tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post1084453867477337539..comments2023-10-28T11:09:18.671+05:30Comments on Cinemascope: The Firemen's Ball [1967]Shubhajithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-59749114786996599012009-11-21T15:28:14.144+05:302009-11-21T15:28:14.144+05:30This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-12543120405177750612009-10-30T21:57:18.336+05:302009-10-30T21:57:18.336+05:30Thanks a lot Sam for the good words.
Well, eithe...Thanks a lot Sam for the good words. <br /><br />Well, either of Loves of a Blonde or Firemen's Ball could be higher in my favourites (respective to each other) depending on various factors ranging from my mood to perhaps even the weather condition - they are that close. But Firemen's Ball was probably the more accomplished of the two, because of its subversive humour. And yeah, I agree that at times it was a tad cruel too. But then, truth often seems harsh and cruel. Perhaps one of many inspirations behind the Coens' works, esp. Fargo, what do you say?<br /><br />Great that you reiterate the analogy between Firemen & Closely Watched Train. I feel the latter deserves far more effusive praise than the sporadic appreciations that it currently elicits among movie-viewers & critics. It was an outstanding movie to say the least.Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-62252439963352933212009-10-30T03:14:46.232+05:302009-10-30T03:14:46.232+05:30"It is a brilliant, anarchic, genre-bending c..."It is a brilliant, anarchic, genre-bending classic whose comic timings would leave everyone laughing out loud, but whose subversive humour and satirical insights into a society behind Iron Curtain would not escape even those unaware of the then political turmoil surrounding the country."<br /><br />Simply magnificent, Shubhajit! I have not read a better and more economical summation. I prefer LOVES OF A BLONDE among his Czechoslovakian work, but certainly this film which recalls Bunuel's THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL is a damning indictment on the middle class, and cruelty does trump the humor in the proceedings, where a number of corruptive revelations are unearthed. Dead-on that you mention Menzel's CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS, which is one of the greatest of Czech New Wave films.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-21053030191704783022009-10-28T23:37:05.339+05:302009-10-28T23:37:05.339+05:30@ Srikanth: Thanks buddy for the wishes :) Yeah, t...@ Srikanth: Thanks buddy for the wishes :) Yeah, this is indeed one hilarious movie. Even the 'stealing of prizes' part was great.<br /><br />@Omar: That's a great point you've made. Yeah, a number of Romanian movies of recent years like 12:08 East of Bucharest, California Dreamin' & even Death of Mr. Lazarescu are wry, black comedies and stinging social (if not political) satires quite in the same vein of a number of Czech New Wave classics. In fact, 4 Months 3 Weeks... & Shop on Main Street were aberrations for me, even though they too were as exceptional as the others.Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-56080187300340113872009-10-28T23:09:02.592+05:302009-10-28T23:09:02.592+05:30Hey Shubhajit,
Many more happy returns of the d...Hey Shubhajit, <br /><br />Many more happy returns of the day. <br /><br />Cheers!Just Another Film Buffhttp://theseventhart.infonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-17402390534579288142009-10-28T16:35:59.054+05:302009-10-28T16:35:59.054+05:30I have not seen this one but they way you describe...I have not seen this one but they way you describe it immediately reminds me of '12:08 East of Bucharest'; political satire. I'm not sure about Milos Forman's career in Hollywood; what do you think?Omarhttp://omarsfilmblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-91535405727747278092009-10-28T06:52:27.570+05:302009-10-28T06:52:27.570+05:30A hilarious movie, especially the beauty contest s...A hilarious movie, especially the beauty contest sequence. Especially this one:<br /><br />"The good name of the fire brigade means more to me than any honesty"Just Another Film Buffhttp://theseventhart.infonoreply@blogger.com