Very random list, it's a blend of great films, some of which are pretty famous like Red Beard, and some attrocious ones, like The Bad Seed (which incidentally is also famous.)
Easily one of the most underseen masterpieces, it's just as good, if not better than Ozu's more acclaimed great films. The emotional power of this film is staggering, devastating and profound.
A Native American Baseball pitcher, Bill Going, is about to play an important game for a white team. A couple of crooks try to bribe him to lose the game through money and alcohol. When that doesn’t work, they try to kill him and he shoots one of them in self-defense. He is sentenced to death, but before they kill him he is allowed to play his last game. Once he wins, he goes to his execution. A reprieve is expected for his life, but the sheriff is too impatient and has Bill shot before it can get there.
The cinematic technique is crude and the story fairly preposterous, but what is fascinating and interesting about the film is the somewhat “fair” treatment of Native Americans on film. Actually around that time it seemed to be fashionable to show a favorable view -- although usually condescending -- of the “red man’s” plight. Films like Griffith’s Ramona, White Fawn’s Devotion or Ince’s The Heart of an Indian, show a side of Western history from an Indian perspective (through the glass onion of early white guilt.)
In this film the Indian is honorable and refuses to take bribes, even though he really wants to drink that firewater! When he shoots a white man in self-defense, he accepts the white man’s justice and his own death, but before that he really must win the Baseball game for that white team.
It’s amusing in a way, but also heart breaking. Even when the white man condescends to make the Indians the heroes of their stories, it has to be trough the prism of their own ignorance and prejudice.
I've seen Brakhage films in pristine 16 mm prints on a big screen and I've seen miserable vhs rips on 240p youtube, you don't have to take my word for it, but there is a tremendous difference. I'm not saying haters wouldn't hate, but it might make people think twice before dismissing his work entirely.
Comments 1 - 25 of 523
Movie comment on Le pas
Kasparius
The plot was paper-thin.Group comment on iCheckWesterns
Kasparius
This comment's contents are private.
Movie comment on Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
Kasparius
Those comments are quite interesting actually.Toplist comment on Total Film's 50 Amazing Films You've Probably Never Seen
Kasparius
Very random list, it's a blend of great films, some of which are pretty famous like Red Beard, and some attrocious ones, like The Bad Seed (which incidentally is also famous.)Movie comment on The Room
Kasparius
"What drugs, Denny?""It doesn't matter!! He's going to jail!!"
Movie comment on Hour of the Gun
Kasparius
Criminally underrated and underseen. Great movie, an understated, smart, funny and compelling take on the Wyatt Earp story.Movie comment on The Raid
Kasparius
Great little western, terribly underseen.Movie comment on Wild and Woolly Hare
Kasparius
3 dislikes? Who voted, Oscar the Grouch?Movie comment on Hitori musuko
Kasparius
Easily one of the most underseen masterpieces, it's just as good, if not better than Ozu's more acclaimed great films. The emotional power of this film is staggering, devastating and profound.Toplist comment on Agnes Varda filmography
Kasparius
Who took the time to dislike this filmo? What a moron.Movie comment on His Last Game
Kasparius
His Last Game (1909)A Native American Baseball pitcher, Bill Going, is about to play an important game for a white team. A couple of crooks try to bribe him to lose the game through money and alcohol. When that doesn’t work, they try to kill him and he shoots one of them in self-defense. He is sentenced to death, but before they kill him he is allowed to play his last game. Once he wins, he goes to his execution. A reprieve is expected for his life, but the sheriff is too impatient and has Bill shot before it can get there.
The cinematic technique is crude and the story fairly preposterous, but what is fascinating and interesting about the film is the somewhat “fair” treatment of Native Americans on film. Actually around that time it seemed to be fashionable to show a favorable view -- although usually condescending -- of the “red man’s” plight. Films like Griffith’s Ramona, White Fawn’s Devotion or Ince’s The Heart of an Indian, show a side of Western history from an Indian perspective (through the glass onion of early white guilt.)
In this film the Indian is honorable and refuses to take bribes, even though he really wants to drink that firewater! When he shoots a white man in self-defense, he accepts the white man’s justice and his own death, but before that he really must win the Baseball game for that white team.
It’s amusing in a way, but also heart breaking. Even when the white man condescends to make the Indians the heroes of their stories, it has to be trough the prism of their own ignorance and prejudice.
Movie comment on Turin: La duchesse d'Aoste à l'exposition
Kasparius
First Jump Cut. The cameraman notices that his camera is too close to the subject. He stops filming, changes the angle and starts again.Toplist comment on BFI's 360 Classic Feature Films Project
Kasparius
I didn't write any of it Mont, I lifted it from the BFI website.Toplist comment on BFI's 360 Classic Feature Films Project
Kasparius
You should email the guys at ICM, I can't edit the list myself.Movie comment on The Woman on Pier 13
Kasparius
A disgusting piece of crap. An important document though.Toplist comment on ICM Forum's 500<400
Kasparius
The point of the list is to shine a light on lesser known films. If they reach 400 and beyond we reached our goal.Movie comment on Elevator Movie
Kasparius
Remarkably bad.Movie comment on The Grey Fox
Kasparius
Well said the3rdman, this film deserves a restored print on blu-ray. I wish Criterion would champion this sadly neglected gem.Movie comment on The Chartres Series
Kasparius
I've seen Brakhage films in pristine 16 mm prints on a big screen and I've seen miserable vhs rips on 240p youtube, you don't have to take my word for it, but there is a tremendous difference. I'm not saying haters wouldn't hate, but it might make people think twice before dismissing his work entirely.Movie comment on El Santero
Kasparius
No need for subs.Movie comment on El empleo
Kasparius
Why? This is beyond mediocre. Also is there anybody who didn't see the ending coming?Movie comment on Ms .45
Kasparius
"Kind of like the female version of Deathwish"Only this movie is actually great.
Movie comment on The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Kasparius
"Crosses the line between cult Cold War SciFi nonsense & utter shite. 3/10.Follow me on Twitter @LastFilmSeen"
After that informed comment, I think I'll pass.
Movie comment on Leprechaun 4: In Space
Kasparius
Aliens, with a Leprechaun. Brilliant...Movie comment on Plankton
Kasparius
Rarely have I been this happy for a film to end...Showing items 1 – 25 of 523