Not creation, but appreciation. I watch dramas and movies. I take screencaps. I occasionally post about other things. Books, manga, music, art, fashion. My likes without limits.
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February 29, 2012
Day 19: Best movie soundtrack
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
The other day I read in a textbook about how America doesn’t really have their own traditional or cultural identity, since all their traditions come from other cultures around the world. Which I guess is true to some extent, but at the same time it’s kind of an unfair simplification. Case in point: the soundtrack of OBWAT, a film set in Mississippi during the 1930s, represents the intersection of bluegrass, country, blues, gospel, and folk. Now I’m not really a fan of any of those genres in and of themselves, but the beauty of this soundtrack is they all work so well together to create a palpable mood and this wonderfully rich atmosphere.
The album and of its single tracks became best sellers the year of its release. Personal highlights include “Man of Constant Sorrow” (of course), “Big Rock Candy Mountain”, “O Death”, “Lonesome Valley”, “You Are My Sunshine”, and “I’ll Fly Away”.
Day 18: Best animated movie: Princess Mononoke (1997)
Day 17: Worst movie adaptation of a book: True Grit (1969)
Day 16: Best movie adaptation of a book: True Grit (2010)
Day 15: Best movie musical: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Day 14: Best movie sequel: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Day 13: A movie that makes you think: Do The Right Thing (1989)
Day 12: Best holiday movie: A Christmas Story (1983)
Day 11: Movie with the most beautiful scenery: Bambi (1942), The Lord of the Rings(2001-2003)
Day 10: A movie you like with an actor/actress you hate: Matchstick Men (2003)
Day 09: A movie that makes you cry: The Land Before Time (1988)
Day 08: A movie you thought you’d hate but ended up loving: She’s the Man (2006)
Day 07: A movie from your childhood: The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986/89)
The Charles Portis novel on which the movie is based is quite strange, but it’s an all time favorite of mine. Its heroine Mattie has one of the strongest and quirkiest narrative voices of any character I’ve ever read, and I can’t think of any better treatment of the “western” genre. The historical setting and time period of the novel don’t read like a Hollywood backlot at all. In that way it’s less fantastical than your typical Hollywood-style western, but all the more affecting for its straight up portrayal of a bygone era. (Think of Pirates of the Caribbean versus Master and Commander.) True Grit the novel gives you historical realism, but the kind that’s engaging and darkly humorous instead of dry.
And the 2010 adaptation from the Coen brothers hit every note exactly right. It preserved the striking tone of the story, but also enhanced it with amazing cinematography and a great score. The performances were all top notch as well.
Day 15: Best movie musical: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Day 14: Best movie sequel: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Day 13: A movie that makes you think: Do The Right Thing (1989)
Day 12: Best holiday movie: A Christmas Story (1983)
Day 11: Movie with the most beautiful scenery: Bambi (1942), The Lord of the Rings(2001-2003)
Day 10: A movie you like with an actor/actress you hate: Matchstick Men (2003)
Day 09: A movie that makes you cry: The Land Before Time (1988)
Day 08: A movie you thought you’d hate but ended up loving: She’s the Man (2006)
Day 07: A movie from your childhood: The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986/89)
