LOST COASTER: FIRST "BEAST" STILL BEST

Sunday, December 4, 2016

FIRST "BEAST" STILL BEST

          Art isn't something that passes by on a conveyor belt, then moves away to be forever forgotten. The good stuff lasts independent of market forces. Buying theater tickets used to be the way to see movies. And for maximum presentation, the theater is still the best forum. But the theater experience is generally pricey, and access to theaters in no way compares to access online.

          Pluck we therefore from the vast garden of time a masterpiece from 1946, Jean Cocteau's cinematic rose Beauty and the Beast. Filmed in glorious black and white on nitrate stock that exudes a contrast-popping gleam unavailable in the digital age, it is the story of a man on the brink of ruin who stumbles one night during a storm on a magic castle in the forest. When the master of the castle, a powerful Beast (Marais), angrily appears, the man is required to choose between losing his life, or allowing one of his three daughters to take his place instead.

          Two of the daughters are greedy and spoiled. But the third, Belle (Day), shows her worth: "I'd rather be eaten alive by that monster, than die of grief at your loss."

          Simple but effective special effects showcase filmmaking at its purest. Just by using slow motion when Belle enters the shadowy castle, white curtains waving along the hall as she advances toward the camera without walking, to the low moans of an otherworldly chorus, tell us everything we need to know.

          Because it's a French film, non-French-speaking audiences can enjoy a sense of verisimilitude. (Norse gods in Marvel movies speaking prestige British dialects undermine the atmosphere.) And perhaps best of all, it's not a musical.

          Anthony Hopkins said of Hannibal, one of the movie sequels to The Silence of the Lambs, that the popularity of the franchise was basically due to being Beauty and the Beast. Maybe so. The TV show starring Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman had a cult following for years. Upon reflection, Terminator 2 may arguably contain some Beauty and the Beast-like aspects. In 2017, Disney is releasing a live-action re-make of the cartoon musical, starring this time Emma Watson as Belle.

          More important than the mere facts of the story, however, wherein a beautiful woman falls in love with a rich guy even though he's fuzzy and has fangs, is the sheer look and sound of the 70 year-old classic. It speaks to us in the language of dream. Watching La Belle et la Bete is a lesson in the art of film, and a potent reminder that movies don't need computer-generated effects, huge explosions, giant budgets, pre-existing merchandising tie-ins, or sequels to resonate effectively and inspire viewers with movie magic.

          To watch the best copy freely available online, Google the title of the film and the year followed by Veoh.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Starring Jean Marais,
Joesette Day,
Mila Parely,
Nane Gernon,
Michel Auclair,
Marcel Andre
Written and directed by Jean Cocteau
Runtime 93 minutes

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Terry LaBarba's Review of DRIFTING ROOM

STORYTELLING THAT'S WILDLY POETIC

The story takes place in the small town of Madrani in the redwood forest. There were strange things going on that kept me engaged, the reason partly being due to the interesting narration and the main character’s voice. It reminded me of the descriptive ramblings of Arlo Guthrie doing "Alice’s Restaurant," only with higher octane.
It’s a casual read and then again it isn’t. The eventful but not overly complex story uses descriptive word groupings that, in itself, entertains. You will want to take your time and let the verbal constructs take hold. There were “caves of problematical intricacy,” and a trek through the forest mentioned trees with “boughs outstretched like gem-laden supplicants bearing offerings before the ancient giants.” Truly poetic.
When I read this mastery of words, I had to wonder if it easily flows to the author or does he take the time to labor over the most creative way to put together a concept or description? Stewart Kirby’s literary work comes across as play, seeming natural, yet brilliant. As far as being creative, the funny but creepy little twitching doll in this book is a good example. The names of the local businesses in this town were a hoot. There was also some twisted humor when one character builds the perfect, dirty sandwich (with not so nice intentions). It had me laughing out loud as the deed progressed.
The plot moved forward without a dull moment. I’m looking forward to the next book of “uncanny tales of the redwoods in the hugely Hippie haven of Humbaba County,” as Kirby calls them. I suspect it is just as campy, witty and fun as this one.