Ever since I got a blu-ray player I revisit a lot of movies.
The ones that pre-date a decade shot on film and re-transferred to 1080p is
ridiculous. Let that be a lesson to you digital shooters, YOU’RE MOVIE IS NOT
GOING TO LOOK GOOD 10 YEARS FROM NOW. This is a fact.
I’m also a very cheap sonuvabitch, so I basically go to the
library to get movies. I’m really at the mercy of whatever they have. Tonight I
checked out “Stir Of Echoes” A Kevin Bacon movie written and directed by a
writer that did “Jurassic Park.” His name is David Koepp. I recall reading the
script for.
As I was watching "Stir...", I thought to myself that it held up nicely. I’m not one
for ghost spooky movies. Because they’re mostly corny. This seemed to focus
more on the family aspect. And there are a lot of funny moments. It really
enjoyed the idiosyncratic nature of family. In stressful issues, it’s not wrong
to crack wise here and there. Or draw attention to the silly. It’s a silly
ghost movie. But it’s also an amazing tightrope to negotiate. The movie does so
expertly. Not to say it doesn’t have issues, and most of the time it’s
frustrating, but it was a great watch. Enough for me to watch again with David
Koepp’s commentary.
As I was sitting there, for whatever reason it never dawned
on me when this movie was made. So I looked at the jewel case. I couldn’t
believe it. 1999. The year was 1999. I was on my way to graduate school. In
fact, I vaguely remember the VHS box at the video store (young folk…Google
VCR). It was amazing. There is a five year old in the movie. The fucker is
college age now. I kept wondering how was it possible this movie that looked
relatively fresh (had you never seen the movie before) passes for something
that could’ve been made today. The look was fine for today’s audience. There is
nothing in the frame that you could latch onto that would pin it to any era
(like the movie “Singles” ages BAD). It also got me thinking about what you do
in life does have a long reach. I think most people grow insane in this
business because it’s basically a time capsule of disaster. Potentially.
Imagine if for the rest of your life, you are pinned to an event. I’d hate to
be Leo from “Titanic.” I’m sure Leo can’t stand Jack. Probably never watched
that movie since. You see the terrible acting. And, for a movie that is a
period piece, it ages bad. Because of that fucking song. You know the one.
I think a lot of people in my business want to make
something that is timeless. Yes, it’s near impossible to create something in
its time that doesn’t eventually conjure up a period of time in someone’s life
when they watch it. But there is a universal truth filmmakers want to reach.
The “perfect movie” if you will. I think some would watch “The Godfather” and
latch onto the universal truth of family and the American Dream. For me, it was
always “The Apartment” (1960) Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine Best Picture
winner. This movie spoke to me in different periods of my life. But the
reoccurring idea is that life will give you what you need, not always what you
want. Disappointment is a lifelong thing, but there are also moments of sweetness.
That is genius. Watch it if you haven’t.
I just want to make a movie where it does come off as
honest. I really rack my brain a lot about plot heavy ideas when I should
really be dealing with characters. To be honest, I think a lot of times I’m too
shallow to dig real characters out. Character is SO engaging. Plot driven
becomes the bargain bin dual feature on some car wash DVD.
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