Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on September 11, 2007 at 13:25:05

In Reply to: RE: Well, YOU say it's a police procedural. Of course, one could posted by tinear on September 11, 2007 at 13:15:45

"Memories of Murder."

Not yet seen.

"Z" was boring."

Maybe. But to who? I know some people who are bored going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Or watching a well played chess match. Or watching poker on television. I happen to like police procedurals, which is how I evaluated this film.

"describe "Silence of the Lambs," similarly, couldn't one? I mean, wasn't Clarice's pursuit a key piece?"

She did pursue him. That does not make it a police procedural. I think a police procedural is a film for which the plot or purpose of the film is to depict the investigation. "Silence" certainly shows her pursuit, but does not show her doing research (beyond conversing with Hanibal), interviewing witnesses, etc. I think of Silence as a psycholigical thriller, in which we are learning with Clarice as she is investigating.

On the other hand, with Zodiac, we know all the answers. Indeed, we know more than the characters in the film, and so there is nothing they can teach us about the events. The only thing a layman does not know is how they investigated the crimes, and the conclusions they drew, or failed to draw. I found Silence of the Lambs entertaining, but hardly educational. Thankfully.

Edits: 09/11/07