Steven Soderbergh
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
I cannot believe I never knew about this project! GBV is perhaps my favorite band or tied for it when all is said and done, as if I needed another reason to love Soderbergh. What a marvelous idea for a film and so incredibly depressing that it never came into being
- Oedipax
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 8:48 am
- Location: Atlanta
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Robert Pollard did do the score for Bubble, as well. It's one of my favorites.
- PfR73
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:07 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
And a Robert Pollard song is used over the end credits of Full Frontal
- rapta
- Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:04 pm
- Location: Hants, UK
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Recent 4K restoration of The Limey finally coming to Blu-ray via LionsGate in April (in the UK at least): https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Limey-Blu- ... B084XT1HQ2
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
I know the Full Frontal blu-ray is OOP and going for insane prices, but can anyone speak to the differences or merit of the “new” 112-minute edit, if it’s worth seeking out? I’ve only seen (and love) the original 101-min DVD cut.
- PfR73
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:07 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
On the original DVD, the deleted scenes section listed the scenes on 2 different pages. Weirdly, none of the scenes from Page 1 are in the extended cut, but every scene from Page 2 is in the extended cut.
These scenes make up the bulk (approximately 8-9 minutes of the 11 minute difference) of the extended cut, the rest are mostly short scene extensions. A full breakdown can be seen at https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=254279
The film doesn't feel changed in any major way, nothing majorly affects the characters or plot. I hadn't seen the film for many years before recently watching the Blu-ray and if I hadn't already known it was an extended cut, I probably would not have realized. However, comparing the two cuts, the extended one does slightly flesh out certain moments in a more satisfying way.
I would say, if you check those deleted scenes on the DVD and feel like you would appreciate seeing them be part of the actual film, then you'd want the extended cut. If you could do without them and are satisfied with them being deleted scenes, then it's unnecessary.
SpoilerShow
Included:
- Linda Driving
- Parked Car Scene
- Lee Arrives at Hotel
- Name Dropping
- Batting Average
- Stoned Dog and the Porno Shop
- What's Up, Dog?
- What Are We Shooting?
- Linda Driving
- Parked Car Scene
- Lee Arrives at Hotel
- Name Dropping
- Batting Average
- Stoned Dog and the Porno Shop
- What's Up, Dog?
- What Are We Shooting?
The film doesn't feel changed in any major way, nothing majorly affects the characters or plot. I hadn't seen the film for many years before recently watching the Blu-ray and if I hadn't already known it was an extended cut, I probably would not have realized. However, comparing the two cuts, the extended one does slightly flesh out certain moments in a more satisfying way.
I would say, if you check those deleted scenes on the DVD and feel like you would appreciate seeing them be part of the actual film, then you'd want the extended cut. If you could do without them and are satisfied with them being deleted scenes, then it's unnecessary.
Last edited by PfR73 on Sun Mar 29, 2020 10:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
If it makes you feel worse, TWBB, I’m pretty sure I bought my copy when it came out for all of $5.99 like all the other Miramax Blu-rays Echo Bridge put out!
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Thanks for the detailed breakdown PfR73! I’ll check out the deleted scenes when I get to this next week in my Soderbergh revisits. Like a lot of OOP blus, this only makes me wish I subscribed to the format earlier domino, though it’s heartening to see it go for such high prices considering its still-trifled status, which can only indicate that there’s a strong market for Soderbergh devotees out there!
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Revisited Full Frontal again and I continue to find that this misunderstood gem gets closer to perfect every time. I know people don’t like this one but I struggle to see how anyone can’t find it to be hilarious - not because it's a satire of the industry (which it undoubtedly is, though the meta-jokes were done better in Ocean’s Twelve) but as a farce on basic human behavior and their inappropriate absurdities, though filmed in reserved objective banality masked as intimate documentary. The joke spreads in all directions: unreliable narration would make the joke on us but the perspectives shared are mocked so the joke is on them. And throughout all of this there isn’t a malicious teasing from Soderbergh but a presentation of very real people who express a mixture of the kind of obnoxious idiosyncrasies we encounter daily with exaggerated behaviors that we think and don’t say. This is the kind of humor Larry David has made a living on, but retracted back enough so as to counter that annoying, discomforting content by refusing to become those qualities as an intrusive author like other works do with impulsive aggression in form. Soderbergh’s greatest strength here is that his stylistic choices throws us a curve ball in finding his usual humble place, refraining from manipulation or disrespect by taking five steps back and allowing those manipulations and disrespect to unfold without the need of his intrusions. It's a level of trust and confidence that is much more difficult to pull off that it appears.
The tonal shifts work well too, with a wide range of comedy including a never-better Nicky Katt stealing scenes as an eccentric actor - and just when you think that the dramatic ventures are being played for laughs, scenes pop up like Keener walking in on Pierce’s speech about liking her in addition to loving her, which is such a cinematically convenient insert splicing an raw, genuine moment with a contrivance. Soderbergh has his cake and eats it too, brilliantly.
Even the ending basks in the monotonous self-consciousness of authentic expression, with corny jokes and awkward voiceovers explaining blandly that two characters met in a 'classic cinema' spontaneous love ending, where they had a "nice time," and mostly leave it at that, subverting all expectations that come with the ending. Soderbergh ironically reminds us that verbalizing one’s experiences with nuance isn’t an honest account of expression but a cinematic one, and then these nervous, uncomfortable characters give the final lines when words cannot do experience justice- “it was like in the movies.” Blanket statement, no details, box filled, leave me alone- roll credits.
The tonal shifts work well too, with a wide range of comedy including a never-better Nicky Katt stealing scenes as an eccentric actor - and just when you think that the dramatic ventures are being played for laughs, scenes pop up like Keener walking in on Pierce’s speech about liking her in addition to loving her, which is such a cinematically convenient insert splicing an raw, genuine moment with a contrivance. Soderbergh has his cake and eats it too, brilliantly.
Even the ending basks in the monotonous self-consciousness of authentic expression, with corny jokes and awkward voiceovers explaining blandly that two characters met in a 'classic cinema' spontaneous love ending, where they had a "nice time," and mostly leave it at that, subverting all expectations that come with the ending. Soderbergh ironically reminds us that verbalizing one’s experiences with nuance isn’t an honest account of expression but a cinematic one, and then these nervous, uncomfortable characters give the final lines when words cannot do experience justice- “it was like in the movies.” Blanket statement, no details, box filled, leave me alone- roll credits.
- The Narrator Returns
- Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:35 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Having not written a script in 15 years, Soderbergh has written/rewritten three screenplays during lockdown, including an adaptation of David Levien's City of the Sun and a sequel to sex, lies, and videotape.
- The Narrator Returns
- Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:35 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
This is from a livestream interview he's been doing with spirits website Flaviar.
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Aside from his Yes doc I’ve officially seen all Soderbergh’s work as director, after finishing off K Street a couple months ago, which I thought was fantastic (though mostly the first half). The Knick, and the Fallen Angels episode The Professional Man, would be other TV works threatening to make a top ten list, but none likely would.
After listening to the Ocean’s Twelve commentary and seeing it again I’m convinced that it is Soderbergh’s most creative film, most experimental and driven by the desire of having fun prioritized above all, and so - for a filmmaker who clearly thrives on this playful exuberance, it’s fitting to call his best. The Amsterdam coffee house scene alone is the funniest thing he’s ever done, on par with Damon's narration in The Informant! -it's main threat for that top spot. More than any other filmmaker though, it feels difficult- even impossible- to properly rank his work in my esteem (it's basically a 15-way tie). He would probably be the most challenging list project, and the one that I'd beat myself up over exclusions most harshly, if we ever do get to him.
After listening to the Ocean’s Twelve commentary and seeing it again I’m convinced that it is Soderbergh’s most creative film, most experimental and driven by the desire of having fun prioritized above all, and so - for a filmmaker who clearly thrives on this playful exuberance, it’s fitting to call his best. The Amsterdam coffee house scene alone is the funniest thing he’s ever done, on par with Damon's narration in The Informant! -it's main threat for that top spot. More than any other filmmaker though, it feels difficult- even impossible- to properly rank his work in my esteem (it's basically a 15-way tie). He would probably be the most challenging list project, and the one that I'd beat myself up over exclusions most harshly, if we ever do get to him.
- knives
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:49 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Including that Australian movie that never got a release?
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
That leaking could save 2020. C’mon someone in that cast, share your copy
- Ribs
- Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:14 pm
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Very interested in seeing his retooling of Kafka, though I can't imagine either of the other films being better in a form shorter than they already are. Hopefully this means blu-ray releases for all three.
- Reverend Drewcifer
- Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 5:16 pm
- Location: Cincinnati
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Does anyone know the circumstances under which the rights to a film revert to the filmmaker? It sounds like Soderbergh effectively owns Kafka now, in a similar way to how Friedkin owns Sorcerer. It would seem that would be antithetical to media companies (like Diskey) jealously guarding their exploitable libraries, even films that they cannot effectively monetize.
- Brian C
- I hate to be That Pedantic Guy but...
- Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:58 am
- Location: Chicago, IL
Re: Steven Soderbergh
My understanding is that this is more common with indie productions where the filmmaker is able to retain ownership from the outset and simply licenses distribution rights. Disney and other media conglomerates don’t own everything (yet)!Reverend Drewcifer wrote:Does anyone know the circumstances under which the rights to a film revert to the filmmaker? It sounds like Soderbergh effectively owns Kafka now, in a similar way to how Friedkin owns Sorcerer. It would seem that would be antithetical to media companies (like Diskey) jealously guarding their exploitable libraries, even films that they cannot effectively monetize.
- Ribs
- Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:14 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
For indie movies that get acquired after production, it's very common that in the acquisition deal there'll be a fuse time that the rights revert back to the filmmaker (usually around 20 years, which is why a lot of the films of the early-to-mid-90s seem to be coming back).Reverend Drewcifer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:46 pmDoes anyone know the circumstances under which the rights to a film revert to the filmmaker? It sounds like Soderbergh effectively owns Kafka now, in a similar way to how Friedkin owns Sorcerer. It would seem that would be antithetical to media companies (like Diskey) jealously guarding their exploitable libraries, even films that they cannot effectively monetize.
- jazzo
- Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2013 12:02 am
Re: Steven Soderbergh
Me too. In fact, I'm...getting...a vision...therewillbeblus wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:30 pmVery interested in seeing his retooling of Kafka, though I can't imagine either of the other films being better in a form shorter than they already are. Hopefully this means blu-ray releases for all three.
It's a box set. A box set of three Criterion blu-rays.
Cool!
The title. It's slowly coming into focus....wait...wait...
Retroberghed.
Count me in!
- Reverend Drewcifer
- Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 5:16 pm
- Location: Cincinnati
Re: Steven Soderbergh
IIRC, Jack Nicholson owns The Passenger, which he acquired from MGM as compensation for a movie project that fell through at the studio. Kafka was produced by the late Stuart Cornfeld and Barry Levinson's Baltimore Films. Is it possible neither party retained ownership?
- The Narrator Returns
- Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:35 pm
Re: Steven Soderbergh
I believe the story is that Cornfeld held the rights and gave them back to Soderbergh for this purpose.
- Reverend Drewcifer
- Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 5:16 pm
- Location: Cincinnati
Re: Steven Soderbergh
What a mensch.The Narrator Returns wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 4:28 pmI believe the story is that Cornfeld held the rights and gave them back to Soderbergh for this purpose.
- whaleallright
- Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:56 am
Re: Steven Soderbergh
That's crazy that Friedkin owns Sorcerer, since that was an extremely high-budget film (esp. compared to something like Kafka). He must have negotiated a pretty special deal. Or did he buy it back after the film had been released (and flopped)?