I don't know. It's hard to say.

There's no comparison between the two films except in the context of which one does one like better.

What I mean is that lots of people are comparing them as if they're two Westerns, which I think neither are, or two films that are similar, which I don't think they are, as if they're adapting the same novel or stylistically similar.

There Will Be Blood is comparatively loudly intense while No Country For Old Men is quietly intense.

The former, to use PT Anderson's words, is like a boxing match and has a Dracula-like protagonist. In my words (using movies that many have alluded to when talking about Blood), it's Raging Bull-The Shining-Giant-Citizen Kane-Treasure of the Sierra Madre hybrid which isn't implying that I think Blood is derivative or unoriginal. It's just shorthand, really, to allude to those films.

The latter is a contemplative apocalyptic "chase-thriller" film. It's a highly personal genre film worthy to be in the company of other exemplars of personal genre films like those of Hawks and Hitchcock.

I'm kind of surprised at myself because I tend to favor things that operate at No Country For Old Men's lower register, but There Will Be Blood is so mindblowing that my preferences were blown to smithereens.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971) ****

Roy Scheider's passing last week prompted me to watch this last night.

It's a cops and robbers thriller that has been much copied but rarely matched, featuring one of the greatest car chases ever filmed. And Gene Hackman ain't bad either.

Filmed two years prior to his redefining of the horror genre with THE EXORCIST, William Friedkin set the standard for the police thriller with this classic that won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Hackman's Popeye Doyle.

Doyle is one of two cops (the other played by Scheider) who are trying to intercept a huge heroin shipment coming into New York from France, courtesy of the suave drug kingpin Charnier.

It's packed with memorable set pieces, tense action and a great script. It also boasts one of Hackman's best performances. And that's saying something.

Worth seeing again.

And again.

The French Connection is the film responsible for getting me "into" films. I'll forever be indebted to it, should I make it as a filmmaker myself.

24fps, though I know you're reluctant to join FCM, you may be aware (through Kino?) that we do annual awards; I recommend you get involved (click).

Here are last year's winners: http://filmcinemamovie.proboards76.com/index.cgi?board=discussion&action=display&thread=1175462136

Take that as an invite/recommendation/encouragement/outright plea; whatever. I'd like you on board. I genuinely think we would benefit from your presence on there.

If nothing else, it has more film discussion than this place. (In the past you've hinted it doesn't, but I disagree; I think people can make discussion, too, not just intervening after the fact.)

I guess when I said I was excited about how they compare I meant more on a personal "Which one do I like better" level. Everyone including yourself has made similar comments that There Will Be Blood is so much more mindblowing and since I loved No Country so much I can't help but get giddy over the thought of a film that's even better.

I have no real reason for thinking this but I thought 24fps was Kino. 24fps' posts are very similar and are as intelligent and insightful as Kino's so I guess that's why I thought that.

You really should head over there 24fps!

JOHNNY DANGEROUSLY 1/2
(First Viewing)

An AIRPLANE style film for gangster picks that doesn't seem to have the same great gags AIRPLANE did.

Was that the movie from the 80s with Joe Piscopo? That was a clunker. Then again with Joe Piscopo, how could it be otherwise.

Yes it was with Joe Piscopo

How did you hear about that movie and what made you want to watch it?

Apparently I12 buys a DVD with only one criterion: he doesn't own it yet, so why not pay for it

My roomate kept buging me to watch it but no Geoff, I don't own the DVD

THE MESSENGER: THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC
(First Viewing)

A wonderful retelling of Joan of Arc by Milla Jovovich and Luc Besson. However, the first half of the film I felt was too English/American. I felt it lost that "french" sense to it. On the other hand, the second half of the film did balance it out with the arrival of Dustin Hoffman's character.

I'd say watch Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc, Irishman, but I know betterrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

Play it with the Kill Bill soundtrack accompanying it.

AWAKE (2007) 1/2
(First Viewing)

An interesting and original script however I felt the film could have been more. I'm not on the "I hate Hayden Christensen bandwagon" and thought his films post-STAR WARS have been pretty decent. As usual, Terrence Howard does not do bad films.

HATCHET (2006) 1/2
(First Viewing)

It's always refreshing to see a new and original horror film. Although, while this was more of a tongue-in-cheek type of horror film, at least it wasn't a remake/sequel or Japanese based flick. This had a great blend of humor and blood!

HITMAN
(First Viewing)

At the beginning of this film, I really thought Timothy Olyphant was a great choice for this character but after the first 20-30 minutes he didn't seem to act the same for whatever reason. Like most video game films this isn't that great and like most action/horror/comedies now-a-days, it's hit or miss.

Michael Clayton ***
On an average year, this would have been among the leading contenders for an oscar or two. But with other strong films this year, this pales in comparison. Good acting and overall a nicely done movie. George Clooney's appearance doesn't change one bit in the recent movies I've seen of his.

George Clooney is one of those actors that I don't want to like but I always end up enjoying his characters.

I think he's a pretty fine actor.

I just finished watching Midnight Run it's the first time i have seen it and i thought it was great,Charles Grodin played an excellent part as did Robert De Niro as usual.

Great film. As far as "buddy" films go, it's right up there with Butch and Sundance.

It was Dennis Farina's breakout role, if a character actor gets a breakout role.

My favorite part is when Charles Grodin steals the airplane, "you're a fucking pilot!"

DeNiro's hysterical "straight man" actually foreshadowed the role he played in MEET THE PARENTS.

Again, great film!

Yeah De Niro played the part really well

i could actually watch it again now

Great Film

Ive got Rocky Balboa to watch this weekend.

SOLYARIS (1972)
(First Viewing)

Beautifully shot and the most intelligent alien film I've ever seen. Still, I feel some of it was over the top. Does anyone know if the 2002 version with George Clooney is worth watching?

It is.

Though the original SOLARIS was taxing with that infamous Moscow traffic stock footage*, there is something profound with it that isn't as much with the remake.

But the remake is really darn good on its own, I must say.

*=Which supposedly, its director placed so to "weed out the stupids."

The George Clooney one is good as well. I particularly like the use of the poem "And death shall have no dominion" in the movie.

I liked that bit as well.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS
(First Viewing)

Yes, some here may think the 3-star rating is a bit much but it really surpassed my expectations. I thought it was going to be another GARFIELD type of film that was destined to suck. I'm glad I was proved wrong. When I saw Jason Lee's name attached to it in the trailer I thought to myself, "why?" And while this is a family movie, it was quite cute and funny. Hey, I grew up on this show in the 80s so I'm biased towards it.

MEET THE SPARTANS
(First Viewing)

Yet again, Fox and the "spoofsters" come up empty, this time poking fun at 300, SPIDER-MAN 3, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears among others.