Perhaps my expectations were low, but I was really impressed by a little comedy called THE BIG YEAR, which has trailers that make it out to be a silly, minor, slap-stick comedy. It is rather low key, but there is an appealing sweetness to the film that pits several very likable characters against each other as they each try to have a BIG YEAR--in terms of bird-watching that is a calender year where each participant tries to spot as many different species of birds as they can, and it is all on the honor system. Either they record what they've seen on paper or on film (camera) and then report it to the bird society at the end of the year. This is based on a true story, starting with a previous winner Owen Wilson, who sets out to break his own record, and slowly introduces a wealthy executive (Steve Martin) and a struggling working-stiff (Jack Black) and how their efforts keep them in contact with each other. It's an intriguing, charming, off-beat film, and especially for bird watchers, indispensable. GRADE---------B+
The small independent, intimate film LIKE CRAZY is one of those miracles, where everything really jells to a lovable, charming effort, with fine actors, especially the two (relatively unknown) leads. It tells a simple story of a long distance romance--he's from Los Angeles, she's studying there from London. There were 4 important lessons I took from this film. Number 1.) is NEVER EVER mess with your traveling VISA--if you do it will come back to bite you in the butt for many years. 2.) NEVER EVER get involved in a long distance romance--it nearly always turns into a miserable experience for both parties. 3.) Having and using a cell phone/text during a relationship is NEVER a good idea, especially if you are involved with someone else and have the carelessness to leave it lying around. 4.) And no matter how good your movie is, directors, if you insist on using aggressive, unnecessary hand-held camera work, many people, like myself, will be thrown right out of the drama by the distracting, swirling action of the camera. I want very much to give this film a much higher grade. Instead, it gets a minimal thumbs up. GRADE------B-
I loved the film from several years ago called WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? (2006), which documented how in the previous 10 years electric cars had intrigued and dazzled the environmentally concerned consumers, who gobbled them up as fast as they were (slowly) manufactured, but then big oil and big car companies literally picked them up and physically destroyed them--it was an outrageous situation. Now, 5 years later they are making a comeback, but of course with the approval of the big car companies, because of even greater demand and because of the damning environmental issues that are forcing that. The sequel film REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR is interesting in showing why this is happening, and it follows several companies in their efforts to produce these new energy saving vehicles--some independents as well as big companies. Unfortunately, the outrage is gone and the film is merely informative rather than incitive--rather like a giant commercial for electric cars. GRADE--------B-
________________
DVD Choices for this week include:
I missed THE MESSENGER (2009) when it first came out, mainly due to what I thought would be depressing subject matter. The film follows two Army men who work for the Casualty Notification service--they must quickly notify the next-of-kin that their son/daughter/husband/wife/etc soldier has been killed in service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and the reactions to such news are indeed heartbreaking. Woody Harrelson plays the older officer who is trying to train the younger newcomer (Ben Foster) the ropes, and the film does branch off as the younger one forms an ill advised relationship with one widow. It is a very powerful film, and the two flawed men who must preform this task slowly become humanized and unglued during their service. Very memorable. GRADE--------B+
I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD (2004) is a curious, moody gangster film starring Clive Owen, Charlotte Rampling, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Malcolm McDowell. The film follows Owen (an ex-gangster) as he searches for the reasons his younger brother seemingly committed suicide. It is engrossing and watchable, although I had some trouble with the (unusual) reasoning for the suicide, and also with the May/December ex-romance between Owens and Rampling (18 years age difference)--at first I thought she was his mother. I know, I know, that is an ageist thing to say, since older men date and wed much younger women all the time. Given the milieu, however, those two issues just didn't ring true for me. GRADE------B
Several months ago I read several biographies of Katherine Hepburn, and I remembered that late in her career she toured the country with a play by Ernest (ON GOLDEN POND) Thompson called THE WEST SIDE WALTZ (1995) which I believe was filmed for TV. This version stars Shirley Maclaine, Liza Minnelli, Kathy Bates, Jennifer Grey, Robert Pastorelli, and several other stalwarts of stage and screen. It is a sentimental story, for sure, but the actors give it their best shot, and I was fitfully amused at how fine these actors all were. GRADE-------B
I vaguely remember the film from 1984 with Bill Murray as the nearly catatonic hero which was a remake of THE RAZOR'S EDGE (1946)--this is tough material for anyone to make cinematically, since it concerns moral and philosophical growth and changes in the mind and heart of the main character, here played sternly by Tyrone Power. This earlier version is more effective, I think, because the characters and actors who portray them seemed more vivid, especially the stunning, eye-opening Oscar winning supporting turn by a young Anne Baxter, and the snootiness of Gene Tierney and the affected fey-ness of Clifton Webb. It is oddly engrossing, but you feel that it doesn't really capture what made the novel so "classic." GRADE---------B-
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment