A Few More Random Flicks

In Bruges:

This is a great movie that features an off-kilter buddy feel to it. Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell work really well together especially framing themselves as surprisingly touristy and neurotic, respectively, hitmen. The big surprise for me, though, was just how often the supporting cast stole the scenes from the big names. Just to run it down for you: Jordan Prentice as Jimmy is bitingly funny as a "midget" actor shooting a film, Jeremie Renier sulks his way through the role of Eirik in superb fashion, Zeljko Ivanek has a mere few lines and manages to snake some of the spotlight, Clemence Poesy is moving in her role as Chloe, Farrell's love interest, Thekla Reuten is alternatingly earnest and hilarious as Marie, the innkeeper, Eric Godon's Yuri plays a role in a scene reminiscent of "who's on first", and Rudy Blomme manages to take a role as mundane as a ticket seller at one of the local historic attractions and get laughs out of it.

These examples, I think, embody the kind of movie this is and had it been shot a different way some people might even describe it as verite. The most important character of all is the beautiful and somewhat quaint, large Belgian city of Bruges itself. I actually thought the movie would be good but nowhere near what it turned out to be.

5 potty mouths out of 5

Broken Flowers:

I kind of want to reflect on this and come back to it later. There's a lot of subtlety within just like any Jarmusch film and Bill Murray is brilliant in it. Still, though, I can't help but feel as if there's a compulsion that his character should be nearly identical in feel to that of the role he performed in Lost in Translation. There's a gritty undertone to this that never really seems to come to the surface as Murray's character attempting to find the writer of a mysterious pink letter that arrives on his doorstep one day not long after his current flame leaves him. It definitely Iis an interesting character study and Jarmusch manages to squeeze out another solid film from start to finish. However, I generally found it difficult to warm up to or empathize with Murray's character, or any of the extras for that matter, which seems to lend towards the sensation of just watching this story somewhat passively.

If you liked LiT or are a big fan of Bill Murray, it'll be well worth the time to check this out, just be sure to take your happy pills beforehand.

3.5 karaoke stars out of 5

AFI Film #97: Blade Runner

Just to note, I watched the director's cut from 1992. Moving right along, I'd argue that this film is as striking now as it was upon its initial release. It's also heavily influential, which some would argue is a necessity for inclusion on this. Anyway, this Ridley Scott vehicle is carried largely by intense performances by Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer in a world now only just a shade over 10 years into the future.

At its core, Blade Runner is a detective film with dystopian sci-fi tendencies. There have been volumes written critiquing various aspects of it. So I'll mainly concern myself with talking about why I enjoy and admire it.

First, the cast: beyond Hauer and Ford, the film also features solid performances from the likes of Sean Young, Edward James Olmos (pre-BSG, kind of cool in my opinion), and Daryl Hannah. Of course, I'm also a sucker for a good story that can make you think which this film does in spades.

One thing I've always noticed about Blade Runner, and maybe it's just me, but it reminds me of Chinatown in a lot of respects. Maybe it's the seediness factor? Anyhow, it's over 25 years old and I think every few years, if you're like me, when you go back to watch it you pick up new nuances and might even be able to draw new parallels between the broader themes of the film and some of the current issues society is dealing with. Of course, this has always been something of the gift in Philip K. Dick's work but the job that Ridley Scott and company did all those years ago to bring this narrative to life on the big screen is still striking.

5 not-quite-Han-Solo's out of 5

AFI Film #77: All the President's Men

Simply put, a remarkable story and film chronicling whilst dramatizing a pivotal event in American history. I think the event this film is based on firmly ingrained a certain amount of suspicion and cynicism towards our elected officials that has only grown since 1972. As for the film itself, Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman are outstanding playing the roles of Washington Post reporters, Woodward and Bernstein, who broke this story.

Of course, if you're interested in this film chances are you alreay know about all of the above. I really found it intriguing to watch in light of the fact that we are headed towards an historic Election Day in November that follows two previous Presidential Elections that some believe had questionable results. With that in and looking at the film from a perspective of where modern media is as a whole, it makes for quite the interesting potential commentary on this area today.

Aside from that, William Goldman's adaptation of the book into a screenplay is worthy of praise as are the performances of such actors as Hal Holbrook, Jack Warden, and Jason Robards. Overall, I think anyone who has an interest in Modern American History, Journalism, Politics and the like would profit greatly from seeing this film as well as anyone wanting to get some small view of what made Watergate such an intense drama at the time. After all, it should be noted the film managed to be released relatively briefly after President Nixon's resignation.

5 out of 5 off the record sources

AFI Film #99: Toy Story

What is there to really say about Toy Story? If you have kids or just happen to be a big kid... heck, if you just like fun movies, you should see or have seen this movie. Disney successfully added to their catalog of recognizable characters with Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen). There are enough "in-jokes" to keep adults laughing and more than enough kid comedy to keep the youngins involved and rapt with attention. That's even before mentioning the perfectly fitting Randy Newman soundtrack.

I don't know that I would call this the perfect family/kids movie but it's got to be up there on anyone's list particularly when it comes to contemporary movies. For my money, one of the funniest incidents/characters in the movies are the claw worshippers. Those little green dudes are hilarious and arguably ripped right out of something Simpsons/Futurama/Groenig-esque.

It's interesting noting all of the little nods the movie makes to other films, shows and popular culture such as the moment above and the time in Sid's room where Woody and Buzz are confronted with the boy's "misfit toys". It's moments like these that have quickly become the hallmark of this new generation of Disney/Pixar films, not that it was unheard of in the past but it seems as though it's increased in frequency over the years.

The bottom line for me is that this movie might have been the first to really cement Pixar in this realm of film-making.

5 out of 5

AFI Film #100: Ben Hur

I find it extremely telling about the times we live in that the opening scenes of Ben Hur leave me thinking of a contemporary video game: Assassin's Creed (after being curious, I checked to see if, in fact, the game's designers weren't directly drawing inspiration from the classic film - lo and behold - they certainly did!). One thing I do find notable in the early stages is how this film sets the tone for epic films in the way it is shot and the manner in which it addresses itself in the opening sequences.

So as we delve deeper into this epic of EPIKness, I am struck by the manner of how a film that will be hitting it's 50th anniversary next year has held such a visual and narrative presence. There are elements that make it appear dated, particularly the... "brown"face makeup of Hugh Griffith as Sheik Ilderim, and some of the special effects. Occasionally the language used in the script comes across as stilted as well but overall the film maintains its appeal.

Looking at this film from a historical perspective, it's easy to understand how this film has proven to be heavily influential on later films, with Gladiator and 300 leaping to mind.

One part of the overall story that I find myself quite amused and enamored with is the manner in which Charlton Heston's Judah Ben Hur crosses paths incidentally with Jesus throughout the film. Of course, I also find myself wondering if sometimes JBH isn't an allegorical, ass-kicking version of Christ? For some reason that would amuse me. At any rate, the film's gradual build to the chariot race payoff is well worth it, and frankly, I'm glad I finally sat down and watched it. I am kind of disappointed in myself for never watching it until now.

Then again, this is just one example of what the project is all about: watching some "classic" movies I haven't seen and watching others that I have seen from a different angle. Speaking of which, up next is Toy Story! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

4.5 Cold Dead Hands out of 5

Radio Edit!

Well, I just got Ben Hur and Toy Story in my latest batch of movies so it looks like I shall at least get to proceed with films #100, 99 and 77 over the weekend. WOO! lol

Oh yeah, here's the list, btw. Keep in mind, I'm going by the 2007 list as opposed to the original 1998 list.

The Fall

Simply put, visually stunning. It laso has a far better story than I had expected from a Tarsem film after the Cell (which is also visually stunning) and is fairly compelling not only from appearances but also from the method with which the narrative is carried out. Honestly, I expected flash and very little substance but so far I am very pleasantly surprised by the whole package. If the second hour is as interesting as the first I could see this very well being a 4 at minimum.

UPDATE:

Okay, so I just finished watching this excellent film. I've got to admit it is far more than a bunch of beautifully worked images and visuals. The story is fantastic and far more coherent than I expected it to be. Besides being gorgeous and a great advertisement for buying a home theater system I also think it's a magical bit of story-telling. It's not perfect but, overall, I thought it earned high marks.

4.5 out of 5 on my relative expectation scale.

Shut Up and Play

After finally going back and watching this I have to say it's an interesting little film. Mostly because it's hard to imagine any artist that was put into this kind of position in recent memory in such a manner. Frankly, I had gained respect for the ladies back when they were battling this thing from 2003 to 2006. Now, more than ever, I think this event makes for interesting viewing especially if you look at it from the perspective of what kind of tricks and such the media can use to vilify or adulate certain people. This especially enlightening if you apply it to some of what we're seeing in the current election process.

I'd give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 for what it is.