Site created 12/15/97.		page created: 3/21/03 "Black and White and Subtitles, Oh My!" Or, I Poured Thousands into a Home Theater and I'm Watching Old, Foreign Films Bob Banka - Main Page You just finished shoveling snow out of the driveway and scraping ice off the windshield of your wife's car. It's Sunday afternoon and you've been waiting all week to slouch into your home theater and watch a movie. The time is right. You scan your meticulously ordered, genre-fide, alphabetized DVD collection for the zillionth time, waiting for a title to jump out at you. Suddenly, the snapper case containing a favored sci-fi flick catches your eye. You begin humming a Strauss waltz. It's the DVD's way of pleading with you: ME, ME - you want to watch ME! "No," you grumble, "I've seen it a dozen times. I want to watch something different today." Then, a highly favored gangster epic seems to slide forward and you start Da... Da... Da... Da-ing a melody normally heard in eerie, solo trumpet. This boxed set is making you an offer you can't refuse. But, you refuse. By now you can quote nearly every line of dialogue in those films. The last time you marathoned your way through them, you annoyed friends and relatives for days - ordering them to buy cannolis and pick up mattresses, and telling them their Aunt Tootie sleeps with the fishes. Next, a WWII picture vies for your attention. You stare at the snapper case's edging. Deafening sounds and horrible images spring to mind. Machine gun fire, yelling, screaming, limbs flying here, entrails lying there. But, for heaven's sake, it's a peaceful Sunday afternoon! The wife's upstairs reading with the pooch on her lap. The neighbors are home from church and you don't want to deal with the whining when grandma's gravy boat vibrates off the counter to demonstrate gravity against their kitchen floor. Besides, the war picture is always the same letdown - an impressive opening act to be sure, but the closer... geez! Why don't they just slap some sense into that kid and drag him the heck out'a there? Orders is orders, trooper! Twenty minutes later, you've scanned through your entire collection. Nothing tickles your fancy. You take a long, deep breath, climb back up the ladder, and start all over again. Hmmm... What to see? What to see? Sometimes, when you don't know what you're hankering for, you decide that ...well, maybe you don't really want to sit through a movie to enjoy the story, you just want to fire up the projector (...or whatever), crank up the amps and have your drums pulverized by slab-shaking lows, dog whistle highs, and panning effects that set your head a'reeling. You want to bask in the searing, blistering wattage and appreciate every last dollar you poured into your sound system. You want to twist the volume knob past three and crack plaster. You want your sub to woof the whipped cream you just ate and turn it into butter. So, you grab your ID4, U-571, T-2, MIB and MI-2 (...alphabet soup for the home theater lover's soul) and get busy. But, man, this gets real old - real fast. By now, you know what your system is capable of. So does every moose up in Canada. The picture looks stunning. The sound is to die for. You have countless fine DVDs in your collection, but today you want to see something new! You want to experience that magic - the engrossing, transporting thrill that only a new, first time viewing experience can provide. As a proud owner of your own home theater, you don't have to brave a trip to the dreaded cineplex and roll the dice on a new film you've heard nothing about. It's an expensive gamble. Perhaps what you need is a trip to the local rental joint... Look out Blockbuster! Here I come Hollywood Video! Ah, but here's the rub. They have seventy-five copies of all the bigger, high profile releases that you already own yourself. Of course, there's an entire annex attached to the building to house their copies of the latest Disney animated features. They have one or two copies each of those ghastly direct to video releases starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Eric Roberts or one or more of the Baldwin clan. Renting one of these isn't a gamble at all. It's a sure thing. It's surely going to bore you more than watching iron rust. Finally, there are the foreign flicks, and the classics from Hollywood's Golden Age. There are but a few of these sprinkled among the Star Trek sequels, Bond films and the dozens of copies of the more popular, contemporary dramas from the major studios. These are the DVDs our eyes often scan right over as we move down the aisles searching for a night's entertainment. The titles are often unfamiliar. We can't recall if the films ever played locally. Perhaps they did, but then disappeared faster than a Kevin Smith flick from the Bible Belt. Disappointed, you drive home empty handed, slump into the recliner, hit the play button and watch The Lord of the Rings for the fifth time this month. We all have such afternoons now and then. Sometimes, releases of good films on DVD roll out faster than we can keep up. But more often than not, the better, higher profile features trickle out too slowly. Don't despair. As home theater owners we have alternatives. We can be bold. We can experiment. Sometimes it really is too expensive (...often a bit unpleasant) to roll the dice and take our chances on unfamiliar films playing at the local cineplex. It's far cheaper to gamble on less familiar - even completely unknown features, at home. Surely, this is one of the many great advantages of having our own home theaters. We can afford to be more adventurous. What's the worst that can happen? We waste a rental fee. Of course, we loose a couple hours of our time as well, but hey - haven't you ever blown twenty-five dollars on a night at the movies only to feel you've wasted precious time as well as cash? Film lovers are painfully aware of the scores of smaller, lesser known features (...foreign and domestic) released every year that never make it to the local theater. This is particularly true for folks living away from more urban areas and big cities. One hears about them on television, reads about them in the papers and on the Net, but they never seem to arrive in the neighborhood. Film distributors are convinced that less "metropolitan" populations aren't interested in seeing smaller, independent and foreign films. Supposedly, if we're more rural, we're only keen on standard Hollywood fare. You know what? We're missing the chance to see a lot of truly great pictures on the big screen and there's little we can do about it. However, we can see them once they make it to the treasured silver disc. That is - if it's stocked by the local rental joints. Too often they're not, since the rental chains' decision makers often feel the same way film distributors do about us hillbillies out in the sticks. In that case, an excellent alternative is to join a service like Netflix* which makes it a point to stock just about every feature released on DVD. *No, this is not a paid (...or gratis) endorsement. If you're aware of similar services, please email the names to me and I'll add their names to the article. Many thanks. I know, I know - it's a money thing. Companies like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video are in business to make money, and the fact is, the more popular, more hyped features ring the registers - not the indies, classics and foreign films. This is clear as crystal. But really - would these enormous rental chains miss copies 100 through 105 of the latest Star Wars film if the revenue was used instead to purchase a couple copies of something like My Mother's Castle or My Father's Glory? There's something to be said for greater breadth and depth - even in a rental facility's collection. At this point, some readers may be thinking to themselves... I really don't care for foreign features, and I couldn't think less of most smaller budget indies either. No need to try and convince me otherwise. They're simply not my bag. Groovy! To each and every home theater enthusiast his own. Peace. Live long and prosper. It's possible too that some readers are getting a little testy at this point... Bob, you elitist little twerp! I don't want to watch foreign films because I think they're about as much fun as trying to dump the last bit of rainwater out of a discarded tire. Don't tell me what to watch. There's nothing elitist or necessarily special about watching foreign films. It's just an option. I've found it to be a welcome alternative whenever I wish to see something new, different - enlightening. Quite often, such films provide an insight into other cultures. They show us interesting, sometimes very different methods of film direction, script writing, and acting. It can be an education. My intention here is not to convince readers to watch anything in particular. I only want to point out a few advantages we have as home theater owners. There are actually a number of advantages to getting into foreign features via the home theater experience. There's no question - there are thousands of home theater enthusiasts and film fans who routinely view foreign films - contemporary and classic (...otherwise The Criterion Collection would've gone chapter 11 back in the laser heydays). However, if you consider yourself a member of the import flick fan club (...the IFFC), you should realize you're in a minority group among American movie lovers. There are reasons why relatively few film fans hesitate to give foreign language features a fair shake, or have been quickly frustrated away from the adventure by a handful of negative experiences. First, and perhaps foremost, is the problem of subtitles. American audiences do not go to the theater to read their films. Most of us didn't grow up reading them and we're rather reluctant to take them up now. More than anything, movie going is intended to be entertaining - an escape from our daily lives, troubles and concerns - if just for ninety minutes. It's usually a completely passive experience. Sit back and enjoy the show. The best of films do challenge and involve us with intricate, provocative storylines, but normally we don't need to engage portions of the brain which allow us to view images as well as read text at the same time. Dubbed films are an occasional alternative, but there's been a trend away from these - and for good reason. More often than not, dubbed dialogue sounds acoustically flat. And the readings given by "actors" during dialogue recording sessions can be lifeless and lacking in expression. When given the choice between viewing a film in its original language with subtitles, and with a dubbed, English track, I always go for the original. Quite simply, dubbed tracks rob actors of their most important tool - their voice. You have to admit, reading subtitles in a theater can pose problems. Particularly if one makes a habit of sitting rather close to the screen. You can develop an annoying case of "tennis-fan-neck" by the end of a ninety minute feature. Also, it's difficult to take in all the visuals if your head is angled down in such a way as to read the titles at the bottom of the screen. I sympathize with the newbies efforting to master the art of reading subs while taking in and appreciating big screen images. Often, the complete understanding of one comes at the expense of missing some of the other. That is, the words are read and understood, but some images are only glimpsed. Or, the pictures make an impression, while the words flash by unread. Of course, home theater alleviates these problems. The viewer can select the ideal sitting and reclining distance. And of course, if titles are missed, or misunderstood, one can reach for the remote. With respect to dubbed versions, many DVDs do provide an English language track that one can hear either before or after taking in the original language track in order to acquire a better understanding of the dialogue. Again, however, dubbed tracks are often far less engaging than the original presentations. Also, if the effort is a bit much after a while, and it can be when viewing an epic feature like Kurosawa's magnificent Seven Samurai, one can simply stop the film and come back to it another time. If the viewer is having difficulties ingesting and savoring all the film has to offer, home viewing provides the option, and advantage, of repeat viewings. Though some foreign features, as is the case with domestic features, hardly deserve a second take, there are countless classics that urge additional screenings and pay off greatly as a result. All of the above "fixes" are generally only available to the home theater viewer. Another problem with diving into foreign films is one's unfamiliarity with the culture and history of the country of origin. This is a far more difficult hurdle to overcome. One can better appreciate what these films have to offer if one is in the position to actually prepare for viewing them, by reading or at least browsing text in books, magazines and on the Net. Granted, most enthusiasts rarely have time to do this, but it can be rewarding and educational when time can be found. The increasing bounty of so-called "value-added features" to be found on many DVDs may be of assistance here. Ever since the production of laser discs by The Criterion Collection, movie buffs have been able to acquire a deeper knowledge of, and appreciation for the films they watch and study. Of particular assistance are the audio commentaries by directors, producers, historians and actors. Criterion first got the reels turning several years ago. Now, the major studios routinely provide greater insight into the history, production and phenomenon created by their films by packing their DVDs with such extras. Though, admittedly, many features found on some of these "special editions" are useless and dull. They're "kitschy" throwaways. So, once again home theater presents advantages for those who wish to delve into foreign language and indie features in the comfort of their own homes. The DVDs themselves can provide an education - a preparation for, or greater appreciation of the films. Such insight could not be acquired in the typical cinema, even if one's fortunate enough to reside in an area deemed worthy of receiving such films for screenings by the brilliant powers that be. There are home theater enthusiasts who'll hesitate to take up foreign language and indie productions for a different reason altogether. There may be individuals who prefer not to be under-whelmed by the black and white visuals and mono tracks of many of these smaller, older and/or lower budgeted pictures. There's virtually no limit to the amount of money that can be invested in a good home theater. And often many of the hardest core enthusiasts wish to see, hear and even feel the fruits of their investment when they settle in for an evening of entertainment. Who can blame us? Why should we seek alternatives? Why bother with imports and indies? For the reasons noted above for starters. And at the risk of sounding elitist, snobby or preachy (...and don't think I haven't been accused of this by many whenever I've express my feelings on the subject), I'll dare to extend this opening list of reasons for looking beyond the general Hollywood fare. Personally, I tire of viewing the same features time and again in order to shake the rafters and rattle the timbers. I'm getting too old for that stuff, and I image so are many others (...though, certainly not everyone has reached their limit, and I mean no offense to those readers who haven't). Home theater is grand - no question about it, but sooner or later many owners grow accustomed and settled. The WOW! factor becomes less significant - that is, until we dip into our bank accounts and cough up another chunk of change for the latest, greatest gear. For most of us, this doesn't occur too frequently. Our home theaters and checkbooks eventually reach an equilibrium. This is when many begin to look for something new in the features they watch - they begin to focus even more on the films than before, and focus a less on the presentation hardware. That is, some home theater enthusiasts begin to morph into film enthusiasts. For some the result is a journey into foreign features - old and new, as well as smaller, independently backed domestic productions and older classics from Hollywood's revered studio days. An entire world of feature films opens up to enthusiasts who're not as bothered by the adjustments required to enjoy them. Note, however, that I'm not one of those individuals who believes all Hollywood pictures are inferior, and all films made overseas are preferred. There are just as many bad films made abroad as here. I've been bored, disappointed, and unimpressed by more foreign, classic and indie films than I've been satisfied with, which is the same impression made on me by American productions over the years. Black and white pictures with mono and foreign language tracks don't make films better or more "intellectually stimulating." Far from it. To be sure, these elements of presentation do make the viewing experience different, but they don't guarantee superiors film. This should be obvious. What may not be so obvious is the promise of adventure, discovery and yes - stimulation provided by so many of these features - many of which remain unseen by millions. Every once in a while a foreign film does cross over to make its mark on millions of theater goers. Note the success enjoyed by Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and, to a lesser extent, Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful. You can be sure that on such occasions, at least some people become emboldened to check out other films fashioned by the same directors or produced in the same country. Many of these people get hooked. Their cinematic adventure begins. As noted above, home theater enthusiasts have advantages here, because they can rent or purchase many of these films. They need not live near a major metropolitan area where theaters are more likely to be screening them. Looking for something different? Feeling bored and disappointed by much of the Hollywood product? Tired of popping the same 'ol pyrotechnically saturated sci-fi features into your player just so you can feel the bass and hear effects whirl about the room? Well, don't curb your enthusiasm! Look to Asia. Look to Europe. Look to Russia. Broaden your cinematic horizons. It can be a challenge, but it can also be entertaining and rewarding. Postscript Most readers will do just fine without my advice. But for those newer to the marvelous experience of home theater and foreign film appreciation, what follows is a list of some directors whose works are certainly worth seeking out. We've made it a point to only list titles either currently available on DVD, or coming soon to a dealer near you. From Japan: Akira Kurosawa - Ran, The Hidden Fortress, Throne of Blood Yasujiro Ozu - Good Morning Hayao Miyazaki - Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke From China: Zhang Yimuo - Ju Dou, Shanghai Triad, The Road Home Chen Kiage - The Emperor and the Assassin, Farewell My Concubine Zhuangzhuang Tian - The Blue Kite From Italy: Federico Fellini - 8 ½, Amarcord, Nights of Cabiria Vittorio De Sica - Shoeshine, The Bicycle Thief From Spain: Pedro Almodovar - Talk to Her, All About My Mother From France: Francois Truffaut - The 400 Blows, Jules et Jim Jean-Luc Godard - Band of Outsiders, Le Petit Soldat, Contempt Yves Robert - My Father's Glory, My Mother's Castle Claude Berri - Jean De Florette, Manon of Spring From Poland: Krzysztof Kieslowski - Three Colors: Blue, Three Colors: White, Three Color Trilogy: Red, Decalogue From Sweden: Ingmar Berman - Wild Strawberries, The Seventh Seal, Cries and Whispers From Denmark: Lars von Trier - Dancer in the Dark, Breaking the Waves, The Element of Crime From Russia: Andrei Tarkovsky - Solaris, Andrei Rublev Sergei Eisenstein - The Battleship Potempkin, Ivan the Terrible, Strike, Alexander Nevsky From Germany: Werner Herzog - The Mystery of Kaspar Hauser, Aguirre: The Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo Wim Wenders - Wings of Desire, Faraway, So Close! Tom Tykwer - The Princess and the Warrior, Run Lola Run From Iran: Abbas Kiarostami - The Wind Will Carry Us, The Taste of Cherry Bob Banka bobbanka@thedigitalbits.com Bob Banka - Main Page
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