The title of this column is that of one of my favorite films. Directed by William Wyler, The Best Years of Our Lives, released in 1946, is a brilliant movie that is all the more poignant when you realize that it came during an era when most so-called war films often glorified battle and painted portraits of soldiers that were properly heroic but rarely explored their humanity.
The Best Years Of Our Lives showed us how those servicemen lucky enough to come home alive still had to make often difficult, taxing adjustments to civilian life. And the men and women who put their lives on the line and were in harm’s way for the good of our country and the world often returned to a home front that was uncaring and unfeeling about their and their families’ plights.
This led to a now old yet sadly still applicable darkly humored joke that went along the lines of, “Nothing’s too good for the men. That’s why they get so much of it.”
Prompting me to think of this masterful Wyler film was the HBO movie Taking Chance (which was covered by SHOOT in our profile of its director, Ross Katz, in last month’s Spring Directors Series; Katz signed with TWC for spot representation). While Taking Chance followed a fallen soldier’s return home in a casket, what of those who come back home emotionally scarred or physically disabled?
On the latter score, Lance O’Connor, executive producer of Aero Film, took a proactive stance.
O’Connor, who has worked with the U.S. State Department and Pentagon on numerous government film projects, felt outrage when he learned that soldiers paralyzed from injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan were not getting the support they needed. Money and government funds for advanced wheelchairs like the iBOT (which affords users a significant degree of mobility through cutting edge technology) had been discontinued, leaving those who had been seriously paralyzed unable to lead “normal” lives upon coming back home.
Hooking up with the Santa Monica Chapter of the YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), O’Connor coordinated a huge fund-raising gala–that was two years in the making–at the Raleigh Studios lot in Hollywood. The money that was raised went towards the purchase of 22 iBOT wheelchairs at a discount rate of $26,000 apiece.
O’Connor got financial support from assorted individuals and corporations, including American Airlines, which flew a dozen soldiers to the event held at Raleigh to receive their chairs, plus to be recognized for the sacrifices they made for their country. Business leaders from Los Angeles and around the nation attended the affair and contributed.
Dean Kamen, inventor of the iBot, was on hand and marveled at how the soldiers were using his technology. Some of the injured soldiers hit the dance floor for the first time since being injured, slow dancing with their wives after once again regaining some semblance of mobility via the iBot.
There were many touching scenes during the event, but more importantly, awareness had been heightened and support garnered for restoring the quality of life for these heroic veterans. As O’Connor affirmed, “These guys deserve nothing less.”
“Se7en” Turns 30, Gets A Special Restoration From David Fincher For Its Re-Release
For David Fincher, seeing “Se7en” in 4K was an experience he can only describe as harrowing. That or a high school reunion.
“There are definitely moments that you go, ‘What was I thinking?’ Or ‘Why did I let this person have that hairdo’?” Fincher said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
He’s OK with the film being a product of its time in most respects. But some things just could not stand in high-definition resolution.
“It was a little decrepit, to be honest,” said Fincher. “We needed to resuscitate it. There are things you can see in 4K HDR that you cannot see on a film print.”
Ever the perfectionist, he and a team got to work on a new restoration of the film for its 30th anniversary re-release. This weekend the restored “Se7en” will play on IMAX screens for the first time in the U.S. and Canada, and on Jan. 7, the 4K UHD home video version will be available as well.
The dark crime thriller written by Andrew Kevin Walker and starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as a pair of detectives looking for a serial killer was somewhat of a career-reviver for Fincher, whose directorial debut “Alien 3” had not gone well. “Se7en” was not a sure thing: It was made for only $34 million (and only got that when Fincher managed to persuade studio execs to give up $3 million more). But it went on to earn more than $327 million, not accounting for inflation, and continues to influence the genre.
Fincher has over the years overseen several restorations of the film (including one for laser disc) but decided this needed to be the last. It’s why he insisted on an 8K scan that they could derive the 4K from. He wanted to ensure that it wouldn’t have to be repeated when screens get more... Read More