Here are some pretty fine films seen so far this summer....
Could be the best of SIFF, and certainly one of the more challenging films you'll see this year, this is the Irish film CALVARY. The first scene has a priest in a confessional booth being told that next Sunday he will be killed because the want to be killer was abused as a child, and feels the need for revenge after all this time. The voice has been obscured so the priest has no idea who this threatening man can be. The rest of the film has him spending his week among his parishioners in this small town, and wouldn't you now it, it seems quite a few have reason to kill him, even though he seems like a pretty nice, thoughtful guy. The film plays like a murder (to be) mystery thriller with a lot of potential killers making the priest's life unpleasant, but the best part is that the film also deals with themes of philosophy, death, hate, love, revenge, loneliness, and forgiveness. GRADE-------A
You might think that the conceit of filming over 12 years to show the growth of a child into adulthood is a cheat, but watching BOYHOOD, the new film by Richard Linklater, you become so engrossed in the story and the characters that it becomes a pleasure and a treat to observe. Like the fascinating British documentary series 7UP (which includes instalments every 7 years---14 UP, 21 UP, etc, the most recent being 56 UP, where the same children have been interviewed every 7 years and you see how they were as a child and how they now think as an adult), BOYHOOD uses what comes naturally to tell the story of a fractured family struggling with daily life, love and work, and of course, all the actors are aging at the same pace. It's an impressive achievement. GRADE------A-
Many years ago when I first saw STAR WARS, I remember feeling giddy with delight at the wondrously strange characters that were introduced in scene after scene, and most of them had great comic appeal. I felt that same feeling with the new film GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY --like stepping into a creative world where you could never predict how a character would look or act or turn out. GOTG has so much humor and energy that you can't help but enjoy the ride, and I look forward to the next installment. GRADE-------A-
So, what can you expect from a film produced by both Steven Speilberg AND Oprah Winfrey? Yep, you got it, and that's what you get. THE 100 FOOT JOURNEY may not be the most creative film ever made, but when you mix exotic characters with a "food" making film and add in warm and fuzzy charm, it is easy to swallow. The high note for me was how incredibly convincing Helen Mirren was as a stuffy French chef who makes the most of her character's changing attitude towards, well, towards cooking, relationships, other cultures, and life in general. She alone makes this journey special. GRADE--------B
A straight forward blast of kick ass science fiction action thriller, LUCY is a great showcase for the reliable Scarlet Johanson. Her character finds herself injected with a substance that causes her to become a major brainiac, and she must find a cure before she.....dies?!? No sequel here (or maybe there will be.....), but the film moves along without any hesitation, propelling you to the end with out the slightest feeling that perhaps there are a few plot holes ignored, or way over the top moments. A satisfying popcorn movie it ever there was one. GRADE--------B
Another film exalted by the power of a subtle performance, A MOST WANTED MAN is one of Phillip Seymour Hoffman's last films, and you can see why he was so highly regarded as an actor. There is no sight of ego here, just an absorbing, compelling spy story, written by John le Carre and featuring some nicely understated turns including Robin Wright, Willem Dafoe and Rachel McAdams. The title seems weak, but the production is strong. GRADE------B
A familiar true story about a struggling high school football team features some powerful moments of game play, coming back from the bottom, finding faith in yourself, recovering from illness and loss---in other words, we've seen it all before, but I did not find it boring or offensive. just a bit predictable. WHEN THE GAMES STANDS TALL tries hard and has some good production values so see it if you are interested. GRADE------C+
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Some DVD choices seen recently...
VIEW FROM THE TERRACE (1960)---Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward play an unhappily married upper class couple in a long (149 minutes) version of John O'Hare's soapy drama that features some interesting characterizations by Myrna Loy (as Newman's alcoholic mother) and a new comer Ina Balin (as an innocent who falls for the married Newman), and Patrick O'Neal (as Woodward's lover) and others. It's a surprise that they became married in real life after being so hateful towards each other here. Still, I found the film engrossing as it tries to explore the pull of career vs happiness in life. GRADE----B
HOME BEFORE DARK (1958)---Jean Simmons plays a depressed wife just returning from the mental hospital who seems to be affected because she's not sure if her husband loves her or not. Perhaps in her paranoia she thinks he loves her step-sister (Rhonda Fleming). One thing is clear--this woman really is mentally unstable. A border (Efrem Zimbalist Jr) in her large home seems to like her
but all I wanted to do was yell at the TV screen for him to "RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN---SHE'S NUTS!) It's to Jean Simmons credit that her character is as sympathetic as she is. Another long drama at 136 minutes. GRADE------B
In the western DECISION AT SUNDOWN (1957), Randolph Scott rides into town with a partner to seek revenge on the man who he feels caused the death of his wife. In the course of the afternoon, everyone in town is affected and changed by this character, including Scott, who finds out that his wife may not have been what she seemed.....(SLUT!) Despite the low budget, the film is careful to build solid characterizations from many of the towns people, including the bar keep, the doctor, the groom and his bride to be, Scott's partner, the sheriff, the scorned woman, the hidden alcoholic, and others. It's a fascinating and tense film, directed by the under appreciated Budd Boetticher. GRADE------B
Another western by Boetticher is simpler but quite effective. THE TALL T (1957) again features Randolph Scott as a loner who ends up on a stage coach that is being held up by three murderous, desperate men, including the leader played by Richard Boone. He joins up with a glammed down Maureen O'Hara to try to turn the tables of these 3 after being kidnapped for ransom. There are some scenes of disturbing violence (thankfully off screen) that keep this film provocative, and again, the director gives even the bad guys interesting menace. GRADE-----B
Monday, September 8, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
SNOWPIERCER, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2, DAWN OF PLANET OF THE APES, THIRD PERSON, plus TAKE SHELTER, TINY FURNITURE, SIDEWAYS and two tele-films--a Scottish PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (1978) and TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (1980)
It might take you 20 minutes to get into SNOWPIERCER, an allegorical science fiction, post apocalyptic thriller about a speeding train circling the globe with the remains of humanity represented in ascending order from the poorest crammed into the rear compartments, to the middle class to the elite at the front of the train, but once the poor decide they aren't going to take it any more and start moving into the forward cabins towards the engineer ("the power") the film becomes an exciting metaphor about the 99% VS the 1%. Inspiring characterizations are provided by John Hurt, Jamie Bell, Ed Harris, Song Kang-ho, Chris Evans and a delightfully unrecognizable Tilda Swinton. The director Bong Joon-ho's previous films include THE HOST (2006)--an unusual take on a horror monster under the water film, and the psychological thriller THE MOTHER (2009)--she's not nurturing in a good way....If you are burned out by all the over the top special effects summer blockbusters, this is the one to see, especially on a big screen (it's also showing on Video on Demand and breaking all records.) It's got the blood and action and effects wrapped up in a curious and chilling and thought provoking setting. There were times when SNOWPIERCER reminded me of moments in THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981)--kinetic, exciting and way out there. GRADE-----A-
In general, I feel like sequels are a case of diminishing returns--it is rare that the second or third films are as good as the first. I'm pleased to report that HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 is that rare sequel that is actually better than the original--which is hard to do because I loved the first one. HTTYD2 takes place 5 years later when the young hero Hiccup is now a teen, as are all his friends. He discovers some new lands and finds an evil Viking with a huge evil dragon that has the capability to "brainwash" all the other dragons to follow him. This provides for a lot of special effects with war scenes, plus new and amusing dragon features and types, and the introduction of a couple of important human characters that really advance the story. I found this new film to be emotionally involving on several levels, and found myself very moved by much of the action, especially when........well, I won't give away any surprises. But if you like the first one, you'll LOVE this new film. GRADE-----------A
I've seen all 8 APE movies, and this new DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is just as good as the others, with a lot of help from excellent special effects and actor Andy Serkis. My main objections are that the film seems to take place entirely in the rain, in the dark, at night, in the forest, or some combination of those, so that nearly every scene is darkly photographed and difficult to see at times. My other complaint is that the themes and conflicts are still the same: there are the good apes and the bad apes, and the good humans and the bad humans. Still, the film is thoughtful and creative at many times. GRADE-------B
Quite possibly the worst commercial film to be released this year, THIRD PERSON is in the style of director/writer Paul Haggis' other multi-character film CRASH (2005) where he is telling several different stories with many different characters, but in this case, I hated all the stories and all the characters. All the women in this new film act like crazy psychotic bitches, and all the men are pathetic, manipulative bastards, who are only attracted to surface beauty and fall for the women who open their legs to them. I didn't understand the "why" of these twisted relationships. Just when I thought a scene couldn't get any more unbelievably icky, along comes the next scene just as icky, with a sick twist to it. I actually yelled unconsciously and angerly at the screen during one scene--thankfully there was only one other viewer sitting on the opposite side of the theatre and I don't think he heard me, but I was surprised at myself nonetheless. The actors were OK---they included Liam Neeson, Adrian Brody, Kim Basinger, Mila Kunis, James Franco etc., and the film itself has some eye candy, being filmed in Rome, New York and Paris. But as a writer, Haggis gets an "F" grade from me for this one.
GRADE--------D
These films were seen by me at SIFF and are currently playing now and they have been reviewed in previous blogs, and they are all highly recommended: BEGIN AGAIN, OBVIOUS CHILD, VENUS IN FUR, IDA, HALF A YELLOW SUN plus catch it before it's gone---BELLE
Films viewed on DVD----------------------------------
Subtle apocalyptic thriller about a seemingly normal man who has "visions" that make him increasingly paranoid and suspicious that the weather is turning deadly, TAKE SHELTER (2011) is engrossing and increasingly suspenseful, while keeping one foot grounded in reality. Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain are superb as the struggling married couple trying to deal with a deaf daughter and struggling with their finances. GRADE------A
SIDEWAYS (2005) is a smart, comedic blend of wine knowledge, slapstick, drama, pathos and loneliness, featuring career highlights from all four actors--Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church and a radiant Virginia Madsen. The director Alexander Payne has a long list of beautifully created films including the recent NEBRASKA (2013), ELECTION (1999), ABOUT SCHMIDT(2002), CITIZEN RUTH (1996) and THE DESCENDANTS (2011). All his films are humorous, but SIDEWAYS may be his most hilarious, even when the characters are acting despicably. GRADE-------A
An incredibly assured early feature by actor/director/writer Lena Dunham from TV's GIRLS, this amazing, subtle film called TINY FURNITURE (2010) has Lena (seemingly playing her self, along with her real life mother and sister) returning from college, but not sure what she should be doing. She sort of drifts back into a relationship with a "friend" she doesn't really have much in common with, invites a stranger to live in her mother's house with her, starts a sexual relationship with a man she is not sure she likes, and generally acts like many graduates who have no idea. The film is carefully staged and composed, and the plot feels fresh and realistic, in spite of the laughs and quirkiness. GRADE------A-
A superior filming of the classic comedy THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (1952) written by Oscar Wilde and directed by Anthony Asquith, this is a perfectly filmed sparkler that entertains with witty characters and pithy dialogue. GRADE-------A-
I've always felt that Maggie Smith's THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (1969) was the ultimate performance for her, so I was suspicious of the Scottish 7 part mini series for PBS with the same name which stars Geraldine McEwan in the leading role, but I'm happy to report that Miss McEwan really grabs hold and makes the role her own. She's a fascinating character, and the two films contain all the very witty and clever lines that are in the novel, although not always in the same scenes. The novel flashes back and forth in time, so the film puts all the events in chronological order. The mini-series takes a sequence or two and puts it into each episode, but could easily be mixed around in viewing order. I still prefer Maggie Smith's version, since it builds chronologically to a logical and dramatic conclusion, but the mini-series is fun to watch, even if the dialogue of some characters, especially the girls, gets lost in the action. My main complaint is that the series just stopped, without any culmination or satisfying finale. GRADE-----------B+ for mini-series (GRADE -----A for Maggie's version).
Another mini-series/movie made for TV is TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (1980) based on the book by John Le Carre. Featuring a subtle, world weary performance by Alec Guinness, this story has him as a top spy brought back from a force retirement to track down a mole who has infiltrated the highest rank of the British Secret Intelligence. It's an intriguing story, perhaps a bit confusing and convoluted at times but Guinness keeps us watching. GRADE--------B
TADPOLE (2002) is a brief (78 minutes) but charming little comedy about a upper class 15 year old boy home from school over Thanksgiving who finds himself sexually drawn to his new step-mother and her best friend, played by Sigourney Weaver and Bebe Neuwirth respectively. There's a sparkling wink in the eye of the actors (John Ritter plays his father) and even though it's a little film, it manages to be sly, smart and at times very funny. GRADE-------B
I recently saw the play SPAMALOT and enjoyed it quite a bit, so seeing MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL(1975) so soon was a bit of a let down, since SPAMALOT is based on HOLY GRAIL and scene for scene and line for line, it was tiresome to hear them again with SPAMALOT so fresh in my mind. Still, it is an inspired story with some remarkably silly but funny lines and if you are in the right mood, it's terrific. GRADE---------B
The plot is full of contrivances, but CRY DANGER (1951) is a watchable if minor film noir starring Dick Powell, Richard Erdman and Rhonda Fleming. Powell is an innocent man who was framed for a stolen $100000 bank role--he tries to find who did steal the money, and where is it stashed. He's followed by a disabled vet who helped to spring Powell, and who hopes to get part of the money, and he hooks up with the wife of his friend (who's still in prison). I'd seen this film less than two years ago, but had still forgotten the surprise twist at the end. GRADE----------B-
An interesting cast helps save this minor slice of life comedy drama based on a true story. MY LIFE SO FAR (1999) is a Scottish film (subtitles anyone?) with Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio playing the parents of a very precocious 10 year old boy. Malcolm McDowell, Rosemary Harris and Irene Jacob round out the cast. This Hugh (CHARIOTS OF FIRE) Hudson film is not terribly memorable, but curious to watch. GRADE------B-
Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson and Art Carney do what they can in this unbelievable romantic comedy HOUSE CALLS (1978) about finding love in middle age, but there are some big improbabilities to swallow. Matthau plays a recently widowed surgeon who has YOUNG women lining up to date him (!), but finds himself attracted to a middle aged patient Jackson who manages to have a lovely apartment paid for by her great cheesecakes she bakes for restaurants (!), and Chief Surgeon Carney is so bumbling and incompetent that it is surprising he hasn't been arrested for malpractice!!!! And that is supposed to be funny? GRADE-----C+
Jane Fonda is a force (as usual) in the recent film PEACE, LOVE AND MISUNDERSTANDING (2011). She plays an aging hippie living in Woodstock who is visited by her uptight lawyer daughter (Catherine Keener) who is going through a divorce, and her two teen aged grand kids. It was fun to watch grandma enlighten the kids as to her life style, and the frustration between mother and daughter was interesting. This was Elizabeth Olsen's first film and she shows much promise. Unfortunately, much of the aging hippie activities fall flat due to stereotypical reactions, and the plot is pretty predictable. Still, Jane Fonda is amazing to watch. GRADE------C+
In general, I feel like sequels are a case of diminishing returns--it is rare that the second or third films are as good as the first. I'm pleased to report that HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 is that rare sequel that is actually better than the original--which is hard to do because I loved the first one. HTTYD2 takes place 5 years later when the young hero Hiccup is now a teen, as are all his friends. He discovers some new lands and finds an evil Viking with a huge evil dragon that has the capability to "brainwash" all the other dragons to follow him. This provides for a lot of special effects with war scenes, plus new and amusing dragon features and types, and the introduction of a couple of important human characters that really advance the story. I found this new film to be emotionally involving on several levels, and found myself very moved by much of the action, especially when........well, I won't give away any surprises. But if you like the first one, you'll LOVE this new film. GRADE-----------A
I've seen all 8 APE movies, and this new DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is just as good as the others, with a lot of help from excellent special effects and actor Andy Serkis. My main objections are that the film seems to take place entirely in the rain, in the dark, at night, in the forest, or some combination of those, so that nearly every scene is darkly photographed and difficult to see at times. My other complaint is that the themes and conflicts are still the same: there are the good apes and the bad apes, and the good humans and the bad humans. Still, the film is thoughtful and creative at many times. GRADE-------B
Quite possibly the worst commercial film to be released this year, THIRD PERSON is in the style of director/writer Paul Haggis' other multi-character film CRASH (2005) where he is telling several different stories with many different characters, but in this case, I hated all the stories and all the characters. All the women in this new film act like crazy psychotic bitches, and all the men are pathetic, manipulative bastards, who are only attracted to surface beauty and fall for the women who open their legs to them. I didn't understand the "why" of these twisted relationships. Just when I thought a scene couldn't get any more unbelievably icky, along comes the next scene just as icky, with a sick twist to it. I actually yelled unconsciously and angerly at the screen during one scene--thankfully there was only one other viewer sitting on the opposite side of the theatre and I don't think he heard me, but I was surprised at myself nonetheless. The actors were OK---they included Liam Neeson, Adrian Brody, Kim Basinger, Mila Kunis, James Franco etc., and the film itself has some eye candy, being filmed in Rome, New York and Paris. But as a writer, Haggis gets an "F" grade from me for this one.
GRADE--------D
These films were seen by me at SIFF and are currently playing now and they have been reviewed in previous blogs, and they are all highly recommended: BEGIN AGAIN, OBVIOUS CHILD, VENUS IN FUR, IDA, HALF A YELLOW SUN plus catch it before it's gone---BELLE
Films viewed on DVD----------------------------------
Subtle apocalyptic thriller about a seemingly normal man who has "visions" that make him increasingly paranoid and suspicious that the weather is turning deadly, TAKE SHELTER (2011) is engrossing and increasingly suspenseful, while keeping one foot grounded in reality. Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain are superb as the struggling married couple trying to deal with a deaf daughter and struggling with their finances. GRADE------A
SIDEWAYS (2005) is a smart, comedic blend of wine knowledge, slapstick, drama, pathos and loneliness, featuring career highlights from all four actors--Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church and a radiant Virginia Madsen. The director Alexander Payne has a long list of beautifully created films including the recent NEBRASKA (2013), ELECTION (1999), ABOUT SCHMIDT(2002), CITIZEN RUTH (1996) and THE DESCENDANTS (2011). All his films are humorous, but SIDEWAYS may be his most hilarious, even when the characters are acting despicably. GRADE-------A
An incredibly assured early feature by actor/director/writer Lena Dunham from TV's GIRLS, this amazing, subtle film called TINY FURNITURE (2010) has Lena (seemingly playing her self, along with her real life mother and sister) returning from college, but not sure what she should be doing. She sort of drifts back into a relationship with a "friend" she doesn't really have much in common with, invites a stranger to live in her mother's house with her, starts a sexual relationship with a man she is not sure she likes, and generally acts like many graduates who have no idea. The film is carefully staged and composed, and the plot feels fresh and realistic, in spite of the laughs and quirkiness. GRADE------A-
A superior filming of the classic comedy THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (1952) written by Oscar Wilde and directed by Anthony Asquith, this is a perfectly filmed sparkler that entertains with witty characters and pithy dialogue. GRADE-------A-
I've always felt that Maggie Smith's THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (1969) was the ultimate performance for her, so I was suspicious of the Scottish 7 part mini series for PBS with the same name which stars Geraldine McEwan in the leading role, but I'm happy to report that Miss McEwan really grabs hold and makes the role her own. She's a fascinating character, and the two films contain all the very witty and clever lines that are in the novel, although not always in the same scenes. The novel flashes back and forth in time, so the film puts all the events in chronological order. The mini-series takes a sequence or two and puts it into each episode, but could easily be mixed around in viewing order. I still prefer Maggie Smith's version, since it builds chronologically to a logical and dramatic conclusion, but the mini-series is fun to watch, even if the dialogue of some characters, especially the girls, gets lost in the action. My main complaint is that the series just stopped, without any culmination or satisfying finale. GRADE-----------B+ for mini-series (GRADE -----A for Maggie's version).
Another mini-series/movie made for TV is TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (1980) based on the book by John Le Carre. Featuring a subtle, world weary performance by Alec Guinness, this story has him as a top spy brought back from a force retirement to track down a mole who has infiltrated the highest rank of the British Secret Intelligence. It's an intriguing story, perhaps a bit confusing and convoluted at times but Guinness keeps us watching. GRADE--------B
TADPOLE (2002) is a brief (78 minutes) but charming little comedy about a upper class 15 year old boy home from school over Thanksgiving who finds himself sexually drawn to his new step-mother and her best friend, played by Sigourney Weaver and Bebe Neuwirth respectively. There's a sparkling wink in the eye of the actors (John Ritter plays his father) and even though it's a little film, it manages to be sly, smart and at times very funny. GRADE-------B
I recently saw the play SPAMALOT and enjoyed it quite a bit, so seeing MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL(1975) so soon was a bit of a let down, since SPAMALOT is based on HOLY GRAIL and scene for scene and line for line, it was tiresome to hear them again with SPAMALOT so fresh in my mind. Still, it is an inspired story with some remarkably silly but funny lines and if you are in the right mood, it's terrific. GRADE---------B
The plot is full of contrivances, but CRY DANGER (1951) is a watchable if minor film noir starring Dick Powell, Richard Erdman and Rhonda Fleming. Powell is an innocent man who was framed for a stolen $100000 bank role--he tries to find who did steal the money, and where is it stashed. He's followed by a disabled vet who helped to spring Powell, and who hopes to get part of the money, and he hooks up with the wife of his friend (who's still in prison). I'd seen this film less than two years ago, but had still forgotten the surprise twist at the end. GRADE----------B-
An interesting cast helps save this minor slice of life comedy drama based on a true story. MY LIFE SO FAR (1999) is a Scottish film (subtitles anyone?) with Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio playing the parents of a very precocious 10 year old boy. Malcolm McDowell, Rosemary Harris and Irene Jacob round out the cast. This Hugh (CHARIOTS OF FIRE) Hudson film is not terribly memorable, but curious to watch. GRADE------B-
Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson and Art Carney do what they can in this unbelievable romantic comedy HOUSE CALLS (1978) about finding love in middle age, but there are some big improbabilities to swallow. Matthau plays a recently widowed surgeon who has YOUNG women lining up to date him (!), but finds himself attracted to a middle aged patient Jackson who manages to have a lovely apartment paid for by her great cheesecakes she bakes for restaurants (!), and Chief Surgeon Carney is so bumbling and incompetent that it is surprising he hasn't been arrested for malpractice!!!! And that is supposed to be funny? GRADE-----C+
Jane Fonda is a force (as usual) in the recent film PEACE, LOVE AND MISUNDERSTANDING (2011). She plays an aging hippie living in Woodstock who is visited by her uptight lawyer daughter (Catherine Keener) who is going through a divorce, and her two teen aged grand kids. It was fun to watch grandma enlighten the kids as to her life style, and the frustration between mother and daughter was interesting. This was Elizabeth Olsen's first film and she shows much promise. Unfortunately, much of the aging hippie activities fall flat due to stereotypical reactions, and the plot is pretty predictable. Still, Jane Fonda is amazing to watch. GRADE------C+
Friday, June 27, 2014
BELLE, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, EDGE OF TOMORROW. GODZILLA, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: FINAL CUT, JERSEY BOYS and THINK LIKE A MAN TOO plus 2 obscure Bette Davis films....
I've been busy catching up on commercial films that opened during SIFF, plus some gems from the Edmonds Library DVD collection.... See TOP FILMS FROM SIFF 2014 in previous blog.
BELLE--Beautifully filmed, acted and appointed historical film based on a true story of a seventeenth century aristocratic British officer who has a child with an African woman--he then has his uncle and aunt raise the child. She's privileged, but not socially, and racism keeps her from many events. As an adult with her own inheritance, she can live without marriage, unlike her cousin who is actively courting wealthy men. She meets the liberal son of the local minister who is working to overturn the business of slave ships and together they try to change the heart of her uncle, a political judge who could possibly change history. The lead, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is stunningly beautiful and incredibly fascinating to watch---a star is born in this fascinating, suspenseful drama. GRADE-------A-
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS--From a young adult novel comes this moving story of love and cancer, and it's effectively preformed by Shailene Woodley and Ansel Eigort They are the lovers here but in this year's DIVERGENT they played sister and brother. Woodley has also appeared to fine effect recently in THE SPECTACULAR NOW (2013) and THE DESCENDANTS (2011). She's this year's BIG THING. I started weeping about two thirds through (at the sex scene) and didn't stop until the end. An intelligent and beautiful tearjerker. GRADE------A-
EDGE OF TOMORROW---A sharp, smart futuristic thriller starring Tom Cruise! He plays a Major recruited (tricked) into joining the front lines in a war for control of earth--the enemy is a spider like alien from outer space. He suddenly finds himself in a massacre, being killed, then starting over and over again as a new recruit, and being killed again and again, only to start over again, and each time learning more and more about warfare, and finding another warrior (a kick ass Emily Blunt) who teams up with him to learn more each time about how to defeat the aliens. It's fascinating and exciting to watch (although some of the sequences feature too much shaking camera for me) and it packs a lot of punch. GRADE-----A-
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN: THE FINAL CUT--This delicious documentary features short cuts from over 450 different films to tell the familiar story of a man who meets a woman, they fall in love, and nearly lose each other, before finally living happily ever after. It's heady stuff, especially to view the clever use and exposition of different actors playing the same scene. I found myself trying to determine what film each clip was from. For film buffs, this is a wonderful homage. To the average film goer it may become tiresome. The film is now available only for educational purposes and festivals. Hopefully one day it will be available on DVD for anyone. GRADE------B+
GODZILLA--Maybe my expectations were low since reviews have been quite mixed, but I really enjoyed this oft repeated remake of the classic story. The monster is actually upstaged by two gruesome creatures who appear at the same time , and they might be a triple threat to mankind or Godzilla may just be the savior. There are some incredible action sequence, and some awesome battle scenes (all done with excellent special effects) and the film maintains a steady flow of suspense and tension. It's a worthwhile "popcorn" movie. GRADE----B
JERSEY BOYS---A film by Clint Eastwood based on the stage play about the beginnings of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. If you have never seen the play, this is a tuneful and eye opening story beginning in New Jersey with roots in the Mob, and following the ups and downs of the popular singing group. Unfortunately, what worked so well on stage (I saw it at the 5th Avenue, and again in a mini-version on a cruise ship) becomes, on film, rather belabored at times, and less joyful when it comes to the music. Still, it is well worth seeing either way. GRADE------B-
THINK LIKE A MAN TOO--It may not be nearly as good as the first film (THINK LIKE A MAN 2011, based on Steve Harvey's book about man/woman relationships), but there is some wacky, ribald humor that saves this comedy, and it features the amazingly energetic Kevin Hart, who may not be every one's cup of tea, but I find him amusing and amazing, if a bit overwhelming given his top billing here. The plot has a large group of friends gathering in Las Vegas for a wedding, but mostly centers around two outrageous wedding party's (one for the men and one for the women) that turn out to be too bizarre to be believed, but it was obviously fun for the actors. GRADE----B-
___________________________________
Films from DVD-------
THE SEARCHERS (1956)---A classic Western, John Wayne film directed by John Ford. Wayne spends several years with a younger relative Jeffrey Hunter searching for his niece who was stolen by some brutal Indians. The film deals with racism, loneliness, loss, tradition, and hatred in ways seldom seen on film, yet despite some very heavy scenes, the film mixes moments of warfare, humor, camaraderie and adventure to keep you fascinated. Set in Texas, but clearly filmed in Monument Valley, Arizona, the film is spectacularly photographed with vividly drawn characters. GRADE----A
MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)--From Wes Anderson, the director of this year's best film so far, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, comes the other worldly (in a quirky, humorous way) story of a young teen couple who run away to be together and find that the whole New England island upon which they live in the mid 1960's has set out to find them. The all star cast includes amusing turns by Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and Edward Norton, and the kids are terrific. GRADE----A-
NARROW MARGIN (1952)--Entertaining Film Noir has cop trying to protect a mobster's wife, on her way to testify against her husband, on a train trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, along with murderous mobsters on the same train who don't yet know what she looks like. There are some great twists, and a surprise ending. This was ineffectively remade in 1990 with Anne Archer and Gene Hackman. GRADE---B+
ANOTHER MAN'S POISON (1951)---Bette Davis has a splashy role as a mystery writer living in a big dark house who kills her estranged husband, only to find that his cohort, a prison escapee, arrives moments later and tries to assume the husband's identify as a way to be hidden in plain sight. Davis, who is trying to steal the handsome fiance of her secretary, doesn't want this new man around, played by the suave Gary Merrill--who at the time of this film was married in real life to Davis. Bette plays it to the hilt, and there is an ironic surprise ending! GRADE----B
PAYMENT ON DEMAND (1951)--Another Bette Davis film made just prior to ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) but released just after. This one starts with the divorce of a long time couple--she pushes for social status, he wants a simple farm life, but emphases how devastating divorce can be mainly for the woman. Some of the story is told in an unusual theatrical flashback manner. The original title, which makes a lot more sense, was STORY OF A DIVORCE, and the original "realistic" ending was replaced at the last moment by one with a happier ending, much to the displeasure of the director and cast, but producer Howard Hughes got the last word. Still, no one can play embittered better than Bette! GRADE------B
MARATHON MAN (1976)--Student Dustin Hoffman becomes involved in a thriller about an escaped Nazi war criminal (Laurence Olivier) who comes out of hiding to claim his fortune. The excellent cast includes Roy Scheider as a secret agent, and several terrifying and suspenseful scenes (including the iconic "Is it safe?" sequence in a dental chair) help to cover up some contrivances and plot holes. Slick and watchable and memorable. GRADE-----B
THE DESTRUCTORS (1974)--When narcotics cop Anthony Quinn can't nail a sophisticated Italian drug dealer James Mason, he steps out side the law to hire an assassin (Michael Caine), who turns out to be an old friend. A European production in English, with a smart, interesting story and fine actors. GRADE------B
A RATHER ENGLISH MARRIAGE (1998)--A Masterpiece Theatre film, this story of the unlikely friendship of two older men who are widowed on the same day is enhanced by fine, believable performances by the loud, brutish, upper class Albert Finney, and the mild mannered, fuss budget, working class Tom Courtney. Joanna Lumley plays the gold digger who threatens to come between them. GRADE----B
POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (1990)---Based on the semi-autobiographical book by Carrie Fisher, Shirley McLaine and Meryl Streep portray mother and daughter, supposedly Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, as actress Fisher comes out of a drug rehab stint insisted upon by her studio. She feels her mother is too controlling and demanding and seeks too much attention. The film wanders about as she meets various actors, doctors, friends, potential lovers, and lives at home with her mother.....There are some interesting moments, but as a slice of life, things happen to her, but she doesn't seem to know how to react, and she becomes a bit paranoid. The film feels like a missed opportunity to deal with addiction because the characters come across as types. I remember seeing this in 1990 and feeling disappointed, and the feeling remains the same. And, McLaine and Streep both seem miscast to me. GRADE-------B-
THE SWITCH (2010)--A lame rom-com with Jennifer Anniston and Jason Bateman. Anniston wants to have a child with artificial insemination, just not with her neurotic best boy friend Bateman. She chooses a married normal guy, but on the night of her insemination (a party is thrown to celebrate it!?!) Batemen accidentally spills the semen down the sink in a drunken state, and substitutes his own.
He doesn't remember doing it, she moves to Minnesota to raise her baby in a better place than NYC, and when she moves back 7 years later she wants to reconnect with Bateman, with predictable results. I didn't believe the set up for a minute, and there was almost no chemistry between the two leads. (She's cool and cranky, he's neurotic and fussy.) Also, the jokes are not very funny, and pacing is slow and awkward and in spite of the unusual potential, the story felt trite. GRADE------C-
BELLE--Beautifully filmed, acted and appointed historical film based on a true story of a seventeenth century aristocratic British officer who has a child with an African woman--he then has his uncle and aunt raise the child. She's privileged, but not socially, and racism keeps her from many events. As an adult with her own inheritance, she can live without marriage, unlike her cousin who is actively courting wealthy men. She meets the liberal son of the local minister who is working to overturn the business of slave ships and together they try to change the heart of her uncle, a political judge who could possibly change history. The lead, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is stunningly beautiful and incredibly fascinating to watch---a star is born in this fascinating, suspenseful drama. GRADE-------A-
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS--From a young adult novel comes this moving story of love and cancer, and it's effectively preformed by Shailene Woodley and Ansel Eigort They are the lovers here but in this year's DIVERGENT they played sister and brother. Woodley has also appeared to fine effect recently in THE SPECTACULAR NOW (2013) and THE DESCENDANTS (2011). She's this year's BIG THING. I started weeping about two thirds through (at the sex scene) and didn't stop until the end. An intelligent and beautiful tearjerker. GRADE------A-
EDGE OF TOMORROW---A sharp, smart futuristic thriller starring Tom Cruise! He plays a Major recruited (tricked) into joining the front lines in a war for control of earth--the enemy is a spider like alien from outer space. He suddenly finds himself in a massacre, being killed, then starting over and over again as a new recruit, and being killed again and again, only to start over again, and each time learning more and more about warfare, and finding another warrior (a kick ass Emily Blunt) who teams up with him to learn more each time about how to defeat the aliens. It's fascinating and exciting to watch (although some of the sequences feature too much shaking camera for me) and it packs a lot of punch. GRADE-----A-
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN: THE FINAL CUT--This delicious documentary features short cuts from over 450 different films to tell the familiar story of a man who meets a woman, they fall in love, and nearly lose each other, before finally living happily ever after. It's heady stuff, especially to view the clever use and exposition of different actors playing the same scene. I found myself trying to determine what film each clip was from. For film buffs, this is a wonderful homage. To the average film goer it may become tiresome. The film is now available only for educational purposes and festivals. Hopefully one day it will be available on DVD for anyone. GRADE------B+
GODZILLA--Maybe my expectations were low since reviews have been quite mixed, but I really enjoyed this oft repeated remake of the classic story. The monster is actually upstaged by two gruesome creatures who appear at the same time , and they might be a triple threat to mankind or Godzilla may just be the savior. There are some incredible action sequence, and some awesome battle scenes (all done with excellent special effects) and the film maintains a steady flow of suspense and tension. It's a worthwhile "popcorn" movie. GRADE----B
JERSEY BOYS---A film by Clint Eastwood based on the stage play about the beginnings of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. If you have never seen the play, this is a tuneful and eye opening story beginning in New Jersey with roots in the Mob, and following the ups and downs of the popular singing group. Unfortunately, what worked so well on stage (I saw it at the 5th Avenue, and again in a mini-version on a cruise ship) becomes, on film, rather belabored at times, and less joyful when it comes to the music. Still, it is well worth seeing either way. GRADE------B-
THINK LIKE A MAN TOO--It may not be nearly as good as the first film (THINK LIKE A MAN 2011, based on Steve Harvey's book about man/woman relationships), but there is some wacky, ribald humor that saves this comedy, and it features the amazingly energetic Kevin Hart, who may not be every one's cup of tea, but I find him amusing and amazing, if a bit overwhelming given his top billing here. The plot has a large group of friends gathering in Las Vegas for a wedding, but mostly centers around two outrageous wedding party's (one for the men and one for the women) that turn out to be too bizarre to be believed, but it was obviously fun for the actors. GRADE----B-
___________________________________
Films from DVD-------
THE SEARCHERS (1956)---A classic Western, John Wayne film directed by John Ford. Wayne spends several years with a younger relative Jeffrey Hunter searching for his niece who was stolen by some brutal Indians. The film deals with racism, loneliness, loss, tradition, and hatred in ways seldom seen on film, yet despite some very heavy scenes, the film mixes moments of warfare, humor, camaraderie and adventure to keep you fascinated. Set in Texas, but clearly filmed in Monument Valley, Arizona, the film is spectacularly photographed with vividly drawn characters. GRADE----A
MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)--From Wes Anderson, the director of this year's best film so far, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, comes the other worldly (in a quirky, humorous way) story of a young teen couple who run away to be together and find that the whole New England island upon which they live in the mid 1960's has set out to find them. The all star cast includes amusing turns by Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and Edward Norton, and the kids are terrific. GRADE----A-
NARROW MARGIN (1952)--Entertaining Film Noir has cop trying to protect a mobster's wife, on her way to testify against her husband, on a train trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, along with murderous mobsters on the same train who don't yet know what she looks like. There are some great twists, and a surprise ending. This was ineffectively remade in 1990 with Anne Archer and Gene Hackman. GRADE---B+
ANOTHER MAN'S POISON (1951)---Bette Davis has a splashy role as a mystery writer living in a big dark house who kills her estranged husband, only to find that his cohort, a prison escapee, arrives moments later and tries to assume the husband's identify as a way to be hidden in plain sight. Davis, who is trying to steal the handsome fiance of her secretary, doesn't want this new man around, played by the suave Gary Merrill--who at the time of this film was married in real life to Davis. Bette plays it to the hilt, and there is an ironic surprise ending! GRADE----B
PAYMENT ON DEMAND (1951)--Another Bette Davis film made just prior to ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) but released just after. This one starts with the divorce of a long time couple--she pushes for social status, he wants a simple farm life, but emphases how devastating divorce can be mainly for the woman. Some of the story is told in an unusual theatrical flashback manner. The original title, which makes a lot more sense, was STORY OF A DIVORCE, and the original "realistic" ending was replaced at the last moment by one with a happier ending, much to the displeasure of the director and cast, but producer Howard Hughes got the last word. Still, no one can play embittered better than Bette! GRADE------B
MARATHON MAN (1976)--Student Dustin Hoffman becomes involved in a thriller about an escaped Nazi war criminal (Laurence Olivier) who comes out of hiding to claim his fortune. The excellent cast includes Roy Scheider as a secret agent, and several terrifying and suspenseful scenes (including the iconic "Is it safe?" sequence in a dental chair) help to cover up some contrivances and plot holes. Slick and watchable and memorable. GRADE-----B
THE DESTRUCTORS (1974)--When narcotics cop Anthony Quinn can't nail a sophisticated Italian drug dealer James Mason, he steps out side the law to hire an assassin (Michael Caine), who turns out to be an old friend. A European production in English, with a smart, interesting story and fine actors. GRADE------B
A RATHER ENGLISH MARRIAGE (1998)--A Masterpiece Theatre film, this story of the unlikely friendship of two older men who are widowed on the same day is enhanced by fine, believable performances by the loud, brutish, upper class Albert Finney, and the mild mannered, fuss budget, working class Tom Courtney. Joanna Lumley plays the gold digger who threatens to come between them. GRADE----B
POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (1990)---Based on the semi-autobiographical book by Carrie Fisher, Shirley McLaine and Meryl Streep portray mother and daughter, supposedly Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, as actress Fisher comes out of a drug rehab stint insisted upon by her studio. She feels her mother is too controlling and demanding and seeks too much attention. The film wanders about as she meets various actors, doctors, friends, potential lovers, and lives at home with her mother.....There are some interesting moments, but as a slice of life, things happen to her, but she doesn't seem to know how to react, and she becomes a bit paranoid. The film feels like a missed opportunity to deal with addiction because the characters come across as types. I remember seeing this in 1990 and feeling disappointed, and the feeling remains the same. And, McLaine and Streep both seem miscast to me. GRADE-------B-
THE SWITCH (2010)--A lame rom-com with Jennifer Anniston and Jason Bateman. Anniston wants to have a child with artificial insemination, just not with her neurotic best boy friend Bateman. She chooses a married normal guy, but on the night of her insemination (a party is thrown to celebrate it!?!) Batemen accidentally spills the semen down the sink in a drunken state, and substitutes his own.
He doesn't remember doing it, she moves to Minnesota to raise her baby in a better place than NYC, and when she moves back 7 years later she wants to reconnect with Bateman, with predictable results. I didn't believe the set up for a minute, and there was almost no chemistry between the two leads. (She's cool and cranky, he's neurotic and fussy.) Also, the jokes are not very funny, and pacing is slow and awkward and in spite of the unusual potential, the story felt trite. GRADE------C-
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Final SIFF Report, plus------THE BEST OF SIFF 2014!!!!---plus---FOOL SERIOUS AWARDS
The final weekend of SIFF I saw some fine cinematic treats, and a couple of duds........
GRADE A
CALVARY--Irish film about a priest in a small Irish town who gets a death threat stating he will be killed in one week's time because of the sexual abuse the (hidden) confessor claims he received as a child years ago from another priest. During the next week we see the priest visit a number of his parishioners, all of whom have serious issues in their life with religion or other problems, like a banker who is under investigation from the government, a mechanic whose wife is sleeping around town, a bitter burned out doctor who has seen too much blood, a gay sheriff who likes to entertain a wild rent boy, an embittered older novelist who seems bent on suicide, and several others. Each may have a reason to want to kill the priest. The film plays like a murder mystery crossed with a mortality play, and the writing sounds like a superior David Mamet project. It is an excellent production in all respects.
GRADE B+
BABADOOK--A superior Australian film about a horror book for kids that seems to come alive in the minds of the child and the single mother. The film builds steady suspense, the actors are very effective, and the story progresses in a logical and quite believable fashion, so that when the horror is actually glimpsed, it seems perfectly horrifying.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON--A surprisingly effective documentary about jazz legend Clark Terry, who was a teacher to Quincy Jones, and now in his late 80's becomes a mentor to rising blind pianist Justin Kauflin.
GRADE B
FINDING FELA--Documentary about Nigerian musician and poet and activist Fela Kuti, who in the mid-1970s fought against the repressive government and became something of a martyr to his world wide fans. For those unfamiliar with Fela's work, this is an eye opener. For those who have seen the play FELA that has played around the country in the past year or two, like myself, the film is somewhat repetitious, as about half the film is showing large segments of the musical play, then filling in the segments with biographical information, some of which is included in the play itself.
Still, it is an exhaustive, epic telling, and deserves to be seen.
GRADE B-
THE BREACH--Interesting U.S. documentary that starts out criticizing the thousands of dams that block salmon spawning causing salmon numbers to fall dramatically, but then focuses on the Pebble Mine controversy in Bristol Bay Alaska, and in spite of the emotional, and worthwhile issue, the film becomes rather didactic. It starts to feel like more like a political tract, which causes the viewer to loose interest. The film is supposed to be unfinished, but it looked pretty good to me.
GRADE C-
IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE--Norwegian film about a teen girl who accidentally causes the death of one man and the maiming of another. When she gets out of prison after 8 years (she doesn't look like she aged a day!) she struggles to get to know her daughter but becomes involved with people from her past that are still up to no good. It was hard to feel much sympathy for her because she makes so many BAD DECISIONS that some of us were rooting for her to take a bullet and end this stupid drama. I really disliked this one.
____________
Not officially part of SIFF, but I had a couple hours with nothing to see, so I slipped into NEIGHBORS, a new unlikely Hollywood film with Seth Rogan as a loud mouthed guppy who is married and has a new baby and new house. Moving in next door is a noisy fraternity and a rivalry gets started between the houses that turns nasty and malicious, not to mention completely unbelievable. I don't know of a decent neighborhood that would put up with the noise and antics of a frat house in the first place (BIG party every night!!!!), and the unfunny shenanigans seemed to border on the criminal. ( Part of the problem is that I've seen the previews at least 10 times, and they show all the biggest sight gags, so any element of surprise was lost). Rogan and Rose Byrne, who plays the wife, both are playing to the rafters from the start, and have to where to go--there hysteria gets tedious fast. A mostly shirtless Zak Efron has fun playing the leader of the frat, but the supporting cast has little to do. GRADE----D+
-------------------------------------------------________________________-------------------------------------
BEST OF SIFF 2014
Here are my favorites---details in earlier blogs above. I'll write more about them if and when they have an opening......
Here's the top 20--------
GRADE A
STILL LIFE
CALVARY
THE CASE AGAINST 8
TANGERINES
LIFE FEELS GOOD
VENUS IN FUR
THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED
CLASS ENEMY
SAM AND AMIRA
BOUND: AFRICAN VS AFRICAN AMERICAN
GRADE B+
ATTILA MARCEL
BABADOOK
OBVIOUS CHILD
KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
MEDEAS
INTERNET'S OWN BOY
TOM AT THE FARM
MUSE OF FIRE
LUCKY THEM
DIFRET
The next group were also rated B+ and certainly deserve to be seen...
STANDING ASIDE WATCHING, TO BE TAKAI, LAND OF STORMS, OF HORSES AND MEN,
LILTING, EASTERN BOYS, SALVATION ARMY, THE DUNE, LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED, and BEGIN AGAIN.
There are another 30 some films in my SIFF blogs that were rated B- or better, and those are also recommended.
------------------------------------
Voted on by audience members as top films for the Golden Space Needle Awards were BOYHOOD (I missed this one but it opens for a run next month) KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON, LIFE FEELS GOOD, 10000KM, MARMATO and BELLE & SEBASTIEN. More details and runner-up info is at siff.net.
------------
The FOOL SERIOUS AWARDS which are voted on by full-series pass holders (serious movie buffs, of which I am a member) were----
the top 10 in order--
LIFE FEELS GOOD
TANGERINES
CALVARY
STILL LIFE
100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED
"Secret Festival #1"
IDA
BURNING BUSH
BOYHOOD
IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE
Documentary--ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC AND MEMORY
Archival--THE SERVANT
Director--BOYHOOD
Cinematography--MEDEAS
Script--VENUS IN FUR
Music--KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
Actor--Dawid Ogrodnik--LIFE FEELS GOOD
Actress--Emmanuelle Seigner--VENUS IN FUR
Guilty Pleasure--INTRAMURAL
GRADE A
CALVARY--Irish film about a priest in a small Irish town who gets a death threat stating he will be killed in one week's time because of the sexual abuse the (hidden) confessor claims he received as a child years ago from another priest. During the next week we see the priest visit a number of his parishioners, all of whom have serious issues in their life with religion or other problems, like a banker who is under investigation from the government, a mechanic whose wife is sleeping around town, a bitter burned out doctor who has seen too much blood, a gay sheriff who likes to entertain a wild rent boy, an embittered older novelist who seems bent on suicide, and several others. Each may have a reason to want to kill the priest. The film plays like a murder mystery crossed with a mortality play, and the writing sounds like a superior David Mamet project. It is an excellent production in all respects.
GRADE B+
BABADOOK--A superior Australian film about a horror book for kids that seems to come alive in the minds of the child and the single mother. The film builds steady suspense, the actors are very effective, and the story progresses in a logical and quite believable fashion, so that when the horror is actually glimpsed, it seems perfectly horrifying.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON--A surprisingly effective documentary about jazz legend Clark Terry, who was a teacher to Quincy Jones, and now in his late 80's becomes a mentor to rising blind pianist Justin Kauflin.
GRADE B
FINDING FELA--Documentary about Nigerian musician and poet and activist Fela Kuti, who in the mid-1970s fought against the repressive government and became something of a martyr to his world wide fans. For those unfamiliar with Fela's work, this is an eye opener. For those who have seen the play FELA that has played around the country in the past year or two, like myself, the film is somewhat repetitious, as about half the film is showing large segments of the musical play, then filling in the segments with biographical information, some of which is included in the play itself.
Still, it is an exhaustive, epic telling, and deserves to be seen.
GRADE B-
THE BREACH--Interesting U.S. documentary that starts out criticizing the thousands of dams that block salmon spawning causing salmon numbers to fall dramatically, but then focuses on the Pebble Mine controversy in Bristol Bay Alaska, and in spite of the emotional, and worthwhile issue, the film becomes rather didactic. It starts to feel like more like a political tract, which causes the viewer to loose interest. The film is supposed to be unfinished, but it looked pretty good to me.
GRADE C-
IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE--Norwegian film about a teen girl who accidentally causes the death of one man and the maiming of another. When she gets out of prison after 8 years (she doesn't look like she aged a day!) she struggles to get to know her daughter but becomes involved with people from her past that are still up to no good. It was hard to feel much sympathy for her because she makes so many BAD DECISIONS that some of us were rooting for her to take a bullet and end this stupid drama. I really disliked this one.
____________
Not officially part of SIFF, but I had a couple hours with nothing to see, so I slipped into NEIGHBORS, a new unlikely Hollywood film with Seth Rogan as a loud mouthed guppy who is married and has a new baby and new house. Moving in next door is a noisy fraternity and a rivalry gets started between the houses that turns nasty and malicious, not to mention completely unbelievable. I don't know of a decent neighborhood that would put up with the noise and antics of a frat house in the first place (BIG party every night!!!!), and the unfunny shenanigans seemed to border on the criminal. ( Part of the problem is that I've seen the previews at least 10 times, and they show all the biggest sight gags, so any element of surprise was lost). Rogan and Rose Byrne, who plays the wife, both are playing to the rafters from the start, and have to where to go--there hysteria gets tedious fast. A mostly shirtless Zak Efron has fun playing the leader of the frat, but the supporting cast has little to do. GRADE----D+
-------------------------------------------------________________________-------------------------------------
BEST OF SIFF 2014
Here are my favorites---details in earlier blogs above. I'll write more about them if and when they have an opening......
Here's the top 20--------
GRADE A
STILL LIFE
CALVARY
THE CASE AGAINST 8
TANGERINES
LIFE FEELS GOOD
VENUS IN FUR
THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED
CLASS ENEMY
SAM AND AMIRA
BOUND: AFRICAN VS AFRICAN AMERICAN
GRADE B+
ATTILA MARCEL
BABADOOK
OBVIOUS CHILD
KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
MEDEAS
INTERNET'S OWN BOY
TOM AT THE FARM
MUSE OF FIRE
LUCKY THEM
DIFRET
The next group were also rated B+ and certainly deserve to be seen...
STANDING ASIDE WATCHING, TO BE TAKAI, LAND OF STORMS, OF HORSES AND MEN,
LILTING, EASTERN BOYS, SALVATION ARMY, THE DUNE, LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED, and BEGIN AGAIN.
There are another 30 some films in my SIFF blogs that were rated B- or better, and those are also recommended.
------------------------------------
Voted on by audience members as top films for the Golden Space Needle Awards were BOYHOOD (I missed this one but it opens for a run next month) KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON, LIFE FEELS GOOD, 10000KM, MARMATO and BELLE & SEBASTIEN. More details and runner-up info is at siff.net.
------------
The FOOL SERIOUS AWARDS which are voted on by full-series pass holders (serious movie buffs, of which I am a member) were----
the top 10 in order--
LIFE FEELS GOOD
TANGERINES
CALVARY
STILL LIFE
100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED
"Secret Festival #1"
IDA
BURNING BUSH
BOYHOOD
IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE
Documentary--ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC AND MEMORY
Archival--THE SERVANT
Director--BOYHOOD
Cinematography--MEDEAS
Script--VENUS IN FUR
Music--KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
Actor--Dawid Ogrodnik--LIFE FEELS GOOD
Actress--Emmanuelle Seigner--VENUS IN FUR
Guilty Pleasure--INTRAMURAL
Friday, June 6, 2014
SIFF Final weekend---Best Bets----BOUND; AFRICANS versus AFRICAN AMERICANS, LIFE FEELS GOOD, 4 MINUTE MILE, UNDER THE STARRY SKY, FUTURO BEACH and MEDEAS
This is the last weekend of SIFF 2014 and I've seen 115 films so far. Here's what I've prescreened this week, in order of preference.
GRADE A
LIFE FEELS GOOD---The feel good movie of the festival, and starring likely winner of best actor Dawid Ogrodnik (who also appeared as the sax player in the popular film IDA), this Polish film is polished, smart and heartbreakingly humorous as it tells the life story of cerebral palsy victim who is declared a "vegetable" by some doctors, but is trying desperately all his life to communicate to others.
BOUND: AFRICANS VS AFRICAN AMERICANS---Thought provoking documentary of the tensions and differences between those born in Africa, and those Africans born and bred in the United States. It's mostly talking heads, but what a great, incisive discussion, including historians, psychologists, writers, poets, and normal folks of college age.
GRADE B+
MEDEAS--A lovely looking film based loosely on a Greek tragedy, but set in modern day on a poor, dry and dusty farmland, possibly southern Arizona or California. Some of the images will sear into your mind long after seeing this sad, moody film.
FOUR MINUTE MILE--Locally made film about teenager trying to run a 4 minute mile with the help of a cranky old coach, and he must also deal with a hoodlum brother and helpless mother. The film is blessed with excellent leads--new comer Kelly Blatz as the runner, and the amazing Richard Jenkins head a fine supporting cast including Kim Basinger, Cam Gigandet and Analeigh Tipton.
UNDER THE STARRY SKY--Three stories of people struggling to live in 3 different countries--USA, Italy, Senegal--are inter cut effectively to highlight the alien experience. A young Senegal woman ends up in Italy searching for her husband, who has gone on to New York City with the hope of a construction job. Another older woman leaves New York City to attend her husband's funeral in Senegal, and must deal with another wife. Low key but likable.
GRADE B
SIDDHARTH--Beautifully filmed in the urban centers of India, this tells the story of a man who sets out searching for his lost or kidnapped young son, against all odds of finding him amidst the masses.
THE WAY HE LOOKS--In Brazil, young blind middle class teenager seeks to break away from his overly concerned parents and live life on his own. He finds himself falling in love with a new male student from his class, who may or may not be gay, much to the distress of his BFF. The film manages to be disarmingly erotic and charmingly innocent at the same time.
FUTURO BEACH--Moody Brazilian film of two men from different countries who meet at a beach because of a tragedy, mate and fall in love, and then must decide to stay or go on to Germany in order to stay together...The film is in three parts, the middle being the least interesting, but the final third is both surprising and sad. This film really spit the audience of pass holders I saw it with. Some implied it was too "gay"--others said it wasn't "gay" enough, and some didn't understand what the hell was going on! But I liked the characters, the photography, the music, the contrast between the two living places, and the emotional surprise in the last third.
GRADE B-
LA MIA CLASSE--Documentary film with in a film, of students from a variety of countries, trying to study Italian in their country. Each student has a very intense or sad story to share, and there are many moving scenes. Hand held camera distracts from full emotional pull at times.
GOLD---Small Irish film about a homeless man who moves in with his ex-wife and his daughter and the new husband. The film is minor, but gets better as it moves along, as the teen daughter and father get to know each other.
BLACK COAL, THIN ICE---Slick looking Chinese film about a serial killer who cuts up his victims and sends them out on coal cars to different parts of the province. The film is intriguing most of the time, but the last 20 minutes sputters and sinks when it should shock and soar.
GRADE C+
TO KILL A MAN--A bullied Chilean family man takes the law into his own hands and finds it difficult to kill (and dispose of) the man who has tormented his family. Feels overly familiar, and a bit too much hand held.
GOD HELP THE GIRL--Charming but small British musical film featuring music from the group Belle and Sebastien. The tiresome plot has a teen girl into and out of a mental hospital--several times!, and trying to start up a pop band. I loved the music, and wish this had been a music concert film, but it plays more like a lame full length music video, with the tuneful songs not entirely appropriate to the action.
THE GREAT MUSEUM--Elegantly filmed documentary set in the sprawling Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) in Vienna, but the film soundtrack is full of political and historical discussions and it comes across as dry and dusty, and induced naps from many viewers. One great scene has a worker grab a scooter and scoot for what seems like 3 blocks down long hallways to pick up a paper sent to a copy machine.
GRADE C-
LEADING LADY--South African sitcom style comedy film about British actress who goes to South Africa to prepare for a role, but it's not so funny, and the film deals with cliches.
HELICOPTER MOM--TV sitcom style comedy is dominated by an obnoxious performance by Nia Vardalos (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING) as a mother desperate for her questioning son to be or become gay. Thankfully, the estranged father and the other high school students act more rationally than she. Some of the scenes make you wince with political incorrectness, and the film is not too funny.
INTRAMURAL--In the first 20 minutes of this silly comedy, there were jokes about broken penises, a football purposefully thrown to hit someones head (numerous times), excrement secretions and drunkenness. I will admit that I laughed a few times, but the humor is really, really low brow stuff, so be warned.
THE BETTER ANGELS--Artsy black and white photography is interesting, but rapid 3 second editing, and a camera that zooms every which way became distracting. No story and very little dialogue about a fictionalized account of a very young Lincoln living in the woods in a log cabin left me very bored from the beginning, and I left after 50 minutes.
GRADE A
LIFE FEELS GOOD---The feel good movie of the festival, and starring likely winner of best actor Dawid Ogrodnik (who also appeared as the sax player in the popular film IDA), this Polish film is polished, smart and heartbreakingly humorous as it tells the life story of cerebral palsy victim who is declared a "vegetable" by some doctors, but is trying desperately all his life to communicate to others.
BOUND: AFRICANS VS AFRICAN AMERICANS---Thought provoking documentary of the tensions and differences between those born in Africa, and those Africans born and bred in the United States. It's mostly talking heads, but what a great, incisive discussion, including historians, psychologists, writers, poets, and normal folks of college age.
GRADE B+
MEDEAS--A lovely looking film based loosely on a Greek tragedy, but set in modern day on a poor, dry and dusty farmland, possibly southern Arizona or California. Some of the images will sear into your mind long after seeing this sad, moody film.
FOUR MINUTE MILE--Locally made film about teenager trying to run a 4 minute mile with the help of a cranky old coach, and he must also deal with a hoodlum brother and helpless mother. The film is blessed with excellent leads--new comer Kelly Blatz as the runner, and the amazing Richard Jenkins head a fine supporting cast including Kim Basinger, Cam Gigandet and Analeigh Tipton.
UNDER THE STARRY SKY--Three stories of people struggling to live in 3 different countries--USA, Italy, Senegal--are inter cut effectively to highlight the alien experience. A young Senegal woman ends up in Italy searching for her husband, who has gone on to New York City with the hope of a construction job. Another older woman leaves New York City to attend her husband's funeral in Senegal, and must deal with another wife. Low key but likable.
GRADE B
SIDDHARTH--Beautifully filmed in the urban centers of India, this tells the story of a man who sets out searching for his lost or kidnapped young son, against all odds of finding him amidst the masses.
THE WAY HE LOOKS--In Brazil, young blind middle class teenager seeks to break away from his overly concerned parents and live life on his own. He finds himself falling in love with a new male student from his class, who may or may not be gay, much to the distress of his BFF. The film manages to be disarmingly erotic and charmingly innocent at the same time.
FUTURO BEACH--Moody Brazilian film of two men from different countries who meet at a beach because of a tragedy, mate and fall in love, and then must decide to stay or go on to Germany in order to stay together...The film is in three parts, the middle being the least interesting, but the final third is both surprising and sad. This film really spit the audience of pass holders I saw it with. Some implied it was too "gay"--others said it wasn't "gay" enough, and some didn't understand what the hell was going on! But I liked the characters, the photography, the music, the contrast between the two living places, and the emotional surprise in the last third.
GRADE B-
LA MIA CLASSE--Documentary film with in a film, of students from a variety of countries, trying to study Italian in their country. Each student has a very intense or sad story to share, and there are many moving scenes. Hand held camera distracts from full emotional pull at times.
GOLD---Small Irish film about a homeless man who moves in with his ex-wife and his daughter and the new husband. The film is minor, but gets better as it moves along, as the teen daughter and father get to know each other.
BLACK COAL, THIN ICE---Slick looking Chinese film about a serial killer who cuts up his victims and sends them out on coal cars to different parts of the province. The film is intriguing most of the time, but the last 20 minutes sputters and sinks when it should shock and soar.
GRADE C+
TO KILL A MAN--A bullied Chilean family man takes the law into his own hands and finds it difficult to kill (and dispose of) the man who has tormented his family. Feels overly familiar, and a bit too much hand held.
GOD HELP THE GIRL--Charming but small British musical film featuring music from the group Belle and Sebastien. The tiresome plot has a teen girl into and out of a mental hospital--several times!, and trying to start up a pop band. I loved the music, and wish this had been a music concert film, but it plays more like a lame full length music video, with the tuneful songs not entirely appropriate to the action.
THE GREAT MUSEUM--Elegantly filmed documentary set in the sprawling Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) in Vienna, but the film soundtrack is full of political and historical discussions and it comes across as dry and dusty, and induced naps from many viewers. One great scene has a worker grab a scooter and scoot for what seems like 3 blocks down long hallways to pick up a paper sent to a copy machine.
GRADE C-
LEADING LADY--South African sitcom style comedy film about British actress who goes to South Africa to prepare for a role, but it's not so funny, and the film deals with cliches.
HELICOPTER MOM--TV sitcom style comedy is dominated by an obnoxious performance by Nia Vardalos (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING) as a mother desperate for her questioning son to be or become gay. Thankfully, the estranged father and the other high school students act more rationally than she. Some of the scenes make you wince with political incorrectness, and the film is not too funny.
INTRAMURAL--In the first 20 minutes of this silly comedy, there were jokes about broken penises, a football purposefully thrown to hit someones head (numerous times), excrement secretions and drunkenness. I will admit that I laughed a few times, but the humor is really, really low brow stuff, so be warned.
THE BETTER ANGELS--Artsy black and white photography is interesting, but rapid 3 second editing, and a camera that zooms every which way became distracting. No story and very little dialogue about a fictionalized account of a very young Lincoln living in the woods in a log cabin left me very bored from the beginning, and I left after 50 minutes.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
SIFF Screenings---BEST BETS----100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED, KINDERWALD, STUNT MAN, THE LITTLE HOUSE, HAPPY CHRISTMAS
It's the third weekend of films, and here's what I've seen, in order of preference.
GRADE A-
100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED--A funny Swedish film with the style and wit and exuberance of a Wes Anderson film, much like THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. The man in the title has a wild, possibly unbelievable adventure, but there are laughs and surprises in every scene.
GRADE B+
KINDERWALD--A U.S. independent film, partially in German, about the mysterious disappearance of two young boys who are camping in the woods with their widowed mother and their uncle during the mid 1850's. It is reminiscent of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, but not as ethereal or compelling. Still, the feeling of nature and mystery and loss is great, and the odd bunch of characters involved in the search keep you on your toes.
THE STUNT MAN--Reissue of the 1980 classic film that Seattle made famous. Introduced at SIFF as a film without a distributor, the film went on for a long Seattle run and was ultimately nominated for three Oscars, including one for Peter O'Toole as a mega maniac director who may or may not be a dangerous, irresponsibly man out to kill THE (mysteriously on the run) STUNT MAN. I hadn't seen it since the famous SIFF screening, and as I watched, I didn't remember a single moment from the first time, so it was like seeing if for the first time, and I enjoyed it very much.
GRADE B
HAPPY CHRISTMAS--When little sister comes to live with her brother and his wife and baby, she demonstrates her inability to handle her drug and alcohol use, causing friction between the married couple. Wonderful comedic performances by Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey and Lena Dunham are nearly upstaged by the hilarious antics of the two year old baby that figures in many scenes. It's an improvisational comedy/drama that feels funny, fresh and seems destined to divide the audience into younger vs older regarding values and likability.
THE LITTLE HOUSE--Solid, gentle story told mostly in flashback about a young maid working for a middle class family in Tokyo just before the start of WW2, who discovers her mistress is having an affair with a younger man who works for her husband. The film does not become sentimental or melodramatic due to the low key performances and pacing, and is mostly a pleasure to watch.
GRADE B-
LITTLE ACCIDENTS--A U.S. film with a great cast (Josh Lucas, Elizabeth Banks, Chloe Sevigny, Boyd Holbrook, etc) and involving story about a troubled young teen who lost his father in a mining accident. When he witnesses the accidental death of an older teen but declines to advise authorities, grief forces the teen's mother, wife of the mine manager, into the arms of the only survivor of the original mining accident. Unfortunately, this film is severely undermined (no pun intended) by the continued, pointless use of a busy hand held camera technique, which distracts from the powerful story, which could have resulted in a higher grade.
GRADE C
FIVE STAR--U.S. independent film features strong if familiar story set in a New York slum about the relationship between a sensitive but dangerous thug who introduces drug running to the son of one of his best, but deceased, friends. The dialogue and vernacular feels authentic, but nerve racking jerky hand held camera work diminishes our interest and involvement.
LAYOVER--Another U.S. independent film but featuring a French actress with a forced 12 hour stop in L.A. who spends the night partying and getting rides with a French stranger. Just before this film started, I was talking to a SIFF group of regulars, complaining about all the hand held films being shown this year, and I mentioned that I especially hated the hand held jiggly tracking shot that follows a character from behind down a long hallway, street, concourse, trail, etc, especially when the shot is a closeup of the hair. Wouldn't you know, but LAYOVER features at least 10 such shots. Talk about a waste of film and time.
RED KNOT--Another U.S. independent film about a young couple on their honeymoon taking a trip to Antarctica on a ship, so the writer-husband can meet scientist and other writers. The wife gets jealous and starts to flirt with the captain, and the relationship of the couple degenerates quickly. The film has some lovely shots of snow, ice, penguins, seals and other scenery, but unfortunately the ship is rocking constantly, and the director has also chosen to use more hand held camera techniques. You have got to be kidding!!!!!!!!
GRADE A-
100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED--A funny Swedish film with the style and wit and exuberance of a Wes Anderson film, much like THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. The man in the title has a wild, possibly unbelievable adventure, but there are laughs and surprises in every scene.
GRADE B+
KINDERWALD--A U.S. independent film, partially in German, about the mysterious disappearance of two young boys who are camping in the woods with their widowed mother and their uncle during the mid 1850's. It is reminiscent of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, but not as ethereal or compelling. Still, the feeling of nature and mystery and loss is great, and the odd bunch of characters involved in the search keep you on your toes.
THE STUNT MAN--Reissue of the 1980 classic film that Seattle made famous. Introduced at SIFF as a film without a distributor, the film went on for a long Seattle run and was ultimately nominated for three Oscars, including one for Peter O'Toole as a mega maniac director who may or may not be a dangerous, irresponsibly man out to kill THE (mysteriously on the run) STUNT MAN. I hadn't seen it since the famous SIFF screening, and as I watched, I didn't remember a single moment from the first time, so it was like seeing if for the first time, and I enjoyed it very much.
GRADE B
HAPPY CHRISTMAS--When little sister comes to live with her brother and his wife and baby, she demonstrates her inability to handle her drug and alcohol use, causing friction between the married couple. Wonderful comedic performances by Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey and Lena Dunham are nearly upstaged by the hilarious antics of the two year old baby that figures in many scenes. It's an improvisational comedy/drama that feels funny, fresh and seems destined to divide the audience into younger vs older regarding values and likability.
THE LITTLE HOUSE--Solid, gentle story told mostly in flashback about a young maid working for a middle class family in Tokyo just before the start of WW2, who discovers her mistress is having an affair with a younger man who works for her husband. The film does not become sentimental or melodramatic due to the low key performances and pacing, and is mostly a pleasure to watch.
GRADE B-
LITTLE ACCIDENTS--A U.S. film with a great cast (Josh Lucas, Elizabeth Banks, Chloe Sevigny, Boyd Holbrook, etc) and involving story about a troubled young teen who lost his father in a mining accident. When he witnesses the accidental death of an older teen but declines to advise authorities, grief forces the teen's mother, wife of the mine manager, into the arms of the only survivor of the original mining accident. Unfortunately, this film is severely undermined (no pun intended) by the continued, pointless use of a busy hand held camera technique, which distracts from the powerful story, which could have resulted in a higher grade.
GRADE C
FIVE STAR--U.S. independent film features strong if familiar story set in a New York slum about the relationship between a sensitive but dangerous thug who introduces drug running to the son of one of his best, but deceased, friends. The dialogue and vernacular feels authentic, but nerve racking jerky hand held camera work diminishes our interest and involvement.
LAYOVER--Another U.S. independent film but featuring a French actress with a forced 12 hour stop in L.A. who spends the night partying and getting rides with a French stranger. Just before this film started, I was talking to a SIFF group of regulars, complaining about all the hand held films being shown this year, and I mentioned that I especially hated the hand held jiggly tracking shot that follows a character from behind down a long hallway, street, concourse, trail, etc, especially when the shot is a closeup of the hair. Wouldn't you know, but LAYOVER features at least 10 such shots. Talk about a waste of film and time.
RED KNOT--Another U.S. independent film about a young couple on their honeymoon taking a trip to Antarctica on a ship, so the writer-husband can meet scientist and other writers. The wife gets jealous and starts to flirt with the captain, and the relationship of the couple degenerates quickly. The film has some lovely shots of snow, ice, penguins, seals and other scenery, but unfortunately the ship is rocking constantly, and the director has also chosen to use more hand held camera techniques. You have got to be kidding!!!!!!!!
Friday, May 30, 2014
SIFF Screenings----BEST BETS------CLASS ENEMY, SAM AND AMIRA, INTERNET'S OWN BOY, LILTING, EASTERN BOYS--Coming up----FINAL WEEK!
Here's what I saw this last couple days. Listed in order of preference.
GRADE----A-
CLASS ENEMY--A disturbing and provocative drama from Slovenia features a group of high school age students rebelling against their teachers (and one in particular) because they feel that the "system" caused one of their fellow students to commit suicide. The film is intense and well structured and builds sympathy for all involved in the tragedy. On the down side, it does feature an annoyingly unsteady (as opposed to shaky) camera style. One of the very few ethnic students has the best line--screaming something like "You Slovenians, if you are not killing yourself , then you're killing each other!" and during a group parent meeting with the principal, his parents have the funniest moment in the film--and perhaps in all of SIFF this year. Watch for this one at BEST OF SIFF or hopefully it will open later this year. Plays one more time on 6/5!
SAM AND AMIRA---A BIG BIG surprise! Here's a comic drama about a healthy veteran returning from several tours of duty in the middle East, who becomes involved with an Iraqi immigrant about to be deported, as well as his cousin who is mired in a hedge fund scandal. The romance and his efforts to be a stand up comedian and his relationship to all he encounters flows with an assured confidence that made this small, independent film glow. Plays this weekend.
GRADE-----B+
INTERNET'S OWN BOY--A fascinating documentary of Aaron Swartz, a computer prodigy who was writing programs at age 12, who becomes targeted by the U.S. government as a hacker and charged with computer fraud and abuse and other felonies. His crime? Downloading millions of academic articles which are supposed to be available FREE to all citizens. It's a heartbreaking story--he committed suicide at age 26 due to the pressure and cost of government harassment.
Plays this week.
LILTING---Lovely chamber drama from England. When his lover dies, the boyfriend tries to befriend the lover's Chinese mother, who lives in a senior home and speaks no English. She is being courted by an older man who knows no Chinese, so he hires an interpreter for the three of them. Haltingly truths come to the surface. Plays this week.
EASTERN BOYS---French thriller with a gay protagonist involved with a gang of young thugs, mostly from Russia and Croatia. There's a long, almost hypnotic, opening segment involving a cruising at a train station, which reminded me of Hitchcock's VERTIGO, followed by an intensely uncomfortable home invasion sequence that had the audience squirming. The film ends with a long, intense sequence where the main character tries to resolve the issues of illegal immigration, bullying, homophobia and -Love?- with the action skill of James Bond, just exaggerating!, but the film is quite involving and raised some interesting issues.
SALVATION ARMY--Set in Morocco and France, this ethno-centric film is based on an autobiographical novel about growing up gay in Morocco, which seems to have a culture of acceptance, and follows 15 year old Abdellah as he interacts with his obsessive mother and sisters, and his big brother and abusive (at times) father. Ten years later, he is in college in Geneva, involved with a controlling Swiss man who he obviously despises. The wistful film is knowing and subtle and paints a world where being young or old creates different sets of obstacles, especially in this case, for gay men.
GRADE----B
ROOFTOPS--Algerian film, set on the rooftops of five different districts in Algiers, and featuring the five different prayers offered up throughout the day, and with five separate stories, inter cut smoothly to create a varied picture of this colorful city. The main theme of all the stories is the underling violence and danger that lies just beneath the surface of the beautiful setting.
ALEX OF VENICE--U.S. independent film, where Alex is a single mom struggling with her demanding job, losing her husband, dealing with a wacky sister and an ill father. The film is well made, acted and subtle--those are the pleasures. The negative may be the lack of "charisma" in the lead role (although the supporting cast is very strong), and the film may be too subtle for some.
GRADE----B-
B FOR BOY---Nigerian film about a pregnant middle class woman under stress from her mother in law to produce a male heir. When she has a secret miscarriage, she becomes desperate to produce a child, to keep her husband from marrying a second wife. The film keeps your interest in spite of some melodramatic maneuvering.
BENEATH--U.S.horror film (based on a true story!?!) about a trapped group of miners who start to see and experience haunted creatures. There are some definite chills and creepy moments, though that hand held camera works against the terror.
SOMETHING MUST BREAK--From Sweden comes a drama about sexual self discovery in the form of a transgendered love affair. Young Sebastian is male but longs to be female, and dresses in an androgynous fashion. He starts an affair with the hunky Andreas, but Andreas insists he isn't gay---nether am I, claims Sebastian. What a dilemma. The film has artistic pretensions at time, and the hand held business doesn't work in it's favor, but it is NOT boring and triggered some lively discussion in the lobby afterwards.
GRADE----C+
KUMIKO: TREASURE HUNTER---From Japan comes the story of a depressed, almost catatonic young woman nearly unable to function in a logical fashion. She is convinced that buried treasure lies just outside of Fargo, ND, inspired by her obsession with the film FARGO. She sets off to find that treasure. The film is small, and works, at times, like a parable, but there's not enough to satisfy our dramatic interest, and the ending is predictable. Plays this week.
WEST---German film set before the Wall has fallen in Berlin, where a young widow immigrates to West Berlin, only to find herself getting more paranoid when she discovers her husband may not be dead after all--the officials there keep questioning her. It's an interesting premise, but the film is really hampered by annoying and persistent hand held jerkiness. Plays this week.
FIRST SNOWFALL---Italian film that looks great, with lovely photography, but unfortunately, the story is very weak and the film is really, really static and boring. Many viewers I talked to found themselves drifting off, including myself, only to wake and find nothing of interest had occurred. Plays this week.
Recommended from previous blogs, and playing this week:
TO BE TAKEI
GARDEN LOVERS
HOUSE OF MAGIC 3D
BELLE AND SEBASTIAN
BALLET 422
THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD (revival)
THE STUNT MAN (revival)
GRADE----A-
CLASS ENEMY--A disturbing and provocative drama from Slovenia features a group of high school age students rebelling against their teachers (and one in particular) because they feel that the "system" caused one of their fellow students to commit suicide. The film is intense and well structured and builds sympathy for all involved in the tragedy. On the down side, it does feature an annoyingly unsteady (as opposed to shaky) camera style. One of the very few ethnic students has the best line--screaming something like "You Slovenians, if you are not killing yourself , then you're killing each other!" and during a group parent meeting with the principal, his parents have the funniest moment in the film--and perhaps in all of SIFF this year. Watch for this one at BEST OF SIFF or hopefully it will open later this year. Plays one more time on 6/5!
SAM AND AMIRA---A BIG BIG surprise! Here's a comic drama about a healthy veteran returning from several tours of duty in the middle East, who becomes involved with an Iraqi immigrant about to be deported, as well as his cousin who is mired in a hedge fund scandal. The romance and his efforts to be a stand up comedian and his relationship to all he encounters flows with an assured confidence that made this small, independent film glow. Plays this weekend.
GRADE-----B+
INTERNET'S OWN BOY--A fascinating documentary of Aaron Swartz, a computer prodigy who was writing programs at age 12, who becomes targeted by the U.S. government as a hacker and charged with computer fraud and abuse and other felonies. His crime? Downloading millions of academic articles which are supposed to be available FREE to all citizens. It's a heartbreaking story--he committed suicide at age 26 due to the pressure and cost of government harassment.
Plays this week.
LILTING---Lovely chamber drama from England. When his lover dies, the boyfriend tries to befriend the lover's Chinese mother, who lives in a senior home and speaks no English. She is being courted by an older man who knows no Chinese, so he hires an interpreter for the three of them. Haltingly truths come to the surface. Plays this week.
EASTERN BOYS---French thriller with a gay protagonist involved with a gang of young thugs, mostly from Russia and Croatia. There's a long, almost hypnotic, opening segment involving a cruising at a train station, which reminded me of Hitchcock's VERTIGO, followed by an intensely uncomfortable home invasion sequence that had the audience squirming. The film ends with a long, intense sequence where the main character tries to resolve the issues of illegal immigration, bullying, homophobia and -Love?- with the action skill of James Bond, just exaggerating!, but the film is quite involving and raised some interesting issues.
SALVATION ARMY--Set in Morocco and France, this ethno-centric film is based on an autobiographical novel about growing up gay in Morocco, which seems to have a culture of acceptance, and follows 15 year old Abdellah as he interacts with his obsessive mother and sisters, and his big brother and abusive (at times) father. Ten years later, he is in college in Geneva, involved with a controlling Swiss man who he obviously despises. The wistful film is knowing and subtle and paints a world where being young or old creates different sets of obstacles, especially in this case, for gay men.
GRADE----B
ROOFTOPS--Algerian film, set on the rooftops of five different districts in Algiers, and featuring the five different prayers offered up throughout the day, and with five separate stories, inter cut smoothly to create a varied picture of this colorful city. The main theme of all the stories is the underling violence and danger that lies just beneath the surface of the beautiful setting.
ALEX OF VENICE--U.S. independent film, where Alex is a single mom struggling with her demanding job, losing her husband, dealing with a wacky sister and an ill father. The film is well made, acted and subtle--those are the pleasures. The negative may be the lack of "charisma" in the lead role (although the supporting cast is very strong), and the film may be too subtle for some.
GRADE----B-
B FOR BOY---Nigerian film about a pregnant middle class woman under stress from her mother in law to produce a male heir. When she has a secret miscarriage, she becomes desperate to produce a child, to keep her husband from marrying a second wife. The film keeps your interest in spite of some melodramatic maneuvering.
BENEATH--U.S.horror film (based on a true story!?!) about a trapped group of miners who start to see and experience haunted creatures. There are some definite chills and creepy moments, though that hand held camera works against the terror.
SOMETHING MUST BREAK--From Sweden comes a drama about sexual self discovery in the form of a transgendered love affair. Young Sebastian is male but longs to be female, and dresses in an androgynous fashion. He starts an affair with the hunky Andreas, but Andreas insists he isn't gay---nether am I, claims Sebastian. What a dilemma. The film has artistic pretensions at time, and the hand held business doesn't work in it's favor, but it is NOT boring and triggered some lively discussion in the lobby afterwards.
GRADE----C+
KUMIKO: TREASURE HUNTER---From Japan comes the story of a depressed, almost catatonic young woman nearly unable to function in a logical fashion. She is convinced that buried treasure lies just outside of Fargo, ND, inspired by her obsession with the film FARGO. She sets off to find that treasure. The film is small, and works, at times, like a parable, but there's not enough to satisfy our dramatic interest, and the ending is predictable. Plays this week.
WEST---German film set before the Wall has fallen in Berlin, where a young widow immigrates to West Berlin, only to find herself getting more paranoid when she discovers her husband may not be dead after all--the officials there keep questioning her. It's an interesting premise, but the film is really hampered by annoying and persistent hand held jerkiness. Plays this week.
FIRST SNOWFALL---Italian film that looks great, with lovely photography, but unfortunately, the story is very weak and the film is really, really static and boring. Many viewers I talked to found themselves drifting off, including myself, only to wake and find nothing of interest had occurred. Plays this week.
Recommended from previous blogs, and playing this week:
TO BE TAKEI
GARDEN LOVERS
HOUSE OF MAGIC 3D
BELLE AND SEBASTIAN
BALLET 422
THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD (revival)
THE STUNT MAN (revival)
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