Since I'll be seeing three press screenings a day in general plus more when the festival begins, I'm going to start blogging twice a week through the end of SIFF. I might not have a lot to say about each film, but will try to say more throughout the year as they open in the Seattle area. Here's what I saw May 4-6, in order of preference. Check SIFF.net or the catalogue for showtimes.
INDIGNATION--USA--Writer and/or producer of many Ang Lee films (including CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, THE HULK, EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN, THE WEDDING BANQUET) and other independent productions, James Schamus has now jumped into the director chair, as well as written the screenplay based on the Philip Roth novel INDIGNATION. There are at least three or more extended sequences (about 20 minutes each in length) that are as breathlessly lucid as anything you will see at the movies this year. This is an incredibly well made, well written, well acted film--so intense, funny, sad. It follows a very independent-minded college student during his first year at college in the early 1950's, and it deals very directly with guilt----sexual, Jewish, parental, intellectual , religious GUILT. GRADE-------A
PRESENTING PRINCESS SHAW--USA/ISRAEL- It may not have the technical skill that some documentaries possess, but this is the ultimate CROWD PLEASER--a true life fairy tale about a poor black woman from New Orleans whose YouTube films with singing and talking are discovered by a talented Israeli music producer, who remakes these songs into popular cult status. GRADE----B+
SLASH--USA--A fifteen year old high school boy discovers online erotic fan fiction with the help of an older girl. The film is funny and perceptive. The 15 year old looks and acts just like "SAM" on the reality TV show PROJECT RUNWAY, who was recently kicked off after making the top 4. The girl looks uncannily like British pop singer KATE BUSH looked in the early 1980's with her long straight dark hair, bangs, and big dark eyes. Both actors are very fascinating. Michael Johnston and Hannah Marks are the leads, and Michael Ian Black has a crucial role later in the film. This one was a big, pleasing surprise. GRADE-----B+
HOW MOST THINGS WORK--ARGENTINA--Dream like and symbolic and lyrical, this film follows a young woman who sets out on a sales road trip after her father dies, in the hopes of making enough money to travel to Italy to visit her estranged mother. Great final scene. GRADE-----B+
CONCERTO--BEETHOVEN JOURNEY--U.K.--Crammed with music from beginning to end, this one features pianist Leif Ove Andsnes talking about the life of Beethoven and his piano concertos and inter cuts them with performances that he took on the road for four years. The photography is rather static, but his observations are enlightening and the soundtrack plays parts of Beethoven's piano concertos gloriously. GRADE-------B
HORIZONS--CUBA, SWITZERLAND--Not much dialogue in this ballet film set in Cuba, with some fascinating shots of society and architect, which follows a young want to be ballerina, a 20-something ballerina on the brink of super stardom, and a 94 year old diva who continues to teach and dance, even after loosing her eyesight! Highly recommended for ballet fans. GRADE------B-
THE LAST KING--NORWAY--Stylish, busy, bloody action film set in the 11th century, about protecting an infant, whose king father has just died, and some want the child killed for political gain. Lots of chasing through the snow on horses, sleighs and SKIS!!!!!! Serviceable film, but nothing too special. GRADE----B-
VIOLATORS--U.K.--British teen age girl in dismal housing project struggles to keep her two brothers fed and schooled amid much sexual propositioning and scamming. This is a film in desperate need of SUBTITLES---most people I talked to couldn't understand half the dialogue, and the final ending is muted because we aren't exactly sure what was said and/or resolved. GRADE-----C+
TRUMAN--SPAIN, ARGENTINA--It may have won five Goya Awards including Best Picture, but I can only assume it was a slow year for Spanish films. This leisurely, talky film is about two friends who discuss the dying wishes of one of them---money, medicine, family, doctors, what to do about the dog, etc. I'm not normally opposed to themes of death, but EVERY SINGLE TIRESOME, SENTIMENTAL SCENE features death and dying discussions. Seen it all before in better films. GRADE-----C+
-----------------
I highly recommend any film rated "B+" or better. Films rated "B" or "B-" are usually pretty good, and worth seeing if interested.
VIEWED ON DVD---------
PAINTED LADY--1997--BBC TV film (over three hours) featuring the mighty Helen Mirren in a role that allows her portray a faded 60's rock star, a private detective, a sophisticated art dealer, an obscure countess from Poland, and a connoisseur and historian of fine art!---sometimes all of these characters in a single scene. I must say in spite of some illogical moments, she pulls it off with panache, and I found the film to be fascinating in a convoluted manner. (Think Nazi's, stolen art, fake paintings, sex, undiscovered masterworks and murder all mixed up together, plus MUSIC!) I didn't realize that the film wasn't over at the end of 95 minutes---the end of the first half is terrifying and disturbing, and I sat there stunned to think that this was a grotesque version of a serial killer plot where people are randomly murdered. Fortunately the second half started about one minute later while I sat there in disbelief. I couldn't go to bed, so I watched the whole thing until 145am. This film definitely got under my skin in spite of some holes in the plot. GRADE-------B+
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Artemisia Gentileschi is one of my favorite historical characters. Her story has been told and rewritten several times, including by George Eliot. I enjoyed this British mini-series, The Painted Lady, when it was on Masterpiece Theater in 1997. I love Mirren. Gentileschi's story has plenty of drama all by itself. She paved the way for women to paint, though few painters of either sex were as good as she.
ReplyDelete