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That one thing that bothers you in a movie

Started by claws, September 13, 2023, 10:14:57 AM

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zombie no.one

when the camera lingers on a 'dead' body... all I can ever do is try and notice any flinching or eyelid movements, even though I don't want to... can't help it

chainsaw midget

I saw a movie a while back where one character jumped into a military Humvee and then fumbled with the key to get it started. 

Military Humvees don't use keys.  They put chains and locks on the steering wheel.  You can start them up and drive them just fine whoever you are, as long as you don't need to turn for any reason.

M.10rda

There's a long medium wide/wide shot of Keitel and Buscemi early in RESERVOIR DOGS where they light cigarettes. The flame doesn't actually light Keitel's cigarette and really doesn't even come close. Nevertheless Keitel acts like he's smoking it. I don't smoke, hate cigarettes, and am totally anti-smoking IRL, but in a movie about hardcore lifer criminals, this really bothers me every time I watch it. Weird that QT kept it in the film. Only usable take? No coverage/couldn't cut away?

I also remain puzzled about the entire final scene of THERE WILL BE BLOOD... you know, the most famous scene, w/ the "milkshake". Even after 3 viewings, I can't quite track how/why DDL and PD are even having that final conversation. The earlier, pivotal scene where PD baptizes DDL in exchange for land rights seems to render the later scene redundant. I've tried to rationalize the circumstances of that last scene in my mind, but when I watch the scene again, the actual dialogue never supports (and kind of contradicts) my rationalization. Maybe it's just DDL's dream/wish fulfillment...?

claws

#18
Something Wild (1986)

Throughout the film the songs (amazing soundtrack btw) enhance scenes and are well placed. With the Fine Young Cannibals song Ever Fallen in Love, it appears they quickly threw together a couple of grainy outtakes as a reason to play the song.  It's a hasty/sloppy 1 minute insert sticking out like a sore thumb. It doesn't gel with the flow of the rest of the movie.

My guess is the FYC song was offered after the film was already finished, so they added what looks like deleted footage to the film for the song.


Is it October yet?

M.10rda

That's entirely plausible, Claws. Jonathan Demme was not averse to such OT/extraneous/last-minute additions or revisions. (Maybe due to his training under Corman?) The end of MARRIED TO THE MOB used to bug me in the same way you mention: evidently unrelated/disconnected footage of Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Modine dancing on some civic (courthouse?) steps, and the sequence concludes on a freeze-frame of Pfeiffer about to have what looks like a serious injury. Weird way to wrap up a snarky crime movie. Eh!

claws

Interesting. I've seen about every Demme movie but I've never seen Married to the Mob. Didn't appeal to me as I can't get into mob movies. Just like some people can't watch musicals or westerns.

Weird on my part because I really enjoyed Something Wild and I liked Pfeiffer very much back then.

on a sidenote, I have seen The Godfather, but it didn't do much for me. That's why I never include it in my favorite movie lists.
Is it October yet?