5 out of 5
(in Spanish with English subtitles): Sin Nombre is a gorgeous movie that packs an emotional punch as it follows the immigrant trail from South America to the USA. The film, like its name works on multiple levels. “Without a Name”, what was intended to be the temporary title for the film ended up being a permanent one as it worked on multiple levels – the alienation of immigrants coming to a new country, the reinvention of a person when they join a gang, and perhaps a movie that wanted to leave the moral judgments for the audience to make themselves.
The film traces two independent story lines – one of a young man who is part of a gang and another of a young girl who joins her father and uncle to immigrate to America. Eventually, on a train that represents one of the most dangerous immigrant journeys and has claimed many lives in reality, these two characters meet. But assuming that this is a clean romance, would be wrong. The director had more in mind than a simple love story about two people coming together.
Instead, the movie is more complex. Love is an element of the film, but not its main focus. Lost love, future love, the love for one’s family, or for friends who become like a family are all examined in turn. As is infatuation, and the mistaken love for authority which embraces violence and cruelty. But the film does not stop there. It realistically depicts two of the bigger challenges of modern day South America – the plague of gangs and the ambition of immigration to America – both solutions to the social, economic, and political problems that many countries in that part of the world face.
There are some difficult moments to watch and to face. There is violence, often pointless and cruel. There are also tender moments, some of which you can hardly believe exist, in a background of situations that are so difficult to deal with, that they seem to strip all humanity out of humans. A heartfelt and emotional mix of tender and cruel, this film is a gem. Backed by convincing acting by the two main leads – Paulina Gaitán and Edgar Flores, the struggles of the characters in the film stay with you long after.
Overall, Sin Nombre is a highly recommended film that is worth seeing for the gorgeous cinematography alone.
Showing posts with label film / movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film / movie. Show all posts
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Where the Wild Things Are Film
3 out of 5
Based on a children’s illustrated book by Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are is the story of a young boy and what happens when his loneliness and inability to connect with his family turn inward towards his imagination. Reminiscent of the classic film “The NeverEnding Story” with various furry creatures, this movie surpasses its predecessor in many ways. But in some, it falls short.
The film is technically brilliant with the beast characters being quite convincingly playing alongside the human boy. The landscape of the majority of the film is beautiful and defies reality. Coupled with some excellent music choices, the atmosphere is set for an interesting ride. However, there is an uneasiness of the film that stems from the confusion of whether it is for adults or for children. There is a hint of “Lord of the Rings”-style events happening in the background, if the main character and his wild things are left to their own devices.
The film stops short of blood and gore, but that’s partly due to the soft animal aspect of the wild beasts. Instead of blood, their “stuffing of feathers” comes out when they are hurt. Yet, there are still some scenes which feel too mature for children as they are a bit unnerving even for adults. The emotional issues that Max has, stemming perhaps from his loneliness or the usual challenges of growing up are never fully addressed. His own violent tendencies, the casual [violence that he is a victim of by his sister’s friends, and the mild violence that the wild things also display without too much of a thought are all disturbing. And that uneasy feeling does not go away during the film, especially since none of these tendencies are really explained or resolved.
What is also a challenge in a movie such as this is the line between reality and imagination. A line that is very fuzzy with the viewer left to assume what has and has not occurred and what is a symptom of something else. With modern day eyes, it’s easy to go down the slippery slope of analyzing the movie the way perhaps a child psychologist would. And that further complicates this film, which already is trying to juggle multiple audiences and messages.
Overall a pretty film that lacks a focus and an audience. Perhaps by trying to appeal to a wide audience, it ends up confusing the adults and scaring the kids. Despite this ambiguity, the film’s imagery and soundtrack are stunning.
Based on a children’s illustrated book by Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are is the story of a young boy and what happens when his loneliness and inability to connect with his family turn inward towards his imagination. Reminiscent of the classic film “The NeverEnding Story” with various furry creatures, this movie surpasses its predecessor in many ways. But in some, it falls short.
The film is technically brilliant with the beast characters being quite convincingly playing alongside the human boy. The landscape of the majority of the film is beautiful and defies reality. Coupled with some excellent music choices, the atmosphere is set for an interesting ride. However, there is an uneasiness of the film that stems from the confusion of whether it is for adults or for children. There is a hint of “Lord of the Rings”-style events happening in the background, if the main character and his wild things are left to their own devices.
The film stops short of blood and gore, but that’s partly due to the soft animal aspect of the wild beasts. Instead of blood, their “stuffing of feathers” comes out when they are hurt. Yet, there are still some scenes which feel too mature for children as they are a bit unnerving even for adults. The emotional issues that Max has, stemming perhaps from his loneliness or the usual challenges of growing up are never fully addressed. His own violent tendencies, the casual [violence that he is a victim of by his sister’s friends, and the mild violence that the wild things also display without too much of a thought are all disturbing. And that uneasy feeling does not go away during the film, especially since none of these tendencies are really explained or resolved.
What is also a challenge in a movie such as this is the line between reality and imagination. A line that is very fuzzy with the viewer left to assume what has and has not occurred and what is a symptom of something else. With modern day eyes, it’s easy to go down the slippery slope of analyzing the movie the way perhaps a child psychologist would. And that further complicates this film, which already is trying to juggle multiple audiences and messages.
Overall a pretty film that lacks a focus and an audience. Perhaps by trying to appeal to a wide audience, it ends up confusing the adults and scaring the kids. Despite this ambiguity, the film’s imagery and soundtrack are stunning.
Bright Star Film
5 out of 5
One of the most beautiful and dreamy films of the year, Bright Star explores how one of the most well-known British poets, John Keats, developed a relationship with a neighbour girl, Fanny Brawne. The film is gorgeously shot with beautiful colours streaming from costumes and lighting to the outside locations, including an enlightening blue forest landscape. But the stunning visual beauty of the film doesn’t take away from its emotional impact.
Just as John and Fanny begin their encounter as questioning and individualistic people, so does the viewer. But slowly, we all become seduced by the beauty of John’s poetry and passion and Fanny’s outspokenness and tenderness. Slowly but surely, we fall in love with them both just as they fall in love with each other. The passion of their relationship plays out for the viewer, with multiple obstacles being removed. Societal norms are discarded as is the advice of friends in the face of emotions that grab hold of John and Fanny. Or so we imagine. So we hope. As any movie based on a historical real life person and event, quite a bit of the movie may be fiction or pure imagination on the part of the screenwriter and director. But ultimately that does not matter. Any questions about authenticity do not dilute the emotional experience of watching youth brazen with the creative spirit and zest for life find someone who they cannot help but completely become lost in.
The movie is certainly a romantic story. Few viewers can not be seduced by the passion of John and Fanny’s relationship. But without being too obvious or saccharine sweet, the film takes a sour turn, as life so often does. The result of which is one of the best and most emotional acting displays by actress Abbie Cornish. Utterly brilliant.
Just like real love, the movie will inspire, enliven, and ultimately tragically break the viewer’s heart. But it is certainly a journey worth taking and watching. For days afterward, the words of John Keats and the magical music that accompanies the film will stay with you.
If you like Bright Star, watch All the Real Girls – a modern take starring Paul Schneider, who plays John Keat’s best friend (Charles Armitage Brown) in Bright Star.
One of the most beautiful and dreamy films of the year, Bright Star explores how one of the most well-known British poets, John Keats, developed a relationship with a neighbour girl, Fanny Brawne. The film is gorgeously shot with beautiful colours streaming from costumes and lighting to the outside locations, including an enlightening blue forest landscape. But the stunning visual beauty of the film doesn’t take away from its emotional impact.
Just as John and Fanny begin their encounter as questioning and individualistic people, so does the viewer. But slowly, we all become seduced by the beauty of John’s poetry and passion and Fanny’s outspokenness and tenderness. Slowly but surely, we fall in love with them both just as they fall in love with each other. The passion of their relationship plays out for the viewer, with multiple obstacles being removed. Societal norms are discarded as is the advice of friends in the face of emotions that grab hold of John and Fanny. Or so we imagine. So we hope. As any movie based on a historical real life person and event, quite a bit of the movie may be fiction or pure imagination on the part of the screenwriter and director. But ultimately that does not matter. Any questions about authenticity do not dilute the emotional experience of watching youth brazen with the creative spirit and zest for life find someone who they cannot help but completely become lost in.
The movie is certainly a romantic story. Few viewers can not be seduced by the passion of John and Fanny’s relationship. But without being too obvious or saccharine sweet, the film takes a sour turn, as life so often does. The result of which is one of the best and most emotional acting displays by actress Abbie Cornish. Utterly brilliant.
Just like real love, the movie will inspire, enliven, and ultimately tragically break the viewer’s heart. But it is certainly a journey worth taking and watching. For days afterward, the words of John Keats and the magical music that accompanies the film will stay with you.
If you like Bright Star, watch All the Real Girls – a modern take starring Paul Schneider, who plays John Keat’s best friend (Charles Armitage Brown) in Bright Star.
An Education Film
3 out of 5
Exploring the maturation of a young ambitious girl in 1960s London, An Education is not an easily-digested film. Nor is it a film which wraps up its message in a neat box for the viewer, despite an ending which erroneously tries to do so. Focusing on a relationship with an older man, the film subtly is informed by the reality of being a young woman during those times – the choices, the limitations and the realities. This is a time when feminism was very much in its early stages and the decision between a career and a husband seemed to be a mutually exclusive one. When the choices for women seem to be either to have a career and no personal life, or sacrifice your personal ambition leaving you completely vulnerable and tied to the man in your life. Not an easy decision, and one with which the main character, Jenny, played by the fantastic Carey Mulligan struggles with throughout the film.
Interestingly, the film also explores the morality of love and bending the rules when you believe you are doing so for all the right reasons. Whether it’s love or excitement or blind rebelliousness, it is difficult to judge any of the characters too harshly, even the older man who takes advantage, the usually underrated Peter Sarsgaard.
For all the moral qualms and ambiguous choices that the characters in the film have and all the ambiguous choices they make, the film errs in trying to make a complex story cleaner and simpler for the audience to digest. It would be easy to label the characters of the film as right or wrong. Stupid or smart. But to do so would be to miss the point. Ultimately all the people have their redeeming qualities and have made peace within themselves with their choices – some moral and some less so – but that is compromise that we all make. A compromise that is sometimes quite compromising in the name of excitement or love.
The movie accurately portrays the sometimes painful experiences of growing up. It is sometimes said that growing up first means killing the ideas and restrictions of your parents, gods, and teachers. Only then are you free from preconceptions and are able to formulate opinions and make your own decisions – right or wrong. And that is ultimately what Jenny does in the film.
Ultimately, a quality movie examining a complex situation during a time that was quite different from ours today. However one that doesn’t move the emotional needle of the audience too much in either direction – no need for tissues.
Exploring the maturation of a young ambitious girl in 1960s London, An Education is not an easily-digested film. Nor is it a film which wraps up its message in a neat box for the viewer, despite an ending which erroneously tries to do so. Focusing on a relationship with an older man, the film subtly is informed by the reality of being a young woman during those times – the choices, the limitations and the realities. This is a time when feminism was very much in its early stages and the decision between a career and a husband seemed to be a mutually exclusive one. When the choices for women seem to be either to have a career and no personal life, or sacrifice your personal ambition leaving you completely vulnerable and tied to the man in your life. Not an easy decision, and one with which the main character, Jenny, played by the fantastic Carey Mulligan struggles with throughout the film.
Interestingly, the film also explores the morality of love and bending the rules when you believe you are doing so for all the right reasons. Whether it’s love or excitement or blind rebelliousness, it is difficult to judge any of the characters too harshly, even the older man who takes advantage, the usually underrated Peter Sarsgaard.
For all the moral qualms and ambiguous choices that the characters in the film have and all the ambiguous choices they make, the film errs in trying to make a complex story cleaner and simpler for the audience to digest. It would be easy to label the characters of the film as right or wrong. Stupid or smart. But to do so would be to miss the point. Ultimately all the people have their redeeming qualities and have made peace within themselves with their choices – some moral and some less so – but that is compromise that we all make. A compromise that is sometimes quite compromising in the name of excitement or love.
The movie accurately portrays the sometimes painful experiences of growing up. It is sometimes said that growing up first means killing the ideas and restrictions of your parents, gods, and teachers. Only then are you free from preconceptions and are able to formulate opinions and make your own decisions – right or wrong. And that is ultimately what Jenny does in the film.
Ultimately, a quality movie examining a complex situation during a time that was quite different from ours today. However one that doesn’t move the emotional needle of the audience too much in either direction – no need for tissues.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Gomorrah Film
Title: Gomorrah
Rating (out of 100): 90
Mood: contemplative, sad, tragic
Website: http://www.gomorrahmovie.co.uk/
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85793/Gomorrah.html / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/cinema/gomorrah/
(Italian, with subtitles): Sort of reminds me of an Italian version of Boyz n the Hood showing the difficulties of growing up and living in a society where corruption and crime are so intrinsically tied to every aspect of life. This movie examines how life is in a society, where people are forced to make compromises yet struggle with the same emotions of all humans (the desire for self-preservation, family honour, and the ambition of youth). A fascinating, if scary and harrowing, study of several intertwined stories of various people in Italy and the choices they make when faced with such rules. Aside from the story line, which is dramatic and compelling, tragic and occasionally uplifting, the film is visually stunning. From the beginning sequence in the tanning booth to the sequence that is shot from above of a man walking through corpses, the film’s muted colours work. An overall depressing movie, but one that is very enlightening (especially the end of the movie that gives some statistics on organized crime in Italy as context).
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Choke Film
Title: Choke
Rating (out of 100): 90
Mood: happy, funny, quirky
Website: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/choke/
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85693/choke.html / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/cinema/choke/
Based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk (http://chuckpalahniuk.net/), author of Fight Club, Choke is a love story. A hilarious, oddball black comedy type of love story that will offend some viewers, but will entertain the majority. Some viewers may recognize the main character’s point of view as strikingly similar to that of Ed Norton’s character in Fight Club (especially the parts when he talks about attending his various terminal illness group therapy sessions). Not surprisingly, this movie includes a good amount of group therapy, not to mention nudity. The whole film is about a sex addict. A redeemable lovable underneath it all good guy sex addict of course. The type who became the way he was because of his complicated relationship with his mother (played by the fantastic Anjelica Huston). And who underneath it all is a guy who just wants to love and be loved. It’s an old story but told in a very new and extremely entertaining way. Some of the awkward situations are incredibly funny (anything related to the colonial farm). All in all an especially entertaining black comedy. Just don’t expect any of the visual effects or grittiness of Fight Club. Or nearly the same amount of revolution against the way things are. It’s just not that type of movie. But then again, as much as I Love Fight Club (with a capital L), how many times did you laugh out loud when watching it. That's what I thought.
Nordwand (North Face) Film
Title: Nordwand (North Face)
Rating (out of 100): 60
Mood: contemplative, sad, introspective
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/86376/north-face.html / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/cinema/north-face/
(German, with subtitles): Set in the historical context of a Germany ruled by Hitler, and based on real-life events, the movie focuses on the attempts of several climbers to conquer the north face of the Eiger - one of the most difficult (and previously unclimbed) parts of the mountain. The movie also examines the sacrifices (personal, professional) that people make in the fight for glory, whether it is the climbers, or a journalist or a photojournalist in the making. Overall, the movie is beautiful showing vast expansive mountain ranges that take your breath away. There are even some comedic moments in the early part, but the movie really takes off with the start of the actual climb. That is where you see the personal struggle within each person about what they want to achieve in life and what sacrifices they are willing to make. Overall, the movie was relatively interesting and engaging. I thought the additional element of the film (the journalist and photojournalist in the making) added to the story, rather than detracted from it. But for some reason, I couldn’t get so emotionally invested in the film. Somehow, I felt as if the audience was being kept at a distance. Without giving too much away, the movie was a bit of a downer despite the attempt to create a happy ending. All in all a decent movie, but not one of the best I’ve seen of this genre. For a mountain-type movie, some of the other movies that have been release in the past were much more beautiful.
Monday, 15 December 2008
Love and Honour Film
Title: Love and HonourRating (out of 100): 80
Mood: transported (travelled), reaffirmed faith in love
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/86453/love-and-honour.html / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/cinema/love-and-honor/
(Japanese, subtitles) – Playing at the ICA, this is the last movie of the samurai trilogy by Yoji Yamada. It’s set in the time of the samurai in Japan and shows all of the rigid social rules and family relations of that time. Ultimately a love story, the movie examines how a man who previously had power and prestige through his work, struggles to form a new identity after suffering a setback. The film is interesting in its depiction of a range of emotions – some which are socially acceptable to display and others which one must hide. From an outside perspective, it seems that all the characters are ready to perform harakiri (self mutilation / suicide) at every slight disgrace. But, the reality that the characters feel that this is their only real option is the ultimate illumination for the audience in understanding the life of people in Japan at that time.
Overall, a bit of a samurai melodramatic love story, but one that is well-acted, beautiful, and a joy to watch. Just don’t expect anything incredibly insightful or intriguing.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
What Just Happened Film
Title: What Just Happened
Rating (out of 100): 55
Mood: neutral, annoyed
Website: http://www.whatjusthappenedfilm.com/
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85682/what-just-happened.html / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/cinema/what-just-happened/
For a movie packing such star power, What Just Happened is a bit of a disappointment. It’s one of these movies where it seems that everybody gets lost in how many great and accomplished actors it includes and somehow, everybody seems to forget about the movie itself. The movie itself is about the ridiculousness of Hollywood as told through the eyes of a producer. That includes professional difficulties as well as personal, and how the line between the two is often very blurry. All in all, I’m not sure how I’m supposed to react to this movie. Am I really supposed to feel sorry for the main character (the producer) because his life is so hard? Or maybe the director because he struggles to express his artistic vision? Or maybe the ex-wive(s) of the producer, who are now living luxurious lives with their children. Or maybe, I’m supposed to feel bad for all the people who are the “little people of Hollywood”. The ones who work on the actual movies day in and day out, who have to deal with all these personalities and attitudes. Overall, a somewhat entertaining movie, but nothing too serious or too insightful.
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I’ve Loved you So Long) Film
Title: Il ya long temps que je t’aime (I’ve Loved You So Long)
Rating (out of 100): 90
Mood: strangely cathartic, tragically sad & emotional but uplifted, ready to take on big challenges
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85818/ive-loved-you-so-long.html / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/cinema/ive-loved-you-so-long/
(French, with subtitles). Fantastic movie. One of those movies that is very difficult to watch, sometimes confusing, sometimes very emotional (bring tissues) but overall uplifting. Without giving too much away, it’s a moving drama about one woman’s journey of dealing with a painful past and overcoming memories in order to move on with her life. Oddly enough, despite the profound sadness that this movie shows and the really awkward positions and desperate loneliness that its main character goes through, there is hope at the end of the movie, and that’s what makes it ultimately uplifting. It’s about redefining yourself and finding a new life and letting people close to you. Overall, a great movie. Not to mention Kristin Scott Thomas’ fantastic performance in French.
Tatil Kitabi (Summer Book) Film
Title: Tatil Kitabi (Summer Book)
Rating (out of 100): 65
Mood: relatively neutral, nothing too emotionally engaging, pensive about family obligations and limited choices
Timeout / Culture Critic: na / na
(Turkish, with subtitles). Part of London’s 14th Annual Turkish Film Festival (http://www.ltff.org.uk/) this movie shows a modern day Turkish family dealing with life and the opportunities and challenges it brings. Significantly set outside of Istanbul, in a small town, the movie watches as the patriarch of a family (substantially older than his second wife) rules the family and both his sons. We see how his second wife, his brother, and both his sons deal with his control and expectations while trying to carve out their own path in life. Overall, I found the movie to take too long to tell the story. There were some long shots where we were simply seeing the younger son walk (much too long and without a point). Rather than illuminate his situation, these moments just bored and annoyed me. However, the story of the older son as well as the wife were a bit more developed. Ultimately, it’s a story about how modern day people straddle the fine line between following their own dreams and desires while having certain limits. And it also explores the always complex relationship between siblings and family. A decent movie, but not amazing.
Summer Film
Title: Summer
Rating (out of 100): 80
Mood: pensive, sad, introspective about limitations and opportunities in life
Website: http://www.summerthemovie.co.uk/
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/86436/summer.html / na
Summer, a movie that recently came out, has won numerous awards. Set in Scotland (and therefore, with an accent that sometimes escapes me), it is the story of a middle aged man caring for his wheelchair bound best friend and his son, while dealing with his own memories of a happier past. The movie is interesting in how it flashes back and forth between a happy history of childhood, that then becomes a more confusing history of young adulthood and ultimately leads to a difficult (but not entirely unhappy) middle age. The movie shows how children who may have some learning disabilities and disciplinary problems often slip through the cracks. It is up to us to decide whether we blame the school system, the parents, or the children themselves. All in all an engaging drama that has some interesting moments of real human connection, but left me hanging (and wondering what if, and what would happen) at the end.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Desierto Adentro (The Desert Within) Film
Title: Desierto Adentro (The Desert Within)
Rating (out of 100): 60
Mood: disturbed, sad, quiet
Website: http://www.discoveringlatinamerica.com/dlaff/schedule/event.php?id=217&date=2008-12-03&limit=9
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85952/the-desert-within.html / na
(Spanish with subtitles). – Part of the Discovering Latin American Movie Festival in London (through Dec 7) - saw this yesterday. What an incrediblly imaginative, dark and disturbing movie. It's like watching a train crash but slow motion. You know what's going to happen as there are clues along the way inevitably but you still can't help but watch it. The combination of drawing / real life imagery was definitely inventive and beautiful as was the desert landscape and setting of the movie. Overall, a very disturbing movie about faith and guilt. The religious overtones of the whole movie got to be a bit much for me but it's interesting how the film even incorporates a quote from Nietzsche. Overall, while there was much emotional drama in the film, it almost seemed like a soap opera. Overly dramatic. And even though it was beautiful, it was incredibly disturbing. I'm sure I'm a "better person" with eyes that are more open after having seen the film, but overall it was not one of my favorites. At the end, I felt disturbed but benefitting from any emotional catharsis.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Easy Virtue Film
Title: Easy Virtue
Rating (out of 100): 65
Mood: neutral, nothing too emotionally engaging, fanciful
Website: http://www.easyvirtuethemovie.co.uk/
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/86024/easy-virtue.html / na
I saw this film accidentally thinking that I was going to see Tropic Thunder. Imagine my surprise when I saw a different film title than I was expecting, and then further realizing that it was too late to do anything but sit and watch the film. Despite the sometimes annoying points about the film (especially the clichéd mother in law and new wife relationship) the film proved more entertaining than I expected. It hinted at, but didn’t go into too much depth about the Great War but did effectively show its effects on the soldiers that came out alive. And while the ending may offend some, it was inevitably hinted at throughout the whole movie and I found it surprisingly charming. Jessica Biel gives an effective performance, as do Collin Firth (nice to see him play a sad pessimistic type) and Kristin Scott Thomas. Out of 5, I give it a 3 1/5. Lacks any emotional depth – whether it’s sadness or enlightenment or joy or drama, but is a relatively enjoyable and easy watch. The type that my parents would enjoy – the type that you don’t have to get too emotionally charged or invested in.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno Film
Title: Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Rating (out of 100): 85
Mood: happy, uplifted, giggly, loving
Website: http://www.zachandmiri.com/
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/86022/zack-and-miri-make-a-porno.html / na
I am a sucker for Judd Apatow-type American comedy movies and / or Seth Rogen movies. Both reliably make me laugh and completely transport me out of dark / gloomy London. Starring Elizabeth Banks (whom I love, from Scrubs, the 40-year old Virgin, and other series / movies) and Seth Rogen, the movie tells a predicable story of how love transforms itself unexpectedly (although quite expectedly for the audience). But the fact that you know what’s going to happen doesn’t ruin the ride, at least for me. The movie does earn some street cred for using real porn starts, past and present, most notably Katie Morgan and Traci Lords. The other main actors, who will be familiar from other Judd Apatow and Kevin Smith movies do a fine turn, as does the hilarious Tisha Campbell-Martin. While the title of the movie makes us think that it will be about porn and sex, it is actually about love (surprise). Overall, a very enjoyable (if predictable) comedy that had me laughing out loud. Kudos on the fantastic soundtrack which included DMX and Live.
Lovesickness (Mal de Amores) Film
Title: Lovesickness (Mal de Amores)
Rating (out of 100): 90
Mood: happy, uplifted, introspective
Website: http://www.discoveringlatinamerica.com/dlaff/schedule/event.php?id=250&date=2008-12-01&limit=5
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85247/lovesickness.html / na
(in Spanish with Subtitles) – Part of the Discovering Latin American Movie Festival in London (through Dec 7) -Sometimes funny, other times sad, most often ridiculous, and always enjoyable, this movie hit the spot. Executive produced by Benicio Del Toro (which I imagine is the reason for Luis Guzman’s solid casting, who is most often seen in English-language movies), the movie shows separate lives and how love impacts them. Whether the characters in the movie are searching for love or finding it, or losing it, their journey is very entertaining. The audience I was watching the movie with laughed out loud several times during the movie, during the highly awkward and hilarious moments (including the oddly funny starting sequence of the distraught family whose members in reality are less interested in the recent family death than their own personal stories). The stories at both ends of the age scale (the 70 + and the teenagers) were the most enjoyable with the older actors (especially the lady) showing the feistiness and love of life that I hope to have when I’m her age. Overall, a charming and highly enjoyable movie.
Waltz with Bashir Film
Title: Waltz with Bashir
Rating (out of 100): 100
Mood: entranced, introspective, moody, “in a funk”, contemplative about life, death and inequalities around the world
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/85858/waltz-with-bashir.html / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/cinema/waltz-with-bashir/
(in Hebrew & Arabic with Subtitles) - I saw this movie a few months ago when it first came out in Paris. It blew my mind. Aside from the always interesting and incredibly complex subject matter of Israeli and Palestinian relations, the animation is incredibly gorgeous and the music was fantastically moody. The whole plot of a person who participated in an experience that haunts him years later so much so that he decides to investigate what occurred and his own actions in it is amazing. I do appreciate the introspectiveness of the movie (am I guilty, could I have done something else) as well as the investigation into how participating in the killings affected not only those who were killed and their families but those who perpetrated the killings (willingly or not). However, as my French is less than fluent, I am looking forward to seeing this moving with English subtitles in London to fully grasp the movie for all its glory as well as relive the awesome beauty surrounding it. It’s strange that a movie about such a sad subject can be so beautiful and moving on a purely aesthetic and musical level, but maybe because of the difficult and bloody subject matter, the artistic qualities of the movie make its subject matter easier to digest. It is emotional without completely overwhelming, except for the end sequence, the only part that is not in animation and which is indeed incredibly difficult to watch. For such a serious subject, it was a weirdly uplifting and emotionally recharging movie. I loved it and definitely cried my fair share (especially at the end). What a fantastic achievement.
Update: so I saw the movie in English last night and it was even better when I fully understood everything. The visuals and the soundtrack / songs were equally as awesome as the first time I saw / heard them. Especially the songs with lyrics (which I imagine were real songs from that time). An odd sitenote is that I have been to Lebanon and Beirut twice and walked past some Palestinian camps as well as the Hippodrome that they mention in the movie. What an incredibly beautiful (and destroyed) and complex country.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)