COLCOA stands for "City of Lights, City of Angels," and it's my favorite film festival of the year in Fire City--officially, I just decided--because it's the French Film Festival. Offering a fanfare of world, US, California and Los Angeles premieres, COLCOA graced me this year with two films "tres attendus" (that means "very awaited"): Cedric Klapisch's PARIS and Claude Lelouch's ROMAN DE GARE, the latter of which I'd missed seeing while living in Paris. I also caught Jan Kounen's latest mean feature, 99 FRANCS, and saw the slightly bland but harmless comedy, LA VIE D'ARTISTE. In order, from love to "bof" (that means "whatever"), I rate them....
1. J'adore ROMAN DE GARE. It's the film that introduced me to the genius of Claude Lelouch, the French director who has been making films for 50 years--who has made 41 films to date--and sadly whose films, for some reason, I hadn't previously seen. It beautifully combines four major film genres (psychological thriller, romantic comedy, drama and mystery...and AWESOME!) and keeps you guessing right up to it's suddenly cliche but somehow still delightful conclusion.
PLOT: Nothing is what you expect. (Vague, but that's the plot.)
THOUGHT: Start thinking and enjoy it.
IN FIVE: 4.5/5
2. Je veux achete 99 FRANCS. This film is dark, twisty and wonderful, right from its greasy opening shots: move from fabulous overblown street advert, to man attempting suicide (and succeeding), to washed up ad exec recovering from a bad drug trip--and the journey has just begun. It hates the ad industry it extols from start to finish, and it isn't scared to stab itself in the eye. And I don't even know what that means, but that's the truth. Oh, and the soundtrack was off the hook.
PLOT: Everything is definitely for sale.
THOUGHT: Might as well buy it.
IN FIVE: 4.5/5
3. Comme la ville soi-meme, PARIS m'a vraiment boulverse. Maybe that's because I'd wanted to see it for so long. I first caught the trailer from the L'AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE director about two months ago online, and I'll admit, it made me cry. I longed to go back to that city the minute she appeared on scene. And naturally, the film lived up to the fantasm (is that a word?) of images I'd conjured in my head based on the romantic trailer alone. Like a bittersweetly un-violent version of CRASH, Oscar winner of '06, PARIS pans a city and its regulars with an unflinching eye, catching them at their best, their worst, their most alive. And yes, it made me cry. Again, great music.
PLOT: There is nowhere like here.
THOUGHT: So can I get there?
IN FIVE: 4.5/5 (notice a trend? perfection is hard to attain)
4. Je ne veux pas etre coincee dans LA VIE D'ARTISTE. No thank you. The one "bof" of the weekend, the Fitoussi film chronicled the sadly depressing lives of a number of struggling artists fumbling towards failed ecstasy in the City of Lights. That's not why I wasn't that intrigued--I can deal with a depressing movie, don't worry--it's simply this film...had no salt, no spark. It was a little typical, a little too French. It was a cornucopia with no fruit. And again, I don't know exactly what that means, but it's the truth.
PLOT: Being famous is mostly luck.
THOUGHT: The rest is probably fruit.
IN FIVE: 2.5/5
THE FESTIVAL: http://www.colcoa.org/2008/home/index.asp
THE FILMS (in the order i saw them):
99 francs - http://www.99francs-lefilm.com/
roman de gare - http://www.lesfilms13.com/romandegare/
paris - http://www.lefilm-paris.com/
la vie d'artiste - http://www.hautetcourt.com/fiche.php?pkfilms=129
samedi 19 avril 2008
RUN, FAT BOY, RUN
Caught this one after an afternoon of hesitation last Sunday. Go out to a movie? Rent a movie? Go out to a movie? Rent a movie? Go out to a movie...?
With the promise of strawberry shortcake near the cinema post-picture show, I had no choice but to go out. We drove to Monster Mall, we walked into the theatre and then we sat and watched a movie all about running to win the woman you love.
RUN, FATBOY, RUN, though starring Simon Pegg of SHAUN OF THE DEAD and HOT FUZZ fame, did not have quite the carriage these films did. Perchance that's because, this time around, Pegg shared his pen with Michael Ian Black--who I love, like hearts on stars, LOVE--but who is better, I'd say, at improvisational humor (a la the VHS "I Love the '90s" series) than written wit. I unfortunately blame him for the jokes that veered towards physical and/or slapstick humor. They felt American and out of context in Pegg's usually wonderfully off-color universe. I mean, hey, I love an irreverent blague like the next girl...but I really didn't need to see puss from a blister squirt all over a man's face. Really didn't. And maybe that was Pegg's doing. But maybe it wasn't? (For all I know it was all David Schwimmer's idea. 'Cause yeah, he directed it.) But my mind tells me it might have been Michael.
In short, I didn't audibly chortle nearly as often during FATBOY as I did this time (was it this time?) last year during HOT FUZZ, but I enjoyed the almost Hollywood kiss ending for its smile-worthy, somewhat realistic probability. That's how I think every romantic comedy should end. Somewhat realistically. And/or with puss.
plot: Run marathon, win the girl.
thought: Mmmm, strawberry shortcake, so yummy.
in 5: 3/5
THE MOVIE: http://www.runfatboyrunmovie.com/
With the promise of strawberry shortcake near the cinema post-picture show, I had no choice but to go out. We drove to Monster Mall, we walked into the theatre and then we sat and watched a movie all about running to win the woman you love.
RUN, FATBOY, RUN, though starring Simon Pegg of SHAUN OF THE DEAD and HOT FUZZ fame, did not have quite the carriage these films did. Perchance that's because, this time around, Pegg shared his pen with Michael Ian Black--who I love, like hearts on stars, LOVE--but who is better, I'd say, at improvisational humor (a la the VHS "I Love the '90s" series) than written wit. I unfortunately blame him for the jokes that veered towards physical and/or slapstick humor. They felt American and out of context in Pegg's usually wonderfully off-color universe. I mean, hey, I love an irreverent blague like the next girl...but I really didn't need to see puss from a blister squirt all over a man's face. Really didn't. And maybe that was Pegg's doing. But maybe it wasn't? (For all I know it was all David Schwimmer's idea. 'Cause yeah, he directed it.) But my mind tells me it might have been Michael.
In short, I didn't audibly chortle nearly as often during FATBOY as I did this time (was it this time?) last year during HOT FUZZ, but I enjoyed the almost Hollywood kiss ending for its smile-worthy, somewhat realistic probability. That's how I think every romantic comedy should end. Somewhat realistically. And/or with puss.
plot: Run marathon, win the girl.
thought: Mmmm, strawberry shortcake, so yummy.
in 5: 3/5
THE MOVIE: http://www.runfatboyrunmovie.com/
mercredi 16 avril 2008
them's be fightin' words...and widgets
Do I think that Toyota Corolla widget I just downloaded is a mite beefy?
Though I live for its apparent concept (the good life at a small price), I fear it takes up far too much space. So new question: how does one un-wedge a widget?
I re-read my post below about Dolce....It's too obvious when I'm not in the mood to write. It all sounds wooden, stiff and a little like a newscaster from southern Maine trying to sound like she's from New York. Wow. I want to sound like I'm from me first. Me first and Fire City second. The NYC can wait.
Coming updates include...
...dinner at El Cholo (one word: authentic!)
...RUN, FATBOY, RUN! (two words: so funny!)
...dinner at Hugo's! (three words: organic and yummy!)
...dinner at some random taco place I want to forget (four words: don't waste your money!)
And five words to end: I'll fight the widget later.
Though I live for its apparent concept (the good life at a small price), I fear it takes up far too much space. So new question: how does one un-wedge a widget?
I re-read my post below about Dolce....It's too obvious when I'm not in the mood to write. It all sounds wooden, stiff and a little like a newscaster from southern Maine trying to sound like she's from New York. Wow. I want to sound like I'm from me first. Me first and Fire City second. The NYC can wait.
Coming updates include...
...dinner at El Cholo (one word: authentic!)
...RUN, FATBOY, RUN! (two words: so funny!)
...dinner at Hugo's! (three words: organic and yummy!)
...dinner at some random taco place I want to forget (four words: don't waste your money!)
And five words to end: I'll fight the widget later.
dimanche 13 avril 2008
Do I please easy?: Friday night's dinner at DOLCE
When it comes to restaurants, you grade them essentially how Johnny Drama grades talent agencies on the HBO series "Entourage." Pick a few categories and rate them all according to a bar of standard excellence. My categories are:
1. decor
2. wait staff
3. food
4. drinks (yes, I separate food and drinks)
5. ambiance
Well, Friday night, out with Connecticut and a group of her friends from back home, Dolce set the bar high. This "enoteca e ristorante" gets just about a "FIVE" (as in an A+) in all categories! Crazy?
The restaurant, backed, like Geisha House, by the previously punk'ing, presently restaurant-mogul'ing Ashton Kutcher, outshines Geisha by ten. Where Geisha is trendy-meets-kitsch with its predominantly red day-glo-esque lighting and phony, wandering geishas, DOLCE is purposefully upscale. It is dark and lovely inside, with cool textured tables and all-mirrored bathrooms (yes, you have to watch yourself pee). The wait-staff, however, does not have a lick of the upturned nose that annoyed me at Geisha. Except for the women at the door who seem to be skeptical of anyone claiming to have a reservation, the staff overall was friendly, brighter than the lighting and worthy of a generous tip. Our waitress, a British girl who whispered the prices of everything to one of the frugal lawyers in our group, even laughed when we cracked an Ashton "Did I just get punk'd?" joke--even though she must get them ALL the TIME.
The drinks were especially of note: the bartender at the firelit bar (no, really, there's a fire behind him) had a dashing smile and was talkative about his favorite cocktails. One friend got the signature Dolce cocktail, and its fruity flavor inspired her to sip on a second soon after. I had a Veev ginger something-or-other that was giggly good, and later the forty-page wine selection did not disappoint. But a round of cocktails and two bottles of some Italian red later (sorry, I don't remember which wine), our conversation still contained favorable commentary on the great food.
I started with the tuna tartare, which was IMMACULATE (the crispy wantons were a delicious touch), and I entree'd on the mushroom risotto. The risotto was large enough that I took half of it home, and trust me, even Saturday morning cold from the fridge, it was ridiculously good. Our waitress, at our behest, dusted all the food with fresh ground pepper and grated Parmesan there at the table. Nice touch.
So once again:
1. decor - 4.5 (it is just a touch too dark in there)
2. wait staff - 5
3. food - 5
4. drinks - 5
5. ambiance - 5
Final note on this gushing, long-winded tale: Go for the creme brulee for dessert. Oh so right.
THE RESTAURANT: http://dolcegroup.com/dolce/
1. decor
2. wait staff
3. food
4. drinks (yes, I separate food and drinks)
5. ambiance
Well, Friday night, out with Connecticut and a group of her friends from back home, Dolce set the bar high. This "enoteca e ristorante" gets just about a "FIVE" (as in an A+) in all categories! Crazy?
The restaurant, backed, like Geisha House, by the previously punk'ing, presently restaurant-mogul'ing Ashton Kutcher, outshines Geisha by ten. Where Geisha is trendy-meets-kitsch with its predominantly red day-glo-esque lighting and phony, wandering geishas, DOLCE is purposefully upscale. It is dark and lovely inside, with cool textured tables and all-mirrored bathrooms (yes, you have to watch yourself pee). The wait-staff, however, does not have a lick of the upturned nose that annoyed me at Geisha. Except for the women at the door who seem to be skeptical of anyone claiming to have a reservation, the staff overall was friendly, brighter than the lighting and worthy of a generous tip. Our waitress, a British girl who whispered the prices of everything to one of the frugal lawyers in our group, even laughed when we cracked an Ashton "Did I just get punk'd?" joke--even though she must get them ALL the TIME.
The drinks were especially of note: the bartender at the firelit bar (no, really, there's a fire behind him) had a dashing smile and was talkative about his favorite cocktails. One friend got the signature Dolce cocktail, and its fruity flavor inspired her to sip on a second soon after. I had a Veev ginger something-or-other that was giggly good, and later the forty-page wine selection did not disappoint. But a round of cocktails and two bottles of some Italian red later (sorry, I don't remember which wine), our conversation still contained favorable commentary on the great food.
I started with the tuna tartare, which was IMMACULATE (the crispy wantons were a delicious touch), and I entree'd on the mushroom risotto. The risotto was large enough that I took half of it home, and trust me, even Saturday morning cold from the fridge, it was ridiculously good. Our waitress, at our behest, dusted all the food with fresh ground pepper and grated Parmesan there at the table. Nice touch.
So once again:
1. decor - 4.5 (it is just a touch too dark in there)
2. wait staff - 5
3. food - 5
4. drinks - 5
5. ambiance - 5
Final note on this gushing, long-winded tale: Go for the creme brulee for dessert. Oh so right.
THE RESTAURANT: http://dolcegroup.com/dolce/
jeudi 10 avril 2008
LITTLE CHILDREN (rental)
viewed: weds, 09 april 08
It's a drama. Dark and twisty. Stars the effervescent Kate Winslet and my "wow, you've got a good body" pick of the month, Patrick Wilson (you may remember him from ANGELS IN AMERICA--and if you don't, you most definitely SHOULD). Also stars a guy who delivers a very effective voice-over. Score by Thomas Newman.
plot: Suburbia is twisted, love difficult.
thought: Be suspicious of your neighbors.
in five: 4/5
the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Children_(film)
(Like how I just used wikipedia instead of imdb to site a movie?)
It's a drama. Dark and twisty. Stars the effervescent Kate Winslet and my "wow, you've got a good body" pick of the month, Patrick Wilson (you may remember him from ANGELS IN AMERICA--and if you don't, you most definitely SHOULD). Also stars a guy who delivers a very effective voice-over. Score by Thomas Newman.
plot: Suburbia is twisted, love difficult.
thought: Be suspicious of your neighbors.
in five: 4/5
the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Children_(film)
(Like how I just used wikipedia instead of imdb to site a movie?)
STREET KINGS
Don't do it, Keanu. Don't look so confused and stare at the camera and act like you didn't know "this whole thing was a set-up."
Aaaaargh, too late!
Caught the new Keanu Reeves feature via free screening at Poor Mall (I don't remember the official name I may have given this shopping centre in an earlier post, but bottom line is that this pretty outdoor mall has gotten ghetto).
The screening perks were nice--free popcorn and a bottle of water to cleanse the liquid butter-coated palate--but the visual fare to be shared left me less than whelmed. Though the "loose cannon cop tries to unlock the system just to discover the system has him on lock down" plot is pretty tired, it was quite an event watching all the over-bloody violence the producers shoved into the movie to urge us not to notice their failed attempt at novelty. But what really gave them away was the cast. There were just enough names to roster a fifth season of "Dancing with the Stars: A and Almost A-list Edition" From Hugh Laurie to Common to Chris Evans to Forest Whitaker to The Game to Cedric "The Entertainer" Kyles...it was all very suspicious. In outrage, I almost threw my free snacks at the screen.
PLOT: Cop fights the system, loses.
THOUGHT: Keanu fights the critics, loses.
IN FIVE: 2/5...hmmm...1/5
THE MOVIE: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/streetkings/
Aaaaargh, too late!
Caught the new Keanu Reeves feature via free screening at Poor Mall (I don't remember the official name I may have given this shopping centre in an earlier post, but bottom line is that this pretty outdoor mall has gotten ghetto).
The screening perks were nice--free popcorn and a bottle of water to cleanse the liquid butter-coated palate--but the visual fare to be shared left me less than whelmed. Though the "loose cannon cop tries to unlock the system just to discover the system has him on lock down" plot is pretty tired, it was quite an event watching all the over-bloody violence the producers shoved into the movie to urge us not to notice their failed attempt at novelty. But what really gave them away was the cast. There were just enough names to roster a fifth season of "Dancing with the Stars: A and Almost A-list Edition" From Hugh Laurie to Common to Chris Evans to Forest Whitaker to The Game to Cedric "The Entertainer" Kyles...it was all very suspicious. In outrage, I almost threw my free snacks at the screen.
PLOT: Cop fights the system, loses.
THOUGHT: Keanu fights the critics, loses.
IN FIVE: 2/5...hmmm...1/5
THE MOVIE: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/streetkings/
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