Celebrated the master’s birthday by finally watching this movie that I’ve owned since November.
Greatly enjoyed all the vignettes in this film, although some definitely more than others. The one that stood out to me the most was probably “The Tunnel”, and by “stood out”, what I of course mean is “made me pause the movie for a moment after it was over so that I could process it before moving to the next one”. Also absolutely loved the last one, the procession scene was incredible.
Here’s the thing: I’m not a Tom Clancy fan. At all.
Here are some more things: John McTiernan is a really good director, Jan de Bont is a great DoP (even if my old DVD copy that turned the picture into a small window in the center of my large screen because it was intended for 4:3 TV’s didn’t do his work the best justice), Basil Poledouris was a fantastic composer, and the cast are all really good actors, so…
“You are my hope, for now and forever.”
Beautiful scenery? Stellar animation? Engaging writing? Endearing characters? Badass aerial action? Honor between foes? Airships? Forbidden love? Themes about the indifference and/or contempt of powerful people towards those under them?
What more could anyone ask for?
Most of the stories about Julie d’Aubigny were made up by people who hated her, who sought to defame her and turn public opinion against her.
Today, those stories make her a historical queer icon and a badass, which may be the greatest narrative backfire in history. Meanwhile those aristocrats and courtesans who were inventing those stories and trying to trash her public image are almost completely forgotten, but for d’Aubigny.
What Nova and Piccoli have done, taking one of…
