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-
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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-
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