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.
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