I haven't seen a Matthew McConaughey film for a long time--I've put him in the stack along with Nicholas Cage and John Travolta as actors that really rub me the wrong way, usually having to do with their arrogance and weird energy. But I did catch up with THE LINCOLN LAWYER a couple years ago and thought that was pretty good. MUD is a new film by Jeff Nichols, whose previous films include SHOTGUN STORIES and TAKE SHELTER, neither of which I've seen. I will have to remedy that soon. McConaughey plays the title character MUD with bad teeth, wild hair, and simple Southern drawl, and the rest of the excellent supporting cast (Sam Shepard, Sarah Paulson, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Shannon, Joe Don Baker, and especially the two young boys Ty Sheridan and Jacob Lofland) really add such fine characterizations that watching this new classic is a thrilling experience. As the story unfolds (Mud is a killer on the run, trying to hook up with his true love, and becomes involved with the young boys who act as his interns and go-between) you realize that not only is this an original and assured tale, but you cannot really predict what each character is going to do or say from moment to moment, and that adds considerable tension to the drama. As the boys learn about life and adulthood and love the hard way, you can't help but be reminded of classic films like LIFE OF PI, WIZARD OF OZ, GREAT EXPECTATIONS and especially TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. GRADE------A
As a character study of a religious megalomaniac, THE SOURCE FAMILY is a document that is hard to beat. Set in the hippie-trippie 60's, it tells the true story of a fascinating, charismatic man who starts a free love religion (it's mostly free for him---the other guys get the left overs) but ultimately self destructs with too much power. It is a very insightful and entertaining film. GRADE-----B+
I'm very glad that the new Ken Loach film ANGELS' SHARE came with subtitles, because the film about a troubled youth and his friends trying to get redeemed by studying the subtitles of whiskey making and drinking in and around Glasgow has some really strong dialects and accents to sort through. It is still a lovely, humorous film, with great spirit and generous themes of friendship. GRADE-------B
I enjoyed IRON MAN but never bothered with IRON MAN 2 because of very negative comments by friends and critics. Good news for lovers of the series. IRON MAN 3 seems to have been revived by last years film THE AVENGERS---this new IM3 is very funny, has a lot of action (although sometimes it didn't make a lot of logical sense) and moves along like a runaway train. I had fun with it in spite of some serious lapses. Summer popcorn fun. GRADE--------B
Filled with great actors keeping it real, THE COMPANY YOU KEEP keeps the tension going as a group of underground student radicals, now in their 60's (including Robert Redford, Susan Sarandon, Julie Christie, Nick Nolte, Sam Elliott, etc., are practically forced out into the public, while a smart ass young news reporter (Shia LeBeouf) indifferently hunts them down, oblivious to the human and political ramifications that each character carries. It's a thoughtful and well meaning story, and the film has an unusual and reflective quality to it. GRADE---------B
Locally produced and directed, Megan Griffiths film EDEN is based on a true story of a young Korean-American teen who is kidnapped in Arizona and forced into human sexual trade. Parts of Washington state were used for Arizona--I didn't notice the difference. The good thing about this film is the subtle way the action is portrayed, without explicitness or luridity. The focus is on the characters, and the girl's efforts to escape the corrupt clutches of the small town's big wigs. Engrossing and thoughtful. GRADE-------B
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On DVD I watched a four hour British drama called BEHAVING BADLY (1988) with Judi Dench as a middle aged divorcee who starts to change her behavior because she is bored, and takes a younger lover, much to the distress of her adult daughter and ex husband. Unfortunately, the film is rather dull when it should have been lively and naughty. GRADE--------C
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The SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SIFF) screenings began this past week--check the free program guide for scheduled show times. Here is what to watch for or watch out for.....
Engrossing true story, THE DEEP suffers from mostly being filmed in the fog, at night, in the water--so my eyes were very strained from trying to see what was going on. GRADE---B-
From filmmaker Noah (SQUID AND THE WHALE) Baumbach comes a Woody Allenish comedy drama of a 20-something trying to make it in NYC, with the charming Greta Gerwig. I loved FRANCES HA, but many felt the opposite of me. GRADE---B+
Documentary lite, filmed using home movies (and we know how much fun those can be....) this film from the 3 White House conspirators captured OUR NIXON, but not very deeply. There is one great scene where Nixon introduces an innocuous singing group (Ray Conniff Singers???) only to have the lead sing pull out a banner, and berate Nixon for badmouthing Daniel Ellsworth's attempt to
release those damning files, and then they launch into a forgettable tune. GRADE----C+
A true "festival" film, from Russia, about a sect of women dealing with sex, marriage, and mysticism. I had no idea some of the time what was going on in CELESTIAL WIVES OF MEADOW MARI, but it's filmed beautifully and it's so odd and wonderful at times that you don't mind. GRADE-----A-
I was instantly annoyed by the characters, improvisation, and herky jerky giggly camera work, and that feeling didn't change throughout this story of young hipsters looking for a cactus induced high on the beach. It's called CRYSTAL FAIRY---you've been warned. GRADE-----D
Irish film JUMP is slick and well acted, but it felt like a poor man's Guy Ritchie film. GRADE---C+
Russian film THE DAUGHTER (I KORI) is very strong, engrossing film of serial killer in small village. GRADE------B+
WE STEAL SECRETS: STORY OF WIKILEAKS---a fascinating documentary featuring Wikileaks leader Julian Assange and Army Private Bradley Manning, who released a lot of military secrets.
GRADE-----A-
C.O.G---based on writings from David Sedaris, the film is OK--feels a bit underdeveloped, but still easy to watch and has a few laughs, as "David/Samuel" tries to live the life of an apple picker to gain some knowledge of the simple folk. GRADE-----B-
***PARADISE: LOVE is the strongest and most controversial of the Ulrich Seidl trilogy, where a middle aged woman goes on vacation to Kenya to become a sex tourist--trying to buy love. GRADE---B+
***PARADISE: FAITH is another strong entry from Ulrich Seidl, this time a middle aged woman who loves to flagellate in front of the crucifix, finds her faith tested by resistant folks she tries to convert, and then her Muslim husband returns and resists her efforts. Another controversial film. GRADE---B+
***PARADISE: HOPE is the final film in the trilogy, where a younger woman goes to a fat camp and falls for the doctor--it's much more gentle film than the first two. These films ALL got the conversation going afterwards---- they are love them or hate them, but any film that can get the buzz going has got to have plenty of merits. These films are all long, and leisurely paced, but they are not exactly dull. GRADE----B
U.S.A film PUTZEL is trying to be a romantic comedy, but the girl (a charming Melanie Lynskey) ends up having affairs with two not so sympathetic related men, and the laughs are very very dim. This seemed like a distant remake of the Barbara Striesand film UP ALL NIGHT which I saw recently and enjoyed. This one, set is a New York Jewish fish emporium deli--not so much. GRADE---C
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