|
Post by chrisu on Apr 9, 2017 1:13:45 GMT -5
After acquiring some spell books I remembered and rewatched this movie. It is directed by the great Roman Polanski. Jonny Depp is playing lead, Frank Langella, a famous Dracula actor is playing a minor role. The film is based on the book "The Club Dumas", which I think is worth a read, too. But the pictures and storytelling of the film are just incredible. Don't expect a fast action or horror movie. This film is subtle. I rewatch it about once a year and always get a few more details. So, what is it all about? A specialist in antique books (Depp) is hired to verify the authenticity of a certain grimoire by a shady businessman (Langella). This is the same book the movie took its name from. The fictive Ninth gate into the realm of shadows, a book of which there should be only one remaining copy. But somehow now three have turned up. So Depp travels over Europe to compare Langellas book with the other two. I know from this description it doesn't sound much. But I don't want to spoiler you. Just a warning, the movie takes it time. But Blade Runner does, too. Let me just tell you that there is a DVD Versionoit there which has a copy of the wood carvings which take a prominent role in the movie. Heck, somehow I'd like to own a fake copy of this book. That would make an incredible cool curio to show off.
|
|
|
Post by craigrj on Apr 9, 2017 4:55:28 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by chrisu on Apr 9, 2017 12:47:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the link! I asked them about the Latin text in the books. If it is only filler I won't pull the trigger on that. They are going to send me pics of the text soon. Damn. Now I need a replica of the Egyptian Book of the Dead next.
|
|
|
Post by craigrj on Apr 9, 2017 16:21:43 GMT -5
I asked the same question and just now received an answer back - looks like the Latin in the book is just filler, there's no English translation available and they think although it matches the film, that the film just used filler Latin throughout too.
---
SO now I'm in a quandary, because I'm not sure it offers enough to justify the money...
|
|
|
Post by chrisu on Apr 9, 2017 16:31:30 GMT -5
I asked the same question and just now received an answer back - looks like the Latin in the book is just filler, there's no English translation available and they think although it matches the film, that the film just used filler Latin throughout too. --- SO now I'm in a quandary, because I'm not sure it offers enough to justify the money... Well, I got some pics of the Latin texts and judged it worth my while. If you PM me your email I gladly send you the pics, too. Then you can make your own decision.
|
|
|
Post by thegenii on Apr 18, 2017 11:14:27 GMT -5
The movie is worthwhile only if you like movies that don't have endings.
|
|
|
Post by chrisu on Apr 18, 2017 11:27:41 GMT -5
The movie is worthwhile only if you like movies that don't have endings. Oh it does have an ending. It just leaves part of it to your imagination. Now Just like Tempus Fugit. It might not be your cup of tea. Actually I was in the same boat after seeing the movie in the Cinema. It just grew on me.
|
|
|
Post by thegenii on Apr 18, 2017 20:54:41 GMT -5
So many people were confused by the lack of an ending that Polanski was questioned about whether the production had simply run out of money and stopped so they couldn't film an ending, or whether there had been studio interference. His reply was the movie ended exactly the way he wanted it to. Which, unfortunately for the viewer, means no ending. (Yes, of course you could argue that the final shot is an "ending," but it doesn't answer any of the questions the film has raised over its running time.)
|
|
|
Post by chrisu on Apr 18, 2017 22:28:39 GMT -5
The ending needs your imagination to fill the gaps, that's true. What should he have done? Shown how Corso was dragged into hell? No, I rather prefer this ending. But I might have a thing for movies with a more open end. For example Twelve Monkeys, Krampus or Blade Runner. All these don't tell you everything and leave things up to your imagination. These are the ones I keep thinking and talking, not something like Episode VII. Well I keep talking about that one, too. But only because Episode VII is so balantly bad I still can't believe it. But that is of course only my humble opinion. To each his or her own I guess. Would be terrible if every one liked exactly the same things, don't you think? That makes me wonder if there is anyone out there enjoying Uwe Boll movies...
|
|