tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post8612268868350300482..comments2024-01-26T00:54:19.338+08:00Comments on Lessons From the School of Inattention: We Own the Night (2007)Oggs Cruzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03041599863258946384noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post-45125051248624075102007-11-14T19:53:00.000+08:002007-11-14T19:53:00.000+08:00I'm glad we're the same on this Chard. I can't wai...I'm glad we're the same on this Chard. I can't wait to read your opinion on this; Dodo's too of course.Oggs Cruzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041599863258946384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post-50395211538269293292007-11-14T19:05:00.000+08:002007-11-14T19:05:00.000+08:00I see why you loved this film very much Oggs -- th...I see why you loved this film very much Oggs -- the reason why I did see it for myself. And I wasn't disappointed.digitalburyonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13564519967089293558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post-72754172086935153072007-11-14T14:04:00.000+08:002007-11-14T14:04:00.000+08:00I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, Wahlberg was underu...I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, Wahlberg was underused, but I liked the fact that Gray didn't expand his character's jealousy over their father's affection (the father dies for the prodigal son, and the loyal son nearly died without any much fuss). Phoenix is truly amazing, Mendes too. If the rain was CGI, that's fantastic CGI; better than all the transforming automobiles in the world.Oggs Cruzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041599863258946384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post-84334132234871640572007-11-14T13:20:00.000+08:002007-11-14T13:20:00.000+08:00Finally saw this, oggs. Agree with you. Don't thin...Finally saw this, oggs. Agree with you. Don't think I expected this to suck , though,as I've been following James Gray's work since I saw <B>The Yards</B>.Vastly underrated talent. Phoenix is good here, very good, and Wahlberg ,too, if a little underused (one of few nits). And everybody goes back to that car chase - - which they should, it's terrific. Rain was CG, though,according to Phoenix. Post my thoughts soon. Good one.dodo dayaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08287196617019639716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post-55482912573491925372007-11-12T08:18:00.000+08:002007-11-12T08:18:00.000+08:00Thanks Joseph,We Own the Night is definitely up th...Thanks Joseph,<BR/><BR/>We Own the Night is definitely up there this year, and it really frustrates me that many people can't get into Gray's textured cinema. True, the plot does not feature twists and turns or network storylines most acclaimed films nowadays possess, but it does have psychological complexity and Gray tells his story understatedly, now that's a rarity today.Oggs Cruzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041599863258946384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post-24755552891273944972007-11-12T05:46:00.000+08:002007-11-12T05:46:00.000+08:00Great take on "We Own the Night". As a devoted Jam...Great take on "We Own the Night". As a <A HREF="http://itsamadmadblog2.blogspot.com/2007/05/appreciation-james-gray.html/" REL="nofollow">devoted James Gray fan</A> I loved his <A HREF="http://itsamadmadblog2.blogspot.com/2007/10/gray-matters.html/" REL="nofollow">latest</A> as well. He creates great texture in his films and "We Own the Night" also features 2 or 3 great set-pieces. One of my favs of the year.Joe Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160822944514723178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post-18623717347237305392007-11-10T22:13:00.000+08:002007-11-10T22:13:00.000+08:00Thanks Jay,It's easy to dismiss We Own the Night. ...Thanks Jay,<BR/><BR/>It's easy to dismiss We Own the Night. It's a derivative of a story as old as history; Cain and Abel, parable of the prodigal son, several Greek tragedies, etc. Gray directs the film so dutifully, everything is whispered. When he does showcase directorial flair, it's not to wow but to point out portions of the plot that need emphasis; the drug house scene is Bobby's point of no return (thus, we also feel his being trapped), the car chase scene is Bobby's metanoia (where he can no longer be a passive participant in his family's affairs, that's also the part where Amada is sent to the sidelines, in favor of the family of course), the shootout in the grassy fields seals the deal (and we see Bobby completely changed, but with a permanent loss). I think this is Phoenix's best performance, and the turmoil in his character here is bigger more realistic than Johnny Cash. The film could have been much more, but as it is, it's fooking brilliant. Hehe.Oggs Cruzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041599863258946384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31058461.post-6641030497900058012007-11-10T15:21:00.000+08:002007-11-10T15:21:00.000+08:00Hi Oggs, Why do I feel like this film could've bee...Hi Oggs, Why do I feel like this film could've been so much more? Though I didn't hate it, it didn't totally wowed me also. I love the car chase, and the comparison of the familial ties. Joaquin Phoenix is always amazing though at times, I feel like he's essaying some of his wounded-troubled Cash character in Walk the Line. Great review :Djayclopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292414049532804276noreply@blogger.com