Sunday Night at the Movies - 16 November

The Last Temptation of Harold Crick

I return to my reviews after several weeks of finding myself too exhausted to use my leisure time to do more writing. I have been writing, and revising, and editing so much lately that I would usually catch myself just staring at a wall (or the television) when I was not required to do anything else. Last night we were spending a quiet evening at home, Isabel was puttering away with her blocks, and books, and puzzles; so Helen and I decided to watch Stranger Than Fiction, which was playing on one of our several movie channels. We both quite enjoyed the film, and I felt it deserved a review. My list for tonight comprises my top five horror films. Enjoy!

Top Five Horror Films
1. The Exorcist
2. Rosemary's Baby
3. Alien
4. Dawn of the Dead
5. Evil Dead II

Let me first say, that I loved Stranger Than Fiction. I found this unabashedly absurd film quite enjoyable from beginning to end. It tells the story of Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), an IRS agent who suddenly begins hearing a British woman (Emma Thompson) narrate his life. Harold is a rather fastidious individual who finds the constant narration unnerving, and begins to think he may be going crazy. But Harold doesn't begin to seriously worry about the narrator until, in a moment of foreshadowing, Harold hears, "Little did he know, Harold was about to die." He then goes on a search to discover the source of this narration, and in the process discovers love, life, and himself.

Harold's journey is analogous with the search for answers many people undertake upon a true realization of one's own mortality. He discovers that he is the protagonist in a narrative by author Karen Eiffel (said British woman). In finding a suitable ending for Harold's story, Eiffel has contracted writers block. She is obsessed with finding the perfect way to kill off the Harold character, but is unable to satisfactorily construct his demise. While furiously chain-smoking, Eiffel discusses her intentions with assistant Penny (Queen Latifah).

As Harold searches for his "creator" he finds meaning beyond his mundane, lonely, work centered life. On his search for the narrator, Harold meets Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman), professor of literary theory. As an expert on other narratives, Hilbert is able to provide Harold direction on his quest to meet the narrator. Harold also develops a magnetic infatuation with Ana (Maggie Gyllenhall), whose emotional warmth and flippant regard for IRS tax laws make her Harold's polar opposite.

This eclectic cast of characters provide an effective backdrop for Harold's story. The location shooting, in Chicago, and production design by Kevin Thompson also add a certain flair to this unique picture. Although quite enjoyable on the surface, I believe the religio-moral undertones also add great depth to Stranger Than Fiction. Karen Eiffel, as a metaphor for God, is usually shown laboring over Harold's death in her airy white-walled apartment. Her haggard demeanor and macabre outlook betray a once loving deity now obsessed with man's destruction. Hilbert, as God's prophet, is an expert on Karen Eiffel, and very passionate about her writings. Although he exudes an aloofness, he guides Harold to Eiffel, and helps the two come together. Harold represents the common man, unaware of the beauty around him and the greatness within him, until the day he realizes he is going to die. His search for God is a hopeful journey; a quest the filmmakers assert is ultimately worthwhile. By the film's conclusion, Harold has embodied Messianic features, as he knowingly, and willfully, accepts his future.

In its exploration of the nature of man and power/impotence of God, Stranger Than Fiction is a superb film and would make for an appropriately quirky segment of a film festival sandwiched in between The Seventh Seal and The Last Temptation of Christ (and maybe washed down with a bit of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy just for good measure). Fans of the Spike Jonze/Charlie Kaufman collaborations will find obvious parallels between their work and Stranger Than Fiction as both examine self consciousness. But there is an undeniable warmth and humanness in this film that is lacking from Jonze/Kaufman. Stranger Than Fiction, as a pleasant return to the absurd, should be considered one of the finest films of the past few years.
*** 1/2 Stars

- by dallas

Sunday Night at the Movies - 26 October

"Hi Ho!"
When was the last time you saw Gremlins? I hadn't seen it since I was a teenager, so, when Helen and I noticed it was on TV last week, we took the opportunity to watch a movie while Isabel was asleep. I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised that I did. It is refreshing to watch a movie that knows exactly what it is ('tongue in cheek' horror/comedy) , and carries out its story with such uninhibited and impudent glee.

The plot involves a father venturing into Chinatown to sell his wares, but instead purchases a little furry creature called a Mogwai (spelling?) for his son's Christmas present. Upon purchase of the Mogwai, the man is told to keep the Mogwai out of the light, never get the creature wet, and NEVER feed him after midnight. Of course, during the course of the film the Mogwai is implicated in all of the above "no-no's", asexually reproduces several furry offspring, who then metamorphosize into demonic, mischievous gremlins. These gremlins wreak havoc on the unsuspecting town of Kingston Falls, and it is up to Billy Peltzer and his girlfriend Kate to rid the town of the malevolent critters.

This really is a great film, filled with myriad comic gems. There are also several "in-jokes" and old film references for those with quick eyes. Admittedly the hijinks of the Gremlins are a bit over the top, and their colorful assault on the town bar becomes a descent into crude "schtick." But there are some truly great moments as well. Consider the scene where Kate relates the story of her father's disappearance and death? Phoebe Cates deserves the academy award for telling this story with a straight face. Classic! Also, just the notion that a horde of wicked green puppets (the embodiment of Yoda's evil stepbrother) could ravage a town, kill the inhabitants, and then gather in the local cinema to sing "Hi Ho" along with Snow White's seven dwarfs is absolutely brilliant.

So, if you're at the local video store and the latest Tom Cruise "mug-fest" is about as appetizing as a maudlin Jennifer Garner romantic comedy, then revisit the classic Gremlins. I promise you'll be furtively humming the theme song days after watching the closing credits roll.
*** 1/2
by Dallas

Sunday Night at the Movies - 5 October

Spare a Thought for Fred Astaire

Another week has gone by without being able to watch a movie. With my thesis due in a couple weeks, Isabel being sick, and subsequently ME getting sick there has been little time to enjoy a movie. So, I decided to write a little something about my favorite hoofer of the silver screen, Fred Astaire.

To watch Fred acting, singing, or just walking around isn't very impressive. He was a wiry little man, with a large, kind of funny looking head. Goofy, may actually be the best way to describe him. But, oh, to watch him dance. The films Swing Time and Top Hat are truly masterpieces. To watch Fred Astaire dance with Ginger Rogers is to gaze at a great piece of artwork, like Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party". It looks so simple, yet is so beautiful and provocative that one must stare transfixed until the dancing concludes.

To watch Astaire in The Gay Divorcee, Shall We Dance, The Barkley's of Broadway, Royal Wedding, and The Band Wagon are truly magical, but the lesser known Silk Stockings is one of my all time favorite films. It is a remake of the Lubitsch film Ninotchka and stars Cyd Charisse as the Russian agent who becomes entranced with the city of Paris and begins to question her stolid communist orthodoxy. The scene where Charisse changes from her woolen socks to pure silk stockings is one of the most beautiful I've ever witnessed. To watch Charisse and Astaire share the screen together is really something special.

I know that there are many out there who would disagree with me, and herald Gene Kelly as the greatest of Hollywood's leading male dancers. But for all Kelly's dashing good looks, masculine appeal, and exquisite choreography, he just can't match the sheer grace and poetry Astaire imbues in his dancing. Astaire's dancing is made all the more extraordinary when most of his other actions look decidedly awkward. He truly is one of the greats.

-by dallas

Sunday Night at the Movies - 28 September

Yes, Hello Brother Dallas...
Alas, I have gone yet another week without watching a current movie. I watched The Year of the Dragon starring Mickey Rourke from 1985 (lame!), The English Patient (gorgeous!), and James Bond in You Only Live Twice (deliciously corny). But the standout film experience of the week came via Home Teaching.+

One of the individuals that I Home Teach is a man from Poland named Les. He's a single gentleman who has been living in Sydney now for over twenty years. Since Home Teaching usually involves boring (yet satisfying) thirty minute sessions of friendly gospel "sharing", I decided to spice things up and invite Les to a Polish film night. It is not often that I get to watch a good Polish film, and I thought this might be the trick. So, last night I picked up Les at his home and was greeted by his perfunctory "Yes, Hello Brother Dallas" in an accent dangerously close to Borat Sagdiyev. Les and I then drove over to the home of my home teaching companion, Geoff, where we ate pizza and watched Krzysztof Kieslowski's A Short Film About Killing.

This film comprises one of Kieslowski's Dekalog series of films which were ten films, each about one of the Ten Commandments, originally broadcast on Polish television in 1990. This film dealt with the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" and details the actions of Lazar Jacek as he prepares to, and then murders a cab driver. This murder comprises the first half of this eighty minute film. The last half details the subsequent trial, incarceration, and hanging of Jacek for his crimes.

This film is one of the most visually stimulating, intense, and excruciating films I've ever seen. The murder of the cab driver is altogether horrifying. Rarely, if ever, has violence been so terrifying. This murder is deftly juxtaposed with the gut-wrenching hanging of Jacek at the conclusion of the film. At first glance, it would be easy to shrug this film off as a "message" film designed as an indictment of capital punishment. But, a closer reading reveals a certain purity that emanates from this film. As Jacek goes from brutal murderer to being forced before the gallows it is clear that he has come to appreciate the sanctity of life, if only the sanctity of his own life. This transformation is rather startling, and as the film closes with Jacek's death there is this palpable feeling that life truly is something sacred. And although an ancient "commandment" instructing human beings not to kill each other may seem rather simplistic and obvious, it is, in fact, quite inspired.
**** Stars

+For those of you who read this that are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Home Teaching is a program in which members of the congregation are paired up and assigned to visit the other families in the congregation. This visiting usually takes place once a month and inspires greater unity amongst the congregation.

Sunday Night at the Movies - 21 September

Now that Helen and I are living a "Foxtel kinda life" we're making movie watching a pretty regular occurrence. We've got the movie package, and it seems there is always something on worth watching. And if there isn't anything on at the moment, we have several things recorded thanks to our IQ2 (Australian TiVo). Life is grand. The movie reviewed this week is a British film called "A Town Like Alice" made in 1956. Thanks to Peter Cluff's fount of knowledge on all things WWII, Helen and I had been told about this film on several occasions. After we visited Alice Springs last month, we decided to give "A Town Like Alice" a shot. So, we found it quite fortuitous when the movie was on one of our movie channels last week.

I've also decided to list some of the best epic films ever made, if not THE best epic films. For a film to qualify as an epic, in my estimation, it has to have a rather large cast, take place over an extended period of time, deal with several different plot lines, and be a great film on top of all that. ENJOY!


Top Five Epics
1. Lawrence of Arabia (still my all time favorite film!)
2. Gone With the Wind
3. The Ten Commandments (1956)
4. The Godfather II
5. Heat


I Don't Think We're in Australia Anymore, Toto


"A Town Like Alice", made in 1956, tells the story of the British Empire at a crossroads. The plot follows a group of female British colonists living in Malaysia at the time of Japan's takeover during World War II. As the Japanese sweep into Malaysia, the British colonists are herded to a small building. The men are taken to prison camps and the women and children are forced to walk to Kuala Lumpur. Once they arrive at Kuala Lumpur, the women and children are given another group of Japanese guards and are told to walk another 80 miles to Singapore. As the women endlessly walk from one destination to another they slowly die of disease and exhaustion.

Along the way, Jean, the female protagonist, meets a young Australian soldier named Joe who labors as a truck mechanic and driver for the Japanese military. Joe tells Jean about his home in Alice Springs, a small desert town in the very center of Australia. His tales of Alice Springs begin to symbolize a positive future for Jean and Joe and a way for the pair to get clean from the cesspool of misery experienced at the hands of the Japanese.

"A Town Like Alice" is quite an effective and enjoyable film. The plight of the British women is made all too real with some timely deaths, especially the death of a mother of three young children. Jean takes on the role of raising these children after their mother passes away, but it is a crushingly poignant moment for those of us with small children. The love story between Jean and Joe is also effective with a more than satisfying conclusion. It is also great to see the town of Alice Springs as it looked in 1956. Honestly, it hasn't changed much.

Of extreme interest (especially where my current research in concerned) in this tale of WWII drudgery are how the Japanese and British empires are portrayed and even juxtaposed against each other. Before WWII, Malaysia was a colony of the British and had been since the late 18th century. The arrival of the Japanese challenged Britain's claim of control. As the Japanese scorched through Asia during WWII they proclaimed an "Asia for Asians". This really meant "Asia for Japan", as Japan was looking to make these countries colonies of their own. But after Japan was defeated, many of these Asian countries held fast to the idea of independence from their European colonists. In fact, Malaysia officially gained independence from the British in 1957, one year after this film was released.

Australia was also a colony of the British, and is most famous for the convicts that were transplanted there from Britain. But as Australia was filled with mostly British subjects (to say nothing of the Indigenous Australians), Britain allowed Australia to become a federation in 1901, effectively giving them independence. Why the history lesson? Well, if you've read this far, maybe you'll read a bit further...

In "A Town Like Alice" the conquering Japanese are portrayed as the Japanese were often portrayed in the 1950s. According to this film, the Japanese are just overgrown children. They strut around and make demands, and if these demands are not met then there is much yelling and threatening until the subordinates acquiesce. The Japanese are only in a position of power because of their overwhelming numbers and their cruelty, which knows no bounds. But, in a real crisis, the Japanese soldiers are only capable of throwing tantrums, like an overgrown child. The Japanese behavior towards women also belies their depravity. The British women and children are effectively tortured by the Japanese soldiers as they are made to endlessly walk from one destination to another without quarter.

The Japanese immaturity compared with the quiet dignity displayed by the British women proves that the Japanese are unfit to rule this empire they are carving out for themselves. Although they have might, the Japanese are hardly the modern and enlightened individuals that are needed to manage an empire comprised of impoverished peoples from far away lands. This film effectively banishes any claims the Japanese may have had on their proposed empire by displaying them as depraved and feudal tyrants.

In contrast, the land of Australia is seen as being a haven for the two lovers Joe and Jean. Compared to the hellish surroundings of the Malaysian jungle, the dust-bowl that is Alice Springs is portrayed as being a clean place with a bright future. Australia represents the positive efforts of the British empire to colonize properly. Australia has become a good, safe place where a hardworking individual can make a life for himself/herself. By this representation, Britain is vindicated in its empire building because of the positive outcome. Supposedly, the wholesale slaughter and exploitation committed to the Indigenous Australians at the hands of the Europeans is somehow different from the treatment of the Malaysians at the hands of the Japanese. I suppose the color of your skin and shape of your eyes makes all the difference in the world.
**1/2 Stars

- by dallas

Sunday Night at the Movies - with Dallas and Friends: 14 September 2008

Not Another Pretentious List...

This week I have no review. I spent most of the week in the bowels of the University of Sydney Library endlessly writing film analyses for my thesis. As such, I was not able to watch any films worthy enough for this blog. Instead of a review, I have decided to do an expanded list.

But, instead of just giving a list of movies, I'm going to write a little something about the movies in the list. This will be my way of copping out of writing a review. I've been thinking about this list for some time, and hope you do not think I am too pretentious in making it.

Five Great Movies You Probably Have Never Heard Of... But Should Watch

When it comes to the pantheon of films that have been released around the world, over the last 100 years or so, there are at least several thousand great films out there that many of us, including myself, have never heard of. I do not pretend to know everything about film or have seen every movie ever made. My goal in doing this list is to put up five films that I feel truly are great films, but are not talked about all that often. I also wanted to choose films that are accessible to most people, if not everyone. These are films that you could watch almost anytime, and just sit and enjoy them. Well, I know I could just sit and enjoy them at any time.

1. Ordinary People
Released in 1980 this is Robert Redford's directorial debut and won him an academy award for best director, as well as the academy award for best film. As such, it is surprising this film is not talked about all that much. It certainly did not do anything new for the art of filmmaking, but it is a solid film with some shattering performances about a family falling apart as they come to grips with the death of a son. This is definitely not a feel-good movie, but still top notch entertainment.

2. The Court Jester
Starring Danny Kaye in his best performance, this film, released in 1955, is truly magic. I defy anyone to watch this and not come away with a smile on their face. The story, set in medieval England, is all very silly and involves Danny Kaye impersonating a great court jester in order to foil some plot or another to usurp the kingdom. In point of fact the plot matters very little, as in most musicals (except those dastardly Rogers and Hammerstein musicals), and is just a set up for great set pieces and moments of comic genius.

3. Twilight Samurai
This is a Japanese film from 2002 directed by Yoji Yamada and starring Hiroykui Sanada. After watching this film, Sanada shot to the top of my "list of actors to watch" as he gives a truly remarkable performance. Sanada plays Seibei, a low ranking 19th century samurai relegated to a menial bureaucratic post in a small village. Seibei is a widower and must raise his two daughters alone. Although Seibei is known for having legendary skill with his sword, there is not much money in swordplay, therefore he must pick up work where he can in order to make ends meet. This film is exquisite, and if you do not mind watching a Japanese film with English subtitles then I highly recommend it. It even comes equipped with a climactic sword duel. What else do you need?

4. Brief Encounter
You have certainly got to love the British. This early David Lean gem released in 1945 is set in London and is blissfully stark in its telling of a love affair that "almost" happens. Housewife Laura Jesson and Dr. Alec Harvey meet one day in a cafe, and a strong connection is sparked. Although married to other partners, Laura and Alec continue to meet in cinemas and cafes though they know their love is impossible. This is a fascinating examination of love, marriage, passion, and restraint written by Noel Coward. A truly great film.

5. Ride the High Country
Yes, yes, well I had to put at least ONE western on this list. It is surprising this film does not get more credit. It is the final film of Hollywood Western legend Randolph Scott, and one of the final films of Hollywood star Joel McCrea. Released in 1962, this is an early effort by Sam Peckinpah, who would strike gold seven years later with The Wild Bunch. Although this film contains some great action, it is rather far removed from the "blood-letting" that Peckinpah would later become famous for. This is an elegant film that deals with the myth of the Old West as well as the reality of aging cowboys and gunfighters becoming antiquated in a "modern" world. Any fan of the Hollywood Western should give this a look. It really is fine filmmaking.

- dallas

Sunday Night at the Movies - with Dallas and friends

I Must Admit, I've Taken a Shine To You

After almost two weeks of trying, Helen and I have FINALLY finished watching Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. We started the film on Monday the 25th of August and watched about 28 minutes of it. Each night between then and Thursday the 4th of September one thing or another kept us from finishing the film (let's be honest, Isabel takes most of the blame). But on Thursday we finally finished the film, and because it took such a monumental effort to watch The Shining in its entirety I have decided to review it for this week's post. I've also compiled five guilty pleasure films for this week's list. Have a great week!


Top Five Guilty Pleasures

1. Rambo: First Blood Part II
2. Billy Madison
3. Rocky IV
4. Predator
5. Clash of the Titans

Mr. Nicholson Takes a Vacation
by Dallas

Based on the novel by Stephen King, The Shining, released in 1980, examines the story of Jack Torrance who is hired as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. Jack, with his wife Wendy and son Danny, relocate to the secluded mountain retreat where they are responsible for watching over the premises during the months of November to April. Mayhem ensues shortly after the Torrances arrive as Jack and his son Danny begin seeing visions of the hotels previous, deceased guests.

Kubrick, who's previous films include the dark comedic masterpiece Dr. Strangelove, the sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey, and epic masterpiece Spartacus, tried his hand at the horror genre with The Shining. What results is certainly an atmospherically creepy film, but is certainly not as great a film as it should have been. In making his horror film, Kubrick put together several "scary" elements, threw them together, and expected to magically get a great horror movie. The Shining is filled with several strong flourishes, as if Kubrick is shouting at his audience that this is a great movie. Supposedly, overbearing music, a child in peril, creepy twin girls, haunting 1920s music, Shelley Duvall's face, a river of blood, and a man in a boar-suit all equal "great horror movie". But they do not.

The most frightening aspect of this story is that a family is completely isolated and the husband and father of this family slowly descends into madness. For a mother and child to place absolute trust in a man that slowly becomes so insane that he will stop at nothing to obliterate his family is a horrifying thought. But Jack's descent into madness, though terrifying, does not have the impact that it should. Jack Nicholson gives a virtuoso performance as a man in the throes of madness. But during the first half of the film, when Jack is not insane, Nicholson plays the character with a caustic arrogance. All of his actions seem fake and forced, and he shows no love for his wife and child. He seems a man already walking the edge of madness, so it really comes as no surprise when he takes up an ax and begins hacking down doors in an attempt to slaughter his family. Instead of being horrified that a good man has become a murderous madman, the audience expects this behavior of Jack, which lessens the tension.

Watching this film, I began to wonder if Stanley Kubrick had first-hand experience with abuse at the hands of a domineering father. The Shining, as a metaphor, works well as a way to exemplify a family in the clutches of a violent father. The isolation of the Overlook Hotel represents the marriage of Jack and Wendy. Jack is the vision of an abusive, power obsessed father. Consider the scene where Wendy has locked him in the storage locker. Jack is hunched over the camera, leaning his head against the door speaking to his wife. Although physically cut off from his wife and child he is framed in a position of power by the camera which shoots him from below as he towers over the frame. Jack has destroyed communication by dismantling the radio, and has cut off Wendy's escape by destroying the snow plow. Jack then affects a sympathetic voice in an attempt to persuade Wendy to open the door. Although cut off, he still wields an incredible amount of power.

As a counterpoint to Jack is his frail wife Wendy. Played by Shelley Duvall, Wendy is such a timid, powerless individual that she would probably fall over if Jack were to blow on her. She allows Jack to dominate the relationship, and takes all of his abuse. It is only when Jack appears capable of hurting Danny, and threatens Wendy with "bashing in her brains" that Wendy gets wise to his abusive nature and takes action.

The overall effect of The Shining is rather chilling, Jack Nicholson is great fun to watch, and the chase through the snow covered maze is a masterstroke. But I can not help but wonder how much more effective this film would have been if I'd truly cared for this family, and not just seen them as victims, or metaphors.

**1/2 Stars

Sunday Night at the Movies - with Dallas and friends

A Week Without Movies... Almost
That's right. This last week we did not go out to see a movie and we didn't get a chance to watch any DVDs. Now, that isn't to say we didn't watch any movies. In fact, last night Helen was babysitting from 7PM till about midnight while I was home with Isabel. In that time Australia's great "free to air" television programming fit me like a glove. I started the night off with Pixar's The Incredibles on channel Seven which was immediately followed by Scary Movie 4 (absolute offal, but better than watching "Spicks and Specks"), after which I turned to channel Ten for The Return of the Jedi (HELLO!). So, watching three movies in one night could hardly be called a week without movies, but none of these movies are recent releases, and the fact of the matter is I didn't feel like doing a review on any of those films. Instead, I've decided to do a short review on a film Helen and I watched a few weeks ago. The classic Don Siegel film Dirty Harry starring the inimitable Clint Eastwood. I've also decided to list my top five Steven Spielberg films. ENJOY!!!
-Dallas

Top Five Steven Spielberg Films
1. Schindler's List
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. Jaws
4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
5. Munich

Nihilism in the USA

a review by Dallas

Dirty Harry, released in 1971 tells the story of Harry Callahan a gritty San Francisco Police Detective, played to perfection by Clint Eastwood, as he tries to apprehend a serial killer known as Scorpio. This is a fascinating film that explores the power possessed by a maniac with a gun. Whether that maniac is an outlaw serial killer or a police officer with a badge makes no difference. They both wield considerable power that can and is abused.

At the core of this film is a masterful performance by Clint Eastwood. Consider the two ways he delivers his now classic "Do I feel lucky, punk?" speech. His delivery at the beginning of the film exudes an aura of arrogant petulance, which makes the speech feel practiced as though Harry has delivered it on thousands of occasions to minority criminals all over San Francisco. At the end of the film the speech is delivered with a barely contained fury and maniacal menace. Indeed, although Harry Callahan is the protagonist of the film he is far more frightening than the skittish Scorpio. Harry's nihilistic actions deepen his character, and enlighten the audience to the intentions of the filmmakers, which is to state that we tragically live in a world where criminals have more power than the police. But in a way, Harry's character also lessens the suspense. Scorpio is not a villain to be feared, or even wickedly enjoyed whilst on screen. He is more more like a pitiful insect, and is hardly a match for the elemental force of Harry Callahan. With this in mind, it is only a matter of time before Harry Callahan gets his man and wraps up the plot.

Nevertheless, this is still a "must see" film for anyone who enjoys Clint Eastwood, is interested in the exploitation or vigilante films of the 1970s, or would just like to watch a classic film with great location shooting in San Francisco and that classic speech by Mr. Eastwood.
***1/2 Stars

Sunday Night at the Movies - with Dallas and friends

After a week of roaming aimlessly in a camper-van through Australia's bewitching "red centre", I am back with this week's movie review and top ten list. The hiatus was good, and the escape from Sydney's hustle and bustle was quite refreshing. But, it's now back to work and school and responsibility. As such, I haven't had a chance to venture to a cinema to sample the latest cinematic delights. The film reviewed tonight is Michael Clayton which is available to rent on DVD, and "the list" is Top Ten Hollywood Musicals. I hope you all enjoy, and have a great week!
- Dallas

Top Ten Hollywood Musicals
1. Singin' in the Rain
2. Top Hat
3. Mary Poppins
4. The Sound of Music
5. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
6. An American in Paris
7. Cabaret
8. The Court Jester
9. Fiddler on the Roof
10. Moulin Rouge (Baz Luhrmann)

"And The Truth Shall Set You Free"
- by Dallas

Michael Clayton, written and directed by Tony Gilroy and starring George Clooney as the titular character, tells the story of Michael Clayton, the in-house "fixer" working at the powerful New York law firm of Kenner, Bach and Ledeen. Clayton is shown in several scenes deftly using his skills of persuasion and negotiation with his myriad contacts to try and "fix" the various problems of some of his firm's high priority clients. He is able to arrange access to an "Authorized Personnel Only" crime scene as easily as scoring court-side tickets to the biggest game of the year. But, Clayton's most difficult challenge will come in the form of Arthur Edens, a senior attorney with Kenner, Bach and Ledeen who stops taking his medication and begins to sabotage his own work on the $3 billion lawsuit he's been working on for six years for the major agro-chemicals conglomerate U-North. What follows is a tautly constructed thriller that examines truth in the face of perspective, as the characters in this film each struggle with adhering to their own shifting moralities.

At the center of this exquisite gem of a film, is George Clooney's portrayal of Michael Clayton. Clooney plays Clayton as a man perpetually on the fringes of losing control of his life and his family. He appears the cool and collective fixer to his colleagues, but his gambling debts and penchant for alcohol have left him in search of a moral core. In the past he has used his work as a way to fill this void, but in his efforts to "contain" Arthur Edens he loses his moral grounding completely and is confronted with the question of "What is the right thing to do?"

Clayton's outward calm and inner turmoil is offset by Karen Crowder, a litigator under the employ of U-North who finds herself more and more discomfited by the actions of Arthur Edens. Played brilliantly by Tilda Swinton (she won the 2007 Best Supporting Actress Oscar), Crowder slowly loses control of everything around her, with devastating results, and the audience literally watches her implode on screen. Tom Wilkinson, also brilliant, plays Arthur Edens, the man responsible for the crises of so many individuals.

Michael Clayton begins like a good John Grisham "legal thriller", but as the film progresses little touches of greatness are manifest. One such moment comes in the murder of one of the characters. It is not a loud, gory, or bloody display of violence. It is quick, easy, silent; and it is one of the most disquieting and terrifying acts of violence I've ever seen on screen.

In a world of shifting values, where we sometimes find ourselves being swept away by forces out of our control, there will come a day when most, if not all of us will be forced to stand for something. When that day comes, will we be strong enough to do what's right? When that day comes, will we know what's right? Will there be a right and a wrong, or just choices and consequences? Similar questions were also posed by the excellent film Gone Baby Gone. Both films display the ugly consequences of our choices, both "right" and "wrong". My only criticism of Michael Clayton would be in its conclusion. I will not spoil the film by divulging it here, but it is enough to say that although I found the conclusion immensely satisfying, at the same time it felt hollow and a bit false. I mention Gone Baby Bone because one of the great triumphs of that film was in its honest and shattering conclusion.

My reservations about the conclusion aside, Michael Clayton is a superb film and I recommend it highly to anyone in the mood for a great film.

**** Stars

Sunday Night at the Movies

In honor of the olympics I've decided to do a list of my favorite Chinese language films. Both Mandarin and Cantonese films will be included as they are both Chinese languages.

Top Five Chinese Language Films
1. Raise the Red Lantern
2. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
3. The Killer
4. Farewell My Concubine
5. Infernal Affairs


Let Chaos Reign
by Dallas Petersen

[Insert Superlative Here] Christopher Nolan's latest film The Dark Knight is a masterpiece. From the opening frame to the final frame it is absolutely riveting. Although strongly rooted in Frank Miller's groundbreaking graphic novel, The Dark Knight breaks new ground and takes the "Superhero Movie" to exhilarating new heights. Every aspect of this film from the acting to the writing and directing, and the music all complement each other to create a superb film-going experience.
Christopher Nolan has been making fine films since the intriguing pot boiler, Memento was released in 2000, but The Dark Knight is, to date, his crowning achievement. Nolan has seamlessly integrated heart-pumping action, with brilliant and honest character development. The intelligent script, co-written by Nolan and his brother Jonathan Nolan, explores the relationship between order and chaos and the depths that 'good' men and 'bad' men alike will sink to in order to maintain control. The action moves at such an incredible rate that the feeling of chaos is palpable and emanates from the film itself. As the citizens are in the grips of fear, due to the actions of the Joker, the audience gets a real sense of the fear a terrorist can induce by unleashing chaos.

As the Joker, Heath Ledger is [insert superlative here]. The Joker is more an elemental force than a mere mortal, and Ledger is a conduit for the Joker's maniacal machinations. Ledger gives a full body performance, with every word, cackle, wave of the hand, and step he takes embodying the almost childlike malevolence of the Joker. As a character, the Joker springs out of the night itself. The audience is given no back-story and no insight into his character. The only information given about the Joker is from the Joker's own mouth as he relates how he acquired his scars. He tells this story twice, and the stories contradict each other. Is either story the truth, or neither? The choice to give the Joker no history is a masterstroke. If the audience is given a back-story, or any information about a character, then the audience is given a small window of understanding the character. If something is understood, then it can be controlled, or contained. Anything controlled is not feared. The Joker is utterly frightening. He wants nothing more than to cause chaos. He is the dark core initiating the destruction of the established order.

Christian Bale is excellent as the dark force willing to commit all manner of sins in his efforts to stop the Joker and maintain order. In fact, all the acting in this film is particularly fine, with the veteran actors Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman adding just the right touches of humanity in the Manichean struggle for Gotham's soul.

The music by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard aids in heightening the intensity, and perfectly complementing the action. There is a certain music technique that is brilliantly implemented in a way which exemplifies the tenuous hold of order over chaos. Each time the Joker tears at the threads of order with his chaotic actions there is a single note played that slowly increases in pitch. The effect this has on the intensity of the film is tangible, and you can almost the feel the order slowly slipping away as its pulled down by chaos.

Rarely do I see a film that fills me with such awe (There Will Be Blood would be another case), and rarely will there be a review this superlative on this blog. Helen and I just saw this film yesterday, which I'm sure makes us the last people on the planet to have seen it. I'm sure there are impoverished African kids who have already seen The Dark Knight projected on the side of a village hut. So, I saw all the amazing reviews which have continued to pour out, and have looked forward to this film with growing anticipation. Usually I am disappointed when I am put in this situation, but in this case, my expectations have been exceeded.

In all fairness, some of the plot is rather contrived and it seems that neither Batman or the Joker are capable of making any mistakes as each of their schemes always go according to plan. Bombs always blow up on time, guns never misfire, and Batman is (almost) always in the right place at the right time. But, overall, The Dark Knight is such a joy to watch, that it is hard to quip. I simply can not recommend this film highly enough.
**** Stars out of 4.

Sunday Night at the Movies - with Dallas and friends

Thus begins the first post in a weekly series of movie reviews by Dallas Petersen. Helen wanted me to add some movie reviews to put a bit of variety on her blog. So, this will be a weekly segment, and all are free to make comments about my reviews, tell me I'm pretentious, or brilliant, or just plain crap. I can't promise all these reviews will be of current films. For those of you with children, you know how difficult it can be to get out to the movies, even for someone like me who used to see EVERYTHING. Nowadays, we just can't be bothered taking the trouble to go out. Isabel is great when we take her to movies, and she usually sits up in her seat and enjoys most of the film. But, taking a 1 year old anywhere is still a lot of work. And for Helen and I to go out alone involves finding a babysitter, which costs money, not to mention the fact that we actually have to TALK to someone to ask them to babysit Isabel.

This means that most of the films reviewed in this weekly segment will probably be movies we've rented instead of seen in the cinema. And sometimes I may just review some old classics just because I want to, because HEY... this is MY segment! Along with the weekly review will also be a series of movie lists. I'm NUTS about top 10 lists or top 5 lists about whatever movie genre you can think of. As I'm the type of person who can never pick a favorite movie (there's just too many good films to pick just one!) I love breaking down my favorites into various lists so that everyone can feel special!

I hope you enjoy reading these reviews as much as I love writing. And anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE talking film, so please feel free to start up a conversation on any of these reviews.
Dallas

Top Five Pixar Feature Films

1. Finding Nemo

2. Toy Story 2

3. Toy Story

4. WALL·E

5. The Incredibles


*The Assassination of My Sleep by the Father of 28 Children, Brad Pitt*
a review by Dallas

Produced and starring Brad Pitt, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an elegent vision of the final days in the life of the outlaw Jesse James. Assassination was written and directed by Andrew Dominik who's previous film was the  Australian made Chopper, which plays more like a sledgehammer to the brain and couldn't be more different to Assassination in mood and tone, though they both examine men who have become famous in their own time for thieving and murdering.

Assassination is a revisionist look at the American anti-hero, presenting James as a neurotic man very conscious, but not altogether comfortable with his own fame.  Pitt is superb as Jesse James. He brings a quiet complexity to the role, and his descents into paranoia flow easily with the rest of his characterization. But the standout performance, in a film of fine performances, is by Casey Affleck as Robert Ford. Affleck is unnerving as Robert Ford, and he dominates every scene that he's in, even stealing the show from Brad Pitt.

Watching Assassination is like reading an epic poem, or examining a vast oil painting; if patient, there is much to be enjoyed or savored. But the reverent tone of the film is at odds with the characters that inhabit the screen, who are mostly petty criminals. James himself is man that is shown lovingly engaging with his family in one scene, and shooting a friend in the back in another scene. The filmmakers have attempted to show Jesse James as a man, and not a mythic hero. But by presenting James amid the jaw dropping landscapes, hypnotic music, and long takes, there is an aura of reverence surrounding this character responsible for murdering seventeen men and robbing several banks and trains.

It is in this reverent tone that the filmmakers make their mistake. This is a gorgeously shot film by consummate cinematographer Roger Deakins, of Cohen Brothers fame. When watching this 2 1/2 hour 'piece of art', one is constantly aware of watching a film (especially if you're straining to keep your eyes open at midnight while watching it). There is never a moment when Assassination sweeps you away into just enjoying the story, and forgetting that you're watching such a gorgeous film. The filmmakers feel they are making a great movie, about a complex man, and they want the audience to know it.

*** Stars out of four.