Comments on: A few weekend discoveries

By: ssw

ssw — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:17:50 +0000

I can’t even remember the movie that well–it’s probably been 10-12 years since I saw it. What stayed with me though was mostly visual–the way that Easy Rider captured this time period within the US that seems to be just gone. My interest in it was more along the lines of appreciating those gorgeous landscapes. see you tonight!

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 21:24:44 +0000

See, Easy Rider is one I don’t know if I could watch again. Its unironic post-hippie sentimentality is just a little too much for me right now — and one reason I think The Last Movie wasn’t entirely ironic or satirical. That said, I have enjoyed Easy Rider immensely in the past and may be able to do so again at some point.

By: ssw

ssw — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 18:25:07 +0000

I’m actually not sure if it was Kris or Leonard. I do know that Phil Spector pulled his funding and yet, Phil must have been fairly intimate with all of them regardless because he was IN Easy Rider. Strange times. I responded to the music beyond most other emotional techniques in the film (ie., the mother’s milk, the tears at the party, the whore girlfriend being beat up). The music was hopeful, sentimental, earnest–it was certainly painting a picture. For me, it was like the upside down monkeys saying “Hang in There” from the 70s–we had muted sunsets, puppies..there was an earnest hopefulness in the midst of a cynical worldview. Hey wanna watch Easy Rider next? It’s also like watching a bygone era, but in the United States. Sad and wondrous, all wrapped into one.
‘

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 14:31:00 +0000

I didn’t know that about Leonard Cohen. Cool.

What did you think? Was the soundtrack a joke, like Hoberman says? I would say it was ironic and sincere, both. But that’s my reaction to a lot of things.

By: ssw

ssw — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:38:01 +0000

Lyrical indeed Dave. I was awestruck watching Kris Kristofferson singing “Me and Bobby McGee” up on a rock in the middle of nowhere, telling Kansas (Hopper) to get his ass back onto the set. Did you know Leonard Cohen did the score?