Mayerling (1936)

The true story of forbidden love between Prince Rudolf of Austria and Baroness Mary Vetsera is perfect material for a cinematic romance.   Of course all forbidden love stories are, especially when they’re based on fact.  What struck me the most impressive about this film is how contemporary it feels although being made so long ago.  Director Anatole Litvak does a brilliant job; it’s no surprise he’d go on to make some other classics.   After watching this film I went to read the history of the incident that inspired it and could see another version of this story being made someday, but until then this is the one to watch.  Grade: A

Irréversible (2002)

Told backward, this cruel and haunting film about a woman getting raped and the her boyfriend and ex-flame trying to find the monster who did it so they can punish him is the kind of film one wants to recommend but only to people who can handle it.  Director Gasper Noe creates a trippy experience that goes from awful to depressing.  Yet there’s an opposing beauty too that only adds to the tragedy.   Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel star, giving brave and emotional performances.   This really is a great morality play and what it says about revenge is unforgettable.  Grade: A-

Week End (1967)

Jean-Luc Godard's in-your-face protest film is maybe dated in its approach but not in meaning.  The film doesn't really have a plot; plot is not what this film is about.  It's an allegory about the flaws of the bourgeoisie, about greed and consumerism.  A couple take a road trip through the French countryside only to become involve in an array of thematic misadventures.  The politics of the '60s is apparent in every scene but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed anymore.  Oh if we only had someone making films like these today.  Where is our current Godard, using the art of film to create absurdism for our times.  Watching this film is to see a political poet enraged and engaged with the intellectual landscape of his society.  I must admit to being sad that we don't have more films like this one, that our current cinema is more focused on weekend grosses and marketability instead of ideas.  In many ways the very ideas this film touches upon seem to predict our film industry today.  I loved this film and dare everyone to watch it and find their own personal reaction to it.  Whether it was all the burning cars, the false revolution or the lack of sensitivity, this is a powerful, funny and complex film. 

The Tree of Wooden Clogs (1979)

This Italian film written and directed by Ermanno Olmi tells the story of a community of poor farmers working for s landowner who also owns their housing complex and most of their livestock.   Over the course of three hours various plot lines unfold.  There's the farmer who sends his son to school, even if it means not having him around to help.  There's the widow struggling to take care of her children.  There's a love story between a girl and a neighbor farmer boy.  And there's a grandfather's plan to grow tomatoes out of season.   Mostly though this is about a community and how they survive and live with one another while at the same time remaining apart.  Don't let the long running time turn you away, it doesn't feel long at all and it kept me captivated.  The naturalism created for this film is stark and appropriate, it will take you back in time and place you right into a bleak but beautiful world.  Bravo. Grade: A

Warning: for those who dislike seeing the killing of animals than prepare yourself for a scene where a goose is beheaded and a pig is butchered.  I personally don't have a problem with either of these activities nor the choice to include them in a work of art since it is honest and for the purpose of food.  Those who become squeamish or angry should become vegetarian (if they aren't already) or question where the meat from their next meal comes from.  

A Dangerous Method (2011)

David Cronenberg directs an adaption of Christopher Hampton’s play The Talking Cure about the psycho-therapy triangle between Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrein.   The film stars Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen and Keira Knightley.  Quiet and steady, this is an enjoyable film with fine performances from everyone involved.  The production design is flawless in that it takes you back in time to a time when madness was thought incurable.  Grade: A-    

David Holtzman's Diary (1967)

When this film was made it was an original work of satire as well as a prophetic window into a future where individuals broadcast their daily thoughts on youtube and twitter their every encounter.  Too bad this bold and revolutionary film is so lousy.  It has a few entertaining moments (such as the hero's interview with a nymphomaniac and it's abrupt yet clever ending is fun) but as a whole it's kind of a mind-numbing storyless experiment.  I'm grateful it was only 73 minutes long.  Grade: C 

5 Broken Cameras (2012)

The Palestinian struggle with Israeli’s expanding settlements has never been so clearly presented before, at least for me. Emad Burnat, a Palestinian farmer and father of four, captures his point of view over the course of five years with five different cameras. This intimate approach gives the audience a front-row seat to the protests of a community trying to keep land they believe is theirs. The senseless violence as soldiers shoot (seemingly unarmed) protesters is harsh and completely uncalled for. I understand this is sensitive issue with generational resentment but from an outsider’s perspective it looks like a rich government shoving a small group of poor people out of their way so they can build their homes. I know it’s not as simple as that, there are many other issues, but the naked truth is that people are being mistreated and a film like this is important so we can hear their plea. Nominated for the Oscar this year for Best Documentary, I’m interested to see the other film about this issue nominated this year as a companion piece, The Gatekeepers. Ultimately this is an enduring film about real people struggling against impossible odds. Grade: A-