This is the thread for you comments on the films we watched in class on Tuesday: Meshes of the Afternoon (1943), At Land (1944), Fireworks (1947) and/or Scorpio Rising (1964). Wild, poetic, controversial stuff!
I enjoyed Meshes of the Afternoon the most out of the films we watched today even though it was the first. It had a haunting atmosphere and worked on a dreamlike level, and then produced a climax where dream seemed to become reality. I especially liked the way death was featured with a mirror as a face. I can see where this film has had influence in other more recent films and directors.
I wasn't in class today but i watched Scorpio Rising on YouTube and was very impressed. The film's soundtrack especially stands out, selections including Ricky Nelson, Ray Charles and Elvis Presley. What was also interesting about the film other than the overall content was the controversy that it sparked and the California Supreme Court case that ensued that caused the changes made to prohibit censorship in film.
I really enjoyed Meshes of the Afternoon and the way the music seemed to match certain actions in the film. It reminded me of ballet in a way. Dialogue wasn't needed because the music was the dialogue. The music told you what you needed to know when facial expressions and actions didn't. I think that's what I enjoyed the most about that particular film. I also enjoyed the dream like atmostphere of it as well. The different angles and repetition of scenes. It really worked beautifully.
Meshes of the Afternoon was visually interesting and the film had an almost ghoulish and dreamlike atmosphere. I looked up Maya Deren, I didn't know realize that was her in the film. My only issue with the film was the soundtrack, when there was music it fit the scene that it went with; however, there were parts in the film that were silent which made it difficult to pay attention.
I really enjoyed Scorpio Rising. It was definitely memorable and unlike most things I've seen. For me the film wasn't just a string of controversial sequences, it was also wonderfully shot. The location the camera in every scene was always very close to the subjects creating a very intimate feeling. It really felt like a day in the life of these people who it's almost hard to believe actually exist. The soundtrack was excellent as well, the way he used music in the film was obviously extremely inflential to many filmmakers that came after, I think you mentioned scorsese specifically.
I really enjoyed the films we watched this week. I have to say meshes of the afternoon was probably the most memorable/favorite of all of the films. I was skeptical in the beginning, it seemed fairly ordinary for an experimental film...but soon it took many turns and had my mind tying to figure out the puzzle of what was happening.
Of the films we watched in class on Tuesday, Meshes of the Afternoon impressed me the most. My interest was kept throughout as this film flirted with a story line more so than others we have watched this semester. The quick editing and ominous soundtrack repeatedly broke the otherwise constant silence, startling me each time and re-jolting my attention.
I particularly liked Meshes of the Afternoon as well. It's one of the best films I've seen to achieve a dream-like, surreal quality. At the same time, it's grounded in symbols and figures that the film makes familiar, much like actual dreams do. I also really liked the figure with the mirror for a face. Something about that really struck me.
I found Scorpio Rising particularly disturbing of all the movies i have watched over the past semester. The symbolism used and some of the underlying themes were controversial to say the least. The main thing that did stand out was not the level of controversy, rather the way that the symbols and themes were conveyed in an artful way. I believe we are all entitled to our opinions and beliefs even if they are opposite the mainstream belief systems. I could tell this was a thoughtful film with very carefully placed images and some nice editing. Though I do not agree with what I feel Anger was trying to convey to his audience, I cannot bring myself to judge him for his beliefs anymore than I'd judge any other artist for their expression. This is a case where I can appreciate the film for what it is overall instead of the missing the craftmanship behind a piece of art due to less than favorable images on the canvas.
Meshes of the Afternoon was probably the most artistically shot of the movies. I enjoyed the quickly cut shots and the experimentation with fast frames. The soundtrack reminded me of sections of the theme from The Shining (with all the percussion insanity and droning persistence similarities). The most memorable scene of "MESHES" was the man with the mirror mask. The most memorable portion of At Land was the opening wave sequences and the reversal-tide scenes. Both of Deren's movies seemed dreamlike compared to Anger's in your face, no censors held work. I am extremely tolerant but I can say it was definitely disturbing at parts. The similarities between Jesus and the disciples walking in the building was interesting, yet I don't know what Anger was trying to communicate- that Jesus and his disciples used to have peanut-butter gang-bangs? I think the purpose of including that scene was to get the viewer's mind to make similarities between the two parties of people. The music was creepy 50's music and it was about the most ridiculous soundtrack that could have been used.
Scorpio Rising grabbed my attention the most. The colors and music selections of the film definitely help the pictures to resonate more with you - as does the pace of the film. (very slow when on the individual subjects in the beginning). You see the cast as separate entities and then as the wild mess that they become when they are together. Definitely an interesting visual experience.
The film that stands out to me the most would have to Scorpio Rising. This movie is controversial now, so I can't even imagine how it was received in 1964. I enjoy early rock and roll, so to see these classic songs used in a uhhhh 'non-traditional' way was shocking/disturbing/entertaining. I'm not entirely sure I caught all of the Jesus/Nazi symbolism, but the message was stil conveyed: anything goes in this film.
The film that we watched in class that stood out the most to me would be Scorpio Rising. Maybe it was just the music that kept me entertained, especially because they played Elvis' 'Devil in Disguise' and many other great songs, but I was interested in the controversial symbolism involved in this film. It's not a usual film that I would enjoy but I found that it was beautifully shot and was a film that had a lot to say.
Scorpio Rising was incredible. I have been influenced by Kenneth Anger's work in a tertiary way that I would have never imagined. I had always thought some of my biggest influences were David Lynch and Martin Scorsese, but now I see both derive directly from Anger's work. His juxtaposition of music and images is uncanny. He is insane, literally I think, but also in a cool way. Watching his 1964 masterpiece is much like when somebody who likes The Cure gets to listen to Morrissey for the first time.
Scorpio Rising was absolutely my favorite movie of the day and the semester so far. I loved the way that Anger challenges social norms and commits down right hypocrisy by some peoples standards. I am always happy with a movie that can rile up the masses whether I agree with the subject matter or not. If I am still contemplating a movie days after I have watched it, then that movie has had an impact and has brought to me a small amount movie watching satisfaction. Anger's use of music, imagery, and symbolism to convey his views is down right brilliant considering the fact that it was made in 1964. I can only imagine the kind of uproar this movie causes with all of the self-appointed morality police. This movie is a discussion-causing movie and I for one really enjoy that.
I enjoyed Meshes of the Afternoon the most out of the films we watched today even though it was the first. It had a haunting atmosphere and worked on a dreamlike level, and then produced a climax where dream seemed to become reality. I especially liked the way death was featured with a mirror as a face. I can see where this film has had influence in other more recent films and directors.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't in class today but i watched Scorpio Rising on YouTube and was very impressed. The film's soundtrack especially stands out, selections including Ricky Nelson, Ray Charles and Elvis Presley. What was also interesting about the film other than the overall content was the controversy that it sparked and the California Supreme Court case that ensued that caused the changes made to prohibit censorship in film.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Meshes of the Afternoon and the way the music seemed to match certain actions in the film. It reminded me of ballet in a way. Dialogue wasn't needed because the music was the dialogue. The music told you what you needed to know when facial expressions and actions didn't. I think that's what I enjoyed the most about that particular film. I also enjoyed the dream like atmostphere of it as well. The different angles and repetition of scenes. It really worked beautifully.
ReplyDeleteMeshes of the Afternoon was visually interesting and the film had an almost ghoulish and dreamlike atmosphere. I looked up Maya Deren, I didn't know realize that was her in the film. My only issue with the film was the soundtrack, when there was music it fit the scene that it went with; however, there were parts in the film that were silent which made it difficult to pay attention.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Scorpio Rising. It was definitely memorable and unlike most things I've seen. For me the film wasn't just a string of controversial sequences, it was also wonderfully shot. The location the camera in every scene was always very close to the subjects creating a very intimate feeling. It really felt like a day in the life of these people who it's almost hard to believe actually exist. The soundtrack was excellent as well, the way he used music in the film was obviously extremely inflential to many filmmakers that came after, I think you mentioned scorsese specifically.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the films we watched this week. I have to say meshes of the afternoon was probably the most memorable/favorite of all of the films. I was skeptical in the beginning, it seemed fairly ordinary for an experimental film...but soon it took many turns and had my mind tying to figure out the puzzle of what was happening.
ReplyDeleteOf the films we watched in class on Tuesday, Meshes of the Afternoon impressed me the most. My interest was kept throughout as this film flirted with a story line more so than others we have watched this semester. The quick editing and ominous soundtrack repeatedly broke the otherwise constant silence, startling me each time and re-jolting my attention.
ReplyDeleteI particularly liked Meshes of the Afternoon as well. It's one of the best films I've seen to achieve a dream-like, surreal quality. At the same time, it's grounded in symbols and figures that the film makes familiar, much like actual dreams do. I also really liked the figure with the mirror for a face. Something about that really struck me.
ReplyDeleteI found Scorpio Rising particularly disturbing of all the movies i have watched over the past semester. The symbolism used and some of the underlying themes were controversial to say the least. The main thing that did stand out was not the level of controversy, rather the way that the symbols and themes were conveyed in an artful way. I believe we are all entitled to our opinions and beliefs even if they are opposite the mainstream belief systems. I could tell this was a thoughtful film with very carefully placed images and some nice editing. Though I do not agree with what I feel Anger was trying to convey to his audience, I cannot bring myself to judge him for his beliefs anymore than I'd judge any other artist for their expression. This is a case where I can appreciate the film for what it is overall instead of the missing the craftmanship behind a piece of art due to less than favorable images on the canvas.
ReplyDeleteMeshes of the Afternoon was probably the most artistically shot of the movies. I enjoyed the quickly cut shots and the experimentation with fast frames. The soundtrack reminded me of sections of the theme from The Shining (with all the percussion insanity and droning persistence similarities). The most memorable scene of "MESHES" was the man with the mirror mask. The most memorable portion of At Land was the opening wave sequences and the reversal-tide scenes. Both of Deren's movies seemed dreamlike compared to Anger's in your face, no censors held work. I am extremely tolerant but I can say it was definitely disturbing at parts. The similarities between Jesus and the disciples walking in the building was interesting, yet I don't know what Anger was trying to communicate- that Jesus and his disciples used to have peanut-butter gang-bangs? I think the purpose of including that scene was to get the viewer's mind to make similarities between the two parties of people. The music was creepy 50's music and it was about the most ridiculous soundtrack that could have been used.
ReplyDeleteScorpio Rising grabbed my attention the most. The colors and music selections of the film definitely help the pictures to resonate more with you - as does the pace of the film. (very slow when on the individual subjects in the beginning). You see the cast as separate entities and then as the wild mess that they become when they are together. Definitely an interesting visual experience.
ReplyDeleteThe film that stands out to me the most would have to Scorpio Rising. This movie is controversial now, so I can't even imagine how it was received in 1964. I enjoy early rock and roll, so to see these classic songs used in a uhhhh 'non-traditional' way was shocking/disturbing/entertaining. I'm not entirely sure I caught all of the Jesus/Nazi symbolism, but the message was stil conveyed: anything goes in this film.
ReplyDeleteThe film that we watched in class that stood out the most to me would be Scorpio Rising. Maybe it was just the music that kept me entertained, especially because they played Elvis' 'Devil in Disguise' and many other great songs, but I was interested in the controversial symbolism involved in this film. It's not a usual film that I would enjoy but I found that it was beautifully shot and was a film that had a lot to say.
ReplyDeleteScorpio Rising was incredible. I have been influenced by Kenneth Anger's work in a tertiary way that I would have never imagined. I had always thought some of my biggest influences were David Lynch and Martin Scorsese, but now I see both derive directly from Anger's work. His juxtaposition of music and images is uncanny. He is insane, literally I think, but also in a cool way. Watching his 1964 masterpiece is much like when somebody who likes The Cure gets to listen to Morrissey for the first time.
ReplyDeleteScorpio Rising was absolutely my favorite movie of the day and the semester so far. I loved the way that Anger challenges social norms and commits down right hypocrisy by some peoples standards. I am always happy with a movie that can rile up the masses whether I agree with the subject matter or not. If I am still contemplating a movie days after I have watched it, then that movie has had an impact and has brought to me a small amount movie watching satisfaction. Anger's use of music, imagery, and symbolism to convey his views is down right brilliant considering the fact that it was made in 1964. I can only imagine the kind of uproar this movie causes with all of the self-appointed morality police. This movie is a discussion-causing movie and I for one really enjoy that.
ReplyDelete