Well my Cine friends, this has definitely been a major cultural week for your friendly neighbourhood culture-vulture. I've been to a movie, a one-night only event, and a discussion at TIFF and all three really rocked!
In order of attendance, I saw DARREN ARONOFSKY'S BLACK SWAN, attended a special evening with my hero STEPHEN SONDHEIM, who recently turned 80 and I attended an amazing discussion about STANLEY KUBRICK'S masterpiece 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY with fx wunderkind DOUGLAS TRUMBULL.
So let's begin:
I was supposed to see ARONOFSKY'S BLACK SWAN @ TIFF but I committed the cardinal rule of fest goers and slept in that day. I was assured by my buddy who did see it that it was definitely worth seeing and of course had loved his PI and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (the less said about his THE FOUNTAIN the better).
Well my friend was right it was amazing. First of all one has to mention the bravura turn of NATALIE PORTMAN in the titular role. She is in almost every scene and she is amazing. She is ably supported by VINCENT CASSEL MILA KUNIS and BARBARA HERSHEY.
The film has been described as a remake of DARIO ARGENTO'S SUSPIRIA and that ain't a bad description of it. There are also echoes of REPULSION THE RED SHOES and ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD but just like all of ARONOFSKY'S ouevre it is wholly original as well.
Working once again with his gifted d.o.p. MATTHEW LABATIQUE he brings some startling imagery to the screen which is both disturbing and daring. Every film he makes is startlingly original and this film is no exception. See it.
On to the next event...
Now, this was truly a special event. It was an evening with my favourite composer STEPHEN SONDHEIM on the occasion of the publication of his new book FINISHING THE HAT and his 80Th birthday.
It was just an exceptional evening composed simply of SONDHEIM discussing his career and it was absolutely riveting. He is the only one left from the golden age of Broadway and he had some great anecdotes of the people he's worked with all legends: HAMMERSTEIN BERNSTEIN PRINCE STYNE LAURENTS LAPINE ROBBINS GELBART SHEVELOVE the list goes on and on.
He is a true legend and probably one of the wisest and wittiest men I have ever encountered. He is a true original. He told a great story how A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM was not working on its out-of-town tryout. The reason was because the audience did not know that this was a ''low'' comedy and so weren't sure how to react to it. It was JEROME ROBBINS who suggested to SONDHEIM, that he add a song as prologue to the show and so COMEDY TONIGHT, and a comedy smash was born.
He gave us a unique look at his creative genius and it was magical.
Lastly - but not leastly I attended a discussion with DOUGLAS TRUMBULL, who talked about his huge contribution to KUBRICK'S 2001.
He told us that the entire fim was Sui generis. There was no CGI back in 1968 and so it was all basically done by hand.
He showed us some fascinating docs on the making of the film and some insight into that reclusive elusive genius known as STANLEY KUBRICK.
It gave me a new appreciation of the film. He explained how all the sets were self-lit and so could be shot from any angle. I was riveted.
Until next time my Cine Pals,
T.T.F.N.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
'WATTS' ROCKS AS 'PLAME' IN FAIR GAME
Well, my Cine Ficinados, I finally saw a film that is worth writing about. That film is FAIR GAME, directed by DOUG LIMAN and starring 2 of our finest thespians: NAOMI WATTS and SEAN PENN.
Let's face it, following TIFF, the fall film season has sucked rocks, with unfunny romcoms and basically uninspired fare.
However, that being said, my faith in cinema has been redeemed by this riveting biopic, which tells the true story of how VALERIE PLAME, was ''outed'' as being a CIA spy, and it's effect on her and her husband (PENN).
In other words, come back with me to those glorious days of GEORGE ''DUBYA'' BUSH and his evil minion DICK ''THE TOOL'' CHENEY, as well as the wacky SCOOTER (HUH?) LIBBY, as they make their nutty way into IRAQ, where mayhem and sadly, loss of life ensues.
Here's the story of a lovely lady, VALERIE PLAME, who was working under ''deep cover,'' for the CIA, in IRAQ - only her husband and parents knew that she was a spy - and how her cover is blown, which has staggering ramifications, for her and her family.
Think back folks to when "DUBYA," educated a nation about those so-called WMD'S (WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION), which he used as justification for going into IRAQ, as we all know, these weapons, like the ''emperor's new clothes,'' did not exist. BUSH claimed that old SADDAM got some of the raw materials for these weapons from NIGER, which JOSEPH WILSON (PENN) had visited recently, and knew was a ''patent'' lie. He said as much in an op-ed piece to the NEW YORK TIMES, and that's when the proverbial hit the fan.
PLAME was ''outed,'' as a spy and her husband discredited. WILSON tries to fight back, but as they say: ''you can't fight city hall.'' PLAME'S friends are aghast that she was a spy and they never knew. She is castigated by the press and shunned by the CIA.
While the film does have some fictional elements, it mostly rings true.
LIMAN acts as his own d.o.p. lensing on locations across the MIDDLE EAST, and creating tension and suspense with his largely hand-held camera.
WATTS, gives a bravura performance and she has fabulous chemistry, with the equally great PENN, who is every bit her equal.
With the current political situation in the states, this film is more timely than ever and a really excellent and thoughtful movie.
Let's face it, following TIFF, the fall film season has sucked rocks, with unfunny romcoms and basically uninspired fare.
However, that being said, my faith in cinema has been redeemed by this riveting biopic, which tells the true story of how VALERIE PLAME, was ''outed'' as being a CIA spy, and it's effect on her and her husband (PENN).
In other words, come back with me to those glorious days of GEORGE ''DUBYA'' BUSH and his evil minion DICK ''THE TOOL'' CHENEY, as well as the wacky SCOOTER (HUH?) LIBBY, as they make their nutty way into IRAQ, where mayhem and sadly, loss of life ensues.
Here's the story of a lovely lady, VALERIE PLAME, who was working under ''deep cover,'' for the CIA, in IRAQ - only her husband and parents knew that she was a spy - and how her cover is blown, which has staggering ramifications, for her and her family.
Think back folks to when "DUBYA," educated a nation about those so-called WMD'S (WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION), which he used as justification for going into IRAQ, as we all know, these weapons, like the ''emperor's new clothes,'' did not exist. BUSH claimed that old SADDAM got some of the raw materials for these weapons from NIGER, which JOSEPH WILSON (PENN) had visited recently, and knew was a ''patent'' lie. He said as much in an op-ed piece to the NEW YORK TIMES, and that's when the proverbial hit the fan.
PLAME was ''outed,'' as a spy and her husband discredited. WILSON tries to fight back, but as they say: ''you can't fight city hall.'' PLAME'S friends are aghast that she was a spy and they never knew. She is castigated by the press and shunned by the CIA.
While the film does have some fictional elements, it mostly rings true.
LIMAN acts as his own d.o.p. lensing on locations across the MIDDLE EAST, and creating tension and suspense with his largely hand-held camera.
WATTS, gives a bravura performance and she has fabulous chemistry, with the equally great PENN, who is every bit her equal.
With the current political situation in the states, this film is more timely than ever and a really excellent and thoughtful movie.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
LAST DAY OF TIFF
Well, my little Cine Fantasists, it is now the last day of TIFF (sniff, sniff), and I have to say, I'm sorry to see it go, though (movie) love means never having to say you're sorry.
I finished this year's TIFFAPALOOZA, with 2 films. One was pretty good, from an old master (and I do mean old), the other a sleeper, which was a pure delight. The films in question, were YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER directed by, WOODY ALLEN and JANIE JONES, written and directed by DAVID M. ROSENTHAL.
This is the third film, that the WOODMAN, has set in LONDON and it truly has an exemplary cast: ANTHONY HOPKINS, NAOMI WATTS, ANTONIO BANDERAS, JOSH BROLIN and someone we haven't seen in quite some time: GEMMA JONES - that's right, THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET, herself.
This film has to do with, fate, chance, and destiny and luck. I thought that the acting was excellent and it had lovely photography from ace do.p. VILMOS ZSIGMOND, just no point.
Now, on to our second film, which i must say caught me off-guard and was just some kind of wonderful. The film I'm getting so rhapsodic about, is JANIE JONES, starring ABIGAIL BRESLIN (in a standout performance), ELISABETH SHUE, ALESSANDRO NIVOLA and FRANK WHALEY (who's always good).
NIVOLA, plays a rocker, who finds out he sired a daughter, whose mother is SHUE. Slowly, father and daughter (who is also a singer), learn to trust each other, rely on each other and (of course), love each other.
The revelation of the movie, is BRESLIN, who gives a revelatory performance. She runs the gamut of emotions in the role, and she's a damn good singer, to boot.
The film also features, a fabulous soundtrack and I can't wait to down load it, on to my ipod.
There you have it folks, seventeen fest flicks in a nutshell. Once the dust has settled, all that's left is to give out my annual festival awards (THE CINEY'S) and to call it a wrap.
Until then my Cine Kinder,
T.T.F.N.
I finished this year's TIFFAPALOOZA, with 2 films. One was pretty good, from an old master (and I do mean old), the other a sleeper, which was a pure delight. The films in question, were YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER directed by, WOODY ALLEN and JANIE JONES, written and directed by DAVID M. ROSENTHAL.
This is the third film, that the WOODMAN, has set in LONDON and it truly has an exemplary cast: ANTHONY HOPKINS, NAOMI WATTS, ANTONIO BANDERAS, JOSH BROLIN and someone we haven't seen in quite some time: GEMMA JONES - that's right, THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET, herself.
This film has to do with, fate, chance, and destiny and luck. I thought that the acting was excellent and it had lovely photography from ace do.p. VILMOS ZSIGMOND, just no point.
Now, on to our second film, which i must say caught me off-guard and was just some kind of wonderful. The film I'm getting so rhapsodic about, is JANIE JONES, starring ABIGAIL BRESLIN (in a standout performance), ELISABETH SHUE, ALESSANDRO NIVOLA and FRANK WHALEY (who's always good).
NIVOLA, plays a rocker, who finds out he sired a daughter, whose mother is SHUE. Slowly, father and daughter (who is also a singer), learn to trust each other, rely on each other and (of course), love each other.
The revelation of the movie, is BRESLIN, who gives a revelatory performance. She runs the gamut of emotions in the role, and she's a damn good singer, to boot.
The film also features, a fabulous soundtrack and I can't wait to down load it, on to my ipod.
There you have it folks, seventeen fest flicks in a nutshell. Once the dust has settled, all that's left is to give out my annual festival awards (THE CINEY'S) and to call it a wrap.
Until then my Cine Kinder,
T.T.F.N.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
DAY SEVEN OF TIFF
Well my little Cine Friskies, I'm back. After gaining a reasonable amount of shut-eye, I was able to see 3 films today - with eyes wide open!
The first film of the day was a comedy and was it ever welcome. The flick was called PEEP WORLD and was written and directed by BARRY BLAUSTEIN.
The film featured a really eclectic and eccentric cast: SARAH SILVERMAN, MICHAEL C. HALL, RON RIFKIN, STEPHEN TOBOLOWSKY AND LESLEY ANNE WARREN.
The film is basically a story of how a tell-all book, written by one family member, affects the family as a whole. While the film was not a wholly satisfactory experience, I mostly enjoyed it.
Film 2:
WHAT'S WRONG WITH VIRGINIA? - quite a bit as it turns out. This was one wacky film with a pedigreed cast (JENNIFER CONNELLY, ED HARRIS, AMY MADIGAN) and a wonko plot. This overbaked meller was the directorial debut of MILK writer, DUSTIN LANCE BLACK. The film is pretty bizarro and the participation of DAVID LYNCH, reminds one of last years, MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? (what indeed).
Film 3:
Now this film was certainly a treat. It was the new opus by TOM (RUN LOLA RUN) TYKVER.
The film is called 3 and it is beautifully acted, directed, and executed. it has some truly beautiful compositions, as it explores relationships in flux. This is a film put together with craft and care and the only way I can do justice to it, is by encouraging u to see it. Watch for this gem.
One more day...4 me,
Until then my Cine Friskies,
T.T.F.N.
The first film of the day was a comedy and was it ever welcome. The flick was called PEEP WORLD and was written and directed by BARRY BLAUSTEIN.
The film featured a really eclectic and eccentric cast: SARAH SILVERMAN, MICHAEL C. HALL, RON RIFKIN, STEPHEN TOBOLOWSKY AND LESLEY ANNE WARREN.
The film is basically a story of how a tell-all book, written by one family member, affects the family as a whole. While the film was not a wholly satisfactory experience, I mostly enjoyed it.
Film 2:
WHAT'S WRONG WITH VIRGINIA? - quite a bit as it turns out. This was one wacky film with a pedigreed cast (JENNIFER CONNELLY, ED HARRIS, AMY MADIGAN) and a wonko plot. This overbaked meller was the directorial debut of MILK writer, DUSTIN LANCE BLACK. The film is pretty bizarro and the participation of DAVID LYNCH, reminds one of last years, MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? (what indeed).
Film 3:
Now this film was certainly a treat. It was the new opus by TOM (RUN LOLA RUN) TYKVER.
The film is called 3 and it is beautifully acted, directed, and executed. it has some truly beautiful compositions, as it explores relationships in flux. This is a film put together with craft and care and the only way I can do justice to it, is by encouraging u to see it. Watch for this gem.
One more day...4 me,
Until then my Cine Friskies,
T.T.F.N.
Monday, September 20, 2010
DAY FIVE OF TIFF
Well, my Cine Kinder, it finally happened on Day 5, of TIFF - Yours Truly, hit the proverbial wall.
I was all excited to assay, DARREN ARANOFSKY'S latest flick, BLACK SWAN, starring NATALIE PORTMAN, as they say, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I missed it in a miasma of sleep.
Well, I still had a film to rush that day: BARNEY'S VERSION, starring Canada's own OLIVIER - PAUL GIAMATTI AND DIRECTED BY RICHARD LEWIS.
We'll I sort of made it. I was at the theatre, but I was drifting. I have to say, what I saw, I liked, i just didn't see enough.
Day 5, is over for me...sleep...precious sleep...
Until tomorrow...
T.T.F.N.
I was all excited to assay, DARREN ARANOFSKY'S latest flick, BLACK SWAN, starring NATALIE PORTMAN, as they say, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I missed it in a miasma of sleep.
Well, I still had a film to rush that day: BARNEY'S VERSION, starring Canada's own OLIVIER - PAUL GIAMATTI AND DIRECTED BY RICHARD LEWIS.
We'll I sort of made it. I was at the theatre, but I was drifting. I have to say, what I saw, I liked, i just didn't see enough.
Day 5, is over for me...sleep...precious sleep...
Until tomorrow...
T.T.F.N.
DAY FOUR OF TIFF
Well, my Cine Funsters, welcome to Day 4 of TIFF.
The first film was a super-hero spoof, appropriately titled: SUPER.
Talk about an eclectic cast: RAINN WILSON, KEVIN BACON, ELLEN PAGE, LIV TYLER (wow.)
The director is JAMES GUNN, who did his apprenticeship at the low-budget exploitation film house, TROMA (who could forget their classic films, THE TOXIC AVENGER and TROMEO AND JULIET.
It is a film which does a lot with a nothing budget. it is funny, sexy, gross, weird and surreal - sometimes all at the same time.
I must single out ELLEN PAGE, who steals the film and always commits 100% to whatever role, she is given. it's fun.
Film 2, was a doc with a long title, CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELLIOT SPITZER.
Now, as a word of preface, I have to admit, I was nodding in and out during this film, so I may have missed some of its more salient points. The film was directed by the gifted filmmaker, ALEX GIBNEY, who directed one of my faves, THE SMARTEST MEN IN THE ROOM, and won an Academy Award, for TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE.
flick 2:
This movie was called, EVERYTHING MUST GO and was the feature directorial debut for DAN RUSH and starring WILL FERRELL, REBECCA HALL, STEPHEN ROOT (also featured in THE CONSPIRATOR, by the way.)
The movie which is based on a short-story by RAYMOND CARVER, tells the story of a man FERRELL,) who loses his job, girlfriend, home and lives outside his padlocked home.
FERRELL, is very good, the film itself, not so much. It's pretty depressing and slooooooow going.
however, there is a theory that any film that feature, I SHALL BE RELEASED BY THE BAND, can't be all bad, and so...
That's all, my Cine (A)migoes.
Until tomorrow,
T.T.F.N.
The first film was a super-hero spoof, appropriately titled: SUPER.
Talk about an eclectic cast: RAINN WILSON, KEVIN BACON, ELLEN PAGE, LIV TYLER (wow.)
The director is JAMES GUNN, who did his apprenticeship at the low-budget exploitation film house, TROMA (who could forget their classic films, THE TOXIC AVENGER and TROMEO AND JULIET.
It is a film which does a lot with a nothing budget. it is funny, sexy, gross, weird and surreal - sometimes all at the same time.
I must single out ELLEN PAGE, who steals the film and always commits 100% to whatever role, she is given. it's fun.
Film 2, was a doc with a long title, CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELLIOT SPITZER.
Now, as a word of preface, I have to admit, I was nodding in and out during this film, so I may have missed some of its more salient points. The film was directed by the gifted filmmaker, ALEX GIBNEY, who directed one of my faves, THE SMARTEST MEN IN THE ROOM, and won an Academy Award, for TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE.
flick 2:
This movie was called, EVERYTHING MUST GO and was the feature directorial debut for DAN RUSH and starring WILL FERRELL, REBECCA HALL, STEPHEN ROOT (also featured in THE CONSPIRATOR, by the way.)
The movie which is based on a short-story by RAYMOND CARVER, tells the story of a man FERRELL,) who loses his job, girlfriend, home and lives outside his padlocked home.
FERRELL, is very good, the film itself, not so much. It's pretty depressing and slooooooow going.
however, there is a theory that any film that feature, I SHALL BE RELEASED BY THE BAND, can't be all bad, and so...
That's all, my Cine (A)migoes.
Until tomorrow,
T.T.F.N.
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