It is a slow month for compelling new movies--the weather is turning sunnier (but strangely cold, with lots of hail storms) and the income taxes are finally sent in. I am slowly trying to rest up for the onslaught of film that is the Seattle International Film Festival. Screenings start for me on May 2nd and the festival ends on June 12. During that time I will be seeing at LEAST three films a day, and on some days as many as 6! So I guess you'd say that I was resting up this month. Still, I did manage to see a few films.
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The new animated film by the creators of ICE AGE is a real treat, filled with wild, vivid color, a salsa musical beat, and set in the exotic RIO de Janeiro. The plot has a rare blue macaw--supposedly the last of his kind, sent to RIO to mate with a recently discovered female, and of course, the birds are kidnapped and there is much chasing around trying to reconnect the owners with the love birds, but it is all rather innocent and charming and there are a lot of humorous situations with the talking birds and other animals. And since this is all set during the Carnivale period, there are lots of exotic floats and costume and dance music to enjoy as well. GRADE------------B
Another animated feature that has turned into the year's biggest hit so far is RANGO, which features the amusing voice of Johnny Depp and others. It is the weirdest, most eccentric, existential animation feature I've ever seen a big U.S. studio release (not counting Japanese anime.)
There's lots of naturalistic (cartoon) violence (including an aardvark crushed in two by truck tires spouting on and on about the meaning of life...), hoary western plot devices (like the town rushing to give a stranger-Rango- the top job of sheriff because the last one was killed off quickly), predictable twists of corruption (like "who is stealing the town's water supply"--a la CHINATOWN) and many many movie homages to other (better) films (including an extended sequence featuring a look-alike Clint Eastwood, spouting about the meaning of life, as well as the typical HIGH NOON climax scene,etc). I'm not sure who this movie would appeal to. Surly the horrifying evil snake (with a machine gun for a rattler) would give any child nightmares, as would scenes involving the burning of the face of a fellow bar attendee, the skin scalding that many of the animated lizards and rodents encounter, the arrows through the head, the epileptic freezing of the "love" interest during which time Rango manages to take some liberties....and the general gloominess of the lives of these creatures. Unlike the the exaggerated violence of Elmer Fudd and that crazy rabbit, these scenes are played more for realism, not laughs, although some are so bizarre and surprising that I did laugh a few times. STILL--I was not bored, and it takes some balls to create such a dismal vision of the Old West (although the time is present day desert!--talk about incongruity!) GRADE (for creativity)-----------B-
DVD choices include-----
The BBC Masterpiece Theatre version of Charles Dickens's BLEAK HOUSE (2007) is a solidly acted and engrossing 8 hour experience. If this is ever remade in the US, there is a great part for the demented personality of Gary Busey--indeed, the British actor who plays the part of Smallweed (Phil Davis) looks and acts a lot like Busey. The entire cast is excellent, including Gillian Anderson, Carey Mulligan, Ian Richardson and Charles Dance. My big complaint is that the director (or cinematographer) made the unfortunate decision to start nearly every scene with loud ominous music and a very pretentious jump-cut and zoom--totally distracting and annoying. GRADE-----------B+
ALSO---
In a similar vein, COUSIN BETTE (1998) has Jessica Lange as the single cousin who tries to take revenge on her rich family who have ignored her for years, but things do not always go her way, in this venomous, witty black comedy set in 1840's Paris, and which features a funny and smart cast including Bob Hoskins, Elizabeth Shue, Hugh Laurie, and Kelly MacDonald. Based on the Balzac novel. GRADE-------B
Nearly unremarkable but watchable nonetheless, CASS TIMBERLANE (1947) based on the Sinclair Lewis novel features the reliable Spencer Tracy and the fascinating Lana Turner, yet somehow I didn't really care much about these people. He's a small town judge, and she is the simple girl (!) who longs for more adventurous notoriety in the big town of New York. She tries to find it in the arms of Tracy's best friend (Zachary Scott). GRADE---------C+
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Hanna, Lincoln Lawyer, When We Leave, Soul Surfer
The new film from Joe Wright (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, ATONEMENT) is called HANNA, and it is a blast of fresh air for the first hour anyway, until it descends into a standard chase thriller mode. (The last half reminded me of the BOURNE films.) HANNA is played with a great deal of sympathy and energy by the young Saoirse Ronan (ATONEMENT and LOVELY BONES)--she's been trained as an assassin by her father (Eric Bana) from birth to kill (or protect herself from) the agent who is trying to kill her--played with wicked menace by Cate Blanchett. The plot pieces don't all fall easily into place by the end, but the first hour in which the young HANNA is making her way in a strange world she doesn't yet understand, and trying to "pretend" she is normal and making friends is the classic "fish out of water" milieu, with a lot of laughs and tension to move things along. Very entertaining, with exciting (but sometimes a bit over active ) camera work (think RUN LOLA RUN) and effectively modern music by the Chemical Brothers. GRADE------------B+ ----------------- I am no fan of actor Matthew McConaughey (as well as Nicholas Cage and often John Travolta) but I have to say that his new film THE LINCOLN LAWYER fits him like a glove, and for those who care, he does get to take his shirt off. He plays a sleazy defense attorney who seems to have no conscience defending the guilty, the evil, and the scum-bags. When he takes a case of a naughty rich boy accused of murder, you know sooner or later he is going to grow a conscience, since all his friends and associates (including William H. Macy and his ex-wife Marisa Tomei ) seem to think he's wonderful. There are a fair number of twists and turns (although the final twist was hardly persuasive), and overall, it plays like a superior episode of TV's LAW and ORDER. GRADE----------B --------------------WHEN WE LEAVE is a heartbreaking Turkish film of a young married woman who leaves her abusive husband and with her child travels back to Germany to live with her parents, who are shocked that she would embarrass them in that way. The film deals with the efforts of her in-laws and husband to get her back, and when the talk turns to family honor, you know that violent tragedy is just around the corner, but when it happens, it is quite a shock. GRADE--------B ----------------I nearly walked out of SOUL SURFER after the first 20 minutes. The camera works seems to have been done by an 11 year old boy on roller skates and crack, zooming the camera around to nauseating effect, and the film is edited like a Michael Bay hysterical epic, with no shot lasting for more than 3 seconds. Finally, when a shark attack bites off the arm of the 13 year old surfer Bethany Hamilton, things get a little calmer and more interesting. Based on the true story of how Bethany got back to surfing after this tragedy, we have to sit through several church scenes and speeches about family love, believing in God's will, trusting Jesus, etc. that I felt this was more of a sermon than a movie. Add lots of promotion for the work of World Vision, and a cast (including old pros like a gaunt Helen Hunt, a perky Dennis Quaid, and an ex Hercules Kevin Sorbo) stuck with spouting homilies and reading passages from the Bible, and I just lost interest in what could have been a compelling story. But the Hawaiian scenery was pleasant. GRADE-------C- ------------------------------- On the DVD front this week---- The recent DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS (2010) is a remake of a French farce THE DINNER GAME (1998). This new version takes the basic premise of snobbish executives inviting nerdy fools for dinner to insult them, but makes it a lot more silly with pratfalls, sight gags, and crude jokes to fill in for sophistication. Still, the casting is quite good, with each character, including the "schmucks" given a lot of screen time to develop amusing back stories and characterizations, and quickly it becomes apparent who the real fools are. I especially enjoyed the smaller characters--many from Europe--including hilarious turns byJermaine Clement as an egotistical artist who often dresses as a naked Minotaur creature, Zach Galifianakis as the intense IRS "mind-reader" and Lucy Punch as a vindictive stalker ex-girlfriend!!!! Comedy like this often splits the audience, but if you are in the mood there is a lot to enjoy. GRADE-----------B ----------------SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (1941) is the follow up to last week's original THIN MAN film, and once again I love the chemistry between the leads William Powell and Myrna Loy--they are witty, sarcastic and very funny in their dead pan deliveries, but the murder mystery plot was quite forgettable. GRADE-------B-
Friday, April 1, 2011
Source Code, Paul, Win Win, Sundowners, Left Handed Gun
The new science fiction film SOURCE CODE has a generic (and forgettable) title, and borrows lots of concepts from other films and TV, but it is a lot of fun to watch. Just don't try to analyze the plot after it's over--you really can't. The set up is intriguing---an Army pilot wakes up aboard a commuter train heading into Chicago and seems to die 8 minutes later in an horrific bomb explosion/crash, only to wake up again in a strange metal pod where a cold uniformed woman keeps trying to have him focus on a mission he seems to know nothing about. His mission is to try to find out who the bomber is and where the bomb is, because "officials" fear the bomber will strike again with a dirty bomb, so he is sent back to try again. Much like the tedious VANTAGE POINT(2008) and the exasperating cult romantic comedy GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)--those eight minutes are repeated many times with more points of view and different information coming forth in each segment. I didn't mind the conceit this time, because the cast is quite good and like able--Jake Gyllenhaal is the pilot, Vera Farmiga is the mysterious uniformed woman, and Michelle Monaghan has great chemistry with Jake as the recent girlfriend who is with him aboard the train--an innocent passenger who gets blown up with the others a dozen or so times. By the end, there is a lot of discussion about the "why" and "how"--and it is supposed to be all about parallel realities and quantum physics (and cleverly features the voice of TV's Quantum Leap star Scott Bakula as the father) but the explanations are only a smoke-screen. In spite of the cinematic rush that all the mayhem has delivered, it is still unbelievable and/or illogical in the "science" portion. GRADE------------B ***************** Another science fiction film this week is PAUL, about an extra-terrestial who travels along in a large van with a couple of sci-fi geeks from Great Britain trying to find his way home. The film seems lazily written, and in spite of some clever jokes and funny sight gags, (along with the usual gross and juvenile fart, pee and gay jokes) I wish there had been a lot more. But, it is a gentle spoof of aliens and their followers and does get some creative points for that subject matter. GRADE----------B- ************* I loved writer/director Tom McCarthy's first refreshing film THE STATION AGENT (2003) and his 2nd film THE VISITOR (2008) had a lot of ethno-centric warmth. His newest film is WIN WIN and while it is pleasant and at times heart warming, it feels like a case of diminishing returns. Paul Giamatti stars as a struggling lawyer who makes a poor ethical decision to take care of an old man's estate, then gets involved with the man's grandson, a talented teen wrestler who could make the lawyer's after hours job of high school wrestling coach a whole lot better. It is a quiet, low-key comedy drama that (again) shows that "family" can be created anywhere, between the most unlikely of characters. It just felt a bit obvious to me this time. GRADE---------B- ************ ---------------------- DVD choices this week--- One of my favorite directors-- Arthur Penn died recently. His incredible repertoire of fine films includes one of my all time favorites BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967) as well as LITTLE BIG MAN(1970), MICKEY ONE, THE MIRACLE WORKER, THE CHASE (1966), ALICE'S RESTAURANT(1969), and the underrated NIGHT MOVES (1975) and FOUR FRIENDS(1981). One of his first films impressed me greatly this week, called LEFT HANDED GUN (1958) and featuring the break through performance by Paul Newman. Gore Vidal wrote the economical script based on the life of Billy the Kid, who's portrayed as an innocent cattle hand trying to right the wrongful murder of his boss. Without soft pedaling or sensationalizing, the story is very compelling, and incited me to read up on the real Billy the Kid. GRADE--------A ************* THE SUNDOWNERS (1960) is an excellent Australian western about a family of cattle herders headed by Robert Mitchum and his wife Deborah Kerr, and their friend Peter Ustinov,and it kept me riveted with their struggle to become home owners amid the hard work of sheep herding and shearing. The accents of both were quite convincing, and the director Fred Zinneman keeps things rolling at a jaunty pace. The film was nominated for six Oscars. GRADE-------A ************** THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951)--still classic Robert Wise science fiction drama with the impressive Michael Rennie as the dignified alien sent to warn Earth of pending danger. Bernard Herrmann did the impressive score, as usual. REMEMBER: Klaatu barada nikto! GRADE--------A *********** SCARAMOUCHE (1952)--excellent cast (Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, Mel Ferrer, etc) features some long and entertaining swashbuckling scenes. GRADE-----B+ *********** COUNTRY GIRL (1954)---She won the Oscar for this, one of her first roles, but Grace Kelly is well matched with William Holden and especially Bing Crosby (who surprised me in this part.) GRADE--------B+ ************ CAPTAIN FROM CASTILLE (1947)--Epic historical drama of early conquest of Mexico with Tyrone Power, Jean Peters, Lee J. Cobb and Cesar Romero all superb....colorful, engrossing, but the ending seemed incomplete, with much of the story left untold. GRADE-------B ********* NEVER ON SUNDAY (1960)--Highlighted by an extravagant performance by Melina Mercouri, this story of an intellectual who tries to bring culture to and earthy prostitute is delightful to watch, and has a very catchy (and popular) theme music. GRADE-----B ********** IN WHICH WE SERVE (1942)--Noel Coward and David Lean co-directed this WWII drama about life of sailors during wartime. Many moving and fascinating scenes, but the story lacks some dramatic punch and resolution---I've seen it twice in the last few years, and still can't recall how it ends. GRADE------B ********* THE THIN MAN (1934)--Myrna Loy and William Powell have chemistry to burn as husband and wife detective team--it's deliciously witty and coy, though the plot is not great. There were four other sequels. GRADE--------B
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Cedar Rapids, Illusionist (animated), Treasure of Sierra Madre, plus some dogs...
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
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
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
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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
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