Wim Wenders

[criterionmaster]

Can't believe there isn't a thread?

[criterionmaster]

Chambre [Room] 666 (Wim Wenders; 1982) 10/10



Just amazing, I would call it a "documented experiment" with directors being put in a room alone with a camera and a question about the future of film, such masters as Godard and Fassbinder talk and it was just amazing. I was surprised to find out it was so short, 46 minutes, but it was perfect for what it is.

I was surprised I was interested in what every director had to say, even ones I didn’t even know. Spielberg probably gives the best thoughts, and probably the most lengthy; although Antonioni’s interview is also pretty long and interesting. I have fear of the same thing the question asks, that film is becoming too much like a TV show, in the way it looks and is advertised, also that the theater experience is dying out, hell I didn’t even go to the theater but maybe 5 times this year.

I would recommend this to anyone; it is one of the best documentaries about film. Hate to say it was my first Wenders’ film, but happy to say it was fantastic. Made 10+ years ago and the question is still as relevant as today. I have to give it a 10 for succeeding at everything it sets out to do, and keeping me fully absorbed and interesting the whole film. (Love the title by the way; it just happened to take place actually in Room 666.)

[sacrilegend]

Wings of Desire = absolutely breathtaking. 10/10
Paris, Texas = not so breathtaking, but it made an impact nonetheless. I loved the "Coffee Shop" scene. 8/10 (bit of a letdown, watching it the same day as WoD)

[agentknight]

I love love love love loved Wings of Desire and has been bouncing around my top 20 for quite some time now, and my local DVD store has Paris Texas which I will buy eventually.

[sacrilegend]

Hee hee... I'll exalt you for that. It's my favourite movie, but I don't have organized lists, so it's probably not very hard getting into my top spot!

Paris, Texas was great as well, I highly recommend it. Just don't go in expecting something as amazing and ethereal as Wings of Desire, because you'll be sorely disappointed. It's more grounded, but for a grounded film it's fantastically different.

[criterionmaster]

I just watched The American Friend, and yet another great film from Wenders. It is making me very happy that the first two films I pick from the set have turned out so good. A brilliantly directed thriller with two powerhouse performances, one from the master, Dennis Hopper, and one from Bruno Ganz (who people would probably know from Wings of Desire and Nosferatu).

It is about a man who sells counterfeit paintings (Hopper), who meets up with a man who makes frames and is dying from a blood disease (Ganz). They both get mixed up with the mob and murder, when Hopper arranges for Ganz to kill a man. Besides the already mentioned lead performances, we have amazing supporting performances from Samuel Fuller, Lou Castel, Nicholas Ray, among many others.

And wonderfully filmed film, too. Okay, now imagine my surprise in a movie with no music besides score, and with less then 20 minutes left in the film all of a sudden The Kinks kick in. I don’t think I have been that happy in a while. Also the scene on the train is a new favorite movie moment, and proves even more so how much of a badass Hopper is. Has anyone seen this film before? If not you really should check it out, underrated hidden gem. Based on the book, Ripley’s Game, for anyone interested the same author, Patricia Highsmith, also wrote The Talented Mr. Ripley and Strangers on a Train.

Oh, you didn’t believe me about how nice the film looked? Well here you go:





Video Clips:
Theatrical Trailer
The Ending (Don't watch unless you have seen the film)

8.5/10

[captainofbeef]

Can you lend me that?? I really want to see it.

[criterionmaster]

Yeah, sure. I will give it to you after I watch the features, so sometime this week. We can discuss the details in school tomorrow.

[captainofbeef]

Ok.

[criterionmaster]

For anyone interested, you can watch the U2 video for the song "Night and Day" which was directed by Wim Wenders here. I haven't checked it out yet, but I will sometime soon.

[captainofbeef]

^My second Wenders. Buena Vista Social Clubs was a superb documentary but I really needed to get into his true films. The American Friend is an awesome thriller with great performances and some killer cinematography that made up for some plot holes.

[sacrilegend]

GO, go, go, go, go WINGS OF DESIRE.

[criterionmaster]

sacrilegend said:

GO, go, go, go, go WINGS OF DESIRE.

God, I have the film on DVD but have so much damn stuff to watch, it is insane. Not to mention, I have a whole 'nother boxset of this guy's stuff to watch. But I promise, the next Wenders film I watch will be Wings of Desire.

[sacrilegend]

criterionmaster said:

God, I have the film on DVD but have so much damn stuff to watch, it is insane. Not to mention, I have a whole 'nother boxset of this guy's stuff to watch. But I promise, the next Wenders film I watch will be Wings of Desire.

I feel like being mean to you for not watching this yet! But I won't be, just keep your promise. This is one worthwhile film. The worst is that you even have it on DVD!