My Own Private Idaho

Ooh! New Line used their Freddie money to finance art movies? I think I’d almost forgotten that, but they were the ones who financed Hairspray, I think?

So I’m continuing watching 80s art house movies… but this is from 1991. It’s basically the 80s! And I think I watched this at the art house theatre at the time, but I’m not quite sure…

I mean, I’m pretty sure that I’ve seen this before, but it’s three decades ago. Perhaps it was on VHS?

Flea!

Oh, right… this one has a bunch of lines cribbed from Shakespeare…

Really!?

loosely based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V.

But I saw Henry V just a week ago, and there were hardly any hustlers there! But a lot more war.

Oh, right, Udo Kier.

That’s so Italy.

I really enjoyed all the scenes here… but it feels a bit disjointed? Like some kind of Frankenmovie? I mean, I love it, but it could be… more… something.

But it’s lovely. And so sad. Or possibly not.

My Own Private Idaho. Gus Van Sant. 1991. ⚄

The Last of England

I think this is like the fourth time I’ve seen this movie? I saw it the first time in like 1991, at the local film club.

I love cauliflower, too!

This is still brilliant. It’s got a wonderful soundtrack, and good sound work otherwise, and it’s just got such a vibe otherwise.

The Last of England . Derek Jarman. 1987. ⚅

Henry V

Ooh. There’s a logo I haven’t seen in a minute. But it’s also rather surprising that a first-time director — doing a long version of Henry V — would get distribution on that level, isn’t it?

Yes, I’m continuing my Festival Of 80s Art House Movies.

So meta!

Such mascara.

Augustus!

This is good stuff! I remember the buzz about this movie was that somebody had dared make a … fundamentalist? … version of Shakespeare for the screen again. And indeed it makes it a thrilling thing to watch.

(I mean, it’s an edited text, but it’s not heavily modernised.)

THAT DARN CAT

It’s so tense!

And I love these bits, too.

WHERE”S OSHA THAT”S TOO CLOSE TO THE CLIFFS

The production is spiffy, but I don’t quite believe in Ken’s hairdo. That’s a very 1989 cut. I mean, I can see how they’ve tried to make it something else, but they’ve worked so hard at it that it’s gone full circle.

I’m gonna use that phrase more often from now on.

Heh heh this is fun.

Heh heh:

King Charles VI of France did not command the French army as he suffered from psychotic illnesses and associated mental incapacity.

And:

Henry V received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the best Shakespeare screen adaptations ever produced. Among its numerous accolades, the film received three nominations at the 62nd Academy Awards, two of which went to Branagh (Best Director and Best Actor). Henry V won with its other nomination, Best Costume Design for Phyllis Dalton.

Despite being nominated for the Oscars a lot, it’s a good movie. I think the scenes with Henry at night in the camp are magical. It sort of falls short of that in the final scenes. Which are cute! But they’re kinda like “er”.

So I wondered whether this movie got any votes in the Sight & Sound 2022 poll — and nope. Not a single one.

Which is understandable.

But it’s a good movie.

Henry V. Kenneth Branagh. 1989. ⚄