http://www.lastkissmovie.com/
viewed 09 juillet 07
plot : Just sewing some wild oats.
thought : Romantically light and rather realistic.
Overall rating : 3.5/5
samedi 21 juillet 2007
vendredi 13 juillet 2007
THE LOOKOUT
http://thelookout-movie.com/
plot : How (not) to rob a bank.
thought : Joseph Gordon-Levitt...'nough said.
"What's THE LOOKOUT ?" I thought as I bought my ticket at the local UGC. I'd never heard a thing about it, which made me think it would be bad and that it probably bombed in the States, but since I had recognised Mr. JGL on the poster, I didn't care. JGL is to me what John Cusak was to me about five years ago. Doesn't matter what movie he's in, I'll go. Ever since I first saw JGL in HOLY MATRIMONY opposite Patricia Arquette (hahahaha), I've been interested. I even watched a few episodes of "3rd Rock from the Sun" for him. I couldn't stand more than a few, but for him, it was worth it. And the material he chooses may dissappoint me (ref : 3rd Rock from the Sun), and even his performance may not always be stellar (ref : 3rd Rock from the Sun), but he always has presence, he is always charming, and he always makes me think, "Oh that little JGL, look how far he's come !"
THE LOOKOUT, however, went beyond my expectations. Joseph was fantastic. This is the best role I've seen him play to date, and that's including BRICK. JGL plays a once-golden youth who has suffered a serious head injury, and hence has had most of his promising life stripped from him. A group of local thugs (headed byMatthew GOODE--who played opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Woody Allen's MATCH POINT) trick him into robbing the bank where he works...and then things get sticky as Joseph's character, Chris, tries to get out of it. With strong support from Jeff Daniels and the quickly-but-unfortunately-becoming-forgettable Isla Fisher, the film comes together quite nicely, the tension mounting and continuing to its finish.
Hard to believe it's Scott FRANK's feature directorial debut (he's the writer man behind OUT OF SIGHT and GET SHORTY, as well as THE INTERPRETER and MINORITY REPORT). The film unfolds slowly, at times even feeling slow. But it is beautiful, some of the shots surprising in their artistry. The opening shots especially, undertoned with a great song from a band I don't know (forgot to write it down during the credits), took my breath away.
So America can't handle serious movies about the physically and mentally challenged doing bad things, I guess ? I don't know...I liked it. Maybe it was the JGL factor. But maybe it was actually quite good and unfortunately just overlooked.
Overall rating : 3.5/5
plot : How (not) to rob a bank.
thought : Joseph Gordon-Levitt...'nough said.
"What's THE LOOKOUT ?" I thought as I bought my ticket at the local UGC. I'd never heard a thing about it, which made me think it would be bad and that it probably bombed in the States, but since I had recognised Mr. JGL on the poster, I didn't care. JGL is to me what John Cusak was to me about five years ago. Doesn't matter what movie he's in, I'll go. Ever since I first saw JGL in HOLY MATRIMONY opposite Patricia Arquette (hahahaha), I've been interested. I even watched a few episodes of "3rd Rock from the Sun" for him. I couldn't stand more than a few, but for him, it was worth it. And the material he chooses may dissappoint me (ref : 3rd Rock from the Sun), and even his performance may not always be stellar (ref : 3rd Rock from the Sun), but he always has presence, he is always charming, and he always makes me think, "Oh that little JGL, look how far he's come !"
THE LOOKOUT, however, went beyond my expectations. Joseph was fantastic. This is the best role I've seen him play to date, and that's including BRICK. JGL plays a once-golden youth who has suffered a serious head injury, and hence has had most of his promising life stripped from him. A group of local thugs (headed byMatthew GOODE--who played opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Woody Allen's MATCH POINT) trick him into robbing the bank where he works...and then things get sticky as Joseph's character, Chris, tries to get out of it. With strong support from Jeff Daniels and the quickly-but-unfortunately-becoming-forgettable Isla Fisher, the film comes together quite nicely, the tension mounting and continuing to its finish.
Hard to believe it's Scott FRANK's feature directorial debut (he's the writer man behind OUT OF SIGHT and GET SHORTY, as well as THE INTERPRETER and MINORITY REPORT). The film unfolds slowly, at times even feeling slow. But it is beautiful, some of the shots surprising in their artistry. The opening shots especially, undertoned with a great song from a band I don't know (forgot to write it down during the credits), took my breath away.
So America can't handle serious movies about the physically and mentally challenged doing bad things, I guess ? I don't know...I liked it. Maybe it was the JGL factor. But maybe it was actually quite good and unfortunately just overlooked.
Overall rating : 3.5/5
vendredi 6 juillet 2007
INDECENT PROPOSAL (rental)
web site, hahahaha
plot : Demi Moore does it for money.
thought : IMDB user calls it "repugnant."
Overall rating : 2/5
plot : Demi Moore does it for money.
thought : IMDB user calls it "repugnant."
Overall rating : 2/5
PERSEPOLIS
http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/persepolis/
plot : A multicultural life in BD.
thought : It's something confusing, coming from.
The only thing better than a cartoon is an intelligent cartoon. And not one of those NewYorker cartoons that has nothing to do with the story that skims its corners. I'm talking about a cartoon with a story, with history, with background and meaning. Just as a person whose life manifests these things suddenly becomes more interesting, a cartoon doing the same does the same.
For a quick history lesson (thank you wikipedia), "Persepolis" is the Greek name for Persa, being the ancient ceremonial capital of the second Iranian dynasty. It is also used to describe the Persian world community, much like "diaspora" has been used, at turns, to discribe the black and the Jewish world community. Persepolis is the name Marjane SATRAPI chose for her comic book or graphic novel (here in France, they're called BDs, for "bande-dessine") which was the precursor to this wonderful film. The film debuted at Cannes this year and won Special Jury Prize. Here in Paris it's been given the largest salle in the UGC movie theatre, and the afternoon I went to see it, it was packed. The French love their BDs. And, like me, the French love films about culture clashes. Perhaps because they have so many.
The story of both the BD and the film centers on Satrapi's life, living in Iran during the war, fleeing Iran to Austria, coming back home for college and eventually moving away, permanently, here to Paris. The story is about coming from, never going to, and for that, I think, it becomes immediately attractive. Satrapi uses her gift for illustration to document her struggle both with and away from Iran, and the result is delightful, at turns poignant and downright sad, but always resonant.
And ps, the music is amazing. From the originally crafted electronic numbers to the classical tracks to the bouts of Iron Maiden, the soundtrack follows the film beautifully.
Obviously, Marjane SATRAPI, the writer and director of this film, is my hero.
Overall rating : 4/5
plot : A multicultural life in BD.
thought : It's something confusing, coming from.
The only thing better than a cartoon is an intelligent cartoon. And not one of those NewYorker cartoons that has nothing to do with the story that skims its corners. I'm talking about a cartoon with a story, with history, with background and meaning. Just as a person whose life manifests these things suddenly becomes more interesting, a cartoon doing the same does the same.
For a quick history lesson (thank you wikipedia), "Persepolis" is the Greek name for Persa, being the ancient ceremonial capital of the second Iranian dynasty. It is also used to describe the Persian world community, much like "diaspora" has been used, at turns, to discribe the black and the Jewish world community. Persepolis is the name Marjane SATRAPI chose for her comic book or graphic novel (here in France, they're called BDs, for "bande-dessine") which was the precursor to this wonderful film. The film debuted at Cannes this year and won Special Jury Prize. Here in Paris it's been given the largest salle in the UGC movie theatre, and the afternoon I went to see it, it was packed. The French love their BDs. And, like me, the French love films about culture clashes. Perhaps because they have so many.
The story of both the BD and the film centers on Satrapi's life, living in Iran during the war, fleeing Iran to Austria, coming back home for college and eventually moving away, permanently, here to Paris. The story is about coming from, never going to, and for that, I think, it becomes immediately attractive. Satrapi uses her gift for illustration to document her struggle both with and away from Iran, and the result is delightful, at turns poignant and downright sad, but always resonant.
And ps, the music is amazing. From the originally crafted electronic numbers to the classical tracks to the bouts of Iron Maiden, the soundtrack follows the film beautifully.
Obviously, Marjane SATRAPI, the writer and director of this film, is my hero.
Overall rating : 4/5
MADE IN JAMAICA
http://www.madeinjamaicamovie.com/
plot : This is how we did it.
thought : But where are you going ?
This movie wasn't about what I thought it was about, namely, the birth of dancehall music in Jamaica. I thought I read that somewhere, and it was a lot of why I went--that, and I love music documentaries--so for about the first twenty minutes, I was fairly confused. Then I got settled in.
This film sings about the widespread fallout, as it were, of reggae music in Jamaica. Not bad for a story, since the average American (or average...anyone ?) has heard of Bob Marley, et puis...basta. This movie flashed the names and faces of a lot of people who found their light from the Marley-reggae superbubble and then went on to continue playing the music to which all the kids who didn't where green, yellow and red "Get Up, Stand Up"-inspired headbands didn't listen. I don't want to be harsh, not against the film anyway. I don't think it was a good documentary, but that's the fault of some filmmakers getting confused about how to visually portray an auditive tale. The story was--is--worth telling. But we need to figure out who, besides Bob Marley, is going to tell it right.
Best musical moment : 96 degrees in the shade.
Overall rating : 2/5 as a film ; 3.5/5 in music
plot : This is how we did it.
thought : But where are you going ?
This movie wasn't about what I thought it was about, namely, the birth of dancehall music in Jamaica. I thought I read that somewhere, and it was a lot of why I went--that, and I love music documentaries--so for about the first twenty minutes, I was fairly confused. Then I got settled in.
This film sings about the widespread fallout, as it were, of reggae music in Jamaica. Not bad for a story, since the average American (or average...anyone ?) has heard of Bob Marley, et puis...basta. This movie flashed the names and faces of a lot of people who found their light from the Marley-reggae superbubble and then went on to continue playing the music to which all the kids who didn't where green, yellow and red "Get Up, Stand Up"-inspired headbands didn't listen. I don't want to be harsh, not against the film anyway. I don't think it was a good documentary, but that's the fault of some filmmakers getting confused about how to visually portray an auditive tale. The story was--is--worth telling. But we need to figure out who, besides Bob Marley, is going to tell it right.
Best musical moment : 96 degrees in the shade.
Overall rating : 2/5 as a film ; 3.5/5 in music
DELIRIOUS
***avant-premier (that means PRE-OPENING NIGHT SPECIAL SCREENING, BOOOYAH) in the presence of the director himself, Tom DiCillo**
http://www.delirious-lefilm.com/
plot : Homeless boy falls for popstar.
thought : Everyone loves an underdog tale.
Yeh, it's true, I saw the movie here in Paris with Tom DiCillo at the movie theatre. Even asked him a question afterwards. I'm disheartened to say he gave some nebbish, stock response that made me almost immediately dislike this movie because I was disappointed by its director, but don't worrym I recovered. DERLIRIOUS is a great film. And Tom DiCillo is a great director. After watching the trailer, sure, you already know the entire damn movie, so you don't...actually...have to see it, but you should ! Because it's beautiful. And Michael PITT, our homeless, leading male, is brilliant.
The story centers on a struggling actor from Philly who comes out to the city where dreams are made at the price of your soul (that would be Los Angeles, ladies and gents) and ends up volunteering to assist Steve BUSCEMI's character, Les, a "licensed professional photographer" (read : paparazzi). He agrees to help Les snap shots of the stars in exchange for a place to sleep but almost instantaneously falls in love with his first mark, the mysterious and nimble K'harma, played by Allison LOHMAN (who we loved in MATCHSTICK MEN). It's a light romantic comedy but it maintains a beautifully visual and dialogue-centered trajectory, and though it takes some turns you wouldn't expect (keep an eye on that Buscemi), it ends up where the trailer promised it would.
Now about Michael Pitt. You may remember Michael PITT (no relation to the starving Brangelina) from such wonderful recents like the French brother-sister sexfest LES INNOCENTS, i.e. THE DREAMERS (it was intellectual, mind you) or the American mother-son sexfest THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS (it was artistic, mind you)--or you may not. I never saw either, I'm sad to say, but after seeing this movie, I find myself more curious about Michael Pitt. Tom DiCillo said it best himself by recounting that he strove to find an actor that could channel both "homeless, lost youth" and "red carpet movie star" in the same film. He definitely found his man. Will Hollywood open the door for Michael Pitt ? Or should we first wait and see how he does opposite Kiera in SILK (14 september, USA limited) ?
Overall rating : 3/5 (recall my rule about romantic comedies by reading LOVE ET SES PETITS DESASTRES)
http://www.delirious-lefilm.com/
plot : Homeless boy falls for popstar.
thought : Everyone loves an underdog tale.
Yeh, it's true, I saw the movie here in Paris with Tom DiCillo at the movie theatre. Even asked him a question afterwards. I'm disheartened to say he gave some nebbish, stock response that made me almost immediately dislike this movie because I was disappointed by its director, but don't worrym I recovered. DERLIRIOUS is a great film. And Tom DiCillo is a great director. After watching the trailer, sure, you already know the entire damn movie, so you don't...actually...have to see it, but you should ! Because it's beautiful. And Michael PITT, our homeless, leading male, is brilliant.
The story centers on a struggling actor from Philly who comes out to the city where dreams are made at the price of your soul (that would be Los Angeles, ladies and gents) and ends up volunteering to assist Steve BUSCEMI's character, Les, a "licensed professional photographer" (read : paparazzi). He agrees to help Les snap shots of the stars in exchange for a place to sleep but almost instantaneously falls in love with his first mark, the mysterious and nimble K'harma, played by Allison LOHMAN (who we loved in MATCHSTICK MEN). It's a light romantic comedy but it maintains a beautifully visual and dialogue-centered trajectory, and though it takes some turns you wouldn't expect (keep an eye on that Buscemi), it ends up where the trailer promised it would.
Now about Michael Pitt. You may remember Michael PITT (no relation to the starving Brangelina) from such wonderful recents like the French brother-sister sexfest LES INNOCENTS, i.e. THE DREAMERS (it was intellectual, mind you) or the American mother-son sexfest THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS (it was artistic, mind you)--or you may not. I never saw either, I'm sad to say, but after seeing this movie, I find myself more curious about Michael Pitt. Tom DiCillo said it best himself by recounting that he strove to find an actor that could channel both "homeless, lost youth" and "red carpet movie star" in the same film. He definitely found his man. Will Hollywood open the door for Michael Pitt ? Or should we first wait and see how he does opposite Kiera in SILK (14 september, USA limited) ?
Overall rating : 3/5 (recall my rule about romantic comedies by reading LOVE ET SES PETITS DESASTRES)
DIALOGUE AVEC MON JARDINIER
http://www.marsdistribution.com/xml/flash.html?cfilm=51878
plot : Friendship grows like a garden.
thought : A beautiful portrait of adulthood.
This new film by Jean BECKER caused quite a stir here in France. Receiving the "label des spectateurs" (meaning the "some people you don't know like this film" award) by UGC Cinema, DIALOGUE seemed to first merit attention because Monsieur Becker only makes a film about every five to ten years, and it's usually pretty good. Also, because the two leading males, Daniel AUTEUIL (from hits like LE PLACARD) and Jean-Pierre DARROUSSIN (from the recently reviewed J'ATTENDS QUELQU'UN), are definitely quickly renewing their pass for this year's French screen favorites. But really, I believe the stir came from the fact that this film pulls on the heartstrings in such a pure, breezy, Saturday afternoon "let's go for a walk, oh wow, look at that rainbow" kind of way, as if being sentimental completely on accident, that the French were bascially taken by surprise. I was.
DIALOGUE tells the story of two old friends from childhood reuniting much later in their lives, after one, who has gone on to become a very successful artist painter, hires the other, unbeknownst to him, to be his gardiner. This is the story of friendship that doesn't grow old, that ripens with age, that warms and revitalises life. It is the story of the friendship that everyone of us, even us cynical ones, hope to have. Makes for more than just a snuggly-warm French "bromance." It's lovely and pure, simple as that. Very glad I saw it.
Only complaint was the minimal prescence of women in the film. But I guess that was part of the point.
Overall rating : 3.5/5
plot : Friendship grows like a garden.
thought : A beautiful portrait of adulthood.
This new film by Jean BECKER caused quite a stir here in France. Receiving the "label des spectateurs" (meaning the "some people you don't know like this film" award) by UGC Cinema, DIALOGUE seemed to first merit attention because Monsieur Becker only makes a film about every five to ten years, and it's usually pretty good. Also, because the two leading males, Daniel AUTEUIL (from hits like LE PLACARD) and Jean-Pierre DARROUSSIN (from the recently reviewed J'ATTENDS QUELQU'UN), are definitely quickly renewing their pass for this year's French screen favorites. But really, I believe the stir came from the fact that this film pulls on the heartstrings in such a pure, breezy, Saturday afternoon "let's go for a walk, oh wow, look at that rainbow" kind of way, as if being sentimental completely on accident, that the French were bascially taken by surprise. I was.
DIALOGUE tells the story of two old friends from childhood reuniting much later in their lives, after one, who has gone on to become a very successful artist painter, hires the other, unbeknownst to him, to be his gardiner. This is the story of friendship that doesn't grow old, that ripens with age, that warms and revitalises life. It is the story of the friendship that everyone of us, even us cynical ones, hope to have. Makes for more than just a snuggly-warm French "bromance." It's lovely and pure, simple as that. Very glad I saw it.
Only complaint was the minimal prescence of women in the film. But I guess that was part of the point.
Overall rating : 3.5/5
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