CPF Reviews #12: The Responsive I-An Appreciation of Brian De Palma
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- CPF looks back over the long and varied career of controversial director Brian De Palma, examining the techniques and themes that have driven his body of work. Spoilers abound, obviously.
Well. That was rather brilliant. Without words, you expressed what I interpret to be the conundrum of DePalma's films: they are like optical illusions in the guise of fine art, and every bit as polarizing. Most of his stories, while not unimportant, are more an exercise in exploring certain themes visually, than in creating highbrow drama. There are exceptions, of course ("Casualties of War" and "Blow Out" come to mind, and also his documentaries). I don't like all of his work, but even the ones that are just plain silly ("Raising Cane", "Body Double") have a certain visual splendor.
You've done a fine job. Not everyone will appreciate it, but I love that the analysis is purely cinematic, without narration to try and frame in words what is essentially a visual and visceral experience.
Oh, and that splitfield shot of you was classic. Did you actually use a half-diopter, or what that simulated in post?
Thanks for your appreciation. I, um... appreciate it. :-)
That was a real split-diopter lens. I'd been poking around looking for one that would work with consumer cameras and finding them exorbitantly overpriced, and then my wife found a seller on Ebay that had two for thirteen bucks apiece. If I ever get the chance to shoot a low-budget film, those will get a real workout.
De Palma once talked about teaching a film class wherein he gave the students an assignment to write a scene that had no dialogue, which told the story visually. This was my attempt at doing that, which is why I never spoke at any point, though I was unfortunately unable to find the original source for that quote, which I'd wanted to include at the end as an explanation for the unorthodox approach I took.
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks Hey man, great vid on one of cinema's greats! Was wondering, any chance of sharing the link on the ebay split-diopter lens seller?
They don't seem to have any more, but I did find this guy, who has several made by the same manufacturer for even cheaper: www.ebay.com/sch/vegaspat/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks
Thanks!
I know I've posted a similar comment on a previous video of yours, but you are far and away one of the most talented (and without question the most underrated) creators on RUclips. I've been a Corn Pone Flicks fan since about 2006, and I've enjoyed all the content you guys have produced, from your anime parodies to the fake trailers, these video reviews are probably my favorite. Every one of them feels like a true labor of love, and I appreciate your passion.
One more random question: as a fan of your old-school videos, I'd love to finally see Men in Black and either of the X-23 films - is there a chance any of those will find their way onto RUclips at some point? And good luck on Part II of The Ozone Commandos!
I'd love to finally see Men In Black, as well, but it's never been properly finished. A few years back I got this notion in my head to finally complete it, and I shot all this new material, and then I burned out, because it's really hard to sustain enthusiasm for a project begun in 1990. Maybe someday. As for the X-23 films, I honestly have no idea where I could upload them that they wouldn't be hit by a hundred copyright claims. Ozone Commandos has a much better chance, though all these new reviews are precisely what's kept me from finishing part two, which is about 95% done. Not enough hours in the day. Like a true procrastinator, I've left all the hard stuff for last.
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks 95% done 1 year ago sounds good, I'm eager to see part 2 of Ozone Commandos, too.
Yay. A new video from the best of the best
Extremely well done and masterfully edited! I never realized how many similar themes, camera tricks, and locations popped up over and over in dePalma's movies!
He definitely does like his train stations and people hiding directly behind other people. I expect many directors who write much of their own material repeat similar themes over and over...look at David Lynch.
I literally stumbled across your channel last week looking for reviews, after I watched "Sucker Punch" for the first time ever. Your take and editing of that review I thought was far above the norm for even the most talented YT reviewers I have seen.
But this take on the work of DePalma (whom I have always admired) is simply brilliant. The selection of scenes, the order of the themes you highlight and then tying it all in with "The Responsive Eye" documentary creates a true perspective of DePalma's work, even for viewers who aren't that familiar with him.
Well done, very well done.
Thanks...this is probably the most fun I've ever had editing a video.
I saw your link to this in the trailer for his new movie Domino. I will watch later but it looks like you did a great job. Love the split diopter right away!
Great vid as always. I really need to step up my editing game, you're a lot better at it than I am. Let me know if you ever want to kick back & Laugh at some old Anime Dubs with me. Thanks again for bringing that Fandora Cilp to people's attention.
I'm amazed you actually had time to watch it already. Seems like it's only been a few minutes since I published it.
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks I'm not gonna lie, I only watched the first 5 minutes. Your editing is still on point though. Anime I know, Good directors is something I need to work on though. I could probably go on for hours about old Horror Movies on VHS, but that's something else entirely. Anyway keep it up. I hope more people found your channel since I name dropped you.
You're a fucking genius. I'm in awe of your editing talent, and adore your style. Thank you for all your hard work and sharing your keen insights with such precise, provoking, and profound effect. I'm amazed, this is a masterwork in communicating/telling a story through editing.
De Palma once talked about hosting a film workshop and assigning the class to write an entire scene with no dialogue, telling everything visually. Apparently, they all hated doing that, but I thought it sounded like a fun challenge. I was regrettably unable to track down the quote itself, which I'd hoped to include at the end to explain the approach I'd taken here.
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks rewatching the intro, it becomes very clear what you are doing. You're figuratively speaking through the clips, explaining what you're doing. like I said...genius.
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks and that anecdote about De Palma is fascinating. Be it true or not, It's a great challenge and your attempt is our benefit.
Honestly, this was probably the most fun I've ever had in editing anything (and I've now probably watched his early op-art documentary The Responsive Eye more than anyone on earth, looking for usable quotes).
I don't know if your love and appreciation for movies, television and all things story telling is what you do for a day job, ut if it isn't then we're missing out. Your research is amazing ut your editing.....wow man. And the seamless special effects putting you into the narrative in the twin peaks series is simply amazing. I'm watching your other stuff now and I just had to give you my two cents. Got change for a nickel?
Thanks, though I can't say I did any research for this beyond just watching the films. My day job is editing, but just local news...there's basically no creativity involved. I do this stuff to keep my sanity.
Double wow. A tour de force, very bold.... dare I say the best editing/composition I can recall since maybe Citizen Kane? Could you enter this in some film festival or Oscar for best short? It would be such a public service to have this sort of vast quality known and appreciated. Jeez... I could only guess how long it must have taken... to keep that vision, pace, connections all together... we viewers only see finished output, 24 minutes, but to have such a sure brilliant hand & mind putting this together like some visual symphony.... Words fail me.
Thanks, though I'd hardly compare anything I do to Welles. This took about a month, and was done pretty much improvisationally, making it up as I went. The most intensive part of it all was watching The Responsive Eye a hundred times looking for quotes to take wildly out of context. I've never bothered with film festivals and the like...they're always riddled with rules about rights and clearances and such, which I never bother with.
Ah, Brian De Palma. Darkness, sadness, thrill and nausea.
Great video. Say, would you ever consider making one about Oliver Stone and / or Michael Mann?
I'll just say I don't have it on the roster at present. I do have almost all of Mann's films (though the lack of any decent release of The Keep would be a regrettable issue), but I don't know what approach I'd take. Here the idea was for the films to tell the story of the director's focus without any commentary from me, because De Palma is primarily a visual director. I couldn't just do the same thing again.
Thanks 😀
Excellent
Brilliant
Wow!