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Año bisiesto (2010)
Excellent Mexican psychological drama.
A raw, uncompromising portrait of a woman journalist, brilliantly played by Monica Del Carmen, who is riven by isolation, financial insecurity and a sexually abusive past. The direction by Rowe is masterful and if you like the work of Haneke and Von Trier, you may well find a lot to appreciate here. The rhythm of the piece is pitch- perfect and whereas the previously mentioned directors have a taste for the hysterical, the treatment here is more humane somehow and less obviously exploitative of the viewer's emotions. I also liked the formal camera-work, lack of close-ups and off-camera sounds and dialogue that created a heightened, tense atmosphere.
All in all, a fine debut film by a director to watch in the future.
Gerontophilia (2013)
Fresh, fun and compelling comedy from the maker of 'No Skin Off My Ass'
The subject matter may be intimidating to some (a love story between a young man with a fetish for geriatrics, and an 83 year-old man) but this is a heartwarming treat. The dialogue is a little clunky at times but otherwise this is one of the finest road movies, of sorts, I have seen for many's the year. Bruce la Bruce, the fearless doyen of Queer Cinema, veers towards the mainstream in this and doesn't miss a beat. The performances are great, particularly Walter Borden, and the soundtrack is glorious.
All in all a fantastic film for all the family, once your family is not upset by the regular sight of young boy on old man action, that is.
The Pipe (2010)
Superb documentary
I was apprehensive before seeing this - i feared it may contain depictions of righteous indignation and not much else. Thankfully its much more rounded than that - it's a beautifully observed film about a community being torn apart from within and from outside influences, namely Shell and its attempts to direct a gas pipeline through a remote village in County Mayo. Some of the scenes are very funny and the film is pitched perfectly. This is more than mere propaganda - it's beautifully shot, the editing and construction flawless. It's probably not going to satisfy those who are strongly pro or anti the issue but the films strength is it focuses on the people most directly affected by the pipe itself - the villagers themselves.
If you want to watch an engaging documentary about the clash between big business and everyday folk then this is it. The director's description of the film says it all - 'it's like 'Local Hero' gone wrong.
Obchod na korze (1965)
A powerhouse of a movie
This is one of the most emotionally powerful movies i have ever seen and I have no idea why isn't more well-known as it it should be. For me it carries more of a punch than 'Schindler's List' and in terms of anti-war films it is possibly the finest i have seen. I love the fact that the main character is just an everyday, little man just trying to get by who, over the course of the film gets provoked into action and not a 'hero' by any typical standards. The film has a down-to-earth tragic beauty that just really captures one's attention and the whole movie is utterly gripping and captivating.
Amazing performances by the two main characters and a climax that just left me speechless - i can't recommend it highly enough. One of my top 10 movies ever made.
El laberinto del fauno (2006)
Stunning.
Every so often one sees a film that makes you go 'yes. cinema IS art.' In a world of pointless soft-focused remakes, endless comic strip franchises, big budget banality and CGI folly (although this one has a bit of that too but it's forgiven), this movie just quite simply - astounds.
the only previous film i have seen of del Toro's was 'Cronos' which was a wonderful, dark fantasy but this is on another level entirely. Ultimately its a film about sacrifice, doing the just thing and loving without fear in a world thats full of it.
I can't recommend it highly enough - if there's one film you go and see this year - make it 'Pan's Labyrinth'.
And yep, it would never be made in Hollywood.
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
A wonderful, human film
Having first seen this several years ago and enjoyed it thoroughly, for some reason i put it down as slightly second-tier Woody after 'annie hall', 'manhattan' and others. However, having tonight watched the movie again i think it could well be Allen's masterpiece.
The performances are all excellent, the plot thought provoking, the dialogue funny ('the last woman i was inside was the statue of liberty') and the music, editing and cinematography are all superb. Whilst presenting us seemingly with a deeply nihilistic overall message - the film at the death presents us with a positive ending full of hope and warmth that doesn't overwrite or simplify all that has gone before.
I hope that as time goes by this film will be rediscovered and seen by the audience it deserves. In a decade of dross, 'Crimes & Misdemeanors' stands out for me as one of the finest American movies of the 80's. To anyone jaded with modern Hollywood spectacles check this one out and see what a real film maker can achieve and for all his many cinematic failures Allen remains - a true American original.
Suna no onna (1964)
Nothing is truly perfect... but this is as close as one can get.
I watched this last night for the first time and was completely mesmerized - a haunting experience that i will never forget i think. Great visual style, acting, soundtrack... i cant find a fault with it literally.
I've never seen sand filmed so beautifully either but the whole film is a feast for the eyes and ears. If you want a movie thats miles away from what you might typically expect from a Japanese movie, then watch this. Japan of course has a fine cinematic tradition with many great directors, but Kurosawa seems to get all the plaudits in the western world. He WAS great but, there's more to Japanese cinema and this, for my money, is better than anything i've seen by him.
One problem - the version i watched was VERY dark and reading the other posts here i see there is a better one available. i'm off now to find it.
Serenity (2005)
What was all the fuss about?
I found this movie to be one of the most depressing cinema experiences i have ever had. That this movie garnered such positive reviews is a sad indictment of the utterly banal nature of much modern American action/SF movies. If this is high quality SF, then Andrey Tarkovsky is a chicken sandwich.
In fact 'Serenity' was not cinema at all - like the many atrocious wastes of celluloid you see released every week it was bad TV beefed up to 90 minutes-ish length.
In its defense i suppose - its heart was in the right place as an attempt at non-generic Hollywood SF but, it just sadly did not cut it. and for a supposedly humorous piece i did not laugh once during its duration. flat jokes, over-clever unnatural dialogue and lacking in any drama whatsoever - i hope i never have to sit through this one again. I cant believe even Mark Kermode fell for this - sir, you've been had.