Tree of Life, The Trip, Buck, Page One: Inside NY Times Bridesmaids

Went to see BRIDESMAIDS again, and it is just as funny, vulgar, clever and sweet as the first time, and my wife really liked it. Getting her to laugh at a comedy is getting tough these days. My 82 year old aunt said that it was disgusting and vulgar, but she and her lady friends found themselves laughing in spite of themselves. It will not disappoint you. GRADE------------ B+

PAGE ONE;INSIDE THE NY TIMES is an inspiring account of the struggles of the Times to compete financially and in otherways with the changing face of news organizations around the nation. It is also a damning indictment of how shallow news is on the internet (ie Huffington Post), and it made most of us want to subscribe. GRADE----B+

BUCK tells the true story of the man who inspired THE HORSE WHISPERER--he survived a cruel abusive childhood to become a sensible,thoughtful communicator of horses (and people). A very heartwrenching, moving story. GRADE--------B+

THE TRIP recently was discussed a couple weeks back. This is based on a British TV series where two or more characters travel around Britain sampling the cuisine and accommodations of various restaurants and hotels, and then verbally critique them, with lots of jokes, impressions and fun. I like this movie version--the two leads are charming and funny as they try to out-impression each other. GRADE-----B-

TREE OF LIFE is an ambitious tale which starts with the sad news that one son has died at the age of 19. Then the story flashes back, WWWAAAAAAYYYYY back to the creation of the heavens and the earths, with stunning National Geographic style photography of what early life might have looked like, although we've seen these images before. Shots of molten lava, cells dividing, light shows (think 2001 SPACE ODYSSEY), then sea creatures--many bizarre shots of plant,sea, insect life---all to the religious and classical score that make this seem grandiose. Then we suddenly have a scene straight from JURASSIC PARK with a dinosaur stomping on the head of a weaker creature. I am not kidding. Now, I'm not exactly bored, since the mother and father and brother are spouting, over the top of the music and imagery, platitudes like "What was God thinking" and "Does He know us all?" and "Why must life be like this" ETC ETC ETC. At times I wanted to giggle, but this is played with deadly seriousness, and I appreciated that the director was trying to reach places and feelings that movies seldom go to. When the narrative does pickup again (about 20 minutes later!!!!!!), the story flashes back and forth in time to the 1950's and then to current time when the surviving son (Sean Penn) wonders, at times pointlessly through the urban jungle of sky scrappers, pondering his childhood, that was filled with fun, mischief, abuse from his father (Brad Pitt), love and understanding from his mother, etc. I kept expecting a (symbolic) dinosaur to come out of nowhere and stomp on him. This is a thin plot for an abstract, impressionist movie. What annoyed me most is the current fashion of directors/cinematographers to use an aggressive HAND HELD camera, which is dizzingly frustrating to watch, and throws me out of the plot/experience. If the camera work had been easier to watch, I might have the heart to give this unique film a B-, but as it is, it is an ambitious experiment that doesn't work like it should. GRADE----------C+

Bridesmaids, Jane Eyre, SIFF Report May 9-12

It took me a while to catch up to the new version of JANE EYRE, but it is definitely worth checking out. The film can hardly be called lovely, or ravishing or delightful--often adverbs used for such Victorian novels transported to cinema. Here we have a very realistic view of the struggles of being a poor woman living in a man's world in the 1800's. The atmosphere is gritty, dingy and poorly lighted, the clothes seem coarse and plain, and the weather severe. There were times I felt I was watching this in old black and white--so muted were the colors. But the power of Charlotte Bronte's story comes through even better than ever. I felt an emotional connection with these characters--especially with Jane and Rochester and their growing relationship. The beautiful score is incredibly subtle and unobtrusive, which makes us pay attention to the feelings of the characters--and not to what is swelling in us due to manufactured feelings, like seeing beautiful flowers, or sweeping landscapes or lush orchestral music. I liked this JANE EYRE, a lot, for it takes a chance by stripping down the glamorous exterior trappings. GRADE-----A-

Possibly the funniest movie of the year has just opened and it should be an early summer hit (hopefully) and it is populated by more than six strong, amusing women (and a couple of charming men.) Written by Saturday Night Live star Kristen Wiig, BRIDESMAIDS features wonderful comic turns by Melissa McCarthy (from TV's MIKE AND MOLLY) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live)and Rose Byrne (GET HIM TO THE GREEK and TV's DAMAGES) and MAD MEN'S John Hamm, and Chris O'Dowd (DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS and GULLIVER'S TRAVELS). This is a rowdy, charming, lovable, and at times grotesque look at how not to be the maid-of-honor at your best friend's wedding. There's a moving sweetness to the relationships between many of the characters, even when outrageous things are happening. One of the best times I've had at the movies in a long while. GRADE----------B+

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Seattle International Film Festival Report for May 9-12.

3 (THREE)--------GRADE B+
Visually strong and intriguing drama by Tom Tykwer (RUN LOLA RUN), this German film about a menage-a-trios is intelligent, philosophical, theological, sexual, artful, and fascinating to watch.

NATURAL SELECTION-------GRADE B-
I hated the first 45 minutes which plays like an obvious satire on the hypocritical sexuality of the conservative religious--as portrayed on an episode of the Jerry Springer Show. But when the neglected housewife hits the road to find her husband's long-lost drug dealing son, the tone changes from comic (and not very funny) to more serious, and the two leads are pretty good, and the tone feels more organic and consistent, and the movie really grew on me. Resist the urge to exit early.

A BAREFOOT DREAM---------GRADE B
A Korean film set in East Timor about a rudderless young man who tries to coach some poor, mostly orphaned children to play organized soccer. Very rough around the edges, with overly active performances and mise en scene, and sometimes the plotting didn't make much sense. But there's no denying the emotional pull of a good against-all-odds sports movie, and several of the child actors are affectingly good.

DANCE TOWN----------GRADE B-
Too much wailing and vomiting, but otherwise interesting story of a woman who must flee North Korea without her husband to start a new life. Unfortunately, life in South Korea is nearly just as miserable for her.

PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES-----------GRADE A-
Excellent profile of the financially struggling nation's newspapers, and the powerful argument to keeps the NYT going. This also makes a damning case against the Internet "news" organizations (like Huffington Post, etc). Fascinating and maddeningly potent.

BLACK, WHITE and BLUES------------GRADE C+
Soulful smooth music and some surprise twists at the end can't make up for slow and predictable, cliched tale of a drunken musician trying to make good.

BICYCLE, SPOON, APPLE--------------GRADE B-
Sincere, well meaning documentary on Alzheimer epidemic seems unfocused by trying to show how this disease is a problem all around the world. It should have stayed focused on the afflicted ex-mayor of Barcelona, a popular politico in Spain.

HOW TO DIE IN OREGON------------GRADE A
A powerful, personal plea in favor of the Death with Dignity solution that was started in Oregon, and now includes Washington and other states to follow. It focuses, heartbreakingly, on several key patients, and their difficult decisions. Devastatingly emotional at times, yet strangely uplifting and empowering, too.

JESS + MOSS--------------GRADE C
The photography compositions are interesting and artful, and the two kids are swell, but unfortunately there is NO PLOT or narrative to engage us. I will be more interested in this first time director's NEXT film.

MICROPHONE-----------GRADE B-
Evocative, exotic, chaotic musical look at urban life and art in Alexandria, Egypt. The film does cast a spell to the patient film-goer, but the thin plot and unresolved situations don't always satisfy.

RED EYES------- GRADE D
Yikes!!!!! Chilean National Soccer team is profiled with a jiggly camera, no insight into players or management or fans, editing done with a blender, shots of waving crowds and screaming announcers while goals are being made OFF camera....!!!!! etc etc etc. What an unprofessional and disappointing waste of time.

BUCK---------GRADE A-
True life story of "horse whisperer" Buck Brannaman. Interesting charming character, thoughtful and informative look a horses and horse training, and a spiritual journey for many involved.