Obit: Film Director Jonathan Demme (1944-2017)

Subject: Obit: Jonathan Demme, Great Film Director
From: robomatic
Date: 27 Apr 17 - 12:19 PM

Jonathan Demme , a film director of great variety and versatility, has passed. Among his notable pictures was "Stop Making Sense" which followed David Byrne and his then-group Talking Heads as they made memorable music. He also worked with Neil Young, and his films were closely linked with their music, thematically and descriptively.
I first became aware of Demme when I saw his film "Something Wild" in 1986 in Seattle. It featured Jeff Daniels and Melanie Griffith in a movie introduced with a musical piece of David Byrne,'Loco de Amor'. The movie sets out to be an unconventional road movie with madcap overtones, then during a dance scene, in a moment, the entire characteristic of the movie darkens. I have not seen this done successfully in any other movie.
Demme went on to make successful and popular movies which did not pander to cheap sentiments or popular fads: "Philadelphia" with Tom Hanks which pioneered intelligent treatment of homosexuality and H.I.V., and, of course, "Silence of the Lambs" with Jodie Foster. His most recent movie was "Ricki and the Flash" and he also worked on certain TV episodes including "Shots Fired".
I am sorry to learn that his life has 'bookended' but I am grateful for his existence.

Subject: RE: Obit: Film Director Jonathan Demme (1944-2017)
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Apr 17 - 11:18 AM

In our modern times Jonathan was akin to a master oil painter at 32 frames per second.

Subject: RE: Obit: Film Director Jonathan Demme (1944-2017)
From: Jackaroodave
Date: 01 May 17 - 05:22 AM

"Something Wild" closes on some perfect notes, with the great Sister Carol East singing "Wild Thing" as the credits roll. There are some interesting credits, too. You made our hearts sing, Jonathan.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_jdLKiIbjlE

(It's a mobil link; I hope it works for you. If it doesn't, googling "sister carol wild thing something wild site:youtube" without quotes will get you there.)

Bill

Subject: RE: Obit: Film Director Jonathan Demme (1944-2017)
From: robomatic
Date: 01 May 17 - 02:17 PM

The full sound track elements from "Something Wild" was never released. What WAS released featured ten cuts out of the total twenty. I've been looking for the Fab Five cut for years with no luck.