Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday August 10th, 2008
IDIOTS AND ANGELS
6/10
The last film of the festival. What a pity that I didn't enjoy it more, but admittedly, I was very tired and have a cold, so that might have adversely affected my abilities to fully appreciate it. It's an animation by Bill Plympton, whose film 'Hair High' was one of my favourites at MIFF in 2005. I really enjoyed the creativity in this film about a man who grows angel wings, but just couldn't get into it. I may try again one day if I have the chance, but in the meantime I'll rate it well based on the excellent animation work and poorly on the story itself.
6/10
The last film of the festival. What a pity that I didn't enjoy it more, but admittedly, I was very tired and have a cold, so that might have adversely affected my abilities to fully appreciate it. It's an animation by Bill Plympton, whose film 'Hair High' was one of my favourites at MIFF in 2005. I really enjoyed the creativity in this film about a man who grows angel wings, but just couldn't get into it. I may try again one day if I have the chance, but in the meantime I'll rate it well based on the excellent animation work and poorly on the story itself.
Saturday August 9th, 2008
SOMERS TOWN
8/10
One of my favourite films of the festival. Shane Meadows did last year's Closing Night film at MIFF, This is England, and also did Dead Man's Shoes at MIFF 3-4 years ago. I loved both of those films, and this one makes three out of three. It's a short one, only 75 minutes, and shot in black and white. It's the story of the friendship between a homeless boy (played by the main actor from This is England, Thomas Turgoose) and a Polish immigrant whose parents are divorced and is taken care of by his working class father. Lots of great moments and beautifully filmed with plenty to keep your eyes interested. Hopefully this will get a cinema release here.
THE WACKNESS
6.5/10
This film had all the ingredients for being fantastic, but for some reason it just didn't equal the sum of its parts for me. It's set in NYC in 1993(?) and is about a loner kid who's just finished high school and is whiling away the summer dealing marijuana to the locals, including a psychiatrist played by Ben Kingsley, who offers him advice in return for some stash. I can't help but think that it would have been better if they hadn't tried to set it in the early 90s and just updated the story for today. Maybe I'm missing the point, but the dialogue was distracting, yo. Word.
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF MY SEXUAL FAILURES
6/10
This was a documentary, but really, like Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me, it's really just made for entertainment and not for a factual unbiased representation of an event or set of facts. It's about a guy who's been dumped by nearly all his girlfriends over the years and sets out to try and find out why. Sorry if it's a spoiler, but jeez, if you're an unemployed, dirty lazy guy who plays with action figures and can't get an erection, what do you expect? There were plenty of funny and cringeworthy moments, but I couldn't help but think he was playing a part rather than being his true self when talking on film, and a couple of parts just seemed to much like stunts for entertainment rather than being relevant to the story (visit to the bondage mistress and the viagra episode, mainly). Not a terribly film, but I think it could have been better if he'd left the devices for entertainment out, or toned them down at least.
8/10
One of my favourite films of the festival. Shane Meadows did last year's Closing Night film at MIFF, This is England, and also did Dead Man's Shoes at MIFF 3-4 years ago. I loved both of those films, and this one makes three out of three. It's a short one, only 75 minutes, and shot in black and white. It's the story of the friendship between a homeless boy (played by the main actor from This is England, Thomas Turgoose) and a Polish immigrant whose parents are divorced and is taken care of by his working class father. Lots of great moments and beautifully filmed with plenty to keep your eyes interested. Hopefully this will get a cinema release here.
THE WACKNESS
6.5/10
This film had all the ingredients for being fantastic, but for some reason it just didn't equal the sum of its parts for me. It's set in NYC in 1993(?) and is about a loner kid who's just finished high school and is whiling away the summer dealing marijuana to the locals, including a psychiatrist played by Ben Kingsley, who offers him advice in return for some stash. I can't help but think that it would have been better if they hadn't tried to set it in the early 90s and just updated the story for today. Maybe I'm missing the point, but the dialogue was distracting, yo. Word.
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF MY SEXUAL FAILURES
6/10
This was a documentary, but really, like Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me, it's really just made for entertainment and not for a factual unbiased representation of an event or set of facts. It's about a guy who's been dumped by nearly all his girlfriends over the years and sets out to try and find out why. Sorry if it's a spoiler, but jeez, if you're an unemployed, dirty lazy guy who plays with action figures and can't get an erection, what do you expect? There were plenty of funny and cringeworthy moments, but I couldn't help but think he was playing a part rather than being his true self when talking on film, and a couple of parts just seemed to much like stunts for entertainment rather than being relevant to the story (visit to the bondage mistress and the viagra episode, mainly). Not a terribly film, but I think it could have been better if he'd left the devices for entertainment out, or toned them down at least.
Thursday August 7th, 2008
BOY A
7/10
Interesting film about a young man who is about to re-enter society with a new identity after having spent years in a correctional facility for his part in the murder of a girl when he was a child. While he appears to be rehabilitated by the system, others wouldn't be so quick to forgive and forget, including the press. The film follows his story as he starts in a new town with a new job and starts making new friends. Definitely a well made film, and I thought worth watching based on its creating a protagonist out of a character that would usually be 'the bad guy'.
7/10
Interesting film about a young man who is about to re-enter society with a new identity after having spent years in a correctional facility for his part in the murder of a girl when he was a child. While he appears to be rehabilitated by the system, others wouldn't be so quick to forgive and forget, including the press. The film follows his story as he starts in a new town with a new job and starts making new friends. Definitely a well made film, and I thought worth watching based on its creating a protagonist out of a character that would usually be 'the bad guy'.
Wednesday, August 7th, 2008
A CONFUCIAN CONFUSION
N/A
Walked out. I just couldn't be bothered trying to get into this film, which appeared to continue to talk about emotion. I am pretty tired generally at the moment, and after 30 minutes the sunshine of outside was more alluring that continuing to watch.
IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS
8/10
This black and white film is about a lonely scriptwriter on New Years Eve whose career is going nowhere and is paranoid about standing at a party at midnight without someone to kiss. His housemates suggest he puts an ad on Craigs List, and the film follows his encounters with the woman who responds. Lots of good laughs in this lowish budget film. Reminiscent of Before Sunrise, so if you liked that, be sure to check it out.
SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO
4/10
I love a good Western and also am quite partial to Japanese films, so was quite looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, not even Quentin Tarantino's presence in a small role doesn't save this film. I suspect it's written with many clever nods to cultural and/or pop references that I know little about, and it just didn't make sense to me. One of the big flaws with this Japanese Western was that the Japanese actors spoke english in an attempted Western drawl. With their Japanese accents it was extremely hard to understand what was being said a lot of the time. Lots of nice camera work and style, but beyond that I I was lost.
N/A
Walked out. I just couldn't be bothered trying to get into this film, which appeared to continue to talk about emotion. I am pretty tired generally at the moment, and after 30 minutes the sunshine of outside was more alluring that continuing to watch.
IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS
8/10
This black and white film is about a lonely scriptwriter on New Years Eve whose career is going nowhere and is paranoid about standing at a party at midnight without someone to kiss. His housemates suggest he puts an ad on Craigs List, and the film follows his encounters with the woman who responds. Lots of good laughs in this lowish budget film. Reminiscent of Before Sunrise, so if you liked that, be sure to check it out.
SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO
4/10
I love a good Western and also am quite partial to Japanese films, so was quite looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, not even Quentin Tarantino's presence in a small role doesn't save this film. I suspect it's written with many clever nods to cultural and/or pop references that I know little about, and it just didn't make sense to me. One of the big flaws with this Japanese Western was that the Japanese actors spoke english in an attempted Western drawl. With their Japanese accents it was extremely hard to understand what was being said a lot of the time. Lots of nice camera work and style, but beyond that I I was lost.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tuesday August 6th, 2008
MAD MAX 2
8/10
Champagne comedy! Oh, it's an action film? I'd seen Mad Max 2 about 20 years ago and thought it was pretty good at the time, but barely remembered anything about it. So, when I saw it was going to show on the big screen, I thought it was well worth checking out. And I was right - it's a great film given the time that's passed - the action sequences are really well done and the pacing of the film still keeps you watching. Some of the lines and many of the costumes and hairstyles are laughable now though - calling the bad guy 'Lord Humungus' and dressing all his cohorts in homoerotic assless leather chaps is hilarious. I know that if I was hanging out in the desert, I'd certainly think that leather pants and chains for a top made good sense. Anyway, a good romp and still entertaining. I was thinking while watching it that they could just about retell the story in the Star Wars universe with Han Solo as Mad Max, Chewbacca as Max's dog, and an ewok as the feral kid. Am I right or am I right?
Monday August 4th, 2008
BOOGIE
6/10
I'm not sure if Romanian films and I are going to get along. I went against the grain last year by disliking '4 Weeks, 3 Months, 2 Days', and this one while better, wasn't fantastic. It's about Bogdan (aka Boogie) who normally works excessively long hours, but is taking a well earned holiday with his wife and young son. He crosses paths with a couple of old high school friends, and goes out for a night of debauchery with them. As a new father who has trouble juggling everything on his plate, I identified a little bit with Bogdan - the difference is that I've chosen to prioritise what's important to me (entirely) differently, and therefore had a hard time empathising with the character.
6/10
I'm not sure if Romanian films and I are going to get along. I went against the grain last year by disliking '4 Weeks, 3 Months, 2 Days', and this one while better, wasn't fantastic. It's about Bogdan (aka Boogie) who normally works excessively long hours, but is taking a well earned holiday with his wife and young son. He crosses paths with a couple of old high school friends, and goes out for a night of debauchery with them. As a new father who has trouble juggling everything on his plate, I identified a little bit with Bogdan - the difference is that I've chosen to prioritise what's important to me (entirely) differently, and therefore had a hard time empathising with the character.
Sunday August 3rd, 2008
NOODLE
8/10
I'm a new father, and this is my first film festival as one. I've noticed that aside from a severe lack of sleep that my brain has been reprogrammed - I see the MIFF advert with the little baby there and think about how cute my boy is. Sad, but true. So, when I see films now, they have different a different effect on me than they might have in previous years... Which is all said because Noodle was a great little film that really pulled at the heart strings. It's about a chinese boy whose mother is a cleaning lady for a twice widowed Israeli flight attendant. She leaves her six year old son with the flight attendant for an hour after receiving a phone call, but never comes back. The story is cute and funny and at times sad. The little boy in this is great too. Highly recommended for those who like a sappy sweet film.
EMPTIES
6/10
This Czech film is about a teacher of retirement age who (you guessed it) retires. He's still an active person, more in mind perhaps than in body, and has some trouble adjusting to retired life. It follows him as he tries to pick up new jobs and the various people he meets along the way. It was a little drawn out, and to be honest I felt a little let down by the ending, but overall, it was enjoyable enough.
O' HORTEN
6/10
(Note that I fell asleep for about 20 minutes in this film, so if anyone wants to argue the review with me, they have every right to). This was a quirky film that got stranger by the minute - it's about Odd Horten, an engineer on a train in Norway who reaches retirement age, and how he spends his time. If it sounds familiar (see Empties) then it's pretty similar in premise, but quite different in execution. A far more appealing film visually.
SON OF RAMBOW
7/10
A nice and often funny film about a quiet school boy whose mother is very religious and whose father has died some time ago. When he crosses paths with a bratty class clown, a friendship forms and together they set about making their own film, where Rambo (yes, that Rambo) needs rescuing by his son. Probably would appeal to those who like Wes Anderson's Rushmore. The scene in the senior students common room was hilarious. Recommend it if you want a off-centre feel food flick.
8/10
I'm a new father, and this is my first film festival as one. I've noticed that aside from a severe lack of sleep that my brain has been reprogrammed - I see the MIFF advert with the little baby there and think about how cute my boy is. Sad, but true. So, when I see films now, they have different a different effect on me than they might have in previous years... Which is all said because Noodle was a great little film that really pulled at the heart strings. It's about a chinese boy whose mother is a cleaning lady for a twice widowed Israeli flight attendant. She leaves her six year old son with the flight attendant for an hour after receiving a phone call, but never comes back. The story is cute and funny and at times sad. The little boy in this is great too. Highly recommended for those who like a sappy sweet film.
EMPTIES
6/10
This Czech film is about a teacher of retirement age who (you guessed it) retires. He's still an active person, more in mind perhaps than in body, and has some trouble adjusting to retired life. It follows him as he tries to pick up new jobs and the various people he meets along the way. It was a little drawn out, and to be honest I felt a little let down by the ending, but overall, it was enjoyable enough.
O' HORTEN
6/10
(Note that I fell asleep for about 20 minutes in this film, so if anyone wants to argue the review with me, they have every right to). This was a quirky film that got stranger by the minute - it's about Odd Horten, an engineer on a train in Norway who reaches retirement age, and how he spends his time. If it sounds familiar (see Empties) then it's pretty similar in premise, but quite different in execution. A far more appealing film visually.
SON OF RAMBOW
7/10
A nice and often funny film about a quiet school boy whose mother is very religious and whose father has died some time ago. When he crosses paths with a bratty class clown, a friendship forms and together they set about making their own film, where Rambo (yes, that Rambo) needs rescuing by his son. Probably would appeal to those who like Wes Anderson's Rushmore. The scene in the senior students common room was hilarious. Recommend it if you want a off-centre feel food flick.
Saturday August 2nd, 2008
FIGHTER
7.5/10
Kind of a cross between Karate Kid and Bend it like Beckham (neither which are bad films in their own right). It's probably not a necessary film, and certainly not an important film but it was good fun and well put together with a nice style to the filming. I couldn't get this song out of my head while watching...
THE POPE'S TOILET
Review to come...
7.5/10
Kind of a cross between Karate Kid and Bend it like Beckham (neither which are bad films in their own right). It's probably not a necessary film, and certainly not an important film but it was good fun and well put together with a nice style to the filming. I couldn't get this song out of my head while watching...
THE POPE'S TOILET
Review to come...
Friday, August 1, 2008
August 1st, 2008
BEN X
8/10
Awesome and powerful film. It's about a teenager named Ben who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome, a form of autism. He's a smart kid, but doesn't really fit in as a normal high school kid, being unable to interact socially with others. As a result is he is horribly teased. However, when he plays his online games, his mind is freed and he can function in that virtual world just fine. This story is about how he's treated and how he deals with it. Highly recommended.
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
5/10
A disappointing vampire film from Sweden. Similarly to Ben X, the story revolves around a boy that is bullied, however in this case, his aide is in the form of a young Vampire. The shots were nicely done, but other than that it was a very patchy story, which just didn't grab me at all, and was unable to give me any kind of idea as to what it was trying to say or be. Sometimes suspenseful, but it felt like there were a lot of subplots going on without a major actual plot to consider. Poorly constructed. It's based on a book which is meant to be really good, so perhaps invest your time in reading it before you watch it.
8/10
Awesome and powerful film. It's about a teenager named Ben who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome, a form of autism. He's a smart kid, but doesn't really fit in as a normal high school kid, being unable to interact socially with others. As a result is he is horribly teased. However, when he plays his online games, his mind is freed and he can function in that virtual world just fine. This story is about how he's treated and how he deals with it. Highly recommended.
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
5/10
A disappointing vampire film from Sweden. Similarly to Ben X, the story revolves around a boy that is bullied, however in this case, his aide is in the form of a young Vampire. The shots were nicely done, but other than that it was a very patchy story, which just didn't grab me at all, and was unable to give me any kind of idea as to what it was trying to say or be. Sometimes suspenseful, but it felt like there were a lot of subplots going on without a major actual plot to consider. Poorly constructed. It's based on a book which is meant to be really good, so perhaps invest your time in reading it before you watch it.
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