tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post5318837238600088174..comments2024-03-03T10:32:45.969-08:00Comments on Mr. Peel's Sardine Liqueur: Searching Low And HighMr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-51577980554188030902009-12-29T12:38:33.614-08:002009-12-29T12:38:33.614-08:00Ned--
Thanks for the great comments. I love all t...Ned--<br /><br />Thanks for the great comments. I love all those moments too and many more. I've read some of Soderbergh's thoughts on PETULIA before--it's too bad that film isn't better known. <br /><br />As for THE UNDERNEATH, I haven't seen it for years--I'm probably one of a handful who saw it during its first run--but I would imagine my take on it now might be colored by the director's own dissatisfaction with it. Hell, I should just give it another try.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-73667297740828623732009-12-28T14:41:43.071-08:002009-12-28T14:41:43.071-08:00Wow, hard to believe it's been 10 years since ...Wow, hard to believe it's been 10 years since the release of THE LIMEY as I vividly recall seeing this in the theater and being blown away, when I wasn't telling the people behind me to be quiet. <br /><br />I recall an Onion AV Club interview at the same time with Soderbergh in which he rightly credits GET CARTER, PETULIA, and POINT BLANK as antecedents for THE LIMEY. The above 4 titles would make a pretty good double-double feature, I think. <br /><br />This is definitely my favorite Soderbergh film though the aforementioned OUT OF SIGHT is superb as well (probably Soderbergh's best BIG movie). <br /><br />I'm also a big fan of THE UNDERNEATH, which I think is something of a companion piece to THE LIMEY in the Soderbergh oeuvre. Was fortunate to see THE UNDERNEATH at a great neo-noir retro in '97 at the Museum of the Moving Image, which was topped off by one of those "only in NY moments," when a curmudgeon behind me mumbled loudly enough for those around to hear, "Not in the same class as the original." Or, something to that effect. :-) For the record, I also enjoy Siodmak's CRISS CROSS.<br /><br />As for THE LIMEY, I love Stamp and how he makes no effort to be understood by anyone else...the tension between Newman and Fonda...when a fanboy at the party asks Fonda for a "nugget" about Christopher Cross...the childlike mannerisms of Joe Dallesandro...the frightening Nicky Katt and his vile joke about Einstein's cock...Luis Guzman's first reaction to Stamp showing up on his doorstep...Stamp's return to the warehouse after an initial beatdown...Ned Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15436251586131278302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-90958647698477794312009-12-15T22:22:22.777-08:002009-12-15T22:22:22.777-08:00Fred--
I like the way you put it in regards to th...Fred--<br /><br />I like the way you put it in regards to the music and memory. I've never actually seen POOR COW and someday hope to but for now, this is one of those films that I think I'll always want nearby. Glad to hear from another fan. <br /><br />Bob--<br /><br />The Sunset 5 is exactly where I saw it too, on opening weekend. Glad that someone else who was there liked the piece, thank you. <br /><br />ZAR--<br /><br />It's a shame you never got to see it in a theater but yes, multiple viewings are rewarding, almost necessary with this film. Thanks very much for the kind words.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-46702520585177990372009-12-15T01:22:18.008-08:002009-12-15T01:22:18.008-08:00"My name is Wilson!"
Ah, one of my favo..."My name is Wilson!"<br /><br />Ah, one of my favourite movies reviewed by one of my favourite reviewers. :)<br /><br />I bought the DVD as soon as I could lay my hands on it. Shame that it wasn't shown in any cinema around my place.<br /><br />This is one movie you can watch again and again, always discovering new aspects and enjoying it for its own sake. (KING OF NEW YORK also works for me in that way.)<br /><br />Best regards,<br />ZAR.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-85471866945846634362009-12-12T10:29:41.137-08:002009-12-12T10:29:41.137-08:00There's always (more) time in L.A. -- until th...There's always (more) time in L.A. -- until there isn't. <br />I saw this, still new in town, over at the Sunset 5 back in '99. This is almost my favorite Soderbergh film ("Out of Sight" wins simply by the bar scene with Clooney & Jennifer Lopez). I don't have much to add to what everyone else has already said, but this is a great write-up for a great film. Also, a Soderbergh audio commentary is a must listen no matter what film is running.<br /><br />- BobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-59930885021640303912009-12-12T07:52:15.612-08:002009-12-12T07:52:15.612-08:00Thanks for a great write up on one of my favorite ...Thanks for a great write up on one of my favorite films of the 90s. The music in the film plays an especially strong role, with the Who's The Seeker telling you all you need to know about Stamp's character and the Hollies' King Midas in Reverse (probably my favorite Hollies song of all time) all you need to know about Fonda's character. And the clip of Stamp singing Donovan's Colours from Poor Cow is also quite affecting (I wonder if Loach's film will ever appear on home video?). The film really captures how we process ideas, memories and current stimula in a way which is usually reserved for great literature, how we sometimes preview what we plan to do (Stamp fantasizing of just going up to Valentine and shooting him at the party) or how something brings back a memory (like the clips from Poor Cow which appear in the film).Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05768886260813823765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-41572854347774523682009-12-10T18:08:57.298-08:002009-12-10T18:08:57.298-08:00Christian--
Well, so much for the theory I've...Christian--<br /><br />Well, so much for the theory I've had for years on why the scene was cut--I always remembered Lem Dobbs describing it as something like 'one of those things where all the elements are against you'. A shame that we've never gotten to see this footage and now I want to see it even more. <br /><br />Marc--<br /><br />I remember noticing that at the time! Barry Newman also had a very good guest shot during that period on the original version of "Cupid" playing Paula Marshall's father. My mother has sometimes spoken of slightly knowing him in New York many years ago when he was a teenager and it always sounded like she had a crush on him. <br /><br />Jeremy--<br /><br />Nothing at all wrong with OUT OF SIGHT, of course, I love that one too. I just find myself returning to this one even more. Thanks very much Jeremy, I'm glad you liked this one.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-90601669880765340892009-12-10T05:26:43.658-08:002009-12-10T05:26:43.658-08:00I tell you, if I wasn't so obsessed with OUT O...I tell you, if I wasn't so obsessed with OUT OF SIGHT, then THE LIMEY would be my favorite Soderbergh film. Wonderfully moving and written post on one of the great modern films...Nostalgia Kinkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02506680500183270767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-67779929390317340032009-12-10T00:01:26.037-08:002009-12-10T00:01:26.037-08:00It's also a curious footnote that in the same ...It's also a curious footnote that in the same summer/fall 1999 season that THE LIMEY opened, BOWFINGER was still in theatres, also starring both Stamp and Newman, in very funny performances. Stamp is calm lunatic perfection as the leader of the "MindHead" cult, uttering lines like "You must not show Mr. Wiener to anyone...especially the Laker Girls."Marc Edward Heucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-43458273635923154092009-12-09T21:03:11.378-08:002009-12-09T21:03:11.378-08:00I didn't actually see the footage as it was cu...I didn't actually see the footage as it was cut before but Soderbergh said Margret was great, it just was a long monologue and didn't quite fit. You can read her scene in the script...christianhttp://christiandivine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-52121090719383919592009-12-09T18:59:38.975-08:002009-12-09T18:59:38.975-08:00J.D.--
Thanks very much for that and it's goo...J.D.--<br /><br />Thanks very much for that and it's good to hear that there are other fans out there. I am, however embarrased by both the fact that I've never seen THE HIT (though it's on the queue) and that I got Melissa George's name wrong. I'm particularly annoyed about this because I always associated her role in this with her role in MULHOLLAND DRIVE--two L.A. set films in which she plays a key role who is nevertheless present mostly as a ghostly figure. Oh well. Hey, at least I didn't say it was Phyllis George. As for commentaries, to me Sodgerbergh's track with Mike Nichols on CATCH-22is as good as it gets.<br /><br />Christian--<br /><br />That you commented on this particular film makes me think of John Phillip Law for whatever reason. Anyway, what's interesting about the deleted footage is that they never actually identify Ann-Margaret on the commentary when they talk about the scene. I had to go looking in old Variety production listings to see who was listed. She certainly has her own 60s baggage that would have made her appropriate casting...maybe she didn't work out for reasons they didn't want to discuss which could have something to do with why it remains unseen. But I'm just guessing here. It must have been just great to see it at the premiere. <br /><br />Tommy--<br /><br />Thanks, glad you liked the piece and though I may not have said it, this may very well be my favorite Soderbergh as well. Barry Newman really is pretty awesome, isn't he? For whatever reason, that really stood out to me this time more than it ever did before. <br /><br />le0pard13--<br /><br />It's nice to know that other people hold this movie as special too. Thanks for the nice things you said as always. But now I'm starting to feel sheepish about never having seen THE HIT! I promise, I'll get to it soon.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-12743416253317615582009-12-09T13:28:44.706-08:002009-12-09T13:28:44.706-08:00Oh man, I would kill to see those deleted scenes. ...Oh man, I would kill to see those deleted scenes. Very cool that you got to me Soderbergh. I figure he would be like you described. He strikes me as a pretty sharp guy. His commentaries are pretty awesome, even when he guests on other people's films (the one for POINT BLANK is a keeper).<br /><br />I just remembered that one of my fave little bits of business in THE LIMEY is when Stamp looks at Luis Guzman's Che Guevara t-shirt (foreshadowing a future project perhaps?) and the reaction shot is priceless. it's quick but just one of the many pleasures of this film.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-85516735679680497052009-12-09T13:15:01.531-08:002009-12-09T13:15:01.531-08:00For its sheer spare toughness, THE LIMEY is one of...For its sheer spare toughness, THE LIMEY is one of my favorite Soderbergh's (TRAFFIC is great, IF you haven't seen the British TV series is it based on, TRAFFIK, IMO). Terrence Stamp is equally superb in his role here, too. I'm so glad J.D. mentioned THE HIT, another of my favorites and one like this film that deserves to be seen and appreciated by more viewers.<br /><br />The rest of cast really makes some great contributions to this film, too. Also, Mr. Peel, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on this film, and how it makes a personal connection with you as someone who has migrated here to L.A. Anyway, this is another of your great reviews and film dissections. Thank very much for this.<br /><br />p.s., as a L.A.-native, I didn't know we were so drowsy or despairing. Shows how little I know (I am spotted, though) ;-).le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-30053533220056455822009-12-09T10:11:50.248-08:002009-12-09T10:11:50.248-08:00This is definitely my favorite Soderbergh film, an...This is definitely my favorite Soderbergh film, and your review of it hits the nail on the head. To my shame, I didn't recognize Kowalski as Valentine's right hand man, and you're right he's absolutely fantastic. This was my introduction to Luis Guzman as well, and the Bill Duke cameo really sold it for me. I watched THE HIT after J.D. reviewed it, and it's an underrated gem that Stamp really shines in.<br /><br />Its treatment of revenge reminded me of DEAD MAN'S SHOES, although in the opposite direction. The ravaging guilt that drives it is still there.Thomas Pluckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17008022962076648740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-21182094035552930732009-12-09T09:25:25.948-08:002009-12-09T09:25:25.948-08:00Always great to read appreciations of this beloved...Always great to read appreciations of this beloved Soderbergh film. I was at the Austin premiere in 99 and had the chance to talk with Soderbergh at the post-party. He's extremely wry, smart and balanced. He told me about the things he cut from the film, which I wish would be put on disc -- I want to see Ann Margret's monologue to Peter Fonda!<br /><br />As fer LA, Sodernergh captures the sun-spotted drowsy desperation of this city. I think there's only one way out of here...christianhttp://christiandivine.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-71597740467983879852009-12-09T07:39:12.493-08:002009-12-09T07:39:12.493-08:00What a great post on this film! Actually, I think ...What a great post on this film! Actually, I think you'd be surprised at how highly regarded THE LIMEY is by film buffs. The Large Association of Movie Blogs recently did a mini-blog-a-thon dedicated to Soderbergh's films and THE LIMEY was voted #1 in a poll over biggies like TRAFFIC and OCEAN'S 11 so there ya go.<br /><br />But you're right that it was largely ignored by the mainstream. Not surprisingly considering the non-linear narrative. I always felt that we are seeing things from Stamp's P.O.V., that the film really tries to get inside his head and does so quite well. This film is a meditative crime thriller in many respects as well as a lament on the disappearance of the ideals of the 1960s, how many of the hippies like Valentine went on to become soulless Yuppies contributing to the "Greed is good" culture of the 1980s.<br /><br />Always liked Terrence Stamp and you forgot to mention another '80s gem he was in, THE HIT, which I think really kick-started his career-revitalization (well, I guess SUPERMAN II probably did). He seems to be working pretty steadily since THE LIMEY. It's just a shame that a lot of is crap but hey, at least he's working.<br /><br />Oh, and a minor correction Jenny is actually played by Melissa George who was the best thing (IMO) about 30 DAYS OF NIGHT and had a minor role in MULHOLLAND DRIVE. I quite like her and it's a shame she appears in a lot of things that are pretty forgettable.<br /><br />Anyways, you can count me a fan of this film and I really enjoyed your thoughts on it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.com