Antichrist: Part Une

An unnamed married couple retreat to the woods to deal with some psycholgical issues in Antichrist. I'm not Lars Von Triers fan. I've not seen that many of his films, and for of those I've seen - I'm not that impressed. Sue me. I didn't like this movie. Not one bit. I could end this post with that, since I'm not quite sure how to explain. Charlotte Gainsburg performance rang through as so false for me, I'm nonplussed as to how she's won awards for this. As I said, Dafoe was my main draw here. He's capable, but unexceptional. I suppose the film is Von Triers giving the finger to the world; but hot damn. I was unmoved.  I was uninterested in either of the two characters. Nothing. Zilch. I don't how the heck I'm grading this.

I'll be back with Part Deux

Moon: A Few Words

I cannot call myself a legitimate fan of the science fiction genre. In the last two decades there are only two films in the genre that I found particularly excellent. The sleeper hit 2002 Minority Report and 1997’s underrated Gattaca. Still, I’m not biased against science fiction. It just doesn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

                     

Moon functions as a scientific drama but it also delves into some interesting psychological themes. The issue of cloning has been examined oftentimes but Moon lucks out. Cloning does present an important aspect of the film, but Jones treads so lightly that we never find it overbearing. The film rises above that managing to somehow explore larger themes. Sam Rockwell is faced with the taslk of grounding the entire film. Sure, Kevin Spacey’s effective voice is used but I cannot remember since Spencer Tracy in The Old Man & the Sea when I’ve been so riveted by a performer in isolation essentially interacting with themselves.

But then, despite the obvious goodness of his performance I could not fall in love with the film. I can’t put my finger on it; perhaps it’s that elusive subjectivity of human nature. There is a thin line between being subtle and engendering confusion and to an extent Moon got a bit too esoteric at times. It was all done in good faith; I’m sure. But still, the issue remains. Moon is a good film though; don’t let the seemingly taciturn words fool you. Sam Rockwell is just great in so many ways belying what until now has been a somewhat spotty career. The moon is definitely worthy experience. Take a walk on it.
           
B

Whatever Works

I’m a Woody Allen fan. I won’t mince words about. Certainly, he’s not for all – but he’s probably my favourite comedic auteur. But Whatever Works presented a puzzle for me. Not only in reviewing it, but in watching it. It was a good Woody Allen film while being a bad Woody Allen. film I can look at it and understand the bad reviews it has been given, but I can also look at it some things; perhaps not wonderful but certainly enjoyable. So it’s quite a conundrum.

             

Boris is a neurotic genius, not exactly a new thing to Woody Allen films. The film examines his experiences when he takes a stray girl from the South soon to be joined by her ridiculously dysfunctional family. The film examines the hilarities that ensue when they coincide with Boris’ life. It’s ostensibly the typical Woody film; but yet it’s not. I racked my brains, wondering if I’d not be able to put my finger on it. Then it became obvious – Larry David. I’m neither here nor their when it comes to Curb Your Enthusiasm, and this is no reflection on David’s ability as an actor. However he was horrifically miscast as Boris.

            

Woody is getting old and it’s probably time for him to hang up the hat as far as acting goes, but I couldn’t help feeling he’d be the perfect fit for Boris ten years ago. Or what of Alan Alda? In addition to being an exceptional actor, Alda can play a mean character with traces of sympathy. I don’t know if it’s him or if his interpretation of the character was amiss but I felt nothing for him. There’s a scene towards the end. Evan Rachel Wood’s Melody is leaving Boris. As she tries to break it gently to him he gives a series of sad but funny lines. It’s supposed to be pithy and funny, but David’s delivery gave me nothing. I don’t know if it’s me only, but he just didn’t work for me. The first twenty minutes particularly depend on him and thus those first twenty minutes are horribly weak for me. But it gets better.

Evan Rachel Wood is a fine actress. She’s not exceptional but she’s good. Her country accent may be schmaltzy a bit at first, but she doesn’t overdo and I found her so enchanting at times. As has become a stalwart in Woody recently the film doesn’t really develop until that pivotal character enters. Penelope Cruz came in halfway through Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Scarlett comes in a little earlier in Match Point, but both films take a turn [generally for the better] with both women. This time Patricia Clarkson is that pivotal character. Playing Melody’s mother it’s even a fuller character than she played to perfection in Pieces of April. And she’s great. I hesitate to say exceptional, but she’s great. The supporting cast all are great in spots, and really the chemistry though not earth shattering is pleasant.

              

Whatever Works is a film that Woody Allen’s fans will like, but I’m not sure if he’ll win new fans with it. It’s not as aware of itself as Vicky Cristina Barcelona, not as consistently witty as Match Point, it’s not even as unselfconscious as Scoop. But it’s good. It may be remiss of me to blame David for the failures, but that's how I see it. I’m bordering on B-, but the film really is pleasant. It may be subject to change but right now I think it’s better than that. Maybe.

           

B-/B

Scarlett Woman

I'm not really big on celebrity birthdays, but a few days one of the most vivacious young actresses celebrated her 25th birtday, I'm in the mood for list making so it occurred to me that I'd make a list of Scarlett's better times on sreen. I know it's currently en vogue to dislike her, and sure she's not the best actress of her time. But I do feel she's talented. Take a look at my five favourite Scarlett moments.

              

Olivia Wenscombe in The Prestige (2006)

"He wants me to come work for you and steal your secrets."

                                         

Pursy Will in A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004) 

"Everyone knows that books are better than life! That's why they're books!" 

                

Cristina in Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)             

"I'll go to your room, but you'll have to seduce me." 

                                    

Charlotte in Lost in Translation (2003)

          "My husband's a photographer, so he's here working. I wasn't doing anything so I came along."

                               

Nola Rice in Match Point (2005)

                 "I was doing fine until you came along."  

First Photos From Shrek 4!

ComingSoon has published the first images of the 4th and final Shrek movie, Shrek Forever After! Director Mike Mitchell told the newspaper that Shrek is feeling over-domesticated in the fourth installment. "He has lost his roar. It used to send villagers running away in terror. Now they run to him and ask him to sign their pitchforks and torches."

To regain his ogre mojo, he strikes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin, who is voiced by Walt Dohrn, the film's head of story. The pact goes awry and Shrek must confront what life would be like in Far Far Away if he had never existed. That translates into Donkey being forced into cart-pulling duty, fat and lazy Puss in Boots trading his sword for a pink bow and the underhanded Rumpelstiltskin ruling the kingdom.

Comedians Kathy Griffin and Kristin Schaal ("Flight of the Conchords") are joining the voice cast as witches who hunt ogres. On the side of good is an underground resistance group led by Jon Hamm of "Mad Men," who plays "the best-looking ogre you've ever seen," Mitchell says.

The first trailer for the film will be shown during the premiere of James Cameron's Avatar in December

3 New Posters of Nine

All I can say is... Penelope Cruz Helloooowwww!

Nine is an adaptation of the Broadway musical directed by Rob Marshall from Chicago. The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cottilard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson and Fergie. That Daniel Day-Lewis is one lucky asshole man... Nine premieres 18 Dec 2009

Mildred Pierce: Child’s Play

If you’re into classic gossip [How’s that for oxymoron?] you probably know about the rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Bette put it oh so nicely when she said that nice people play bitches on screen , which is why she [Bette] often delved into more complex characters on film. Joan on the other was a bitch, and played good girls on screen to get over herself. I can’t say if that’s true, I’m not a staunch believer in Bette Davis, though I don’t really care for Joan Crawford either. Whatever. But if you’re looking for a Crawford character that’s a good girl – look no further than Mildred Pierce.

                             

I know that my blog buddy Twister loves this movie, and it is quite good. It’s #97 on my list of favourite films. I’m not quite sure if Mildred Pierce represents some of the finest film making of the era – but there’s a particular reason that it, along with so many films in my top 100 are my favourites. It’s so easy to just pop this in and watch it; but for the life of me I always see Mildred Pierce as more of a comedy veering into camp than a straight up drama. But that probably just shows how screwed up my sense of reality is, because I suppose the film is serious. A serious melodrama, but serious nonetheless.

Spoilers Abound: Be Warned

I’m actually quite glad that there’s going to be a remake of this, since there are some things that I think can be worked on. Joan Crawford tries her best with her role, it’s the type of baity role that is still a bit boring and she really does try. There’s that scene when Mildred goes to the club and sees Veda singing. She has just recently thrown Veda out of the house and seeing Veda makes her realise just how much she loves her daughter. So when Veda suggests that she marries Beragon to have her back, it seems logical for Mildred. But, it doesn’t seem logical for me. I hate the way this issue is treated, as if it’s normal for Veda to demand this. Of course, Veda is not your typical eighteen year old – but still. I would have liked to see something more, like an internal struggle with Mildred as she weighed the options, or perhaps a bit of crying as she resigns herself to her fate. I don’t know something, though I don’t know what exactly.

            

Still, Mildred Pierce is still an enjoyable film. Crawford won an Oscar for her role and Ann Blyth [as her daughter] and Eve Arden [as her workmate] were both nominated. Anne was commendable in her role, though as the film continued she got a bit too schmaltzy for my liking. Eva Arden was great working with a very thin role. She definitely did an exceptional job of rising above the material. Then there’s the child actress  Jo Ann MArlow who plays Mildred’s younger daughter. She’s out the film before it’s half way through, but I found her performance quite impressive. The men, I suppose, are fine; but they’re nothing outstanding.

                 

Mildred Pierce is a nice piece of classic cinema, and it wouldn’t hurt you to watch it.