2.8
-- TOKYO,
Gondry, Carax and Joon-Ho
Three part urban theatre fantasy (same genre as New York
Stories and Paris Je t'aime) poses the question,"Does man
define the city or does the city define the man?" An
entertaining look into the heart and soul of Tokyo.
2.7
--
LIMITS OF CONTROL,
Jim Jarmusch
Existential account of a mysterious loner assigned to do
a "job" that is outside the law. Thus, begins a voyage that
take him across Spain; a voyage that is repetitively dreamlike.
The protagonist crosses paths with similarly nameless characters,
many of whom are played by internationally known stars in
cameo appearances. Limits of Control, which follows Broken
Flowers, is an engaging film that requires full attention
to catch the subtlest of clues that are at best parsimoniously
offered. Excellent score by Boris.
2.3
--
THREE MONKEYS, Nuri Bilge Ceylan
A drama showing how past indiscretions and hidden secrets
can come
back to haunt and even destroy us. A well thought out idea
undermined by weak editing. Good performances throughout.
2.6
--
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, Jonathan Demme
Dysfunctional family comedy drama. Excellent performances.
Good music by Robyn Hitchcock.
3.6
--
12,
Nikita Mikhalkov
Reorchestration of "12 Angry Men." Many elements make this
distinctly Russian/Chechen. Its unfolding & logic of the
dialogue logic (as with original) kept me glued to my seat,
attentive to every word. Unfortunately subtitles were a
bit hard to read.
2.2
--
OF TIME AND THE CITY, Terrence Davis
Personal
recollection and ode to the city of Liverpool. Madden's
"My Winnipeg" more compelling.
3.0
--
GOMORRA, Matteo Garrone
Based on monumental study of Camarra Mafia in Naples. Overly
complicated which doesn't detract from the larger message.
Closer to Day to Day than Godfather or Scarface. Locations
and actors well chosen.
3.0
--
HUNGER,
Steve McQueen
Brutally realistic "arthouse" historical essay on the 1981
Maze Prison hunger strike in Belfast. Some of the sequences
were hard to follow due to editing & heavy Irish accents.
2.0
--
WENDY & LUCY,
Kelly
Reichhardt
Lost girl Wendy, accompanied by her dog Lucy, get bogged
down in a small Oregon town. Despite fine acting performance
and credible script, I just couldn't identify.
Among
Sylvain Richard's best ever films = (The Wall: Ben-Hur: The
Passion of the Christ: Wizard of OZ: Gone With the Wind: 13
Tzameti: This Island Earth: 2001 Space Odyssey: Modern Times:
Metropolis) 5 favourite directors = Alfred Hitchcock, Martin
Scorcese, Takashi Miiki, Oliver Stone and Woody Allen .
