I meant to see Solitary Man for almost two months but something always got in the way. The film is mostly known for the performance of Michael Douglas as a disgraced businessman looking back on his youth and trying to move on. Actually, this film should have been the sequel to Wall Street; the screenplay seems better and it does not star Shia LaBeouf. A former car magnate experiencing a midlife crisis ruins his personal and business life with a series of indiscretions. After experiencing a significant amount of success, Ben Kalmen somehow became extremely arrogant. Believing that the rules …
Discourse on Documentaries, Part I: War and Sheep
Complex criteria are employed to evaluate documentaries, even more than other genres. Is a documentary judged based on the story or cinematography and direction? The best documentaries showcase a bit of both but a film about a controversial and enthralling issue can surpass a tiresome topic filmed with more craft. Restrepo is a shocking film, chronicling an American platoon’s fifteen month tour in the Korengal Valley. The Korengal region is one of the most dangerous in Afghanistan, on par with Kandahar and the Pashtun regions. Two documentary filmmakers imbedded in the unit film dangerous operations and mundane daily activities. The …
Inception
Inception is the rare film which is critically acclaimed, visually stunning, and a box-office success. Reviews advertised that the plot would be complicated but anyone who possesses the ability to note details and a short-term memory of at least two hours should be perfectly fine. Unfortunately, cinema-goers who screened Shutter Island will be distracted by similar plot themes and Leonardo DiCaprio’s nearly identical performance. What is real? What is imagined? Where does reality end and dreams begin? Too many films have covered this question and this detracts from the film’s appeal. I was bracing for an ultimate clichéd twist but …
The Girl Who Played with Fire
Stately Plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a ticket for the cinema upon which the film, theatre number, and showtime were printed. He had very much enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and was looking forward very much to viewing the second film in the trilogy. Eagerly, he was anticipating whether Lisbeth would discover the identity of her father and whether her companion, the redoubtable Mikael would be able to escape again from the intergalatic — er, Swedish crime syndicate. Two hours later, he knew the answers but was grossly disappointed by the manner in which they …
The A-Team
Though it is truly a ridiculous film, The A-Team is not entirely terrible. Perhaps in the upper tier of recently released mainstream theatrical tripe, it is no less crazy than the original stress, as it should be. As the faceless antagonist Lynch says as he watches an explosion from afar, “it’s just like Call of Duty.” Given that one of the most superficial and gratuitous films in several years almost won last year’s best picture award and a pompous war/comedy picture was among the finalists, perhaps this film is destined for critical acclaim. The were some humourous scenes and creative …
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Far too few films feature enthralling character development and an elegant touch to create suspense and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is one of those works. It is a clever psychological thriller — not without its flaws but still much more intriguing than the average film. Although one audience member walked out in digust when he found out that it was filmed in Swedish with subtitles, I did not feel that that hampered the story at all. Interestingly, another woman in the theatre forgot that the film was restricted and reacted in shock whenever a rated-R moment occured. Stieg Larsen elegantly incorporates …
Ridley Scott Releases a Robin Hood Prequel
Robin Hood combines strong action sequences with memorable performances from the lead actors. It is probably more of a medieval action film than a tribute to the folktale because the plot covers how Robin Longstride became a legend. There is not much devoted to the mythical feats such as splitting an apple with an arrow or steal from the rich to give to the poor. However, the film is successful because it provides motivation for Robin’s actions. Returning to England after the death of Richard the Lionheart in France, Robin evolves from a brave archer to a man of conscious …
Hot Docs ’10
I wasn’t able to devote as much time to Hot Docs as I had the year before but I remained able to attend some enjoyment screenings. Unfortunately, although the topics, like film and sport were interesting, the narrative structure of all three documentaries that I screened was flawed. The People vs. George Lucas recounts the dissonance between Star Wars fans and franchise creator George Lucas. Fans are willing to dress up like their favourite characters or recreate scenes from the original trilogy but they loathe the changes Lucas made for the Special Edition or the new filmmaking of the Prequels. Some …
The Secret in Their Eyes
A film that alternates between drama, romance, and comedy, The Secret in Their Eyes shows that thoughtful filmmaking is not dead (at least until the final ten minutes when subtlety goes out the window). Esposito is a retired investigator who is now an aspiring writer. Although he has changed careers, he cannot put his two passions – an unsolved case and an unrequited love – out of his mind. The crime in question, a twenty-five year old murder and rape case, is not overly intricate. Some crime thrillers compile twist after twist until the story passes the bounds of plausibility …
Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today
“The war was over but there was no peace.” Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today is the documentary complement to the dramatic Judgment at Nuremberg. Both feature the themes of good and evil and how one can determine morality in a subjective world. The opening comments of the prosecutor in the documentary seem as certain as the fictional character in the drama. At that time and place – post-war Germany in 1945 and 1946 – it certainly seemed that those on trial must have steadfastly supported the sinister atrocities of the German Reich. Judgment at Nuremberg shows that that interpretation is …
The Misfortunates
Like that episode of The Simpsons when Bart, Lisa, and Maggie were forced into temporary foster care with the Flanders, The Misfortunates explores the meaning of family. The Strobbes may be a family of violent and lazy drunkards but they are very loyal to each other. The four brothers – often incompetently but always sincerely – try to raise the next generation to mixed results. Their drinking habits, fighting, and unemployment have a clear deleterious effect on thirteen-year-old Gunther but he can’t decide whether to support his family or get away from them. Forced to write lines at school because …
Neil Young Trunk Show
Concert films are difficult to evaluate because they are similar to the television broadcast of a sports event. The entertainment value of the event is closely tied to the event itself. If a director misses a shot and the viewer misses part of the action, the mistake is recognized but excellent performance is rarely acknowledged. The Neil Young Trunk Show rocks but does it rock because Neil Young rocks or because it is an amazing film? Neil Young certainly rocks, combining acoustic and rock numbers. There are passionate lyrics, intricate solos, and a diverse selection of songs. Anyone could have …
Alice in Wonderland
What will be the first truly great 3-D film? Alice in Wonderland entertains throughout but proves to be a colourful pop-up book more than a significant movie. I found the screenplay to be sorely lacking; perhaps all of these “destiny” films share the same shortcomings. If it is foretold that the protagonist is going to do something than they will do it by the time the climax arrives. The rising action of “will he give up?” or “will she walk away?” becomes entirely meaningless. The film seems to lack irreverence or innocence and becomes a series of mundane events. At …
Shutter Island
So what if Shutter Island is a visually stunning work of art? Would you expect anything else from the best director of the past quarter-century? The overhead shots – which give the audience the impression of peering down and spying on the mysterious island – are a captivating technique employed by Martin Scorsese. Some of the long shots which zoom into extreme close-ups rival the visual interest of the dolly zooms in GoodFellas. Irrespective of the rest of the film, the cinematography is spectacular. The plot befits a blunt felt-tipped marker rather than an elegant quill. I cannot blame the …
The Runaways
If the aim of a film is to create a mood, The Runaways succeeds. 1970s sex, drugs, and rock and roll is perfectly captured by director Floria Sigismondi. Canted angles, zooming in and out of focus, trailing shots; Sigismondi employs a variety of techniques. It’s true that the content – chronicling the 1970s band comprising Joan Jett and Cherie Currie – is controversial and somewhat shocking but the craft of the director brings this historical film to the next level. The audience wishes that the film could continue, even though it encompasses the entire career of the band. Jett and …
Chloe
Chloe showcases what talent can accomplish, especially during the first half of the film. Compelling performances, creative cinematography, and clever direction grab the audience’s attention. Fearing that her husband David may be cheating, Catherine hires the titular character to tempt him. As Chloe reveals what transpires between her and the music professor, she becomes closer with Catherine. The story is told from Catherine’s perspective: we see how she imagines what happens between David and Chloe gradually, how she wistfully gazes at other couples and compares them to what she thinks her relationships has lost. Gradually, she pulls apart from her …