Earlier today, I posted a link to a thought-provoking perspective on 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick’s film based on an Arthur C. Clarke story.
I have just learned that Clarke passed away today “from breathing problems.” He was 90. There aren’t many sci-fi visionaries like Clarke… and we need more.
2001: A Space Odyssey was the film that first introduced me to the idea of cinema as poetry. It is still one of my favorite movies. Seeing a restoration of the work in Seattle’s Cinerama theater a few years back was one of the most extraordinary big-screen experiences of my life.
Earlier today, I learned of the death of filmmaker Anthony Minghella. I greatly dislike the film that catapulted him to a new level of fame – The English Patient – but I admired The Talented Mr. Ripley very much, and liked Cold Mountain more than most critics I know. In interviews he seemed an engaging fellow with a lot of insight into artmaking. I haven’t seen his latest, Breaking and Entering, but as a big fan of Juliette Binoche I am duty-bound to see it eventually. I would have liked to see many more films from this talented, unpredictable artist.
I love The English Patient, although I’ve run into other people whose movie taste I usually share that strongly dislike it. I agree with you though on Mr. Ripley. I think it is his best film.
Breaking and Entering has it’s flaws, but is well worth seeing…for the fine performance of Ms. Binoche, yes, but also for the film’s insightful exploration of issues of class, race and the immigrant experience.