Why Baz Is The Best
September 3rd 2007 20:33
There are a lot of directors whose work I adore, but none so much as Baz Luhrmann. He is the father of flamboyance, the master of magnificence, the king of colour and theatrics! He takes something commonplace and makes it vibrant and thrilling. His work is attention-grabbing; each movement, sound, light and colour arrests you with its brilliance as it works with every other element in perfect accord, creating an extravaganza that is both overwhelming and distinctive.
Strictly Ballroom: I love the music, the costumes, the makeup, the dancing…! There are several stand-out scenes in this movie that have Baz written all over them: Scott’s Dad, made-up face right up in the camera, trying desperately to tell his son to follow his heart and dance his own steps; Scott and Fran dancing on the rooftop with a clothesline and a city view – the connection! the cultivation of perfect imperfection!; Scott dancing with Fran’s father in the backyard, learning the Paso Doble; and Fran and Scott dancing their own steps in a crowded but silent room, with nothing to guide them but the sharp, echoing rhythm of Scott’s father’s quivering, clapping hands.
Romeo Juliet: A bold modernisation of William Shakespeare’s most famous play, featuring Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio as the star-crossed lovers. The film is set in Verona Beach, Florida instead of ‘fair Verona’, Italy; guns replace daggers and swords, and the chorus is provided by a television news reporter. The movie is captivating as the original dialogue somehow melds perfectly with the contemporary setting and inspired symbolism.
Moulin Rouge!: The soundtrack of this movie is fantastic, as is everything else, but it’s the eccentricity that I really love. It is so original, and so powerful, my heart aches with the splendour of it.
Australia: What I have seen/read of this movie so far, I like. I am interested in the concept for the story, I like Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, I like the setting, and of course, I worship the director. So far, I haven’t seen anything indicative of Luhrmann’s unique style, but have no doubts it will be revealed soon enough. With Baz behind this, it’s sure to be more creative than your standard forbidden-love-during-a-war movie.
Michaelie Clark
Strictly Ballroom: I love the music, the costumes, the makeup, the dancing…! There are several stand-out scenes in this movie that have Baz written all over them: Scott’s Dad, made-up face right up in the camera, trying desperately to tell his son to follow his heart and dance his own steps; Scott and Fran dancing on the rooftop with a clothesline and a city view – the connection! the cultivation of perfect imperfection!; Scott dancing with Fran’s father in the backyard, learning the Paso Doble; and Fran and Scott dancing their own steps in a crowded but silent room, with nothing to guide them but the sharp, echoing rhythm of Scott’s father’s quivering, clapping hands.
Romeo Juliet - Worlds Collide. Courtesy of geocities.com
Romeo Juliet: A bold modernisation of William Shakespeare’s most famous play, featuring Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio as the star-crossed lovers. The film is set in Verona Beach, Florida instead of ‘fair Verona’, Italy; guns replace daggers and swords, and the chorus is provided by a television news reporter. The movie is captivating as the original dialogue somehow melds perfectly with the contemporary setting and inspired symbolism.
Moulin Rouge!: The soundtrack of this movie is fantastic, as is everything else, but it’s the eccentricity that I really love. It is so original, and so powerful, my heart aches with the splendour of it.
Bohemian Delight. Courtesy of yahoo.com
Australia: What I have seen/read of this movie so far, I like. I am interested in the concept for the story, I like Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, I like the setting, and of course, I worship the director. So far, I haven’t seen anything indicative of Luhrmann’s unique style, but have no doubts it will be revealed soon enough. With Baz behind this, it’s sure to be more creative than your standard forbidden-love-during-a-war movie.
Michaelie Clark
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
A well written post,
But I must be a voice of dissent and admit I hate everything Baz has done and doubt I8 will ever watch his work again..
Found Strictly Ballroom just sappy and dull with terrible acting
Romeo and Juliet was a good idea but the execution removed any emotion from the piece.
Moulin Rouge was tragic casting lead actors in a musical who cant carry a tune and then viciously sodomizing classic tunes with cover versions that hurt the ears.
As for the film Australia it has Nicole Kidman in it and He's directing so I doubt it.
Basically i don't like Baz's fairy floss substance blended with over staged, artificial visuals.
To end with something nice, occasionally the cinematography of his films is interesting.
Hope we can still be friends.
Comment by Nina
As for Moulin Rouge, I like Ewan McGregor, but wasn't fussed on Nicole Kidman in the role. Baz must think she's doing something right though, to have cast her in Australia.
Comment by Aimzster
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
We certainly cannot still be friends. How dare you disagree with me? Lol.
I really appreciate your comments and don't mind at all that you trash everything beloved to me!
It's true that Baz isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he's definitely mine...I have a post coming up on Tarantino - am I right in thinking maybe that's yours...?
Thanks for the comment. Keep them coming. I love to argue, haha.
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Thanks for the comment! I think Baz's stuff is a joy, and I do think that degree of artificiality is especially crafted to intensify everything.
I like Ewan too, and I really get what everyone says about Nicole, but there's something that keeps me interested in her.
Thanks again,
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I am HEARING you! Paul Mercurio had something going on in that movie. He could have gone on to be a bad-boy sex symbol after that. But what does he do instead? Judges Dancing with the Stars and does commercials for cholesterol-reducing margarine. What a waste of budding sex appeal.
Loving Ewan too, except for his teeth. Cool voice. He reminds me of Robbie Williams a bit. Do you think there's something about Baz's movies that makes women lust after his leading men?
If so, he won't have to work too hard with Hugh Jackman in Australia!
Thank you for your comment,
Michaelie
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It's our differences that make conversation interesting
I don't mind Tarantino but everything he does Ive seen before, still verbose, exuberant entertainment...In the modern arena I'm more of a David Lynch, David Cronenberg, Darren Aronofsky, Spike Jonze, Michael Gondry, David Fincher and Michael Mann sort of guy. I need the mind engaged as well as a sense of spontaneous vision.
Love your passion...after all art is utterly subjective
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I don't mind some of the stuff Samuel Fuller did, in fact I think some of Tarantino's work might be a bit derivative?
I love the satire Jonze and Kaufman do so well together. I like David Fincher too, though Panic Room turned me off him a little bit. What about Scorsese? He would be in my top five.
Art IS subjective, and you must forgive me my desire for pure escapism at times. A creation that inspires pleasure in many can be art too, can it not? After all, Oscar Wilde was merely 'popular' 100 years ago, and now he is recognised as a genius, and his plays classics.
Please feel free to give a rebuttal!
Michaelie
Comment by Lara M
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Thanks for the comment, Lara!
Michaelie
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I love escapism too, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star wars are the 2 movies that began my life long addiction to celluloid. But this type of entertainment requires suspension of disbelief and so many of the big budget adventures contradict themselves or treat the audience like they were mentally handicapped.
I'm a sucker for well shot, flamboyant cinema as long as it is done with abandon, for me all Baz's films feel over produced and too self conscious, there are no happy accidents on screen.
I agree that the mainstream tends to think popularity means quality, but generally they don't like to think for themselves anymore. In the Oscar Wilde or further back Shakespearean days their was a low audience tolerance for condescending narratives and recycled material...(They did bring tomatoes and rocks to venues after all) plus the viewer had not been subjected to endless input of organised entertainment, for most it was a luxury. That aside I agree the crap box office smashes of today will be worshipped in 100 years as classics, but then illiteracy is rising and the desire for originality is shrinking with each remake and sequel.
Most innovators are ignored, ridiculed or labelled insane when they are alive. Society usually needs to catch up (EG: Stanley Kubrick, Leonardo Da Vinci, Plato etc)
It is pointless to argue with it though because as long as people buy a ticket to American Pie 12 or Oceans 99 Hollywood will give the public what they crave...mindless fluff that is forgotten the moment you leave the cinema.
fun Chatting, I can see many interesting discussions ahead.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
PS - Pauline Hanson is crazy. I hope to God I'm not hailing her as a genius after her death! Lol.