Top 10 films of 2002
Punch-Drunk Love
Not being a fan of Adam Sandler, I had my doubts about this film. But since it was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, I thought I’d check it out. I was floored; who knew Adam Sandler could act? He was actually pretty good I must admit. Pudding promotion, phone sex and a quirky love story combine to make this a great film. Bonuses: lush cinematography, a great soundtrack and a stand-out performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Late Marriage
Probably the only film in existence that employs a baby’s foreskin as a lucky charm. This Israeli film has one of the most believable love scenes outside of… well… can’t name another love scene that is so convincing. The film’s main character Zaza, is 31 and unmarried. He’s being paraded around Tel Aviv by his overbearing Georgian family in an attempt to marry him off. Meanwhile, he is in love with a 34-year-old woman his family disapproves of. Therein lies the rub. Excellent ending.
Far From Heaven
This melodrama was a bit too strong on the art direction and weak on character development (mostly one-dimensional) and plot line (simple). But the film was still good. Todd Haynes made a male friend and me feel like 1950s housewives - and it was awful. Dennis Quaid was surprisingly good as the gay husband. The soundtrack by Elmer Bernstein is excellent.
The Kid Stays in the Picture
Liked this documentary a lot. Robert Evans narrates this biopic, and he is fascinating. At times it reminded me of “Madonna: Truth or Dare.” Both were a bit short on the “documentary” but strong in the performances. Evans glosses over some key elements of his life; for example, he mentions only one of his seven wives. But no matter, the film does a thorough job of exploring his career as a producer. Cool computer animation and cutouts. Any fan of “Rosemary’s Baby” should see this just for the anecdotes about Polanski.
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Gael Garcia Bernal as Julio is great in this beautifully filmed coming-of-age movie. Is there a movie he’s not good in, for that matter? This could have been the Mexican “Porky’s,” but it’s so much more complex: an exploration of class differences and the relationship between two oversexed boys. Love the dreamy quality of the cinematography.
El Crimen del Padre Amaro
I like a film that takes a religion to task and shakes things up a bit. Some religious and political leaders in Latin America have been trying to limit viewings - afraid the film’s unflattering depiction of the Catholic Church may sway the public’s views. Now how is that for affirmation that a film is having an effect? Maybe not the best film of 2002, but definitely one of the top 10; at times predictable, but excellent over all.
The Trials of Henry Kissinger
Watching this made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. A man who destroyed so many lives, was for a brief time employed by W. and yet was so utterly charming. Scary stuff. Based on the book by Christopher Hitchens this should be required viewing for all Americans, who especially like myself, are a bit ignorant about US foreign policy. A profoundly sad and disturbing film. One hilarious moment: Alexander Haig describing Hitchens as a "pipe sucker."
Bowling for Columbine
Talk about needing to grab a beer after seeing a film. Definitely one of the most powerful films I have seen this past year. And yet another doc that is required viewing for all Americans. “Culture of fear” is a concept I’m convinced may explain why Americans are so violent - though Michael Moore never clearly offers up pat answers, but instead fodder to digest. Favorite scene: Moore getting a free gun for opening a bank account - both hilarious and disturbing.
Comedian
A provocative behind-the-scenes look at comedians Orny Adams and Jerry Seinfeld. Director Christian Charles (II) chronicles Seinfeld’s insecurities and the whiny Adams’ frustrations as they develop stand-up comedy routines and perform. Comedy isn’t rocket science, but apparently developing five minutes of material is an agonizing process if you are Seinfeld. Funniest moment: watching Seinfeld kvetching about jumpstarting his stand up career to A-List comedian buddies such as Colin Quinn and Bill Cosby - all the while enjoying his private jet and lavish life style. My heart goes out to ya, Jerry.
La Pianiste
Michael Haneke's disturbing film (surprise!) in which Isabelle Huppert plays a repressed piano teacher with sexual fetishes. In a character study about self-hatred and control issues (who can’t relate, right?), Huppert is amazing. Not an uplifting film, and at times hard to watch, especially the razor scene which had me squirming in my seat. If you are a fan of “Damage” or “The Night Porter,” you will like this film. A must-see for the depraved.
Tuesday, December 24, 2002
"The Man with the Golden Arm"
"The Man with the Golden Arm," directed by Otto Preminger, is my video antidote to all the saccharin-sweet fare on television during the holiday season. Who needs a darling Natalie Wood when you can have a strung-out Frank Sinatra? In this 1955 film noir, based on the book by Nelson Algren, Sinatra stars as Frankie Machine: card dealer, ex-con, heroin addict, struggling to stay clean so he can audition as a drummer for a jazz band. With titles by Saul Bass, a soundtrack by Elmer Bernstein, great minimalist sets and adequate performances throughout, the whole of the film is never greater than the sum of its parts, but still worth the few bucks to rent. Ol' Blue Eye’s jittery, angsty performance is overly dramatic, almost a caricature, but still riveting. (Definitely check him out in "The Manchurian Candidate.") Eleanor Parker as Frankie’s manipulative wife, Zosch, and Kim Novak as his girlfriend, Molly, are only fair, and the ending is contrived. Recent films such as "Requiem for a Dream" and "Trainspotting" provide more compelling examinations of heroin use, but "Golden Arm" merits a watch if for no other reason than to see how Preminger tackled drug abuse in the repressive 1950s. Bonus: a possible precursor to Celebrity Death Match? Chairman of the Board Sinatra takes on Austrian dictator Preminger.
"The Man with the Golden Arm," directed by Otto Preminger, is my video antidote to all the saccharin-sweet fare on television during the holiday season. Who needs a darling Natalie Wood when you can have a strung-out Frank Sinatra? In this 1955 film noir, based on the book by Nelson Algren, Sinatra stars as Frankie Machine: card dealer, ex-con, heroin addict, struggling to stay clean so he can audition as a drummer for a jazz band. With titles by Saul Bass, a soundtrack by Elmer Bernstein, great minimalist sets and adequate performances throughout, the whole of the film is never greater than the sum of its parts, but still worth the few bucks to rent. Ol' Blue Eye’s jittery, angsty performance is overly dramatic, almost a caricature, but still riveting. (Definitely check him out in "The Manchurian Candidate.") Eleanor Parker as Frankie’s manipulative wife, Zosch, and Kim Novak as his girlfriend, Molly, are only fair, and the ending is contrived. Recent films such as "Requiem for a Dream" and "Trainspotting" provide more compelling examinations of heroin use, but "Golden Arm" merits a watch if for no other reason than to see how Preminger tackled drug abuse in the repressive 1950s. Bonus: a possible precursor to Celebrity Death Match? Chairman of the Board Sinatra takes on Austrian dictator Preminger.
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
"El Crimen del Padre Amaro"- this ain't no Thorn Birds hon
Director Carlos Carrera's film takes full aim at the hypocrisy and corruption of the Catholic Church in Mexico and boy howdy is it having an effect. Based on a novel by 19th century Portuguese novelist Eça de Queirós, the film revolves around Father Amaro, played by Gael Garcia Bernal, and the setting is Mexico. Bernal's newly ordained priest comes to the town of Los Reyes to work with Father Benito. Soon after arriving Father Amaro begins an affair with a 16-year-old girl and we learn that Father Benito has been receiving funding from a drug lord for a health clinic. The film could have just been a two hour soap opera but Carrera has made it a wake up call. Apparently attempts have been made to keep it out of theaters in Mexico. Not surprising since the film basically says the Church cares more about money than people. But nothing is that simple in this film.
For cinematic shock value the scene in "Pink Flamingos" where Divine eats shit is tough to surpass but in one scene in this film a character takes the Holy Eucharist from her mouth and feeds it to a cat. Offensive, blasphemous.... funny? Fortunately Catholics aren't prone to issuing a fatwa against Carrara because we wouldn't want him to go into hiding. I think the thing that resonates most about this film is that none of the characters are one dimensional- they are all so beautifully flawed, so... human. The film forces you to question what is moral. Father Natalio, played by Damián Alcázar, who is suspected of assisting guerilla troops against the wishes of the Bishop, is actually the one priest in the film who seems concerned for his flock. So on one hand he is rejecting the mandates from the Church and yet he is the character with the most integrity. I suggest those who go see this film check their beliefs at the theater door and approach this film from a secular point of view.
Director Carlos Carrera's film takes full aim at the hypocrisy and corruption of the Catholic Church in Mexico and boy howdy is it having an effect. Based on a novel by 19th century Portuguese novelist Eça de Queirós, the film revolves around Father Amaro, played by Gael Garcia Bernal, and the setting is Mexico. Bernal's newly ordained priest comes to the town of Los Reyes to work with Father Benito. Soon after arriving Father Amaro begins an affair with a 16-year-old girl and we learn that Father Benito has been receiving funding from a drug lord for a health clinic. The film could have just been a two hour soap opera but Carrera has made it a wake up call. Apparently attempts have been made to keep it out of theaters in Mexico. Not surprising since the film basically says the Church cares more about money than people. But nothing is that simple in this film.
For cinematic shock value the scene in "Pink Flamingos" where Divine eats shit is tough to surpass but in one scene in this film a character takes the Holy Eucharist from her mouth and feeds it to a cat. Offensive, blasphemous.... funny? Fortunately Catholics aren't prone to issuing a fatwa against Carrara because we wouldn't want him to go into hiding. I think the thing that resonates most about this film is that none of the characters are one dimensional- they are all so beautifully flawed, so... human. The film forces you to question what is moral. Father Natalio, played by Damián Alcázar, who is suspected of assisting guerilla troops against the wishes of the Bishop, is actually the one priest in the film who seems concerned for his flock. So on one hand he is rejecting the mandates from the Church and yet he is the character with the most integrity. I suggest those who go see this film check their beliefs at the theater door and approach this film from a secular point of view.
Monday, November 25, 2002
Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Saw "The Ring" Sunday night- am debating if I want to exert any enegy reviewing it. I think it is pointless to do so until I see the Japanese version which until a few days ago I didn't even know existed- shame on me!!
Anyways I decided I might review a number of foreign films and their American remakes such as "Plein Soleil" (Purple Noon) starring my favorite French matinee idol Alain Delon vs. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and the 2002 Christopher Nolan "Insomnia" vs. the 1997 Erik Skjoldbjaerg version starring Stellan Skarsgard. When I think of some others I'll do those as well. I am thinking "Vanilla Sky" vs. Alejandro Amenábar's "Abre los ojos."
Anyways I decided I might review a number of foreign films and their American remakes such as "Plein Soleil" (Purple Noon) starring my favorite French matinee idol Alain Delon vs. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and the 2002 Christopher Nolan "Insomnia" vs. the 1997 Erik Skjoldbjaerg version starring Stellan Skarsgard. When I think of some others I'll do those as well. I am thinking "Vanilla Sky" vs. Alejandro Amenábar's "Abre los ojos."
Friday, October 11, 2002
I find this amusing...
From the Mobtown Shank #155, Dug Sohn responds to my review:
I'm not even sure what all that review meant, but I'll tell you this, One Hour Photo was about One Hour and Thirty Five Minutes too long. Are you kidding me? That movie sucked. One-dimensional characters/performances, and a plot line that could be conceived by a dorky teenager reading Vogue - creepy guy obsesses with hot chick whose new fancy hair style every five minutes confuses him and sends him over the edge. OOOH I"M SO ASCARED NOW TO GO TO WALLMART AND HAVE THE LOSER DEVELOPING PICTURES OF MY DOG LICKING MY DICK OBSESS OVER ME AND MAKE MY DOG SCREW A CAT. Now that's a film.
From the Mobtown Shank #155, Dug Sohn responds to my review:
I'm not even sure what all that review meant, but I'll tell you this, One Hour Photo was about One Hour and Thirty Five Minutes too long. Are you kidding me? That movie sucked. One-dimensional characters/performances, and a plot line that could be conceived by a dorky teenager reading Vogue - creepy guy obsesses with hot chick whose new fancy hair style every five minutes confuses him and sends him over the edge. OOOH I"M SO ASCARED NOW TO GO TO WALLMART AND HAVE THE LOSER DEVELOPING PICTURES OF MY DOG LICKING MY DICK OBSESS OVER ME AND MAKE MY DOG SCREW A CAT. Now that's a film.
Why blog? Why not. Thought I'd give myself a forum for things I wanna share, lambaste, toast, etc. Saw "One Hour Photo" last night. Good film. Not great but good.
A film which simultaneously explores alienation and obsession as well as is a nuanced and powerful indictment of American values such as they exist today. Writer/Director Romanek launches a salvo albeit a subtle, relentless one against the reigning corrupt consumerist values that dominate American culture. Less overt in its skewering than "American Beauty," it is a darker and more pernicious view. The seamless combination of dialogue, color palette, music and editing created an ominous feeling throughout the film keeping my stomach churning.
The interesting thing that Mark Romanek did with this film - which is something that I always enjoy- is to make the viewer sympathize with an unsympathetic character, such as the one played by Robin Williams. I felt sympathy for this person who on the surface is repulsive in that he is a dark room voyeur- he is the person that I imagine is hoarding the cache of porn photos (as an ex-roomie of mine once did who worked at a One Hour Photo). Sadly this character is lonely and alienated with a pathological need to connect with a suburban family he idealizes. The family appears to be perfect but in actuality under the surface are materialistic and completely emotionally empty. The film skewers consumerist American values and it is not a coincidence the setting of this is a shopping mall - the great American shrine to consumerism. Less satirical then Solondz, although both explore themes of desire and alienation, Romanek's vision of family life is anything but a Kodak moment.
A film which simultaneously explores alienation and obsession as well as is a nuanced and powerful indictment of American values such as they exist today. Writer/Director Romanek launches a salvo albeit a subtle, relentless one against the reigning corrupt consumerist values that dominate American culture. Less overt in its skewering than "American Beauty," it is a darker and more pernicious view. The seamless combination of dialogue, color palette, music and editing created an ominous feeling throughout the film keeping my stomach churning.
The interesting thing that Mark Romanek did with this film - which is something that I always enjoy- is to make the viewer sympathize with an unsympathetic character, such as the one played by Robin Williams. I felt sympathy for this person who on the surface is repulsive in that he is a dark room voyeur- he is the person that I imagine is hoarding the cache of porn photos (as an ex-roomie of mine once did who worked at a One Hour Photo). Sadly this character is lonely and alienated with a pathological need to connect with a suburban family he idealizes. The family appears to be perfect but in actuality under the surface are materialistic and completely emotionally empty. The film skewers consumerist American values and it is not a coincidence the setting of this is a shopping mall - the great American shrine to consumerism. Less satirical then Solondz, although both explore themes of desire and alienation, Romanek's vision of family life is anything but a Kodak moment.
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