July Archives

July 31st Log

CHRISTMAS IN JULY
1940, Preston Sturges, United States
Repeat Viewing, DVD

I end the month of Preston Sturges films with one of his most underrated classic, Christmas in July. His second film as writer-direction, Christmas in July is quintessential Sturges in every way. A scathing comedic satire with endlessly hilarious dialogue and a bitter blend of tragedy and comedy. Sturges truly was an artistic years ahead of his time and his films remain fresh as ever and even shocking today. With Christmas in July Sturges displays his trademark characterization of the American dream, the cruel world of capitalism, and the essence of the depression era. Sturges mastery of dialogue and chaotic social satire make for a truly classic comedy. The cast, especially Sturges usual supporting actors (William Demarest being the most obvious) are wonderful as ever. A great film from one of American cinema most inventive filmmakers. Unfortunately and rather strangely, this remains unavailable in Region-1 DVD but was released in the United Kingdom as a Region-2, More reason film fans should seek out multi-region DVD players!





July 30th Log

SOMERSAULT
2004, Cate Shortland, Australia
1st Viewing, DVD

Somersault caused massive buzz in the world of cinema when it swept the Australian Academy Awards winning a record 13 awards. Such acclaim makes the film tough to live up to it’s expectations when released throughout the world, and perhaps that explains it’s mix opinions in the United States. Awards in general should never been taken too seriously and those without high expectations will likely enjoy this film. While no masterpiece, Somersault does posses a subtle beauty. It‘s an absorbing character study of a young woman (Heidi) who appears innocent and impulsive and her decisions result in difficult consequences (including a fight with her mother which forces her to leave home). Sexuality lies at the center of the film, yet writer-director Cate Shortland (in her feature film debut) uses it neither as eroticism or pornography, but rather focuses on the emotional truth of Heidi. The film does seem to loose track of it’s tone and direction at times, but it is effective overall, especially when concentrated on Heidi (excellently played by Abbie Cornish, who we’ll probably be seeing much more of in the future).



A CANTERBURY TALE
1944, Michael Powell / Emeric Pressburger, Britain
Repeat Viewing, DVD

I just watched this for the first time earlier in the week but had to give it another viewing as soon as possible. This film is a real treat all around! Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger at their peak is as good as you can get and I’d rate this alongside their greatest masterwork A Matter of Life and Death. With a repeat viewing the smaller details (notably the humor within the dialogue) became much more apparent. But above all it is the sheer magical way Powell and Pressburger captivate the viewer into this world with a plot is that is completely non-existent. The narrative just flows with such ease and because it’s not tied down to plot the wonder and even the poetic beauty begin to emerge. What a lovely performance by Sheila Sim as the ‘Land Girl’ Alison Smith. This is such a unique, and special film.



BARAKA
1992, Ron Fricke, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

Baraka is a series of imagery filmed throughout the globe and shot on vibrant 70mm film. The film touches on a variety of subjects (faith, war, humanity, nature) yet it never quite reaches the mark it seems determined to setout for. The music doesn’t always work and though this doesn’t emerge into the poetic collection of seamlessly imagery that Godfrey Reggio’s Koyaanisqatsi did, Baraka has plenty going for it. Ron Fricke is a cinematographer as well as a director and his eye for photography is mesmerizing here. The film travels throughout the world and its greatest strength is it’s celebration of worldly cultures, traditions, and beliefs. There are some breathtakingly stunning transitions and cuts between shots and even if it doesn’t quite come together with the ease it strives for, Baraka remains an absorbing journey of images.





July 29th Log

FARAWAY, SO CLOSE!
1993, Wim Wenders, Germany
1st Viewing, DVD

Despite using the same actors and characters, Wim Wenders Faraway, So Close! is less a sequel (to his 1987 masterpiece Wings of Desire) then it is a re-imagining. A reimagining of Wenders home city of Berlin. Made three years after the Berlin wall came down, which happened three years after Wenders Wings of Desire. The film represents a reimagining of Berlin at another time in history, a time which has been changed forever. The film begins with an iris-in of a sweeping tracking shot of Berlin leading to the angel statue that overlooks the city. Though lacking the black and white (as well as color) composition mastery of the legendary Henri Alekan (who worked with Wenders on Wings of Desire), this film again displays beautiful cinematography in which the camera feels as if it is flying in the air like an angel. Also effectively used again is the use of voice-over narration to represent the inner thoughts of the people throughout the film. Faraway, So Close! Is a wonderful film of longing, of change, identity, and of reflection. It may not reach the poetic beauty of Wings of Desire, yet it remains an outstanding personal film from Wenders. The film ends with a remarkable final tracking shot that concludes with a fitting iris-out.



CACTUS FLOWER
1969, Gene Saks, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

The film was made in 1969 and it has a very 1969 look and feel to it. The film has some nice one-liners and a charming energy thanks to a likable cast (especially Walter Matthau). This film also “introduced“ audiences to Goldie Hawn, which won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Hawn does have some fine onscreen charisma but her performance here is really nothing that special and at times a bit annoying. Really the characters of the film are never that likable despite the likable cast (which also includes the great Ingrid Bergman, who at 54 is still radiant on screen). Cactus Flower is based off a stage play and the film and direction is much more theatrical then cinematic. This marked director Gene Saks (a successful Broadway director) third film (the other two were Barefoot in the Park and The Odd Couple), all of which were adapted from a play, and Cactus Flower may be the weakest of the three. There are some funny one-liners and when not taken too seriously the film can be fun.





July 28th Log

THE GREAT MCGINTY
1940, Preston Sturges, United States
Repeat Viewing, DVD

The Great McGinty is the directorial debut of Preston Sturges, who not only became one of the most innovative comedians in Hollywood history, he was also the earliest writer to direct his own films since the invention of sound. After several of his scripts were not being made properly Sturges decided to become a director and his four year run at Paramount Studios from 1940-1944 resulted in some of the greatest comedies in Hollywood history. The Great McGinty may be the weakest of the eight Paramount films, but that is still not a discredit to what is a very good comedy. At it’s core, The Great McGinty captures the essence of Sturges: witty dialogue, great supporting characters, a sexual tension (this is captured as early as the opening scene), and cynical political and social themes. Sturges is always questioning “The American Dream”. In his films the optimists who work hard and are honest often get lost within the “real world” of American society and this is definitely represented in The Great McGinty. The film truly captures Sturges mastery of blending tragedy and comedy together as one. The Great McGinty may be Sturges most cynical film. It’s beautifully paced and of course written and in his first film Sturges proves to be a skilled visual storyteller as well (an aspect that often gets overlooked in his films). Not Sturges best, but certainly not one to miss.



FANNY AND ALEXANDER
1982, Ingmar Bergman, Sweden / France / Germany
Repeat Viewing, DVD

The wonderful Criterion Collection set offers both the theatrical (188-minutes) and television (312-minutes) versions of Ingmar Bergman’s masterpiece Fanny and Alexander. The 312-minute version is certainly an investment of time, but absolutely worth the experience and is ultimately the more definitive version of the film. Tonight I rewatched the theatrical version which is a masterwork in it’s own right. Almost every Bergman film has his personal statement and autobiographical element, yet Fanny and Alexander stands as his most personal film of all. It’s rich with texture and visual style and ultimately becomes a magical affirmation of the value of a human life. It’s also an extraordinary family film and veers toward the direction of Bergman’s bleak themes of faith and death. This mix makes it equally mythical and haunting. To me it stands as one of the great achievements of film and even if Bergman made more significant artistic achievements, Fanny and Alexander is to me one of his very best (perhaps only surpassed by Cries and Whispers and Persona).





July 26th Log

9 SOULS
2003, Toshiaka Toyoda, Japan
1st Viewing, DVD

Earlier this week I watched Toshiaka Toyoda’s Blue Spring and felt it showed promise of a talented filmmaker who needed to mature. Well his next film, 9 Souls is just that and proves Toyoda’s is ready to join the likes of Hirokazu Koreeda and Kiyoshi Kurosawa among the future of Japanese cinema. The film works with several narratives (9 characters or as the films title suggest 9 different souls) and also works within several genre boundaries. Following the story of nine escaped prisoner who escape and search for hidden money. When they discover there is no money the characters separate. The film never looses control as Toyoda controls the distinctiveness of each individual character and how they are both alike and different. There is a sense of irony and surrealism. There is also a sense of sadness and this is particularly captured as the film changes in tone when the characters begin to go their separate way and ultimately face their inner struggle and doomed fate. 9 Souls is a quirky yet engaging and even thought-provoking film.



MASTERS OF HORROR: HOMECOMING
2005, Joe Dante, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

The underrated Joe Dante delivers to me the best film I’ve yet to see in the Masters of Horror series (but then again I’ve only seen a total of three). Dante is a very gifted filmmaker who uses the for of mainstream entertainment to make personal and very often political films with hidden agendas. Such is the case once again here, except that the message is not necessarily hidden. The result is forceful and it’s partial political views will likely divide audiences. However, you have to admire the originality and even more so the ambition of Dante vision here. Using a zombie-film as his platform, Dante makes a satire horror film that draws parallel with the state of America under the current administration. The story centers around dead American soldiers, who return from the dead as zombies and are determined vote in the presidential election to end the veil of war. Dante makes some insightful little homages to George Romero that will please fans of the genre, and while he both filmmakers use the zombies as a metaphor for political and social issues, Dante does so with a much heavy-hand as well as far less gore. The result is not on the level of Romero, but still an exciting and thought-provoking film.





July 25th Log

A CANTERBURY TALE
1944, Michael Powell / Emeric Pressburger, Britain
1st Viewing, DVD

A Canterbury Tale begins with a prologue of pilgrims in 14th century Britain and then within a seamless cut (from a bird to a plane) it jumps 600s years to a parallel time of Britain- the nearing end of World War 2. So begins a strange and wonderful masterpiece from the great Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, easily among the greatest filmmakers in all of British film history. A Canterbury Tale is nearly void of plot yet it flows with a poetically fascinating narrative ease. Not a moment is dull and a rich beauty emerges from the dream-like state of the film. War is present and felt, but combat is never shown as war is rather presented almost as a meditative reflection. Breathtaking scenery, witty humor, unusual characters, and a mysterious “glue man” all exist in this wondrous world that seems to be equally authentic and yet unlike anything else. But of course that combination is very common in Powell and Pressbuger films, and A Canterbury Tale perfectly represents the spirit of their Archers Production. It is one of their very best films (in the class of A Matter of Life and Death) and among the greatest of British cinema. A masterpiece!



I’M GOING HOME
2001, Manoel de Oliveira, France / Portugual
1st Viewing, DVD

This is now the third film I’ve seen from legendary Portuguese filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira who has been making films since 1930. Of what I have seen, I think this 2001 film has to be my favorite thus far. I’m Going Home is a masterpiece achievement. The story is done in such a new and unique from what is to be expected. A famous French actor (who we see at work in the opening) learns that his wife, his daughter, and his son-in-law have all died tragically in an auto accident. He is left to care for his grandson. Rather then relying on the conventions of sorrow or a heart-warming relationship, Oliveira shifts the tone and focus to one that is much simpler and gentler. Ultimately Oliveira makes this a deeply personal film portrait of an artist who is nearing the end of his life and who suppresses grief by continuing with his everyday routines. The film is beautiful shot using lovely Paris locations. As with his other films that I saw, Oliveira uses long patent takes sometimes in which the camera does not even move. Personal studies of culture and art as well as the aging process seems to be at the heart of Oliveira later films and this may be the most definitive and accessible example.



WAR OF THE WORLDS
2005, Steven Spielberg, United States
Repeat Viewing, Comcast Cable

The more I watch The World of the Worlds the more I realize what a good and perhaps great film it truly is. Steven Spielberg is working with an enormous budget and with it he creates some dazzling visuals effects, and technical mastery. Yet no matter what the budget or ambition of the film, Spielberg is always about capturing the emotional core of the family. This is again as evident as ever here and even though Spielberg is known for being heavy-handed with emotions it is always effective. Being a big star (and tabloid machine) Tom Cruise often gets overlooked as a great actor. I think he gives an outstanding performance here and the emotional center of the film really relies on him to be convincing. I don’t know if this is among the masterpieces of Spielberg’s career (AI, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List) but I would rate this among his second tier of “great” films.





July 24th Log

BLUE SPRING
2001, Toshiaki Toyoda, Japan
1st Viewing, DVD

With his fourth feature film (and the first I’ve seen to date) Toshiaki Toyoda proves to be one of the more talented young filmmakers in contemporary Japanese cinema (a group that may currently be led by Hirokazu Koreeda and Kiyoshi Kurosawa). One of the better aspects of this film is that it never goes to far over the top as many films of this kind (violent and alienated youth) have recently. Toyoda uses some “cool” techniques and sequences, but wisely never goes to far from losing the emotional or intellectual connection with the film. You can see that a talented filmmaker is behind this, yet I still believe it to be lacking a mature voice and perhaps Toyoda’s future films will capture this. Blue Spring is stylish over-the-top violence (with a mix of humor), and though it never goes too far to the effect of being a bad film, there is nothing really original here. It’s a film that never sets itself apart from it’s contemporaries and as a result is quickly forgettable, but overall displays promise from a gifted young filmmaker. I look forward to seeing more of Toyoda’s films.





July 23rd Log

AN UNFINISHED LIFE
2005, Lasse Hallstram, United States/Germany
1st Viewing, DVD

In all his films (both those in his native Sweden and in Hollywood), Lasse Hallstrom has never been shy of piling up the sentiment. However, very often the it can be very effective (notably in My Life as a Dog and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape). With his 2005 film An Unfinished Life the result is again an effectively involving emotional story of sentiment. The film, which was shelved by Miramax for a couple years, begins with an image of a bear that stands as a metaphor for the characters and story. We see the bear as a parallel throughout the film and ultimately it represents the past guilt and forgiveness of the characters. The cast is outstanding and the big name stars (Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez, Josh Lucas) deliver very solid performances. The scenery is beautiful as the film is set in Wyoming but was actually shot in Canada (British Columbia). An Unfinished Life represents the best of Hallstram’s films, which feature movingly sentimental human stories among the naturally beautiful locations and scenery. There is nothing new, groundbreaking, or even unpredictable here, yet it all works.





July 22nd Log

THE LADY IN THE WATER
2006, M Night Shyamalan, United States
1st Viewing, Theater

Strangely, but actually quite effectively The Lady in the Water film blends graceful imagination with a forced sense of manipulation in a way that has defined M Night Shyamalan as a filmmaker. For this, the film reflects Shyamalan’s strengths and weaknesses as a filmmaker. A contrived mess, yet Shyamalan is a skilled filmmaker and he makes his films with a personal vision and I do applaud the ambition and overall intentions of this latest work. He’s making a fairy tale on film, and one that truly speaks from his own heart as a filmmaker. I think the film is a deeply flawed one and its entire focus is plot-driven. Many will likely be disappointed and while I conclude the film is not Shyamalan’s best, I do admit a willingness to let the film absorb it’s fairy-tale world, and for this I can not say I think this is Shyamalan’s worst film either. The added humor here misses the mark mostly because Shyamalan’s dialogue is dull and the characters are draw out with the most obvious of cliches. Shyamalan also gives himself another key performance and while it is better then his previous roles it still feels out of place. However, Paul Giamatti and the rest of the cast are fine mostly under the photographer of Christopher Doyle who enhances the visuals appearance of the film. Doyle is perhaps the worlds leading cinematographer in contemporary cinema and while this pales in comparison to his finest work, it certainly does add a rich beauty to the film. Of course, Shyamalan also has a way of moving the camera (notably through wide angels) and even when it boarders on being overdone, it remains effective- which is maybe the best way to describe the films as a whole.



LURED
1947, Douglas Sirk, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

A few years after moving to Hollywood and years before becoming the master of expressionistic melodramas, Douglas Sirk made a genre-blending 1947 mystery thriller, Lured. A mix of film noir, crime, romance and even a dose of melodrama the film never reaches the mastery of mise-en-scene artistry like his great color melodramas of the 1950s. However, the film is at times fascinating and a intelligent film in both it’s psychological depths as well as it’s unpredictability and hints of Sirk’s control with expressive lighting and compositions. The film sets the tone from the opening title sequence as a flashlight moves from the city streets to walls that displays the title, cast and crew. Then the film quickly sets of two parallels narratives (detectives trying to solve the mystery of the “poet killer” and a hall dancer and her friend). Soon enough the two narratives collide and the multiple genres begin to set in. Lucille Ball shows a great presence on the film screen and of course she would go on to become one of the most legendary stars of television. Sirk has made better films but Lured shows his earliest developments of Hollywood filmmaking prior to becoming a master of expressionist art.





July 21st Log

PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID
1973, Sam Peckinpah, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is probably my favorite Sam Peckinpah film (at least of what I have seen to date). The film begins with a prologue of Garret’s death before backwards as the film centers on Billy the Kid’s final days. This version is the restored original Peckinpah cut (which includes 15 additional minutes). Peckinpah’s trademark raw emotion, violence, tough guy masculinity, and avant-garde editing are clearly evident in the film. The performances are all very good but the emotional connection of the leads is distant. Peckinpah makes the line between good and evil unclear or non-existent. The supporting characters are especially good (most notably from Slim Pickens, Jason Robards, and Katy Jurado). This film represents Peckinpah at the peak of his skills and it marks his most passionate and somber film. This is heightened by the music of Bob Dylan (who also gives a key performance as Alias... “Alias what? Alias anything you please”).



MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT
2005, Dan Ireland, United Kingdom
1st Viewing, Theater

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is all about the performance of Joan Plowright who ate the age of 76 years shines in every way. The film is easily comparable to Hal Ashby’s wonderful 1971 film, but the tone here is clearly different and while this film is inferior it remains very likable and charming. The film is adapted from an English novel and director Dan Ireland. The film has a weepy light-heartedness to it, but also intelligently explores Mrs Palfrey in her older age of life (as she deals with loneliness, health, and the presence of death). She meets a young street musician and aspiring writer and dispute being opposites they grow a bonding relationship. Mrs Palfrey inspires hope and identity to in the young man (who is well played by Rupert Friend- a relatively newcomer, at least in comparison to Plowright). There are some wonderful moments that capture a range of emotions, but I especially must single out Mrs. Palfrey’s favorite film (and is to me one of the most perfect films ever made and a personal favorite of all-time), David Lean’s 1946 masterpiece Brief Encounter, which ultimately becomes the film that introduces the young man to Gwendolyn.





July 20th Log

FUN WITH DICK AND JANE
2005, Dean Parisot, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

I never saw the 1977 original film, but the 2000 remake of Fun With Dick and Jane clearly has a modern-day mindset. There are plenty of parallels to be made with the corporate world of today (with obvious references towards Eron and President George Bush). At it’s core the film is filled with satirical anger yet it’s ultimately light-hearted entertainment that is driven by it’s “star quality”. Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni make an excellent husband and wife comedic team blending their skill for physical and slapstick humor within the satire of the film. Their chemistry is excellent and makes the film all that much easier to admire. Also, Alec Baldwin seems to thrive on these arrogant CEO-types and he is again very good here. Even if you can see the ending coming, it remains effective and really pretty pleasing.



THE PALM BEACH STORY
1942, Preston Sturges, United States
Repeat Viewing, DVD

Breaking all the rules while also using all the formulas, Preston Sturges created comedy genius for all others to follow during his four year, eight film run with Paramount Studios. Truly one of the most inventive comic filmmakers in the history of American film, Sturges 1942 masterpiece The Palm Beach Story stands among his most appealing screwball comedies and one of the very funniest of the era. There is so much personal and social expression to the film, yet ultimately it is made with such originality and hilarious force, that over analyzing it would simply diminish the beauty and cleverness of the film. Of course the Sturges dialogue is some of the very wittiest in all of cinema, but his overall mastery as a visual filmmaker gets overlooked. Seeing his films on repeat viewings, you can begin to understand that Sturges had such a beautiful way of storytelling and comedy through images as well as his genius wordplay. Sturges almost always shot scenes with a few cuts as possible, instead relying on a single “master shot” which would often go minutes without a cut. Palm Beach Story centers around two of Sturges trademarks: sex and money. Claudette Colbert and Sturges great leading man Joel McCrea (who also starred in Sullivan’s Travels and The Great Moment for Sturges) give wonderful performances, but as always with Sturges films it is the supporting cast that really carries the comedic performances (Rudy Vallee is especially great as Hackensacker, a calm and weak millionaire). The Palm Beach Story is a classic film and one of Sturges five greatest comedies.





July 19th Log

THE SHAPE OF THINGS
2003, Neil LaBute, United States
Repeat Viewing, DVD

I have seen The Shapes of Things several times and it remains as emotionally effective with each viewing, but nothing quite like seeing it for the first time and knowing nothing about it (so for those who have not seen the film, may not want to read any further). Directed by Neil LaBute, this works like a double-billing with his 1997 film In the Company of Men. Both are equally insightful and powerful and are completely focused on character through dialogue and performances. The difference between the two is the sex, as The Shape of Things is like the women’s answer to In the Company of Men. Both films are incredibly powerful in way that is both disturbing and terrifying. Cruel films that leave an unforgettable impact. What most amazing is that they do not contain any direct violence, suspense, or horror, The Shape of Things is a film that haunts the inner emotions of the human soul and the result is a sad and disturbing yet unforgettable film experience. LaBute’s minimal style (transitions of scenes begin with music and a camera pan) is incredibly effective because he strips the film down to dialogue and performances which makes the overall emotional involvement connect and a deeper and more intimate level. Like Aaron Eckhart’s In the Company of Men performance, Rachel Weisz is absolutely brilliant here as the heartless art student who’s motives are strictly a form of her own artistic expression. The film leaves much to think about in terms of art, and human relationships and morality. The Shape of Things is an emotionally unsettling yet interesting and thought-provoking experience that certainly leaves its mark through the most simplistic of cinematic techniques. “He is a living example of people's obsession with the surface of things. The shape of them.”



THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE
1976, John Cassavetes, United States
Repeat Viewing, DVD

Perhaps John Cassavetes most accessible film The Killing of a Chinese Bookie still was a box office failure on it’s release and was reedited as a shorter version. In the wonderful John Cassavetes box set, Criterion Collection includes the original longer version. I have not seen the shorter version, but rewatching the original cut has me convinced it is a masterpiece. The film blends genres of crime thriller into a deeply personal and quintessential Cassavetes film of character. Essentially, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is a film noir. One that builds in narrative just like any other genre film, yet in Cassavetes abandons the traditional form of Hollywood narrative into something deeper within the very essence of the character (flawlessly played by Ben Gazzara). Taken either way (be it a straight genre thriller or as a thought-provoking and personal noir) the film remains equally effective. That explains why it may very well be Cassavetes most accessible or “mainstream” masterpiece. I can not explain why it failed at the box office, but film fans are fortunate for Criterion’s revival of this outstanding film from one of American cinema truly greatest visionaries.





July 18th Log

YOUNG MR. LINCOLN
1940, John Ford, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

Made one year after his beloved (and I think dated film Stagecoach), Young Mr. Lincoln seems to be tailored-made for John Ford. As a symbol, Lincoln embodies the very values and traditions that all of Ford’s films supported and the very metaphor of Lincoln seems to hold a cloud over all his films. Ford’s films are always shot with a beautiful visual expression, but his focus is always on the story (even if told in a visually poetic matter). Ford often would use the western as a backdrop or metaphor in his mythical vision as a filmmaker, who supported the little-guy that struggles against the evils of power and greed. Underneath his “genre” westerns are Ford’s truest feelings for America and a civilized society based on morals. Young Mr. Lincoln is not a western but it may capture these essential themes in the most definitive way of all of Ford’s films. Henry Fonda gives one of the all-time great screen performances as Lincoln (maybe even surpassing his great performances in Ford’s masterpiece The Grapes of Wrath). I don’t know if I’d put this ahead of The Grapes of Wrath or The Man that Shot Liberty Valance, but I do believe Young Mr. Lincoln is one of Ford’s greatest films, and it may be the most quintessential of his mythical American themes.



SHE’S THE MAN
2006, Andy Fickman, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

She’s the Man is clearly driven for Amanda Bynes and for that (and maybe that alone) it works. Anyone who has seen The Amanda Bynes Show on Nickelodeon knows that she has enough talent to be funny and charming. She’s got that “star” quality, especially for comedies. As a film this is flawed, but I think it’s much better then I expected. As a showcase for Bynes, She’s the Man is worthy and hopefully we’ll see a future of great comedies from her. The film is all about Bynes (who is in just about very frame), but there are some other funny characters, most notably David Cross as the Principle who just shows up doing random jobs like working in the garden or the cafeteria. I think Bynes career will be remembered for better films, but She’s the Man has some likeable guilty pleasure qualities to it.





July 17th Log

DAISY
2006, Andrew Lau, South Korea
1st Viewing, DVD

Continuing with the recent trend of Korean films starring Jeon Ji-hyeon, tonight I watched Daisy. The film was released in South Korea in March of 2006. The film is directed by Hong Kong’s Andrew Lau, who is well known for his Infernal Affairs trilogy, as well as being an acclaimed cinematographer on most of his own films. Being a cinematographer, Lau’s films are often very well photographed, and that is certainly the case with Daisy, which features a prominent use of visual landscapes, cityscapes, and as the titled would suggest flowers. The film blends a non-linear that follows each of the three characters of a love triangle. Among the stylish techniques incorporated are uses of flashbacks and while it never impacts the comprehension of the narrative, it does lose a bit of originality while adding an overly sentimental element. As a result the film drags a bit. However, overall the film is good and features a nice mix of Korean romance and Hong Kong action. Of course, Jeon Ji-hyeon is the main draw, and she delivers another charming performance. She certainly has a special quality that just lights up on screen and she alone can save a film. I wouldn’t say this film needed savior from being a disaster, but it sure needed Jeon’s lively presence.



A TALKING PICTURE
2003, Manoel de Oliveira, Portugal / France / Italy
1st Viewing, DVD

“These days almost everyone speaks English”, someone says in the film, which on the surface appears to be a critique of modern globalization. A Talking Picture was made by the world renowned Portuguese filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira, whose films I only recently discovered. He’s been making films since the 1920s but this marks just the second film I’ve see (it would have been three except that Netflix unexplainably only carries a poorly dubbed DVD version of Abraham's Valley). The other Oliveira film I saw was Voyage to the Beginning of the World and I should be seeing I’m Going Home later this week. Talking Picture not quite as good as the previous Oliveira film but I can’t say that effects what is a rather involving film. I think clearly after seeing just two of his films, Oliveira’s focus (at least at this point of his career) is of cultures and cultural differences. A Talking Picture moves along at a steady pace with a strong focus on the dialogue (as you can expect from the title). The film seems to say something about the very cycle of cultural history and power and while made in a documentary like style, Oliveira seems to be using the material as scathing satire.





July 16th Log

SARAH SILVERMAN: JESUS IS MAGIC
2005, Liam Lynch, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

Sarah Silverman is relatively new to me (outside seeing her in some small roles in films such as School or Rock) so seeing this was the arrival of a very talented star. I find her “ignorant and rude but cute” shtick to be quite funny. She pretty much just throws every taboo and sick joke at the audience in a way that very well could offend some people, yet the intention is obvious satire. Like her or not, she does have a charming presence and personality that is born to be on screen. Here she combines her skillful deadpan timing with a dose of backstage bits and some musical numbers. Jesus is Magic (the title is explained in her standup routine), is a very funny film and I hope to see more from Silverman in the future.



PECKER
1998, John Waters, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

You know you are always in for something different when it comes from John Waters, Baltimore’s independent king of gross-out shock humor. With his 1998 film Pecker he seems to draw parallels with his own filmmaking roots, and clearly he presents the “arty” world of New York in a negative light. But overall the film is a lot of fun and very funny. There are some great characters (Pecker’s sugar-obsessed little sister) and quirky moments (the colored dust that shoots across the screen) that really make this such an appealing film. Waters focus is more lighter then some of his other films, but the result is one of his funniest films to date. While I do respect his impact and originality as an independent filmmaker of American cinema, not everything Waters does works for me, but I guess that is to be expected. Pecker may be Waters at his most "mainstream" and perhaps that is a good thing, because to me it's his best film outside of Hairspray (at least of what I have seen from Waters to date).





July 15th Log

SUPERMAN RETURNS
2006, Bryan Singer, United States
1st Viewing, Theater

At 154 minutes, Superman Returns is probably a bit longer then it needs to be. However, Bryan Singer makes a very entertaining sequel and even if the length of the film is overdone, it never feels to long. The performances are all likable. Brandon Roth does make the mistake of trying to imitate Christopher Reeves portrayal of Clark Kent and it comes off a bit dull, but overall he does a decent job. I like Kate Bosworth (with that cute overbite) and she may be considered a miscast but I thought she gave a convincing performance. Really the films narrative focus is on her emotional dilemma as Superman returns back into her life (now that she is engaged and has a child). This is a very well made sequel to the original Superman films (I’m only counting the first two) and it certainly leaves plenty of room for another one. Overall, a highly entertaining film that is top-notch Hollywood summer fun.



THE LADY EVE
1941, Repeat Viewing, United States
Repeat Viewing, DVD

Preston Sturges is one of my feature filmmakers of July and re-watching his films have truly been a treat. To me The Lady Eve is one of his two or three greatest films, and probably overall his funniest and most romantic. Sturges truly was one of the most innovative comedians in the history of American film. He was really the first major Hollywood writer-director of the sound era. A master of comic pacing, timing, and dialogue Sturges films were far ahead of their time, which makes them as fresh as ever today. Sturges was a perfectionist, an auteur who found a way to make exactly the films he wanted without much dispute from Studio bosses (at least until the 1944 The Great Moment- which marked an end of his run as ‘Prince of Paramount’). One of the reasons Sturges worked so well in Hollywood was that he would use the Studio system formulas and conventions to his advantage and ultimately twist them into personal and artistic expressions. The Lady Eve may be the great example of this as the film plays with all the conventions and formulas of screwball comedy and romance yet is quintessential of Sturges. Of course, Sturges learned a lot from the great Ernst Lubitsch in the way he implies rather then shows us certainly details and expressions, most notably is the implications of sexual tension that was quite rare in 1941. Again, Sturges mastery is able to get through certain production code restrictions. Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda seem perfectly fit in their roles and they give incredible performances here. The Lady Eve is just a classic film in every way whether as a witty screwball comedy or a romance. It is the first Sturges film I ever saw and it remains among my favorites of all his work! “Positively the same dame.”



SAVIOUR OF THE SOUL
1991 . David Lai / Corey Yuen . Hong Kong
1st Viewing, DVD

Based on a comic book/manga, Saviour of the Souls is a standard Hong Kong action film that mixes in elements of comedy, fantasy, science-fiction, and romance. Surprisingly, the script is written by Wong Kar-Wai, who does add a little bit of his quintessential elements of romantic longing. Wong began his career writing screenplays before becoming one of the greatest artists of contemporary cinema. Saviour of the Soul is the last script WKW wrote and he still proclaims it his best (of course, he is since known not to have traditional scripts for any of his films). Outside of the most minor details it is difficult to see that is this written by WKW, especially when compared to his masterpiece Days of Being Wild, which was released the same year). A major film and music star in Hong Kong (prior to her untimely death in 2003), Anita Mui effectively plays a dual role as May and as May’s sister. Both roles are quite different (with the sister being much more over-the-top and comical) but Mui handles it pretty smoothly. Saviour of the Souls certainly has it’s flaws and silliness yet it works in a stylishly camp way. There are some fighting and choreography moments that are remarkable, and will please fans of the Hong Kong action genre.