CHANGES IN THE BLOG!

Hey there ladies and gents!

I hope you are all doing well and watching plenty of movies! Me I'm fine - and excited about a couple of cool features I've added.

First of all, I am rather disheartened about your retisence to sharing your thoughts on the topic in hand with me. So I have made it simpler : beneath each post you will see three options "fun" - as in you enjoyed reading the post "want to see this" as in, well, self explanatory and "disagree" as in you think I'm talking through my proverbial hat. Just one click if you're that-a-way inclined! (Feel free to expand on that in comments!)

Secondly, you will see a couple of familiar logos under each post, blogger, twitter, facebook and the like. Those are for those of you who want to share any of the posts you particularly like on any of said mediums.

That's the news for now, much much love and I hope you enjoy this weeks' updates!

Essie

JEDIS WITH FLOWER POWER AND "MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS"

Haha, well, we’ve all heard a bit of hype about this one, right? I don’t believe in hype, but I must say, I was curious. I mean, George Clooney, Edward Norton, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon… I must admit, one DOES get curious. Common sense alone dictates that this should make for quite an awesome movie – all the actors have proved their abilities as far as comedy is concerned on numerous occasions… The actual result in this case is, however, “mixed”. I’m not saying it’s a bad or boring movie (or why would I review it) but it is definitely DEFINITELY not to everybody’s tastes…
Bob Wilton (Edward Norton) is a reporter that is down on pretty much everything. His wife has run off with his editor, killing his family life and career in one fell swoop. He is (understandably) depressed. He decides to make a drastic change in his life if only to shake things up a bit. And thus heads off to Iraq (story is set in the mid 2000’s – yikes, I actually said that). There, pure chance (or possibly fate) brings him face to face with Lynn Cassidy (George Clooney). Now Lynn is part of a top secret team of soldiers: the New World Army. The New World Army is the result of the US army’s efforts to train “psychic soldiers” – with actual super powers. But the New World Army is not an army in the classical sense. Oh no, lead by Bill Django (Jeff Bridges) they wish to bring peace and respect to earth – think the spirit of the 70’s revived – only have super powers. Now Bob may be depressed but he recognizes a story when he sees it. So he follows Lynn out into the desert on his latest mission. The experience will prove, in a word, life changing.
Now, the only thing that actually got me through this film is my love, nay, obsession with absurd comedy. It’s a very good example of the genre too; a fact I was able to discern even though I was almost dead on my feet when I watched it. I didn’t actually laugh out loud but was genuinely amused by most of the film. But on the other hand my Mom (who was watching it with me) waltzed off in the middle of said film and went to bed – completely uninterested in finding out what might happen in the end (and to be honest at that point it could be absolutely ANYTHING. Go for it if you’re into something experimental, non linear and absurd. Or if you’re a George Clooney or Edward Norton fan. Can’t say fairer than that…

ON THE WATERFRONT

So, I know that people are generally speaking divided when it comes to classical cinema. Some love it, some find it dated and boring. I frankly am in the former group. For me it is a case not only of enjoyment but also study. It’s fascinating to watch the themes and values of yesteryear, not to mention snapshots of life – for art does imitate life. (Or vice versa. The two are incredibly similar at any rate ;) ). I like to slip in a review of these every once in a while for those of you who like a change. Well, we have before us a whopping 8 Oscar ® winner by master director Elia Kazan starring acting legend Marlon Brando. Oh yes, it’s back to the 50’s…
So, meet Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando). He once dreamt of being a prize fighter but it’s all over now; his new career is as a longshoreman on the docks. He has an easy life, the dockers’ union is run by corrupt gangster Johnny Friendly(Oscar® winning actor Lee J. Cobb) likes him and keeps him around for errands. In any case, his older brother is high up in the gang as well, thus life is good. Malloy’s relatively easy life is disrupted when he unknowingly becomes accessory to the murder of a guy he knows. Then he is brought together with Edie (Oscar® winning actress Eva Marie Saint) the sister of the murdered man and falls for her. Edie, with the help of the parish priest Father Barry (Oscar® winning actor Karl Madden) is trying to expose Johnny Friendly’s gang and find the truth behind her brothers’ murder. Terry is now squarely caught between his conscience and his “family” loyalties. And his is the “casting vote”…
Now, this film comes with the classical disclaimers inherent to all black and white films. This is 1954 people, NO special effects, no color and slightly exaggerated acting are our buzz words of the day. However, on a story level it’s an exciting gangster good vs evil story. On the level of acting, it’s faultless. Ok, they carry the marks of their era but the entire cast was either nominated or won Oscars® for their performances in this film. And I feel, well, this was the best acting of an era condensed, shit, it’s the best acting of quite a few eras condensed it’s worth watching on that merit alone! And then of course, just incidentally, there’s the presence and mastery of director Elia Kazan. The metaphors and the ways they’re portrayed (you don’t need to be a media studies graduate to pick up on them) are beautiful, elegant. And it’s a very good analysis of the human soul, of the ordinary man. You’ll find a lot in it. All you have to do is get over your prejudices…

PERSEPOLIS

Ok, yet another film that was much hyped about. Some of you may have turned up your noses at it because it’s an animation. Others may have thought it an “unorthodox” way of telling a very serious story. I am a great fan of graphic novels and animations and I sincerely think you should try this one out. Marjane Satrapi (the author, narrator and heroine of our story) is a true original, a successful artist and has a story worth listening to. It just happens to also be the story of one of the greatest political upheavals in modern history.
Marjane was born in Tehran in 1969, and was the child of a liberal family. Her Uncle was in prison for actions concerning his communist ideology, Marjana competes with other children as to whose relatives have been in prison longer, they harass the child of an unpopular government official, in short she has a normal albeit slightly politicized childhood. She is 10 and slightly too young to understand what exactly has happened when the Islamic Fundamentalists win the elections in 1979. Soon the strict laws we are all familiar with from afar are in place. Marjane however burns with the need to express herself and undergoes such unorthodox and dangerous activities such as buying Western music on the black market and wearing a denim jacket. Her family finally sees that Marjane will not stop searching for herself and send her to Vienna to study where she can at least do it without getting arrested. And search Marjane will, getting into all manner of dangers and adventures both in Europe and back in Iran.
What I enjoyed the most about Marjane Satrapi’s narrative is the fact that she never once loses her sense of humor. This of course is partly thanks to the medium she has chosen – animation always gives one the opportunity to “bend” reality slightly and insert emotions into events. But one cannot help noticing how much of an original Marjane truly is. Her narrative is honest and open, cuts no corners and sugars no pills. And if you think her tales in Europe are any less fascinating than those in Iran – think again! It is a voyage of self discovery and adventure – and then momentary adaptation when she heads back to Iran for a couple of years! I always find personal stories set against great events truly fascinating. Because the greater the event grows so big, the greater number very important details are swept away. Personal stories like this give us perspective. And sincere accounts like this one give us a good perspective on how it was like to really be there, growing up and coming of age in a dramatically changing Iran…

“ “I SHOT MY WIFE… PROVE IT” / FRACTURE ”

OK, so this isn’t actually very err… “scientific” or “objective” but there are some actors I qualify as “lucky charms”. If they are in them, chances are I’ll watch it. And probably love it. Now, common sense dictates that even unqualified acting legends have their off-days, but I just don’t seem to see it. I’m thinking of Sir Anthony Hopkins. I love him. I don’t remember an Anthony Hopkins film I didn’t like. Especially if said film is a particularly juicy “whodunit”. Well, I call it a whodunit but that’s not really a fair assessment. Who dun it is quite obvious, the question to be asked is “howhashedunit”. Not very grammatical, but a fair question given the circumstances…
And “the circumstances” are as follows: Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins) is a rich and successful businessman. He has a luxurious Hollywood home and a beautiful wife he absolutely adores, that’s about all a man could ask for from life, no? Well, in this case, no. She is cheating on him, having an affair with a police detective no less. Now, Ted is literally heartbroken. And the only punishment that fits the crime, in Ted’s opinion, is capital punishment. He executes (hoho) this plan without delay, and shoots his wife at point blank range in the face (ouch). He was the only other person in the house, they have witnesses seeing them enter the house alone and who testify no one else entered or left the house… Ted even surprises everyone by signing a confession. For ambitious assistant D.A. Willy Beachum (and for everyone else concerned – Ryan Gosling by the way) it looks like an open and shut case. All the better for Willy – he needs to tie this last case up before he goes off to work at a swanky law firm for a fat paycheck. So imagine Willy’s surprise when Ted Crawford suddenly changes his plea to “not guilty” and all the evidence (including the signed confession) starts to vanish (in the legal sense) before his very eyes… If Willy doesn’t want Mr. Crawford to get away with murder – thus forcing him to wave goodbye to the most lucrative job opportunity he’ll ever face, never mind the humiliation of it all – he has to use ALL his shark powers…
OK, so you don’t exactly win 9 Primetime Emmys without knowing how to keep your audience glued to their seats, as director Gregory Hoblit demonstrates. Of course he is the director of the Oscar nominated film Primal Fear – so it’s not entirely unexpected. The film is very VERY intelligently constructed. So much so that the “crux” of the whole thing is mind-numbingly simple in the end to the point that I almost yelled “God, I should have thought of that!” It’s not too too courtroomy either so even those of us who don’t watch this genre will be able to follow it without getting bored or losing track. Plus of course there’s a love interest for Ryan Gosling in the shape of a very cool female shark played by Rosamund Pike, but I’ll let you discover that thread in the plot as you go along… The acting is… Well, the way you would expect with that caliber of actor. Anthony Hopkins makes an absolutely marvelous villain don’t you think? A great film to get your blood pumping and keep you happily occupied of an evening…

RESCUE DAWN

Rescue Dawn – or rather writing it’s review – is one of those jobs I keep meaning to get round to and failing miserably. So now I’m in the mood for a bit of writing and have the time, I’m just riding the wave ;) This can be qualified as one of the most extraordinary true stories I have ever heard. Master director Werner Herzog and talented actor Christian Bale tell the unbelievable story of Dieter Dengler, one of only two survivors who escaped from the Pathet Lao prison camp in Laos, during the Vietnam war.
On Febuary the 1.st 1966, Lt. Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale in the film) was shot down over Laos. His fate is similar to that of all prisoners of war at the time; he is arrested by peasants and taken to the Pathet Lao prison camp. There, he meets seven other prisoners of war, Americans and Thai civilians (who worked as “kickers” with the army – a kicker, by the way, is a person whose job at that time was to kick pallets of rice and food down the plane to aid refugees in the Peace Corps thank you Wikipedia for enlightening me on that one!). Anyway, so, there thy are, in the prison camp, but Dengler is determined not to stay there – so the group rallies and an escape plan is soon made. The plan is executed with heroism but they are very far from being “out of the woods”… Because their actual prison is the jungle itself and getting out of it is going to take even more determination than the getting out of the prison…
Now, I want to add a disclaimer here. Researching this film, I have found numerous claims the film is quite inaccurate on a lot of counts – especially the way one of the POWs, Eugene DeBruin is portrayed. Here, you can find a critique by the families of the other prisoners of war on the matter, but although the link comes first, I would save it for later and click here to read more about Dieter Dengler, and don't forget to scroll down and check his fellow inmates if you have the time – or maybe you would like to try here to read an excerpt of his book “Escape from Laos”. And I would watch the film, it is a VERY exciting Hollywood film. (Possibly “Hollywood Film” is the key word here – you cannot help but notice certain "Hollywoodisms" in it.)Just bare in mind it is “based on” true events as opposed to a “true story”. A good work of fiction and not an actual, factual account. Besides, it pushed me to do quite a lot of research on the matter and has brought to light, for me personally anyway, an incredible story of determination and survival, not just on the part of Dieter Dengler but for all the men – even those who struggled heroically but didn’t make it home… It’s also a stunning reminder of the horrors of war and the man’s capacity for cruelty to his fellow man. A topic I seem to be repeating myself on but then again… It’s one of those things you can’t really repeat enough…

HEAR MY STORY "BEFORE NIGHT FALLS"

Ha ha, ok I’ve had far too much escapism and not enough true stories lately. And they (true stories) were supposed to be a tradition of this blog as well! Now, I have just realized – to my dismay – that the year 2000 was actually 10 years ago. It’s an incredibly scary thought and also the year this film was made. It seems to have made quite a lot of noise in its’ day, its lead actor Javier Bardem was showered with awards and nominations from many prestigious festivals and societies (respectively a win from the Venice film festival and nominations both for an Oscar® and a Golden Globe). Its later Oscar® nominated director (for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) Julian Schnabel truly established himself. And it was noticed in “political cinema” circles as well; for the story of the film is the true life and times of Cuban poet Reinaldo Arrenas – and a stinging criticism of the Cuban political system.
Reinaldo Arrenas was born to a very poor family in Cuba. Although in his early youth he feels close to Fidel and the revolutionaries, he very quickly falls foul with the system for he turns out to be a passionate writer and poet – and a homosexual. And the more he grows into his own skin, the less the regime likes him… Years spent in hiding, persecution and a terrible stint in prison are the events that mark the rest of his life. All this, however, doesn’t stop him publishing his work abroad – work that has been smuggled out illegally. Needless to say, this also is frowned upon by the regime. Arrenas is 37 when finally, in 1980, he is “allowed to leave” (this, of course, is during the Mariel boatlift; click here for more information on that one) He is thus extradited to the USA where he spends 10 more years before dying of AIDS in 1990, aged only 47. During the remaining 10 years of his life, he never ceases to speak out against the regime in Cuba, although his delicate state of health and depression keep him from writing a lot. In a suicide note that was meant for publication, he encourages the Cuban people to keep fighting against the regime to be free. “I” he finishes “already am.”
Well, what can I say… Before Night Falls (inspired by Arrenas’ biography of the same name incidentally. Check this out for more on his life and the Amazon links for some of his works – I’m most definitely going after them!) hum, I’ve lost my chain of thought, I’ll begin again; ok, Before Night Falls (I was about to say) is what I could almost call a time-capsule. The director, the actors, the story it all works in such perfect harmony that you find yourself in Cuba of the revolution. Real live images of the day, Castro’s speeches, Che Guevara in the background all construct a beautiful picture of Arenas’ Cuba. And of course the picture we see is not always beautiful. The poetry, the atmosphere, Javier Bardem himself… We are swept along for the two-hour ride and reach the end shaken and changed. I am in the bizarre position of feeling as if I have watched a good film and read a good book at the same time… And I will definitely be looking for more of Arrenas’ work. I will now do something slightly irregular and leave you with a quote from the movie. Now, I have not been able to confirm whether this was actually written by Arrenas or not, but it suits the mood of the film so well… And some of the descriptions of writing feel so close to my heart I simply had to share it with you all… And hey, maybe it’ll give you that extra push to go out and find the movie!

“Walking along streets that collapse from crumbling sewers. Past buildings that you jump to avoid because they will fall on you. Past grim faces that size you up and sentence you. Past closed shops, closed markets, closed cinemas, closed parks, closed cafes. Sometimes showing dusty signs, justifications: "CLOSED FOR RENOVATION," "CLOSED FOR REPAIRS." What kind of repairs? When will these so-called renovations be finished? When at last will they begin? Closed... closed... closed... everything closed. I arrive, open the countless padlocks and run up the temporary stairs. There she is, waiting for me. I pull off the cover, and stare at her dusty, cold shape I clean off the dust and caress her. With my hand, delicately, I wipe clean her back, her base and her sides. In front of her, I feel desperate and happy. I run my fingers over her keyboard and suddenly it all starts up. With a tinkling sound the music begins, little by little, then faster; now full speed. Walls, trees, streets, cathedrals, faces and beaches. Cells, mini- cells, huge cells. Starry nights, bare feet, pines, clouds. Hundreds, thousands, millions of parrots. A stool, a climbing plant, they all answer my call, all come to me. The walls recede, the roof vanishes, and you float quite naturally. You float uprooted, dragged off, lifted high. Transported, immortalized, saved. Thanks to that subtle, continuous rhythm, that music, that incessant tap-tap.”

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Oh No! I hear you cry. Surely not. That wonderful literary classic turned into some Hollywood war-flick? A follow up to The Hurt Locker maybe? Whatever next… Well I’m pretty sure there are a few such re-makes although I cannot name them off the top of my head. And (I hang my head in shame) I haven’t actually read the book either. Something I must correct incidentally. However, what I did come across was an absolute classic of a re-make. Filmed in (wait for it) 1928; this little gem (as I often seem to call films I like but I don’t mean to repeat myself he, he) actually won an Oscar® in the 1929-1930 Oscars®.
Now, before I get stuck into it, a warning to all you viewers: this one is kinda for cinephiles only. The fact that it was actually filmed in 1928 should give you a good idea as to why. Black and white (it is re-mastered but we are the generation of 3D and CGI, you don’t think it’ll feel much different but believe me, it will if you’re under a certain age). NO special effects. Rather stuffy acting with slightly over-done facial expressions (a remnant of the age were Movies were not Talkies yet. Facial expressions were all they had to express themselves with). Very slow editing and bad connections from one scene to the next; and that makes the storyline a touch hard to follow if you haven’t read the book. Almost two hours long. I mean, make your own mind up but I personally might not have gone through with it, if I hadn’t seen it of more of an intellectual challenge and learning curve. In short, a fascinating period piece – but not for “general consumption.
Well, I guess we all know the story. It is the story of a class of boys, who at 18, are “carried away” by their teachers patriotic speech and enlist “en masse”. This is the First World War. And the unsuspecting boys – along with us the viewers – are subjected to the true horrors of the trench wars…
This is possibly one of the best anti-war films ever made. As you can see it doesn’t have much of a “storyline” per se, it is one of a now almost dead breed; films made exclusively to put a message across. And in this case, the message is the horrors of war. And if you can get passed the fact of how alien it feels on a purely technical basis and get stuck in the story, you will be truly moved. You will, as you voyage with the class see everything, from a young soldiers’ first kill and the trauma thereof, to field hospitals; from the rats in the trenches, to the absolutely impossible task of finding food every day. And when you use a little imagination to think that these were the actual conditions under which wars were fought, you would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved or even seriously upset. (Let me put it this way: my mother, who had read the book and criticized the film for “jumping around” and not sticking to or explaining the chronology of events in great detail was so distressed by it she couldn’t actually watch it to the end). And of course, it gives one the chance to reflect on the state of the world today and the shameful distance we all are from living peacefully together as a planet… But I guess that’s a topic for a different blog…

KRAMER VS KRAMER

Yes, yes, I know, shocking. A disgrace. How can one possibly not have watched this… I, however, somehow managed and thus here you find me pounding away at my keyboard, in the attempt to share this films with other misfits like me or take the rest of you down memory lane… Now, I am aware of the fact that 1979 isn’t exactly an eon away but still… Check out Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman (CLICK)… My God… And while you’re at it – you remember (or if not you saw him on the dvd cover back then) that they play a couple who has a six year-old son, right? Look at him (Justin Henry) now! Haha, maybe it WAS an eon away after all… But I digress… The film was won five Oscars® and was nominated for a further 3 more (including the above-mentioned Justin Henry, quite an achievement for a six year-old I’d say!) and deserves a touch more respect.

Okey-dokey artichokey; so, Kramer vs Kramer is the story of a family – the Kramer family. Ted (Dusin Hoffman) works in advertising. He’s talented and ambitious which makes him good at his job but a far from ideal father and husband. It’s ok, he loves his family in his own way but the fact remains that he is… Absent. His wife Joanna (Meryl Streep) has become a homemaker after birth of their son Billy (Justin Henry). She is not particularly happy with her lot and Ted’s constant absence (physically and/or mentally) is not helping them solve the matter. Thus one day she just gets up and leaves – leaving her six-year old son in the care of his father. Ted is devastated by her absence and struggles to adapt to his new double-role – yet succeeds brilliantly. He is closer to his son than he has ever been, ok on the job side things slip occasionally but one has to have ones’ priorities… So all seems to be going well until Joanna shows up almost a year later… And demands to have her son back…

Now this, in my humble opinion, is a film that every cinephile should watch. It is without a doubt the first of a genre, the “granddaddy” of a lot of – if not all – modern family dramas. And when I say drama, don’t go thinking it’s a tear-jerker. I mean, you will get a bit moist round the eyes from time to time but it’s not unrealistic or overdone… It’s very realistic portrait of something that is considered commonplace back in the day – yet not so much so back in the day : Divorce. It’s effect on the children, on the couple… And also the heeling process and moving on – for everyone. And besides there are some scenes simply worth watching for the “aww” value – Justin Henry’s absolutely ADORABLE (shame he doesn’t seem have done any “substantial” acting since… As for Dustin Hoffman floundering to adapt to actually being there and looking after Billy will have all the ladies ROARING with laughter – and this is a tribute to Mr. Hoffmans’ considerable talents. He is SO natural… A warm and fuzzy classic with a rollercoaster of emotion. Now get out there and watch it.

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Oh boy, this film has been such a life-changer for me. I mean, I always knew Sam Mendes was one hell of a director. I believe I said as much in my review of” Away we go”. (And if I didn’t, I should have done ) Anyone with eyes in their heads and half an understanding of cinema knows that Kate Winslet is a brilliant actress. Same for Leonardo Di Caprio – Mr. Di Caprio’s considerable talent has been rather overshadowed by his “pretty boy” image, especially so after “Titanic”, but anyone following him cannot fail to notice that he has really and truly come into his own these last couple of years… It naturally follows that combining the three is going to make for one hell of a powerful cocktail. But then again, that’s kinda like the difference between logically knowing a hurricane must be scary then witnessing one and s**ting oneself from fear. If you see what I mean. Speaking of “Titanic”, I actually threw the name out there without thinking but it might be interesting to watch the two films one after the other and compare the two lead actors’ performances. Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet made a sensational couple there as well, some might say historically so. By the way, this is the second film this update starring a director and his wife /partner (Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet - I guess once you marry a famous actor /actress you're sorted castingwise, no? ;) ) Naturally, both actors have grown and matured a lot since then, and this film gives both the opportunity for performances with a lot more depth. Speaking of which, about time we got round to said film, no?

So, we are transported back to post-WW2 America. Meet the Wheelers. Frank (Leonardo Di Caprio) works in a big firm in the sales department – not a job he particularly enjoys but it pays well. April (Kate Winslet) is a home-maker (as was any self-respecting woman in those days). Although she dreams of becoming an actress, she hides this well and with their two beautiful children, they are a “model couple” on the block; a family everyone knows and respects. Their life is, however, growing monotonous – as modern life tends to. Frank has drifted into this job without particularly thinking about his own talents and interests – in fact, he has no idea what he would really like to do with his life. April loathes suburbia and yearns for something, anything that would get them “out of the mould”. And she comes up with a very daring plan: Upping and moving the entire family to Paris. Frank was posted there during the war and has always dreamed of going back there. April has never travelled. As for how they will live there, April has thought of that as well… She can get a job as a secretary in one of the government agencies there – they pay well after all… She can support the family. In the meanwhile, Frank can sit back and figure out what he wants to be in life. This will give him the time and the opportunity to study, to learn, to live. Although Frank is taken aback by this idea, he warms to it pretty quickly – and preparations begin. The life that seemed no longer “their own” but handed out to them by “the system” has suddenly become theirs again and the excitement is great. The system, however, does not let go of one easily. And the Wheelers will soon find out that it takes a bit more than a steamer ticket and notice to Franks’ boss to get out…

Needles to say this film caused quite a stirr in its' day - you may also remember this film from the Oscars of 2009 - it earned itself a very respectable 3 nominations - Art Direction, Costume Design and Best Supporting Actor for Michael Shannon (John, Frank's cubicle-mate)
What I really admire about Sam Mendes is his ability to show day to day life as it is. Taken like that, it doesn’t sound like much of a talent – but it is. Making films about great wars and sweeping romances is relatively easy. It’s giving day to day life the importance it really carries that takes talent. Because I mean, let’s be honest – most of us go through life without witnessing any great wars or historic events – not one on one anyway. Life, however, day to day life, carries many tragedies, events, may ups and downs on a totally different level. And one of the greatest of these events is what Frank and April try to do: Escape the rat race. Another cliché, no? But it’s a cliché for a reason. A routine is not a bad thing – having a steady job and a routine life is NOT a bad thing don’t get me wrong. It’s just not for everyone. Some of us are lucky enough to be born in places, into families that support our “mad ideas”. We have people around us who encourage us to “seek our fortunes” or “try our hand at” whatever it is. Society, however, is not encouraging in that sense. Add to that our innate sense of the need for a routine, the fact that this may be the only lifestyle we have ever known – and the very human fear of the unknown… So many things; so many big and important things – that surround us every day like walls in such a way that we barely notice them – to negotiate. So many things we encounter every day that we have to look at in a brand new light. That’s what makes “uprooting and starting again” so tough. Especially, at a certain age. And the Wheelers are just at that age- just before the children are too old to be uprooted, and just before they are too stuck in their ways to ever change them. Mendes lands us slap bang in the middle of their inner turmoil and leaves us dazed at the end. I think – in the novel more so than the film; oh by the way this is the adaptation of a novel by Richard Yates – anyhoo, I think the fact that Frank does not have a particular “dream”, the fact that he is acutely aware of this yet has never had the chance to figure out what his vocation (as opposed to his profession) is, is also very, very descriptive of most of us today. I’m guessing most people who work in the private sector will find something of themselves in this film. You say you don’t ? Well maybe not… So long as you’re sure you’re being honest with yourself that is…

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Ok, on with our weekly dose of escapism! And surely when it comes to the fantastical and magical there is no master who could truly compete with Mr. Tim Burton… And anyone who is a fan (and anyone who has a liking for fantastic films, is I find) had their eyes out on stalks when news that he was filming Alice in Wonderland surfaced… I (and indeed a goodly portion of my office) was counting the days to release, although by some twist of fate, I missed the 3-D or IMAX version and had to watch it on DVD. I am not a massive technophile (as you may have noticed) but I really would have liked to have given this a spin in 3-D. Oh well… So, I purchased the DVD, waited for an opportune moment gathered the family round the TV set when said moment arrived and then “went for it”. And yes, it was naturally phenomenal even in 2-D.

So what’s the plot? Surely, I hear you cry; surely we all know the story of Alice! Cut to the chase – get to the gossip! Well actually no, it’s not exactly the Alice story you’re thinking of. (This is Tim Burton boys and girls, have some respect, WOULD he do a dry old re-make?!) It’s Alice a good many years later. Alice is 19(and is acted by Mia Wasikowska - of whom I am pretty sure we'll be hearing more) and on the verge of getting married to Hamish, her father’s old business partners (old because her father has passed on and the partner has now taken over the business leaving Alice and her family in a very “difficult” position.). She has strange dreams about falling and rabbits in waistcoats but on the whole, dismisses them as dreams. She is rather unlike young ladies her own age – but that people think is largely the fault of her rather eccentric upbringing. She has, on the whole, a normal life until she is tracked down by her old acquaintance the White Rabbit and is swept back to Wonderland – for a mission awaits her there. The Red Queen (Helena Bonham-Carter – who is fast becoming an obligatory fixture in Mr. Burton’s works. But they do love each other and she is the mother of his children so I can sort of understand I guess… Besides she does make a rather scary Red Queen), anyway the Red Queen rules Wonderland with an iron fist and the “rebels” such as the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp – another obligatory fixture in Mr. Burton’s works. Not that anybody’s complaining, I mean, Champagne and strawberries, coffee and cigarettes, Depp and Burton – some things were meant to be together… Who, me biased?!!), the March Hare, the Door mouse and the Cheshire Cat (who is voiced over – or voice overed - by Stephen Fry and is my favourite animated character in the film) need Alice’s help to defeat the Jabberwocky (‘Twas brillig and the slithy toes jired and gimbled in the wabe… Oh come on now, I know you haven’t forgotten really!) and help get the good White Queen (Ann Hathaway) back on the throne… But can Alice adapt to Wonderland again and save the day?

Now, on reading this, you can actually be forgiven for crying “Blasphemy!”. In all honesty it can’t be more different from the original Alice story – the children’s classic beloved by anyone worth knowing (my own humble opinion). In fact, it actually sounds like a rather bad sequel, or something hurriedly adapted off another classic Hook. Try and look beyond it though. Think of this particular version of Alice in wonderland as the combining of two great imaginations – Lewis Carroll and Tim Burton. Mr. Burton takes the characters invented so very many years ago by Lewis Carroll, and uses extraordinary actors and modern technology to take them one step further, to make them bigger and better and more colorful… I mean, you may say that technology has its limits while the imagination does not; however, when Tim Burton’s imagination is the hand using the technology, let me tell you the limits are pretty damn blurry. In this context, even the fact that the film blends the characters from two separate books (Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass) doesn’t really bother one. It’s a magical, wonderful, colorful world full to the brim with delightful details. Speaking of details – not that these really count as details but they are not things you notice at once either – the cast doing the voiceovers for the animated characters are BRILLIANT. I’m on IMDB as I write this, checking the list and dear God, Michael Sheen, Alan Rickman (Snape from the Harry Potter movies), Barbara Windsor (Peggy from Eastenders), Paul Whitehouse (a comedian I’m particularly fond of but probably will mean very little to anyone outside the U.K) and Timothy Spall (whose name you won’t recognize but face you immediately will, especially if you watch British T.V).
In short, you will simply get carried away by it. I mean, I watched the film with my 87 year-old grandmother for God’s sake, and even SHE adored it!

EL SECRETO EN SUS OJOS

Yeah, yeah don’t get sarcastic boys and girls I’m aware that it’s almost time for the Oscars for 2011. But I still have films to cross off the list you see (one of the more famous ones being The Hurt Locker. I have it in my archive I just have a “thing” about it rather like Shutter Island. My cinephile friends assure me they’re not of the same caliber though so I’m not hurrying…) . Now this one (Oscar winner for Best Foreign Picture) I missed out of pure lack of opportunity. Then I had a copy but only one specific machine would open it and then I either didn’t have the machine or the time (or the copy at times) cut a long story short, my free couple of hours, the dvd and the machine all crossed paths this very morning. And so you find me excitedly pounding my keyboard – Oh yes, a BRILLIANT film.
Then again, I already told you, I have a soft spot for Latin American cinema… Well, this is the story of Benjamin Esposito, now retired from the Prosecutors’ office in Argentina. As many people do when they retire, he too is thinking about the past, his memoirs and decides to write a book. A book about that one case that haunted him; the murder of a young woman who never found justice and her husband who loved her to distraction and was devastated by her death… He decides to look into it again, for that affair upset so much in his life, and although it is sometimes better just to let sleeping dogs lie, there are other times where they simply MUST be woken up…
Now, don’t you utter a great yawn and tell me “it’s just another whodunit”. Ok, it is a “whodunit”. But not “another” one – it’s a Latin American one. First of all, when we say “murder mystery” these days, such a lot of violence blood and gore seems to come into it by definition. Not the case here – with a couple of exceptions but hey, there has to BE a murder to investigate first, no? So it’s a good old-fashioned whodunit – and it’s just around 2 hours long so none of the CSI style rush-jobs (no offence meant I LOVE CSI but their plots don’t make good movies). Secondly, the characters are WONDERFULLY portrayed (I’m ashamed at this moment I don’t know more about the actors…). The characters are so very human, their stories are stories that may actually have happened to us, they react in ways you or I may well have reacted under those circumstances… This is precisely what I love about the whole South American “take” on life in films. I always find South American films so much “warmer” because they seem to describe life with much greater accuracy. Not just circumstantially but also – and for me more importantly – on an emotional level. A lot of the characters are not stylized, they have flaws and qualities and “off days” – the story seems to “happen” naturally as opposed to being guided along by an invisible hand… The secret in her eyes is a prime example of all this… Enjoy…

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS

You guys may have noticed that I am a great fan of good, old fashioned escapism. I mean let’s face it, we all need it at times. That’s why adults read comics and watch cartoons; that’s why fiction as a genre exists! This is probably why, when I find a film that well and truly transports me to another world I pounce on it and give it a big (metaphysical) cuddle. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is just such a cuddle-worthy film. Springing from the crazy imagination of Terry Gilliam, you would expect nothing less. Plus the film is chock – full of handsome actors (the late great Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell…). If that’s not cuddle-worthy, I don’t know what is, right ladies ? ;)

So, what is the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus about? As with everything Gilliam-related, it’s a little hard to explain and almost impossible to describe but I’ll give it a go. Ok, it’s sort of, kind of a little bit of a take on Dr Faust – but not quite. You see, Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) was actually born thousands of years ago – but a bet with the devil has given him eternal life. It is not turning out the way he had planned. One day, upon coming across the woman of his dreams, he makes another pact with the devil – youth and the chance to conquer this woman. However, he must give the first child from this union to the devil on its 16th birthday. So we find him, traveling the world with his daughter Valentina (Lily Cole) and his two assistants, as a traveling troupe of performers. This is where the Imaginarium comes in – or where you go into the Imaginarium, an imaginary world commanded by the doctor where all ones wishes come true. They have a happy life minus the fact that Valentina is almost 16 and her father is desperate to find a way out of his bargain. Mr. Nick ( the devil) comes up with just such a plan. The first to seduce five souls in the Imaginarium will win. This sounds easy but is actually no mean feat seeing as the Imaginarium is doing, in a word, dismally. But then, Tony (mostly Heath Ledger) comes along. The troupe rescues him from the jaws of death – he is dazed and has completely lost his memory. His mere presence however, will change the rules of “the game” forever…

Now, what of my impressions of the film? Well, it has no great philosophy, it is Hollywood and special effects at their best. And I mean their best. It is no Avatar of course, but it is instead a wonderful imagination, colorful costumes and fantasy worlds and details that Monty Python fans will recognize and squeal with glee about (not a lot of people know this but it also racked up two Oscar® nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. VERY well deserved.) This is good, old-fashioned story-telling folks; done by superb actors too. It is also a good reminder of the powers of the imagination. I would hate to become one of those people who are incapable of imagining, of enjoying a story, of plunging into a fantasy world without 3-D glasses… I am sure that those of you who have watched the film will agree with me when I tell you that it should more accurately be called “The Imaginarium of Terry Gilliam”… Just immerse yourselves. You will emerge re-born. ;)

THE JONESES

I always have grave misgivings when a film claims to have a moral or give a message. Even if it purports to consumerism and the ills thereof – a worthy moral indeed – I still have doubts. Sure, giving a message while entertaining is great in theory it is rarely anything more than a theory – the two don’t usually mix very well… You will invariably either lose the message, making all that “led up to it” look rather pointless or lose the fun, making it more of a didactic fable… The Joneses is one of those rare gems that actually pull it off. Amusing, yet fun to watch – really fun to watch…

The film opens on a seemingly normal day in suburbia. Grand homes, top of the range cars, perfectly manicured lawns and a new family moving in next door. And they are… Annoying – in the good sense. You, see they are perfect. Fit, good looking, two well mannered, cool children, top of the range everythings, very soon the entire neighborhood’s eyes are out on stalks! There is, however, something very wrong with The Jones family. They are not a real family. They are a sales team – working for a marketing company called Life Images and their job is to move into rich neighborhoods, to act like a family and to “push” the various products their clients want to sell… It’s all very serious and very competitive with monthly reviews and sales numbers monitored… Kate (Demi Moore) is the “unit leader” and is pushing to get to “icon” status. Her “husband” Steve (David Duchovny) is a rookie but has ample experience as a car salesman – everyone is high hopes of him. The only problem is, life has this annoying habit of slipping through the cracks of even the best-conceived plans… And Kate’s plans are just about to become completely unhinged…

Like I said, I didn’t have much hope for this film however; it has managed something quite extraordinary. It has struck a balance between the didactic and the amusing. Yes the lesson is there, the very real harm that can be done when one gets too caught up in marketing – in buying and in the consumer society we live in today. It comes down to what is valuable, right? Remember Oscar Wilde; very few people know the actual value of things. The story is original and the acting is good. Demi Moore is a pleasure to watch as always and Ben Hollingsworth – who makes his first transition from theatre to the big screen as Mick, the Joneses son – is also well worth looking out for. I found myself actually getting quite wound up about some of the plot twists! Another interesting fact is, in case you didn’t know, “families” like this actually exist. And incidentally, I’m sure you’ve heard of people who have been paid to sit at a bar and drink a certain brand of beer or smoke a certain brand of cigarette – quite widespread in the States apparently… Scary stuff – and food for thought.

KUNDUN

I actually never meant true stories to become such a great feature of this blog. I mean, I love films based on true stories (and I incidentally have one relative who will watch nothing else) but still… I guess it was to be expected though. I guess it’s the voyeur in all of us – or to give it a better name, human curiosity. And then there are those stories that have to be told. History, great men and women, sad or magnificent (or indeed both) events that need to be told and heard…

Now, I have no idea what your take on religion or Buddhism is. Frankly, this is not what this entry is about. The current (14th) Dalai Lama is however in the center of a political debate that spans a few decades now. Watching his life story helps understand a philosophy and a way of life often quite foreign to us in the west; and in the meanwhile, learn about the history of a major political dispute that continues today – the status of Tibet as “discussed” by Tibet and China. Add to that the fact that a master director such as Martin Scorsese is at “the helm” of the film. This is why you should watch Kundun.

Now, what is the story, basically? Well, the current Dalai Lama was born close to Tibet’s border with China, in a small village. Not what you might think an auspicious start – but not the case. Because as soon as the Dalai Lama dies, monks set out searching for his re-incarnation, for according to Buddhism the Dalai Lama will be reborn again and again to lead the people until the end of time. When he is found, he is tested – to be sure the right child is found – then taken back to the palace to learn how to rule and the ways of a monk. Such was also the case for the current Dalai Lama. However, one thing was very different from his predecessors. Just before his 18th birthday, when he was due to take over the rule of the country, Communist China invaded Tibet. It was the series of events that followed that forced the Dalai Lama to take refuge in India, where he is today…

Now, you may well be tempted to ignore this film seeing as you can just as well read this story on Wikipedia. But I strongly discourage this point of view… For a start, the whole film is so wonderfully filmed and constructed that one is, in fact, transported to Tibet in the 30’s and 40’s. The palace the Dalai Lama lives / was brought up in is, in a world, magical. And the landscapes in Tibet are absoloutely breathtaking. Even though I had no prior plans to go to Tibet, this film has made me think in fact maybe I should make some time to go there… The whole thing, the whole philosophy and point of view are all so different from our day to day lives in the West, the atmosphere alone makes Scorsese’s Kundun almost a part of Asian cinema. It isn’t a typical “westerners” point of view, it doesn’t “marvel at the gold” and find the day to day life “quaint”. It is a sincere film, attempting to tell a story honestly and openly. Naturally, since the story and the country are both quite special, it makes for quite a special film… Do not miss…