The 2015 Seattle International Film Festival is officially over, but many films are now showing up for regular runs, and I'm catching up on some I missed. The brilliant comedy adventure film from the 2014 SIFF called THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED is a witty Swedish film based on an international best seller that packs a lot of laughs and adventure and entertainment into its two hours, and its still playing at the Crest this week.
The intriguing, if flawed, THE WOLFPACK is at SIFF EGYPTIAN, and ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is playing all over town. Here's what I've seen in the last couple weeks.
When the script is good, Melissa McCarthy works her special magic, and this film, SPY, a spoof of secret agent thrillers, allows her to create some of the funniest moments she's ever been in. She works for the CIA inside on a computer helping field agents escape from danger--her favorite is a spy played by a suave Jude Law. When he goes missing, she volunteers to go deep undercover, since she is the only uncompromised agent left on the team. No one is going to suspect an overweight, middle aged "housewife" as a field spy, and many laughs are milked from that situation. Fortunately, director Paul Feig (BRIDESMAIDS) has a great story and script to back up the situations Allison Janney is a hoot playing her boss, Miranda Hart (CALL THE MIDWIFE) is her goofy best friend, Jason Stratham spoofs his own tough guy image with some hilarious incompetence, and Rose Byrne plays a nasty baddie--all of them to great effect. SPY is a most satisfying and funny spy thriller. GRADE------B+
SIFF 2015 closed with an edgy adult sex comedy that I missed, but recently saw at a screening. It is very challenging for most audiences, to be sure. There were moments when people were squirming all around me as THE OVERNIGHT was playing. I loved the fact that it takes you places that most "sex" comedies refuse to go, dealing with swinging sex, homosexuality, full frontal nudity, masturbation, anal sex discussions and other "no-no's" for normal movie goers. I enjoyed it for being right out there without resorting to gross juvenile humor. Two couples each with a young child get together for a dinner that lasts all night, and what a night it is. NOT FOR EVERYONE, but if you are game, it is witty, clever fun. GRADE--------B+
The good news and the bad news: As interesting as she is in the new version of FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, Carey Mulligan IS NO JULIE CHRISTIE, who starred in the superior 1967 version directed by John Schleshinger (MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969). In fact, although they all have their moments, sheep farmer Matthias Schoenaerts looks good but lacks gravitas, the mature suitor Michael Sheen falls to spark, and good looking soldier Tom Sturridge is just a pretty face. They are no match for the powerful men from 1967--Alan Bates, Peter Finch and Terrance Stamp. Part of the problem may lay in the new script which quickly streamlines the novel into 2 tight hours, deleting many small details and plot turns, and makes it hard to realize the passage of time. In 1967, the film clocked in at 2 hours and 45 minutes, which included more details and more interesting characterizations that made it more powerful. If you have never seen the Christie version, or the BBC TV version from a few years back, either, this MADDING CROWD is still worth seeing for some lovely photography and some different characterizations, and the Thomas Hardy classic story is still quite powerful. GRADE--------B
The special effects are even more awesome, and watching people getting eaten by dinosaurs is still a thrill, but as hard as JURASSIC WORLD works to impress you, it is still the same old story from JURASSIC PARK and its two sequels--innocent folks disobey rules and find themselves threatened by out of control dinosaurs. One of those dinos is a genetically altered, larger and smarter than usual creature who is basically just a killing machine. Goodbye bad guys, goodbye stupid guys. Vincent D'Onofrio and Bryce Dallas Howard have their moments, but beefy Chris Pratt commands control of the picture by a mile. If you get a large popcorn to go with it you will have some fun, in spite of some "seen it all before" moments. GRADE--------B-
PITCH PERFECT 2 tries hard to be different from the original PP 1, and in many ways it is, with some great gags, clever singing and zinger jokes. But again (see JURASSIC WORLD above) we have seen it all before. So just set your sights low, buy the giant popcorn, and enjoy on that level. I did especially like Rebel Wilson, who also manages to steal this movie as well as the first. I would love to see her headline her own comedy. GRADE---------B-
The cast is decent and the special effects and photography are excellent, but SAN ANDREAS is full of faults, pun intended. Dwayne "THE ROCK" Johnson stars as a search and rescue helicopter pilot who spends the first 10 minutes trying to rescue a young woman who was a bad bad driver to begin with and manages to fly over the cliff while being distracted by her cell phone. When the earthquakes begin in earnest in Los Angeles, what does Johnson's character do? He spends all his time trying to rescue his nearly ex wife from the roof of a high rise that amazingly, is still barely standing amidst the flattened downtown LA scene, then high tails it to San Francisco to try to find his missing daughter amidst the devastation and flattened buildings there. She, in the meantime is busy trying to save and protect a rather dubious possible "date" and his younger brother--the two brothers seeming to have zero survival skills. Yes, the plot is a big problem in this disaster film, but if you relish seeing LA and SFO slipping away towards the Pacific, than this is the (popcorn) film for you. The film ends with a splendid, appropriate version of California Dreamin'. GRADE-----C+
What should have been a wild, decadent, colorful film of his life in fashion, becomes a draggy, dull, druggie film about his life of drug addiction in SAINT LAURANT. The lead actor Gaspard Ulliel certainly looks and acts right, but the film is presented almost in a haze, with no clarity, point of view or irony. Back in 1970, Helmut Berger (GARDEN OF FINZI-CONTINIS, SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY) was a young handsome hunk similar to Ulliel, and here he plays Yves Saint Laurant as an old man--hardly recognizable and completely uninteresting. The fashion highlight comes with a fashion show from the 1970's, but is presented in split screen---possibly 8 to 12 small images at the same time, and I couldn't see what any of them were about. I knew so little about him, and after 2 1/2 hours of film I still don't know him or like him. What a wasted effort. GRADE------D+
_____________________________
Viewed on DVD or TV------
Back when I was about 11 or 12, I remember watching with my father on TV, a film THE SEARCH (1948) and we were both mesmerized by this moving, simple story of a young boy being helped in his search to find his mother after World War II by a soldier in Germany played by Montgomery Clift. I finally saw it again last week and I'm grateful that after more than 50 years, to realize that back then, I had such good taste in film. Director Fred Zimmerman was an Oscar nominee, as was Clift, and the film ended up winning the Oscar for best story, and a special Oscar for child actor Ivan Jandl. Born in Czechoslovakia, he suffered from polio at a young age, before finally being selected by Zimmerman to star in the film. Politics prevented him from continuing his film career in the US, despite many offers, and he made only 3 other Czech film after that as a young teen. He died at the age of 50 from complications of diabetes. It's a moving and memorable film, and I hope you will take the time to track it down from Netflix or your library (where I rented it). GRADE--------A
It seems now to be ahead of it's time, but a recent viewing of THE GROUP (1966) based on a novel by Mary McCarthy about six college graduate friends who splinter off after a 1933 Vassar graduation to vastly different careers and life styles proved to be compelling and profoundly effective soap opera. Director Sidney Lumet gives them all nearly equal time to tell their stories, although some are more effective than others. Joanna Pettet is the first to marry, and along with her philandering playwright husband Larry Hagman get much of the screen time until tragedy affects their story. Joan Hackett and Shirley Knight make the most of their dramatic scenes, both of them involved with untrustworthy men. Jessica Walter plays a flamboyant gossip writer, and Elizabeth Hartman plays a mousy housewife. The strongest character is played by Candice Bergman as a secure, proud lesbian, but it feels like the majority of her part, relegated to the first few scenes and the last few, were cut from the film. Still, she dominates in the finale. Although it is 2 1/2 hours long, the film zooms by and kept me engaged to the end. GRADE-------B+
The film noir thriller MYSTERY STREET (1950) directed by John Sturges features a young Ricardo Montelban as a detective trying to discover, in documentary style, the identity for the bones discovered on the beach. The trail leads to an innocent man and a crafty land lady (Elsa Lanchester). Nice style, photography and story. GRADE----B+
Film noir thriller 99 RIVER STREET (1953) has John Payne as an ex boxer, now a taxi driver, who discovers his wife is having an affair with a jewel thief. Effective Evelyn Keyes is a friend trying to help him, and the film generates lots of suspense when the wife turns up dead. GRADE----B+
Complex thriller BORDER INCIDENT (1949) about illegal Mexicans trying to escape to the US (shockingly contemporary!) has Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy as special Mexican and U.S. agents trying to close down the organization that prey on these illegals. Anthony Mann directs in a solid, forthright manner, and there are some cruel, violent scenes. GRADE-------B
Lightweight, charming film THE MATING OF MILLIE (1948) has Evelyn Keyes playing a stern, single Human Resources director of a large department store, who finds she wants to adopt an orphaned child in her apartment complex, but first she must find a husband. Enter Glenn Ford, who is determined to remain single, but is willing to help her loosen up. Ending is no surprise, but the characters are delightful. GRADE-------B-
Joan Crawford is the over baked star of this melodrama QUEEN BEE (1955) about a Southern aristocrat who tries to manipulate those family members and friends around her. Not campy enough to be amusing, not good enough to be a minor gem, but the actors, including Barry Sullivan, John Ireland, Betsey Palmer and Fay Wray, as well as Crawford, keep it watchable. GRADE----C+
DON'T MISS top films from 2015 SIFF----see previous blog.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Report from final weekend of SIFF 6/5--6/7---- TIG, EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR, TANGERINE, plus, TOP FILMS FROM SIFF 2015!!!!!
In many cases, SIFF saved the best for the last weekend. Here's what I saw on the final weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All totaled, I saw 121 films this year, a bit lower than normal for me.
GRADE
A-
TIG-----US documentary that follows comedian Tig Notaro around the country in the year after her infamous comedy set that starts out with her telling the audience that she has cancer. What follows are breathtaking, harrowing events that include the sudden death of her mother, falling in love with her best straight girl friend, redefining her career, deciding to have a child alone and a double mastectomy. She still comes off as wryly funny and honest, and the film works as a celebration of her life despite the many challenging times. It's a fascinating and enriching experience.
B+
EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO----Director of THE PILLOW BOOK (1996), THE COOK, THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER (1989) and GOLTZIIUS and the PELICAN COMPANY (2012) among others, Peter Greenaway's latest extravaganza features his usual florid camera effects, stunning cinematography, stylish sets and costumes, over the top plottings, and hypnotic (if occasionally tiresome) pacing, peppered with the usual explicit nudity and sex. This story is based on the trip that the Russian director Sergei Eisenstein (BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN) made to Mexico in 1931, falling in love with the customs, scenery, people, and his young handsome tour guide, who tutors him on the glories of homosexuality. This in not a film for everyone, but for those familiar with Greenaway's style, it is his provocative best.
KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR---USA documentary about the late doctor, Oscar winning actor (for THE KILLING FIELDS 1984) and social activist for Cambodian people that clearly and vividly tells the story of his involvement with the changes that swept Cambodia in the 1960's through the 1970's. Using excellent video, pictures, animated drawings and expertly read from his diaries by his nephew, with interviews from those who knew him best, this becomes a moving story of survival during the tragic Khmer Rouge period.
TANGERINE--USA independent film shot almost entirely on an I-Phone on the streets of Los Angeles! Two transgendered prostitute trannies run all over West Hollywood, one trying to track down her pimp/boyfriend who may have been unfaithful during her month long stay in prison, and the other trying to drum up business for her 7pm cabaret debut that night, Christmas Eve. A friendly taxi driver is seen picking up fares (and some sex) and the three meet for a kinky, "dramatic" confrontation along with a few other characters at the local donut shop. Surprisingly effective, funny and sad and a bit curious too, this strange, low budget bit of camp gets it right most of the time, and the IPhone works well in creating intimate, crazy scenes that should be the envy of those dozens of hand held jittery productions that just make it hard to watch.
B
GHADI--From Lebanon comes this dramatic comedy fable of a father who tries to protect his Down syndrome son from bigotry in his small town by creating a religious ruse for him. It takes a while for this story to take hold, but the gentle comedy and charming characters make it worthwhile.
FOURTH MAN OUT---USA working class comedy about a 25 year old man who decides to come out as gay to his longtime childhood buddies, which throws the relationships into a flurry. The characters are effective and likable, and the laughs are not too cheap or predictable. It's a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes.
MARSHLAND--Spanish version of a mismatched pair of detective's on the trail of a serial killer in a small town during carnival time. The film is gritty and naturalistic and features intriguing aerial photos that add some style to the pessimistic proceedings.
MY SKINNY SISTER--From Sweden comes this drama about sibling rivalry. The older sister is an accomplished figure skater, the younger is chubby and feels a bit jealous of the attention her older sister receives. Still, the sisters share a tight bond, and when the younger one realizes that her sister is anorexic, she is conflicted about responding. Nicely done.
ALL THINGS MUST PASS--From US, the story of TOWER RECORDS origins, success, and finally the decension into bankruptcy. The film moves very quickly, with a lot of information, and for those of us who grew up with TOWER RECORDS and BOOKS, the film is nostalgic and engrossing. For those uninterested, the film will not appeal.
VIRGIN MOUNTAIN--Icelandic film about a very large, shy man who plays military games and keeps mainly to himself. His mother and friends encourage him to start dating, and when he does he becomes attracted to a woman with more problems than he has. Engrossing and touching.
B-
I KISSED A GIRL---French fluff about a gay man who in the first scene is leaving the scene of a young woman with whom he has just had sex for the first time. His long time male partner becomes bewildered at his change of personality just before their planned wedding. He pursues this new relationship nonetheless, and becomes infatuated with her, in spite of not being honest with his male partner or his new female lover. The film is bright, and funny, and the actors are all attractive and effective. For me the problem lies with the fact that we never quite see what the attraction is---for example, his excuse for the first scene is extreme drunkenness. Heaven knows we've seen plenty of films where a heterosexual man becomes homosexual, but this comic variation seems unconvincing, and the final scene felt downright bewildering and icky.
C+
THE MUSES OF BASHEVIS SINGER--From Israel comes this documentary of writer and Nobel Prize winner Isaac Bashevis Singer, a Yiddish writer who had a bevy of female translators who helped bring his writing to America, and with whom he had many extra marital affairs. He comes across as a "dirty old man" and the surviving translators all seem to concur, despite his brilliance in writing such stories as ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY and YENTL THE YESHIVA BOY, both books made into popular films. This film should appeal to fans of SINGER only.
C-
THE NEW MAN--From Uruguay comes this documentary of a transsexual man to woman character who sets out trying to connect with his brother and parents after nearly 15 years of separation. His family seems happy to see her, and no one is particularly upset at her sex change. The film doesn't have much more to say than that, and unfortunately, her hairline is quickly receding as she ages, which makes her appearance startling at times without a scarf or wig.
____________________________________________
Here's my TOP FILMS OF SIFF 2015
More info can be read in previous blogs. Watch for them to be released in the coming year....
TOP 25 FILMS including documentaries
CORN ISLAND
DARK HORSE
CITY OF GOLD-doc
MISTRESS AMERICA
BEST OF ENEMIES-doc
3 1/2 MINUTES, TEN BULLETS-doc
FOR GRACE-doc
TIG-doc
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND
TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL-doc
THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR-doc
LOVE AND MERCY
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED-doc
MR. HOLMES
FLOWERS
EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO
54: DIRECTOR'S CUT
TANGERINE
AUTOMATIC HATE
BOSS, ANATOMY OF A CRIME
ELEPHANT SONG
DEAREST
FRAME BY FRAME-doc
GRUMP
OTHER GOOD STUFF FOLLOWS
ROMEO IS BLEEDING, MARSHLAND, FOURTH MAN OUT, GHADI, MY SKINNY SISTER, SHREW'S NEST, SHORT SKIN, OUR SUMMER IN PROVENCE, LISA THE FOX FAIRY, 7 CHINESE BROTHERS, CHARLIE'S COUNTRY, THE CUT, A FEW CUBIC METERS OF LOVE, FRONT COVER, HENRI HENRI, I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, KIRSHA, INVISIBLE BOY, THOSE PEOPLE, END OF THE TOUR, VIRGIN MOUNTAIN, XENIA, SNOW ON THE BLADES, A LITTLE DEATH, GUIDANCE
I really loved the revivals I saw, especially all three films in THE APU TRILOGY (coming in July to SIFF UPTOWN) and THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES, BLACK GIRL, and THE OLD DARK HOUSE.
My Favorite.......
FILM---CORN ISLAND
ACTOR---Cliff Curtis in DARK HORSE
ACTRESS--Adelaide Clemens in AUTOMATIC HATE
SCRIPT--Noah Baumbach for MISTRESS AMERICA
DIRECTOR--George Ovashvili for CORN ISLAND
CINEMATOGRAPHY--Reinier van Brummelen for EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO
MUSIC--for LOVE AND MERCY
DOCUMENTARY---3 1/2 MINUTES, TEN BULLETS
GUILTY PLEASURE--54: DIRECTOR'S CUT and GUIDANCE
TEAR JERKER--ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL, and FLOWERS
PLOT TWISTS--in TIG, THE NEW GIRLFRIEND, AUTOMATIC HATE, ELEPHANT SONG
MY LEAST FAVORITE FILMS
NOT ALL IS VIGIL, COOKING UP A TRIBUTE, EXCUSE MY FRENCH, THE FIRE, THE BODA BODA THIEVES
GRADE
A-
TIG-----US documentary that follows comedian Tig Notaro around the country in the year after her infamous comedy set that starts out with her telling the audience that she has cancer. What follows are breathtaking, harrowing events that include the sudden death of her mother, falling in love with her best straight girl friend, redefining her career, deciding to have a child alone and a double mastectomy. She still comes off as wryly funny and honest, and the film works as a celebration of her life despite the many challenging times. It's a fascinating and enriching experience.
B+
EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO----Director of THE PILLOW BOOK (1996), THE COOK, THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER (1989) and GOLTZIIUS and the PELICAN COMPANY (2012) among others, Peter Greenaway's latest extravaganza features his usual florid camera effects, stunning cinematography, stylish sets and costumes, over the top plottings, and hypnotic (if occasionally tiresome) pacing, peppered with the usual explicit nudity and sex. This story is based on the trip that the Russian director Sergei Eisenstein (BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN) made to Mexico in 1931, falling in love with the customs, scenery, people, and his young handsome tour guide, who tutors him on the glories of homosexuality. This in not a film for everyone, but for those familiar with Greenaway's style, it is his provocative best.
KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR---USA documentary about the late doctor, Oscar winning actor (for THE KILLING FIELDS 1984) and social activist for Cambodian people that clearly and vividly tells the story of his involvement with the changes that swept Cambodia in the 1960's through the 1970's. Using excellent video, pictures, animated drawings and expertly read from his diaries by his nephew, with interviews from those who knew him best, this becomes a moving story of survival during the tragic Khmer Rouge period.
TANGERINE--USA independent film shot almost entirely on an I-Phone on the streets of Los Angeles! Two transgendered prostitute trannies run all over West Hollywood, one trying to track down her pimp/boyfriend who may have been unfaithful during her month long stay in prison, and the other trying to drum up business for her 7pm cabaret debut that night, Christmas Eve. A friendly taxi driver is seen picking up fares (and some sex) and the three meet for a kinky, "dramatic" confrontation along with a few other characters at the local donut shop. Surprisingly effective, funny and sad and a bit curious too, this strange, low budget bit of camp gets it right most of the time, and the IPhone works well in creating intimate, crazy scenes that should be the envy of those dozens of hand held jittery productions that just make it hard to watch.
B
GHADI--From Lebanon comes this dramatic comedy fable of a father who tries to protect his Down syndrome son from bigotry in his small town by creating a religious ruse for him. It takes a while for this story to take hold, but the gentle comedy and charming characters make it worthwhile.
FOURTH MAN OUT---USA working class comedy about a 25 year old man who decides to come out as gay to his longtime childhood buddies, which throws the relationships into a flurry. The characters are effective and likable, and the laughs are not too cheap or predictable. It's a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes.
MARSHLAND--Spanish version of a mismatched pair of detective's on the trail of a serial killer in a small town during carnival time. The film is gritty and naturalistic and features intriguing aerial photos that add some style to the pessimistic proceedings.
MY SKINNY SISTER--From Sweden comes this drama about sibling rivalry. The older sister is an accomplished figure skater, the younger is chubby and feels a bit jealous of the attention her older sister receives. Still, the sisters share a tight bond, and when the younger one realizes that her sister is anorexic, she is conflicted about responding. Nicely done.
ALL THINGS MUST PASS--From US, the story of TOWER RECORDS origins, success, and finally the decension into bankruptcy. The film moves very quickly, with a lot of information, and for those of us who grew up with TOWER RECORDS and BOOKS, the film is nostalgic and engrossing. For those uninterested, the film will not appeal.
VIRGIN MOUNTAIN--Icelandic film about a very large, shy man who plays military games and keeps mainly to himself. His mother and friends encourage him to start dating, and when he does he becomes attracted to a woman with more problems than he has. Engrossing and touching.
B-
I KISSED A GIRL---French fluff about a gay man who in the first scene is leaving the scene of a young woman with whom he has just had sex for the first time. His long time male partner becomes bewildered at his change of personality just before their planned wedding. He pursues this new relationship nonetheless, and becomes infatuated with her, in spite of not being honest with his male partner or his new female lover. The film is bright, and funny, and the actors are all attractive and effective. For me the problem lies with the fact that we never quite see what the attraction is---for example, his excuse for the first scene is extreme drunkenness. Heaven knows we've seen plenty of films where a heterosexual man becomes homosexual, but this comic variation seems unconvincing, and the final scene felt downright bewildering and icky.
C+
THE MUSES OF BASHEVIS SINGER--From Israel comes this documentary of writer and Nobel Prize winner Isaac Bashevis Singer, a Yiddish writer who had a bevy of female translators who helped bring his writing to America, and with whom he had many extra marital affairs. He comes across as a "dirty old man" and the surviving translators all seem to concur, despite his brilliance in writing such stories as ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY and YENTL THE YESHIVA BOY, both books made into popular films. This film should appeal to fans of SINGER only.
C-
THE NEW MAN--From Uruguay comes this documentary of a transsexual man to woman character who sets out trying to connect with his brother and parents after nearly 15 years of separation. His family seems happy to see her, and no one is particularly upset at her sex change. The film doesn't have much more to say than that, and unfortunately, her hairline is quickly receding as she ages, which makes her appearance startling at times without a scarf or wig.
____________________________________________
Here's my TOP FILMS OF SIFF 2015
More info can be read in previous blogs. Watch for them to be released in the coming year....
TOP 25 FILMS including documentaries
CORN ISLAND
DARK HORSE
CITY OF GOLD-doc
MISTRESS AMERICA
BEST OF ENEMIES-doc
3 1/2 MINUTES, TEN BULLETS-doc
FOR GRACE-doc
TIG-doc
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND
TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL-doc
THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR-doc
LOVE AND MERCY
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED-doc
MR. HOLMES
FLOWERS
EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO
54: DIRECTOR'S CUT
TANGERINE
AUTOMATIC HATE
BOSS, ANATOMY OF A CRIME
ELEPHANT SONG
DEAREST
FRAME BY FRAME-doc
GRUMP
OTHER GOOD STUFF FOLLOWS
ROMEO IS BLEEDING, MARSHLAND, FOURTH MAN OUT, GHADI, MY SKINNY SISTER, SHREW'S NEST, SHORT SKIN, OUR SUMMER IN PROVENCE, LISA THE FOX FAIRY, 7 CHINESE BROTHERS, CHARLIE'S COUNTRY, THE CUT, A FEW CUBIC METERS OF LOVE, FRONT COVER, HENRI HENRI, I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, KIRSHA, INVISIBLE BOY, THOSE PEOPLE, END OF THE TOUR, VIRGIN MOUNTAIN, XENIA, SNOW ON THE BLADES, A LITTLE DEATH, GUIDANCE
I really loved the revivals I saw, especially all three films in THE APU TRILOGY (coming in July to SIFF UPTOWN) and THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES, BLACK GIRL, and THE OLD DARK HOUSE.
My Favorite.......
FILM---CORN ISLAND
ACTOR---Cliff Curtis in DARK HORSE
ACTRESS--Adelaide Clemens in AUTOMATIC HATE
SCRIPT--Noah Baumbach for MISTRESS AMERICA
DIRECTOR--George Ovashvili for CORN ISLAND
CINEMATOGRAPHY--Reinier van Brummelen for EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO
MUSIC--for LOVE AND MERCY
DOCUMENTARY---3 1/2 MINUTES, TEN BULLETS
GUILTY PLEASURE--54: DIRECTOR'S CUT and GUIDANCE
TEAR JERKER--ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL, and FLOWERS
PLOT TWISTS--in TIG, THE NEW GIRLFRIEND, AUTOMATIC HATE, ELEPHANT SONG
MY LEAST FAVORITE FILMS
NOT ALL IS VIGIL, COOKING UP A TRIBUTE, EXCUSE MY FRENCH, THE FIRE, THE BODA BODA THIEVES
Thursday, June 4, 2015
SIFF Report 1 JUNE--4 June-----BLACK GIRL revival, A FEW CUBIC METERS OF LOVE, KEY HOUSE MIRROR, 7 CHINESE BROTHERS, HENRI HENRI, MARDAN, MORBAYASSA
After last weekend, this midweek section was full of disappointing films. Here's what I saw in order of favorites to the "not so hot."
GRADE:
A-
BLACK GIRL--From Senegal and France comes this 1966 revival from director Ousmane Sembene about a young black woman who is recruited by a wealthy white woman to move to southern France to clean and take care of the children. She finds her new life is not very exciting as she is treated with cruelty and indifference by the mistress, who won't let her out of the apartment, and soon becomes frustrated and depressed, in spite of dressing up in her finery to cook and clean. The black and white observational film clearly symbolizes the effects of colonialism and class discrimination of poor people, and creates a tense, compulsive drama.
B
A FEW CUBIC METERS OF LOVE--Iranian/Afghanistan film about a young male Iranian teen in a shantytown who falls in love with an Afghan girl who is living with her strict father illegally in Iran, refugees who fled war in their country. The film builds intensity as the young couple want to marry but the father refuses, as tensions mount in the shanty town run by a compassionate Iranian who tries to keep the peace between these two nationalities. The joy that these two young people feel for each other is contrasted to the hatred between the adults, and the finale is ironically tragic for all concerned. Lovely, haunting, sad.
KEY HOUSE MIRROR--Denmark drama set in retirement center has elderly woman caring for her immobile stroke victim husband. Her faithfulness to his health leaves her quite lonely, and she soon finds herself falling for a charming debonair neighbor, much to the horror of others living in the facilities, and her own family. I'd give this film a higher score were it not for the incessant hand held camera work that distracts from the moving, dramatic moments.
B-
HENRI HENRI--Gentle French Canadian film in the vein of AMELIE that incorporates some magical realism into it's tale of a young orphan who becomes an expert in fixing light fixtures, all the while searching for true love and and his long lost father. The film doesn't hold onto the charming first act build up, and the third act is regrettably predictable, but it is easy to smile through the occasionally wince inducing plot twists due to the film's good nature and good intentions, and pleasing art and set direction, and photography and score.
7 CHINESE BROTHERS--USA independent slacker film featuring Jason Schwartzman and Olympia Dukakis as grandson and grandmother. The mood is very laid back, and the comedy (and direction) is very lazy. The film doesn't end so much as just stop, but in the right mind set this movie could be a pleasurable experience. I was, however, in the minority opinion.
MORBAYASSA--Exotic looking film from Guinea, starts as a thriller of a woman forced into prostitution, trying desperately to escape her pimp's control. When she does get free, the film morphs into a soapy drama about trying to reunite with her daughter, long ago given up for adoption. There are some interesting twists, some laughable twists, and overall it is rather predictable, but the main actress bravely marches on, despite some frequent and unnecessary nudity. Technically, the story is smoothly filmed for better than expected viewing.
MARDAN--Kurdistan film--a slow burn thriller about police officer with tragic past who tries to find the husband of a woman seeking his help--a man he may have killed with his penchant for speeding around the hilly, dark, rainy nights. There are some existential ruminations as he attempts to rationalize his behavior, which becomes moody and dangerous, and he does show signs of goodness in some questionable choices he makes.
C+
GRAZIELLA--French drama about some criminals doing work release during the day, then going back to prison in the evening, awaiting their approaching time for release. The small town scorns them, and they take to playing Russian roulette to earn extra money for the future. It took a while to figure out the relationships and back stories, and they end up being underwhelming and bewildering.
THE WOLF PACK--US documentary about seven kids who live with their parents in a sheltered and restricted world, and in spite of their fascination with movies on video, and their penchant for acting them out in their gloomy but large New York City apartment, they live in poverty with a controlling father and submissive mother who home schools them. They are now getting old enough to want to leave the apartment for excursions and work, and in rebellion against their father. The topic of this film has fascinating possibilities, but the film maker seems unable (or unwilling) to ask the probing questions or shape the film with any type of back story that might make some sense of it all. Worse, she films with an annoying hand held camera, including poorly filmed home movies that seem pointless and distracting, and refuses to follow up on some outrageous moments or statements from her subjects. A major disappointment.
GLASSLAND--Irish film that features strong performance by Jack Reynor as the hardworking son of his alcoholic mother Toni Collette, and his struggles to get her to clean up her life. They are the main reason for watching this grim, slow film that features hand held camera work(not my favorite device).
BLUE BLOOD--From Brazil comes a magic realism film about a circus troupe that lands on a small island in the south Atlantic ocean, bringing up painful feelings from the "shot from the rocket" man who grew up there. The film looks great, with beautiful scenery and attractive characters who swim, dance, copulate, drink, and talk talk talk about life and their problems. It is exotic and earthy stuff at times, but there's not much plot, the symbolism is murky, and the pointless film seems to go on and on and on.
SWORN VIRGIN--Italian film about small region that allows for some women to go to the mountains to live as men. One of them returns to the city to live with her sister, deciding to go back to living as a woman, apparently not quite knowing how!?! Odd, curious story is sabotaged by some aggressive hand held camera work.
C
SERGIO HERMAN, F**KING PERFECT--Netherlands foodie documentary about famous chef closing one restaurant and opening another, but we've seen it all before. He's charismatic but over worked (or a workaholic) which is destroying his family life and causing health problems. Much hand held camera work in a claustrophobically small kitchen makes for nausea inducing viewing, and the extreme closeups make you want to throw your head back from the screen. Might work better on TV, but you might just want to turn the station for something more exciting.
D
THE FIRE--Argentina film, basically a two person character study of the tensions that arise when an unmarried couple are unable to take the thousands of dollars of cash to the bank to complete their new home purchase, which has been postponed for a day. She feels he is unloving and violent, he feels unloved and threatened by the fact that her family is rich enough to have come up with most of the cash for the sale. This couple spends the whole hand held film arguing, bickering, screaming, threatening to leave, etc and it finally drove me from the theatre after an hour of this pointless, plotless bantering. One of the worst of the festival.
EXCUSE MY FRENCH--From Egypt comes this silly, immature comedy about a smart Christian
boy who wants to go to a public Muslim school after this father dies. The humor was aggressively unfunny and dull. One of the worst of the festival.
OF THOSE I'VE SEEN FOR THE FINAL WEEKEND, I'D RECOMMEND
KEY HOUSE MIRROR, A FEW CUBIC METERS OF LOVE, THE GRUMP, LISA THE FOX FAIRY, 7 CHINESE BROTHERS and THOSE PEOPLE.
FILMS TO AVOID--BODA BODA THIEVES, THE FIRE, COOKING UP A TRIBUTE and EXCUSE MY FRENCH
GRADE:
A-
BLACK GIRL--From Senegal and France comes this 1966 revival from director Ousmane Sembene about a young black woman who is recruited by a wealthy white woman to move to southern France to clean and take care of the children. She finds her new life is not very exciting as she is treated with cruelty and indifference by the mistress, who won't let her out of the apartment, and soon becomes frustrated and depressed, in spite of dressing up in her finery to cook and clean. The black and white observational film clearly symbolizes the effects of colonialism and class discrimination of poor people, and creates a tense, compulsive drama.
B
A FEW CUBIC METERS OF LOVE--Iranian/Afghanistan film about a young male Iranian teen in a shantytown who falls in love with an Afghan girl who is living with her strict father illegally in Iran, refugees who fled war in their country. The film builds intensity as the young couple want to marry but the father refuses, as tensions mount in the shanty town run by a compassionate Iranian who tries to keep the peace between these two nationalities. The joy that these two young people feel for each other is contrasted to the hatred between the adults, and the finale is ironically tragic for all concerned. Lovely, haunting, sad.
KEY HOUSE MIRROR--Denmark drama set in retirement center has elderly woman caring for her immobile stroke victim husband. Her faithfulness to his health leaves her quite lonely, and she soon finds herself falling for a charming debonair neighbor, much to the horror of others living in the facilities, and her own family. I'd give this film a higher score were it not for the incessant hand held camera work that distracts from the moving, dramatic moments.
B-
HENRI HENRI--Gentle French Canadian film in the vein of AMELIE that incorporates some magical realism into it's tale of a young orphan who becomes an expert in fixing light fixtures, all the while searching for true love and and his long lost father. The film doesn't hold onto the charming first act build up, and the third act is regrettably predictable, but it is easy to smile through the occasionally wince inducing plot twists due to the film's good nature and good intentions, and pleasing art and set direction, and photography and score.
7 CHINESE BROTHERS--USA independent slacker film featuring Jason Schwartzman and Olympia Dukakis as grandson and grandmother. The mood is very laid back, and the comedy (and direction) is very lazy. The film doesn't end so much as just stop, but in the right mind set this movie could be a pleasurable experience. I was, however, in the minority opinion.
MORBAYASSA--Exotic looking film from Guinea, starts as a thriller of a woman forced into prostitution, trying desperately to escape her pimp's control. When she does get free, the film morphs into a soapy drama about trying to reunite with her daughter, long ago given up for adoption. There are some interesting twists, some laughable twists, and overall it is rather predictable, but the main actress bravely marches on, despite some frequent and unnecessary nudity. Technically, the story is smoothly filmed for better than expected viewing.
MARDAN--Kurdistan film--a slow burn thriller about police officer with tragic past who tries to find the husband of a woman seeking his help--a man he may have killed with his penchant for speeding around the hilly, dark, rainy nights. There are some existential ruminations as he attempts to rationalize his behavior, which becomes moody and dangerous, and he does show signs of goodness in some questionable choices he makes.
C+
GRAZIELLA--French drama about some criminals doing work release during the day, then going back to prison in the evening, awaiting their approaching time for release. The small town scorns them, and they take to playing Russian roulette to earn extra money for the future. It took a while to figure out the relationships and back stories, and they end up being underwhelming and bewildering.
THE WOLF PACK--US documentary about seven kids who live with their parents in a sheltered and restricted world, and in spite of their fascination with movies on video, and their penchant for acting them out in their gloomy but large New York City apartment, they live in poverty with a controlling father and submissive mother who home schools them. They are now getting old enough to want to leave the apartment for excursions and work, and in rebellion against their father. The topic of this film has fascinating possibilities, but the film maker seems unable (or unwilling) to ask the probing questions or shape the film with any type of back story that might make some sense of it all. Worse, she films with an annoying hand held camera, including poorly filmed home movies that seem pointless and distracting, and refuses to follow up on some outrageous moments or statements from her subjects. A major disappointment.
GLASSLAND--Irish film that features strong performance by Jack Reynor as the hardworking son of his alcoholic mother Toni Collette, and his struggles to get her to clean up her life. They are the main reason for watching this grim, slow film that features hand held camera work(not my favorite device).
BLUE BLOOD--From Brazil comes a magic realism film about a circus troupe that lands on a small island in the south Atlantic ocean, bringing up painful feelings from the "shot from the rocket" man who grew up there. The film looks great, with beautiful scenery and attractive characters who swim, dance, copulate, drink, and talk talk talk about life and their problems. It is exotic and earthy stuff at times, but there's not much plot, the symbolism is murky, and the pointless film seems to go on and on and on.
SWORN VIRGIN--Italian film about small region that allows for some women to go to the mountains to live as men. One of them returns to the city to live with her sister, deciding to go back to living as a woman, apparently not quite knowing how!?! Odd, curious story is sabotaged by some aggressive hand held camera work.
C
SERGIO HERMAN, F**KING PERFECT--Netherlands foodie documentary about famous chef closing one restaurant and opening another, but we've seen it all before. He's charismatic but over worked (or a workaholic) which is destroying his family life and causing health problems. Much hand held camera work in a claustrophobically small kitchen makes for nausea inducing viewing, and the extreme closeups make you want to throw your head back from the screen. Might work better on TV, but you might just want to turn the station for something more exciting.
D
THE FIRE--Argentina film, basically a two person character study of the tensions that arise when an unmarried couple are unable to take the thousands of dollars of cash to the bank to complete their new home purchase, which has been postponed for a day. She feels he is unloving and violent, he feels unloved and threatened by the fact that her family is rich enough to have come up with most of the cash for the sale. This couple spends the whole hand held film arguing, bickering, screaming, threatening to leave, etc and it finally drove me from the theatre after an hour of this pointless, plotless bantering. One of the worst of the festival.
EXCUSE MY FRENCH--From Egypt comes this silly, immature comedy about a smart Christian
boy who wants to go to a public Muslim school after this father dies. The humor was aggressively unfunny and dull. One of the worst of the festival.
OF THOSE I'VE SEEN FOR THE FINAL WEEKEND, I'D RECOMMEND
KEY HOUSE MIRROR, A FEW CUBIC METERS OF LOVE, THE GRUMP, LISA THE FOX FAIRY, 7 CHINESE BROTHERS and THOSE PEOPLE.
FILMS TO AVOID--BODA BODA THIEVES, THE FIRE, COOKING UP A TRIBUTE and EXCUSE MY FRENCH
Monday, June 1, 2015
SIFF REPORT 29 MAY--31MAY........Great weekend! DEAREST, DARK HORSE, END OF TOUR, VERY SEMI-SERIOUS, PRIMARY INSTINCT and 54: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT!
Everything I saw this weekend I liked! YEAH.
GRADE:
B+
54: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT--USA film from 1998 has been reconstructed with 30 minutes removed and 40 minutes of old footage added to become what must be a nearly new film experience. I never saw that original version, although I'm curious now to compare. The studio balked at the previous bisexual love triangle and the edgier sexual content which had forced reshoots, pleasing neither the director nor the audience, which stayed away from this disco drama about the real life Studio 54's heyday in the late 1970's. I'm here to say that I LOVED this new film. It's absolutely fascinating, with sensational performances by Ryan Phillppe playing a bisexual slut of a bartender willing to do anything to get ahead, Selma Hayek as the talented coat check girl eager to make it big in the music industry, Neve Campbell as the mysterious soap opera star who temps Philllppe, Sela Ward as the powerful woman seeking every higher thrill that sex and drugs can offer, and a subtle (!) Mike Myers as the corrupt club owner Steve Rubell. I was especially impressed with Breckin Meyer who plays Hayek's put upon husband, eager to succeed without compromising his morals and standards. Hopefully this new/old film can jump start his rather lack luster career. A disco drama with a great soundtrack may not be every one's cup of tea, but it is a compelling look at a place and time in America that may be like nothing you've seen before. If nothing else, it's a GREAT guilty pleasure!
DEAREST---Chinese film based on a true story that dramatizes the kidnapping of a three year old boy. His devastated divorced parents spend thousands of dollars and several years searching for him, only to find that this situation is not as straight forward as it seems, with other complications clouding their future, and that of other parents in their situation. Strong and emotional film, with intriguing twists.
THE DARK HORSE---New Zealand film (again based on a true story) has a chess master being released from a mental hospital, but soon finding that he cannot live with his Maori brother--a dying gangster who feels that his 15 year old son is better off being incorporated into the gang of hooligans than left with his "crazy" brother. It's an intense, violent film on several levels, and the actors are incredibly believable as they maneuver the meanings of what it means to be a man and survive in a white man's world. Hope for the young son arrives with a chess club for teens tutored by the chess master, who still has problems of his own.
B
END OF TOUR---USA---A reporter from Rolling Stone magazine is assigned to interview the writer David Foster Wallace, a down to earth man with issues of self worth and who has just written a sprawling, brilliant novel called INFINITE JEST. The relationship over a 5 day period opens up periods of friendship, paranoia, envy, competition and jealousy. Jason Segel is a subtle marvel as the author, and Jesse Eisenberg is the anxious, jittery, smoker who wants the most revealing interview he can get. The insightful film, inspired by the true story is a well made, fascinating journey into the minds of these two very different writers.
VERY SEMI-SERIOUS--USA documentary about some successful cartoonists who have work that appears regularly in THE NEW YORKER magazine. It you've every enjoyed these cartoons, then this fascinating and funny film will delight you, as it goes deeper into questions like what makes a good cartoon, what makes people laugh, and what type of person is behind these small gems.
DO I SOUND GAY?--US documentary has a gay man unhappy with the sound of his voice seeking counseling and training to try to change his voice to sound less "gay"---with many talking heads interviews with various celebrities like George Takai, David Sedaris, Margaret Cho, Dan Savage, Tim Gunn and others. The serious question, often at odds from person to person, is asked and answered to great entertaining comic effect.
PRIMARY INSTINCT--US film is basically a filmed monologue of character actor Stephen Tobolowsky's one man show, where he tells true stories of his life and family, to great and fascinating comic effect. You may have heard him on NPR radio reading other people's stories. The film is in the vein of Julia Sweeney's GOD SAID HA!(1998) and Margaret Cho's I'M THE ONE THAT I WANT (2000), and that's a good thing.
B-
KRISHA--USA independent drama about a broken woman in her 60's who's been trying to recover from alcoholism for several years, and she now is attending a family reunion over Thanksgiving Day weekend. We get to eavesdrop on different family discussions, and find that over the course of a day her defenses and character are starting to crack. The film is intense and suspenseful in a sad sort of way as we learn about the different relationships, but the film making is smooth and competent and the lead actress is compelling to watch. It felt like a simpler, smaller version of the Gina Rowlands film A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE (1974).
RACING EXTINCTION---Beautifully filmed US documentary by the makers of the rousing film THE COVE (2009) which dealt with the brutal slaughter of dolphins in Japan. This time the film is broader, covering some mammals and other sea life, specifically sting rays being slaughtered in Indonesia to satisfy the Chinese belief that parts of these animals can cure cancer. There are many disturbing scenes and covert filming of factories and stores that sell endangered species products, but the overall powerful effect has been diluted by trying to cover too much territory.
I feel that any film rated B- or better is recommended, and a B+, A- or A film is a MUST SEE.
GRADE:
B+
54: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT--USA film from 1998 has been reconstructed with 30 minutes removed and 40 minutes of old footage added to become what must be a nearly new film experience. I never saw that original version, although I'm curious now to compare. The studio balked at the previous bisexual love triangle and the edgier sexual content which had forced reshoots, pleasing neither the director nor the audience, which stayed away from this disco drama about the real life Studio 54's heyday in the late 1970's. I'm here to say that I LOVED this new film. It's absolutely fascinating, with sensational performances by Ryan Phillppe playing a bisexual slut of a bartender willing to do anything to get ahead, Selma Hayek as the talented coat check girl eager to make it big in the music industry, Neve Campbell as the mysterious soap opera star who temps Philllppe, Sela Ward as the powerful woman seeking every higher thrill that sex and drugs can offer, and a subtle (!) Mike Myers as the corrupt club owner Steve Rubell. I was especially impressed with Breckin Meyer who plays Hayek's put upon husband, eager to succeed without compromising his morals and standards. Hopefully this new/old film can jump start his rather lack luster career. A disco drama with a great soundtrack may not be every one's cup of tea, but it is a compelling look at a place and time in America that may be like nothing you've seen before. If nothing else, it's a GREAT guilty pleasure!
DEAREST---Chinese film based on a true story that dramatizes the kidnapping of a three year old boy. His devastated divorced parents spend thousands of dollars and several years searching for him, only to find that this situation is not as straight forward as it seems, with other complications clouding their future, and that of other parents in their situation. Strong and emotional film, with intriguing twists.
THE DARK HORSE---New Zealand film (again based on a true story) has a chess master being released from a mental hospital, but soon finding that he cannot live with his Maori brother--a dying gangster who feels that his 15 year old son is better off being incorporated into the gang of hooligans than left with his "crazy" brother. It's an intense, violent film on several levels, and the actors are incredibly believable as they maneuver the meanings of what it means to be a man and survive in a white man's world. Hope for the young son arrives with a chess club for teens tutored by the chess master, who still has problems of his own.
B
END OF TOUR---USA---A reporter from Rolling Stone magazine is assigned to interview the writer David Foster Wallace, a down to earth man with issues of self worth and who has just written a sprawling, brilliant novel called INFINITE JEST. The relationship over a 5 day period opens up periods of friendship, paranoia, envy, competition and jealousy. Jason Segel is a subtle marvel as the author, and Jesse Eisenberg is the anxious, jittery, smoker who wants the most revealing interview he can get. The insightful film, inspired by the true story is a well made, fascinating journey into the minds of these two very different writers.
VERY SEMI-SERIOUS--USA documentary about some successful cartoonists who have work that appears regularly in THE NEW YORKER magazine. It you've every enjoyed these cartoons, then this fascinating and funny film will delight you, as it goes deeper into questions like what makes a good cartoon, what makes people laugh, and what type of person is behind these small gems.
DO I SOUND GAY?--US documentary has a gay man unhappy with the sound of his voice seeking counseling and training to try to change his voice to sound less "gay"---with many talking heads interviews with various celebrities like George Takai, David Sedaris, Margaret Cho, Dan Savage, Tim Gunn and others. The serious question, often at odds from person to person, is asked and answered to great entertaining comic effect.
PRIMARY INSTINCT--US film is basically a filmed monologue of character actor Stephen Tobolowsky's one man show, where he tells true stories of his life and family, to great and fascinating comic effect. You may have heard him on NPR radio reading other people's stories. The film is in the vein of Julia Sweeney's GOD SAID HA!(1998) and Margaret Cho's I'M THE ONE THAT I WANT (2000), and that's a good thing.
B-
KRISHA--USA independent drama about a broken woman in her 60's who's been trying to recover from alcoholism for several years, and she now is attending a family reunion over Thanksgiving Day weekend. We get to eavesdrop on different family discussions, and find that over the course of a day her defenses and character are starting to crack. The film is intense and suspenseful in a sad sort of way as we learn about the different relationships, but the film making is smooth and competent and the lead actress is compelling to watch. It felt like a simpler, smaller version of the Gina Rowlands film A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE (1974).
RACING EXTINCTION---Beautifully filmed US documentary by the makers of the rousing film THE COVE (2009) which dealt with the brutal slaughter of dolphins in Japan. This time the film is broader, covering some mammals and other sea life, specifically sting rays being slaughtered in Indonesia to satisfy the Chinese belief that parts of these animals can cure cancer. There are many disturbing scenes and covert filming of factories and stores that sell endangered species products, but the overall powerful effect has been diluted by trying to cover too much territory.
I feel that any film rated B- or better is recommended, and a B+, A- or A film is a MUST SEE.
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