Category Archives: 2008

2008, Drama, Independent, Not Feel Good, Sci-Fi, Spanish, Violent

Sleep Dealer (2008)

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From NetFlix:

In a futuristic yet not unfamiliar world, the lives of three strangers connect in surprising ways amid a backdrop of militarization, closed borders and an all-encompassing global technological network. At the center of this potent sci-fi tale (nominated for a Best First Feature Independent Spirit Award) are Memo (Luis Fernando Peña), a peasant displaced after his village is attacked; Luz, a writer (Leonor Varela) who plugs her brain into the net; and Rudy (Jacob Vargas), an American security company worker.

NetFlix suggested this rare find: a science fiction film that is Latino, quiet, sadly possible, and promotes human values especially the love of family. Subtitles accompany the easy and slow Spanish speech. There is some violence which because it is not gore hits close to home. It took me a while to understand the purpose of the “nodes”, but once I understood I was jolted because I now saw science fiction that could easily solve the “Mexican problem”. Could this impersonal form of voluntary slavery really happen ? Is the situation of today’s Latino immigrants any better ?

2008, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Imperfect, Redemption, Religious Theme, Revenge, Suspense, Violent

Gran Torino (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Curmudgeonly Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood, who also directs) must confront his Hmong immigrant neighbors — and his own long-held prejudices — when the family’s teenage son, Thao (Bee Vang), tries to steal Walt’s beloved 1972 Gran Torino. Walt soon assumes the unlikely role of guardian angel to young Thao and his sister Sue (Ahney Her), both of whom are vulnerable to local gang influences.

“Gran Torino” tells a good story with bad guys and good guys as black and white as a cowboy movie (after all, it’s Clint Eastwood). But Walt’s personality isn’t so clear cut and to his credit is able to grow and change. Enjoy the story even if you have to sometimes suspend disbelief. What’s wrong with the Lone Ranger arriving just in time to save the day ?

As for the acting, I sadly give it a B. Thao sometimes just reads his lines. His sister is a much better actor (N.B. it is no longer politically correct to use the word “actress”).

And the more I think about it, Walt’s final solution was just about perfect. Have fun!

2008, Drama, Drugs, Explicit sex, Nudity, Sports, Violent, Vulgar

Rudo y Cursi (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Stuck working on a banana ranch, two super competitive soccer-playing brothers dream of getting off the farm and finding stardom: Beto (Diego Luna) as a pro goalie and Toto (Gael García Bernal) as a singer — but it might break them. When a professional soccer team ignores Beto’s goalie skills in favor of Toto’s fancy footwork, Beto signs on to a rival team, and the battle between brothers is on. Carlos Cuarón directs this comedy.

In Spanish “rudo” means rough or rude whereas “cursi” means precious or fussy or affected. The soccer culture in Mexico City nicknames Beto as “rudo” and Toto as “cursi”. If there were not such large numbers of people, especially crowds, involved, you might think of this as an independent film. You watch two hicks (apparently anyone who is not from Mexico City is a “hick”) get taken by a talent scout to the city to play soccer. Toto fancies himself a singer (he is not that good). The story is the usual rise and fall of two country boys in the big city. At first I thought “I’m never going to last this whole film”. But the details are somewhat captivating: just sit back and watch the happening (think “Rake’s Progress”).

It is not just the language that is Spanish. Notable are the extreme emotional reactions, especially anger, in most cases. If the movie fairly represents the culture of soccer and Mexico City, then corruption touches every aspect of life: team manager decisions are motivated by bribes, gamblers try to get players to lose on purpose, players are lured into gambling and losing big time, camp followers only sleep with the winning players, players are introduced to drugs, and the list goes on.

WARNING: The script is very, very vulgar. Crowds yell amazing and unprintable streams of taunts and invitations to the players. There is nudity such as female breasts and initiation scenes in the mens’ shower rooms. There is only once fairly modest sex scene.

Constant excitement kept me interested. In fact there is never a calm moment. This is NOT a soccer mom’s film. Have fun!

2008, Drama, Nudity, Suspense, True Story, Violent, Vulgar

The Bank Job (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Play Preview Based on actual events in 1971, this thriller tells the story of a car dealer (Jason Statham) who becomes involved in a London bank heist, only to find that the contents of the bank vault will draw him deeply and irrevocably into the city’s criminal underbelly. Murder and scandal abound in this tale of corruption populated with a surprising mix of offenders, from low-level thugs to government officials — all the way up to the royal family.

Just a fun B-film but probably the best Jason Statham film I have seen. There are no car chases. There is only one fight scene. Instead there are several groups of bad guys (those are the ones that all go to the same tailor) who do not know the existence of one another but each of whom has their own dirt-filled safety deposit box.

There is one torture scene. But the tension is worse than the actual torture which you hardly see.

Jason Statham should definitely NOT do love scenes. He actually smiles at his wife and kids in this film.

I am surprised that they actually name Princess Margaret as the subject of the porn photos.

Be sure to watch the explanatory text screens at the end because this is a true story and you get to see what happened to all the bad guys (of which there are many).

2008, Biographical, Drama, Drugs, Feel Good Not For Children, True Story

The Soloist (2008)

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From NetFlix:

This true-life drama tells the poignant tale of Los Angeles newspaper reporter Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), who discovers brilliant street musician Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), and the unique friendship that transforms both their lives. In helping his new friend deal with his demons, Steve ends up battling with his own. Joe Wright directs this inspiring drama based on the bestselling book by the real Lopez.

In my opinion Jamie Foxx carries this well-acted enactment of a true story. The film isn’t perfect and barely escapes being maudlin at times, especially when Robert Downey Jr. sometime seems too precious (or am I harsh ?). But if you think this is a Disney film in which the musician finally presents a redeeming recital, think again. One saving feature of the film is the suspense revolving around whatever will happen next. In fact some of the unpredictable solutions that the reporter devises just made me laugh out loud. I find it an irony that in real life Robert Downey himself has suffered much from drug abuse.

Some things did not feel right. Towards the end of the film the musician apologies to the reporter in a speech that was too coherent, too calm, too controlled for the wildly paranoid schizophrenic. I mistakenly assumed that the musician had accepted his illness and was taking his meds.

Catherine Keener doesn’t seem to get much credit in reviews. But I thought she provided important glue in the plot. She sometimes hit the nail on the head, such as telling the reporter that in a certain manner he was using the musician as a way to write a book and get attention. Ouch!

Pay attention to the final, barely readable, screen text that talks about the aftermath. Note that Los Angeles is the capital of homelessness with more than 90,000 homeless people. If any of the Los Angeles scenes are anywhere near accurate, I would not step foot in the city.

Wife Kathy started to watch, decided she would instead go to bed, but continued to watch and finally said “What a good film”. Now that, folks, is a real recommendation.

2006, 2007, 2008, Acceptable Trash, Gay theme, Love Story, Nudity, Sci-Fi, TV Series, Violent

Torchwood (2006)

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From NetFlix:

In this series that spun off from “Doctor Who,” policewoman Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) stumbles upon a secret organization known as Torchwood, a clandestine group led by the mysterious Capt. Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) that monitors alien activity on Earth. Cooper soon joins Harkness, tech expert Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori) and medic Owen Harper (Burn Gorman) in their quest to protect Earth from invasion.

OK all you kids out there, if you liked either “Doctor Who” or “Lost” or “X-Files” and are into a lot of sex (and some violence) this is a TV series for you. You don’t have to know anything about “Doctor Who”, you just need to have that mindset. Certain characters are straight and others are gay and some few seem not to have made up their minds just yet. Start with Season One and work your way through Season Two and Season Three.

Season One

Nothing more than acceptable trash, this TV series can still be fun to watch. To give you a taste of the kind of nonsense involved, consider: An alien has come to Earth in search of orgasmic energy (yes, that is correct). This alien enters the body of a young woman who then serially attracts male sex partners. But as each young man reaches climax he turns into a small pile of dust. In time there is a trail of small piles of dust. Heard enough ?

As I recall, the last disk (7?) of Season One is not episodes, but rather extra commentary. You might not want to waste a rental on this last disc.

Season Two

Every review I read says that Season Two is better and I agree. Some episodes are stupid. But for the most part the plots are clever and varied. More interesting is that mixed in with all the nonsense are valid situations applicable to real life. For example, the fiancee of one couple has to keep her membership in Torchwood secret from her boy friend. He feels neglected, etc. etc. Sound familiar ?

Torchwood actually kills its characters permanently. The joke (ahem, important feature), however, is that Jack Harkness is condemned to live forever young. Many episodes kill him in all sorts of diabolical ways and he just keeps coming back for more. You really don’t believe I am saying this, right ?

Besides, when have you ever been to a wedding in which the bride is unfortunately pregnant with an alien whose mother alien is at the wedding in disguise waiting to nab the baby alien ?

Season Three

Season Three is one long multi-part story “Children of the Earth”. Aliens have come to earth. These aliens truly can destroy the earth at their whim. We are defenseless. The aliens demand that we give them ten percent of all the children of the earth (never mind why – you have to watch the show). What do you suppose the British politicians do in such a desperate situation ? What would you do ?

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No one over the mental age of, say, 16 need apply. So why on earth am I watching this garbage ? That’s easy …

I LOVE TRASH !

2008, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Love Story, Nudity, Sexual Episodes

Two Lovers (2008)

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From NetFlix:

After his engagement falls through, Leonard Kraditor (Joaquin Phoenix) juggles the affections of Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), his beautiful, self-destructive neighbor, and Sandra (Vinessa Shaw), the attractive, sensible daughter of his father’s business associate. Writer-director James Gray’s beautifully nuanced romantic drama is set in Brooklyn and also stars Elias Koteas. The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

In my search for an actor’s actor, among others I nominate Joaquin Phoenix. He has never, to my knowledge, appeared in an unworthy part. His roles in “Gladiator” and “Walk The Line” were astounding. Also noteworthy were his roles in “Reservation Road” and “We Own the Night”. But for me his role in “Two Lovers” is the best yet. He plays an ordinary human being, albeit one with lots of problems.

Gwyneth Paltrow plays a mixed-up bleached blond. For our tastes Paltrow is getting a bit too old for such a part. But Paltrow always does a good job.

Playing a really sweet young woman (who aggressively pursues Leonard) is the stunningly beautiful Vinessa Shaw. She was the character Emma Nelson playing opposite Russell Crowe in “3:10 To Yuma” (which you MUST see).

And then there is Leonard’s beautiful mother. We sat there watching Ingrid Bergman in looks and speech and mannerisms. Finally it hit us – the actress is Isabella Rossellini, the daughter of Ingrid Bergman.

For me the plot came to a perfect conclusion. Would anyone out there like to disagree ?

Wife Kathy also liked the film. For a non-movie person like Kathy, that is saying a lot. Don’t miss this one!

2008, Animated, Could Be Hard To Watch, Docudrama, Explicit sex, Graphic Novel, Not Feel Good, Violent, War

Waltz with Bashir (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Utilizing vivid black-and-white animation in this Golden Globe winner for Best Foreign Language Film, director Ari Folman documents his quest to explore the memory gaps in his life during his service for the Israeli army in the Lebanese war of the early 1980s. Recounting several story vignettes based on recorded interviews with colleagues and friends, Folman explores the horrors of war and the curious coping mechanisms that mankind uses to survive and function under brutal circumstances.

Not everyone enjoys animantion. However, from the limited viewpoint of watching a Graphic Novel, “Waltz with Bahir” was for me captivating. Just watching the faces was enjoyable.

But these comments are superficial. For the historical background of the 1980 war in Lebanon and of this film and the various reactions to the film you could read the ample article in Wikipedia.

Just be prepared for the final portion in which the animation is replaced by actual film footage of the horror.

2008, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, French

Summer Hours (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Sensing that death is close at hand, 75-year-old Hélène (Edith Scob) summons her three adult children to her home in the French countryside and tasks them with deciding the fate of her extraordinary art collection. This touching drama from internationally acclaimed writer-director Olivier Assayas stars Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling and Jérémie Renier as the three siblings forced to ponder their legacy and identity.

Finally a film that is suitable for everyone, although children may not appreciate the sadness of the situation.

Kathy and I saw the French film “Summer Hours” in the theatre. We loved it! The big screen makes all the difference in a film such as this. Sweet melancholy pervades the atmosphere as the inevitable passage of time forces a sequence of events. Two married brothers and their unmarried sister (a still beautiful but blond Juliette Binoche) truly love their mother and each other. Edith Scob seems just a little too stylish, healthy, sure-footed to be a 75 year old mother thinking of her death. In fact she dies early in the film. The camera follows the family’s every movement, at times seeming like a hand-held camera. If you are a francophile, you will fall in love with the old county estate and the artifacts therein. One brother will be living in China and almost certainly will never return to France. The sister will be living in the United States. The remaining brother is the most sentimental and dreads selling the estate and disposing of all the art works. Among so many details what moved me was the love between the siblings. None wanted to hurt the other or impose his or her own will. French estate taxes are horrendous, forcing the inevitable. Even the details (which child gets which painting, vase, etc.) are beautiful and important. What happens to the lifelong housekeeper ? One touching detail among many is that the sentimental son asks the housekeeper what things she would like to keep from the house as mementos. She says “Oh, there is that funny vase I always put flowers in, the vase with the bubbles on the outside.” That vase was a valuable artwork but the son gives it to the housekeeper without telling her its market value.

If you can get in the mood for a slow, moving, reflective film as only the French can produce, I urge you to see this film.

2008, Could Be Hard To Watch, Drama, Not Feel Good, Nudity, Redemption, Revenge, Suspense, Unusual, Violent

Blindness (2008)

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From NetFlix:

After a plague of blindness overtakes the residents of a city, all sense of order breaks loose in the hospital where the victims are being quarantined. It’s up to a woman (Julianne Moore) who’s keeping her sight a secret to lead a group safely to the streets. Gael García Bernal, Mark Ruffalo, Sandra Oh and Danny Glover also star in this psychological thriller, an adaptation of José Saramago’s gripping masterpiece.

“Blindness” is one of the most unusual films I have ever seen. Read carefully because it will not be everyone’s taste. Julianne Moore is excellent as the only secretly sighted person in a population where eventually everyone becomes blind. Ask yourself what would happen if in fact everyone went blind. To give you a taste of the unpleasantness you can expect: In the beginning the government sequesters all the afflicted persons into a kind of stone penitentiary. Moore is married to a doctor Mark Ruffalo. She can see, he goes blind. Saramago is careful with the details of just how people would even be able to move about, get food, etc. The prisoners are divided into groups. The guards shoot upon sight any blind person attempting to leave. Food arrives and must be distributed to the various groups. That is where the trouble begins. One group, led by Gael García Bernal decides to bully the other groups by capturing the food and demanding to be paid first with jewelry and eventually women’s sexual services. It gets ugly. If you can survive this descent into non-civilization, this movie is for you.

Another unusual aspect is the manner of vocal delivery. There is no actor voice projection. People speak as is there is no camera.

If you are still reading this review, then I should be a bit more positive and say that there is an underlying philosophy that once people stop seeing the superficial in others, then they begin to appreciate the real internal personalities. Despite the horror, the film ends as much as is possible on a happy note.

I dare you!