WINTER'S BONE is a deadly serious film set in a poor Ozark community, and features a stripped down cast of professionals and locals to tell a mystery story of a young teen's struggle to find her father before the law takes her home. Dad is a dope dealer and maker, and he's on the run, so you have to think--how is he going to save the family home. But as the film progresses, you realize that something more sinister is in play, as her strange kin start lying and threatening her when all she wants is the truth. It's bare bones screenplay and solid direction keeps you riveted to the teen's plight, and even though her father is no good, you keep hoping that somehow she will prevail. Films don't get more self-contained than this. GRADE---- A
During the first screening of I AM LOVE during SIFF, I struggled with the grade that I would give this amazing film. Here is a familiar story handled in a stylish, fascinating manner. Tilda Swinton, Oscar winner for MICHEAL CLAYTON a few years ago, is the "star" and producer of this Italian film, and like fine tailored Italian suits, this film (with the hypnotic music and thoughtful photography) creates an artistic piece of great intelligence and refinement--we rarely get a film that demands so much of our attention and thought. A wealthy woman, living in a cocoon of money and privilege, finds herself emerging into a sensual reality through her daughter's blossoming sexuality and her own unexpected relationship with a much younger man, the best friend of her son. All the while, the family business is being bastardized into an international conglomerate much to (some of) the family's disgust. Obviously, all is not well in what seemed like, in the first carefully detailed sequence, to be a well oiled machine. This film is not for everyone. It is an intellectualized romantic saga of passion (food, love, nature) in a capitalistic world, and the final sequence is as wrenching and haunting as any you're likely to see. It has the power to blow you away if you are into it........ And to the handful of rude cretins who loudly and obnoxiously blasted the film in the dark before the credits had barely appeared on the screen at a second Seven Gables screening (there's another brief, eerie scene during the credits) with derogatory comments, I can only wish you are forced to watch the insipid HOT TUB TIME MACHINE for the rest of your lives.
I have to upgrade I AM LOVE to near classic status. New GRADE---- A-
Unfortunately, the creators of THE A-TEAM thought it would be clever and nostalgic to stretch out the opening credits of this new version of the TV hit from 20 years ago so that they showed a brief action scene, brief credit, (one actor's name), more action, another actor's name, etc,etc,etc,etc , so that the title (because you've forgotten by this time) THE A- TEAM appears jarringly nearly 25 minutes into the film!!!!!!!!! This was NOT a good idea, and it really pissed me off, but I have to say, that after the first half hour I finally started getting into the spirit of this fantastical action film, and the gung-ho cast including Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel and from last summer's surprise sci-fi hit DISTRICT 9, Sharlto Copley (the guy who starts turning into a giant human lobster---and he nearly steals this movie, too)---well, they are all good. Definitely a "giant bag of popcorn" movie. GRADE----- B-
A young Hassidic Jewish man studying to be a rabbi becomes innocently involved (at first) into becoming a drug mule for mobsters in this "based on a true story" thriller that feels very familiar, but because of the ethnocentric Jewish/Brooklyn setting becomes rather engrossing, in HOLY ROLLERS. GRADE----- B-
It's been around for two months, but finally caught up with the 2010 remake of CLASH OF THE TITANS. There are some impressive visual effects, but the film is played with deadly seriousness, and that makes if rather cold. In the 1981 version, the "GODS" were all played with great tongue in cheek by Laurence Olivier, Clare Bloom, Maggie Smith, Ursula Andress and others, and their bitchy, pithy retorts played off the cheesy, innocent special effects of the action scenes, and the film is remembered as campy and amusing. Rent the older version instead of this dud. A solid and unremarkable GRADE-----C
Hadn't seen BROADCAST NEWS (1987) for nearly 20 years, but I'm pleased to report it remains a witty, funny, intelligent comedy on the slow death of serious news reporters (and still going on today), and the sparkling cast of Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks and William Hurt reminded me of Stewart, Grant and Hepburn in PHILADELPHIA STORY. GRADE------ A-
Never did get around to seeing many people's favorite "teen-ager skipping school" movie, so FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986) came as a delightful surprise to me. There are many funny, cool, clever scenes and lines, and Matthew Broderick has never been so charming. GRADE------B
Showing posts with label I Am Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I Am Love. Show all posts
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Report 1
Let's start at the TOP. I'm giving short comments and a grade--more detailed info when the films open. Hopefully this will help anyone needing some guidance for picking films when the Festival opens officially on May 23rd.
GRADE ---A
NOWHERE BOY (United Kingdom)--Probably the most liked film of the screenings so far, this well acted account of the early teen years of John Lennon has three incredible, fascinating actors, a dramatic story to tell, and charges on all cylinders (direction, script, cinematography, music, etc). Excellent, moving drama.
GRADE---A-
LETTERS TO FATHER JACOB (Sweden)--A hardened lifer (for murder) is pardoned after years in prison, and she takes a position helping old and blind Father Jacob answer letters to those in need, with some expected and unexpected results. Bring the hankie for this one. Extremely moving, beautifully done little (79 minutes) parable.
AHEAD OF TIME (USA)-- Documentary of Ruth Gruber who earned her doctorate degree at age 19 and became a well known author, journalist and humanitarian, becoming the first woman to write about life in the Arctic, life in Germany during Hitler's rise to power, and her amazing pictorial and writings of the EXODUS 1947 book about the struggle of Jewish people to start settling in the newly created state of Israel. Fascinating and moving.
GRADE---B+
I AM LOVE (Italy)--Tilda Swinton gives a fascinating and bold performance as a born-in-Russia Italian (she speaks fluid Italian in this film...)who is the trophy wife of a very rich magnate. The first part of the film shows her in a cocoon of privilege and wealth, but several revelations open her up to sensuality, sexuality and deep emotional realization. I loved the intellectual impact of the film, but the audience was deeply divided over some melodramatic contrivances. You're going to love it or hate it--either way it's well worth seeing for stunning photography, music, eye-candy, costume and set design, and especially Ms Swinton, who also produced the film.
GRADE---B
FARSAN (Sweden)--A charming elderly man sets out to find a new wife at the urging of his devoted son, though his efforts are rather unconventional. A warm, funny, charming film with endearing characters.
THE CHEF OF SOUTH POLAR (Japan)--The new chef for an eight man crew of technicians stationed in the Antarctica tries to overcome his loneliness by throwing himself into his job by creating masterpieces of cuisine out of canned and frozen food. A good natured, Food film featuring amusing hi jinks and quirky characters.
HIDDEN DIARY (France)--When a young woman comes home to visit her cold, distant mother, she finds a diary written by her grandmother which reveals a lot of family secrets. The majestic Catherine Deneuve beautifully and subtlety plays her frigid mother. Many film goers seemed to like this much more than I.
GRADE---B-
HOLY ROLLERS (USA)--A twenty year old Hasiddic Jew training to become a rabbi becomes sucked into the world of drug smuggling. Based on a true story, the characters and setting transcend the predicable plot arch.
RAPT (France)--An engrossing thriller about the kidnapping of a rich industrialist, and the efforts of his family and company and police to secure his freedom. Unfortunately for him, his double life is revealed by the press and as time goes by, there's less enthusiasm to free him. The film loses some energy, and the final scenes seem sadly predictable.
EXCITED (Canada)--A comic relationship movie where the main character is dealing with severe premature ejaculation (!) but in a mature, smart manner. A funny, thoughtful dramedy, but somewhat minor in retrospect.
GRADE---C+
FRENCH KISSERS (France)--Lively but tiresome, constantly masturbating teen boys want sex and girls, but are too geeky to get it right. Some amusing scenes, but we've seen it all before in better US movies.
GRADE---C-
KANIKOSEN (Japan)--There's one great, awful funny scene early in this Japanese (folk-tale) Manga film where about two dozen enslaved sailors, thinking they will be reborn into richer families when they die, try to all hang themselves at the same time aboard a ship that is pitching around in the ocean, but the rest of this oddity is a snooze. I counted 5 people around me with their eyes closed, heads resting on chest, or sunk down in the seat at one point. I struggled to stay engaged, too, until finally at the one hour mark a reel of film started playing upside down and backward and stayed that way for 20 minutes, I heard. I bolted.
So it was a very decent, well above average week, with at least four MUST SEE films to choose from.
More next week.
GRADE ---A
NOWHERE BOY (United Kingdom)--Probably the most liked film of the screenings so far, this well acted account of the early teen years of John Lennon has three incredible, fascinating actors, a dramatic story to tell, and charges on all cylinders (direction, script, cinematography, music, etc). Excellent, moving drama.
GRADE---A-
LETTERS TO FATHER JACOB (Sweden)--A hardened lifer (for murder) is pardoned after years in prison, and she takes a position helping old and blind Father Jacob answer letters to those in need, with some expected and unexpected results. Bring the hankie for this one. Extremely moving, beautifully done little (79 minutes) parable.
AHEAD OF TIME (USA)-- Documentary of Ruth Gruber who earned her doctorate degree at age 19 and became a well known author, journalist and humanitarian, becoming the first woman to write about life in the Arctic, life in Germany during Hitler's rise to power, and her amazing pictorial and writings of the EXODUS 1947 book about the struggle of Jewish people to start settling in the newly created state of Israel. Fascinating and moving.
GRADE---B+
I AM LOVE (Italy)--Tilda Swinton gives a fascinating and bold performance as a born-in-Russia Italian (she speaks fluid Italian in this film...)who is the trophy wife of a very rich magnate. The first part of the film shows her in a cocoon of privilege and wealth, but several revelations open her up to sensuality, sexuality and deep emotional realization. I loved the intellectual impact of the film, but the audience was deeply divided over some melodramatic contrivances. You're going to love it or hate it--either way it's well worth seeing for stunning photography, music, eye-candy, costume and set design, and especially Ms Swinton, who also produced the film.
GRADE---B
FARSAN (Sweden)--A charming elderly man sets out to find a new wife at the urging of his devoted son, though his efforts are rather unconventional. A warm, funny, charming film with endearing characters.
THE CHEF OF SOUTH POLAR (Japan)--The new chef for an eight man crew of technicians stationed in the Antarctica tries to overcome his loneliness by throwing himself into his job by creating masterpieces of cuisine out of canned and frozen food. A good natured, Food film featuring amusing hi jinks and quirky characters.
HIDDEN DIARY (France)--When a young woman comes home to visit her cold, distant mother, she finds a diary written by her grandmother which reveals a lot of family secrets. The majestic Catherine Deneuve beautifully and subtlety plays her frigid mother. Many film goers seemed to like this much more than I.
GRADE---B-
HOLY ROLLERS (USA)--A twenty year old Hasiddic Jew training to become a rabbi becomes sucked into the world of drug smuggling. Based on a true story, the characters and setting transcend the predicable plot arch.
RAPT (France)--An engrossing thriller about the kidnapping of a rich industrialist, and the efforts of his family and company and police to secure his freedom. Unfortunately for him, his double life is revealed by the press and as time goes by, there's less enthusiasm to free him. The film loses some energy, and the final scenes seem sadly predictable.
EXCITED (Canada)--A comic relationship movie where the main character is dealing with severe premature ejaculation (!) but in a mature, smart manner. A funny, thoughtful dramedy, but somewhat minor in retrospect.
GRADE---C+
FRENCH KISSERS (France)--Lively but tiresome, constantly masturbating teen boys want sex and girls, but are too geeky to get it right. Some amusing scenes, but we've seen it all before in better US movies.
GRADE---C-
KANIKOSEN (Japan)--There's one great, awful funny scene early in this Japanese (folk-tale) Manga film where about two dozen enslaved sailors, thinking they will be reborn into richer families when they die, try to all hang themselves at the same time aboard a ship that is pitching around in the ocean, but the rest of this oddity is a snooze. I counted 5 people around me with their eyes closed, heads resting on chest, or sunk down in the seat at one point. I struggled to stay engaged, too, until finally at the one hour mark a reel of film started playing upside down and backward and stayed that way for 20 minutes, I heard. I bolted.
So it was a very decent, well above average week, with at least four MUST SEE films to choose from.
More next week.
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