In memory of Andrei Tarkovsky on the thirty fourth anniversary of his passing I’ve been watching The Sacrifice. It’s a very beautiful yet deeply troubling and heartwrenching film. I highly recommend it though as Andrei always plants his films with wisdom that transcends time and space.
Films:
I grew up with the Prequels and Originals simultaneously. I did go through a period of time where I listened to the critics with regards to the Prequels as it was hard not to as it used to be everywhere but over time I realised I shouldn’t let others define what I can and can’t love. For the record I love them. They’re my favourites and that’s okay. My enjoyment in them has only grown as I’m older and can see all the layers and hard work George and team put into them. The Originals are equally my Star Wars and I love them too. Luke and Anakin were always my favourite characters. The Original Trilogy is timeless. I can’t quite explain but every time I see Binary Sunset I feel just like Luke. Anakin’s redemption is a beautiful act of love. Simply put the two trilogies tell a beautiful story that feels complete yet has room to further the story if one wants to continue it.
And so it eventually happened but not with George’s treatments but a story Disney decided to tell.
The Force Awakens - I really liked it a lot. I realised it was a modern spin on the classical story motif of the previous six films but I still really liked it and even loved certain things like Rey. I did wish there were more of an original story, original design choices, and better world building but I was sure that would come in the subsequent films and we’d get satisfying answers to the questions raised through the mystery boxes.
In retrospect, I can’t watch it. The film does nothing for me. It feels like a corporate remake to appease the fans. I want to like it but I just can’t get into it.
The Last Jedi - I liked it but I didn’t love it. I was very overwhelmed and burnt out by the time of Crait that I was ready for it to be over. It had beautiful cinematography, interesting new ways of using the Force, and some fun and interesting moments like the fathier chase and Rey and Ben/Kylo’s relationship. I thought going in they’d have a relationship of some kind but more likely as siblings who represent the two sides of Anakin’s legacy to eventually team up to bring Balance to the Force. That didn’t entirely happen. I had a lot of issues. Namely with the non Star Warsy humour, tension being immediately undercut by a joke, Luke tossing the lightsaber, Yoda lighting the tree on fire, Rey Nobody as we’ve always had nobodies as Force sensitive and Jedi, Snoke being a Nobody because it undercuts the significance of him separating our heroes and turning Ben to the Dark Side, meta commentary, non Star Warsy dialogue, and quite a bit more.
In retrospect, I still have many of the same issues with it as it breaks a lot of lore and canon (as do all these trilogy films) but I really like it more now for what it is and consider it to be one of the better Disney era films. It’s beautifully made in most ways and has some interesting ideas. It took some chances and some of them do land. It at least tried something different to a certain degree but it came at the expense of the saga as a whole. (So did The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker to be fair.)
As with Luke I don’t love his portrayal but I don’t hate it either. I can go both ways. I think it would’ve been better if we saw him get this way. A very big problem I find with this trilogy is we don’t get to see any of the interesting story points as they’re pushed to the backstory for Rebels 2.0 versus Empire 2.0.
The Rise of Skywalker - I had fun the first viewing. I definitely felt uncomfortable with Rey being a Palpatine but I just rolled with it. I didn’t like her declaring herself a Skywalker but I think I would’ve liked it more if she stayed random and did so after we see her parents leave her on Jakku. That may have worked a little better.
In retrospect, I’ve only seen it once all the way through honestly. So I don’t think it’s fair to give a full on opinion and breakdown. I will say though I don’t love it but I don’t hate it either. It has some great moments like Luke and Leia training together (so long as I don’t consider context) but it also has lots of problems with pacing and macguffins. It’s very cluttered and doesn’t know what it wants to be sometimes.
Rogue One - I enjoyed it but didn’t love it. I loved Chirrut and Jedha, the introduction scenes, and some other things. I honestly didn’t really take much time to reflect on what I thought of it as I was so busy thinking about what would happen in Episode VIII and IX.
In retrospect, it’s my favourite of the Disney era. I love how it expands the lore but respects what came before it as it has references to both the Prequels and Originals. It captures the spirituality with the Force through Chirrut and Jedha. I feel unlike the other Disney films it fits right in line with George’s six films in this way. The others seem to lean more heavily towards the Han Solo side of the stories. It has really good characters, fantastic cinematography and world building, and all around gives the opening crawl of A New Hope an interesting story to link up to. I’m still not entirely comfortable with the CGI characters but it’s a minor nitpick compared to everything else offered in the film.
Solo - It was okay. I didn’t hate it or love it. It was okay. It had some good moments. However it also felt too topical and modern a lot of the time. I liked Qi’ra a lot though.
In retrospect, I feel the same way about it as I did when I first saw it.
TV Shows:
The Clone Wars - I’ve not watched every episode but I love everything I have seen. I especially enjoyed the Mortis Arc, Yoda Arc, and The Heroes on Both Sides Arc.
The Mandalorian - I’ve not watched it.
Rebels - I liked it then and I like it now. I especially enjoy when it delves into the Force and Darth Maul.
Resistance - I’ve not watched it.
All and all, I’m trying to learn to seperate Disney Star Wars and George Lucas Star Wars. It will never be the same for me. I’ll always prefer George’s story but I’d like to hope I get to a point where I can enjoy the Disney era more. It’s hard to do though when everything relies heavily on nostalgia and member berries. It feels more corporate now instead of being made with a vision and for the desire to tell stories. I’m happy to see Mandalorian do well and I may give it a chance at some point but I’m not ready. I’m burnt out by Disney Star Wars.
Each of the villains in the Prequels represent what Anakin becomes and serve the appropriate purpose within their respective narrative.
Darth Maul = Hatred.
Darth Tryanus = Former Jedi that falls to the Dark Side.
General Grievous = More machine than sediment being.
I think here because it gives us a sense of time passing from leaving the Jundland Wastes to their arrival at Ben’s hut. It’s also before Tarkin comes to the conference room and announces that he’s just got word from the Emperor the senate has been dissolved. It gives us a chance to see that happen and possibly hear word about the missing Death Star plans.
Mocata, I honestly like it and the connection in theory. I’m not sure the execution is great but it’s good being able to draw more lines between the two trilogies.
Servii, it’s never too late.
http://www.completewermosguide.com/huttese.html
http://www.completewermosguide.com/huttdictionary.html
ATMachine, haha! It means “this will be the end of you”!
I’d say blue. I always loved the design of Obi-Wan’s from The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.
It’s a shame the Sequels didn’t have really any colour variation apart from blue. Although Ben/Kylo’s Jedi lightsaber hilt was pretty cool.
I’d probably want a blue double blade.
LeperMessiah117, oh! That makes sense.
Be sure to let me know when you start your journey into his work. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Dek Rollins, that sounds fun! Always good to add films to the collection.
Twin Peaks is my favorite thing by David Lynch. The first half of the series is so strong, but wanes after it’s 2nd half after Lynch and writer Mark Frost left the show, only to be yanked out of the jaws of defeat when they returned for the finale. The film seems disliked by many but I find it an excellent prequel, especially the fanedit (Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me - Teresa Banks and the Last Seven Days of Laura Palmer) that brings it up to a 3 and a half hour running time. And Twin Peaks The Return is a masterpiece. It just is, lol
Eraserhead is a good starting point with David Lynch, it is a good upfront example of his weirdness and typifies his style. Blue Velvet is a classic and is probably the film that cemented him as an essential American filmmaker. A dark and captivating mystery/thriller that also showcases a lighter, less bleak and more hopeful side to his films.
Tarkovsky is definitely a filmmaker who I’ve heard people mention but I’ve never really had exposure to him outside of a trailer for Stalker, which I recall did intrigue me but I have yet view. It seems to me a filmmaker who has multiple Criterion Collection releases probably warrants at least a thorough exploration of their catalogue.
I’d really like a subscription to The Criterion Channel. I really wanna check out alot of these films they offer, especially their foreign films. I have seen too little non-United States produced films aside from ones made in the UK, Japan and South Korea.
I’ll have to keep that in mind when I check out Twin Peaks. lol, oh wow! I didn’t realise there was more than one film. I’ll have to try watching them at some point too. Thank you for telling me about them!
Oh, that’s good to know about Eraserhead. I’ve not watched the trailer for it but I’ll have to do so. Yes, Blue Velvet looks great. I liked seeing that Laura Dern got her big break with the film. That’s a big reason I was leaning it as my first of his films but I may have to go with Eraserhead now!
This video was my introduction to Andrei Tarkovsky. It might be good for you too.
I honestly love him. He’s my favourite filmmaker not named George Lucas. He’s truly an amazing filmmaker unlike any other. His films are more experiences and felt than explained or given definitive answers in their meanings as each viewer finds something different. He really changed my life for better or worse. I think Stalker is definitely a great entry point for a newbie. I’d also say Andrei Rublev. Both are truly incredible. Mirror is his best film though but I don’t recommend it for a newbie.
Here’s the trailer for Andrei Rublev.
Me too. There’s lots of films they have that I want to see. There’s also an interview they have with Alicia Malone interviewing Rian Johnson. It looks intriguing. He talks about Stalker and 8 1/2 as two of his favourites.
Just added The Seventh Seal by Ingmar Bergman and my first film by Stanley Kubrick, Barry Lyndon.
Barry Lyndon is so great, the first Criterion I obtained. My very modest collection, all blu-ray, current consists of
Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas
Paths of Glory
Eraserhead
Mulholland Dr.
Blue Velvet
Dr. Strangelove
Barry Lyndon
Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits
The Elephant Man
I’m really looking forward to seeing it and great collection. I see you like David Lynch. Haha. I want to get into him at some point. I’m really interested in seeing Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet in particular.
My own collection.
Blu Ray:
Ivan’s Childhood
Andrei Rublev
Solaris
Mirror
Stalker (First Criterion)
War and Peace
The Seventh Seal
Wild Strawberries
Scenes from a Marriage
The Magic Flute
Fanny and Alexander
Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema
The Complete Films of Agnès Varda
Essential Jacques Demy
Essential Fellini
Dekalog
The Three Colours Trilogy
Babette’s Feast
Seven Samurai
The Hidden Fortress
The Samurai Trilogy
After Life
Marketa Lazarová
Barry Lyndon
The Red Shoes
Brazil
Life is Sweet
Naked
Topsy-Turvy
Something Wild
The Age of Innocence
The Tree of Life
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Inside Llewyn Davis
Wim Wenders: The Road Trilogy
The American Friend
Paris, Texas
Wings of Desire
Until the End of the World
DVD:
The Ascent
Wings
Days of Heaven
You could say I like Andrei Tarkovsky. 🙂
Very cool and interesting conversation with Nick Gillard. I never knew he turned down Lord of the Rings or worked with the Moscow State Circus. I sure did miss his presence in the Sequel Trilogy.
What a wonderful sight to wake up to. oojason giving out negative waves like they’re candy.
Just to clarify, that isn’t a good thing.
Oh, it’s not. Just a bit of bad sarcasm on my part.
Have a lovely Christmas!
Sebulba says “Maclunkey” in The Phantom Menace at the forty two second mark.
What a wonderful sight to wake up to. oojason giving out negative waves like they’re candy.
Just added The Seventh Seal by Ingmar Bergman and my first film by Stanley Kubrick, Barry Lyndon.
The Seventh Seal
I originally watched this film around 2009/2010, a couple years after experiencing a crisis of faith which had left me deep in the throes of agnosticism. Suffice to say, as an agnostic who still retained a yearning for the Christian faith but needed certainty to believe, I saw myself reflected in Antonius Block.
I’m no longer in the place I was then; I’ve since become an agnostic Whiteheadian Discordian Christian omnist (yes, I still identity as “agnostic”, but as an adjective rather than a noun). Yet I still love this film, and all of Bergman’s films pertaining to the “silence of God”.
I just got it with my Christmas gift card (and Barry Lyndon). I’m really looking forward to watching it as I’ve wanted to see it for a long, long time. You really convinced me though!
I’m watching Twilight for the first time and honestly …
It’s much better than people say. I’m really enjoying it.
I can certainly understand what you mean. It’s certainly not my favourite scene but I think catching on to the breathing foreshadowing made the scene a lot better for me. It’s such a simple catch and you miss moment.
I’ll have to watch for that on my next viewing of the saga.
I was also mistaken. My thoughts (in part) on The Phantom Menace is here.
Out of curiosity, how do you rank the Skywalker saga films?
That thread had a lot of really interesting takes on TPM. I enjoyed reading through it.
As for my ranking I still have a preference for the OT despite the fact that the PT has grown on me a lot these past few years but its not set in stone and will likely change over time.
V > IV > VI > III > I > II >> VII > VIII > IX
TPM and ROTS are really close for me, as I said, and so are ROTJ and ANH.
This is a good video that really puts the dialogue in prospective.
I agree. It’s a really fun thread. It’s good to see a positive discussion for it.
That’s certainly fair and I look forward to seeing how your rankings change and evolve.
That’s understandable. I could honestly rank any of George’s six films first. When it comes to the Sequels I have a harder time with where to place The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker. I’ve only watched The Rise of Skywalker once all the way through but I remember it has my favourite scene in the trilogy (Luke and Leia training together as without context it’s so beautiful to see) but it also dismisses Anakin’s arc and legacy. It’s really tricky as both (and The Last Jedi for that matter) have problems. I think separating them from George’s six films makes it easier to enjoy them on some level but for some reason I still feel burned out by Disney Star Wars. It’s a tricky tightrope between being able to enjoy this era for what it is and yet being so lost for words and longing for George.
Sorry I never saw you replied!
I can so understand what you mean! I honestly love TPM. It’s my favourite Star Wars film. I’ve posted on the rankings thread in great detail why it’s my favourite. AOTC is probably the weakest of George’s six films but it’s also really grown on me in a very big way the last year. I think seeing world building like Coruscant become more commercial, Anakin and Padme have to travel as refugees, Padme contrasting Palpatine by letting go her position of power, and other layered aspects really make for an interesting viewing when you consider the gradual change of tone in each entry. I’m firmly in the minority but I love Anakin and Padme’s romance. They’re both repressed and don’t know what love feels like. It’s not meant to be smooth and will be awkward. However their love overtakes all in the end. I really like when Padme tells Anakin: “Anakin, don’t try to grow up too fast.” It’s so simple yet it feels right. Even Anakin telling Padme: “The thought of not being with you - I can’t breathe.” is great foreshadowing. I do wish there were more clarity to the mystery of Sifo-Dyas. That’s probably the biggest thing I wish had been addressed further in the films. It’s one reason I loved the idea of Snoke as Plagueis. He would’ve influenced Sifo-Dyas to order the Clone Army and he and Palpatine would’ve built the Empire in partnership. Master and Apprentice. There’s always a bigger fish. Anyways, Revenge of the Sith is a great film. I only have minor nitpicks.
My rankings right now are: I, IV, V, III, VI, II, VIII, VII, and IX.
I actually like the romance as well. It’s mainly the fireplace scene that doesn’t work for me. Most of the dialogue matches the awkward/repressed angle that you talked about but in that scene it sounds more Shakespearean and it doesn’t really fit.
I can certainly understand what you mean. It’s certainly not my favourite scene but I think catching on to the breathing foreshadowing made the scene a lot better for me. It’s such a simple catch and you miss moment.
I was also mistaken. My thoughts (in part) on The Phantom Menace is here.
Out of curiosity, how do you rank the Skywalker saga films?
Going from Tarkovsky to The Phantom Menace in a favourite films list is not something I ever thought I’d see! (Only joking of course. Great choices!)
Haha, thank you! He and George are my favourite filmmakers. I love how they’re both similar yet different from each other. Both told stories that have strong poetic links, relied heavily on visual expression, and most of all were strong believers in their vision being accurately portrayed and rarely compromised.
I’d really like to know what George makes of Andrei’s films. I’ve thought about asking J.W. Rinzler if he knows since we’re friends on Facebook but I’ve not had the chance as the timing feels off with him going through cancer at the moment.
My top two favourite films from both masters and in general are Mirror and The Phantom Menace. I could make strong arguments for either one.
Other notable films I’d choose.
TPM is not as pointless to the series as some say, not like it even takes much reading between the lines when viewing the ending “celebration”.
And if one hasn’t picked up on it:
I’m also saddened we didn’t get into the metaphysical aspect of midi-chlorians and the Force or Darth Maul returning like George intended in his Sequel Trilogy as it would’ve made the case for The Phantom Menace being not important pointless. As it stands though it’s essential as there’s lots of connective layers between it and Return of the Jedi if one knows where to look. The Podrace and Speeder Chase on Endor sync up as the explosions and shots align completely for starters at the same minute mark in both films.
Mirror/Зеркало - Andrei Tarkovsky
This film is by far one of the greatest, if not the greatest film of all time. It transcends on a metaphysical and spiritual level like no other film. It tells the story of dying man reflecting on his memories of his mother, absent father, childhood, Russia, and more. I can’t quite convey in words why it’s my favourite. It’s truly an amazing film though that deserves to be experienced.
Criterion appears to be releasing it next year on physical release. Long overdue but grateful it’s finally coming.
Mirror all but confirmed for 2021. Dreams truly do come true!
A rare look at both Jeremy Bulloch and Richard Marquand.
Rest in Peace. A true class act who didn’t need a bucket over his head to be cool!
