It's so hard, isn't it, to fall into a good show? And I find lately it's also hard to watch things I've already seen. I feel sometimes like I'm full, and worse, that I filled up on the cinematic equivalent of bread.
Jul 31, 2022·edited Jul 31, 2022Liked by Greg Olear
If you haven't already done so, be sure to also watch the feature-length movie Irma Vep, that Assayas made with Maggie Cheung in the title role. Also available on HBO Max. It is fantastic.
I’d like to recommend “The Hunt for the Wilderpeople” written and directed by Taika Waititi. Set in New Zealand, it’s a journey movie, both through the beautiful New Zealand countryside and through life. And as many Waititi movies are, it’s quirky. Added plus, most of the cast members are Māori. You can find it on Netflix. And for a series, try “ Borgen,” also on Netflix, including the new season, “Borgen Power and Glory.” It’s mostly in Danish and shows the political ins and outs of a multi-party parliamentary system, where women are often in charge.
Jul 31, 2022·edited Jul 31, 2022Liked by Greg Olear
Oh, Greg, I loved Irma Vep, and I came to watch it the same way as you. I was focused on Mira. At first I couldn't understand why Alicia Vikander, who has played rather stoic roles, would do this silly thing. Here are the gems I took away: Mira had been "played" by her love interests, who were attracted to her fame and wealth. Although, because of a same-sex relationship, she was both teased and sought after, she did not define her sexuality by that romance, but rather simply that she fell in love. Her role gave her a taste of super-power and the ability to overhear what her lovers really thought of her. That was liberating for her and helped her regain her "footing" (that metaphor was abundant) and move on to a wonderful new character. Yes, "Rene" was also great. Good call, Greg.
Ha! Please tell your wife that I had the exact same reaction to "The Staircase". I thought it looked interesting so I started watching the first episode and a few minutes in, I turned it off - I couldn't watch anymore of it. Those opening scenes were so disturbing. I stopped watching "blockbuster" movies many years ago. Mostly because of the proliferation of guns/gunfights. Not how I want to spend my time. I will give Irma Vep a chance. Thank you for the recommendation!
I know you said you didn’t want to watch it Greg, though the serial version of Station Eleven was every bit as good as the book. If you liked Irma Vep, you will very much appreciate Station Eleven.
Jul 31, 2022·edited Jul 31, 2022Liked by Greg Olear
I have not seen Irma Vep, nor have I seen The Gray Man. However, barely a day goes by without at least a moment’s reflection about hope vs. despair.
My science fiction, ideal society Story Project is an antidote to the havoc and despair human civilization is wreaking on this world. Anyone, absolutely anyone, can identify and yabber on and on about humanity’s damage and discord. What we need is a whole lot more stories about redemption, joy and hope.
The news, like the superficial and meaningless commercial slop “The Gray Man,” is saturated with doom and gloom because that makes money.
Hence my commitment to producing a story that brings hope and joy, the prospect of a happy world.
It’s not out of the question. A world where we live happily ever after is in the realm of possibility. Humans get attached to a story, and then that story becomes their dream, if not their reality.
So, until my story is complete, picture a world where the population levels drop dramatically to early 20th century levels, and where for-profit capitalism transforms gradually into cooperatives and worker-owned companies.
I firmly believe that humanity has come out of a Kali Yuga cycle and is on the upswing into a new Golden Age. Probably hundreds of years away still, but at the rate of change these days, it could be quicker.
Are you writing a book or a screenplay or what? I liked this essay so much, I tagged an indie maker friend of mine when I posted it. I suspect he will agree with Greg as he would with your last paragraph!
You nailed it, Greg. The Black Death is part of the longer down cycle which is the Kali Yuga. Kali is fire, as in “trial by fire.” “Yuga” (akin to Nordic “Jul” or English “Yule”) is a turning point: the Yule is the turning of the seasons in a year, whereas the Yuga is the turning point in an age of human history, measured in thousands of years (the 2nd syllable of Yuga corresponds to the final 2 letters in the word “age”). Humanity is coming out of a dark age and steadily advancing into a bright age, a golden age. We are still in the trial by fire stage, but the trials are easing, imperceptibly slowly.
I never watched the Staircase, but I never needed to. I've had co-workers tell me how great it was (I looked up the actors-- yes I like them all) but the true story & the real guy behind the story is atrocious. Then my co-workers proceeded to tell me about the "Owl theory" -- a quack theory that an owl got her on the balcony made up by the accused's neighbor. (Now it's a running joke in my house).
I just had to stop them in their tracks.
An owl attack? It is as implausible as anything I've ever heard in my life. *sigh*
I can't wait to watch Irma Vep. Thanks for the recommendation.
I miss the days when all I did all day, everyday as a youth was try to learn about artists of all kinds.
Our creative people are our most valuable asset as a society and I feel as if one side is trying to assimilate us all into one box.
Agreed; all these never ending action/total destruction movies are grating on the nerves, not at all entertaining & in fact quite boring. They also aren’t very imaginative since we see the real deal on tv everyday. No matter how attractive Gosling is, I may have to pass on more gratuitous violence; but since I love Vikander & your review piqued my interest I will definitely give it a listen.
One hour later: I watched Euphoria by mistake…lol.
Yes, good parenting decision. You do not want your kids under any circumstances to view Euphoria as it glamorises drug dealing and teenage addiction two things I can unfortunately relate to. Not sure if Zendaya is writing from experience but she is good. I’ll eventually watch Gray Men although it sounds rather mundane. I do like against seeing actors work against type casting though. I may binge watch Irma Vep tonight because cat suits , movies within movies, Paris, & Alicia vikander sounds a bit entertaining. Thx for the review!
It's so hard, isn't it, to fall into a good show? And I find lately it's also hard to watch things I've already seen. I feel sometimes like I'm full, and worse, that I filled up on the cinematic equivalent of bread.
I assume you all already watched Station Eleven?
HBO ... : )
Find El Ganzo or Occupying Ed.
Thanks, I will1
If you haven't already done so, be sure to also watch the feature-length movie Irma Vep, that Assayas made with Maggie Cheung in the title role. Also available on HBO Max. It is fantastic.
I'm half an hour in. I wanted to watch a bit of it before I wrote this. It's strange to watch it so soon after the series, but it's very good.
Thank you! I have HBO Max and I've seen the title when I channel surf through HBO. Now I will watch it!
Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you!
I’d like to recommend “The Hunt for the Wilderpeople” written and directed by Taika Waititi. Set in New Zealand, it’s a journey movie, both through the beautiful New Zealand countryside and through life. And as many Waititi movies are, it’s quirky. Added plus, most of the cast members are Māori. You can find it on Netflix. And for a series, try “ Borgen,” also on Netflix, including the new season, “Borgen Power and Glory.” It’s mostly in Danish and shows the political ins and outs of a multi-party parliamentary system, where women are often in charge.
Wilderpeople was terrific.
Thanks. I like his stuff generally.
Oh, Greg, I loved Irma Vep, and I came to watch it the same way as you. I was focused on Mira. At first I couldn't understand why Alicia Vikander, who has played rather stoic roles, would do this silly thing. Here are the gems I took away: Mira had been "played" by her love interests, who were attracted to her fame and wealth. Although, because of a same-sex relationship, she was both teased and sought after, she did not define her sexuality by that romance, but rather simply that she fell in love. Her role gave her a taste of super-power and the ability to overhear what her lovers really thought of her. That was liberating for her and helped her regain her "footing" (that metaphor was abundant) and move on to a wonderful new character. Yes, "Rene" was also great. Good call, Greg.
Ooo, that is an excellent analysis. I like it. Especially the part about the footing! I wish I'd thought of that...
Ha! Please tell your wife that I had the exact same reaction to "The Staircase". I thought it looked interesting so I started watching the first episode and a few minutes in, I turned it off - I couldn't watch anymore of it. Those opening scenes were so disturbing. I stopped watching "blockbuster" movies many years ago. Mostly because of the proliferation of guns/gunfights. Not how I want to spend my time. I will give Irma Vep a chance. Thank you for the recommendation!
Thanks, Gail. I told her!
I don't know what the answer is to all of this, but there is clearly an audience for pictures that are NOT two hours of explosions.
Vet. Sorry. Too layered and fragmented. Gray Man. Outstanding Y Chromosome filled.
VEP.
Excellent recommendation, Greg. Thank you. Will start watching tonight.
Back at you, the multi-national collaboration detective noir: The Pleasure Principle
One of the best tv detective series of all time, ... in my rarely humble opinion ...
Great script, dialogue, direction, superb camera. Tick all the boxes.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7678042/reference/
Thanks for the rec!
I know you said you didn’t want to watch it Greg, though the serial version of Station Eleven was every bit as good as the book. If you liked Irma Vep, you will very much appreciate Station Eleven.
Thanks, Stephen. I've heard that from multiple sources. I'm very glad that it's good. The novel deserves that.
I have not seen Irma Vep, nor have I seen The Gray Man. However, barely a day goes by without at least a moment’s reflection about hope vs. despair.
My science fiction, ideal society Story Project is an antidote to the havoc and despair human civilization is wreaking on this world. Anyone, absolutely anyone, can identify and yabber on and on about humanity’s damage and discord. What we need is a whole lot more stories about redemption, joy and hope.
The news, like the superficial and meaningless commercial slop “The Gray Man,” is saturated with doom and gloom because that makes money.
Hence my commitment to producing a story that brings hope and joy, the prospect of a happy world.
It’s not out of the question. A world where we live happily ever after is in the realm of possibility. Humans get attached to a story, and then that story becomes their dream, if not their reality.
So, until my story is complete, picture a world where the population levels drop dramatically to early 20th century levels, and where for-profit capitalism transforms gradually into cooperatives and worker-owned companies.
I firmly believe that humanity has come out of a Kali Yuga cycle and is on the upswing into a new Golden Age. Probably hundreds of years away still, but at the rate of change these days, it could be quicker.
Are you writing a book or a screenplay or what? I liked this essay so much, I tagged an indie maker friend of mine when I posted it. I suspect he will agree with Greg as he would with your last paragraph!
Both. Book and screenplay.
Good! Let us know when available, please!
I will, I promise. Cross my heart.
Thanks for this, Roland. Keep it up. We need it!
The Renaissance began in Florence in the 1350s, a few years after the Black Death killed a third of Europe. So...there's hope for us? Ugh.
Nice reframe?
You nailed it, Greg. The Black Death is part of the longer down cycle which is the Kali Yuga. Kali is fire, as in “trial by fire.” “Yuga” (akin to Nordic “Jul” or English “Yule”) is a turning point: the Yule is the turning of the seasons in a year, whereas the Yuga is the turning point in an age of human history, measured in thousands of years (the 2nd syllable of Yuga corresponds to the final 2 letters in the word “age”). Humanity is coming out of a dark age and steadily advancing into a bright age, a golden age. We are still in the trial by fire stage, but the trials are easing, imperceptibly slowly.
Are these on VHS? I have a tape player.
The coat hanger antenna in my RV doesn't
pull in much out here in the desert.
I suspect Olivier Assayas owns a copy on VHS.
I never watched the Staircase, but I never needed to. I've had co-workers tell me how great it was (I looked up the actors-- yes I like them all) but the true story & the real guy behind the story is atrocious. Then my co-workers proceeded to tell me about the "Owl theory" -- a quack theory that an owl got her on the balcony made up by the accused's neighbor. (Now it's a running joke in my house).
I just had to stop them in their tracks.
An owl attack? It is as implausible as anything I've ever heard in my life. *sigh*
I can't wait to watch Irma Vep. Thanks for the recommendation.
I miss the days when all I did all day, everyday as a youth was try to learn about artists of all kinds.
Our creative people are our most valuable asset as a society and I feel as if one side is trying to assimilate us all into one box.
I heard that too about the owls, but also that it is almost certainly what happened. I guess it's a HOO Dunnit, ha ha ha.
Hope you enjoy Vep!
Agreed; all these never ending action/total destruction movies are grating on the nerves, not at all entertaining & in fact quite boring. They also aren’t very imaginative since we see the real deal on tv everyday. No matter how attractive Gosling is, I may have to pass on more gratuitous violence; but since I love Vikander & your review piqued my interest I will definitely give it a listen.
One hour later: I watched Euphoria by mistake…lol.
I've heard good things about Euphoria, but we tried it, and not for me. It's to triggering, as I have kids that age.
One of the frustrations about Gray Man is that Gosling -- and Chris Evans as the villain -- are quite good. It's such a waste.
Yes, good parenting decision. You do not want your kids under any circumstances to view Euphoria as it glamorises drug dealing and teenage addiction two things I can unfortunately relate to. Not sure if Zendaya is writing from experience but she is good. I’ll eventually watch Gray Men although it sounds rather mundane. I do like against seeing actors work against type casting though. I may binge watch Irma Vep tonight because cat suits , movies within movies, Paris, & Alicia vikander sounds a bit entertaining. Thx for the review!
I'll have to wait for the DVD. I haven't turned my TV on in 54 months. I quit watching it altogether as i seldom watched it anyway.
Besides i heard Walter Winchell died.
Thank you, headed for this soon. As I appreciate every word you write, I will love Irma Vep
Enjoy!