Terrence Malick's diectorial debut about
criminal lovers on the run. I haven't seen
it but from reading reviews it does appear
to have some cult following. Comments about
the film and the DVD itself would be appreciated.

Wow, your timing is impeccable: just rented "Badlands" from NetFlix last week.

As a Movie: "Badlands" is a damn-near-perfect movie: it contains first-rate acting, direction, and plot. "B" is based loosely on the Starkweather murders of the 50's, with Martin Sheen as a sociopathic kid with James-Deanian charisma, and Sissy Spacek as his jailbait muse. Sheen seduces the bored, well-to-do pubescent, kills her father, and takes her (willingly) on the lam. The plot is well-suited to the 70's style of filmmaking: string a bunch of vignettes together and hope your actors inhabit the roles consistently enough to make the movie cohere. Sheen is manic, feeding off of his love for Spacek, while Spacek seems to be following along as if she has nothing better to do. Both actors are shockingly blase about the increasing number of murders "necessary" to keep themselves out of handcuffs.

Malick's direction is deliciously slow. Long, langurous (sp?) takes with few edits. Lots of artistic cutaways to rustling leaves (my favorite: a cut to a trapped chicken for no apparent reason), or the looong prairie. This makes you feel like the characters must feel -- that they're alone in a world living at their own pace.

As a DVD: I wasn't paying much attention to grain, jumps, or other such videophilia. What I *can* say is that it's a pretty nice transfer according to my eye. It's widescreen, so you can appreciate Malick's framing in full splendor. Extras are slim to none.

Because of the nonlinear plot and first-rate acting, I suspect this movie would stand up to many repeated viewings. I'd say it's worth buying.

[This message has been edited by Birdcell (edited July 13, 2000).]

Well, I was going to post a review, but Birdcell did such a good job that there's no sense in my doing so.

If you're a fan of Malick's other films, you'll most likely enjoy this one, too.

For comparisons sake, some critics have likened it to "In Cold Blood". Though there are some similarites in story and pacing, I feel that "Badlands" is the better film.

The DVD, though skimpy on extras (only a trailer, I believe....and maybe not even that), the transfer is pretty good. Nothing spectacular, but more than adequate.

It should also be noted that the DVD is relatively inexpensive. I got mine for $10. At Best Buy, it sells for $15. You may get it cheaper online. Well worth the money.

jim



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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~gamblor187.asp

Hey guys, thanks for the info. Ordered this
from Chapters for $13 CDN shipped so it sounds like a good investment.

great movie

There is a scene in the movie where a guy has a rifle (i dont want to give away any plot) and they say its a 30-06 when its actaully mostly likely a 303 british (with a slight chance of .308).
This ruined the whole film for me. j/k

Badlands is a great movie.

Worth buying the disc.