tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post6341104422865198180..comments2024-03-14T02:13:38.885-04:00Comments on Radiator Heaven: DominoJ.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11823190634186509982noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-64456232064324437952011-05-31T15:31:50.633-04:002011-05-31T15:31:50.633-04:00Will:
Thank you for the compliment. Never been a ...Will:<br /><br />Thank you for the compliment. Never been a huge fan of Knightley's but I really love the work she did in this film and THE JACKET, which I can't recommend highly enough.<br /><br />I agree somewhat with what you're saying about the environment of the film driving the picture as opposed to Domino herself. I think that is true to a certain degree but after all she does narrate the film and is in almost every scene so I do think she dominates. That being said, there is so much going on that sometimes her character does tend to get lost among the mayhem. Sometimes, I think that's the point, other times, it may be clunky filmmaking (screenwriting?). Not sure. But it is still a fun film.<br /><br />And I agree with ya on Brian Austin Green. Who woulda thunk?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-21136768530010174302011-05-31T00:42:19.473-04:002011-05-31T00:42:19.473-04:00Great review (as always),
I admit to seeing this ...Great review (as always),<br /><br />I admit to seeing this film for more shallow purposes. From Pirates until Atonement I had the biggest crush on Keira Knightley. So I saw this more for her then anything else.<br /><br />And she didn't dissapoint. My problem with the film was that despite being told from Domino's perspective and being, essentially, about her. . .it was the surrounding environment that drove the picture. It's almost called Domino just because the framing device involves Domino.<br /><br />Like almost every Batman flick, Domino is simply there to propel the story while almost every single surrounding character is more exuberant, fleshed out, and all together more interesting. And, as you mentioned, the filming style takes prime position over Domino as well.<br /><br />I still own it and I do enjoy it. And I thought Brian Austin Green was f-ing brilliant (I can't believe I just said that!).<br /><br />Don't get me started on Deja Vu, my poster film for 'what the hell????' cinema.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072610919547161461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-63070478409899216032011-05-19T10:17:11.846-04:002011-05-19T10:17:11.846-04:00Brent:
I agree that the film is about the adrenal...Brent:<br /><br />I agree that the film is about the adrenaline rush and is purposely jumpy and trippy. I really feel that Scott is trying to create something different than your standard biopic and for some he went too far out but that's what I like about this film.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comments!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-7315690786489572672011-05-16T12:52:05.454-04:002011-05-16T12:52:05.454-04:00There's no doubt that Tony Scott is a capable ...There's no doubt that Tony Scott is a capable director. He's made some fine films including Domino, and his more mainstream films, well, I can understand wanting to pay the bills. If "Top Gun" must exist for "Man on Fire" to exist, then so be it. I didn't realize he was RIdley's brother, but that's a cool link. I remember Knightly in this very well, as her strong performance makes a big impression. Sure, it's jumpy and trippy, but it doesn't claim to be otherwise, and it makes sense for a film that's essentially about adrenaline. Great thoughts on it, and what great pieces of back story! Well done as usual!INDBrenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11606473452389713844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-18451666383544604892011-05-16T11:57:02.925-04:002011-05-16T11:57:02.925-04:00Cadet:
Thank you for your lengthy and well-though...Cadet:<br /><br />Thank you for your lengthy and well-thought out comments! That really made my day.<br /><br />I agree with you that Tony certainly takes more chances visually than his brother Ridley but I think that Ridley is more interesting in terms of all the different genres he tackles and his success rate with them, which I find is better than Tony but that's just me. I do enjoy several of Tony's films, probably TRUE ROMANCE the most and the surreal buddy action film that is THE LAST BOY SCOUT. <br /><br />As for DEJA VU. I did actually like that one as well. And you're right about its car chase which was pretty cool and very unusual in its execution.<br /><br />Thank you for the kind words and I certainly agree that Tony Scott is enjoying something of a reappraisal of sorts. I think if you're around long enough, your films begin to get re-evaluated and this seems to be the case with him.<br /><br /><br />le0pard13:<br /><br />Ah, good to see another admirer of this film. I'm glad you enjoyed this review and thanks for stopping by, my friend.<br /><br /><br />John Kenneth Muir:<br /><br />I avoided this film for a long time as well. Not only because of it being a Scott film but I was not a huge fan of Keira Knightley. But thanks to cable TV showing it over and over again and combined with nothing being on at times when it was on I ended up watching it a few times and it wore me down the more times I watched it until I really started to think it was a misunderstood gem of a film.<br /><br />"I always write on my blog about the highest aesthetic value in the technological art of film: the visual form of the thing reflecting or augmenting content."<br /><br />Well said! I do believe that DOMINO works on this level.<br /><br />Thank you so much for the praise. It means a lot. I hope you check out DOMINO and I am very curious to know what you think of it.<br /><br /><br />The Sci-Fi Fanatic:<br /><br />So, not a big fan of this film, eh? I will cop to also being a bit of a Richard Kelly apologist. I really dig his films - even the much maligned SOUTHLAND TALES and his script certainly features his personal stamp.<br /><br />And you're right about the radical difference between the Scott brothers. That's why I do prefer Ridley over Tony most of the time.<br /><br />I certainly respect your view and understand how you feel. The film is a narrative mess and goes all over the place but for me that is part of its charm.<br /><br /><br />The Film Connoisseur:<br /><br />Not a fan, eh? Yeah, I tried to get into MAN ON FIRE but really wasn't a big fan of it but maybe I need to revisit it.<br /><br />And yes, DOMINO is a huge mess of a film and I that's why I love it. It lets things all hang out and seem to do it deliberately in a cinematic punk rock kinda way, which I don't know if that makes sense but that's how I feel about it. It's a crazy film and I think that's the point - chaos and madness all swirling together into this very personal film for Scott.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and for the compliments.<br /><br /><br />Sam Juliano:<br /><br />Hey there! Thanks for stopping by and for leaving such heartfelt comments.<br /><br /><br />Jake:<br /><br />Awesome comments! I agree with it being a brazenly experimental film and amazing that it was actually released out into the mainstream. That's why I felt it had a kinship, of sorts, to NATURAL BORN KILLERS. Or maybe even FIGHT CLUB. These deeply subversive highly visually experimental films given mainstream releases. Every so often that happens and it is usually interesting to see the results.<br /><br />"That shot of Knightley's face illuminated by muzzle flash (and obvious lighting) at the end stick with me for how much it continues to look at her in the middle of a shootout."<br /><br />Great example. I agree.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-64007412328032574132011-05-15T23:52:47.262-04:002011-05-15T23:52:47.262-04:00Great post, J.D. I reviewed the film a while ago a...Great post, J.D. I reviewed the film a while ago and found it to be one of the most brazenly experimental mainstream films ever released and a better capture of Kelly's ambition than his own films, which mire his drive with bad execution. It's an explosion of style and Scott's focus on tics and gestures over grand action. That shot of Knightley's face illuminated by muzzle flash (and obvious lighting) at the end stick with me for how much it continues to look at her in the middle of a shootout.<br /><br />I still think Deja Vu and Unstoppable are better films (the former being one of the best films of the decade), but Domino holds up a lot better than I thought it would.Jake Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15532951308638768249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-13081594307211250642011-05-15T22:42:50.727-04:002011-05-15T22:42:50.727-04:00I have to say that I concur with Francisco on this...I have to say that I concur with Francisco on this one.<br /><br />Re: your final paragraph. I completely agree, as Sam mentions, but truth or fiction isn't the problem with this film. It just feels very disjointed. I understand it is not trating the narrative with any kind of traditional approach, but it just never came together for me. Even the sum of all of these wildly odd parts just never worked.<br /><br />Anyway, fascinating to read and some wonderful additional commentary here. A controversial film to cover from the standpoint of the artist. I like the conversation about it and the different opinions.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-10288869375711583862011-05-15T21:59:22.158-04:002011-05-15T21:59:22.158-04:00Some great comments here J.D. And a towering, exh...Some great comments here J.D. And a towering, exhaustive essay, p[ar for the course at this place. I have seen other Tony Scott films, but not DOMINO, which in view of your considerable praise is rather unfortunate. I think you make a very good point when you say that it doesn't really matter all that much as to what's true or not.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-40566625810309481952011-05-15T18:06:54.457-04:002011-05-15T18:06:54.457-04:00Im not a huge fan of Tony Scott, with the exceptio...Im not a huge fan of Tony Scott, with the exception of The Hunger, all his films are purely commercial. Last one I saw Unstoppable...well, I hated it every step of the way, same goes for Man on Fire...I dont know, I just dont like the stories he chooses to tell, and how he tells them. <br /><br />Domino to me was a huge mess of a film, I couldnt really grasp what it was about, since I couldnt connect with it, and it was so incomprehensible...I gave up on it. I wouldnt mind giving it a rewatch though, to see if I feel the same way now. <br /><br />Great review dude.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-80681438327731991052011-05-15T16:17:24.665-04:002011-05-15T16:17:24.665-04:00A strong post as always J.D..
I found the in dep...A strong post as always J.D.. <br /><br />I found the in depth read of the film fascinating, mainly because I disliked the picture so much.<br /><br />I was so disappointed after seeing it. I had hoped for so much more. You make a great case for a reinvestigation.<br /><br />I love Enemy Of The State, Man On Fire and other Tony Scott efforts and while I find comparisons between Ridley and Tony interesting they really do approach film quite differently which is why I often never think of one when I am watching the other.<br /><br />Anyway, a wonderful piece and certainly an artistic film that I never appreciated in the same way as yourself. <br /><br />There was loads of information here I simply didn't know. Keep up the great work and feel free to cover more Tony Scott in the future. Love it. Best, SffSFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-48655495357849020812011-05-15T08:30:38.219-04:002011-05-15T08:30:38.219-04:00J.D.
I have eagerly anticipated your review of Do...J.D.<br /><br />I have eagerly anticipated your review of Domino since we discussed it some time ago ( I think when I reviewed Scott's Unstoppable...). Domino is a film I avoided in theaters, largely because of the reviews (many of which you post), but I have always been curious about it.<br /><br />In short, you don't disappoint.<br /><br />You have constructed a strong and compelling argument here for the film's artistic merit, and now I'm definitely adding it to my queue. I always write on my blog about the highest aesthetic value in the technological art of film: the visual form of the thing reflecting or augmenting content. Based on your carefully constructed points here, it sounds like Domino achieves that apex.<br /> <br />You've written hundreds of amazing retrospectives here, but this is really one of your absolute best: a deft, engaging blend of background detail and critical evaluation.<br /><br />Bravo!<br /><br />best,<br />JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-70130049877122331222011-05-13T23:33:23.727-04:002011-05-13T23:33:23.727-04:00So glad to see this post return from Blogger limbo...So glad to see this post return from Blogger limbo, J.D. You've provided a wonderful and thoughtful dissection of this film. I know it should be the worst film in Tony Scott's catalog because of his traits and excesses. But damnit, I agree it works because of those attributes. It's why I hold on to this DVD in my video library. All of those aspects you cite in your piece make it an underrated film. Great spotlight, my friend. Thanks.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-68152618234297953872011-05-13T20:28:38.615-04:002011-05-13T20:28:38.615-04:00Tony Scott is one of my favorite directors. There’...Tony Scott is one of my favorite directors. There’s a lot I have to say about the guy, too much to cover in this comment post. <br /><br />First of all, as much as I love <i><b> Alien</b></i>, <i><b>Blade Runner</b></i>, <i><b>Legend</b></i> and, to a slightly lesser extent, <i><b>Thelma & Louis</b></i>, the much underrated <i><b>White Squall</b></i> and the silly but fun <i><b>Black Rain</b></i>… I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that brother Ridley is not nearly the daring artist as kid brother Tony. Armond White, of all people, once said of the two (non verbatim) that Ridley Scott is but a mere window-dresser of big themes while Tony Scott goes further to match hyperactive visuals with intricate storytelling. <br /><br />I agree. Tony Scott is genuine experimentalist of genre. I’ve always loved his work, even back in the heyday of his most superficial, pink-hued popcorn films like <i><b>Days of Thunder</b></i>, but ever since <i><b>Spy Games</b></i> his filmography has become all the more evident of possessing the “mad artist’s touch”. One point I disagree with you on is that his juiced-up style of the past decade is not just some placation to today’s ADD youth audience. <br /><br />The visual/editorial style he applied <i><b>Déjà Vu</b></i> masterfully tied into the film’s story and themes. Check out this elaborate review on the film to gain a second opinion: http://www.cinema-scope.com/cs29/feat_peransonandhuber_scott.html. <br /><br />That movie features one of the most exciting and innovative car chases ever filmed, and I much prefer it to surprisingly similar <i><b>Source Code</b></i> (seriously, compare the plot points and be stunned) and even Spielberg’s <i><b>Minority Report</b></i>. <br /><br />Truth be told, and after surfing the blogosphere, there seems to be something of a rising awareness and re-evaluation for Tony Scott, in the classic ‘auteur theory’ style. And that makes me happy because I strongly feel an appreciation for the director is long overdue. Your review for <i><b>Domino</b></i> is very well thought out and provides on of the more thorough insights as to how the film came together production-wise and the complex alchemy of its visual design. It really is one hell of a movie – bizarre in the way works precisely because it <i>doesn’t</i> work. It’s a classic example of a “love it or hate it”. Personally, I love it. <br /><br />Of course, my infatuation and Darwinian lust for Keira Knightley is probably a determining factor as well.Cadethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09378212224451377855noreply@blogger.com