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Tuesday, 12 January 2010
In my youth when I saw the Steven Soderbergh’s enviable double feature of Traffic and Erin Brockovich I cannot deny that the latter was the one that was more enjoyable. However, I was at that strange time when I believed commonness was equated with enjoyment and thus I heavily believed that Traffic was the superior of the two. Years later, I still cannot be certain if Traffic is not the better of the two – but I realise that the ostensible enjoyment one derives from Erin Brockovich belies a smart and elegant interior.
Erin Brockovich is a film that has become equated with Julia Roberts – one of the greatest stars of her time. Of course her Oscar win has become somewhat maligned today but I will not deny that as much as it seems to be a role of pure stardom Julia’s Erin is one of the strongest and most enjoyable female characters of the decade and her line-readings are more than just line readings for the sake of it. Erin is the type of character who we admire all the while noticing her lesser qualities. She’s not perfect, definitely no angel as she prances around in those stiletto heels destroying everything in her path. It’s the sort of rare character that demands a leading lady with an exceptionally strong screen presence and Julia delivers on all counts. But even though the title suggests otherwise, the film is more than just a showcase for Julia and Julia alone. You’d think that the supporting players are relegated to mere caricatures in the presence of such a woman, but you’d be wrong.
Albert Finney’s Oscar nod for his supporting turn is both baffling and satisfying. It’s a performance that is without airs and completely realistic and as Julia’s boss we leave the film with as clear an understanding of Ed as we do of Erin. Aaron Eckhart has the unenviable task of playing “wife” to Julia’s role-reversed heroine. It’s a thankless role, but he holds his own with Julia in that final scene of his reminding us that even though Erin is a hero she is far from a paragon of goodness.
Erin Brockovich is a film that has become exceedingly underrated. The script is witty without being grandiose, casted to perfection with a nice little performance by the wonderful Cherry Jones, and edited fittingly it’s an incredibly enjoyable. It doesn’t fit into our usual thoughts of a biopic, but it’s a credit to its genre. It entertains as much as it edifies and though many look back and criticise its success; it deserved the recognition it attained, including that Best Picture nomination. Here it is at #81 on my list of favourites.
Starting this week I'll be looking at 2000 in review.
Starting this week I'll be looking at 2000 in review.
Monday, 11 January 2010
The Mad Hatter just recently posted his podcast. During the enjoyable 40 minutes he spoke about five of his favourite cinematography in films. It's an interesting thought, I often think of cinematography as the most important technical element of a film - yes, more than editing. If it's not well shot, sorry, I don't like it as much. You're probably thinking, style over substance. Perhaps. But if I were to look at my top 20 films or so: the majority have enviable cinematography. So, it got me thinking what films have my favourite cinematography. It's a tough job, and one I can't do in a day. But below are shots from ten films. They're not my absolute favourite shot films; but they're some of them. Each of these have been shot that they all look so picturesque. I'd like to live in any of them.
I decided not to list the names, why don't you guess? Some are simple, some are tough. Give it a go.
Well we're getting slowly, but surely. Now for top half of the forty films that I'm anticipating for this year. By this time, these are the films that I'm expecting very much of. So here's the next ten. I hope you read Part One and Part Two.
Ethan Hawke probably takes the crown as the most underrated actor of his generation. He has a lead role in this cop drama which looks as if it could be a sleeper hit, and I’m hoping for that. I don't really know what it's about, which should make it somewhat lower on the list. But, that's me. Richard Gere and the talented Don Cheadle costar and the film is directed by Antoine Fuqua of Training Day fame. Here's to this.
I'm worried that this will not be completed for this year: three Weisz films this year does seem to be much. Weisz and Collin Farrell star as two broken people who share a tentative romance. The book is a bit of a thriller. This could be a good low-key drama, if it gets done.
Woody Allen. That’s enough to make me watch.The film centres on a family and the drama in their lives which isn't much, but Woody never lets on about his films - plot wise. I sure would have liked if Nicole Kidman was still attached, but the cast still looks strong. Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts and Antonio Banderas are actors I like and Josh Brolin is rising in my esteem, so I'm particularly hopeful for this. I like Woody's drama as much as his comedy actually.
I’m still not sure if it’s only this country that doesn’t have this or not. Is this even a 2010 release? Well, it’s Rachel Weisz who is enough of a pull for me, but the entire premise is quite interesting and it looks to be quite a provocative drama and it's directed by Amenabar who was the director of the underrated, but wonderful The Others.I expect this to be a good one.
As The Mad Hatter said it’s Iron f***ing man. Of course it’s not that high on my list, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting this to be good. Robert Downey Jr. is a whole lot of fun, Gwyneth Palthrow is fun when she’s having fun, Mickey Rourke is flippantly cool. And then there’s Scarlett: va va voom. It’s wrong that she’s my biggest draw her, but she is. Blame it on the hormones, but Scarlett Johansson in leather. Count me in.
To be honest, I was not a big fan of the first Wall Street since Michael Douglas is still a question as far as I’m concerned and Charlie Sheen is just ugh. Still, I’m interested to see what Oliver Stone can do twenty years after the fact and with Susan Sarandon and Carey Mulligan joining on with Shia LeBouef, who I believe has more potential than we can discern from Transformers, I’m excited for this. The plot follows Gekko [Douglas] who is now out of prison and trying to repair relationships with his estranged Daughter [Mulligan].
This could have been higher, but form here on out it's all a toss up. William Monahan, writer of the almost perfect The Departed adapts this novel and makes his directorial debut with this piece. It centres on a reclusive actress [Keira Knightley] who befriends a London criminal played by Collin Farrell. Yes, this is Colin's fourth film in my top 40. Told you, he's going to be having quite a year. I'm very excited for this. Keira Knightley is broadening her horizons, and I like it. She's underrated, same goes for Farrell. I'm unsure about Monohan, I hope his debut is not too gratuitous.
So the top ten is a few posts away? Any one here you expected to crack the ten? Which Farrell film are you looking forward to more? Waiting for Agora? Black Swan?
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Here’s my overdue assessment of the final three categories in 2001 in film.
Notable Missed Titles
Black Hawk Down: I actually have no excuse for not seeing this, I had the DVD for a week gave and back and still didn’t see it. It’s not like I don’t like Ridley Scott either; The Man Who Wasn't There: No reason for not having seen this either, although I'm not quite sure I'll like it.
Pearl Harbour: The Mad Hatter said it wasn’t anything good, so maybe I dodged a bullet with this one; Amelie; Amores perros: Why is it that I don't see enough foreign language cinema? These two are often revered, but alas. I've not seen either; The Shipping News: Never saw it over here, Kevin Spacey+Judi Dench+Cate Blanchett? I think I could like this one; Sexy Beast: I’ve wanted to see this, but it’s been more of a latent demand since I’ve never tried to get it. Should I?
Writing [Original Screenplay]
Bandits
Gosford Park
Legally Blonde
Moulin Rouge
The Others
Gosford Park and The Others face off her with Bandits as a close third. Of course Fellowes’ eclectic Gosford Park is an easy winner but The Others’ screenplay most not be underrated.
Writing [Adapted Screenplay]
Bridget Jones’ Diary
In the Bedroom
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Ocean’s Eleven
Shrek
In the Bedroom and The Fellowship of the Rings face off here. I end up giving it to the latter that manages to condense the looooooooong and episode first part of the series, changing characters and taking this and that out and making it work completely. Extra points for that final minutes from Galadriel onwards where the dialogue is exceptional poetic. Tolkien would have been impressed.
Director
Tier Two
Steven Soderberg for Ocean’s Eleven
Atoine Fuqua for Training Day
Richard Eyre for Iris
David Lynch for Mulholland Drive
Ron Howard for A Beautiful Mind
The Nominees
Alejandro Amenabar for The Others
Todd Field for In the Bedroom
Peter Jackson for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Baz Luhrman for Moulin Rouge
The Pictures
F: Shallow Hal[#56]; Rat Race [#55], Not Another Teen Movie [#54], Scary Movie 2 [#53], Josie & the Pussycats [#52], Cats & Dogs [#51]
D-: Baby Boy [#50], The Wedding Planner [#49], America’s Sweethearts [#48]
D: Kate & Leopold [#47], The Princess’ Diaries [#46], Corky Romano [#45], Osmosis Jones [#44], Summer Catch [#43]
D+: The Fast & the Furious [#42], Get Over It [#41], Town & Country [#40]
C-: Sugar & Spice [#39], See Spot Run [#38]
C: Vanilla Sky [#37], The Mummy Returns [#36], The Glass House [#35]
C+: Serendipity [#34], Swordfish [#33], American Pie 2 [#32], Lara Croft: Tomb Raider [#31], Heartbreakers [#30], Ali [#29], Monster’s Ball [#28], The Mexican [#27], Planet of the Apes [#26], Two Can Play That Game [#25]
B-: The One [#24], Down to Earth [#23], Blow [#22], I Am Sam [#21], O [#20], Monsters’ Inc [#19] A Knight’s Tale [#18], Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone [#17], Memento [#16], Save the Last Dance [#15]
The Top 14
#14 Bridget Jones’ Diary [B]
It’s a slight British comedy, but no less enjoyable for it. Zellweger manages to make her Bridget a true heroine all the while highlighting her ghastly qualities. There’s a self assuredness to the writing which doesn’t undermine its source or play down to it.
#13 Mulholland Drive [B]
Lauded by so many I find no shame in saying that I don’t get this film at all, and I don’t think that I’m as effusive a fan either. Certainly, David Lynch imbues it with some enviable traits and Naomi Watts and Laura Dern though not my favourites are splendid. It’s a film that demands a repeat viewing, one that I am unwilling to give it. But even if I can’t quite admit it’s brilliance, I do know that it’s a good film.
#12 Legally Blonde [B]
Legally Blonde plays like the typical teenage female empowerment film, but it’s so aware of its strength, and yes its shortcomings, that it’s able to become more than just the bauble you’d expect it to be. Of course, most of that can be accredited to Reese Witherspoon’s entertaining Elle Woods, but it’s also silliness and simultaneous smartness of the lines and the willingness to make all it’s characters – including it’s dubious heroine – the butt of jokes.
#11 A Beautiful Mind [B]
I’ve never been an unwarranted fan, but I can’t despise this so many have come to. My essential problem with this is Jennifer Connelly who makes me resent all that Russell Crow tries to do with his character. Surely, Ron Howard is not the most innovative director but A Beautiful Mind is a fine film from where I stand.
#10 Iris [B]
I demand a rematch of Kate and Judi. It remind me of The Godfather II where we have two stalwarts [DeNiro and Pacino] but never in any scenes together. Similarly, I wish that Dench and Winslet could have gotten a chance to play off each other. Nevertheless, Iris manages to work quite well with the charming Jim Broadbent turning in a good performance.
#9 Training Day [B]
It’s not as generic as the good cop/bad cop tag it’s been given. Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke give two good performances, but the film is a garish and seemingly authentic portrayal of a day in the life. The writing packs a punch and there is not a wasted moment of screen time here. Even Eva Mendes cannot spoil this.
#8 Shrek [B]
To be fair, Shrek 2 was able to capture the charm just as well as the original; but there is just something, some sort of unique panache about the first time we meet this ogre from the swamps. It’s more conscious about its surroundings than most films of its kind and it does it all while paying reference to its peers that are both cheeky and refreshing. Children may find it entertaining, no doubt, but this is definitely a fairytale for adults.
#7 Bandits [B]
It is a flawed comedy, but with it works cast so boldly and comes up with such rambunctious goings on that we can’t help but forgive the faults. Cate Blanchett does a wicked comedy bit that often goes uncredited and although it may not have anything profoundly fresh to add to its genre it does it with much aplomb.
#6 In the Bedroom [B+]
Detractors have called it out for its compactness but they miss the point that In the Bedroom never attempts to be larger than life. It’s more efficient than many try to be and does it better than most. The cast’s work is so good because the film is so compact. To look at the ending in isolation does make it seem a tad jaunty, but it’s when all comes together that we realise the goodness of this piece.
#5 Ocean’s Eleven [B+]
This Soderbergh remake is edited like magic [only oversight made me leave it out here], it features a cast ready to make a movie and completely unselfconscious about it. Soderbergh, as usual, is intent on entertaining us without ‘dumbing’ the subject for us and as Ocean’s develops we can’t deny that we’re enthused.
#4 The Others [B+]
The atmosphere evoked in this thriller is so strong that I almost wish it was done in black and white like those old movies. Nicole Kidman gives a strong performance, but she’s not the only thing that makes this worth watching. It takes the twist that The Sixth Sense uses but makes it more fulfilling. The difference is that without the twist The Others still works as a profound drama and here the trick is less of a superfluous ploy and more of a profound psychological strategy. It’s probably all the same for some, but this film is a underrated goodie.
#3 Moulin Rouge [A-]
As I’ve said in my review, Moulin Rouge works wonderfully when it shouldn’t, the garish lighting, the startling colours, it all comes together beautiful. As Jim Broadbent watches over all and Nicole and Ewan are delectably perfect and Luhrman instils it all with something so wonderful. I’m not sure that it’s perfection, but it’s so fun that even when you finish you forget that this is a film where the heroine dies. Of consumption no less.
#2 Gosford Park [A+]
Gosford Park is the type of film you could use to show people how to make good films. It’s the type of film where repeated viewings are demanded, not because the film is esoteric without it but because with them you realise just how astutely Altman has completely created a world where nothing is done superfluously. Like the way Helen Mirren almost imperceptibly starts when she hears the name Parks or the way that Emily Watson twinges just a little as she sees her master, or the impish self-centredness of Maggie Smith. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable mystery that’s more than a mystery and doesn’t take it’s audience for dunces. That’s a rarity.
#1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings [A+]
There’s nothing like the first one. The Fellowship has an edge because it’s the lightest of the three while still having enough of the seriousness to not be bauble like. Ian McKellen is outstanding as Gandalf and Liv Tyler is perfect as Arwen. Surely, the role is not true to the novel but seeing her protect Frodo from the Wraiths is such a beautiful moment. In fact, the entire film with just has the magical feel to it – cliché, but still true.
So which 2001 piece would you trumpeting today? Altman, Jackson or Luhrman? Or neither? Which Kidman piece?
So, continuing from the previous entry, I'm taking a look at the films that I'm anticipating for the year 2010. Of course anticipating is often different from appreciation, but it can't hurt to expect good things in some of these. Some may fail, some may surprise...but at least a few will be as good as I hope. At least, I hope so.
This was rumoured to be a 2009 release, but nothing has come to fruition as yet. Joe Pesci and Helen Mirren star in this as a husband and wife team who open a brothel. The only thing stranger than Pesci and Mirren in a romance is Pesci and Mirren in charge of a brothel. They are both Oscar winners and the film is based on the true story of the Nevada couple to open the first brothel. I wonder what sort of skeletons are in their closets.
Is this too high? It’s Angelina love, obviously. How could I not want to see the movie where she replaced Tom Cruise? And as underrated as her traditional acting skills are, most can agree that she’s a killer action star. So here’s to this. The plot is pretty much stock fare. It involves a CIA officer wrongly accused of being a Russian sleeper agent planning to assassinate the US President. Naturally she ensues on a journey to clear her name and find the perpetrator.
I was a fan of Inaritu's 21 Grams and Babel. The film centres on a criminal who is reunited with a childhood friend, now a police officer. I am a big of Javier Bardem and am expecting big things from this. I'm only wondering if it will reach here before the end of the year.
#27 Letters to Juliet
#27 Letters to Juliet
In retrospect I can’t justify how this is so high. I like Amanda Seyfried but not enough to go see Jennifer’s Body, and though I liked Gael in what I saw him I haven’t seen him at his best. Still pair them with Vanessa Redgrave [who I had a feeling is playing a cameo here] and then a European romance and I’m pretty much on board. I recently saw the poster which had Seyfreid and Redgrave with top billing which makes me really hopeful. I'm a big fan of Vanessa.
This could be great or it could be horrible. Christina Aguilera and Cher star in this one. A young up and comer [Aguilera] begins working at a Burlesque club in hopes of becoming a star; Cher plays her mentor. I don’t know what the look for this is going to be, or if it’s going to be a good film; but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t interested. Christina Aguilera was one of those archetypes of teenaged boy lust. Cher? Not so much. But still, she's a good actor - sometimes. Add that to Kirsten Bell and the great Stanley Tucci and this is looking promising. Maybe.
It’s a true story starring Johnny Depp, which at least makes it worthy of contemplation.The story follows a wandering journalist who travels to Puerto and becomes obsessed with a woman. It sounds rather vague, but I'm expecting this to be a good one.
I still have hopes that Collin Farrell will one day get the praise he deserves. Ondine is based on a story of a fisherman who caught what he believes to be a mermaid in his net. I believe it’s based on a play I read years ago, but wasn’t too fond of it. It was well written, but I hated the ending. But I digress. tTe stills so far look good and with this premise I think Collin could impress me.
Heaven knows why I want to see this so much. As much as I liked Justin Timberlake’s music I don’t think he has any potential as an actor. I suppose it’s just Fincher’s name that has it so high. I happen to like the guy, including Benjamin Button and though Facebook fills me with evil thoughts I’m wondering what he’s going to do with this one.
#22 CoriolanusIt’s probably wrong but in terms of the acting, my biggest draw here is Vanessa Redgrave. She seems like the perfect Shakespearean type actor, and this being a Shakespeare play only makes me want to se this more. Coriolanus is actually one his plays that I have not read. It's a tragedy and a history Ralph f***ing Fiennes is playing the title character with Redgrave as his mother. Fiennes also directs. I've been waiting for Fiennes to get a good role and this is looking exceptionally good. I hope I'm not disappointed, I can't really see why Gerard Butler is there...but I'll let that pass.
Brad Pitt and Sean Penn star in Terrence Malick’s new film. Hardly any information has been released as to plot of this one, and I’ve never been a big fan of Malick. But Penn and Pitt are two actors I happen to like, and I’m just getting a good vibe from this. For what reason, I don’t know.
Stay tuned for the next part. Which Redgrave film are you anticipating more? Are you anticipating Fincher? Malick?
Saturday, 9 January 2010
So, having taken an unplanned absence from internet imagine my surprise to check my inbox and see Univarn's Kreativ Blogger post linking to my site. I'll give you his words:
I follow a lot of blogs, but few put as much of themselves into each post as Andrew @ Encore Entertainment. While reading his blog you gain a real sense of understanding, the things he looks for in movies, and how a movie connects with him personally. It's quite a treat for those humanistic qualities inside all of us. It's that personal nature that separates him from the countless other bloggers out there, and attracts, despite his self-mocking best efforts, his many followers.
Who me? Ah shucks. Well Univarn, I am honoured. How am I going to top that writeup? I suppose everyone has their own idiosyncrasies so that you know from reading something of theirs that they wrote it, but Univarn takes that notion to a whole other level. I called him irreverent the other, and he really is. He's like that unfailing optimists who continues to imbue the most bizarre and often hilarious things into his writing. Whether it's his reviews or his features he's steadfast in his quest to brighten your day.
Now, I've got to tell you seven things about myself that you may find interesting, whatever that means. Sigh. This could get boring.
1. This is actually not the first blog I've started. Sometime towards the end of 2007 I started a blog when the Emmy's announced their nominees. I subsequently forgot not only the name of the blog, but my password so it's gone into oblivion. What does that tell you? I'm not quite sure. I'm either careless or crazy.
2. I love film, that's obvious and to some extent TV, even though the TV in my Encore World has become more and more superfluous. But for the longest while I was a huge music person. Regardless of genre I could spew off the latest billboard hits at the click of a finger. In fact, for about three years [11-13] I used to keep a carefully annotated book with my top 40 songs of each week. For some time I even forced my sister to participate. I know, I was weird. I'm not as up to date with current music though I still have my favourites, I've gone into classical and even theatre music now, although that's more of a Stephen Sondheim infatuation who I'm currently obsessed with.
3. Even more enduring than my quasi-music love is my love reading. My mother's a teacher so that probably had something to do with it, but I've been reading heavily since I was six. The first real novel I read was a condensed version of Great Expectations which scared me as a child - I was weird, I know. I'm still not overly fond of Dickens, my favourite writer is probably Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams or . I'm actually currently doing a Degree in English, so that's no surrpise I suppose.
4. I have a six year old nephew who's mind I've all but destroyed by introducing him to some inappropriate adult films. Get your mind out of the gutter, not adult films in content - just thematically - most glaringly Hamlet, Chicago, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and his favourite Sweeney Todd despite all the gore. He's also sat through the entire Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings which is not adult themed, but it's really long and he saw that when he was five, bless him. I'm trying to wean him off Diego the Explorer and his annoying as hell cousin Dora. Ugh.
5. Despite being the ostensibly good student I actually hate school and all forms of standardised Exams. I mean when I was in High School I got excellent very good grades, I went up for every competition imaginable [except sports, see #6]; I formed a Drama Club, I mean I was the goddamned Head Prefect in my final year but I hated it. I had the worst punctuality. Sometimes I'd reach to school 10:30 for 9:00 sessions. I just hated school. Inasmuch that when I had to do an Impromptu Speech in my Upper Sixth year for the students I spoke for three minutes on why School is pointless and unfair. Down with the power!!!!
6. Even though I'm somewhere between 5'11 and 6'00 and everyone assumes it, I don't play sports. In fact other than tennis I don't care for them. I actually played tennis when I was younger but abruptly stopped, I can't remember why now. I do intermittently follow it on TV, but I get so involved so that every time Federer, or anyone, beats Nadal [I'm a fan of his] I want to pelt the TV set which would be folly. So I just don't watch.
7. I used to be obsessed with Matlock and wanted to be a lawyer for quite some time. Up until I was 14, yet I did Law at GCE and CAPE [a Caribbean Exam]. In fact, up until last year August I was planning on doing Law at the University, all I had to do was go in to solidify my application. But then I realised, even though I'm not bad at Law I don't like it. And since I've wanted to be a writer for ages, doing Law seemed like a waste of time. I already hate school. You're talking to an almost lawyer.
And now, seven worthy blogs.This was hard. I thought that with all the blogs already mentioned, it'd be easy...but then I'm following almost three hundred people...so, yeah. These are only seven of the masses, but they're seven worth your time.
Alex: At 23 Alex shows maturity beyond his years. When he gets down to business and does his super intelligent reviews of the Best Actress races it's both entertainting and informative. Match that with having another blog where he posts short tidbits on Oscar nominated films and you've got a blogger worth following.
Jose: Jose has an undying obession with love for Penelope Cruz. Who can blame him? But his blog's about more than that. With a name like Movies Kick Ass, how could it not be? Never one to be swayed by critical consensus he'll offer up some surprising positive or negative reviews of current film and in a few paragraphs often does what I spend two posts trying to say.
The Vegetable Assassin: If there's someone that doesn't need more followers, it's her. If there's someone who should get more followers, it's her. This is the only non-movie blog in my seven, and with reason. I have no idea what The Vegetable Assassin means, I'll have to ask her one day, but if you want some random humour about everything and nothing, go here. From suicide, to the Bee Gees to fake New Years' resolutions: she does it all. No topic is out of bounds. Which makes her all the more interesting.
RC: I'd probably rename this award Kreativ & Smart blogger award, just for RC. I can't say what it is but no matter what he writes it just feels incredibly intelligent. He'll blog about anythinjg, from movies, to books, to religion and he does it all so easily. Of course he's been doing this for some years, but it's all so well done that I can't help feeling envious. A little.
Lolita: There are many blogs dedicated to classic cinema, I'm following quite a few, but Lolita is one of the best. She makes the classics seem new every day and sometimes she'll even start talking about a current piece. Lolita is fun to read which is always nice and necessary.
Luke: The sheer amount of posts that Luke does is worth noting and when you realise that they're all worth reading it only becomes more laudable. Sure he's waaaaaaaaaay too obsessed with Meryl Streep. But I can forgive that, for on his Journalistic Skepticism he offers up some interesting and entertainting posts. Keep 'em coming.
Adam: I only recently came across his Appleplectic blog, and I sure am glad I did. It's insane that this man doesn't have more readers since his writing is insightful fun and his blog is soooo organised. Really. It is. He says that he's a perfectionist, and it shows a bit. But he's not laborious either. His reviews are good and even his random posts are interesting. He's worthy of your time.
Whew. The end. So to the SEVEN I've noted:
Receiving such a kind honor comes with some criteria as well (7 in fact):
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.
Go out into the world and spread the magic.
Receiving such a kind honor comes with some criteria as well (7 in fact):
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.
Go out into the world and spread the magic.
Friday, 8 January 2010
James Cameron wasn’t the only director making an anticipated return to the screen this year. Peter Jackson’s last film the 2005 King Kong, although well regarded was seen as more of a remake than a true “Jacksonite” adaptation so The Lovely Bones was inadvertently seen as his first film since the blockbuster films about middle earth. Like The Lord of the Rings it was an adaptation of a novel and like The Lord of the Rings Jackson wrote it with partnering scribe Philipa Boyd. It centres on a young girl – Susie Salmon, who after being raped and murdered by a neighbour tries to find peace in the “in-between” between heaven and earth as her family simultaneously tries to cope with her death.
Obviously, The Lovely Bones is not your typical drama. I’ve not read the source, but with a premise like that we can see that it’s more than just your typical familial drama, one with a supernatural twinge. And in some ways I suppose that Jackson is the perfect one to helm a project that seems to be so ostensibly incongruous. I liked The Lovely Bones. I should just get that out of the way immediately. Try as I might I could not ignore the dismal reviews. Nathaniel, Rasco, Alex were all less than forthcoming with praise. Jose was more obliging and MGK was a fan as was Kristopher. I didn’t know where I would fall, I was still anticipating this despite the reviews and coming out of it I knew it was not perfect, but I was not disappointed.
Saiorse Ronan, of Atonement fame, plays Susie. With her piercing blue eyes and her clear voice I’m tempted to call Ronan’s performance my favourite child performance of the last decade, and maybe even the one before that. The strength of The Lovely Bones lies completely in her hands and she handles it beautifully. Her performance is so self conscious and it truly is surprising considering how much she’s tasked with. She has to spend the entire film looking fourteen but growing years more and it all needs to be realistic as possible. This wasn’t going to be an easy task, but Ronan is able to deliver an especially profound performance that counteracts any of the films possible inconsistencies.
The acting of the cast is generally good, although none is as good as Ronan. Much has been said of the reportedly underused Susan Sarandon, and as Susie’s Grandmother she is particularly scintillating in her scenes. In a category where insubstantial performances like Holly Hunter, Michelle Williams, Frances McDormand and Kathy Bates have been recognised I’m confused as to why Sarandon hasn’t gotten more notices for her performance. Looking as unsullied as she did a decade ago Sarandon is charming and resonant in her role. Rachel Weisz all but matches her, and although she is relegated to a mere prop as the film winds down her performance [particularly in the first forty minutes] is especially profound. I don’t find Wahlberg as underwhelming as some. Certainly, he’s not as talented as his co-stars, but there is only so much that could be done with such a role. Wahlberg is not ineffective, just unremarkable. Tucci wouldn’t make my shortlist of Supporting Actors but I can’t fault his performance, as unsubtle as it is. In a strange way it works.
In fact, I can’t fault The Lovely Bones for its lack of subtlety. A film that centres on a young girl trapped between heaven and earth needs to be as clear as possible. In fact, I see The Lovely Bones as a bit of a fairy tale. Susan Salmon [like the fish she says] is projecting her thoughts on to the screen. We only find the moustached Stanly Tucci as overbearingly histrionic because we know up front he’s the murderer. A subtle serial killer wouldn’t have caught the attention of Susie’s sister, and would negate the culmination of the film. The Lovely Bones is the type of film I can see being lauded in the next generation even though being poorly received in this one. It is not a perfect film, but it’s as good as it could have gotten. I don’t think anyone taking this story could have done a more superior job than Jackson. I finished The Lovely Bones having the same feelings I did after seeing Cheri – what is that people are missing? I can’t say why The Lovely Bones hasn’t succeed, it’s not The Lord of the Rings, it’s perhaps not even the masterpiece some have called. But it is a good film. A very good film. Its lovers are few, but I’m one of them. Sorry, Alex.
B+
So I didn't like Up In the Air, but liked this...interesting.
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