Masanobu Deme Films

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Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I have been re-reading my collection of books by historian John Julius Norwhich. I just completed his very good history on the Republic of venice. I think I will go back to his three volume history of the Byzantine Empire now. As you know English is not my main language so I always have two books going. A more serious book on history, philosophy, religion...which are difficult for me so I take my time. In my e-book I have my light easy scifi novels to change the my ideas a bit once the other book become's a little too much. It's a system that as been working well for me. It take's me a while to finish the serious books but that way I can understand them much better since I take my time.

Hello, Pat. I have Norwich's three volume history of the Byzantine Empire on my shelf. I have only read the first volume so far. I will get to the others before too long. I am an avid history reader, but my reading tends to come in "bunches" - I will read ancient/medieval history for a few months, then move on to the Renaissance/Age of Exploration for another few months, then the 20th Century, then the Old West, then back to ancient/medieval.

Last year, I read a very good biography of Samuel de Champlain called "Champlain's Dream" by David Hackett Fischer. Very engaging and well written book about the famous explorer, the founding of French Canada, and 17th Century France of Louis XIII.

[oildude]

I haven't read any science fiction in awhle, but my favorite sci-fi author since childhood has always been Ray Bradbury. Such a beautiful and poetic use of language. I was floored the first time I read "The Martian Chronicles".

Also read Herbert's original Dune trilogy a few years ago. Enjoyed it very much.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by oildude

I haven't read any science fiction in awhle, but my favorite sci-fi author since childhood has always been Ray Bradbury. Such a beautiful and poetic use of language. I was floored the first time I read "The Martian Chronicles".

Also read Herbert's original Dune trilogy a few years ago. Enjoyed it very much.

Fantastic writer.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by oildude

I haven't read any science fiction in awhle, but my favorite sci-fi author since childhood has always been Ray Bradbury. Such a beautiful and poetic use of language. I was floored the first time I read "The Martian Chronicles".

Also read Herbert's original Dune trilogy a few years ago. Enjoyed it very much.

Was wondering when someone would mention Ray Bradbury. That's a real reference from my childhood as well. He seemed to be everywhere at one point. The Wikipedia write-up on him is fascinating. His early influences, his literary and film associations are a veritable whos who of popular culture from the thirties through the sixties. Theodore Sturgeon, Arthur C. Clarke, Edgar Rice Burroughs. Edgar Rice Burroughs, how long has it been since we heard that name. I was eleven or twelve when I rabidly comsumed all of his Martian novels, Thuvia, Maid of Mars, et al.

Steinbeck, Aldous Huxley, Thomas Wolfe, Edith Wharton. He was a close friend of Ray Harryhausen whose passing was noted elsewhere this week, Gene Roddenberry was a close friend, his Farenheit451 was directed by Truffault, he worked with John Huston on the screen adaptation of the Gregory Peck Moby Dick. And on and on. And of course he gave us the wonderful "The Butterfly Effect" that sent all our imaginations soaring back in the day! The latter work of course receiving international nods and references including from Masanobu Deme in Toshigoro.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by oildude

Hello, Pat. I have Norwich's three volume history of the Byzantine Empire on my shelf. I have only read the first volume so far. I will get to the others before too long. I am an avid history reader, but my reading tends to come in "bunches" - I will read ancient/medieval history for a few months, then move on to the Renaissance/Age of Exploration for another few months, then the 20th Century, then the Old West, then back to ancient/medieval.

Last year, I read a very good biography of Samuel de Champlain called "Champlain's Dream" by David Hackett Fischer. Very engaging and well written book about the famous explorer, the founding of French Canada, and 17th Century France of Louis XIII.

I discovered Norwhich about 25 years ago, really enjoy how he explain things. It as details but does not make over difficult to the point where it become a boring text book that no one want's to finish.

Thanks for mentioning that book by David Hackett Fischer, I will look it up. Of course the history of French Canada is something I learn in school but would be fun the read something on the subject again with maybe a different view of thing beside the Francophone view of how it was.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I have always enjoyed Star Wars films. I have not read any of the novels, but I want to read the last three episodes. I have only heard good things about Asimov. Is there any films based on his novels?

I just notice I skip this post Fellini, sorry about that. The only Star Wars books who are movies are the 6 novels from the 6 movies, no other books were made into movies. One novel who would have made a great movie was Shadows Of The Empire, which take's place between Empire and Return Of The Jedi. It's a really good story. I wish they would stop having orgasms on Luke, the Rebellion and the clones for movies and just make movies about the Old Republic and the Old Sith Empire. Would be so much better instead of always making movies about the same group of family characters. I think we have seen enough of Luke, Anakin, Obiwan and the rest, give us something more. The Old Republic time as so much potential and so many interesting Jedi masters and Sith Lords that I find are way more interesting.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by rkish

I have a collection of his short stories on robots that is great! I haven't read it in years...maybe you've inspired me to pull it out and read me some...if only I can remember where I last left it.

The trouble a lot of people have with Asimov is that yes sometimes the stories feel a little dated. He wrote many of them in the 40's and 50's and even when he made new ones for his Robot/Empire/Foundation series his style remain simple and easy compared to other scifi authors. I truly enjoy Asimov.

[ShellOilJunior]

What a thread! This is like the Algonquin Round Table. Some good content in here and I don't have to skip over shipping notices.

Great idea!

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Was wondering when someone would mention Ray Bradbury. That's a real reference from my childhood as well. He seemed to be everywhere at one point. The Wikipedia write-up on him is fascinating. His early influences, his literary and film associations are a veritable whos who of popular culture from the thirties through the sixties. Theodore Sturgeon, Arthur C. Clarke, Edgar Rice Burroughs. Edgar Rice Burroughs, how long has it been since we heard that name. I was eleven or twelve when I rabidly comsumed all of his Martian novels, Thuvia, Maid of Mars, et al.

Steinbeck, Aldous Huxley, Thomas Wolfe, Edith Wharton. He was a close friend of Ray Harryhausen whose passing was noted elsewhere this week, Gene Roddenberry was a close friend, his Farenheit451 was directed by Truffault, he worked with John Huston on the screen adaptation of the Gregory Peck Moby Dick. And on and on. And of course he gave us the wonderful "The Butterfly Effect" that sent all our imaginations soaring back in the day! The latter work of course receiving international nods and references including from Masanobu Deme in Toshigoro.

Holy Shi*! I can't believe you were actually able to make a reference to Masanobu Deme! Congratulations! You have qualified this thread and have officially posted the very first "on topic" post.

Jay Stewart, do we have a parting gift, for this contestant!!!

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

What a thread! This is like the Algonquin Round Table. Some good content in here and I don't have to skip over shipping notices.

Great idea!

Thanks Shell! The place just didn't seem the same without you!

Enjoy!

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Was wondering when someone would mention Ray Bradbury. That's a real reference from my childhood as well. He seemed to be everywhere at one point. The Wikipedia write-up on him is fascinating. His early influences, his literary and film associations are a veritable whos who of popular culture from the thirties through the sixties. Theodore Sturgeon, Arthur C. Clarke, Edgar Rice Burroughs. Edgar Rice Burroughs, how long has it been since we heard that name. I was eleven or twelve when I rabidly comsumed all of his Martian novels, Thuvia, Maid of Mars, et al.

Steinbeck, Aldous Huxley, Thomas Wolfe, Edith Wharton. He was a close friend of Ray Harryhausen whose passing was noted elsewhere this week, Gene Roddenberry was a close friend, his Farenheit451 was directed by Truffault, he worked with John Huston on the screen adaptation of the Gregory Peck Moby Dick. And on and on. And of course he gave us the wonderful "The Butterfly Effect" that sent all our imaginations soaring back in the day! The latter work of course receiving international nods and references including from Masanobu Deme in Toshigoro.

Just to answer your question about Burroughs - In 2012 with the release of John Carter.

Unfortunately, the way the movie performed in the box office, we might not see a sequel.

Great synopsis on Bradbury. I can only say that have read only one book by him Fahrenheit 451 . 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 are the reasons way I still buy printed versions of books.

As Rich has mentioned, great tie in with Masanobu Deme.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I just notice I skip this post Fellini, sorry about that. The only Star Wars books who are movies are the 6 novels from the 6 movies, no other books were made into movies. One novel who would have made a great movie was Shadows Of The Empire, which take's place between Empire and Return Of The Jedi. It's a really good story. I wish they would stop having orgasms on Luke, the Rebellion and the clones for movies and just make movies about the Old Republic and the Old Sith Empire. Would be so much better instead of always making movies about the same group of family characters. I think we have seen enough of Luke, Anakin, Obiwan and the rest, give us something more. The Old Republic time as so much potential and so many interesting Jedi masters and Sith Lords that I find are way more interesting.

Thank you for your response. It will be interesting what Disney will do with the rights to Star Wars. I totally agree that Star Wars franchise from the movie aspect needs to find a different perspective. It would be interesting to learn more about the Jedi and Sith history.

Now that we are talking about sci fi, I feel that H.P. Lovercraft usually is left off lists of sci fi writers. The Color Out of Space and Rats in the Walls carry some science fiction weight. I guess he is remembered more for his suspense/horror short stories. One could argue that Prometheus is an adaptation of The Call of Cthulhu

[P@t_Mtl]

I have this huge book, the complete Lovecraft, his stories were so amazing. It's the typeof horror I enjoy, no need for organs being ripped off, Lovecraft would scare you with your own mind

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I have this huge book, the complete Lovecraft, his stories were so amazing. It's the typeof horror I enjoy, no need for organs being ripped off, Lovecraft would scare you with your own mind

Very true. Today's horror films do not hold a candle up to Lovercraft's stories, especially the "gross-out" horror films.

[ElliesDad]

So, after the Odyssean adventure of trying to secure Léon Morin from Amazon after it was declared out-of-print, and then available, and then out-of-print again it did arrive pristine and unsullied and I did have the pleasure of seeing it for the first time last week.

And what an absolute treat! Watched it with my wife, who was, incidently, a serving nun for some eight years, until her late twenties, and who has served as my expert par excellence in all things canonical since our marriage a few years after that, and we both enjoyed it immensely. My only previous experience, in my limited classical film experience overall, with Jean-Paul Belmondo, was in Breathless and I was never very fond of him in that role. As Léon though he is absolutely mesmorizing. It's impossible to take your eyes from him. And the lovely Emmanuelle Riva serves as a perfect counterfoil to his detached and disciplined personna. I'm not sure if I could imagine another actess who could play her role with such wonderful subtlety, or if I would want to. The two of them provide a superb example of the ability of two fine actors to compel and fascinate with only body language, facial expression, and a wonderfully crafted, smart, thought-provoking script.

Have spent some time in small stone parochial French eglises as well as in the great cathedrals~ it's wonderful to take a few minutes out of the day, and out of the hot sun, during travels, just to sit in the cool, subdued, rarifed light and reflect quietly. The church scenes in Léon took me back to that and for that alone I loved this picture.

Oh dear! So hard to avoid hyperbole! and apologies to all of you to whom this is all old hat! Anyway, thank you again Fellini for giving me that last little push.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

So, after the Odyssean adventure of trying to secure Léon Morin from Amazon after it was declared out-of-print, and then available, and then out-of-print again it did arrive pristine and unsullied and I did have the pleasure of seeing it for the first time last week.

And what an absolute treat! Watched it with my wife, who was, incidently, a serving nun for some eight years, until her late twenties, and who has served as my expert par excellence in all things canonical since our marriage a few years after that, and we both enjoyed it immensely. My only previous experience, in my limited classical film experience overall, with Jean-Paul Belmondo, was in Breathless and I was never very fond of him in that role. As Léon though he is absolutely mesmorizing. It's impossible to take your eyes from him. And the lovely Emmanuelle Riva serves as a perfect counterfoil to his detached and disciplined personna. I'm not sure if I could imagine another actess who could play her role with such wonderful subtlety, or if I would want to. The two of them provide a superb example of the ability of two fine actors to compel and fascinate with only body language, facial expression, and a wonderfully crafted, smart, thought-provoking script.

Have spent some time in small stone parochial French eglises as well as in the great cathedrals~ it's wonderful to take a few minutes out of the day, and out of the hot sun, during travels, just to sit in the cool, subdued, rarifed light and reflect quietly. The church scenes in Léon took me back to that and for that alone I loved this picture.

Oh dear! So hard to avoid hyperbole! and apologies to all of you to whom this is all old hat! Anyway, thank you again Fellini for giving me that last little push.

Enjoyed reading this, and a very nice write-up. Leon Morin, Priest has been one of my favorites in the collection since I first watched it last year. It sat on my shelf for many months because I never felt in the mood to watch it, but when I finally did I was completely enthralled. To me, it is Melville's finest and most mature film. I especially appreciate the respectful way it treats faith, and have written about that a few times in the old Criterion thread. I also appreciate its historical accurate portrayal of the times and the snapshot it provides of life in a Vichy town. Just an all-around wonderful film.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

So, after the Odyssean adventure of trying to secure Léon Morin from Amazon after it was declared out-of-print, and then available, and then out-of-print again it did arrive pristine and unsullied and I did have the pleasure of seeing it for the first time last week.

And what an absolute treat! Watched it with my wife, who was, incidently, a serving nun for some eight years, until her late twenties, and who has served as my expert par excellence in all things canonical since our marriage a few years after that, and we both enjoyed it immensely. My only previous experience, in my limited classical film experience overall, with Jean-Paul Belmondo, was in Breathless and I was never very fond of him in that role. As Léon though he is absolutely mesmorizing. It's impossible to take your eyes from him. And the lovely Emmanuelle Riva serves as a perfect counterfoil to his detached and disciplined personna. I'm not sure if I could imagine another actess who could play her role with such wonderful subtlety, or if I would want to. The two of them provide a superb example of the ability of two fine actors to compel and fascinate with only body language, facial expression, and a wonderfully crafted, smart, thought-provoking script.

Have spent some time in small stone parochial French eglises as well as in the great cathedrals~ it's wonderful to take a few minutes out of the day, and out of the hot sun, during travels, just to sit in the cool, subdued, rarifed light and reflect quietly. The church scenes in Léon took me back to that and for that alone I loved this picture.

Oh dear! So hard to avoid hyperbole! and apologies to all of you to whom this is all old hat! Anyway, thank you again Fellini for giving me that last little push.

No problem, I am glad your wife and you enjoyed the film. I agree with your comment.

My main reason that I believe the movie was stellar is

[Show spoiler]it does not go down the beaten path of the fallen priest cliché story. I believe Melville knew that the audience was expecting a romance to occur, and Leon to break his vows- he did not give in. Many movies from Europe in the 60s ponder the loss of faith. Melville puts this concept on it's head, and makes an atheist communist regain her faith.

Melville has a tendency to challenge stereotypes and clichés, such as the good German in Le Silence de la Mer. He might be challenging Bergman's ideas with Leon, an antithesis of Winter Light.

In the end, I really love this film.

[P@t_Mtl]

I like Jean Paul Belmondo so I am hard push to pick one role where he is best but he was amazing in Leon Morin

[TJS_Blu]

exiled to the Movies>Movies forum. Is that a bad thing?

[rkish]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

exiled to the Movies>Movies forum. Is that a bad thing?

I think it might actually be a good thing. It hides us even more from prying eyes.

I just stopped by the old neighborhood...sad...not one vet left. I think we bailed at a good time.