Lovely art, so-so movie
Added 10/12/2009
The plot and the action take a backseat to things like set design, photography, choreography and the Stewart Copeland soundtrack in this FF Coppola 1983 film version of an SE Hinton novel. Only the rumble fish are in color. I dug seeing the young and unmolested Mickey Rourke, and even Tom Waits was still young and groovy here. Nicholas Cage made his film debut, as well. The story line is some nonsense about how a younger brother can't live up to his older brother's ways. Dennis Hopper plays the alcoholic dad. Filmed in Tulsa two weeks after "The Outsiders," the better film of the two, this one is a fine b&w art film, but less than scintillating as a movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Rumble Fish with additional material
Added 9/2/2009
Included in the two disc set is: interviews with Stewart Copeland (drummer for the police) about constructing the soundtrack. Also included is a documentary about the making of the film, as well as some deleted scenes. The film was quite different when it came out in 1983, shot primarily in B/W, with deep focus cinematography, in the style of Citizen Kane and lighting with long shadows and harsh lighting. Unusual for a Hollywood film about and for teenagers. Nonetheless, the film was somewhat successful and really holds up on DVD, where the image can be seen, the way it was intended to be.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Before There Were 'Outsiders' There Were 'Ruble Fish'
Added 8/20/2009
This was the first of two film adaptations based on the works of S.E. Hinton that Francis Ford Coppola directed in 1984. I prefer the second one but this one has a lot going for it. Reportedly Coppola was influenced by the work of renegade photographer turned renegade filmmaker Larry Clark. He captures exciting images of teens engaging in gang fights, having sex, doing drugs, and other forms of debauchery. All of it filmed in black and white. (The only color images are of the title fish). The Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke) is fascinated by them and spends his days watching them in their aquarium. He is a legend in his hometown with his named tagged on road signs and in tunnels. He's been away for two years leaving a void that his younger brother Rusty James (Matt Dillon) tries to fill. The problem is that Rusty doesn't have his brother's brains or charisma and isn't fit to lead anyone. The gangs aren't what they once were and Rusty James is the only person interested in bringing them back. He's having a hard time without his big brother around. Their dad (Dennis Hopper) is a drunk, and his girlfriend (Diane Lane) has eyes for his best friend Smokey (Nicolas Cage). Rusty longs for the day when the Motorcycle Boy will return and the two of them will rule the streets. When he gets his wish and the Motorcycle Boy returns Rusty is disappointed to discover that his big brother isn't the legend he once was. Years of fighting have made him color blind and partially deaf. As a result he always seems lost in his own dream world. Starting the gangs back up is the last thing on his mind. The two brothers try to reconcile their differences while dodging numerous enemies who wish to put an end to the both of them. Dillon and Rourke give strong, emotional performances. Dillon is the cocky hothead who tries to act tough and menacing whereas Rourke is extremely soft spoken and does his best to blend into the background and not stand out. Lane (18 at the time) is quite sexy in a smaller role. She shows acting potential that she would improve on with the 'Outsiders'. Cage is fun in one of his earlier roles as Rusty's main competition. The supporting cast also includes Laurence Fishburne, Tom Waites, Chris Penn and Vincent Spano. Watch out for a young Sofia Coppola (credited as Domino) as Lane's smart mouth little sister. Her performance is one of the film's biggest highlights.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
An underrated masterpiece(yes, been said already)
Added 4/5/2009
This film was a complete surprise for me. I didn't expect it to be THAT good. I just bought it because of the soundtrack by Stewart Copeland(I'm a fan).
I heard that the film itself isn't worth it. I heard it was a mistake. Well, I was surprised when found out how awesome it is!
This should have been declared a classic. It has so much wisdom in it, so much things to tell you, that you'll have to view it multiple times to understand it fully. Also, the artistic style is unique and beautiful.
Great job, Francis!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Good Story
Added 2/14/2009
the movie was good. it was done by the same author and director of the outsiders, so it has that kind of feel. there were parts that were kind of lame, but seeing an early movie for these actores starting out was fun, so it helped carry the movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Lovely art, so-so movie
Added 10/12/2009
The plot and the action take a backseat to things like set design, photography, choreography and the Stewart Copeland soundtrack in this FF Coppola 1983 film version of an SE Hinton novel. Only the rumble fish are in color. I dug seeing the young and unmolested Mickey Rourke, and even Tom Waits was still young and groovy here. Nicholas Cage made his film debut, as well. The story line is some nonsense about how a younger brother can't live up to his older brother's ways. Dennis Hopper plays the alcoholic dad. Filmed in Tulsa two weeks after "The Outsiders," the better film of the two, this one is a fine b&w art film, but less than scintillating as a movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Rumble Fish with additional material
Added 9/2/2009
Included in the two disc set is: interviews with Stewart Copeland (drummer for the police) about constructing the soundtrack. Also included is a documentary about the making of the film, as well as some deleted scenes. The film was quite different when it came out in 1983, shot primarily in B/W, with deep focus cinematography, in the style of Citizen Kane and lighting with long shadows and harsh lighting. Unusual for a Hollywood film about and for teenagers. Nonetheless, the film was somewhat successful and really holds up on DVD, where the image can be seen, the way it was intended to be.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Before There Were 'Outsiders' There Were 'Ruble Fish'
Added 8/20/2009
This was the first of two film adaptations based on the works of S.E. Hinton that Francis Ford Coppola directed in 1984. I prefer the second one but this one has a lot going for it. Reportedly Coppola was influenced by the work of renegade photographer turned renegade filmmaker Larry Clark. He captures exciting images of teens engaging in gang fights, having sex, doing drugs, and other forms of debauchery. All of it filmed in black and white. (The only color images are of the title fish). The Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke) is fascinated by them and spends his days watching them in their aquarium. He is a legend in his hometown with his named tagged on road signs and in tunnels. He's been away for two years leaving a void that his younger brother Rusty James (Matt Dillon) tries to fill. The problem is that Rusty doesn't have his brother's brains or charisma and isn't fit to lead anyone. The gangs aren't what they once were and Rusty James is the only person interested in bringing them back. He's having a hard time without his big brother around. Their dad (Dennis Hopper) is a drunk, and his girlfriend (Diane Lane) has eyes for his best friend Smokey (Nicolas Cage). Rusty longs for the day when the Motorcycle Boy will return and the two of them will rule the streets. When he gets his wish and the Motorcycle Boy returns Rusty is disappointed to discover that his big brother isn't the legend he once was. Years of fighting have made him color blind and partially deaf. As a result he always seems lost in his own dream world. Starting the gangs back up is the last thing on his mind. The two brothers try to reconcile their differences while dodging numerous enemies who wish to put an end to the both of them. Dillon and Rourke give strong, emotional performances. Dillon is the cocky hothead who tries to act tough and menacing whereas Rourke is extremely soft spoken and does his best to blend into the background and not stand out. Lane (18 at the time) is quite sexy in a smaller role. She shows acting potential that she would improve on with the 'Outsiders'. Cage is fun in one of his earlier roles as Rusty's main competition. The supporting cast also includes Laurence Fishburne, Tom Waites, Chris Penn and Vincent Spano. Watch out for a young Sofia Coppola (credited as Domino) as Lane's smart mouth little sister. Her performance is one of the film's biggest highlights.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
