The Pianist

[Son of a Preacher Man]

I really want to see this movie.  I especially enjoyed Brodie's speech when he won his little gold dude for Best Actor and that has made me want to watch it even more.  Now you write this and... :announceit: thanks-a-whole-freakin'-lot!  What are you trying to do?  Torture me?:noworries:

Roman's a bit of a twerp, though... but!!!!!! BIG BUT--Chinatown[/i] is one of the greatest movies of all time.  Polanski, shmolanski... or something like that.  I guess I'll still watch it... I mean, I have watched Frantic[/i] so how much worse could it get?  :0 Only kidding.

I guess I must be content to wait on DVD because I live in hicksville.  Indie films and Oscar nominated films generally only run one or two weeks here, if at all.  This one has never been within a three-hour drive.

[nerdneh]

I certainly would not recommend the Pianist to everyone, especially those with squeamish stomachs, for it tells the horrible true tale of a Polish musician who also happened to be Jewish. He goes from being a distinguished concert artist to someone who flirts daily with death at the hands of the SS and other Nazi monsters.

The greatest scene in the movie, for me, was when a German officer discovers him hiding in the attic of a home the Germans just happen to be using as a command post for their final battles against the Russians.

This German officer asks him what he did before the war, and the musician explains he was a pianist. The German officer tells him to sit and play a  piano that just happens to be sitting there. He sits, rubs his hands, which have not touched a keyboard in years. Finally he begins to play Chopin flawlessly. The officer is astounded, and decides to spare his life, and even brings him some food to eat.

When the pianist tries to thank the German officer, saying; "How can I ever thank you enough!" The German officer replies: "Do not thank me, thank God!"

This moment must be seen to be appreciated. Needless to say I left the movie with tears in my eyes.

Because of the violence, please do not take an immature person to this movie.

[nerdneh]

Soapman; Hope I did not give it away for you, but I think when you see the scene in context, it will mean much more to you. It is a true story, and thus we do not have to guess about the outcome....

As far as Polanski, he is still on the run for his sexual escapade with an underage female in the States. I remember seeing one of his films years ago starring Sharon Tate (the unfortunate person killed by the Manson gang). Perhaps she was married to Polanski? (A guess).

Anyway, the movie was called Fearless Vampire Killers and as I remember was quite a farce. One scene I remember is this Jewish person was bitten by the vampire and turns into one himself. He later creeps up on some potential victim who holds a cross out to him and the Jewish vampire says; "Ho boy, have you got the wrong sign!" Only he says it in a very heavy accent. Later, the vampire killers escape the Count's castle by sledding down the mountain in open coffins. Have you seen it?