post a reminder?
Frankenbuddha - Jan 26, 2007 7:03:26 am PST #7220 of 10001
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
Wasn't that a continental Op story? Was MALTESE FALCON the only Sam Spade book? I really need to get up to speed on Hammett.