There is no herky jerky camera work, every character is well played and has a lot to do, the plotting is logical (for science fiction, that is) and easy to follow, the special effects feel visionary and clear, the photography and editing are sharp and vivid (in 2D) and overall, I thought the new film MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS is really terrific---the first great action sci-fi of the year. I was especially impressed with Tom Hiddleston, who plays the villain Hoki, evil brother of Thor. He was the best thing in last year's THOR and brought some sensitivity and depth to his evilness. Adding Mark Ruffalo as Bruce (Hulk) Banner, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Scarlett Johanson as the Black Widow really adds some classy and humorous actors to the already established entourage of Robert Downey's Iron Man and Chris Evans Captain America. Only Thor's Chris Hemsworth seemed a little flat to me. Other supporting characters sparkle, like Gregg Clark and Gweneth Paltrow and Stellan Skarsgard. The film takes it's time to establish the characters and relationships. Kudos to Joss Whedon who directed and wrote the screenplay; he really knows how to create fascinating stories and characters---see his other creations like BUFFY VAMPIRE SLAYER, SERENITY, and FIREFLY. I eagerly look forward to the sequel. GRADE-----A-
Speaking of science fiction, I forgot to comment on LOGAN'S RUN (1976) from several weeks ago. It holds up as a sexy, creative story of humanity on the run from an impersonal, dehumanizing society. Michael York play Logan, sort of like a futuristic police man, who tries to keep 30 year olds from running away from certain death--no one is allowed to live beyond 30, so they are tricked into believing they are "retiring" to a better place. Outside the sterile city he finds the truth. Old man Peter Ustinov is there to fill in the gaps, with some humor, and Jenny Agutter is there to keep him warm and together they like to get naked. There have been many films with similar themes, but this one seems so charming and innocent. Apparently it is being remade with Ryan Gosling in the lead. GRADE-------B
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1st SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Report
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HIGH GROUND--This powerful US documentary follows a dozen disabled veterans from the Afghan/Iran conflict as they scale Mt Everest, sharing emotional stories and personal revelations. Spellbinding, with exquisite photography and production values. GRADE-----A
STARBUCK----Pleasing French Canadian comedy about an irresponsible man/child who apparently has fathered dozens of children due to his sperm bank donations, and now they all want to meet him! GRADE----A-
ELENA----Psychological character study of Russian woman married to a rich man. She struggles to keep her inheritance from him in tact. Fascinating art/set direction, and well acted, gripping, twisted, understated. GRADE----B+
POLISSE---Engrossing French police thriller about cops working in the Child Protective Unit. There are a lot of stories and characters intertwined, and, surprisingly, a lot of humor. GRADE------B+
CRACKS IN THE SHELL---Solid German film centered on a stressed out drama student, who must balance home life, her naivety, and a demanding director when she lands her first starring role. Shades of BLACK SWAN and WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE, and just as powerfully acted.
THE DO-DECA-PENTATHLON---If it weren't for the silly, aggressive hand held camera jitters, I'd give this funny, independent Duplass brothers film an "A"--- The story has two super-competitive brothers trying to one-up-each other at a weekend-long birthday party, but it hits close to home on many levels, especially by dissecting the man-child syndrome. GRADE-----B+
SUPERCLASICO---Pleasant, comic film from Denmark. Depressed man (with his teen aged son) follows his estranged wife and her soccer-star lover to Argentina in an effort to win her back. Visually amusing and stylish (especially dancing cockroaches!). GRADE------B
STARRY STARRY NIGHT---A production of China and Korea, but quite Western in style and visuals, this is based on a children's book, about a teen ager whose parents are going through divorce, so she throws herself into a fantasy world with another teen boy. A curious film, creatively stylish and beautiful to watch, but it maintains a cool distance. GRADE------B
SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED---This US independent film starts slowly, as some young journalists try to find the real story of an eccentric, possibly loony, clerk (Mark Duplass) who claims to know about time travel. The film warms up as the characters become more developed, and the humor and Pacific Northwest scenery add a lot of interest. GRADE-----B
FAT KID RULES THE WORLD----Well filmed in Seattle, this modest story tells of a fat, outcast student who becomes involved with a drug addict while trying to form a punk rock band. The actors are all great, especially Billy Campbell as the ex-Marine father who tries to balance being a good parent with protecting his struggling teen from the grittiness of life.
GRADE----------B
AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY---Informative US/China documentary on political artist Weiwei, who was recently "arrested and detained" for several months for criticizing the Chinese government. His art works are highly symbolic forms of criticism, also, but I did get a bit tired of the middle finger which is used in a lot of his work. GRADE-------B
TRUE WOLF---Well intentioned, serious US documentary about a wolf born in captivity, and raised by humans. Unfortunately, the photography is grainy, the narration is repetitive, the film makers have a strong single mindedness (that wolves should be allowed to live all over the wild---an idea to which I'm not opposed), and the theme has been done much better in the past---particularly with last year's PROJECT NIM. GRADE------C
38 WITNESSES----A French thriller without any thrills, this slow moving drama about an urban neighborhood that ignores the screams of a woman being stabbed to death, takes one hour to get to the point, then seems to fizzle away without any climax. GRADE------C-
I will write about more films next weekend---I recommend any film rated B- or higher.
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ReplyDeleteThe Avengers is not SF. It's comic book fantasy. SF deals with the scientifically possible. Thor? The Hulk... ? You can't get there from here.
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