Two friends since childhood get funding to complete their
shot-to-shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
They’ve’ been making it every summer since they were kids (with a long
hiatus in there after high school) and they now finally have the money and
passion to film the last scene on their bucket list, the famous Nazi bomber fight scene between
Indiana and the Nazi boxing mechanic. Look, I
used to make home videos too. But what
these kids did (and what their parents let them do) is unbelievable. I envy them to be honest. This documentary tells their story and
shares scenes from their fan film. What it
must have been like to be one of their friends, conned into dressing up as a
German solider or Egyptian and do what they said. The best part of the film though for me isn’t
really the movie they’re making but the ups and down of their friendship. Kudos for keeping your flame alive,
guys! May this film inspire a generation
of new film makers. Grade: B+
My Grading System
A+ = Masterpiece (I hold back on this one.) / A = Great. / A- = Really Good. / B+ = Good. / B = Decent (Serviceable). / B- = Flawed but okay (For those times there's something redeeming about the work). / C+ = Not very good (Skip it). C = Bad. / C- = Awful. / F = Complete Disaster (I hold back on this one too).
Note on Spoilers: I will try to avoid ruining a story by going into too much detail. But if I wish to include some revealing points to my analysis I will try to remember to add a separate spoiler paragraph.
Note on Spoilers: I will try to avoid ruining a story by going into too much detail. But if I wish to include some revealing points to my analysis I will try to remember to add a separate spoiler paragraph.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Aparajito (1956)
The sequel to Pather Panchali, this second film in the
Apu Trilogy starts off in the town of Varanasi where Apu’s family had gone to
make a new start. His father is working
as a priest and his mother is working as maid.
Again their lives are turned upside down by tragedy and Apu and his
mother move back into the country to her uncle. The film continues to follow Apu all the way
through college and his demanding mother wants him to return home. This story wasn’t as poetic as the first one
but it’s still a remarkable achievement in film. The conflict between mother and son is
unforgettable. It’s hard for me to
believe that I’ve watched two films in this trilogy so far. At one time I thought I’d never see it
because of its unavailability. Thank Criterion for making it possible for us to
watch such amazing cinema. Grade: A
Friday, November 25, 2016
Deadpool (2016)
The film all fan boys are praising and dream of seeing
get nominated for Best picture: I
finally saw it. And it was a really fun
and raunchy superhero blending of spoof and action. Ryan Reynolds plays the title character, an
assassin set on getting revenge for the underground organization that turned
him into a gross looking superhero freak.
Morena Baccarin plays the love of his life, who he abandons because he
wants to protect her.
Reynolds is born to play this role and he is on fire with comic timing
and anti-hero charm. I wouldn’t say it’s
the greatest superhero film of all time or anything, but it is an enjoyable
rated-R experience. My favorite bit had
to do with Dead pool’s old and blind roommate.
With its tongue and cheek humor and explosive action, this is one all
Superhero fans should check out. Grade:
B+
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Audrie and Daisy (2016)
This depressing but very important documentary tells two
similar stories of young teenager girls being raped and how their assault and
people’s reactions ruined their lives.
While watching this film, I became enraged and dumbfounded by the
meanness of people. Daisy’s story
is probably the most disgusting because an entire town would rather protect the
school’s star football player than believe her story. The fact that said football player was the
grandson of a state politician only made me fume more. Only the victims were punished and the
accused rapists never showed an ounce of regret. No, means no! This is a film every parent should watch with
their kids and have a long discussion about.
We need to hammer into our sons’ heads that a drunken partner can’t give
consent and you never pressure anyone into saying yes. What are we people, cave men! Grade: A-
Monday, November 21, 2016
Love and Mercy (2014)
I’m not that much of a Beach Boys fan but I love this
film. I had no knowledge of Brian
Wilson’s troubles nor did I know how much of a musical genius he was. This film by Bill Pohlad tells Wilson’s
story from two points in time: when he was younger (Paul Dano) and recorded his
best album (in my opinion at least) Pet Sounds and when he’s middle-aged (John
Cusack) and he falls in love while under the treatment of Dr. Eugene Landy, a
scumbag. Dano’s section is my
favorite. He gives such a bold and wild
performance that demonstrates how intense and innovated Wilson was. I gained a real appreciation of Wilson’s
work. Cusack’s section is equally
fascinating but I wouldn’t say his performance is as good. It’s a good performance and of all Cusack's most
recent work it's his best, but Cusack doesn’t share Dano’s range. The fact that Cusack and Dano look nothing
alike doesn’t hurt the film at all. The
love story with Elizabeth Banks is wonderful and the fact it’s true is
very inspiring. A really cool film. Grade: A-
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Pather Panchali (1955)
The first in a trilogy, this is on almost every Greatest
Film list I’ve seen. I’ve been wanting
to see it forever but it’s been out of print.
Believe it or not, the original negative burned in a fire. I could have seen a VHS version of it about
six years ago but I decided to hold out for this rumored (and now reality)
restored version. It’s a miracle that
Criterion and team were able to bring this film back to form and I applaud
their heroic efforts. Thank god we have
such artists out there to keep such monumental works alive. This is the first film I’ve seen of legendary
director Satyajit Ray. I plan to see
everything I can of his from now on.
This is a beautiful and tragic film that I know without a doubt would
have found it amazing even if I had not known how revered it is among film
scholars around the world. Based on the
novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, it tells the story of a rural family
with three children. The father wants to
become a poet someday and that leaves his wife to take care of their
children. Living with them is an old
woman who bickers with the wife all the time.
I fell in love with this family and found each of them so vibrant with
life. The black and white imagery is so
stunning that I can’t get the images out of my head. I have to say it, this is a perfect
film. Grade: A+
Monday, November 14, 2016
I Am Your Father (2014)
This documentary is about David Prowse, the actor who
played Darth Vader from the original Star Wars film. It’s really enjoyable but I think director
Marcos Cabota and Toni Bestard shoot themselves in the foot by seemingly
promising to show us a reshoot of Darth Vader’s death scene where David is used in Darth Vader’s reveal instead of actor Sebastian Shaw. Also I don’t find it criminal that Lucas
decided to go with another actor to play Anakin in that moment. Bitter grapes though can be dramatic and
help cause many a conspiracy. Yet
getting to know Mr. Prowse and seeing all of his accomplishments is
rewarding. If you’re a Star Wars fan
this is a must-see. And if you’re not,
it’s at least a fascinating look at the impact playing such an iconic part can
have on a person. Grade: B+
Spoilers: I’m on
the fence with the whole “let’s reshoot the reveal scene” gimmick. For one, it sucks we can’t see it. You feel bamboozled and that’s not cool. Second, you don’t even need it. Prowse’s life and personality alone is enough
for a documentary without making it a film about the making of a
mini-film. (His work as the Green Cross
Code Man for example is really cool.) Lucasfilm, in my opinion, should let
Cabota release his little reshoot. It’s
harmless for one. And second it would
make David happy. Is his ban from
Lucasfilm events warranted? Does
Lucasfilm own him anything like an apology?
That’s up to the viewer (although the filmmakers make their opinion quite
clear). I personally think all the
attention inflated his ego a bit, but that’s okay, he’s Darth Vader and that’s
really awesome. Let’s leave the man
alone and enjoy the rest of his years with his fine family.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Sicario (2016)
Maybe it’s the setting or the drug cartel topic but I
just found this drama to be ho-hum.
Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro do give excellent performances that
help keep the film from going off the rails but if it weren’t for Roger
Deakins’ beautiful cinematography I’d probably would have dismissed this as
just an average film. Direct Denis
Vileneuve is a fine director; I just wish he’d have had a plot worthy of his
talent. Grade: B
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Brooklyn (2015)
Saoirse Ronan gives one of her best performances as an
Irish Immigrant in Brooklyn in the 1950s.
Away from home she discovers herself in this new country and falls in
love. Yet will she return home when she
is called back? Adapted from the novel
by Colm Toibin by Nick Hornby and directed by John Crowley, this is a winner in
a big way. It would be nominated for
best picture and I’m sure will find favor with many looking for a coming-to-age
story that really gets to the soul of becoming your own person. This is a flawless film in many ways. Grade: A
Spoilers: Thank
god Tony, played by Emory Cohen, didn’t turn out to be a jerk. I was really worried that she’d fall for
Domhnall Gleeson’s Jim. But I could see
why she would. That’s great drama and made what one would think was a mundane
story really intense.
Ugly Americans and Our New President
Oh America. Today, I am not Proud to be an American. Today I'm depressed and trying with all my fiber to find hope for the future. But alas, this country I live in voted for a man so loathsome to be our next President I can't really understand it. What happened America? It seems you are as racist and sexist as you were thirty or forty years ago. It seems nothing really has changed except all the deplorables went into hiding. Trump hit jackpot with his campaign of fear and hate and lies. I was really looking forward to have a female president. I was so excited to look at my son and tell him, "See her, she's our new President." Now I won't even be able to look my son in the eye without feeling ashamed for our country. I guess I should write a wonderful rant about how this will not be the end and how we'll fight another day. But who? Those who would oppose Trump are as fractured as the Republican party. The youth didn't come out and vote. Or if they did, they voted for a third party candidate. I know what that feels like. I was young once too. I shouldn't be surprised (and part of me isn't). I voted Nader 16 years ago because I didn't want to support the guy I didn't like. I learned my lesson but sadly no one else did. I'm not saying Hillary would have won if Jill Stein or Gary Johnson wasn't there but they didn't help that's for sure. And Bernie! I don't think you'd have defeated Trump either. As I said, Trump hit an angry nerve. They want their jobs back, they don't want to be forced to pay for health care, they don't want immigrants, they want our military to go kick butt around the world and protect them and they want the promise that if they make it rich they won't have to pay that much tax. Talk about voting against your own self interest. It'll be interesting to see what unfolds in the next four years. All I know is that Trump is going to hear a lot of noise and he'll not like it. But until then I'm going to pretend none of this happened and dream of good days gone by.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Finding Dory (2016)
Pixar creates a sequel for one of their most popular
films and the result is the kind of continuation a fan of the original can
celebrate. Not surprisingly, it’s very
clever and very funny with a lot of surprises along the way. Dory, the forgetful fish, has a
flash of memory about her parents.
Suddenly on a journey of her own, with Marlin and Nemo in tow, she tries
to find them. Many new characters
surface (or sub-merge) that combines for a really enjoyable family
experience. The highlight for me and I’m
sure for everyone was an octopus name Hank.
Grade: A-
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain
A sarcastic tale that’s like Flags of our Fathers about a
platoon of US soldiers that were involved in a heroic Iraq battle that are
invited to participate in the Super Bowl Halftime show to honor them. Tagging along with them is a Hollywood agent,
Albert, who is trying to secure funding for a film about their ordeal and in
turn get them paid. The main character
is Billy Lynn and it’s through his point of view we see the world, a tour
through American decadence and fake patriotism.
The writing from Fountain is very strong, with clever and insightful
observations and metaphors. I truly
appreciated to read a book like this that’s pro-military while at the same time
mocking military heroism and in doing so is very much anti-war. Grade: A
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Queen of Katwe (2016)
This is a feel-good film about the true story of Phiona
Mutesi from Uganda who becomes a Chess Master and competes with the best of the
world. Directed by Mira Nair and staring
Lupita Nyong’o as Phiona’s mother and David Oyelowo as her coach. It follows the typical format these kind of
autobiographical sports films do but what makes this one stand out is how
connected you become to the characters.
I really fell in love with everyone in this movie and emotionally went
through every up and down they go through.
It’s a highly enjoyable film.
Grade: A-
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Moonlight (2016)
This
is the best film of the year so far. I’m
so glad I had the opportunity to see it on the big screen where its visual
scope and powerful and dramatic intimacy could pull me in. Told in three acts, we experience the life
of a young black man named Chiron from three different periods in his youth
(using three different actors). First we
meet him as a boy having to deal with bullying and the isolation that he is
different. Second we meet him as a
teenager coming to terms with his sexuality and his drug addict mother. Lastly we meet him as a young adult and see
how a criminal life has changed him.
There are so many fantastic performances in this film. Naomie Harris who plays Chiron’s drug addict
mother is scary good. Mahershala Ali,
with a relaxed approach, gives a deeply moving performance as a drug dealer
that takes the little Chiron under his wing.
Both of these artists should get some awards buzz. Director Barry Jenkins must be proud to have
crafted such an amazing work of art. If
this film doesn’t at least get nominated for Best Picture than there really
might be a white-only conspiracy at hand.
I personally think it should win.
But of course I haven’t seen all the movies yet so I might change my
mind. There is going to have to be
something really good to topple this one though. Remarkable.
Grade: A
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