Three For Fun

*** 04.19.09 - La Dolce Vita... 1960... Director Federico Fellini

Where do I begin? Federico Fellini creates a stunning visual film. Shot in black and white, it is beautiful to look at without the audio. But turn off the audio and you lose the score by Nino Rota which adds a beautiful layer to the film.

Let me warn you, the story does not follow in the lines of a traditional film. This film is considered the split for Fellini breaking away from his earlier "Neo-Realist" films and his later "Art" films. The film is more of a series of vignettes if you will, with Marcello Mastroianni as the lead character in the film, playing the role of a "tabloid" journalist. There is one scene, that even if you've not seen the film you may recognize, thanks to Anita Ekberg and the Trevi Fountains.

I was bummed because when I got this DVD from Netflix, the film on screen said, "Pop in disc two for more DVD extras." Well there wasn't a second DVD and I missed out on what other extras there were. There are some on the first DVD and they're good, but I wanted more.

I never saw this film growing up or in film school for some reason. I don't know that I would have understood it any better then, than now, but it definitely would have had an affect on how I shoot things visually. It's worth getting a hold of and taking a look at.

*** 04.16.09 - Desperado... 1995... Robert Rodriguez

"Desperado," is considered part two of Rodriguez's Mexican Trilogy, "El Mariachi, Desperado, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico" This is also his second film and like Kevin Smith with "Mallrats," this time Rodriguez has more money and a studio behind him, however unlike Smith Rodiguez made a much better film. He also had a better cast with Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayak, Quentin Tarantino, Cheech Marin, and Steve Buscemi.

The story looks and feels a lot like "El Mariachi," but on a bigger scale and does a wonderful job of bringing back several of the character actors who cut their teeth with Rodriguez in the first film.

The DVD is another good one, with a solid commentary and another "10 Minute Film School." My DVD is also a double DVD with "El Mariachi" and the extras and "Desperado" and it's extras all together.

**** 04.16.09 - El Mariachi... 1992... Robert Rodriguez

If you don't know the legend of Robert Rodiguez... learn it! lol He took a film, this film, made for about $7,000 dollars and landed a deal at Columbia Pictures and the rest is... as they say, history!

The film is a wonderful example of how to make a low budget film and a good one at that! In addition to the film, on the DVD there is a feature that really is one of the best parts of a Robert Rodriguez film and that's his, "10 Minute Film School." It gives you information on how he does certain things in his film and as a filmmaker myself I love these. The DVD commentary is also a very good one to listen to and learn from.

He's another director that gives all of us hope and it all started with this gem!