☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Synecdoche New York (2008) -- C. Kauffman Generally
speaking, I like my existentialism more hopeful and less anxious, although I
concede that life may not really be like that. The movie creates, replicates,
and regurgitates itself -- which is, in turns, an interesting, boring, and
confusing experience (and back again). The parts here may represent more than
their sum (or not). (2010 Review)
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Waltz with Bashir (2008) -- A. Folman Intense animated history lesson (cum psychological quest) about the 1982 Lebanon War. Made me think about OUR shared memories (and their probable inaccuracy). (2010 review)
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Milk (2008) -- G. Van Sant Can't say I'm a huge fan of the biopic as a form, but this one has several strengths: 1) progressive message; 2) Sean Penn virtually disappears; 3) good mix of stock and archival footage with new film. I haven't been following Van Sant's work for a while now (since Psycho?) so perhaps I should check out that trilogy I missed... (2009 review)
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- D. Boyle On the big screen, full of color and sound. Great, particularly for being just so unlikely. (2009 review).
Vivid Korean serial killer thriller that
feels a bit schematic due to its broader generic framework but which actually
defies conventions in ways that keep you interested. Yun-seok Kim is the outsider “hero” who is an
ex-cop turned pimp looking for his missing prostitutes; he soon discovers that
they may have been murdered by Jung-woo Ha’s sick loser. Or at least Ha confesses that he’s done it –
but actual evidence is lacking. Both the
(inept) police and Kim then spend most of the movie trying to find bodies,
including one girl who may still be alive.
The result is visceral, violent, gritty, suspenseful, downbeat,
gruesome, and relentlessly grim. First
time director Hong-jin Na seems to be cribbing from the best source material and
the film “works.” (Even Melville is evoked in some of the rainy shots through
windows – or John Woo’s version of Melville – but there isn’t as much sensitive
masculinity on display here). However,
the themes don’t run deep. Nevertheless,
for this genre, it’s definitely head and shoulders above the usual crass
rip-offs. Check out Memories of Murder (2003) for an even better Korean take on
the (incompetent) police procedural.
After writing a
successful book about his experiences teaching in a French high school, the
teacher Francois B. gets a chance to star in a movie, scripted through
workshops with students from the school and acted by all of these
non-professionals. The result is nothing less than gripping and spotlights
Francois's direct relationship with his students and its costs and benefits. An
interesting experiment.
Epic movies are
becoming more like video games and this historical Chinese battle film proves
the point. John Woo couldn't really hire a cast of 1000's, could he? Instead,
the CGI looks great (not real, but not cheesy). There is enough
characterization (particularly by the great Tony Leung) to make the action
meaningful and the battle scenes have a good strategic element. Plus, it's John
Woo, so you get a guy fighting with a baby in his arms, a dove flying, and two
generals pointing swords at each others' throats in a standoff.
