Moonrise Kingdom as most of you well know is the new Wes Anderson film. It has been a huge limited release hit bringing in a record for most limited release ticket sales of all time. Pretty much every person who has seen it that I have talked to absolutely loved it (many of which are calling it there favorite Wes Anderson film). I say lets not get carried away here. Wes Anderson for a man his age has already made so many great films. Look back on Rushmore or The Royal Tennenbaums which are probably my two favorite films of his. You could even take a look at Bottle Rocket (his first film) and see plenty of glimpses of genius there.
Moonrise Kingdom is a very touching story. It may be the closest Wes has ever come to making an "absolutely human" movie. With this film Wes Anderson has done something that he has done time and time again. That would be the "coming of age" story. But the reason why this film is so effective is that for the first time besides Rushmore he is actually dealing with children that are "coming of age". This is unlike his other films. A good example of what I am getting at would be The Royal Tennenbaums. In The Royal Tennenbaums the better part of the characters are adults who are extremely childish, and by the conclusion of the film they "come of age" and learn their life lessons.
But in this film the two main characters are probably the most effective and touching characters Wes has ever written (with Roman Coppola) and the performances by the lead and supporting kids were all really great.
Another point that I am hearing from major fans of this film is this: "It doesn't look like any other film he has ever made". In my opinion that is completely ridiculous statement. Wes uses the same exact color palette and shooting techniques (French New Wave inspired) that he has used in all of his films. If their is one thing that I can appreciate about Wes Anderson it is the world he has created for himself. Saying that it looks different than anything else he has ever done discredits his creativity and his style that he has always worked in. It is the way he views the world around him (which has also been very childish). You know when you are getting in to a Wes Anderson movie as soon as any of these things flash in front of your face or you hear a newly composed song by Mark Mothersbaugh.
Overall, I found Moonrise Kingdom to be a very good film. There has not been one film that Wes Anderson has made that ever really let me down. I will say that this is the best ensemble cast that he has ever put together. But don't let the hype confuse you. This film is more of the same (which really isn't a bad thing ... or is it?). 8/10
What is there to possibly say about Roman Polanski that hasn't been said already? Popular opinion of him is pretty much broken up into two camps ("He is an utterly brilliant filmmaker" or "He is a child rapist and a pervert so I wont watch his films"). I personally believe in that first opinion primarily because HE IS a brilliant filmmaker and in addition to that I have seen "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" which was a huge eye opener into his criminal case.
Anyway, last night I watched "Rosemary's Baby" for the first time ... and it blew my mind. I cant say that it is any "Chinatown" because it definitely is not. But it is a grade A thriller through and through. I cannot begin to say good things about this film. It is beyond creepy and works well off of the material and Polanskis direction, and it doesn't use fast cuts or any of the garbage that horror filmmakers use today for cheap screams. This film sets a mood that is creepy as hell from the beginning and only builds from there.
I wont go in to detail for the risk of giving away too much for anyone who has still not seen this classic. The basic gist of the film is that a couple (Farrow and Cassavettes) move into a new apartment which has a history of witches that may or may not involve their neighbors. Once Farrow becomes pregnant the rest of the film is generally ambiguous and up to your own personal interpretation.
The acting in this film is pitch perfect. I cannot believe that Mia Farrow did not win a a single award for her performance. It is completely devastating watching her deteriorate gradually throughout the film. John Cassavettes was an interesting choice for the husband "Guy" but did not really stand out that much. He doesn't seem to have a lot to work with in this film, but for what its worth he was more than adequate. The real standout performance in this film is Ruth Gordon of "Harold and Maude" fame. She starts off really weird and quirky and only becomes more sinister as the film progresses.
Another point of interest is the way the film was shot. Polanski, no matter how great of a DP he has on his films is very controlling of the framing and general layout and look of the film. Scene after scene you witness some very beautiful and interesting camera work (almost in a "Hitchcockian" style). You can see other great examples and perhaps even better ones in "Chinatown".
Overall, I cannot remember the last time a film had genuinely creeped me out so much. This is a gripping film that is worth multiple viewings, and will now be a part of my all time favorite films particularly in the horror genre. 10/10
Last week I saw "Prometheus" in IMAX 3D at midnight opening night. It was a really wild experience in many different aspects. The first being the film itself. The fact that it is in IMAX and in 3D was a first time combination for me and it was pretty mind blowing. I am not a real big 3D person but when its done right it serves its purpose (whatever that may actually be).
Here is the real deal on this movie. It looks fantastic ... sounds fantastic ... has some fantastic scenes ... but is taken down a few pegs due to corny dialogue and undeveloped characters. Some of the dialogue (especially a couple one liners) were absolutely not funny and very painful to hear. I've never seen Charlize Theron try so hard to actually act in a film ever. She is such a great actress but clearly did not have proper material to work with. Although I will give credit to Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace who both really gave it their all and it shows with standout performances.
Another issue that I had with the film was the score. If they were trying to go for an "Alien" type score they failed miserably. It does not fit in to the film whatsoever. Besides those two complaints (which are actually pretty big ones) I enjoyed the film thoroughly. From a visual aspect it was great (cinematography and set design were on point) and there were some really tense scenes which I appreciated greatly. The conclusion of the film is the real payoff though. Be prepared for inevitable sequels. 7/10
Well, its almost been two full years since I've last used this blog. Mostly because of work, work, and work. But now I have some free time on my hands and wouldn't mind throwing some thoughts around. I think I might just start reviewing blu-rays for the most part, and do some theatrical reviews on the side since I have a ton of blu-rays and no cash to go to the movies.
"The Tin Drum"(1979) - This has to be one of the best films that I have seen in a while. Winner of the Palm d'Or in a tie with "Apocalypse Now!" I now realize the merits of this film. I had heard about it a lot in the context that "It was the film that shared the Palm d'Or with "Apocalypse Now!", but I had never had any ambition to see it. Years after hearing about this film I saw that their was a Criterion Collection release of it (which is pretty much the only way to watch films at home). I rented the Criterion from Netflix and was blown away. This film succeeds on so many different levels and has so many layers to its story. It is completely engrossing. Oskar is a great character being played by child David Bennent who was only 11 years old at the time. He shows tremendous wide range of acting particularly for his age. He is at times cute and charming, and at other times frightening and destructive. I don't want to give too much away. Just go and see it!
I have been downloading/going to the movies a bunch lately and figured it was about time that I updated this blog. Here is a list of films that I have seen recently with ratings and my brief feelings about them.
These three films were all directed by really great directors of varying careers. One more experienced than the other two by almost a lifetime, but the other two standing very strongly in the competition of my mind, and in my opinion they both made better films.
Up in the Air - I saw this in theaters when it first got its wider release. I really enjoyed it the first time I saw it but felt that the pacing was a little off. On my most recent second viewing I must say I enjoyed it more and feel like the film works perfectly. A great cast with Clooney, Kendrick, and Farmiga as the leads and some great supporting performances namely Danny McBride. The soundtrack is great as well with few actual pieces of score. Namely "Help Yourself" by Sad Brad Smith. The film is as everyone else has said "very timely" in that it deals with the loss of jobs that have been occuring in this country with the current economic downturn. Honestly, I wouldnt be suprised if this picked up the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay (it already won a BAFTA for that), but I would be surprised if it won best picture against other films such as Inglorious Basterds, The Hurt Locker or Avatar. 9/10
Shutter Island- I am very sure that most people are aware of what this film is. It is the new Scorsese-DiCaprio mashup except this time Scorsese is going into mostly unfamiliar territory (besides his stint in Cape Fear). I was really surprised by this film. The trailers for it and for most other smarter/edgier films in this genre make it seem like its going to be full of jump out of your seat moments. Fortunately, Scorsese does not go the cheap route by throwing stuff in front of the screen, but creates an atmosphere that is more frightening than that. I saw it twice in three days and must admit that the second time was even better (which was also my experience for "Up in the Air".), although the first time was not bad at all. A standout performance from Leonardo DiCaprio who has really come into his own in this film. Mark Ruffalo was as good as he can be, but the supporting performances from Ben Kingsley, an 80 year old Max Von Sydow, and a devastating performance from Michelle Willams as DiCaprios wife were all really great. The score features some really great standout tracks. A couple being "Fog Tropes", "Symphony No.3", "Quartet for Piano and Strings in A Minor", and "On the Nature of Daylight". The look of the film (U.S. Marshals outfits, Cars, Interiors and exteriors of buildings on the island) and the cinematography were both pulled of very well. The CGI elements that were used in DiCaprios "waking nightmares" worked very well for me. Without giving too much away, the film ends brilliantly in a typical horror genre fashion but done with such elegance that only an experienced director such as Scorsese could pull it off. 8/10
Un Prophete- This has to be the defining and best of all French crime films ever made. This is no Goddard take on crime ("Band of Outsiders" etc.) it is gritty, raw, and real. The story is about a 19 year old Parisian who gets sent to jail for an unknown reason for six years. He starts out illiterate, and with no one on his side. Through the coming months and years he builds friendships and works his way up to the top of the jails gang world all while becoming literate. When I saw this movie it made me recall two great foreign crime films that were released last year "Gomorrah" and "Revanche". The way the film was shot was excellent. You felt as if you were actually there, and in on the action and everything. But that does not necessarily make you feel all that comfortable. This film tackles alot of really rough stuff primarily murder. Although, it is not without some considerable remorse because the main character seems to be haunted in sorts by a man he murdered. I have yet to see the main contender for Best Foreign Film this year ("The White Ribbon" by Michael Haneke), but I have a feeling that this film has a very good chance of making and impact this year. My highest approval 10/10.
