Re: NJC - Woody, Altman, Sayles

[Franklin Shea]

Joseph in Manilla wrote>Thanks for the good words and for confirming what I always knew of WoodyAllen. Funny that you mentioned Robert Altman, because I read somewhere that actors don't usually say no when WA or RA ask them to star in their films, no matter how small their roles are. And if actors don't want to be in their films they go on to the next one who they think will do just as
fine.

Franklin> Funny, I read that somewhere, sometime ago too. I just LOVE some of Altman's movies (right up there with the "correct" Woody classics you listed)."McCabe and Mrs. Miller" was groundbreaking. It was the original modern "revisionist" Western. Total classic...not to mention the Leonard Cohen soundtrack - perfect blend of sight and sound. "Mash" total classic - even if the ditzy, "garbage can" rip off TV series demeaned, misrepresented and inadvertently buried the film (isn't it funny how the "sheep" of mediocrity just couldn't get enough of that "sitcom"?). The movie was a political statement about war of profound implications, now as much as then.

Didn't get "Nashville" quite the way so many did; it seemed to "cluttered" for me. Altman did have a real lull during the eighties; but WHAT a comeback!! "The Player" is the ALL TIME, HANDS DOWN commentary on Hollywood - and is a MUST SEE for any film buff. The incredible, allegorical story-line (the producer "kills" the writer,) script, casting, direction, cinematography - all BRILLIANT. Shoulda' swept the Oscars. I loved the way critics and crowds "swooned" over that initial 12 minute "no cuts" opening, calling it "one of the finest shots in filmmatic history" when Altman was really totally snubbing his nose in sheer disdain at pretentious, self-aggrandizing cinematographers and directors!! hahahaha His latest masterpiece (at 69 years old no less!!! - are you reading these Joni? wink!) "Gosford Park" (wonderful film) is the epitome of extraordinary ensemble casting - and it does what a film should - convincingly open a window to a world which one wouldn't have had the opportunity too otherwise witness. BTY - were you aware that Altman got his "break" by doing directing several of the original "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" TV series during the early/mid fiftys?

Joseph>I always thought that Judy Davis is an exceptional actress even if she has generally bad things to say about her directors (remember her famous
comments lambasting Sir David Lean when they were shooting A PASSAGE TO
INDIA?). Judy once said that when Woody likes a performance of an actor,
he never says anything, and that's when you know he is happiest with your
performance (personally, I find this weird as I feel that I need all forms
of reactions to gauge myself, if I am in the same shoes as the the actors
concerned, of course). And she appeared in ALICE, HUSBANDS AND WIVES,
DECONSTRUCTING HARRY and one other.

Franklin> Judy Davis! What a gal! I'm not familiar with her "lambasting Sir David Lean" but it sounds intriguing. Any web transcripts you could direct (no pun intended) me to on that? I can believe and imagine her comments regarding Woody's "approval" of the right take (although, I too find it weird!). I also read that he isn't very choosy about takes. Apparently he is a complete minimalist regarding"", just flying through scenes and set-ups as long as the actors get the DIALOGUE correct...haha His instincts have obviously more often than not, served him well. I read that L.A. Cowboy (the philosophic "rock" poet -who has been referred to, interestingly enough, as "the Woody Allen/John Sayles of music" - as he writes, arranges, performs, along with extraordinary "side men" - produces everything; apparently became the audio-auteur type for the same reason as Sayles: Lack of funds? Then do everything yourself!), does minimal takes and races through his sessions - amazing, when you hear the final results!

Robert>Same with Robert Altman, whose ensemble cast is one of the reasons to see his film, aside of course from his painterly approach of merging seemingly
divergent lives of ordinary people.

Franklin> Yes, Altman and Sayles are both "painters". In fact, for the "Matewan", Sayles and his DP - multiple Oscar winner, Haskel Wexler, went through several Art Museums and books detailing paintings by the various masters and story-boarded "Matewan" FRAME BY FRAME as a series of portraits and paintings - it shows! BTY - EVERYONE on that film worked for union scale. It cost three million to make, yet easily compares cinematically to another classic done around that time - "Dances With Wolves" easily - which cost, I believe 23 million.

Franklin speaking about Woody >his movies are extraordinary, similar to what John Sayles has done in many ways. I love both their use of recurring actors - the ones they rely on.

Robert>I like John Sayles, too. Most especially when he directs what he wrote.
Loved EIGHT MEN OUT, PASSION FISH and LIMBO and even LONE STAR. Like
Michael Apted, he seems to coax good performances from female actors (most
notably Alfre Woodard in PASSION FISH -- too bad, it was Mary McDonnel who
was nominated).

Franklin> Agreed. Lone Star, wow, what a complicated, provocative portrayal of a Texas town, family, era...

Franklin stated>I personally have never been able to "get" Alan Alda

Robert>I never did like Alan Alda, though I can watch a film with him on it
unlike, say Eddie Murphy, Melanie Griffith, Garry Shandling films.

Franklin> AGREED...lol

Franklin stated> Not that familiar with his clarinet playing. Apparently, obiously, at the VERY least serious, and respected hobbyiest there.

Robert>It was not really spectacular, his clarinet-playing, I mean, but he
sounded more studied than spontaneous. Same with the studied and
calculatedness of a Wynton Marsalis, but that's another story. And I like
both of them as musicians. Revealing myself musically again.

Franklin>Why make a small fortune at your TRUE gifts, if not to further explore other avenues of pleasure, expression, satisfaction?

Franklin stated>It IS revealing of your personality: you have both
>excellent taste AND high morals..LOL

Robert>Thanks though I am not sure Freud or Jung will agree with that assesment.

Franklin> Not to worry... they're both dead...;)

Franklin stated> Thanks for the post - really
 > enjoyed your thoughts.

Robert>Same with yours. Its weird how some of the things you said as asides
coincided with some of my own.

Franklin stated>BTY - I don't know why, but I do find it

 rather odd that Woody and Joni have never worked together in film.  They
 MUST know each other personally on some "artistic/personal"
 level. Wonder if he ever approached her to act in one of his fims?  For
 some reason, it wouldn't surprise me - nor her replying "not
 interested".  Who knows? Ah, the inherent worthlessness of
 conjecture!! hahaha

Robert>I can imagine the fidgety, panicky WA approaching a reticent and visibly unamused JM and asking her if she can star in his film. Now that you
mentioned it, I think Joni will do well as Alice in ALICE, or as WA's
better half in MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY, or Anjelica Huston's character in
CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, or maybe just as one of Hannah's sisters -- say,
Mia Farrow's character.

Franklin> Great imagination! I can see it all now too...lol

Franklin
NP Robbin Ford "Talk to Your Daughter" guitar "gods", what can ya' say - nothing! Just enjoy!!