tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9770118.post6561044095931104325..comments2023-12-24T18:38:47.076-05:00Comments on ACHTENBLOG: Oliver Stone's 'Nixon' RevisitedMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213866618922724603noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9770118.post-22518520364187805072011-07-15T11:24:17.229-04:002011-07-15T11:24:17.229-04:00Thanks for the comment Neil. I wasn't old enou...Thanks for the comment Neil. I wasn't old enough to experience the downfall of Nixon and I have to live vicariously through films like Nixon and All the Presidents Men. It's a fascinating period in American history and I agree with your assessment of 'an understanding'. Film's greatest strength is empathy (as it story is general) and Stone gives us much empathy for this flawed man.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213866618922724603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9770118.post-39560811786663848762011-07-15T00:48:05.373-04:002011-07-15T00:48:05.373-04:00Mark,
I recently happened to find "Nixon"...Mark,<br />I recently happened to find "Nixon" running on cable on the tv in a hotel room, and was very glad I watched (almost all of) the film. At 59, I recall quite vividly the political environment within which Richard Nixon rose to the White House. The portrayal by Hopkins is superb, bringing to life the real individual, yet within the parameters of the story Stone wished to tell. And among other outstanding attributes, the film captures the spirit of the political times exceptionally well -- it was sort of a time machine, back to "circa 1968". Nixon was such a complex figure, and Stone has given us a work which evokes an understanding of him which accounts for most all of that complexity. Note: not necessarily "the" understanding, but "an" understanding, which after all is the point of the film-maker's art, isn't it?Neilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9770118.post-84064312463181266922011-06-16T23:20:28.072-04:002011-06-16T23:20:28.072-04:00I haven't seen it but have wanted to. I would...I haven't seen it but have wanted to. I would also like to see the original broadcasts as well.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213866618922724603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9770118.post-74872206524398239502011-06-16T16:02:31.322-04:002011-06-16T16:02:31.322-04:00Have you seen "Frost Nixon"?
(I just dis...Have you seen "Frost Nixon"?<br />(I just discovered your blog; very interesting!)Carson Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11426505356407204408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9770118.post-63357716745827804572009-10-11T13:08:57.492-04:002009-10-11T13:08:57.492-04:00Thanks Adam,
Have you seen W yet? Any thoughts o...Thanks Adam,<br /><br />Have you seen W yet? Any thoughts on it?<br /><br />MarkMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213866618922724603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9770118.post-27614226987628883862009-10-09T23:32:13.331-04:002009-10-09T23:32:13.331-04:00Mark -I am just now watching the ending moments of...Mark -I am just now watching the ending moments of my first viewing of Nixon. I too have been awestruck by the creative Shakespearian story rendering. I was just doing a quick google search for discussions of the film –came across yours –and had to leave a positive comment about, what I would consider to be, your excellent perspective on the film. I appreciate your thoughtful and intelligent views. Thanks for taking the time to make them.Adamhttp://www.cherrywoodproductions.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9770118.post-30474255833289530292007-08-30T09:09:00.000-04:002007-08-30T09:09:00.000-04:00I would also suggest a viewing of Robert Altman's ...I would also suggest a viewing of Robert Altman's 1984 film "Secret Honour", based on a one-man stage play and starring Philip Baker Hall as Nixon rambling about his offices, late at night, drunk and delusional, attempting to record his own version of how things went so horriby wrong with his presidency.<BR/><BR/>It's a brilliant performance by Hall and an astonishing display of storytelling, and it fits in with your observances about Stone's "Nixon" and how the mechanics of power in America rarely lie within the grasp of any single individual.<BR/><BR/>This was also apparent in "Thirteen Days", showing the conflict between the Kennedy presidency and the Pentagon. Now that I think of it, these would make good viewing collections with the Frankenheimer's "Seven Days In May".<BR/><BR/>Geez. Now I'm depressed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com