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HUNDU THE BEAST GOD posted:The totally uncommented-on Alice subplot in Last of the Mohicans is incredible. I recall reading that they filmed a scene of her making out with Uncas, maybe even implied sex, but it was cut. I'm of two minds whether that was a good move or not. On one hand, the tragedy is definitely enhanced in the finished version, where their attraction is unconsumated because the world won't allow it. On the other, the film would be a lot more impressive for it having it onscreen.
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Apr 16, 2016 23:37
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Kull the Conqueror posted:It's more nuanced than you might think. Russell Means (Chingachgook) who himself was one of the most prominent Red Power activists of the 20th century, originally wanted to play Magua because he's not just a one-dimensional evil dude. He's charged with making sure his tribe survives, and is forced to pick a side in a conflict that really has nothing to do with him or his people. That monologue he gives to the French dude in the woods adds a lot of depth to the character. AIM leader Dennis Banks even has a brief cameo as a Mohawk chief. Means wasn't really a good enough actor for Magua, Wes Studi deservedly launched his career with that role. Mann's film definitely set the bar at the time for working with aboriginals to create a more authentic image of them in film, but it's probably almost impossible to remove all the racist assumptions from Cooper's story. Chingachgook's speech, where he gives the land to his white son and says the title, it's presented as a sad yet inevitable fact. I mean thankfully, Cooper and the 19th century were wrong; the Mohicans survived and are still around. But this story (and others) definitely influence how society in general still tries to act like the real Indians have all faded away, like elves or something.
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Apr 22, 2016 02:52
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It's not a movie but if anyone wants some more north-american-epic-myth-whites-and-reds-mixing-it-up action, I highly recommend reading Joseph Boyden's The Orenda, it's super beautiful and mega brutal.Uncle Boogeyman posted:This thread has persuaded me to rewatch Heat. Outside of the bank robbery shootout, I never particularly liked this movie, but it's been 10+ years so let's see how I feel now. Watching The Insider for the first time and rewatching L.A. Confidential reminded me that Dante Spinotti is a god. Heat is really good, if a little overlong. It has a funny title, since I would describe Mann's storytelling as 'cold', generally. There is always this distance from the characters, even the sympathetic ones.
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Apr 23, 2016 18:43
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