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Author	Topic: To Live and Die in L.A

cine-sin Oscar® Winner	I don't usually go for this hard-done-by cop routine but once in a while a film comes along that mesmerizes me. I think I can make sense of this hold with something like 'Hard Boiled' but with 'To Live and Die in L.A' its hard to figure out why (although Wlliam L. Petersen was pretty charismatic). To be fair though, I have seen 'Hard Boiled' about twenty times or so. I saw on IMDB that Wang Chung was credited for 'original music' and the credits stated a soundtrack was released on Geffen. Did anyone buy this? I'm curious to know if Wang Chung wrote instrumentals for the film as well. Otherwise, who scored the action sequences? There was one moment that could have really benefitted from some score.... In the opening sequence, when Chance is on the rooftop looking for villain, there is an unseized opportunity to really dramatise the moment with some score. Of course, I don't mean to suggest that silence should always be filled but in this case, it was downright strange and ended up becoming closely related to those Italian dubbed films that always highlight footsteps. If anyone is familiar with the film - can s/he explain to me what Dafoe meant when he said to his female cohort "I have something for you" and presented a woman ...and why these two ended up together at the end of the film. That seemed so oddly placed and doesn't make too much sense to me in the context of the overall film. Rochelle NP: Sneakers
posted 02-24-2002 11:34 PM PT (US)

Cole Oscar® Winner	to live and die in LA........to live in LA - you know what i mean I cant really answer your questions - but i saw the vinyl LP the other day in a record store
posted 02-25-2002 12:01 AM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by cine-sin: If anyone is familiar with the film - can s/he explain to me what Dafoe meant when he said to his female cohort "I have something for you" and presented a woman ...and why these two ended up together at the end of the film. That seemed so oddly placed and doesn't make too much sense to me in the context of the overall film. The entire film jumps back and forth between Peterson and Defoe's character, as you know. Almost all of the Defoe scenes make an effort to establish his character as this psychotic criminal with a hunger for sex and sexual experimentation. I mean, the whole scene where his partner is dressed up as a man, and he starts kissing her? That was meant to make people a little uncomfortable with Defoe's character... of course, she removes her wig and we discover "he" is really a she (his partner), but still. Also, Defoe's character is obsessed with video taping his after-hours activities with her... another hint. And then that scene where Defoe sends her in to seduce the dealer, so as to intentionally catch him in the act and justify killing him. Ah, and to answer your question, I think Defoe was aware of his partner's homosexual/lesbian tendencies and that was what he was suggesting when he presented her with that other woman. For 1985, it's pretty outrageous stuff... Nowadays, it's not so uncommon. Take 'Bound' for instance. Anyway... just my two cents. The film was weird. It's pretty good and shocking (especially at the very end). I think that's probably what makes it intriguing. Peterson's character is the anti-good guy. He's certainly not the bad guy, but he does some pretty unlawful things to ultimately get to Defoe... and of course, in the end, he doesn't succeed. I was astounded when he got a shot gun blast in the face. But hey, served the guy right. Jeron [Message edited by Jeron on 02-25-2002]
posted 02-25-2002 01:07 AM PT (US)

BMikeJ Oscar® Winner	I love this movie... The car chase ranks up there with the French Connection. And great music from Wang Chung. It's a little dated now but it's great to drive to. I believe the instrumental pieces were also handled by Wang Chung. Jack Hughes, in particular. He later scored Friedkin's The Guardian. I don't think there are any good guys at all in these movie. Darlanne Fluegel's character is about as close as it gets. Petersen's partner starts out as a good guy but eventually gets corrupted by him. I hope this gets a dvd release soon...
posted 02-25-2002 01:58 AM PT (US)

cine-sin Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Jeron: Ah, and to answer your question, I think Defoe was aware of his partner's homosexual/lesbian tendencies and that was what he was suggesting when he presented her with that other woman. Yes, I was aware of this intention but I found it odd to introduce a minor character so late and just before the whole plan is about to go ahead. quote: The film was weird. It's pretty good and shocking (especially at the very end). I was astounded when he got a shot gun blast in the face. I was intrigued by the reason you describe but also because Chance's sidekick cop ends up enslaving the pidgeon girl (for which she remenisces a scene where she and Chance have sex). While at the same time, the two women aforementioned arrive at Defoe's house and find the lawyer watching their private sex tapes. They get them and leave scot free. Its a film I'll have to watch again. It played late on TV so my faculties weren't 100 per cent. I really want to figure out all these complexities. Rochelle
posted 02-25-2002 08:03 AM PT (US)

Darth Fart Oscar® Winner	I've got the CD, if you are fan then pick the disc up!!! All the tracks are terrific, espeically the main title and the lengthy instrumental. Great driving music! I'm a big fan of the film, Friedkin didn't like the character played by Peterson (I think he proves this by showing Peterson's face after the end credits?)
posted 02-26-2002 05:41 AM PT (US)

Kimiakane Oscar® Winner	I didn't care for the movie as far as the story was concerned, but the acting was top notch for what they were portraying. Now, the music...that's a different story! Great music, but then I have all of Wang Chung's CDs (yes, I'm the one), so needless to say that I recommend this one highly!!! the filmscore gal, Galina
posted 02-26-2002 11:32 AM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	Oh, and for the record, the music is what I liked least about the film...
posted 02-26-2002 11:36 AM PT (US)

BMikeJ Oscar® Winner	You youngsters and your rap music...
posted 02-26-2002 03:08 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by BMikeJ: You youngsters and your rap music... Ahem... N'Sync. Get it right, old man.
posted 02-26-2002 04:11 PM PT (US)

majestyx Oscar® Winner	Everybody have fun tonite! (Everybody Wang Chung tonite...) Unless Mike knows something I don't, Jack's last name is usually credited as Hues, but that may just be a play on words. Also, interesting note: "wang chung" is Japanese for "perfect pitch." So the above lyric really makes no sense, even knowing what it means!
posted 02-26-2002 07:33 PM PT (US)

Darth Fart Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by BMikeJ: You youngsters and your rap music... It's not rap music
posted 02-27-2002 05:33 AM PT (US)

Vinylscrubber Oscar® Nominee	This is probably one of the few instances in which a rock group brought a real flavor to a film score. The film is one of Friedkin's dark, forbidding views of human nature that benefits greatly from the non-standard approach the Wang Chung boys supply. That pitch-bent cue over the sunrise is forever burnt into my consicousness. This is a film I can't really like, but find myself compulsively watching whenever it's on-- a testament to Friedkin's craft and it's novel musical treatment.
posted 02-28-2002 06:19 AM PT (US)

cine-sin Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Vinylscrubber: That pitch-bent cue over the sunrise is forever burnt into my consicousness. Are you referring to one of the two scenes (beginning and end) where there was a massive red sun? In terms of image - I was utterly mesmerized for which an explantion I cannot offer. Rochelle
posted 02-28-2002 08:41 AM PT (US)

lars b Oscar® Winner	Great film, visually not unlike MIAMI VICE, with great performances by Petersen, Pankow, Dafoe and John Turturro. score fits the movie perfectly Wishing everyday for a widescreen DVD.
posted 02-28-2002 08:46 AM PT (US)

Kimiakane Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Vinylscrubber: This is a film I can't really like, but find myself compulsively watching whenever it's on-- Oy, I know that feeling...anyone ever see the movie LIQUID SKY? It's a movie that makes me feel bad and none of the characters are likeable...but I have to watch it whenever it's on. What would a psychiatrist say about that I wonder?
posted 02-28-2002 08:46 AM PT (US)

cine-sin Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by lars b: Wishing everyday for a widescreen DVD. You and me both - now that Peterson's career has come to public prominence again (CSI) they may be an increased interest in this venture. Rochelle
posted 02-28-2002 09:24 AM PT (US)

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