Search

Search only in certain items:

Inventing David Geffen (2012)
Inventing David Geffen (2012)
2012 | Biography, Documentary
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"This is maybe my second favorite doc of all time. It’s a PBS American Masters on David Geffen. He is the single most successful entrepreneur ever in the entertainment business. This guy is just brilliant, has had a really interesting life and done so much, every big cultural event. I’ve seen it a hundred times and really think that if you’re interested in entering or being an artist in the film industry it’s really important to understand the business, and a film like this makes you feel like you have a book that no one else has. He’s the smartest businessman to have entered the art world, in my opinion. He’s almost got the soul of an artist, but his Picasso-like skill is for the business of entertainment. It’s insanely fascinating."

Source
  
 The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
2019 | Adventure, Drama, Family
The puppets, art, (0 more)
I grew up in the 80s and it would be fair to say I've loved the original Dark Crystal film ever since I first saw it so there was no question when we heard about the new TV series that we were going to watch it.

Although it took me a few episodes to get into thr series overall I've loved it and that feel that they've gone back to the original puppets rather than an overuse of CGI. My main problem has been similar to watching the star wars prequels in that I've been watching it with the knowledge of what will happen (based on what we know from the film) and I feel that has taken something away from my enjoyment of the characters.
  
The Cranes Are Flying (1957)
The Cranes Are Flying (1957)
1957 | Drama, Romance, War
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"A vanguard film (again). 1957. A great love story. But mostly a work of overimpressive technical virtuosity. Breathtaking crane shots, hair-raising forest sequences (with a memorable rotating low-angle shot of trees dissolving into one another), an amazing and very swift traveling shot (captured from a tram in movement) in which the lead actress dives into a crowd, looking for the man she loves. We follow her, and once she is stopped by a fence, we tilt up fluidly, and end the scene with a great ensemble shot. Superb art direction, superb lighting, with curtains flying in the wind, hiding the face of the actress, partially lit with lightning flashes. A true work of art. Tatyana Samojlova, who won an award at Cannes for this role, is brilliant and touching, and delivers a rather minimalist performance for its time."

Source
  
By The Sea (2015)
By The Sea (2015)
2015 | Drama, Romance
Today, we have yet another film that strays from ‘the norm’. A film that not only stars one of the most beloved celebrity couples on the planet but also harkens back to the Italian dramatic films of the late 1960s/early 70s. It most definitely qualifies as an ‘art house’ film.

 

Since the world saw Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt together in ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ it has awaited the day when the couple would appear together again in another film. Although it’s not the sequel to THAT film many had hoped for, it is most definitely and intriguing look at how the couple appear together in a movie in a completely genre with the creative control Angelina had.

 

‘By the Sea’ stars Angelina Jolie Pitt, Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud, Niels Arestrup, and Richard Bohringer. The film was also written, directed, and co-produced by Angelina with Brad Pitt serving as co-producer.

 

The film opens in the south of France in the mid-1970s. Roland (Brad Pitt), a writer from New York City and his wife Vannessa (Angelina Jolie Pitt), a former dancer, have traveled to a seaside town to quote,”Get away from it all”. Their marriage is strained and there is a distance between the two that is sometimes obvious to those around them and hidden at other times. The trip is clearly an effort by them to reconnect with one another but they spend much of their time apart once they get settled. Rolland is attempting to write another book but he cannot find anything as inspiration and Vanessa is using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of a recent trauma. When they’re not spending their time alone they associate with some of the towns more colorful characters including the local barkeeper/cafe owner, the hotel manager, and a newlywed couple who are spending their honeymoon not only in the same town but in the room next door. One night, just when it seems like the strain of their marriage will finally snap a bizarre occurrence in their hotel room leads to a reconnection despite its volatile nature.

 

First off, I have not seen all the films that Angelina and Brad have appeared in but I must say I the both of them were almost completely unrecognizable in the way they portray the characters. Second, I believe this is Angelina’s second run as director and if this film and her previous film ‘Unbroken’ are any Indiction I believe we’ll see her directing movies in the future more than acting.

 

This film was a true homage the the Italian dramatic films of the 1970s I mentioned earlier.

The only way I believe they could’ve ‘replicated’ that so precisely would be to have filmed the movie with the cameras and equipment available to film makers during that period. Christian Berger the film’s cinematographer used mostly natural light throughout the filming process which was also one of the most impressive qualities of the movie which is not done nearly enough with modern film in my opinion.

 

Not everyone is going to like this film. It’s quite unique when put side by side with ‘modern day American movies’. Even if you are a die hard fan of either Angelina and or Brad’s work that alone might not save the film in your eyes. Some critics are calling this film a ‘vanity project’ on the part of Jolie and Pitt. I find that to be ridiculous. No sane person would’ve made that accusation against Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Everyone’s been screaming for Angelina and Brad to make another film together. Big deal if they want to have creative control over it too. They’re both accomplished actors and decided to put together a film themselves and and get other accomplished cast and crew members to sign on for the project. Honestly what the hell more do the critics want? If you are a fan of foreign movies or curious about the second acting collaboration between the husband and wife power couple though you should see it. I’d actually recommend checking out one or two films from the genre/era it represents before going to see this one.

 

The film is rated R and clocks in at 132 minutes. I’d recommend catching it at a small indie or art house theater and make sure you grab some snacks and a drink for this one. It opens in all the major theaters Friday the 18th of November but you can catch in those smaller theaters now.

It’s not my normal ‘cup of coffee’ but I will give the film 4 stars.
  
Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
2002 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
PTA (1 more)
Adam Sandler in a surprising dramatic role
Too many red herrings (0 more)
I was quite surprised when watching Paul Thomas Anderson's film by Adam Sandler's performance. You know the camera work, music, art direction are always going to be flawless; however, I wasnn't expecting depth and range by the man who gave us "The Waterboy" and "Billy Madison.
Sandler shaws some real heart and poignant moments and is even able to keep up with Emily Watson.
The plot gets a little bogged down, but it is still well worth watching.
  
Mandy (2018)
Mandy (2018)
2018 | Action, Thriller
Wasn't expecting that
I LOVED this film. It was one of those where after I watched it I was running down the street asking everyone"have you seen Mandy yet?". It's art house horror which may sound atrocious but here it is also accessable with Nicholas Cage almost mocking himself ironically within the scenes. It is a majestic challenge of current horror and deserves recognition for being a genre busying audacious middle finger to conventional boring run of the mill horror and takes you,instead in a journey into insanity