Vincent Gallo

[agentknight]

An utter genius.

[criterionmaster]

Agreed! Brown Bunny is mind-blowing. One of the slowest most beautiful films I have seen. He takes his time and shows EVERYTHING; in fact most of the scenes (like the old lady scene) the actors didn't even know they were filming. And what a powerful ending. I recommend listening to his commentary on the region 2 Brown Bunny, it is hilarious!

[ie]

I try to seperate the art from the artist, but Gallo sounds like such a godfucking asshole that I just haven't had any interest in supporting his arrogance until the good Agent recommended Buffalo '66.

Might check it out sometime, though, regardless of how I feel about the fucker.


edit: Oh, what's funny is I was recently talking about Gallo to a friend of mine, and all I did was keep calling him a fucker and summarized his famous quote "I stopped painting in 1990 at the peak of my success just to deny people my beautiful paintings, and I did it out of spite" as an example of why he's a fucker. Yeah, the only title I can give him is that.

I'm still going to check out one or more of his movies, though. Hopefully one where he doesn't make his large ego too apparent.

[criterionmaster]

"There was nobody that I liked because girls stink. They stink. They're evil. And they're all bad. They're backstabbers, like you."

I just watched Buffalo '66 and I was absolutely blown away. This will take a long time to decide between Brown Bunny and Buffalo '66, both are very different but both are very great. They really show what a great and surprisingly mature filmmaker Gallo is.

Supposedly slightly based on Vincent Gallo's own life the film follows the story of Billy Brown, just out of jail. He kidnaps Cristina Ricci's character and forces her to pose as his girlfriend/wife in front of his parents, when really his parents could not give a damn. His life is so bizarre, he goes from one moment to the next changing moods out of nowhere, you really couldn't tell how he was going to react to anything in the film. Gallo gives a great performance, it takes talent to pull off this character, and make it believable, but he is able to. Christina Ricci is outstanding, and this is probably the best thing she has ever done. I just love her character in the film. She provides Billy the only love he ever felt.

The supporting cast is all great as well, especially Ben Gazzara and Angjelica Huston, as Billy’s whacked out parents. When Billy’s dad sings that Sinatra song for Ricci, it is one of the most hypnotic scenes in the film, and one of my favorites. Very realistic film and powerful character study that balances comedy tragedy perfectly. You almost have to laugh to get through some of the scenes.

Like I said Billy’s parents don’t give two shits about him, all the mom cares about is her Buffalo Bills football team, seriously she barely even takes her eyes off the screen, which is actually tragic as I am sure many kid’s childhoods are like this in someway, parents don’t care about you. The dad is really strange, I couldn’t actually tell what he was about, at one minute he loved to sing for Ricci, and then when she asked him to sing again he flipped out. I guess it is the case of lost dreams; he can’t give up not becoming a famous singer.

The cinematography is just excellent. Gallo uses some very unique things to get a realistic but dreamlike feel, dropping everything out of the scene but the two characters; it’s very surreal to watch some of the stuff.

The opening where Gallo is looking to just use the bathroom actually is very reminiscent of his quest to find love, a love that no one will give him. Maybe not on purpose this was done, but it’s what I thought when I thought back on the whole thing. I could be way off though.

There are so many heartbreaking scenes, like when Ricci asks to get in the tub with Gallo or when her and Gallo are taking pictures at the bowling alley and she goes to kiss him and he flips out on her, when she was just trying to act like a couple in love. He is constantly telling her no touching, “we are a couple who don’t touch” he tells her.



(^Took me so long to find that picture!)

Gallo’s style, like in Brown Bunny, but to a much lesser extent, is very slow moving. This moves much faster, but there are still instances like when the whole “family” is sitting at the dinner table waiting for dinner, the camera just keeps going around the table, showing three people in the frame at a time, it is an odd choice to show the scene but it is quite interesting and unique. I liked that touch a lot.

One of the most original character studies I have seen. It presents the character of Billy, who has NO redeeming qualities but for some reason we don’t hate him. I seriously don’t know why, maybe because he was actually amusing in the role at times. It is actually an uplifting film experience and one that I hope to watch again and again.

For this to be Gallo’s first film it is just awe-inspiring. The film feels so mature, so unique. He is truly one of the best directors working; he needs to make some more films! Recommended to all, but I really don’t know how to tell you to go into this film, it is like a whole different type of film.









Final Grade: (weak) 10/10

[agentknight]

Glad you liked it, it's an utterly brilliant film. Definitely one of my favorites.

[ie]

Gotta say this:




Gallo: I'm a complete and utter asshole. I'd probably kill you if I were allowed to, and I am even starting to hate your guts right now, but I wanna literally fuck your brains out, because I'm so awesome.
Girl: k


I can only comment on the guy's personality because I have yet to see any of his movies, and though I'm sure Agent Knight and the Seaman will all give raving reviews saying that I need to check out his movies right now, I just... don't... want... to.

[ie]

I issue a challenge:


Give me the name of one Vincent Gallo movie that (a) is a very good movie and (b) would not make me hate the fucker any more than I already do.

I will borrow this movie from the library, and give it an honest shot. If I feel that this is one fucker that should receive medical treatment in a burning car crash, then I'll check out more of his shit. Otherwise, I'll be content with knowing that, at least I didn't waste any additional time on the fucker.


Give it time, choose wisely.

[agentknight]

Go with Buffalo '66 - it's the more accessible of the two.

[ie]

Okay, that's what the good Agent is placing his bet on.

Anyone else want to agree or disagree with his bet?

[criterionmaster]

I agree, I don't think you would care for Brown Bunny too much. But you will probably like Buffalo '66.

[ie]

Buffalo '66 it is.

I'll see what I can do, and post an update either when I am reminded that I forgot to get ahold of a copy, or when I actually watch this movie.

[criterionmaster]

I am in a picture posting mood and I found some cool ones for Buffalo '66 a while ago so I feel like posting them:







ONLY CLICK IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE FILM





I have a feeling Brown Bunny will just piss you off ie, so it is good that you are going with Buffalo '66.

[ie]

I have that feeling as well.


Buffalo '66 will be an eventual viewing. I have other movies I'm more interested in watching, but I will check it out sometime, don't worry.

[ie]

I watched Buffalo '66 with an open mind, and, I was surprised because I didn't loathe the experience.

I just really hated watching it, and would never want to watch it again. I'm not the type to be like "I'd rather get my eyes torn out!" but in an option between watching Buffalo '66 and watching 8 1/2, I'd go with 8 1/2, Most of the time, this movie made me want to hit my head on something to just stop the pain of it all, but then part of the time, I thought it was going to be worthwhile and then it just fell a little short. It wasn't completely horrible, I don't regret watching it because I know that I don't like it, but really, it didn't even make my least favorite movies list, so it doesn't even have that.

2/10.


Oh, and I was wrong about Gallo. He isn't really arrogant, a fucker, or an asshole. He just pretends to be an arragant fucking asshole, probably because he's a pathetic person, so he tries to be cool.


Oh yeah, and I'm not going to apologize for my thoughts on this movie. Agent Knight loves it, and that's fine. I'm glad he likes it, because movies should be enjoyed rather than hated, but that just doesn't happen with me all the time, which is unfortunate. I just didn't like Buffalo '66 myself, but at least we know that now, so that way I don't have to watch the Brown Bunny or have to be bothered about Vincent Gallo related things. This is a good thing.

edit: And all I have left to say is this. Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

[criterionmaster]

What exactly didn't you like about it? Not liking one of the actors isn't enough for you to give it a two/ten.

[ie]

Oh yeah, not liking the main character/actor isn't enough to give me a 2/10, yet the movie is completely focused around him.


I was thinking that I might need to explain this, so, okay, let's throw some more ideas out there.


I found Buffalo '66 to be repulsive and annoying.

I wasn't left with the feeling of having to get the fuck away every five minutes because otherwise I would self destruct, but during the middle of the movie, I felt pretty damn close to just getting the fuck away and never returning. During this scene, both actors portray how I was feeling, even though their faces don't show signs of mental torture.


Also, this movie is really only a vehicle to show off Vincent Gallo's ego. The bit in the restroom is meant to be amusing, but it's also to establish that our boy here is a god-amongst-men in terms of his manhood. Later, we see Gallo's bowling alley buddy comment: "Five years in the joint, you don't waste any time." These two bits, along with other things I am not bothered to remind you, set Gallo up as this kind of badass who always gets it done. In other words, Gallo uses these seemingly innocent characters to boost his ego.

SPOILER: Click to show

Sure, we eventually piece together the fact that his character was a pathetic loser, for the express purpose of the story, and is no better than Goon, or any of the other characters he hangs around but still kind of mocks. But, even at the end, we're still left with the idea that Gallo thinks that he is an ultra badass who always gets it done. This would not have happened in a less ego-centric movie.

I know, this is all really funny to really soak in, but basically, all I really needed was some kind of display on Gallo's part in order to figure him out. This could have been Buffalo '66, an interview, or some kind of display where Gallo was able to express himself. In this case, he expressed himself as a wimpy annoying little prick disguised as a badass who gets it done.


The reason why I gave Buffalo '66 a 2/10 was because it didn't deserve a 0/10. Only one movie deserves that rating - my least favorite movie - and those who know it, know it, and those who don't, well, they'll find it sometime, it's not important now. Actually, this movie would have received a 1/10, had Gallo been completely incompetent at the filmmaking process, and had he offered nothing unique to give to the world. This was part of the surprise I expressed in my last post, because Gallo wasn't completely incompetent at the whole idea of telling a story. I was impressed with that, so I gave him a point. Yay.

[agentknight]

Man, ie, I don't know why but you totally lack the ability to explain your opinion on a film. You write so much and say so little. It's amazing, I'm not sure exactly how you do it!

EDIT: I'd like to see your reaction to Naked, you would most likely implode. Jesus, man, just because characters don't act like the carboard cutouts hollywood bullshit likes us to beieve are real people doesn't mean the film is bad! Fuck!

[ie]

Now you're the comedian?

[agentknight]

What, did you think of yourself as the comedian initially? Ha!

[criterionmaster]

ie said:

I watched Buffalo '66 with an open mind, and, I was surprised because I didn't loathe the experience.

I just really hated watching it, and would never want to watch it again. I'm not the type to be like "I'd rather get my eyes torn out!" but in an option between watching Buffalo '66 and watching 8 1/2, I'd go with 8 1/2, Most of the time, this movie made me want to hit my head on something to just stop the pain of it all, but then part of the time, I thought it was going to be worthwhile and then it just fell a little short. It wasn't completely horrible, I don't regret watching it because I know that I don't like it, but really, it didn't even make my least favorite movies list, so it doesn't even have that.

2/10.


Oh, and I was wrong about Gallo. He isn't really arrogant, a fucker, or an asshole. He just pretends to be an arragant fucking asshole, probably because he's a pathetic person, so he tries to be cool.


Oh yeah, and I'm not going to apologize for my thoughts on this movie. Agent Knight loves it, and that's fine. I'm glad he likes it, because movies should be enjoyed rather than hated, but that just doesn't happen with me all the time, which is unfortunate. I just didn't like Buffalo '66 myself, but at least we know that now, so that way I don't have to watch the Brown Bunny or have to be bothered about Vincent Gallo related things. This is a good thing.

edit: And all I have left to say is this. Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

ie said:

Oh yeah, not liking the main character/actor isn't enough to give me a 2/10, yet the movie is completely focused around him.


I was thinking that I might need to explain this, so, okay, let's throw some more ideas out there.


I found Buffalo '66 to be repulsive and annoying.

I wasn't left with the feeling of having to get the fuck away every five minutes because otherwise I would self destruct, but during the middle of the movie, I felt pretty damn close to just getting the fuck away and never returning. During this scene, both actors portray how I was feeling, even though their faces don't show signs of mental torture.


Also, this movie is really only a vehicle to show off Vincent Gallo's ego. The bit in the restroom is meant to be amusing, but it's also to establish that our boy here is a god-amongst-men in terms of his manhood. Later, we see Gallo's bowling alley buddy comment: "Five years in the joint, you don't waste any time." These two bits, along with other things I am not bothered to remind you, set Gallo up as this kind of badass who always gets it done. In other words, Gallo uses these seemingly innocent characters to boost his ego.

SPOILER: Click to show

Sure, we eventually piece together the fact that his character was a pathetic loser, for the express purpose of the story, and is no better than Goon, or any of the other characters he hangs around but still kind of mocks. But, even at the end, we're still left with the idea that Gallo thinks that he is an ultra badass who always gets it done. This would not have happened in a less ego-centric movie.

I know, this is all really funny to really soak in, but basically, all I really needed was some kind of display on Gallo's part in order to figure him out. This could have been Buffalo '66, an interview, or some kind of display where Gallo was able to express himself. In this case, he expressed himself as a wimpy annoying little prick disguised as a badass who gets it done.


The reason why I gave Buffalo '66 a 2/10 was because it didn't deserve a 0/10. Only one movie deserves that rating - my least favorite movie - and those who know it, know it, and those who don't, well, they'll find it sometime, it's not important now. Actually, this movie would have received a 1/10, had Gallo been completely incompetent at the filmmaking process, and had he offered nothing unique to give to the world. This was part of the surprise I expressed in my last post, because Gallo wasn't completely incompetent at the whole idea of telling a story. I was impressed with that, so I gave him a point. Yay.

So you not liking the film is because you are confusing a real person, Vincent Gallo, with a fictional character, Billy Brown? It seems like you are just knocking the film down because you don't like Gallo, really if you saw those moments you pointed out as GALLO trying to tell us how "good he is" and not as character moments then that may be where you missed out. It is the character in the film, without those moments you pointed out his character wouldn’t have been as developed. And in fact I love little character moments like that.

You saying “I'd rather get my eyes torn out!" but in an option between watching Buffalo '66 and watching 8 1/2, I'd go with 8 ½” is going pretty far, even if you didn’t like either film are you saying 8 ½ is a 2.1/10 or something? Maybe that will be address in the 8 ½ thread sometime.

Really Gallo isn’t arrogant in my opinion; on the Brown Bunny commentary he is real lowdown, and just calm. He even makes fun of himself, and pokes fun at the film. You, and many others, just know the “fake Gallo” I think, or the exaggerated one anyways. Who is the REAL Gallo?

It seems like you didn’t hate anything other than Gallo, who was playing a character in a film that has nothing to do with himself. He wasn’t like, “this is a true story about me,” nor did he even hint at it. And even you point out that in the film, the character of Billy Brown was just putting on an act so even though him and Gallo have nothing to do with each other, that character shows that he really isn’t a bad ass at all.

And you didn’t like that part in the film with Billy Brown and his family? That was one of the best parts of the film in my opinion, it is so real, you can tell so much is going on beneath the surface. And you can tell there is so much Gallo isn’t showing us. And when Billy’s father sings that song fro Ricci’s character it was great in my opinion.

So what I am getting at is that I really can’t understand your hate, it seems like you are acting like the film is worse because of your perception of Vincent Gallo as a person, and not because the film was actually bad, or not well-made. I feel the film actually deserves to be judged, and not just the person behind the film. I mean isn’t the story great? The character development is obviously amazing, that character grows so much. How about Cristina Ricci? That was easily her best performance. As well as so much more…You know what I mean?

[ie]

Oh, and what I was referring to, John, was that your little potshots at me were aggravating at first, but in the end they were just amusing. Thus, you became the comedian.


I can see what you mean, C-Dan, that there is more to comment on. I saw this movie as a semi-autobiographical movie at best, thus the focus on the whole Vincent Gallo=Billy Brown formula.

But I really don't feel like entertaining the thought of going into details anymore. I'll just say that, as a whole, my viewing of Buffalo '66 was not an experience I would want to revisit again. One could relate it to seeing the Boondock Saints, where people here consider it to be a total offense against everything that makes watching movies worthwhile. It just did not work for me.

[criterionmaster]

ie said:

Oh, and what I was referring to, John, was that your little potshots at me were aggravating at first, but in the end they were just amusing. Thus, you became the comedian.


I can see what you mean, C-Dan, that there is more to comment on. I saw this movie as a semi-autobiographical movie at best, thus the focus on the whole Vincent Gallo=Billy Brown formula.

But I really don't feel like entertaining the thought of going into details anymore. I'll just say that, as a whole, my viewing of Buffalo '66 was not an experience I would want to revisit again. One could relate it to seeing the Boondock Saints, where people here consider it to be a total offense against everything that makes watching movies worthwhile. It just did not work for me.

Boondock Saints and Buffalo '66 in the same thought, does not compute. But I guess there is nothing I can do to get you to watch the film again, if only you had known nothing about Gallo before the film you probably would have loved it. Sucks that you didn't like it though.

[ie]

I wasn't focused on Gallo being an asshole or anything before watching the movie or anything like that. I honestly tried being as non-biased as possible, just watching it and having a good time. I mean, I do believe that you should seperate the art from the artist. It just didn't work out, I hated the experience, but yeah, it always seems to suck when I dislike movies others like. It never turns out well.