I've been on a David Fincher kick recently after consuming myself with The Social Network, his latest film. I was enamored with that film, and so sort of by accident I've been watching any film by Fincher that caught my eye. I've already seen two of his most notable films- Se7en and Fight Club- numerous times but I wasn't quite familiar with the rest of his filmography.
The next film after The Social Network that just happened to be on TV a while ago was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I remember hearing about that film when it first came out, but not paying much attention to it after hearing dismissive comments toward it. I gave it a chance and if anything I thought it was an incredibly visually lush film with great performances and an intriguing storyline. However, I have to agree that it was very plodding and dull and for a movie about life & death was admittedly very... lifeless.
About a week ago, my friend suggested we watch The Game, and so I obliged. I found myself rather liking this film. I remember seeing it years ago when it came out, but I had forgotten most of it. I know there was a lot of negative criticism over the ending- my friend absolutely hated it- but I thought it was a very stylish, well-made, slow burn thriller that was if anything, similar to Benjamin Button, gorgeous to look at.
Tonight I noticed that Panic Room was on TV, and so I decided to watch that as well. I remember watching the film back when it came out, but like The Game it had mostly disappeared from my memory. It's always interesting watching a film you don't quite remember for another time- it's essentially like watching the film for the first time, but with that sense of familiarity when you remember or recognize certain moments or actors or scenes. Panic Room may have been Fincher's most "mainstream" film up until that point (even though I think Benjamin Button takes that crown now), it was a really effectual, cat-and-mouse thriller that was wonderfully simple in its premise, but incredibly suspenseful and taut in its execution. It also cements Fincher as a visual virtuoso, with elaborate, richly textured shots of such simple things like getting a tour of the house or merely a flashlight flickering on and off. My favorite moments of the film are when there's complete silence, using the artful imagery of slow motion (probably one of the only instances where I appreciated speed ramping, verses hating it) to really extenuate tension.
I was never really a fan of David Fincher's work merely because I never honestly gave him the time of day before, but after re-discovering his filmography I've learned to really appreciate his work and his talent more and more. I also can't leave this post without mentioning Fincher's finest film, in my humble opinion: Zodiac. What a labor of love that film was- so incredibly finessed, detailed, sharp and insightful. Alien 3 is the only Fincher film I've yet to see, however I don't think I'll see that one anytime soon.
Anyone else a Fincher fan?
The next film after The Social Network that just happened to be on TV a while ago was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I remember hearing about that film when it first came out, but not paying much attention to it after hearing dismissive comments toward it. I gave it a chance and if anything I thought it was an incredibly visually lush film with great performances and an intriguing storyline. However, I have to agree that it was very plodding and dull and for a movie about life & death was admittedly very... lifeless.
About a week ago, my friend suggested we watch The Game, and so I obliged. I found myself rather liking this film. I remember seeing it years ago when it came out, but I had forgotten most of it. I know there was a lot of negative criticism over the ending- my friend absolutely hated it- but I thought it was a very stylish, well-made, slow burn thriller that was if anything, similar to Benjamin Button, gorgeous to look at.
Tonight I noticed that Panic Room was on TV, and so I decided to watch that as well. I remember watching the film back when it came out, but like The Game it had mostly disappeared from my memory. It's always interesting watching a film you don't quite remember for another time- it's essentially like watching the film for the first time, but with that sense of familiarity when you remember or recognize certain moments or actors or scenes. Panic Room may have been Fincher's most "mainstream" film up until that point (even though I think Benjamin Button takes that crown now), it was a really effectual, cat-and-mouse thriller that was wonderfully simple in its premise, but incredibly suspenseful and taut in its execution. It also cements Fincher as a visual virtuoso, with elaborate, richly textured shots of such simple things like getting a tour of the house or merely a flashlight flickering on and off. My favorite moments of the film are when there's complete silence, using the artful imagery of slow motion (probably one of the only instances where I appreciated speed ramping, verses hating it) to really extenuate tension.
I was never really a fan of David Fincher's work merely because I never honestly gave him the time of day before, but after re-discovering his filmography I've learned to really appreciate his work and his talent more and more. I also can't leave this post without mentioning Fincher's finest film, in my humble opinion: Zodiac. What a labor of love that film was- so incredibly finessed, detailed, sharp and insightful. Alien 3 is the only Fincher film I've yet to see, however I don't think I'll see that one anytime soon.
Anyone else a Fincher fan?
