PTA's 'Inherent Vice' to Shoot in the Month of May
Have you heard the good news? Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Inherent Vice’ to shoot this month, and will be financed by Warner Brothers (not Annapurna Pictures as previously thought.)
Dis is exciting stuff! I mean, yeah, there’s gonna be a new PTA film and all, but more importanTLY we don’t have to wait another 5 f*&@ing years for it!
Below is a promo video for the book ‘Inherent Vice’, narrated by the man himself Thomas Pynchon. This will be the first ever Pynchon novel adapted for the silver screen.
Now imagine Pynchon’s sensibilities as a voice actor in this video translated into a stoned-out Joaquin Phoenix…Nice.
Here are some cool tracks mentioned in the book that will help get you into the late 60’s/early 70’s ‘Gordita Beach’ (South Bay Los Angeles) vibe-set. Crunch-dig sandwich! Pass the extra dig.
The Decalogue (All Ten Chapters) - Krzysztof Kieślowski
Krzysztof Kieślowski was a force to be reckoned with. This 10 part mini-series, originally airing on Polish Television in 1988, showcases a filmmaker at the height of his powers.
If anything can be described as ‘classic Kieślowski’, it was his unccany ability to examine ambitious, eminent subjects with amazing subtly. And for the Commandments especially, a form of ambiguity that isn’t meant to perplex as much as it’s constructed to avoid judgment. What’s key here is that each imperative is presented without explicit reference.
One of the best things about this series is that each chapter, after quietly ending, will somehow find its way back into your thoughts, even if days later, perhaps weeks. I guess this is what any great work of art does.
But if hesitant to dive into a 10-hour Polish-language emotional saga, keep in mind that Stanley Kubrick labeled The Decalogue as “the only film masterpiece” he could think of in his lifetime.
More from Kubrick:
“I am always reluctant to single out some particular feature of the work of a major filmmaker because it tends inevitably to simplify and reduce the work. But in this book of screenplays by Krzysztof Kieslowski and his co-author, Krzysztof Piesiewicz, it should not be out of place to observe that they have the very rare ability to dramatize their ideas rather than just talking about them.”
“By making their points through the dramatic action of the story they gain the added power of allowing the audience to discover what’s really going on rather than being told. They do this with such dazzling skill, you never see the ideas coming and don’t realize until much later how profoundly they have reached your heart.”
The Decalogue I
Connected to the 1st imperative of the Ten Commandments, “I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before me.”
The Decalogue II
Connected to the 2nd imperative of The Ten Commandments:“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”
The Decalogue III
Connected to the 3rd imperative of The Ten Commandements: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
The Decalogue IV
Connected to the 4th imperative of The Ten Commandments: “Honor thy father and thy mother”.
The Decalogue V
Connected to the 5th imperative of The Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not kill”.
The Decalogue VI
Connected to the 6th imperative of The Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
The Decalogue VII
Connected to the 7th imperative of The Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not steal”.
The Decalogue VIII
Connected to the 8th imperative of The Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
The Decalogue IX
Connected to the 9th imperative of The Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife”.
The Decalogue X
Connected to the 10th imperative of The Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not covet.”
Trees Lounge (1996) - Written and directed by Steve Buscemi
“It’s a GOOD deal. A good deal for me!”
Neil Young as composer - Dead Man (1995) Dir. by Jim Jarmusch
Shakey channeling his inner buffalo spirit here…. Sounds like a locomotive you don’t want to get out of the way of.
Highway Playlist: Every Kubrick Closing Song From ‘Strangelove’ to ‘Eyes Wide Shut’
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Silky, morning dewey Vera Lynn voice plus apocalyptic mushroom footage leaves us feeling happy about the end of the world. Sweet.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The Monolinth of universal life projects human kind into the vertex of evolutional advancement: from mere conscious beings to encroaching God-status. Feel the Timpani.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Reverse-soundtrack-inclusion-psychology. Play something so ill-fitting that it is actually perfect. Gene Kelly’s ultra-happy good boy croonery mixed with audiences’ lingering thoughts of WTF=smiling Kubrick.
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Monster movie ending with monster piece of music. King Stanley.
The Shining (1980)
Spooky, yesh, but also mind tingling in the way this song catapults, very sneakily, The Shining into a realm not just fixated on supernatural madness, but also the metaphysical journey of the human spirit. Perfectly haunting.
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Stan The Man’s most criticized track, but that’s just like, your opinion, man. Wonder if Kubrick actually dug the Stones or was just going off his gut on this one? Either way, this song + credit sequence keeps the meat in the seats.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
The word “Fuck”, Nicole Kidman’s face, then a quick cut to this. Kubrick going out on top.
A hidden classic! And oh yeah, River Phoenix.
13.5 minutes of perfection for your Saturday afternoon blues.
What are we liking on this Wednesday?
If short of an idea, there’s always this unequivocal answer: Chef’s Salad.
Tonight’s featured film song is “The Dolphins” by Fred Neil. Hypnotic. Cool. Alluring. Just like the Ocean. Tim Buckley also does a killer version of this track. Was used in one of the most poignant moments of The Sopranos, when Chris shoots up again and trips out at the carnival. I would post the video of that montage, but don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t been on the journey yet. Heartbreaking.
Anyway, enjoy this cool breeze of a tune, and maybe you’re lucky enough to hear the ocean from where you are. Here’s to searching for the dolphins. Peace, love, and good vibrations.
