Keep an Eye Out For: Holy Motors

Just look at the poster art.

R.I.P Chris Marker

     Today filmaker, writer, photographer, and pioneer of the essay film, Chris Marker has passed. This is indeed a sad thing to hear. I remember watching La Jetee for the first time and being awe struck. The dedication to executing such an endeavor is one I haven't seen matched in filmmaking to this day. There is something deeply profound and poetic to his work that I'm not sure, even to this day, I grasp fully.  He died on his 91st birthday, may he rest in peace. Watch some of his films and prepare to be changed forever.

Keep an Eye Out For: Reality

Matteo Garrone's first film since Gomorrah in 2008. Reality is said to be a bleak look at the Italian public's obsession with reality TV; specifically Italian Big Brother. It premiered at Cannes on the 18th of May to very mixed reviews. However, I must say, just by this poster alone and the slight whispers about some Felini undertones I cannot wait to see this film. It's nice to see filmmakers who still have the gull to take shots at the societies they live in. The film is said to open in France in August and Italy in September; hopefully it'll have a more international release shortly after that. Keep an eye out nonetheless and if you haven't seen Garrone's Gomorrah then I say get on it. Probably one of the best mafia movies you'll ever see.

Happy moviegoing folks!

Keep an Eye Out For: Room 237

Coming out of Sundance Film Festival, what some are calling an experimental documentary, Room 237 was just acquired by IFC Films. Directed by Rodney Ascher the film explores theories behind Stanley Kubrick's The Shinning. The film discusses possible subtext behind The Shinning, things like Kubrick showing justification that he faked the footage of the moon landing. Who's excited!? I am, that's for sure. All in all this should be a must see for any cinephile and any fan of the film in general. I cannot wait for it to come out. No release date has been set, but look out for this Summer or Fall 2012.

Happy moviegoing!

Miss Bala (2012)

     Posted about this film a while back, check it out here. However, I finally saw it. It is quite something. Please go watch if you can.

     It's beautifully photographed and the acting is surprisingly wonderful too. Even filmed on location, this film has the echoes of the neorealist traditions and it aids it so well. This is director Gerardo Naranjo hanging dirty laundry out to dry for sure. The emotional space is tense and with all the long takes the audience is presented with a world where no one helps each other and you cannot look away, literally. I originally posted saying "Blow, Boobs and Blood, Oh My!" however you almost never see all three of those things and it's wonderful.  It draws the viewer in without ever showing the main protagonist of the film, drugs.

     However first and foremost this is a piece about a victim and the film takes it to heart and so did I as an audience member. The film is riddled with long takes and P.O.V shots. Each frame is composed for the protagonist and keeps the audience in the same mind frame as her, in the dark. It's wonderful what is and isn't' show in the film, both in story and in the cinematography. But you don't need to see much, you can tell what is happening. There is very little dialogue yet you're kept on point throughout the whole film, entranced almost in a way.

      This is a film that doesn't treat it's audience like a child. It doesn't need to say much, but it shows all. I can only applaud filmmaking like this and continue to hope that more films are made just like it. Again go watch it if you can.

Happy moviegoing folks!

Keep an Eye Out For: Moonrise Kingdom

Wes Anderson's new flick. Moonrise Kingdom. Keep an eye out for this one folks. It's going to be.....Well just watch. It says it all for itself.





Happy moviegoing!

Geroge Harrison: Living in the Material World

     For Adriana.

      It's Thanksgiving season! Or at least it's Thanksgiving in Canada today, which is where I'm from. So I decided why not have a thankful post. I posted about this a while back. Check it here. But I've finally watched Martin Scorsese's documentary George Harrison: Living in the Material World,  at a screening hosted by ULCA with a Q&A with producer Nigel Sinclair.
     So firstly thank you UCLA for hosting this great screening and having the chops to show it in full to boot. Thanks to Scorsese and editor David Tedeschi for putting together such a masterful piece of work, it's truly something despite the subject. Really amazing. Mostly though, thank you to Olivia Harrison for allowing the film's team to excavate all her husbands things and go through a lifetime of materials, cause after three and a half hours I still wanted to see more. There's some truly amazing stuff shown in the documentary.
     Beyond the amass of entertaining footage and anecdotes about George the film is a spectacular accomplishment. The way the actual footage of George is used and intertwined into the chronology, and perspective is amazing. Interview footage of George is used to almost haunting quality because, I, for a second almost forgot this was about someone who's passed. We see everything through George's perspective in the first portion and only does the real great material come after the apple doors had closed for The Beatles. It's about him, good and bad. So don't think you're going to go in to this and get a neatly shaped film that mostly chats about his time with the popular group. Expect to see a overwhelming film about a man, who was loved and loved so many. I will admit I'm a bit sad that there wasn't any interview footage with Ravi Shankar on George's passing, but this is such a small small thing. There's so much here and I heard there's almost another 50mins of footage on the DVD release.
     Go see this if you can! Even if you don't like the subject matter, support quality filmmaking. It's remarkable to say the least. For a little taste of the film, check out the website here. For anyone who's ever felt that maybe, just maybe, wanting some beyond this material world; whether is be spiritually, emotionally or existentially,  wasn't as "fantastical" or "mystical" as some might say,  I'd say: "Here comes the sun."

Happy moviegoing folks!