Vanishing Act: Michael Cimino

re: Vanishing Act: Michael Cimino

Brandon — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:59:20 GMT

Was that Michael Cimino playing himself (the filmmaker) in his "Chacun son cinema" segment? I don't remember THAT director looking much like the sex-change-rumor photo in the above article. His segment was surely one of the most instantly enjoyable in the omnibus... man, I hope that's what he's really like on a film set.

re: Vanishing Act: Michael Cimino

bilge — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:58:39 GMT

THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT is awesome, and I will defend THE DEER HUNTER with all my being...but Cimino is dead to me. And I'm one of the (four) deluded assholes who lined up to see both THE DESPERATE HOURS and THE SUNCHASER.

re: Vanishing Act: Michael Cimino

Faisal A. Qureshi — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:04:43 GMT

Michael Cimino - I saw him years ago at the Venice Film Festival where he oversaw a reading of Big Jane with Bijou Phillips and Brad Renfro, who were in town promoting Bully.

Only recently got into his stuff but have to mention that I love Heavens Gate, think Year of the Dragon is terrific but I cannot get into The Deer Hunter. Don't know why but it just leaves me cold.

But Year of the Dragon rocks and personally wouldn't mind sitting through a five hour cut of Heaven's Gate. I'm curious to see the two hour cut that was released and mainly assembled from alternate takes than his released version.

Still wonder what he contributed to Silent Running though. Wasn't that his first screen credit?

re: Vanishing Act: Michael Cimino

JJansen@thehollywoodsaloon — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:53:58 GMT

Okay, gotcha. It just seemed such a slam on Cimino (no, he's not an uncle, but I do admire him as a filmmaker), without ever really digging any deeper. I guess it's my own fault for expecting more discussion. Oh, and I'm guilty of the "jokes along the way" with Ratner. Nuff said.

re: Vanishing Act: Michael Cimino

Scott Von Doviak — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:30:19 GMT

Are you sure you're responding to this column? Let's see:

1. I never said anything about Cimino's visual style.

2. I never said anything about Thunderbolt and Lightfoot or The Deer Hunter.

3. I did say that Heaven's Gate was an enormous flop, which it was, but I didn't discuss its merits as a movie. (It does have some - not enough, but some.)

4. I never mentioned Brett Ratner, although I do wish I could write a "Vanishing Act" column about him.

The piece is not a critical evaluation, it's a "where are they now?" post. I found some information I thought was interesting and I made some jokes along the way, that's all. If Mr. Cimino is your uncle or something, I'm sorry to give offense.

re: Vanishing Act: Michael Cimino

JJansen@thehollywoodsaloon — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:33:44 GMT

Was the point of the piece to put a contract hit out on Michael Cimino? Okay, you don't like Cimino's films -- I get it. But to deny that Cimino isn't a great visual director is to watch his films blindfolded. THUNDRBOLT and LIGHTFOOT still holds up well today. As does THE DEER HUNTER. If you cannot see the talent behind the camera in DEER, then you should reconsider what profession you write about. And hey, despite it's flaws, HEAVEN'S GATE has a scope, pace and vision that captures it's time period as well or better than any period western in the last 40 years. Every frame is perfectly composed. Every costume and prop authentic. Okay, maybe it's just window dressing, but I think the drama of Cimino's work does shine through. It's not for everybody, but hey, you can say the same thing about many great novels or pieces of classical music, or opera or whatever. Just remember, while you sit safely at your keyboard slamming his life work -- and I won't defend the later films either -- just remember that it was Cimino who got off his ass and actually created the art. Took chances that not many directors would ever risk. Like it or not, he's travelled farther than most artists ever dream and his work will live longer than your words.

I think it's important to look at both content vs. technique when discussing a film and filmmaker. You might not like the story or acting, but there is no denying Cimino's talent behind the camera and editing. Just watch the final battle in HEAVEN'S GATE or the restaurant shootout in YEAR OF THE DRAGON. If that's not the work of a talented filmmaker, then I will leave you to your Brett Ratner film festival and call it a day.