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Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) back up on the big screen. My favorite movie! Should I go?

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clarkjohnsen

Having seen it no fewer than two dozen times, this comes down to, Do I want to make the trek over to Cambridge where there's almost no parking, and Do I want to spend another $7.50 when I own the DVD? Even though it's playing at the same theatre (the Brattle) I first saw it at, so long ago? Hmmm...
Maybe I should find out if this is *yet another* restoration, beyond the one of several years ago.
"'Orpheus' brings music to a myth" reads the Boston Globe headline; I append the intelligent review below. Indeed I have never experienced music so skillfully joined to cinema -- and yet (thank God!) no one breaks out into song.
Several years ago I was in Rio and heard tell of a new, totally remade modern Orfeu Negro -- involving drugs and shootouts in the favelas. As luck would have it, BO2 opened in Boston the day I got back, so I went to see it that very night. Disgusting! Not a single redeeming quality, and no real music either -- just some blaring hip-hop-type crap. I don't know how to say this in Portugues, but Latin is close -- O tempore, o mores.
clark

http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2006/04/14/orpheus_brings_music_to_a_myth/ (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

An absolutely perfect work of art. Of course, sourpusses have - tinear 13:15:52 04/14/06 (8)
always complained that it portrays a false world of happy penury which never existed in Rio's favelas but the sourpusses are wrong: the poor, pre-drugs and massive emigration from the strarving NE, WERE a happy group with a sense of camaraderie much stronger than today.
The music, casting/acting, editing, photography (ah, the beauties of yester-Rio...), in short, all the pieces come together to form as perfect a work of art as film ever has given us.
Since this is a story larger than life, and cinematography is such an integral part of the film's language, I'd say the only way truly to appreciate it is on the big screen.
Lucky you.
- "Only... on big screen..." How big is big enough? - Victor Khomenko 13:21:00 04/14/06 (2)
  Looked marvelously well on a 90" screen, but I suspect that ain't big enough for ol' man clark.
  It ain't the size, baby... it's viewing angle!
  - Well... How many more opportunities will I have to see it thusly? PLUS... - clarkjohnsen 09:09:11 04/15/06 (0)
    ...where else in the world besides Boston will it *ever* play in a theatre?
    clark
  - Size matters and you know it. nt - tinear 15:28:15 04/14/06 (0)
    as
- A regular-guy response. I'm speechless... nt - clarkjohnsen 13:19:25 04/14/06 (4)
  z
  - What a waste a Rio visit is for you. nt - tinear 15:29:28 04/14/06 (3)
    as
    - Now back to nasty business as usual, we see. nt - clarkjohnsen 09:12:03 04/15/06 (2)
      z
      - Tss tss... and all this AFTER - tinear 16:25:51 04/16/06 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Now back to nasty business as usual, we see. nt posted by clarkjohnsen on April 15, 2006 at 09:12:03:
        
        you protested speechlessness, too.
        One trembles at the prospect of your loquaciousness.
        
        You can read more of my work on AmericanWired and Positive-Feedback, where they pay me. nt - clarkjohnsen 14:35:39 04/17/06 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Tss tss... and all this AFTER posted by tinear on April 16, 2006 at 16:25:51:
        
        v

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