The Inner Critic

Looking for Eric (2009)

2011-12-18T12:20:00.001-08:00

An on-going discussion regarding the best movie watched in 2011, Looking for Eric is likely the one. This was a year of excellent movies viewed, including Up, Whip It, The King’s Speech, Mary and Max, Bridesmaids, Beginners, Boy (a very close second), Exit Through the Gift Shop (a near tie with LFE), Fish Tank and TiMER), so why does Looking for Eric stand out?

You experience every emotion as you watch. Looking for Eric delves into depression, camaraderie and friendship, love lost, complicated family issues, divorce, redemption, honesty, new love, violence, sports, lost dreams and discovering you can change a lousy existence.

Our postal carrier protagonist Eric (Steve Evets) is a broken man. Two failed marriages, two unruly step-sons and three decades of regret. Eric keeps his mess to himself, that is until he starts having visions of his favorite footballer—former Manchester United player Eric Cantona. Cantona pushes Eric to revisit the mistakes he’s made and share his struggles instead of keeping them to himself. He encourages Eric to own up, open up and make changes.

This is a complex and layered story as Eric holds onto a huge regret that he cannot surpass. He has a miserable relationship with his two step-sons, Ryan (Gerard Kearns) and Jess (Stefan Gumbs). The only sunshine in his life are his daughter, Sam (Lucy-Jo Hudson), his granddaughter, Daisy (Cole and Dylan Williams) and his favorite team Manchester United and footballer Eric “King Eric” Cantona. As the world conspires to push Eric out of his comfort zone with his step-son, Ryan, his first ex-wife Lily (Stephanie Bishop) who he hasn’t seen in 30 years and a local thug, Zac (Steve Marsh), who threatens his family, Eric will come out transformed but will he find himself and win back his life? (Tip: View with subtitles to ensure you don’t miss any of the good stuff. Otherwise, they speak 2 fast, 2 furious, and with very strong accents.)

Director: Ken Loach

Country: UK

Genre: Drama + Comedy

Run time: 116 minutes

Scale: 5

Cold Weather (2010)

2011-12-18T11:04:00.001-08:00

Protagonist Doug (Cris Lankenau) drops out of college where he studied criminal justice and forensic science. He’s back in Portland, Oregon, and moved in with his gainfully employed (though you never learn what she does) sister Gail (Trieste Kelly Dunn). Unsure what he’ll do next, Doug secures a job at an ice packing factory and befriends Carlos (Raúl Castillo), my favorite character.

When Doug’s ex-girlfriend Rachel (Robyn Rikoon) visits Portland, the foursome become fast friends. When she disappears, Doug leads the investigation. I liked tagging along as they search for clues and make discoveries in Portland, but the way they determine Rachel is missing is far-fetched.

Cold Weather takes its time (which isn’t a bad thing) but the mystery they solve is underwhelming. It’s not clear much was solved. It ends abruptly and has a feel-good sibling-bonding moment. Gail and Doug relate to each other more like a couple rather than siblings. I enjoyed Carlos and Doug’s friendship. Rachel was the least compelling; consequently, so was her disappearance. They should have explored something at the Star Trek convention instead.

Co-writer/Director: Aaron Katz

Country: USA

Genre: Mystery

Run time: 96 minutes

Scale: 2.75

TiMER (2009)

2011-12-12T21:57:00.001-08:00

TiMER explores the technology of implanting a wrist timer that counts down to the exact moment you will meet your “one,” but only if your one has also been implanted. Otherwise, your timer will be blank (until your one gets a timer). Some don’t believe in timers; others like the idea of no struggle, no guessing, no chance of spending years with the wrong person and no divorce.

Determined, organized and goal-oriented Oona (Emma Caufield) doesn’t waste time; early into relationships, she coaxes her boyfriends into getting timers because, as she puts it, “we’re not getting any younger.” Her step-sister and best friend Steph (Michelle Borth), age 30, same as Oona finds out she won’t meet her one for 13 more years. The irony is that their 14-year-old brother gets a timer and learns he’ll meet his one within the week.

When Oona meets younger Mikey (John Patrick Amedori), a delicious cashier whose timer has him meeting his one in four months, she rethinks her strident view. Steph meets someone who has her pulling the plug her one-night-stands. Both are in store for a big mess.

TiMER has an open-ended conclusion. Just like in real life, it feels like it will be problematic before it gets better. The details make this film—the social commentary diagrams the obsession behind finding the one. Characters re-wear clothing, engage in genuine-sounding dialogue and deal with relatable conditions and throw in some humor.

Writer/Director: Jac Schaeffer

Country: USA

Genre: Romantic dramedy

Run time: 99 minutes

Scale: 4.5

Due Date (2010)

2011-12-12T21:19:00.001-08:00

How does driving from Atlanta to LA become so complicated?

Planes, Trains and Automobiles this is not. Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) is the even-keeled hero who helps Peter (Robert Downey Jr.) get kicked off a plane but also offers to drive the wallet-free, penny-less Peter get to LA for the birth of his child.

Hijinks follow and at every step of the way, Peter is angry and unlikeable. The gags are mean-spirited and gross. There was little to grab onto here. The cameos by Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis and Danny McBride offer some relief from the two’s vexing bickering, but these respite moments are short-lived before we are again confronted with a road trip movie that took a left at Gone Wrong Lane.

Usually a fan of Downey Jr. and Galifianakis, I couldn’t take Peter’s irritability and Ethan’s naiveté for 98 minutes. My favorite character was the French bulldog but even he couldn’t make it better.

Director: Todd Phillips

Country: USA

Genre: Comedy (with some shards of drama)

Run time: 95 minutes

Scale: 2

Horrible Bosses (2011)

2011-12-12T20:49:00.001-08:00

Three friends hash a plan to get revenge on their sadist bosses and secure themselves decent work environments, but their poorly hatched plans crumble immediately.

Kurt’s (Jason Sudeikis)comb-over coiffed boss Bobby (Colin Farrell) is a cokehead constantly looking to score blow and to just score. Bobby’s late father favored Kurt and Bobby can’t stand him. Dale (Charlie Day) is sexually harassed daily and is having a hard time not getting blackmailed to sleep with his boss, Julia (Jennifer Aniston). Nick (Jason Bateman)has been goaded into working untenable hours and going against his ethics to secure a promotion from his boss, Mr. Harken (Kevin Spacey); Harken later secures himself the job.

In summary: Farrell is under- and ill-utilized. Jamie Foxx is amazing as the hit-man consultant. The ass clown trio have their moments of humor when they aren’t unimaginably stupid. Spacey is too sinister for the lot and could annihilate all three at once with a mere stare—he’s that nefarious. Aniston is different than her usual happy-go-lucky girlfriend character, but I wasn’t impressed. She plays a one-dimensional horn-dog. If that’s branching out, it’s lame.

After all the hubbub it received, I expected more. Horrible Bosses just felt wrong and in the end was a disappointed.

Director: Seth Gordon

Country: USA

Genre: Comedy

Run time: 98 minutes

Scale: 2

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lola!

2011-12-07T20:05:00.001-08:00

Frygtelig lykkelig (Terribly Happy) (2008)

2011-12-06T00:07:00.001-08:00

Following a disturbing personal incident (of which you don’t learn details right away), policeman Robert (Jakob Cedergren) is relocated from Copenhagen to small town Skarrild as punishment. The insular town folk behave as if they are keeping a secret from Robert.

The situation escalates after Robert meets Ingerlise (Lene Maria Christensen), a tormented woman in an abusive marriage with an alcoholic psychopath. Ingerlise and Robert’s attraction is palpable, but Robert tries to keep it professional. As he discovers, Skarrild has a code: They solve their issues without the interference of law enforcement.

At times, Frygtelig lykkelig plays like a Western, as Robert and cowboy-hat-wearing Jørgen (Kim Bodnia), Ingerlise’s husband, go head to head. As we learn what Robert is capable of, this psychological thriller keeps peeling back the layers. You see in detail the disturbing cycle of physical violence in an abusive relationship. There is an especially chilling scene where Ingerlise goes back to Jørgen; her expression during this moment is haunting.

Good versus bad is upturned. The odd characters are hiding cemeteries in their closets. The movie’s tone toys with your subconscious moral code, creating a discomfort, yet, you remain engaged. It hooks you with one disaster spiraling into the next. It’s like this: Picture you are being chauffeured by a driver who starts recklessly maneuvering. You suddenly don’t trust him, but it’s too late—he’s doing 100 in a 70. He starts laughing and announces that the brakes aren’t working. You are there, you are alert, you are his.

Writer/Director: Henrik Ruben Genz

Country: Denmark

Genre: Thriller

Run time: 90 minutes

Scale: 4

The Descendants (2011)

2011-12-04T21:30:00.001-08:00

George Clooney will likely be crowned for his performance here. Despite not belonging to the diehard Clooney Fan Club, he deserves recognition. In the past, he’s struck me as beautiful but with little range. In The Descendants, he finds emotional range beyond what he gave in Up in the Air (which was good). His conflicts, his frustrations and his I’ve-no-clue-what-the-hell-to-do moments show us the black, the white and the greys.

Matt King (George Clooney) is a thrifty lawyer entrusted with pristine Hawaiian land that’s been in his family for decades and will soon be sold for development. His wife Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie) is on life support following a boating accident. Having been disconnected with the family (presumably working), he has little relationship with his two troubled daughters. Younger Scottie (Amara Miller) is a bully; Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) at boarding school is getting drunk and hitting golf balls (allegedly, she’s more troubled in the book).

The Descendants was adapted from the Kaui Hart Hemmings novel. I have it on good word that the movie was thinned way down. This is a story about a daughter and a father finding each other in the fallout of a failed marriage and the hard truths they uncover. The trust backstory isn’t as interesting as the dynamics between Matt and Alexandra and their sleuthing. (The magnificent Woodley steals the screen). It’s tragic. It’s funny. It’s also a wee predictable with a good dose of feel good. Scottie and Alexandra’s friend Sid (Nick Krause) are extraneous characters who contribute little to moving along the plot.

Co-writer/Director: Alexander Payne

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 115 minutes

Scale: 4

Allt flyter (The Swimsuit Issue) (2008)

2011-12-04T20:38:00.001-08:00

Allt flyter tackled the dramatic rendition of the documentary Men Who Swim about Sweden’s all-men synchronized swimming team. They start the team of nine on a lark and soon possess the goal of representing Sweden in the Olympics.

Crank Fredrik (Jonas Inde) gets the idea to start the team. He’s a sporty guy but not one whom you want to spend much time. His teenage daughter, Sara (Amanda Davin) has a difficult time with him. Their relationship is transformed when he asks her for help training the team; she becomes their coach.

Watching them on their journey builds suspense and empathy. They are passionate about succeeding; even ribbing doesn’t deter them. Fredrik and Sara bond and you get a curve-ball at the end. Allt flyter takes it’s time telling its tale. You don’t get get to know much about the teammates outside of the swimming and their shared goal.

Co-writer/Director: Måns Herngren

Country: Sweden

Genre: Dramedy

Run time: 99 minutes

Scale: 3

I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

2011-12-01T23:34:00.001-08:00

Jim Carrey opposite Ewan McGregor, as love interests? Indeed and it works very very well.

Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) is a good man. He sings at church. He’s around for his family. He’s a cop and his wife Debbie (Leslie Mann) couldn’t be happier with her luck in landing him. After a near-fatal car accident, Steven decides to stop wasting time and embraces his true lifestyle. It’s working for him until his extravagance catches up with him and he ends up in prison, but this doesn’t stop him. He’s is an intelligent con man able to escape from prison (four times), talk his way out of and into anything BUT he’s also a hopeless romantic who risks it all for love: first for Jimmy (Rodrigo Santoro) and then for Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).

This is a peculiar movie with switchbacks you don’t see approaching. It’s complex, heartfelt, humorous and savvy—like a gay Catch Me If You Can. An incredible story with an ironic twist. Carrey is stellar. McG is among my favorites but Carrey carries ILYPM. Before viewing the trailer, I thought ILYPM was related to the cigarette maker. It’s actually based on a book about Steven Russell called “I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story of Life, Love, and Prison Breaks,” by Steve McVicker.

Co-writers/Co-directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Country: USA

Genre: Dramedy

Run time: 102 minutes

Scale: 4

Eavesdropper: Patient 14 (2004)

2011-11-30T23:14:00.001-08:00

This is the worst movie I’ve seen in a long time. Awful acting, no genuine affinity between characters and a convoluted storyline round out the problems in this cinematic mess.

Liza (Lucy Jenner) loses her hearing during a tragic shooting. Her life downward spirals and she ends up in a homeless shelter. She regains her hearing through an experimental government study and scores the ability to “hear” what people are thinking. At the same time, the other study participants are losing their minds and committing suicide.

A story where you can “hear” what the people around you have cooking in their inner monologues sounds intriguing, but not here. Liza attracts the attentions of Grant (John J. York), the shelter social worker. They’d developed a friendship before she got her hearing back. Now, she can “hear” how much he likes her. There are laughable moments in what are meant to be serious scenes.

When CIA operative Aiden (Costas Mandylor) gets Liza work (“listening” to a serial killer to learn where his victims are buried and negotiating in a school hostage situation), the movie teases you into thinking it’s about to become interesting, but again, no.

Liza is overwhelmed by all the voices. She and Grant start dating. Grant looks like an ‘80s country star and his inner monologue reveals he’s not bright. Aiden looks straight out of American Psycho. Aiden gives Liza silver earrings that “block” her ability to hear the mind talk of others. This provides Liza great relief. Grant has no idea about the effect of these earrings; he gets jealous and gives her a pair and they are hideous.

The plot includes every tangled-up detail that only adds to the distance between you and this joke. The acting is so affected and over the top, I cannot recommend Eavesdropper under any circumstances. I want my 95 minutes back.

Writer/Director: Andrew Bakalar

Country: USA

Genre: Thriller

Run time: 95 minutes

Scale: 1

Rabbit Hole (2010)

2011-11-30T22:03:00.001-08:00

Rabbit Hole is another movie about death (but with a sense of humor). It tells the story of a what happens to a happily married couple when their young son dies.

Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) are keeping a normal front but in the safety of their own home, things aren’t good. Controlled Becca is trying to find ways to ease the pain of losing her son. Howie’s desire to move on with their lives unnerves her. They try a grief group but that further divides them. Becca s mom, Nat (Dianne Wiest), annoys her daughter. Becca avoids her former friends. It isn’t until she finds comfort with the most unlikely of allies, Jason (Miles Teller), that she begins to her transformation.

The surprise is how well they filmmakers constructed this story about death. Kidman is excellent. Becca is so unlikeable from the start, even knowing what we know about her situation. Then, she begins to blossom and we reluctantly release the empathy.

Kidman was nominated for heaps of awards for her role. Rabbit Hole is based on a play by David Lindsay-Abaire. See it.

Director: John Cameron Mitchell

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 129 minutes

Scale: 3.5

El Secreto de sus ojos (2009) (The Secret in Their Eyes)

2011-11-30T21:39:00.001-08:00

El Secreto revisits a crime against the backdrop of an unanswered love situation from decades earlier.

Retired investigator Benjamín Esposito (the terrific Ricardo Darín) starts writing a book about the most memorable unsolved crime of his career—the rape and murder of Liliana Coloto. This project also gives divorced Esposito a chance to reconnect with his former colleague and department lead Irene Menéndez Hastings (Soledad Villamil), a woman he’s been in love with for years.

Told in flashbacks alternating with present, the film does well aging the characters so you aren’t distracted when switching from past to present. As Benjamín revisits the case facts and re-interviews those closest to the victim, he hits upon new leads that will bring him back to that troubled time. We also learn about his life and struggles and also the tragedies he experienced during the original Coloto investigation.

El Secreto hooks you from the beginning and doesn’t let you go until the end. Benjamín smolders on-screen and the chemistry between him and Irene is palpable. My only issue is that I thought the makeup on the aged Ricardo Morales, Liliana’s widow, wasn’t as good as that of the others. The ending is mostly surprising.

Adapted from the novel “La pregunta de sus ojos,” by Eduardo Sacheri, El secreto de sus ojos won the 2010 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Co-writer/Director: Juan José Campanella

Country: Argentina

Genre: Drama/Thriller

Run time: 129 minutes

Scale: 4

Footloose (2011)

2011-11-30T21:28:00.001-08:00

Surrounded by teenagers slumped in their seats, making out and giggling, I sat in the nearly full small Mt. Vernon theater.

I remember little from the original except its intensity juxtaposed with manic dancing. This remake is predictable but it possesses an entertaining pulse. The male lead (played originally by Kevin Bacon) has charisma as does his wing-man.

When tragedy strikes small town Bomont, Texas, the city council enact a public dancing ban. The Reverend Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid) is particular adamant as his son was one of the teenagers killed in the accident (the accident being the catalyst for the ban). This leaves his daughter, Ariel (Julianne Hough), crushed—she’s lost her brother and can no longer dance. The teens in Bomont are mental about public dancing—in parking lots and abandoned buildings. Good-girl-on-strike Ariel lies and gets what she wants. When Boston boy Ren MacCormack (Kenny Wormald) relocates to the small town after his mother’s death, he rebels against the Draconian rules, causing ire and decent in the Rev’s home. He sparks her interest but it won’t be that easy. He wants her, she’s dating the dumb rich hothead. (You know where this goes.)

Ren’s sidekicks, Willard (Miles Teller) and Woody (Ser'Darius Blain), are noteworthy secondary characters, especially Willard—he’s hilarious as the cowboy lacking the two-step gene.

Andie MacDowell as Vi Moore has a small role as the reverend’s wife who comes through for Ariel; I couldn’t take my eyes off her forehead, between her brows where a peculiar bumpy area looked like Botox gone wrong.

Footloose redux is fluffy and predictable, but if you have been stricken by the dance craze gripping our nation, you might be tapping your toes here.

Co-writer/Director: Craig Brewer

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 113 minutes

Scale: 2.75

Okuribito (Departures) (2008)

2011-11-09T21:49:00.001-08:00

An unemployed cellist stumbles upon a new career. Departures might makes you cry one minute and laugh the next. It shows how a man be opposed to an idea only to discover it’s exactly what he needs.

Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) dreams of being a renown cellist but is dashed when his orchestra disbands. He’s left unemployed and in debt on his world-class cello. On a lark, he suggests to his wife, Mika (Ryôko Hirosue), that they move from Tokyo back to his hometown; where his mother passed on and left him the family home two years prior. Mika is on board and they start over.

He finds a cryptic help-wanted ad, applies and is hired on instinct. As an encoffiner, he prepares dead bodies for burial. Daigo faces many obstacles—the job isn’t easy, you can never predict death and he is shamed for his profession (so much so he doesn’t confess his job to Mike right away). Eccentric Ikuei (Tsutomu Yamazaki), Daigo’s boss and mentor becomes a father figure and through him, we learn Daigo has complicated feelings toward his own father.

The burial ritual is lovely. The body is cleansed and dressed and the family bids farewell. The survivors’ reactions reveal the conflicted relationships, complex issues and unresolved feelings left in the wake of death.

Departures is a serious (and comedic) movie about death, finding your path and excelling despite the pitfalls you encounter. It won many awards including the Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 2009.

Director: Yôjirô Takita

Country: Japan

Genre: Drama

Run time: 130 minutes

Scale: 5

Savor Seattle Pike Place Market Food & Cultural Tour

2011-11-09T20:36:00.001-08:00

I love getting lost in my city. An excellent time to embark on this is with out-of-town visitors. I recently entertained such visitors from the fair city of Chicago. When Stacey mentioned the Savor Seattle tour with nine stops in and around the Pike Place Market, I was sold.

We met the tour at the Starbucks facing the market at 1st and Pine. Tour guides Brett (two T’s, no N) and Mark welcomed us and had us make introductions and mention our favorite food.

The tour began at the Daily Dozen Donut Company.

These pint-sized delights are bagged and still warm as each one hits your palate. If you haven’t yet tried—make the trip.

Next stop was Market Spice. If you need spice in your life, get yours here. When you buy your spices off the grocery store shelves, you don’t know how long they have sat. In some cases, it’s years. This means you aren’t getting the full-on flavor boost of freshly collected and ground spices. Market Spice offers a massive variety of spices, tea and coffee at competitive prices. And, they have teas to sample.

If there is one place out-of-towners must see, it’s the fish mongers at Pike Place Fish. (Some 40-somethings may remember the Levi’s commercial that featured the fish throwing at Pike Place.) If you are a college kid visiting Seattle to attend the Huskies v. Arizona game and you get a chance to throw a fish, such as this young Arizonian did, you get into the spirit (he caught it too):

At Frank’s Produce, we sampled apples and pears. Brett taught us to select the perfect eggplant—look for the male—the one with the round bellybutton versus the line. (The eggplant with the line is the female and contains more seeds.)

We stopped at Pike Place Chowder where the clam chowder and seafood bisque were so amazing that they’ve been inducted into the Hall of Fame. If you like cherries—dried, chocolate-covered, in salsa and jams—Chukar Cherries does it all and they do it naturally. At Beecher’s Homemade Cheese, we savored Gouda, Cheddar and the creamiest award-winning Macaroni and Cheese that even Oprah chose as one of her Favorite Things of 2010. Mac and cheese doesn’t ring my bell, but I licked the cup when I was done with my sample. At Piroshky, Piroshky, we sampled a meat and a sweet piroshky. The savory was my preference; I bartered the other one for another meat despite being stuffed. That didn’t stop me from eating the crab cakes at Etta’s Seafood Restaurant, our last stop. Tom Douglas is a culinary genius.

This tour is a winner for tourists as well as Seattle residents. Brett and Mark were excellent hosts, even if Brett was upset at being upstaged by the warbler during the Piroshky, Piroshky stop.

Jimmy Fallon Busts a Move as Justin Bieber Performing “(It’s Not My) Baby”

2011-11-03T19:36:00.001-07:00

I keep hearing about Jimmy Fallon and his talent as an impersonator.
The SNL alumnus has been resilient—his show continues on its strong simmer for nearly three years since inception. As you will see, he can dance, he can sing, he can take the piss.
After watching this parody, I have fallen. Drink the Kool-Aid and join Club Fallon with me. You don’t really have to drink it…just watch the video.

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

2011-11-02T22:27:00.001-07:00

No one does camp like Sam Raimi. Drag Me to Hell is his return to horror and he orchestrates it with relish. The movie is outrageously over the top—equally frightening, disgusting, shocking and hilarious. He works a been-there-done-that plot into an edge-of-your-seat thriller, an homage to horror movies of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Ambitious loan officer Christine (Alison Lohman) is vying for the assistant manager position at her bank. When a desperate Sylvia Ganush (Lorna Raver) requests a loan extension, boss-man Mr. Jacks(David Paymer) advises Christine to use her judgment. Not wanting to appear soft, she denies the request. Ganush begs but is escorted from the bank. She casts a vicious spell on Christine. Now, Christine has three days to right her wrong or she will be dragged to hell.

The plot isn’t unique but the special effects make you squirm and gag. There are maggots, flies and the spilling of gross mystery fluids. The disturbing sounds of creaking, squishing and clanging haunt you. Even the daytime scenes are intense. The fright levels build at each scene as the malevolent lamia spirit stalks Christine.

Lohman’s Christine is brilliantly cast—vulnerably innocent, yet able to carry out terrible deeds. She transforms from a woman working on her diction to one who digs up graves in record speed. Her most memorable line in response to the medium’s suggestion she make a blood sacrifice to appease the spirit, a small chicken perhaps:

“I’m a vegetarian. I volunteer at the puppy shelter, for Christ’s sake.”

You will agonize each time the lamia comes for Christine because it feels like it’s coming for you. The ending is a visual coup.

Co-writer/Director: Sam Raimi

Country: USA

Genre: Horror

Run time: 99 minutes

Scale: 4

Thread Show Seattle (10.23.2011)

2011-10-31T23:01:00.001-07:00

The awaited Thread Show—a fashion extravaganza at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion—brought designers and trend-lovers together for a day of shopping, do-it-yourself activities and simply celebrate fashion.

The day kicked off cloudy and gray with the possibility of lingering gloom. Upon arriving early to the show as instructed to get VIP entry (and the coveted goodie bag), we were brusquely turned away due to it being “too early.” Okay, okay, take it easy.

When we asked what time the fashion show was to kick off, we were crushed to hear it wouldn’t happen and hadn’t happened for years now. But the initial intro to the Thread customer service mavens was underwhelming. We left to get some breakfast and upon return, the event moved along smoothly.

The event was smaller than expected but having not previously attended, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Is it because Seattle is known as a poorly dressed city? Regardless, the show was vibrant and energetic. A DJ spun tunes just inside the entrance. Aveda offered complimentary hair straightening and curling as well as a hot pink extension for $10.

Jackets, paintings, cards, all types of jewelry, tiny hats à la Royal Wedding style, coats, t-shirts, stuffed toys, hats, bags, belts, gloves. You name it, they had it. It provided an excellent opportunity to support local, independent designers and view the goods they are creating to motivate others to get cracking or at the least keep their merchandise moving.

The clothing swap area was so-so initially and then the pieces exploded. Trading what you aren’t wearing and picking up new items is FUN. This area needs to be expanded for next year. The bar was intimate but provided atmosphere while taking a break.

What could be improved: Improve upon the goodie bag (don’t fill it up with chips and energy bars). Add a fashion show. Offer it twice a day. Allow the models to display items the vendors are selling. Give attendees seats to relax and take it in. Provide couches for the tired friends, husbands, partners.

I’ll be there next year. You’re next, LA. Enjoy!

All-Star Tribute to the Replacements @ The Comet (10.21.2011)

2011-10-23T20:12:00.001-07:00

The Replacements bring back fond memories. I consulted the ticket-stub collection (just for you, Andy). I saw them three times in quick succession during their Please to Meet Me tour on August 7, 1987, at the Riviera in Chicago; on Sept. 16, 1987, at the SIU Student Center Ballroom in Carbondale, IL; and on Sept. 17, 1987, at the Athletic Complex at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Favorite albums (yes, I said albums…I am old) by the Minneapolis band from most beloved to just beloved (FYI, there are seven plus a live recording that released only to tape):

Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash
Let It Be
Tim
Pleased to Meet Me

When I saw the City Arts Fest tribute show to The Replacements, featuring members of The Fastbacks, The Cops, Virgin Islands, Kinski, Fort Union, Concourse d'Elegance, Cataldo, Kyle Bradford, Ben Fisher, Gabriel Mintz and John Roderick, I said, sign me up.

The crowded Comet Tavern teemed with fans. People danced, sang along and grooved to the hootenannies. The swinging door of musicians showed up with vigor. Few of the musicians were announced so regrettably, most are unidentified.

Among the songs performed:

“Androgynous” (beautifully sung by a solo female artist with a lovely voice accompanying herself on keyboard)
“Favorite Thing”
“Unsatisfied”
“Don’t Ask Why”
“Waitress in the Sky”
“Here Comes a Regular”
Paul Westerberg, Bob Stinson (RIP), Tommy Stinson and Chris Mars may have loved the ode to their lasting influence and the crowd was reminded of Westerberg’s song-writing prowess.

Props to the Northwest Film Forum for hosting filmmaker Gorman Bechard and his new film, the documentary Color Me Obsessed about The Replacements. According to Adam Sekuler, Program Director at the NWFF, the tribute show at the Comet was put together as a companion piece to Bechard’s film screening.

9 Songs (2004)

2011-10-23T20:02:00.001-07:00

The concept here is unique: intersperse nine songs along the arc of a couple’s sexually charged year-long relationship. With explicit sex taking the helm from story, this is art-house porn.

Lisa (Margo Stilley) is a student in London and Mike (Kieran O'Brien) is her boyfriend. The couple engage in sex, they see live music and occasionally indulge in coke. There’s your storyline. The real story is that the two actors actually have sex with one another. Nothing is simulated—that includes oral and vaginal sex and masturbation (manual and with a vibrator).

Mike is now a glaciologist in Antarctica and he’s reminiscing about time spent with Lisa (mostly in bed). The following quote succinctly pinpoints theme:

Exploring the Antarctic is like exploring space. You enter a void, thousands of miles, with no people, no animals, no plants. You're isolated in a vast, empty continent. Claustrophobia and agoraphobia in the same place, like two people in a bed.

Here are the songs in the order they are performed:

"Whatever Happened to My Rock and Roll" – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
“C'mon, C'mon" – The Von Bondies
"Fallen Angel" – Elbow
"Movin' On Up" – Primal Scream
"You Were the Last High" – Dandy Warhols
"Slow Life" – Super Furry Animals
"Jacqueline" – Franz Ferdinand
"Debbie" – Michael Nyman
"Love Burns" – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC grace us with two songs. Lucky, lucky us!)

I recommend 9 Songs. It’s not the norm to see two actors in coitus, view semi-close-ups of their genitals and see them masturbating themselves AND be able to watch it in a non-porn variety movie house. 9 Songs suffers from a flimsy storyline and no character development. As a friend put it: “It has more story than porn where the repairman shows up and the naked woman answers the door.” I counter…we just didn’t see Mr. Man arrive.

I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it, but I didn’t turn away.

Writer/Director: Michael Winterbottom

Country: UK

Genre: Drama

Run time: 66 minutes

Scale: 2

Das weiße Band (The White Ribbon) (2009)

2011-10-23T19:40:00.001-07:00

The black-and-white aesthetic of The White Ribbon adds an air of mystery and distance in this recounting of sinister events in a German village in the years before World War I.

The disturbing tale kicks off when a metal wire is rigged between two poles. The village doctor takes a life-threatening fall when his horse runs into said wire. The investigation grows cold—no witnesses, motives nor evidence. The next several incidents lead to the conclusion that someone is performing ritual punishments. Are the village children the perpetrators? The narrator has his own side story that allows for a bit of humor—a rare trait in a Michael Haneke film. It works juxtaposed against the intense main storyline.

The White Ribbon has Haneke’s trademark theme—that we are all sadists. In fact, the events depicted are based on alleged incidents recorded in Germany and Austria in the 1920s and 1940s. The foreshadowing is clear—the German Reich lies ahead and many of these kids will end up in the Nazi movement. Is it coincidence that the white ribbon the Pastor makes his children wear when they are in need of moral cleansing is reminiscent of the bands the Jews were forced to wear during the Hitler regime?

The White Ribbon is engaging. Yet another Haneke ending without clarity is frustrating, especially after more than two hours.

Open letter to Michael Haneke:

Dear Mr. Haneke,

You are a master storyteller. I watch your movies with rapt interest. Despite their length, I don’t find myself clock watching which is different from how I behave at baseball games; they go too long and should end after the 7th inning. But, I digress.

My point is that unresolved endings mimic real life, but art offers us a break from that reality. Occasionally, I’d be delighted to see a decisive conclusion. That said, The Piano Teacher is a favorite with a reasonable ending. I refer instead to Caché, Funny Games and The White Ribbon. Your open-ended formula needs an overhaul. I don’t know if these children were culpable nor do I know if The School Teacher married Klara.

Despite my nitpicks, this movie was nominated for and won several prestigious awards. Check it out and see what you opine.

Writer/Director: Michael Haneke

Country: Austria

Genre: Drama

Run time: 144 minutes

Scale: 4

Jeffrey Eugenides Reads at Seattle Central Library (10.17.2011)

2011-10-22T20:21:00.001-07:00

Jeffrey Eugenides is making the rounds promoting his third novel, The Marriage Plot—his first since his 2002 Pulitzer-Prize winning novel Middlesex. In a shiny-coated black jacket, he read to a packed auditorium at the Seattle Central Library. The excerpt detailed the relationship of two of his characters, Brown University students Madeleine and Leonard. Madeleine is falling for Leonard, while Leonard is starting to take distance. Leonard is stoic, yet unflinchingly observant. Madeleine is traditional and believes in love; Leonard is skeptic. However, the story has another angle. A third character weaves in with his sights set on Madeleine.

Eugenides’ even tone worked well in delivery of his descriptions and humor. The reading flowed and left those with their newly purchased copies of The Marriage Plot ready to get reading.

Eugenides fielded questions following the reading, including: How did he feel about the adaptation of his novel The Virgin Suicides by Sofia Coppola and his short story The Baster. He deemed that Coppola did a good job; whereas, The Baster, was a poor adaptation made into The Switch (staring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman). His story is about a single woman who wants a baby. She asks her good-looking male friends if they'd provide sperm samples. Her other friend, an ugly man, wants her to ask him to be the donor. When she doesn’t, he tries to find ways to convince her. Eugenides envisioned Paul Giamatti for the role (it went to Bateman). He was puzzled “they” purchased rights to his story and then changed it. (Note: I liked the movie The Switch.)

He spoke of his own time as a student in the English Department at Brown when Semiotics sprung to life and created a schism. This topic plays a role in The Marriage Plot.

When asked how things were different in relationships now from when he was coming of age in the ‘80s, he said the situations and struggles are still basically the same.

Eldorado (2008)

2011-10-22T14:39:00.001-07:00

Eldorado is the road trip movie that couldn’t find its destination.

When Yvan (Bouli Lanners) arrives home to find a burglar in the act, he threatens to call the cops. Instead, Ivan befriends him—sort of. Elie (Fabrice Adde) admits he was stealing Yvan’s huge jar of coins to supply his heroin habit. Yvan gives Elie a lift to the main road and bids him adieu. When their paths cross again, the two set off on a road trip to Elie’s parents’ home. Yvan will deliver him and Ellie will start over and quit the junk for good.

Anytime you confine characters in a space, such as a car, you usually create magic, but this drive proves long and mostly uneventful. Even with two empathetic main and a few quirky secondary characters, Eldorado lacks conflict and chemistry. Maybe it’s Ellie’s flattened affect and distance. Yvan and Elie’s mother share some a connection, but it’s a mere interlude before the story moves on to its bittersweet ending.

Eldorado is peculiar and has its entertaining moments. It’s missing that je ne sais quoi that would boost it above the 3-star mark. That said, Lanners is to be lauded for his impressive trifecta as writer, director and star.

Writer/Director: Bouli Lanners

Country: Belgium

Genre: Drama

Run time: 80 minutes

Scale: 3

Entre nos (Between Us) (2009)

2011-10-17T23:07:00.001-07:00

Entre nos is a character development film about immigration gone wrong. Based on a true story about a mother and her two children newly landed (presumably illegally) in New York from Colombia. They have reunited with husband and father Antonio (Andres Munar).

Mariana (Paola Mendoza) is devastated when Antonio abandons her and their children—10-year-old Gabriel (Sebastian Villada) and six-year-old Andrea (Laura Montana). Their lives downward spiral. They lose their apartment and must scavenge for food and money.

This uncomplicated story is poignant and positive. Despite not speaking English and despite the loss of stability, Mariana and her children navigate their impossible situation. They survive each crossroad with the help of several strangers. The movie postscript provides details on what happened to the real-live characters. (You don’t, however, learn what happened to Antonio and whether or not any of them ever saw him again.)

I loved the Colombian angle: the familiar accent, the Spanish lexicon and the food. In the bonus materials on the DVD, the directors detail the step-by-step instructions for on making empanadas. Yum-yum.

Co-writers/Co-directors: Gloria La Morte and Paola Mendoza

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 80 minutes

Scale: 3.5

Fish Tank (2009)

2011-10-02T17:18:00.001-07:00

Fish Tank is celluloid rawness. Fifteen-year-old Mia (Katie Jarvis) busts onto the screen gulping alcohol from any bottle she can get her hands on, head-butting a former friend for no apparent reason and trying to liberate a neglected horse. The moment her party-girl mom’s one-night stand catches her dancing in her council estate kitchen, Mia’s life changes.

Mia lives in a den of hostility with her younger sister Tyler (Rebecca Griffiths) and their critical mother Joanne (Kierston Wareing). The three are foul-mouthed and rage-filled. When Joanne’s new boyfriend Connor (Michael Fassbender) starts giving Mia the attention she’s starved for and encourages her dreams of being a hip-hop dancer, she puts her fury aside. She lessens her missions to chaos and destruction in lieu of the dancing, especially when a big audition comes her way. Just as it appears she’s getting on track a huge betrayal derails her. You don’t cross Mia Williams unless you are ready for her wrath. The dance scene shared by the three ladies at the end is priceless. A great movie without this scene but their connection utters the feeling they don’t state.

Brutal, cutting, unsanded—Mia is an animal I didn’t want to release. Get comfortable on the edge of your sofa for the maelstrom from which you won’t be able to turn. In the end, I was upset with Mia’s choice; I wanted her to return to school and expand upon her awakening. She’s a fighter but where will she end up? This is a genuine ending but I’m still mad at her for leaving.

Andrea Arnold also directed the brilliant Red Road (which was meant to be the first in a trilogy using the same actors).

Writer/Director: Andrea Arnold

Country: UK

Genre: Drama

Run time: 122 minutes

Scale: 5

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

2011-10-02T16:51:00.001-07:00

I’m surprised there aren’t more movies about kids looking up their sperm donors. The best part of watching The Kids Are All Right is that I avoided reading or hearing anything about it beforehand so everything—from the secondary actors to the plot points to the ending were a surprise.

In a nutshell, siblings 18-year-old Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and 15-year-old Laser (Josh Hutcherson) seek out and meet Paul (Mark Ruffalo)the man behind the sperm that created them. When their moms Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) find out, they are threatened by Paul and worried about the kids.

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

Pros
It’s funny: Great use of humor—quips, one-liners and verbal sparring.

Insightful details and characterizations: Joni and Laser are confident. They have real teenage moments and through these we learn what drives them. Their relationship with one another is strong and they are self-assured. The relationship between their moms Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) is portrayed with its blemishes and struggles. Paul (Mark Ruffalo) is affected by his relationship with Joni and Laser and he grows up.

Cons:
The ending: The way Paul is cut off from the Laser and Joni at the end was sloppy and offered no resolution. If this movie were longer, Laser and Paul would get likely be in touch again. They shared a connection but it would be difficult for the entire family to forgive Paul’s perceived “interloping.” I loved the idea of this blended family working out somehow.

Was Jules definitely gay? No way! I had difficulty believing that Jules was gay after her sex scenes with Paul. She was really into it MANY times over. At the very least, maybe she’s bisexual?

Co-writer/Director: Lisa Cholodenko

Country: USA

Genre: Dramedy

Run time: 106 minutes

Scale: 3.5

Savage Grace (2007)

2011-10-02T16:48:00.001-07:00

Savage Grace is an uneven and slow slog. I’d go as far as calling it boring. It shocks you over and over but in between, the unsympathetic characters provoke anything but distaste, revulsion and confirmation that people with too much money are miserable wagons.

This disturbing mess tells the alleged true story of Barbara Daly Baekeland (Julianne Moore) and Brooks Baekeland (Stephen Dillane); the latter the heir to the Bakelite plastics fortune. They have a son, Antony (Eddie Redmayne), who is doted on by his mother and ignored by his father. The family travel the world mingling with persons of high social caliber. Brooks is irritated while Barbara is in her element pushing Tony’s accomplishments onto the annoyed guests.

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

Tony’s interest is mildly peaked when he meets hot Spaniard Blanca (Elena Anaya) but that doesn’t stop him from sexing it up with his male buddy (see picture). Barbara pushes Tony and Blanca to sleep together, but soon Brooks runs away with Blanca leaving wife and son behind never to look back. Tony is crushed by his dad’s abandonment and his “inheriting” his mother, her depression and her suicidal tendencies.

Many lurid events follow: Barbara takes up with a gay man. They engage in a ménage à trois with Tony. Tony is numb as his mother’s keeper, confidante and sometimes lover. I wasn’t expecting the final scene where Barbara mounts her son, has sex with him and asks him if he came. When he says no, she gives him a hand job. Once done, they get up and contemplate what to order for dinner. Tony stabs and kills her. After nearly eight years in a psychiatric hospital, Tony is released and moves in with his maternal grandmother. Within a week, he stabs her. She survives but Tony goes to Rikers Island where within the year he’s dead by suffocation with a plastic bag (it was uncertain if it was a suicide or murder).

A fucking mess.

Director: Tom Kalin

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 97 minutes

Scale: 2

Blue Car (2002)

2011-09-30T18:48:00.001-07:00

Meg (Agnes Bruckner) discovers her blossoming talent as a poet in AP English. It gives her respite from her duties as stand-in mom at home to her mentally ill younger sister as her single mom works to make ends meet since Meg’s father abandoned them.

The pressure gets to neglected Meg as her sister Lily (Regan Arnold) cuts herself, won’t eat and obsesses about morbidity. Meg finds solace in the attention of her English teacher, Mr. Auster (David Strathairn). She wins a contest and a chance to go to the regionals. As he mentors her writing, she develops feelings for him. I hoped that Blue Car wouldn’t go “there” to the realm of the student-teacher affair. You see it coming but for a long time, it looks as though it will be averted until it comes crashing.

The distance between the two girls and their mother grows. Meg hides more as tragedy strikes the family. She is determined to get to the regionals which leads to the movie’s crescendo. Meg’s brooding and sadness saturate the screen. I loved the process where how she writes her poem Blue Car. The way we are there with Meg’s emotions and reality is the strongest aspect of Blue Car. In need of attention and love, Meg she puts all her hopes and dreams in her teacher’s basket. He takes advantage of this, but she is metamorphosing. She has become a writer but Auster isn’t who she believed him to be. The ending brings her to a new understanding of how she fits in the world and what she needs to stand on her own.

Writer/Director: Karen Moncrieff

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 96 minutes

Scale: 3

Californication (Season 3) (2009)

2011-09-29T22:13:00.001-07:00

This season kicks off horrifyingly bad. Hank’s immaturity and obnoxiousness are off the charts. Yet the ladies continue to swoon. The lack of storyline is disappointing. What makes it different than soft porn? The show hasn’t changed, you say, but the storylines have lame-ified and it’s just a lot of screwing. Hank’s idiocy is eye rolling. He’s a joke as a professor and no one gives a crap. It isn’t until Karen returns from New York that Hank shapes up one percentage point. Question is, will this man-boy ever get sorted? Will the edge this show used to possess return?

What about Charlie and Marcy? That situation has digressed (I didn’t think it possible). Rick Springfield plays a dirtbag. How did he think this role was a good move? Why would he want to sully his image by portraying himself as a cokehead narcissist? Kathleen Turner as Charlie’s new boss is repulsive. Like a testosterone-fueled humper, she won’t lay off Charlie. She is so unlikeable that when she has her few moments of redemption, the deficit of likability is stacked against her. Becca is the only sane one. She finally hits her rebellion while running the Moody fraternity house.

This season jumped the shark. I felt dirty after watching it. What’s in store in Season 4? The last few episodes with Mia were the best because now, Hank has something to lose: the world may get proof of the depths of his depravity. How is Karen so calm about his parade of sex parters? How is she comfortable bare-backing with him? She’s aware of several of them and knows these are only a fraction of the whole. It’s this point that keeps me wondering why she would flip over Mia. She was underage, she was nearly her step-daughter, but I’m not convinced. Even with the bevy of guest appearances (Peter Gallagher, Ed Westwick, Eva Amurri), I was underwhelmed.

My Night with the Script (September 21)

2011-09-29T21:48:00.001-07:00

I’m not a music snob. I’ve my favorites but I love the experience of a new band. Sometimes you score, other times you lose; occasionally you learn a band may not be your cup of Irish tea but you are struck by their passion, their following, the experience.

I was introduced to the Script one year ago. According to my Irish colleague Jeff Harvey, the Dublin band are huge in some sectors of music fandom previously unknown to me. Mr. Harvey was a schoolmate of drummer Glen Power. He promised that when The Script played Seattle next, he’d get me tickets. My day came last Wednesday. Originally slated for the Paramount, the show was moved to the Neptune at the last minute. (As a side note, The Neptune is a great venue. It’s like the Showbox light and it’s got great potential to grow into an excellent personality.

The Script is reminiscent of an R&B-styled boy band with a bit of rap. A few songs dip into the realm of U2 sounds. Most are on the slow side. There was a standout song (unfortunately as a novice, I don’t know the name)—fast, ska-ish, fun. They mused about their “dark” songs but their affect was upbeat and happy. This band appreciates their fans, love performing and enjoy their job. As an audience member, you can’t fight the jolly with this set-up. The fan demographic: young adoring-to-near-tears females; couples entwined in each others’ arms and a sprinkling of oldies. Despite only two albums, I was nonetheless surprised when the show, including encore, ended after one hour (it was a school night so no harm, no foul). Thanks for hooking me up with VIP status, Mr. H.

Winter’s Bone (2010)

2011-09-25T23:20:00.001-07:00

The first time I watched Winter’s Bone, I didn’t go gaga, despite its many nominations and awards. Upon second viewing, I recognized much more of its artistic achievements.

Seventeen-year-old Ree (Jennifer Lawrence) cares for her two young siblings, Sonny and Ashlee, and her mentally absent mother in their Missouri Ozarks backwoods home. She is constantly teaching the kids self-sufficiency—spelling, hunting, cooking. Then, Jessup, her meth-cook/drug-dealer father, turns up missing. As an absentee father, his disappearance isn’t atypical, but no one has seen him and he’s put up their house as bond. When the bailsman announces that Ree has one week to find Jessup before the house is seized, she refuses to accept they will be left homeless. Tenacious, she faces off with extended family where the code of honor revolves around silence. The women fiercely guard their men, similar to how castles are protected and visitors are vetted to prove they are worthy to face the king. In Winter’s Bone, the king is Thump Milton (Ronnie Hall).

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

The set design, social commentary on poverty and glimpses at the backwoods world create suspense. The story isn’t without flaws. Jessup misstep was not his daughter’s fault. Why do they take so long to come around to helping her? Also, in this community where snitching is the ultimate betrayal, would Jessup commit this wrong? I don’t buy it. To face 10 years in the slammer is nothing to shrug at, but to go against the explicit norms upon which this clan is built would seal his fate. Desperate situations beget desperate choices, but this detail is believable as presented. Based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell, it would be worthwhile to see if there is more to support this plot point in the book. As an aside, I greatly enjoyed the banjos and guitar that provide a respite from the gloom.

Lawrence and John Hawkes as her uncle Teardrop are excellent. Her Ree is tough and resilient among the folks who could kill her in an instant based on her challenging their pride alone. His Teardrop is torn between his divided loyalties. By the end, Ree has covered miles of backwoods on food, been beaten and bloodied and made to participate in acts she will never forget.

Co-writer/Director: Debra Granik

Country: USA

Genre: Drama/Thriller

Run time: 100 minutes

Scale: 3.5

A Rant on How the Mobile Food Rodeo Did Not Deliver (September 17)

2011-09-25T21:29:00.001-07:00

I didn’t set out to review the first Mobile Food Truck Festival Rodeo in Seattle held one week ago, but the more I contemplated, the more I decided I had something to say.

This disorganized mess produced a ton of waiting around at its lackluster location in Interbay. The truck representation included The Box, El Camión, Maximus/Minimus, Street Donuts, Parfait, Kaosamai Thai, Lumpia World, Molly Moon, Skillet, BUNS, Street Treats, Charlie’s Buns N’ Stuff, Fusion on the Run, Bistro Box, Curry Now, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Veraci Pizza, The Snout & Co. and Bigfood. The festival advertised like mad through Groupon and The Stranger. The lines to get in were massive. If you were lucky enough to get free parking, you saved $10. Once inside, the band stage was empty more than it had bands performing. The cupcake-eating contest was the highlight during my tenure, where the lucky winner walked away with a years’ supply of Trophy cupcakes.

The food lines were so long you had to wade through them to get to the trucks to view their menus (many didn’t offer sampler/small items as advertised), so unless you did a cursory walk through and examined the menus (which required a lot crisscrossing lines and excuse-me’s) you didn’t know which food to choose. Ideally, each truck should post signs with their offerings so you can decide while in line—those with smart phones were clearly the winners.

I took my chances with Bigfood and was delighted at their flat bread offerings. My choice did not come without a price (I don’t mean the charge)—I waited 25 minutes to order. Then, I waited another 20 to receive my food. If you were disappointed with your food, then you were looking at another huge wait. I’d expected to wait some, but this was ridiculous.

The worst offence was the lack of sufficient recycling and food waste containers. Garbage bins were teeming with glass and plastic. Aren’t Seattleites supposed to be leaders in green? What an enormous oversight! When I asked a Food Rodeo Cowboy why the situation was so dire, he pinned the onus on the food carts; that they had failed to deliver. He then pointed out one recycling bin next to a food cart. Now that the lines had thinned, it was visible. He said he’d seen a food waste bin “somewhere” but couldn’t point me in its direction.

The event needed more hay bales, picnic tables for festive family-style seating and, perhaps, Christmas lights. More music may have helped. More food trucks may have diminished some of the waits. The trucks needed to have been dispersed better so that some lines didn’t hinder people from getting to the carts in the corners.

The positives: The food. Dog friendly. Family friendly. Philanthropic—raising $3,126 for Seattle’s Solid Ground (formerly the Fremont Public Association).The Snout and its Cuban flair was voted the crowd favorite but their line was, you guessed it—long and SLOW.

I hope the organizers learn from this year’s fiasco; they’ve 365 to tailor an improvement. Good luck.

To verdener (Worlds Apart) (2008)

2011-09-18T21:01:00.001-07:00

Worlds Apart is a based on a true story about a devout 17-year-old Jehovah’s Witness and the choice that will define her future.

Sara (Rosalind Spanning) and her family are zealous in their faith. When her parents separate, they ask Sara and her young siblings, Elisabeth (Sarah Juel Werner) and August (Jacob Ottensten), to decide which parent will leave the family home. Around the same time, Sara meets older Teis (Pilou Asbæk). While they clash over her religious beliefs, they spar intelligently. His counterpoints ring some truth within her. They start dating. When her father and the church elders get wind of it, they urge Sara to get rid of him; Teis asks her to rethink it. Her older brother Jonas (Thomas Knuth-Winterfeldt) has already been shunned and it has destroyed him; Sara wants to avoid that fate. She hatches a plan to appease everyone, but it won’t be easy.

Worlds Apart is about painful decisions. Because it takes its time unfolding, you behold Sara’s sorrow and suffering. Her agony is palpable. In the end, everyone loses here. Worlds Apart injects you into this fractured family, torn apart by the very thing around which they’ve centered themselves. The Danish make beautifully deep movies and this is no exception.

Co-writer/Director: Niels Arden Oplev

Country: Denmark

Genre: Drama

Run time: 115 minutes

Scale: 4.5

Speaking of Banksy…

2011-09-14T23:07:00.001-07:00

Is it or isn’t it?

Found deep in Greenwood.

Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

2011-09-14T21:44:00.001-07:00

Is it a documentary about street art? A mockumentary about an eccentric Frenchman who takes up street art at Banksy’s suggestion? An intelligent put-on buzzing with social commentary on celebrity and what it considered good art? Yes, yes and yes.

You meet Thierry Guetta, a vintage resale shop owner who’s never not video-documenting his life. When he begins filming his cousin—French street artist Invader, his life takes a turn. He meets other street artists. He starts filming them and getting into his role so much so that soon he's assisting them, climbing buildings and filming from high above. He documents the Who’s Who of street artists including Shepard Fairey (creator of the Obama Hope poster), Borf, Swoon (female representation), Sweet Toof. When he starts sniffing around for Banksy, the elusive English street artist, he’s told “never, it won’t happen, he doesn’t even own a phone.” But, a coup d'état occurs—they meet and it’s chemistry.

Clever and funny, Exit Through the Gift Shop is wickedly entertaining. The narration guides it like a fairy tale. Guetta is genius. Can a character like him be made up? Would these artists agree to be filmed? Who knows for sure? Many things don’t make sense—Guetta’s copyright infringement, the Disney incident, the over-the-top show (which means Brad, Angie, Christina and Jude were complicit or themselves duped)—but that adds it because you’re still unable to know what is really happening.

If you like street art, you may like this. If you like Banksy, you’ll love it. Don’t miss the what-are-they-doing-now bit at the end about Debora (Guetta’s wife). It’s a great touch.

Director: Banksy

Country: UK

Genre: Documentary with a heavy hand of comedy

Run time: 87 minutes

Scale: 5

28 Days (2000)

2011-09-10T15:43:00.001-07:00

I’m guilty of saying bad things about Sandy. Things like, makes lame movies, bad actress, annoying. I liked Speed but didn’t love what seemed like the same shtick (a la Aniston) over and over. It took The Proposal for me to come around. Once this happened, I watched (at PIC’s urging) and enjoyed Practical Magic, rewatched Speed and saw 28 Days.

Before I nitpick, Sandy cannot help but be funny but she also has dramatic range.

28 Days is a drama that cannot make up its mind whether or not it’s a comedy. Drunk party girl Gwen (Sandra Bullock) ruins her sister’s Lily’s (Elizabeth Perkins) wedding. She must enter rehab or be imprisoned. She reluctantly goes to rehab and of course acts out, insistent she doesn’t have an addiction.

This rehab isn’t portrayed particularly well—it’s lax, naïve, no hold barred—drunks come and go for visits, drugs enter, no one is searched after leaving the grounds, people fall out of windows. Yet, there are some good parts. The flashback scenes showing Gwen and Lily’s childhood are hard to watch as is the wedding scene fiasco. I recoiled many times. Gerhardt (Alan Tudyk) another rehab client is hilarious. He brings comedic lightness as does Gwen’s roommate Andrea (Azura Skye) and her love of the Santa Cruz soap opera.

This isn’t a great movie, but I enjoyed it for Gwen’s turn as she starts to come out of her haze, reassess her relationship with alcoholic boyfriend Jasper (Dominic West) and begins rebuilding her relationship with Lily. It’s also got a fantastic cast: Viggo Mortenson, Steve Buscemi, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Reni Santoni (Poppie from Seinfeld), Diane Ladd and Margo Martindale.

Director: Betty Thomas

Country: USA

Genre: Dramedy

Run time: 102 minutes

Scale: 3

Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001)

2011-09-10T14:51:00.001-07:00

Do you believe in fate? Thirteen Conversations About One Thing shows you why you should. Similar to (but not as compelling as) Robert Altman’s Short Cuts or PT Anderson’s Magnolia, the plot weaves four vignettes into one overall story.

Troy (Matthew McConaughey) has just prosecuted and won a big case. He’s headed for bigger and better. As he celebrates with his peers at a bar, he meets curmudgeon Gene (Alan Arkin) who’s irked by Troy’s glibness. He warns him: It won’t last. Troy is riding high and Gene’s negativity cannot touch him; that is, not until later that same night when a moment of distraction topsy-turvies his world.

Divorcee Gene works in insurance claims. His son is a drug addict. He strikes out at his jolly glass-half-full employee to prove that his happiness is fake. Only, it doesn’t work out as Gene expected.

Idealistic cleaning woman, Bea (Clea DuVall) is crushing on a client. After waking up in the hospital on the verge of death, her optimism wanes, but not as much as when she learns that her client believes she lacks integrity—a true moment of loss of innocence.

Physics professor Walker (John Turturro) and wife Patricia (Amy Irving) have an empty marriage. He’s carrying on with another professor. He seems to be on mute, barely alive. When he finds a victim, a students—a med-school hopeful—he unleashes his ire on him, much like Gene did on Troy. Walker will suffer a triple whammy. His robotic wife suffers one of her own.

The characters (many familiar faces) tussle with tragedy. They must react, suffer and rethink their modus operandi before the story is over. Some characters are hard to connect with and the cleaning woman and professor’s storylines are the weakest but it’s a thoughtful study of human behavior.

Co-writer/Director: Jill Sprecher

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 104 minutes

Scale: 3

Hanyo (The Housemaid) (2010)

2011-09-10T12:32:00.001-07:00

Hanyo grips and doesn’t let you turn away. Immediately, you know that new housemaid Eun-yi Li (Do-yeon Jeon) is in a strange home with peculiar people when she starts alongside the seasoned older maid Byung-sik (Yeo-Jong Yun) who’s worked in the home for years.

Eun-yi Li is seduced by her new employer Hoon (Jung-Jae Lee) and the two begin an affair. By day, she tends to his pregnant wife, Hae-ra (Seo Woo), and daughter, Nami (Seo-Hyeon Ahn). By night, Hoon pays Eun-yi clandestine visits (always with wine bottle in hand). While the young maid is enjoying her double-duty, the older maid is not keen on her apprentice’s extracurricular activities. She plays both sides—loyal to her employers but knowing them, what they are capable of and telling Eun-yi to be careful. When Eun-yi gets pregnant, Byung-sik betrays her. Eun-yi faces the wrath of Hae-ra and her mother, who proves to be shockingly vengeful in her efforts to get Eun-yi to terminate her pregnancy.

The commentary on socio-economic differences is at the forefront in this horror thriller, reminding Eun-yi she is worth little, if anything, but never giving us much to understand what her life was like previous to this job, except that she shared a tiny place and bed with an equally fiscally strapped pal. The set design is brilliant—the stately home as a cold prison. In a scene eerily similar to the balcony fall in The Omen, you are foreshadowed for the climax. The characters are disturbed and you will be too. The final scene is a neo-Adams family mishmash.

(One seemingly unresolved detail: Hoon and his mother-in-law congratulate Byung-sik on her son’s new post as prosecutor. Her reaction to Hoon Goh is anger. Why? Was her son Hoon Goh’s brother? That would bring this story full circle.)

Writer/Director: Sang-soo Im

Country: South Korea

Genre: Thriller

Run time: 105 minutes

Scale: 3

The History Boys (2006)

2011-09-10T11:39:00.001-07:00

Set in the 1980s with a soundtrack featuring New Order, The Smiths, The Clash, Echo and the Bunnymen and The Cure, The History Boys follows a group of boisterous young men preparing to present their A-levels in history for admittance into Oxford and Cambridge. What are A-levels, you ask? Wikipedia defines them as follows:

A-levels (Advanced Levels) are courses which are taken by British 16-18 year-olds who hold 'advanced' levels of intelligence. The courses are the way to get to university and thus set their proud owner up for a life of unimaginable riches, unimaginable luxury and unimaginable sex. All because you have A-levels.

In this character-driven drama, you get to know the gifted students in their hunger to achieve and learning about themselves. Main character Dakin (Dominic Cooper) believes his smarts and good looks will get him anything. Posner (Samuel Barnett) who has a crush on Dom and his verve. Teacher Hector (Richard Griffiths) loves drama and poetry and has the boys recite poetry or break into song, but this is no time for singing. The headmaster is worried that if they don’t get it, he won’t be able to clock any victories for his school. He brings in Irwin (Stephen Campbell Moore) to fine-tune them to impress with new perspectives on history. As the young men work harder to excel, you start seeing a parallel: Just as in history with wars and battles, they want to win and conquer.

The History Boys plays like a live theater production (makes sense as screenplay was written by Alan Bennett and based on his award-winning play). Most of the film happens in the classroom. The banter is well timed. There are several short musical numbers and movie scenes providing meta drama. There’s also an element of pedophilia in the form of fondling. It’s happening isn’t betrayed but everyone knows about it. Is this another historical parallel? The ending is a shock and then reminiscent of the series finale of Six Feet Under. The History Boys is worth a view. The original Broadway production opened in New York in 2006 and won the 2006 Tony Award for the Best Play. Eleven of the actors recreated their Broadway roles in the movie. Barnett was nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

Director: Nicholas Hytner

Country: UK

Genre: Drama

Run time: 109 minutes

Scale: 3.5

Our Idiot Brother (2011)

2011-09-07T22:23:00.001-07:00

The problem with Our Idiot Brother is its title. It gives a false impression that what you are in store for is a 1-D farcical romp. Not that there’s anything wrong with that—in the right mood, we can benefit from a frolic in that type of comedy. Ned (Paul Rudd) has hippy sensibilities and poor logical reasoning. This unfortunate marriage lands him in the pokey. Fast forward eight months. He’s released and learns that his girlfriend Janet (Kathryn Hahn) has taken up with Billy (TJ Miller, also the concierge/drug dealer from Get Him to the Greek). This means Ned is homeless and has lost custody of his adored dog, Willie Nelson. He moves in with his mother and, consequently, with each of his three sisters todisastrous results—one by one, they blame him for ruining their lives. Steve Coogan as Dylan, Liz’s pretentious and arrogant husband, will make you cringe (in genuine Coogan style). Rashida Jones as Cindy takes a turn with a quirky turn. Adam Scott as Jeremy is underused and not that different from his Parks and Recreation shtick.

The character development and clever writing explore the sisters’ festering relationship issues. You may not like all of the characters but Ned brings you around. We come full circle for a satisfying conclusion. You may even leave the theater smiling as I did. Stay put for the extras during the final credits.

Director: Jesse Peretz

Country: USA

Genre: Comedy with bits of drama

Run time: 90 minutes

Scale: 4

Oktapodi (2007)

2011-09-05T22:48:00.001-07:00

In this animated short set on a lovely Greek Island, you are presented with a frenzied tale depicting the lengths an octopus reaches for the one he loves. When yanked from her tank and beloved partner, the remaining octopus is relentless in his quest to get her back while battling the culprit as he drives through a Greek island town to delivery his catch. The animation is lush and crisp with excellent fluidity, crispness and a brilliant ending. While the short is wordless, the musical soundtrack’s tempo keeps up with the action. Get more information and watch it here.

The short received many awards, including a nomination for Best Animated Short in 2009’s Academy Awards.

Directors: Julien Bocabeille, François-Xavier Chanioux, Olivier Delabarre, Thierry Marchand, Quentin Marmier, Emud Mokhberi

Country: France

Genre: Animated short

Run time: 2 minutes, 26 seconds

Scale: 5

The 27 Club (2008)

2011-09-05T22:45:00.001-07:00

The 27 Club is a study in sadness told in flashbacks during a cross-country road trip. Elliot (Joe Anderson) is reeling from the death of best friend and bandmate Tom (James Forgey) just after Tom’s 27th birthday. The two grew up like brothers in a dysfunctional home before finding success as the band Finn.

As Elliot starts on his road trip from LA to Joplin, Missouri, to take care of his dead friend’s last request, the alcohol, drugs and shock of losing his best friend prove too much. Hungover, he stumbles into a grocery store; following an altercation, the cashier calms a flustered Elliot. In turn, Elliot offers the cashier $10,000 to drive him “east.”

Elliot is strikingly reminiscent of a young, sleep-deprived Kurt Cobain while the straight-laced, nameless driver looks like a young Leonard Nimoy. For the late-bloomer driver, this journey becomes his coming-of-age experience. The two merely co-exist as Elliot wrestles his demons. Anderson’s Elliot emotes with his haunting expression—mirroring the pain and turmoil from within. It isn't until they pick-up hitchhiker Stella (Eve Hewson, daughter of U2’s Bono) that the two begin to bond. Although she recognizes Elliot from Finn, she doesn’t immediately acknowledge nor share the information.

The 27 Club contains little crescendo and ends quietly. While soulful, it feels like a freshman film effort, which doesn’t harm the story. The emotional journey through Elliot’s mourning is symbolically interlaced with scenic American landscapes to nibble on.

Writer/Director: Erica Dunton

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 84 minutes

Scale: 3.5

Extasis (Ecstacy) (1996)

2011-09-05T15:30:00.001-07:00

Three scamps hatch an ill thought-out plan to rob their families and open a beachside bar. Rober (Javier Bardem), Ona (Leire Berrocal) and Max (Daniel Guzmán) rob and empty the till at Ona’s father’s store, but when the theft of Rober’s uncle doesn’t go as planned, Max ends up in jail.

Rober impersonates Max and tracks down Max’s estranged father, Daniel (Federico Luppi), a renown theater director. Rober is confident this plan will work as Max hasn’t seen his father since he was nine and he will get the money to liberate Max. When Rober introduces himself as Max to Max’s father, it’s as if another movie starts. Ona and Max become secondary as mastermind Rober begins the guise as Max. Daniel and Max interact as if engaged in a chess match. Rober falls under the allure of Max’s father, even landing a role in Daniel’s new play and being seduced by Daniel’s girlfriend.

The plot has some holes but it’s got clever twists and escalation of tension. Barden’s talent shines in one of his earlier film roles, especially opposite the shrewd character of Daniel. The ending is anti-climactic, unsatisfying but worthwhile to see Rober’s metamorphosis.

Co-Writer/Director: Mariano Barroso

Country: Spain

Genre: Drama

Run time: 93 minutes

Scale: 3

Destinations: The Debate Surrounding the “Forever Marilyn” Statue (Chicago)

2011-08-16T00:21:00.001-07:00

Chicago is a tourist mecca. On a sunny summer day when the humidity index isn’t off the charts, it’s the perfect time for enjoying the waterfront and what it has to offer.

Among the newest sights on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is the new aluminum and tin sculpture installation called “Forever Marilyn.” The 26-foot-tall piece replicates Monroe’s iconic pose in the billowing white dress over the NYC subway grate in The Seven Year Itch. Unveiled on July 15th, 2011, the 11-ton sculpture sits in Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue where it meets the Chicago River. “Forever Marilyn” has had a polarizing effect on the city, drawing controversy for reasons, including:

1. Her panties are on full display. You can look up her skirt and some deem this view is in poor taste. (Blog author rebuttal: The cut on the panties is modest.)

2. Some question what message displaying an icon famous for her disastrous love life delivers to the public about women. (Blog author rebuttal: This piece is freestanding art. Can I not enjoy it at face value (no pun intended) as the image that I’ve seen referenced many times over the years?)

3. High-brows call it kitsch and not real art. (Blog author rebuttal: I happen to love it and on a separate note, what’s wrong with kitsch?)

4. They object to it’s misplacement nestled among the lovely stately architecture of the beloved Chicago landscape. (Blog author rebuttal: It only enhances the architecture around her.)

5. The sculpture has no Chicago connection. (Blog author rebuttal: The controversy has remedied that issue.)

I overhead several visitors remarking about how “neat, awesome” and “interesting” a piece it is. The members of the constant crowd of varied ages gathered around her with smiles plastered across their faces as they lined up to get pictures taken with Monroe’s likeness.

My question is, as the Chicago winter approaches, will the "City of Broad Shoulders" outfit the gal with a coat and/or knitted legwarmers to protect her from the harsh winds coming off the lakefront?

The Town (2010)

2011-08-12T23:10:00.001-07:00

Crime caper The Town tells a suspenseful story about friendship, loyalty and love. Bank and armored-truck robbers Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) and Jimmy “Jem” (Jeremy Renner) are like brothers, having grown up together in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston. Their crew includes two other childhood friends. The four have executed several successful heists. During their last one, Jimmy takes the bank manager, Claire (Rebecca Hall), hostage.

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

After being blindfolded, she’s released unharmed. FBI Special Agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm) is all over the case. Doug and Jimmy are worried. Did she see anything? Doug (sans mask and weapon) begins watching her. After a chance meeting, they become romantically involved, but Doug has his secret to guard; she becomes his other secret. His desire to start a new crime-free life with her grows, but he’s part of the Irish Family and you don’t just quit. Doug and his crew are pegged for a huge heist at Fenway Park--one that will take skill, confidence and luck. Will Doug find a way out or will he end up in prison with his father and never again see Claire?

The Town utilizes unique details such as masks. They offer visual stimulation, ratchet up the tension and add lightness to the chaos. The uniforms add complexity to the heists since we aren’t privy to the planning. We see enough of Boston that the city itself becomes a character, providing a feel for its historic charm and the calamity that overthrows it during these robberies.

I’ve never been a fan of Affleck, but he’s accomplished a compelling performance, a decent screenplay and tour-de-force directing (follow-up to his feature debut Gone Baby Gone). Renner is a powerhouse, simmering with emotion behind the stony façade; he is Jem, the hothead loyal to the end. Blake Lively as Krista, Jem’s sister and Doug’s ex, is surprisingly good. Chris Cooper as Doug’s jailbird daddy does what he does best—plays unlikable characters with relish. Pete Postlethwaite as the Irish Godfather, Fergie the Florist, delivers in his second to last performance before his death (cancer) in January.

Adapted for the screen by Ben Affleck, Peter Craig and Aaron Stockard from the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan, The Town is worthy of your time.

Co-Writer/Director: Ben Affleck

Country: USA

Genre: Thriller

Run time: 126 minutes

Scale: 4

Rob Zombie Slays at WAMU Theater (8.6.2011)

2011-08-10T23:44:00.001-07:00

Rob Zombie don’t just turn up, they create an experience.

The set up: Saturday night. Exodus the opening band. I missed them, but from all accounts, they played an impressive set. From the beer garden, I saw the backdrop screen being tested. When the band started, I gulped my drink and squeezed up to the third row. (One doesn’t realize how comfortable it is to relent holding yourself up when you’re sandwiched by a mass of bodies.)

The backdrop behind the band flanked the crowd with scenes from movies including Carrie, Pulp Fiction, Grindhouse: Werewolf Women of the S.S. Geometric patterns à la Spirograph entranced, vibrant lighting colors alternated, skeletons projected attitude. Even an amazon-sized alien with skeleton claws joined the band on stage.

Rob Zombie is a performer. The band has chemistry and their energy is boundless. This was the last date on current tour and they gave it as if the tour had just begun. It’s obvious they appreciate their fans.

The costumes are vibrant, flamboyant. Zombie’s long dreads swing back and forth like a school of fish suddenly changing directions.

Zombie sported a skeleton silk-screened kilt; his shirt reminiscent of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle belly shield.

Ex-Marilyn Manson drummer Ginger Fish was hidden behind the drum set. When he made his appearance, his resemblance to a more presentable version of the villain from Jeepers Creepers was uncanny.

A guy in a wheelchair was hoisted and surfed above the attendees. Women displayed their breasts while sitting on willing shoulders. Toilet paper rolls were tossed. Beach balls bounced into the crowd.

Bubbles filled the stage area and metallic confetti rained upon the excited fans, sticking to their sweaty skin and wet hair.

The last costume change had Rob Zombie appearing in long red suit coats as Nazi zombies.

They played White Zombie favorites including More Human Than Human and Thunder Kiss ‘65 as well as Rob Zombie favorites Living Dead Girl and Superbeast. The show culminated with a rendition of Dragula performed with Zombie at the top of an Alien-Tiki platform.

When the party ended, everyone was amped. The mood persists after more than an hour of cheering at one of the best performances you’ve seen. When Slayer began their set, the tone was radically different from the Rob Zombie experience. You felt it in your gut, but compared to Rob Zombie, Slayer’s shredding wasn’t enough to keep this attendee present. After a few songs, I still wasn’t ready to move on, so to keep the Rob Zombie experience alive, I left the auditorium.

Jeepers Creepers (2001)

2011-08-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

Jeepers Creepers draws you in with its pointy skeletal digits from the start. Tough to explain because if you were to read the plot, it might sound way too over the top to work, yet it’s creep factor gets inside you. Even when it gets outlandish (and it does), you are more scared than you would ever guess you’d be watching a movie starring the Mac-vs-PC guy, Justin Long.

Brother-sister duo Trish (Gina Philips) and Darry (Justin Long) are on a road trip back from university. He’s driving her vintage car on the less-traveled route. Inside, you have Darry’s incessant chatter and chiding. Brooding Trish is much cooler than her obnoxious brother. There’s a simmering discomfort between them. (It’s subtle but almost seems like the actors were attracted to one another and that bled into the characters.)

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

When the two get run off the road, they have no idea the cat-and-mouse they’re entering with the ominous truck and its macabre driver. They continue on the same road (because in horror movies, everyone is courageous) only to see a peculiar man unloading from aforementioned truck what resemble bodies and dumping them down a large pipe. This is where we depart from logical plotting, such as continuing to drive as 911 is dialed. What does Darry do? He drives to the pipe insisting Trish holds his feet as he dangles himself into the pipe with flashlight in hand to look for bodies.

The second part of Jeepers Creepers doesn’t hold up. However, there is a recreation of the Sistine Chapel that begs to be seen. If you want more, there’s a Jeepers Creepers 2 and 3. I will pass on those.

Writer/Director: Victor Salva

Country: USA

Genre: Horror/Thriller/Supernatural

Run time: 90 minutes

Scale: 2.5

Who the (Bleep!) Did I Marry?

2011-07-15T00:24:00.001-07:00

A robbery in pursuit. Fast, loud and frenzied. A masked man fleeing sirens, lights, the sound of running. Cut to a full body image. He’s outrun them. He slows down. He pulls off his mask, composing himself. Acclimating to his new environs. He carries the duffle as if on his way to abscond with something. The music. The mood. The song. It plays like a 30-second short.

Who the (Bleep Did I Marry)?

If you like the song, check out the extremely watchable video by Swedish rockers PB&J. If you like it, explore the band’s site.

“Young Folks” by PB&J

I watched three episodes; none as compelling as the first one featuring Judith Mawson, Gary Ridgeway’s third wife. The show uses a tongue-in-cheek-peppered-with-schadenfreude storytelling style. Watch the first three minutes and tell me you don’t want to watch the rest:

Judith meets Gary…How It Began

Noruwei no mori (Norwegian Wood) (2010)

2011-07-10T22:13:00.001-07:00

Winning streak has ended.

Norwegian Wood is a coming-of-age story that delves into suicide and its effects on the survivors. Toru (Ken'ichi Matsuyama) and Kizuki (Kengo Kôra) are old friends. Without any indication, Kizuki kills himself. Toru leaves for university and runs into Naoko (Rinko Kikuchi), Kizuki’s girlfriend at his death. The two become involved as they share their grief and indulge in sexual awakening. See, it’s the 60s. Naoko digresses and ends up in an asylum in the woods (is this how they treated the mentally ill back then?). Feeling a sense of responsibility and longing, Toru visits Naoko, as she progressively gets worse.

At university, he meets Midori (Kiko Mizuhara), the peculiar ray of light in this dark tunnel of suffering (Naoko’s roommate at the asylum also provides some odd humor). She likes him. He isn’t available because he is trying to do right by Naoko. Meanwhile, his roommate encourages him to take advantage of being young and single in the sexually liberated ‘60s.

Parts of the plot are compelling, but the experience goes on for too long. Scenes are uneven and plod together, but the landscapes are palpably beautiful. With several suicides and rare moments of levity cushioned between so much calamity and, at times, boredom, it’s difficult to sit through. I’ve watched more distressing movies that have ended too fast; something is missing here. The movie ends on a hopeful note that feels wrong.

Based on the novel by Haruki Murakami, the movie will likely appeal to the author’s die-hard fans. I’d love to hear how someone who revered the book felt about the movie. It’s possible that the story is too cerebral to capture accurately on screen.

Director: Anh Hung Tran

Country: Japan

Genre: Drama

Run time: 133 minutes

Scale: 2

Beginners (2010)

2011-07-08T23:59:00.001-07:00

As of late, I am winning too, Charlie Sheen. On a winning spree of movies, that is.

Beginners is a love story—part rom-com, part dram-com. Introspective Oliver (Ewan McGregor) falls in love with Anna (Mélanie Laurent) in the months following his father Hal’s (Christopher Plummer) death. Oliver absorbs himself in the memories of his father coming out after 45 years of marriage to Oliver’s wacky mother, Georgia (Mary Page Keller).

Shortly thereafter, Hal reveals another doozy as Oliver continues examining his own life and why all of his previous relationships have failed.

The movie has a winning personality—uncommonly witty yet humble. Extremely well cast. One reviewer stated that McGregor gets better with age; I couldn’t agree more. I’ve admired him since Shallow Grave and Trainspotting but haven’t felt bowled over by him again until now. He plays Oliver with genuine compassion and warmth as he supports Hal, even getting a kick out of his discoveries in his new lifestyle, such as house music and falling in love. There are no recriminations or angry declarations—this isn’t that kind of movie. Rounding out the stellar cast is Arthur (Cosmo), Hal’s charming long-haired Jack Russell terrier. Arthur holds his own opposite the speaking characters. He even gets subtitles. It’s brilliant.

Beginners is a semi-autobiographical, based on writer/director Mike Mills' experience with his own father coming out. Mills uses old photographs and random images to help visualize parts of the story. He also presents LA scenes. Instead of the usual frenzied and sprawling, you get a peek at the tranquil spots in its neighborhood landscapes.

This one is a gem that shouldn’t be missed.

Director: Mike Mills

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 105 minutes

Scale: 4.5

Seattle Gay Pride Parade (June 26, 2011)

2011-07-04T19:38:00.001-07:00

Not having had attended this event for years, I was struck by the vibrant energy, the enormous crowds and the big smiles. Even the sun made an appearance.

Boy (2010)

2011-07-04T18:26:00.001-07:00

New Zealand’s Boy combines Michael Jackson mania and coming of age to create a dark comedy with a talented, eclectic cast.

It’s 1984 and Boy (James Rolleston) fantasizes about his father arriving home to see him and his brother, Rocky (Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu), who live with their grandmother and several other parentless cousins on a farm in rural poverty. Boy is certain that when his dad returns, he will be the father Boy has dreamed of and will take him to see Michael Jackson live.

Boy’s granny, Alamein’s mother, is away for a week and has left Boy in charge. But, he’s 11 and soon the place becomes a madhouse. During this same week, his father, Alamein (Taika Waititi also Boy’s writer and director) returns after seven years in the clink. The wanna-be gangster is joined by the two sole members of his gang—the Crazyhorses. Boy falls under his spell. Alamein is set on finding an old stash of money and bolting. Rocky is having a crisis, convinced he has magical powers that can cause injury to others. Boy’s obsession with Michael Jackson is a vehicle for killer dance moves by Alamein, the red and black Thriller jacket (as well as other winning ‘80s fashions) and unforgettable choreography.

Director and co-star Waititi also directed some episodes of Flight of the Concords (and had an uncredited cameo) and Eagle vs. Shark. Rolleston, Waititi and Eketone-Whitu are outstanding. Each member of Boy’s posse could lead his/her own movie. And, Boy’s female cousin deserves a shout-out as the old soul who knows none of this will turn out well. With her mere looks and expressions, she boldly carries her character.

This movie is like the shy kid in the corner, who once you get talking you cannot believe you never noticed because he’s an irreverent delight. Boy delves into difficult themes positively, avoiding sentimentality, and finishes with a must-see rendition of Thriller. Will Boy make it to the US? Check out the official site where you can view trailers and read much more about it.

Writer/Director/Star: Taika Waititi

Country: New Zealand

Genre: Comedy

Run time: 86 minutes

Scale: 5

Fish Sculpture @ Genki Sushi (Queen Anne)

2011-06-09T00:39:00.001-07:00

Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses @ EMP

2011-06-09T00:34:00.001-07:00

Kurt Cobain was dead before I arrived in Seattle, but for me, grunge has always been Nirvana. I didn’t jump on the Pearl Jam wagon; I tried but it didn’t work out. I have a thing for Alice in Chains and Soundgarden but Nirvana is my it. I’ve often wondered what it must have been like during the grunge heyday in Seattle, what with impromptu shows, accessible musicians and a league of hipster fans before the term was coined.

When I heard the Experience Music Project was hosting a Nirvana exhibit (running April 16, 2011 through April 22, 2013), I was eager to find me a bit of that old-school grunge feeling. Upon entering the museum, the stunning Roots and Branches structure greets visitors:

Constructed of nearly 700 instruments, guitars, keyboards and drums are clustered to create an inverted cone sculpture. Colors, curves and sounds beckon before you move on to the exhibits.

Now, you have choices: Move to the live band area where you can front a band and see yourself on stage; hit the interactive area where you can play guitars and basses, sing in a real studio, learn to use a mixer to dancify songs, play the drums while accompanied by keyboards; or check out the visual history of guitars. The interactive areas are addictive and timeless fun. Thus, they get CROWDED. (Suggestion: Arrive early & play in interactive area before checking out the Nirvana show and other exhibits.)

As you enter the exhibit, you are flanked by instruments belonging to the trio: Dave Grohl’s drum set, a bass belonging to Krist Noveselic and Cobain’s guitar. Screens are set up with short films running with commentary from recognizable musicians, such as Fugazi’s Ian MacKaye, Black Flag’s Henry Rollins and Mudhoney’s Mark Arm.

Headphones supplement the personal effects that are displayed in the cases. While you view the letters, playlists, show flyers, you can listen to narrated information about the band. Some of Cobain’s art is also on view as well as photographs showing the young trio traipsing all over the world—partying, getting off planes, exploring foreign lands while on tour. The yellow cardigan sweater Cobain often wore in the ‘90s is there. (It’s strange to see it hanging behind the glass sans the man who made it famous.) There are even remnants of a guitar smashed by Cobain.

The exhibit envelops and takes you back a few decades to revel in time.

By the time you hit the visual chronology of guitars room, you might be a bit spent but don’t skip it. The EMP’s collection contains some rarities that you otherwise may never have an opportunity to view (because the museum doesn’t allow flash, the following pictures don’t do the instruments justice). See for yourself:

Following is Eddie Van Halen’s 1984 “customized” Kramer. The ‘80s were all about “hot-rodding” your guitar.

The 1936 Audiovox Model 736 Bass Fiddle was the world’s first electric bass-guitar and it was created in Seattle by Paul Tutmarc. It looks futuristic a la Jetsons.

A 1920s-style Stroh Hawaiian guitar with built on horn mechanism. Supposedly, “wonderfully weird and LOUD.”

If you are still game after all the music paraphernalia, don’t forget the EMP shares its space with the Science Fiction Museum.

I Am (2010)

2011-06-05T19:55:00.001-07:00

Have you ever contemplated what’s wrong with our world today where we are in competition with one another to have the fattest wallet and amass the most? After a serious bike accident, producer-director Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Nutty Professor and Patch Adams) had a long recovery period during which he examined his life and level of happiness. He learned that more money and possessions didn’t translate to greater happiness. He interviews many of today’s respected thinkers—Desmond Tutu, Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn—about what it means to be alive today and how to bring meaning to your life.

I Am could’ve gone down preachy and patronizing routes, but, with Shadyac at the helm, it stays light and smart. During one especially entertaining moment, Shadyac asks his famous interviewees if they’ve heard of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The results are laugh-out-loud funny. The only place I Am suffers is an unusual title that doesn’t lend a clue on subject (after viewing, the meaning is clear).

I Am flows with humor, compelling facts and powerful quotes that carry a simple, yet influential message. It highlights the little effort that pays off exponentially if we are kinder and more open. You leave the theater inspired and ready to influence change.

Director: Tom Shadyac

Country: USA

Genre: Documentary

Run time: 76 minutes

Scale: 4.5

The Kills (Showbox at the Market) (May 9)

2011-05-30T17:14:00.001-07:00

After discovering The Kills in 2010, I listened to Midnight Boom (their third offering) over and over. When news hit their fourth CD Blood Pressures was due out, I learned Seattle was granted a date. It turned out to be a Monday-night all-ages show that would sell out.

Singer Alison Mosshart and guitarist Jamie Hince, collaborating since early 2000s, give The Kills their signature bluesy punk a choppy, fuzzy edge. Their chemistry is palpable, especially live. Mosshart whips and shakes her enormous mane of teased black hair while belting out tunes with her bold voice. Hince, surrounded by a sea of pedals, plays his guitar like a weapon, creating thick, dirty sounds. Their energy is contagious. The two often share the mic, singing so closely their lips practically touch. Hearing selections from Blood Pressures (Future Starts Slow, Heart is a Beating Drum and DNA) arranged among Midnight Boom favorites URA Fever, Tape Song and Sour Cherry (as well as songs from their first two CDs) made the crowd go mental. The leopard-print wall hanging behind the band and Mosshart’s matching shirt were nice touches. Hince threw us a bone when he said New York had nothing on Seattle. Sweet but untrue.

The Showbox crowd danced most of the night due to what the two opening bands started. Appropriately named The Entrance Band, a three-piece from Los Angeles showcased their upside-down-playing (a la Jimi Hendrix) guitarist. Their psychedelic jamming got the crowd moving for the second band, Cold Cave—an excellent synth pop band. Also a three-piece, these showmen took the crowd to actual dancing with their ‘80s-revival-meets-new-millennium sound. Using samples, they made it sound like a female singer was on stage singing with them. The three bands made up one of the best shows I’ve seen in months.

Single White Female (1992)

2011-05-30T16:45:00.001-07:00

Based on the novel “swf seeks same” by John Lutz, this movie is a frightening over-the-top tale about a girl obsession turned fatal.

The movie rolls with a couple planning their future together. Quickly, Allie (Bridget Fonda) and Sam’s (Steven Weber, remember him from Wings?) bliss is shattered over a situation involving his ex and Allie sets out to find a roommate.

Enter Hedy (Jennifer Jason Leigh, who excels at creepy) and her subdued manipulations to win the room. The ladies forge a friendship and Hedy is a quick study in gaining Allie’s trust. Hedy blocks Sam’s attempts to get Allie back. When Sam gets to her, Hedy’s mental illness goes into overdrive pushing her to eliminate anyone who gets in her way. Hedy’s behavior is overdone and implausible, as is the eventual explanation for her behavior (but Leigh is compelling).

SWF is a disturbing study of a sociopath, leaving you uninterested in seeking a roommate situation. Similar to 1987’s Fatal Attraction, the psychic horror scores but SWF has a trace of propaganda that warns young single women to stay out of NYC or, at minimum, be vigilante for potential troubled roommates. SWF highlights Allie’s helplessness: despite being bright enough to have her own design biz, her first client assumes he will bed her (even after he’s already coerced her into taking his job for peanuts). In addition to his stereotypical repulsion factor, he gives her no hint he will pay her nor recommend her, as she hopes.

This is just one of many nuanced roles by the inimitable Jennifer Jason Leigh. What happened to Bridget Fonda? We didn’t hear from her again after she married Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo fame.

Director: Barbet Schroeder

Country: USA

Genre: Thriller

Run time: 107 minutes

Scale: 2.5

Noise (2007)

2011-05-30T11:54:00.001-07:00

The opening scene of Noise hooks you as you follow Lavinia (Maia Thomas) boarding a commuter train in Melbourne and making a horrific realization.

It’s just before Christmas and Constable Graham McGahan (Brendan Cowell) gets stationed in a police caravan in the neighborhood close to the train incident. He suffers from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and black-outs, and he’s a slacker, not doing much while on duty, except for realizing he’s chosen the wrong career. Even when clues and potential leads fall in his lap, he cannot be bothered; the viewer has a better chance at solving the crime.

The story is confusing and abruptly told. So much so that you think you’ve missed key details. As the plot progresses, you realize it’s the manner the screenwriter/director have chosen to unfold the story. Characters resemble one another and the darkness of the movie doesn’t help. Noise is supposed to be a noir thriller, but some scenes are so dark, faces are obscured. The dialog is 2 fast and 2 furious to keep up. The frequent ringing and irritating cacophony repeatedly assault the aural senses. Noise tricks you into thinking it’s going to be terrific. It grabs you with that gripping opener, but never takes goes full circle. The missing links don’t make sense. Too many questions are left vague or unanswered. Who committed the crime? What really happened on that train? Why won’t Lavinia tell reveal the full story? Who was #3 and how did they find a guy who resembled the guy from the train, yet who supposedly wasn’t there? Oy!

Writer/Director: Matthew Saville

Country: Australia

Genre: Drama (supposed to be thriller)

Run time: 108 minutes

Scale: 1.5

Bridesmaids (2011)

2011-05-29T20:13:00.001-07:00

Do you know that feeling while watching a trailer where it looks incredibly funny and you are sold on it? Then, when you actually see it, it turns out the bits in the trailer are the only comedic ones? This is NOT that movie.

Annie (Kristen Wiig), a late 30s-something is broke and unhappy following the demise of her bakery. When her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) gets engaged to Dougie, it (Tim Heidecker) only underscores Annie’s singledom. As maid of honor, she’s determined to make Lillian’s bridal shower and bachelorette party off-the-hook, but when Lillian’s new friend Helen (Rose Byrne) shows up with the same mission and a full wallet, Annie’s hackles go up and the battle is on. At every turn, Helen effortlessly tops Annie.In an unforgettable scene, Lillian and her five bridesmaids are in a swanky bridal shop trying on dresses when the afternoon goes awry with a twist so wrong, you almost don’t believe it’s happening. Bridesmaids has one great scene after another. Most are over-the-top and that’s what makes them so enjoyable. (Only one goes on unbearably long—the dueling one-up speech at the engagement party.)

Wiig has impeccable comedic timing and physical wit; she’s also able to pull off dramatic moments. Ellie Kemper as Becca is always a delight, but the standout here is Melissa McCarthy as Megan, Dougie’s sister. With that mad look in her eyes, each scene in which she appears ends too soon. Rudolph is the throwaway character (the Vincent Chase of the movie)—the BORING one. I cannot forget to mention Officer Nathan Rhodes (Chris O’Dowd) who is a perfect addition to this cast and holds his own opposite Wiig.

If you don’t like crude scatological humor or cannot accept life without political correctness, this movie is not for you. It deals with friendship, jealousy and good intentions gone way wrong and has a jolly time exploiting them for our viewing pleasure. If you’ve ever served as a bridesmaid, you may laugh with sinister schadenfreude.

Director: Paul Feig

Country: USA

Genre: Comedy

Run time: 125 minutes

Scale: 4

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

2011-05-25T20:13:00.001-07:00

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is an ocular delight. You will be regaled by its energy, music and hijinks.

Twenty-two-year-old Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is dating 17-year-old Knives Chao (Ellen Wong). Knives is excited about everything—Scott, his band Sex Bob Omb, video games, music. Scott has a loyal crew, including his gay roommate Wallace (Kieran Culkin) who is constantly on the horn relaying minutiae of Scott’s life to Scott’s sister, Stacey (Anna Kendrick), who in turns calls Scott with her commentary. Scott and Knives are happy enough until Scott lays eyes on fuchsia-haired Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). First, he faces a choice. Then, he faces the wrath of the League of Seven Evil Exes. Will Scott get the girl? And, if so, which one?

Based on the Oni Press graphic novel by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World plays with its running theme of video games, points scored, coins won boldly jumps onto the screen. The choreography is incredibly fun during synchronized video dance numbers and the many fight sequences. The wit is frolicsome. Some shots are made to look like actual pages from a graphic novel. A delightful viewing choice.

Director: Edgar Wright

Country: USA

Genre: Comedy entwined with Action

Run time: 112 minutes

Scale: 4

The Washington Serpentarium / Reptile Zoo (Monroe, WA)

2011-05-11T23:26:00.000-07:00

I’ve driven past The Reptile Zoo many times on the way to other destinations, never having had the chance to stop. Today, the Reptile Zoo is a mystery no more.

Reminiscent of a large pet store, the serpentarium consists of two large rooms and, indeed, a few specimens are for sale. I have little knowledge of what it takes to keep a snake, lizard, turtle or alligator happy and healthy but some of the enclosures looked small. There’s information provided to patrons on the cage and tank sizes as well as what it takes to keep reptiles as pets.

Following are the most impressive residents:

In a back room, you can observe large South American roaches (some of the hissing variety), scorpions, very hairy tarantulas, stick insects and other creepy crawlers that make you feel itchy as you exit.

Destinations: Leavenworth, Washington

2011-05-11T22:41:00.000-07:00

When Seattleites seek a getaway in the Pacific Northwest, places that come to mind are the San Juans; Vancouver, BC; and Portland, OR. For a quick jaunt (approximately 118 miles from Seattle), “Little Bavaria” or Leavenworth, WA, awaits.There you will find no shortage of sausages, German-inspired décor and lederhosen. On most weekends, some type of festival is happening so it makes sense to consult the Leavenworth Events Calendar when plotting your trip.

The local tourism bureau boasts that Washington is one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world, competing with places like Napa Valley. In light of this, start your adventure at one of the nine Leavenworth wineries and tasting rooms (travel to nearby Cashmere, Peshastin and Wenatchee for more).

At the Willow Crest-Pasek Cellars Tasting Room (939 Front Street, #B), you can savor upwards of 10-12 wines for $2. (If you buy a bottle, your $2 is applied toward the purchase.)

The tastings are energetic, staffed with entertaining wine connoisseurs providing palate-cleansing treats like chocolate-covered almonds and posh crackers.

Once done wining, it’s time to explore. You’ll encounter several indoor malls (oddly reminiscent of Wall Drug); fudge and pretzel shops; restaurants serving…you guessed it…bratwursts and burgers; drinking establishments; and gift shops stocked with nutcrackers, music boxes and tchotchkes—including dog-themed gifts, Leavenworth souvenirs, shot glasses, tiles—and hats. An interactive choice for kids and adults alike is The Hat Shop (719 Front St.):

After trying on hats, you will likely be hungry and thirsty. If it’s sunny, you may want to locate a place to bask and chow, where you can enjoy your friends and surround yourself with happy tourists. Once you discover the München Haus (709 Front St.), you are there—in a courtyard with wooden tables and benches with family-style seating. Beer and wine selections can be had at the outdoor bars. Sausages abound as do the 18+ mustards & sauces that complement the meat.

When you’ve had enough bratwurst (and cannot find the pulled pork sandwich you are craving for dinner and were told existed at a restaurant that only serves breakfast and lunch), you turn to the next best thing: Los Camperos Mexican Restaurant (200 8th St.). There, your crew will tell the friendly waitrons, clandestine-like, that it’s your birthday. They will make you wear the sombrero and take pictures, as the patrons laugh, happy not to be in that spotlight.

Once you are done exploring, you will want to check in at home base. The lodging choices are plentiful. The Adventure Inn (321 9th Street) is a good location (off the main drag) with a courtyard beer garden der Hinterhof with bands playing on Friday and Saturday nights, May through September. The headliners on this particular night—the funk-inspired Mugsy’s Grove—surrounded the birthday girl, still playing their instruments, honoring the day and being the impetus for the much-desired dance party. A memorable ending to an excellent day.

Blue Valentine (2010)

2011-05-05T22:38:00.001-07:00

Blue Valentine is a gripper illustrating the breakdown of a marriage. It’s BLEAK and if you are having issues in your relationship, do not see it; you may not feel any better.

The story is told in flashbacks from the semi-happier beginnings down the path toward The End. Couple Cindy (Michelle Williams) and Dean (Ryan Gosling) are strained in their interactions. She barely looks at him; he keeps trying to get something going. She rejects him. They don’t connect. Dean’s goal is to be with Cindy and their child. Cindy wants him to do something with his life.

There are intense close-ups of grief, loneliness and pain. There’s explicit sex. Most scenes are tense and uncomfortable, but the acting is stellar. How did Williams and Gosling get through this without falling apart emotionally? The only ray of light wasn’t part of the movie. No, it was the guy doing yoga in the theater hallway entrance. From my left peripheral, I saw movement of his pointed hand changing as he shifted positions; a man wearing a flannel doing yoga as he watched Blue Valentine. It made me chuckle when I would have otherwise cried.

There are missing pieces, such as what happened to Dean’s moving job? A key moment where things must have gone amok but they were already on the dark track to emotional despair.

So much alienation.

Co-Writer/Director: Derek Cianfrance

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 118 minutes

Scale: 4

Mary and Max (2009)

2011-05-05T21:22:00.001-07:00

Mary and Max turned up on my library queue. I didn’t recall the seedling for this selection--the joy of surprise. I was smitten with this Claymation/stop motion film.

It begins in Australia in 1976 (in shades of browns with occasional pops of color) with eight-year-old Mary Daisy Dinkle (little Mary voiced by Bethany Whitmore; older Mary voiced by Toni Collette)living with her alcoholic mother and detached father who spends his free time in his shed drinking Baileys and stuffing road-killed birds. Mary has no friends and her favorite show is called The Noblets.

Mary has been told that babies come from beer glasses. She decides to ask someone in America if babies there come from cans of cola since Americans drink so much of it.

In New York City (in shades of blacks, white and greys with seldom bursts of red), enter a 44-year-old Autistic man, Max Horowitz (voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman), also a fan of The Noblets. One day, he receives a question-filled letter from a young Aussie.

There begins a 22-year pen-pal relationship through pivotal events in both their lives. It’s isn’t, however, a movie for children. There are candid discussions on loneliness, depression, suicide, overeating, Asperger's Syndrome and where babies come from in America. Their letters are charmingly simple and direct. The details and opinions are rich, thoughtful and come to life quickly. You relish hearing the letters. Mary’s explanations of complicated situations and her interpretations are entertaining. Max doesn’t know how to pull punches in his answers and details of his daily struggles.

The clay figures possess great expressions and micro-movements. Color choices are excellent and make for a visual treat. Sound effects and music well suited to the action. The best film I’ve seen in months.

Writer/Director: Adam Elliot

Country: Australia

Genre: Animation/Dramedy

Run time: 90 minutes

Scale: 5

Hal Sparks @ Benaroya’s Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall (April 29)

2011-05-02T23:40:00.001-07:00

I knew little about what to expect (only what my PIC had told me) from Hal Sparks and his act. I’d fallen asleep watching one of his DVDs (not a reflection on his talent but rather the logistical circumstances).

The recital hall was cozy. The crowd was a mixed bag—people of color, a variety of ages and, notably, many women.

I get it now. He’s not just adorable; he’s emphatic, dynamic and evocative. He jumps in, not going easy on his favorite fodder—rednecks. Since growing up in Kentucky, does he still have relatives there? Do they really walk like chimpanzees? More importantly, do they own up to being related to him and how do they feel about polar bears in zoos in the south?

Brimming with confidence, his performance runs rife with social commentary on race and gay issues. Stoners, bigots and homophobes, be leery (albeit for different reasons). The tight-jeans-wearing, interrupted-chuckle-delivering, air-punching (POW) comic also acts and fronts and plays guitar in heavy metal band Zero 1. He’s hosted Talk Soup and VH1’s I Love the 80s series.

I am now a fan and think you should look into it too.

Kráska v nesnázích (Beauty in Trouble) (2006)

2011-05-02T22:29:00.001-07:00

Tattooed hot mom Marcela (Anna Geislerová) and her husband Jarda (Roman Luknár) are barely managing after devastating floods in Prague destroy their home. The ordeal forces them and their two children to live in a chop shop where Jarda is now running his business. Their marriage strikes a critical point and Marcela leaves, taking the kids and moving in with her mother Zdena (Jana Brejchová) and stepfather Riöa (Jirí Schmitzer). Riöa is a conniving bastard who’s jealous of any attention Zdena squanders on anyone but him.

When Jarda is busted stealing a car, he lands in the pokey. Marcela has a chance meeting with the victim, Mr. Benes (Josef Abrhám), and BANG! First, they’re meeting for sushi. Next, she’s travelling to Tuscany with him, seeing what a stable life with this gentleman twice her age would be like. Therein lies the theme…does Marcela chose a life with a calm and boring but rich suitor or stay with her good-for-nothing bad-boy husband who possesses carnal skills that always more than hit her mark? Worthy of note is that this is post-Cold War and folks now have options, but does that change things for Marcela?

Riöa is a scene-stealer (possibly the entire movie). He’s sadistic and vengeful, but with a twist of dark humor you cannot deny. Another terrific performance comes from Kuba (Adam Misík)--Marcela and Jarda’s son--especially in his scenes with Riöa. Jarda’s mother, Libuse (Emília Vásáryová), is another standout. She’s devoted to her son and to her church. Unbeknownst to her, her church is led by a crooked man who is trying to screw Benes out of land and money.

I didn’t love Beauty in Trouble, but it was beloved and received high marks from ‘the critics’ (Rotten Tomato gave it an 85!). I cannot agree. It’s slow and uneven. Too many of the main characters are unlikeable. Much of the music (were they songs from Once?) was ill suited and manipulative. They should have added more of the lively accordion numbers.

Director: Jan Hrebejk

Country: Czech Republic

Genre: Drama

Run time: 110 minutes

Scale: 3.5

Sex and the City 2 (2010)

2011-05-02T22:05:00.001-07:00

The Sex and the City series had a good run and ended on a high note before it reverted to jumping the shark. I enjoyed the first SATC movie and despite SATC 2 getting panned, my curiosity lingered.

Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Big (Chris Noth) are having issues…again. Not issues about menial tasks, such as taking out the trash or forgetting to pick up limes, but rather those that crop up when the newness of a relationship has worn off.

Work is keeping old man Big tired. He wants to be home, watching TV and decompressing with Carrie; for her, a night on the town is the answer. When she takes a few days away, Big retorts with a counteroffer that could cause a serious rift. At the same time across town, Samantha (Kim Cattrall) gets an all-expense paid trip to Abu Dhabi (UAE) to meet with a possible new client. The deal includes a plus 3 for Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Carrie.

Once they arrive, you are imbued with the visual opulence of Abu Dhabi--the colors, the veils and the stunning wealth. As this montage ends, the movie starts losing me. Carrie runs into Aidan (John Corbett)--give me a break…too far-fetched they’d chance meet like this, especially here. Miranda and Charlotte discuss the dark side they’re experiencing raising their kids. I loved this. This scene fits awkwardly but it’s a genuine conversation. How often do you hear women admit that rearing kids is much harder than expected and isn’t all that they dreamed? After this, the movie takes a mind-boggling turn, equally unbelievable and offensive (even for Samantha).

SATC 2 is uneven, predictable and way too long, but I wasn’t entirely disappointed; I attribute this to my loyalty to the franchise, but please, stop here. The original high note is being challenged.

Director: Michael Patrick King

Country: USA

Genre: Comedy

Run time: 145 minutes

Scale: 2

Forbidden Zone (1982)

2011-04-25T23:22:00.001-07:00

As a member of the Seattle Horror Movies Meetup, I receive notes about upcoming movies and events related to the genre. For three reasons, I was intrigued when Forbidden Zone with Q&A by Richard Elfman (Danny's brother) was announced:

1. It was free.

2. As a fan of Oingo Boingo, the Elfman name enticed.

3. It played at Cinebarre in Mountlake Terrace where you are able to eat and drink(cocktails and beer).

Admittedly, I didn’t expect much more than to see if Richard resembled his brother, Danny. As my posse and I arrived, we were surprised at the crowd nearly filling the theater. A reception with the director had been in full swing. Pre-movie, Elfman entered the theater, banging a drum and marching with his impromptu Cinebarre-collective band.

King Fausto (Hervé Villechaize) and Queen Doris (Susan Tyrrell) rule over the Sixth Dimension. In another dimension, Frenchy Hercules (Marie-Pascale Elfman) finds a door in her basement that deposits her (via an intestine) into the Sixth Dimension. When King Fausto lays eyes on her, he goes mad and makes her his concubine. The Queen finds out and goes ballistic and places her in the clink. The Hercules family set out to find Frenchy and bring her back home.

There are memorable characters, such as The Princess (Bridget Fonda lookalike Gisele Lindley), who for the whole of the movie is topless and outfitted only with high-waisted women’s white panties. There’s the Servant Frog (Jan Stuart Schwartz) and Danny Elfman as Satan. You get lots of random humping. LOTS. With animation and hijinks against a trippy soundtrack, the movie is perplexing yet engaging. If you stay with it, you are certain being chemically altered might cause everything to make sense.

Post-movie, Elfman fielded questions from the crowd. My favorite was, “What the shit?” Several said Forbidden Zone ‘changed their lives.’ (I wanted to Q&A with them and get deeper on what they meant. Perhaps I’m the one missing the point?) With no shortage of questions, he spoke for a long while until none remained. Then, it was out to the lobby where the party continued. When I finally got over the shyness and wanted a picture with Elfman, the line was longer than I wanted to wait.

The Seattle Horror Meetup gets a resounding kudos for a job well done helping promote this event as was a singular experience.

Director: Richard Elfman

Country: USA

Genre: Comedy

Run time: 75 minutes

Scale: 2.75

The Poop! Tagger

2011-04-25T21:07:00.001-07:00

On a recent jaunt into Ravenna Park, I noticed the Poop! crew tagged their/his/her threatening moniker on a few locations in the area, including the above Honey Bucket and a light pole.

The Foals (Showbox at the Market) (April 11)

2011-04-12T22:29:00.001-07:00

Who says Mondays aren’t a fun night for live music in Seattle? Not the crowd at Showbox at the Market.

Last night’s line-up drew a SOLD-OUT show with headliners The Foals, supported by The Naked and the Famous and Freelance Whales. I’d heard a few Foals songs and was curious to check out their set. As I walked in, The Naked and the Famous played. The venue was already packed at 8:30pm. I cannot accurately comment on The Naked and the Famous as I didn’t hear much, but they were vaguely reminiscent of Passion Pit.

The five-piece Freelance Whales sire from New York. Mellow, fresh-faced and talented, their musical repertoire included the banjo, 6- and 8-string guitars, a glockenspiel, a Roland JP-8000 synthesizer, drums and a harmonium. Band members interchanged instruments, a guitarist used a violin bow to play the guitar and their mellow synth indie rock pleased the all-ages fans. Aforementioned crowd went wild for last song, which was rocking, unlike the rest of their sleepy set.

UK math rock band The Foals turned out to be much different than expected from the few songs I’d heard (more hippy in their indie). These five alt-indie hippies jammed, making unique psychedelic-meets-world-beat music for a fantastic live show. The drummer is Dave-Grohl-intense and sick (as Chris would say). The lead singer sounded like Robert Smith, minus the goth. As they played, they danced and congregated around their drummer. I didn’t always get off on the music but their intensity, the way they connected with one other and the crowd was compelling, almost hypnotic. The few recognizable (to me) songs were strung together by drum solos or all jam. Definitely an experience. I got the feeling that each time they perform, they give it their all to create an unforgettable memory for each fan.

The King’s Speech (2010)

2011-04-07T19:55:00.001-07:00

The King’s Speech blasted into theaters amid so much praise that it begged the question—is it deserved?

The King’s Speech tells the story of King George VI (Colin Firth) of Britain’s sudden rise to the throne and his relationship with a speech therapist who helps him with his stammering. George has consulted every renowned specialist and their cornucopia of treatments to no avail. One day, Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) makes her way to the consultation office of Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Despite the shabby and sparsely decorated office, the confident Logue makes an impression and soon the Queen is there with the King.

The acting is impressive and the character development is rich and nuanced. Firth is believable as a stammerer. Rush is delightful as his speech therapist; I relished each moment of his screen time. So much so that when Christian Bale won the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, I was offended. (Then, I saw The Fighter and understood why it had to go to Bale—not that Rush wasn’t still da bomb, but if you saw The Fighter and Bale’s performance, you know).

Beyond the talent, the story is magnetic and has comedic moments. You have a man who’s stammered since he was a boy. His powerful father who tries to bully him out of stammering. His brother, the ascendant to the throne who wants no part of it. The hesitant man taking over the throne when a war is brewing. The wife who supports her husband through his suffering and believes the stammer can be cured. While supportive, she also challenges him. It’s refreshing to see a strong female royal, wherein you they’re typically depicted as ceding to their more powerful husband or boyfriend.

It must be stated that the the trust that develops between King George and Logue is bromantic napalm. When it ended, I wanted to see it again. The plot moves toward its climatic ending and, when you get there, you know there’s no other way it can end.

Director: Tom Hooper

Country: USA/UK

Genre: Drama

Run time: 118 minutes

Scale: 4.5

Frozen (2010)

2011-03-05T07:54:00.001-08:00

The description for Frozen appeared promising and as the movie rolled, its close-ups, 3rd-wheel tension and lack-of-enough-money-for-three-lift-tickets-what-will-we-do situation set you up. I wish it had continued in this vein.

Vernal couple Parker (Emma Bell) and Dan (Kevin Zegers) take a snowboarding trip accompanied by Dan’s best friend Lynch (Shawn Ashmore). The friction between the three increases as Lynch vocalizes his resentment of losing his best friend to the his new girlfriend. Her novice snowboarding skills fuel the ire by limiting the number of runs Lynch and Dan can make. Lynch and Parker trade barbs. Dan is caught in between (literally and figuratively). Lynch pushes for one more run just before the ski area is to close for the week but unfortunate timing lands the three stuck on a chair lift at the top of the mountain with no one nearby to assist them.

As the three contemplate their situation, they fail to realize the severity until it’s too late and then they make a rash choice, which is the first of several down the wrong path. If they don’t attempt to free themselves from the lift seat, they are in danger of freezing to death, but their choices are bad and worse. The viable options are squandered. When they pull their thumbs out, it might be too late.

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

The two guys treat Parker like a dumb blonde. Their sophomoric quips are eye-roll-inducing. Then, there are the wolves. Wolf attacks on humans are disputed, but the fact remains: if indeed ravenous wolves existed on or near a popular ski area, lone skiers and/or snowboarders in the back country would have been confronted and attacked already, in turn, spurring on the hunting and killing of wolves. If these wolves were starving, they likely wouldn’t have waited for this moment to stalk their prey.

The only redeeming part of this movie is that the underdog survives, but by the time it’s over, your eyes are sore from the eye rolls.

Writer/Director: Adam Green

Country: USA

Genre: Thriller

Run time: 93 minutes

Scale: 2

Just Go with It / Pretend Wife (2011)

2011-03-05T07:43:00.001-08:00

Adam Sandler is overrated and continues to disappoint. Jennifer Aniston, please get a new agent.

This dumb plot revolves around Danny (old man Sandler) being struck by lust at first sight by Palmer (Brooklyn Decker), a much younger woman. When she catches him in a stupid lie, he convinces his doormat assistant Katherine (Aniston) to fake it as his soon-to-be ex-wife. Her two kids ends up part of the package. Soon they’re all on a weekend trip to Hawaii where the lies continue to reproduce.

Palmer is hot with the brain of a pet rock. Her character must suspend all reality to allow any of the plot twists to occur (big sign of a weak storyline). The shenanigans are ridiculous. There’s over-the-top Eddie (Nick Swardson), Katherine’s fake-German-accented boyfriend with thick glasses (ripping off from Seinfeld in the scene with the sheep) and an embarrassing coconut tie-breaker game. Danny beats the unfunny jokes to discomfort (even Aniston looks annoyed). The two kids, Maggie (Bailee Madison) and Michael (Griffin Gluck), are the most enjoyable and they serve only an occasional chuckle. The professional relationship between Danny and Katherine is idiotic: unprofessional banter in front of clients go way too long and too far. And, guess what? Nicole Kidman appears in this rubbish. No wonder you didn’t see her in trailers. Before Oscars’ season, she didn’t want to be associated with this mess. And, Dave Matthews as her closeted husband? I don’t understand. Don’t waste your time, money or brain cells.

Director: Dennis Dugan

Country: USA

Genre: Romantic comedy

Run time: 115 very long minutes

Scale: 1

127 Hours (2010)

2011-02-24T21:41:00.001-08:00

What makes 127 Hours a grand experience? Danny Boyle, James Franco, an incredible true story, tremendous music. You voyage through survival in the remote Blue John Canyon, Utah.

Aron Ralston (Franco)—arrogant outdoorsman and happy-go-lucky hiker—heads out for a solo weekend hike in the expansive Utah canyons. He has informed no one about his plans. He camps, hikes, frolics with other hikers.

As he’s making his way through a narrow canyon, a boulder tumbles and lands on his hand, trapping Ralston. He’s now trapped, alone with a limited supply of water, no cell reception and not a soul in the vicinity. You, the viewer, is with him during the next 127 Hours he spends flipping through memories—recent, older and regrettable—and figuring out how to stay alive and extricate himself. The beauty is in the details: the raven flying overhead daily at same time. The regular 15 minutes of sunshine on his foot. The dream sequences. The ants that regularly crawl over him. The video within the movie.

For a movie with one character carrying it, it’s remarkable and compelling. Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (2011 Academy Awards), Franco doesn’t disappoint.

Director: Danny Boyle

Country: USA/UK

Genre: Drama

Run time: 94 minutes

Scale: 4

Chihuahua Meet Up

2011-02-16T20:38:00.001-08:00

Lola wanted to meet new friends. This is their story:

The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008)

2011-02-12T14:11:00.001-08:00

I expected more from this Academy- and Golden-Globe-Awards-nominated movie. Not even Moritz Bleibtreu (Run Lola Run, Das Experiment) could save it.

The Baader Meinhof Complex tells the story of the Red Army Faction (RAF), a terrorist group who in the 1960s and ‘70s wreaked havoc in Germany in response to the country’s anti-Palestinian stance and pro-Israeli backing and the support of America in the Vietnam War. Post-WWII-German youth were determined to end what they saw as the new evolution of Fascism. They used force and violence and, ultimately, became that which they opposed. The RAF was able to gain support and strength across continents.

The problems I had began with Ulrike Meinhof (Martina Gedeck), left-wing journalist, mother and spouse. As an anti-establishment writer, she meets politically radical couple Andreas Baader (Bleibtreu) and Gundrun Ensslin (Johanna Wokalek) and soon, the three form the RAF.

I never felt Meinhof’s passion. One day she declares she could “never leave her children,” then, she’s on the run with the group. Her transition isn’t visible; instead you are fed what you are to believe. Next, you have the frequent additions/changes in faction members. Many resemble one another and it’s confusing keeping square who’s who. And, few of them reflect on the situation and what they want to see idealogically. They rob banks and bomb buildings. Explosions escalate into shootings, kidnappings and assassinations. Once they are incarcerated, they hunger strike, crumble in solitary confinement and, as their demands are met, you begin seeing what they are like as individuals, while the group on the outside start losing the fight. The trial is a circus (and drags out the plot). In the end, the RAF crumbles under in-fighting and a weakening core. The topic is thought-provoking, but the movie is a drawn out disappointment.

Director: Uli Edel

Country: Germany

Genre: Drama

Run time: 150 minutes

Scale: 2

Up (2009)

2011-02-09T22:49:00.001-08:00

The ‘cone of shame’ got me to see Up. When Shorty L got spayed last year, she wore a cone so she wouldn’t disturb her stitches. Many strangers commented on her ‘cone of shame.’ So many, in fact, that one day, I finally asked if there was some sort of reference. “You didn’t see Up, did you?”

A Pixar animated film, Up is the story of Carl Fredricksen (voice of Ed Asner), a man with a dream he is determined to make good on. As a boy, Carl idolized a celebrated explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). After Muntz is disgraced, he goes on a mission to remote South America to prove his detractors wrong. He never returns.

Meanwhile, Carl grows up, gets married and still possesses the childhood goal to voyage to Paradise Falls, like his hero Muntz. Economic issues get in the way until one day, Carl is an elderly widower living in a house surrounded by a construction site.

Enter Russell (Jordan Nagai), a young boy and wilderness-explorer-in-training trying to earn a badge for helping an elderly person. Curmudgeonly Carl would rather be left alone and tricks Russell to make him get lost. After an altercation with a construction-site employee, Carl is mandated to move into a retirement facility. On the day he is to be escorted there, he surprises everyone with his bid for freedom, but he’s in store for an even bigger surprise.

Among other nominations and awards, Up received a 2010 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year. It’s success in part is due to addressing real issues of seniorizing alone, absent fathers and the nature of dogs while presenting you with stunning graphics. The dogs in Up get their own sub-plot (woof woof). The visuals are crisp and realistic. The colors pop. The writing is clever. Up is funny. You want to be in that house with Carl and Russell. If you haven’t seen it, get on board. You will appreciate the ‘cone of shame’ references.

Directors: Pete Docter & Bob Peterson

Country: US

Genre: Animated comedy

Run time: 96 minutes

Scale: 5

Whip It (2009)

2011-02-07T23:16:00.001-08:00

Whip It is about tradition versus choice and plays like a romantic comedy until you figure out that, at heart, it’s a coming-of-age mother-daughter story. Adapted from the 2007 novel Derby Girl by Shauna Cross, Whip It is a Hollywood film veiled as an independent.

Small-town (Bodeen, Texas) teen Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) veers off the Blue Bonnet Southern Belle path to find her roller derby alter ego in neighboring Austin. She reveals her electric blue hair at a pageant, upsetting her mother, Brooke (Marcia Gay Harden) who’s got her heart set on her daughter joining the “club” she so badly coveted for herself.

Bliss becomes intrigued by derby. She talks her best friend Pash (awesome awesome Alia Shawkat) into going to a derby event. Once there, Bliss is smitten. Because mama won’t approve, Bliss lies to attend try-outs. She makes the Hurl Scouts team and becomes Babe Ruthless. She starts lying about attending an SAT class but instead attends practice, goes to parties and meets a boy.

Whip It isn’t focused on the girl getting the guy, but instead on the girl discovering her core self and what drives her. The camera angles place you in the middle of the action with singular details, like the glittering skate disco ball, the Oink Joint aprons and the Squealer. The hits, the racing, the uniforms are exciting. You get a crash course in derby rules and even a food fight. The movie with its Portland, Oregon feel has its slow moments but they don’t linger.

Alia Shawkat as Pash, Bliss’s best friend, is excellent. Kristin Wiig as Maggie Mayhem is underused but delivers a few good lines. Juliette Lewis as Iron Maven is clichéd but she’s peculiar enough to be noticed. Jimmy Fallon plays the sleazy announcer with relish. Andrew Wilson, as Razor the Hurl Scouts' coach, is superb (and my favorite Wilson brother). Daniel Stern as Bliss’s dad is bumbling. They connect keeping each other in line while quietly united against mama’s dictatorship. The relationship between Bliss and her mother is believable and difficult. Harden makes the postal carrier uniform fashionable. Bliss’s love interest Oliver (Landon Pigg) is FLAT. He’s adorable, sweet and way too good to be true especially for a lead singer. The music…first-rate sounds weave through the scenes and into that part of you that can’t resist sense impression.

This one is for the ladies. It’s Drew Barrymore’s feature film directorial debut (in 2004, she directed Choose or Lose Presents: The Best Place to Start about American youth and why they tend not to vote) and worth seeing.

Director: Drew Barrymore

Country: US

Genre: Drama, comedy

Run time: 106 minutes

Scale: 4

Venkovský ucitel (The Country Teacher) (2008)

2011-01-31T23:39:00.001-08:00

If I’d read the concept for The Country Teacher, I’d have canned it on grounds that the story could not have been pulled off without demonizing the protagonist for his lack of judgment and the teen boy’s mother her choices. Instead, the viewer is presented with an emotionally tangled, confusing and uncomfortable situation that winds out of control.

Peter (Pavel Liska) leaves Prague to teach science in a countryside school. He wants to spread his wings away from his mother, a fellow teacher at the school. Soon, he builds a life in the country village. He befriends Marie (Zuzana Bydzovská), a dairy cow farmer with a young teenage son, Lada (Ladislav Sedivý).

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

The Country Teacher works slowly. Peter is anguished—he’s in the present but not exactly in the moment. Marie is similar. She’s a strong but sad person in search of love and connection. Early on, Peter declares that “Chance is the mother of change.” The statement foreshadows and sets the tone. When Peter’s his former lover unexpectedly shows up to win him back, Peter tells him the truth—he never loved him. He sets out to ruin Peter’s new existence and this leads up to an entertaining catalytic scene. There’s an outdoor party. The town is there dancing to a terrific band (who I’m still trying to identify). As the band plays the chords to the punk rhythms and the townies are dancing, I wanted be at the party dancing with them despite the brimming conflict and tension.

The movies highlights unrequited love, loneliness and forgiveness. Almost all the characters are in love with someone who doesn’t/can’t love them in return. Lada’s girlfriend Bara is the exception: she gets what she wants and doesn’t seem to long; she’s a symbol of hope. The ending doesn’t quite deliver. Peter has metamorphasized but it happens too quickly. Are people are capable of forgiving themselves and others and learning from it, especially in these circumstances?

Writer-Director: Bohdan Sláma

Country: Czech Republic

Genre: Drama

Run time: 112 minutes

Scale: 3.5

Law & Order: UK (TV 2009)

2011-01-31T22:32:00.001-08:00

The UK adaptation of the longest running prime-time American TV show is refreshingly different yet still familiar.

The two cop leads are formulaically paired: Matt (Jamie Bamber), the handsome young cop, idealistic and impulsive, partnered with the older even-keeled Ronnie (Bradley Walsh). As they interview witnesses, question suspects and collect information to solve crimes, their camaraderie develops their friendship in far-from-trite ways. They are delightful and deliver entertaining quips at well timed moments. I’m disappointed when the case is ready to be handed off to the prosecution, but it’s not bad. The mood changes. You are privy to the chemistry between James (Ben Steele), the veteran prosecutor who puts in serious hours to put away the guilty, and junior prosecutor Aleysha (Freema Agyeman) the talented, not yet jaded protégée. Steele’s demeanor is uncannily close to that of original Law & Order attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterson).The courtroom scenes are compelling but lack the excitement of the investigative portion of each show.

The series is faithful to the original, but the differences keep you coming back.The stories are compelling with a touch of Prime Suspect to make them more intellectually stimulating that the American versions of Law & Order and Law & Order Special Victims Unit (or it is just the accents?) The scenes of the streets of London are frenzied and bustling. There’s rich character development so that when they choose to delve into a hinted-at storyline, they already have a ripe environment upon which to play. In its fourth season, check out Law & Order: UK on BBC America.

Matando Cabos (Killing Cabos) (2004)

2011-01-24T23:12:00.001-08:00

This uneven caper film borrows heavily from Quentin Tarantino with some Seinfeldian moments but doesn’t quite pull it off. Feels and plays like an early-in-movie-making-career effort.

Jaque’s (Tony Dalton) boss Oscar Cabos (Pedro Armendáriz Jr.) is also his girlfriend’s father. He recently beat up Jaque after finding him in bed with his daughter, Paulina (Ana Claudia Talancón). Today, Jaque has been called to Cabos’s office. He finds himself locked in as Cabos comes at him with a nine iron ready to pummel him, when an unexpected twist saves him…for the moment.

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

Jaque enlists the help of his bosom buddy Mudo (Kristoff—the Spanish speaking Ethan Hawke) to help him deal with Cabos’s body. Mudo calls Ruben, aka “Mascarita” (the mask) (Joaquín Cosio), a has-been wrestler with a short fuse when called by his wrestling name. Ruben is accompanied by his side-kick, Tony, aka “El Canibal” (the cannibal) (Silverio Palacios). Tony is the small guy (who might be a cannibal) to Ruben’s giant.

Jaque/Mudo/Ruben/Tony are trying to get rid of Cabos’s body before he wakes up in the trunk of Jaque’s car but they continue being sidetracked. On the same side of town, Botcha (Raúl Méndez) and Nico (Gustavo Sánchez Parra) are taking care of an old debt with the help of Lula (Rocío Verdejo), Paulina’s best friend. Botcha/Nico/Lula end up with the wrong body. When forced to take desperate measures, their path crosses with Jaque/Mudo/Ruben/Tony and the situations become more complicated for everyone. For good measure, you also get a cross-eyed bus driver with emotional scars, an obnoxious parrot who alerts the building when the neighbors are home and a unwitting maid dealing with harassing phone calls.

Some gags, dark humor, extreme beatings. Matando Cabos goes too far in trying to shock and be funny. The acting is bland with a few of them barely showing up. There’s too little known about most of the characters—especially Mudo and Jaque. Connections between characters are left hanging in an unsatisfying manner. For example, how are Mudo and Mascarita acquainted? The subtitles refer to Oscar Cabos as Jaque’s father-in-law despite the fact Jaque and Paulina are dating/not married (this may be culturally common, but it causes logistical confusion, as you will see if you watch). How did Botcha manage to find Nico? What is the deal w/ Paulina and Lula?

All that said, the dialogue contains quick-wit, the sets are colorful and festive and I didn’t once think about turning off Matando Cabos.

Director: Alejandro Lozano

Country: Mexico

Genre: Dark comedy

Run time: 93 minutes

Scale: 3

Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris, at the Seattle Art Museum

2011-01-20T23:39:00.001-08:00

We, the people of Seattle, had the pleasure of hosting a collection of Pablo Picasso works usually housed at the Musée National Picasso in Paris. The exhibit at the SAM ran October 8, 2010, through January 17, 2011. I regretted not visiting prior to closing weekend. My partner in crime and I had to talk our way in without our printed e-mails, past the massive lines, past security and past the second checkpoint to arrive daunted to the collection of 150 pieces and move through the galleries as if maneuvering on a giant Twister mat.

“Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.”

The show began with early works including La mort de Casagemas (The Death of Casagemas), inspired by the suicide of a close friend, Carles Casagemas. His early style betrays the influence of Vincent Van Gogh on the young Picasso. Casagemas’s death had such a profound effect on the artist, it set him onto his Blue Period (1901-04) where he painted in melancholy hues of cool greys and muted blues. Pieces from the Rose Period saw a shift into rose, pink and orange tones. His favorite subjects remained those on the edge of society, clowns, performers and acrobats.

“It took me 4 years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”

Following the Rose Period, Picasso turned a corner, influenced by African art, as evidenced in his piece Three Figures Under a Tree.

“God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style, He just goes on trying other things.”

The Cubist years transitioned into realism and figurative works. And, then, the art influenced by the women, his children and the wars. One of the points repeatedly stated was that Picasso never worked in a straight line from one style or period to the next. He liked to be ambiguous in his art and symbolism. The beauty of this collection is that it contains a remarkable array of media – paintings, etchings, collages (some made of wood and metal), pencil drawings, colored pencil drawings, sculptures and even photographs. You are struck by his prolific nature and dedication. It’s neat to view the collection as it flows and morphs from one period into the next.

“Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction.”

Perhaps my favorite piece, Portrait of Dora Maar, speaks with the bold colors, the rigidness of the figure and the red pointy nails. A photographer, she endured nine years with Picasso before he moved on to his next mistress.

“Art is never chaste.”

I could write much more but it sounds like I’m rubbing it in, especially since the show has closed. If you’re willing to travel, there’s hope. After Seattle (the first US stop), the exhibit moves to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond, Virginia) from February 19 – May 15. After that it will be on display June 11 – September 18 at the de Young Museum of San Francisco. If you don’t make the US stops, there’s always the Musée National Picasso in Paris, where the art pieces will end up again when the museum reopens after renovations in 2012 (which is why the pieces were on travelling exhibit). À bientôt!

Black Swan (2010)

2011-01-17T20:49:00.001-08:00

The Black Swan delves into the cutthroat world of ballet—exposing its dark underbelly while showing the demise of a ballerina's mind.

Nina (Natalie Portman) is a ballet dancer who lands the ‘role of a lifetime’ as the Swan Queen in her New York City dance company’s production of Swan Lake.

Now that she’s got the coveted role, the pressure has only just begun for the fragile Nina. The production director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel), is driving her. He’s sure she can perform the White Swan, but pushes her to become a seductress as the Black Swan. As she’s struggling and working hard to gain his approval, he’s degrading her while also putting on the moves. The pressure to be perfect nags at her. Then, Lily (Mila Kunis) joins the company. Now, Nina has a competitor trying to befriend her in an environment where everyone is ready for the chance to replace her.

This movie attempts to overthrow you mentally. Always intense and shot in first person perspective to put you into Nina’s head, be ready for jostling camera angles (a la Blair Witch Project). As you acclimate, you become Nina on the path to mental breakdown, absorbing her illness, schizophrenia or whatever ails her. You accompany her to the toilet to puke, to her weigh-ins (where the already thin dancer is pleased to have slimmed down), on her grueling rehearsals to witness Thomas humiliate her in front of her peers. Portman is exceptional in her depiction of the emotionally brittle Nina. Hershey delivers as her smothering mother, herself a former ballerina living her failed dreams through her “sweet girl.” Winona Ryder’s Beth, the replaced “old” ballerina is well played, but unintentionally funny. I couldn’t shake the Heathers melodrama flashbacks in a few of Ryder’s scenes. Her acting is so over the top, it’s darkly comedic (be warned though, she has one scene that while over-the-top is extremely disturbing). I like Kunis but is she worthy of best supporting actress nominations? She acts the same as she did in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and toned down from her role in That ‘70s Show but she doesn’t possess range. Compared to Nina, her character isn’t believable—an accomplished ballerina who desires the starring role but eats burgers, stays out clubbing and pops Ecstasy the night before a day of arduous rehearsal. (Admittedly, it’s difficult to know what is happening versus what is imagined, but it left me dubious.) And, for a movie about ballet, there’s little dancing.

You must see this psychological thriller because like it or not, it will rattle you. If you feel nothing, you will simply add this to a string of events that don’t impact you and people will silently pity you.

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Country: USA

Genre: Thriller

Run time: 106 minutes

Scale: 4.25

68th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2011)

2011-01-16T20:25:00.001-08:00

From the star-filled international ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel with boozy host Ricky Gervais, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association presented their annual Golden Globe Awards.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Christian Bale -- The Fighter
Michael Douglas -- Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Andrew Garfield -- "The Social Network"
Jeremy Renner -- "The Town"
Geoffrey Rush -- "The King's Speech"

Winner: Christian Bale

Best Actress in a TV Drama

Julianna Margulies -- The Good Wife
Kyra Sedgwick -- The Closer
Elisabeth Moss -- Mad Men
Katey Sagal -- Sons of Anarchy
Piper Perabo -- Covert Affairs

Winner: Katey Sagal (She looks fantastic and excellent red dress!)

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV

Carlos (Sundance Channel)
The Pacific (HBO)
Temple Grandin (HBO)
You Don't Know Jack (HBO)
Pillars of the Earth (Starz)

Winner: Carlos

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

Chris Colfer -- Glee
Chris Noth -- The Good Wife
Scott Caan -- Hawaii Five-0
David Strathairn -- Temple Grandin
Eric Stonestreet -- Modern Family

Winner: Chris Colfer

Best Actor in a TV Drama

Steve Buscemi -- Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston -- Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall -- Dexter
Jon Hamm -- Mad Men
Hugh Laurie – House

Winner: Steve Buscemi

Best TV Series, Drama

Mad Men
Dexter
Boardwalk Empire
The Good Wife
The Walking Dead

Winner: Boardwalk Empire

Best Original Song

"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me," by Diane Warren, Burlesque
"Bound to You," Burlesque
"Coming Home", Country Strong
"I See the Light," by Alan Menken, Tangled
"There's a Place for Us," Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Winner: There’s a Place for Us

Best Original Score – Motion Picture

Alexandre Desplot – The King’s Speech
Danny Elfman – Alice in Wonderland
AR Rahmin – 127 Hours
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – The Social Network
Hans Zimmer – Inception

Winner: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

Best Animated Film

Tangled
Toy Story 3
How To Train Your Dragon
Despicable Me
The Illusionist

Winner: Toy Story 3

Best Actress, Comedy

Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Anne Hathaway, Love and Other Drugs
Angelina Jolie, The Tourist
Emma Stone, Easy A
Julianne Moore, The Kids Are All Right

Winner: Annette Bening

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Idris Elba – Luther (BBC)
Ian McShane – Pillars of the Earth (Starz)
Al Pacino – You Don’t Know Jack (HBO)
Dennis Quaid – The Special Relationship (HBO)
Edgar Ramirez – Carlos (Sundance Channel)

Winner: Al Pacino

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV

Hayley Atwell – Pillars of the Earth (Starz)
Claire Danes – Temple Grandin (HBO)
Judi Dench – Return to Cranford (BBC)
Romola Garai – Emma (BBC)In a Better World
Jennifer Love Hewitt – The Client List

Winner: Claire Danes – Temple Grandin (HBO)

Best Supporting Actress, TV

Hope Davis, The Special Relationship
Jane Lynch, Glee
Kelly MacDonald, Boardwalk Empire
Julia Stiles, Dexter
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Winner: Jane Lynch

Best Foreign-Language Film

I Am Love (Italy)
Biutiful (Mexico, Spain)
The Concert (France)
The Edge (Russia)
In a Better World (Denmark)

Winner: In a Better World

Best Actress, TV Comedy

Toni Collette, The United States of Tara
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Lea Michele, Glee

Winner: Laura Linney

Best Actor, TV Comedy

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Thomas Jane, Hung
Matthew Morrison, Glee
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Winner: Jim Parsons

Best Screenplay Motion Picture

Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Christopher Nolan, Inception
Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, The Kids Are All Right
David Seidler, The King's Speech
Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy, 127 Hours

Winner: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams, The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech
Mila Kunis, Black Swan
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

Winner: Melissa Leo

Best Director

David Fincher, The Social Network
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
Tom Hooper, The King's Speech
Christopher Nolan, Inception
David O. Russell, The Fighter

Winner: David Fincher

Best TV Series, Comedy or Musical

30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
The Big C
Glee
Modern Family
Nurse Jackie

Winner: Glee

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical

Kevin Spacey, Casino Jack
Jake Gyllenhaal, Love and Other Drugs
Johnny Depp, Alice in Wonderland
Johnny Depp, The Tourist
Paul Giamatti, Barney's Version

Winner: Paul Giamatti

Best Actress, Drama

Halle Berry, Frankie and Alice
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Winner: La Natalie

Best Picture, Comedy/Musical

Alice in Wonderland
Burlesque
The Kids Are All Right
Red
The Tourist

Winner: The Kids Are Alright

Best Actor, Drama

Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King's Speech
James Franco, 127 Hours
Ryan Gosling, Blue Valentine
Mark Wahlberg, The Fighter

Winner: Colin Firth

Best Picture, Drama

Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The King's Speech
The Social Network

Winner: The Social Network

Christian Bale delivered a funny and humble acceptance speech. Julianne Moore donned a terrible red dress—looked like a red bag bunched across her left shoulder. Jennifer Lopez wore a hideous blinding-white dress; it was an LL-Cool-J-inspired-one-leg-bare number. The sheath up top was festive but couldn’t rectify the bottom trouble. Helen Mirren is still a beauty; she makes aging look easy. Robert DeNiro received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in motion pictures (the annual award given by the HFPA). Matt Damon delivered a monologue to introduce the award. He did DeNiro impersonations (getting the characters all wrong—Damon has excellent comedic delivery) which was followed by a montage of DeNiro films. DeNiro’s speech was brief but jolly. It’s always surprising to see the man smile. January Jones’s dress—sexy and fabulous. She and Jimmy Fallon’s exchanged quips in their “fake” skit. When Glee won for Best TV Series acceptance speech gave a shout-out to teachers. Halle Berry rocked her stylish black number. Paul Giamatti gave his acceptance speech with soft-spoken humor and modesty. Natalie Portman is the essence of sophistication and grace. America’s sweetheart “Sandy” Bullock sported her terrific Cleopatra shag cut (“not sure about the dress, though” Carrie Rohling). Colin Firth displayed in his acceptance speech shows that he’s one of the smart ones in Hollywood. Johnny Depp didn’t win despite being doubly nominated in one category (“Depp is probably thinking I’m banking on Rango for next year,” Andy Nystrom). Michael Douglas received a standing ovation when he walked out to present for Best Picture (“there’s gotta be a better way to get a standing ovation”). I say, you’re alive, the world is happy. Ricky Gervais was fantastically irreverent as host. Was he mean-spirited? At times, perhaps, but it’s refreshing to not have a lick for a change (Tom Hanks and Tim Allen intro—classic example). Some of the folks dished it back but Gervais was always the winner…especially when he thanked God for making him an atheist.

Vozvrashchenie (The Return) (2003)

2011-01-16T11:32:00.001-08:00

An appropriate subtitle for this cheerless film would be ‘road trip to nowhere with a militant father you haven’t seen in 12 years.’

Andrei (Vladimir Garin) and younger brother Ivan (Ivan Dobronravov) are surprised by the sudden reappearance of their father (Konstantin Lavronenko). He says little, and has no affect. The boys’ mother (Natalya Vdovina) and grandmother (Galina Petrova) pay him quiet deference but look worried. Just as suddenly, he announces the boys will accompany him on a road trip. They are elated at the prospect to create memories with a father they don’t know and for Ivan, a chance to go fishing. The boys have a picture of him. They use it to compare and determine if this stranger is indeed their dad. As they set off, it’s clear: The Father expects certain behavior from them; when they don’t satisfy his expectation, he reacts with force. Their ages aren’t stated—Andrei looks in his early teens. He’s under the spell of The Father and the idea of having him back. Young Ivan (12 or 13) is not so easily swayed and becomes his father’s antagonist. The Father is a dark version of McGuyver—rugged and able to take on the land and the elements with an eerie calm, ripe for an explosion.

The pessimistic landscape coupled with frequent downpours match the tension inside the car. When daddy’s sadism begins to escalate, so does Ivan’s anger. As the days press on, they camp, fish and drive deeper and deeper into the wilderness. Soon, a canoe replaces the car and they are on their way to a remote island. Their mental and physical stamina is taxed. Contempt has replaced Ivan’s trust.

The rain, the woods, the beaches and the expansive water become character. If the boys can survive their father, they still have the elements to challenge. There are unusual cinematic moments when Ivan looks directly at camera. It’s as if he’s connecting with the viewer, anyone who can provide him a reality check.

Some questions are never answered. Why was The Father gone for so long? Why does he take them on this voyage? You can formulate your own answers with clues provided. The foreshadowing tells you what’s coming but it’s a long disturbing road to the tragic end.

Director: Andrei Zvyagintsev

Country: Russia

Genre: Drama

Run time: 101 minutes

Scale: 3.5

Get Him to the Greek (2010)

2011-01-12T20:45:00.001-08:00

Low-rung record executive Aaron (Jonah Hill) is charged with getting his rock idol and infamous drug addict Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) from London to New York City for a performance (on the Today Show) and then to Los Angeles within 72 hours for Snow’s 10-year anniversary performance. Aaron is an uber-fan of Snow’s, but has no idea the challenges he will face fulfilling his task. As Aaron is set to depart on his mission, his girlfriend, Daphne (Elisabeth Moss), drops a bomb that puts their relationship on hold.

Once Aaron meets the eccentric Snow in London, he realizes he has no control. Can they survive the celebrity antics, paparazzi, groupies, sycophants, hateful respect and still make the big show? Can Aaron keep a lid on his scorn toward Snow’s last album, African Child? Add to this that Snow is still trying to win back model/actress/mother of his child Jackie Q (Rose Byrne).

This movie is fun with some great party shots. Are there lame scenes? Yes. But, they are overshadowed by Brand and Hill’s chemistry, their bromantic appeal and the furious banter. Brand’s expressions, his delivery and his movements mesh with Hill’s awkward deer-in-the-headlights’ reactions. Kristen Schaal has a tiny role as a Today Show producer. Ellie Kemper (Erin from The Office) has an unspoken cameo—a wasted opportunity. While Moss is fine as Aaron’s girlfriend, Kemper would have rocked it. P.Diddy isn’t going to win an Oscar but he delivers some humdingers. Colm Meaney as Snow’s father is excellent. You even get Lars Ulrich as Jackie Q’s lover and muse. If you saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall, you know that Brand is reprising his role (there’s a Sarah Marshall/Kristen Bell cameo). If that’s not enough (talking to you, John Kennedy), perhaps you might be swayed by the ridiculous songs, such as The Clap, Ring ‘Round (My Dirty Posy), Beans and Mash, Going Down and Furry Walls. Apologies to those who will watch and hate; I loved it.

Writer-Director: Nicholas Stoller

Country: USA

Genre: Bromantic comedy

Run time: 109 minutes

Scale: 4

Politist, adjectiv (Police, Adjective) (2009)

2011-01-10T21:59:00.001-08:00

Slow and monotonous, Politist, adjectiv is also a revealing snapshot of what’s involved in police surveillance work on a suspected delinquent. Undercover cop Cristi (Dragos Bucur) has been keeping a week-long surveillance of Victor (Radu Costina), a teenager suspected of drug dealing. His investigation yields little more than the suspect and his friends are guilty of smoking hashish. Cristi wants more time to trace the dealer, while his superiors want him to organize a sting and bust the kid.

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

Cristi pushes for more time because, as he states, “nowhere in Europe are you arrested for smoking a joint.” Soon, he says, the local law will change and he doesn’t want to ruin the kid’s life for smoking. Cristi is the opposite of a corrupt cop. He dislikes squealers, questioning why you would snitch on a friend.

Several very long scenes simulate Cristi’s experience. We are on surveillance with him and absorb his boredom, hunger and curiosity. Surveillance is lonely work and the ease with which you can tail someone and learn about her/him is eerily evident. The cinematography includes busy shots that bringing to mind Caché (2005). During an early surveillance scene, there’s a visual set-up of foreground versus background. The group of three friends talk and smoke in the background; you cannot hear them. In the foreground, you see and hear three young boys playing futbol. They’re running, kicking the ball, making noise—providing an adornment to the silent background story. The colors pop—the greens, yellows, reds give the movie the feel of a 1970s indie film.

The story pokes at the bureaucracy of the legal system. He makes detailed notes on his progress but no one reads them. They don’t want him spending too long on this “simple” matter—just send the kid to jail; he’ll be out in 3.5 years. The characters engage in conversations that divert to make statements about unrelated topics. Some are social commentary, others offer comic relief in the form of cultural inside jokes and some are so random, it’s unclear why they’re included. The ending has Cristi in a philosophical debate against The Boss. He’s forced to make a choice and the movie ends abruptly (after all that). Cristi’s integrity and belief in his ethics keeps you interested even when little else is cooking.

Writer-Director: Corneliu Porumboiu

Country: Romania

Genre: Drama

Run time: 114 minutes

Scale: 3.5

Valentine’s Day (2010)

2011-01-05T20:55:00.001-08:00

Catching Valentine’s Day was an accident of proximity, but I was curious about the ensemble cast, reminiscent of He’s Just Not That Into You (20009). However, this celebrity gathering topped HJNTIY and it’s many storylines flanked you. If you don’t like all the storylines, you’ll have to wade through the dull ones. In short, it’s an LA movie about cheaters. Not all are, but it’s a running theme. There’s also a Short Cuts (1993) element where characters are connected by a degree of two of separation, giving you a few perspectives.

Reed (Ashton Kutcher) owns a busy pink-themed flower shop. His best friend Julia (Jennifer Garner) is a teacher and both are dating others. They end up telling each other what they think of their partners. Liz (Anne Hathaway), assistant to Hollywood agent Paula (Queen Latifah), moonlights as a phone sex operator. She meets Jason (Topher Grace) and has difficulties juggling her work lives and dating. Kate (Julia Roberts) is an active-duty soldier on her way home for a less-than-24-hours leave. On the plane, she’s next to Holden (Bradley Cooper) and as they banter, he learns about her while he reveals little. The Taylor2 (Taylor Swift + Taylor Lautner) storyline was unconventionally funny. Neither is a great actor but Swift, as Felicia, lets herself be so silly, you cannot help but be amused. It seemed that even werewolf-boy Lautner. as Willy, had to fight laughter. Virgin couple Alex (Carter Jenkins) and Grace’s (Emma Roberts) plan to meet and de-flower each other so that they can part and go to their different coasted Ivy-league schools gets complicated. Cameo by Kristen Schaal (better known as Mel from Flight of the Conchords) as Ms. Gilroy was a tease; she deserved much more screen time.

Jennifer Garner has excellent comedic timing. This saved Kutcher’s limited-beyond-his-delicious-good-looks acting. Jessica Alba as Morley, Reed’s girlfriend is boring. Jessica Biel as Kara gives a flat and lame performance. Her interactions with Kelvin (Jamie Foxx) are devoid of any chemistry. Eric Dane as Sean is uninspired. Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Harrison Copeland is decent but the same as in Grey’s Anatomy. Some transitions between characters lack smoothness and credibility. A light romp with too many characters (but fun to see all the actors) and a flimsy plot, but despite these issues, I didn’t regret it.

Director: Garry Marshall

Country: USA

Genre: Rom-com

Run time: 125 minutes

Scale: 2.5

Taps (1981)

2010-11-30T22:43:00.001-08:00

There are some classic movies you just have to see. Often they are popular because of the actors. Especially when they cast present-day stars early in their careers. In Taps, you get Timothy Hutton (fresh after winning an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Ordinary People), Sean Penn in his first feature film and a testosterone-fuelled Tom Cruise.

Cadet Major Brian Moreland (Timothy Hutton) is a made man. He’s now a Major, the highest rank at Bunker Hill Military Academy. After dining with General Harlan Bache (George C. Scott), he’s on military-themed cloud 9. That is, until Bache makes a devastating announcement—that Bunker Hill Military Academy will be closing its doors. The historic buildings will be razed and condos will be built. This drives the boys mental. Following a devastating incident, Moreland launches a siege to take control of the academy. They won’t let their 140+ years school be destroyed without a fight. Tension starts between best friends Moreland and Cadet Captain Alex Dwyer (Sean Penn). Dwyer doesn’t share Moreland’s and Cadet Captain David Shawn’s (Tom Cruise) idol worship of Bache. The situation escalates and soon, their war comes to a head, but how far are they prepared to go to save Bunker Hill? Taps plays like a modified incarnation of Lord of the Flies and, nearly 30 years later, is still relevant.

Director: Harold Becker

Country: USA

Genre: Drama

Run time: 129 minutes

Scale: 4

Outsourced (2006)

2010-11-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

When Seattle employee Todd Anderson (Josh Hamilton) finds out his fulfillment team at Western Novelty is being outsourcing to India, he has seconds to decide whether or no to go there himself and train his successor at the call center or lose his job.

When we see him next, he has landed in Bombay and is assaulted by the new smells, colors and chaos. As he makes India’s acquaintance, he likes it less and less. Idealistic and excited Purohit (Asif Basra), future call center manager, finds Todd as he arrives from Bombay. Cultural nuances follow as we learn that Todd has ventured to India without any cultural preparedness. As he opens up to India, his experiences change.

Josh Hamilton masters facial expression control and anchors Outsourced as the metamorphosing lead. We learn about Indian culture in thoughtful ways that don’t ridicule the characters or dumb down the story. You get the Indian perspective on experiencing training at the hands of foreigners who know nothing about India. Expect culturally specific humor rich in confusion and social commentary. The ending is not the usual saccharin type for this sort of dram/rom/com hybrid; you want things to work out for Todd but it’s alright that it doesn’t serve up a half-baked ending. Savory plot twists abound.

Director: John Jeffcoat

Country: USA

Genre: Drama-Comedy

Run time: 99 minutes

Scale: 3.5

La Ventana (The Window) (2008)

2010-09-30T23:53:00.001-07:00

As bedridden Antonio (Antonio Larreta) awaits a visit from his estranged son, Pablo (Jorge Díez), his bedroom window is his portal to the world . The yellow fields beckon him. On this most important day, Antonio instructs live-in help María del Carmen (María del Carmen Jiménez) of how the day is to play out. He has a 40-year-old bottle of champagne and he’d like to make a toast when his son arrives. A fleet of hired help arrive to the house. The most important task is the tune-up of the old piano. Pablo is a world-class pianist and everything must be right. As everyone is busy making sure every detail is cared for, Antonio defies his doctor and caretakers by making a slow get-away into the fields for a walk. He takes in the serenity of the scene for what could be the last time time.
When Pablo and his girlfriend arrive, you get the sense it’s been an extremely long time away from the San Juan mansion. He’s regarding the old home like Antonio took in the yellow fields. You don’t get many clues nor explanations, but the suggestions are sufficient. This coming of death film has no action and it crawls, but it has a sensitivity that equates to that soothing feeling of someone brushing your hair.

Director: Carlos Sorin

Country: Argentina

Genre: Drama

Run time: 84 minutes

Scale: 3

The Switch (2010)

2010-09-30T22:08:00.001-07:00

I don’t describe myself as a Jennifer Aniston fan. She needs a new agent, but the cast led by Jason Bateman tempted. Hearing that The Switch is an adaptation of a short story by Jeffrey Eugenides clinched the decision.
It rolls as single Kassie (Jennifer Aniston) announces her fertility is declining and without any tangible possibilities, she opts for a sperm donor. She shares the news with her best friend Wally (Jason Bateman) hoping for some vicarious excitement but that isn’t his forte.
She searches for a handsome and athletic sperm donor and finds Roland (Patrick Wilson)—a married teacher in need of cash. She throws a hippy harvest party, inviting pals, and Roland and his wife, Jessica (Kelli Barrett). There, Roland makes his donation. Also attending the party, Wally has a migraine. Debbie (Juliette Lewis) offers him an unidentified pill he readily swallows. In his unpleasantly intoxicated state, he finds the vulnerable sperm sample and fumbles it. The next day, he cannot even recall Diane Sawyer. His confidante, Leonard (Jeff Goldblum, who only gets deliciously better with age) tries talking him back. Kassie gets preggers and for Minnesota.
Fast forward seven years. Kassie’s back in NYC (Believability: Do you believe she’s been offered this “great job with the network” after nearly seven years in Minnesota?) with son, Sebastian (Thomas Robinson). Sebastian is precocious and anxiety-ridden, much like Wally. As the three spend time together, Wally and Sebastian forge a relationship. Kassie pursues a newly divorced Roland, who has absolutely nothing in common with Sebastian. As Wally sees more and more similarities between himself and Sebastian, he realizes he may need to come clean about a few things, but will it sacrifice his friendship with Kassie?
I laughed a lot and cried a little. Bateman’s dryness juxtaposed with Aniston’s comedic timing create enjoyable chemistry, but it’s Sebastian that steals the show amid a strong cast. Aniston redeems herself from her long string of lame movies to deliver a refreshing rom-com. And, may Juliette Lewis and her brand of whack stick around.

Co-directors: Josh Gordon & Will Speck

Country: US

Genre: Rom-com

Run time: 101 minutes

Scale: 4

Se7enta (Seventy)

2010-09-30T20:48:00.001-07:00

This short film begins in a humble fashion. A few seconds pass before you realize that the man sitting before his birthday cake topped with two large pink candles (70) is alone and about to start eating. A boom box and a cake. An audio recording plays. Family members wish him birthday greetings. They offer positive words. Do they know he’s lonely? They promise next year things will be different. Are they worried about him? His daughter will try to raise the money to make the trip to see him. Melancholy visualized.

You never see his eyes, only the bottom half of his face. You watch him eat. He chews fast. His face reddens. He drops his fork. Hands move to his own neck. Is he choking?

(Spoiler Alert: Read at Your Own Risk!)

He’s definitely choking. The boom box continues talking. His grandson hopes he enjoys the little surprise baked into the cake. His head drops face down, slamming against the table. He’s dead.

Three minutes, one scene, dark ending.

Director: Paco Torres

Country: Spain

Genre: Shorts

Run time: 3 minutes

Scale: 5

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

2010-09-16T22:06:00.001-07:00

If you’re considering a double feature, this is a perfect companion piece to Precious. Adapted from Cameron Crowe’s 1981 book written during the time he spent, faking it, imbedded in a high school. In reality, he was a Rolling Stone correspondent gathering information on the lives of teenagers. Crowe went on to become an accomplished director.

His coming-of-age story centers around a group of California teenagers and their social and sexual escapades. Main character Stacey Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a high school sophomore, is urged by her older and more experienced best friend Linda (Phoebe Cates) to hurry up and lose her virginity. Stacey gets brazen and goes on her quest, which introduces her to a rocky path to sexual satisfaction. Innocent Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) takes a liking to Stacey but when he gets scared off, his best friend Mike Damone (Robert Romanus) makes his move. Meanwhile, her brother, Brad (Judge Reinhold), star employee at a hamburger joint, has a crush on Linda. He’s considering breaking up with his long-term girlfriend when he gets blindsided on two frontiers. Nicolas Cage (billed as Nicolas Coppola) makes a quick cameo as a burger flipper. Forest Whitaker is a football star with a reputation for kicking ass. The standout character is Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn in his second acting role), surfer, stoner, slacker. His history teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston) has it out for him as Spicoli pursues his dream--making it as a professional surfer. I regret these two don’t have more scenes together. Eric Stoltz and Anthony Edwards have minor roles as Spicoli’s pals. Not only is it fun to see so many big brand names in acting sharing the screen, but, nearly 30 years later, this movie is still as entertaining as it is relevant.

Director: Amy Heckerling

Country: US

Genre: Comedy

Run time: 90 minutes

Scale: 4