Monday

Today, a few random thoughts on different films. Firstly, Pulp Fiction. I recently read that you can view this film as four trips to the bathroom by Travolta's character. This is interesting, but it is also flawed. The bathroom scene with him and Jackson surely doesn't count. It isn't him going in, realising something, and coming out to a changed situation as it is in the other three. Also, what about the time Thurman goes to the bathroom in the diner? Surely that's important. And the kid in the bathroom with the gun? There is definitely a theme in there somewhere.

Secondly, War of the Worlds, the 1953 version of which I just watched. The remarkable thing about Spielberg's version is that the main character is not important at all. It's an epic, disaster movie in which no one really does, or is capable, of stopping the opposition. All right, Tom Cruise does blow up one tripod, but that's it.

Thirdly, a note about Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan. I heard someone say yesterday that the opening 20 minutes were the best of any film ever. I did enjoy them too, but thinking about them now I think there is something wrong: the slow motion sequence. This gives the audience a chance to breath, it lets them know everything will be ok - it takes us out of the reality of the situation. Although necessary in terms of pacing, I think this was a mistake by Spielberg.