Change Your Image
druid333-1
Reviews
Shoah (1985)
A Long....LONG Haul (but well worth the effort)
Shoah is without a doubt,one of the most powerful documentaries dealing with the thorny subject of the Holocaust you'll ever see. Unlike previous documentaries such as 'The Sorrow & The Pity',there is absolutely not frame one of any Holocaust victims on display,but the testimonies of those who were directly & indirectly involved with the Holocaust,through interviews. The film was shot over a period of several years,and hundreds of interviews,as well as present day footage of some of the surviving camps,such as Dauchu,that have been preserved as a reminder of the horror that happened,and should never happen again (although sadly does,even in this day & age in other countries & cultures). As a result of this, the film clocks in at nearly ten hours. Most cinemas that have had the bravura to screen 'Shoah' has either screened it in two parts (as the version that I saw in it's initial U.S. release),or in the case of New York's Film Forum,which has two screens,ran each part in separate cinemas, in staggered screenings with staggered times). This is a film that will generate deep conversation with any audience that sees it,as well as controversy. This film is not rated by the MPAA,but contains graphic & disturbing testimony of Nazi war atrocities that will haunt the viewer for a long time afterward. Not a good choice for very young children,but older teens that are interested in studying the Holocaust should see it.
Prelude: Dog Star Man (1962)
Retinal Stimulation Movie
Stan Brakhage may,or may not have been a visionary with his view on cinema (there were other early experimental film makers that implemented various experiments on film,i.e. painting on the film,abstract editing,etc.),but he was one of the most well known,as his films were getting attention about the same time as his contemporaries,such as Jonas Mekas,Andy Warhol,Jack Smith,and others (plus Mekas had his cinema in the East Village that screened those experimental/underground films in the early to late 1960's/early 1970's). Brakhage's 'Prelude:Dog Star Man',as well as the subsequent segments over the next few years is a film to be experienced (preferably in it's entirety,in one screening). It is a series of abstract images,that convey a lyrical feel to them. I had the rare open window of opportunity a few years back to see it,all together in one screening,with a live sound track by an ensemble of musicians (including Lee Renaldo,from Sonic Youth,and master percussionist William Hooker)at Real Art Ways,in Hartford,Connecticut a few years back,and was blown out of my shoes by it. Don't try to make any kind of sense out of it (just sit back & be dazzled by it's use of random images). Obviously not rated by the MPAA,but does contain a few images that could be unsettling to some.
Pont de Varsòvia (1990)
A Dreamy & Surreal Meditation On Life & Art
Pere Portabella's films have never been easy to (logically)pinpoint, nor to find,as he has been adamant about his films not being released in any video format,what so ever (no VHS,no DVD,no Blue Ray,no nothing),so finding one of his films is not the easiest. If you can find a cinema that is featuring a revival of one of his films...by all means,go see it. 'Pont de Varso'via' (or,Warsaw Bridge,as it is better known as)is one that will either entice one,or totally enrage them. 'Bridge' is Portabella's diatribe on life & art,told in a series of beautifully photographed images that will remind some of the more surreal films of Luis Bunuel (who he worked with in later years),such as 'Exterminating Angels' (not the French piece of pseudo/quasi porn s**t from a few years back),or 'L'Age Dor'. It also reminded me of Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle from some years back. Don't try to find a plot (in the traditional sense,anyway),as 'Bridge' is a series of disconnected images that convey a lyrical feel. The use of music is well done,as well (lots of neo classical music). If you're looking for something that's way left of centre,you can't do much better than 'Warsaw Bridge'. Not rated by the MPAA (the American distributors didn't bother to submit it for a rating),this film contains both female & male full frontal nudity,as well as some rude language. Probably not a good choice for the little ones (who would only be bored,as well as confused by the various goings on,anyway)
Rekopis znaleziony w Saragossie (1965)
Like...Oh Wow, Man (what a trip)
'Rekopis znaleziony w Saragossie' (or as it is also known as,'The Saragossa Manuscript)is one of those strange little films that originally had a limited release in the U.S. (and a version cut by just under an hour.at that). This film,however came to the attention of Grateful Dead founder,Jerry Garcia,while attending a screening (in a questionable state of mind,I'm sure),back in 1966. He was so blown away by this film that he wanted others to see it,but that open window of opportunity was closed by the time he alerted his friends. He searched for years to get the American rights to distribute it out of his own pocket. Sadly,by the time of his death,news had arrived from Europe that a 35mm print of the original directors cut (which ran just over three hours)had become available. In memory of Garcia,the film's American distribution was handled by Francis Coppola & Steven Spielberg. Just why did Jerry Garcia go crackers over this film? Well,for one, this is a very surreal & psychedelic film,taken from the 19th century novel by Jan Potocki,which is about a very strange book that falls into the hands of a Flemish Captain,during the Napoleonic wars,and the effects it has on him (as well as anybody else who comes upon it). Wojciech Has directs a top notch cast of Polish actors,including the great Zbigniew Cybulski (star of many a prolific Polish film,including Wajda's Ashes & Diamonds,and others). Tadeusz Kwiatkowski's screenplay brings out the best in what is probably a difficult novel to make the transfer to the screen. This is the kind of film that one does not need the use of psychedelic drugs to get the utmost effect from (but probably wouldn't hurt). Not rated by the MPAA, this film does contain a bit of graphic violence,and a bit of mature content.
The Great Buck Howard (2008)
"I Love This Town!"
In the words of the films central protagonist,Buck Howard (John Malkovich),an over the hill,has been illusionist (patterned somewhat after the amazing Kreskin),who's glory days were pretty much faded by the late 1970's,is still,none the less,performing to pretty much mostly empty theaters in middle American. Buck has just fired his longtime road manager,and is looking for another body to bully around. The open window of opportunity arrives for a law school dropout (played by Colin Hanks, and yes,son of Tom)to act as Buck's whipping boy. The two,aided by a pretty booking agent (Emily Blunt)hit the road,to watch Buck play every small backwater town,and performing the same stale act (boy,talk about a one trick pony),while riding on the coat tails of days gone by (he drones endlessly about appearing on the Tonight Show,with Johnny Carson back in the day,while verbally trashing current host,Jay Leno). The film also has some help from several other actual "over the hill,has beens", such as Gary Coleman,Ricky Jay ("You can call me Ray,you can call me Jay",etc.),and others,including several other cameos,including Tom Hanks, as the perturbed father of the law student (who is one of the two executive producers of the film). This is a small film that wears it's heart on it's sleeve. As it's being carried by a small,independent studio,distribution will be somewhat limited. Rated PG by the MPAA,this film has a bit of rude talk & sensual material,but not much else that could be considered offensive to parents of older children.
Sunshine Cleaning (2008)
Blood Is Still Thicker Than Water (and soap)
This is one of those little films with heart. Amy Adams (most recently seen in the superb 'Doubt'),and Emily Blunt (currently seen in 'The Great Buck Howard')are sisters who form a business,cleaning up bloody,gory crime scenes. Their characters differ some what. One is a single Mother of a somewhat troubled 8 year old,in her 30's,having an affair with a married policeman,while the other is a rootless,drifting from one crappy job to another,slacker. Veteran actor,Alan Arkin is their father,who is involved in one failed "get rich quick" scheme after another. This is quality,quirky film making at it's best. Fraternal bonds seem to be the central theme here. This film was produced last year,but seems to be getting a late (but most welcome)distribution just now. Rated 'R' by the MPAA,this film contains raunchy language,disturbing images of the after effects of crime scenes,and adult situations. May not be an ideal choice for youngsters under 12 years of age.
Jerichow (2008)
People Making Some Bad Choices (some really,really bad choices) In Life
Jerichow is a region in a part of East Germany,that faces the North Atlantic. It is also the title of a grim,but well written,directed & acted drama about a love (lust?)triangle. Thomas (a stoic faced Benno Furmann)is one of life's losers,who was in the Army during the war in Afghanistan,who is on the run from being in debt with a business associate. Ali (Hilmi Sozer),a middle aged Turkish immigrant,who owns a chain of snack bars in central Eastern Germany & his beautiful,young wife (Nina Hoss,most easy on the eyes). Despite a somewhat strained friend ship between the three,paranoia & mistrust exist between two of the three parties (especially when Thomas & the wife start an affair). Christian Petzold writes & directs a fine,tart film about three characters,each with a dark side to their character. Besides a passing resemblance to both versions of 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', it may also remind you of films by the late Reiner Werner Fassbinder,Robert Bresson,and others. This is grim,but well intentioned film making from a director who's works are fairly unknown in this country (and let's hope that changes soon). As this is an import,distributed by a small independent studio,it is not rated by the MPAA,but contains pervasive language,sexual situations,nudity & violence (although nothing too gory).
Last Chance Harvey (2008)
It's Never Too Late
What we have here is a classic case of two wandering souls looking for something resembling happiness. Dustin Hoffman & Emma Thompson are those said such persons in search (and in need). Hoffman plays Harvey,a failed composer who has lowered his expectations to writing jingles for television commercials. When he arrives in London for his estranged daughter's wedding, he meets a middle aged woman (Thompson)who's life is pretty much reduced to cow towing to her elderly mother. Does romance seem out of touch for these two? This is a somewhat predictable,but well played drama that may have those slapping their foreheads & saying..."oh no,not again", and those who will love it. Handed a PG-13 by the MPAA for some rude language,but is otherwise fine for older youngsters with patience for this kind of a film.