THE DANMAN CAN

Blade Runner  (1982) is one of those films that is worthy of hyperbole—it's one of my  Top 100 Films  (#19). It operates at peak level in every department—the assured direction by  Ridley Scott , the existential screenplay by  Hampton Fancher  and  David Peoples , the gorgeous cinematography by  Jordan Cronenweth , the incredible production design by  Lawrence G. Paull , the beautiful synthesized score by  Vangelis , and the complex performances of  Harrison Ford ,  Sean Young , and, in particular,  Rutger Hauer . Some viewers find  BR  to be an exercise in style over substance, but I don't agree. The film presents its themes in broad strokes, without the need for minute detail (at least in the script; the level of detail that went into the production is astounding). It's a slower moving film punctuated by short bursts of action, focusing more on its characters and their "human" desires. BR  underperformed a...

I've seen Blade Runner 2049   (2017) four times now (my initial review  here ) and I swear it gets better every time.  Denis Villeneuve   managed to accomplish the typically impossible task of honoring and referencing the film that came before it whilst creating his own strikingly beautiful and original film (with a little help from a brilliant man named  Roger Deakins ). The visuals are absolutely stunning (every frame like a digital painting), the sound design is incredible ( Hans Zimmer  &  Benjamin Wallfisch 's score stills gives me shivers at times), the performances are all strong, and the f/x are seamless. A truly satisfying and moving film experience. I do think that it's necessary to have seen  Blade Runner   (1982) ( review ) to get the most out of  2049   but if you see this film and don't like it, you can simply ignore it. It operates on its own playing field and doesn't tarnish the 1982 film in any way. I actua...

Blade Runner  (1982) is one of those films that is worthy of hyperbole—it's one of my Top 100 Films  (#19). It operates at peak level in every department—the assured direction by Ridley Scott , the existential screenplay by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples , the gorgeous cinematography by Jordan Cronenweth , the incredible production design by Lawrence G. Paull , the beautiful synthesized score by Vangelis , and the complex performances of  Harrison Ford , Sean Young , and, in particular, Rutger Hauer . Some viewers find BR  to be an exercise in style over substance, but I don't agree. The film presents its themes in broad strokes, without the need for minute detail (at least in the script; the level of detail that went into the production is astounding). It's a slower moving film punctuated by short bursts of action, focusing more on its characters and their "human" desires. BR underperformed at the box office and received mixed reviews in its initial run...

Viewing #3 and this film holds strong. With  Blade Runner 2049   (2017),  Denis Villeneuve   managed to accomplish the typically impossible task of honoring and referencing the film that came before it whilst creating his own strikingly beautiful and original film (with a little help from a brilliant man named  Roger Deakins ). The visuals are absolutely stunning (every frame like a digital painting), the sound design is incredible (the Atmos track on the Blu-ray is immersive; Hans Zimmer  & Benjamin Wallfisch 's score gave me shivers at times), the performances are all strong, and the f/x are seamless. A truly satisfying and moving film experience. I do think that it's necessary to have seen  Blade Runner  to get the most out of  2049   but if you see this film and don't like it, you can simply ignore it. It operates on its own playing field and doesn't tarnish the 1982 film in any way. I actually found that  2049  ex...

Focus On Film   Episode 58  is up! Dan goes it alone and blasts out a quickie. A quick episode, you perverts! Download the MP3  HERE In this episode: January 2018  Criterion Collection  Titles Announcement Criterion Most Wanted Best & Worst Of The Month   –  Convoy  (1978),  Blade Runner  (1982),  Blade Runner 2049  (2017),  What Have You Done To Solange?  (1972)

Happy to report that my initial thoughts for Blade Runner 2049  (2017) ( here ) are only backed up by a second viewing. Just as enjoyable, even when you know what's coming. Not quite as epic as the IMAX experience (the picture and sound obviously were noticeably inferior) but still an incredible film.

With Blade Runner 2049 (2017),  Denis Villeneuve   manages to accomplish the typically impossible task of honoring and referencing the film that came before it whilst creating his own strikingly beautiful and original film (with a little help from a brilliant man named Roger Deakins ). The visuals are absolutely stunning, the sound design is incredible (so worth seeing in IMAX), the performances were all strong, and the f/x were seamless. A truly satisfying and moving cinema experience. I do think that it's necessary to have seen  Blade Runner to get the most out of  2049   but if you see this film and don't like it, you can simply ignore it. It operates on its own playing field and doesn't tarnish the 1982 film in any way. I actually found that 2049  explores its themes on a deeper level than Blade Runner did, without destroying any mystery. I hate to say it, but I'm glad that Ridley Scott  merely executive produced this one and didn't direct. ...

Screencaps courtesy of  Filmgrab

Screencaps courtesy of  Filmgrab

Screencaps courtesy of Filmgrab