Quick Index: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
-T- | |
| Tampopo |
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|---|---|
| A "Profound noodle" of a movie. Delightful larger-than-life movie
that follows the actions of a Japanese woman trying to improve
her mediocre noodle soup restaurant. She enlists the aid of several
unexpected experts who team up to perfect her cooking. Several sub-
plots revolve around the main story, all focusing on food. Some
of the humor is subtle, and may be lost of the casual viewer, who may
see only the slapstick, which also plays a role in this movie. Itami
uses his trademark style throughout this movie for a satisfying dish
of a flick that'll leave your stomach growling. See with Eat Drink
Man Woman then go on a sushi or ramen rampage.
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| The Taxing Woman |
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| Delightfully different Japanese film from Itami about the tenacious
tax collector . (hmm.. gotta finish this one)
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| The Funeral |
|
| Black comedy, Itami style. Featuring much of the
Tampopo cast, we
watch as restrained Japanese tradition struggles against a reluctant
family dealing with the death of a family member. Irreverent and with
much the same feel as Itami's other movies, it mates well with any of
his other films.
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| The Lover |
|
| Woof. This is the kinda movie that defines 'erotic'. While not a
typical let's-show-lots-of-skin-writhing-in-pleasure film, this one
does play upon the arousal of the watcher in more subtle ways. Nowhere
is this more obvious than the limosine scene... surely the most
provocative scene ever where nothing beyond holding hands occurs.
Follow with something tamer to cool off to.
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| The Machine |
|
| Gérard Depardieu stars as a brilliant neurosurgeon who
has figured out a way to switch minds in this French and German film that
one-ups similar plots like 'Face Off'. It's an edgy thriller that although
trodding some familiar ground, adds a certain amount of finesse. It also
gets at least a half-star boost from the foreshadowing from the opening
scene which finally sinks in within the last 10 minutes of the movie.
The film does feel a little dated, surprising considering it's a 1994 movie,
and it's not helped by the funky contraption that actually does the swap.
Hollywood would have come up with something much more realistic and menacing
looking, as the foreign machine the movie gets its name from looks more like
a hair salon dryer than an impossibly advanced technological miracle.
*shrug* The suspense helps make up for it though...
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| The Navigator |
|
| An interesting, but somewhat bewildering film about (and I'm *not*
making this up!) a group of barbarians (well, really 14th century
peasants) who try to flee a black plague by digging a tunnel into
the ground, so deep that they emerge in modern-day New Zealand.
Their quest then turns to getting the spire off of a church, in the
belief that this will cure the plague. Got all that?
Fortunately, the movie has a great soundtrack that partially redeems
the bizarre plot. Follow with 'Time Bandits' or Cabeza de Vaca for
other weird quest movies or Window To Paris for
another here-or-there flick.
| |
| The Player |
|
| Sublime film that showcases Tim Robbins' acting skills much better than, say,
'Cadillac Man'. Chock full of authentic Hollywood lifestyle that
those in-the-know should discern. Amazing cameos from everyone under
the sun, all "off camera" and being themselves.
| |
| The Postman (Il Postino) |
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| A whimsical but ultimately tragic glimpse into the life of a poor,
simple Italian postal worker whose life its changed by a "brush with
greatness", the world famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (played by the
fatherly Philippe Noiret), who has sought refuge on the peaceful
island. The well loved, but ailing actor Massimo Troisi gave the
last of himself as "Mario" for this film, and actually died the day
after filming was complete. Flawlessly performed, Massimo and Philippe
(who also played the lovable Alfredo from Cinema Paradiso), suck us
in as they form an unlikely bond. If you'd rather not pontificate
after this touching movie, follow with Cinema Paradiso for lighter
fare.
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| The Snapper |
|
| Very strange movie with Colm Meaney (yes, that Colm Meaney from
Star Trek) cast as the father of a daughter who has gotten herself
pregnant and will not reveal who the father is. Movie has some bright
points but lacks dynamics; Felt almost like a made-for-TV movie. Ugh.
| |
| Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down |
|
| Another Almodovar movie with Victoria Abril and Antonio Banderas. While noted for
being assigned an X rating initially, this movie is not the erotic peepshow one might
expect. Perhaps the fact that Victoria is tied up for some of the scenes led the ratings
panel to deem this an "S&M" film, although it clearly isn't. What is is, though, is typical
Almodovar black comedy, made spicy with the passionate conflict between Banderas,
a recently released mental patient, and Abril, a drug-addicted second-rate actress. The
scene stealer, however, is the wheelchair-bound dirty-old-man movie director.
| |
| Tous Les Matins Du Monde |
|
| Tragic and grand movie about a viol virtuoso who has lost his wife
and has nothing but his music to live for anymore. A classical
pontificating French movie, featuring both Gerard Depardieau and his
son. Superb acting, gripping storyline, albeit at a very deliberate
pace. Featuring some of the same cast as Cyrano, these would be
a good match for mournful and moving masterpieces. (Oh, alliteration!)
| |
| Trainspotting |
|
| While there is nothing unique about the plot (a gang
of kids addicted to drugs despite repeated attempts to clean up), this
film has some bright, wry wit to it. Centering around one of the kids,
we follow him through various escapades of doing, dealing, stealing,
fleeing, giving it up, then promising himself just one last hit, which
ends up repeating the cycle. There are elements of Clockwork Orange
here, but without the ultraviolence. The atmosphere in the movie is
enhanced by great sequences that seem to capture the drugged "feel", and is
further helped out with a great soundtrack.
| |
| Trees Lounge |
|
| Steve Buscemi writes, directs, and stars in this movie about
a loser who can't get his life out of the rut. His character, Tommy, lives
above a bar though he spends most of his time in the bar. We watch
his pathetic meandering around, trying to find a job, trying to quit drinking,
trying to find a meaningful relationship (or any relationship for
that matter), all in vain. The film captures the desperation of being
trapped in a hopeless life. Steve, with his ever-glum looks, fits the part
wonderfully, and comes across as a very real character, maybe even someone
we've met before. I've loved Steve in almost every role I've seen him in
and he makes a great directing debut with this movie, which
is worth watching if you're up for a wry melodrama with a smattering of
whimsy toseed in. Given the spin of the movie though, I'd follow it with
something a little brighter.
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| 28-Up (4th in 7-Up series) |
|
| If you're not familiar with this series, it is a pseudo-documentary
that simply follows the lives of a group of kids beginning when they
were seven. Every 7 years, they are tracked down and filmed as they
talk about what is going on in their lives at that point. (Hence there
is 7-Up, 14-Up, 21-Up, 28-Up, etc.) Very interesting to see
how behaviour as a child reflects that as an adult, but from a strictly
scientific perspective, one must wonder if being filmed every 7 years
hasn't affected the outcome.. a tainted experiment. I have not had a
chance to see the older films, but scenes from the past are used for
comparison and contrast. Leaves a funny taste in the mouth after
viewing, and leads to some contemplation of aging...
| |
-U- | |
| Ulysses's Gaze |
|
| (aka To Vlemma tou Odyssea) Harvey Keitel continues to surprise
me with his versatility, delivering a nearly flawless performance in this epic
film from Theo Angelopoulus. He plays a Greek filmmaker trying to track down
three mythical missing reels of film from the Manakia brothers. This plot merely
sustains the film which deals more on the concepts of ethnicity and nationality
as Harvey treks all around Eastern Europe on his quest. It's an exceptional
film cinematographically, with several surreal but powerful scenes of mobs,
war ruins, and relics of cold war life. Understanding of Balkan events would
help the viewer, as the film is something like a cross between
When Father Was Away on Business and
Until The End Of The World. It's a long movie
(177 minutes) so don't plan on a double feature.
| |
| Un Coeur En Hiver |
|
| A tempting intellectual French film about the intriguing three-way
relationship between a beautiful violin virtuoso (Camille), a master
violin maker (Stephane) and his boss/partner (Maxime). Stephane is
the ultimate passionless stoic, which enhances Camille's attraction
all the more, despite already being involved with Maxime. Surrounded
by stunning music by Ravel, this film is both rich and stark in
classic French style. I enjoyed this film more than some of those
I saw it with, which confuses me as I can find little fault with it.
For an impressive diversity in acting ability, watch Daniel Auteuil as
the oafish farmer in Manon Des Sources and
Jean de Florette
| |
| The Unbearable Lightness Of Being |
|
| Touted as an amazingly erotic film, I found this to be very long, and
not the masterpiece I was expecting. The cast and crew are all known
as artists in their respective fields, but I felt the combined effort
just wasn't very *interesting*. Everyone has their own chemistry and
this just didn't produce an exothermic reaction in me. I wish I had
more flowery things to say about this but I don't. I think I even fast
forwarded through some parts of this movie.
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| The Untold Story |
 |
| (aka Ba Xian fan dian zhi ren rou cha shao bao or Bunman, the Untold Story)
I'm not sure how one would classify this film. It's got a morbid plot, a la
The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover, gratuitous
violence like a typical low-budget horror movie, and then is interspersed with
campy humor not far off from 'Police Academy' or something. Clearly not for the
weak of stomach, although it could make a good film for viewers who like a "challenge" (which
usually includes me). Just set your expectations accordingly. This is a graphic, frequently
offensive, Hong Kong action/horror flick, with a main character who completely earns your
disgust. Bizarrely, it features (and was partly directed by) Danny Lee, aka "Dumbo" from
The Killer! Bon Apettit!
| |
| Until the End Of The World |
|
| Pseudo-SciFi film that downplays the 'Sci' portion in favor of
character development. Overall, a rather complex layered movie
(in typical Wim Wenders style) full of familiar faces. William
Hurt is being chased around the world (a la Carmen Sandiego)
for an invention he has "stolen". Several others get spun
into the web as the film lightly hops from continent to continent.
My only complaint with this otherwise compelling picture is that
it is three hours long and becomes a little strained towards the end.
Translation: do not attempt to watch while tired. The film is worth
seeing, but be sure you're alert enough to appreciate it. If you liked
the feeling of this one, be sure to track down Lisbon
Story for another Wenders film that shares much in common.
| |
-V- | |
| Vincent and Theo |
|
| Powerful rendition of the tale of Vincent van Gogh and his seldom
heard-about, but very influential, brother. A little distasteful
to watch, Tim Roth portrays van Gogh as the eccentric and almost
inhuman artist. As a viewer who knew little about van Gogh's personal
life, the film is somewhat shocking. More literate viewers have
criticized this film as being inaccurate or exaggerated. Not a must
see, but an interesting film nonetheless.
| |
-W- | |
| Waterdance |
|
| Melodrama centering around a successful writer who injures his back
and becomes confined to a wheelchair. Lots of character tension
between the writer (Eric Stoltz), his girlfriend (Helen Hunt), and a
fellow patient (Wesley Snipes). Much of the film resolves around
coping with disabilities, but there is spice thrown in with wry
humor, and the warmth of Helen Hunt. For a complete (albeit rather
macabre) wheelchair doubleshot, follow with George A. Romero's thriller
'Monkey Shines'.
| |
| Welcome To The Dollhouse |
|
| I don't think anyone ever enjoyed puberty. This movie follows the
trials and tribulations of Dawn, the middle sibling of three children.
She is tormented, insulted, misunderstood, harassed, falsely blamed,
chased, and scorned, all while trying to be a good person and deal with
jealousy of her pampered little sister and her growing infatuation with
Steve, an older, long-haired singer in her brother's band. I'll confess
that I had trouble relating to Dawn, but I'm an only child who led a
rather sheltered life so she and I have little in common. The two women
who saw the movie with me seemed to completely click with Dawn, so I
guess the scenario is plausible. The film has a few funny moments but
is tinged with melancholy and evokes a feeling of pity for the poor
maligned girl. Follow with something brighter to dispell the gloom. Seeing
Solondz's other film Happiness afterward
would surely send the viewer running to their therapist.
| |
| What Have I Done to Deserve This |
|
| I've seen so many Almodovar films, I'm losing track of which ones are
which. Such is this case with this one. But I do recall this being
about the tribulations of a hispanic lady rendered in classic
Almodovar style. Therefore, go see it. If you've liked any of his
works, this certainly qualifies. Tag team it with any other Almodovar
film, and you'll end up like me.. unable to remember which ones are
which. But you'll have enjoyed it anyway. You were warned. :^)
| |
| When Father was Away on Business |
|
| A historical Yugoslavian movie set during the cold war in Europe. Based
on a family with a father who suffers from chronic infidelity. The
boy is sent along to make sure the father behaves himself. Hijinx
ensue since the boy sleepwalks, usually at the most inopportune times.
| |
| White |
|
| (aka Trzy kolory: Bialy) The second movie in Kieslowski's trilogy (Blue,
White, and Red) It revolves around the spite
of Karol, an unexceptional man whose breath-taking wife is leaving him due to
his inability to "consummate" their marriage. He both loves and hates his
wife, played by the beautiful Julie Delpy, and spends the movie trying to
both win her back and get vengeance at the same time. It has some of the same
visionary scheming as The Shawshank Redemption
and as the movie progresses you begin to see the genius and passion in Karol.
I think all three movies of the Trilogy should be seen in order to capture
the concepts of "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" that Kieslowski intended.
| |
| White Balloon |
|
| (aka Badkonake Sefid, from Iran) This is a tedious yawner
about an Iranian girl who wants a goldfish, whines until her mother gives her some money
for one, then spends the rest of the movie trying to fetch the bill out of the storm
drain she accidently dropped it down. I wish I was kidding, but that was the entire
movie. The story takes place in real time, if not slower... I guess it should be
some sort of inspiring character study, but the whole time I kept hoping someone would
either spank this whiny girl or just give her a damn fish. Maybe it's exceptional for
an Iranian film (to my knowledge, this is the only one I've seen), but I struggled to
pay attention through the nearly hour and half this film dragged on. It nearly joined
Bagdad Cafe which is the only other film that bored me to
point of turning it off. Be sure to have another peppier film if you're doing a double feature.
| |
| Whore |
|
| Wishy-washy movie that did not live up to its own hype. Essentially
a monologue of a prostitute, the film follows her around as she goes
about her daily interactions. A little graphic at times (though
never erotic), I left afterward with a feeling of ambivalence.
| |
| Widow's Peak |
|
| Whoa. I love being duped by a movie. This all-star lineup,
(Mia Farrow, Natasha Richardson, Joan Plowright, etc) takes an
innocent setting similar to Enchanted April or
Room With a View and infuses it with a
back-for-revenge theme focused on the rivalry between Mia and Natasha.
Wonderfully acted, and a real head-game, I enjoyed this movie very much.
| |
| Wilde |
|
| There have been a few attempts through the years to try and capture
the troubled life that Oscar Wilde endured. This version, embodied by Stephen Fry (who
appropriately was the closeted gay title character in Peter's
Friends), does an evocative job at involving us in the disfunctional and ultimately
destructive relationship shared by Oscar and his oh-too-pretty Bosie. The film gives enough
depth to the characters to imbue them with some credibility but not so much that it turns
into a stale documentary. There are quite a few frank scenes in this film so
paranoid homophobes may want to steer clear of this one.
| |
| Window To Paris |
|
| A Russian film about a musician in St. Petersburg who finds
that the apartment he has just rented has a window that opens to downtown
Paris! Superb original plot hampered only by slightly slapstick-y scenes.
The action wages back and forth between the two cities and is chock full of
humor and adventure. The only similar movie that comes to mind (and it's
nowhere near the romp that this is) would be The
Navigator.
| |
| Wings Of Desire |
|
| The gemstone in Wim Wender's crown, this cinemagraphic delicacy
weaves elegant B&W footage with color scenes for a smugly satisfying
film. Minimal in dialogue, this tale follows a guardian angel who
falls in love with the circus performer he watches over. Complete with
sequel Far Away, So Close, which continues
the story of the angels who watch over us. By the way, this is the movie
that "City of Angels" is based on.
| |
| Women on The Verge |
|
| Classic Almodovar, this one is based on a married man's lover trying
to find out why he left her. Full of Almodovar's trademark twists,
it can be safely said that if you like his other movies, this one is
more of the same. Will of course go well as a double feature with
just about any of his other movies.
| |
-X- | |
-Y- | |
| The Year My Voice Broke |
|
| I'm a sucker for a good coming-of-age movie, and this Australian film
from John Duigan fits the bill. A classic scenario of a young boy and
girl who have grown up together as friends, but one feels a strong
attraction for the other, which is not reciprocated. (See 'Some Kind
of Wonderful', 'Pretty In Pink', and the tv show 'Friends' for prime
examples) We watch poor Danny ache helplessly as Freya goes her own
way. While not everyone may sympathize, I felt just like Danny when
I was younger, so watching him induced a comradery, which accounts for
much of the high rating I give this film. Clinically, this film would
deserve only a 3.5 or 4 star rating, but I rewarded it with more for
the emotional response it invoked. This film should be followed with
its marginally related sequel, Flirting.
| |
-Z- | |
| Zentropa |
|
| Dark and gothic tale of a young American working aboard a German train
line during WWII. Very psychological a la Hitchcock. Filmed mostly
in B&W, but with scenes in color, it is a rivetting mystery/thriller.
Good with most psychological or gothic movies, or maybe even something
lighter like Wings Of Desire
| |
Copyright © 1997 Brian Bloom. All Rights Reserved