I recently watched all three of these films in one day, and thought it would be poignant to comment on them all together.
All three films were enjoyable and I had been wanting to see each of them for while now. What surprised me is that Slumdog and The Wrestler did not "blow me away" as I thought they would. Both of these films were shown at the Toronto International Film Festival which I worked at (Slumdog being the viewers' choice). And Both have received favourable reviews since being released. So essentially I had some standards going into these two films.
On the other hand, Hamlet 2 was not at the festival, and received mixed reviews, but I walked away from it mildly impressed, crazy.
This probably says a lot more about how I base my criticism on other people's opinions before I see a film, which is pretty lame, ha.
But don't get me wrong, all three films are good, and I recommend each as they deliver great acting from the casts, and in the case of Slumdog and The Wrestler, strong cinematography and mise en scene.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
TIFF '08: Part 2
The second half of the movies I watched:
American Swing
This movie was decent. It was a documentary about the rise and fall of a club in the 70s called Plato's Retreat. Like all self-serving docs this one illustrates the grandeur this club brought, and how people at the time were naive of the implications that were slowly going to arise from frequenting the sexy night club. I think stories like this are great, but at the same time they're so predictable. I'm no documentary expert, but I totally could have called the entire film, from the first 2 minutes. It's a shame there can't be more originality in the documentary form. Content-wise, docs are awesome, and I guess that's why this genre has a good, steady following, but I'd really like it if someone could change it up.
Synecdoche, New York
This was my second favourite movie at the festival. Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Catherine Keener, I had high hopes for this film, but didn't try to get over-excited. The movie itself was really confusing, but it was so profound and I left feeling so detached and existentially void (yeah man, here lies the big issues) that I know I need to see this movie 2 or 3 more times to try to wrap my head around. While not nearly as abstract as other existential films (perfect example: 2001), it definitely makes you question your mortality, and relationships with people who you are emotionally attached to. In the Q & A after the film Kaufman said how before he started writing the film, he and Spike Jones were thinking about doing an actual "scary movie". I can really see what he means by a scary movie, mortality and loneliness, what two things could realistically be scarier.
Every Little Step
This movie was really enjoyable. The second documentary I saw at the festival, while the form was also pretty predictable as American Swing, the content of this film was really awesome. It's about the audition process of the revival for A Chorus Line. The film gives a history behind the show itself, talks about the original cast, but most of the film follows the struggles and obstacles that faced the performers auditioning. The fact that this was about a musical was reason enough for me to see this film. Anything singing and dancing is pure escapism, and I'm so there. Watching the film, you know that this audition will change their lives, if they get the part. They put so much energy into trying to impress the producers, you just break-up inside, whenever you learn someone else is cut. But at the same time this film is really motivational. These people are trying to live out their dream of performing on Broadway. They have worked so hard, and it makes you want to put more effort into your own endeavours.
Control Alt Delete
This was a very silly film. It's about a film about a guy who is obsessed with internet porn. That being said, this film is also Canadian, so the production value was only decent, and some of the story lines seemed random and incongruent. However, I definitely enjoyed this film. The protagonist is played by a fairly well known Canadian TV actor, which was really cool, and I felt good supporting a Canadian production.
The Rest of the Night
I wasn't too sure on the message of this film, but it was well-made and was a good story. An Italian film about a group of people who are interconnected and are living out their day-to-day lives, seemingly average, and with an average amount of drama. One group is a family who are well to do. They fire their housekeeper on pretenses that she has stolen the wife's jewelry. The housekeeper then goes to her ex-boyfriends house because she needs a place to stay, and he and his friend and brother make up the second group.
Both groups have their own troubles, involving money and their general happiness. The film runs along smoothly, with good pacing and flattering cinematography. The film ends in tragedy, which seems fitting because the film has a very character-driven story, and tragedy tends to end this type of work. Enjoyable to watch.
33 Scenes from Life
This was a sad film from the beginning to end, probably the most depressing film I saw, but it was also inspiring to not take things in life for granted. A Polish film about a woman who is losing her mother to cancer, and is having marital problems. Throughout the entire film the audience is taken along with her, through her emotional hardships. The film was modestly shot, but definitely portrayed the story well.
Uncertainty
This movie can be typecasts as one of those indie-American movies, that has a strong cast, strong story, good cinematography, but will remain under the radar because it is not mainstream enough. The premise is a young couple start the movie off with the dilemma of how to spend their fourth of July. The film portrays two different results that could have occurred in juxtaposition, going back and forth through the whole movie. I thought this was a clever premise. One funny part, the filmmakers obviously knew that the audience would have trouble distinguishing between one story and the other, so to be able to tell which story is being shown present, they had the couple wear green in one story, and yellow in the other. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and a girl I don't recognize. While I guess there characters were supposed to be young free-spirited/artistic people. A lot of the time the characters just annoyed me. In the story where their lives are being threaten I kept thinking, they could have avoiding all this drama if they just acted like normal people, and not answered the cell phone that wasn't their's.
Biggest Chinese Restaurant in the World
This was an awesome movie literally about the biggest Chinese restaurant in the world. The restaurant is in China, of course, and illustrates the lifestyle and workmanship of Chinese people. The film was made by western European filmmakers, and this is really evident, as the perspective has an outsiders look. A lot of the time the film shows how the workers and servers are pushed to their limits, in order to make end's meat. While this restaurant depicts how the Chinese society has developed over the past few decades, the film shows how there are still a countless number of people who live in poverty. Most of the workers at the restaurant work there so that they can send money home to their families. One scene shows how a server "chose" to stay and work, instead of going home because her mother was sick. Chose is in brackets because it is implied that she would have been fired if she went home.
Patrik Age 1.5
This was the last film I saw at the festival, and it was so cute, and happy, that it was a great note to leave it off, of. The film is about a gay married couple who want nothing more than to adopt a baby. One day they receive a letter saying there is a child waiting for them: Patrik age 1,5. Of course this was a typo, as we soon learn, and Patrik is really 15 years old, and a delinquent. The whole movie is about each of the characters getting over their prejudices toward one another. Patrik has trouble getting over living with a gay couple, and the couple have trouble parenting a troubled youth. This makes the film look out to be some melodramatic soap opera, but it's really not. This was definitely the most family-friendly and accessible movie I saw at the festival.
American Swing
This movie was decent. It was a documentary about the rise and fall of a club in the 70s called Plato's Retreat. Like all self-serving docs this one illustrates the grandeur this club brought, and how people at the time were naive of the implications that were slowly going to arise from frequenting the sexy night club. I think stories like this are great, but at the same time they're so predictable. I'm no documentary expert, but I totally could have called the entire film, from the first 2 minutes. It's a shame there can't be more originality in the documentary form. Content-wise, docs are awesome, and I guess that's why this genre has a good, steady following, but I'd really like it if someone could change it up.
Synecdoche, New York
This was my second favourite movie at the festival. Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Catherine Keener, I had high hopes for this film, but didn't try to get over-excited. The movie itself was really confusing, but it was so profound and I left feeling so detached and existentially void (yeah man, here lies the big issues) that I know I need to see this movie 2 or 3 more times to try to wrap my head around. While not nearly as abstract as other existential films (perfect example: 2001), it definitely makes you question your mortality, and relationships with people who you are emotionally attached to. In the Q & A after the film Kaufman said how before he started writing the film, he and Spike Jones were thinking about doing an actual "scary movie". I can really see what he means by a scary movie, mortality and loneliness, what two things could realistically be scarier.
Every Little Step
This movie was really enjoyable. The second documentary I saw at the festival, while the form was also pretty predictable as American Swing, the content of this film was really awesome. It's about the audition process of the revival for A Chorus Line. The film gives a history behind the show itself, talks about the original cast, but most of the film follows the struggles and obstacles that faced the performers auditioning. The fact that this was about a musical was reason enough for me to see this film. Anything singing and dancing is pure escapism, and I'm so there. Watching the film, you know that this audition will change their lives, if they get the part. They put so much energy into trying to impress the producers, you just break-up inside, whenever you learn someone else is cut. But at the same time this film is really motivational. These people are trying to live out their dream of performing on Broadway. They have worked so hard, and it makes you want to put more effort into your own endeavours.
Control Alt Delete
This was a very silly film. It's about a film about a guy who is obsessed with internet porn. That being said, this film is also Canadian, so the production value was only decent, and some of the story lines seemed random and incongruent. However, I definitely enjoyed this film. The protagonist is played by a fairly well known Canadian TV actor, which was really cool, and I felt good supporting a Canadian production.
The Rest of the Night
I wasn't too sure on the message of this film, but it was well-made and was a good story. An Italian film about a group of people who are interconnected and are living out their day-to-day lives, seemingly average, and with an average amount of drama. One group is a family who are well to do. They fire their housekeeper on pretenses that she has stolen the wife's jewelry. The housekeeper then goes to her ex-boyfriends house because she needs a place to stay, and he and his friend and brother make up the second group.
Both groups have their own troubles, involving money and their general happiness. The film runs along smoothly, with good pacing and flattering cinematography. The film ends in tragedy, which seems fitting because the film has a very character-driven story, and tragedy tends to end this type of work. Enjoyable to watch.
33 Scenes from Life
This was a sad film from the beginning to end, probably the most depressing film I saw, but it was also inspiring to not take things in life for granted. A Polish film about a woman who is losing her mother to cancer, and is having marital problems. Throughout the entire film the audience is taken along with her, through her emotional hardships. The film was modestly shot, but definitely portrayed the story well.
Uncertainty
This movie can be typecasts as one of those indie-American movies, that has a strong cast, strong story, good cinematography, but will remain under the radar because it is not mainstream enough. The premise is a young couple start the movie off with the dilemma of how to spend their fourth of July. The film portrays two different results that could have occurred in juxtaposition, going back and forth through the whole movie. I thought this was a clever premise. One funny part, the filmmakers obviously knew that the audience would have trouble distinguishing between one story and the other, so to be able to tell which story is being shown present, they had the couple wear green in one story, and yellow in the other. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and a girl I don't recognize. While I guess there characters were supposed to be young free-spirited/artistic people. A lot of the time the characters just annoyed me. In the story where their lives are being threaten I kept thinking, they could have avoiding all this drama if they just acted like normal people, and not answered the cell phone that wasn't their's.
Biggest Chinese Restaurant in the World
This was an awesome movie literally about the biggest Chinese restaurant in the world. The restaurant is in China, of course, and illustrates the lifestyle and workmanship of Chinese people. The film was made by western European filmmakers, and this is really evident, as the perspective has an outsiders look. A lot of the time the film shows how the workers and servers are pushed to their limits, in order to make end's meat. While this restaurant depicts how the Chinese society has developed over the past few decades, the film shows how there are still a countless number of people who live in poverty. Most of the workers at the restaurant work there so that they can send money home to their families. One scene shows how a server "chose" to stay and work, instead of going home because her mother was sick. Chose is in brackets because it is implied that she would have been fired if she went home.
Patrik Age 1.5
This was the last film I saw at the festival, and it was so cute, and happy, that it was a great note to leave it off, of. The film is about a gay married couple who want nothing more than to adopt a baby. One day they receive a letter saying there is a child waiting for them: Patrik age 1,5. Of course this was a typo, as we soon learn, and Patrik is really 15 years old, and a delinquent. The whole movie is about each of the characters getting over their prejudices toward one another. Patrik has trouble getting over living with a gay couple, and the couple have trouble parenting a troubled youth. This makes the film look out to be some melodramatic soap opera, but it's really not. This was definitely the most family-friendly and accessible movie I saw at the festival.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
TIFF '08
RocknRolla
I enjoyed this film for what it was. It was a Guy Richie wham-bam shoot-em up mobster flick, so if you've seen Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, you know what's coming to you if you sit down in front of this film.
Guy Richie is a director I feel indifferent towards. I could do without the incomprehensible English accents his actors have, but his cinematography and editing is so slick I can't turn away, even if the characters are being dunked into a tank of live, starving crayfish. The soundtrack was cool, Gerard Butler was as sexy as ever, but Thandie Newton was annoying as hell. Her body is like a toothpick; I was just waiting for someone to accidentally snap her in half.
O'Horten
I fairly enjoyed this film. It was the complete opposite to my morning film that day, RocknRolla, but I felt O'Horten had a good message. The film was about train conductor as he's about to retire. It shows how his life revolved around his job, and he didn't have much else of a life beyond that. The film follows him as he is picking up the pieces of his life. He visits old acquaintances, he has an awkward unplanned run-in with a 6 year old, and pretty much learns how to spend all his free time. Set in Norway, the landscape really fits the mood of the character. The character of O'Horten didn't seem ready to retire. His job was his identity, and I think anyone can relate to the sense of loss when something significant in your life is over.
Cold Lunch
This was the second Norwegian film I saw at the festival. Lately I've really wanted to visit Scandinavian countries, so I tried to pick movies from this geographic area. Cold Lunch was also a very touching film. The characters all have problems in their lives that they need to come over themselves, but have trouble acknowledging that they have these problems. One girl lived his life isolated in her father's apartment, so then the day he dies, she has trouble having an independent life. One other guy has trouble saving money and being honest to the people around him. He also does not know how to take initiative. Then another lady has a baby, but is in an abusive relationship with his husband, but she is so passive toward him, that she never has the guts to leave him. All these stories are told in vignettes, all separate from one another, but still told over the same time. The ending was pretty disappointing without giving any factual information away, none of the characters learn how to get over their troubles. They are all the same as how they were at the beginning of the movie. I guess this film is trying to say that in essence people don't change, when they don't feel like changing.
Edison and Leo
This movie was really cute. It was the first Canadian movie I watched at the festival and I really enjoyed it. At first thinking it was a children's movie, I was quickly corrected with the obvious display of adult humour and innuendos. The film is a claymation fictional story about Thomas Edison and his son Leo. The humour is pretty ranchy, and it's hilarious watching claymation version of Edison trying to hook up with all these random women. Definitely something to check out for some ridiculous humour, with a random historical twist.
JCVD
This has got to be my favourite film at this years festival. It had most, if not everything that I look for in a film. Satire, action, humour, self-deprecation, good cinematography, good pacing, French language, and an non-Hollywood ending. The premise is Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself, in a fictional story, where he is being framed for holding up a post-office. Without giving anyway any tasty details, just imagine the possibilities, ha. I really enjoyed this film. It'll be hard to top.
My Mother, My Bride & I
This was a heart touching German film about a middle-aged man who lives with his mother, but it looking for love. He goes through a mail-order service, in neighbouring Romania, and comes back with a charming young lady. The mother and bride have conflicting values, so drama ensues through most of the film.
I really like how this film was shot. No tripods were used, and, as the director said in the Q & A, he made all the shots come from a person's point of view, so at eye level. This perspective gave the film a very natural look and got the audience involved with the film. The actors were very realistic, and gave very good performances. I enjoyed this film also.
Me and Orson Welles
This was a cute film, it wasn't profound in anyway, I didn't learn any of the great misteries of life, but it definitely had some spunk. The story is a high school kids finds himself working on a production of Julius Caesar directed and staring Orson Welles. This is the kid's dream (note: Zac Efron plays the kid, so much of my reason to see this film was to be able to make fun of Efron, in my head, ha).
Overall the film is pretty meh. Props to the guy playing Joseph Cotton. Cotton was an amazing actor back in those days, and it was good to see him represented well today. Clare Danes, playing the love interest was really annoying, but then again, I've never been a fan of hers, something about her mannerisms are just so contrived. The guy playing Orson Welles was decent, but didn't have the grandeur that the real Welles commanded (but hey, that'd be hella hard to duplicate).
Also this film was directed by Richard Linklater, which is the strongest reason why I chose to see this film. He does a fine job; I'd say this is one of his Hollywood films, a la Bad News Bears and Fast Food Nation.
Coopers' Camera
This movie was sooo funny. I can't even think of a word that could describe how funny it was. I honestly laughed for 85% percent of this film, it was great (but I'm sure the packed house of like-minded individuals only encouraged the contagious laugher). The story is of a guy who gets a video camera for Christmas for his family, and the whole film is actually shot with the camera. The film takes place in 1985, so it has a very grainy look, and is pretty much a means of representing anyone's dysfunctional Christmas celebration from back in the day (who didn't have one of those massive camcorders and stalked family members around the house, thinking they were the most creative person in the world...ha) The film is chalk full of talented Canadian actors, which was awesome, and the director is actually from my hometown, which made it ever more cool.
I hope this film gets some distribution, but seeing how it's shot to look like a grainy video, and the star quota isn't really there, the olds are looking slim for some good exhibition of this film. But I definitely recommend this one for some good laughs.
3 Wise Men
This was the weakest film I saw at the festival, sadly. They can't all be winners. The film takes place mostly in a bar, where three old friends are catching up with one another. One of them has just become a father, so they are drinking to celebrate. The pre-bar scenes I found to be disconnected and not explained well. The director, before the movie, said this film only took about 11 days to shoot, and I think that's evident in the quality of the film. I think this story would work very well as a theatre production. The dialogue was strong, but told through the cinematic medium it comes through as very diluted. I was hoping there would be a good message about life, at least toward the end of the film, but that didn't come through. It was an interesting film to watch, but I left feeling unchanged. Ah well, there's always at least one film that doesn't rub you right.
I enjoyed this film for what it was. It was a Guy Richie wham-bam shoot-em up mobster flick, so if you've seen Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, you know what's coming to you if you sit down in front of this film.
Guy Richie is a director I feel indifferent towards. I could do without the incomprehensible English accents his actors have, but his cinematography and editing is so slick I can't turn away, even if the characters are being dunked into a tank of live, starving crayfish. The soundtrack was cool, Gerard Butler was as sexy as ever, but Thandie Newton was annoying as hell. Her body is like a toothpick; I was just waiting for someone to accidentally snap her in half.
O'Horten
I fairly enjoyed this film. It was the complete opposite to my morning film that day, RocknRolla, but I felt O'Horten had a good message. The film was about train conductor as he's about to retire. It shows how his life revolved around his job, and he didn't have much else of a life beyond that. The film follows him as he is picking up the pieces of his life. He visits old acquaintances, he has an awkward unplanned run-in with a 6 year old, and pretty much learns how to spend all his free time. Set in Norway, the landscape really fits the mood of the character. The character of O'Horten didn't seem ready to retire. His job was his identity, and I think anyone can relate to the sense of loss when something significant in your life is over.
Cold Lunch
This was the second Norwegian film I saw at the festival. Lately I've really wanted to visit Scandinavian countries, so I tried to pick movies from this geographic area. Cold Lunch was also a very touching film. The characters all have problems in their lives that they need to come over themselves, but have trouble acknowledging that they have these problems. One girl lived his life isolated in her father's apartment, so then the day he dies, she has trouble having an independent life. One other guy has trouble saving money and being honest to the people around him. He also does not know how to take initiative. Then another lady has a baby, but is in an abusive relationship with his husband, but she is so passive toward him, that she never has the guts to leave him. All these stories are told in vignettes, all separate from one another, but still told over the same time. The ending was pretty disappointing without giving any factual information away, none of the characters learn how to get over their troubles. They are all the same as how they were at the beginning of the movie. I guess this film is trying to say that in essence people don't change, when they don't feel like changing.
Edison and Leo
This movie was really cute. It was the first Canadian movie I watched at the festival and I really enjoyed it. At first thinking it was a children's movie, I was quickly corrected with the obvious display of adult humour and innuendos. The film is a claymation fictional story about Thomas Edison and his son Leo. The humour is pretty ranchy, and it's hilarious watching claymation version of Edison trying to hook up with all these random women. Definitely something to check out for some ridiculous humour, with a random historical twist.
JCVD
This has got to be my favourite film at this years festival. It had most, if not everything that I look for in a film. Satire, action, humour, self-deprecation, good cinematography, good pacing, French language, and an non-Hollywood ending. The premise is Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself, in a fictional story, where he is being framed for holding up a post-office. Without giving anyway any tasty details, just imagine the possibilities, ha. I really enjoyed this film. It'll be hard to top.
My Mother, My Bride & I
This was a heart touching German film about a middle-aged man who lives with his mother, but it looking for love. He goes through a mail-order service, in neighbouring Romania, and comes back with a charming young lady. The mother and bride have conflicting values, so drama ensues through most of the film.
I really like how this film was shot. No tripods were used, and, as the director said in the Q & A, he made all the shots come from a person's point of view, so at eye level. This perspective gave the film a very natural look and got the audience involved with the film. The actors were very realistic, and gave very good performances. I enjoyed this film also.
Me and Orson Welles
This was a cute film, it wasn't profound in anyway, I didn't learn any of the great misteries of life, but it definitely had some spunk. The story is a high school kids finds himself working on a production of Julius Caesar directed and staring Orson Welles. This is the kid's dream (note: Zac Efron plays the kid, so much of my reason to see this film was to be able to make fun of Efron, in my head, ha).
Overall the film is pretty meh. Props to the guy playing Joseph Cotton. Cotton was an amazing actor back in those days, and it was good to see him represented well today. Clare Danes, playing the love interest was really annoying, but then again, I've never been a fan of hers, something about her mannerisms are just so contrived. The guy playing Orson Welles was decent, but didn't have the grandeur that the real Welles commanded (but hey, that'd be hella hard to duplicate).
Also this film was directed by Richard Linklater, which is the strongest reason why I chose to see this film. He does a fine job; I'd say this is one of his Hollywood films, a la Bad News Bears and Fast Food Nation.
Coopers' Camera
This movie was sooo funny. I can't even think of a word that could describe how funny it was. I honestly laughed for 85% percent of this film, it was great (but I'm sure the packed house of like-minded individuals only encouraged the contagious laugher). The story is of a guy who gets a video camera for Christmas for his family, and the whole film is actually shot with the camera. The film takes place in 1985, so it has a very grainy look, and is pretty much a means of representing anyone's dysfunctional Christmas celebration from back in the day (who didn't have one of those massive camcorders and stalked family members around the house, thinking they were the most creative person in the world...ha) The film is chalk full of talented Canadian actors, which was awesome, and the director is actually from my hometown, which made it ever more cool.
I hope this film gets some distribution, but seeing how it's shot to look like a grainy video, and the star quota isn't really there, the olds are looking slim for some good exhibition of this film. But I definitely recommend this one for some good laughs.
3 Wise Men
This was the weakest film I saw at the festival, sadly. They can't all be winners. The film takes place mostly in a bar, where three old friends are catching up with one another. One of them has just become a father, so they are drinking to celebrate. The pre-bar scenes I found to be disconnected and not explained well. The director, before the movie, said this film only took about 11 days to shoot, and I think that's evident in the quality of the film. I think this story would work very well as a theatre production. The dialogue was strong, but told through the cinematic medium it comes through as very diluted. I was hoping there would be a good message about life, at least toward the end of the film, but that didn't come through. It was an interesting film to watch, but I left feeling unchanged. Ah well, there's always at least one film that doesn't rub you right.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Death Proof (2007)
I was surprisingly impressed with this movie. I originally had Death Proof pegged as a cheesy thrill-seekers horror movie, and I guess in a way it was, but it really stood up against my preconceived perception of the film.
In essence the film is damn sexy, and I think that’s what Tarantino intended the feel of the movie to be. The girls he chose for his victims and avengers ooze with sexiness. Their hair, their bodies, and their dialogue are all awesome, kudos to Tarantino for casting well.
Another thing I liked about this film, as I mentioned earlier, is the dialogue. Everything is just so snappy, and natural feeling, it’s hard to try to not memorize the lines.
The film nut in me is also gaga over the cinematography, and editing. Tarantino wanted to give Death Proof a vintage old feel to it, as if the celluloid had literally started to fall apart from wear-and-tear, as grind house movies from the 70s experienced. It shows that Tarantino had put the time and energy into setting up his compositions. One of my favourite shots is when the character Arlene a.k.a. Butterfly is having a smoke on the porch of the bar, during a rainstorm. The lighting is just right, as mostly a backfill, and Tarantino does this magnificent slow zoom-in on Arlene as she’s reflecting on the night’s recent events.
The soundtrack is also killer. I needs me to download that mutha.
One funny weakness to the film is Tarantino’s performance as Warren the bartender. What a douchebad. While I did laugh at his line “If Warren says it, we do it”, it really takes away from the general mood that he is trying to set for this movie.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Short Cuts (1993)
This is a good movie. It is the second time I’ve seen it now, and while it wasn’t as magical as the first time I watched it, it was still quite enjoyable. The movie is told as vignettes of different lives of people who are loosely interconnected, and shows them bumping into one another by chance, as they go through their natural life routine. Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia makes homage to this style, in a glossier, big-budget feel, but it doesn’t beat the originality and subtleness of Short Cuts.
The casting of this film is incredible. It reads as a who’s who in big name Hollywood back in the early to mid-nineties. Special props to Peter Gallagher and Tim Robbins, who, in my opinion, are awesome in this film. Julianna Moore is annoying as hell. Something about that woman, in everything she does, just rubs me the wrong way. In one scene she shows her cooter, nonchalantly, while having a fight with her husband, it’s just a gross sight.
The pacing of Short Cuts is what’s really remarkable about this film. Robert Altman makes the whole film seamless and natural. The film is just over 3 hours, but never is there a particularly boring scene. All scenes seem critical to the development of the film.
I definitely recommend this movie for someone who wants to beef up their film viewing repertoire. While the setting and costume tragically date this film, character motive and trajectory are completely timeless. Altman, in the behind-the-scenes, documentary, describes Short Cuts as a lot of smoking, with a dab of alcoholism, and infidelity. In a way this is what life is for Middle America. None of the characters’ are in anyway extraordinary individuals; they are just people trying to get through life as best they can. But drama sweeps in and inevitably people make selfish, rude responses. This film is pretty much showing how these people aren’t especially prone to swallowing their pride, as is the rest of the human race.
The casting of this film is incredible. It reads as a who’s who in big name Hollywood back in the early to mid-nineties. Special props to Peter Gallagher and Tim Robbins, who, in my opinion, are awesome in this film. Julianna Moore is annoying as hell. Something about that woman, in everything she does, just rubs me the wrong way. In one scene she shows her cooter, nonchalantly, while having a fight with her husband, it’s just a gross sight.
The pacing of Short Cuts is what’s really remarkable about this film. Robert Altman makes the whole film seamless and natural. The film is just over 3 hours, but never is there a particularly boring scene. All scenes seem critical to the development of the film.
I definitely recommend this movie for someone who wants to beef up their film viewing repertoire. While the setting and costume tragically date this film, character motive and trajectory are completely timeless. Altman, in the behind-the-scenes, documentary, describes Short Cuts as a lot of smoking, with a dab of alcoholism, and infidelity. In a way this is what life is for Middle America. None of the characters’ are in anyway extraordinary individuals; they are just people trying to get through life as best they can. But drama sweeps in and inevitably people make selfish, rude responses. This film is pretty much showing how these people aren’t especially prone to swallowing their pride, as is the rest of the human race.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Gandhi (1982)
Gandhi was a pretty meh movie, and I feel like a jerk for saying it, but Richard Attenborough has no flair has a director. You know when you watch a movie, there’s always at least one aspect that sticks out for you, well in Attenborough’s film is just meat and potatoes. Sure Gandhi was one of the most influential people of the last century, I have read his autobiography, and it changed how I saw the world, but watching the movie, it felt so fictitious. I’ve only seen one other Attenborough film, Chaplain, and got the same feeling from it too; amazing story, but flat direction.
Ben Kingsley was pretty good as Gandhi, but, again I feel like a jerk for saying it, the performance didn’t seem exceptional.
I’m thinking my guilt for writing this negative review is probably due to the subject matter. Gandhi was an incredible person who changed so many people’s lives, therefore it feels wrong to deride anything that is associated with his legacy. Probably that’s what the Academy was thinking when they were handing out the Oscar’s that year.
Ben Kingsley was pretty good as Gandhi, but, again I feel like a jerk for saying it, the performance didn’t seem exceptional.
I’m thinking my guilt for writing this negative review is probably due to the subject matter. Gandhi was an incredible person who changed so many people’s lives, therefore it feels wrong to deride anything that is associated with his legacy. Probably that’s what the Academy was thinking when they were handing out the Oscar’s that year.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Steve Carrell: The next Leslie Nielson?
No review today, but I want to comment on an idea that I haven't read about in the media, but that I found interesting. Steve Carrell is totally the next Leslie Nielson. Major proof available in Carrell's new movie "Get Smart". This movie (from the preview) looks completely like a remake of the Naked Gun Series. The premise is similar, the characters are similiar (including The Rock in the role that would have been played by OJ, so obvious), the major difference being the CGI going on in the background (which may be a flaw in the end for Get Smart).
Getting back to Carrell and Nielson, it's even uncanny that they look similar. The mannerisms are all there.
Getting back to Carrell and Nielson, it's even uncanny that they look similar. The mannerisms are all there.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Cloverfield (2008)
This movie had almost everything I can enjoy in a horror movie, which is hard to do because the horror genre is the last genre you can find me getting into. The movie was short, clocking in at less than 84 minutes. The story was far-fetched (because I just can't handle the real stuff, I get nightmares). And it took place in a cool location (NYC, rockin!).
The quasi-unique thing about this film, as most viewers would probably agree, is the "hand-held" shooting style. I guess about 95% of this film is done this way. I can't recall any non hand-held shots, but I'm sure there were a couple wide shots inserted seamlessly in order to give the viewer a broader perspective of the scene.
I thought it was really corny that the main dude was so set on finding his love interest who was trapped in her apartment. Chances are she is dead man, but of course the film is usually optimistic and she was alive when they get to her.
Another thing that was dumb was that it took forever for the horror to start. Yeah the young/beauty NYC people know how to throw a house party, yes I'm uber jealous and would love to live in Manhattan with no appearance of the stresses of money and a career. But really, I don't think it takes 15 minutes to get this idea across. Five minutes max and I totally would have gotten the drift.
What the film really had going for it though was that it never explains afterwards what sparked the attack by that crazy monster and where it came from. The film felt like an unfinished alien version of the Blair Witch Project mixed with The Ring. When horror movies give too much information they're just not scary they're hella lame. It's all about the keeping the viewer wondering what the hell is going to happen next, and Cloverfield totally pulled this off.
In essence I recommend this film because it doesn't pretend to be pretentious, it's kind of like a hey, wouldn't it be crazy if this happened, oh and we're going to deliver it from a one person's perspective, so it really gets into your skin. Enjoy!
The quasi-unique thing about this film, as most viewers would probably agree, is the "hand-held" shooting style. I guess about 95% of this film is done this way. I can't recall any non hand-held shots, but I'm sure there were a couple wide shots inserted seamlessly in order to give the viewer a broader perspective of the scene.
I thought it was really corny that the main dude was so set on finding his love interest who was trapped in her apartment. Chances are she is dead man, but of course the film is usually optimistic and she was alive when they get to her.
Another thing that was dumb was that it took forever for the horror to start. Yeah the young/beauty NYC people know how to throw a house party, yes I'm uber jealous and would love to live in Manhattan with no appearance of the stresses of money and a career. But really, I don't think it takes 15 minutes to get this idea across. Five minutes max and I totally would have gotten the drift.
What the film really had going for it though was that it never explains afterwards what sparked the attack by that crazy monster and where it came from. The film felt like an unfinished alien version of the Blair Witch Project mixed with The Ring. When horror movies give too much information they're just not scary they're hella lame. It's all about the keeping the viewer wondering what the hell is going to happen next, and Cloverfield totally pulled this off.
In essence I recommend this film because it doesn't pretend to be pretentious, it's kind of like a hey, wouldn't it be crazy if this happened, oh and we're going to deliver it from a one person's perspective, so it really gets into your skin. Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
This movie was so cute. I really enjoyed it. It's been about 8 months since I first wanted to see this movie. Was there gratification in the delay? Meh, what can I say it was a cute film. I loved the scene where Lars gets upset about how Bianca is too busy to spend an evening playing Scrabble with him, just like a real boy would, hehe.
It's sad and touching that Lars lived such a secluded life. I'm glad the character was able to break out of his shell eventually.
I guess from a critic's more objective point of view the film is pretty formulaic. But I find it hard to admit this because Ryan Gosling is just so dreamy that I melt when he's on screen.
I recommend this movie if you're looking for something kind of light, but touching and all round cute.
It's sad and touching that Lars lived such a secluded life. I'm glad the character was able to break out of his shell eventually.
I guess from a critic's more objective point of view the film is pretty formulaic. But I find it hard to admit this because Ryan Gosling is just so dreamy that I melt when he's on screen.
I recommend this movie if you're looking for something kind of light, but touching and all round cute.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
No Country for Old Men (2007)
This was an enjoyable film. Disturbing and horrific with all the fixing of a Thanksgiving dinner, but also subtle and not very graphic. Maybe if it was more graphic it would have been a very different film, and I would be having nightmares, haha.
I was sadly disappointed with the ending, but it didn't wreck the film for me, surprisingly. I think because the ending kind of made sense with what happened through the whole film. I won't spoil anything, I promise. After finishing the film I couldn't think of any big critique, and even question the point of this entry. It was a film in itself. Like a good novel, it delivered what it promised, nothing more, nothing less.
I enjoyed Tommy Lee Jones as the county sheriff. His character reminded me a lot of the character Francis Mcdormand played in Fargo, it was cool seeing it again.
Final verdict: The film is watchable, but I don't think you'd be missing much if you let it pass you by.
I was sadly disappointed with the ending, but it didn't wreck the film for me, surprisingly. I think because the ending kind of made sense with what happened through the whole film. I won't spoil anything, I promise. After finishing the film I couldn't think of any big critique, and even question the point of this entry. It was a film in itself. Like a good novel, it delivered what it promised, nothing more, nothing less.
I enjoyed Tommy Lee Jones as the county sheriff. His character reminded me a lot of the character Francis Mcdormand played in Fargo, it was cool seeing it again.
Final verdict: The film is watchable, but I don't think you'd be missing much if you let it pass you by.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Across the Universe (2007)
Overall this movie was alright. I wasn't expecting much because I had heard mixed reviews, but was really impressed by the cinematography, and also the song choice. A couple of the tunes I didn't recognize, which was nice. For anyone who hasn't heard of this film, it is set in the 60s, a dramatization of the significant events that occurred done as a musical using exclusively Beatles music. The concept is definitely intriguing. This film in the end I found hard to categorize because it's a whole lotta too much going on. I haven't counted, but I'm sure it covers every major film genre. I enjoyed the musical genre of it, and also the coming of age segments, but the war scenes I found too graphic, and a rough juxtaposition after the free spirited first half of the film. Some parts were dumb, like the scene where the young lovers are making out, naked underwater. Yeah it's looks cool with their hair all floaty like, but really, I don't need to see a naked Evan Rachel Wood. That girl has always had a creepy undertone to her, even here, when she plays the sweet innocent American girl.
I say check out this film if you'd like to hear some cool new versions of classic Beatles' tunes. The story is pretty much fluff, but that's understandable, since it totally takes second chair behind the music.
I say check out this film if you'd like to hear some cool new versions of classic Beatles' tunes. The story is pretty much fluff, but that's understandable, since it totally takes second chair behind the music.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Enchanted (2007)
I had been wanting to see this movie since it came out, so I grabbed the chance when it was playing as an in-flight movie. I enjoyed this movie for what it was. It's a syrupy tale of fairy tale characters who find themselves thrown into modern day NYC. It was kind of like Borat, for 6 year olds...hilarity at foreigners who have trouble coping with their new environment. I especially loved the fairy tale singing that took place all over the city.
The movie starts out as a cartoon, which was cute, and then when the characters are thrown into NYC it goes to real life. Props to the whole cast, to be honest. I later found out that the main dude's girlfriend was Idina Menzel, none other than the lady who played the Wicked Witch in the stage production of Wicked, way cool...unfortunately she didn't sing one note, what's with that? She totally would have stole the show, which I guess is why they probably cut any parts she might have sang during. James Marsden was so dreamy in a I'm-ignorantly-and-blissfully-in-love-with-my-lady prince, so yeah, ironically creepy, haha
With all this going for it, I was really disappointed with the ending. It does have a happy ending (ah geez, I hope I didn't spoil it for you), but not in the way I wanted it to be. Ah well, it was definitely an enjoyable watch, and good escape from the hunger pains I endured during the beginning of my flight :)
The movie starts out as a cartoon, which was cute, and then when the characters are thrown into NYC it goes to real life. Props to the whole cast, to be honest. I later found out that the main dude's girlfriend was Idina Menzel, none other than the lady who played the Wicked Witch in the stage production of Wicked, way cool...unfortunately she didn't sing one note, what's with that? She totally would have stole the show, which I guess is why they probably cut any parts she might have sang during. James Marsden was so dreamy in a I'm-ignorantly-and-blissfully-in-love-with-my-lady prince, so yeah, ironically creepy, haha
With all this going for it, I was really disappointed with the ending. It does have a happy ending (ah geez, I hope I didn't spoil it for you), but not in the way I wanted it to be. Ah well, it was definitely an enjoyable watch, and good escape from the hunger pains I endured during the beginning of my flight :)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Party Girl (1995)
A film I had never heard of until the other day, starring Parker Posey is apparently a cult film. Cult film and Parker Posey I had to check it out. I have to say it was alright, Parker has some funny moments but overall I'd say it's a flat film. It's just the feel the film has. It's definitely low-budget, which is obvious in both script and shooting, but it does have a bit of the low-budget charm, just nothing that makes it stand out from every other low-budget film with charm.
The casts wardrobe made this film worth watching. Checking out styles from the mid-90s are hilarious, mostly because this is the style that is coming back right now...so watching it makes it feel I should be taking fashion notes. I think H&M must have watched this movie to get tips, ha.
The casts wardrobe made this film worth watching. Checking out styles from the mid-90s are hilarious, mostly because this is the style that is coming back right now...so watching it makes it feel I should be taking fashion notes. I think H&M must have watched this movie to get tips, ha.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Let's All Hate Toronto (2007)
This was a decent documentary about why all of Canada hates the city of Toronto and its people. I personally don't have too much of an outstanding beef with the place, but I found the concept to this film cute. It's pretty much a film you shouldn't take seriously because it pokes fun of itself through and through. I like how they gave my hometown Hamilton credit for hating Toronto the most vehemently, haha...Footage shot at Ivor Wynne stadium was hilarious and totally captures how a local North Hamiltonian behaves...don't be looking in my direction I'm more in the South-Western area :)
The majority of the film is about the protagonist going from coast to coast to learn about why Canadians hate Toronto, and to try and shed some light on their deriding sentiment.
The film doesn't try to be serious political or anything, if anything this film is just about the filmmakers enjoying their trip across Canada and connecting with people from different areas of our country and being silly at the same time. Hey, if I could find funding to do the same, I'd be there in a second.
The majority of the film is about the protagonist going from coast to coast to learn about why Canadians hate Toronto, and to try and shed some light on their deriding sentiment.
The film doesn't try to be serious political or anything, if anything this film is just about the filmmakers enjoying their trip across Canada and connecting with people from different areas of our country and being silly at the same time. Hey, if I could find funding to do the same, I'd be there in a second.
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
I really enjoyed this movie, it was a helluva roller coaster ride. Paul Greengrass really knows what he's doing when it come to the action/thriller genre. Every cut seemed to be flawless, and effortlessly assembled. Maybe if I speak even more in it's praise you'll think I'll bullshit? But it's true, this movie rocks out! Acting was intense too. Props to David Strathairn for being a kickass evil dude! Lady actresses seemed willowy with what they were given, the script totally could have given Julia Stiles at least one scene where she could pistol whip some CIA henchman, but no, her scenes demanded that she looks worried and longingly into Matt Damon's eyes, and then run frantically from her potential killer, what gives!
On an artistic note, I found the colouring very interesting. It comprised mostly blues, cold tones giving the film a very somber feel. Also I really loved the real locations that are used throughout the film. When Damon walks out of the Paris subway station toward the "Gare du Nord" it made me feel special that I had walked up those exact steps around 18 months ago (I totally have something in common with Matt Damon, sweet). Also shots of London were wicked, and make me excited for my upcoming trip there....at least I won't have a sniper looming behind my back, like somebody else.
All in all, I recommend this movie, because it's totally enjoyable, it's a popcorn movie for sure, but it's so thrilling that you'll feel more CIA savvy than before!
On an artistic note, I found the colouring very interesting. It comprised mostly blues, cold tones giving the film a very somber feel. Also I really loved the real locations that are used throughout the film. When Damon walks out of the Paris subway station toward the "Gare du Nord" it made me feel special that I had walked up those exact steps around 18 months ago (I totally have something in common with Matt Damon, sweet). Also shots of London were wicked, and make me excited for my upcoming trip there....at least I won't have a sniper looming behind my back, like somebody else.
All in all, I recommend this movie, because it's totally enjoyable, it's a popcorn movie for sure, but it's so thrilling that you'll feel more CIA savvy than before!
Friday, January 04, 2008
Juno (2007)
I rather enjoyed this film. The beginning half I found annoying with it's clever wit, but by the midway point the dialogue had settle into a more comfortable pace. Juno has a very indie feel to it, which felt very deliberate...I think in the not too future (possibly present) time these "indie" films can be studied for what they represent and portray. There's something predictable about these films. Last year's "indie gem" was Little Miss Sunshine. These are not bad films, but they're just as formulaic, and as more as released I wonder what's the point. Just as the Romantic Comedy genre was ruined by Britney Murphy, Kate Hudson etc, I think the Indie Film will eventually be on the edge of ruin if they keep churning out meatloaf like this.
I guess that was just a tip of the iceburg of my genre criticism, but to be fair Juno is a really enjoyable film. It's well acted, well written, and well directed. Special attention to Jennifer Garner for her role, I really believed her need for a baby. The soundtrack was very catchy, in the indie-genre (I'm-going-to-try-not-to-criticize this); I may buy this next week when it's released. A lot of people have been raving about Michael Cera's performance in this film. Yeah, it's good, but I don't think it's anything extraordinary or different from what he's already done.
Ah well, I say check out this film because you probably will enjoy it. I think I've become jaded because I've seen my share of indie films over the past few years.
I guess that was just a tip of the iceburg of my genre criticism, but to be fair Juno is a really enjoyable film. It's well acted, well written, and well directed. Special attention to Jennifer Garner for her role, I really believed her need for a baby. The soundtrack was very catchy, in the indie-genre (I'm-going-to-try-not-to-criticize this); I may buy this next week when it's released. A lot of people have been raving about Michael Cera's performance in this film. Yeah, it's good, but I don't think it's anything extraordinary or different from what he's already done.
Ah well, I say check out this film because you probably will enjoy it. I think I've become jaded because I've seen my share of indie films over the past few years.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Margot at the Wedding (2007)
Wow, this is one of those movies that is hard to wrap your head around. It was honestly the most melodrama I think I've experienced in a 90 minute stretch. I felt so unnerved by the end of it I pledged I would never act like that around my family. I'm thinking this is director Noah Baumbach's intention because he's no stranger to these situations in his films. It's hard to say I enjoyed this film because the characters are just so erratic and rude, but at the same time it shows such a truthful ugly side of humanity. The portrayals of the characters by the cast was beautifully done with special nods to Jennifer Jason Leigh and John Turturro (who, granted was only there for 5 minutes, but totally rocked it). Jack Black had an unconvincing crying scene, who my friend told me later that's how boy's cry (I still think it was bad acting). Also, aside from that, the only thing that bugged me was the unstable camera composition. I understand maybe Baumbach was trying to illustrate the family's unrest with a shaky cam, but I think it was used cheaply.
The film's ending was really open, in that I was interested to see how the character's resolved their melodrama. Up until the final minutes there was so much that wasn't explained about the actions of the characters. It's interesting how Baumbach uses this lack of information given to pull in the audience with suspense. The film is such a snapshot of these characters' lives that you never get a chance to understand fully their ideas and desires.
I guess I recommend this film if you are interested in a family melodrama case study. Beware feelings of anxiety that may come while watching it.
The film's ending was really open, in that I was interested to see how the character's resolved their melodrama. Up until the final minutes there was so much that wasn't explained about the actions of the characters. It's interesting how Baumbach uses this lack of information given to pull in the audience with suspense. The film is such a snapshot of these characters' lives that you never get a chance to understand fully their ideas and desires.
I guess I recommend this film if you are interested in a family melodrama case study. Beware feelings of anxiety that may come while watching it.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
49th Parallel (1941)
This is one of those films that you've never heard of before but has a cast and director that ring a bell. It's funny when these kinds of films pop up because they're kind of fringe classics, i guess, because their not on any top movie lists. That being said 49th Parallel is a decently solid film, but understandable not an all-time classic. Directed by Michael Powell who's one of the greatest British directors and with a smart cast, including Laurence Olivier and Leslie Howard, it's almost a surprise this film doesn't get more recognition beyond the film elite. I think what holds this film back is it's too contemporary in it's time. The film takes place during World War II, right before the American's joined the Allies. My brief readings told me this film was made in efforts to convince the American's that they need to join the war. I find this ironic because the film takes place in Canada, and Americans don't share all the same values as Canadians.
Enjoyable scenes in the film: Laurence Olivier playing a French-Canadian fur-trapper was so funny. His accent was ridiculous, but he really got into which was awesome. Leslie Howard playing a Native Indian historian, not caring when the German's threaten to shoot him, but has a hissy fit when they destroy his paintings and literature, haha. Any scene where Canadians are portrayed as defenseless, yet rational human beings who offer any stranger food and lodging whenever they bump into the German's. Now I know we're supposed to be friendly, but I think that image of hospitality is probably pushing it.
Minor inconvenience, the plot dragged on at times, but overall it was a smooth pace.
What I found interesting about this film is that it's a British film portraying Canadian values. I don't think I've seen a film like this before, so it was kind of cool to see how another country sees us besides the awful misrepresentation made by any American films.
I say check out this film is the above subject matter paints your fancy.
Enjoyable scenes in the film: Laurence Olivier playing a French-Canadian fur-trapper was so funny. His accent was ridiculous, but he really got into which was awesome. Leslie Howard playing a Native Indian historian, not caring when the German's threaten to shoot him, but has a hissy fit when they destroy his paintings and literature, haha. Any scene where Canadians are portrayed as defenseless, yet rational human beings who offer any stranger food and lodging whenever they bump into the German's. Now I know we're supposed to be friendly, but I think that image of hospitality is probably pushing it.
Minor inconvenience, the plot dragged on at times, but overall it was a smooth pace.
What I found interesting about this film is that it's a British film portraying Canadian values. I don't think I've seen a film like this before, so it was kind of cool to see how another country sees us besides the awful misrepresentation made by any American films.
I say check out this film is the above subject matter paints your fancy.
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