HarryWhat Are Films Found?
March 16th 2008 08:28
A classic example of this last case, came when The China Syndrome was released
Oh Plu-eeze
To me that seemed old hat and the real dangers of the nuclear threat were very conveniently swept under the rug in all the drama of the human struggle that they represented - which in the end, seemed to pose a much bigger threat than the nukes themselves – all neatly overcome as love saved the day. Not that it doesn;t mind, but we’re talking nuclear fallout here with a half-life much longer than either generation in this movie, not a spring shower. So disappointing.
That's more like it!
In my mind (to this day), this movie remains one of the best nuclear films I have ever seen, especially after finally seeing the '... Syndrome' *yawn* some years later. Its message, as powerfully unexpected and devastating as a ten-tonne yield of plutonium … and local, oh so local … the acting brilliant, the story full, real and disturbing (as it should be); and clearly in view against all the pragmatic human drama, the constant struggle against the usual political cover-ups and lies …and those who will risk all to ‘get the word out.’ All devastatingly chilling and including one of the best car chases of its day … but all sadly overlooked because of that other piece of ‘Fond(a) mediocre.’
In fact, I have yet to meet anyone who did see this version of The Chain Reaction and didn’t think it superior to that other one and one of the best films of it’s time (September 1980).
That’s what I call a Film Found… not to say that all my Films Found gems will come from the ubiquitous movie-goers ‘sin bin,’ quite the contrary … some just came ‘later’ because I didn’t have a chance to see them at the movies, at the time, or didn’t feel it was ‘me..’ Some who just came ahead of their time flopping like the USS Enterprise on her maiden voyage … However, the truth is that nine times out of ten, when I do finally get to see something everyone is raving about, I am usually disappointed so much, I want to argue at the popcorn stand for a refund.
So I go my own way.
As for Director know-how ((laughs)) …um … with the exception of Peter Weir’s magical ability for spectacular cinematography that makes my breath catch in my throat; Spielberg’s indomitable ‘magical sparkle;’ and Lucas’s emotional moral conscience; I’m not big on directors and who directs what, tending more to divine guidance to pick and choose my films for me, noting what is ‘illuminated’ to me when I am in the DVD shop and what is not. (Funnily enough the Celestine Prophesy is at this moment calling me from the shelves) …hergm … (where was I) … Oh yes, therefore, even though I could go to IMDb and copy/paste the directors name, it would still mean nothing to me, so Films Found are intensely personal jewels, mostly because of their timing in my life and because they became as valuable as a precious friend, despite popular opinion … in fact, Films Found will no doubt champion the underdog on several occasions, if my life is anything to go by.
As I said, I am no new movie reviewer, and for upcoming thrills and spills; like me, your time is better spent on the other brilliant orble sites likeFilmpeeker, JD’s Film and DVD Reviews, Movies and Life by Tracy, 20/20 Filmsight and Horrorphile, all providing really well written reviews (some bette rthan the films) for upcoming films of all types, by professional movie writers and semi-pro enthusiasts... (use links in red).
Here at ‘Films Found’ however, I am probably more about ‘looking back over,’ revisiting and remembering the affects of movies, which have had a profound effect on me personally and seeing if anyone else can resonate. Perhaps hoping too that I can pass on some of the magic I found in those obscure places, to those who may also be at the right time in life to enjoy them, whilst I get to ask of those who have seen them, how they affected you too?
Who knows, perhaps we’ll all learn some interesting tid-bits of info about the films or the actors, along the way. News is most welcome!
For this reason you can look at Films Found as an on-line, on-going experiment, if you will.
~oOo~
Note: Can anyone please clarify for me the proper use of affect and effect? I am just not getting it … (please note the second-last paragraph) I mean I get it, but … these two words seem so interchangeable in every way … one could say then; ‘…that which affects creates the effects we feel?’
Is that it?
Then why can a film affect me, as well as effect me?
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Great post and thanks for the kudo's.
I'm sure that I've already agreed on the quality of Chain Reaction, though I didn't mind China Syndrome either....I enjoy a good nuclear paranoia story...The Day After is another good one and Fail safe still stands as my fave.
On the effect versus affect side, grammartips.com sums it up well...
"Generally speaking, affect is a verb and effect is a
noun. When you affect something, you produce an effect on it. Even in the passive voice, something would be affected, not effected."
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
you are most welcome and thanks for stopping by and for the lovely compliment ... I haven't seen Fail Safe but will look it up. The Day After didn't impress me much either.
When I wrote this piece I remember thinking I bet you will be one of the few who have seen this film and probably enjoyed it too. I thought they did a bang-up job of that car chase... mainly because I used to drive on those roads myself and was well aware of their deceptive trechary...
Thanks for trying to clear up the affect thing... I still don't quite grasp it fully, but hey, the word "boundary' took me two years to find a definition that 'did it for me.' .. Although I must admit I do get the noun/verb part of it, that makes sense actually.
Thanks.
Lilla ...
Comment by Anonymous
not so for this it would appear
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Thanks for your comment... many should stay lost, I agree.. but not this one, true.
Lilla ...
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
...as a child of the 80s, I was delighted by many movies that I've now since forgotten. It's satisfying to see those movies again after so many years...
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
...and yes, *chuckle* and funny when those protype cgi effects were in use and you view them now... although the really good ones just don't date and I think that is the point perhaps.
I hope you've had the pleasure of this one? I recommend it to you if not, its Australian too, which is always a bonus.
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I've been meaning to comment all week, but kept getting lost in things. Thank-you for your compliment and mention, it's much appreciated.
I haven't seen The China Syndrome, but I know what you mean about stumbling across films. I find this often happens when flicking through World Movies and/or SBS. A couple that come to mind are Harry He's Here to Help and Brother's Keeper.
The new blog sounds great, looking forward to many more interesting reads.
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
My husband is dyslexic and so I tend to pass up the sub-titled films for the english speaking ones... sadly, to my loss, because there are some treasures... but little time, too. But that;s no excuse really and I have become lazy myself in this respect now too.
Your posts always serve as an inspiration for me to go and get something foreign again and i have enjoyed many of your recommendations.
I am delighted that you are also looking forward to some of mine and thank you for the encouragement.
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I can understand that time makes it hard to see films, time or lack of time can make it hard to do many things! Sometimes you can only do what you can do.
Thank-you again for your compliments, I'm glad that you enjoy my posts, I love doing them and listening to all the different opinions.
I'm looking forward to reading more of your found gems.
Have a lovely weekend,
Tracy