Jackson Pollock - Love & Death on Long Island

Amazon.com

Although it begins with the police report of his death in a 1956 car accident, this BBC effort quickly backtracks to the birth of Jackson Pollock's fame seven years earlier with the memorable Life magazine question: "Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?" While the answer is still hotly debated, the fact that he became the most famous painter of that time is not. This 46-minute documentary concentrates on the intense glare of celebrity and its effect on Pollock's work and life. Because he allowed documentary makers unprecedented access to his process, this film is loaded with images of Pollock at work on his physically active--and therefore dramatically engaging--style of drip painting. His own voiceovers as well as those of his wife and champion, fellow painter Lee Krasner, are intercut with more recent interviews with poets, friends, biographers, and his lover, Ruth Kligman, who survived the deadly crash. Joining his old acquaintances is Ed Harris, director and star of the 1999 film Pollock, who speaks to the paralyzing combination of self-doubt and alcoholism that proved this artist's undoing. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Description

In the late forties Life magazine featured a shy, brooding artist with a cigarette jutting from his mouth as he stood dwarfed by a canvas displaying a nearly indescribable orchestration of chaos. Overnight, millions of Americans received this image in their homes and businesses, and the legend of Jackson Pollock was born. Soon his controversial work and defiant attitude made him at once the star and the scourge of the art world. In the end, his tragic death at the top of his career, cemented his image forever as the James Dean of artists. This documentary traces the life and work of Jackson Pollock through revealing interviews and archival footage. Among the voices that relate the legacy are Lee Krasner, Pollock's wife and fellow artist, and Ed Harris (director and star of the film Pollock).

Customer Reviews:

DESPERATE SANITY?.......2002-02-16

Since documentaries are featured as extras on many DVDs, there's a growing appetite for this cinematic art form. Criterion is feeding that craving with a series of fascinating glimpses into extraordinary real lives.

The artistically apposite worlds of Jackson Pollock, and Robert Crumb are revealed in "JACKSON POLLOCK: LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND" and "THE CONFESSIONS OF ROBERT CRUMB". Striking views of Pollock's work are commented on by artists including his wife, painter Lee Krasner. Ed Harris, the star and director of the Academy Award© winning film "Pollock" discusses Pollock's blazing rise to fame and his difficulties coping with it.

Somehow a sad look at the destructive, hyper life of what may have been a madman. Is being an artist be difinition a kind of insanity?

Finally a Pollock movie that keeps us awake!.......2000-10-13

WOW! Though this is not actually the movie Pollock, and actually a 40 minute biography/precursor to the movie, it was wonderful! It had several interviews with freinds, fellow artists and other misc. aquaintences of Jackson's in it from Ruth Klingman to Kirk Varnedoe. They were short to the point and all very interesting, especially the Cedar Bar bar tender stories! In addition it had footage from the famous Hans Namuth movies of him at work and when he painted on glass while the camera was underneath(very hard to find footage!) This is a must to any Pollock freak. Caution there is some language unsuitable for classroom usage. Well worth the money if you like JP.

Average customer rating:

Slow but Witty
"Death in Venice" Updated
John Hurt is wonderful, as always
Light, and deep. Profound and easy. difficult mixture to read.
five big ones

Love & Death on Long Island
Starring: John Hurt , Jason Priestley , Fiona Loewi , Sheila Hancock , and Harvey Atkin
Director: Richard Kwietniowski
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009MEBH
Release Date: 2003-07-22

Product Description

A chance encounter with struggling B-movie star Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley) opens up a whole new world to buttoned-up British author Giles De'Ath (John Hurt).

Going to the movies for the first time in 20 years, Giles mistakenly wanders into the wrong theater. But this seemingly incidental event launches his life on a bizarre path filled with bittersweet contrasts that ultimately leave a lasting impression.

Rolling Stone raves, "This extraordinary film walks a tightrope between humor and heartbreak," and The Los Angeles Times hails this comedy as a "sharp, sophisticated and completely delicious!" film.

System Requirements:
Starring: John Hurt, Jason Priestley, Harvey Atkin, Maury Chaykin, Gawn Grainger, Sheila Hancock, Fiona Loewi, Elizabeth Quinn
Directed By: Richard Kwietniowski
Running Time: 94 Min., Color
Copyright Lion's Gate Entertainment 2003.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

An older artist, shunned by the white-hot media of the contemporary world, begins to glow again when he meets a handsome, not-altogether all-American boy. In 1998, two writer-directors brought extraordinary care to this subject, creating films that appeared on several top 10 lists. Gods and Monsters won an Oscar for Bill Condon's screenplay and a nomination for Ian McKellen's acting. Richard Kwietniowski's Love and Death on Long Island was forgotten during the award season. John Hurt has rarely been better as Giles De'Ath, a renowned British author of dry, laborious text. By sheer accident he sees a Porky's-type comedy at the theater: Hot Pants College II. About to leave, he spies on screen his very idea of beauty: a near-talentless American actor named Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley, in another deft, underseen performance). So starts De'Ath's very long trek out of his shell. He is so out of touch that when he purchases a VCR (to see the original Hot Pants College, no less), he doesn't realize he needs a TV set to view the picture. By film's end, he will meet his idol and jump into an abyss. Kwietniowski's debut film has uncommon sensitivity in the realm of fantasy and dream makers. As with Gods and Monsters, its homosexual undercurrent can play comfortably in front of straight viewers looking for crisp writing, fresh perspectives, and great acting. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews:

Slow but Witty.......2007-08-05

"Love and Death on Long Island"

Slow but Witty

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

In "Love and Death on Long Island", consummate English actor, John Hurt, plays Giles, a lonely and tired writer who is out of touch with the modern world. Jason Priestly plays the object of his desire. When Giles first meets Ronnie Bostock (Priestly), he finds a new reason for living as he pursues the young man. Seeing shades of "Death in Venice" and "Lolita" is this film is not surprising as the younger man is actively pursued by someone much older.
Giles is a stuffy English writer obsessed by an American teenager and grade B movie star. He goes to Long Island to find the guy and actually does so. Giles is an intellectual, crusty and 60ish and Giles manages to woo Ronnie. Hurt is perfect in the part and he gives us some wonderful acting. As he starts his new life while going after Ronnie we see him with warmth that the character has probably never felt before. When he offers to Help Ronnie in his career, it s clear to us that he does so in order to keep the young man close t him.
Giles has been in a state of self-exile from the modern world. He lives in a stuffy flat in London which is dominated by a picture of his recently deceased wife and all of his emotions are totally repressed. When fate aids him and exposes him to Ronnie, he finally begins to understand his true sexuality and he finds a semblance of happiness. His obsession for Ronnie is thoroughly satisfying for him.
The confession scene at the end of the movie is touching and filled with raw emotion. It is exactly the moment when Giles realizes that he is in love with Ronnie and lusts for him sexually. He does not merely admire him. Faced with the risk of losing the young man, he is ready to go actively after him and as Ronnie becomes more reluctant, Giles becomes more desperate.
One of the most surprising things about the film is the ability of Jason Priestly to carry his role nobly. He holds his own against Hurt who is pure magnificence.
The artistic convention of the older mentor and the younger muse is not new but it is handled beautifully. Other interesting ideas are raised as well--the nature of love and how those who are set in their ways can find a new reason for life.

"Death in Venice" Updated.......2007-04-29

The perfect change of venue for the "Death in Venice" thematic -- older man falls in love with younger male, only here it's a pedantic Brit writer and the boy is . . . a Hollywood pulp actor in movies like "Hotpants College II" (!) who lives on Long Island. As in Mann's original story, the fixation is Platonic rather than sexual, but the film pulses with pathos, a dark Wagnerian atmosphere perfectly captured by the haunting, sublime music score by Richard Grassby-Lewis, but also the drollest wit in recent moviemaking. John Hurt as the older Brit is just priceless, his role a gem with facets that gleam in all directions...I give it the full galaxy of FIVE STARS.

John Hurt is wonderful, as always.......2007-04-05

the suprise was "Brandon Beverly Hills 90210", he played his part with genuine naivate' and boarderline gayness. Old queens are very sad and pathatic, but John puts spin of his own on his. He's a widowed Englishman,who by chance see's a movie with Jason in a bit part, and falls deeply in love with him, so he decides to take a trip to Long Island, New York to accidently "run into" him on the beach. His plan works almost perfectly until he declares his passionate love for Jason and spoils the whole charade of being interested in his career. Americanized version of Death in Venice, very well done. Enjoy!

Light, and deep. Profound and easy. difficult mixture to read........2007-03-10

when I was a kid I went to the movies and saw 'Death in Venice'. by the time the old guy is at the beach literally melting while staring at Tadzio, I almost couldn't stop to laugh, such a clumsy scene.
Reading here all the time this is a ¿gay? movie, about and old guy with a crush for a teen star, I think the real point is missing: about the portrayal of the epiphanie bring to life by the contemplation of beauty in any form. And then quite surprisingly, the answer back, in here beauty answers, in such a way, in the middle of the road beauty and intelligence recognize each other perplexed, yet fascinated.
so the idea of something laughable is gone, even the premise when presented as an old man, with manners of an old lady going after the 'twink', thats the idea of a common place, like when somebody says here: same story about old men after a boy with a girl, etc. that is just reading the surface, not even of the movie, but of the comments in the box.

The box says is more funnier than 'full monty', the reviews that is between god and monsters and other gay movies. do not expect that, if you give the chance is farther more profound, and the same time quite simple and light.
Amazing this guy Jason never raises as a bigger Star. Hurt extraordinaire, as usual.
Both alone here, almost without any other noticeable cast, it can be seen closer to theatre than cinema.

five big ones.......2005-12-17

This is one of the greatest movies ever made. Nearly every scene is perfect. The performances are fantastic, and the movie manages to be both moving and hilarious. It's sort of an updated version of Death in Venice.

Average customer rating:

Slow but Witty
"Death in Venice" Updated
John Hurt is wonderful, as always
Light, and deep. Profound and easy. difficult mixture to read.
five big ones

Love and Death on Long Island
Starring: John Hurt , Jason Priestley , Fiona Loewi , Sheila Hancock , and Harvey Atkin
Director: Richard Kwietniowski
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Gay & Lesbian | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 0783240090
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Slow but Witty.......2007-08-05

"Death in Venice" Updated.......2007-04-29

John Hurt is wonderful, as always.......2007-04-05

Light, and deep. Profound and easy. difficult mixture to read........2007-03-10

five big ones.......2005-12-17

Love and Death on Long Island [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

Slow but Witty
"Death in Venice" Updated
John Hurt is wonderful, as always
Light, and deep. Profound and easy. difficult mixture to read.
five big ones

Love and Death on Long Island [Region 2]
Starring: John Hurt , Jason Priestley , Fiona Loewi , Sheila Hancock , and Harvey Atkin
Director: Richard Kwietniowski
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00009KOY0

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Slow but Witty.......2007-08-05

"Death in Venice" Updated.......2007-04-29

John Hurt is wonderful, as always.......2007-04-05

Light, and deep. Profound and easy. difficult mixture to read........2007-03-10

five big ones.......2005-12-17

Average customer rating:

Slow but Witty
"Death in Venice" Updated
John Hurt is wonderful, as always
Light, and deep. Profound and easy. difficult mixture to read.
five big ones

Love and Death on Long Island
Starring: John Hurt , Jason Priestley , Fiona Loewi , Sheila Hancock , and Harvey Atkin
Director: Richard Kwietniowski
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000059Z2D

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Slow but Witty.......2007-08-05

"Death in Venice" Updated.......2007-04-29

John Hurt is wonderful, as always.......2007-04-05

Light, and deep. Profound and easy. difficult mixture to read........2007-03-10

five big ones.......2005-12-17

Charlie Rose with Stanley Fischer; Jason Priestley & John Hurt; Mark Ravenhill (February 20, 1998)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Stanley Fischer; Jason Priestley & John Hurt; Mark Ravenhill (February 20, 1998)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Stanley Fischer, the International Monetary Fund's deputy managing director, and one of the world's foremost economists, to speak about issues involved in the Asian economic crisis and where he thinks it might be going. Also, one of Britain's most distinguished actors, John Hurt and one of America's most popular, Jason Priestley, talk about their collaboration on a new film, Love and Death on Long Island. Finally, playwright Mark Ravenhill talks about his new controversial play, Shopping and Fucking, opening to sold-out audiences at the New York Theater Workshop after a year of sold-out shows in London and a world tour.

DVD:

DVD

DVD