new views…
July 7, 2008
JB swedes
Be Kind Rewind ***1/2 – Gondry is a favorite director of mine, and Be Kind is a good film about the joy of making movies, and how we’ve lost that in today’s CGI, bigger is better, screw the script mentality. Worth a rent. Jack Black and Mos Def star.
meet the dylans
I’m Not There ***1/2 – Listening to a Dylan tune here or there is the extent of my knowledge of the man so I can hardly be categorized as a fan, but this film was out of the ordinary, and I‘m always up for a unique experience. Six actors portray characters that may or may not be manifestations of Dylan’s persona. Blanchett steals the show, although the entire cast holds their own with the fragments they are given. The abstract format will be confusing to many viewers; I appreciate the film for it’s out of the box thinking,though it’s not entirely successful as narrative.
4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days ***** - This is a film that sticks with you long after the credits. The cinematography is a brilliant exercise in minimalism, and the performances and story are incredibly powerful and real. One of the best films I’ve viewed this year.
sam riley as ian curtis in silhouette
Control ****1/2 – Wonderfully photographed biopic of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of Joy Division; whose life ended tragically at the age of 23. Samantha Morton and Sam Riley star.
the real Junge
Lara as Junge
Downfall ****1/2 – A WW2 film that focuses on the Germans, Hitler in particular, and his last days in an underground bunker. This film was criticized by some for “humanizing” the dictator, but I found it to be incredibly honest. The man was clearly a monster, but a man nonetheless. Alexandra Maria Lara stars as Hitler’s secretary Traudl Junge.
Lars and Real Girl **** – a strange tale about a reclusive young man who develops an unusual relationship with a sex doll. The comedy is situational and not forced, and the drama is surprisingly heartfelt. Ryan Gosling stars.
lars (right) and the real girl
Cashback *** – The short version of this film was nominated for an Academy Award. The writer director thought it would be a good idea to extend the film, and so he added several pointless scenes (soccer match anyone?) that actually detract from what was an inventive short, and turn it into a slightly above average romantic comedy with lots of “artistic” nudity…
unrealistic grocery aisle
Thirteen **** – Your friends are like buttons on an elevator. Evan Rachel Wood’s breakthrough role.
reality?
