The Parallax View

I have to be honest, even after watching The Parallax view, I was left confused. I wasn't sure if it was me and I missed some key things along the way or just wasn't getting it, but all the pieces weren't neatly fitting together for me. So had to go to the internet and refresh myself on what it is exactly that I just saw.

Upon doing a bit of research, I found that I did see all the major points to the story and am a bit more clear how all the events strung together. So what was keeping me from putting it all together? I think it was a lack of a resolution. And I think maybe that was the goal of the movie, there is no resolution. You either accept what you are given and move on, or you stop and ask "What really just happened here?" Maybe I was expecting them to wrap it all up into a nice tidy little package, tied with a bow and served up on a silver platter like some of the films of today. But that clearly isn't the style of some of the films of the 70s. Not only that, but they make you wait for it.

You are never really told why the Senator in the beginning was assassinated in the first place, so already the story is shrouded in mystery. Then when the panel come-on and declares it the work of a one gunman, which we all see it clearly isn't, the hole of mystery deepens even more. So OK, it was the work of a lone gunman. Everybody accepts it and goes on. So why start killing all the witnesses? Why now, so much time later? OK, The Parallax Corporation, they're in the business of finding and training assassins. Who is hiring these guys? The shroud of mystery continues.

The montage scene was a intense scene. When it started, it seemed pretty black and white with imagery and word making sense. But then when the words and images start twisting and suddenly, there is no sensible relation between the two, you are left with one thought – nothing is what it seems. And this relates to this movie in a big, big way. Lone gunman? Nope. Town sheriff? Nuh-uh. Typical corporation? Not even close. You think you've got them fooled into thinking you're an assassin? Guess again, you're the patsy. Even the music of the film with its combination of patriotism blended with overtones of a suspense thriller. Nope, with The Parallax View, nothing is what it seems. I guess that's why they call it The Parallax View. Because when you're looking through the eyes of The Parallax Corp, you're not really sure what you're seeing, or not seeing.

My Dear Wife...I've Killed

In the story "My Dear Wife…I've killed", I was really taken back by some of the stories within the story. When he thinks the airport is under attack and he's "going to get it the first day," but it turns out the airport hasn't been attacked for months-what a mindf**k! Or how long it took for his request to get through the system and he was a desk jockey by the time it got back to him-his own desk and had to compose an official army response-to himself! I thought it so sad reading of the story of the kid, the dog handler, who was assigned to work with Charlie company and been shot to death. His dog didn't leave his side till he was "dragged away." So sad.

Also, this is actually the first time I really understand what napalm is. I thought it was just a type of bomb, but it's actually a substance that sticks to human flesh and keeps burning till it burns itself out-brutal!

When I hear stories about Vietnam, I often think back to the early 90's. I was in a band with a drummer, Jim Haggerman, who was a bit older than the rest of us and had been to Vietnam. He surely had problems caused by his time in the war. But one day he said to me something like, "You probably would have been alright over there. You're calm and have ahead on your shoulders and probably would have survived." I often wonder if that's true. Bullets and bombs don't care how smart or dumb you are. If you get in the path of one, your gonna get it. I miss Jim and wish I knew how he was doing today.

Coming Home

I really enjoyed Coming Home and feel it is movie we have watched so far. I think the first film I ever saw Voight in was a movie called The Champ, another 70’s film (1979.) Most recently he plays a bad guy in the television series 24. Obviously he is much younger in this film.

I thought Voight’s and Jane Fonda’s acting was both superb. Even when it was just at the way they looked at each other, the silence spoke a thousand words. Reminds me of the scene where the brother was talking to his sister outside the hospital and mention that they just had a conversation without speaking.

I thought the opening of the movie was very interesting, the way they kept on going back and forth between a healthy man running and a vet hospital where a majority of the vets were unable to walk. It was quite a contrast and you knew they were setting you up for something.

I think that Bruce Dern’s character doesn’t kill himself. I think he just strips himself of all the weight he is carrying and begins a journey to start over, fresh and free from the horror he brought back with him. Although it would be ironic, that the man who was not able to walk ever again was able to figure out a way to cope and the man who we see excited to go and still come back with the ability to live a normal life, take its toll enough to where he does kill himself.

In the end, the healthy, gun ho man we see running in the beginning is now broken and shattered by his experience in the war and the man who was unable to walk and bitter was now able to cope with his place after the war.

I liked the way the last scene ends with Fonda’s character opening the door and it says “out” the film ends immediately after that.

The Long Goodbye

Before even seeing the film, my first thoughts were that I was interested to see Elliot Gould in a role when he is a younger man. Upon doing some research, I found that I probably saw him for the first time when I saw Capricorn One as a kid, but I didn't know who any actors really were back then. I guess I am used to seeing him in more recent films as a bit older than when this movie was made.

As the movie opens, I immediately took a liking to Marlowe because he seemed to really care about his cat, in a Marlowe kind of way, even going to the store in the wee hours of the morning to get the cat his favorite brand of cat food! Love it.

Marlowe's laid back personality is something I can relate to. I have often been told that I am a very laid back individual and so is he. Maybe more so. I mean, he lives across the way from a group of girls who are half-naked most of the time and doesn't really blink an eye.

I was a bit tired the day we watched the film, so I wasn't at full speed and the plot seemed to lose me. But upon reviewing the plot synopsis, I can see what was going on. But Atlman, definitely took time to give the characters personality that one can't forget like Marty's breaking of the bottle over his girlfriends face or the drunken Roger Wade, who eventually walks into the ocean and ends his life.

There is definitely some charm in the wit of the movie. I really like Marlowe, his chain smoking and all, as he smart mouths detectives or when he gives the directions to the gangster who is supposed to be watching him at his place.

I'm not sure I'm analyzing this, but I thought it odd but hilarious that at one point in the film the camera focuses in on 2 dogs humping. ?Also it was a treat to get to see Schwarzanegger in an early role.