tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post2178694192902600720..comments2024-02-07T15:58:36.649-08:00Comments on hardboiled wonderland: Picture Books: James EllroyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post-83533453360667653002012-05-22T11:11:53.916-07:002012-05-22T11:11:53.916-07:00You're certainly inundated, and I'm not: l...You're certainly inundated, and I'm not: living across the ocean you can see that Americans can't see and otherwise. <br />I've seen LA Confidential a long time ago and remember only after I'd seen it I'd thought: Is that the thing that got Oscars and is called masterpiece? Cos the film didn't catch me at all. It was too soft, that's all I remember.Ray Garratyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771800826581349483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post-51435427424057773802012-05-22T09:35:02.291-07:002012-05-22T09:35:02.291-07:00Maybe I'm too inundated with Sundance style, b...Maybe I'm too inundated with Sundance style, but nothing about Moverman's approach bothered me...<br /><br />LA Confidential - almost awful? Holy crap, thems some bold words - what have you brought to back them up?jedidiah ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14601451789918885612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post-71815556927142895022012-05-22T08:01:12.478-07:002012-05-22T08:01:12.478-07:00Actually, I've read only one Ellroy's shor...Actually, I've read only one Ellroy's short story, but I'm already a fan (I also collect Ellroy's blurbs). <br /><br />The story in Rampart is certainly Ellroy's, let the action does not take place in the 50's, but in 1999. Harrelson here is quite good(except for those moments when Dave starts to get angry). There is so much to enjoy: swearing lawyers, Ice Cube as a black detective, the legal system in works, Ned Beatty in the cap.<br />The problem for me is not the plot (Ellroy's done a good job), but in how Rampart is directed. Sundance is written in large letters all over the film. I have nothing against Sundance, on the contrary, I love a lot of movies made specifically for this festival (hell, last years' Win Win was my favorite movie). But for a Sundance movie to become just a good movie, it needs a suitable story. Rampart requires a different approach, more animal style. Moverman uses a digital camera, strange camera angles, somewhere uses hand camera, music video editing, and indeed in the film there is so much light. The story itself requires sweat, dirt, filth, lonely hotel rooms. But the director meditates on the collapse of the family, peers into the children's faces, sympathizes with Dave.<br />I'd prefer another director for this script. <br />As for the other films, I'd seen The Black Dahlia but don't recall much about it. And I'd seen LA Confidential, for me it was almost awful despite good acting of most actors. <br />Thanks for the mentioning The Shield and Narc, I should watch it.Ray Garratyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771800826581349483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post-13380785747894444642012-05-22T07:25:37.888-07:002012-05-22T07:25:37.888-07:00Brown's Requiem, if I remember correctly, hold...Brown's Requiem, if I remember correctly, holds the distinction of being the only first person novel he's written... also the only PI novel (though they certainly turn up in other books as supporting cast). I really like the book.jedidiah ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14601451789918885612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post-60782342117808220012012-05-22T05:58:30.516-07:002012-05-22T05:58:30.516-07:00I didn't read Browne's Requiem, but I'...I didn't read Browne's Requiem, but I'd have to say Michael Rooker strikes me as a great choice for any character from a James Ellroy universe!Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11483490020980574428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post-53388298349988347242012-05-21T19:08:27.079-07:002012-05-21T19:08:27.079-07:00I'm interested to have another viewing of seve...I'm interested to have another viewing of several of these films. I find that my perspective changes often.jedidiah ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14601451789918885612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post-8642912778125197722012-05-21T15:47:25.549-07:002012-05-21T15:47:25.549-07:00Just watched Rampart Thurs. night & really dug...Just watched Rampart Thurs. night & really dug Dave "Date Rapes" character. Definetly character driven. They did a great job of letting us wallow in Daves world. The plot was pretty thin but Woody Harrelson made it a worthwhile viewing. Now I gotta catch up with all the other Ellroy adaptations that I haven't seen. Great job here Jed.Rod Normanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00619184678119034280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681306287721676137.post-74055988107421819462012-05-21T15:07:59.986-07:002012-05-21T15:07:59.986-07:00We just watched Rampart last night and dug the hel...We just watched <i>Rampart</i> last night and dug the hell out of it. Can't agree with you more.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10070278104646895235noreply@blogger.com