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Reviews
Lucian Freud: Portraits (2004)
recommended
What makes Jake Auerbachs films unlike other art documentaries is that they are a view artists and art as the subject, rather than a reference as critic or historian. Personal interest comes from the subjects themselves, friendship with the director and interpretation, from the viewer. All the information is there and perhaps a little more.
In short, Jake Auerbachs films about art are not from the view of, I am an art critic and 'i am going to tell you about Art' but are Artists talking about what they do. Perhaps it should always have been like this.
In this film, it is not about the artist talking but about the artist from the view of the sitters, those that sat for him. Probably the best next and most personnel account. But, it does allow for personal comment. As Lucian Freud had such an extraordinary personality which is hard to ignore in relation to his work, I think this is the best way.
If you are anything like me, it is a delight to hear and see people expressing themselves honestly and sharing thoughts. We don't all have the same frame of mind, in fact everyone is completely different but basic emotion and feeling can be expressed through interaction and to communicate and to tell what we know through what we have known. Social media tends to created it's own portrayal of heroes, with little depth concerning work, and education follows such trend. A film of thoughts about what it was like to have been there, people talking one to one to the viewer provides an insight and helps towards the generosity needed towards what i can only describe as appreciation.
When i was young, i didn't really like Freud It is more recently that i have come to see just how good some of the pictures are. Jake Auerbachs is giving the opportunity to look again, to dispel untruths, give insight and to make it real. In doing so has also made one of the best documentaries on art.
I highly recommend this film to everyone. I think even if you don't like paintings, you will enjoy it. The whole work of Jake Auerbach is good. If i could afford them i would buy them all on DVD. I'm looking forward to Celia Paul; private view and just waiting to find it one day in a second hand bookshop, which is where i found this DVD.
The Last Art Film (2012)
The last Art Film?
Somehow, I only recently discovered this film. I thought i had discovered a secret treasure, and perhapes i did. Made in 2012, it is entitled 'the last Art film' and i can see the confidence in such a title.
In fact, I only searched for it now on imdb to see reviews and what others think. This was because I had previously (before buying the dvd) made enquiries among all the painters and artists' i know, if anyone had seen it. No one made any kind of comment, apart from one who just said 'nope'.
Imdb also had no comments.
Very strange as this remarkable film is perhaps the first attempt at recording the views of why Artists paint and the nature of Art since another defining moment in my life, the book, 'towards another picture'.(1977) i think.
It is a very sensitive and honest film and such a relief to be free of the art critic, historian or narrator and so maybe be a very rare testament to art and reality. As the World has recently lost Lucien Freud and Gillian Ayes, Frank Auerbach is 92 now and perhaps these momentous collaborations with his son are towards the last. There is a general consensus throughought, even if not everything is to the viewers agreement, the nature of the film is compelling, sincere and a pleasure to be witnessed. I hope there is someone else out there that has seen this film. I highly recommend it and also the two films Jake made about his Dad. Lucky he did really.
No Time to Die (2021)
woke James Bond
Lots of excitement provided with help of computer graffix Lots of pouting by Daniel Craig, display of his 'sensitive' side and all things emotionally pretend. Quick quips and spontaneous remarks throughout, this is the closest to a cartoon version you will find.
There has undoubtedly been the whole range of good to bad Bond films over the years. The film series has been a victim to fashion and it may be a good thing that it reflects the times we live in and of course has to have humour.
However, it would be nice if character acting made an appearance and something slightly intelligent.
This film must surely have been written by a teenager. Or worse, a team of teanagers.
Darkest Hour (2017)
whalley vision
It's difficult to review a film which is something more or less than that. This is best described as a cartoon with actors or the most condescending musical, without songs.
The Game (2014)
whalley vision
As always ; the mood, atmosphere and production are top notch, as you would expect from the bbc. Brilliant character acting, good story (as you would expect) and amazing effects, camera work and editing. The impact is immediate and realism of the sets and effect grip the senses.. That is until a feeling of disappointment takes over. I would like to make a bold attempt to explain the slight dissatisfaction that comes up within some of the other reviews . Firstly; the bbc no longer really exists. Instead; programs are made by independent companies from a huge list, vetted by a managing body, chosen, kept and classified within certain 'standards'. This is why there seems to be a regularity to all new production. 'The game' is a good example of why the 'direction' of new production is becoming more disappointing. For anything to be exceptional, there needs to be a bit of genius. Sometimes wild. (as an example of what I mean - the group 'Pink Floyd' eventually lamented the loss of Syd Barrett ). And pure inspiration cannot be replaced by gimmick, style, effect or wackiness. What 'the Game' has is let down by what is missing. The bbc system may well be run by people with little creative interest and production made within limitation , simply because they don't know. The attempts a\t humour and being different , in 'the game' make me think of the kind of people with the ambition to work for advertising agencies. In fact, the production values are also similar and some people may well say, 'what's wrong with that'. Which could well be an indication of what has gone wrong with the system and of the way it is going. Were there was once rebellion against the system, it is now the goal , with larger audience, more programs, less range and tighter control. Ambition is a poor substitute for innovation.