Recently viewed films

[Jack of All Parades]

"Cairo Time"- last night with my wife. Had wanted to see this little film for some time but it never came into a theater in my area. Finally had a chance to rent the DVD. It is a restrained, beautiful little character study of a middle-aged woman on a visit to Egypt to spend time with her UN employee husband who is stuck in Gaza. The two main characters played by Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig are pitch perfect. Ms. Clarkson catches the repressed longing for emotional attachment that inhabits her character. Mr. Siddig equally gives a strong performance as an Egyptian friend of her husband who takes it upon himself to keep his friend's wife company while she waits for her husband to get out of Gaza. The relationship that develops between the two is understated and natural. The skill with which these two actors show their growing affection for one another is palpable in the expressions on their faces and the movement of their bodies. They never really touch but the tension is evident. It is a master class in screen acting. Otis- this is one to share with your wife.

[mood swung]

So, I finally saw The King's Speech. Is it wrong if every time he hesitated in his words, I expected him to belch? Not sure what all the fuss was about.

[Jack of All Parades]

Once again, Otis, you pointed to a good one. Thoroughly enjoyed, last evening, Inarritu's Biutiful with its knockout performance by Javier Bardem. What a character he plays, Uxbal. The split parts of his soul, gangster and loving father, are heartbreaking to watch. And he displays them with such deep acting restraint. No histrionics for him just solid acting through subtle body movements and those expressive eyes. He made me totally care for this flawed, but loveable man. And can Inarritu not tell a boring story. He makes Barcelona seem lovely in its seedy, back alley places. It is a palpable character in the movie along with the actors. I loved the way the camera jumped with the rush of the city and you constantly heard the city noises and voices in every scene shot there. Just a very strong suggestion from you.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Nice one. Glad you saw it. I'm happy to have got True Grit on DVD for father's day having, pathetically, failed to see it at the cinema. Can't wait.

[Jack of All Parades]

"Another Year" by Mike Leigh. Each succeding film of his that I view convinces me more that there is no one making movies these days who catches the feel of passing real time in his films like this man. I watch and it is as if I am in 'real' time with 'real' people living there lives around me. I loved the narrative frame work of a year's time by seasons and the central image of the garden and its being tended to by the two leads just as they cultivate and support the people around them. The final image of Leslie Manville's character's death in life was terrifying in its honesty as the sound vanished and you are left with the feel that she has become so insulated by her loneliness and self-loathing. A devastating image.

[Jack of All Parades]

Barney's Version- last night with the Mrs. A most enjoyable adaptation from the hilarious last novel by Mordecai Richler. Pitch perfect as to tone and ambiance. With solid work by Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman and Rosamond Pike in the leads. I love Richler's dialogue and the way it comes out of the mouths of both Giamatti and Hoffman. I never had the chance to see it last year when it was in the theaters as it never came to my area. Had I, it would have been my favorite movie from last year. Thank god for DVD. The movie made from Richler's The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz was one of my favorite 70's films. This one catches that Montreal milieu of the 70's spot on- the love affair with the Montreal Canadiens, the skewering of the notions of the Quebec separatists of the time and the comic mis-adventures of one memorable character Barney Panofsky and the people in his life - his father, Izzy, and his three wives. The book was a great comic read and thankfully the movie catches its tone. Cannot recommend this little film enough. He is one memorable character. Richler belongs up there with Roth, Malamud, Elkin and the supreme Bellow.

[Jack of All Parades]

Midnight in Paris- just a beautiful, enjoyable divertimento for a delightful summer day- if you do not have the real Paris. It is one long personal love poem to the city. Light in touch, deft in its execution and wonderfully played by its cast, particularly the poignant Owen Wilson. It does not try to do too much and what it does it does with humor and a joie de vivre that is intoxicating. The audience in the theater I was in was laughing throughout the film and that is rare these days for a Woody Allen film. The central conceit that everyone has a beloved past time that is supposedly better than the present but which only masks the fact that current time is painful because we exist as living, thinking creatures is wonderfully worked out- the little scene in the Versailles of the 1770's is vintage Woody. Even enjoyed how he mirrored his famous opening to Manhattan. An ode to a marvelous, rapturous city!

[Jack of All Parades]

Rabbit Hole- a little film that just disappeared last year, maybe down that proverbial orifice. Nicole Kidman has never been better[this is the role that should have won her the oscar not the Virginia Wolff one]. Aaron Eckhardt holds his own as well. The grief is palpable as these two deal with the loss of a young son. More importantly it seems real and the damage it causes is severe. When she slaps a woman in a supermarket you feel the pain in your living room. Not a great film but two strong performances. My wife loved it and she is a strong critic.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Seen two great comedies recently: Potiche (translated as 'Trophy Wife'), film version of a French 80s stage comedy set in 1977, starring the magnificent Catherine Deneuve and the enormous and also magnificent Gerard Depardieu. Very witty, beautiful recreation of the era, a comedy about patriarchal roles being subverted. Warmly recommended; and Bridesmaids, which is comedy gold. I only really knew Irish actor Chris O'Dowd, known here from The IT Crowd, and more recently as English Victorian patriarch in the excellent TV adaptation of Michael Faber's The Crimson Petal and the White, but lead player and co-writer Kristen Wiig was superb. She's done a lot on Saturday Night Live, along with fellow actor Maya Rudolph, who also turns out to be the daughter of Minnie Ripperton of 'Loving You' fame - remember that? There are about 5 scenes in this film that leave you helpless with laughter. It seems to be marketed as a feelgood chick flick, when in fact it's a satire on the nonsense surrounding weddings and female competitiveness within that. Very sharp and witty. Reminded me of Sideways in some ways.

Great to see two excellent comedies that genuinely made you LOL for much of the time.

[Jack of All Parades]

You only serve to whet my appetite for both films- oddly enough I have been trying to get a copy of Potiche from Blockbuster for months- they do not seem to carry it- am trying my local library system. Previews I have seen of the film have really piqued the interest of my wife and myself. Bridesmaids is something I am looking forward to as well.. Sideways is one of my wife's favorite films of the last decade. I am looking forward to laughing.

[Jack of All Parades]

"Inside Job"- the acclaimed documentary about the current financial fleecing of the world by the elite Wall Street Banks and bankers. Could not be angrier. The hubris and greed of these people and the way they still protect one another at our expense is truly galling. Just an example. My wife knows John Paulson from her childhood.- technically you cannot charge him with breaking laws in his 12 billion plus haul from this fleecing but you can sure question his ethical choices. Sadly nothing has changed as evidenced by the continued complicity of the Obamna administration with its fierce alliances to the same group of individuals in the old boy network[ Geithner and Summers for starters] who helped to bring us to this state. Sadder is the real guilt that can be laid at the feet of the Clinton administration with its accelerated embrace of financial deregulation. It makes me so angry that no one can be trusted to look out for us. Sadder still the real complicity of my alma mater and all the big idea guys who are now housed in the Columbia University School of Business. And even sadder and confounding no one has gone to jail for their deeds or even been prosecuted. They have not even paid taxes on their ill gotten multi millions. But you and I have lost our savings, jobs and homes and any real stable future!

[Jack of All Parades]

"The Lincoln Lawyer"- enjoyed this small scale film noir with an unusually effective Matthew McCoughney in the title role as a whip smart criminal attorney who knows his way around the law and still chases clientele while operating out of his Continental in today's LA. Had enough engaging twist and turns to hold my interest and some rather sparkling, snappy dialogue provided by the screenwriter, John Romano, an old college professor of mine. Fun support cast too with Marisa Tomei, Frances Fisher, Josh Lucas, William Macy[particularly good]. John Leguizammo and Ryan Philippe for starters. Matthew normally annoys me-this time he kept my attention with his conflicted attorney turn and the moral mess he has fallen into.

[Jack of All Parades]

Rudo y Cursi by Carlos Cuaran-just pure fun and a great touch with the camera. Loved this contemporary update on the buddy/brother movie. Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna are again brothers and they could not be better in their roles. Loved the gentle kidding and the competition. Cuaran has a natural ability with dialogue.

Otis- you were so right!!!!! Just came back from viewing Bridesmaids at the movie house with my wife and daughter. It has been a long time since I laughed so much at a movie. It was never crude or crass, just plain funny in a consistent way. The scene in the plane may well be the best ensemble scene I have witnessed since the Marx Brothers in the ocean liner storage room. Loved every bit of the friend Megan played by Melissa McCarthy. She nearly stole the movie at times. Bittersweet to see Jill Clayburgh. Thanks for the heads up about this movie.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Glad you liked it. Been recommending it to all and sundry, often getting reactions like 'you're a man and you went to see that?', which is just ridiculous. One of the funniest films of recent years I've seen. Didn't realise Jill Clayburgh had died of leukaemia. They cut some content out of respect:

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=646495

Hope to see some equally hilarious stuff from Kristen Wiig in the future. Very talented.

Today off to see the new Studio Ghibli film Arietty with my son. Based on The Borrowers.

[Jack of All Parades]

That she is!!!! Sadly the reaction you cite of colleagues to a recommendation of the movie is so true. Their loss as it is pure comic heaven no matter your gender.

I will be curious to hear your comments on the new Anime- my daughter is eager to see it.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Utterly fabulous. I'm no specialist, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke on DVD, but I was so happy we saw this at the cinema. I've always like the story and there have been a few TV adaptations, but this was my favourite by miles. So many details, so much poignant depth. Just lovely. Interesting how they're very geared up for international audiences, so there's very little in the way of Japanese text in the backgrounds, they've mostly translated those (which I guess is a relatively minor undertaking),and the dubbed version we saw was all English actors, so presumably in the US they're American. Didn't fancy it with subtitles, and the dubbing was of a standard not to regret that, the opposite as it meant you could focus on visual elements fully. Also, the house it's set in is very Japanese, but elements of the interiors are very European/Western. Some characters look Japanese, others just don't. It's all rather cleverly judged. Highly recommended to anyone with any liking for Ghibli's films.

[Jack of All Parades]

Howl- a biopic with James Franco. Not a great one but yet I think utterly successful at catching a great work in its creation and aftermath. Franco does a credible job playing Ginsberg and I appreciated the intermixing of real and acting footage and still photos. Love his recitation. Interesting mix of graphic material, as well. Had not realized what a landmark obscenity case it became following publication.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Missed that when on here, but reviews weren't too encouraging. Will catch on telly.

I watched No Country for Old Men on DVD at very long last. Missed it on cinema release, stupidly, and have taken ages to watch the DVD. God it was good. I was totally hooked. Bardem is mesmerising. Will have to watch again with subtitles on. So much of the mumbly Texan/southern accents was hard for me. Not as bad as Blood Simple in that respect, which I saw in Madrid on its release and was so relieved to have subtitles. NCFOM reminded me of it in terms of some of the humour, the atmospheres and the blood 'n' guns. Am interested to know how it compares to the book. It felt so Coen Brothers in tone, but the magnificent Roger Deakins landscapes were very reminiscent things like All the Pretty Horses. I must get a Coens box set. And watch my DVD of the also-missed in the cinema True Grit.

[Emotional Toothpaste]

Captain America - formulaic, boring, slow to develop, poorly acted, and Tommy Lee Jones in one of his typical roles . . . . need I say more? Yes, I do. It sucked. However, my kids seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.

[Otis Westinghouse]

TLJ was great in NCFOM!

[Emotional Toothpaste]

Completely forgot that he was in that, Otis. Not sure why he annoys me so much. Maybe it was Lonesome Dove or the Fugitive. Just not a TLJ fan.

[Natasha]

I watched Super 8 last night. What a great movie! It's so like Spielberg and so like J.J. Abrams at the same time.

I'm a big fan of Lost and I've been following JJ's work since then. In this movie he finaly managed to combine a very good and emotional story with the mystery that he likes so much and with also some action. Also this monster thing finaly worked out. He definetly learnt a lot from Cloverfield.

I also loved the zombie thing and the Romero tribute. The movie also has a strong Goonies/E.T. atmosphere and the soundtrack is very cool too. It's been a long time since I had so much fun in the movies.

[Poor Deportee]

Missed that when on here, but reviews weren't too encouraging. Will catch on telly.

I watched No Country for Old Men on DVD at very long last. Missed it on cinema release, stupidly, and have taken ages to watch the DVD. God it was good. I was totally hooked. Bardem is mesmerising. Will have to watch again with subtitles on. So much of the mumbly Texan/southern accents was hard for me. Not as bad as Blood Simple in that respect, which I saw in Madrid on its release and was so relieved to have subtitles. NCFOM reminded me of it in terms of some of the humour, the atmospheres and the blood 'n' guns. Am interested to know how it compares to the book. It felt so Coen Brothers in tone, but the magnificent Roger Deakins landscapes were very reminiscent things like All the Pretty Horses. I must get a Coens box set. And watch my DVD of the also-missed in the cinema True Grit.

'True Grit' was splendid. I'm one who feels the Coen Bros. have dropped a notch from their heyday, and I'd lump 'No Country' into that category of good-but-not-quite-great efforts. But TG is another matter. Magnificent, I thought.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Not a film but a TV series. they're re-running the original Danish The Killing on BBC4 in nightly instalments, and I've managed to watch 3 episodes 3 nights running without resourcing to iPlayer/catch-up. So glad I've been able to do this than watching the US version first, which I contemplated when they started airing it in July. No offence to the Statesiders, but I doubt it can have the atmosphere and intensity of the original, which makes for totally compelling viewing. And someone who's seen it all said today 'just wait, it gets better'. What is it about the Scandinavians and crime thrillers that means they do them so well?

[SoulForHire]

Just saw Our Idiot Brother today. Not bad, but its not really the movie that the trailer advertises. To me, the movie was more about the three sisters