Film Review Reprint: 'Snow Falling on Cedars'

Film Review/DVD

Snow Falling On Cedars

Scott Hicks, Director

Universal  #20558

©1996   128 minutes

I love Cinema! I love exploring and considering what decisions a fine Director chooses in making a film, though I’m certain I don’t understand every aspect of the process.

I must confess I’ve had to watch ‘Snow Falling On Cedars’ several times to really appreciate the interpretation and artistic qualities Director Scott Hicks incorporated. I had read the book several years ago and had forgotten a lot of the detail, so this film was challenging for me at first.

Lots of movies that I enjoy are not so difficult to view. They are often well produced and directed, though not necessarily. Many incorporate the best and most interesting actors, but not always. The movies that interest me can be quite entertaining and easy to watch the first screening, with a very select few ending up in my collection at some point. But ‘Snow Falling on Cedars’ hardly fits this “easy to watch” category; it is truly more of an Art Film.

I re-introduced myself to ‘Snow Falling on Cedars’ as film after reviewing the Soundtrack. I’m a Music Teacher by trade and avocation and came across it when sorting out some CDs at school. Watching it again required focus and concentration on my part and my initial reaction was “This is maybe a two or three-star film -- OK, but not really outstanding.”

It was either Siskel or Ebert – I dis-remember which – who made a comment to the effect that we of this generation seem to lack patience in letting a particular film develop, in letting its storyline and intricacies and details be revealed to us gradually, and often subtly. This may be part of the ‘instant gratification’ that has been incorporated into our collective, post-modern personas; at least this seems true for me.

I will suggest that ‘Snow Falling on Cedars’ is well worth your time. It may be helpful to read the book (again) though I haven’t yet. It may be helpful to go through the Extras on the DVD, though some will say that the film should stand on its own merits. In this instance, I disagree; go ahead and do some homework. (I went to my copy of William Manchester’s fine memoir ‘Goodbye Darkness’ to brush up a little on Tarawa.) Watch it with the sound off. Watch it with the French language track. Listen to the Director’s Commentary at least once. Read the DVD historical background regarding Manzanar. Certainly give especial attention to such great acting moments as Nels’ (Max von Sydow) Summation in chapter 16.  

If you have the interest and patience to do the research and view the film several times over several days, things wondrous and beautiful may reveal themselves to you, as they did to me. Rather than expecting an immediate reaction, consider this work as you would a complex wine, or Ansel Adams’ photographs or a Gustav Mahler symphony: an artistic effort to be experienced time and again. I believe it’s that good.

I recommend this film highly so Four Stars from me.

Russell de Ville

11 March 2011

p.s. I write my Film and Books Reviews for Amazon using the name Russell de Ville. Cute, Huh!

Second Mile Service

I visited with a new and much younger colleague recently regarding an incident at work where a Guest was asking for more than she was entitled to according to our Standard Operating Procedures. When the Guest complained further, she took it upon herself to find a solution by contacting the right People, asking a few questions regarding taking care of the Guest's needs and then following through by checking to see that she'd done the right thing.

Well, we've all been groused at before; sometimes it's justified and many times not so much.

But what I was impressed with so much is that despite being upset at the situation, our Staffer worked the problem and gave that Guest what we refer to as Second Mile Service. Of her, I'm quite proud!

Responding to LucidNoodle.blogspot.com

OK then. After in-depth consultations with my Outstanding Research Staff it seems that you need to have a Google Account or use one of the other options listed and log-in to post directly to the Blog. As I'm going to probably link the majority of my Posts to Facebook, most Folks might choose to simply respond in the Facebook Comment Section.

If I find a better way, I'll be sure to let you know.

And regardless of whether you comment or not, Thanks for Reading!

Two Year-Old CABG

Yup. Done this. I've had THE Quadruple Bypass Surgery, or what is known in the Medical World as Coronary Arterial Bypass Graft--CABG. Signed the dotted line and came out with the 10" Zipper two years ago today!

Because of some fortunate Timing, a cracker-jack Medical Team, the support of Spouse, Family, Friends and the attendance of Angels, I'm still around and Kickin'! Didn't quite expect to be.

I'm one of those who believes that genetics played a role but it wasn't just that. I've always tended to eat what I want, when I want. And I've lived too sedentary a lifestyle--at least outwardly.. But I also think God used this to get me to slow down otherwise and think about some things.

Nothing's Perfected as of yet. And I'm still Thinking.
And Reading.
And Writing. 
And Praying.
And thankfully, Growing.

Psalm Eleven

Psalm Eleven

O ye who pray

  to the Lord Almighty,

do you not restrict him

  by instruction too much

  or demands too specific?!

Leave room for the Lord

  to surprise you,

  and delight you,

  Day-by-Day.

Then you will know

  that the Lord,

  He is God!

And that there is

no other!

28 October 2005

Dreaming Questions

Earlier today I posted the following of facebook: Do Dreams really tell you anything? I've been trying to find out. Interesting Journey! A Number of People responded but I've managed to come up with a few more Questions.

• Do you pay attention to your Dreams?
• Do you keep a Dream Journal?
• Do you believe Dreams speak to you about Present Situations?
• Do you believe Dreams can indicate Situations or Difficulties of Past Lifetimes?
• Have you ever read Articles or Books focusing on Dream Interpretation?
• Have you ever sought Professional Interpretation of your Dreams?
• Has such increased Understanding of your Dreams encouraged or supported Lifestyle Changes?

I'm still formulating answers for myself but I'd love you consider your opinion if you'd care to share.

Book Reviews

Some time ago, I began to add very short Book Reviews to our Business Facebook Page for Glen Eyrie. I've written several Book and Film Reviews the past few years for Amazon. Having enjoyed that experience, I thought that such blurbs highly condensed might possibly add some interest to the Glen Discussion overall. So far--not so much.

It's a challenge to come up with those pithy, precise statements that are at once clever and have something to say. I read the reviews of others and find things I'd like to emulate such as style and vocabulary and clarity. Yes, I'd like to learn to write that way. 

So I'll keep at it and possibly Folks will begin to notice. Perhaps some will come to find those Titles I mention are just pretty good reads, which is what I'm interested in after all . . .