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I Am Not a Witch (2017)
Remarkable Debut
I was profoundly moved by I Am Not a Witch. Many members of the cast are in their first film feature, and all are stellar, especially Maggie Mulubwa, who plays Shula. Her face is so expressive. Director and writer, Rungano Nyoni, transported me to a place I'd never been. It's rural Zambia. It's modern day (I won't ever forget that the first time we see little Shula, she has a t-shirt that says #bootycall). Yet, it's a cultural phenomenon that I don't know much about, witch camps.
Despite the dire subject matter, there are comic moments. Many times that I wanted to laugh, though, I also wanted to cry, because the circumstances were ridiculous to me, and Shula is caught up in a world where she apparently has no control, no say in her own life. She's asked to resolve disputes, judge others, alter weather patterns, even be on display, when all she really wants is to be a 9 year old, go to school, be nurtured. In the end, we see parallels to other, more familiar, stories. It's haunting.
Cinematography by David Gallego and Art Direction by Malin Lindholm are perfection. The images will stay with you.
The Last Airbender (2010)
The story flows, like water...
M Night Shyamalan has completed his biggest film-making challenge to date. Where most of his previous movies were quiet suspense tales, The Last Airbender is huge, with an epic story line that requires a ton of special effects and 3-D. The title character is Aang. He lives in a world where people are divided into tribes based on the elements of the earth: Fire, Water, Earth and Air. He is reported to be the last of his kind, found by some waterbender kids and hiding from firebenders, who threaten to take over the world. Maybe you've seen the cartoon. The Last Airbender is based on a series of books, and in this film, M Night tackles the first one, Water. The story is dense, with a lot of background. Some audiences might find that boring, but I was interested. All of the actors are gorgeous, the cinematography is fantastic, the effects are fun (I advise you to spring for the extra $ to see it in 3-D), the score is moving. Yep, there are parts that are a little slow, but it's an action picture with a grand story, and unlike, say, a Transformers 2, there are no gaps in storyline or character development scrapped for a loud, unnecessary explosion sequence. It flows, like water. And, I hope I get to see more. I give The Last Airbender a 7.5 out of 10.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
Triangle Intensifies
The Twilight movies are very divisive. They have a passionate following, and yet there are many Twihards who love the books and don't feel the films do them justice. So full disclosure, I haven't read the books. In fact, I tried to read the first one and found it awful. But, I loved the first movie. The second one was "meh." I was really looking forward to checking out The Twilight Saga: Eclipse to see if I wanted to continue following the story. Saw the movie, Monday night, and the answer is, I do. I sort of thought this film would pick up where the second one left off, (spoiler) with Bella answering Edward's proposal. It did not, but the question is still on the table. And, all the same threats to Bella are in play. But, this time, Edward is going to stick around, which is great, because I like to look at him. I like to listen to him speak. And, I love the easy way Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have of capturing that awkward, yet intense, devotion of new love. I'm not ashamed to say I got tear-y and swooned a little again, with Edward's old school romanticism. Jacob and his abs are back, of course. And, what I love about this installment in the Twilight Saga is that we learn the vampire origins of two of the Cullens. Billy Burke is still terrific as Charlie Swan. Ashley Greene is adorable as Alice Cullen. And, despite the freaky eyes, I have a growing attachment to Jackson Rathbone, given more to do here, as Jasper Hale. There are old threats and new threats and alliances made and broken, but the centerpiece of Eclipse is the intensifying triangle of Edward and Bella and Jacob. Whichever Team you're on, as long as you're playing along, I think you'll enjoy more Twilight saga. I give Eclipse an 8 out of 10.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Perfect Popcorn with a dash of Pepper
I can actually feel summer coming, once the blockbusters start to come into theaters. And, the ultimate popcorn movie is going to start the season, this weekend. (Clash of the Titans does NOT count) It's Iron Man 2!! Key to the sequel, the return of Robert Downey, Junior, as Tony Stark. He is absolutely perfect as the brilliant billionaire man-child. Iron Man 2 picks up right where the first film left off, with Tony Stark taking ownership of Iron Man in a press conference. Of course, everyone wants a piece of him now. Congress wants him to testify about his actions and their global impact. Meantime, he still needs to perfect some of the technology, especially the parts that are keeping him alive. I was concerned (after watching trailers) that there would be too many villains and too much action that would take away from what I really loved in the first movie, which is Tony and his relationship to the important people in his life, Rhode-y and Pepper and others. I feared a Batman and Robin scenario. But no, Jon Favreau is back in the director's chair (and the driver's seat), and he remains true to the heart of what worked in Iron Man. In fact, we get more of Tony and Pepper, and even more of the story of Stark's origins. Mickey Rourke is great as the villain seeking vengeance. Even better (or worse), is Sam Rockwell, as Justin Hammer, a total tool who is a defense contractor and Stark Industries competitor. There are more fun guest shots and surprises. And, the action is fantastic, but it does not overwhelm the story or the characters. I give Iron Man 2 a 9 out of 10. I liked it even more than the first one!!
The Back-up Plan (2010)
Back-Up Plan Fail
I really wanted to like it. I talked to Alex O'Loughlin about the movie over a year ago, I think. And, this was Jennifer Lopez' big return to film, after a 5 year absence. Both of their characters in The Back-Up Plan are very likable. She is a successful businesswoman who has decided she's done waiting for Mr. Right and a family. She goes ahead and gets inseminated. That day, she bumps into Stan, a gorgeous funny guy who has his own farm (note the cheese, above) and dreams of owning a sustainable food shop. He pursues her, she resists. All sorts of clumsy, weird things happen along the way. Honestly, these characters and their relationship is really interesting. It's all the other junk the filmmakers put into play that I found distracting and distasteful and unbelievable. For instance, Zoe has an upscale pet store with a couple of interesting employees who have realistic questions about her and for her, but we barely see them. Instead, we're subjected to a strange single mother's group that is stereotypical and offensive. It's like the writer and director are trying to straddle a line between a sweet rom-com, like Sweet Home Alabama, and something more crude, like Knocked Up. There were so many likable and believable story threads that were just dropped, in favor of the gross out scene or something silly that just didn't make sense for the characters. I didn't hate it, because I liked the leads, I was just really disappointed and not satisfied. I give The Back-Up Plan a 6 out of 10.
The Runaways (2010)
Pedestrian BioPic, lifted by performances
Ahhh, the 70s. For me, in middle America, it was a time of 3/4 length sleeve baseball t-shirts and bell bottoms, polyester and frustration that my hair wouldn't fall into a straight smooth wedge cut. I was listening to pop music and dancing to Soul Train.
On the west coast, things were more glam, with platforms and straight leg jeans. Watching the new movie, The Runaways is fun, because they do capture the essence of that time. Girls were taking this idea of women's liberation and pushing the envelope. An unsupervised teen named Joanie Larkin held on to a guitar that her Dad gave her and pursued big dreams of an all-girl rock band. Her story, along with Cherie Currie's memoir, Neon Angel, are combined to form The Runaways, which is the name of Joanie's band. She became Joan Jett, who teamed up with dodgey producer and promoter, Kim Fowley. They recruited Cherie and the other girls and shot to fame. But, this success story is also a cautionary tale, with 15 year old girls on their own, with raging hormones, unscrupulous adults and lots of drugs and booze available. I got to talk to Cherie Currie about those days, but I wish I could talk to her again, now, after the movie. There are so many more things I'd like to know. The book, Neon Angel, is compelling, but painful to read. The move, The Runaways, is compelling, but painful to watch. If you didn't know that much of what happens is true, you'd say it's unbelievable. I was interested in the story. The performances are excellent. I've never been a huge fan of Kristen Stewart, because she seems to play the same character, over and over. But here, it's almost as if she's channeling Joan Jett, and the portrayal is uncanny. Dakota Fanning is almost unrecognizable as Cherie Currie. Michael Shannon is creepy to the extreme as Kim Fowley. This trio elevates the movie above After School Special dialogue. It's the quiet scenes that stay with you: the band, in the back of a limo, after a long tour, looking old beyond their years; Joan, in the bathtub, crafting lyrics. Great story, some great performances, but the script and the storytelling fall short. I give The Runaways a 7 out of 10.
Clash of the Titans (2010)
The gods must be crazy, but how would we know?
I think you'll find just as many people love Clash of the Titans as those who do not love it. I went with the boy (who is actually 18, for those of you who are not familiar with his nickname). We were both underwhelmed. In fact, when the credits started to roll, he took off his 3-D glasses, looked at me and said, "Well, that sucked." That warranted a smack from me, because he's not allowed to use that word around me. I forced him to be more specific in his criticism, and as it turns out, we totally agreed on our review.
Good news first. Sam Worthington is terrific, as Perseus. I think the production value is high. The movie, the settings, look beautiful. It's an interesting story. The set up is good. I am sad when Perseus' human family dies. After that, though, it's all a blur of action and mess. It seems like they're trying to cram every detail of the Greek epic plus every effect and monster possible into 90 minutes. None of the characters are developed enough in that time. How could they be, when they're fighting monsters and on an adventure and there's an Olympus back story? If all the warriors on the odyssey were actors I already knew, maybe I could keep them straight. But, I don't, and I don't get to know them, and therefore, I don't care when things happen to them. It's not that the characters aren't interesting. I would love to see a movie and learn more about Andromeda and Draco and these two crazy brothers who like to hunt things.
At this point, I'll defer to my son's review. He says he wished the movie was longer so we could get more character development. He liked another epic guy, Jinn, but said he didn't learn anything about him, over the course of the movie, and that was frustrating.
"It seems like these guys know each other for five minutes, then they're like, Hey, we're not coming with you but here is this cool shield. Andromeda is like, hey, I gave you a cup of water, now you should be my king." We both would have preferred a movie even 30-45 minutes longer that left us more satisfied.
While the 3-D is good, the creatures all seem cobbled together from other films. There is a cute homage to the original Clash of the Titans. Our disappointment is more pronounced, because this cast is really good. The acting and characters could have elevated the movie above the effects, given time to develop. We give Clash of the Titans a 6 out of 10.
Marwencol (2010)
I Want to Send Mark my Barbies!
As I've mentioned, when the Cleveland International Film Festival catalog comes out. I read all the summaries and mark the movies I want to see. Marwencol jumped out at me for a few reasons. I had a boyfriend in college who lived near Kingston, NY, where this takes place. It's about a man who recovers from a head injury by building a world of miniatures in his backyard, it becomes therapy. My husband and son are into gaming and miniatures. I thought it sounded very interesting.
Turns out the miniatures are more like dolls. And, the therapy was much more like fantasy and art. Mark Hogancamp was attacked in the parking lot of a bar by five guys he'd been drinking with. Head injuries forced him to learn to speak, write, walk and completely function, all over again. Before the accident, he was married, an alcoholic and a gifted artist. After the accident, he was a completely different person, because he had no memory of his previous life. Working with his figures, he's able to practice small motor function, develop his rich imagination and role play some of his anger and aggression. Because he couldn't draw anymore, he captured scenes on film, with his camera. Now, friends and admirers of his work are urging him to share his town, Marwencol, with the world, with a gallery showing, a book and this film. Mark Hogancamp is a sympathetic and interesting guy. Marwencol is definitely an interesting place. Just when you think, "Okay, I get it, but this is weird," it gets weirder! But then, the pieces start to fit together. Fascinating story, well told, amazing imagery. It's an unforgettable place. Marwencol gets a 10 out of 10.
Palata N°6 (2009)
Crime, Punishment and Philosophy
I had such high hopes for Ward No. 6. The summary made it sound like a Shutter Island type thriller case, where you're not sure who's really insane, who's really criminal, who's really qualified to be asking the questions.
What I got was a series of clinical interviews that sort of reminded me of the beginning of District 9. The quality of the lighting and shot set up was very flat. Patients are talking to the camera about why they're institutionalized, and it's incredibly sad. Most were dropped off at an orphanage by their own parents and once they aged out, they were moved to the psychiatric facility. They've never had a chance to have a life, because their parents couldn't handle their responsibility. That is horrible! But, I actually would not have minded a more intense study of that situation. Instead, a doctor begins to lead a tour and eventually reveals that his predecessor is now, in fact, a patient. Dr. Ragin had a sort of comfortable life going. But rather than any kind of therapy sessions, he got into philosophical discourses with friends and one patient, in particular, and seemed to be spiraling into a depression about existential issues. The plot is slow. The conversations are like Crime and Punishment. Ward No. 6 is based on a short story by Anton Chekhov, so I shouldn't have been surprised, but honestly, I had a hard time staying focused. It made me sleepy. Ward No. 6 gets a 6 out of 10.
Garbo: El espía (2009)
The Ghost Spy Who Saved the World
Garbo: The Spy hit me like Fire in the Heartland. Again, here's a topic that I feel I am familiar with. i have seen movies about World War II, read books about the Invasion of Normandy. So, why have I never heard about this guy? Why don't I know how critical he apparently was to the whole Allied effort? If you've seen Alias or the Bournes, you know that a good spy has handlers. Garbo is the codename he received from his British handlers, because he took on various roles so well. In reality, he grew up in the Catalan region of Spain, the child of well-to-do parents, in the days before Franco. He wants to get involved. And, I will tell you we don't get to know much about his actual motivations or personality. The guy's a ghost, really. But, we get to find out what he did, offering his services to the Third Reich and to the Allies. Garbo set up an elaborate ruse that may have turned the tide of the war. He must have had iron clad insides to pull off some of these capers. I don't want to give too much away, but it's just an incredible story. And, to get it on the screen, since we don't have anything but talking heads and documents to illustrate the story, Director Edmon Roach intersperses scenes from spy films and movies about World War II that mirror real life events. It's a beautiful device and a remarkable piece of storytelling. I give Garbo: The Spy an 9 out of 10.
40-ci qapi (2009)
A Kid Comes of Age in Azerbaijan
Yesterday, I spent time in a place I will never go, I suspect, Azerbaijan. The language is beautiful. But, life is hard, in some areas. The 40th Door is the nickname of a small village, just outside the capital of Baku. A boy named Rustam lives there with his mother. He calls every elder in the village "Uncle" or "Aunt," but I suspect that is just their way. I don't think they're all really related. Rustam is a beautiful boy, smart and a help to his mother. He's at that tough age of 14, when he wants at times to be a child but is forced to be a man. His father is killed. And, while his mother wants him to continue going to school, he endeavors to find work to make money, so they won't have to sell off the only prized possession they have, an ancient rug that belonged to his father. He seeks the help of a charismatic character who takes him to Baku and gives him a glimpse into a life of crime, but Rustam tries to hold on to his ideals. He tries to work the streets honestly, sees some of the finer things he'd like in life, but gangs who control the streets don't like his independence. I was really interested in the story, the acting was quite good, but there seemed to be a real lack of focus in the direction. Did Elchin Musaoglu want to show us Rustam's tough times with a realism? Or did he want to draw on the fairy tale origins of the term, The 40th Door? So many potentially interesting side stories were introduced and then just dropped: the drum, the hatmaker, the uncle. I was frustrated when it ended. I give The 40th Door a 7 out of 10.
Dou niu (2009)
Taking Care of the Cow
I've mentioned before that I am practically forbidden from seeing movies where animals or children are in peril. Dumbo is the Disney movie that haunts me, to this day. And, Snow Angels from 2007 sent me into a week long depression. I'm not exaggerating very much, either.
Therefore, when I told my husband one of the movies I really wanted to see at the Cleveland International Film Festival was Cow, and I read him the description, I was laughing. He was not amused. 1940, China, during Sino-Japanese War. Niu Er lives in a village and is tasked with taking care of a cow, on loan from the Army. He is a simple peasant, but he takes his job seriously. And, in the aftermath of Japanese firebombing, that job is tough. Everybody wants a piece of the cow. The cow reminds him of his wife. The cow reminded me of my dog. The cow and the man struggle in a hostile environment with chaos all around to stay alive. I loved their story. I give Cow a 9 out of 10.
Nord (2009)
Man Seeks Direction in North
North is a drama out of Norway, and from the looks of it, a pretty desolate part of the country. Jomar is a 30 year old recovering from some traumatic experience. He used to ski, now he can barely get off the couch to do his job, which is not very taxing. His woman left him, after trying to be patient and help him get his act together for some time. Jomar finds out he has a son with her, who is now four. That and another happenstance spur him to head North to find Linnea and meet this kid. Jomar is snowmobiling through back country. When he finds a house or fishing hut or tent, he stops and has various encounters with the people. It makes me concerned for my Norwegian heritage that Jomar and most of the people he meets seem to be completely nuts. He also ends up setting stuff on fire, on occasion. It's a disturbing, yet interesting, road trip. The audience at my screening seemed to find a lot of it hilarious, while I was busy being concerned. I give North a 7 out of 10.
Lourdes (2009)
Who is worthy of a miracle?
I am Roman Catholic. Lourdes is a blessed, mystical place. I hear. The story goes, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in a grotto near Lourdes several times. Word spread, a shrine was built, miracles occurred, all in this small community in the south of France. Now, millions travel to Lourdes every year, looking for intervention from St. Bernadette and the Blessed Mother. While I've never been there, I have been to shrines, like Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount-Royal in Montreal. The relics for sale and presence of the pilgrims are a little scary, but there was no denying the power of the place. So, I was very interested to see a pilgrimage from the perspective of a pilgrim in Lourdes, a movie playing at the Cleveland International Film Festival, this week. Christine is a young woman from France who has multiple sclerosis. She's lost control of her body from the neck down. But, her mind is vibrant, she seems to accept the help of nurse volunteers at Lourdes with a pleasant demeanor. She tells a priest, in confession, that she gets angry over her diagnosis and feels envious of able bodied people, like a nurse who is flirting with a man on the trip that she fancies. This is like a group tour, with a different activity each day: a hike through the grotto, a bath in the water, even an award at the end of the trip for the "Best Pilgrim." Christine's mother is with her on the trip. Their relationship is one of the things that bothered me in the movie. While her mother accepts the role of caregiver, they barely talk or interact, except in a very distant fashion. I didn't get that. A couple of the older volunteers hang together at night and discuss deep topics of faith and spirituality. Juxtapose that with Christine confessing to her nurse that she is not really a believer, she just goes on the pilgrimages because she can't really get out of the house for much else. When the inevitable miracle occurs, within the group, some are jealous, others are skeptical, others just wonder why some are chosen and others are not. Lourdes is a very quiet, very slow moving film. I guess I was hoping for more of an epiphany, but at the end, I wasn't at all sure what I was supposed to take away from it. I was interested but not satisfied. I give Lourdes a 7 out of 10.
Bomber (2009)
Dropping a Bomb on a Family Vacation
Bomber is the story of a small family in England. The mother and father are in their golden years and setting off on a holiday to Europe. Each has a different reason for going. They have a grown son who ends up accompanying them on the trip. As you'd expect, issues, that have long been festering in the family, surface and must be dealt with while they travel the B roads. The acting is excellent. There were quite a few parts where the audience was laughing so loudly I couldn't hear the dialogue. But, at the film's climax, which was a bit shocking, you could have heard a pin drop. I liked it, but to be honest, I was frustrated, because there were some things I'd have liked to say to the characters that could have helped their predicament. Even an episode of Dr Phil might have helped! But, I cared about the family and enjoyed my time with them on the road. Bomber gets an 8.
Dear Lemon Lima (2009)
Celebrating the Quirky Kids
Dear Lemon Lima is a film written and directed by Suzi Yoonessi. It's about a 13 year old girl in Alaska, getting ready to attend an exclusive private high school. From the very beginning, the film charms you, with adorable animation and graphics in the frame. They're images that the main character, Vanessa, uses in her doodles and artwork and scrapbooking. The tone is whimsical, and with so many interesting and unique characters in Vanessa's life, it's easy to let your guard down and get drawn into the fun.
But, do not be fooled. High school is a very serious and scary place. People are cruel to one another. Life is cruel, even if you're a brilliant, sensitive, beautiful girl. And, Vanessa soon finds that her dreams and aspirations might not be the path she will ultimately choose. Melissa Leo, Beth Grant and Eleanor Hutchins are all excellent, as some of the adults in Vanessa's life. But, if the kids aren't believable and worthy of our concern, the film doesn't work. Here, Savanah Wiltfong and the actors and actresses who play her schoolmates capture the joy and pain of teen years perfectly. I saw someone describe it as Napoleon Dynamite meets Juno. There are parallels. The dialogue is smart, the characters are quirky. The scenery is fantastic. The Nichols School is actually in Buffalo. This film is excellent. Dear Lemon Lima gets a 10.
For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism (2009)
For Those Who Love the Movies
It seemed a bit surreal. I'm in a movie theater with a bunch of movie buffs, and more than a few of them review films professionally or just for fun, like me. And, we're watching a documentary about the evolution of movie reviewers.
For the Love of Movies is a film by a guy who did it professionally, Gerald Peary. He's also a professor, and the movie has that instructional tone. He breaks down film criticism by eras, starting with the Talkies and how the papers promoted them in the early 1900s. I've always loved discussing films. My Mom was a school teacher and had teacher friends. Some of them considered themselves to be intellectual, I suppose. We still share our yearly favorites in our Christmas notes to each other. It was interesting to get a perspective on the way reviewing has grown and developed and broadened to the point that 7 year olds do movie reviews on their computers and post them to youtube. "Everyone's a critic," right? For me, the key is finding a touchstone, someone who shares some of my sensibilities, so that I can tell from their review whether I will like the film or not, myself. Though to be honest, I rarely read reviews before I see a movie, because I like to judge for myself. After, I will seek out critiques to see what I missed or didn't know about the film's genesis. It was a revelation to me that people got paid to do what we did naturally, discuss and argue about films, when I first saw the show Coming Soon on Chicago TV. Gene Siskel was my touchstone. Getting to see a bit of their first show ever and hear Gene again was worth the price of admission, and I'm so happy Gerald Peary made that a part of his film. He interviewed Roger Ebert for the movie, and it was pre-serious surgery Roger, vibrant and telling great stories. Gerald also interviewed A.O. Scott from The New York Times, in casual settings, like they were buds and at some screening together or something. A.O. was the first big movie critic to podcast his reviews. And likely, that what made him the best person to take over for Roger, when he retired from the TV gig. You get to see how Tony has developed. Despite his love for Where the Wild Things Are, I really like his style. Style is one thing I found a bit lacking in For the Love of Movies. It switches between history and quips from current critics, and some of the transitions between the parts are very long fade to blacks that I found jarring. The soundtrack is good, and it could have been smoother. It seemed like I was watching a rough cut, but Gerald was in the theater selling DVDs of his doc, so I guess it's done! If you like film and you're interested in criticism, this is an excellent documentary to check out. I liked it and was entertained and informed, and I got to see Gene. So, despite the editing issues, I give For the Love of Movies an 8.
Out of Place (2009)
Surfing Subculture in the Cleve
I'm not sure if I've ever actually seen the surfers on Lake Erie. I had heard about them, but I didn't really take it seriously, as a hobby because... come on! Out of Place is a documentary by Scott Ditzenberger, and Darrin McDonald about this sub-culture. And I assure you, some of these folks who surf Lake Erie are dead serious. They have surfing in their veins and their hearts, and they're not going to let their location keep them from riding the waves. Some of the best waves can be found in the coldest conditions. I mean, who among us hasn't taken that wind coming straight from Canada like a freight train across the lake and right in the face. Can you imagine jumping into the gunmetal grey icy waters of Lake Erie to try to surf? I respect these surfers so much, for re-arranging their lives and their schedules, so they can chase the next batch of waves, when there aren't that many to be had, year round. The characters are all interesting and drawn to the shore from very different places. I wasn't depressed, as was the Minister of Culture, that they all longed to move to warmer climes where they could pursue their passion year round. I come in contact with dozens of people every winter who vow to move elsewhere, because they're too uncomfortable on the walk from their front door to their car in the morning. Whatever. I love it here. And I admire these dudes and dudettes for finding a way to do what they love in a place that doesn't make it easy. That's cool. Scott and the guys in the film who were at the Cleveland International Film Festival screening of Out of Place are really excited about the movie and sharing their passion with everyone. I'm not sure how excited they'll be when people like me start showing up to try to watch them do it live. I don't want to kill anyone's buzz, but I am inspired to look for them in future. I liked meeting this crew and getting some history, having no idea it went so far back. I shouldn't have been surprised, the beach was BIG back in the day. I had some problems with the flow of the film, losing the thread of story and wondering how some of the locations and people fit in, but I enjoyed myself. The soundtrack is wonderful. I give Out of Place a 7 out of 10.
Traffic (2000)
Good stuff!
Drugs are bad. That's the message of Traffic, a new movie by Steven Soderbergh. From Washington, DC to the ritzy suburbs of San Diego, from Guadalajara to the Cincinnati suburbs, as the tagline says: `No one gets away clean.'
The wonderful part of Traffic is that the viewer gets to weave in and out of all of the varied storylines, like a Porsche through rush hour. Some of the characters never meet, some just miss each other in Traffic intersections and some go crashing into other plots.
It's an adult film, mainly because there's a lot going on, and it's hard to keep track of the characters and their motivations. Many of the scenes in Mexico are subtitled (and they're all tinted yellow). And, Traffic is 2 hours and 27 minutes long. Don't go if you can't sit still for anything more intense than an Adam Sandler flick.
Those who do pay attention are rewarded with an intricately crafted story thanks to writer Stephen Gaghan and editing Stephen Mirrione. The acting is fabulous, starting and ending with Benecio Del Toro as the Mexican cop who's good, or is he? Catherine Zeta Jones and Erika Christensen are strong as women whose lives are driven by drugs in very different ways.
Traffic is rated R for pervasive drug content, strong language, violence and some sexuality. I remember when a major politician blasted the movie Trainspotting, saying it glorified drug use. I think, despite the ultimate message, that hard drugs looked a lot more attractive in Traffic. I didn't like that, especially since that story line preyed on the fears of every parent.
Traffic earns three and a half stars on my scale, 0-5. It's a crowded stretch of road filled with high octane story telling and full throttle cameos. And while the production is high, the message brings me down.
Wo hu cang long (2000)
Digging the Wudan Clan
Martial Arts movies are coming back! I can't remember the last time I went to a subtitled movie in a crowded theater, but the hype around Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon must be working. A recent Saturday matinee was packed.
People are going to see a film in Cantonese, but not all of them can handle it. I heard a lady complaining that she couldn't keep up with the dialogue while we were leaving the theater. (My nine year old son had no problems.) And there were a lot of giggles during the ethereal fight scenes. Apparently, some people can't suspend reality enough to be awed by martial artists trained in the Wudan discipline flying through the air. (Okay, it looks kind of silly in print, but it works.)
I went to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with very high expectations. Most of the movie reviewers I read have it on their Best of 2000 lists. I liked the movie very much, especially Peter Pau's cinematography, but I wish I'd gone into the film knowing a little less about it.
It's a gorgeous movie with great acting. Anyone who fell in love with Chun Yow Fat in The King and I will enjoy his Li Mu Bai. He is the moral center who grounds the story of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
But, the real surprise is the strength of the female characters in the film. Director Ang Lee seems to gravitate toward projects with strong female leads, and that's why his movies will continue to stand out. In my opinion, the two best fight scenes in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are staged between two women, and they are phenomenal. Audiences are reacting to martial arts moves and cheering that girls are kicking butt. That made me happy, as I've studied martial arts for over four years.
Michelle Yeoh (Yu Shu Lien) is a great role model for girls. She has dignity and manners, grace under fire and a knowledge of weapons! Chen Chang (Lo) and Ziyi Zhang (Jen) are both wonderful actors who bring a youthful energy and at times much needed comic relief to the movie.
Yes, there's comedy and tragedy and a story and a very powerful sword all set in beautiful China surroundings. I worry that if Ang Lee has started a trend, that the future movies with martial arts will not bother with anything beyond action. For now though, get to this trendsetter, if you think you can handle it.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is rated PG-13 for martial arts violence and some sexuality. And you need have the ability and desire to read the dialogue.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon earns 4 stars on my scale, 0-5. It's stylish and subtitled, raising the bar for foreign films and leap kicking over it with jaw dropping action. The best part is that the questions of who is the Crouching Tiger and who is the Hidden Dragon are open for debate. Buddha's name be praised.
Cast Away (2000)
Quietly Compelling
How many actors would you pay to watch alone on screen for nearly an hour and a half? Casting Tom Hanks in Cast Away is a no-brainer. Not many other working actors could carry this film or even Tom Hanks' loincloth. Director Robert Zemeckis won the first battle just getting Hanks to star. He won another battle getting Fed Ex to agree to be featured in the greatest product placement since ET's Reese's Pieces. Tom Hanks plays Chuck Noland, an executive with Fed Ex, who flies from meeting to meeting on the company's cargo jets. He has to survive one of those plane's crashing and learn to thrive on a deserted island in the south Pacific. I have to admit, I was thinking about the TV show Survivor as he struggled to catch food and make fire. But, sadly for Chuck (Hanks), there were no reward challenges to provide him with the occasional call home or water proof matches. Cast Away is such an appropriate title for this film, because not only is Chuck a castaway, but for Hanks, the rest of the Cast is Away. Most people feel Tom Hanks is a talented actor, but also an interesting person, I think, someone we'd like, if we hung with the Hollywood crowd. And, whether that was Chuck Noland out there on the island or Hanks, I didn't get bored watching him get acclimated to his lonely life, because I cared about him. One of my younger co-workers says he was bothered by the fact that there was no soundtrack and the quiet of many of the island scenes. I would hate to generalize by age group, but the silence didn't disturb me at all. I didn't even notice it until later in the film when I thought, `Hey, they should have some big building orchestrated music here!' I think the lack of background noise was perfect for the movie. All you can hear most times is the relentless crashing of the waves on the beach and reef, and that's a terrific scene setter. Mostly, I love Cast Away for what was left out of the film. There are some major questions left unanswered when the credits roll. That's so cool! Studios seem to want everything tied up in a neat package at the end of movies. Could Cast Away be the start of some novel trend? Let's hope so. Cast Away is rated PG-13 for intense action sequences and some disturbing images, including the death of a toy. Cast Away earns three and a half stars, on my scale 0-5. Bottom line, if you like Tom Hanks, you'll like this movie. And, if you too live and die by time, be sure you've got two hours and 23 minutes to enjoy him.
Best in Show (2000)
This is the Best of Shows!
I'm a cat person. My Dad always had dogs, but he never took care of them. And while I like all animals, when my Mom and I lived together after the divorce, I talked her into getting a cat. That led to more cats, and this is probably way more than you need to know about my history with pets. Oh, there's one more thing, I got a full bred Keeshond for my son last year, and the dog is a major irritant in my life right now.
I went to Best In Show to laugh at dog people, and all I can say is MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. I happen to think Christopher Guest is a brilliant filmmaker. In Best In Show, he has captured the absurd and oddly compelling pageantry of dog shows. And this is more than just a `dog owners tend to look like their dog breed' chuckle, this is an outrageous lampoon of the people who treat their pets better than people.
Best In Show is a mockumentary of a dog show, similar to the Westminster Kennel Club competition that's become must-see-TV in our house every February. In the grandly funny style of This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting for Guffman, we watch interviews with different dog owners and trainers and see glimpses into their odd little lives. Of course, it all leads up to the dog show, with the requisite gamesmanship, tension and hilarity, as we follow what goes on behind the scenes and also hear the broadcast commentary. My favorite character is Fred Willard's Buck Laughlin, a former pro-athlete (think Joe Garagiola) who provides clueless and irreverent commentary during the "broadcast." He goes so far as to suggest the bloodhound should wear as Sherlock Holmes type hat and pipe!
Christopher Guest writes, directs and stars (Harlan Pepper, bloodhound owner) in this masterful comedy. His Spinal Tap buddy, Michael McKean (Stefan Vanderhoof), teams up with John Michael Higgins (Scott Donlan) to provide a lot of laughs as a single sex couple in love with their Shih Tzu. They even have a disparaging remark about keeshonds. I was the only one in the theater laughing really hard about that one, but for the most part, a large and widely diverse audience at the cinema on a Sunday night laughed throughout the film.
Best in Show is rated PG-13 for language and sex-related material. And, there's a bit more involved with that than a pug humping away on a man's leg, though there's just something funny about that.
And, there's a lot that's funny about Best In Show. The laughs come from material that's sophomoric and from material that's sophisticated. The important part is, the laughs keep on coming! Best In Show earns five stars, on my scale 0-5. Tail wagging good fun!
High Fidelity (2000)
Crank It Up!
There are rare occasions when I'm afraid to tell my friends how much I really loved a movie, because I'm afraid if I get too enthusiastic about it, they'll go to the theater with high expectations about it and won't be as pleasantly surprised and enjoy it as much as I did. They'll think, "Well, that wasn't so great. What's HER deal??"
But, you won't do that, right? I can tell you how I really feel about High Fidelity, right?
I LOVED it! I laughed so loudly and for so long, that I was afraid I was going to be disruptive, so I held my hands over my mouth and had to stomp my foot on the floor to release some of that energy of mirth. At various times in my life, I've known every character who populated High Fidelity, and it was fun to spend time with them again. There was so much truth in the film and slice of life irreverence, there were moments when it hurt to watch.
Director Stephen Frears likes to put surprises in his films, and there are some fun twists here. But mostly, this is John Cusack's world. And welcome to it.
In the beginning of High Fidelity, Rob Gordon (Cusack) gets dumped by his girlfriend (Iben Hjejle). This prompts a period of soul searching and direct eye contact with the camera, during which Rob recounts his top five worst break ups. In between his introspective and revealing monologues, we get to see Rob's friends, family, fantasies and former loves.
There are so many fun cameo appearances here. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tim Robbins, Lili Taylor and Sara Gilbert all have small parts. I wondered what in the heck prompted them to do the movie and hope it was Cusack's influence or that they just don't mind spending a few days on a fun flick. There are surprises from an actress playing a rock star and even a real rock star who gives Rob some good advice.
But, my favorite characters are the two guys who work for Rob at his vintage record store. Barry (Jack Black) and Dick (Todd Louiso) provide a sort of Greek chorus for this modern male tragic comedy. And many of the scenes that cracked me up were the three guys marking time at work debating lists of The Top Five... whatever.
The previews for High Fidelity made it look to me like mostly a chick flick, sort of a Say Anything for twenty somethings. But the truth is, this is a guy baring his soul and confessing to the guy flaws that make him unable to remain faithful and commit to a girl he loves. Fidelity isn't just the way a song is reproduced on vinyl, it's also the test of a relationship. The film High Fidelity remains faithful to the book by Nick Hornby. And it all rings true to me.
High Fidelity is rated R for language and some sexuality. The mature crowd enjoys High Fidelity more anyway, because we get all of the obscure music references. High Fidelity earns a four and a half on my scale, 0-5. It cracks the list of my top five movies of the century, with a bullet.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
A Stranger in a Strange Movie
I prefer to review movies on their own merits and not compare them to other films. I don't think that's fair. YET
The 13th Warrior has me very frustrated. It SHOULD have been Braveheart for the Vikings, taking you back in time to glory in an ethnic legend and the nobility of fighting for a cause. Instead, The 13th Warrior is more like a bad martial arts movie, with violence for the sake of violence and effects. You can almost hear Beavis and Butthead breathing, `Huh, huh. He cut off his arm with a sword. Cooooooool!'
Oh, there's a lot of story behind The 13th Warrior. You just have to look it up on your own after you watch the movie. There's Nordic folklore involved, a fun little sect called the Eaters of the Dead. Michael Crichton wrote the book about it and helped on the screenplay, but much of the actual `meat' of this Viking tale ended up in the scrap heap.
Instead, you have Antonio Banderas playing a pretty foreigner who's sent away from a comfortable Arab life because he covets his ruler's wife. He's immersed in the North Culture and even learns their language at an amazing rate. That's so they can all talk english for the rest of the movie, but there's really not much need for that, as talk is secondary to battle.
His new found friends are facing a frightening foe that feeds on its victims when the fog rolls in and would seem to be unstoppable. A witch prophesizes that a stranger must be the thirteenth warrior in the posse if they're to defeat the enemy. Conveniently, Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan (Banderas) has recently arrived, and he fits the bill. But this stranger says he's a lover not a fighter.
As William Wallace's father said, `It's our wits that make us men.' And Ahmed proves his worth as a man among Norsemen.
This is a gorgeous film. The characters and their costume are all very authentic looking. The scenery is spectacular, so much so that I watched the end credits specifically to see where they shot it (British Columbia, Canada). But in the end, I can not give props to cinematographer Peter Menzies, Junior, because while the battles are intense and fun, they all take place in the dark and fog, and many times you can't tell who's zooming who!
The 13th Warrior is rated R for the bloody battles and carnage. It's an interesting look at the Nordic people and legends from an outsider's perspective, earning a three and a half on my scale, 0-5. If you like action over actual conversation, The 13th Warrior is your Valhalla.
The Road to El Dorado (2000)
The Road to El Dumb and Dumber
The title of this review makes it sound like I despised the new animated feature from Dreamworks, The Road to El Dorado. I didn't despise it, I enjoyed myself in the theater, and so did my eight year old son. But, I liken the movie to a Twinkie. It's really fun while you're eating it, but when you're done, there's no feeling of fullness or satisfaction, and you wonder, "Why did I spend money on that??"
The Road to El Dorado has one thing going for it, there are no other new movies to take your kids to right now. For another, the character voices are wonderful. Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Kline have a great time with the stars, Miguel and Tulio. The opening scenes introduce us to these two scoundrels who live life on the streets of Spain running scams and dreaming schemes. They're fast and funny. And as animated guys go, Miguel gets a seven and a half on my sigh scale.
The buddies acquire a map to the fabled city of gold, El Dorado. Their actual "road" to El Dorado includes stowing away on one of Cortes' ships headed to the New World. Through various stumblings and mishaps, they actually do find the lost city. They get a little help from a native girl named Chel (Rosie Perez). And the trio is caught between two leaders of the civilization who are grappling for power (Edward James Olmos and Armand Assante).
There are some great messages for kids: friendship is more important than wealth, make sure you know how to read a map, the cutest guy doesn't always get the girl, beware religious fanatics and always make sure you get a really smart horse.
But, in an effort to titillate the adults who enjoy animation or happen to be in the theater with their kids, the creators of The Road to El Dorado hit a pothole. The character of Chel is interesting. But, she's not a very good role model for girls. She's a thief, the Mayan version of the Material girl. She's rather loose, barely dressed and nearly breaks up the relationship between our two heroes.
And our two "heroes" possess many qualities we try not to foster in our kids. The Dreamworks creators say they're hapless fellows who happen into movie worthy situations. But what they really are is a couple of con men who get to go on a great adventure. They're greedy and sneaky and liars and frauds, when it comes down to it.
And the music. This is the trumpeted first collaboration between knighted and oscared Elton John and Tim Rice. While the first two songs showed real brilliance, there wasn't enough substance to sustain the 89 minute running time. And, the animation during some of the songs, particularly the ones that take place in El Dorado, reminded me of the psychedelic pinwheels and trippy color washes from badanimation treats like The Aristocats and Yellow Submarine. I sat smiling and riveted early, I think it was during Someday Out Of The Blue and The Trail We Blaze. But, that feeling gave way to puzzlement. Did they run out of time or money to flesh out sequences for the songs later in the film?
The really sad thing is, I can't remember any of the songs that I liked, nor did I hum them while leaving the theater. That says something, either about me or the movie.
The Road to El Dorado is a meal of empty calories, when I'd rather feed my family brain food. There are a few scary scenes and mild sexual content to earn it a PG rating. It's a two and a half on my scale, 0-5.
The Road to El Dorado is fun for a rainy afternoon, but I'd recommend time after to discuss some of the themes with kids. Maybe the nourishment could come from some post theater research into other Latin American myths and cultures!