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Post by essien on Aug 3, 2019 2:43:08 GMT -5
Being John Malkovich (1999) Ever wanted to be someone else? Now you can.
Marsh Film Club Entry #6 / August 2019
R | 1h 53min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Synopsis: A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich.
Viewing deadline: 26 August 2019
Attention: tao , stfubaker , stuartoxlade , Ghosty , theblackpage , v9733xa , itschewthirty , poembie , colton , chocollama and anyone else who's interested.
It's time for the fifth entry in the Marsh Film Club. This one was selected by Ghosty.
I've set a viewing deadline of 26 August, so make sure you watch it before then and please don't post any thoughts/spoilers until after that date.
Feel free to use this thread to talk generally in the meantime - let us know if you're taking part, any difficulties tracking down the film, or just to say you've watched it.
Ghosty: Don't forget to post some discussion points for us before the deadline.
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Post by v9733xa on Aug 3, 2019 11:49:43 GMT -5
Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich, Malkovich. Malkovich!
Translation: I love this movie, so much. Great choice!
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Post by essien on Aug 6, 2019 14:24:04 GMT -5
Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman is such a good director/writer combo. Jonze directed one of my favourites (Her) and Kaufman wrote another of them (Eternal Sunshine).
Bonus viewing for this month is Adaptation., which features the same combo and stars Cage and Streep.
Looking forward to rewatching!
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Post by SHIRT on Aug 8, 2019 0:17:54 GMT -5
i've always really liked this one. I remember that I really wanted to watch it after seeing John Malkovich play Humma Kavula in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I still relate the two with each other for no reason other than my fond memories of loving John in HGttG. haha
two of the only DVD's that I own on blue ray
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Post by stfubaker on Aug 8, 2019 1:18:05 GMT -5
havent seen this in ages. gonna def have to do a rewatch
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Post by v9733xa on Aug 19, 2019 17:04:54 GMT -5
Watch date is in a week! Make sure to fit some Malkovich in your life this week sometime. Ghosty, awaiting your talking points.
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Post by stuartoxlade on Aug 20, 2019 2:51:27 GMT -5
I'm struggling to keep up with this film club at the moment. Baby due in 2 weeks so it isn't getting any easier. I'll do my best to try and squeeze it in soon (Albeit it might be after the deadline).
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Post by Ghosty on Aug 22, 2019 12:34:43 GMT -5
Sorry, I'll have something up this weekend. I'm always forgetting about these until last minute because I fucking suck at remembering dates.
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Post by v9733xa on Aug 25, 2019 0:32:43 GMT -5
Watching this Sunday night. Everybody else better do that too!
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Post by Ghosty on Aug 25, 2019 17:23:45 GMT -5
1. What, if anything, is the symbolism or importance behind LesterCorp and J.M. Inc. being on floor 7 1/2?
2. Many, if not all, of the characters in the film are deliberately unlikable. Does this work to the film's advantage, or would you have preferred the characters to being more endearing in some way?
3. What are your thoughts on the film's treatment of sexuality?
4. At the beginning of the film, Craig tells Elijah that he is cursed with consciousness. Do you think he is cursed with consciousness in general or simply his own?
5. What answers does the film provide to the philosophical questions raised by the "metaphysical can of worms" that is the portal into John Malkovich's mind?
6. None of the personal relationships depicted in this film come across as deeply intimate. What, if any, solution does the film propose for the dilemma of human isolation?
7. Here's a good one I found online: "Craig states that he likes puppetry because it gives him an opportunity to get inside someone else’s skin, to think differently, move differently and feel differently. This is evidently the same pleasure that people get when experiencing John Malkovich’s life. It is also behind John Malkovich’s enjoyment of being an actor, and Lottie’s empathy with animals. In each of these cases, though, the vehicle is just as miserable as the spectator (think of how Craig’s puppet characters were all tormented, and the psychological ailments that Lottie’s animals had). How, then, could such an experience be a source of comfort?"
8. Would you take the portal into John Malkovich? Why or why not?
9. If you could have such a portal into the mind of any living person, who would it be? Why? Sort of a lot, so feel free to skip some if you don't have any thoughts on a particular point. I will return tomorrow to discuss and post my thoughts on the film in general.
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Post by Ghosty on Aug 26, 2019 13:21:15 GMT -5
SO I thought this was an incredibly strange movie, but not in a bad way. Definitely a very unique film with some fun moments despite the fact that all of the characters are pretty dour and not likable whatsoever. My only qualm was with the relationship between Lottie and Maxine, which, I feel, was not developed enough and their sudden union at the end didn't feel earned, I guess. I'll let y'all post some of your thoughts generally before I get into my discussion points, but this one gets a 4/5 from me.
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Post by v9733xa on Aug 26, 2019 17:16:26 GMT -5
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Post by v9733xa on Aug 27, 2019 17:17:10 GMT -5
1. What, if anything, is the symbolism or importance behind LesterCorp and J.M. Inc. being on floor 7 1/2?
2. Many, if not all, of the characters in the film are deliberately unlikable. Does this work to the film's advantage, or would you have preferred the characters to being more endearing in some way?
3. What are your thoughts on the film's treatment of sexuality?
4. At the beginning of the film, Craig tells Elijah that he is cursed with consciousness. Do you think he is cursed with consciousness in general or simply his own?
5. What answers does the film provide to the philosophical questions raised by the "metaphysical can of worms" that is the portal into John Malkovich's mind?
6. None of the personal relationships depicted in this film come across as deeply intimate. What, if any, solution does the film propose for the dilemma of human isolation?
7. Here's a good one I found online: "Craig states that he likes puppetry because it gives him an opportunity to get inside someone else’s skin, to think differently, move differently and feel differently. This is evidently the same pleasure that people get when experiencing John Malkovich’s life. It is also behind John Malkovich’s enjoyment of being an actor, and Lottie’s empathy with animals. In each of these cases, though, the vehicle is just as miserable as the spectator (think of how Craig’s puppet characters were all tormented, and the psychological ailments that Lottie’s animals had). How, then, could such an experience be a source of comfort?"
8. Would you take the portal into John Malkovich? Why or why not?
9. If you could have such a portal into the mind of any living person, who would it be? Why? Sort of a lot, so feel free to skip some if you don't have any thoughts on a particular point. I will return tomorrow to discuss and post my thoughts on the film in general. 1) Ha, i've thought about this a lot. I have no idea! Is it just a quirky thing? Is it to transgress business or zoning rules? Who knows? It's just really funny. 2) Definitely it's better with them being unlikable, and i think that's purposeful because it's supposed to show the greed inherent in a special experience they discover. While Malkovich has to share his body with untold numbers of people, they can't help be be turned into monsters. 3) For 1999, there's some really progressive stuff here. As i was rewatching and remembering scenes that were to come, i remember thinking "oh yeah she basically comes out as transgender!" and worried that it would come off inappropriate or exploitative today. Nope, not in any fashion. Really impressed with that. Sure, Craig is pissed off and disbelieving her, but her conviction is real. 4) He's got to be speaking for the human race. Wouldn't ignorant bliss be better? 5) Ha, uh, people could write a dissertation on this one. I have no fucking idea. 6) Man, you're asking the wrong guy, as i am isolated and introverted. Maybe it's as simple as promoting empathy and "put yourself in someone else's shoes" as i try to do, to better understand the world. 7) People are selfish? Ha, i dunno, people look out for themselves and do what makes them feel good, despite the consequences in many ways. The nihilist in me says that no one really does anything good for someone else without knowing that they get something in return, even if it's just pleasure from helping. 8) I would totally take the portal, absolutely. 9) Boy... tough one. We're assuming you can't inherently control them, right? Perhaps after significant practice like Craig. I really don't know. I think i would pick someone who could do something truly amazing or death-defying, so i could feel that thrill too.
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Post by v9733xa on Aug 30, 2019 16:40:35 GMT -5
What, are we just not going to talk about this movie? Where is everyone?
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Post by essien on Aug 31, 2019 6:25:49 GMT -5
I guess people are either busy or weren't stoked on the film selection. I haven't felt in the mood yet but planning to watch it tonight. Will post thoughts tomorrow.
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