455 White Dog

[domino harvey]

That's all we need--a rambling and incoherent Armond White essay about racism in the movies. Here's betting that he mentions Spielberg films like Amistad, and zings Spike Lee in the same breath.

Don't forget a reference to Godard for no reason except to remind readers that he's seen some Godard films. Oh man, imagine if he worked in Norbit

[tavernier]

He'll also toss in an anti-Woody reference for good measure.

[Via_Chicago]

I can't believe CC is giving Armond White real estate in a fricking booklet-- on any subject, let alone a "controversial" film about race furchrissakes.

What, were there no fuckin relevant people left in the world?

You mean, the same Armond White that wrote a CC essay for Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise? Color me shocked.

Listen, Armond's a pretty crazy dude who I often vehemently disagree with, but he's also one of the most articulate and consistently interesting film writers out there (not to mention one of the few who still writes about film morality) in a veritable sea of critical blandness. I for one am really looking forward to this essay.

[tavernier]

Listen, Armond's a pretty crazy dude who I often vehemently disagree with, but he's also one of the most articulate and consistently interesting film writers out there (not to mention one of the few who still writes about film morality)

#-o

[HerrSchreck]

I can't believe CC is giving Armond White real estate in a fricking booklet-- on any subject, let alone a "controversial" film about race furchrissakes.

What, were there no fuckin relevant people left in the world?

You mean, the same Armond White that wrote a CC essay for Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise? Color me shocked.

Listen, Armond's a pretty crazy dude who I often vehemently disagree with, but he's also one of the most articulate and consistently interesting film writers out there (not to mention one of the few who still writes about film morality) in a veritable sea of critical blandness. I for one am really looking forward to this essay.

What's the hoo-hah about his Trouble essay? The film does all the work for you-- its Trouble In Paradise already!

PS-- What is film morality?

[Mr Sausage]

PS-- What is film morality?

Sharing Armond White's politics, of course.

[Via_Chicago]

What is film morality?

Hah, a poor choice of words?

Hey, I don't expect anyone to share my enthusiasm for an Armond White essay on White Dog, all I ask is that you leave me to my Armond-love in peace.

[GringoTex]

#-o

Oh give me a break. Obviously, the White Dog liner was going to the best NYC Gay Black Critic Who's More Black Than He is Gay. That counts out Ehrenstein, so who else were you expecting? Armond White's politics are NYC's politics. Why does everybody pretend to be so shocked? Some of you guys live in the most protected coast in the world, and you want to pretend you're on the cutting edge.

[domino harvey]

Holy smokes, a Google search revealed that even the bottom-feeders at Something Awful are smart enough to avoid White

[pianocrash]

Oh give me a break. Obviously, the White Dog liner was going to the best NYC Gay Black Critic Who's More Black Than He is Gay. That counts out Ehrenstein, so who else were you expecting?

I would have preferred a reel of Tamara doing on-the-street reports with whatever white dogs passed by the foyer of the offices over the course of a few afternoons ("You look like Madonna!"), that's what! Or Pierre Bernard - he's as comfortable as he is furious.

You would be better off layering dead bodies in formaldehyde, stuffing them in coffins, and getting cancer from the carcinogens in the formaldehyde you stupid idiot.

Or this guy if no one else was available.

[Person]

I didn't think much of White Dog. If the premise of the dog is meant to be a metaphor, it seems trite, to me. A German Shepherd trained to attack African-Americans is something far removed from racist human beings despising, oppressing and lynching African-Americans. As for the film being an "exposé" of racism in America - what? It took until 1982 and Sam Fuller making a film about a dog to do that? Crikey!

Don't get me wrong - White Dog is an interesting, unique and quite poignant film (from an animal abuse perspective) that is well worth watching, but I feel that it is no masterpiece. It has a cheapish, made-for-TV vibe to it, I found. I think that its unavailability and churlish initial controversy gave it an allure and mystique, but I didn't feel blown away by it. Simple story, a bit trite, not much style (and Fuller could be a great stylist at times in his own rough-hewn way) but generally worth viewing, but not a film I'd sink over $12 for. It's great to see it rescued from 25 years in obscurity, though.

[richast2]

Or Pierre Bernard - he's as comfortable as he is furious.

now THAT I would pay to see!

[Dadapass]

Lisa Dombrowski writes about White Dog in the November/December issue of Film Comment

[Michael]

This is now the most highly anticipated DVD release for me. More American films from the 1980s in the collection is always a good thing. And Kristy McNichol, just a sight of her will instantly whoosh me right back to my early teens.

[cdnchris]

White Dog review

[MyNameCriterionForum]

This is now the most highly anticipated DVD release for me. More American films from the 1980s in the collection is always a good thing. And Kristy McNichol, just a sight of her will instantly whoosh me right back to my early teens.

...and Jameson Parker? ...and Burl Ives? Sign me up, too, mutherfukker!

[cdnchris]

Beaver

[GringoTex]

Don't make the same mistake I just did and watch White Dog alone in the privacy of your home. Because then the illusion is shattered and you realize that as drama it's inept, as allegory it's infantile, and as sociology it smacks of white paternalism. Instead, see it as I did the first time -- with a crowd that's drunk and/or high that is laughing with Fuller, or pretending to even when they're laughing at him.

[Yojimbo]

Don't make the same mistake I just did and watch White Dog alone in the privacy of your home. Because then the illusion is shattered and you realize that as drama it's inept, as allegory it's infantile, and as sociology it smacks of white paternalism. Instead, see it as I did the first time -- with a crowd that's drunk and/or high that is laughing with Fuller, or pretending to even when they're laughing at him.

I've been postponing watching it, perhaps because I suspect that its rarity allows those 'privileged' to have seen it already are hyping it up, and I'll be massively deflated.
Although, as a Fuller fan, I've never felt that subtlety was his strongest point.

[GringoTex]

Don't make the same mistake I just did and watch White Dog alone in the privacy of your home. Because then the illusion is shattered and you realize that as drama it's inept, as allegory it's infantile, and as sociology it smacks of white paternalism. Instead, see it as I did the first time -- with a crowd that's drunk and/or high that is laughing with Fuller, or pretending to even when they're laughing at him.

I've been postponing watching it, perhaps because I suspect that its rarity allows those 'privileged' to have seen it already are hyping it up, and I'll be massively deflated.
Although, as a Fuller fan, I've never felt that subtlety was his strongest point.

I'm serious when I say invite some people over and make a party of it.

[aox]

I mentioned this movie over the break to a bunch of racist family-in-law members who are really excited about the film and wish there were more dogs like this. I suspect they will be disappointed by the ending.

[Yojimbo]

I mentioned this movie over the break to a bunch of racist family-in-law members who are really excited about the film and wish there were more dogs like this. I suspect they will be disappointed by the ending.

thats the sickest 'mother-in-law' jokes I've ever heard!

[domino harvey]

I've been postponing watching it, perhaps because I suspect that its rarity allows those 'privileged' to have seen it already are hyping it up, and I'll be massively deflated.

I was careful not to get my hopes up too, but I loved it. Definitely a lot of fun and has all the usual Fuller strengths. And though it's far from the selling point, I thought McNichol's performance in the first thirty minutes of the film was very accurate with concerns to how dog lovers behave with their pet.

[Yojimbo]

I've been postponing watching it, perhaps because I suspect that its rarity allows those 'privileged' to have seen it already are hyping it up, and I'll be massively deflated.

I was careful not to get my hopes up too, but I loved it. Definitely a lot of fun and has all the usual Fuller strengths. And though it's far from the selling point, I thought McNichol's performance in the first thirty minutes of the film was very accurate with concerns to how dog lovers behave with their pet.

its not high on my 'to watch' list, but that could always change, depending on whether I'm in the mood, and also whether I can rustle together the right blend of drunken party animals to watch it with me, but, seeing as how I found some merit in 'Shark', I'm sure I'll find more in 'White Dog', which is infintely more acclaimed

[knives]

I just read a couple of White reviews to see what all the noise was about and...wow. He must be playing a prank right? It's not even that his liking of films is bad. They're okay if conservative I suppose, but what he criticizes is so asinine that he must be joking. It's almost beyond words.