|   Blue Velvet | PwrPopGuy
Sep 23, 2003 11:32 AM | | An old film (1986) but I just saw this for the first time over the weekend on Showtime (recorded on DVR, I actually watched it all in about 3 separate sittings). Man, what a mean mo-fo that Dennis Hopper was as "Frank". And Kyle Maclachlan looked like he was all of 16, he was so young-looking. Isabella Rosselini was quite the looker in this violent pre-"Twin Peaks" David Lynch film. And a very small role for Brad Dourif as one of Frank's henchmen. So scary was Hopper's performance, I think I'll transfer this to VHS. Another interesting character in this was the brief role played by Dean Stockwell. I can imagine if you saw this for the first time stoned, it would really freak you out! |
| re: Blue Velvet | jack70
Sep 24, 2003 10:41 AM | | <i>An old film (1986)...</i>
That's <b>old</b>? It's all relative I guess, but what's that make all the 30's & 40's films? LOL!
It's one of my faves, although it's not a particularly up-lifting film that has a lot of deep lessons or anything. However, from an artistic standpoint, it has a bit of the impact of... oh... Orson Welles... LOL. The opening shot is great (cut-off ear in the dirt). I love it when a film that I'm not really expecting much from, brings me into it's web so totally. I had the same reaction from Goodfellas. The fact you never know where it's taking you, like a wild ride, makes it so compelling. Of course, it's all for naught if the acting & production is bad, but in both of those movies, you forget you're watching a movie. As ugly & off-putting as it is, it's like watching an accident.. you can't take your eyes off it. Unlike many films, not many people are in the middle with this film... you're either captivated by it, or you think it's trash.
Machlachlan is indeed young. He's been in some really weird movies over the years, yet he has such a "normal" disposition. I recommend "The Hidden" also, which he's in... a sci-fi/horror/action/fantasy ride in a similar <i>Lynchian</i> style, but in a more mod, R&R /in-your-face way. It's more a fun film though, with some laughs... sorta like if Twin Peaks was written on speed & laughing gas instead of morphine.
I agree Rosselini is stunning, although I think her character may be the most unrealistic one... she's a bit <i>too</i> gorgeous IMO, but I guess Lynch did that on purpose to make the whole story more puzzling and mysterious. But that ain't bad if that's my biggest criticism of the film... LOL. BTW, her mom had quite an interesting life too.
I think that was Hopper's big turning point back onto the Hollywood A-list after his career had struggled... he went on to play a whole string of messed up people (Hoosiers, Speed, etc) and did some fun commercials on ESPN etc playing off that wacko image.
Lynch tried to re-do the magic he had in Blue Velvet in "Lost Highway". It has it's moments, but it's very slow going for long stretches, and most won't have the patience for it. I'm glad I saw it, but it's too dark and disjointed for most to really enjoy it unless you have a passion for experimental or strange foreign type films. |
| Wanna go for a ride, neighbor? | Troy
Sep 24, 2003 3:25 PM | | Wow, never saw that one, eh? It is indeed, THE Lynch classic. 5 stars.
The ear in the suburban lawn shows that below the shiny happy surface of suburbia lurks a world of the grotesque and violent. It's the whole point of the movie explained in the first 30 seconds. This was handled much better than in the glaringly obvious (but still enjoyable) "American Beauty".
Jack's right, this was Hopper's "come back" role and one that defined him in many people's eyes. Frank Booth's one of the top 5 most despicable and frightening characters in film, for me. Right about this same time he played a deranged drug dealer in "River's Edge" (still Keannu Reeves' best role)
Dean Stockwell crooning "Candy Colored Clown they Call the Sandman" into a mechanics drop-light is an image I'll never forget. To this day, I can't help but tell guys named Ben that they are, in fact, "one suave f*ck". the movie is packed with great one liners- me and a co-worker used to holler "Get hin outta the car, Raymond!!" at each other all day long, much to the dismay of our other office-mates.
I loved Laura Dern in this too. Hard to believe that she's the same gal that was in Lynch's homage to the Wizard of Oz; "Wild at Heart".
Heineken? Pabst Blue Ribbon!! |
| re: Blue Velvet.... | audiobill
Oct 6, 2003 7:47 AM | | Hey PPG.
Blue Velvet is one of my alltime faves. You're right: Dennis Hopper is one mean Mo Fo. I don't think he's been able to match that performance since, then.
It's always great when you stumble across a cult classic, years later, with all of the hype stripped away.
Glad you liked it,
audiobill |
| re: Blue Velvet.... | PwrPopGuy
Oct 7, 2003 1:23 PM | | Hey audiobill, one scene in particular that's really odd or surreal, whatever, is when Kyle Maclachlan is getting his ass kicked when he goes for that neighborly ride, there's music playing (Roy Orbison?), Maclachlan is getting punched badly and the camera moves over to that ugly dancing slut while he's getting the crap beat out of him. Just kind of bizarre, that scene. I had heard of the movie over the years - just never bothered to rent it. Now, it's hard to get the images out of my head. |
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