Looking for some good films this Memorial Day Weekend???--Here's a quick list of great films playing this long weekend--------I AM LOVE, THE CONCERT, WASTE LAND, FARSAN, TOPP TWINS-UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS, WINTER'S BONE, THE HEDGEHOG, LETTERS TO FATHER JACOB, MAO'S LAST DANCER, CAIRO TIME, ME TOO (YO TAMIEN), WHEN WE LEAVE, JOAN RIVERS-A PIECE OF WORK----these all received a grade of B or better--see above and below for more options and information.......
GRADE---A
CHILDREN OF DIYARBAKIR--(Turkey)--Excellent story of young children whose parents are killed and end up being thrown out onto the streets to live with other parentless children. Heart wrenching and thrillingly made.
WASTE LAND--(United Kingdom)--Thought provoking and moving documentary on artist who creates art/portraits of working class people by using objects from the subject's life--in this case garbage collectors of Brazil.
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GRADE---A-
HIDEAWAY (AKA The Refuge)--(France)--Francois Ozon's new film about the unlikely friendship of a pregnant heroin addict and her dead boyfriend's gay brother.
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GRADE---B+
ME TOO (YO TAMBIEN)--(Spain)--A smart man with Downs Syndrome falls for a "damaged" woman who has never been loved--it's a mature and thoughtful film.
THE TILLMAN STORY--(USA)--Solid and informative documentary on football star Pat Tillman who gave up a promising career in sports to join the Army, but then was killed due to friendly fire, which the US government tried to suppress.
SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS--(USA)--Moody and intimate low budget project filmed in Portland Oregon and the coast about low income workers struggling with loneliness.
STIGMATA--(Spain)--Like the definition of "stigmata," audiences will super-impose their feelings and opinions of the brutish man whose hands keep bleeding towards their reaction to this fascinating black and white wonder. Definitely a one-of-a-kind film.
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GRADE ---B
CAIRO TIME--(CANADA)--A less majestic version of I AM LOVE, but the acting (by Patricia Clarkson) and the Cairo setting (with glorious photography and lovely music) all cast a spell.
JOAN RIVERS--A PIECE OF WORK--(USA)--Love her or hate her, this year in the life documentary (including her amazing work on last year's CELEBRITY APPRENTICE) is very funny and entertaining.
CHERRY--(USA)--Nearly refreshingly free of silly college-comedy slapstick, this earnest dramedy feels accurate and personal as it explores the freshman year of very smart, shy student who develops a crush on an older woman and her teenage daughter.
STOLEN--(Australia)--Documentary about a filmed family reunion in a Saharan refugee camp that turns into a highly charged expose of modern slavery and inherent racism in Northern Africa.
THE OWLS--(USA)--A nervy, experimental film about Older Wiser Lesbians, but are they really Wiser??????? The film tries to cover some new sexual identity issues in different ways, but the ending is an abrupt let-down.
DRIFTING--(Spain)--The "heroine"--a U.N. type worker who seems to be suffering from post traumatic syndrome when she returns home from war-torn Africa, makes a lot of bad choices (including much sex and nudity with a "client") as she "drifts" through her life.
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GRADE----B-
MARWENCOL--(USA)--An alcoholic man who survives a serious beating photographs and displays World War 2 tableau's using GI Joe and Barbie dolls as his therapy to great artistic success, but is it art??? The current film EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (see previous blog) is a better and more entertaining exploration of this subject, but this does maintain interest.
ANGEL AT SEA--(Belgium)--Tiresome and frustrating due to suicidal depression subject matter (father imposes his secret desire to commit suicide to his 12 year old son, who tries to become his guardian angel)--this film is not likable, but I've found it to be haunting.
CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH--(China)--Depicting the Rape of Nanking by the Japanese in 1937, the film piles on scene after scene after scene of wartime violence and atrocities, and the total effect is numbness, no matter how well made or artfully directed. This is one grim film--(see also ANGEL AT SEA above.)
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GRADE---C+
CRAB TRAP--(Columbia)--Scenes of garbage on the beautiful remote beach dull the effect of a newcomer in a small village on the run from---what? Too many unanswered questions.
NIGHT CATCHES US--(USA)--Nice try, as low budget film tries to capture the anger and drama of ex Black Panthers in the late 1970's trying to live down the past.
THE OATH--(USA)-- Mostly dry, dull, double-talking heads about two brothers in law who may have been involved in varying degrees with the 9/11 attacks.
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GRADE -- C-
IMANI--(Uganda)--Three different stories never mesh and all end abruptly without resolution (or sense) in disappointingly ambitious Uganda film.
FROM BEGINNING TO END--(Brazil)--Two step brothers develop a sexual relationship in a simplistic and dreadfully melodramatic film that is drowned out by a trite and obnoxious film score. I give a C minus for the fact that the film (and sometimes nude actors) looked good. Note: I give all films an extra half a grade for quality nudity and sex! See DRIFTING above.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
First 4 Days of SIFF
GRADE --B+
MILK OF SORROW--(Peru/Spain)--A poor woman with many fearful issues steeped in tradition and mysticism, goes to work in the "big house" for a rich pianist to raise money to take her dead mother to the ocean. (The dead woman stays stored under the bed at home for what seems like several weeks!!!!) A curious, lyrical film that is moving while it is bizarre.
LOOSE CANNONS--(Italy)-The son of a wealthy business man tries to tell his family that he is gay to get out of taking over the family business of pasta production, but his older brother steals his thunder for the same reason. The film is beautifully shot and acted, but seems uneven with the introduction of some broad comedy when his four very gay friends visit from the big city. Still, it's generous of spirit and the characters are warm and likable (if sometimes a bit stereotypical.)
TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL--(Canada)--This is everything a midnighter film should be--a superior mix of horror, gore, big BIG laughs, energy, and quality (if improbable) script. It kept every one awake and cheering to the end.
QUEEN OF THE SUN--(U.S.A.)--Frightening yet positive documentary on the bees that are disappearing around the world at an alarming rate.
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GRADE--B
PERRIER'S BOUNTY--(Ireland)--Entertainingly comedic and violent crime caper with the wacky Jim Broadbent afraid to fall asleep lest he die-- he's the father of the young man who becomes involved with the mob because he's neglected to pay back a loan on time.
CASTAWAY ON THE MOON--(S.Korea)--Charming love story develops as two socially challenged people connect--from opposite sides of a river, and without even meeting.
TWISTED ROOTS--(Finland)--Interesting family drama about a father with a fatal hereditary disease who tries to get his biological children to test for the disease, and the ramifications of the illness on the extended family.
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GRADE--B-
WOMAN WITHOUT PIANO--(Spain)--Deliberately paced drama of a woman who tries to leave her husband one night, and ends up wandering around town meeting an odd group of characters.
AIR DOLL--(Japan)--Leisurely paced drama of a plastic life size doll who comes to life and starts a "life" of her own when her owner is not around--it runs deep with themes of possessiveness in a relationship, love, passion, and the true meaning of being alive.
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GRADE--C+
ON THE TOWN (1949)--(USA)--Leonard Maltin's four star rating (which I read after seeing this movie revival) doesn't hold up today. There's only one really memorable song (New York, New York, What a Wonderful Town) and the the rest are energetically if unmemorably preformed by a gung-ho cast (Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, etc). The Technicolor looks great but the sound was still tinny and scratchy, and the corn in the plot and dialogue would choke a tractor. I've seen a lot better.
THE EXTRA MAN--(USA)--One of the weaker opening night films, with the main bright spot being Kevin Kline's often hilarious line readings of what turns out to be a dreary, creepy plot--he plays an ageing gigolo who tries to get his young room-mate into the "business" of dating old woman.
CUPID'S ARROWS (SHORTS)--(Various countries)-- Not one of the five shorts I saw were very memorable, although most were polished technically. The best (PUBLIC RELATIONS) was a lesbian themed short which featured Summer Bishil who was so good in TOWELHEAD a few years ago.
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I don't think you'll go wrong if you see any film I've rated B- or better.........................
MILK OF SORROW--(Peru/Spain)--A poor woman with many fearful issues steeped in tradition and mysticism, goes to work in the "big house" for a rich pianist to raise money to take her dead mother to the ocean. (The dead woman stays stored under the bed at home for what seems like several weeks!!!!) A curious, lyrical film that is moving while it is bizarre.
LOOSE CANNONS--(Italy)-The son of a wealthy business man tries to tell his family that he is gay to get out of taking over the family business of pasta production, but his older brother steals his thunder for the same reason. The film is beautifully shot and acted, but seems uneven with the introduction of some broad comedy when his four very gay friends visit from the big city. Still, it's generous of spirit and the characters are warm and likable (if sometimes a bit stereotypical.)
TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL--(Canada)--This is everything a midnighter film should be--a superior mix of horror, gore, big BIG laughs, energy, and quality (if improbable) script. It kept every one awake and cheering to the end.
QUEEN OF THE SUN--(U.S.A.)--Frightening yet positive documentary on the bees that are disappearing around the world at an alarming rate.
----------------------------------
GRADE--B
PERRIER'S BOUNTY--(Ireland)--Entertainingly comedic and violent crime caper with the wacky Jim Broadbent afraid to fall asleep lest he die-- he's the father of the young man who becomes involved with the mob because he's neglected to pay back a loan on time.
CASTAWAY ON THE MOON--(S.Korea)--Charming love story develops as two socially challenged people connect--from opposite sides of a river, and without even meeting.
TWISTED ROOTS--(Finland)--Interesting family drama about a father with a fatal hereditary disease who tries to get his biological children to test for the disease, and the ramifications of the illness on the extended family.
-----------------------
GRADE--B-
WOMAN WITHOUT PIANO--(Spain)--Deliberately paced drama of a woman who tries to leave her husband one night, and ends up wandering around town meeting an odd group of characters.
AIR DOLL--(Japan)--Leisurely paced drama of a plastic life size doll who comes to life and starts a "life" of her own when her owner is not around--it runs deep with themes of possessiveness in a relationship, love, passion, and the true meaning of being alive.
---------------------------------
GRADE--C+
ON THE TOWN (1949)--(USA)--Leonard Maltin's four star rating (which I read after seeing this movie revival) doesn't hold up today. There's only one really memorable song (New York, New York, What a Wonderful Town) and the the rest are energetically if unmemorably preformed by a gung-ho cast (Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, etc). The Technicolor looks great but the sound was still tinny and scratchy, and the corn in the plot and dialogue would choke a tractor. I've seen a lot better.
THE EXTRA MAN--(USA)--One of the weaker opening night films, with the main bright spot being Kevin Kline's often hilarious line readings of what turns out to be a dreary, creepy plot--he plays an ageing gigolo who tries to get his young room-mate into the "business" of dating old woman.
CUPID'S ARROWS (SHORTS)--(Various countries)-- Not one of the five shorts I saw were very memorable, although most were polished technically. The best (PUBLIC RELATIONS) was a lesbian themed short which featured Summer Bishil who was so good in TOWELHEAD a few years ago.
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I don't think you'll go wrong if you see any film I've rated B- or better.........................
Thursday, May 20, 2010
SIFF REPORT 3
Week three is better than average.
GRADE---A
WINTER'S BONE--(USA)--A poor Ozark girl trying to keep her family together must find her drug making dad who is on the run from the law before her house will be seized by the courts, but she stirs up dangerous family secrets. A remarkably succinct story and honest acting keep this harrowing tale gripping.
THE TOP TWINS: UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS--(New Zealand)--A brilliant documentary about a singing comedic set of twins, who for 30 years have entertained audiences with country music, yodeling, political protest and social commentary. They are unapologetically gay and out, and are one of New Zealand's most popular acts.
GRADE---B+
WHEN WE LEAVE--(Germany/Turkey)--Sad and harrowing tragedy of a young woman and child seeking independence from an abusive husband against societal restrictions.
GRADE--B
MAO'S LAST DANCER---(Australia)--Lush looking (music and dancing) true story of young Chinese dancer who tries to defect to USA. A very moving finale.
GRADE---B-
ONDINE --(Ireland/USA)--Fairy tale story of girl captured in a fisherman's net (his daughter thinks she is a "selkie"--half human and half seal) turns gritty by the end. The print screened was so dark and grainy that is was hard to see (apparently a light bulb needed replacing), and the film needed subtitles due to mumbled Irish (and other) accents.
THE DRY LAND--(USA)--Moving story of Iraq veteran have trouble adjusting to civilian life.
SON OF BABYLON--(Iraq)--A young Kurdish boy and his grandmother search for his father who was arrested 10 years earlier in the aftermath of Saddam Hussein's regime. They visit prisons and several mass graveyards. The two leads are remarkable and the mood is melancholic, but the lack of narrative strains your interest.
GRADE--C+
SKATELAND---(USA)--Better than you'd expect (from the title and description) teen angst drama set in the 80's. It's well acted, but we've seen this story before.
EVERY DAY---(USA)--A modern family struggles to juggle stress and change (father's roving eye, mother is sudden caregiver to cranky ailing granddad, teen son explores his sexuality, etc) but too many subplots dilute the effect. Despite strong cast (Helen Hunt, Brian Dennehy, Liev Schreiber, Eddie Izzard etc) this plays like an earnest made-for-TV film. Another HD film that is grainy and too dark to watch (see ONDINE above.)
COUNTDOWN TO ZERO--(USA)--Documentary on atomic fears and struggle for international disarmament is well make and makes strong point, but for me I felt like I'd seen and heard this argument before, and if you've been around awhile this will seem like it is preaching to the converted.
GRADE---A
WINTER'S BONE--(USA)--A poor Ozark girl trying to keep her family together must find her drug making dad who is on the run from the law before her house will be seized by the courts, but she stirs up dangerous family secrets. A remarkably succinct story and honest acting keep this harrowing tale gripping.
THE TOP TWINS: UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS--(New Zealand)--A brilliant documentary about a singing comedic set of twins, who for 30 years have entertained audiences with country music, yodeling, political protest and social commentary. They are unapologetically gay and out, and are one of New Zealand's most popular acts.
GRADE---B+
WHEN WE LEAVE--(Germany/Turkey)--Sad and harrowing tragedy of a young woman and child seeking independence from an abusive husband against societal restrictions.
GRADE--B
MAO'S LAST DANCER---(Australia)--Lush looking (music and dancing) true story of young Chinese dancer who tries to defect to USA. A very moving finale.
GRADE---B-
ONDINE --(Ireland/USA)--Fairy tale story of girl captured in a fisherman's net (his daughter thinks she is a "selkie"--half human and half seal) turns gritty by the end. The print screened was so dark and grainy that is was hard to see (apparently a light bulb needed replacing), and the film needed subtitles due to mumbled Irish (and other) accents.
THE DRY LAND--(USA)--Moving story of Iraq veteran have trouble adjusting to civilian life.
SON OF BABYLON--(Iraq)--A young Kurdish boy and his grandmother search for his father who was arrested 10 years earlier in the aftermath of Saddam Hussein's regime. They visit prisons and several mass graveyards. The two leads are remarkable and the mood is melancholic, but the lack of narrative strains your interest.
GRADE--C+
SKATELAND---(USA)--Better than you'd expect (from the title and description) teen angst drama set in the 80's. It's well acted, but we've seen this story before.
EVERY DAY---(USA)--A modern family struggles to juggle stress and change (father's roving eye, mother is sudden caregiver to cranky ailing granddad, teen son explores his sexuality, etc) but too many subplots dilute the effect. Despite strong cast (Helen Hunt, Brian Dennehy, Liev Schreiber, Eddie Izzard etc) this plays like an earnest made-for-TV film. Another HD film that is grainy and too dark to watch (see ONDINE above.)
COUNTDOWN TO ZERO--(USA)--Documentary on atomic fears and struggle for international disarmament is well make and makes strong point, but for me I felt like I'd seen and heard this argument before, and if you've been around awhile this will seem like it is preaching to the converted.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
SIFF Report 2
Overall, this second week of screenings was not as good as the first, but there were some fine exceptions. Again, starting at the top (for quality)......
GRADE---A
THE HEDGEHOG--(France)--Eleven year old precocious Paloma is so disillusioned with her rich bourgeois family that she is determined to end her life on her 12th birthday, but when she starts to interact with her new mysterious Japanese neighbor and the older concierge who runs the building (the subtitles call her the "janitor") her pessimism begins to melt. Nicely based on a beloved novel by Muriel Barbery.
GRADE---B+
BUS PALLADIUM--(France)--Energetic (if typical) story of four young men trying to make it big with their rock band in Europe. The dozen characters around them are well drawn and interesting and the story is very entertaining (in that sex, drugs and rock and roll way.)
GRADE---B
PRINCE OF TEARS--(Hong Kong)--Sumptuously filmed in wide screen and Technicolor (?) complete with emotional music, sharp set designs and costumes, this melodrama about two young girls whose parents are arrested as communist spies is a fascinating history lesson about the struggle within Taiwan in the 1950's that pitted family against family during their attempt to break from Communism. My only complaint--perhaps a bit too melodramatic.....
THE CONCERT--(Russia/France)--An unbelievable plot (the janitor at the Bolshoi Orchestra who was previously a conductor, connives an invitation to play in Paris with his old comrades who were drummed out of the orchestra for being Jewish, by pretending to be the new conductor of the Bolshoi....and that's just the early set up....) is saved by warm and amusing characterizations and lush and stunning visuals, cinematography, and especially, music.
RESTREPO--(USA)--An intense documentary where the camera explores the tensions of daily living in a dangerous combat zone in Afghanistan, sort of like an unfictionalized version of THE HURT LOCKER.
GRADE---C-
THE FREEBIE--(USA)--A thirty something couple decide together to each sleep with another person for one night only in order to spice up their own sex life. A clever idea for a 15 minute short film is stretched out to 78 minutes, and is too single minded and annoyingly filmed in extreme close ups to maintain much interest.
SKELETONS--(United Kingdom)--Another clever idea about two traveling "ghost-busters" who try to expose the secrets in other people's closets, but the idea is never expanded or explained very well, and the film gets bogged down in a case of a missing husband that is not very interesting or original. Also the low key style and ZERO dollar special effects do little to keep you engaged. Perhaps we need a rating of ZZZZZ.
FATHER OF MY CHILDREN--(France)--Here's another film that deserves the ZZZZZ rating--which is based on the life of a workaholic film producer and the struggles to carry on after his death. I kept waiting for him to die--and early on there's an extended scene of him driving on the freeway, while talking on two cell phones at once, and smoking constantly (!!!!!), and I kept thinking that he would die in a car accident. I didn't care much about the film making or the characters.
SOUL KITCHEN--(Germany)--Quirky, stupid characters doing stupid, foolish things, and the plot progression made no LOGICAL sense, either. I guess this is supposed to be a surreal comedy but I was not amused, just annoyed. A big disappointment from director Fatih Akin who made the excellent EDGE OF HEAVEN a few years ago.
GRADE---D
AMER--(Belgium)--This is a supposed to be a "horror" film that will play at midnight, but it's more of a "horrible" film that will only put people to sleep or have them leaving the theatre by the half way mark. There are three parts, and the first part is the best, where a resourceful child is determined to find out what is in the room with a dead relative, and at the same time she must fend off--what?--a demented nanny or some witch or evil being that is trying to get into her bedroom ...!!!??? There are some amusing, creepy moments, but no dialogue or story line, just sound effects, and the motion of half the audience making for the door. The second part has the child about 7 years older and is filled with sexual tension and posturing, but again no dialogue. The third part is a few years later and has the woman returning to the original house (?) for whatever reason, taking a bath without water except that which oozes from between her legs (?!) and there's some one or some thing cutting the throat (?!?) or something of a taxi driver (?) who is trying to find her or save her or something. I just kept thinking that I could have done some laundry and gone grocery shopping instead of watching this pointless Euro mess.
GRADE---A
THE HEDGEHOG--(France)--Eleven year old precocious Paloma is so disillusioned with her rich bourgeois family that she is determined to end her life on her 12th birthday, but when she starts to interact with her new mysterious Japanese neighbor and the older concierge who runs the building (the subtitles call her the "janitor") her pessimism begins to melt. Nicely based on a beloved novel by Muriel Barbery.
GRADE---B+
BUS PALLADIUM--(France)--Energetic (if typical) story of four young men trying to make it big with their rock band in Europe. The dozen characters around them are well drawn and interesting and the story is very entertaining (in that sex, drugs and rock and roll way.)
GRADE---B
PRINCE OF TEARS--(Hong Kong)--Sumptuously filmed in wide screen and Technicolor (?) complete with emotional music, sharp set designs and costumes, this melodrama about two young girls whose parents are arrested as communist spies is a fascinating history lesson about the struggle within Taiwan in the 1950's that pitted family against family during their attempt to break from Communism. My only complaint--perhaps a bit too melodramatic.....
THE CONCERT--(Russia/France)--An unbelievable plot (the janitor at the Bolshoi Orchestra who was previously a conductor, connives an invitation to play in Paris with his old comrades who were drummed out of the orchestra for being Jewish, by pretending to be the new conductor of the Bolshoi....and that's just the early set up....) is saved by warm and amusing characterizations and lush and stunning visuals, cinematography, and especially, music.
RESTREPO--(USA)--An intense documentary where the camera explores the tensions of daily living in a dangerous combat zone in Afghanistan, sort of like an unfictionalized version of THE HURT LOCKER.
GRADE---C-
THE FREEBIE--(USA)--A thirty something couple decide together to each sleep with another person for one night only in order to spice up their own sex life. A clever idea for a 15 minute short film is stretched out to 78 minutes, and is too single minded and annoyingly filmed in extreme close ups to maintain much interest.
SKELETONS--(United Kingdom)--Another clever idea about two traveling "ghost-busters" who try to expose the secrets in other people's closets, but the idea is never expanded or explained very well, and the film gets bogged down in a case of a missing husband that is not very interesting or original. Also the low key style and ZERO dollar special effects do little to keep you engaged. Perhaps we need a rating of ZZZZZ.
FATHER OF MY CHILDREN--(France)--Here's another film that deserves the ZZZZZ rating--which is based on the life of a workaholic film producer and the struggles to carry on after his death. I kept waiting for him to die--and early on there's an extended scene of him driving on the freeway, while talking on two cell phones at once, and smoking constantly (!!!!!), and I kept thinking that he would die in a car accident. I didn't care much about the film making or the characters.
SOUL KITCHEN--(Germany)--Quirky, stupid characters doing stupid, foolish things, and the plot progression made no LOGICAL sense, either. I guess this is supposed to be a surreal comedy but I was not amused, just annoyed. A big disappointment from director Fatih Akin who made the excellent EDGE OF HEAVEN a few years ago.
GRADE---D
AMER--(Belgium)--This is a supposed to be a "horror" film that will play at midnight, but it's more of a "horrible" film that will only put people to sleep or have them leaving the theatre by the half way mark. There are three parts, and the first part is the best, where a resourceful child is determined to find out what is in the room with a dead relative, and at the same time she must fend off--what?--a demented nanny or some witch or evil being that is trying to get into her bedroom ...!!!??? There are some amusing, creepy moments, but no dialogue or story line, just sound effects, and the motion of half the audience making for the door. The second part has the child about 7 years older and is filled with sexual tension and posturing, but again no dialogue. The third part is a few years later and has the woman returning to the original house (?) for whatever reason, taking a bath without water except that which oozes from between her legs (?!) and there's some one or some thing cutting the throat (?!?) or something of a taxi driver (?) who is trying to find her or save her or something. I just kept thinking that I could have done some laundry and gone grocery shopping instead of watching this pointless Euro mess.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Letters To Juliet, Princess Kaiulani
Any film that features a juicy role for Vanessa Redgrave, and is filmed in Verona and the wine country of Italy is worth recommending. The plot is incredibly predictable, but sometimes you take what pleasures you can get and run with it. Such a trifle is LETTERS TO JULIET. GRADE---B-
PRINCESS KAIULANI also benefits from superb backgrounds, including the beaches of Hawaii where many scenes are staged. It is well acted by relative newcomer Q-orianka Kilcher (who debuted as Pocahantas in Terrence Malich's THE NEW WORLD in 2005)--she's wonderfully photogenic and a very fascinating, beautiful actress to watch, and she gets able support from Barry Pepper, Will Patton and others. The film reminded me of the recent YOUNG VICTORIA, with solid camera work, costumes, set designs, music and acting, but it needed some Oomph in the story department, which tells of the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. This is another sad tale of forced American colonization, and the film becomes a bit dry when it needs to be more powerful. Still, Q-orianka makes it watchable. GRADE---B-
Saw for the first time (on DVD) the Josef Von Sternberg film MORROCCO (1930) with a radiant Marlene Dietrich and a gangly Gary Cooper. The opening scenes work the best when Dietrich is introduced as a night club singer in Morrocco wearing a man's tuxedo and top hat to the shock of the female patrons and the delight of most of the male patrons. She includes a full on kiss on the mouth of one of the women sitting near the stage. Unfortunately, the film becomes less outrageous and flirtatious after that, but is does end with a powerful scene of "mad" women trudging out after their lovers and husbands in the French Legion who march out across the desert to their next battle. I wished the pacing was a bit faster (see my recent review of BLUE ANGEL from last month) but the film does have some pleasures. GRADE---B-
In the sequel to DIRTY HARRY (see previous month), Clint Eastwood is faced with a group of vigilante motorcycle cops who take in upon them selves to rid San Francisco of crooks, corrupt mob bosses, pimps and the like, but to less than exciting results. MAGNUM FORCE (1973) is still very watchable (and has some great lines like "Either you're for us or against us...") but somehow when Harry is the lone vigilante it seems to work better on film than having a big part of the police force being "bad." GRADE---C+
PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO! (1962) is a "B" film with a good idea and some good actors and a low, low budget. Ray Milland and Jean Hagen start their camping trip on the same day that the Los Angeles they left behind them has been blown up in an atomic blast, and with their teen age children figure out quickly that they need to be aggressive and careful of the other crazy "survivalists." A young Frankie Avalon plays their son very effectively. GRADE---C+
PRINCESS KAIULANI also benefits from superb backgrounds, including the beaches of Hawaii where many scenes are staged. It is well acted by relative newcomer Q-orianka Kilcher (who debuted as Pocahantas in Terrence Malich's THE NEW WORLD in 2005)--she's wonderfully photogenic and a very fascinating, beautiful actress to watch, and she gets able support from Barry Pepper, Will Patton and others. The film reminded me of the recent YOUNG VICTORIA, with solid camera work, costumes, set designs, music and acting, but it needed some Oomph in the story department, which tells of the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. This is another sad tale of forced American colonization, and the film becomes a bit dry when it needs to be more powerful. Still, Q-orianka makes it watchable. GRADE---B-
Saw for the first time (on DVD) the Josef Von Sternberg film MORROCCO (1930) with a radiant Marlene Dietrich and a gangly Gary Cooper. The opening scenes work the best when Dietrich is introduced as a night club singer in Morrocco wearing a man's tuxedo and top hat to the shock of the female patrons and the delight of most of the male patrons. She includes a full on kiss on the mouth of one of the women sitting near the stage. Unfortunately, the film becomes less outrageous and flirtatious after that, but is does end with a powerful scene of "mad" women trudging out after their lovers and husbands in the French Legion who march out across the desert to their next battle. I wished the pacing was a bit faster (see my recent review of BLUE ANGEL from last month) but the film does have some pleasures. GRADE---B-
In the sequel to DIRTY HARRY (see previous month), Clint Eastwood is faced with a group of vigilante motorcycle cops who take in upon them selves to rid San Francisco of crooks, corrupt mob bosses, pimps and the like, but to less than exciting results. MAGNUM FORCE (1973) is still very watchable (and has some great lines like "Either you're for us or against us...") but somehow when Harry is the lone vigilante it seems to work better on film than having a big part of the police force being "bad." GRADE---C+
PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO! (1962) is a "B" film with a good idea and some good actors and a low, low budget. Ray Milland and Jean Hagen start their camping trip on the same day that the Los Angeles they left behind them has been blown up in an atomic blast, and with their teen age children figure out quickly that they need to be aggressive and careful of the other crazy "survivalists." A young Frankie Avalon plays their son very effectively. GRADE---C+
Friday, May 7, 2010
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Report 1
Let's start at the TOP. I'm giving short comments and a grade--more detailed info when the films open. Hopefully this will help anyone needing some guidance for picking films when the Festival opens officially on May 23rd.
GRADE ---A
NOWHERE BOY (United Kingdom)--Probably the most liked film of the screenings so far, this well acted account of the early teen years of John Lennon has three incredible, fascinating actors, a dramatic story to tell, and charges on all cylinders (direction, script, cinematography, music, etc). Excellent, moving drama.
GRADE---A-
LETTERS TO FATHER JACOB (Sweden)--A hardened lifer (for murder) is pardoned after years in prison, and she takes a position helping old and blind Father Jacob answer letters to those in need, with some expected and unexpected results. Bring the hankie for this one. Extremely moving, beautifully done little (79 minutes) parable.
AHEAD OF TIME (USA)-- Documentary of Ruth Gruber who earned her doctorate degree at age 19 and became a well known author, journalist and humanitarian, becoming the first woman to write about life in the Arctic, life in Germany during Hitler's rise to power, and her amazing pictorial and writings of the EXODUS 1947 book about the struggle of Jewish people to start settling in the newly created state of Israel. Fascinating and moving.
GRADE---B+
I AM LOVE (Italy)--Tilda Swinton gives a fascinating and bold performance as a born-in-Russia Italian (she speaks fluid Italian in this film...)who is the trophy wife of a very rich magnate. The first part of the film shows her in a cocoon of privilege and wealth, but several revelations open her up to sensuality, sexuality and deep emotional realization. I loved the intellectual impact of the film, but the audience was deeply divided over some melodramatic contrivances. You're going to love it or hate it--either way it's well worth seeing for stunning photography, music, eye-candy, costume and set design, and especially Ms Swinton, who also produced the film.
GRADE---B
FARSAN (Sweden)--A charming elderly man sets out to find a new wife at the urging of his devoted son, though his efforts are rather unconventional. A warm, funny, charming film with endearing characters.
THE CHEF OF SOUTH POLAR (Japan)--The new chef for an eight man crew of technicians stationed in the Antarctica tries to overcome his loneliness by throwing himself into his job by creating masterpieces of cuisine out of canned and frozen food. A good natured, Food film featuring amusing hi jinks and quirky characters.
HIDDEN DIARY (France)--When a young woman comes home to visit her cold, distant mother, she finds a diary written by her grandmother which reveals a lot of family secrets. The majestic Catherine Deneuve beautifully and subtlety plays her frigid mother. Many film goers seemed to like this much more than I.
GRADE---B-
HOLY ROLLERS (USA)--A twenty year old Hasiddic Jew training to become a rabbi becomes sucked into the world of drug smuggling. Based on a true story, the characters and setting transcend the predicable plot arch.
RAPT (France)--An engrossing thriller about the kidnapping of a rich industrialist, and the efforts of his family and company and police to secure his freedom. Unfortunately for him, his double life is revealed by the press and as time goes by, there's less enthusiasm to free him. The film loses some energy, and the final scenes seem sadly predictable.
EXCITED (Canada)--A comic relationship movie where the main character is dealing with severe premature ejaculation (!) but in a mature, smart manner. A funny, thoughtful dramedy, but somewhat minor in retrospect.
GRADE---C+
FRENCH KISSERS (France)--Lively but tiresome, constantly masturbating teen boys want sex and girls, but are too geeky to get it right. Some amusing scenes, but we've seen it all before in better US movies.
GRADE---C-
KANIKOSEN (Japan)--There's one great, awful funny scene early in this Japanese (folk-tale) Manga film where about two dozen enslaved sailors, thinking they will be reborn into richer families when they die, try to all hang themselves at the same time aboard a ship that is pitching around in the ocean, but the rest of this oddity is a snooze. I counted 5 people around me with their eyes closed, heads resting on chest, or sunk down in the seat at one point. I struggled to stay engaged, too, until finally at the one hour mark a reel of film started playing upside down and backward and stayed that way for 20 minutes, I heard. I bolted.
So it was a very decent, well above average week, with at least four MUST SEE films to choose from.
More next week.
GRADE ---A
NOWHERE BOY (United Kingdom)--Probably the most liked film of the screenings so far, this well acted account of the early teen years of John Lennon has three incredible, fascinating actors, a dramatic story to tell, and charges on all cylinders (direction, script, cinematography, music, etc). Excellent, moving drama.
GRADE---A-
LETTERS TO FATHER JACOB (Sweden)--A hardened lifer (for murder) is pardoned after years in prison, and she takes a position helping old and blind Father Jacob answer letters to those in need, with some expected and unexpected results. Bring the hankie for this one. Extremely moving, beautifully done little (79 minutes) parable.
AHEAD OF TIME (USA)-- Documentary of Ruth Gruber who earned her doctorate degree at age 19 and became a well known author, journalist and humanitarian, becoming the first woman to write about life in the Arctic, life in Germany during Hitler's rise to power, and her amazing pictorial and writings of the EXODUS 1947 book about the struggle of Jewish people to start settling in the newly created state of Israel. Fascinating and moving.
GRADE---B+
I AM LOVE (Italy)--Tilda Swinton gives a fascinating and bold performance as a born-in-Russia Italian (she speaks fluid Italian in this film...)who is the trophy wife of a very rich magnate. The first part of the film shows her in a cocoon of privilege and wealth, but several revelations open her up to sensuality, sexuality and deep emotional realization. I loved the intellectual impact of the film, but the audience was deeply divided over some melodramatic contrivances. You're going to love it or hate it--either way it's well worth seeing for stunning photography, music, eye-candy, costume and set design, and especially Ms Swinton, who also produced the film.
GRADE---B
FARSAN (Sweden)--A charming elderly man sets out to find a new wife at the urging of his devoted son, though his efforts are rather unconventional. A warm, funny, charming film with endearing characters.
THE CHEF OF SOUTH POLAR (Japan)--The new chef for an eight man crew of technicians stationed in the Antarctica tries to overcome his loneliness by throwing himself into his job by creating masterpieces of cuisine out of canned and frozen food. A good natured, Food film featuring amusing hi jinks and quirky characters.
HIDDEN DIARY (France)--When a young woman comes home to visit her cold, distant mother, she finds a diary written by her grandmother which reveals a lot of family secrets. The majestic Catherine Deneuve beautifully and subtlety plays her frigid mother. Many film goers seemed to like this much more than I.
GRADE---B-
HOLY ROLLERS (USA)--A twenty year old Hasiddic Jew training to become a rabbi becomes sucked into the world of drug smuggling. Based on a true story, the characters and setting transcend the predicable plot arch.
RAPT (France)--An engrossing thriller about the kidnapping of a rich industrialist, and the efforts of his family and company and police to secure his freedom. Unfortunately for him, his double life is revealed by the press and as time goes by, there's less enthusiasm to free him. The film loses some energy, and the final scenes seem sadly predictable.
EXCITED (Canada)--A comic relationship movie where the main character is dealing with severe premature ejaculation (!) but in a mature, smart manner. A funny, thoughtful dramedy, but somewhat minor in retrospect.
GRADE---C+
FRENCH KISSERS (France)--Lively but tiresome, constantly masturbating teen boys want sex and girls, but are too geeky to get it right. Some amusing scenes, but we've seen it all before in better US movies.
GRADE---C-
KANIKOSEN (Japan)--There's one great, awful funny scene early in this Japanese (folk-tale) Manga film where about two dozen enslaved sailors, thinking they will be reborn into richer families when they die, try to all hang themselves at the same time aboard a ship that is pitching around in the ocean, but the rest of this oddity is a snooze. I counted 5 people around me with their eyes closed, heads resting on chest, or sunk down in the seat at one point. I struggled to stay engaged, too, until finally at the one hour mark a reel of film started playing upside down and backward and stayed that way for 20 minutes, I heard. I bolted.
So it was a very decent, well above average week, with at least four MUST SEE films to choose from.
More next week.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
SIFF News,Mid-August Lunch, Sin City, Nights in Rodanthe
Like a pleasant sunny day trip to the country, MID-AUGUST LUNCH is pleasant, short, and easy to enjoy, if not remember. This low-key, charming Italian film centers on a middle-aged man who lives with his elderly mother, and then is cajoled into taking care of three more elderly women all on the same weekend, and each comes with different demands, medications and temperaments. Of course, food seems to join them all together. Just when it seems the film may get as annoying for the viewer as it has been for the host, the film is over, leaving a smile on our faces. GRADE---B-
SIN CITY (2005) is, on DVD, still a bruising, fascinating to watch film-noirish version of Frank Miller's graphic novel, with plenty of gross violence and gore to keep your blood pumping. Nearly all the scenes were shot against a blue screen and the effects in the background were added later--visually stylish but at times the film loses the humanity and high drama that is being sought from some of the more sympathetic characters. The most effective of several subplots has Mickey Rourke (just prior to his breakthrough role as THE WRESTLER) finding himself framed for the murder of his prostitute girl friend, and running into ruthless, corrupt cops and politicians all over town who want him dead. It's a unique vision. GRADE---B+
NIGHTS IN RODANTHE (2008) has Richard Gere and Diane Lane as the lovers who must struggle with their respective family issues--she is trying to separate from her husband and keep her teenage children from hating her, and he is struggling with the death of one of his patients during a basic plastic surgery operation. They end up together at a deserted inn (the pilings of the huge hold house look like they were literaly buried in the sand during a very low tide--very unsafe structure) during a hurricane, and the encounter changes their lives. Pretty scenery, nice actors, but a pit predictable. Still, if you love Nicholas Sparks books then you'll like this story. GRADE----C+
Also saw two George Raft films on TCM. The first is HOUSE ACROSS THE BAY (1940) with Raft as an imprisoned con who risks losing his wife to either his lawyer or a plane builder while he sits in prison. NOCTURNE (1946) sees Raft as a detective trying to prove that the suicide of a composer is really a murder. Modestly entertaining, but sometimes predictably plodding. GRADE for Both---C+
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL--known as SIFF, starts officially on May 23rd but as a full series pass holder I get to screen some films early at special press screenings which begin officially on Monday May 3rd--TOMORROW. Probably 90% of the films I see in the next 6 weeks will be SIFF films. I plan to give brief notes on each film and a rating so that when the festival opens officially on the 23May readers may have about 30 films to consider seeing based on my comments, and may want to buy a ticket (or three). Keep an eye on this blog for comments (good or bad) about new foreign language films, independent films and documentaries that will be opening up later in the year. Thanks for reading.
If you want to contact me with movie comments or questions you can use my blog email which is
cinematicallyjeff@gmail.com. Thanks for reading.
SIN CITY (2005) is, on DVD, still a bruising, fascinating to watch film-noirish version of Frank Miller's graphic novel, with plenty of gross violence and gore to keep your blood pumping. Nearly all the scenes were shot against a blue screen and the effects in the background were added later--visually stylish but at times the film loses the humanity and high drama that is being sought from some of the more sympathetic characters. The most effective of several subplots has Mickey Rourke (just prior to his breakthrough role as THE WRESTLER) finding himself framed for the murder of his prostitute girl friend, and running into ruthless, corrupt cops and politicians all over town who want him dead. It's a unique vision. GRADE---B+
NIGHTS IN RODANTHE (2008) has Richard Gere and Diane Lane as the lovers who must struggle with their respective family issues--she is trying to separate from her husband and keep her teenage children from hating her, and he is struggling with the death of one of his patients during a basic plastic surgery operation. They end up together at a deserted inn (the pilings of the huge hold house look like they were literaly buried in the sand during a very low tide--very unsafe structure) during a hurricane, and the encounter changes their lives. Pretty scenery, nice actors, but a pit predictable. Still, if you love Nicholas Sparks books then you'll like this story. GRADE----C+
Also saw two George Raft films on TCM. The first is HOUSE ACROSS THE BAY (1940) with Raft as an imprisoned con who risks losing his wife to either his lawyer or a plane builder while he sits in prison. NOCTURNE (1946) sees Raft as a detective trying to prove that the suicide of a composer is really a murder. Modestly entertaining, but sometimes predictably plodding. GRADE for Both---C+
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL--known as SIFF, starts officially on May 23rd but as a full series pass holder I get to screen some films early at special press screenings which begin officially on Monday May 3rd--TOMORROW. Probably 90% of the films I see in the next 6 weeks will be SIFF films. I plan to give brief notes on each film and a rating so that when the festival opens officially on the 23May readers may have about 30 films to consider seeing based on my comments, and may want to buy a ticket (or three). Keep an eye on this blog for comments (good or bad) about new foreign language films, independent films and documentaries that will be opening up later in the year. Thanks for reading.
If you want to contact me with movie comments or questions you can use my blog email which is
cinematicallyjeff@gmail.com. Thanks for reading.
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