It's near the end of the run for NO STRINGS ATTACHED, the Ivan Reitman directed film starring Oscar nominee Natalie (BLACK SWAN) Portman and Auston Kutcher, but I enjoyed this raunchy romantic comedy immensely. At first I thought I was just being easy--desperate for a laugh after a tough week with domestic issues, but I realized that the combination of charming actors (which include the charming Kevin Kline and amusingly affected Lake Bell) and the fast pace of the direction and editing keep this bon bon afloat---certainly much livelier than the recent, confused LOVE and OTHER DRUGS. I've watched Portman with much interest after first seeing her as the lead in DIARY OF ANNE FRANK in London many years ago, and she always impresses me with her accessibility and smart approach to her roles. Obviously, one mans comedy is another man's tedium, but if you don't go in with the most highbrow of expectations, you might really enjoy this movie. GRADE--------B
Comedy director Tom Shadyac has made some of the most financially successful comedies of all time: BRUCE ALMIGHTY, NUTTY PROFESSOR and ACE VENTURE PET DETECTIVE. His newest film is I AM----a New Age documentary about his philosophical changes after a life threatening injury caused him to rethink what life is all about. I enjoyed watching it--he mixes discussions with very thoughtful intelligent people (including Desmond Tutu, Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky) with moving and sometimes funny scenes from news clips and movies to illustrate that, basically, all we need is love, that people are fundamentally good, and all of nature, including humans are interconnected. I agree with much of what was said. Now, whether the right people will see this well intentioned film remains to be seen, and whether it will change "diseased" people (meaning the greedy, the self-centered, the warmongers and the corrupt corporate executives and Wall Street in particular) remains to be seen. GRADE------B-
I finally caught up with the latest HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS--PART 1 which is finally nearing the end of its long run. I have to say that the last few Potter movies have left me confused and uninvolved---never having read the novels, I am totally lost as to what or who is doing what to whom and why. Still, they are entertaining for the special effects and intriguing production values. Now, why do the 3 main characters hold hands and zap themselves to other locations just in the nick of time, and yet in other scenes they must laboriously walk or ride broomsticks/flying horses/flying cars, etc. I fail to see too much consistent logic in all these magical shenanigans. GRADE-------B-
------------------------
Continuing my fascination with all things Katherine Hepburn, I watched, for the first time, WOMAN OF THE YEAR (1942)--her first teaming with Spencer Tracy. It's an early telling of the age old dilemma that tries to show what happens when the woman is at the top of her career and how that affects the "traditional" relationships. There are a number of outstanding, funny, witty scenes---one has sportswriter Tracy trying to explain a baseball game to the world famed political commentary Hepburn who's never been to a game before. Both actors are riveting and touching as they struggle to understand their unusual marriage. GRADE--------A-
A film I'd seen long ago, the iconic screwball comedy BRINGING UP BABY (1938) which teams Hepburn with Cary Grant to madcap effect, doesn't totally hold up for me today as the masterpiece some think it is, and I don't think I appreciated it 30 some years ago when I first saw it. It is fascinating to watch, nonetheless, due to some carefully choreographed direction by Howard Hawks, and some amusing supporting characterizations including Charlie Ruggles and May Robson. Most of the dialogue is witty and quickly delivered, but the pacing seemed uneven, and there is a long sequence before the ending where Hepburn and Grant are marching around in the dark meadow/woods looking for "Baby"--a leopard (!?!--you'd have to see it to understand)--but their interactions falls flat and the movie nearly grinds to a halt. There are a couple of other places that also seemed too broad, too obvious --ie. running around after the dog to find a buried bone. Still.....the set-up is a riot, as the madcap heiress totally upsets the life of the uptight and absent minded zoologist. Perhaps you need to be in the right frame of mind to really get into such wackiness. GRADE--------B
-----------------------------
Lots of FILM NOIR viewed on screen and DVD in the last two weeks. Top of the bunch is
THE DARK MIRROR (1946) in which Olivia de Havilland plays twin sisters, one good and the other disturbed, who are implicated in murder. The film creates tension and mystery, and the twin conceit is well acted and portrayed. (Not yet on DVD) GRADE----A-
A well written (based on a stage play) and acted (by Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino) drama features a widowed woman who fails to verify the references of her newly hired handyman, who is a psychopathic murderer and traps her in her own house, in the thriller BEWARE MY LOVELY (1952). There is consistent suspense and some surprises in the turn of events. Not a true FILM NOIR, but very entertaining and twisted in it's way. (Not yet on DVD.) GRADE------B+
CRACK UP (1946) features Pat O'Brien and Claire Trevor as a married couple--he seems to be having a nervous breakdown and feels his co-workers are trying to sabotage his efforts to run a prestigious museum. Is he insane and paranoid, or is there a vast insidious plot to discredit him????? I liked the way that you could never be sure about the cool Trevor's alliances. GRADE------B
I'd never seen Steve Brodie before, but he comes across as a naturalistic Gary Cooper, down home type and I like him. He's an innocent who gets involved with a violent ex-friend racketeer (Raymond Burr) in a robbery that results in the death of a cop, and ends up on the lam with his pregnant wife-- with the police AND the criminals chasing him. The film is called DESPERATE (1947) and directed by the excellent Anthony Mann who made such fine films as T-MEN (1945), THE FURIES and WINCHESTER '73 (1950), MAN FROM LARAMIE (1955), EL CID (1961) and FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (1964) among many others. GRADE----B
Dick Powell has a beefed up tough guy look in CORNERED (1945) but the confused and awkward plot has him chasing the Nazi (who may have killed his wife) after WWII to Buenos Aires--it becomes rather ludicrous as be barges around accusing and nearly trying to kill several men before he finds the actual man he is searching for. I wasn't exactly bored, but the story didn't make a lot of sense and I was finally glad for the film to be over. GRADE-----C+
I was really bored with a rare Film Noir that is not available on DVD at this time, but directed by the famous French director Jean Renoir, who was responsible for some major cinematic classics like GRAND ILLUSION (1937), RULES OF THE GAME (1939) and THE RIVER (1951). This was the first film he made in the US--he soon returned back to France, since Hollywood didn't seem to agree with him. The film is called THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH (1947) and features Robert Ryan, Joan Bennett and Charles Bickford. It's a great cast, but the drama of a mentally disturbed soldier who hooks up with a famous blind painter and his spiteful, adulterous wife just didn't generate any sparks or interest. Even though the film was supposedly re-edited and cut by 20 minutes by Renoir himself, it is still a lethargic and dull experience. GRADE-------D
---------------------
The OSCARS are presented on Sunday at 5pm Pacific time, and although there are often some major upsets, I will let you know my opinion. The energy and timing seems to be in favor of THE KING'S SPEECH to win Best Picture, because SOCIAL NETWORK seems a long time ago, but I think NETWORKS David Fincher will take the Oscar for Best Direction, as well as music and script and probably editing. SPEECH will get the Best Actor nod for Colin Firth--a well deserved award (see also his superb role in last year's A SINGLE MAN) and for costumes and set design/art direction. INCEPTION will have to settle for some technical awards, like special effects, and sound. Christian Bale seems to have a lock on the Best supporting Actor Oscar for THE FIGHTER, and in spite of some complaining about her obnoxious Oscar ad campaign, I think Melissa Leo should prevail for supporting actress--also for THE FIGHTER. But if there is an upset--this could be the category, since she has strong competition from Amy Adams in the same film, and Hailee Steinfeld from TRUE GRIT carried the strong emotional core in what really should have been a best actress nomination---she was in virtually every scene. TRUE GRIT may end up with the Cinematography Oscar. Toss a coin for the foreign film category since only two have played in Seattle. Of the 3 documentaries I've seen, my favorite is WASTE LAND, but the others have their supporters.
Sometimes, lately, I'm much more excited about the Independent Spirit Awards, which honors low budget, independent films. These will be televised on Saturday night Feb 27 starting a 7pm Pacific on the IFC channel. Major nominees that night are centered around 127 HOURS, BLACK SWAN, KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, GREENBERG, PLEASE GIVE, WINTER'S BONE, and RABBIT HOLE among others, and there is a hip, exciting vibe and lots of unrehearsed, spontaneous and irreverent merry making.
For the TOP FILMS OF 2010, see my previous February blog...........................
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
TOP FILMS OF 2010
Enough procrastinating. It's always a tough decision--which film was better than another--so I end up with a list of films that gave me the greatest pleasure this year, and ended up with 20 great films. I could also list 20 more that were arguably just as good--I'll add those later.
TOP FILMS OF 2010
SOCIAL NETWORK--The quick, snappy dialogue was at times a challenge to follow, but it sparkled with intellectual wit, sharp characterizations, and dynamic direction, writing, music and acting. A class act.
WASTELAND--My favorite documentary of the year, a very moving story of an artist who makes art out of garbage (!), and he gets help from the poverty stricken garbage sorters, changing their lives and views of the world in the meantime. At times shocking, disturbing, empowering and uplifting, this is a fascinating look at the power of ART. (See also EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP further down list.) *
TOY STORY III--All I can say is that the four of us who went (on July 4th) sat and sobbed like 10 year old girls through the last half of the film. Who'd have thought that an animated feature (which features a horrifying near death scene for the main toy characters) could be so incredibly moving?!?
BLACK SWAN--The most audacious, shocking, provocative film of the year-it will have you talking and thinking about it for weeks. Plus, it features four incredible female performances.
NOWHERE BOY--It's been a big year for John Lennon material, and this was the best of them--a moving drama about his early years living with his aunt (the amazing Kristin Scott Thomas) and discovering the biological mother that couldn't raise him. *
UNDERTOW--A lushly photographed story set on a Peruvian coastal fishing village about a love triangle that takes a shocking turn at midpoint, yet still manages to be a powerful, emotional and very likable tale of loyalty, tolerance and honesty. *
THE FIGHTER--Well directed and propelled by terrific performances all around, this biopic is marred only a little by a pat ending.
I AM LOVE--Wildly and romantically stylized, with a compelling lead in Tilda Swinton, and stringent architecturally sleek decor, this leisurely, luscious looking story of adulterous love set among Italy's upper classes split the audiences, but there's no denying this powerful vision. *
INCEPTION--Frenetically creative and spellbinding, but with a powerful humanistic undertow, this science fiction masterpiece keeps pushing the boundaries of fantasy with mind blowing special effects, yet it was the tender tragic love story between Leo diCapprio and his wife played by Marion Cotillard that lingers.
AGORA--Some may criticize the lack of total historical accuracy, but here was a sand and sandal epic with big ideas, big set designs, big action sequences, believable actors, and compelling philosophical dilemmas that kept me on the seats edge to the tragic conclusion. It plays like an intellectual epic (dare I compare it to LAWRENCE OF ARABIA?) and I loved it. *
PLEASE GIVE--A thoughtful but very enjoyable depiction of a modern New York family torn up by their liberal philosophies (bleeding hearts) vs the reality of life in the hustle and bustle.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO--Swedish shocker based on the world wide bestseller that features an outstanding performance by Noomi Repace and others in the mystery of a young woman's 40 years long disappearance. A huge, lurid can of worms is opened by the end--not for the faint of heart viewers, even if you've read the book. The follow up films THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS NEST are also superior, shit-kicking mystery thrillers.
THE KING'S SPEECH--Fine British costume drama based on true story about King George being thrust into national and international politics when his brother abdicates the throne. He struggles to control his stammering in order to lead the nation, with the help of a therapist and his wife. Excellent acting by the three principles especially, who are Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP-- A surprising documentary which starts out as an expose on street graffiti artists, but suddenly morphs into a damning expose on artists with NO talent except for their bravado. This is an amazing true story which starts out to show how street artist Blansky operates, but soon Blansky has taken over the story to illustrate how easy it is for manufactured art to take over the industry. Very entertaining and insightful. Also see WASTELAND above.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT--The final resolution rings a bit false (especially the affair business) but up to that point, the film shows the dynamics of a modern family headed by a lesbian couple to be as universally true and funny and humane as any film of the year.
127 HOURS--You might think you don't want to watch this, but here's a film full of life-loving energy, and the tremendous will to survive an accident propels this into near greatness, not horror. The newest film from Danny Boyle who made SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE really transcends it's potentially grim subject matter in ways that will uplift you.
WINTER'S BONE--An ethno-centric drama about a teen age girl trying to save her family from falling apart by finding her drug dealing father in the poverty stricken Ozark region. Fascinating and well acted and shockingly powerful. *
GET HIM TO THE GREEK--The year's funniest, crude, lewd, rude comedy, featuring the rock and roll singer from the funny FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL from a couple years ago. Major guilty pleasure time.
TRUE GRIT--Very solid remake of the John Wayne classic, with the ever reliable Jeff Bridges as the one eyed drunkard sheriff, and a star in the making performance by the young Hailee Steinfeld who is as natural as they come.
HIDEAWAY (LE REFUGE)--Prolific French director Francois Ozon (SWIMMING POOL, 8 WOMEN, SITCOM, TIME TO LEAVE, etc) has created a moving sensual film about the unlikely relationship of a gay man who tracks down the pregnant girlfriend of his dead (by overdose) brother. The ending has haunted me for months. *
Now, if the above 20 films (all rated A, A- and B+) aren't enough to get you through the winter, then check out the next 20 films, all rated B+ and solid B.
Other GOOD STUFF in no particular order: CLIENT 9: Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, YOUTH IN REVOLT, NORTHFACE*, GHOST WRITER, DATE NIGHT, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, SHUTTER ISLAND, LA MISSION*, CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION, SECRET IN THEIR EYES, LOOSE CANNONS*, JOAN RIVERS: A Piece of Work*, THE CONCERT*, ANIMAL KINGDOM, BRAN NUE DAE*, LET ME IN, MOTHER, ANOTHER YEAR, THE TILMAN STORY*, THE TOWN.
Guilty Pleasures: GET HIM TO THE GREEK, SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD, I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS, UNSTOPPABLE, KICK ASS, SALT, A TEAM, DATE NIGHT.
BAD BAD FILMS: Kites, Predators, Clash of the Titans, Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll, The Next Three Days, Country Strong, Extraordinary Measures, and at the very bottom---When in Rome and Hot Tub Time Machine
*=premiered at SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival), then had regular run.
COMING SOON---Top films for the last Decade 2001-2010
TOP FILMS OF 2010
SOCIAL NETWORK--The quick, snappy dialogue was at times a challenge to follow, but it sparkled with intellectual wit, sharp characterizations, and dynamic direction, writing, music and acting. A class act.
WASTELAND--My favorite documentary of the year, a very moving story of an artist who makes art out of garbage (!), and he gets help from the poverty stricken garbage sorters, changing their lives and views of the world in the meantime. At times shocking, disturbing, empowering and uplifting, this is a fascinating look at the power of ART. (See also EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP further down list.) *
TOY STORY III--All I can say is that the four of us who went (on July 4th) sat and sobbed like 10 year old girls through the last half of the film. Who'd have thought that an animated feature (which features a horrifying near death scene for the main toy characters) could be so incredibly moving?!?
BLACK SWAN--The most audacious, shocking, provocative film of the year-it will have you talking and thinking about it for weeks. Plus, it features four incredible female performances.
NOWHERE BOY--It's been a big year for John Lennon material, and this was the best of them--a moving drama about his early years living with his aunt (the amazing Kristin Scott Thomas) and discovering the biological mother that couldn't raise him. *
UNDERTOW--A lushly photographed story set on a Peruvian coastal fishing village about a love triangle that takes a shocking turn at midpoint, yet still manages to be a powerful, emotional and very likable tale of loyalty, tolerance and honesty. *
THE FIGHTER--Well directed and propelled by terrific performances all around, this biopic is marred only a little by a pat ending.
I AM LOVE--Wildly and romantically stylized, with a compelling lead in Tilda Swinton, and stringent architecturally sleek decor, this leisurely, luscious looking story of adulterous love set among Italy's upper classes split the audiences, but there's no denying this powerful vision. *
INCEPTION--Frenetically creative and spellbinding, but with a powerful humanistic undertow, this science fiction masterpiece keeps pushing the boundaries of fantasy with mind blowing special effects, yet it was the tender tragic love story between Leo diCapprio and his wife played by Marion Cotillard that lingers.
AGORA--Some may criticize the lack of total historical accuracy, but here was a sand and sandal epic with big ideas, big set designs, big action sequences, believable actors, and compelling philosophical dilemmas that kept me on the seats edge to the tragic conclusion. It plays like an intellectual epic (dare I compare it to LAWRENCE OF ARABIA?) and I loved it. *
PLEASE GIVE--A thoughtful but very enjoyable depiction of a modern New York family torn up by their liberal philosophies (bleeding hearts) vs the reality of life in the hustle and bustle.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO--Swedish shocker based on the world wide bestseller that features an outstanding performance by Noomi Repace and others in the mystery of a young woman's 40 years long disappearance. A huge, lurid can of worms is opened by the end--not for the faint of heart viewers, even if you've read the book. The follow up films THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS NEST are also superior, shit-kicking mystery thrillers.
THE KING'S SPEECH--Fine British costume drama based on true story about King George being thrust into national and international politics when his brother abdicates the throne. He struggles to control his stammering in order to lead the nation, with the help of a therapist and his wife. Excellent acting by the three principles especially, who are Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP-- A surprising documentary which starts out as an expose on street graffiti artists, but suddenly morphs into a damning expose on artists with NO talent except for their bravado. This is an amazing true story which starts out to show how street artist Blansky operates, but soon Blansky has taken over the story to illustrate how easy it is for manufactured art to take over the industry. Very entertaining and insightful. Also see WASTELAND above.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT--The final resolution rings a bit false (especially the affair business) but up to that point, the film shows the dynamics of a modern family headed by a lesbian couple to be as universally true and funny and humane as any film of the year.
127 HOURS--You might think you don't want to watch this, but here's a film full of life-loving energy, and the tremendous will to survive an accident propels this into near greatness, not horror. The newest film from Danny Boyle who made SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE really transcends it's potentially grim subject matter in ways that will uplift you.
WINTER'S BONE--An ethno-centric drama about a teen age girl trying to save her family from falling apart by finding her drug dealing father in the poverty stricken Ozark region. Fascinating and well acted and shockingly powerful. *
GET HIM TO THE GREEK--The year's funniest, crude, lewd, rude comedy, featuring the rock and roll singer from the funny FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL from a couple years ago. Major guilty pleasure time.
TRUE GRIT--Very solid remake of the John Wayne classic, with the ever reliable Jeff Bridges as the one eyed drunkard sheriff, and a star in the making performance by the young Hailee Steinfeld who is as natural as they come.
HIDEAWAY (LE REFUGE)--Prolific French director Francois Ozon (SWIMMING POOL, 8 WOMEN, SITCOM, TIME TO LEAVE, etc) has created a moving sensual film about the unlikely relationship of a gay man who tracks down the pregnant girlfriend of his dead (by overdose) brother. The ending has haunted me for months. *
Now, if the above 20 films (all rated A, A- and B+) aren't enough to get you through the winter, then check out the next 20 films, all rated B+ and solid B.
Other GOOD STUFF in no particular order: CLIENT 9: Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, YOUTH IN REVOLT, NORTHFACE*, GHOST WRITER, DATE NIGHT, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, SHUTTER ISLAND, LA MISSION*, CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION, SECRET IN THEIR EYES, LOOSE CANNONS*, JOAN RIVERS: A Piece of Work*, THE CONCERT*, ANIMAL KINGDOM, BRAN NUE DAE*, LET ME IN, MOTHER, ANOTHER YEAR, THE TILMAN STORY*, THE TOWN.
Guilty Pleasures: GET HIM TO THE GREEK, SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD, I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS, UNSTOPPABLE, KICK ASS, SALT, A TEAM, DATE NIGHT.
BAD BAD FILMS: Kites, Predators, Clash of the Titans, Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll, The Next Three Days, Country Strong, Extraordinary Measures, and at the very bottom---When in Rome and Hot Tub Time Machine
*=premiered at SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival), then had regular run.
COMING SOON---Top films for the last Decade 2001-2010
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Rabbit Hole, Undertow, Polanski, A.and K. Hepburn
It has finally arrived at a theatre in Seattle and I didn't write last week, so you only have a couple days left to see (in a theatre) the beautiful, magical, moving triangle love story that was a great audience pleaser at both SIFF and the Lesbian and Gay Film Fest this past year. UNDERTOW (CONTRACORRIENTE) also won the audience awards at the Chicago, Miami, San Sebastian, Cartagena, and Sundance film festivals last year. Stunningly photographed on a beautiful Peruvian coastal fishing village, UNDERTOW tells how a young couple expecting their first child deal with the husband's male lover. The shocking big twist mid-film throws the story into another realm, and at first I was annoyed, but the movie doesn't backtrack from the issues raised and by the end, the audience is carried along on waves of emotional retribution. GRADE-------A-
There are a lot of movies about death and bereavement, including LOVE STORY, ORDINARY PEOPLE, PHILADELPHIA, SCHINDLER'S LIST, etc, and here is another one called RABBIT HOLE. It is a serious tale of a couple trying to cope with the death of their four year son due to a car accident, and for a while they go about it in their own way because together they can't seem to agree on how it should be handled. There are some odd bursts of humor, and some very thoughtful platitudes (many uttered by Dianne Wiest as the grandmother), and the parents, as played by Aaron Eckhart and Oscar winner and current nominee Nicole Kidman are often very effective. It covers familiar ground, and it will leave you feeling a bit somber in spite of its upbeat (for the grieving couple, anyway) ending. GRADE------B
------------------------------
Best of the many DVD's of the last two weeks would be Roman Polanski's THE TENANT (1976) which features the director as a young man who moves into the Parisian apartment of a young woman who has just thrown herself out of the high story window to her death. Many of her things are still in the apartment and seem to affect the new comer by making him paranoid, nervous and very insecure. The excellent international cast includes Isabelle Adjani, the deceased girl's best friend and possible future love interest for the new tenant, Shelley Winters as the somber concierge, Melvyn Douglas as the grouchy building owner, and the intimidating neighbor Jo Van Fleet who tries to make trouble. It is still as odd and creepy and perverse as I remembered it to be, and culminates in an amazing and riveting scene of pseudo/sexual/gender confusion and hysteria that sticks with you even after 35 years. GRADE-----A-
It's been a while since I'd seen Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant cavort so effortlessly and charmingly in the romantic spy mystery thriller CHARADE (1963), and as many times as I've seen it, the mystery aspect (where is the quarter million dollars?) is still quite effective, and will definitely surprise the first time viewer. I recently bought the new Criterion Collection version and it makes the colors and sound and dialogue and music just pop. Bad prints and washed out colors of ALL other earlier DVD versions should be avoided at all costs. It's been written that this is the best Alfred Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never directed, and it is one of the rare times when I would agree with that comparison. Composer Henry Mancini, writer Peter Stone and director Stanley Donen are all in top form, and a droll Walter Matthau and sinister James Coburn add greatly to the entertaining proceedings. GRADE------A-
It was the first viewing for me of the George Cukor classic comedy ADAM'S RIB (1949) with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as a sparring married couple of lawyers on the opposite sides of a sensational attempted-murder case. The real surprise for me was the sharp supporting cast including first time movies for a sparkling Judy Holliday, amusing Jean Hagen, the bumbling Tom Ewell, and the smooth as silk David Wayne. These four were all successful Broadway stage actors at the time, and they all shine for the first time on the screen. I liked it for it's sophisticated comic attitude towards the battle of the sexes and for the 6 great actors who manage to hit every irony, joke and barb right on the head. GRADE-------A-
A recent French coming-0f-age film COLD SHOWERS (2006) which played a number of film festivals, focused on a struggling middle class family where the mother and father are shrewish and unemployed, respectively, and the teen son who happens to be a Judo fanatic, must deal with his bickering parents and his long time girlfriend, who starts demanding more from their relationship by introducing a new male classmate into their sexual play. There are a lot of teasing, sex and nudity scenes, and there's an atmosphere of tension that keeps you watching.
GRADE-------B-
Twenty one years ago, LONGTIME COMPANION (1990) was possibly the first film to deal with the AIDS crisis, and tried to do so by putting a human face on the disease by letting us get to know the people affected. It is a bit dated and each scene is set about one year later than the last, so that we keep thinking, "OK, who is going to die this scene..." but the very interesting thing for me this viewing (the first since 1990) was the young cast of near unknowns in 1990. Today many of them have really gone on to bigger and better things and it's easy to see why they did based on the acting in this film. Probably the most well known actor at the time was Bruce Davison, who has never been better, and he was Oscar nominated for this role as the rich guy who heartbreakingly tries to convince his deathly ill partner to just "let it go." Mary-Louise Parker is effective as the "best-friend" ( writer Craig Lucas doesn't use the term "fag hag" here), and ironically she went on to star in the important AIDS themed epic ANGELS IN AMERICA play and TV film. Patrick Cassidy, Dermot Mulroney and especially Campbell Scott have all seen their stars rise from this well meaning and emotional film. GRADE------B-
A smart little family drama that played briefly in Seattle, PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND (2008) features some lovely acting by Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman as the parents of the precocious 10 year old Elle Fanning, who's lead in the ALICE IN WONDERLAND play at school triggers some outrageous and inappropriate behavior. Her teacher Patricia Clarkson and principal (Campbell Scott, see above review) try to help, but they all realize that the troubled girl might just "fall through the looking glass" unless they can discover the secret of her unusual behavior and odd creativity. Smart and attentive viewers should be able to figure out the denouncement, but nonetheless, this a lovely, clever film. GRADE-------B-
Last but certainly not least in the big cinematic picture, I watched the sequel to the 1969 version of TRUE GRIT, with John Wayne reprising his Oscar winning role as ROOSTER COGBURN (1975) and Katherine Hepburn almost typecast as the Bible thumping missionary. The plot is not terribly creative or original, and a week later I've almost forgotten it, but it is a true pleasure watching Wayne and Hepburn go at each other with wit and energy and a great deal of affection. It was their first time together and for both, one of the last big films of their incredible careers. GRADE------C+
There are a lot of movies about death and bereavement, including LOVE STORY, ORDINARY PEOPLE, PHILADELPHIA, SCHINDLER'S LIST, etc, and here is another one called RABBIT HOLE. It is a serious tale of a couple trying to cope with the death of their four year son due to a car accident, and for a while they go about it in their own way because together they can't seem to agree on how it should be handled. There are some odd bursts of humor, and some very thoughtful platitudes (many uttered by Dianne Wiest as the grandmother), and the parents, as played by Aaron Eckhart and Oscar winner and current nominee Nicole Kidman are often very effective. It covers familiar ground, and it will leave you feeling a bit somber in spite of its upbeat (for the grieving couple, anyway) ending. GRADE------B
------------------------------
Best of the many DVD's of the last two weeks would be Roman Polanski's THE TENANT (1976) which features the director as a young man who moves into the Parisian apartment of a young woman who has just thrown herself out of the high story window to her death. Many of her things are still in the apartment and seem to affect the new comer by making him paranoid, nervous and very insecure. The excellent international cast includes Isabelle Adjani, the deceased girl's best friend and possible future love interest for the new tenant, Shelley Winters as the somber concierge, Melvyn Douglas as the grouchy building owner, and the intimidating neighbor Jo Van Fleet who tries to make trouble. It is still as odd and creepy and perverse as I remembered it to be, and culminates in an amazing and riveting scene of pseudo/sexual/gender confusion and hysteria that sticks with you even after 35 years. GRADE-----A-
It's been a while since I'd seen Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant cavort so effortlessly and charmingly in the romantic spy mystery thriller CHARADE (1963), and as many times as I've seen it, the mystery aspect (where is the quarter million dollars?) is still quite effective, and will definitely surprise the first time viewer. I recently bought the new Criterion Collection version and it makes the colors and sound and dialogue and music just pop. Bad prints and washed out colors of ALL other earlier DVD versions should be avoided at all costs. It's been written that this is the best Alfred Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never directed, and it is one of the rare times when I would agree with that comparison. Composer Henry Mancini, writer Peter Stone and director Stanley Donen are all in top form, and a droll Walter Matthau and sinister James Coburn add greatly to the entertaining proceedings. GRADE------A-
It was the first viewing for me of the George Cukor classic comedy ADAM'S RIB (1949) with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as a sparring married couple of lawyers on the opposite sides of a sensational attempted-murder case. The real surprise for me was the sharp supporting cast including first time movies for a sparkling Judy Holliday, amusing Jean Hagen, the bumbling Tom Ewell, and the smooth as silk David Wayne. These four were all successful Broadway stage actors at the time, and they all shine for the first time on the screen. I liked it for it's sophisticated comic attitude towards the battle of the sexes and for the 6 great actors who manage to hit every irony, joke and barb right on the head. GRADE-------A-
A recent French coming-0f-age film COLD SHOWERS (2006) which played a number of film festivals, focused on a struggling middle class family where the mother and father are shrewish and unemployed, respectively, and the teen son who happens to be a Judo fanatic, must deal with his bickering parents and his long time girlfriend, who starts demanding more from their relationship by introducing a new male classmate into their sexual play. There are a lot of teasing, sex and nudity scenes, and there's an atmosphere of tension that keeps you watching.
GRADE-------B-
Twenty one years ago, LONGTIME COMPANION (1990) was possibly the first film to deal with the AIDS crisis, and tried to do so by putting a human face on the disease by letting us get to know the people affected. It is a bit dated and each scene is set about one year later than the last, so that we keep thinking, "OK, who is going to die this scene..." but the very interesting thing for me this viewing (the first since 1990) was the young cast of near unknowns in 1990. Today many of them have really gone on to bigger and better things and it's easy to see why they did based on the acting in this film. Probably the most well known actor at the time was Bruce Davison, who has never been better, and he was Oscar nominated for this role as the rich guy who heartbreakingly tries to convince his deathly ill partner to just "let it go." Mary-Louise Parker is effective as the "best-friend" ( writer Craig Lucas doesn't use the term "fag hag" here), and ironically she went on to star in the important AIDS themed epic ANGELS IN AMERICA play and TV film. Patrick Cassidy, Dermot Mulroney and especially Campbell Scott have all seen their stars rise from this well meaning and emotional film. GRADE------B-
A smart little family drama that played briefly in Seattle, PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND (2008) features some lovely acting by Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman as the parents of the precocious 10 year old Elle Fanning, who's lead in the ALICE IN WONDERLAND play at school triggers some outrageous and inappropriate behavior. Her teacher Patricia Clarkson and principal (Campbell Scott, see above review) try to help, but they all realize that the troubled girl might just "fall through the looking glass" unless they can discover the secret of her unusual behavior and odd creativity. Smart and attentive viewers should be able to figure out the denouncement, but nonetheless, this a lovely, clever film. GRADE-------B-
Last but certainly not least in the big cinematic picture, I watched the sequel to the 1969 version of TRUE GRIT, with John Wayne reprising his Oscar winning role as ROOSTER COGBURN (1975) and Katherine Hepburn almost typecast as the Bible thumping missionary. The plot is not terribly creative or original, and a week later I've almost forgotten it, but it is a true pleasure watching Wayne and Hepburn go at each other with wit and energy and a great deal of affection. It was their first time together and for both, one of the last big films of their incredible careers. GRADE------C+
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