I've been busy catching up on commercial films that opened during SIFF, plus some gems from the Edmonds Library DVD collection.... See TOP FILMS FROM SIFF 2014 in previous blog.
BELLE--Beautifully filmed, acted and appointed historical film based on a true story of a seventeenth century aristocratic British officer who has a child with an African woman--he then has his uncle and aunt raise the child. She's privileged, but not socially, and racism keeps her from many events. As an adult with her own inheritance, she can live without marriage, unlike her cousin who is actively courting wealthy men. She meets the liberal son of the local minister who is working to overturn the business of slave ships and together they try to change the heart of her uncle, a political judge who could possibly change history. The lead, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is stunningly beautiful and incredibly fascinating to watch---a star is born in this fascinating, suspenseful drama. GRADE-------A-
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS--From a young adult novel comes this moving story of love and cancer, and it's effectively preformed by Shailene Woodley and Ansel Eigort They are the lovers here but in this year's DIVERGENT they played sister and brother. Woodley has also appeared to fine effect recently in THE SPECTACULAR NOW (2013) and THE DESCENDANTS (2011). She's this year's BIG THING. I started weeping about two thirds through (at the sex scene) and didn't stop until the end. An intelligent and beautiful tearjerker. GRADE------A-
EDGE OF TOMORROW---A sharp, smart futuristic thriller starring Tom Cruise! He plays a Major recruited (tricked) into joining the front lines in a war for control of earth--the enemy is a spider like alien from outer space. He suddenly finds himself in a massacre, being killed, then starting over and over again as a new recruit, and being killed again and again, only to start over again, and each time learning more and more about warfare, and finding another warrior (a kick ass Emily Blunt) who teams up with him to learn more each time about how to defeat the aliens. It's fascinating and exciting to watch (although some of the sequences feature too much shaking camera for me) and it packs a lot of punch. GRADE-----A-
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN: THE FINAL CUT--This delicious documentary features short cuts from over 450 different films to tell the familiar story of a man who meets a woman, they fall in love, and nearly lose each other, before finally living happily ever after. It's heady stuff, especially to view the clever use and exposition of different actors playing the same scene. I found myself trying to determine what film each clip was from. For film buffs, this is a wonderful homage. To the average film goer it may become tiresome. The film is now available only for educational purposes and festivals. Hopefully one day it will be available on DVD for anyone. GRADE------B+
GODZILLA--Maybe my expectations were low since reviews have been quite mixed, but I really enjoyed this oft repeated remake of the classic story. The monster is actually upstaged by two gruesome creatures who appear at the same time , and they might be a triple threat to mankind or Godzilla may just be the savior. There are some incredible action sequence, and some awesome battle scenes (all done with excellent special effects) and the film maintains a steady flow of suspense and tension. It's a worthwhile "popcorn" movie. GRADE----B
JERSEY BOYS---A film by Clint Eastwood based on the stage play about the beginnings of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. If you have never seen the play, this is a tuneful and eye opening story beginning in New Jersey with roots in the Mob, and following the ups and downs of the popular singing group. Unfortunately, what worked so well on stage (I saw it at the 5th Avenue, and again in a mini-version on a cruise ship) becomes, on film, rather belabored at times, and less joyful when it comes to the music. Still, it is well worth seeing either way. GRADE------B-
THINK LIKE A MAN TOO--It may not be nearly as good as the first film (THINK LIKE A MAN 2011, based on Steve Harvey's book about man/woman relationships), but there is some wacky, ribald humor that saves this comedy, and it features the amazingly energetic Kevin Hart, who may not be every one's cup of tea, but I find him amusing and amazing, if a bit overwhelming given his top billing here. The plot has a large group of friends gathering in Las Vegas for a wedding, but mostly centers around two outrageous wedding party's (one for the men and one for the women) that turn out to be too bizarre to be believed, but it was obviously fun for the actors. GRADE----B-
___________________________________
Films from DVD-------
THE SEARCHERS (1956)---A classic Western, John Wayne film directed by John Ford. Wayne spends several years with a younger relative Jeffrey Hunter searching for his niece who was stolen by some brutal Indians. The film deals with racism, loneliness, loss, tradition, and hatred in ways seldom seen on film, yet despite some very heavy scenes, the film mixes moments of warfare, humor, camaraderie and adventure to keep you fascinated. Set in Texas, but clearly filmed in Monument Valley, Arizona, the film is spectacularly photographed with vividly drawn characters. GRADE----A
MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)--From Wes Anderson, the director of this year's best film so far, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, comes the other worldly (in a quirky, humorous way) story of a young teen couple who run away to be together and find that the whole New England island upon which they live in the mid 1960's has set out to find them. The all star cast includes amusing turns by Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and Edward Norton, and the kids are terrific. GRADE----A-
NARROW MARGIN (1952)--Entertaining Film Noir has cop trying to protect a mobster's wife, on her way to testify against her husband, on a train trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, along with murderous mobsters on the same train who don't yet know what she looks like. There are some great twists, and a surprise ending. This was ineffectively remade in 1990 with Anne Archer and Gene Hackman. GRADE---B+
ANOTHER MAN'S POISON (1951)---Bette Davis has a splashy role as a mystery writer living in a big dark house who kills her estranged husband, only to find that his cohort, a prison escapee, arrives moments later and tries to assume the husband's identify as a way to be hidden in plain sight. Davis, who is trying to steal the handsome fiance of her secretary, doesn't want this new man around, played by the suave Gary Merrill--who at the time of this film was married in real life to Davis. Bette plays it to the hilt, and there is an ironic surprise ending! GRADE----B
PAYMENT ON DEMAND (1951)--Another Bette Davis film made just prior to ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) but released just after. This one starts with the divorce of a long time couple--she pushes for social status, he wants a simple farm life, but emphases how devastating divorce can be mainly for the woman. Some of the story is told in an unusual theatrical flashback manner. The original title, which makes a lot more sense, was STORY OF A DIVORCE, and the original "realistic" ending was replaced at the last moment by one with a happier ending, much to the displeasure of the director and cast, but producer Howard Hughes got the last word. Still, no one can play embittered better than Bette! GRADE------B
MARATHON MAN (1976)--Student Dustin Hoffman becomes involved in a thriller about an escaped Nazi war criminal (Laurence Olivier) who comes out of hiding to claim his fortune. The excellent cast includes Roy Scheider as a secret agent, and several terrifying and suspenseful scenes (including the iconic "Is it safe?" sequence in a dental chair) help to cover up some contrivances and plot holes. Slick and watchable and memorable. GRADE-----B
THE DESTRUCTORS (1974)--When narcotics cop Anthony Quinn can't nail a sophisticated Italian drug dealer James Mason, he steps out side the law to hire an assassin (Michael Caine), who turns out to be an old friend. A European production in English, with a smart, interesting story and fine actors. GRADE------B
A RATHER ENGLISH MARRIAGE (1998)--A Masterpiece Theatre film, this story of the unlikely friendship of two older men who are widowed on the same day is enhanced by fine, believable performances by the loud, brutish, upper class Albert Finney, and the mild mannered, fuss budget, working class Tom Courtney. Joanna Lumley plays the gold digger who threatens to come between them. GRADE----B
POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (1990)---Based on the semi-autobiographical book by Carrie Fisher, Shirley McLaine and Meryl Streep portray mother and daughter, supposedly Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, as actress Fisher comes out of a drug rehab stint insisted upon by her studio. She feels her mother is too controlling and demanding and seeks too much attention. The film wanders about as she meets various actors, doctors, friends, potential lovers, and lives at home with her mother.....There are some interesting moments, but as a slice of life, things happen to her, but she doesn't seem to know how to react, and she becomes a bit paranoid. The film feels like a missed opportunity to deal with addiction because the characters come across as types. I remember seeing this in 1990 and feeling disappointed, and the feeling remains the same. And, McLaine and Streep both seem miscast to me. GRADE-------B-
THE SWITCH (2010)--A lame rom-com with Jennifer Anniston and Jason Bateman. Anniston wants to have a child with artificial insemination, just not with her neurotic best boy friend Bateman. She chooses a married normal guy, but on the night of her insemination (a party is thrown to celebrate it!?!) Batemen accidentally spills the semen down the sink in a drunken state, and substitutes his own.
He doesn't remember doing it, she moves to Minnesota to raise her baby in a better place than NYC, and when she moves back 7 years later she wants to reconnect with Bateman, with predictable results. I didn't believe the set up for a minute, and there was almost no chemistry between the two leads. (She's cool and cranky, he's neurotic and fussy.) Also, the jokes are not very funny, and pacing is slow and awkward and in spite of the unusual potential, the story felt trite. GRADE------C-
Friday, June 27, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Final SIFF Report, plus------THE BEST OF SIFF 2014!!!!---plus---FOOL SERIOUS AWARDS
The final weekend of SIFF I saw some fine cinematic treats, and a couple of duds........
GRADE A
CALVARY--Irish film about a priest in a small Irish town who gets a death threat stating he will be killed in one week's time because of the sexual abuse the (hidden) confessor claims he received as a child years ago from another priest. During the next week we see the priest visit a number of his parishioners, all of whom have serious issues in their life with religion or other problems, like a banker who is under investigation from the government, a mechanic whose wife is sleeping around town, a bitter burned out doctor who has seen too much blood, a gay sheriff who likes to entertain a wild rent boy, an embittered older novelist who seems bent on suicide, and several others. Each may have a reason to want to kill the priest. The film plays like a murder mystery crossed with a mortality play, and the writing sounds like a superior David Mamet project. It is an excellent production in all respects.
GRADE B+
BABADOOK--A superior Australian film about a horror book for kids that seems to come alive in the minds of the child and the single mother. The film builds steady suspense, the actors are very effective, and the story progresses in a logical and quite believable fashion, so that when the horror is actually glimpsed, it seems perfectly horrifying.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON--A surprisingly effective documentary about jazz legend Clark Terry, who was a teacher to Quincy Jones, and now in his late 80's becomes a mentor to rising blind pianist Justin Kauflin.
GRADE B
FINDING FELA--Documentary about Nigerian musician and poet and activist Fela Kuti, who in the mid-1970s fought against the repressive government and became something of a martyr to his world wide fans. For those unfamiliar with Fela's work, this is an eye opener. For those who have seen the play FELA that has played around the country in the past year or two, like myself, the film is somewhat repetitious, as about half the film is showing large segments of the musical play, then filling in the segments with biographical information, some of which is included in the play itself.
Still, it is an exhaustive, epic telling, and deserves to be seen.
GRADE B-
THE BREACH--Interesting U.S. documentary that starts out criticizing the thousands of dams that block salmon spawning causing salmon numbers to fall dramatically, but then focuses on the Pebble Mine controversy in Bristol Bay Alaska, and in spite of the emotional, and worthwhile issue, the film becomes rather didactic. It starts to feel like more like a political tract, which causes the viewer to loose interest. The film is supposed to be unfinished, but it looked pretty good to me.
GRADE C-
IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE--Norwegian film about a teen girl who accidentally causes the death of one man and the maiming of another. When she gets out of prison after 8 years (she doesn't look like she aged a day!) she struggles to get to know her daughter but becomes involved with people from her past that are still up to no good. It was hard to feel much sympathy for her because she makes so many BAD DECISIONS that some of us were rooting for her to take a bullet and end this stupid drama. I really disliked this one.
____________
Not officially part of SIFF, but I had a couple hours with nothing to see, so I slipped into NEIGHBORS, a new unlikely Hollywood film with Seth Rogan as a loud mouthed guppy who is married and has a new baby and new house. Moving in next door is a noisy fraternity and a rivalry gets started between the houses that turns nasty and malicious, not to mention completely unbelievable. I don't know of a decent neighborhood that would put up with the noise and antics of a frat house in the first place (BIG party every night!!!!), and the unfunny shenanigans seemed to border on the criminal. ( Part of the problem is that I've seen the previews at least 10 times, and they show all the biggest sight gags, so any element of surprise was lost). Rogan and Rose Byrne, who plays the wife, both are playing to the rafters from the start, and have to where to go--there hysteria gets tedious fast. A mostly shirtless Zak Efron has fun playing the leader of the frat, but the supporting cast has little to do. GRADE----D+
-------------------------------------------------________________________-------------------------------------
BEST OF SIFF 2014
Here are my favorites---details in earlier blogs above. I'll write more about them if and when they have an opening......
Here's the top 20--------
GRADE A
STILL LIFE
CALVARY
THE CASE AGAINST 8
TANGERINES
LIFE FEELS GOOD
VENUS IN FUR
THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED
CLASS ENEMY
SAM AND AMIRA
BOUND: AFRICAN VS AFRICAN AMERICAN
GRADE B+
ATTILA MARCEL
BABADOOK
OBVIOUS CHILD
KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
MEDEAS
INTERNET'S OWN BOY
TOM AT THE FARM
MUSE OF FIRE
LUCKY THEM
DIFRET
The next group were also rated B+ and certainly deserve to be seen...
STANDING ASIDE WATCHING, TO BE TAKAI, LAND OF STORMS, OF HORSES AND MEN,
LILTING, EASTERN BOYS, SALVATION ARMY, THE DUNE, LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED, and BEGIN AGAIN.
There are another 30 some films in my SIFF blogs that were rated B- or better, and those are also recommended.
------------------------------------
Voted on by audience members as top films for the Golden Space Needle Awards were BOYHOOD (I missed this one but it opens for a run next month) KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON, LIFE FEELS GOOD, 10000KM, MARMATO and BELLE & SEBASTIEN. More details and runner-up info is at siff.net.
------------
The FOOL SERIOUS AWARDS which are voted on by full-series pass holders (serious movie buffs, of which I am a member) were----
the top 10 in order--
LIFE FEELS GOOD
TANGERINES
CALVARY
STILL LIFE
100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED
"Secret Festival #1"
IDA
BURNING BUSH
BOYHOOD
IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE
Documentary--ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC AND MEMORY
Archival--THE SERVANT
Director--BOYHOOD
Cinematography--MEDEAS
Script--VENUS IN FUR
Music--KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
Actor--Dawid Ogrodnik--LIFE FEELS GOOD
Actress--Emmanuelle Seigner--VENUS IN FUR
Guilty Pleasure--INTRAMURAL
GRADE A
CALVARY--Irish film about a priest in a small Irish town who gets a death threat stating he will be killed in one week's time because of the sexual abuse the (hidden) confessor claims he received as a child years ago from another priest. During the next week we see the priest visit a number of his parishioners, all of whom have serious issues in their life with religion or other problems, like a banker who is under investigation from the government, a mechanic whose wife is sleeping around town, a bitter burned out doctor who has seen too much blood, a gay sheriff who likes to entertain a wild rent boy, an embittered older novelist who seems bent on suicide, and several others. Each may have a reason to want to kill the priest. The film plays like a murder mystery crossed with a mortality play, and the writing sounds like a superior David Mamet project. It is an excellent production in all respects.
GRADE B+
BABADOOK--A superior Australian film about a horror book for kids that seems to come alive in the minds of the child and the single mother. The film builds steady suspense, the actors are very effective, and the story progresses in a logical and quite believable fashion, so that when the horror is actually glimpsed, it seems perfectly horrifying.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON--A surprisingly effective documentary about jazz legend Clark Terry, who was a teacher to Quincy Jones, and now in his late 80's becomes a mentor to rising blind pianist Justin Kauflin.
GRADE B
FINDING FELA--Documentary about Nigerian musician and poet and activist Fela Kuti, who in the mid-1970s fought against the repressive government and became something of a martyr to his world wide fans. For those unfamiliar with Fela's work, this is an eye opener. For those who have seen the play FELA that has played around the country in the past year or two, like myself, the film is somewhat repetitious, as about half the film is showing large segments of the musical play, then filling in the segments with biographical information, some of which is included in the play itself.
Still, it is an exhaustive, epic telling, and deserves to be seen.
GRADE B-
THE BREACH--Interesting U.S. documentary that starts out criticizing the thousands of dams that block salmon spawning causing salmon numbers to fall dramatically, but then focuses on the Pebble Mine controversy in Bristol Bay Alaska, and in spite of the emotional, and worthwhile issue, the film becomes rather didactic. It starts to feel like more like a political tract, which causes the viewer to loose interest. The film is supposed to be unfinished, but it looked pretty good to me.
GRADE C-
IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE--Norwegian film about a teen girl who accidentally causes the death of one man and the maiming of another. When she gets out of prison after 8 years (she doesn't look like she aged a day!) she struggles to get to know her daughter but becomes involved with people from her past that are still up to no good. It was hard to feel much sympathy for her because she makes so many BAD DECISIONS that some of us were rooting for her to take a bullet and end this stupid drama. I really disliked this one.
____________
Not officially part of SIFF, but I had a couple hours with nothing to see, so I slipped into NEIGHBORS, a new unlikely Hollywood film with Seth Rogan as a loud mouthed guppy who is married and has a new baby and new house. Moving in next door is a noisy fraternity and a rivalry gets started between the houses that turns nasty and malicious, not to mention completely unbelievable. I don't know of a decent neighborhood that would put up with the noise and antics of a frat house in the first place (BIG party every night!!!!), and the unfunny shenanigans seemed to border on the criminal. ( Part of the problem is that I've seen the previews at least 10 times, and they show all the biggest sight gags, so any element of surprise was lost). Rogan and Rose Byrne, who plays the wife, both are playing to the rafters from the start, and have to where to go--there hysteria gets tedious fast. A mostly shirtless Zak Efron has fun playing the leader of the frat, but the supporting cast has little to do. GRADE----D+
-------------------------------------------------________________________-------------------------------------
BEST OF SIFF 2014
Here are my favorites---details in earlier blogs above. I'll write more about them if and when they have an opening......
Here's the top 20--------
GRADE A
STILL LIFE
CALVARY
THE CASE AGAINST 8
TANGERINES
LIFE FEELS GOOD
VENUS IN FUR
THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED
CLASS ENEMY
SAM AND AMIRA
BOUND: AFRICAN VS AFRICAN AMERICAN
GRADE B+
ATTILA MARCEL
BABADOOK
OBVIOUS CHILD
KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
MEDEAS
INTERNET'S OWN BOY
TOM AT THE FARM
MUSE OF FIRE
LUCKY THEM
DIFRET
The next group were also rated B+ and certainly deserve to be seen...
STANDING ASIDE WATCHING, TO BE TAKAI, LAND OF STORMS, OF HORSES AND MEN,
LILTING, EASTERN BOYS, SALVATION ARMY, THE DUNE, LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED, and BEGIN AGAIN.
There are another 30 some films in my SIFF blogs that were rated B- or better, and those are also recommended.
------------------------------------
Voted on by audience members as top films for the Golden Space Needle Awards were BOYHOOD (I missed this one but it opens for a run next month) KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON, LIFE FEELS GOOD, 10000KM, MARMATO and BELLE & SEBASTIEN. More details and runner-up info is at siff.net.
------------
The FOOL SERIOUS AWARDS which are voted on by full-series pass holders (serious movie buffs, of which I am a member) were----
the top 10 in order--
LIFE FEELS GOOD
TANGERINES
CALVARY
STILL LIFE
100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED
"Secret Festival #1"
IDA
BURNING BUSH
BOYHOOD
IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE
Documentary--ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC AND MEMORY
Archival--THE SERVANT
Director--BOYHOOD
Cinematography--MEDEAS
Script--VENUS IN FUR
Music--KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
Actor--Dawid Ogrodnik--LIFE FEELS GOOD
Actress--Emmanuelle Seigner--VENUS IN FUR
Guilty Pleasure--INTRAMURAL
Friday, June 6, 2014
SIFF Final weekend---Best Bets----BOUND; AFRICANS versus AFRICAN AMERICANS, LIFE FEELS GOOD, 4 MINUTE MILE, UNDER THE STARRY SKY, FUTURO BEACH and MEDEAS
This is the last weekend of SIFF 2014 and I've seen 115 films so far. Here's what I've prescreened this week, in order of preference.
GRADE A
LIFE FEELS GOOD---The feel good movie of the festival, and starring likely winner of best actor Dawid Ogrodnik (who also appeared as the sax player in the popular film IDA), this Polish film is polished, smart and heartbreakingly humorous as it tells the life story of cerebral palsy victim who is declared a "vegetable" by some doctors, but is trying desperately all his life to communicate to others.
BOUND: AFRICANS VS AFRICAN AMERICANS---Thought provoking documentary of the tensions and differences between those born in Africa, and those Africans born and bred in the United States. It's mostly talking heads, but what a great, incisive discussion, including historians, psychologists, writers, poets, and normal folks of college age.
GRADE B+
MEDEAS--A lovely looking film based loosely on a Greek tragedy, but set in modern day on a poor, dry and dusty farmland, possibly southern Arizona or California. Some of the images will sear into your mind long after seeing this sad, moody film.
FOUR MINUTE MILE--Locally made film about teenager trying to run a 4 minute mile with the help of a cranky old coach, and he must also deal with a hoodlum brother and helpless mother. The film is blessed with excellent leads--new comer Kelly Blatz as the runner, and the amazing Richard Jenkins head a fine supporting cast including Kim Basinger, Cam Gigandet and Analeigh Tipton.
UNDER THE STARRY SKY--Three stories of people struggling to live in 3 different countries--USA, Italy, Senegal--are inter cut effectively to highlight the alien experience. A young Senegal woman ends up in Italy searching for her husband, who has gone on to New York City with the hope of a construction job. Another older woman leaves New York City to attend her husband's funeral in Senegal, and must deal with another wife. Low key but likable.
GRADE B
SIDDHARTH--Beautifully filmed in the urban centers of India, this tells the story of a man who sets out searching for his lost or kidnapped young son, against all odds of finding him amidst the masses.
THE WAY HE LOOKS--In Brazil, young blind middle class teenager seeks to break away from his overly concerned parents and live life on his own. He finds himself falling in love with a new male student from his class, who may or may not be gay, much to the distress of his BFF. The film manages to be disarmingly erotic and charmingly innocent at the same time.
FUTURO BEACH--Moody Brazilian film of two men from different countries who meet at a beach because of a tragedy, mate and fall in love, and then must decide to stay or go on to Germany in order to stay together...The film is in three parts, the middle being the least interesting, but the final third is both surprising and sad. This film really spit the audience of pass holders I saw it with. Some implied it was too "gay"--others said it wasn't "gay" enough, and some didn't understand what the hell was going on! But I liked the characters, the photography, the music, the contrast between the two living places, and the emotional surprise in the last third.
GRADE B-
LA MIA CLASSE--Documentary film with in a film, of students from a variety of countries, trying to study Italian in their country. Each student has a very intense or sad story to share, and there are many moving scenes. Hand held camera distracts from full emotional pull at times.
GOLD---Small Irish film about a homeless man who moves in with his ex-wife and his daughter and the new husband. The film is minor, but gets better as it moves along, as the teen daughter and father get to know each other.
BLACK COAL, THIN ICE---Slick looking Chinese film about a serial killer who cuts up his victims and sends them out on coal cars to different parts of the province. The film is intriguing most of the time, but the last 20 minutes sputters and sinks when it should shock and soar.
GRADE C+
TO KILL A MAN--A bullied Chilean family man takes the law into his own hands and finds it difficult to kill (and dispose of) the man who has tormented his family. Feels overly familiar, and a bit too much hand held.
GOD HELP THE GIRL--Charming but small British musical film featuring music from the group Belle and Sebastien. The tiresome plot has a teen girl into and out of a mental hospital--several times!, and trying to start up a pop band. I loved the music, and wish this had been a music concert film, but it plays more like a lame full length music video, with the tuneful songs not entirely appropriate to the action.
THE GREAT MUSEUM--Elegantly filmed documentary set in the sprawling Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) in Vienna, but the film soundtrack is full of political and historical discussions and it comes across as dry and dusty, and induced naps from many viewers. One great scene has a worker grab a scooter and scoot for what seems like 3 blocks down long hallways to pick up a paper sent to a copy machine.
GRADE C-
LEADING LADY--South African sitcom style comedy film about British actress who goes to South Africa to prepare for a role, but it's not so funny, and the film deals with cliches.
HELICOPTER MOM--TV sitcom style comedy is dominated by an obnoxious performance by Nia Vardalos (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING) as a mother desperate for her questioning son to be or become gay. Thankfully, the estranged father and the other high school students act more rationally than she. Some of the scenes make you wince with political incorrectness, and the film is not too funny.
INTRAMURAL--In the first 20 minutes of this silly comedy, there were jokes about broken penises, a football purposefully thrown to hit someones head (numerous times), excrement secretions and drunkenness. I will admit that I laughed a few times, but the humor is really, really low brow stuff, so be warned.
THE BETTER ANGELS--Artsy black and white photography is interesting, but rapid 3 second editing, and a camera that zooms every which way became distracting. No story and very little dialogue about a fictionalized account of a very young Lincoln living in the woods in a log cabin left me very bored from the beginning, and I left after 50 minutes.
GRADE A
LIFE FEELS GOOD---The feel good movie of the festival, and starring likely winner of best actor Dawid Ogrodnik (who also appeared as the sax player in the popular film IDA), this Polish film is polished, smart and heartbreakingly humorous as it tells the life story of cerebral palsy victim who is declared a "vegetable" by some doctors, but is trying desperately all his life to communicate to others.
BOUND: AFRICANS VS AFRICAN AMERICANS---Thought provoking documentary of the tensions and differences between those born in Africa, and those Africans born and bred in the United States. It's mostly talking heads, but what a great, incisive discussion, including historians, psychologists, writers, poets, and normal folks of college age.
GRADE B+
MEDEAS--A lovely looking film based loosely on a Greek tragedy, but set in modern day on a poor, dry and dusty farmland, possibly southern Arizona or California. Some of the images will sear into your mind long after seeing this sad, moody film.
FOUR MINUTE MILE--Locally made film about teenager trying to run a 4 minute mile with the help of a cranky old coach, and he must also deal with a hoodlum brother and helpless mother. The film is blessed with excellent leads--new comer Kelly Blatz as the runner, and the amazing Richard Jenkins head a fine supporting cast including Kim Basinger, Cam Gigandet and Analeigh Tipton.
UNDER THE STARRY SKY--Three stories of people struggling to live in 3 different countries--USA, Italy, Senegal--are inter cut effectively to highlight the alien experience. A young Senegal woman ends up in Italy searching for her husband, who has gone on to New York City with the hope of a construction job. Another older woman leaves New York City to attend her husband's funeral in Senegal, and must deal with another wife. Low key but likable.
GRADE B
SIDDHARTH--Beautifully filmed in the urban centers of India, this tells the story of a man who sets out searching for his lost or kidnapped young son, against all odds of finding him amidst the masses.
THE WAY HE LOOKS--In Brazil, young blind middle class teenager seeks to break away from his overly concerned parents and live life on his own. He finds himself falling in love with a new male student from his class, who may or may not be gay, much to the distress of his BFF. The film manages to be disarmingly erotic and charmingly innocent at the same time.
FUTURO BEACH--Moody Brazilian film of two men from different countries who meet at a beach because of a tragedy, mate and fall in love, and then must decide to stay or go on to Germany in order to stay together...The film is in three parts, the middle being the least interesting, but the final third is both surprising and sad. This film really spit the audience of pass holders I saw it with. Some implied it was too "gay"--others said it wasn't "gay" enough, and some didn't understand what the hell was going on! But I liked the characters, the photography, the music, the contrast between the two living places, and the emotional surprise in the last third.
GRADE B-
LA MIA CLASSE--Documentary film with in a film, of students from a variety of countries, trying to study Italian in their country. Each student has a very intense or sad story to share, and there are many moving scenes. Hand held camera distracts from full emotional pull at times.
GOLD---Small Irish film about a homeless man who moves in with his ex-wife and his daughter and the new husband. The film is minor, but gets better as it moves along, as the teen daughter and father get to know each other.
BLACK COAL, THIN ICE---Slick looking Chinese film about a serial killer who cuts up his victims and sends them out on coal cars to different parts of the province. The film is intriguing most of the time, but the last 20 minutes sputters and sinks when it should shock and soar.
GRADE C+
TO KILL A MAN--A bullied Chilean family man takes the law into his own hands and finds it difficult to kill (and dispose of) the man who has tormented his family. Feels overly familiar, and a bit too much hand held.
GOD HELP THE GIRL--Charming but small British musical film featuring music from the group Belle and Sebastien. The tiresome plot has a teen girl into and out of a mental hospital--several times!, and trying to start up a pop band. I loved the music, and wish this had been a music concert film, but it plays more like a lame full length music video, with the tuneful songs not entirely appropriate to the action.
THE GREAT MUSEUM--Elegantly filmed documentary set in the sprawling Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) in Vienna, but the film soundtrack is full of political and historical discussions and it comes across as dry and dusty, and induced naps from many viewers. One great scene has a worker grab a scooter and scoot for what seems like 3 blocks down long hallways to pick up a paper sent to a copy machine.
GRADE C-
LEADING LADY--South African sitcom style comedy film about British actress who goes to South Africa to prepare for a role, but it's not so funny, and the film deals with cliches.
HELICOPTER MOM--TV sitcom style comedy is dominated by an obnoxious performance by Nia Vardalos (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING) as a mother desperate for her questioning son to be or become gay. Thankfully, the estranged father and the other high school students act more rationally than she. Some of the scenes make you wince with political incorrectness, and the film is not too funny.
INTRAMURAL--In the first 20 minutes of this silly comedy, there were jokes about broken penises, a football purposefully thrown to hit someones head (numerous times), excrement secretions and drunkenness. I will admit that I laughed a few times, but the humor is really, really low brow stuff, so be warned.
THE BETTER ANGELS--Artsy black and white photography is interesting, but rapid 3 second editing, and a camera that zooms every which way became distracting. No story and very little dialogue about a fictionalized account of a very young Lincoln living in the woods in a log cabin left me very bored from the beginning, and I left after 50 minutes.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
SIFF Screenings---BEST BETS----100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED, KINDERWALD, STUNT MAN, THE LITTLE HOUSE, HAPPY CHRISTMAS
It's the third weekend of films, and here's what I've seen, in order of preference.
GRADE A-
100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED--A funny Swedish film with the style and wit and exuberance of a Wes Anderson film, much like THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. The man in the title has a wild, possibly unbelievable adventure, but there are laughs and surprises in every scene.
GRADE B+
KINDERWALD--A U.S. independent film, partially in German, about the mysterious disappearance of two young boys who are camping in the woods with their widowed mother and their uncle during the mid 1850's. It is reminiscent of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, but not as ethereal or compelling. Still, the feeling of nature and mystery and loss is great, and the odd bunch of characters involved in the search keep you on your toes.
THE STUNT MAN--Reissue of the 1980 classic film that Seattle made famous. Introduced at SIFF as a film without a distributor, the film went on for a long Seattle run and was ultimately nominated for three Oscars, including one for Peter O'Toole as a mega maniac director who may or may not be a dangerous, irresponsibly man out to kill THE (mysteriously on the run) STUNT MAN. I hadn't seen it since the famous SIFF screening, and as I watched, I didn't remember a single moment from the first time, so it was like seeing if for the first time, and I enjoyed it very much.
GRADE B
HAPPY CHRISTMAS--When little sister comes to live with her brother and his wife and baby, she demonstrates her inability to handle her drug and alcohol use, causing friction between the married couple. Wonderful comedic performances by Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey and Lena Dunham are nearly upstaged by the hilarious antics of the two year old baby that figures in many scenes. It's an improvisational comedy/drama that feels funny, fresh and seems destined to divide the audience into younger vs older regarding values and likability.
THE LITTLE HOUSE--Solid, gentle story told mostly in flashback about a young maid working for a middle class family in Tokyo just before the start of WW2, who discovers her mistress is having an affair with a younger man who works for her husband. The film does not become sentimental or melodramatic due to the low key performances and pacing, and is mostly a pleasure to watch.
GRADE B-
LITTLE ACCIDENTS--A U.S. film with a great cast (Josh Lucas, Elizabeth Banks, Chloe Sevigny, Boyd Holbrook, etc) and involving story about a troubled young teen who lost his father in a mining accident. When he witnesses the accidental death of an older teen but declines to advise authorities, grief forces the teen's mother, wife of the mine manager, into the arms of the only survivor of the original mining accident. Unfortunately, this film is severely undermined (no pun intended) by the continued, pointless use of a busy hand held camera technique, which distracts from the powerful story, which could have resulted in a higher grade.
GRADE C
FIVE STAR--U.S. independent film features strong if familiar story set in a New York slum about the relationship between a sensitive but dangerous thug who introduces drug running to the son of one of his best, but deceased, friends. The dialogue and vernacular feels authentic, but nerve racking jerky hand held camera work diminishes our interest and involvement.
LAYOVER--Another U.S. independent film but featuring a French actress with a forced 12 hour stop in L.A. who spends the night partying and getting rides with a French stranger. Just before this film started, I was talking to a SIFF group of regulars, complaining about all the hand held films being shown this year, and I mentioned that I especially hated the hand held jiggly tracking shot that follows a character from behind down a long hallway, street, concourse, trail, etc, especially when the shot is a closeup of the hair. Wouldn't you know, but LAYOVER features at least 10 such shots. Talk about a waste of film and time.
RED KNOT--Another U.S. independent film about a young couple on their honeymoon taking a trip to Antarctica on a ship, so the writer-husband can meet scientist and other writers. The wife gets jealous and starts to flirt with the captain, and the relationship of the couple degenerates quickly. The film has some lovely shots of snow, ice, penguins, seals and other scenery, but unfortunately the ship is rocking constantly, and the director has also chosen to use more hand held camera techniques. You have got to be kidding!!!!!!!!
GRADE A-
100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED--A funny Swedish film with the style and wit and exuberance of a Wes Anderson film, much like THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. The man in the title has a wild, possibly unbelievable adventure, but there are laughs and surprises in every scene.
GRADE B+
KINDERWALD--A U.S. independent film, partially in German, about the mysterious disappearance of two young boys who are camping in the woods with their widowed mother and their uncle during the mid 1850's. It is reminiscent of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, but not as ethereal or compelling. Still, the feeling of nature and mystery and loss is great, and the odd bunch of characters involved in the search keep you on your toes.
THE STUNT MAN--Reissue of the 1980 classic film that Seattle made famous. Introduced at SIFF as a film without a distributor, the film went on for a long Seattle run and was ultimately nominated for three Oscars, including one for Peter O'Toole as a mega maniac director who may or may not be a dangerous, irresponsibly man out to kill THE (mysteriously on the run) STUNT MAN. I hadn't seen it since the famous SIFF screening, and as I watched, I didn't remember a single moment from the first time, so it was like seeing if for the first time, and I enjoyed it very much.
GRADE B
HAPPY CHRISTMAS--When little sister comes to live with her brother and his wife and baby, she demonstrates her inability to handle her drug and alcohol use, causing friction between the married couple. Wonderful comedic performances by Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey and Lena Dunham are nearly upstaged by the hilarious antics of the two year old baby that figures in many scenes. It's an improvisational comedy/drama that feels funny, fresh and seems destined to divide the audience into younger vs older regarding values and likability.
THE LITTLE HOUSE--Solid, gentle story told mostly in flashback about a young maid working for a middle class family in Tokyo just before the start of WW2, who discovers her mistress is having an affair with a younger man who works for her husband. The film does not become sentimental or melodramatic due to the low key performances and pacing, and is mostly a pleasure to watch.
GRADE B-
LITTLE ACCIDENTS--A U.S. film with a great cast (Josh Lucas, Elizabeth Banks, Chloe Sevigny, Boyd Holbrook, etc) and involving story about a troubled young teen who lost his father in a mining accident. When he witnesses the accidental death of an older teen but declines to advise authorities, grief forces the teen's mother, wife of the mine manager, into the arms of the only survivor of the original mining accident. Unfortunately, this film is severely undermined (no pun intended) by the continued, pointless use of a busy hand held camera technique, which distracts from the powerful story, which could have resulted in a higher grade.
GRADE C
FIVE STAR--U.S. independent film features strong if familiar story set in a New York slum about the relationship between a sensitive but dangerous thug who introduces drug running to the son of one of his best, but deceased, friends. The dialogue and vernacular feels authentic, but nerve racking jerky hand held camera work diminishes our interest and involvement.
LAYOVER--Another U.S. independent film but featuring a French actress with a forced 12 hour stop in L.A. who spends the night partying and getting rides with a French stranger. Just before this film started, I was talking to a SIFF group of regulars, complaining about all the hand held films being shown this year, and I mentioned that I especially hated the hand held jiggly tracking shot that follows a character from behind down a long hallway, street, concourse, trail, etc, especially when the shot is a closeup of the hair. Wouldn't you know, but LAYOVER features at least 10 such shots. Talk about a waste of film and time.
RED KNOT--Another U.S. independent film about a young couple on their honeymoon taking a trip to Antarctica on a ship, so the writer-husband can meet scientist and other writers. The wife gets jealous and starts to flirt with the captain, and the relationship of the couple degenerates quickly. The film has some lovely shots of snow, ice, penguins, seals and other scenery, but unfortunately the ship is rocking constantly, and the director has also chosen to use more hand held camera techniques. You have got to be kidding!!!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)