So in looking through next semester's film studies class, I found a few auteur theory classes, which examine directors like Hitchcock, Spielberg, the Coen brothers, and Antonioni. Antonioni is a name I've never heard of, and looking through wikipedia all his works are pretty old so I doubt I'll be able to watch something of his online.

So, uh, if any of you have seen his stuff, tell me what you think of him. Is he worth studying?

To be honest I haven't seen to many Michelangelo Antonioni films, but the two I have seen made me very interested to see more. There's this triology which is considered his "important work" that begins with The Fling, continues with The Night, and ends with The Eclipse. I haven't seen any of them, but mostly because I haven't had the chance. I know the plot for The Fling sounds really interesting, and I've always heard about this amazing beach scene were one of the main characters goes missing, which, so I hear, is really suspenseful. The others I haven't heard to much about.

The two I have seen are Blow Up, which is really interesting. It seemed like a critique on this whole London hipster culture going on at the time. It's the famous film one everyone knows about from him. It's definitely worth renting, and has a really great scenes in film where the main character is looking at his photos trying to determine if he had captured a murder with his camera or not. It's just done by cutting through photos but it was insanely suspenseful (for me, at least), because you as the audience are observing and trying to figure out whats in the photos along with the character. It's pretty cool.

The other one I saw was this film called The Passenger, which I think I liked more. It's about a journalist who's hotel neighbor suddenly dies, and the journalist decides to take his place and attend his meetings and appointments. It's a really good mystery film, Jack Nicholson is the main character, it has this great single shot ending which I'm pretty sure was influential to at least a few more modern directors. It's worth poking around for also.

From I can tell, his movies have this distinctive style. Lots of long shots, very distanced, not a lot of music, but great use of sound. Both Blow Up and The Passenger were worthwhile experiences. As for whether you should take the class, I personally find classes like that a cinch because I'm into movies. You'll probably get stuck doing a style analysis essay or something from the sounds of it, so I don't know. It's really up to how much you're into art films, because neither Blow Up or The Passanger are really mainstream affair.

Ok this is very informative thanks!

Michelangelo Antonioni breaks through the stigma of crappy ideas strung to make a quick buck, or even the phonies who believe that their movie is "art". Antonioni is "art". A somewhat opiniative statement, but I believe to be the cold hard truth. His films give forth vivid and even fantasy like standings. His many quirky attributes he throws into his films just bring a spark to a true film lover's eye. Meaningless characters, distance shots, the very intentive use of sounds, all just some spot on information about his film style.

He is a true visionary when it comes to film as "art", so if you can find some of his work try to get your hands on it to enjoy the "emotion" from the film. Reading up on his works or watching will prepare a ton for your classes.

Hope this helped!

Oh I forgot that Roman had covered one of his movies! I wouldn't say I'm REALLY INTO films by any stretch because I watch a lot of dumb movies but yeah, he sounds like a really interesting guy so I think I will take this class.

edit: HUH so it turns out The Fling is L'Avventura's english name.  I always figured it would be THE ADVENTURE but I guess that would have been too easy huh.

Way to easy. But w/e I looked it up and essentially the "avventura" can mean an adventure or an affair. In the context of the movie I guess it could mean both things really. The Passenger is a simular title which a lot of people derived lots of different meanings from in the context of the movie, as the main character rides passenger with the women he is with, or he could be a passenger to the mans life he lives, etc, insert pretensious interpretation bla bla bla. :P

But anyway this topic is now about those mimes in Blow Up, what can they symbolize??? Oh no!!!!