Subtle, wistful and charming, THE ILLUSIONIST was nominated for best animated feature this year at the Oscars, but of course was walloped by TOY STORY III. Still, for a gentle, fascinating film like this to get made at all is remarkable enough. Based on a story by Jacques Tati (writer and actor and director of many charming nearly silent films from the 1950's including PLAYTIME and MON ONCLE) and created by the director of THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE Sylvain Chomet, THE ILLUSIONIST is a bit more singular in it's story line than TRIPLETS but contains very little dialogue, just music and delightful characters to tell the story of a magician who travels all over Europe trying to eek out a living in the early 1960's when burlesque type variety shows were being squeezed out to feature more dynamic (and loud) young rock and roll bands. In this film the running gag has him sharing the bill with a "Beatle-like" group who gyrate on the floor, transfixing hordes of screaming girls, and afterwards acting foppishly fey as they giggle and skip around backstage. The film is a treasure. GRADE-----B+
I enjoyed the carefully constructed and acted, thoughtful comedy called CEDAR RAPIDS, which in spite of some usual modern crudities (nudity, sex, profanity, etc) at least has the decency to integrate the actions of the dozen major characters into a logical and somewhat realistic plot, and adds a warm patina of humanistic themes to the characters evolvement. The main characters--most all insurance salesman who end up at a major convention in CEDAR RAPIDS--are well played with a minimum of mugging by Ed Helms (TV's The Office, The Hangover), John C. Riley (Cyrus, Step Brothers etc.), Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Kurtwood Smith, Rob Corddry and the ubiquitous Sigourney Weaver. You could do a lot worse, comedy wise. (See below.) GRADE--------B
A low budget, low-key sci-fi thriller that has come and gone this week already, is the British film VANISHING ON 7th STREET. The film starts as most everyone in town seems to have disappeared, leaving only their clothes in a pile when they were taken by a mysterious, shadowy force. The sole survivors, played by B-list actors, include Hayden Christenson, Thandie Newton and John Leguizamo, and they struggle to stay alive in the light of a generator in a tavern. The concept is spooky at times as they must stay in the light or they risk being taken as well, but there is little (if any) explanation that might help make sense of the situation, and, as usual, there are some very stupid actions taken by some of the characters. GRADE------C
Top candidate for worst film of 2011 is the recently opened and closed this week ELEKTRA LUXX, which should do absolutely nothing for the careers of Carla Gugino, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and in a cameo, Julianne Moore ( playing the Virgin Mary!!!!????!!!!), though I don't think her career will suffer too much. It was nice to see the spark that Kathleen Quinlan gave her small role, but otherwise, this film is the first major release in a long, long time that put me to sleep in the middle. Who did the producers think was going to come watch this ponderous film about a pregnant porn star who is trying to go "straight," -??!!??-- even with the naughty bits peppered throughout, the film becomes a talk-a-thon bore. Thank God it was a free screening for me or I might have stormed the box office for my money back. GRADE--------D-
__________
DVD Choices------
Top pick for any week would be a film I haven't seen for at least 10 years---TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948)---the film won Oscars for John Huston's direction and writing, and his father Walter Huston won best supporting actor. The film is just about perfect--well written and produced, with drama and humor and adventure mixed to excellent result. If you have not seen it yet or lately, don't wait. John Huston appears as an American tourist in white in the beginning, loaning money to the desperate Humphrey Bogart, and a very young Robert Blake (Baretta on TV) sells lottery tickets in the film, which features the very unhealthy effects of the gold rush on seemingly honest prospectors. One of my favorite lines is uttered by the head of the banditos who are trying to steal weapons and horses and food from the prospectors-- "Badges?!? Badges?!? I don't have any badges!!!!! I don't need any stinkin' badges!!!!!"----at which point the bullets start flying!!!!! GRADE---------A
A murky, confusing but atmospheric film noir/murder mystery, DEADLINE AT DAWN (1946) has dance hall girl Susan Hayward trying to clear the name of a naive sailor (who also likes to pass out when he drinks) from a murder he can't remember committing. Clifford Odets wrote the screenplay, which emphasises the humanity of the guilty parties. Paul Lucas is a sympathetic taxi driver who shuttles the characters all over town in search of clues, and Bill Williams is charming as the sailor. GRADE--------B-
A pick from the library, and definitely slumming it, THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT (1977) is based on the best seller by Sidney Sheldon, whose biography I recently read. The film is an out of the gate potboiler, with lot's of cliches and lurid sexual situations--some surprisingly explicit for a film made in the seventies. In spite of an energetic performance by Susan Sarandon, and the go for broke presence of the beautiful Marie-France Pisier, who both of whom had to do and say some of the most embarrassing and ludicrous things (some involving nudity and sex), the film drags, and seems to go on forever (it is a butt-busting 166 minutes, but seems twice that at times.) The production values, which at times seem lush, were obviously out of sync with the period (the hair and makeup and costumes often seemed from the 70's instead of 40's when most of the film is set). Still many locations were beautiful. GRADE------D+
THE OTHER SIDE OF ME is the biography of Sidney Sheldon who won a writing Oscar (for THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBIE SOX) and created several popular TV shows (including I DREAM OF JEANNIE and THE PATTY DUKE SHOW and HART TO HART) and then later in life became a world wide best selling author. He struggled with depression and was diagnosed as manic depressive (now called bipolar) early in his career, but that may explain the incredible energy and creative outpouring that made his career so impressive. His biography is an easy read--rather compelling (page-turner) but rather superficial at times. He does not believe in telling-all. GRADE-------B
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Adjustment Bureau, Bees, North By Northwest, and lost classic Crime in the Streets
Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU is a clever, engrossing science fiction thriller that satisfies on most levels, because it doesn't change the rules set up in the fantasy world it creates, nor does it try to do too much (or be too big.) The focus stays on the love story of would be senator from New York (Matt Damon) meeting up-and-coming dancer Emily Blunt---they meet cute (in the men's restroom) and keep running into each other, even though the BUREAU (thin mysterious men in hats) keeps insisting that they are NOT meant to be together. At some point the mystery of the set-up makes way for the thriller/chase portion of the ending, but the film creates a nice style with lots of tension and some humor, and there are a lot of interesting philosophical ideas dangled in our faces. GRADE-------B+
A fascinating documentary from the 2010 SIFF is called QUEEN OF THE SUN: What The Bees Are Telling Us........and that long title just about says it all. Bees are disappearing around the world--and of course the likely culprit is the avalanche of pesticides and unnatural pollution . Many other ideas to regrow the hives and cultivate the crop are bandied about, and it almost makes me want to start my own hive. The photography is splendid and the information is interesting and hopeful. GRADE--------B+
I realized that the filmmakers of BEASTLY were trying to modernize THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST fairy tale by setting it in high school. Unfortunately, they have taken the worst, most shallow aspects of high school life (like cliques, superficial beauty, goth chic etc) and added the most banal dialogue uttered by young actors who have no sense of irony or talent, so that the film made me wince several times, and the introduction of "magic" and bad plot devices undermine the potential whimsy and romance. Only TV's DOOGIE HOWSER MD --Neil Patrick Harris seems to be having much fun, but his role as the tutor for the two misfits forced to live together in a large house across the river from town is weakly written. GRADE------C
A special screening (with a great print) of Alfred Hitchcock's classic film NORTH BY NORTHWEST was shown last week at SIFF CINEMA and introduced by TCM's host Robert Osbourne with special guest (and N X NW star) Eva Marie Saint to a full house of appreciative movie fans. The smart script follows a naive business man (Cary Grant) being mistaken for a spy and being chased all over the country by nasty and/or sexy spies (James Mason and Ms Saint). The film includes many classic sequences including a sexy train seduction, the horror of being chased through fields of corn by a deadly aircraft, and trying to escape gunmen by climbing down over Mt. Rushmore's profiles. Nobody does it like Hitchcock. GRADE-------A
____________________
Best of the DVD films included an excellent little film based on a made for TV drama called CRIME IN THE STREETS (1956), directed by Don Seigel and featuring an excellent cast including John Cassavetes, Sal Mineo, James Whitmore, and Mark Rydel. Set in a New York slum, the film starts out with opposing gangs meeting up for a rumble---straight out of WEST SIDE STORY(1961). At first I thought they were going to break out into song, but quickly realized that this film was actually made 5 year before that classic musical. The film quickly focuses in on one neighborhood where social worker Whitmore is trying to befriend the leading gang members which include Cassavetes, Mineo and Rydel. In his first major role, Cassavetes is so smolderingly intense that suspense is built up to a nerve wracking level, as it seems he is going to explode into a murderous young man, poisoning the young "Baby" Mineo with him. The plot includes issues of poverty, neglect, abuse, broken homes, etc. and when you think that this was done in the mid-50's when the perfect nuclear family was supposedly at it's peak, it becomes all the more powerful. In spite of some cliched moments, this is a unique and fascinating undiscovered gem. It is part of the FILM NOIR CLASSIC COLLECTION VOL. 5, but I wouldn't call this Film Noir---but a quality suspense drama. GRADE--------A
The PHENIX CITY STORY (1955) is based on a true situation where a city was so controlled by corruption that murder and extortion and gambling were controlling the lives of average citizens, and there is a lengthy (13 minute), unnecessary prologue trying to emphasize that everything you are about to see is true. Again, not so much a Noir as a fast paced docu-drama about a military lawyer who returns home to confront rampant corruption. The film starts out with a dull song sung by a not very interesting actress, but stick with it and you will be caught up in the suspense and drama. This film features some key roles for a couple of black actors. GRADE--------B
An awkwardly structured Noir with different characters telling in flashback what exactly happened to a convalescing soldier's best friend, and then having each character be knocked off by a faceless killer, this film was fascinating for it's mystery, and surprising lack of luridness. The generic title BACKFIRE (1950) featured Virginia Mayo, Gordon MacRae, Edmond O'Brien, Viveca Lindfors and Ed Begley, and I enjoyed the cast and disjointed story-telling. It reminded me at times of the strange and confusing MALTESE FALCON. GRADE------B
A mental hospital murderer escapes to the small town to kill the doctor who sent him there, and ends up with six hostages in a small bar in the suspenseful but minor thriller called DIAL 1119 (1950). Marshall Thompson is interestingly stony-faced as the unhinged man, and the film is short (75 minutes) and rather economical. GRADE-------B-
Easy to watch but rather unremarkable is ARMORED CAR ROBBERY (1950) in which four men hold up Wrigley baseball field, then spend the rest of the film running from the detective hot on their trail as one by one they are caught. The wife of one of the men is supposedly a popular "hot" burlesque dancer and she has several dancing scenes, but she's not very good or sexy. She is amusing, however. Still, this film will do in a pinch. GRADE-------C+
To see my list of TOP FILMS OF 2010, see previous blog dated February 16.
A fascinating documentary from the 2010 SIFF is called QUEEN OF THE SUN: What The Bees Are Telling Us........and that long title just about says it all. Bees are disappearing around the world--and of course the likely culprit is the avalanche of pesticides and unnatural pollution . Many other ideas to regrow the hives and cultivate the crop are bandied about, and it almost makes me want to start my own hive. The photography is splendid and the information is interesting and hopeful. GRADE--------B+
I realized that the filmmakers of BEASTLY were trying to modernize THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST fairy tale by setting it in high school. Unfortunately, they have taken the worst, most shallow aspects of high school life (like cliques, superficial beauty, goth chic etc) and added the most banal dialogue uttered by young actors who have no sense of irony or talent, so that the film made me wince several times, and the introduction of "magic" and bad plot devices undermine the potential whimsy and romance. Only TV's DOOGIE HOWSER MD --Neil Patrick Harris seems to be having much fun, but his role as the tutor for the two misfits forced to live together in a large house across the river from town is weakly written. GRADE------C
A special screening (with a great print) of Alfred Hitchcock's classic film NORTH BY NORTHWEST was shown last week at SIFF CINEMA and introduced by TCM's host Robert Osbourne with special guest (and N X NW star) Eva Marie Saint to a full house of appreciative movie fans. The smart script follows a naive business man (Cary Grant) being mistaken for a spy and being chased all over the country by nasty and/or sexy spies (James Mason and Ms Saint). The film includes many classic sequences including a sexy train seduction, the horror of being chased through fields of corn by a deadly aircraft, and trying to escape gunmen by climbing down over Mt. Rushmore's profiles. Nobody does it like Hitchcock. GRADE-------A
____________________
Best of the DVD films included an excellent little film based on a made for TV drama called CRIME IN THE STREETS (1956), directed by Don Seigel and featuring an excellent cast including John Cassavetes, Sal Mineo, James Whitmore, and Mark Rydel. Set in a New York slum, the film starts out with opposing gangs meeting up for a rumble---straight out of WEST SIDE STORY(1961). At first I thought they were going to break out into song, but quickly realized that this film was actually made 5 year before that classic musical. The film quickly focuses in on one neighborhood where social worker Whitmore is trying to befriend the leading gang members which include Cassavetes, Mineo and Rydel. In his first major role, Cassavetes is so smolderingly intense that suspense is built up to a nerve wracking level, as it seems he is going to explode into a murderous young man, poisoning the young "Baby" Mineo with him. The plot includes issues of poverty, neglect, abuse, broken homes, etc. and when you think that this was done in the mid-50's when the perfect nuclear family was supposedly at it's peak, it becomes all the more powerful. In spite of some cliched moments, this is a unique and fascinating undiscovered gem. It is part of the FILM NOIR CLASSIC COLLECTION VOL. 5, but I wouldn't call this Film Noir---but a quality suspense drama. GRADE--------A
The PHENIX CITY STORY (1955) is based on a true situation where a city was so controlled by corruption that murder and extortion and gambling were controlling the lives of average citizens, and there is a lengthy (13 minute), unnecessary prologue trying to emphasize that everything you are about to see is true. Again, not so much a Noir as a fast paced docu-drama about a military lawyer who returns home to confront rampant corruption. The film starts out with a dull song sung by a not very interesting actress, but stick with it and you will be caught up in the suspense and drama. This film features some key roles for a couple of black actors. GRADE--------B
An awkwardly structured Noir with different characters telling in flashback what exactly happened to a convalescing soldier's best friend, and then having each character be knocked off by a faceless killer, this film was fascinating for it's mystery, and surprising lack of luridness. The generic title BACKFIRE (1950) featured Virginia Mayo, Gordon MacRae, Edmond O'Brien, Viveca Lindfors and Ed Begley, and I enjoyed the cast and disjointed story-telling. It reminded me at times of the strange and confusing MALTESE FALCON. GRADE------B
A mental hospital murderer escapes to the small town to kill the doctor who sent him there, and ends up with six hostages in a small bar in the suspenseful but minor thriller called DIAL 1119 (1950). Marshall Thompson is interestingly stony-faced as the unhinged man, and the film is short (75 minutes) and rather economical. GRADE-------B-
Easy to watch but rather unremarkable is ARMORED CAR ROBBERY (1950) in which four men hold up Wrigley baseball field, then spend the rest of the film running from the detective hot on their trail as one by one they are caught. The wife of one of the men is supposedly a popular "hot" burlesque dancer and she has several dancing scenes, but she's not very good or sexy. She is amusing, however. Still, this film will do in a pinch. GRADE-------C+
To see my list of TOP FILMS OF 2010, see previous blog dated February 16.
Friday, February 25, 2011
No Strings Attached, I AM, Harry Potter Deathly Hallows, Lots of FILM NOIR, and OSCAR PREDICTIONS
It's near the end of the run for NO STRINGS ATTACHED, the Ivan Reitman directed film starring Oscar nominee Natalie (BLACK SWAN) Portman and Auston Kutcher, but I enjoyed this raunchy romantic comedy immensely. At first I thought I was just being easy--desperate for a laugh after a tough week with domestic issues, but I realized that the combination of charming actors (which include the charming Kevin Kline and amusingly affected Lake Bell) and the fast pace of the direction and editing keep this bon bon afloat---certainly much livelier than the recent, confused LOVE and OTHER DRUGS. I've watched Portman with much interest after first seeing her as the lead in DIARY OF ANNE FRANK in London many years ago, and she always impresses me with her accessibility and smart approach to her roles. Obviously, one mans comedy is another man's tedium, but if you don't go in with the most highbrow of expectations, you might really enjoy this movie. GRADE--------B
Comedy director Tom Shadyac has made some of the most financially successful comedies of all time: BRUCE ALMIGHTY, NUTTY PROFESSOR and ACE VENTURE PET DETECTIVE. His newest film is I AM----a New Age documentary about his philosophical changes after a life threatening injury caused him to rethink what life is all about. I enjoyed watching it--he mixes discussions with very thoughtful intelligent people (including Desmond Tutu, Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky) with moving and sometimes funny scenes from news clips and movies to illustrate that, basically, all we need is love, that people are fundamentally good, and all of nature, including humans are interconnected. I agree with much of what was said. Now, whether the right people will see this well intentioned film remains to be seen, and whether it will change "diseased" people (meaning the greedy, the self-centered, the warmongers and the corrupt corporate executives and Wall Street in particular) remains to be seen. GRADE------B-
I finally caught up with the latest HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS--PART 1 which is finally nearing the end of its long run. I have to say that the last few Potter movies have left me confused and uninvolved---never having read the novels, I am totally lost as to what or who is doing what to whom and why. Still, they are entertaining for the special effects and intriguing production values. Now, why do the 3 main characters hold hands and zap themselves to other locations just in the nick of time, and yet in other scenes they must laboriously walk or ride broomsticks/flying horses/flying cars, etc. I fail to see too much consistent logic in all these magical shenanigans. GRADE-------B-
------------------------
Continuing my fascination with all things Katherine Hepburn, I watched, for the first time, WOMAN OF THE YEAR (1942)--her first teaming with Spencer Tracy. It's an early telling of the age old dilemma that tries to show what happens when the woman is at the top of her career and how that affects the "traditional" relationships. There are a number of outstanding, funny, witty scenes---one has sportswriter Tracy trying to explain a baseball game to the world famed political commentary Hepburn who's never been to a game before. Both actors are riveting and touching as they struggle to understand their unusual marriage. GRADE--------A-
A film I'd seen long ago, the iconic screwball comedy BRINGING UP BABY (1938) which teams Hepburn with Cary Grant to madcap effect, doesn't totally hold up for me today as the masterpiece some think it is, and I don't think I appreciated it 30 some years ago when I first saw it. It is fascinating to watch, nonetheless, due to some carefully choreographed direction by Howard Hawks, and some amusing supporting characterizations including Charlie Ruggles and May Robson. Most of the dialogue is witty and quickly delivered, but the pacing seemed uneven, and there is a long sequence before the ending where Hepburn and Grant are marching around in the dark meadow/woods looking for "Baby"--a leopard (!?!--you'd have to see it to understand)--but their interactions falls flat and the movie nearly grinds to a halt. There are a couple of other places that also seemed too broad, too obvious --ie. running around after the dog to find a buried bone. Still.....the set-up is a riot, as the madcap heiress totally upsets the life of the uptight and absent minded zoologist. Perhaps you need to be in the right frame of mind to really get into such wackiness. GRADE--------B
-----------------------------
Lots of FILM NOIR viewed on screen and DVD in the last two weeks. Top of the bunch is
THE DARK MIRROR (1946) in which Olivia de Havilland plays twin sisters, one good and the other disturbed, who are implicated in murder. The film creates tension and mystery, and the twin conceit is well acted and portrayed. (Not yet on DVD) GRADE----A-
A well written (based on a stage play) and acted (by Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino) drama features a widowed woman who fails to verify the references of her newly hired handyman, who is a psychopathic murderer and traps her in her own house, in the thriller BEWARE MY LOVELY (1952). There is consistent suspense and some surprises in the turn of events. Not a true FILM NOIR, but very entertaining and twisted in it's way. (Not yet on DVD.) GRADE------B+
CRACK UP (1946) features Pat O'Brien and Claire Trevor as a married couple--he seems to be having a nervous breakdown and feels his co-workers are trying to sabotage his efforts to run a prestigious museum. Is he insane and paranoid, or is there a vast insidious plot to discredit him????? I liked the way that you could never be sure about the cool Trevor's alliances. GRADE------B
I'd never seen Steve Brodie before, but he comes across as a naturalistic Gary Cooper, down home type and I like him. He's an innocent who gets involved with a violent ex-friend racketeer (Raymond Burr) in a robbery that results in the death of a cop, and ends up on the lam with his pregnant wife-- with the police AND the criminals chasing him. The film is called DESPERATE (1947) and directed by the excellent Anthony Mann who made such fine films as T-MEN (1945), THE FURIES and WINCHESTER '73 (1950), MAN FROM LARAMIE (1955), EL CID (1961) and FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (1964) among many others. GRADE----B
Dick Powell has a beefed up tough guy look in CORNERED (1945) but the confused and awkward plot has him chasing the Nazi (who may have killed his wife) after WWII to Buenos Aires--it becomes rather ludicrous as be barges around accusing and nearly trying to kill several men before he finds the actual man he is searching for. I wasn't exactly bored, but the story didn't make a lot of sense and I was finally glad for the film to be over. GRADE-----C+
I was really bored with a rare Film Noir that is not available on DVD at this time, but directed by the famous French director Jean Renoir, who was responsible for some major cinematic classics like GRAND ILLUSION (1937), RULES OF THE GAME (1939) and THE RIVER (1951). This was the first film he made in the US--he soon returned back to France, since Hollywood didn't seem to agree with him. The film is called THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH (1947) and features Robert Ryan, Joan Bennett and Charles Bickford. It's a great cast, but the drama of a mentally disturbed soldier who hooks up with a famous blind painter and his spiteful, adulterous wife just didn't generate any sparks or interest. Even though the film was supposedly re-edited and cut by 20 minutes by Renoir himself, it is still a lethargic and dull experience. GRADE-------D
---------------------
The OSCARS are presented on Sunday at 5pm Pacific time, and although there are often some major upsets, I will let you know my opinion. The energy and timing seems to be in favor of THE KING'S SPEECH to win Best Picture, because SOCIAL NETWORK seems a long time ago, but I think NETWORKS David Fincher will take the Oscar for Best Direction, as well as music and script and probably editing. SPEECH will get the Best Actor nod for Colin Firth--a well deserved award (see also his superb role in last year's A SINGLE MAN) and for costumes and set design/art direction. INCEPTION will have to settle for some technical awards, like special effects, and sound. Christian Bale seems to have a lock on the Best supporting Actor Oscar for THE FIGHTER, and in spite of some complaining about her obnoxious Oscar ad campaign, I think Melissa Leo should prevail for supporting actress--also for THE FIGHTER. But if there is an upset--this could be the category, since she has strong competition from Amy Adams in the same film, and Hailee Steinfeld from TRUE GRIT carried the strong emotional core in what really should have been a best actress nomination---she was in virtually every scene. TRUE GRIT may end up with the Cinematography Oscar. Toss a coin for the foreign film category since only two have played in Seattle. Of the 3 documentaries I've seen, my favorite is WASTE LAND, but the others have their supporters.
Sometimes, lately, I'm much more excited about the Independent Spirit Awards, which honors low budget, independent films. These will be televised on Saturday night Feb 27 starting a 7pm Pacific on the IFC channel. Major nominees that night are centered around 127 HOURS, BLACK SWAN, KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, GREENBERG, PLEASE GIVE, WINTER'S BONE, and RABBIT HOLE among others, and there is a hip, exciting vibe and lots of unrehearsed, spontaneous and irreverent merry making.
For the TOP FILMS OF 2010, see my previous February blog...........................
Comedy director Tom Shadyac has made some of the most financially successful comedies of all time: BRUCE ALMIGHTY, NUTTY PROFESSOR and ACE VENTURE PET DETECTIVE. His newest film is I AM----a New Age documentary about his philosophical changes after a life threatening injury caused him to rethink what life is all about. I enjoyed watching it--he mixes discussions with very thoughtful intelligent people (including Desmond Tutu, Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky) with moving and sometimes funny scenes from news clips and movies to illustrate that, basically, all we need is love, that people are fundamentally good, and all of nature, including humans are interconnected. I agree with much of what was said. Now, whether the right people will see this well intentioned film remains to be seen, and whether it will change "diseased" people (meaning the greedy, the self-centered, the warmongers and the corrupt corporate executives and Wall Street in particular) remains to be seen. GRADE------B-
I finally caught up with the latest HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS--PART 1 which is finally nearing the end of its long run. I have to say that the last few Potter movies have left me confused and uninvolved---never having read the novels, I am totally lost as to what or who is doing what to whom and why. Still, they are entertaining for the special effects and intriguing production values. Now, why do the 3 main characters hold hands and zap themselves to other locations just in the nick of time, and yet in other scenes they must laboriously walk or ride broomsticks/flying horses/flying cars, etc. I fail to see too much consistent logic in all these magical shenanigans. GRADE-------B-
------------------------
Continuing my fascination with all things Katherine Hepburn, I watched, for the first time, WOMAN OF THE YEAR (1942)--her first teaming with Spencer Tracy. It's an early telling of the age old dilemma that tries to show what happens when the woman is at the top of her career and how that affects the "traditional" relationships. There are a number of outstanding, funny, witty scenes---one has sportswriter Tracy trying to explain a baseball game to the world famed political commentary Hepburn who's never been to a game before. Both actors are riveting and touching as they struggle to understand their unusual marriage. GRADE--------A-
A film I'd seen long ago, the iconic screwball comedy BRINGING UP BABY (1938) which teams Hepburn with Cary Grant to madcap effect, doesn't totally hold up for me today as the masterpiece some think it is, and I don't think I appreciated it 30 some years ago when I first saw it. It is fascinating to watch, nonetheless, due to some carefully choreographed direction by Howard Hawks, and some amusing supporting characterizations including Charlie Ruggles and May Robson. Most of the dialogue is witty and quickly delivered, but the pacing seemed uneven, and there is a long sequence before the ending where Hepburn and Grant are marching around in the dark meadow/woods looking for "Baby"--a leopard (!?!--you'd have to see it to understand)--but their interactions falls flat and the movie nearly grinds to a halt. There are a couple of other places that also seemed too broad, too obvious --ie. running around after the dog to find a buried bone. Still.....the set-up is a riot, as the madcap heiress totally upsets the life of the uptight and absent minded zoologist. Perhaps you need to be in the right frame of mind to really get into such wackiness. GRADE--------B
-----------------------------
Lots of FILM NOIR viewed on screen and DVD in the last two weeks. Top of the bunch is
THE DARK MIRROR (1946) in which Olivia de Havilland plays twin sisters, one good and the other disturbed, who are implicated in murder. The film creates tension and mystery, and the twin conceit is well acted and portrayed. (Not yet on DVD) GRADE----A-
A well written (based on a stage play) and acted (by Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino) drama features a widowed woman who fails to verify the references of her newly hired handyman, who is a psychopathic murderer and traps her in her own house, in the thriller BEWARE MY LOVELY (1952). There is consistent suspense and some surprises in the turn of events. Not a true FILM NOIR, but very entertaining and twisted in it's way. (Not yet on DVD.) GRADE------B+
CRACK UP (1946) features Pat O'Brien and Claire Trevor as a married couple--he seems to be having a nervous breakdown and feels his co-workers are trying to sabotage his efforts to run a prestigious museum. Is he insane and paranoid, or is there a vast insidious plot to discredit him????? I liked the way that you could never be sure about the cool Trevor's alliances. GRADE------B
I'd never seen Steve Brodie before, but he comes across as a naturalistic Gary Cooper, down home type and I like him. He's an innocent who gets involved with a violent ex-friend racketeer (Raymond Burr) in a robbery that results in the death of a cop, and ends up on the lam with his pregnant wife-- with the police AND the criminals chasing him. The film is called DESPERATE (1947) and directed by the excellent Anthony Mann who made such fine films as T-MEN (1945), THE FURIES and WINCHESTER '73 (1950), MAN FROM LARAMIE (1955), EL CID (1961) and FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (1964) among many others. GRADE----B
Dick Powell has a beefed up tough guy look in CORNERED (1945) but the confused and awkward plot has him chasing the Nazi (who may have killed his wife) after WWII to Buenos Aires--it becomes rather ludicrous as be barges around accusing and nearly trying to kill several men before he finds the actual man he is searching for. I wasn't exactly bored, but the story didn't make a lot of sense and I was finally glad for the film to be over. GRADE-----C+
I was really bored with a rare Film Noir that is not available on DVD at this time, but directed by the famous French director Jean Renoir, who was responsible for some major cinematic classics like GRAND ILLUSION (1937), RULES OF THE GAME (1939) and THE RIVER (1951). This was the first film he made in the US--he soon returned back to France, since Hollywood didn't seem to agree with him. The film is called THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH (1947) and features Robert Ryan, Joan Bennett and Charles Bickford. It's a great cast, but the drama of a mentally disturbed soldier who hooks up with a famous blind painter and his spiteful, adulterous wife just didn't generate any sparks or interest. Even though the film was supposedly re-edited and cut by 20 minutes by Renoir himself, it is still a lethargic and dull experience. GRADE-------D
---------------------
The OSCARS are presented on Sunday at 5pm Pacific time, and although there are often some major upsets, I will let you know my opinion. The energy and timing seems to be in favor of THE KING'S SPEECH to win Best Picture, because SOCIAL NETWORK seems a long time ago, but I think NETWORKS David Fincher will take the Oscar for Best Direction, as well as music and script and probably editing. SPEECH will get the Best Actor nod for Colin Firth--a well deserved award (see also his superb role in last year's A SINGLE MAN) and for costumes and set design/art direction. INCEPTION will have to settle for some technical awards, like special effects, and sound. Christian Bale seems to have a lock on the Best supporting Actor Oscar for THE FIGHTER, and in spite of some complaining about her obnoxious Oscar ad campaign, I think Melissa Leo should prevail for supporting actress--also for THE FIGHTER. But if there is an upset--this could be the category, since she has strong competition from Amy Adams in the same film, and Hailee Steinfeld from TRUE GRIT carried the strong emotional core in what really should have been a best actress nomination---she was in virtually every scene. TRUE GRIT may end up with the Cinematography Oscar. Toss a coin for the foreign film category since only two have played in Seattle. Of the 3 documentaries I've seen, my favorite is WASTE LAND, but the others have their supporters.
Sometimes, lately, I'm much more excited about the Independent Spirit Awards, which honors low budget, independent films. These will be televised on Saturday night Feb 27 starting a 7pm Pacific on the IFC channel. Major nominees that night are centered around 127 HOURS, BLACK SWAN, KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, GREENBERG, PLEASE GIVE, WINTER'S BONE, and RABBIT HOLE among others, and there is a hip, exciting vibe and lots of unrehearsed, spontaneous and irreverent merry making.
For the TOP FILMS OF 2010, see my previous February blog...........................
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
TOP FILMS OF 2010
Enough procrastinating. It's always a tough decision--which film was better than another--so I end up with a list of films that gave me the greatest pleasure this year, and ended up with 20 great films. I could also list 20 more that were arguably just as good--I'll add those later.
TOP FILMS OF 2010
SOCIAL NETWORK--The quick, snappy dialogue was at times a challenge to follow, but it sparkled with intellectual wit, sharp characterizations, and dynamic direction, writing, music and acting. A class act.
WASTELAND--My favorite documentary of the year, a very moving story of an artist who makes art out of garbage (!), and he gets help from the poverty stricken garbage sorters, changing their lives and views of the world in the meantime. At times shocking, disturbing, empowering and uplifting, this is a fascinating look at the power of ART. (See also EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP further down list.) *
TOY STORY III--All I can say is that the four of us who went (on July 4th) sat and sobbed like 10 year old girls through the last half of the film. Who'd have thought that an animated feature (which features a horrifying near death scene for the main toy characters) could be so incredibly moving?!?
BLACK SWAN--The most audacious, shocking, provocative film of the year-it will have you talking and thinking about it for weeks. Plus, it features four incredible female performances.
NOWHERE BOY--It's been a big year for John Lennon material, and this was the best of them--a moving drama about his early years living with his aunt (the amazing Kristin Scott Thomas) and discovering the biological mother that couldn't raise him. *
UNDERTOW--A lushly photographed story set on a Peruvian coastal fishing village about a love triangle that takes a shocking turn at midpoint, yet still manages to be a powerful, emotional and very likable tale of loyalty, tolerance and honesty. *
THE FIGHTER--Well directed and propelled by terrific performances all around, this biopic is marred only a little by a pat ending.
I AM LOVE--Wildly and romantically stylized, with a compelling lead in Tilda Swinton, and stringent architecturally sleek decor, this leisurely, luscious looking story of adulterous love set among Italy's upper classes split the audiences, but there's no denying this powerful vision. *
INCEPTION--Frenetically creative and spellbinding, but with a powerful humanistic undertow, this science fiction masterpiece keeps pushing the boundaries of fantasy with mind blowing special effects, yet it was the tender tragic love story between Leo diCapprio and his wife played by Marion Cotillard that lingers.
AGORA--Some may criticize the lack of total historical accuracy, but here was a sand and sandal epic with big ideas, big set designs, big action sequences, believable actors, and compelling philosophical dilemmas that kept me on the seats edge to the tragic conclusion. It plays like an intellectual epic (dare I compare it to LAWRENCE OF ARABIA?) and I loved it. *
PLEASE GIVE--A thoughtful but very enjoyable depiction of a modern New York family torn up by their liberal philosophies (bleeding hearts) vs the reality of life in the hustle and bustle.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO--Swedish shocker based on the world wide bestseller that features an outstanding performance by Noomi Repace and others in the mystery of a young woman's 40 years long disappearance. A huge, lurid can of worms is opened by the end--not for the faint of heart viewers, even if you've read the book. The follow up films THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS NEST are also superior, shit-kicking mystery thrillers.
THE KING'S SPEECH--Fine British costume drama based on true story about King George being thrust into national and international politics when his brother abdicates the throne. He struggles to control his stammering in order to lead the nation, with the help of a therapist and his wife. Excellent acting by the three principles especially, who are Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP-- A surprising documentary which starts out as an expose on street graffiti artists, but suddenly morphs into a damning expose on artists with NO talent except for their bravado. This is an amazing true story which starts out to show how street artist Blansky operates, but soon Blansky has taken over the story to illustrate how easy it is for manufactured art to take over the industry. Very entertaining and insightful. Also see WASTELAND above.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT--The final resolution rings a bit false (especially the affair business) but up to that point, the film shows the dynamics of a modern family headed by a lesbian couple to be as universally true and funny and humane as any film of the year.
127 HOURS--You might think you don't want to watch this, but here's a film full of life-loving energy, and the tremendous will to survive an accident propels this into near greatness, not horror. The newest film from Danny Boyle who made SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE really transcends it's potentially grim subject matter in ways that will uplift you.
WINTER'S BONE--An ethno-centric drama about a teen age girl trying to save her family from falling apart by finding her drug dealing father in the poverty stricken Ozark region. Fascinating and well acted and shockingly powerful. *
GET HIM TO THE GREEK--The year's funniest, crude, lewd, rude comedy, featuring the rock and roll singer from the funny FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL from a couple years ago. Major guilty pleasure time.
TRUE GRIT--Very solid remake of the John Wayne classic, with the ever reliable Jeff Bridges as the one eyed drunkard sheriff, and a star in the making performance by the young Hailee Steinfeld who is as natural as they come.
HIDEAWAY (LE REFUGE)--Prolific French director Francois Ozon (SWIMMING POOL, 8 WOMEN, SITCOM, TIME TO LEAVE, etc) has created a moving sensual film about the unlikely relationship of a gay man who tracks down the pregnant girlfriend of his dead (by overdose) brother. The ending has haunted me for months. *
Now, if the above 20 films (all rated A, A- and B+) aren't enough to get you through the winter, then check out the next 20 films, all rated B+ and solid B.
Other GOOD STUFF in no particular order: CLIENT 9: Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, YOUTH IN REVOLT, NORTHFACE*, GHOST WRITER, DATE NIGHT, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, SHUTTER ISLAND, LA MISSION*, CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION, SECRET IN THEIR EYES, LOOSE CANNONS*, JOAN RIVERS: A Piece of Work*, THE CONCERT*, ANIMAL KINGDOM, BRAN NUE DAE*, LET ME IN, MOTHER, ANOTHER YEAR, THE TILMAN STORY*, THE TOWN.
Guilty Pleasures: GET HIM TO THE GREEK, SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD, I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS, UNSTOPPABLE, KICK ASS, SALT, A TEAM, DATE NIGHT.
BAD BAD FILMS: Kites, Predators, Clash of the Titans, Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll, The Next Three Days, Country Strong, Extraordinary Measures, and at the very bottom---When in Rome and Hot Tub Time Machine
*=premiered at SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival), then had regular run.
COMING SOON---Top films for the last Decade 2001-2010
TOP FILMS OF 2010
SOCIAL NETWORK--The quick, snappy dialogue was at times a challenge to follow, but it sparkled with intellectual wit, sharp characterizations, and dynamic direction, writing, music and acting. A class act.
WASTELAND--My favorite documentary of the year, a very moving story of an artist who makes art out of garbage (!), and he gets help from the poverty stricken garbage sorters, changing their lives and views of the world in the meantime. At times shocking, disturbing, empowering and uplifting, this is a fascinating look at the power of ART. (See also EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP further down list.) *
TOY STORY III--All I can say is that the four of us who went (on July 4th) sat and sobbed like 10 year old girls through the last half of the film. Who'd have thought that an animated feature (which features a horrifying near death scene for the main toy characters) could be so incredibly moving?!?
BLACK SWAN--The most audacious, shocking, provocative film of the year-it will have you talking and thinking about it for weeks. Plus, it features four incredible female performances.
NOWHERE BOY--It's been a big year for John Lennon material, and this was the best of them--a moving drama about his early years living with his aunt (the amazing Kristin Scott Thomas) and discovering the biological mother that couldn't raise him. *
UNDERTOW--A lushly photographed story set on a Peruvian coastal fishing village about a love triangle that takes a shocking turn at midpoint, yet still manages to be a powerful, emotional and very likable tale of loyalty, tolerance and honesty. *
THE FIGHTER--Well directed and propelled by terrific performances all around, this biopic is marred only a little by a pat ending.
I AM LOVE--Wildly and romantically stylized, with a compelling lead in Tilda Swinton, and stringent architecturally sleek decor, this leisurely, luscious looking story of adulterous love set among Italy's upper classes split the audiences, but there's no denying this powerful vision. *
INCEPTION--Frenetically creative and spellbinding, but with a powerful humanistic undertow, this science fiction masterpiece keeps pushing the boundaries of fantasy with mind blowing special effects, yet it was the tender tragic love story between Leo diCapprio and his wife played by Marion Cotillard that lingers.
AGORA--Some may criticize the lack of total historical accuracy, but here was a sand and sandal epic with big ideas, big set designs, big action sequences, believable actors, and compelling philosophical dilemmas that kept me on the seats edge to the tragic conclusion. It plays like an intellectual epic (dare I compare it to LAWRENCE OF ARABIA?) and I loved it. *
PLEASE GIVE--A thoughtful but very enjoyable depiction of a modern New York family torn up by their liberal philosophies (bleeding hearts) vs the reality of life in the hustle and bustle.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO--Swedish shocker based on the world wide bestseller that features an outstanding performance by Noomi Repace and others in the mystery of a young woman's 40 years long disappearance. A huge, lurid can of worms is opened by the end--not for the faint of heart viewers, even if you've read the book. The follow up films THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS NEST are also superior, shit-kicking mystery thrillers.
THE KING'S SPEECH--Fine British costume drama based on true story about King George being thrust into national and international politics when his brother abdicates the throne. He struggles to control his stammering in order to lead the nation, with the help of a therapist and his wife. Excellent acting by the three principles especially, who are Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP-- A surprising documentary which starts out as an expose on street graffiti artists, but suddenly morphs into a damning expose on artists with NO talent except for their bravado. This is an amazing true story which starts out to show how street artist Blansky operates, but soon Blansky has taken over the story to illustrate how easy it is for manufactured art to take over the industry. Very entertaining and insightful. Also see WASTELAND above.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT--The final resolution rings a bit false (especially the affair business) but up to that point, the film shows the dynamics of a modern family headed by a lesbian couple to be as universally true and funny and humane as any film of the year.
127 HOURS--You might think you don't want to watch this, but here's a film full of life-loving energy, and the tremendous will to survive an accident propels this into near greatness, not horror. The newest film from Danny Boyle who made SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE really transcends it's potentially grim subject matter in ways that will uplift you.
WINTER'S BONE--An ethno-centric drama about a teen age girl trying to save her family from falling apart by finding her drug dealing father in the poverty stricken Ozark region. Fascinating and well acted and shockingly powerful. *
GET HIM TO THE GREEK--The year's funniest, crude, lewd, rude comedy, featuring the rock and roll singer from the funny FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL from a couple years ago. Major guilty pleasure time.
TRUE GRIT--Very solid remake of the John Wayne classic, with the ever reliable Jeff Bridges as the one eyed drunkard sheriff, and a star in the making performance by the young Hailee Steinfeld who is as natural as they come.
HIDEAWAY (LE REFUGE)--Prolific French director Francois Ozon (SWIMMING POOL, 8 WOMEN, SITCOM, TIME TO LEAVE, etc) has created a moving sensual film about the unlikely relationship of a gay man who tracks down the pregnant girlfriend of his dead (by overdose) brother. The ending has haunted me for months. *
Now, if the above 20 films (all rated A, A- and B+) aren't enough to get you through the winter, then check out the next 20 films, all rated B+ and solid B.
Other GOOD STUFF in no particular order: CLIENT 9: Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, YOUTH IN REVOLT, NORTHFACE*, GHOST WRITER, DATE NIGHT, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, SHUTTER ISLAND, LA MISSION*, CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION, SECRET IN THEIR EYES, LOOSE CANNONS*, JOAN RIVERS: A Piece of Work*, THE CONCERT*, ANIMAL KINGDOM, BRAN NUE DAE*, LET ME IN, MOTHER, ANOTHER YEAR, THE TILMAN STORY*, THE TOWN.
Guilty Pleasures: GET HIM TO THE GREEK, SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD, I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS, UNSTOPPABLE, KICK ASS, SALT, A TEAM, DATE NIGHT.
BAD BAD FILMS: Kites, Predators, Clash of the Titans, Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll, The Next Three Days, Country Strong, Extraordinary Measures, and at the very bottom---When in Rome and Hot Tub Time Machine
*=premiered at SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival), then had regular run.
COMING SOON---Top films for the last Decade 2001-2010
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Rabbit Hole, Undertow, Polanski, A.and K. Hepburn
It has finally arrived at a theatre in Seattle and I didn't write last week, so you only have a couple days left to see (in a theatre) the beautiful, magical, moving triangle love story that was a great audience pleaser at both SIFF and the Lesbian and Gay Film Fest this past year. UNDERTOW (CONTRACORRIENTE) also won the audience awards at the Chicago, Miami, San Sebastian, Cartagena, and Sundance film festivals last year. Stunningly photographed on a beautiful Peruvian coastal fishing village, UNDERTOW tells how a young couple expecting their first child deal with the husband's male lover. The shocking big twist mid-film throws the story into another realm, and at first I was annoyed, but the movie doesn't backtrack from the issues raised and by the end, the audience is carried along on waves of emotional retribution. GRADE-------A-
There are a lot of movies about death and bereavement, including LOVE STORY, ORDINARY PEOPLE, PHILADELPHIA, SCHINDLER'S LIST, etc, and here is another one called RABBIT HOLE. It is a serious tale of a couple trying to cope with the death of their four year son due to a car accident, and for a while they go about it in their own way because together they can't seem to agree on how it should be handled. There are some odd bursts of humor, and some very thoughtful platitudes (many uttered by Dianne Wiest as the grandmother), and the parents, as played by Aaron Eckhart and Oscar winner and current nominee Nicole Kidman are often very effective. It covers familiar ground, and it will leave you feeling a bit somber in spite of its upbeat (for the grieving couple, anyway) ending. GRADE------B
------------------------------
Best of the many DVD's of the last two weeks would be Roman Polanski's THE TENANT (1976) which features the director as a young man who moves into the Parisian apartment of a young woman who has just thrown herself out of the high story window to her death. Many of her things are still in the apartment and seem to affect the new comer by making him paranoid, nervous and very insecure. The excellent international cast includes Isabelle Adjani, the deceased girl's best friend and possible future love interest for the new tenant, Shelley Winters as the somber concierge, Melvyn Douglas as the grouchy building owner, and the intimidating neighbor Jo Van Fleet who tries to make trouble. It is still as odd and creepy and perverse as I remembered it to be, and culminates in an amazing and riveting scene of pseudo/sexual/gender confusion and hysteria that sticks with you even after 35 years. GRADE-----A-
It's been a while since I'd seen Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant cavort so effortlessly and charmingly in the romantic spy mystery thriller CHARADE (1963), and as many times as I've seen it, the mystery aspect (where is the quarter million dollars?) is still quite effective, and will definitely surprise the first time viewer. I recently bought the new Criterion Collection version and it makes the colors and sound and dialogue and music just pop. Bad prints and washed out colors of ALL other earlier DVD versions should be avoided at all costs. It's been written that this is the best Alfred Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never directed, and it is one of the rare times when I would agree with that comparison. Composer Henry Mancini, writer Peter Stone and director Stanley Donen are all in top form, and a droll Walter Matthau and sinister James Coburn add greatly to the entertaining proceedings. GRADE------A-
It was the first viewing for me of the George Cukor classic comedy ADAM'S RIB (1949) with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as a sparring married couple of lawyers on the opposite sides of a sensational attempted-murder case. The real surprise for me was the sharp supporting cast including first time movies for a sparkling Judy Holliday, amusing Jean Hagen, the bumbling Tom Ewell, and the smooth as silk David Wayne. These four were all successful Broadway stage actors at the time, and they all shine for the first time on the screen. I liked it for it's sophisticated comic attitude towards the battle of the sexes and for the 6 great actors who manage to hit every irony, joke and barb right on the head. GRADE-------A-
A recent French coming-0f-age film COLD SHOWERS (2006) which played a number of film festivals, focused on a struggling middle class family where the mother and father are shrewish and unemployed, respectively, and the teen son who happens to be a Judo fanatic, must deal with his bickering parents and his long time girlfriend, who starts demanding more from their relationship by introducing a new male classmate into their sexual play. There are a lot of teasing, sex and nudity scenes, and there's an atmosphere of tension that keeps you watching.
GRADE-------B-
Twenty one years ago, LONGTIME COMPANION (1990) was possibly the first film to deal with the AIDS crisis, and tried to do so by putting a human face on the disease by letting us get to know the people affected. It is a bit dated and each scene is set about one year later than the last, so that we keep thinking, "OK, who is going to die this scene..." but the very interesting thing for me this viewing (the first since 1990) was the young cast of near unknowns in 1990. Today many of them have really gone on to bigger and better things and it's easy to see why they did based on the acting in this film. Probably the most well known actor at the time was Bruce Davison, who has never been better, and he was Oscar nominated for this role as the rich guy who heartbreakingly tries to convince his deathly ill partner to just "let it go." Mary-Louise Parker is effective as the "best-friend" ( writer Craig Lucas doesn't use the term "fag hag" here), and ironically she went on to star in the important AIDS themed epic ANGELS IN AMERICA play and TV film. Patrick Cassidy, Dermot Mulroney and especially Campbell Scott have all seen their stars rise from this well meaning and emotional film. GRADE------B-
A smart little family drama that played briefly in Seattle, PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND (2008) features some lovely acting by Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman as the parents of the precocious 10 year old Elle Fanning, who's lead in the ALICE IN WONDERLAND play at school triggers some outrageous and inappropriate behavior. Her teacher Patricia Clarkson and principal (Campbell Scott, see above review) try to help, but they all realize that the troubled girl might just "fall through the looking glass" unless they can discover the secret of her unusual behavior and odd creativity. Smart and attentive viewers should be able to figure out the denouncement, but nonetheless, this a lovely, clever film. GRADE-------B-
Last but certainly not least in the big cinematic picture, I watched the sequel to the 1969 version of TRUE GRIT, with John Wayne reprising his Oscar winning role as ROOSTER COGBURN (1975) and Katherine Hepburn almost typecast as the Bible thumping missionary. The plot is not terribly creative or original, and a week later I've almost forgotten it, but it is a true pleasure watching Wayne and Hepburn go at each other with wit and energy and a great deal of affection. It was their first time together and for both, one of the last big films of their incredible careers. GRADE------C+
There are a lot of movies about death and bereavement, including LOVE STORY, ORDINARY PEOPLE, PHILADELPHIA, SCHINDLER'S LIST, etc, and here is another one called RABBIT HOLE. It is a serious tale of a couple trying to cope with the death of their four year son due to a car accident, and for a while they go about it in their own way because together they can't seem to agree on how it should be handled. There are some odd bursts of humor, and some very thoughtful platitudes (many uttered by Dianne Wiest as the grandmother), and the parents, as played by Aaron Eckhart and Oscar winner and current nominee Nicole Kidman are often very effective. It covers familiar ground, and it will leave you feeling a bit somber in spite of its upbeat (for the grieving couple, anyway) ending. GRADE------B
------------------------------
Best of the many DVD's of the last two weeks would be Roman Polanski's THE TENANT (1976) which features the director as a young man who moves into the Parisian apartment of a young woman who has just thrown herself out of the high story window to her death. Many of her things are still in the apartment and seem to affect the new comer by making him paranoid, nervous and very insecure. The excellent international cast includes Isabelle Adjani, the deceased girl's best friend and possible future love interest for the new tenant, Shelley Winters as the somber concierge, Melvyn Douglas as the grouchy building owner, and the intimidating neighbor Jo Van Fleet who tries to make trouble. It is still as odd and creepy and perverse as I remembered it to be, and culminates in an amazing and riveting scene of pseudo/sexual/gender confusion and hysteria that sticks with you even after 35 years. GRADE-----A-
It's been a while since I'd seen Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant cavort so effortlessly and charmingly in the romantic spy mystery thriller CHARADE (1963), and as many times as I've seen it, the mystery aspect (where is the quarter million dollars?) is still quite effective, and will definitely surprise the first time viewer. I recently bought the new Criterion Collection version and it makes the colors and sound and dialogue and music just pop. Bad prints and washed out colors of ALL other earlier DVD versions should be avoided at all costs. It's been written that this is the best Alfred Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never directed, and it is one of the rare times when I would agree with that comparison. Composer Henry Mancini, writer Peter Stone and director Stanley Donen are all in top form, and a droll Walter Matthau and sinister James Coburn add greatly to the entertaining proceedings. GRADE------A-
It was the first viewing for me of the George Cukor classic comedy ADAM'S RIB (1949) with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as a sparring married couple of lawyers on the opposite sides of a sensational attempted-murder case. The real surprise for me was the sharp supporting cast including first time movies for a sparkling Judy Holliday, amusing Jean Hagen, the bumbling Tom Ewell, and the smooth as silk David Wayne. These four were all successful Broadway stage actors at the time, and they all shine for the first time on the screen. I liked it for it's sophisticated comic attitude towards the battle of the sexes and for the 6 great actors who manage to hit every irony, joke and barb right on the head. GRADE-------A-
A recent French coming-0f-age film COLD SHOWERS (2006) which played a number of film festivals, focused on a struggling middle class family where the mother and father are shrewish and unemployed, respectively, and the teen son who happens to be a Judo fanatic, must deal with his bickering parents and his long time girlfriend, who starts demanding more from their relationship by introducing a new male classmate into their sexual play. There are a lot of teasing, sex and nudity scenes, and there's an atmosphere of tension that keeps you watching.
GRADE-------B-
Twenty one years ago, LONGTIME COMPANION (1990) was possibly the first film to deal with the AIDS crisis, and tried to do so by putting a human face on the disease by letting us get to know the people affected. It is a bit dated and each scene is set about one year later than the last, so that we keep thinking, "OK, who is going to die this scene..." but the very interesting thing for me this viewing (the first since 1990) was the young cast of near unknowns in 1990. Today many of them have really gone on to bigger and better things and it's easy to see why they did based on the acting in this film. Probably the most well known actor at the time was Bruce Davison, who has never been better, and he was Oscar nominated for this role as the rich guy who heartbreakingly tries to convince his deathly ill partner to just "let it go." Mary-Louise Parker is effective as the "best-friend" ( writer Craig Lucas doesn't use the term "fag hag" here), and ironically she went on to star in the important AIDS themed epic ANGELS IN AMERICA play and TV film. Patrick Cassidy, Dermot Mulroney and especially Campbell Scott have all seen their stars rise from this well meaning and emotional film. GRADE------B-
A smart little family drama that played briefly in Seattle, PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND (2008) features some lovely acting by Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman as the parents of the precocious 10 year old Elle Fanning, who's lead in the ALICE IN WONDERLAND play at school triggers some outrageous and inappropriate behavior. Her teacher Patricia Clarkson and principal (Campbell Scott, see above review) try to help, but they all realize that the troubled girl might just "fall through the looking glass" unless they can discover the secret of her unusual behavior and odd creativity. Smart and attentive viewers should be able to figure out the denouncement, but nonetheless, this a lovely, clever film. GRADE-------B-
Last but certainly not least in the big cinematic picture, I watched the sequel to the 1969 version of TRUE GRIT, with John Wayne reprising his Oscar winning role as ROOSTER COGBURN (1975) and Katherine Hepburn almost typecast as the Bible thumping missionary. The plot is not terribly creative or original, and a week later I've almost forgotten it, but it is a true pleasure watching Wayne and Hepburn go at each other with wit and energy and a great deal of affection. It was their first time together and for both, one of the last big films of their incredible careers. GRADE------C+
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Fighter, Green Hornet, 127 Hours, How Do You Know
Director of the current, splendid BLACK SWAN, Darren Aronofsky was originally slated to direct THE FIGHTER, but David O. Russell was chosen after Aronofsky moved on to the aborted ROBOCOP sequel and ended up making SWAN instead. Aronofsky is listed as an executive producer on THE FIGHTER, and his influence shows. Basically a true life sports movie, THE FIGHTER benefits greatly from a half dozen very fine performances, and some straightforward no nonsense direction which propels the plot along on the gasoline of the intense interpersonal relationships between the central characters. Crack addicted ex-boxer older brother (played with his usual creative energy by Christian Bale) tries to train his younger brother (a fine Mark Wahlberg), but is no help due to his addiction. Their mother, who remains delusional about the drug problem, is played by the magnificent Melissa Leo, who right now is at the TOP of her game. I didn't even recognize her for several minutes after her attention getting entrance--I was so transfixed by her antics. In the past couple years she's blown me away as the lead in FROZEN RIVER, and amazing small roles in this year's CONVICTION and THE DRY LAND. She appears in many many small, independent films as well as TV (especially HOMICIDE:Life on the Streets) and this could very well be her big year--she's the leading contender for the best supporting actress Oscar and just won the Golden Globe in that category, as did Christian Bale for supporting actor. Amy Adams as the fighter's girlfriend is also quite good, as are the many other characters that populate this engrossing film. My only complaint is that the film ends on a predictable note, but getting there is the pleasure. GRADE-------A-
A terrific surprise, THE GREEN HORNET benefits from the sensationally ballsy presence of Seth Rogen, who wrote and executive produced the film. I've never been a big fan of his, but he is slimmed down, beefed up, and cocky as hell, and it works in a funny, disarming way. He is being reigned in a bit by director Michael Gondry (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, SCIENCE OF SLEEP) who takes his time building character relationships and carefully building the preposterous plot, without depending too much on car chases and explosions. This film feels like BATMAN RETURNS or KICK ASS, and a better, lighter WATCHMEN. Jay Chou is a lot of fun as Kato, and Christof Waltz (last year's Oscar winner for INGLORIOUS BASTERDS) is a great bad guy, again. Unfortunately, the film is being promoted for it's 3-D features, which is totally unnecessary. There are very few moments when the uncomfortable 3-D glasses are needed. Note to filmmakers:---STOP RIPPING US OFF BY CHARGING US AN EXTRA $4 FOR BAD 3-D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GRADE-----B+
Directed by Danny (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) Boyle, 127 HOURS is made about as well as a basically one character movie can be made, and James Franco is very convincing in the true story of how a lone hiker survived 127 HOURS in a desert cavern while his arm was pinned by a large boulder. To say the least, he (Boyle, Franco and the main character) are/is/was remarkably resourceful. The film is "opened up" with flash backs, dreams, visions and beautiful shots of nature at work. It is surprisingly upbeat and powerful, in spite of the limited storyline. It works a lot better than the recent BURIED which had Ryan Reynolds trapped in an underground casket with his amazingly powerful cell phone for 90 minutes. GRADE----B+
James L. Brooks is a hit or miss writer/director, especially these days. Here is a miss---HOW DO YOU KNOW. His best films (BROADCAST NEWS 1987, AS GOOD AS IT GETS 1997, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT 1983) seem effortlessly funny and smart and dramatic. HOW DO YOU KNOW plods along with some clever ideas and charming actors, but the laughs are very weak and inconsistent, and the plot seemed very belabored and unbelievable. Are we to believe that the VP of a big company headed by his father has no idea as to why he is being indited and audited by the IRS? That he must sell all he has to move into a small apartment because his company (and father) won't pay his legal bills? That a young talented female athlete is so insecure that she must keep returning to her sexist, philandering boyfriend three times during the course of this film--even though someone much more suitable is there in front of her??? Jack Nicholson, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon are attractive, effective actors, but the fault in this one is squarely with Mr. Brooks. GRADE-------C-
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THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED (2009) is a smart, wicked British film that never opened theatrically in the US about a couple of ex-cons who kidnap a rich girl for ransom. It's an economical film that effectively uses realism and violence and big twists to keep the plot moving in unexpected ways. Although I predicted the first two big twists (I guess I've seen too many movies....) it was still riveting to watch and is well acted by the three main characters. It is now out on DVD. GRADE--------B
Another great performance by Alec Guinness highlights the droll little British comedy THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT (1951) which features Guinness as an eccentric chemist who invents a fabric that resists dirt and will never wear out. Unfortunately, the clothing industry wants to suppress this as it will mean fewer new clothes will need to be manufactured. (Think how car companies suppressed the electric car....for example) and soon the chemist is on the run from executives and co-workers alike. Clever, intelligent and amusing. GRADE-------B
Frank Sinatra is a rich playboy with a half dozen girl friends, and you know that one of them will get him to settle down, but good, in the film adaptation of the Broadway play THE TENDER TRAP (1955). The comedy is rather tame, and the serious subjects (infidelity, divorce, loneliness, obsessiveness) are glossed over, but the cast, which includes Debbie Reynolds, Celeste Holms, and David Wayne are smooth and curiously compelling---Reynolds has her whole married life mapped out before even meeting her future husband, Holms is so desperate not to be left an old maid that she's willing to settle for either a married man or a philanderer, and Wayne seems willing to toss out his 12 year marriage with kids just to have an affair. And of course the song THE TENDER TRAP is sung and reprised about 4 times during this film--it is one of Sinatra's best signature songs. GRADE--------B-
A terrific surprise, THE GREEN HORNET benefits from the sensationally ballsy presence of Seth Rogen, who wrote and executive produced the film. I've never been a big fan of his, but he is slimmed down, beefed up, and cocky as hell, and it works in a funny, disarming way. He is being reigned in a bit by director Michael Gondry (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, SCIENCE OF SLEEP) who takes his time building character relationships and carefully building the preposterous plot, without depending too much on car chases and explosions. This film feels like BATMAN RETURNS or KICK ASS, and a better, lighter WATCHMEN. Jay Chou is a lot of fun as Kato, and Christof Waltz (last year's Oscar winner for INGLORIOUS BASTERDS) is a great bad guy, again. Unfortunately, the film is being promoted for it's 3-D features, which is totally unnecessary. There are very few moments when the uncomfortable 3-D glasses are needed. Note to filmmakers:---STOP RIPPING US OFF BY CHARGING US AN EXTRA $4 FOR BAD 3-D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GRADE-----B+
Directed by Danny (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) Boyle, 127 HOURS is made about as well as a basically one character movie can be made, and James Franco is very convincing in the true story of how a lone hiker survived 127 HOURS in a desert cavern while his arm was pinned by a large boulder. To say the least, he (Boyle, Franco and the main character) are/is/was remarkably resourceful. The film is "opened up" with flash backs, dreams, visions and beautiful shots of nature at work. It is surprisingly upbeat and powerful, in spite of the limited storyline. It works a lot better than the recent BURIED which had Ryan Reynolds trapped in an underground casket with his amazingly powerful cell phone for 90 minutes. GRADE----B+
James L. Brooks is a hit or miss writer/director, especially these days. Here is a miss---HOW DO YOU KNOW. His best films (BROADCAST NEWS 1987, AS GOOD AS IT GETS 1997, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT 1983) seem effortlessly funny and smart and dramatic. HOW DO YOU KNOW plods along with some clever ideas and charming actors, but the laughs are very weak and inconsistent, and the plot seemed very belabored and unbelievable. Are we to believe that the VP of a big company headed by his father has no idea as to why he is being indited and audited by the IRS? That he must sell all he has to move into a small apartment because his company (and father) won't pay his legal bills? That a young talented female athlete is so insecure that she must keep returning to her sexist, philandering boyfriend three times during the course of this film--even though someone much more suitable is there in front of her??? Jack Nicholson, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon are attractive, effective actors, but the fault in this one is squarely with Mr. Brooks. GRADE-------C-
__________________________
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED (2009) is a smart, wicked British film that never opened theatrically in the US about a couple of ex-cons who kidnap a rich girl for ransom. It's an economical film that effectively uses realism and violence and big twists to keep the plot moving in unexpected ways. Although I predicted the first two big twists (I guess I've seen too many movies....) it was still riveting to watch and is well acted by the three main characters. It is now out on DVD. GRADE--------B
Another great performance by Alec Guinness highlights the droll little British comedy THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT (1951) which features Guinness as an eccentric chemist who invents a fabric that resists dirt and will never wear out. Unfortunately, the clothing industry wants to suppress this as it will mean fewer new clothes will need to be manufactured. (Think how car companies suppressed the electric car....for example) and soon the chemist is on the run from executives and co-workers alike. Clever, intelligent and amusing. GRADE-------B
Frank Sinatra is a rich playboy with a half dozen girl friends, and you know that one of them will get him to settle down, but good, in the film adaptation of the Broadway play THE TENDER TRAP (1955). The comedy is rather tame, and the serious subjects (infidelity, divorce, loneliness, obsessiveness) are glossed over, but the cast, which includes Debbie Reynolds, Celeste Holms, and David Wayne are smooth and curiously compelling---Reynolds has her whole married life mapped out before even meeting her future husband, Holms is so desperate not to be left an old maid that she's willing to settle for either a married man or a philanderer, and Wayne seems willing to toss out his 12 year marriage with kids just to have an affair. And of course the song THE TENDER TRAP is sung and reprised about 4 times during this film--it is one of Sinatra's best signature songs. GRADE--------B-
Monday, January 10, 2011
A weak Country Strong
The new film about an alcoholic, struggling-against-demons country western singer, COUNTRY STRONG compares unfavorably with last years similar CRAZY HEART. Jeff Bridges won his Oscar for that film, and although I didn't really like the plotting and unbelievability of many scenes, at least Bridges performance had some authenticity and rawness to it. In COUNTRY STRONG Gweneth Paltrow is just getting out of rehab (apparently several weeks early--red flag warning!) and put back on the road by her manager husband. He is smitten with a new young "country Barbie doll" and wants her to be the warm up for his headliner wife. His wife has been having a fling with a young male singer and wants him to be the warm up. Guess what? They both are hired, and very typical complications ensue. And unfortunately, there's nary a spark of feeling and tension between any of the characters. Although the songs and singers are not bad, the music brings whatever dramatic tension that is being developed to a complete stop. Besides that, Paltrow doesn't have any rolling-around-on-the-bathroom-floor-in-her-own-vomit scenes, like Bridges had, to really get the audience rooting for her. (!?) I couldn't wait for this one to be over. GRADE-------D+
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In my last blog, I forgot to write about a DVD seen on Christmas Day evening with some relatives called LOVE ACTUALLY (2003), one of my favorite Christmas themed films, because it is set during the month of December leading up to Christmas and features carols, Christmas parties, school pageants, a crass, pop Christmas song played many times on the soundtrack, shopping and stores in decoration in London and other cheerful and symbolic events of the season. It's a multi-storied, multi-charactered film, with pleasing and occasionally amusing performances by Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Keira Knightly, Billy Bob Thornton, and many, many others. Because it covers so many stories and characters, it can be a bit uneven, but it is entertaining and the 2 hour 15minutes goes down very easily. GRADE-----B+
Based on a novel by James Jones (FROM HERE TO ETERNITY), the Vincente Minnelli film SOME CAME RUNNING (1958) features Frank Sinatra as a disillusioned writer just out of the service who ends up back in the hypocritical small Indiana town that he grew up in. His family is trying to maintain their upper middle class standing, and don't want him around. He hooks up with a gambler (Dean Martin) and a luckless floozy (Shirley McLaine in a fearless, memorable breakout role for which she was Oscar nominated) and falls for one of the upper class women he would normally be distainful of. It's definitely, and ultimately 50's melodrama, but the tone was so uneven--a weird mix of comedy, satire, drama, romance????--that it put me off. (I thought PEYTON PLACE which I wrote about last February did it a lot better.) And the ending, filmed in a completely chaotic, boldly colorful, jazzy style completely different from the rest of the restrained proceedings, didn't make much logical or emotional sense. Interesting, but in my mind, unsuccessful. GRADE-------C+
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In my last blog, I forgot to write about a DVD seen on Christmas Day evening with some relatives called LOVE ACTUALLY (2003), one of my favorite Christmas themed films, because it is set during the month of December leading up to Christmas and features carols, Christmas parties, school pageants, a crass, pop Christmas song played many times on the soundtrack, shopping and stores in decoration in London and other cheerful and symbolic events of the season. It's a multi-storied, multi-charactered film, with pleasing and occasionally amusing performances by Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Keira Knightly, Billy Bob Thornton, and many, many others. Because it covers so many stories and characters, it can be a bit uneven, but it is entertaining and the 2 hour 15minutes goes down very easily. GRADE-----B+
Based on a novel by James Jones (FROM HERE TO ETERNITY), the Vincente Minnelli film SOME CAME RUNNING (1958) features Frank Sinatra as a disillusioned writer just out of the service who ends up back in the hypocritical small Indiana town that he grew up in. His family is trying to maintain their upper middle class standing, and don't want him around. He hooks up with a gambler (Dean Martin) and a luckless floozy (Shirley McLaine in a fearless, memorable breakout role for which she was Oscar nominated) and falls for one of the upper class women he would normally be distainful of. It's definitely, and ultimately 50's melodrama, but the tone was so uneven--a weird mix of comedy, satire, drama, romance????--that it put me off. (I thought PEYTON PLACE which I wrote about last February did it a lot better.) And the ending, filmed in a completely chaotic, boldly colorful, jazzy style completely different from the rest of the restrained proceedings, didn't make much logical or emotional sense. Interesting, but in my mind, unsuccessful. GRADE-------C+
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