Movie Reviews

Flame & Citron ****

2010-12-28T19:55:00.001-08:00

Two Danish Resistance fighters serve as assassins of Danish Nazi's when orders are handed down to kills some Germans. And then the proverbial plot thickens. A gritty, atmospheric film that removes some of the romantic charm from the résistance fighters. Highly recommended.

The Secret In Your Eyes

2010-11-06T08:52:00.001-07:00

Wow. Excellent in every way.

STATE OF PLAY ****

2010-04-04T08:16:00.001-07:00

This thriller feels all too real at times. Cal McCaffrey, an old-style journalist working for the Washington Globe. He begins to investigate the death of a young woman who was a research assistant for his college friend, who is now an ambitious congressman. He works to help the congressman to keep his career from being ruined when facts emerge there had been an affair between the research assistant and the congressman. The movie is a fast paced political thriller that is at once thought provoking and entertaining. A menacing Blackwater-like group appears to be behind the young woman’s death and McCaffery is working against the clock to uncover the truth.

Highly recommended!

And The Winner Is . . .

2009-08-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

Kinamand ("Chinaman")

Following are the movies we watched between mid-February and August 1st, 2009. Kinamand was our favorite. Slum Dog Millionaire was really good, but the brevity and simplicity of Kinamand . . . the sweetness, I guess, won over the complexity, audacity and shock value of Slum Dog. It's supremely more difficult to pull off something simple really well, I think, than to do something that is dazzling. Kinamand succeeded.

In Burges was surprisingly entertaining. Borat was simply out of hand ridiculous; the definition of sophmoric, yet infinitely memorable.

Le Cercle Rouge *** (2-16-09)

Late Spring ** (2-23-09)

Intolerable Cruelty **** (2-25-09)

WALL-E **** (3-09-09)

Mongol *** (3-16-09)

Le Samourai *** (4-20-09)

Tell No One **** (5-11-09)

Slumdog Millionaire ***** (6-1-09)

Cranes Are Flying *** (6-16-09)

In Bruges **** (6-19-09)

Kinamand ***** (6-20-09)

Borat **** (7-12-09)

Seduced and Abandoned **** (7-24-09)

Jellyfish *** (7-31-09)

Love Actually *** (8-1-09)

Divorce Italian Style ****

2009-02-11T17:14:00.000-08:00

Italian, with English sub-titles

Ferdinando is in love with his cousin Angela, who lives across the garden. She's 16 and he's 37. But age disparity is not a problem. Being surrounded by family and lacking privacy is annoying, but most annoying is the fact that Ferdinando is married! As his desire for Angel grows, so do fantasies of doing away with Rosalia, his overbearing wife. Eventually he concocts a scheme . . .

A genuinely amusing comedy start to finish.

U-571 ***1/2

2009-02-11T16:38:00.000-08:00

World War II thriller. An American submarine crew is dispatched to recover an Enigma machine from a disabled German U-boat in hostile waters. The Enigma is a code machine that kept the German's one step ahead of the Allies during WWII. Suspenseful and tense, with great sound effects, but essentially a formula movie.

Fascinating information about the Enigma here: ENIGMA

Diva **1/2

2009-02-11T16:35:00.001-08:00

French with English sub-titles

A young postal worker surreptitiously records a concert of the diva who refuses to be recorded. Another tape ends up in his bag and soon he is involved with Parisian mob killers, a corrupt police captain, and a mysterious guy who helps save the day. Intricate and stylish thriller that, although full of holes and utter improbability, was likely considered very cool in 1982.

The Bicycle Thief *****

2009-02-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

Ladri di Biciclette - Vittorio De Sica's 1948 masterpiece.

Italian with English sub-titles

Unemployment is rampant in postwar Italy and Antonio is ecstatic when he lands a job as a poster hanger. The catch is that the job requires that he have a bicycle. The family is virtually penniless, but his wife gathers together all the bed linens and sells them so Antonio can buy a used bike. While he is busy hanging posters, someone steals the bike. A frenzied search ensues in the streets of Rome with the aid of his young son Bruno.

This is an incredibly simple plot, with no distracting sub-plots or extraneous devices. It is a simple, linear movie about a man struggling to keep his job, to keep his family fed, and to regain his dignity. In one moment, he's on top of the world. In the next, and it happens within seconds, he is reduced to utter desperation. It's heartbreaking to watch as fear and anger undermine his relationship with his son. The movie reminds us that in an absolutely desperate situation, we will stop at nothing in order to survive. A tragic and memorable movie with a poignant ending scene. Don't miss it!

Shooter *1/2

2009-02-11T15:56:00.000-08:00

I like to see an action flick from time to time. The Dark Knight filled the bill recently. This movie has action, but other than that, it's about as forgettable as one can imagine. The plot: Ex-sniper is sought out by the government to help prevent the assassination of the President. Instead, the Pres gets knocked off anyway and the protagonist finds that he has been set up and the subject of a manhunt. Unless you are stuck on a runway and have no other options, don't waste your time . . .

Before Sunrise ***

2009-02-10T20:48:00.000-08:00

An American tourist meets a pretty fellow traveler on a train heading Vienna. He persuades her to disembark spend the night (his last in Europe) walking the streets with him. The movie was nicely filmed, but overall somewhat boring. I can't bring myself to watch the sequel, Before Sunset.

The Dark Knight ***1/2

2009-02-10T17:13:00.000-08:00

In this sequel to Batman Begins, Batman teams with Lt. James Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent in the battle to dismantle Gotham City's criminal organizations. But the Joker, a psychotic villain who stops at nothing, takes control of the situation. Good action flick!

Russian Dolls ***1/2

2008-12-29T06:11:00.000-08:00

Various languages, with English subtitles

Written and directed by Cédric Klapisch, Russian Dolls picks up where his 2002 comedy, "L'Auberge Espagnole" ended. The same characters are played by the same actors. Smart, sexy, educated young Europeans who have hit their thirties and are being to experience anxiety about their lives and love.

There are many interesting, playful uses of video editing employed that I enjoyed. I saw L'Auberge Espagnole, but didn't blog it, and had the same overall impression: Entertaining, but unbelievable.

See trailer HERE.

La Belle Noiseuse ****

2008-12-19T14:07:00.000-08:00

French with English subtitles 1991

I saw this movie shortly after it was released to video stores in the U.S. and it has remained with me ever since.

The plot involves reclusive, retired painter who lives with his wife in a large château in the south of France. One day, a young artist and his girlfriend visit the aging painter. Somehow (I can't recall the details) the young woman agrees to model for the painter, who is inspired to resume painting. The movie documents the process of creating art more perfectly than I have ever seen in film before. It's arduous, long and painful and the director employs unbelievably long takes to show the painting emerge on the canvas. The movie is very long and slow, yet appropriate to the topic and plot.

Vantage Point ***

2008-10-29T19:37:00.001-07:00

Premise: The President of the United States is assassinated while giving a speech in Spain.

We watch what happened from 8 points of view. Lots of action but the acting is less than expected.

21 **1/2

2008-10-29T19:03:00.001-07:00

A college professor teaches a team of brainy college whiz-kids to count cards at blackjack and flies them to Las Vegas on the weekends. Inspired by a true story. Unfortunately, the movie is weak.

The Bank Job ***

2008-10-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

Inspired by a 1971 robbery that took place at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone London. This high energy thriller weaves a story of high-level corruption, murder and sexual scandal.

Blood Simple ****

2008-09-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

Written by both brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen, this is the first movie directed by Joel Coen (1984). It's been nearly 25 years since I saw this movie and when I came across the name this morning I reminisced what a terrific piece of film noir it is. It predates Fargo by 12 years and it's darker and bloodier by far. Every entertaining, but be prepared.

Roger Ebert, in his review of the 15 year anniversary Director's Cut, included this:

In my 1985 review, I tried to explain that: "It keys into three common nightmares: (1) You clean and clean but there's still blood all over the place; (2) You know you have committed a murder, but you're not sure how or why; (3) You know you've forgotten a small detail that will eventually get you into a lot of trouble." Those feelings are so elemental that the movie involves us even though we know the Coens are laughing as they devise their fiendish complications. In a strange way, the contrivances also help excuse the blood and gore. If you are squeamish, here is the film to make you squeam.

For a complete review by Roger Ebert, click HERE.

The Counterfeiters ***1/2

2008-08-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

German with English subtitles

This movie is based on a true story, which makes it more interesting that it otherwise might be. During World War II the Nazi dreamed up "Operation Bernhard," a scheme in which Jewish counterfeiters and experts in the printing industry were forced to produce fake British pounds to help fund the Nazi war machine and undermine the British economy. Once successful, the Nazis were intent on doing the same with the U.S. Dollar.

Rosenstrasse ***

2008-08-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

Set in 1943 Berlin, this movie reports the little known episode in World War II history in which inter-married Jews were separated from their Aryan husbands and wives, detained in building in the Rosenstrasse district.

Bon Voyage ***1/2

2008-08-16T06:42:00.000-07:00

French, with English subtitles

Bon Voyage takes place in 1940s France, on the eve of the German occupation of Paris. Part murder mystery and part political drama, this stylish movie is somewhat madcap, with numerous sub-plots and twists and turns. The acting, scenery and accurate period costumes and settings make for a highly entertaining story.

4 months, 3 weeks and 2 Days ***1/2

2008-07-24T20:04:00.001-07:00

Romanian with English Subtitles

This is a story of two college roommates struggling to get one of them an illegal abortion. Tough movie with difficult material, yet well done.

The Cider House Rules ***1/2

2008-07-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

Based on a novel by the same name by John Irving.

Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), an orphan, has grown up in an orphanage in New England where Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine), the director of the orphanage has taught Homer how to attend to birthing mothers. Dr. Larch occasionally performs illegal, but safe abortions, to women in need, for all the right reasons, but Homer refuses to do them. One day a soldier (Paul Rudd) and his fiance (Charlize Theron) arrive at the orphanage and everything changes.

The story is compelling, the acting is good and the movie, though not perfect, is quite good. It grapples with abortion, love, and personal choices, among other things. I can't put my finger on why it didn't grab me with a greater force. Close to being really good, but short of being a winner. Nevertheless, it's certainly worth watching.

The Wind That Shakes The Barley **1/2

2008-07-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

An account, I imagine a fairly accurate one, of the British occupation of Ireland and the birth of the Irish Republican Army. I imagine it was hellish, as portrayed, but something about this movie left me feeling it missed the mark. Violence was the underlying theme, making the movie difficult to endure. Beautiful countryside and realistic sets and costumes add interest, but the acting simply was not convincing. I would give this movie an average rating (3 stars), but I deducted for the excessive violence.

10 Items Or Less **

2008-07-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, I only give this movie two stars. There was essentially no plot and the dialogue was absolutely dialogue. A failure on every count. I would give it one star, but I am giving it a point because at least they had the sense not to include gratuitous violence or sex. I'm not wasting mine to include a photo from this movie. Don't waste your time watching it.

Amores Perros ****1/2

2008-06-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

Spanish with English Subtitles.

Debut film by Alejandro González Iñárritu - Director/Producer

Amores Perros, which translates to "Loves A Bitch," is a tryptic in which characters from each part appear in one form or another, helping to tie all loose ends together. This is a powerful film in which love and dogs figure largely. A lot is thrown at the viewer, leaving him or her somewhat shell shocked. To top it off, none of the characters in the stories are likable in the least. Even when you begin to pick up on a thread that gives hope that there is something redeeming in a character, he/she betrays you and you realize they are scum. And this is exactly what makes this movie work so well. It's excellent. A must see.

(note: there are numerous dog fighting scenes in this movie that are sometimes hard to watch, but rest assured, I watched the special supplement and no dogs were injured in any way.)

Darjeeling Limited ***3/4

2008-06-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

From the creator of The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore, Wes Anderson. Darjeeling Limited is a quirky, comedic study of sibling and family issues. Three brothers embark on a train trip for a spiritual quest through India. Past history boils up between the three brothers, causing incessant argument and strife, rather than reconnection as hoped. Unexpectedly, a tragedy unites them and provides the spiritual link they needed. Before leaving India they try to reunite with their mother, an experience that frees them of their baggage.

After The Wedding ****1/2

2008-06-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

Danish, with English sub-titles.

Beautiful, harrowing, tender, vicious. These are among the words that pop into mind after watching After The Wedding. Supremely good acting; brilliant directing; good story with plenty of twists and turns.

I don't want to spoil this one by revealing too much. A short synopsis: Jacob, devoted to his work in an orphanage in Mumbai, must return to his homeland, Denmark, on a mission to secure funding for the orphanage from a self-made billionaire. The magnate has his own agenda.

Don't miss it!

The Illusionist ****

2008-05-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Illusionist, set in Vienna at the turn of the century, is a story of forbidden love. As teenagers, Eisenheim and Sophie, were prohibited from contact because he is merely the son of a cabinet maker, whereas Sophie, lived in a castle and would be a duchess. Fifteen years pass and they met again. This time, Sophie is about to marry Crown Prince Leopold. The Police chief is enthralled with the tricks, trying to determine how the illusions are performed, but Leopold, who is frustrated that he cannot determine how they are done demands that the police chief puts the illusionist out of business. Meanwhile, Eisenheim tries desperately to win Sophie's heart. Very entertaining!

This Is England **3/4

2008-05-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

THIS IS ENGLAND is set in 1983 Britain, during Margaret Thatcher conservative regime and the controversial Falklands War. Twelve-year-old Shaun is a lonely tough little kid who's mother seems to mostly ignore. Shaun's father has been killed in the Falklands War, so he isn't getting much attention or guidance. He is "adopted" by a group of aimless skinheads. Before long, an skinhead named Combo shows up, fresh out of jail, with an aim to lead the gang on a self charted goal to get rid of the immigrants who are stealing local jobs. Things take a turn to violence and Shaun has a decision to make.

Although the acting is quite good, if not riviting at times, there was something lacking. I was left feeling that there was a missed opportunity there.

Rushmore ***

2008-05-16T06:16:00.000-07:00

Max Fischer is a 15-year-old preppie who is involved in every esoteric extracurricular activity imaginable, except for actual school. i.e. president of the Rushmore Beekeepers Club, among many others. He is enraptured by a speech given by local steel mogul Herman Blume (Bill Murray), a self-made millionaire who has two moron sons attending Rushmore. Max compliments Herman on his speech and the two soon become fast friends. As love would have it, Max falls head over heels for the Ms. Cross, a third grade teacher at the prestigious Rushmore Academy; a woman about 8 or 10 years his senior. As love would have it, so does Herman. The movie is impossible to explain (in a paragraph). Suffice it to say that it's quirky and amusing.

Sweet Land ***1/2

2008-05-05T20:03:00.001-07:00

Inge grew up in Norway but speaks only German, arrives in Minnesota with a couple of bags and a Victrola but without her papers. She's meant to be a mail order bride, but with her papers, it proves to be difficult. Her intended, Olaf, is the strong silent type, and silent is an understatement. The community considers her to be German, which only makes matters worse. As a consequence, Inge and Olaf coexist in an awkward limbo, in which she sleeps in the house and Olaf sleeps in the barn. Yet, there is romance in their future.

The movie is a wonderful period piece that will cause everyone to consider, as least for a moment, the hardships their forefathers (and mothers) endured in making the U.S. their home.

You Kill Me ***

2008-04-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

You Kill Me is cut from the same black comedy cloth as Gross Pointe Blank. Ben Kingsley plays Frank Falencyzk, an alcoholic hitman for the Polish mob in Buffalo who screws up one hit too many and is banished by his boss (Philip Baker Hall) to San Francisco (!) for rehab.

Frank finds himself working in a mortuary and in AA. He is befriended by Tom (Luke Wilson), a toll way attendant, who is drawn to Frank's honesty. Soon, Frank meets Laurel (Tea Leoni), and a relationship is kindled. Can he find love, peace, and happiness? And recover from booze? And be a good hitman? As we all know, almost anything is possible when you're in love.

Sicko ****+

2008-04-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Soon after visiting Argentina, Carolyn and I learned that medical insurance is not employer based, like in the U.S. You buy it from whatever hospital you choose and if you lose your job, you keep it. You have to make payments, but you don't lose your coverage because you lost your job. It costs 20-25% of what it costs in the U.S. It includes mental health and preventative health coverage. And, I know this is as hard to believe, but it's true: They allow one elective surgery per year (read "cosmetic surgery"). In Buenos Aires, like Paris, doctors make house calls. And many of the drugs that are only available by a doctor's prescription in the U.S. can be had over-the-counter. After our second trip to Buenos Aires, the picture began to emerge rather quickly: The healthcare system in the U.S. is a godawful mess. Michael Moore discovered the same facts, but in Canada, England, France and Cuba. (yes, Cuba.)

Note: I gave this movie "four stars plus" not because of film quality, acting, or whatever, but rather, because it brings a powerful truth to light, in spite of the fact that it's slanted. Yes, it's slanted, but the fact is, three is no excuse for the mess of a system we have in this country. There is only shame.

Moore asks, at one point, "Who are we." Or put in another way, "how in the world did this happen?" It's simple: Capitalistic greed. Why does my dentist (who I like a great deal) charge $47 to step into the room for 3-4 minutes, after my teeth have been cleaned? To check my teeth? Yes. But that computes to over $550 per hour. So it's to check my teeth and to charge a sinful amount of money simply because that's how it's done. My insurance company covers it. That's our system.

It's interesting (and perplexing) that in the U.S. the idea of a national healthcare system is viewed negatively, as socialistic. Yet we have public schools. Why? We have a government run postal system. Why? We have social security. We have public libraries, parks, Medicare, food stamps, Section 8, etc. etc. So why is the business of insurance and healthcare private? 'Cause there's money to be made.

To get a taste of Sicko, see the Deleted Scene.

Sicko will make you laugh, but it may make you cry. You will certainly be angry and disgusted.

Paris, Je t'aime ***1/4

2008-04-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

18 short movies, perhaps 5 minutes each, is strung together in an homage to the City of Light. Sort of like tapas, rather than a dinner. Excellent photography and music, but because the short movies varied in quality, I ended up feeling unsatisfied. Nevertheless . . .

Each story appears to take place in a different arrondissement, although I didn't keep track to see if any were repeated (I don't think so). Cool idea, but then why weren't there 20 stories? There are 20 arrondissements.

The photo at the top of this post is of Aïssa Maïga in “Place des Fêtes,” which was directed by Oliver Schmitz and is tied as my favorite of the bunch with the final story, “14ème Arrondissement,” directed by Alexander Payne. The final story is about a middle-aged postal worker (play be Margo Martindale) from Denver who studied French for two years in preparation for her solitary dream vacation. The camera follows her as she delivers (pardon the pun) a " letter back home" in the form of a voice-over, in French with a strong American accent. Her last sentence ends the movie with poignant and charming epiphany.

Kinky Boots ***1/2

2008-04-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

Charlie Price inherits the family shoe factory, along with dozens of employees and few production orders. By chance, he encounters Simon, a drag queen and stumbles on the idea of focusing on a lucrative niche market: Kinky boots.

Mostly predictable and formulaic, but lots of fun watching both Charlie and Simon try to get the factory workers to get on board.

Simon is brilliantly played by Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dirty Pretty Things).

Batman Begins ***1/2

2008-04-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Bruce Wayne's coming of age story. Sort of. How Batman came to be. Certainly, this Batman movie has a story line and some decent character development. Sometimes funny, with some humanity thrown in, but mostly a fine rollercoaster ride. Entertainment, with a capital "E." We get to see Bruce inventing Batman and the learning curve involved with leaping between buildings. Sometimes it hurts.

Waiting for the sequel, which will include The Joker.

Black Book ****

2008-03-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

Directed by Paul Veerhoven.

Black Book is set in Holland, 1944, near the end of WWII. Rachel tries to escape the occupied zone and encounters her lost family who are trying to do the same. Instead she ends up working for the resistance, with a mission to infiltrate the high command. The movie is a thriller with many plot twists and turns that keeps you guessing until the end.

3-23-08

Ikiru (1952) ****1/4

2008-02-17T13:16:00.001-08:00

Japanese with English subtitles; directed by Akira Kurosawa

Kanji Watanabe is "section chief" in a department of City Hall. He spends his days (years, decades) reviewing forms and stamping them with approval. He learns that he is dying of stomach cancer and is overwhelmed with regret at how he has spent his life, having accomplished nothing worthwhile.

The premise of the movie sounds pretty dismal, yet in the end it is touching and thought provoking. I liked this movie, but I think Kurosawa could have gotten the story told using at least 30 minutes less time.

Crustacés et coquillages (2005) ***1/2

2008-02-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

French with English subtitles. Directed by Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau (co-directors)

Marc and Béatrix arrive with their daughter Laura and teenage son Charly at the seaside house where Marc spent his summers as a youth. The lazy summer atmosphere and aphrodisiacal crustaceans ("violets") seem to arouse everyone's appetite. Soon, Laura takes off for Portugal with her biker boyfriend and Charly's gay friend, Martin, shows up for a visit, followed by Béatrix' secret lover, Mathieu and eventually Marc's former lover. In addition to confusion about Charly's sexuality, everyone seems to be involved with someone else. The movie is whimsical and upbeat, but requires a tolerant attitude toward sexuality and orientation. I imagine all French families to be exactly like this one, but I'm sure that's a fantasy.

Red Doors ***

2008-02-14T17:33:00.000-08:00

Ed Wong keeps trying to kill himself, but his daughters keeps interrupting him. Ed, and his three daughters, are trying to find themselves; define themselves. The saddest character is the mother, I thought, who isn't trying at all. She's oblivious.

An entertaining film, although not great. I don't know what went wrong, but it felt more like a sitcom than a movie.

My Best Friend ***3/4

2008-02-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

French with English subtitles.

François Coste is a Paris antique dealer who purchases an antique vase at an auction for an exorbitant price. That evening, his partner, at a dinner with friends, accuses him of not having a single real friend. He is stunned to learn that his "friends" all agree. Nevertheless, he bets his partner that he can prove to her, within a matter of ten days, that he has a real friend. He faces losing the €250,000 vase to her and scrambles to find a friend.

It's a completely ludicrous premise, stitched together with scenes that are obviously ridiculous. Yet, I enjoyed the movie a great deal. It was funny, entertaining and, surprisingly, devilishly clever. I recommend it.

Pickpocket ***

2008-02-14T16:05:00.000-08:00

French with English subtitles; Directed by Robert Bresson

Michel, a pickpocket, has deluded himself into believing that people of a certain intelligence have a right to steal. He ignores his dying mother and treats his only friend like dirt. He appears to have no moral conscience; a psychopath who perfects pickpocketing. Indeed, it's a kind of how-to movie that shows how to go about the trade. Of course, the risk is that you might end up in jail. What was interesting to me is the technique of pickpocketing in which the pickpocket stands face-to-face with the "mark" while swiping his wallet. Wow, that's nerve. In another scheme, he "helps" the victim by grabbing his wrist to pull him out of a predicament while single-handedly taking his wristwatch. In one scene, the pickpocket returns an emptied wallet into the mark's pocket. True story: On his prom night (1969), a friend of mine lost his wallet to a pickpocket while dancing at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building in Chicago. He suspected a certain couple who bumped into him. Later that evening, his wallet reappeared, sans the cash. I guess if you're going to be a mark, at least getting nailed by professionals leaves you with an amazing story.

The characters in this movie are largely emotionless, except for Jeanne (that's her in the photo), his mother's neighbor, who is shown crying. It's a strange style, yet I found the movie was interesting. It's hard to connect to Michel, although it's natural to want to, but he's a psychopath, after all, so it's probably a good sign that I didn't. Bresson's photography was often mesmerizing.

It's a short movie, only 75 minutes.

Babel ****

2008-01-24T16:44:00.001-08:00

I liked Babel at lot, in spite of some aspects that were not believable or hard to swallow. I won't go into a detailed review since this movie is has been reviewed to death, but let me say that the movie was beautiful, anxiety producing and frustrating. There are injustices that will drive you nuts, but you can't do a thing about them.

In addition to the typical reviews, there was a good one here.

Warning: There are some scenes that are not for the faint of heart.

Live-in Maid ****

2008-01-02T18:39:00.000-08:00

Spanish with English Sub-titles.

In December, 2001, in Argentina, banks effectively closed their doors and customers were limited to withdrawing 300 pesos per month (imagine us suddenly being limited to withdrawing $300 month). Chaos and the collapse of the Argentine economy followed. Live-In Maid takes place in months prior to this cataclysmic event and is study of the relationship between an upper-crusty woman and her live-in maid as money is running out and the employer is having trouble paying the maid her salary. The acting is superb and it's Jorge Gaggero’s first film.

After nearly 30 years of ministering to Bebe's needs, Dora is thinking of quiting her job. Bebe has become entirely dependent on Dora, acting like royalty, although she is simply a middle class woman who has used up her inheritance on dumb business deals. For us norte americanos its a bit difficult to imagine having a live-in who cooks, cleans, shops, does laundry, and anything else you might not want to bother with, but in Argentina, still today, live-in maids are fairly common in the homes and apartments of the middle class (the wealthy have several servants). Indeed, most apartments and houses have maids quarters. As you can imagine, even this co-dependent arrangement, based on money, is a relationship nonetheless and Gaggero does a spectacular job at capturing the intimacy of these two women.

The movie is a bit slow for the average viewer, but it's an outstanding film and worth seeing.

Italian For Beginners ***1/2

2007-12-27T20:49:00.000-08:00

At the start of Italian For Beginners, I found myself somewhat irritated by the camera style, which seemed amateurish. The camera is hand held and jiggles around a lot. It's as if the photographer filmed the movie with a point and shoot camera. Nevertheless, before long, the movie draws you in and succeeds in capturing your interest. There are six main characters: A minister, a restaurant manager, a hairdresser, a hotel manager, a bakery clerk, and a waitress, along with a number of supporting actors. The theme of the movie is loss and loneliness. Everyone has experienced loss and everyone is experiencing loneliness. Indeed, the Italian class seems to be not more than an excuse to be with others. There is tragedy, frustration, and plenty more to make this a bleak portrait, yet, there is comedy and joy that offsets, indeed overcomes, the everyday lives of these complicated, ordinary people.

The Lives of Others (2006) *****

2007-09-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

German - English sub-titles

The setting for this movie is East Germany in 1984. The Berlin Wall is still in place and the "Stasi," the secret police, have the most incredible and frightening surveillance network imaginable. The system has co-workers, friends, neighbors, and even family members coerced into spying on each other, reporting activities to the Stasi.

Stasi captain Gerd Wiesler (photo above) is played brilliantly by Ulrich Mhe, an actor from the former East who was himself once under Stasi surveillance. He is assigned to find dirt on playwright Georg Dreyman and undertakes his assignment with icy professionalism. I won't reveal more to mitigate any potential for spoiling. The movie is simply outstanding. My initial reaction is to rate it "five stars." It's totally captivating and convincing, catapulting you into the insanity of East Germany in 1984. Summary: It's flawless.

Afterlife ***1/2

2007-08-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

Japanese - English subtitles

Suppose that you have died and you found yourself at a way station between here and eternity. A small team of people is on hand to inform you that eternity consists of reliving one memory from your life and they are there to help you pick that one special moment. What would you pick?

"When we come to the last moment of this lifetime and we look back across it, the only thing that's going to matter is 'What is the quality of our love?" - Richard Bach (author)

Elling ****

2007-08-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

Filmed in Norway - English sub-titles.

Elling's mother dies and the state places him in an asylum. In spite of his phobias he establishes an unlikely friendship with another patient, Kjell , who is obsessed with women and food and is an incredible slob. Eventually they are placed in an apartment in downtown Olso to live on their own. Reminiscent of The Odd Couple, but with a different twist. A very charming and entertaining movie. Don't miss it!

A Very Long Engagement ****

2007-07-09T20:07:00.000-07:00

The story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancée, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One. Stars Audrey Tautou. The images of the war are unexpected and shocking. Very entertaining! A mystery and a war movie. Word to the wise: The movie starts with some history on five soldiers. Pay attention to their names or you will be confused later in the film.

House of Fools ***

2007-07-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

House of Fools takes place someplace in Russia during the Chechen War. The premise is that a hospital with violent psychiatric patients is abandoned by the staff. What ensues is comical, tragic and mad.

The Parallax View (1974) **1/2

2007-05-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

Warren Beatty plays news reporter, Joe Frady, who stumbles into a massive cover-up and the Parallax Corporation after a senator is assasinated. I imagine that in the 1970's, when public trust of our government was at an all-time low, this was a timely movie. Unfortunately, it's somewhat corny and dated. It does show, however, how easily a conspriary and cover-up can be managed. The current conspiracy (9-11) is not that hard to imagine; simply difficult to grasp.

There is a scene in the movie in which Joe Frady embarks on a plane and pays for his ticket on board, once the plane is airborne; like on a train. It underscores how terrorist events (which are conspiracies of a sort) have allowed our government to train the citizens of this "free country" to give up rights and to have thier documents on hand to prove who they are. This is all too reminiscent of fascism. We citizens, like sheep, have been going about our business, muttering and shrugging, as the government has been busy passing laws that allow the police to examine our lives at will. i.e. without due process and without a judge's order. How long will it be before the censorship starts?

Casino Royale ****

2007-03-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Daniel Craig delivers. Action packed adventure and no more of the idiotic spoofing that has plagued the Bond films for years. I think Ian Fleming would approve.

Lost Embrace (El Abrazo Partido) **1/2

2006-12-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

Ariel "works" in his mother's lingerie shop in a small neighborhood mall in Buenos Aires, all the while trying to find himself. It appears that he is trying to forge an identify and understand who he is, but pieces of the puzzle appear to be missing. The largest missing piece is his father, who is living in Israel and no longer a part of his life. Slowly, he finds the pieces and puts the puzzle together.

The style of the photography, unfortunately, drove me to distraction. It was entirely shot handheld and the result is a jarring visual cacophany that made the movie less enjoyable than it might have been. I couldn't warm up to the main character, finding little in his character that made him likeable.

Vodka Lemon ***

2006-08-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Directed by Hiner Saleem.

A widower, with three apparantly useless sons, struggles financially in an isolated village in post-Soviet Armenia, selling off his possessions one by one to supplement his $10/month pension. Making frequent trips to the cemetery to visit the grave of his deceased wife, he eventually warms up to a woman who visits the grave of her deceased husband.

The story is not very well developed, but the movie is worth watching simply for a glimpse into the culture of these people. It's interesting to learn that they preferred living under communism.

Caché ****

2006-08-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

If you like a whodunit/thriller, you will like Caché (English title: Hidden). Georges (Daniel Auteuil) and Anne Laurent (Julliet Binoche) learn they are being filmed by an unknown voyeur with unknown intentions. They feel threatened and violated. The situation puts them on edge, but when Georges reveals that he has a suspect in mind, but is not forthcoming about it with Anne, she becomes understandably furious with him. We soon learn that George is a creep. And Anne soon she learns that he cannot be trusted.

A bit of dark history in Georges’ past begins to emerge, which torments him. We learn that as a boy, he fabricated lies about an orphan, Majid, who his parents intended to adopt. Georges’ lies led the parents to instead place Majid into an orphanage. Georges is convinced that Majid, now a middle-aged man, is twisted and intent on paying him back. Perhaps. Perhaps not.

The movie does not get neatly resolved, leaving the viewer uncertain, on edge and questioning everything that has happened. There are a number of puzzling events in the movie that are not explained, but which have a disconcerting effect. Near the end, there is a dream scene in which a young boy is forcibly placed into a car and taken away. My guess is that it’s Majid, on his way to the orphanage. The scene confirms that Georges remains tortured. I am left feeling that Georges has not revealed all the lies he concocted.

Director Michael Haneke has us trying to complete the puzzle, long after the movie has ended, but we are missing too many pieces. He has, it appears, intentionally withheld them. Like the characters in the movie, which harbor secrets, Haneke is not forthcoming and leaves us guessing. This movie could have left me thinking it was a dismal failure because I could not figure it out. Instead, it turned out to be a success because I could not figure it out.

12 Monkeys ***1/2

2006-08-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Directed by Terry Gilliam, anyone who has seen Brazil will see some similarities between this science fiction thriller and the alternate world that Gilliam created in Brazil. The rust, the consantly dripping machinery and unexpected twists leave you in a heap, bewildered and exhausted, but thoroughly entertained.

In 12 Monkeys, Cole (Bruce Willis), a convict, is sent back in time on a dangerous mission to collect information about a virus that killed 5 billion people in 1996. The remaining humans have retreated to a subteranean world that is evidently safe (although very leaky, steamy, rusty, and filled with valves). Time travel seems to be an inexact technology and he shows up early (1990). He is promptly committed to an insane asylum and the movie takes off from there.

Unlike Brazil, which is entirely entertaining but unexplainable, 12 Monkeys has a clear plot that holds together.

L’ Avventura *****

2006-07-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

When I first saw L’ Avventura, about ten years ago, I was simply blown away. The cinematography, in black and white, is (for me) mesmerizing and astounding. I can’t think of another movie in which most of the frames could be printed as individual compelling photographs on their own. Of course, there is the movie as well, which inspires thinking on various levels. I imagine that every scene was painstakingly and purposefully devised, rendering a thorough record of Michelangelo Antonioni’s state of mind at the time he created this film. This is film art at its finest. Yet, I imagine, not everyone will like it. Antonioni takes his time and does not follow formula and neatly tie up loose ends, which many would find frustrating. Nevertheless, he has fashioned a compelling drama that provides a glimpse into the empty lives of the aimless wealthy. As often happens in life, like minds seems to be drawn together and he has captured their essence (or the lack of it) perfectly.

The movie, like real life and unlike most tightly planned movies, does not have any particular structure and is completely unpredictable. Totally non-formulaic, it appears to simply follow the protagonists, where ever they might decide to go. There is no violence or profanity to keep the viewer entertained. Instead, the camera seems to be used to maintain one’s attention. Antonioni uses a wide angle lens that keeps every scene razor sharp. The foreground and background are simultaneously in focus, requiring our rapt attention to the details on all areas of the screen. The camera often refers to the unpredictability and potential danger of nature. The water appears dangerous, the sky threatening, and the landscape harsh. Also, he uses unseen devices to convey an ominous aura. There is a shark, but we don’t see it. We hear a boat, but don’t see it. We discover there is a man living on the island; does he have anything to do with the unfolding events?

In short, the movie is about a group of wealthy friends on a boat trip in the Mediterranean. The friendships appear strained and shallow. Communication seems awkward and everyone seems narcissistically preoccupied. The trip, on a magnificent motor yacht in a spectacular setting, is boring and the protagonist, Ann is feeling unhappy with her relationship with Sandro and, I think, with life in general. While swimming, she screams “shark,” apparently to add some excitement to the trip. Shortly, the boat stops at a barren island where the people look remarkably out of place, uncomfortably surrounded by jagged rocks; isolated from anything familiar, including themselves. When it’s time to depart, Anna cannot be found. A search team is called in, to no avail. Sandro and Anna’s girlfriend, Claudia, begin searching nearby villages, while the others quickly move on and forget about Anna, including her father. Anna, proves to be easy to forget. All of these people are easy to forget. They have little to offer each other. Less than a day goes by before Sandro makes advances toward Claudia, who is at first shocked but slowly concedes her mutual interest.

Everyone will have a favorite or memorable scene in a movie. I have several. My favorite is when Claudia and Sandro arrive at a seemingly deserted church. Antonioni positions Sandro in the foreground and Claudia in the background (see photo above). The image superbly conveys the tension and distance between these two people. There is nothing else in the image and they are looking in different directions. Indeed, everyone is looking elsewhere, somewhere, for something. Claudia has, metaphorically, turned to the church for guidance, but the church, empty, offers no clues, no help, no solace. Sandro, looks elsewhere and appears impatient and distracted.

In another memorable scene, Sandro, an architect who has given up his profession in favor of making money as an estimator, deliberately spills ink on an incomplete but lovingly drawn rendering of a classical building, ruining it. When confronted by the young artist, who is evidently an architect or student, Sandro tries to provoke a fight and intimidates the younger man into submission. I imagine he expressing anger with himself for having sold his soul.

The title, L'Avventura, translates to “the adventure.” At the conclusion of the movie I wondered what Antonioni had in mind when he chose the title. Was the boat trip meant to be an adventure? The search for Anna? Maybe the relationship between Claudia and Sandro? Or perhaps it was simply the act of making the movie? I don’t know, but I have settled on this theory: The movie is a search for humanity. A search for someone with a soul. Nobody seems to have one. Anna father is obviously lacking here. None of the friends on the boat trip show any evidence of it. Really, not one person in the movie shows any evidence of anything more than shallowness and self-indulgence and the consquent isolation. There is no sign of love anywhere, romantic or otherwise. Ultimately, we find Claudia’s humanity in the form of her compassion for Sandro, who appears to deserve none. I think that she has been restlessly searching not for her friend but for her own soul.

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (****)

2006-07-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

Written by Guillermo Arriaga. Directed by Tommy Lee Jones.

A modern day western in which Tommy Lee Jones plays Pete Perkins, a slightly mad cattle rancher whose friend is killed by a over-zealous, cruel border patrol cop. When the local cop, for unknown reasons, refuses to investigate the murder, Pete takes matters into his own hands. It's a movie not so much about revenge or justice, as it is about friendship, honor and redemption. Well acted and directed, although I think that the bond between Pete and the Melquiades Estrada was not as well established as it could have been. Neverthelss, this is superb movie-making that also does a good job showing life on both sides of the border.

Voyages (****)

2006-06-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

Written and directed by Emmanuel Finkiel (1999).

Voyages presents three poignant but unsentimental vignettes of how the holocaust has affected the lives of three unrelated Jewish women. The movie is reminiscent of the style and tone of Krzysztof Kieslowski. Although the pace was nearly uncomfortably slow, it was an excellent movie that lingered and ignited considerable thinking.

Part one centers around a bus tour in Poland. First of a cemetery and later Auschwitz. The bus leaves without Rivka and she is furious with her husband for forget her. She slowly realizes that she needs to cut him out of her life. Part one has one obtusely amusing scene in which a bus carrying a load of Jews from Warsaw to visit Auschwitz breaks down. They are hopping mad they can’t get there.

In part two, a father appears after a 52 year absence. Thought to have died in a concentration camp, he in fact survived but was trapped behind the Iron Curtain for decades. The ties that should bind them have been erased by time and the daughter, now in her sixties, questions his version of events because they don’t match her memories. Yet, she allows herself to accept him in spite of only sketchy and questionable proof of the genealogical connection. Is she desperate or does she simply resigns herself to the situation? We don’t know. Like Kieslowski, Finkiel does not provide clear conclusions.

In part three, elderly Vera accompanies her younger neighbors to emigrate to Israel from Russia. She intends to connect with her cousin, her last know living relative, who she hasn’t seen in 28 years. She quickly realizes that the cousin, now in a home for the elderly, doesn’t need her and has no interest in anything more than a casual connection. No doubt that Vera is despondent about this, yet, she moves on. Vera gets lost on her trip back to the hotel, but, in an inexplicable coincidence, is befriended by Rivka.

Finkiel does an outstanding job conveying the devastation and pain of war without any overt imagery, instead, doing it subtly, showing us how it permeates every day life. He also reminds us that time erodes the past. Memories become is clouded and eventually lost altogether.

Finkiel reminds us that every event brings uncertainty. Whether it is a bus trip, a telephone call or a move to another country, nothing turns out as expected. He also shows how connections between people are often misinterpreted or even entirely imagined. At same time, there appears to be a message of hope in this: There is something over the horizon; we simply don’t know what it will be. Hope is shown to exist in people’s ability to cope, survive, adapt. What he seems to be driving at that we need to put the past behind us, no matter how unjust and horrible is was and to get on with life. Life is too important to waste dwelling on the past. Of course, this is easier said than done.

There is a scene in which Vera makes her way to the beach. Initially, there is the expected frolicking and fun. But eventually, in a very deliberately contrived sequence, the camera pans over stationary figures as they watch a fairly unimpressive sunset. Finkiel’s purpose is elusive, but the scene is memorable.

Incantato (****)

2006-06-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

Romatic drama about a 35 year old man, Nelo, whose father sends him to Bologna to find a wife. The father, a pilandering tailor to the pope and his cardinals, depends on Nelo to carry on the family name and business. Nelo moves into a respectable men's boarding house and teaches literature at a local college. Although he is unsure of himself about the opposite sex, he soon falls in love with a woman who has been blinded in an accident. She uses Nelo, attempting to make her old boyfriend jealous, and generally treats Nelo poorly. Nevertheless, he is completely in love with her. The movie is heavily nostalgic and romantic, with marvelous scenes of Italian architecture. It beautifully captures life as one would imagine it in Italy in 1920. It could easily be a sappy film, but it's not. Instead, it's sweet, elegant and bittersweet. Most importantly, it reminds us not only that love is blind, but that it's so terribly difficult to find.
(Note: the original title of this movie is Il Cuore Altrove.)

The Ice Harvest (***)

2006-05-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Inspite of John Cusack and Billy Bob Thorton, The Ice Harvest left me a little cold. In a nutshell, the movie is about a $2 million heist from the mob and a series of double crosses. It's noire and comedy. The best part of the movie, I thought, was an insane fifteen or twenty minute visit to the ex-wife's house on Christmas Eve. Mostly the movie was predictable, with some funny moments offset by some wrenching twists, but the real failure was that not one character was likeable in the least. Everyone in this movie is a scumbag. Really, kind on depressing. Yet, the movie did entertain. (viewed 5-19-06)

2006-04-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

*** Après vous (4-22-06) - Romantic French comedy - farce. Although the premise of this movie is completely implausible, the acting makes it enjoyable. A waiter, taking a shortcut through a park, encounters a man trying to commit suicide. He saves him and tries everything possible to help the guy get his will to live. This revolves largely around trying to hook the suicidal guy up with his old girlfriend. The underlying story, I think, is about getting engaged with people who either can't be helped or who cannnot return the favor of your attention/good will (or both). Sometimes there is a surprise.

2006-03-20T20:56:00.000-08:00

*** The Island (3-18-06) - Human clones escape from underground body parts factory. Actually, it was pretty entertaining, with impressive special effects, but the movie is way too long.

***1/2 Out of Sight (3-18-06) - George Clooney plays a bank robber & Jennifer Lopez plays a FBI agent. He breaks out of prison; there's love between them; there are $5.2 million dollar in diamonds to steal, and there are some very crazy hoodlums to contend with. Entertaining.

**** Barbarian Invasions 3-5-06 - Story of a guy dying from cancer. He is surrounded by his friends, wife, two mistresses, a herion addict that helps to relieve his pain, and his son who arranges everything to be as comfortable as possible. Eventually, the man reconciles the reality of his impending death against his zest for life and fear of dying. Although many aspects of this movie don't ring true, many more do and cause you to reflect on the movie and your own vulnerability.

*** Constant Gardener 3-3-06 - In Kenya, a diplomat investigates his wifes murder, after she has been investigating illegal drug testing on poor natives.

***1/2 In The City 2-15-06 (Spanish) - about a group of 30-something people, angst, the quest for love, and contemporary urban life in Barcelona.

**** Crash (2-4-06) - multiple lives intertwine during a short period. Won Best Picture.

**** The Big Lebowski (1-22-06) - Story about "The Dude." Impossible to explain but recommended. Very entertaining.

**** The Pianist 12-3-05 - A supposedly true story of a man who survives the Warsaw ghetto and the war. Roman Polanski does an outstanding job.

**** Downfall (11-20-05) - Hitler's last days in the bunker. Very realistic. Recommended!

**** Beyond The Sea (8-28-05) - Kevin Spacey's bio of Bobby Darrin. Spacey does his own singing, which is quite good.

**** Aviator (8-26-05) - Biography of Howard Hughes. Very entertaining with great special effects.

**** When My Father Was Away On Business (July, 2005) - About Sarejvo in about 1950. Father of two boys is sent to mines by his brother-in-law because he says something against the communists.

***1/2 Zelary (6-25-05) excellent movie about woman during WWII forced to hide in a village and get married to a guy she wants nothing to do with.

*** Girl From Paris 12-18-04

*** Bon Voyage 1-05 (about taking heavy water out of France during WWII). Entertaining.

***1/2 Monsieur Ibrahim (4-25-05) - about a Turkish store owner in Paris who serves as a father figure to a young boy.

***1/2 Motorcycle Diaries (3-05) - Che drives around South America on his bike.

***1/2 Nine Queens (3-05) - Con artists working Buenos Aires using counterfeit stamps to make a big score. Much better than David Mammet's "House of Games."