It might take you 20 minutes to get into SNOWPIERCER, an allegorical science fiction, post apocalyptic thriller about a speeding train circling the globe with the remains of humanity represented in ascending order from the poorest crammed into the rear compartments, to the middle class to the elite at the front of the train, but once the poor decide they aren't going to take it any more and start moving into the forward cabins towards the engineer ("the power") the film becomes an exciting metaphor about the 99% VS the 1%. Inspiring characterizations are provided by John Hurt, Jamie Bell, Ed Harris, Song Kang-ho, Chris Evans and a delightfully unrecognizable Tilda Swinton. The director Bong Joon-ho's previous films include THE HOST (2006)--an unusual take on a horror monster under the water film, and the psychological thriller THE MOTHER (2009)--she's not nurturing in a good way....If you are burned out by all the over the top special effects summer blockbusters, this is the one to see, especially on a big screen (it's also showing on Video on Demand and breaking all records.) It's got the blood and action and effects wrapped up in a curious and chilling and thought provoking setting. There were times when SNOWPIERCER reminded me of moments in THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981)--kinetic, exciting and way out there. GRADE-----A-
In general, I feel like sequels are a case of diminishing returns--it is rare that the second or third films are as good as the first. I'm pleased to report that HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 is that rare sequel that is actually better than the original--which is hard to do because I loved the first one. HTTYD2 takes place 5 years later when the young hero Hiccup is now a teen, as are all his friends. He discovers some new lands and finds an evil Viking with a huge evil dragon that has the capability to "brainwash" all the other dragons to follow him. This provides for a lot of special effects with war scenes, plus new and amusing dragon features and types, and the introduction of a couple of important human characters that really advance the story. I found this new film to be emotionally involving on several levels, and found myself very moved by much of the action, especially when........well, I won't give away any surprises. But if you like the first one, you'll LOVE this new film. GRADE-----------A
I've seen all 8 APE movies, and this new DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is just as good as the others, with a lot of help from excellent special effects and actor Andy Serkis. My main objections are that the film seems to take place entirely in the rain, in the dark, at night, in the forest, or some combination of those, so that nearly every scene is darkly photographed and difficult to see at times. My other complaint is that the themes and conflicts are still the same: there are the good apes and the bad apes, and the good humans and the bad humans. Still, the film is thoughtful and creative at many times. GRADE-------B
Quite possibly the worst commercial film to be released this year, THIRD PERSON is in the style of director/writer Paul Haggis' other multi-character film CRASH (2005) where he is telling several different stories with many different characters, but in this case, I hated all the stories and all the characters. All the women in this new film act like crazy psychotic bitches, and all the men are pathetic, manipulative bastards, who are only attracted to surface beauty and fall for the women who open their legs to them. I didn't understand the "why" of these twisted relationships. Just when I thought a scene couldn't get any more unbelievably icky, along comes the next scene just as icky, with a sick twist to it. I actually yelled unconsciously and angerly at the screen during one scene--thankfully there was only one other viewer sitting on the opposite side of the theatre and I don't think he heard me, but I was surprised at myself nonetheless. The actors were OK---they included Liam Neeson, Adrian Brody, Kim Basinger, Mila Kunis, James Franco etc., and the film itself has some eye candy, being filmed in Rome, New York and Paris. But as a writer, Haggis gets an "F" grade from me for this one.
GRADE--------D
These films were seen by me at SIFF and are currently playing now and they have been reviewed in previous blogs, and they are all highly recommended: BEGIN AGAIN, OBVIOUS CHILD, VENUS IN FUR, IDA, HALF A YELLOW SUN plus catch it before it's gone---BELLE
Films viewed on DVD----------------------------------
Subtle apocalyptic thriller about a seemingly normal man who has "visions" that make him increasingly paranoid and suspicious that the weather is turning deadly, TAKE SHELTER (2011) is engrossing and increasingly suspenseful, while keeping one foot grounded in reality. Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain are superb as the struggling married couple trying to deal with a deaf daughter and struggling with their finances. GRADE------A
SIDEWAYS (2005) is a smart, comedic blend of wine knowledge, slapstick, drama, pathos and loneliness, featuring career highlights from all four actors--Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church and a radiant Virginia Madsen. The director Alexander Payne has a long list of beautifully created films including the recent NEBRASKA (2013), ELECTION (1999), ABOUT SCHMIDT(2002), CITIZEN RUTH (1996) and THE DESCENDANTS (2011). All his films are humorous, but SIDEWAYS may be his most hilarious, even when the characters are acting despicably. GRADE-------A
An incredibly assured early feature by actor/director/writer Lena Dunham from TV's GIRLS, this amazing, subtle film called TINY FURNITURE (2010) has Lena (seemingly playing her self, along with her real life mother and sister) returning from college, but not sure what she should be doing. She sort of drifts back into a relationship with a "friend" she doesn't really have much in common with, invites a stranger to live in her mother's house with her, starts a sexual relationship with a man she is not sure she likes, and generally acts like many graduates who have no idea. The film is carefully staged and composed, and the plot feels fresh and realistic, in spite of the laughs and quirkiness. GRADE------A-
A superior filming of the classic comedy THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (1952) written by Oscar Wilde and directed by Anthony Asquith, this is a perfectly filmed sparkler that entertains with witty characters and pithy dialogue. GRADE-------A-
I've always felt that Maggie Smith's THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (1969) was the ultimate performance for her, so I was suspicious of the Scottish 7 part mini series for PBS with the same name which stars Geraldine McEwan in the leading role, but I'm happy to report that Miss McEwan really grabs hold and makes the role her own. She's a fascinating character, and the two films contain all the very witty and clever lines that are in the novel, although not always in the same scenes. The novel flashes back and forth in time, so the film puts all the events in chronological order. The mini-series takes a sequence or two and puts it into each episode, but could easily be mixed around in viewing order. I still prefer Maggie Smith's version, since it builds chronologically to a logical and dramatic conclusion, but the mini-series is fun to watch, even if the dialogue of some characters, especially the girls, gets lost in the action. My main complaint is that the series just stopped, without any culmination or satisfying finale. GRADE-----------B+ for mini-series (GRADE -----A for Maggie's version).
Another mini-series/movie made for TV is TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (1980) based on the book by John Le Carre. Featuring a subtle, world weary performance by Alec Guinness, this story has him as a top spy brought back from a force retirement to track down a mole who has infiltrated the highest rank of the British Secret Intelligence. It's an intriguing story, perhaps a bit confusing and convoluted at times but Guinness keeps us watching. GRADE--------B
TADPOLE (2002) is a brief (78 minutes) but charming little comedy about a upper class 15 year old boy home from school over Thanksgiving who finds himself sexually drawn to his new step-mother and her best friend, played by Sigourney Weaver and Bebe Neuwirth respectively. There's a sparkling wink in the eye of the actors (John Ritter plays his father) and even though it's a little film, it manages to be sly, smart and at times very funny. GRADE-------B
I recently saw the play SPAMALOT and enjoyed it quite a bit, so seeing MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL(1975) so soon was a bit of a let down, since SPAMALOT is based on HOLY GRAIL and scene for scene and line for line, it was tiresome to hear them again with SPAMALOT so fresh in my mind. Still, it is an inspired story with some remarkably silly but funny lines and if you are in the right mood, it's terrific. GRADE---------B
The plot is full of contrivances, but CRY DANGER (1951) is a watchable if minor film noir starring Dick Powell, Richard Erdman and Rhonda Fleming. Powell is an innocent man who was framed for a stolen $100000 bank role--he tries to find who did steal the money, and where is it stashed. He's followed by a disabled vet who helped to spring Powell, and who hopes to get part of the money, and he hooks up with the wife of his friend (who's still in prison). I'd seen this film less than two years ago, but had still forgotten the surprise twist at the end. GRADE----------B-
An interesting cast helps save this minor slice of life comedy drama based on a true story. MY LIFE SO FAR (1999) is a Scottish film (subtitles anyone?) with Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio playing the parents of a very precocious 10 year old boy. Malcolm McDowell, Rosemary Harris and Irene Jacob round out the cast. This Hugh (CHARIOTS OF FIRE) Hudson film is not terribly memorable, but curious to watch. GRADE------B-
Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson and Art Carney do what they can in this unbelievable romantic comedy HOUSE CALLS (1978) about finding love in middle age, but there are some big improbabilities to swallow. Matthau plays a recently widowed surgeon who has YOUNG women lining up to date him (!), but finds himself attracted to a middle aged patient Jackson who manages to have a lovely apartment paid for by her great cheesecakes she bakes for restaurants (!), and Chief Surgeon Carney is so bumbling and incompetent that it is surprising he hasn't been arrested for malpractice!!!! And that is supposed to be funny? GRADE-----C+
Jane Fonda is a force (as usual) in the recent film PEACE, LOVE AND MISUNDERSTANDING (2011). She plays an aging hippie living in Woodstock who is visited by her uptight lawyer daughter (Catherine Keener) who is going through a divorce, and her two teen aged grand kids. It was fun to watch grandma enlighten the kids as to her life style, and the frustration between mother and daughter was interesting. This was Elizabeth Olsen's first film and she shows much promise. Unfortunately, much of the aging hippie activities fall flat due to stereotypical reactions, and the plot is pretty predictable. Still, Jane Fonda is amazing to watch. GRADE------C+
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