I didn't see much new last week, but a lot of films have opened that I saw a while back, so there is much to recommend this week.
I saw THE HEDGEHOG a second time, and still find it to be a superb, thoughtful drama on loneliness, coming of age, second chances and the dangers of judging a book by its cover. This time, the role of the concierge (the symbolic hedgehog of the title )seemed so much more important than the difficulty of the 11 year old girl's pending suicide, and it is underplayed perfectly by the French actress Josiane Balasko so that I held my breath at some of the moments that define her life, in spite of having seen this film before. GRADE-----A
Next up is a charming, but not too sentimental, French film with the incomparable Gerard DePardeau entitled MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGAURITTE, and the title says a lot, but not all there is. He is a simpleton who lives next to his aging mother, and he has a lovely girlfriend and a plain yet satisfying life, and then he meets the lonely old woman on a park bench, who teaches him how to read (understand) classic novels. It's the perfect film to watch sipping mint tea on a dreary day. You'll be pleasantly warmed and surprised at the direction the film goes in. GRADE------A-
For lovers of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (2000) and the like, you won't want to miss DETECTIVE DEE and the MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME, a lively cross between stylish kung-fu epics and Sherlock Holmes mysteries with a dab of science fiction, filmed with lush sets and visual effects and carefully paced so that even when things get a little wild and unbelievable, the film is ravishing to the eye. Extremely entertaining. GRADE---------B+
The new film 50/50 is based on a true story of a young man who feels fine but discovers he has serious spinal cancer. The comedy/drama is well intentioned, and may hit a nerve with those who have struggled with cancer. I found the film rather vague, and in the month since I saw it, it has nearly evaporated from my mind. Still, it is easy to watch, and the actors are all fine. GRADE---------B-
A rowdy, possible midnight cult movie called TUCKER AND DALE VS EVIL, is the outrageous comedy that spoofs films which take place in a cabin in the remote woods, where teens are offed by hillbilly maniacs with chain saws. In this case, the "maniacs" are merely two nice guy drinking buddies on a long weekend trip to fix up their remote woods cabin, and the teens are vapid, silly creatures who leap to the wrong conclusions, and often to their own self-inflicted, grizzly deaths. It is a clever hoot, and does not overstay its welcome. GRADE------B
The Norwegian film HAPPY HAPPY is an odd, cheerful film in spite of dealing with the unhappy marriages of two couples who live in the deserted countryside. Scenes of infidelity, sexuality, child cruelty, and loneliness are amusingly presented, and framed by a Norwegian quartet singing gospel and pop songs from the 50's and 60's as a counterpoint. Quirky, but fun. GRADE---------B
The new sex comedy WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER? suffers poorly in direct comparison to the recent BRIDES MAIDS, with which it shares several passing plot devises (upcoming wedding, the heroine has just lost her job and most recent boyfriend, etc) but the biggest disappointment is that the lengthy previews (which I thought were quite promising) not only give away EVERY SINGLE PLOT POINT AND JOKE, but the preview also contains most of the major laughs, so that every time a new scene or scenario begins, you already know the punch line/trajectory. Too bad, because there is a clever idea--Anna Faris plays a modern woman who has slept with 20 men--way too many she realises, and tries not to go over that number because a magazine article has said that more than that means a strong likelihood that she will never end up in a permanent relation, so she tries to look up her past boyfriends to see if they have changed or if maybe NOW they will connect better. Helping her is her hunky (and frequently nude) neighbor Chris Evans, and of course we all know where this plot is headed. Faris is watchable--she has an odd, imperfect oval face--not a beauty, but her perky personally carries her far. Just wish I'd seen this one sight unseen. GRADE--------C+
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October is a busy month for FILM FESTIVALS in the area. Coming up I'll be seeing films from the 70MM Films at CINERAMA, Asian FILM FEST, VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (VIFF) and LGBT Film Festival. I recently went to the SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL at SIFF Cinema and saw 2 interesting films.
The first was called 80 DAYS about childhood friends who rediscover each other nearly 60 years later, when both are in their 70's. One woman has been married to the same man for over 50 years, and her life has been predictable and filled with drudgery--her husband seems to ignore her existence. The other woman is a lesbian who is about to lose her brother. They meet as they are caring for the sick at the local hospital, and slowly, their loneliness and memories create a strong bond between them. The married woman becomes troubled by her growing sexual attraction to her friend. The film starts out leisurely, but builds considerable drama from the situation, and features a startling resolution in the final scene--just the simple expression on a face that ends the film. Watch for this Basque language treasure on Netflix. GRADE-------B+
The second feature I saw was called KIDNAPPED but a better title might be HOME INVASION or NIGHT OF TERROR. On the first night a family moves into their new home, three men (who worked for the moving company that helped them move) break into their home and terrorize the couple and teen daughter for money. The film takes place mostly in long single takes and real time (like Hitchcock's ROPE-1948), and there are many effective, brutal scenes of violence. But as the film progress, about half way through, you realize that things are only going to get worse-- the violence becomes more brutal and intense, and the film loses it's momentum. The film ends with some over the top violence, and a mean cruel cheat of an ending that curdles in your throat. GRADE--------C+
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Just a couple DVD films this week. Up first is an excellent Czech film directed by the great Oscar winner Jiri Menzel (CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS-1966.) In the film I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND (2006), the young Czech hero dreams of becoming a millionaire during the years leading up to WW2. He gets his big chance when he meets a Hitler-loving fraulein who pulls him, humorously, into the Nazi world, where he works at a baby-making clinic! Despite some questionable political unpleasantness, the film manages to be raunchy, erotic, comic and profoundly dramatic in equal measures. A real treat. GRADE---------A-
The next is a dark film noir called THE KILLERS (1946) which featured Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien and Albert Dekker, based on a short story by Hemingway. The excellent Lancaster, in his film debut, is killed in the early scenes, and the film flashes back to find out who he was and why he is killed. It's an intriguing set up and a worthy film noir. GRADE----------B
I saw director Derek Jarman's arty SEBASTIANE (1976) at a SIFF midnight screening 35 years ago, and mostly remembered the copious male nudity and moody lyricism provided by the lush photography and scenery and synthetic music (by Brian Eno.) Those things still impressed me this week. It's an interesting take on the martyrdom of St. Sebastiane, who was persecuted and killed mostly for being a Christian Jew, but possibly (according to this film) for ignoring the sexual advances of his lusting leiutenant. Oscar winner Tilda Swinton (MICHAEL CLAYTON-2007) started her career by starring in 5 or 6 of Jarman's later films (but not this one)--they all feature queer themes, sex, nudity, and politics, but none are more effective, possibly, than SEBASTIANE. GRADE-------------B
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
DRIVE, CIRCUMSTANCE, Straw Dogs plus Colin Firth in PRIDE & PREDJUDICE
High on visuals and mood, the would be noirish film DRIVE is interesting to watch and modestly successful as a piece of Hollywood entertainment. There are, however, a few bumps along the way, with mostly some illogical plot devices causing the viewer to think "REALLY?" and a few scenes caused audience members to laugh out loud, at the film, not with it. Ryan Gosling is pleasant to watch, if somewhat of an enigma as a Hollywood stunt driver in the movies....he also works as a mechanic in a garage....and still finds time to hire himself out as an extremely good getaway driver for criminals who preform robberies while he sits with the engine running, watching his watch that he has strapped onto the steering wheel. (?!?) Yes, he's a busy man, but he is lonely, and lusting after his single with child neighbor. After several dates he finds out that her husband is getting out of jail soon (!?!---no kidding---wouldn't the fact she's still married be something she could have told him on or before the first date?????!!!!) Things really kick into action when he tries to help (!?!) her husband rob a pawn shop (?!?) and things not only go bad, as is usually the case in such films, but a major can of worms puts his life in serious danger. Carey Mulligan (THE EDUCATION) is the girl, Bryan Cranston is his "unlucky" mechanic boss, and Albert Brooks and Ron Pearlman play the really bad baddies--telegraphed from the early scenes. GRADE---------------------B
A slick film that shows that young people in Iran know how to party, sex, drink, drug and mess it all up just like American kids, CIRCUMSTANCE is distinguished by the novelty of taking place in repressive Tehran, and it also adds tension showing the start of a forbidden romance between two young Iranian women. It is a solid film, and in spite of some familiar youthful themes, there are some scenes, especially the family betrayals, that really stick with you. GRADE----------B
I never saw the original Sam Peckinpah version of STRAW DOGS released in 1971, but from reports, I've heard this is a pretty faithful remake, with some minor changes (set in Mississippi instead of England, and the husband's profession is now screenplay writer instead of Dustin Hoffman's mathematician). I didn't enjoy watching this film--the deck, or rather decks, are so stacked that it felt like dramatic reenactments of the Jerry Springer show. James Marsden and Kate Bosworth play a Hollywood couple who relocate to her old hometown and become terrorized by some local rednecks and become involved in a local conflict involving what seems like a mentally unstable young man. It is obvious from the opening scenes as they drive through this poor, small southern town in their Jaguar (!) that Kate has had a very wild reputation with some members of the old high school foot ball team--yet she still acts like a tease to them (knowingly undressing in an open window, and jogging through the woods in a skimpy pair of short shorts and a shear braless top--wet look indeed-- and barefoot, of all things....). She can't seem to stop looking longingly at her old beau, yet has the audacity to complain to her new husband that the local boys are "licking her body with their eyes" and when he suggests, patiently, that it might help if she wore a bra while jogging, she explodes in infantile anger that he is not on her side. The film is inflammatory and rather unlikely, especially in the extremely violent confrontational sequence that ends the movie. It is technically effective, but to build such a story on such intense cliches---all the women seem to be provocative sluts, and all the men are drunken redneck losers--that the climax seems more a relief than give much dramatic satisfaction. Discussions I heard about the early version praised the themes of aggression vs patience, intellect vs fear, and justice vs hatred---all themes missing here. GRADE---------C-
DVD selections--------------------------
One of my favorite musicals is LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986) with Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, Vincent Gardenia and the fearless Bill Murray. Every cast member is well cast and the Supreme-like singing group adds to the wacky and campy fun. Nerdy Seymour finds love and success when he discovers Audrey II--a man-eating plant from outer-space, but finding the food supply to keep this plant alive--human blood--becomes very difficult. The film is flooded with stylish, 1950's fashion and set design, the songs are doo-whop delightful, but it is the performances that really impress me every time I see it. Moranis as the nerd, Greene as his would-be (if she wasn't "dating a semi-sadist")girlfriend, and especially Steve Martin as the sadistic dentist and Bill Murray as a masochistic patient keep me laughing every time. It is a delightful, funny, campy treat. GRADE-------------A-
The first Blu Ray DVD I purchased to play on my new Blu Ray machine was PRIDE & PREJUDICE (1995) with Colin Firth and Jennifer Elhe, which I never saw when it appeared first on A&E over 15 years ago. I had just seen (and been impressed by)Elhe in CONTAGION a few nights before, and had been wondering what had become of her. An IMDb check reveals that she must just disappear into her roles, as I've missed her this past year in such high profile movies as THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU and THE KING'S SPEECH. Of course, I've loved and watched Firth for many years, and this version of P&P is a wonderful showcase for these two fine actors. It also looked FABULOUS on Blu-ray--the colors popped, the details were clear and crisp, and the story--all 5 1/5 hours of it kept me transfixed. The recent Hollywood version (2005)with Keira Knightly was quite good, too, as is the 1940 version with Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier, but this one had the time and patience to really fill in all the details. GRADE------------B+
When I first saw it in 1973 as the second feature to something unmemorable, I thought that THE LAST OF SHEILA was one of the most clever, witty, bitchy, entertaining murder mysteries I'd ever seen. Over 35 years later, it still is. The excellent cast includes James Coburn as the millionaire who invites 6 close friends on board his yacht for a week, for some mysterious parlour games, Richard Benjamin as a struggling script writer, James Mason as a down on his luck director, Dyan Cannon as a thinly disguised Hollywood agent based on Sue Mengers, a sympathetic Joan Hackett as Benjamin's alcholic wife, Raquel Welch as a starlet and Ian McShane as her publicist husband. This time the butler did NOT do it, but you'll have a hard time figuring out just who did it and why and how. GRADE--------B+
Last but certainly not least this week is the recent Michael Caine film HARRY BROWN (2009) which handles revenge in a much more intelligent manner than STRAW DOGS above. He is a retired military pensioner who is fed up with the drug dealing and harassing that normal folks must put up with in the English projects in which he lives. He gets drawn into some violent situations, and it is very interesting how he gets out of them. Realistic and compelling. GRADE--------B
A slick film that shows that young people in Iran know how to party, sex, drink, drug and mess it all up just like American kids, CIRCUMSTANCE is distinguished by the novelty of taking place in repressive Tehran, and it also adds tension showing the start of a forbidden romance between two young Iranian women. It is a solid film, and in spite of some familiar youthful themes, there are some scenes, especially the family betrayals, that really stick with you. GRADE----------B
I never saw the original Sam Peckinpah version of STRAW DOGS released in 1971, but from reports, I've heard this is a pretty faithful remake, with some minor changes (set in Mississippi instead of England, and the husband's profession is now screenplay writer instead of Dustin Hoffman's mathematician). I didn't enjoy watching this film--the deck, or rather decks, are so stacked that it felt like dramatic reenactments of the Jerry Springer show. James Marsden and Kate Bosworth play a Hollywood couple who relocate to her old hometown and become terrorized by some local rednecks and become involved in a local conflict involving what seems like a mentally unstable young man. It is obvious from the opening scenes as they drive through this poor, small southern town in their Jaguar (!) that Kate has had a very wild reputation with some members of the old high school foot ball team--yet she still acts like a tease to them (knowingly undressing in an open window, and jogging through the woods in a skimpy pair of short shorts and a shear braless top--wet look indeed-- and barefoot, of all things....). She can't seem to stop looking longingly at her old beau, yet has the audacity to complain to her new husband that the local boys are "licking her body with their eyes" and when he suggests, patiently, that it might help if she wore a bra while jogging, she explodes in infantile anger that he is not on her side. The film is inflammatory and rather unlikely, especially in the extremely violent confrontational sequence that ends the movie. It is technically effective, but to build such a story on such intense cliches---all the women seem to be provocative sluts, and all the men are drunken redneck losers--that the climax seems more a relief than give much dramatic satisfaction. Discussions I heard about the early version praised the themes of aggression vs patience, intellect vs fear, and justice vs hatred---all themes missing here. GRADE---------C-
DVD selections--------------------------
One of my favorite musicals is LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986) with Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, Vincent Gardenia and the fearless Bill Murray. Every cast member is well cast and the Supreme-like singing group adds to the wacky and campy fun. Nerdy Seymour finds love and success when he discovers Audrey II--a man-eating plant from outer-space, but finding the food supply to keep this plant alive--human blood--becomes very difficult. The film is flooded with stylish, 1950's fashion and set design, the songs are doo-whop delightful, but it is the performances that really impress me every time I see it. Moranis as the nerd, Greene as his would-be (if she wasn't "dating a semi-sadist")girlfriend, and especially Steve Martin as the sadistic dentist and Bill Murray as a masochistic patient keep me laughing every time. It is a delightful, funny, campy treat. GRADE-------------A-
The first Blu Ray DVD I purchased to play on my new Blu Ray machine was PRIDE & PREJUDICE (1995) with Colin Firth and Jennifer Elhe, which I never saw when it appeared first on A&E over 15 years ago. I had just seen (and been impressed by)Elhe in CONTAGION a few nights before, and had been wondering what had become of her. An IMDb check reveals that she must just disappear into her roles, as I've missed her this past year in such high profile movies as THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU and THE KING'S SPEECH. Of course, I've loved and watched Firth for many years, and this version of P&P is a wonderful showcase for these two fine actors. It also looked FABULOUS on Blu-ray--the colors popped, the details were clear and crisp, and the story--all 5 1/5 hours of it kept me transfixed. The recent Hollywood version (2005)with Keira Knightly was quite good, too, as is the 1940 version with Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier, but this one had the time and patience to really fill in all the details. GRADE------------B+
When I first saw it in 1973 as the second feature to something unmemorable, I thought that THE LAST OF SHEILA was one of the most clever, witty, bitchy, entertaining murder mysteries I'd ever seen. Over 35 years later, it still is. The excellent cast includes James Coburn as the millionaire who invites 6 close friends on board his yacht for a week, for some mysterious parlour games, Richard Benjamin as a struggling script writer, James Mason as a down on his luck director, Dyan Cannon as a thinly disguised Hollywood agent based on Sue Mengers, a sympathetic Joan Hackett as Benjamin's alcholic wife, Raquel Welch as a starlet and Ian McShane as her publicist husband. This time the butler did NOT do it, but you'll have a hard time figuring out just who did it and why and how. GRADE--------B+
Last but certainly not least this week is the recent Michael Caine film HARRY BROWN (2009) which handles revenge in a much more intelligent manner than STRAW DOGS above. He is a retired military pensioner who is fed up with the drug dealing and harassing that normal folks must put up with in the English projects in which he lives. He gets drawn into some violent situations, and it is very interesting how he gets out of them. Realistic and compelling. GRADE--------B
Friday, September 9, 2011
HEDGEHOG (at last), THE DEBT, CONTAGION, and a surprising WARRIOR
After sitting on the shelf (?) for over a year, the excellent French film THE HEDGEHOG that played at SIFF 2010 and won best picture then has finally opened in Seattle. Based on the popular novel THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG by Muriel Barbery, this moving adaptation seemed to be well liked by fans of the novel. It tells the story of a young, would-be suicidal 11 year old girl, who is disappointed by life in her luxury Parisian apartment and is determined to end it all by the time she is 12. She discover es her father's old video camera and begins to record and discover things she's never noticed before, particularly the frumpy concierge, who loves to read, harbors a secret library, and loves dark chocolate while reading with her cat on her lap--along with other passions. When the mysterious Mr. Ozu moves in upstairs, his exotic Japanese manners and apartment design stimulate the girl and the concierge to form a fulfilling friendship. It's an intriguing and delightfully amusing film, made even more memorable by the shockingly sad but ultimately uplifting ending. GRADE---------A
A film about kickboxing brothers is not necessarily going to be on every one's radar, but WARRIOR is a very strong, bruising, emotional film and very compelling. Like the recent films THE FIGHTER (2010) and THE WRESTLER (2008), the sports aspect takes a back seat to the dysfunctional family dynamics that propel the plot. There might be some contrivances in the film, and the film is marred during the first hour by some wiggly hand held camera work, but the story and characters hook you from the start. Nick Nolte is in fine form as the recovering alcoholic father whose drunken violence drove the family--literally--apart. The younger son Tommy took off with his sick mother, who soon dies leaving him alone. He ends up in the Marines. The older brother escapes his father by marrying his young wife and starting a family in another city. There is a lot of angst and anger between them all. Both brothers learned to wrestle and box spurred on by their father when they were young, and when a big purse mixed-martial arts competition comes to the east coast, they both enter for various reasons, unbeknownst to each other. The fighting scenes are kept to a minimum until the end, and there are several climaxes that really pour on the drama. Joel Edgerton plays the married teacher brother, and Tom Hardy plays the ex-Marine, and both are effectively brooding and up to the physical challenges of the roles. The thing that surprised me most was the wracking, rousing emotional conclusion---both physically and mentally--that ends the film. I was shaking so hard (trying to stop the sobbing) that I felt my seat might break loose from the row. GRADE--------B+
A strong, subtle film that tells the story of 3 Nazi hunters in the early sixties and the effects it has on the trio in the present day remains haunting nearly two weeks after screening. THE DEBT features Helen Mirren in the present with a well cast Jessica Chastain (THE HELP) as her younger self who is key to trapping the Doctor of Death in post war Germany, and she becomes sexually attracted with the two men helping her in what seems like a Mission: Impossible situation. As the story from the past is slowly revealed, we see that not all is what it seemed in the beginning, and moral issues add to the suspense that this thriller presents to us. Thoughtful, intelligent, adult entertainment. Also featuring Sam Worthington and om Wilkinson. GRADE-----------B
The new film by Steven Soderberg called CONTAGION has a dynamic subject matter and a first rate cast. A deadly virus pops up in Macao, and before you can sneeze or cough once, the entire world is crumbling and dying in it's wake. Top scientists rush to find a cure (one played with gentle authority by Jennifer Elhe is excellent), and the Center for Disease Control doctors and workers struggle to contain the spread of the virus (including a fine Kate Winslet) while the political side of the CDC (an impressive Lawrence Fishbourne) try to keep a lid on the scare factor and the media. Gweneth Paltrow plays the patient zero (the first to die) and she is quite effective. Less effect is her husband (Matt Damon)who struggles to keep his daughter safe from infection while her horny boyfriend keeps coming around. The film has many creepy effective moments (especially the final shot which finally tells us what happened on Day 1 to start this whole sad tale) but the problem with this film is that it tries to do to much, cover to much information (make sure to cover sneezes, sanitize hands frequently, stop touching your face so much, and stock pile basics early) and rushes from player to player and scene to scene without building much sympathy or effective empathy. I also feel like this is familiar stuff, especially if you've seen or read things like THE HOT SPOT, OUTBREAK, VIRUS, etc where humanity has been threatened with this before. Coming soon is an excellent "virus/end of the world" thriller that recently screened at SIFF 2011 called PERFECT SENSE and starring Ewan McGregor. By keeping the scale small and intimate, the film takes on horrifyingly tragic consequences. It's a small masterpiece. Watch for PERFECT SENSE which just recently opened in Eastern Europe. (?!?) GRADE-------B-
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It is not one of the best James Bond films, but I recently saw on Blu-Ray disc the most recent film featuring an impressive Daniel Craig as 007 in QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008) and I have to say that it looked GREAT---even better than when I saw it at a theatre. The sound and photography was crisp and clear (even with some muttering British accents) and it opened my eyes to what home-theatre can become if you have the right equipment. The whole finale which takes place in the middle of a desert is underwhelming, but Craig is still one of the strongest Bonds ever (except for perhaps Connery, of course)and I hope they (the producers) keep him around, although I've heard that will not happen. Well, Daniel Craig still has two very intriguing movies coming out this year---DREAM HOUSE and the first in the trilogy---GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO--and the previews for both look compelling. GRADE-----------B-
A film about kickboxing brothers is not necessarily going to be on every one's radar, but WARRIOR is a very strong, bruising, emotional film and very compelling. Like the recent films THE FIGHTER (2010) and THE WRESTLER (2008), the sports aspect takes a back seat to the dysfunctional family dynamics that propel the plot. There might be some contrivances in the film, and the film is marred during the first hour by some wiggly hand held camera work, but the story and characters hook you from the start. Nick Nolte is in fine form as the recovering alcoholic father whose drunken violence drove the family--literally--apart. The younger son Tommy took off with his sick mother, who soon dies leaving him alone. He ends up in the Marines. The older brother escapes his father by marrying his young wife and starting a family in another city. There is a lot of angst and anger between them all. Both brothers learned to wrestle and box spurred on by their father when they were young, and when a big purse mixed-martial arts competition comes to the east coast, they both enter for various reasons, unbeknownst to each other. The fighting scenes are kept to a minimum until the end, and there are several climaxes that really pour on the drama. Joel Edgerton plays the married teacher brother, and Tom Hardy plays the ex-Marine, and both are effectively brooding and up to the physical challenges of the roles. The thing that surprised me most was the wracking, rousing emotional conclusion---both physically and mentally--that ends the film. I was shaking so hard (trying to stop the sobbing) that I felt my seat might break loose from the row. GRADE--------B+
A strong, subtle film that tells the story of 3 Nazi hunters in the early sixties and the effects it has on the trio in the present day remains haunting nearly two weeks after screening. THE DEBT features Helen Mirren in the present with a well cast Jessica Chastain (THE HELP) as her younger self who is key to trapping the Doctor of Death in post war Germany, and she becomes sexually attracted with the two men helping her in what seems like a Mission: Impossible situation. As the story from the past is slowly revealed, we see that not all is what it seemed in the beginning, and moral issues add to the suspense that this thriller presents to us. Thoughtful, intelligent, adult entertainment. Also featuring Sam Worthington and om Wilkinson. GRADE-----------B
The new film by Steven Soderberg called CONTAGION has a dynamic subject matter and a first rate cast. A deadly virus pops up in Macao, and before you can sneeze or cough once, the entire world is crumbling and dying in it's wake. Top scientists rush to find a cure (one played with gentle authority by Jennifer Elhe is excellent), and the Center for Disease Control doctors and workers struggle to contain the spread of the virus (including a fine Kate Winslet) while the political side of the CDC (an impressive Lawrence Fishbourne) try to keep a lid on the scare factor and the media. Gweneth Paltrow plays the patient zero (the first to die) and she is quite effective. Less effect is her husband (Matt Damon)who struggles to keep his daughter safe from infection while her horny boyfriend keeps coming around. The film has many creepy effective moments (especially the final shot which finally tells us what happened on Day 1 to start this whole sad tale) but the problem with this film is that it tries to do to much, cover to much information (make sure to cover sneezes, sanitize hands frequently, stop touching your face so much, and stock pile basics early) and rushes from player to player and scene to scene without building much sympathy or effective empathy. I also feel like this is familiar stuff, especially if you've seen or read things like THE HOT SPOT, OUTBREAK, VIRUS, etc where humanity has been threatened with this before. Coming soon is an excellent "virus/end of the world" thriller that recently screened at SIFF 2011 called PERFECT SENSE and starring Ewan McGregor. By keeping the scale small and intimate, the film takes on horrifyingly tragic consequences. It's a small masterpiece. Watch for PERFECT SENSE which just recently opened in Eastern Europe. (?!?) GRADE-------B-
--------------------
It is not one of the best James Bond films, but I recently saw on Blu-Ray disc the most recent film featuring an impressive Daniel Craig as 007 in QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008) and I have to say that it looked GREAT---even better than when I saw it at a theatre. The sound and photography was crisp and clear (even with some muttering British accents) and it opened my eyes to what home-theatre can become if you have the right equipment. The whole finale which takes place in the middle of a desert is underwhelming, but Craig is still one of the strongest Bonds ever (except for perhaps Connery, of course)and I hope they (the producers) keep him around, although I've heard that will not happen. Well, Daniel Craig still has two very intriguing movies coming out this year---DREAM HOUSE and the first in the trilogy---GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO--and the previews for both look compelling. GRADE-----------B-
Friday, August 26, 2011
Our Idiot Brother, The Future, Magic Trip, and THE HELP revisited
I got a second chance to view THE HELP this week, and I will confess that last week I may have been too close having listened (on book tape) to the book so recently. I remember thinking about what was there and not there during the first viewing (a lot of details and extended relationship scenes, and some minor albeit entertaining scenes like the naked drunk man in Celia's backyard, etc) so that the cinematic experience was compromised, and I was not thinking in terms of whether the film really works as a film. The film works very well on second thought, without being condescending, laborious or petty. The actors are spot on, without much obnoxious caricature or shallowness. Even the over the top evilness of Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly seemed rather tempered on second viewing--her sneering grin seems to mask the insecurity she has as a supposed woman of stature in 1963 Jackson Mississippi. I've never been too fond of her roles (especially the horrid LADY IN THE WATER) but she does have a certain haughty presence in her last role HEREAFTER from last year, and in her next role, the upcoming 50/50. The reliable Sissy Spacek as Missus Walters is quite entertaining as Hilly's demented mother, and Octavia Spencer pulls off a potentially stereotypical role as the wise-cracking maid who becomes a life-saver to an unexpected character. I really like this movie--it has a chance to be one of the top movies of the year, and I recently upgraded THE HELP from a B to a......B+
Amazingly, 47 years after the road trip, home movies from the Ken Kesey bus tour he took with assorted friends featuring hipsters Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Timothy Leary and others, has been turned into an entertaining, lucid (!), fascinating documentary which really captures the times and would be potential of the drug culture, hippies, free love and the "beat" generation. If nothing else, MAGIC TRIP: KEN KESEY'S SEARCH FOR A KOOL PLACE shows how rather uneventful watching a dozen people tripping on LSD at a mountain lake can really be. GRADE--------B+
Speaking of trips, the new Miranda July film called THE FUTURE, is here to take audiences to a place they probably have never been before. Several years ago, her first film ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW (2005) caused a stir at the opening night of SIFF with it's depiction of adolescent sexuality. It was still considered a provocative view of loneliness and alienation in people of all ages but very accessible due to the black humor. THE FUTURE continues with the alienation themes, but adds a bit of sci-fi (the ability to stop time) and is narrated by Paw Paw the injured cat--no kidding. It is not as ambitious as ME AND YOU...--July and Hamish Linklater play look alike lovers who decide to take a break from each other, but for those who are into her creativity and deadpan humor, this is a thoughtful and sad experience. This film really DIVIDED (as in Loved it or Hated it)the audiences at the recent SIFF. GRADE----------B
For nearly 20 minutes into the new "comedy" called OUR IDIOT BROTHER, I thought this movie was going to be a (stink) bomb--so leisurely and unfunny was the set-up. But I soon got into the pacing, and the story catches on. Paul Rudd plays a simple yet idealistic "organic farmer" (read: want to be hippie) who sells pot to a cop in uniform (no kidding) because he wants to be a nice guy. After his prison term, he moves around to the sofa's of his mother and three sisters (nicely played by Shirley Knight, Elizabeth Banks-who looks a lot like Parker Posey in this role-- Emily Mortimer and Zooey Deschannel) Unfortunately, his penchant for truth telling (as opposed to lying in any circumstance) gets him into a lot of trouble with his sisters and their families. This is a likable, low-key comedy-drama, and if you don't go in with high, knee slapping expectations, you will enjoy this modest little film. GRADE-----------B-
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The only DVD I watched this week was from last year, called EASY "A" (2010) which features the charming Emma Stone, who is on a big BIG roll this year with delightful turns in top movies like THE HELP (see above) and CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE (see previous blogs). This is a (sometimes way to) clever story about a high school girl who does a gay friend a favor by pretending to have sex with him in a very public way, thereby saving him from homophobic attacks, and keeping her from being known as an inexperienced virgin. Of course, things get out of hand, and although I didn't believe but half of the premise (do high school kids really talk like that?), the cast (including funny turns by Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Thomas Haden Church, Malcolm McDowell and Amanda Bynes) has a LOT OF FUN. and so will you. GRADE------B
Amazingly, 47 years after the road trip, home movies from the Ken Kesey bus tour he took with assorted friends featuring hipsters Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Timothy Leary and others, has been turned into an entertaining, lucid (!), fascinating documentary which really captures the times and would be potential of the drug culture, hippies, free love and the "beat" generation. If nothing else, MAGIC TRIP: KEN KESEY'S SEARCH FOR A KOOL PLACE shows how rather uneventful watching a dozen people tripping on LSD at a mountain lake can really be. GRADE--------B+
Speaking of trips, the new Miranda July film called THE FUTURE, is here to take audiences to a place they probably have never been before. Several years ago, her first film ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW (2005) caused a stir at the opening night of SIFF with it's depiction of adolescent sexuality. It was still considered a provocative view of loneliness and alienation in people of all ages but very accessible due to the black humor. THE FUTURE continues with the alienation themes, but adds a bit of sci-fi (the ability to stop time) and is narrated by Paw Paw the injured cat--no kidding. It is not as ambitious as ME AND YOU...--July and Hamish Linklater play look alike lovers who decide to take a break from each other, but for those who are into her creativity and deadpan humor, this is a thoughtful and sad experience. This film really DIVIDED (as in Loved it or Hated it)the audiences at the recent SIFF. GRADE----------B
For nearly 20 minutes into the new "comedy" called OUR IDIOT BROTHER, I thought this movie was going to be a (stink) bomb--so leisurely and unfunny was the set-up. But I soon got into the pacing, and the story catches on. Paul Rudd plays a simple yet idealistic "organic farmer" (read: want to be hippie) who sells pot to a cop in uniform (no kidding) because he wants to be a nice guy. After his prison term, he moves around to the sofa's of his mother and three sisters (nicely played by Shirley Knight, Elizabeth Banks-who looks a lot like Parker Posey in this role-- Emily Mortimer and Zooey Deschannel) Unfortunately, his penchant for truth telling (as opposed to lying in any circumstance) gets him into a lot of trouble with his sisters and their families. This is a likable, low-key comedy-drama, and if you don't go in with high, knee slapping expectations, you will enjoy this modest little film. GRADE-----------B-
-------------------
The only DVD I watched this week was from last year, called EASY "A" (2010) which features the charming Emma Stone, who is on a big BIG roll this year with delightful turns in top movies like THE HELP (see above) and CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE (see previous blogs). This is a (sometimes way to) clever story about a high school girl who does a gay friend a favor by pretending to have sex with him in a very public way, thereby saving him from homophobic attacks, and keeping her from being known as an inexperienced virgin. Of course, things get out of hand, and although I didn't believe but half of the premise (do high school kids really talk like that?), the cast (including funny turns by Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Thomas Haden Church, Malcolm McDowell and Amanda Bynes) has a LOT OF FUN. and so will you. GRADE------B
Monday, August 22, 2011
THE HELP and WHISTLEBLOWER, plus Troy Donahue!
It may be hard to watch due to its graphic (at times) subject matter (sex-trafficking) but there are a lot of other reasons THE WHISTLE BLOWER works so well, including crackling dynamic direction by Larysa Kondracki, a sharp probing script and a terrific lead in Rachel Weisz as a Nebraska cop who takes a job as a peace keeper in post war Bosnia only to find herself in the middle of a sex-slave/human trafficking scandal that reaches into all directions, including the United Nations. Though it is based on a possibly familiar true story, the film is riveting and very fascinating as it details the frustration and paranoia that engulfs the seemingly only "honest" person to be working for this peace keeping mission. This is the type of film that will make you want to look up more information about this scandalous affair. With Vanessa Redgrave, David Straithairn and Monica Bellucci in the cast, all very fine, this thriller will keep you awake, perhaps for days. Winner of best picture and direction at SIFF 2011. GRADE--------A-
I listened to the book tape of the popular bestseller THE HELP just one week before the film recently opened nationwide, so the book was quite fresh in my mind when I watched it last week, and I'm relieved to report that the film version captures most of the main plot points of the novel and captures the spirit and characters of the book quite nicely. The major changes are mostly minor, but I missed the extended relationship with Skeeter's political boyfriend, and her mother's illness is downplayed quite a bit. Many of the plot points have been dramatically rearranged. Especially effective is the "surprise" church meeting, now a more effective "ending." The POV is also (wisely I think) focused on Aibilene (instead of the three women which included Skeeter and Minny), the African-American maid who starts relating her experiences of working for white women, which the white liberal Skeeter wants to write about, at great danger to the other maids, since the time is the early 1960's when "Jim Crow" laws rule behavior, and civil rights is just starting to boil in Mississippi and other southern states. The casting is excellent, and the actors are very impressive, especially Aibileen portrayed in an effectively subtle manner by Viola Davis (who managed to steal DOUBT from Meryl Streep several years ago with just a couple brief scenes) and Octavia Spencer who portrays Minny, best friend to Aibilene, the good cook who's so outspoken that she is fired from many jobs. I also enjoyed the naive Celia Foote portrayed by Jessica Chastain (TREE OF LIFE)and veteran Sissy Spacek, the demented mother of the stone hearted socialite Hilly, played by Bryce Dallas Howard. Emma Stone also shines as Skeeter, another fine role for her this year---see CRAZY STUPID LOVE. Is THE HELP as great as the novel? Perhaps not, but it is still a pleasure to read and to watch. GRADE----------B+
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DVD choices this week from the library included two films starring Troy Donahue and directed by the master of soap, Delmer Daves. The first film, PARRISH (1960) is based on a soap-novel and features Troy as a golden boy who accepts work on a tobacco farm (in Connecticut !?!)) which seems to have an abundance of young single woman who all flock to him, including a sympathetic Connie Stevens as the "slut", Diane McBain as the haughty rich girl of his boss, and Sharon Hugueny as the strong minded, independent woman who resists her psychotic father's power and control. The father is played with great distinction and fascination by the great Karl Malden who takes acting honors in this potboiler. In one of her last roles--as Troy's mother, the grand Claudette Colbert really captures our interest, especially when she unexpectedly teams up with the manic Karl Malden. The ending seemed a bit underwhelming, but it is a good solid watch. GRADE---------B
Entertaining for entirely different reasons--Troy Donahue plays a struggling architect (?!) student living in Rome, who hooks up with the repressed (librarian) and virginal (though not for long!!!!) Suzanne Pleshette (in her first major role) while fighting off the advances of his ex--- nasty rich girl Angie Dickinson, in the lushly photographed ROME ADVENTURE (1962). This film is great to look at, especially the travelogue like photography which makes Italy very appealing and nearly totally void of tourists!!!!! Rossano Brazzi plays the older man who temps Pleshette, but Dickinson really steals this movie with her bad-girl lines and moves.Fun most of the time, and when Dickinson is missing, it's at least pretty. GRADE-------B
I was hoping that the low budget b/w drama about a troubled boy and his dog and the kindly priest (Cesar Romero) who takes them in, would be one of those lost undiscovered classics that slips under the shadows. It is rather unsentimental and straight-forward, and it is certainly watchable, but just barely. THE RUNAWAY (1961) still deals with the hoary notions of "all it takes is a kind word/dog/discipline/love etc" to straighten out the delinquency, and the ending is predictable. GRADE----------C+
I listened to the book tape of the popular bestseller THE HELP just one week before the film recently opened nationwide, so the book was quite fresh in my mind when I watched it last week, and I'm relieved to report that the film version captures most of the main plot points of the novel and captures the spirit and characters of the book quite nicely. The major changes are mostly minor, but I missed the extended relationship with Skeeter's political boyfriend, and her mother's illness is downplayed quite a bit. Many of the plot points have been dramatically rearranged. Especially effective is the "surprise" church meeting, now a more effective "ending." The POV is also (wisely I think) focused on Aibilene (instead of the three women which included Skeeter and Minny), the African-American maid who starts relating her experiences of working for white women, which the white liberal Skeeter wants to write about, at great danger to the other maids, since the time is the early 1960's when "Jim Crow" laws rule behavior, and civil rights is just starting to boil in Mississippi and other southern states. The casting is excellent, and the actors are very impressive, especially Aibileen portrayed in an effectively subtle manner by Viola Davis (who managed to steal DOUBT from Meryl Streep several years ago with just a couple brief scenes) and Octavia Spencer who portrays Minny, best friend to Aibilene, the good cook who's so outspoken that she is fired from many jobs. I also enjoyed the naive Celia Foote portrayed by Jessica Chastain (TREE OF LIFE)and veteran Sissy Spacek, the demented mother of the stone hearted socialite Hilly, played by Bryce Dallas Howard. Emma Stone also shines as Skeeter, another fine role for her this year---see CRAZY STUPID LOVE. Is THE HELP as great as the novel? Perhaps not, but it is still a pleasure to read and to watch. GRADE----------B+
------------------------
DVD choices this week from the library included two films starring Troy Donahue and directed by the master of soap, Delmer Daves. The first film, PARRISH (1960) is based on a soap-novel and features Troy as a golden boy who accepts work on a tobacco farm (in Connecticut !?!)) which seems to have an abundance of young single woman who all flock to him, including a sympathetic Connie Stevens as the "slut", Diane McBain as the haughty rich girl of his boss, and Sharon Hugueny as the strong minded, independent woman who resists her psychotic father's power and control. The father is played with great distinction and fascination by the great Karl Malden who takes acting honors in this potboiler. In one of her last roles--as Troy's mother, the grand Claudette Colbert really captures our interest, especially when she unexpectedly teams up with the manic Karl Malden. The ending seemed a bit underwhelming, but it is a good solid watch. GRADE---------B
Entertaining for entirely different reasons--Troy Donahue plays a struggling architect (?!) student living in Rome, who hooks up with the repressed (librarian) and virginal (though not for long!!!!) Suzanne Pleshette (in her first major role) while fighting off the advances of his ex--- nasty rich girl Angie Dickinson, in the lushly photographed ROME ADVENTURE (1962). This film is great to look at, especially the travelogue like photography which makes Italy very appealing and nearly totally void of tourists!!!!! Rossano Brazzi plays the older man who temps Pleshette, but Dickinson really steals this movie with her bad-girl lines and moves.Fun most of the time, and when Dickinson is missing, it's at least pretty. GRADE-------B
I was hoping that the low budget b/w drama about a troubled boy and his dog and the kindly priest (Cesar Romero) who takes them in, would be one of those lost undiscovered classics that slips under the shadows. It is rather unsentimental and straight-forward, and it is certainly watchable, but just barely. THE RUNAWAY (1961) still deals with the hoary notions of "all it takes is a kind word/dog/discipline/love etc" to straighten out the delinquency, and the ending is predictable. GRADE----------C+
Saturday, August 13, 2011
RISE of PLANET OF APES and PROJECT NIM, also CAPTAIN AMERICA, Devil's Double, Names of Love
I'm happy to report that the new ape movie RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is a superior blend of action thriller and science fiction. The film is unofficially a prequel to the popular films from the 1970's (which include PLANET OF THE APES 1968, BENEATH THE...1970, ESCAPE FROM...1971, CONQUEST OF...1972 and BATTLE FOR...1976) and it is far better to all but the first one which remains an intriguing icon. This new APES movie benefits from having excellent CGI effects that don't distract from the action (I was always trying to figure out which actor was behind that hairy plastic mask in the 1970's.) This is the first movie in a long while in which EVERY CONSECUTIVE SCENE builds to the next scene, and is so compelling in action and plot and suspense that you don't dare even THINK of leaving for a bathroom break. My one complaint is that the last 20 minutes progresses so quickly that you don't get to savor the action and irony that develops like you do in the first 90 minutes. James Franco and John Lithgow are terrific in low key performances as a scientist and his father suffering from Alzheimer, who both become personally involved (emotionally and chemically) with the young ape who triggers the action. See PROJECT NIM below. GRADE--------- A-
An excellent film to see if you liked the APES movies above, and even if you don't, is the fine documentary PROJECT NIM, the true story of a chimp who, in the early 1970's was raised from infancy by a family, then passed on to a university study program when he became to big for them to handle. He was taught to sign and became very domesticated, and became very close to many of the people who came in contact with him, and most of the people are interviewed here, as well as some astounding home movies and photos that document the actions. The film becomes a fascinating and heartbreaking warning about the pleasures and pain of trying to raise "wild" animals in your home. The makers of the new RISE OF PLANET OF THE APES film (see above) must have really done their research--perhaps by watching this footage of PROJECT NIM-- because they really were accurate in the portrayal of apes interacting with humans. These two films would make an EXCELLENT double bill. PROJECT NIM has been haunting me since I first saw it on May 2nd at a SIFF screening. GRADE------ A-
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER is the first in what may be a series of films based on the Marvel Comics story of THE AVENGERS. Set during the WWII in America and later the European theatre, this science fiction tale carefully sets up the story of a patriotic but scrawny weakling who is refused entrance into the military due to a long list of ailments. His persistence at enlisting catches the eye of a doctor who is experimenting on a drug to give humans super strength, and the youth volunteers, becoming a super fast, muscled super-hero. Of course he eventually gets to battle a maniac who breaks off from Hitler (?!?) and wants to destroy the world. The plot is fairly logical for this genre, care is spent to develop the characters, and the action is well calibrated to sustain suspense and our interest. I look forward to the next installment. This is probably the best "Super-hero" movie of the summer. GRADE------ B+
Based on a true story about Saddam Hussein's sadistic son Uday and set in the early 1990's, this film called THE DEVIS'S DOUBLE is an engrossing, violent, intense, and at times lurid film of the times. When an acquaintance of Uday is forcibly recruited to act as his look-alike double, the unfortunate man becomes embroiled in the violence, drugs, sex and murder that controls the Hussein palace. Fortunately for the viewer, the actor playing BOTH Uday and the double is the amazing Dominic Cooper, and he does a cracker jack job. Nothing I've seen Cooper in before has really impressed me---he had parts in AN EDUCATION (2009), the boy-toy in MAMMA MIA (2008) and a supporting role in the current CAPTAIN AMERICA, but this part shoots him to the top of the heap for year end awards recognition. He gives TWO eye opening performances. GRADE -------- B
The breezy, glib French comedy THE NAMES OF LOVE has a lot of supporters, but I found the premise, in which a carefree, sexually liberated young liberal woman going from (conservative) man to man and seducing them to her side of the political spectrum to be too far fetched to be believable. When she finally finds the ONE only to have to deal with the ramifications of his family who lost loved ones to death camps during WWII--the mood turns rather distasteful. Perhaps if this had been re imagined as an out and out drama, it might have had a better impact. The two leads are charming at times and attractive in and out of their clothes. GRADE----------C+
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DVD choices this week include one of my all time favorite comedies, and it holds up very well. WHAT'S UP DOC? (1972) is Peter Bagdonovitch's tribute to screwball comedies of the 1930's, and he fills it with truly wacky, original characters and many splendid sight gags which work nearly 95% of the time--a great average. The snappy, clever screen play was written by Buck Henry (GRADUATE, CATCH 22) and Robert Benton (KRAMER VS KRAMER, BONNIE and CLYDE, PLACES IN THE HEART). Barbara Striesand, looking lovely, and Ryan O'Neal, studly and obtuse, are the leads that would normally be played by Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant (much like BRING UP BABY)or perhaps Carole Lombard and William Powell. They are fine, but the movie is really stolen by some of the best character actors around at the time. Watch for scene stealers Sorrell Booke as a dim witted hotel detective, John Hillerman as the hotel manager, a young Randy Quaid, Mabel Albertson as the gaudily dressed rich lady, Liam Dunn as the hilarious judge in the final scene, Kenneth Mars with his improbable eastern European dialect, Austin Pendleton who's just plain wonderful, and especially the fabulous Madeline Kahn in her first big role. This part won her big acclaim, numerous awards and nominations, and was the beginning of a great comic career in such films as PAPER MOON (1973),BLAZNG SADDLES and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (both 1974), CLUE(1985), MIXED NUTS (1994) and a reoccurring character in the COSBY TV show, as well as other TV roles. Sadly she died of cancer in 1999.
GRADE---------A-
Well acted if predictable tale of a man in a severe mid-life crisis, SOLITARY MAN (2009) has Micheal Douglas's life in a tailspin when he gets some bad, inconclusive medical information. He divorces a patient wife (Susan Sarandon) and alienates his friends, family and girlfriend, played well by Danny DeVito, Jenna Fischer, Mary Louise Parker, and others. He becomes incredibly desparate, and it is to Michael Douglas's credit that in spite of his despicable actions that we still care a wit about him. GRADE------B-
An excellent film to see if you liked the APES movies above, and even if you don't, is the fine documentary PROJECT NIM, the true story of a chimp who, in the early 1970's was raised from infancy by a family, then passed on to a university study program when he became to big for them to handle. He was taught to sign and became very domesticated, and became very close to many of the people who came in contact with him, and most of the people are interviewed here, as well as some astounding home movies and photos that document the actions. The film becomes a fascinating and heartbreaking warning about the pleasures and pain of trying to raise "wild" animals in your home. The makers of the new RISE OF PLANET OF THE APES film (see above) must have really done their research--perhaps by watching this footage of PROJECT NIM-- because they really were accurate in the portrayal of apes interacting with humans. These two films would make an EXCELLENT double bill. PROJECT NIM has been haunting me since I first saw it on May 2nd at a SIFF screening. GRADE------ A-
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER is the first in what may be a series of films based on the Marvel Comics story of THE AVENGERS. Set during the WWII in America and later the European theatre, this science fiction tale carefully sets up the story of a patriotic but scrawny weakling who is refused entrance into the military due to a long list of ailments. His persistence at enlisting catches the eye of a doctor who is experimenting on a drug to give humans super strength, and the youth volunteers, becoming a super fast, muscled super-hero. Of course he eventually gets to battle a maniac who breaks off from Hitler (?!?) and wants to destroy the world. The plot is fairly logical for this genre, care is spent to develop the characters, and the action is well calibrated to sustain suspense and our interest. I look forward to the next installment. This is probably the best "Super-hero" movie of the summer. GRADE------ B+
Based on a true story about Saddam Hussein's sadistic son Uday and set in the early 1990's, this film called THE DEVIS'S DOUBLE is an engrossing, violent, intense, and at times lurid film of the times. When an acquaintance of Uday is forcibly recruited to act as his look-alike double, the unfortunate man becomes embroiled in the violence, drugs, sex and murder that controls the Hussein palace. Fortunately for the viewer, the actor playing BOTH Uday and the double is the amazing Dominic Cooper, and he does a cracker jack job. Nothing I've seen Cooper in before has really impressed me---he had parts in AN EDUCATION (2009), the boy-toy in MAMMA MIA (2008) and a supporting role in the current CAPTAIN AMERICA, but this part shoots him to the top of the heap for year end awards recognition. He gives TWO eye opening performances. GRADE -------- B
The breezy, glib French comedy THE NAMES OF LOVE has a lot of supporters, but I found the premise, in which a carefree, sexually liberated young liberal woman going from (conservative) man to man and seducing them to her side of the political spectrum to be too far fetched to be believable. When she finally finds the ONE only to have to deal with the ramifications of his family who lost loved ones to death camps during WWII--the mood turns rather distasteful. Perhaps if this had been re imagined as an out and out drama, it might have had a better impact. The two leads are charming at times and attractive in and out of their clothes. GRADE----------C+
------------------------
DVD choices this week include one of my all time favorite comedies, and it holds up very well. WHAT'S UP DOC? (1972) is Peter Bagdonovitch's tribute to screwball comedies of the 1930's, and he fills it with truly wacky, original characters and many splendid sight gags which work nearly 95% of the time--a great average. The snappy, clever screen play was written by Buck Henry (GRADUATE, CATCH 22) and Robert Benton (KRAMER VS KRAMER, BONNIE and CLYDE, PLACES IN THE HEART). Barbara Striesand, looking lovely, and Ryan O'Neal, studly and obtuse, are the leads that would normally be played by Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant (much like BRING UP BABY)or perhaps Carole Lombard and William Powell. They are fine, but the movie is really stolen by some of the best character actors around at the time. Watch for scene stealers Sorrell Booke as a dim witted hotel detective, John Hillerman as the hotel manager, a young Randy Quaid, Mabel Albertson as the gaudily dressed rich lady, Liam Dunn as the hilarious judge in the final scene, Kenneth Mars with his improbable eastern European dialect, Austin Pendleton who's just plain wonderful, and especially the fabulous Madeline Kahn in her first big role. This part won her big acclaim, numerous awards and nominations, and was the beginning of a great comic career in such films as PAPER MOON (1973),BLAZNG SADDLES and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (both 1974), CLUE(1985), MIXED NUTS (1994) and a reoccurring character in the COSBY TV show, as well as other TV roles. Sadly she died of cancer in 1999.
GRADE---------A-
Well acted if predictable tale of a man in a severe mid-life crisis, SOLITARY MAN (2009) has Micheal Douglas's life in a tailspin when he gets some bad, inconclusive medical information. He divorces a patient wife (Susan Sarandon) and alienates his friends, family and girlfriend, played well by Danny DeVito, Jenna Fischer, Mary Louise Parker, and others. He becomes incredibly desparate, and it is to Michael Douglas's credit that in spite of his despicable actions that we still care a wit about him. GRADE------B-
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Best of Summer: CRAZY STUPID LOVE, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. Also, Tabloid, Salvation Blvd. Friends w/ Benefits, Transformers 3D
Something special happens during the summer's best comedy/drama--CRAZY STUPID LOVE. As the plot and relationships unfold and develop, with some surprising revelations, the characters change from one-dimensional to become fully rounded and rather likable. When Julianne Moore drops the "divorce" bomb on her unsuspecting husband, she soon after asks, "Am I having a mid-life crisis? I thought only men had them." When her husband Steve Carell starts vocalizing his inner rants at a fancy pick up bar, he attracts the attention of a womanizer (Ryan Gosling) who is determined to get this pathetic man back into the dating game. The irony, of course, is that the womanizer is hardly the best example for him to follow. When young new lawyer Emma Stone realizes that her dull, noncommittal boyfriend is not interested in marriage, she rather suddenly finds herself attracted to the womanizer. Carell's floppy haired young teen son finds himself in love with his much older babysitter--who herself has some secrets. And Marisa Tomei steals another movie with her three short scenes. It is quite a charming, serious comedy. GRADE------A-
You may have heard that recently MIDNIGHT IN PARIS has now become the highest grossing film directed by Woody Allen, by passing his biggest hits including MANHATTAN, SLEEPERS, BANANAS, ANNIE HALL, and the recent top spot held by HANNAH AND HER SISTERS. It's easy to see why---the FUNNY WOODY ALLEN is back! But he is still very interested in art, psychosis, intellectualism and philosophy. Fantasy plays a big part in the story. When Owen Wilson travels to Paris with his fiance and her parents, he becomes transfixed with the "old" historical Paris. One night he becomes transported to Paris of the 1920's, where he meets and interacts with a number of writers, singers and artists, including Toulouse-Lautrec, Dali, Degas, Picasso, Gertrude Stein, Gauguin and others. They inspire him like nothing in the present day. The delightful cast includes Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, and Micheal Sheen and Adrian Brody, plus others. What more could you ask for in a sparkling romantic comedy?!? GRADE-------B+
Errol Morris has a new documentary called TABLOID, and it received some criticism when recently screened at SIFF for being to trivial, since his previous docs have included scandals at Abu Ghraib (STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURES), miscarriage of legal justice (THE THIN BLUE LINE) and death penalty problems (DR DEATH) among others. This one, about a former beauty queen who is charged with kidnapping and sexually molesting her fiance (!!!???!!!) definitely belongs to the "truth is stranger than fiction" category. It is, also, incredibly, outrageously entertaining. GRADE-------B+
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS suffers a bit by coming after the similarly themed but more manic NO STRINGS ATTACHED that featured Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman as old friends who decided to try the sex without the commitment. I laughed a dozen time during that one. FWB does have it's own charms, however, especially in the doey brown eyes of Mila Kunis (who was Ms Portmans co-star in BLACK SWAN) and the good natured, laid back presence of Justin Timberlake. The ending is the same in both films--in case you are a dolt, both couples realize THEY REALLY LOVE EACH OTHER, so it is the getting there that matters. Fortunately, the script is very smart and fast, so that the cleverness keeps things moving, and the actors, including fine support from Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins and Jenna Elfman provide some depth and laughs. My main complaint, however, is that there is no way I could believe that Woody Harrelson was playing a gay character. No one, not even gay best friends in real life, vamp it like he was trying to do. GRADE------B
It had a short run and some strong reviews, but A BETTER LIFE by director Chris Weitz suffers from the sad familiar trajectory of other films about Mexican illegals trying to make it in the US, especially the superior film from last year SIN NOMBRE. Still, this story of a single man trying to keep his young teen son in school, away from drugs and gangs, and into a better standard of living has some heart wrenching moments, and the feelings between the characters are strong. An excellent DVD choice in a few months. GRADE-------- B-
A minor but completely delightful spoof of religion, mega-churches, "dead-heads" and small town morals, SALVATION BLVD. has also a cast to die for. Pierce Brosnan, Ed Harris, Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connely, and especially scene stealer Marisa Tomei (see CRAZY STUPID LOVE above), are all firing on all cylinders. A strong DVD choice. GRADE--------B-
Is the third film necessary? TRANSFORMERS 3D promised the best use of 3D since AVATAR, so I plunked down my $14.50 and held my breath. There are a few nifty shots of exploding metal plummeting towards you, and there is a very thrilling sequence of a tall sky scrapper slowly, slowly tilting/falling over, because a giant worm like transformer has burrowed through the first half of the building (!?!)--although how the half dozen humans that were trapped on the upper floors got down 50 levels to street level in a few seconds remains a mystery. The 3D glasses still gave me a headache--they make the screen much darker so that I find myself squinting to see the action clearly. The action is chaotic, loud, redundant, and sometimes fun, in a "popcorn movie" sort of way. GRADE--------B-
A big disappointment, the plodding COWBOYS AND ALIENS is a boring dud in the first hour, which I hated. Daniel Craig tries hard to be charismatic and partially succeeds. Harrison Ford, in a smaller part, is just plain cranky. The other actors barely register. The awkward plot tries to merge realistic western with alien invasion--but listen to this. The cowboys join up with the mean and nasty bank robbers (!!!), as well as the Indians (???), to fight these evil devils--aliens from another world who are here to......wait for it.......steal all our gold out of the earth. No reason is given for this, and it is a sad statement on the film's interest that we don't really care at this point anyway. GRADE-------D
----------------
Caught on TV this week was YOUNG DR. KILDARE (1938), the first in a series of films and later the long running popular TV series about a doctor who seems to know better than anyone else in the hospital what a patient needs to heal--in this case better than the crusty old head doctor played with his usual elan by Lionel Barrymore. Lew Ayres plays Kildare. This one was watchable but rather simplistic. GRADE-------C+
You may have heard that recently MIDNIGHT IN PARIS has now become the highest grossing film directed by Woody Allen, by passing his biggest hits including MANHATTAN, SLEEPERS, BANANAS, ANNIE HALL, and the recent top spot held by HANNAH AND HER SISTERS. It's easy to see why---the FUNNY WOODY ALLEN is back! But he is still very interested in art, psychosis, intellectualism and philosophy. Fantasy plays a big part in the story. When Owen Wilson travels to Paris with his fiance and her parents, he becomes transfixed with the "old" historical Paris. One night he becomes transported to Paris of the 1920's, where he meets and interacts with a number of writers, singers and artists, including Toulouse-Lautrec, Dali, Degas, Picasso, Gertrude Stein, Gauguin and others. They inspire him like nothing in the present day. The delightful cast includes Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, and Micheal Sheen and Adrian Brody, plus others. What more could you ask for in a sparkling romantic comedy?!? GRADE-------B+
Errol Morris has a new documentary called TABLOID, and it received some criticism when recently screened at SIFF for being to trivial, since his previous docs have included scandals at Abu Ghraib (STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURES), miscarriage of legal justice (THE THIN BLUE LINE) and death penalty problems (DR DEATH) among others. This one, about a former beauty queen who is charged with kidnapping and sexually molesting her fiance (!!!???!!!) definitely belongs to the "truth is stranger than fiction" category. It is, also, incredibly, outrageously entertaining. GRADE-------B+
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS suffers a bit by coming after the similarly themed but more manic NO STRINGS ATTACHED that featured Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman as old friends who decided to try the sex without the commitment. I laughed a dozen time during that one. FWB does have it's own charms, however, especially in the doey brown eyes of Mila Kunis (who was Ms Portmans co-star in BLACK SWAN) and the good natured, laid back presence of Justin Timberlake. The ending is the same in both films--in case you are a dolt, both couples realize THEY REALLY LOVE EACH OTHER, so it is the getting there that matters. Fortunately, the script is very smart and fast, so that the cleverness keeps things moving, and the actors, including fine support from Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins and Jenna Elfman provide some depth and laughs. My main complaint, however, is that there is no way I could believe that Woody Harrelson was playing a gay character. No one, not even gay best friends in real life, vamp it like he was trying to do. GRADE------B
It had a short run and some strong reviews, but A BETTER LIFE by director Chris Weitz suffers from the sad familiar trajectory of other films about Mexican illegals trying to make it in the US, especially the superior film from last year SIN NOMBRE. Still, this story of a single man trying to keep his young teen son in school, away from drugs and gangs, and into a better standard of living has some heart wrenching moments, and the feelings between the characters are strong. An excellent DVD choice in a few months. GRADE-------- B-
A minor but completely delightful spoof of religion, mega-churches, "dead-heads" and small town morals, SALVATION BLVD. has also a cast to die for. Pierce Brosnan, Ed Harris, Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connely, and especially scene stealer Marisa Tomei (see CRAZY STUPID LOVE above), are all firing on all cylinders. A strong DVD choice. GRADE--------B-
Is the third film necessary? TRANSFORMERS 3D promised the best use of 3D since AVATAR, so I plunked down my $14.50 and held my breath. There are a few nifty shots of exploding metal plummeting towards you, and there is a very thrilling sequence of a tall sky scrapper slowly, slowly tilting/falling over, because a giant worm like transformer has burrowed through the first half of the building (!?!)--although how the half dozen humans that were trapped on the upper floors got down 50 levels to street level in a few seconds remains a mystery. The 3D glasses still gave me a headache--they make the screen much darker so that I find myself squinting to see the action clearly. The action is chaotic, loud, redundant, and sometimes fun, in a "popcorn movie" sort of way. GRADE--------B-
A big disappointment, the plodding COWBOYS AND ALIENS is a boring dud in the first hour, which I hated. Daniel Craig tries hard to be charismatic and partially succeeds. Harrison Ford, in a smaller part, is just plain cranky. The other actors barely register. The awkward plot tries to merge realistic western with alien invasion--but listen to this. The cowboys join up with the mean and nasty bank robbers (!!!), as well as the Indians (???), to fight these evil devils--aliens from another world who are here to......wait for it.......steal all our gold out of the earth. No reason is given for this, and it is a sad statement on the film's interest that we don't really care at this point anyway. GRADE-------D
----------------
Caught on TV this week was YOUNG DR. KILDARE (1938), the first in a series of films and later the long running popular TV series about a doctor who seems to know better than anyone else in the hospital what a patient needs to heal--in this case better than the crusty old head doctor played with his usual elan by Lionel Barrymore. Lew Ayres plays Kildare. This one was watchable but rather simplistic. GRADE-------C+
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