The following are reviews from the short post Memorial Day week starting Tuesday 26 May through Thursday 28 May. I took a bit of time off this week, so "only" 14 films for this period.
GRADE:
A-
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED---Superior, thoughtful US documentary about the state of education in the USA, it suggests that a new approach might be the style embraced by High Tech High, a new school that mixes collaboration, integrated subjects, and instead of tests uses public display of student projects to enhance students incentives to perform. Fascinating and hopeful.
B+
THE GRUMP---Drool comedy from Finland about a stubborn old farmer who after a leg injury must live with his high performance daughter in law and mawkish son, and of course everyone must go through some changes. Still, the film features some big laughs as well as clever plot twists.
B
THE INVISIBLE BOY---Italian film starts off simple--young teen discovers his powers of invisibility to do pranks, visit girl's locker room, escape from those who bully him, etc., but the film morphs into what feels like a full length episode of TV'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. (only better than that!) complete with evil masterminds, other students with special powers, death defying escapes, and it's open for a sequel! Certainly not as extravagant as USA superhero films, but the low key charm keeps it based in an entertaining reality.
FRONT COVER---USA film set in fashion industry about gay Chinese American designer who is assigned to make over a famous Chinese born actor making his US debut. Their relationship moves from combative to friendship to sexual, with all the problems that celebrity can bring. Nothing earth shattering here, but the well made film has a flippant energy, is well cast, incorporates much needed humor, and is remarkably, slickly entertaining.
HOW TO WIN AT CHECKERS (EVERY TIME)---Thai film that tells story of close friendship between two young men who have been lovers since childhood (!) and must face issues of living in poverty, drug use, gang activity, and a military draft that threatens to split them up. The film casually and liberally accepts homosexuality, drug use, child abuse, and features scenes that involved a younger brother in the world of prostitution and other criminal activity. In spite of this, the film feels authentic, and has humor and passion for it's characters.
THE PRICE OF FAME--French comedy drama that needs some serious, major editing in the first hour, as it tells the true story of two low-life criminals who attempt to steal the coffin of the recently departed Charlie Chaplin to extort money from his estate. Once the body has been stolen, the film picks up much needed humor, wit, interest and energy. By the end, the film has magically transformed into a charming, wistful allegory that would finally make Chaplin proud.
BEING EVEL--- Fine US documentary of the life, legend and exploits of daredevil Evel Knievel--"the only man in history who has become very wealthy by trying to kill himself" as Johnny Carson once said while introducing him.
B-
A LITTLE DEATH--Australian sex comedy containing vignettes about different fetishes and fantasy of five different couples in suburban Sydney. There's enough reality mixed in to temper the satire, and while many scenes are funny and slapstick, some sober moments keep things grounded. The ending is startling and may leave a bad taste, but it's mostly a titillating little treat.
XENIA--Greek film about relationship between would be singer on national "star search" TV show and his younger gay brother who manages to cause "drama" in every scene. Now motherless, the two search for their lost biological father. Most scenes are well crafted and believable, despite the aimless search and odd characters who populate their lives, but the younger brother's character may get on your nerves.
IN THE GRAYSCALE--From Chile comes this sober look at a married, freelance architect who is trying to create a new monument, but instead becomes distracted by a gay teacher who has been hired as his guide around the city. He becomes torn between his wife and family, and this new love. Could be called "The Dilemma of the Bi-Sexual." Lovely scenery, but the film in extremely introspective and leisurely, and we've seen this situation before.
C+
NN (NO NAME)--From Peru comes this somber look at a forensic team who are exhuming bodies from the "disappeared" persons from 25 years ago. One body seems like a match for a missing husband, the wife anxious to have some closure, but many tests and delays cause frustration for her and the doctor leading the search. Very slow and enigmatic style removes any dramatic punch this film needs, and the final scenes leave many questions unanswered.
C-
NOT ALL IS VIGIL--Spanish documentary style drama which slowly follows a few days in the life of elderly couple as they visit hospital and return home. Long, long, long takes follow wife as she walks down hospital halls. Static camera eavesdrops on man as he reminisces about the past, and follow the couple arguing about how to turn off an alarm, which goes off with annoying regularity. This is the JEANNE DIELMAN version of geriatrics, but not nearly as interesting.
RUN--Ivory Coast film about man who murders the Prime Minister (an ex-friend) at the start of the film, and then the film flashbacks to events that led him to that action. There's a friend who lovingly smears his nearly naked body with lotions and eggs in several scenes, and a very large woman who makes a living eating enormous quantities of food in front of often starving townspeople. Odd scenes like that make this film curious, and perhaps symbolic of....something? but it remains slow and unapproachable.
D
THE BODA BODA THIEVES--From Uganda comes an amateurish film about a new, young motor bike taxi driver trying to replace his injured father, only to have his bike stolen a day later. The film features aggressively hand held camera work, and a sound track that was added after the photography, where either you don't see or know who exactly is speaking, or the lip syncing is distractingly off.
Add to that characterizations that are all posturing or cliches. SAVE YOUR TIME AND MONEY.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
SIFF Films 22-25 May-----THE APU TRILOGY, MISTRESS AMERICA, PASSION OF AUGUSTINE, ELEPHANT SONG, NEXT TO HER, I AM MICHAEL......
Here's what I saw over the long Memorial Day holiday--Friday 22 May through Monday 25 May.
GRADE
A
THE APU TRILOGY : PANTHER PANCHALI (1955)---Indian film by director Satyajit Ray, this first film by him is clear, humanistic, very moving, startling in it's simplicity yet poetic and majestic as it deals with the child Apu who deals with life and death while living in poverty with his parents, sister, neighbors and "Auntie."
A-
THE APU TRILOGY : APARAJITO (1957)---Apu is older now, and headed for school, which he excels at. Life and death are still big themes, but now he is ready to leave his little village for college. Again, very astute, perceptive and emotional.
MISTRESS AMERICA--US comedy by director Noah Baumbach has cracker jack dialogue that is spouted out in terrifically witty manner by a gung-ho cast. A young college student meets her older new step-sister to be (their parents are getting married) and a great friendship is formed. Reminded me of Rosalind Russell or Katherine Hepburn comedies with every one talking real fast.
B+
ELEPHANT SONG--Canadian film of a stage play, opened up on film, and featuring a first rate cast including French Canadian director as actor Xavier Dolan as a psychotic young patient being interviewed by a new psychiatrist (Bruce Greenwood) and his nurse (Catherine Keener) about the disappearance of his regular psychiatrist. The film builds a perverse tension, with many flashback scenes acted out, building to a horrific climax. Well done.
THE PASSION OF AUGUSTINE--French Canadian drama about a Catholic girl's music convent and the struggles to stay open amid political and cultural changes in early 1960's. There is lovely singing and piano playing throughout, and the film capture the time and place very well.
B
THE APU TRILOGY : APUR SANSAR (1959)--The final segment of Ray's masterpiece, this film is very different from the first two. Apu is now an adult, trying to find his way as a writer. He falls unwittingly into a "noble" marriage, then must deal with life's difficulties of earning money and learning to be a father. This film deals with death, loss, male menopause, and the center section feels rudderless, much like his life. While there is little magical realism in this center section, there are still many moving moments to appreciate, and the film series does come to a satisfying full circle.
NEXT TO HER--Israel--Young woman in her mid twenties is caretaker to her younger, severely developmentally disabled sister, and their close relationship becomes (to me) desperately codependent. She eventually starts dating a co-worker who seems too perfect to be true--helpful, patient, understanding. There is a disturbing ending that is also heartbreaking. This film has stuck in my mind for several days.
I AM MICHAEL--US film starring James Franco as an out and proud gay man who starts a magazine geared to youth becoming secure and happy in their sexuality. A crisis of health leads him to start questioning his own life style, and he eventually becomes radicalized towards heterosexuality. The film, based on a true story, doesn't mention "born again" or any major event that causes this to occur. He eventually becomes a Christian preacher, seeming to want gay men to change to heterosexuality. It is a provocative story, and not always convincing, although Franco gives it his all.
THE CUT--Turkish, German director Fatih Akin (EDGE OF HEAVEN 2007, HEAD-ON 2004) tells historical story near the time of the Armenian genocide about a man who survives death, then spends many years and thousands of miles to find his lost twin girls. Sad but engrossing and well made.
PEOPLE PLACES THINGS--US romantic comedy about divorced man trying to find new love, stay involved in this twin daughter's lives, and finish his graphic novel. Actor Jermaine Clement is funny and charming, and his new love played by Regina Hall is quite endearing as well. Light weight stuff, but it goes down well.
C+
THE TOURNAMENT--Slick French fluff about young adults in an international chess tournament has eye candy moments (lots of sex and nudity) and has a few easy laughs, but many of the characters are too glib and the story line seems very unlikely. You will either find it easy to digest, or you might just hate it.
D+
THE GOLDEN ERA---Epic, long, three hour long Chinese historical film about writer Xio Hang who is involved with several men, revolutions, battles, other artists, etc., but too many characters and no emotional involvement make for dull viewing. Even her early death in her thirties is dragged out for nearly 30 minutes while people visit, and she is moved to THREE different hospitals.
GRADE
A
THE APU TRILOGY : PANTHER PANCHALI (1955)---Indian film by director Satyajit Ray, this first film by him is clear, humanistic, very moving, startling in it's simplicity yet poetic and majestic as it deals with the child Apu who deals with life and death while living in poverty with his parents, sister, neighbors and "Auntie."
A-
THE APU TRILOGY : APARAJITO (1957)---Apu is older now, and headed for school, which he excels at. Life and death are still big themes, but now he is ready to leave his little village for college. Again, very astute, perceptive and emotional.
MISTRESS AMERICA--US comedy by director Noah Baumbach has cracker jack dialogue that is spouted out in terrifically witty manner by a gung-ho cast. A young college student meets her older new step-sister to be (their parents are getting married) and a great friendship is formed. Reminded me of Rosalind Russell or Katherine Hepburn comedies with every one talking real fast.
B+
ELEPHANT SONG--Canadian film of a stage play, opened up on film, and featuring a first rate cast including French Canadian director as actor Xavier Dolan as a psychotic young patient being interviewed by a new psychiatrist (Bruce Greenwood) and his nurse (Catherine Keener) about the disappearance of his regular psychiatrist. The film builds a perverse tension, with many flashback scenes acted out, building to a horrific climax. Well done.
THE PASSION OF AUGUSTINE--French Canadian drama about a Catholic girl's music convent and the struggles to stay open amid political and cultural changes in early 1960's. There is lovely singing and piano playing throughout, and the film capture the time and place very well.
B
THE APU TRILOGY : APUR SANSAR (1959)--The final segment of Ray's masterpiece, this film is very different from the first two. Apu is now an adult, trying to find his way as a writer. He falls unwittingly into a "noble" marriage, then must deal with life's difficulties of earning money and learning to be a father. This film deals with death, loss, male menopause, and the center section feels rudderless, much like his life. While there is little magical realism in this center section, there are still many moving moments to appreciate, and the film series does come to a satisfying full circle.
NEXT TO HER--Israel--Young woman in her mid twenties is caretaker to her younger, severely developmentally disabled sister, and their close relationship becomes (to me) desperately codependent. She eventually starts dating a co-worker who seems too perfect to be true--helpful, patient, understanding. There is a disturbing ending that is also heartbreaking. This film has stuck in my mind for several days.
I AM MICHAEL--US film starring James Franco as an out and proud gay man who starts a magazine geared to youth becoming secure and happy in their sexuality. A crisis of health leads him to start questioning his own life style, and he eventually becomes radicalized towards heterosexuality. The film, based on a true story, doesn't mention "born again" or any major event that causes this to occur. He eventually becomes a Christian preacher, seeming to want gay men to change to heterosexuality. It is a provocative story, and not always convincing, although Franco gives it his all.
THE CUT--Turkish, German director Fatih Akin (EDGE OF HEAVEN 2007, HEAD-ON 2004) tells historical story near the time of the Armenian genocide about a man who survives death, then spends many years and thousands of miles to find his lost twin girls. Sad but engrossing and well made.
PEOPLE PLACES THINGS--US romantic comedy about divorced man trying to find new love, stay involved in this twin daughter's lives, and finish his graphic novel. Actor Jermaine Clement is funny and charming, and his new love played by Regina Hall is quite endearing as well. Light weight stuff, but it goes down well.
C+
THE TOURNAMENT--Slick French fluff about young adults in an international chess tournament has eye candy moments (lots of sex and nudity) and has a few easy laughs, but many of the characters are too glib and the story line seems very unlikely. You will either find it easy to digest, or you might just hate it.
D+
THE GOLDEN ERA---Epic, long, three hour long Chinese historical film about writer Xio Hang who is involved with several men, revolutions, battles, other artists, etc., but too many characters and no emotional involvement make for dull viewing. Even her early death in her thirties is dragged out for nearly 30 minutes while people visit, and she is moved to THREE different hospitals.
Friday, May 22, 2015
SIFF films May18-21...Press Screenings and regular screenings-----Excellent revivals THE COLOR OF POMEGRANTES, OLD DARK HOUSE, plus 3 1/2 MINUTES 10 BULLETS, SHREW'S NEST, VILLA TOUMA, SHORT SKIN, UNEXPECTED
Viewed at SIFF 18-21 May.
A
THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES (1969)--Armenia--Exotic avant-garde mixture of music, poetry, art, textures and color tableaus is fascinating. (It felt like art film maker Mathew Barney decided to remake this as CREMASTER 3 (2002)--sort of a Busby Berkley version. ) Totally unique, engrossing, startlingly creative. Usually I snooze off if I'm not engaged, but this was wide awake time for me, even though it was my 5th film of the day.
A-
3 1/2 MINUTES, TEN BULLETS --USA documentary about the trial of a middle aged white man who opens fire on a car of four black teens because their rap music is too loud, killing one of them. Vivid testimony, dramatic surprises, emotionally and intellectually moving. Coming to HBO.
THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932)--USA--Intelligent direction by James Whale (FRANKENSTEIN 1931, BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN 1935, SHOW BOAT 1936) who was the subject of GODS AND MONSTERS (1998) made this creepy house consistently entertaining, in this lost film found and restored. The picture, sound and actors were all excellent, especially an unrecognizable Boris Karloff as the "butler."
B
VILLA TOUMA---Israel--When a teen ages out of her orphanage, she goes to live with her three eccentric aunts, who seek to marry her off ASAP because she upsets the old fashioned harmony of their daily routine. Quirky black humor and a few twists in character makes this film satisfying.
SHREW'S NEST---Spanish Gothic horror film, which during the first hour reminded me of the Bette Davis/Olivia deHavilland/Joan Crawford films from the 1960's. Things pick up considerably in this well made film when the blood letting begins.
UNEXPECTED--Modest but sweet USA film has teacher and a student both pregnant at the same time. Teacher tries to help student get into college, but may be overstepping her boundaries.
SHORT SKIN-- Breezy Italian comedy drama of teen anxious to have sex but he can't due to painful phimosis issue. Themes are handled in mature, natural manner, and the sunny film is quite frank at times about sexual activity.
SUGARCANE SHADOWS--Mauritius film about exploited workers already living in poverty trying to carry on when sugar plant closes. Symbolic film has touching themes of death, loneliness, helplessness, but remains optimistic in the end.
CARTEL LAND--US documentary about vigilante border patrols in Arizona and contrasts that with vigilante organization of a citizens group in the corrupted state of Michoacan, Mexico, who are fighting to win back their cities from the violent drug cartels. There are some shocking, disturbing, frustrating scenes and disturbing statistics, but ultimately both stories feel contradictory and get short shifted by the end. It might have been better to stick with one or the other.
B-
VINCENT--From France comes this wistful, magical realism story of a modest man with a superpower that he tries to keep hidden. When he falls for a girl he dreams of settling down, but one day his power is discovered, and his life becomes very dangerous. Strange but fascinating little film.
C+
PAPER TIGERS--US documentary about an alternative high school in Walla Walla, Washington peopled by students with major behavioral issues. The school starts a new program to change behavior, to mostly positive results. Hand held camera is heavy going at times.
SENSA NESSUNA PIETA--Italian drama about "simple" gangster who tries to make a break from his life style when he "saves" a prostitute from being abused. Good actors and characters and suspenseful plot are RUINED by aggressive hand held camera work, which makes watching this tense drama painful.
C
SUMMER OF SANGAILE--From France and Lithuania comes drama about two teen girls falling in love. Not much happens plot wise (yawn) except for pretty clothes, watching stunt planes do somersaults in the sky, and lots of exposed naked skin, but at least this film LOOKS great, with every shot feeling like a picture postcard.
DREAMS REWIRED---Austria---Black and white vintage film clips trace anxieties about technology becoming intrusive and modern. I appreciated the subject, but this avant garde film narrated in a droning manner by Tilda Swinton put me and most of the audience to sleep, several times. Compellingly dull.
D+
MEETING DR. SUN---Comic Chinese film that left me stony faced and bored, especially since every plot point and (supposed) joke is stretched out for 5 minutes for more. You can only wince for so long. To be fair, some of the Chinese audience members seemed to enjoy this simple, unlikely plot occasionally, but I couldn't wait for the end.
A
THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES (1969)--Armenia--Exotic avant-garde mixture of music, poetry, art, textures and color tableaus is fascinating. (It felt like art film maker Mathew Barney decided to remake this as CREMASTER 3 (2002)--sort of a Busby Berkley version. ) Totally unique, engrossing, startlingly creative. Usually I snooze off if I'm not engaged, but this was wide awake time for me, even though it was my 5th film of the day.
A-
3 1/2 MINUTES, TEN BULLETS --USA documentary about the trial of a middle aged white man who opens fire on a car of four black teens because their rap music is too loud, killing one of them. Vivid testimony, dramatic surprises, emotionally and intellectually moving. Coming to HBO.
THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932)--USA--Intelligent direction by James Whale (FRANKENSTEIN 1931, BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN 1935, SHOW BOAT 1936) who was the subject of GODS AND MONSTERS (1998) made this creepy house consistently entertaining, in this lost film found and restored. The picture, sound and actors were all excellent, especially an unrecognizable Boris Karloff as the "butler."
B
VILLA TOUMA---Israel--When a teen ages out of her orphanage, she goes to live with her three eccentric aunts, who seek to marry her off ASAP because she upsets the old fashioned harmony of their daily routine. Quirky black humor and a few twists in character makes this film satisfying.
SHREW'S NEST---Spanish Gothic horror film, which during the first hour reminded me of the Bette Davis/Olivia deHavilland/Joan Crawford films from the 1960's. Things pick up considerably in this well made film when the blood letting begins.
UNEXPECTED--Modest but sweet USA film has teacher and a student both pregnant at the same time. Teacher tries to help student get into college, but may be overstepping her boundaries.
SHORT SKIN-- Breezy Italian comedy drama of teen anxious to have sex but he can't due to painful phimosis issue. Themes are handled in mature, natural manner, and the sunny film is quite frank at times about sexual activity.
SUGARCANE SHADOWS--Mauritius film about exploited workers already living in poverty trying to carry on when sugar plant closes. Symbolic film has touching themes of death, loneliness, helplessness, but remains optimistic in the end.
CARTEL LAND--US documentary about vigilante border patrols in Arizona and contrasts that with vigilante organization of a citizens group in the corrupted state of Michoacan, Mexico, who are fighting to win back their cities from the violent drug cartels. There are some shocking, disturbing, frustrating scenes and disturbing statistics, but ultimately both stories feel contradictory and get short shifted by the end. It might have been better to stick with one or the other.
B-
VINCENT--From France comes this wistful, magical realism story of a modest man with a superpower that he tries to keep hidden. When he falls for a girl he dreams of settling down, but one day his power is discovered, and his life becomes very dangerous. Strange but fascinating little film.
C+
PAPER TIGERS--US documentary about an alternative high school in Walla Walla, Washington peopled by students with major behavioral issues. The school starts a new program to change behavior, to mostly positive results. Hand held camera is heavy going at times.
SENSA NESSUNA PIETA--Italian drama about "simple" gangster who tries to make a break from his life style when he "saves" a prostitute from being abused. Good actors and characters and suspenseful plot are RUINED by aggressive hand held camera work, which makes watching this tense drama painful.
C
SUMMER OF SANGAILE--From France and Lithuania comes drama about two teen girls falling in love. Not much happens plot wise (yawn) except for pretty clothes, watching stunt planes do somersaults in the sky, and lots of exposed naked skin, but at least this film LOOKS great, with every shot feeling like a picture postcard.
DREAMS REWIRED---Austria---Black and white vintage film clips trace anxieties about technology becoming intrusive and modern. I appreciated the subject, but this avant garde film narrated in a droning manner by Tilda Swinton put me and most of the audience to sleep, several times. Compellingly dull.
D+
MEETING DR. SUN---Comic Chinese film that left me stony faced and bored, especially since every plot point and (supposed) joke is stretched out for 5 minutes for more. You can only wince for so long. To be fair, some of the Chinese audience members seemed to enjoy this simple, unlikely plot occasionally, but I couldn't wait for the end.
Monday, May 18, 2015
FIRST WEEKEND AT SIFF!!!! Highlights included SET FIRE TO THE STARS, TAB HUNTER: CONFIDENTIAL (including Tab in person!), CHARLIE'S COUNTRY, and BEST OF ENEMIES.......
A-
BEST OF ENEMIES--US documentary about the political debates held in 1968 during the Democratic and Republican conventions where liberal Gore Vidal and conservative Wm. F. Buckley Jr. are supposed to be dissecting the conventions, but instead the debate becomes very personal attacks on their life-styles and hatred for each other. Witty, fascinating, and very disturbing, as these type of confrontations have now become common place, instead of what should be healthy discussions of topics and political issues.
B+
SET FIRE TO THE STARS--UK film based on time when Dylan Thomas toured American universities by reading his poetry and that of others. The stylish black and white photography and a jazzy music score capture 1950, and the actors Elijah Wood as the star struck poetry professor and Celyn Jones as the drunken, troubled Dylan Thomas create a moody, fascinating film.
TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL--US documentary about life of Hollywood golden boy Hunter, his many popular films, dozens of top 10 hit records, rabid female teen fans who haunted his every move, his conflicts with the restricted studio contracts, and his homosexuality, which didn't seem to bother him as much as it bothered the studio bosses. He tells his own story, based on the novel, and the film is packed with lots of interviews from his friends, co-stars and others, and includes songs, clips and stories. As good as a celebrity documentary can be. He is a charming (in person) laid back man who seems to be very happy with his life, his long time partner/producer and his favorite horse, and he does not miss the trappings of movie star life that he has happily retired from.
CHARLIE'S COUNTRY--Australian character study preformed movingly by Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil, who also helped write the script. Charlie lives in poverty, is persecuted by the police with whom he has a love/hate relationship, and finally sets out to live away from the restrictions imposed on his life by heading into the bush. The film really shows the imprisoning poverty, alcoholism, despair and hypocrisy that many poor people must live with every day.
B
THOSE PEOPLE--A first film (actually a winning PhD. thesis project from the director/writer) that looks very good and expensive, but the budget was nominal. The story of a friendship between two men, Charlie is deeply in (unrequited) love, but Sebastian, who is very rich, and has a father in prison for monetary scams, is not interested in a sexual relationship at all. When Charlie falls for another more receptive man, their friendship is at stake. The dialogue is interesting, if not overly witty, as is wont in such "rich" boy stories, and the friends and family that float in and out of the film are nicely under played. The film reminded me of the films of Whit Stillman (METROPOLITAN 1990, and BARCELONA 1994). I look forward to this director's next film.
PARIS OF THE NORTH--Iceland. Usually films from Iceland have heavy themes and scenes of drinking and deal with alcoholism. Here is a film that is actually centered on the lead trying to stay sober. Many scenes are set at AA meetings, although much of it is handled with humor and hypocrisy. The film is grim in many aspects: his girlfriend has broken with him at the film's start, his only friend true friend seems to be one of his young students, and his overbearing father has arrived to live with him indefinitely. The film may not be likable, but it feels very true.
B-
SLOW WEST--New Zealand/UK---Deadpan humor, violence and quirky characters populate this odd ball western of young man trying to find his girlfriend in the old west. He hooks up, somewhat against his will, with an older gunslinger. There are clever action scenes and the film is easy enough to appreciate, although the plot might be rather simple at times. I think the body count was 17.
THE FAREWELL PARTY--Israel/Germany--Light hearted comedy/drama about a senior in a retirement home who creates a death machine that allows a suffering or dying person to inject deadly serum into their own bodies. The machine becomes very sought after, and the group that has promoted this project deal with guilt and fear of being arrested. OY!
MARGARITA WITH A STRAW--India---My main problem is that the lead character who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair and is very interested in having a sexual relationship, which does eventually happen, is played by a young woman who seems too beautiful and self possessed to be convincing. It took me a good half hour to let that issue go, but otherwise, the film is interesting in her exploration of her sexuality, and the surrounding characters are quite effective. Many people LOVED this film, and some HATED it.
C+
HANDMADE WITH LOVE IN FRANCE--Documentary about pleats, beads, ribbons, and other accessories used to embellish high fashion run way shows. Only 75 minutes long, but with hand-held camera it feels longer.
C-
THE CONNECTION--French side of the story of THE FRENCH CONNECTION. Major hand held jerky camera work annoyed my from start to finish. The lead actors Jean Dujardin and Gilles Lellouche are both young, tall, dark and handsome, and I had difficulty distinguishing them from scene to scene. It also feels like the film was originally 6 hours long and was cut down to 2 1/4 hour since characters seem to disappear until the very end of the bloody shoot out. Disappointing.
THE VILLAGE--Georgia--Murky drama about outsiders visiting small village. Unclear motivations plague the characters, and a brutal rape scene "highlights" the film. Ugh.
BEST OF ENEMIES--US documentary about the political debates held in 1968 during the Democratic and Republican conventions where liberal Gore Vidal and conservative Wm. F. Buckley Jr. are supposed to be dissecting the conventions, but instead the debate becomes very personal attacks on their life-styles and hatred for each other. Witty, fascinating, and very disturbing, as these type of confrontations have now become common place, instead of what should be healthy discussions of topics and political issues.
B+
SET FIRE TO THE STARS--UK film based on time when Dylan Thomas toured American universities by reading his poetry and that of others. The stylish black and white photography and a jazzy music score capture 1950, and the actors Elijah Wood as the star struck poetry professor and Celyn Jones as the drunken, troubled Dylan Thomas create a moody, fascinating film.
TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL--US documentary about life of Hollywood golden boy Hunter, his many popular films, dozens of top 10 hit records, rabid female teen fans who haunted his every move, his conflicts with the restricted studio contracts, and his homosexuality, which didn't seem to bother him as much as it bothered the studio bosses. He tells his own story, based on the novel, and the film is packed with lots of interviews from his friends, co-stars and others, and includes songs, clips and stories. As good as a celebrity documentary can be. He is a charming (in person) laid back man who seems to be very happy with his life, his long time partner/producer and his favorite horse, and he does not miss the trappings of movie star life that he has happily retired from.
CHARLIE'S COUNTRY--Australian character study preformed movingly by Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil, who also helped write the script. Charlie lives in poverty, is persecuted by the police with whom he has a love/hate relationship, and finally sets out to live away from the restrictions imposed on his life by heading into the bush. The film really shows the imprisoning poverty, alcoholism, despair and hypocrisy that many poor people must live with every day.
B
THOSE PEOPLE--A first film (actually a winning PhD. thesis project from the director/writer) that looks very good and expensive, but the budget was nominal. The story of a friendship between two men, Charlie is deeply in (unrequited) love, but Sebastian, who is very rich, and has a father in prison for monetary scams, is not interested in a sexual relationship at all. When Charlie falls for another more receptive man, their friendship is at stake. The dialogue is interesting, if not overly witty, as is wont in such "rich" boy stories, and the friends and family that float in and out of the film are nicely under played. The film reminded me of the films of Whit Stillman (METROPOLITAN 1990, and BARCELONA 1994). I look forward to this director's next film.
PARIS OF THE NORTH--Iceland. Usually films from Iceland have heavy themes and scenes of drinking and deal with alcoholism. Here is a film that is actually centered on the lead trying to stay sober. Many scenes are set at AA meetings, although much of it is handled with humor and hypocrisy. The film is grim in many aspects: his girlfriend has broken with him at the film's start, his only friend true friend seems to be one of his young students, and his overbearing father has arrived to live with him indefinitely. The film may not be likable, but it feels very true.
B-
SLOW WEST--New Zealand/UK---Deadpan humor, violence and quirky characters populate this odd ball western of young man trying to find his girlfriend in the old west. He hooks up, somewhat against his will, with an older gunslinger. There are clever action scenes and the film is easy enough to appreciate, although the plot might be rather simple at times. I think the body count was 17.
THE FAREWELL PARTY--Israel/Germany--Light hearted comedy/drama about a senior in a retirement home who creates a death machine that allows a suffering or dying person to inject deadly serum into their own bodies. The machine becomes very sought after, and the group that has promoted this project deal with guilt and fear of being arrested. OY!
MARGARITA WITH A STRAW--India---My main problem is that the lead character who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair and is very interested in having a sexual relationship, which does eventually happen, is played by a young woman who seems too beautiful and self possessed to be convincing. It took me a good half hour to let that issue go, but otherwise, the film is interesting in her exploration of her sexuality, and the surrounding characters are quite effective. Many people LOVED this film, and some HATED it.
C+
HANDMADE WITH LOVE IN FRANCE--Documentary about pleats, beads, ribbons, and other accessories used to embellish high fashion run way shows. Only 75 minutes long, but with hand-held camera it feels longer.
C-
THE CONNECTION--French side of the story of THE FRENCH CONNECTION. Major hand held jerky camera work annoyed my from start to finish. The lead actors Jean Dujardin and Gilles Lellouche are both young, tall, dark and handsome, and I had difficulty distinguishing them from scene to scene. It also feels like the film was originally 6 hours long and was cut down to 2 1/4 hour since characters seem to disappear until the very end of the bloody shoot out. Disappointing.
THE VILLAGE--Georgia--Murky drama about outsiders visiting small village. Unclear motivations plague the characters, and a brutal rape scene "highlights" the film. Ugh.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Opening Day for SIFF 2015! Favorites screened so far-----CORN ISLAND, MR. HOLMES, OUR SUMMER IN PROVENCE, THE BOSS--ANATOMY OF A CRIME, CITY OF GOLD, AUTOMATIC HATE, SNOW ON BLADES
The following 12 films were screened this week May 11-14 for press. Any film rated A, A- or B+ is a must see. Rated B or B- are recommended.
A
CORN ISLAND--From Georgia comes a nearly wordless masterpiece of survival in the middle of a river. A farmer and his teen granddaughter sow corn on a temporary island formed in the middle of a river surrounded by political intrigue. A fascinating character study, suspense thriller, instructional document and human perseverance metaphor.
A-
CITY OF GOLD--US foodie documentary of Pulitzer Prize winning food critic Jonathan Gold, who talks about food in fascinating, clever ways, and emphasizes his love of Los Angeles by telling us about many different neighborhoods. There's nearly a dozen food docs at SIFF this year , and CITY OF GOLD and last weeks FOR GRACE are most likely the best.
B+
FRAME BY FRAME-- Brilliant Afghanistan documentary about four different photo journalists who have become greatly inferential in their country after the Taliban, which had banned photography during their regime, departed several years ago. There is still a great deal of danger in their work, and the film teems with tension and with danger as they attempt to expose what life is still like.
THE AUTOMATIC HATE-- A US shocker of a melodrama, this film generated the most discussion after the screening of any film in the last couple weeks. A young man discovers female cousins he never knew, and an uncle who was estranged from his father. The film teeters between drama and comedy, tension and eroticism, love and hate. I never knew where it was going next, but the plot progression feels organic and truthful, and several plot twists provoked gasps from the audience. I loved it.
MR. HOLMES--British drama headed by another incredibly insightful performance by Ian McKellen as an elderly Sherlock Holmes and a penetrating supporting turn by Laura Linney and Milo Parker as her son. The mystery, while not earth shattering, is clever and surprising, and the film, steeped in melancholic themes of loneliness and death is disturbing and profound. Bill Condon (MONSTERS AND GODS) skillfully directs.
THE BOSS, ANATOMY OF A CRIME--From Argentina, comes this fascinating, based on a true story drama about a simple butcher who is abused and exploited by his boss, to the point of murder. The story switches back and forth in time to fill in the details of the murder, and the efforts of an overworked lawyer to defend him. The ending is rather understated and raises a few questions, and you may never want to eat beef or chicken again in your life.
OUR SUMMER IN PROVENCE--France. Three Parisian siblings go with their grandmother to a remote village and meet their gruff grandfather (Jean Reno) for the first time. The film combines drama and comedy and travel log to VERY pleasing effect, in spite of the cliched plotting. The youngest child is deaf, and incredibly charming. He steals the film, along with the colorful characters who show up to visit grandpa. Very easy on the eyes, which may tear up a time or two by the end.
B
SNOW ON THE BLADES--From Japan, a leisurely story of an aging Samurai swordsman during a time when Japan is going through modern changes, rejecting revenge killings from past conflicts. Our hero has spent 13 years hunting down assailants from his past, and guilt infuses his every decision. A solid, thoughtful, beautifully realized story.
KING GEORGES--Another US food documentary about Georges Perrier, a French chef who owned the world famous restaurant Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia, and his attempt to turn over the reins to young up and coming chef Nicholas Elmi, who during the filming was award winner of TV's TOP CHEF. According to this and other documentaries, running a restaurant is a stressful 20 hour a day job and destroys family life.
LISA, THE FOX FAIRY--From Hungary, comes this fanciful magical tale of a woman searching for love, but a Japanese ghost friend keeps killing off her suitors. In style, the film is similar to the films of Jean-Pierre Jeunett (AMALIE, DELICATESSEN, CITY OF LOST CHILDREN) with out the manic editing, with a little Wes Anderson (GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL) thrown in. This one is a matter of taste--it made me a little drowsy watching it, but I appreciated the humor and special effects.
C
THE GOLDEN HILL--From Nepal. We don't often get to see a film from Nepal, and the recent earthquakes there make for disturbing viewing. The film looks good, but there is very little plot (should our hero go back to finish his college training, or stay and work the farm for mom) and there are at least three scenes of the characters building small stacks of stones (cairns). When you can't engage in a dramatically inert film, you often fall asleep, as many did during the screening.
THE HALLOW--This Irish horror film starts off well, with good production values, but quickly degenerates into a "stay away from the zombies" thriller, although in this case the zombies are really mythical creatures from the forest who act just like......zombies. Not worth staying up until 2am for.
A
CORN ISLAND--From Georgia comes a nearly wordless masterpiece of survival in the middle of a river. A farmer and his teen granddaughter sow corn on a temporary island formed in the middle of a river surrounded by political intrigue. A fascinating character study, suspense thriller, instructional document and human perseverance metaphor.
A-
CITY OF GOLD--US foodie documentary of Pulitzer Prize winning food critic Jonathan Gold, who talks about food in fascinating, clever ways, and emphasizes his love of Los Angeles by telling us about many different neighborhoods. There's nearly a dozen food docs at SIFF this year , and CITY OF GOLD and last weeks FOR GRACE are most likely the best.
B+
FRAME BY FRAME-- Brilliant Afghanistan documentary about four different photo journalists who have become greatly inferential in their country after the Taliban, which had banned photography during their regime, departed several years ago. There is still a great deal of danger in their work, and the film teems with tension and with danger as they attempt to expose what life is still like.
THE AUTOMATIC HATE-- A US shocker of a melodrama, this film generated the most discussion after the screening of any film in the last couple weeks. A young man discovers female cousins he never knew, and an uncle who was estranged from his father. The film teeters between drama and comedy, tension and eroticism, love and hate. I never knew where it was going next, but the plot progression feels organic and truthful, and several plot twists provoked gasps from the audience. I loved it.
MR. HOLMES--British drama headed by another incredibly insightful performance by Ian McKellen as an elderly Sherlock Holmes and a penetrating supporting turn by Laura Linney and Milo Parker as her son. The mystery, while not earth shattering, is clever and surprising, and the film, steeped in melancholic themes of loneliness and death is disturbing and profound. Bill Condon (MONSTERS AND GODS) skillfully directs.
THE BOSS, ANATOMY OF A CRIME--From Argentina, comes this fascinating, based on a true story drama about a simple butcher who is abused and exploited by his boss, to the point of murder. The story switches back and forth in time to fill in the details of the murder, and the efforts of an overworked lawyer to defend him. The ending is rather understated and raises a few questions, and you may never want to eat beef or chicken again in your life.
OUR SUMMER IN PROVENCE--France. Three Parisian siblings go with their grandmother to a remote village and meet their gruff grandfather (Jean Reno) for the first time. The film combines drama and comedy and travel log to VERY pleasing effect, in spite of the cliched plotting. The youngest child is deaf, and incredibly charming. He steals the film, along with the colorful characters who show up to visit grandpa. Very easy on the eyes, which may tear up a time or two by the end.
B
SNOW ON THE BLADES--From Japan, a leisurely story of an aging Samurai swordsman during a time when Japan is going through modern changes, rejecting revenge killings from past conflicts. Our hero has spent 13 years hunting down assailants from his past, and guilt infuses his every decision. A solid, thoughtful, beautifully realized story.
KING GEORGES--Another US food documentary about Georges Perrier, a French chef who owned the world famous restaurant Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia, and his attempt to turn over the reins to young up and coming chef Nicholas Elmi, who during the filming was award winner of TV's TOP CHEF. According to this and other documentaries, running a restaurant is a stressful 20 hour a day job and destroys family life.
LISA, THE FOX FAIRY--From Hungary, comes this fanciful magical tale of a woman searching for love, but a Japanese ghost friend keeps killing off her suitors. In style, the film is similar to the films of Jean-Pierre Jeunett (AMALIE, DELICATESSEN, CITY OF LOST CHILDREN) with out the manic editing, with a little Wes Anderson (GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL) thrown in. This one is a matter of taste--it made me a little drowsy watching it, but I appreciated the humor and special effects.
C
THE GOLDEN HILL--From Nepal. We don't often get to see a film from Nepal, and the recent earthquakes there make for disturbing viewing. The film looks good, but there is very little plot (should our hero go back to finish his college training, or stay and work the farm for mom) and there are at least three scenes of the characters building small stacks of stones (cairns). When you can't engage in a dramatically inert film, you often fall asleep, as many did during the screening.
THE HALLOW--This Irish horror film starts off well, with good production values, but quickly degenerates into a "stay away from the zombies" thriller, although in this case the zombies are really mythical creatures from the forest who act just like......zombies. Not worth staying up until 2am for.
Monday, May 11, 2015
SIFF Screenings Begin!-----TOPS SO FAR----LOVE AND MERCY, FLOWERS, FOR GRACE, ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL, ROMEO IS BLEEDING, THE NEW GIRLFRIEND.....
The first week and a half of press screenings have begun, and so far the tally is very positive. There hasn't been a real clinker stinker among the first 15 films. Here's what I've seen and enjoyed, starting from the TOP.
A-
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND--French Director Francois Ozon is BACK to form with this slick, droll, melodrama about a young widower who cross dresses in his deceased wife's clothing to placate his new born daughter---and himself! His secret is quickly discovered by his wife's best friend, and suspenseful psychosexual drama ensues.
FOR GRACE---Skillful documentary about the creation of a new Chicago restaurant--from scratch to opening night, following the physical creation of the building and culinary creation of the owner and his menu. Along the way there are a lot of secrets revealed about his troubled past. It may be about a 1% restaurant that I'll never eat at, but the story has great emotional power.
B+
FLOWERS---From Spain, a wistful, at times sentimental, tale starts with the weekly delivery of flowers to a woman from a person unknown, and this branches off to include the stories of half a dozen characters and their relationships with their families. Lovely, thoughtful, carefully written.
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL---US comedy/drama with smart characters and script, it becomes a new variation of last year's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, and just as effective.
ROMEO IS BLEEDING--Very powerful US documentary about struggling teens in gang infested city struggling to present a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, with violence in their real time lives.
LOVE AND MERCY--US drama based on life of the Beach Boy's leader Brian Wilson and his struggles with mental illness. The cast includes smart turns by Paul Dano and John Cusack as Wilson at different points in his life, and the effective supporting cast includes Paul Giamatti and Elizaabeth Banks as the ruthless manager and new sympathetic girlfriend, respectively.
B
TIME OUT OF MIND--US independent film with strong, unusual casting (Richard Gere, Jena Malone, Ben Vereen, Kyra Sedgwick) about a homeless man (Gere!) trying to make it on the streets. The film could have used more humor, but it nails the frustrations and helplessness of the characters --many of them with mental illness issues that prevent them from escaping this modern day hell.
SEOUL SEARCHING---Fictionalized but based on a true story, this has Korean teens from around the world returning to Korea in the 1980's to discover their roots in a "summer camp" situation. There are some annoying cliches in the first 20 minutes as they all arrive with different agendas, and you might feel guilty laughing (or wincing) as these kids start drinking and seeking sex. But about a third of the way into the film some serious issues arise and the themes become rather illuminating. Plus, it has a great 1980's musical score and effective actors, and it becomes a rousing audience pleaser.
B-
VIRTUOSITY--US documentary of a year at the CLIBURN--a prestigious piano competition .
There's lots of piano music and interesting characters, but overall this film is not too memorable.
PHOENIX--German thriller about Holocaust survivor who gains a newly reconstructed face, but must still face demons from the past. Lead Nina Hoss is fine, but plot does have some holes.
GEMMA BOVERY--French film set is small town where the baker wants to pretend new neighbor is a modern version of Madame Bovery. The film is breezy and easy to watch.
WATERLINE--Moody Polish film about pregnant police woman with missing cop fiance must solve murders. The film feels a lot like many BBC or cable police thrillers these days, but with all those Polish names, a half dozen middle aged men all looking alike and darkly photographed images, I found it difficult to really understand what all was happening at times.
I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS--Lightweight US film. with Blythe Danner as a widowed older woman who might have another chance at love.
CIUDAD DELIRIO--Columbia/Spain film with lots of dancing and salsa music, and some romance on the side. It is an audience pleaser in spite of many coincidences in the plot.
GUIDANCE--Wacky Canadian comedy about alcoholic former child star who pretends to be a high school guidance councilor by befriending and plying kids with booze and drugs. It works much better than it should, thanks to the brilliance of writer/director/lead actor Pat Mills. Big guilty pleasure!!!
C+
SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE--US independent film with decent cast and production values, and a well crafted script, but this comedy isn't consistently funny and the subject matter (sex addiction) becomes repellent at times.
MANGLEHORN--US independent film with excellent cast, set in small Texas town. Al Pacino plays a cranky guy pining for his lost love, and Holly Hunter is a lonely bank clerk. It is an odd, moody film, more of a multiple character study, and there are some amazing, curious moments. But overall the film is unsatisfying as a whole.
C-
COOKING UP A TRIBUTE--Spanish restaurant documentary has owners going around world to discover new ways to cook menu. Felt like it was edited in a food blender, and it is really boring.
I'm happy to recommend any film rated B- or better!
A-
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND--French Director Francois Ozon is BACK to form with this slick, droll, melodrama about a young widower who cross dresses in his deceased wife's clothing to placate his new born daughter---and himself! His secret is quickly discovered by his wife's best friend, and suspenseful psychosexual drama ensues.
FOR GRACE---Skillful documentary about the creation of a new Chicago restaurant--from scratch to opening night, following the physical creation of the building and culinary creation of the owner and his menu. Along the way there are a lot of secrets revealed about his troubled past. It may be about a 1% restaurant that I'll never eat at, but the story has great emotional power.
B+
FLOWERS---From Spain, a wistful, at times sentimental, tale starts with the weekly delivery of flowers to a woman from a person unknown, and this branches off to include the stories of half a dozen characters and their relationships with their families. Lovely, thoughtful, carefully written.
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL---US comedy/drama with smart characters and script, it becomes a new variation of last year's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, and just as effective.
ROMEO IS BLEEDING--Very powerful US documentary about struggling teens in gang infested city struggling to present a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, with violence in their real time lives.
LOVE AND MERCY--US drama based on life of the Beach Boy's leader Brian Wilson and his struggles with mental illness. The cast includes smart turns by Paul Dano and John Cusack as Wilson at different points in his life, and the effective supporting cast includes Paul Giamatti and Elizaabeth Banks as the ruthless manager and new sympathetic girlfriend, respectively.
B
TIME OUT OF MIND--US independent film with strong, unusual casting (Richard Gere, Jena Malone, Ben Vereen, Kyra Sedgwick) about a homeless man (Gere!) trying to make it on the streets. The film could have used more humor, but it nails the frustrations and helplessness of the characters --many of them with mental illness issues that prevent them from escaping this modern day hell.
SEOUL SEARCHING---Fictionalized but based on a true story, this has Korean teens from around the world returning to Korea in the 1980's to discover their roots in a "summer camp" situation. There are some annoying cliches in the first 20 minutes as they all arrive with different agendas, and you might feel guilty laughing (or wincing) as these kids start drinking and seeking sex. But about a third of the way into the film some serious issues arise and the themes become rather illuminating. Plus, it has a great 1980's musical score and effective actors, and it becomes a rousing audience pleaser.
B-
VIRTUOSITY--US documentary of a year at the CLIBURN--a prestigious piano competition .
There's lots of piano music and interesting characters, but overall this film is not too memorable.
PHOENIX--German thriller about Holocaust survivor who gains a newly reconstructed face, but must still face demons from the past. Lead Nina Hoss is fine, but plot does have some holes.
GEMMA BOVERY--French film set is small town where the baker wants to pretend new neighbor is a modern version of Madame Bovery. The film is breezy and easy to watch.
WATERLINE--Moody Polish film about pregnant police woman with missing cop fiance must solve murders. The film feels a lot like many BBC or cable police thrillers these days, but with all those Polish names, a half dozen middle aged men all looking alike and darkly photographed images, I found it difficult to really understand what all was happening at times.
I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS--Lightweight US film. with Blythe Danner as a widowed older woman who might have another chance at love.
CIUDAD DELIRIO--Columbia/Spain film with lots of dancing and salsa music, and some romance on the side. It is an audience pleaser in spite of many coincidences in the plot.
GUIDANCE--Wacky Canadian comedy about alcoholic former child star who pretends to be a high school guidance councilor by befriending and plying kids with booze and drugs. It works much better than it should, thanks to the brilliance of writer/director/lead actor Pat Mills. Big guilty pleasure!!!
C+
SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE--US independent film with decent cast and production values, and a well crafted script, but this comedy isn't consistently funny and the subject matter (sex addiction) becomes repellent at times.
MANGLEHORN--US independent film with excellent cast, set in small Texas town. Al Pacino plays a cranky guy pining for his lost love, and Holly Hunter is a lonely bank clerk. It is an odd, moody film, more of a multiple character study, and there are some amazing, curious moments. But overall the film is unsatisfying as a whole.
C-
COOKING UP A TRIBUTE--Spanish restaurant documentary has owners going around world to discover new ways to cook menu. Felt like it was edited in a food blender, and it is really boring.
I'm happy to recommend any film rated B- or better!
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, EX MACHINA, WHILE WE'RE YOUNG plus DVD's FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (1967), WORLD'S END, WE ARE THE BEST.....
If you liked the THE AVENGERS (2012) then this is a no brainer for you to see---it is a lot of fun. Loud, busy, funny, over the top at times, THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON continues the story of half a dozen super heroes plus some new ones who gather together to save ---what else?--the world or rather, all humanity, from extinction. The key for writer/director Joss Whedon is humor, and he tries to find a laugh or two in every scene, keeping the action light and the talking scenes enjoyable. I attended a screening at a multi plex on its first Sunday morning at 1100am (it was playing on 6 screens at that theatre!) and arrived 20 minutes early. The line was long, and I was informed that my show was booked to 87% full already, and that the later show at 1130am was booked to 93%. Obviously a major blockbuster film, but in this case, I didn't mind, because the film is incredibly enjoyable with a great satisfaction factor. GRADE----------A-
WHILE WE'RE YOUNG is a cleverly written and directed film by Noah Baumbach, who recently created FRANCES HA (2012) and THE QUID AND THE WHALE (2005). This new film starts out as a satire about a 40 something couple who become fascinated by an energetic 20 something couple who are into everything, and they try to keep up to them and ingratiate themselves into their lives. The film turns darker when issues of professional lying and unethical film making tears the friends apart. The actors (including Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts, Charles Grodin, and Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried as the younger couple) are all terrific, and watching the film is mostly a pleasure to watch, in spite of the mood change towards the end. GRADE--------B
The new science fiction film EX MACHINA dealing with humans interacting with artificial intelligence is clever and carefully written and directed to emphasize the growing suspense to the final "surprises"---but it still feels overly familiar. My favorite film on this subject is still Steven Speilberg's underrated masterpiece A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (2001), but it does feature interesting performances by Oscar Isaac (A MOST VIOLENT YEAR 2014 and INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS 2013) as the scientist who creates EVA, and Domhnall Gleeson (UNBROKEN 2014, CALVARY 2014, ABOUT TIME 2013 and HARRY POTTER AND DEATHLY HALLOWS 2010/11) as the new programmer. GRADE--------B
DVD viewing-------------------------------------------
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (1967)---This luscious looking film version of Thomas Hardy's novel, and directed by John Schlesinger (MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969, SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY 1971, MARATHON MAN 1976) features wonderful performances by Alan Bates, Peter Finch, Terrance Stamp, and especially the lovely Julie Christie. The production values are exceptional--photography, music, editing, set design---everything is a joy to behold in this underrated film. I'll be seeing the new remake soon, so it will be interesting to compare. GRADE-------A-
THE WORLD'S END (2013)--Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, etc) star in this action comedy/horror film about six friends on a 12 pub crawl who come across "robots" who have taken over their small hometown. There is a lot of humor, action and clever characters. Lot's of despicable drinking too, so that does temper some of the humor. Still it's lively and funny and a creative take on the "zombie" picture. GRADE-------B
WE ARE THE BEST! (2013)--Lukas Moodysson's newest film (after SHOW ME LOVE 1998, TOGETHER 2000, LILYA 4-EVER 2002) is a sweet natured film set in the 80's about three teen girls who try to start up a punk band. The best part of the film: they aren't ever very good, but the film focuses on growing up and finding love and finding their way in the world. GRADE-----B
REIGN OF TERROR aka THE BLACK BOOK (1949)--Directed by Anthony Mann and featuring Robert Cummings, Arlene Dahl and Richard Basehart, this suspense film set during the French Revolution (see TALE OF TWO CITIES above) has a search for a dairy that would incriminate a lot of important people and send them (or the book's owner) to the guillotine. Filmed in vivid black and white, the look is very much in the film noir style. GRADE------B
CAUSE CELEBRE (1987)---Based on a true story, this British BBC TV film features a young Helen Mirren as a woman accused of murdering her older husband with the help of her younger lover. The actors are fine, but the courtroom drama and flashbacks feel flat. GRADE-----C+
X, Y AND ZEE aka ZEE AND CO. (1972)---Michael Caine, Susannah York and Elizabeth Taylor each have their moments in this lurid, leisurely drama that gives Taylor the edge, seemingly reprising her role of Martha from WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. Caine is her husband who is falling for his new mistress York, who has her own dark secrets. GRADE-------C+
THEY CAME TOGETHER (2014)--This parody of love stories in the vein of AIRPLANE! feels sloppy and dumb much of the time, although Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler do get off some zingers, but if I'd seen it in a theatre, I would have wanted my money back. GRADE----C-
_____________________
Currently playing in Seattle, and reviewed from 2014 SIFF are a couple well worth seeing in a theatre-----DIOR AND I and especially TANGERINES (a recent Oscar nominee for foreign film.)
DIOR AND I ---------GRADE---B+ and TANGERINES--------GRADE-----A. See blog from last year for more info.
-------------------
My BLOG next week-------movies viewed from the new 2015 SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL......which starts officially 14May. See Siff.net for screening info.
WHILE WE'RE YOUNG is a cleverly written and directed film by Noah Baumbach, who recently created FRANCES HA (2012) and THE QUID AND THE WHALE (2005). This new film starts out as a satire about a 40 something couple who become fascinated by an energetic 20 something couple who are into everything, and they try to keep up to them and ingratiate themselves into their lives. The film turns darker when issues of professional lying and unethical film making tears the friends apart. The actors (including Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts, Charles Grodin, and Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried as the younger couple) are all terrific, and watching the film is mostly a pleasure to watch, in spite of the mood change towards the end. GRADE--------B
The new science fiction film EX MACHINA dealing with humans interacting with artificial intelligence is clever and carefully written and directed to emphasize the growing suspense to the final "surprises"---but it still feels overly familiar. My favorite film on this subject is still Steven Speilberg's underrated masterpiece A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (2001), but it does feature interesting performances by Oscar Isaac (A MOST VIOLENT YEAR 2014 and INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS 2013) as the scientist who creates EVA, and Domhnall Gleeson (UNBROKEN 2014, CALVARY 2014, ABOUT TIME 2013 and HARRY POTTER AND DEATHLY HALLOWS 2010/11) as the new programmer. GRADE--------B
DVD viewing-------------------------------------------
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (1967)---This luscious looking film version of Thomas Hardy's novel, and directed by John Schlesinger (MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969, SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY 1971, MARATHON MAN 1976) features wonderful performances by Alan Bates, Peter Finch, Terrance Stamp, and especially the lovely Julie Christie. The production values are exceptional--photography, music, editing, set design---everything is a joy to behold in this underrated film. I'll be seeing the new remake soon, so it will be interesting to compare. GRADE-------A-
THE WORLD'S END (2013)--Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, etc) star in this action comedy/horror film about six friends on a 12 pub crawl who come across "robots" who have taken over their small hometown. There is a lot of humor, action and clever characters. Lot's of despicable drinking too, so that does temper some of the humor. Still it's lively and funny and a creative take on the "zombie" picture. GRADE-------B
WE ARE THE BEST! (2013)--Lukas Moodysson's newest film (after SHOW ME LOVE 1998, TOGETHER 2000, LILYA 4-EVER 2002) is a sweet natured film set in the 80's about three teen girls who try to start up a punk band. The best part of the film: they aren't ever very good, but the film focuses on growing up and finding love and finding their way in the world. GRADE-----B
REIGN OF TERROR aka THE BLACK BOOK (1949)--Directed by Anthony Mann and featuring Robert Cummings, Arlene Dahl and Richard Basehart, this suspense film set during the French Revolution (see TALE OF TWO CITIES above) has a search for a dairy that would incriminate a lot of important people and send them (or the book's owner) to the guillotine. Filmed in vivid black and white, the look is very much in the film noir style. GRADE------B
CAUSE CELEBRE (1987)---Based on a true story, this British BBC TV film features a young Helen Mirren as a woman accused of murdering her older husband with the help of her younger lover. The actors are fine, but the courtroom drama and flashbacks feel flat. GRADE-----C+
X, Y AND ZEE aka ZEE AND CO. (1972)---Michael Caine, Susannah York and Elizabeth Taylor each have their moments in this lurid, leisurely drama that gives Taylor the edge, seemingly reprising her role of Martha from WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. Caine is her husband who is falling for his new mistress York, who has her own dark secrets. GRADE-------C+
THEY CAME TOGETHER (2014)--This parody of love stories in the vein of AIRPLANE! feels sloppy and dumb much of the time, although Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler do get off some zingers, but if I'd seen it in a theatre, I would have wanted my money back. GRADE----C-
_____________________
Currently playing in Seattle, and reviewed from 2014 SIFF are a couple well worth seeing in a theatre-----DIOR AND I and especially TANGERINES (a recent Oscar nominee for foreign film.)
DIOR AND I ---------GRADE---B+ and TANGERINES--------GRADE-----A. See blog from last year for more info.
-------------------
My BLOG next week-------movies viewed from the new 2015 SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL......which starts officially 14May. See Siff.net for screening info.
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