Aug
4
2005

netflix this

Netflix this button at Yahoo! MoviesWhile looking at the Yahoo! Movies profile of the independent film Broken Flowers, I noticed an interesting bit of cross-promotion between Yahoo! and Netflix in the form of a “save to rent later” button that adds the film to a user’s Netflix queue (screenshot). I didn’t notice any similar promotion for Yahoo! on Netflix’s site.

Speaking of movies, I saw Broken Flowers Friday night with Rob over at E Street. The theatre was packed — to the point where, with no seats available, we ended up watching the movie from the stairs. I’m still processing the movie; tentatively, I think it was pretty good, although I was a bit frustrated by the abrupt, ambiguous ending. We may see it again tomorrow, this time with Dari, so hopefully I’ll be able to solidify my impressions of the film.

Moviefone has a trailer for Broken Flowers that pretty much sums up the entire film in about a minute. On one hand, I’m kind of annoyed — they’re giving away the ending! On the other hand, since this movie is all about “the journey,” perhaps they’re not giving away very much at all.

And on a final note, the movie’s jazz-heavy soundtrack is quite good. I caved and bought it on iTunes tonight.

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Posted at 6:01 PM in movies, music

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An interesting observation about Bill Murray, from a San Francisco Chronicle review of Broken Flowers:

The film stars Bill Murray, the American cinema’s darkest farceur since W. C. Fields, who has a face that by now just means something. Put him in close- up, and no matter what he’s playing or saying, an underlying message is conveyed: “This all really isn’t much. Even being Bill Murray, even being a movie star, even this close-up, it’s still a little depressing. Life is bigger than this. Time is passing. I look older than the last time you saw me. No kidding. So do you. What’s to be done? The only thing to do is be polite about it and yet maintain some dignity, some private space around the self to ward off commotion and stay in touch with the truth. And not ignore it. That’s it.”

The extent to which one respects Murray’s acting is, to a large degree, the extent to which one believes he’s actually communicating those things, rather than sleeping behind a deadpan expression and letting the audience work for him. To be sure, “Broken Flowers” features the most minimalist performance of a minimalist performer, and, at times, Murray plays it a little too close to the vest, especially when we compare him with his generous female co-stars here. But Murray can also do things other actors can’t, and part of that ability is a consequence of his spare technique. A flicker of the eye, a tiny movement of the mouth, the vague hint of a smile and big emotions are conveyed. His command of his face on camera is something to marvel at.

(“Bill Murray at his deadpan best in journey to find unknown son” - 08/05/05)

Posted by alykat on August 8, 2005 12:15 AM

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