1982
Fitzcarraldo – Review #27
Klaus Kinski, or as I like to call him, the German Steve Buscemi.
Fitzcarraldo, directed by Werner Herzog-no, I did not make that name up-tells the story of Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, better known as ‘Fitzcarraldo’. He loves the opera, and plans to build an opera house in the Peruvian jungle. Sadly, his recent bankruptcy prevents him from doing so, and to raise money he will need rubber, as it is the most profitable industry in Peru. The last unclaimed land with rubber trees is however blocked by rapids, and so Fitzcarraldo concocts a plan so absurd that it’s downright brilliant.
This is my first Werner Herzog film, and I realized that he has a distinct style. His frequent use of hand-held cameras and close-ups has decided me to call it ‘documentary-esq’. I quite liked it, how it made you feel as though you were actually with Fitzcarraldo and crew, looking in awe as the main climax of the movie happens.
Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog’s destructive but effective friendship off screen is well known in the film world, and I was quite surprised on how it turned out so well. Klaus Kinski plays his role spectacularly as this driven man who will do anything to get what he wants. He’s so good that he completely overshadows the rest of the cast. Actor-director confrontations usually causes a film to spiral down in quality, but Kinski’s ability to act and Herzog’s directing save it. Also, if staring could kill, Kinski would be a serial killer,
Besides the Kinski-Herzog matters, the film is also known for it’s production. The arguable main climax of this movie is of course the natives pulling the steamboat over a hill. Herzog and crew, instead of using miniatures or such other special effects, actually pull a steamboat over a hill. The effect that it had to me was astounding. Again, with his documentary-esq directing, it makes you believe that you are actually there, watching a freaking 10,000 ton ship being hauled across a hill. Nobody has done it before, and to my knowledge, nobody has done it since. Werner Herzog could’ve used scale models, but no, he loves the audience, and gives them what they want. He truly is, in his own words, ‘Conquistador of the Useless’.
I must also praise the cinematographer,Thomas Mauch. The places where he had to shoot, well, I’m surprised he didn’t say no to Herzog. ‘What, you want me to shoot in a boat that crashes into a cliff? No problem.’ That takes some serious courage, and I thank Mr. Mauch for having that courage.
With all the praise I’ve been giving this film, the flaws seen to be non-existent. And besides feeling that the last few minutes felt a bit dragging, there really are no flaws that I can find. Herzog truly is a master at his craft.
In conclusion, Fitzcarraldo is a combination of adventure, natives, boat-moving and a crazy German guy. If that sounds even remotely interesting to you, watch it.
Rocky III – Review #22
And here we see the continuing saga as Rocky fights his hardest opponent yet…the economy!
Rocky III, again directed by Stallone himself, starts 3 years after the second one left, with Rocky and Apollo beating the living daylights out of each other (Why do I have a feeling of deja vu?). Of course, he’s able to retain his title, but as the new No. 1 contender Clubber Lang, played by the ever so charismatic Mr. T, starts to prove dangerous to his reign, Rocky must train even harder to prove who is the best.
Right from the get go, the feel of Rocky III is different from the first two. It definitely feels more cheesy than the other two, and I like it. Rocky is not an underdog anymore, he’s the champion now, so I’m glad Stallone didn’t just somehow make him become an underdog again. Rehashing does not equal to a good film, usually. Speaking of Stallone, his physical appearance has improved significantly. I mean, look at those abs! He didn’t have those in the last one, that’s for sure.
Speaking of Stallone again, his acting has also significantly improved. His delivery is much more smooth-well, as smooth as a 191lb boxer can be-, and the emotions he feels are much more noticeable. In particular in SPOILER Mickey’s death scene, Rocky actually cries like a normal person would given the same circumstances, and I applaud him for that.
Carl Weathers also has a more prominent role this time ’round, and of course, he’s as charismatic as ever. Mr. T, who will become famous due to the A-Team, does not try to fill Apollo’s shoes, and instead is his own kind of antagonist.
The score is again rehashed, but as I said, don’t fix what’s not broken. And with the now iconic Eye Of the Tiger by Survivor, this is the Rocky series’ most recognizable soundtrack yet.
If I have anything bad to say, it’s that the end fight felt quite a tad short. Granted, Rocky knocking down Lang in the third round is used to prove a point, but I can’t help feeling that I missed out on something.
In the end, Rocky III is not like the other two, but given for what it is, you can get SO much more lower than it is.
WilliamLiReviews 