Criterion Film Club Week Two: George Washington.

[gglass4269]

What did everybody think?

[Maxflier]

Come on gglass, you're slipping man. You gotta do this right. Here, let me help you out a little.

This week's Criterion Film Club selection, as chosen by riotinmyskull:

[Maxflier]

It got a little weird towards the end, but I enjoyed the movie. You guys are 2 for 2 so far. I Netflixed this one, but I will most likely add it to my collection at some point.
This is one shot I won't soon forget:

Spoiler:

[JoeySeven]

Originally Posted by gglass4269

What did everybody think?

I hate to post the first negative review.But I didnt like the movie.
I thought it was boring and really didn't care about any of the characters in the film.

I did like the photography and the different style of directing by David Gordon Green.

Also Undertow is my favorite Green movie so far.

Still haven't seen All the Real Girls (2003)

Most people will probably like this move,I just have a weird(different) taste in movies.
I will give GW another viewing someday,as I hate most of the crap Hollywood puts out these days.

[Tim Tucker]

While I wasn't able to find a copy of Empire of Passion, luckily, the library did have this DVD.

Even though I've seen George Washington in the Criterion catalog, the title has never registered with me before it chosen as this week's film. For a long time, I thought it was a documentary. Even though it's not the type of film I normally watch, and will probably never add it to my collection, I did enjoy the film.

I thought it accurately captured the look and feel of a summer in the deep South. The characters also rang true to me as a representation of the working poor in this part of the country. I also thought that the reaction of the young people (who were neither children or adults) to the tragic event in this film also had a certain verisimilitude.

The film is beautifully made, with some gorgeous cinematography. It's also a film very much of its time, done in that earnest, 90s elliptical style that tells as much in its silences as in its dialogue, but also leaves everything open ended. Reminds me of some of the work of Jim Jarmusch, Gus Van Sant and Richard Linklater. The director whose name I see mentioned most often as an influence is Terrence Malick, but since I've never seen any of his films, I do not know how accurate that comparison is.

I cannot believe this was made by the same man who directed Pineapple Express.

[ivelostr2]

Originally Posted by Tim Tucker

I cannot believe this was made by the same man who directed Pineapple Express.

haha...I didn't realize that...



I'm going to have to fall on the negative side of this discussion.

First, what i liked...
- I actually really liked how the movie felt like it had meter in its pacing and the narration in between was poetic as well.
- I thought it was filmed very well, the scenery was beautiful, even the ugly parts were beautiful.

Next what i didn't like...

- I ended up not caring about any of the characters...none of the kids, none of the twenty something men, i thought they seemed kinda ridiculous and over simplified.
-I kept thinking, with the poetic pacing and narration, this was going to turn out to be like sometype of fantasy...and then, with the superhero parts at the end, i thought for sure that it was going to be Nas's story in her diary, her new love kills her old love, or something like that.
- I really disliked the music, there were times where it was building, building, building, and then just go away without anything...



I look forward to hearing more about what the rest of you thought...

[MTRodaba2468]

Originally Posted by Tim Tucker

I thought it accurately captured the look and feel of a summer in the deep South. The characters also rang true to me as a representation of the working poor in this part of the country. I also thought that the reaction of the young people (who were neither children or adults) to the tragic event in this film also had a certain verisimilitude.

The film is beautifully made, with some gorgeous cinematography. It's also a film very much of its time, done in that earnest, 90s elliptical style that tells as much in its silences as in its dialogue, but also leaves everything open ended. Reminds me of some of the work of Jim Jarmusch, Gus Van Sant and Richard Linklater. The director whose name I see mentioned most often as an influence is Terrence Malick, but since I've never seen any of his films, I do not know how accurate that comparison is.

I cannot believe this was made by the same man who directed Pineapple Express.

I have to agree with those points there. "Southern Gothic" is a title that's been applied to Green's first three films, one that I think is very apt, just based on the atmosphere he manages to bring to the screen.

I also find it rather funny that Green went from making this, All The Real Girls (probably my favorite of his), Undertow, and Snow Angels, to making Pineapple Express, and signing on to direct the remake of Suspiria...

[Tim Tucker]

I got through most of the extras last night.

The commentary by director David Gordon Green, cinematographer Tim Orr and actor Paul Schnieder is informative and thorough, covering all aspects of the production. It's definitely worth a listen.

The deleted scene isn't very good, and would have clashed with the tone of the rest of the movie. The director made the right call here.

As for the short films:

Pleasant Grove is an early version of some of the material in George Washington, but it's still in very rough form, and I didn't care for it very much. It being shot on video doesn't do it any favors, either.

Physical Pinball is a major leap forward in Green's development. I quite enjoyed this story of a single father coping with his daughter reaching puberty.

Clu Gulager's A Day With The Boys may be the best thing on the DVD. Even though the ending is macabre, I had a nostalgic feeling seeing a gang of boys running around outside, exploring, playing and making up games. Do kids even do that anymore? I might consider buying the DVD now just to have a copy of this.

I hope to finish the rest later today.

[CardiffGiant]

I'd say Pineapple Express is the weakest of his films (I've seen all but "Undertow"). For those that liked aspects of "George Washington", but ultimately didn't like the film, I'd recommend giving "All the Real Girls" a shot somewhere down the line. The pacing and feel is very similar, but although I like both "George Washington" and "ATRG", there is something that continually draws me to "ATRG" as opposed to "George Washington".

In general, I like the feel of David Gordon Green's films for the pacing, shot selection, casting and smallness of the subject. I like how you enter this tiny world and, like the characters, never seem to leave it.

[Tim Tucker]

I watched the cast interview and the Charlie Rose interview yesterday. They are of marginal interest at best, but it's good that Criterion decided to include them.

I do wonder where Green is going now, since making Pineapple Express, and with the upcoming remake of Suspiria. (I still don't know why anyone would want to do that. Talk about pointless remakes.) Is he's becoming a more mainstream, but less interesting, filmmaker by leaving all this Southern Gothicism behind?

[riotinmyskull]

Originally Posted by Tim Tucker

I watched the cast interview and the Charlie Rose interview yesterday. They are of marginal interest at best, but it's good that Criterion decided to include them.

I do wonder where Green is going now, since making Pineapple Express, and with the upcoming remake of Suspiria. (I still don't know why anyone would want to do that. Talk about pointless remakes.) Is he's becoming a more mainstream, but less interesting, filmmaker by leaving all this Southern Gothicism behind?

his next film is YOUR HIGHNESS...he hasn't officially signed on to SUSPIRIA.

[MTRodaba2468]

Originally Posted by riotinmyskull

his next film is YOUR HIGHNESS...he hasn't officially signed on to SUSPIRIA.

Funny, I could have sworn he officially signed on (granted, not the most reliable source, but he's listed as a writer on IMDb, at least).

With that said, based on the supposed premise of Your Highness (a prince that's tasked with protecting his kingdom, but would rather smoke pot instead), you can tell that he's changed gears with his career, leaning in a much more mainstream direction, especially if he does do the Suspiria remake.

[riotinmyskull]

for the record, i picked this week's film.

[Tim Tucker]

Originally Posted by riotinmyskull

for the record, i picked this week's film.

Thank you for introducing it to me. I think this is a film that will grow on me as time passes.

So what do you like best about it?

[riotinmyskull]

Originally Posted by Tim Tucker

So what do you like best about it?

the cinematography, the narration, the accurate representation of the south. while i'm sure some people will call it pretentious...i find it to be quite genuine. there's something really dream-like and realistic about it that i enjoy.

[Tim Tucker]

Originally Posted by riotinmyskull

the cinematography, the narration, the accurate representation of the south. while i'm sure some people will call it pretentious...i find it to be quite genuine. there's something really dream-like and realistic about it that i enjoy.

So you like it for the same reasons I do. Cool.

[riotinmyskull]

Originally Posted by Tim Tucker

So you like it for the same reasons I do. Cool.

if you liked it then i highly recommend ALL THE REAL GIRLS to be your next DGG film. then SNOW ANGELS and UNDERTOW. i'm sure you've already seen PINEAPPLE EXPRESS.

also woth seeking out is SHOTGUN STORIES (DGG produced it) which was my favorite film of 2008. also, THE GUATEMALAN HANDSHAKE is worth a look as well, DGG wrote an essay about it for the dvd release.

[brizz]

This was kind of a middle of the road film for me. I can understand what people saw in it in terms of marking a director to watch, but as a complete film itself, it didn't do much for me at all. It certainly offered a genuine feel of the south, but like others here I never became particularly invested in any of the characters, and thus the story fell flat...whatever there was of one. I'm all for great atmosphere, and Green is obviously a master of that....but a great film needs more than atmosphere, and this just didn't have it.

I regret that i returned it without watching the short films though now...particularly the one about the father dealing with a pubescent child...I should have watched that with my 10 year old!

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by ivelostr2

I'm going to have to fall on the negative side of this discussion.

First, what i liked...
- I actually really liked how the movie felt like it had meter in its pacing and the narration in between was poetic as well.
- I thought it was filmed very well, the scenery was beautiful, even the ugly parts were beautiful.

Next what i didn't like...

- I ended up not caring about any of the characters...none of the kids, none of the twenty something men, i thought they seemed kinda ridiculous and over simplified.
-I kept thinking, with the poetic pacing and narration, this was going to turn out to be like sometype of fantasy...and then, with the superhero parts at the end, i thought for sure that it was going to be Nas's story in her diary, her new love kills her old love, or something like that.
- I really disliked the music, there were times where it was building, building, building, and then just go away without anything...

These are pretty much my thoughts.

I'm glad I rented it, but doubt I'll watch it again.

[too much]

I really liked the film. Terrence Malick and Robert Altman seemed like obvious influences. I can't think of two better influences! The narration reminded me a lot of style used in Days of Heaven, even to the way the girl narrating is not really one of the major characters in either story. The cinematography was amazing. Not sure I will revisit this for some time, but I'm sure I'll check it out again. Certainly another great pick! Glad I finally got a chance to check out this film.

[chase3001]

I really enjoyed George Washington. I had no prior expectations of this director, having only seen Undertow, but can say I liked it as much. Will definitely check out his other two films.

[riotinmyskull]

Originally Posted by chase3001

I really enjoyed George Washington. I had no prior expectations of this director, having only seen Undertow, but can say I liked it as much. Will definitely check out his other two films.

other 3 films. he's done 5 in total.

[Kerborus]

I saw this film a while back, when it first came out on DVD and I loved it. The film has the dream-like qualities that do liken it to a Malick film and also the cinematography is brilliant. The strange off beat characters in the film and some of the focused moments of reality stood out to me. I always like quirky stories and characters and this one delivers in spades. Great film, great choice...

[chase3001]

Originally Posted by riotinmyskull

other 3 films. he's done 5 in total.

Well, I don't really count Pineapple Express. It was funny, but not in the same vein as George Washington.

[ResIpsa]

I found the Malick influence all-encompassing (a good thing in my book). One of the opening scenes where Nasia is talking about liking open places with waterfalls as the camera skims over lush green underbrush looks to have been lifted straight from The Thin Red Line. In his commentary, the director acknowledges that his use of narration was inspired by Days of Heaven. Numerous static shots of nature and sky (also similar to Ozu's "pillow shots").

Was anyone else reminded of the Criterion cover for "Ivan's Childhood" in one of the early shots inside a ruined building?

To me, this film is all about style and in this regard it is brilliant. The cinematography is fantastic, especially for a low-budget indie film. I loved the ambient soundtrack but I'm not sure it works for this film. It tended to take me out of the story since it seemed out of place at times.

As others have noted, the story falls apart in the last third and I just didn't get the superman thing. I actually hated the script and some of the lines uttered by the characters seemed incongruous to their characters (the uncle's line about his wife sounding like she was crying every time she talked to him seemed way too precious and made me wince).

All in all, a film that I think reflects the youthful age of it's director (he was 25) in that it seems more concerned with style/mood over story/substance (not necessarily a bad thing) and he seems to wear his film influences on his sleeve. That said, I am impressed that someone so young was able to do so much. He certainly beats what I did for my 25th summer