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Tamara and I watched Tarkovsky’s Solaris Friday night, which happened to be on television, and — my mom’s immediate plunge into sleep notwithstanding — we were surprised to find it more riveting the second time around. Still beautiful, but much more engaging and concrete; it’s worth watching if you’re of an appropriate temperament. I also must take this opportunity to mourn the loss of good sci-fi movie music. I blame Star Wars for ruining everything.
We saw the remake of Solaris the next day. Huh. I’m not quite sure how to assess it, but I did enjoy it. Soderbergh’s Solaris is closer to Tarkovsky’s version of the story than it is to Lem’s, stripping away most of the science fiction and narrowly focusing on Kris Kelvin and Rheya’s relationship. It’s an uneven movie in many respects, but that creative decision probably saves the movie from complete mediocrity. Soderbergh seems at his best exploring human intimacy,* fond as he is of soft-focused shots and moody, washed-out lighting, of recording lovers’ nervous banalities and suffusing them with the honeyed headiness of romance. Flawed as this Solaris is, with its underdeveloped plot, pointless supporting characters, and corny ending, I think the movie redeems itself because it is genuinely moving. But then again I wanted very much to like this movie, so it may not work as well when you have no expectations. At any rate, go see it; it won’t be in theaters much longer, judging by the reactions I saw of south Texas moviegoers.
Also, the soundtrack was very tasteful. Chris would like the music.
* Just don’t mention the Topher Grace “sex” scene from Traffic.
comments
Now I want to see “the Stalker” which comes highly recommended by Jacob’s sister-in-law.
I’m still working out my thoughts on “Solaris,” but mostly I liked it.
posted by tam on December 2, 2002 10:52 AM
when did she talk about “the stalker?”
posted by jacob on December 2, 2002 10:53 AM
while you were sleeping
posted by tam on December 2, 2002 10:56 AM
i miss all the good stuff
posted by jacob on December 2, 2002 10:56 AM
movies i watched over thanksgiving: dude, where’s my car? (cheerful, funny) not another teen movie (twice… so so bad) valentine (pointless slasher movie) my cousin vinnie (marisa tomei is cute) snatch (getting sick of this one) anniversary party (pretentious garbage) name of the rose (yes! has a labyrinth) colors (twice… don’t know why) gleaming the cube (googy architecture!) cecil b. demented (john waters!) black knight (time travel comedy… sucked) thirteen days (cold war!) the manhattan project (cold war!) cheaters (very good… jenna malone stars) i got the hook up (funny) finding forrester (blah) donnie darko (yes! yes! yes!) hound of the baskervilles (aaaah) freeway (this is on like 24/7, it’s gross) shattered (bob hoskins, cute girl from summer school)
lest you think i am totally undiscerning, i had many opportunities to watch both “the mexican” and “coyote ugly” yet i never did.
posted by anonymous on December 2, 2002 6:47 PM
that was me, if you couldn’t already guess
posted by chris on December 2, 2002 6:48 PM
oh yeah, forgot some kathleen turner: the accidental tourist (geena davis is nice) romancing the stone (would have preferred wonder boys) times square (mostly)
posted by chris on December 2, 2002 6:55 PM
aw, “the mexican” can’t be that bad! i’d watch it.
we also saw “die another day” and “the count of monte cristo.” the latter has luis guzman, and i like him. the former sucks dick, but you could’ve guessed that.
posted by jacob on December 2, 2002 7:28 PM
i wanted to see die another day, but now i don’t anymore. i saw a few bits of bond movies on thanksgiving and they were boring.
you should watch thirteen days, even though it has kevin costner in it. cheaters is good too.
posted by chris on December 2, 2002 8:31 PM
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