tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post491675611998912711..comments2024-03-10T00:00:31.355+00:00Comments on BRIAN SIBLEY : his blog: KEN'S CANDID CAMERABrian Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395103557170474777noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-9019724203313614112007-07-06T00:49:00.000+01:002007-07-06T00:49:00.000+01:00POLKADOTS - Yep, I did mention THE BOYFRIEND --- t...POLKADOTS - Yep, I did mention THE BOYFRIEND --- that's the trouble with long posts and skim-readers! I love the wonderful theatricality of it.<BR/><BR/>ANDY - I'm not going to keep trying to convince you, but you do need to know that whilst ELGAR and SONG OF SUMMER were filmed in b&w, WOMEN IN LOVE, THE MUSIC LOVERS, THE BOYFRIEND, TOMMY, SAVAGE MESSIAH, LISTOMANIA, MAHLER and all the others were in raptuous colour.<BR/><BR/>But, yes, they were made in the UK. So..........................Brian Sibleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395103557170474777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-74589705556486961362007-07-05T20:29:00.000+01:002007-07-05T20:29:00.000+01:00Well that was a momentous comment Brian, and one w...Well that was a momentous comment Brian, and one which demands an equally bloated retort!<BR/><BR/>I think my comment on not being interested in his films came across incorrectly. I simply meant that I see Ken's films as coming from a period in British film making that has never interested me before. I admit my ignorance to his specific films, letting my opinion of others from his era cloud my judgment. I may well enjoy a Ken Russel film, I just have never felt the desire to sit down and watch one.<BR/><BR/>As for classical music, that is definitely not a reason. I very much like classical music (well a lot of it anyway), and enjoy it's use in many a movie.<BR/><BR/>I think what this all boils down to is that Ken's films have two properties which have prevented me giving them a chance.<BR/><BR/>Firstly (and I know I will be struck down on the spot for saying this) they are British, and while there are a lot of British films that I like, there are far more that I don't. I guess that comes from being brought up on big Hollywood productions. Secondly, his films are black and white. Now movies of the monochrome variety tend to slip us (my generation) by, regardless of how great they may be. This is of course a great shame since they are often better than those employing colour.<BR/><BR/>I should learn from my love of animated films. I love old black and white cartoons. Mickey Mouse somehow has more appeal to me that way.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and don't worry about popping round to subject me to DVDs. I've felt the same way about trying to introduce other people other things!<BR/>-----------------------------<BR/><A HREF="http://www.andysanimation.co.uk" REL="nofollow">Visit Andy's Animation!</A>Andy Lathamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04404988861331264759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-49722569929351817942007-07-05T18:33:00.000+01:002007-07-05T18:33:00.000+01:00Its funny that watching BB seems to be like voting...Its funny that watching BB seems to be like voting Conservativein that nobody ever admits to doing it ! Who are the embarassed and shameful millions out there that do both and lead our country to such ruin and degredation ?Boll Weavilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03858122220880954456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-25278841946328082132007-07-05T18:20:00.000+01:002007-07-05T18:20:00.000+01:00... and don't forget The Boyfriend which is an abs...... and don't forget <I>The Boyfriend</I> which is an absolue joy from start to finish and never gets shown...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04475280710157691174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-9675175242857075822007-07-05T15:59:00.000+01:002007-07-05T15:59:00.000+01:00I was also blissfully unaware of KR's appearance o...I was also blissfully unaware of KR's appearance on BB. I have always thought of him as a brilliant controversial film maker - my favourite being Tommy - and thanks to your blog, I have now discovered what a wonderful photographer he is too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-89079380439917843702007-07-05T13:22:00.000+01:002007-07-05T13:22:00.000+01:00Unfortunately I saw Ken on BB and thought it was t...Unfortunately I saw Ken on BB and thought it was tragic that the maker of so many fine films was unknown by pretty much all the other residents. <BR/><BR/>The poor chap was incredibly self-effacing about his work, which still has the power to shock, subvert and entertain today, dismissing it as if his film-making career had been some little dalliance long ago that had never really amounted to anything. Alas, he did himself no favours in the house and so a life that should be celebrated is now relegated to remembrances of a God-awful reality TV show.<BR/><BR/>Pleased to see he's getting recognition from the BFI at least as he enters his twilight years. In his day he was far more shocking and reactionary than the so-called "rebels" sharing the BB house with him.<BR/><BR/>P.S. My excuse for watching BB was that he was on! Have thankfully managed to wean myself off it for the new series.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13442419547110456696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-37880105946432638712007-07-05T08:42:00.000+01:002007-07-05T08:42:00.000+01:00Big Brother... Hmmmm.... Well, I didn't/don't wat...Big Brother... Hmmmm.... Well, I didn't/don't watch BB, so I really haven't anything useful to say about KR's (as I understand it) short stint in the House...<BR/><BR/>Of course Ken's reputation was raised and suckled by media whores and some might think that if his fate is solely to be remembered as a failed BB Housemate then that is brutal, but poetic, justice.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I think it would be a tragedy. Ken Russell was the most consistently exciting, stimulating and visionary filmmaker of the 60s and 70s and that fact deserves not to be lost in the mire of media mindlesness...<BR/><BR/>I wonder, Andy, why you say that you would never watch a Ken Russell film? Perhaps you don't like classical music which features (along with its composers) in many of his movies, but it is difficult to believe that, as an artist, you would fail to respond to Russell's extraordinary ability to capture dramatic and emotionally powerful imagery on film...<BR/><BR/>The BFI have recently issued ELGAR and SONG OF SUMMER on DVD and they are both unforgettable visual treats. These early films - lacking Ken's later excesses! - are quite simply exquisite pieces of storytelling and image-making.<BR/><BR/>WOMEN IN LOVE won the Best Actress Academy Award for Glenda Jackson and was nominated for three other Oscars (including Best Director); it garnered 11 BAFTA nimainations and won the Golden Globe for best Foreign Film in the English Language. We may have forgotten the fact, but it is, quite simply, a great film.<BR/><BR/>As for THE MUSIC LOVERS and SAVAGE MESSIAH, I think............<BR/><BR/>But, oh well, there we are... <BR/><BR/>ENOUGH! This is a task beyond the means of a humble blog comment! But watch out, because I may just turn up on your doorstep with a pile of DVDs, sit you down in front of a screen and watch you watch one of these exceptional works of cinematography!!<BR/><BR/>If you like Ken's STILL pictures, then you owe it to yourself (and your senses) to experience at least some of his MOVING ones!Brian Sibleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395103557170474777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-82529682120756608192007-07-05T08:27:00.000+01:002007-07-05T08:27:00.000+01:00Just realised my use of the word "no" instead of "...Just realised my use of the word "no" instead of "know". How shameful! That's too much text messaging for you!<BR/>-----------------------------<BR/><A HREF="http://www.andysanimation.co.uk" REL="nofollow">Visit Andy's Animation!</A>Andy Lathamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04404988861331264759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-22434684082104835112007-07-05T06:35:00.000+01:002007-07-05T06:35:00.000+01:00You forgot to mention his appearance in Big Brothe...You forgot to mention his appearance in Big Brother, perhaps the hightlight of his career.Boll Weavilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03858122220880954456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-60996660885788163162007-07-05T00:00:00.000+01:002007-07-05T00:00:00.000+01:00As one of the younger generation, it's nice to see...As one of the younger generation, it's nice to see something of Ken, other than his stint in Big Brother! I think most people my age would no nothing else of him but that, and would never be interested (as is the case with myself) in watching one of his films.<BR/><BR/>Luckily it is infinitely easier to subject oneself to a photo than a movie, and so it's nice to finally see some of his work...and some excellent examples at that!<BR/>-----------------------------<BR/><A HREF="http://www.andysanimation.co.uk" REL="nofollow">Visit Andy's Animation!</A>Andy Lathamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04404988861331264759noreply@blogger.com