Watching a film every day catches up with you, so I've slowed down a bit and started writing short reviews for everything I watch, whether I like it or not, to save me, you, everyone, some time. There are a lot of good films and a lot of bad ones, so maybe this will save you watching a bad one or encourage you to pick up a copy of a good one if it's £3 in the sale in HMV.
DVDs are getting so cheap, it makes sense to know what's good so you can save renting it out.
The 'should I buy it' rating system works like this:
! Turn off Didn't finish it because it was shit/boring/both and everything related
!! Floppy (Couldn't get it up) Yawn, bearable but only just. Don't ever buy on DVD, especially not for someone else as they might shoot you.
!!! Frisky Somewhere between okay and enjoyable, maybe both. Don't buy on DVD unless 50p or something because a second viewing within 18 months may kill you. However, when it shows on TV you have permission to watch it if there's nothing better on.
!!!! Creamy Pretty cool, meaning really good, so buy it once it's, say £10 or under. Shouldn't be too long unless everyone else liked it too.
!!!!! Orgasmic Immensely good, everyone knows that 5 points is an orgasm, which means buy it now. Either that or give it to someone as a present and go round their house and watch it. Or rent it and watch it a load of times in the 24 hours or however long you've got it for and then you'll probably survive without it until it's cheaper. 2
Getting on with the reel juice:
# 9 The Science of Sleep - !!!!!
Be prepared to the distinction between sleep and reality happily blurred. In the ambiguous and abherent world of vivid imagination and obscure thought process, the deliciously talent Gael Garcia Bernal works the screen of another Michael Gondry masterpiece. Gondry presents his uniquely light hearted and amusing perspective of the world in a completely miraculous style, that can't and won't be matched by any other film maker, ever.
Nobody sees the world like Michael Gondry, and even if they did, no one could match his complex, back to basics, unquestionable genius. The Science of Sleep reminds even the weariest of souls that approaching each day like a child, helps you find the fun of simple things, and having a wild imagination.
Not only is the film enjoyable, it is beautiful and detailed. The props and animation used do not compromise the overall mise-en-scene and only do more to romanticise Republique and it's interesting inhabitants. The 'dream sequences' capture perfectly the reoccurring images and themes that dance around behind closed eyelids, involving what you've seen, done, felt that day. Using abstract links doesn't seem cliché or overtly funny; excellent editing and clear vision sees the film achieving humour without trying, as such, adding to the casual yet energetic mood.
Stephane's 'dream' TV show is great. The whole set is made out of cardboard, empty egg boxes etc. Gael Garcia Bernal pops right out of his character's affection craving suit and really shows what he's made of. I already liked him as an actor, but now am only in even more awe as he has proven his flexibility and true range of skills. For not a second does he cease to be convincing, Stephane develops into a much more interesting character through Gondry's writing and Gael's acting, enough to make you fall in love with him and his ideas. My favourite bit of the whole film, probably, is when he dreams he is drumming in a mouse suit; immense.
I love it. Maybe especially because The Science of Sleep is set in a part of Paris I'm fond of and can recognise the locations, and mannerisms of some of the characters. It's a sweet combination of skilled acting, excellent writing and direction and a whole lot of Michael Gondry's dreaming.
Quote: “The brain is the most complex thing in the Universe – and it's right behind the nose.”
NB: I thought that I'd just add, I bought this for £3 in Zavvi because of the credits. On the first watch, I fell in love and if you have any sense, you will too.
# 4 West - !!
I'll put my hands up and admit that I allowed myself to be lured in by West's marketing. The cover had a perfect shot of protagonist Pete, which looks nothing like how he is in the entire film, and seemed like a good bet for a bit of eye candy even if it was shit. Also, the cover told me that West is a film 'for fans of Brick', a very good film on my DVD shelf. Similarities between Brick and West: 1. a monosyllabic title 2. someone dies 3. débuts from writer/directors 4. drugs. And that's it. West tries too hard, exaggerates in all the wrong places and makes the fatal mistake of casting and dressing the 'sexy, dangerous' Cheryl, as a plump, unattractive chav. In stark contrast to Rian Johnson's 'Brick', the film doesn't appear at all artistic and takes on and ugly form of drama genre. It's West's abysmal attempt to denote reality that is ultimately it's downfall.
# 3 Walk The Line – !!!! Creamy
Biopics can be a bit off key, missing the mark, aggravating the subject/s and generally being nothing more than a Hollywood-ised version of a vaguely interesting persons life. Walk the Line is a rarity in the sense that not only is it well adapted from Johnny Cash's autobiography The Man in Black, but that the cast are 100% dedicated to representing him and his life accurately and passionately. Joaquin Pheonix is remarkable as the man in black himself, and it's obvious that he hasn't simply learnt the script and walked in front of the camera; he learnt to sing like Johnny Cash, play the guitar and perfected his accent, facial expressions. It's no wonder Walk the Line was nominated for so many awards, I must look up which it won. I'm pretty sure it got an Oscar, at least.
Not only is the leading man amazing, the leading lady, Reese Witherspoon as June Carter, is just as convincing. Débutante her voice, it's not bad at all! We know she can do the accent from her rom-com Sweet Home Alabama, but she doesn't stop there and fights with pure gusto to persuade the audience she's perfectly capable to hold the spotlight in a more complex film than her previous string of female marketed romantic comedies. Really, she doesn't have to prove herself. I have never doubted her as any character. Walk the Line is a great introduction to Johnny Cash and his music, featuring classics such as Cry, Cry, Cry, Walk the Line and It Ain't me Babe.
Although my regular taste doesn't involve a great conclusion, especially a 'happy' one, I was not going to complain about Johnny Cash and June Carter's real life happy ending, which in consideration, I think is proof to anyone that it's worth keeping a belief in a friend who seems to be going haywire. Walk the Line is thrilling, in the calmest possible sense of the word and is a true tribute to such a great musician.
Quote: June Carter saying: “You wear black because you couldn't find nothing else to wear, you found your sound because you couldn't play no better and you just tried to kiss me because it just happened? Maybe you should start taking credit for something.”
More coming from the film buff, including reviews of Boys Don't Cry, Little Miss Sunshine, I am Legend and High Fidelity. Oh yes, eyes wide open mate.
No comments:
Post a Comment