JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonRobert Altman (1925-2006)-Footage Included
November 22nd 2006 04:02
Robert Altman: A Retrospective
A giant loss to film connoisseurs the world over, specializing in ensemble casting and violating the conventions of genre and cinematic form, Director Robert Altman gave us unique films that put us closer to his reality than our own.
the Director as i would like to remember him.
Inspiring and influencing future generations by making cinema that he wanted to see and as it turns out supplying many of us with a one of a kind experience that was out side of the artistic norm, often profound and always captivating.
The Director doing what he did best.
Capturing moments in time, the cinematography and sound design on many of his films broke down the 4th wall and brought us closer to the performers in a way that only he could. Often feeling improvised and always striving to the illusion of truth the actors were often part of the landscape. Not centre stage.
Baring their soles for a Director, who they knew would expose a side of them that hadn’t been seen on the screen. With long takes and meshing dialogue an organic atmosphere surrounded most of his work.
There is no denying that right alongside his celluloid highs there are some embarrassing missteps and even failures. The surprise is that even in his most rejected works you will still find little gems and character moments that stand out.
Winning an honorary Oscar earlier this year and being nominated 5 times for Best Director by the Academy he was always an outsider looking in.
Robert Altman was born in Kansas City Missouri in 1925, a prolific filmmaker who left behind a filmography that is large in quantity.
Steeped in quality, I have decided to list my 15 favourite Altman films, instead of the industry standard 10.
The Long Goodbye-PI Elliot Gould
M*A*S*H - Donald Sutherland is Hawkeye Pierce
McCabe and Mrs Miller- The wild west as it really was
Nashville- The first mockumentary??
Short Cuts (1993) - A mighty effort that tells intermeshing stories from L.A with a sly wit. The people and the culture are exposed and beneath is a tender film that catches you off guard.
The Player (1992) - Altman finally takes a nun to subtle swing at the film industry itself, littered with stars this is vicious satire that will make you laugh unless you are on the other side of the velvet rope.
Pret-A-Porter: Obvious attractions for Robert Altmans fashionable style
Pręt A Porter (1994) - This is The Player but set in the world of fashion, just as observant and also highly amusing, if not a little jumbled.
Gosford Park - Classy all the way.
Cookies Fortune (1999) - One that I wasn’t expecting to like, it sounded like a chick flick of intolerable sappiness. Silly me in the hands of Altman it becomes a quirky, richly observed ensemble that is emotional and comedic.
HeALTH (1980) - Going after the US Health system, the gloves are off and this black indictment of the politics behind social services leaves an aftertaste of truth.
Buffalo Bill and the Indians- Paul Newman at his most colorful
Images (1972) -. Schizophrenia and paranoia are front and centre in this surreal tale. Unnerving and complex this film is a psychological thriller to match the best
Vincent and Theo - Tim Roth as Van Gough
California Split - Elliot Gould goes to Vegas baby.
California Split (1974) - Addiction to gambling and the bond between two different men of the trade is equal parts comedy and tragedy.
3 Women (1977) - Bizarre and indefinable, again a film I didn’t think I would like, turns out to be a masterpiece. A complex and profound study of the female psyche and a surreal examination of society.
Below is a sample of the mans Cinematic prowess. The opening 8 Minute shot from The Player. Enjoy
Robert Altman, you will be missed.
Special Thanks to Bryn & Cibbuano for all there encouragement.
1925-2006 R.I.P
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
It's funny how behind the scenes he's been... you only hear about him when his movies come out, then he fades into the background.
I guess, as an old man, he's not one to spread his face around Hollywood parties...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
His often let his work speak for him.
A true Maverick in the 70's he partied with the best of them, but fame was never his quest, he took his cinema very seriously.
Another director who you should check out is Hal Ashby (Being There, harold and Maude etc), his films are also one of a kind and very much capture he essence of the human experience.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I admire how Altman viewed directing as a job, despite the artistry, and so was always working on something. Sometimes they didn't turn out so good. But it was always practicing the art. Michael Caine views acting in a similar way.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Robert Altman was definetly a work horse I think he made 86 films over his career.
There were definetly some duds in there but even those had his stamp all over them.