I Saw the Devil

 

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Year:  2010
Country:  South Korea
Director:  Jee-woon Kim

Mini-synopsis: A special agent seeks revenge on the serial killer who murdered his fiance.

Ro:  4.5 Stars - Oh how I wish there were more movies being made like this one.  When you first jump into I Saw the Devil you're presented with a very grisly slasher/horror type film, but what's so remarkable is how it maintains the scary tension while transcending beyond being just another slasher film; there's even a decent sense of humor sprinkled throughout.  One of the good guys fights back, and his plan is thrilling to watch, especially during the first viewing.  The half star is lost because, due to the quick pacing, some of the dialogue feels particularly forced.  Example:  "Hey, remember back when we joined that radical militant group?," - thanks fat evil friend, but I can accept that the killer has a killer buddy even without the lame backstory.  Some awkward dialogue aside, director Jee-woon Kim, along with the leads, Min-sik Choi and Byung-hun Lee, does an amazing job at creating a movie that grips you beginning to end.

Joe: 4 Stars - I Saw the Devil really snuck up on me by taking me on an unexpectedly awesome ride.  At first, this film felt like it was going to be a typical "torture porn" flick; as we are introduced to the serial killer while he does his thing.  However, the flow of the film stayed very engaging as the protagonist begins hunting down the man who killed his fiance.  It doesn't help our killer, of course, that the protagonist happens to be a special government agent.  A whole case of whoop-ass is opened, and we get to witness an epic showdown between a demented killer and a revenge-driven hero.  The plot seems familiar, but for some reason this film really worked and felt fresh.  The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I noticed a few little plot holes that really irked me.  Other than that, this is one damn enjoyable film.

Dark Horse

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Year:  2011

Country:  USA

Director:  Todd Solondz

Mini-Synopsis:  The tale of a thirty-something nobody trying to find romance and also the good in the world with his, "front-runner mentality, and dark horse qualities."

Ro: 3.5 Stars - I came out of Dark Horse appreciating it more than I expected going in.  The examination of a lumpy man-child is a sensible contemporary figure for Solondz to tackle, but I wasn't initially excited by the prospect.  Like most of his films it focuses on a sad (and often hilarious) example of human existence.  Abe isn't necessarily a bad person - he does nothing that harms others, but he's exactly the sort of person we all go out of our way to disassociate with.  Abe doesn't make the world a better place, he lacks the self-awareness that society expects of everyone, and he lives by excuses for why everything is wrong in his world.  Despite all this, he's a compelling figure to watch, and like those in his life that love him, there's a hope that Abe will overcome the disconnect that he experiences between his fantasy life and his actual life.  Dark Horse does not carry the same punch as Welcome to the Dollhouse (a similarly singular focus story).  I'd say this happened because Dawn's plight carries a deep desperation, whereas, Abe seems simply unable to grab the opportunities that could, even marginally, improve his life.

Joe: 3 Stars - I am a huge fan of Todd Solondz, so naturally, I was very excited for Dark Horse.  I feel that my expectations were a bit too high to rate this objectively, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the film.  Dark Horse displays all the aspects of a typical Solondz film: sad and pathetic characters, a very black sense of humor, minimalistic direction, patient pacing, and great execution.  We basically get to watch a romance develop between two misfits who still live at home with their parents.  As I've stated before, I don't like romance.  However, the romance in this one isn't cheesy and predictable.  It is absolutely ridiculous for sure, but also refreshing.   I recommend giving this a try if you appreciate Solondz's work. 

Bernie

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Year:  2011

Country:  USA

Director:  Richard Linklater

Mini-Synopsis:  True story of a small-town mortician who befriends a wealthy widow.  

Ro:  4.5 Stars - Bernie is a completely worthwhile film to check out.  While Matthew McConaughey continues to creep out of his residence in rom-com oblivion, Jack Black shines in the quasi-biographical role.  Another high point for me, is the depiction of a small southern town.  It's very rare to find films, let alone a comedy, that feels just about accurate in this task.  In all the staged interviews it was easy to believe that the actors were real southerners speaking with a fondness for someone who'd genuinely won over the community through small town politics.  Bernie is a smart black comedy where the film appropriately fits the real-life character it is aiming to portray.

Joe:  4 Stars - This movie was such a pleasant surprise!  I never expected to see Jack Black carry a film the way that he carried Bernie.  The script was hilarious and well-written.  This picture felt a bit like a Coen brothers effort.  We are saturated in small town Texas culture and there are interviews throughout the film with the supporting characters; The Office style.  Matthew McConaughey is absolutely hilarious as the District Attorney!  As much as I loved the writing and the performances, Bernie was just missing something that kept me from giving it a 5 star rating.  I honestly cannot put my finger on what that something was.  It could have been the directing, although, the cinematography and pacing were great.  I would like to hear some feedback from some of our readers to see if you can put your finger on what was missing...or convince me to up my rating to 5 stars!  Either way, I'm curious to hear what you have to say.

Polisse

 

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Year:  2011

Country:  France

Director:  Maiwenn

Mini-synopsis:  A candid look into France's Child Protection Unit.

Ro: 3.5 Stars - Polisse focuses entirely on the people who make up the CPU and what their day to day lives are like on and off duty.  The audience goes into this world following a photographer, portrayed by Maiwenn herself.  The cases that they deal with on duty are the sorts of things most people generally try to block from thinking about because it's so heartbreaking and fundamentally wrong.  The direction spends a lot of time getting to know the officers.  We watch them chat about married life over coffee, interact with their own children, and see how they put everything else to the side when it comes time to protect a child and let him/her know that he's safe.  It's not the sort of movie anyone will ever want to watch twice, and there are many moments that could be shortened down; but overall, it's a very affecting film.

Joe: 2 Stars -  This was a somewhat difficult film to watch.  Based on actual case files, Polisse documents the day to day operations of the CPU (Child Protection Unit) in France.  This could have been much more challenging, but Maiwenn decided to document the offenses through dialog instead of reenactments.  The directing was very candid and unpolished, the acting was great, and the narrative was a bit scattered.  There was a random romance that was sprinkled into this film, which felt that it didn't quite belong.  Overall I didn't feel that the film had a clear vision or direction.  It basically felt like a documentary with some story thrown in for entertainment value.  Maybe I'm missing something, but I expected more. 

Alps

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Year:  2011

Country:  Greece

Director:  Giorgos Lanthimos

Mini - Synopsis:   "Alps" refers to a group of actors who stand-in for those who have recently departed.  Family members of the deceased hire Alps to help alleviate their grief.

Ro: 3 Stars - Alps contains a lot of promise that isn't fully utilized.  Going in I had no idea what to expect and the initial exposition is a challenge in finding a flow to engage with.  Lanthimos gives you bits of conversation that have a significance the viewer is not yet privy to.  As it comes together and the darkness of the Alps group is more clearly understood, though, I became enticed to see where this could lead - it just didn't travel quite as far as I felt it could have.  The story never really leaves Anne, Aggeliki Papouli, giving an impressively subtle performance, so it has hints of being a character study.  Alps is dark and unique, my frustration mostly stems from wishing the ending spiral would have been of greater magnitude for Anne.

Joe: 2 Stars - I have great respect for director Giorgos Lanthimos.  I was incredibly excited for Alps after viewing his earlier film, Dogtooth.   The style that Lanthimos uses is very minimalistic with subtle undertones of creepily abnormal.  This film had a great atmosphere, but seemed a bit unfocused.  At only 93 minutes running time, this one felt like a marathon.  We spend most of our time following our characters pretending to be deceased family members.  While this was very interesting at first, I began to find myself anxious to dig into our main characters' personalities. I never quite felt satisfied as to the motivations and purposes of our characters. Overall, Alps was a very intriguing film that left me a bit disappointed. 

Kill List

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Year:  2011

Country:  UK

Director:  Ben Wheatley

Mini-Synopsis:  A hitman takes a new contract after a lengthy hiatus, but things are not as straight forward as they seem.

Ro: 3.5 Stars - Kill List is a hard film for me to peg down.  On the one hand it is composed of many elements that I enjoy:  a creepy tone where even mundane events feel foreboding, a direct approach to violence that is neither reveling nor delicate, and a story that isn't restricted in what direction to take next.  On the other hand, in this case at least, it's easy to lose one's bearings with some of the events that transpire.  I'm honestly still scratching my head about some things.  Did Wheatley approach this film decisively leaving subtle clues and pieces that need to be put together?  Or, is the film composed in a more ramshackle way, with pieces included merely to add ambiguity and tone in order to create the impression of creepiness?  I'm leaning towards the latter, but even if that is the purpose and goal of Kill List, it's still hard to fault it too much.  I enjoyed the watch and, while I felt adrift at times, still find myself intrigued. 

Joe: 4 Stars - Kill List is one of those films that didn't land anywhere near what my expectations were (I mean that in a good way).  I was prepared for a typical British murder-for-hire picture, and what I got was a dark and creepy spine-chiller.  Ben Wheatley did a fantastic job of building atmosphere through steady ominous music and raw, cold cinematography.  The acting in this film was superb!  Kill List feels a bit slowly paced, but this allows the progression from the opening act to the final act to subtly sneak up on you. The British accents are really thick and difficult to understand, so be warned about that.  I highly recommend this one to anybody who likes UK genre films, crime thrillers, or horror.  Enjoy!

The Devil's Backbone

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Year:  2001

Country:  Spain

Director:  Guillermo del Toro

Mini-Synopsis:  A twelve-year-old boy adjusts to life at his new orphanage while discovering that the place may be haunted.

Ro:  5 Star - The Devil's Backbone for me is very demonstrative of the quintessential del Toro.  It's a perfect complementary film to Pan's (even though this came first, Pan's remains the strongest example of del Toro's work thus far).  The story is told from an innocent's point-of-view who's exposed to a truly evil element during a tumultuous historical period.  The biggest difference between the two movies is the fantastical element, which in this film is more of a subtle spooky ambiance with a few gotcha moments.  The kids deliver strong performances and Eduardo Noriega is absolutely one of my favorite bad guys to watch.

Joe:  4 Star - I have always enjoyed seeing a horror film through the eyes of a child.  In The Devil's Backbone, we get to experience this ghost story from the perspective of a twelve year old boy.  The atmosphere of this film is excellent because the orphanage is a remote and self-contained compound with a unique history.  Guillermo del Toro displays an innate ability to connect his viewers to the emotions of a child.  This ability also stands out in his masterpiece Pan's Labyrinth.  I definitely recommend this film to atmospheric horror fans, ghost story fans, and fans of good foreign films.

44 Inch Chest

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Year:  2009

Country:  UK

Director:  Malcolm Venville

Mini-Synopsis:  An aging gangster calls on his friends to address a case of cuckoldry.

Ro:  4 Star - 44 Inch Chest dances between moments of dark crime drama and those of quirky black comedy.  The greatest standout element is far-and-away the cast of British acting standards (Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, and Stephan Dillane), they have a great chemistry.  Each one embodies a different sort of gangster who, as cool as they may have once been, are now mostly tired old men.  Venville, and the cast, seem to relish in exploring the individual failings that ultimately make them each human.  There are a few surprise moments where the audience has to take notice of the changing perspective; between the normal flow and stream of consciousnesses.  All and all this is a successful debut for Venville, and I'm sure we'll watch where he goes next.

Joe: 4 Star - As a huge Ray Winstone fan, I was extremely excited about this film.  44 Inch Chest is a well executed picture that proves to be funny, engaging, and dramatic.  There isn't much to the script; a group of gangsters are in a room waiting to kill a waiter for making Colin (Ray Winstone) into a cuckold.  What the script does accomplish, however, is serve as a vehicle for the immensely talented cast to shine in a fairly unstructured setting.  I very much enjoyed the straight forward and simplistic story.  In act 3, however, the films gets a little trippy in the exploration of Colin's psychological state.  This felt a little out of place for me, but it was well done.  If you appreciate British humor, black comedy, or mob films this is for you.  I highly recommend 44 Inch Chest as yet another great option for fans of Ray Winstone's work. 

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

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Year:  2010

Country:  Canada, USA

Director:  Eli Craig

Mini-Synopsis:  A pair of hillbillies struggle to enjoy fixing up their new vacation home when a group of college students get the wrong idea.

Ro:  3.5 Stars - In keeping with the October spirit we decided to give Tucker & Dale a watch, and came out satisfied.  This movie falls into the growing genre of ironic comedy/horror, with a natural parody twist.  The two leads, Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine, are both delightful in their simple earnestness.  While the writing is funny and the story enjoyable, the weakness can be found in the directing.  Eli Craig still has the feel of a fairly new director that doesn't always execute jokes to their fullest.  I'd be willing to watch his follow up films, though, all that's needed is a bit more polish.  This is such a lighthearted horror that it's a very easy watch.

Joe: 3.5 Stars - Wow, what a fun movie to watch!  Tucker & Dale VS Evil was a fresh take on a stale genre: a group of college kids go to the woods where hillbillies try to kill them.  This flick, however, tells the story from the hillbillies' perspective; which is absolutely hilarious.  The acting from the two leads was surprisingly adequate; even though, the casting for the college kids could have been better.  I had very low expectations going into this film, so that might have enhanced my viewing pleasure.  Tucker & Dale is a fun horror-comedy that doesn't quite reach the level of masterpieces such as Shaun of the Dead, Slither, and Severance.  Still, it was tons of fun, and I do recommend it.  I suspect that my rating of this film will grow with each subsequent viewing.

Sauna

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Year:  2008

Country:  Finland

Director:  Antti-Jussi Annila

Mini-Synopsis:  The year is 1595; two brothers travel north as representatives of Sweden's border commission following a lengthy war with Russia.  The desolate swamp in which they find themselves serves as the facilitator of atonement for sins past. 

Ro: 3 Stars - Sauna is a haunting story that is loaded with meaning, I just can't explain quite what that meaning is.  It seems to explore the idea that the most fearsome demons are the ones we lock within ourselves.  The story, acting, and direction are all rich with various levels of depth of emotion with the quest for man's atonement being the greatest driving factor.  So why only 3 stars?  Well, there's something within the subtitles that gets lost in translation.  Apparently, in 1595 the phrases, "hell yes" and "whoop-de-do" were the norm... This is what clued me in as to why I was probably struggling so much to follow the narration.  Could we watch the film with proper translations, I think I would gain a much deeper understanding. As it is, I was constantly thrown by what dialogue was intended to be communicated; and in a complex narrative, filled with metaphors, and stream-of-consciousness insights, having the precise translations becomes significant.  Even though these elements were only slightly off, my personal viewing experience felt like a struggle.

Joe:  4.5 Stars - This film is a work of art.  Steadily eerie, Sauna is a film that relies heavily on atmosphere and execution to captivate the viewer.  Set in a desolate swamp far in the north, there is a deep underlying fear that comes from being in a place that is completely uncharted.  Every aspect of this film is executed to perfection (with the exception of the subtitle translator).  The cinematography is flawless, the acting is impeccable, the score is subtly appropriate, and the narrative is remarkable.  This is a brilliant film about evil, sin, guilt, and atonement.  Sauna is not a movie that will spoon feed the viewer.  You will have to work hard to follow the metaphors, ambiguity, and motivations in this film.  However, if you can sit back and enjoy the deliberately slow pace, beautiful camera work, and effortless performances, you'll be in for a treat.  I highly recommend this film to fans of foreign cinema and horror buffs.

Cannibal! The Musical

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Year:  1993

Country:  USA

Director:  Trey Parker

Mini-Synopsis:  A tongue in cheek musical about a group of miners who attempt to travel from Utah to Colorado Territory.  

Ro:  5 Stars - Joe and I both hold this movie in especially high regard, and easily count it as a classic in our collection.  Cannibal! possesses that light-hearted absurdity that we value in comedy.  There are plenty of elements that could be picked apart and held against it; it's very low-budget and filled with plenty of obvious technical errors and could probably do with a good, long editing session.  Despite these failings, Parker and Stone's now iconic humor, effortless timing, and overall comfortable relationship with comedy are on full display.  The movie is loosely spoofing Oklahoma! which just adds another layer of enjoyment for viewers as well as showcases the filmmaker's early musical ambitions.  Now in their sixteenth season of South Park, just about everyone should be familiar with these guys' comedy.  If you're like us, and know that you will never get tired of this dynamic duo's creative (and generally irreverent) humor, then this is a must see.

Joe:  5 Stars - Trey Parker and Matt Stone can do no wrong.  This is one of the most delightful, fun, and memorable films I have ever seen.  With a budget of just over $100,000, the sets, props, and costumes are wonderfully horrendous.  However, you don't need money to write a great script.  The narrative and the songs in this film are just fantastic!  Whenever I watch Cannibal! The Musical, I know I'll be humming the tunes to myself for weeks.  Trey Parker is as multi-talented as it gets with his ability to write, direct, act, and even sing.  I'm not surprised that he has earned nominations for an Emmy, an Oscar, AND a Tony.  This is obviously a love it or hate it type of film.  If you approach it with an open mind and the expectation of a low-budget movie, you should have a great time!

Beyond the Black Rainbow

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Year:  2010
Country:  Canada

Director:  Panos Cosmatos

Mini-Synopsis:  In a throwback to early 80's science fiction, a young woman attempts to escape from a futuristic wellness complex.

Ro:  3.5 Stars - You know those acid flashback montage sequences that pop up in films from time to time?  Well, about ninety percent of Beyond the Black Rainbow was sort of like a slowed down version of that.  There's something immensely satisfying about watching a movie that so completely relives the vibe of late 70s/early 80s sci-fi horror.  Cosmatos' meticulous need to recreate said vibe, however, at times stifles the actual narrative flow and even has to drag the viewer along.  Black Rainbow is equal parts intrigue and frustration, but I do think it's a great film to watch while in the Halloween spirit with all its creepy nostalgia.

Joe:  2 Stars - Oh how I wish this film had lived up to its potential.  The tone of this film is set perfectly through the creepy David Lynch-esque score, the awesome cinematography, and the surprisingly accurate representation of 80's style.  Atmospherically, this was a 5 star picture.  Unfortunately, my compliments stop there.  The pace of this film is so terribly slow, that it makes a mere 110 minute run-time feel like a 3-hour marathon.  Rosanne kept saying throughout the first half of the movie: "I really hope this goes somewhere".  This is the way that I felt for the duration of the film!  I had to treat our TV screen like a piece of art; just sit back and enjoy the artist's eye.  Even after the film was over, I'm not 100% what the point of this story was.  I'm sure some of you sci-fi junkies out there can clue us in to what exactly happened, but I'm not embarrassed to admit: I didn't get it.  Having said all of that, I still feel obligated to recommend this film (especially to sci-fi enthusiasts).  The nostalgic atmosphere alone is worth the watch.  Just make sure you bring your patience with you before you view.

On The Ice

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Year:  2011

Country:  USA

Director:  Andrew Okpeaha MacLean

Mini-synopsis:  Set in Barrow, Alaska, two close friends deal with the fallout of a fatal accident as they face critical life decisions before their transition into adulthood.

Ro:  4 Stars - Filmed entirely in Alaska, On the Ice is a good movie to have a hot cup of cocoa on hand for.  This is a unique film in its realistic portrayal of everyday life for native Alaskans; not something we come across that often.  Past that though, this is also a well-done thriller.  The story is straightforward, but thoughtfully directed and believably acted.  The only drawback I really had is that it's not exactly a thrilling thriller.  That's not necessarily a knock, though, the director chose not to use gimmicks or ploys in laying out the story.  We watched normal people reacting to an abnormal situation and were presented with the fallout of the main characters' decisions made while under duress.

Joe:  4 Stars - This was a great little diamond in the rough.  I was pleasantly surprised by the authenticity of the tone that was set by director Andrew Okpeaha MacLean.  The story here is nothing new, a pair of high school seniors accidentally kill a friend during a hunting excursion.  However, I was very captivated by the dynamic between the two lead characters, Qalli and Aivaaq.  Qalli has his stuff together, is college bound, and comes from a solid family.  Aivaaq is into drugs, has a bum for a mom, and has already knocked up his girlfriend.  This film was set at a deliberate pace, and held my interest all the way through.  The characters were a little hard for me to get into because I really hated the way they acted at the beginning of the film.  Once we get past the hunting accident, the bravado kind of disappears, and we see the kids for who they truly are.  I wouldn't go into this film expecting a thriller.  Expect to be pleasantly immersed in a different culture, and enjoy the chemistry between Qalli and Aivaaq.

Pusher

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Year:  1996

Country:  Denmark

Director:  Nicolas Winding Refn

Mini-synopsis:  A drug pusher grows increasingly desperate after a botched deal leaves him with a large debt to a ruthless drug lord.

Ro: 3.5 Stars - Pusher is one of those films where the story begins with a very loose, rambling feel and becomes more focused as it goes along.  My rating increased with this "focus curve," as well.  What really surprised me here is Refn's use of film dialogue and how engaging it made the story.  I feel like each film he makes pulls away from telling the story through dialogue a little more than before.  Or maybe it's the hero's that need less and less talking.  Frank in Pusher talks with the people around him, lets them know what he needs and what he'll do to get it.  When you watch the driver in Drive, though, he says next to nothing; his form of communication to the audience is simply by being a presence that automatically affects every other character and aspect within the film; the music, the tension, the emotion.  The world revolves around the driver, but Frank is the opposite, his entire struggle is to keep his head above water with events and people he cannot control.  Pusher is about Frank losing control and uncovering how powerless he is against fate.  The story left with a cliffhanger, so we'll definitely be queuing the next two soon!

Joe: 3.5 Stars - Ro and I sought this film out after we fell in love with director Nicolas Winding Refn; having seen his recent films Drive and Valhalla Rising.   Pusher is far less refined than his recent works, but Refn still manages to do an excellent job in captivating his audience.  The copy we viewed was raw, grainy, and had terrible video quality.  However, the atmosphere that was created by the cinematography was a great compliment to the script...it felt a little out of control.  I am very curious to see what happens in Pusher 2 and Pusher 3.  This film whet my appetite, and I am excited to follow the rest of this story.  I like this film quite a bit, and I definitely recommend this to our readers.

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

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Year:  1927

Country:  USA

Director:  F.W. Murnau

Mini-synopsis:  A married farmer faces temptation from a sexy city girl; who tries to convince him to kill his wife.

Ro:  4 Stars - Being inspired by the recent Sight & Sound poll, it seemed like a good time to watch a previously unseen classic silent film.  I truly did find it an interesting film, as well.  Sunrise is a wonderful example of German Expressionism, and the story is successfully conveyed with the use of very few titles.  Murnau created a very simple romantic concept, that the truest love can only come from a pure place between two people.  Once dark temptations are allowed into your heart they will work to turn one against the best things in his life.  It's a direct statement that is easy to connect to, even today.

Joe:  2.5 Stars - I don't really have anything bad to say about this film.  The technical aspects of this film reach the point of being excellent.  My low rating comes from my complete and utter disinterest and disdain for the romance genre.  I mean, come on!  This is the guy who directed Nosferatu!  My expectations were quite different for Sunrise than what was actually delivered.  If I had gone into this film expecting a straight romance, then perhaps my rating would be quite different.  Having said that, Murnau does deliver a few dark and creepy moments that engaged me and gave me a shiver.  The performances are on point, and I really liked George O'Brien in the lead role.  I would hesitantly recommend this film to those of you who are into the silent classics.



Liebster Award

This is our first post that isn't a movie review!  We have been nominated by M. Hufstader who blogs @ http://the-smoking-pen.blogspot.com.  Ro and I appreciate the nod, and we are following through with adhering to the rules of the award.  The rules are as follows:

1. Tell us 11 things about yourself
2. Answer 11 questions the blogger who awarded you asked
3. Pass the award to 11 people
4. Give them 11 questions
5. Tell them about the award
6. Don't award people who are recipients already

Here goes:

11 things about us (Joe AND Rosanne):

1) We have done so much binging on TV show box sets, that it's nearly impossible to patiently watch shows live from week to week.
2) Trey Parker and Matt Stone are brilliant to the point that we are seriously considering naming our first child after them.
3)We have to buy a copy of each RPG that we play (TES, Mass Effect, Dragon Age) on separate platforms because we cannot share with each other during release week.
4) Our favorite movie meal and snack is Ledo Pizza(meal) and cherries(snack).
5) Our favorite thing to do in the world is to share great films with friends and family who haven't yet seen them.  My poor sisters have to put up with us shoving movies down their throats.
6) I get ecstatic whenever I hear that either of 2 artists is working on a new project...Daniel Day Lewis or Quentin Tarantino.
7) Rosanne gets ecstatic whenever she hears that Darren Aronofsky is working on a new project.
8) We periodically sit down and rate our top 50 favorite films of all time separately.  Then, we put our lists together to average out what our shared favorite films are.  Our current shared favorite film is Sunshine, closely followed by The Departed.
9) Rosanne and I met in college at Mississippi State University, and immediately bonded over a series of David Lynch discussions.  I knew right away that this was it.
10) I have a soft spot for nostalgic films from my past that Rosanne hates, such as Clifford, Freddy Got Fingered, and Soldier.
11) Rosanne prefers lame, corny live-action versions of fairy tales to the animated Disney classics.  I still haven't figured out why.  (Rosanne is telling me right now that they aren't "lame")

Questions for us to answer:

1) 3D--yes or no?
Ro:  No 
Joe: Hellz no!  Makes my eyes hurt..and my head.

2) Lord of the Rings or Star Wars?
Ro:  Pffft...Harry Potter, Man 
Joe:  Star Wars  (I want to be a Jedi)

3) What movie would you like to see in theaters that you never got to see?
Ro:  El Topo - One of the original midnight movies!
Joe:  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly  - I would love to see Leone's vast landscapes on the silver screen!

4) What's your major draw for a movie: actors, director, or script?
Ro:  Director
Joe:   Director.  Hands Down.
 
5) Who is your favorite person to watch movies with?
Ro:  Joe
Joe:  Comedies and horror: my best man.  Foreign, Indy, and Art House: Rosanne and my youngest sister.
 
6) Who are your top three favorite action heroes?
Ro: 1. Mel Gibson - before all the crazy.  2. Keanu Reeves - Why not?  3. Mark Wahlberg - Do I have to have a reason?
Joe: 1. Steven Seagal  - He literally never gets hit! 2. Sylvester Stallone - Can't understand a word he says, but he is a tough guy's tough guy!  3.  Dolph Lundgren - Okay, lots of his stuff sucks; but Rocky IV would not have been the same without him!

7) The zombie apocalypse is upon us--what movie characters do you want in your camp to keep you alive?
Ro: Shaun (Shaun of the Dead), The Woman (Inside), Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon)
Joe: The Bride (Kill Bill), The Man with No Name (Sergio Leone's trilogy), Dumbledore (Harry Potter)

8) Who is the one actor you love to hate?
Ro:  Orlando Bloom
Joe:  Orlando freaking Bloom 
 
9) ...And the actor you hate yourself for loving?
Ro: Christian Slater - He peaked in the 90's...almost.
Joe:  Milla Jovovich  - I have a soft spot for hot ladies from Eastern Europe...sorry Ro.

10) If they made a movie about your life, who would play you?
Ro:  Olivia Thirlby - Quirky, sweet, likeable.
Joe:  Chris Pratt  - Apparently he and I are dead ringers. (so says Ro and my sisters) 
 
11) If you could change one movie ending, what would it be and why?
Ro:  Chasing Amy - My ending: Ben Affleck apologizes to everyone for ruining the movie with his terrible acting!
Joe: Antibodies from Germany.  This was a five star film all the way...until the terrible ending:  many random CGI deer come out of the woods to ruin the plot of the film in a biblical reference.  I have rarely been so pissed off in my life!  In my ending...the dad shoots his son!  Would've been a top 50 film for me.  smh...

Nominees:
1. The Film Connoisseur
2. A Nightmare on Samityville Street
3. Mondo 70
4. Cool Ass Cinema
5. Alex Jowski Movie Reviews
6. The Lightning Bug's Lair
7. Cinema Gonzo
8. Divine Exploitation
9. Film Forager
10. Amateur Reviews
11. 1 Minute Film Review

Questions for our nominees to answer:
1) What's your favorite country outside of the USA to watch movies from?
2) Name a cartoon character you had a crush on in your youth.
3) If forced to choose, do you prefer a badass chick, or a smart chick in a movie?
4) Favorite exploitation film from the 70's?
5) Top 3 supporting characters of all time?
6) What was your favorite movie kill of all time?
7) You and 1 movie character are in a western up against a gang of outlaws.  Who you got?
8) Name 3 movies you are embarrassed to own?
9) Which big time actor/actress, in your opinion, has the LEAST amount of talent?
10) Describe your perfect stay-at-home movie night?
11) If you could co-direct a film with another director, who would it be and why?

The Man From Nowhere

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2010

Country:  South Korea

Director:  Jeong-beom Lee

Mini Synopsis - A former Special Agent dismantles an organized crime ring in order to save his only friend; the little girl who lives next door.

Ro: 3.5 Stars - The Man From Nowhere is an enjoyable thriller; it doesn't really surpass any previous works but still meets its goals successfully.  There were many moments where the intensity hit just the right notes and I found my rating on the verge of rising, but these moments were usually followed by scenes where I did the internalized head shake- just a little too melodramatic, too gratuitously badass.  I can't fault the film too much though, the actors were engaging, I really loved the score, and the fight scenes were very impressively choreographed.  Nowhere delivered one of the best fight scenes I've seen in a while, as a matter of fact.

Joe:  3.5 Stars - Not bad at all.  This film has a revenge plot that has been done time and time again.  There are elements from The Professional, Man on Fire, Taken, and just about every Mel Gibson movie ever made.  Usually I am turned off by such obvious cliches, but those South Koreans just keep making good films.  Aside from a few cheesy moments, this film is executed beautifully.  The Man From Nowhere features fine performances, great cinematography, likeable characters, and an excellent score.  The mood was set just perfectly for this dark and gloomy tale of revenge and restitution.  I read another writers review that stated "this film is like apple pie, nothing new or revolutionary, but who would turn down a fresh apple pie with really good ingredients".  I agree 100% with this statement.  Check it out if you're up for a good action/revenge flick.

In Darkness

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2011

Country:  Poland

Director:  Agnieszka Holland

Mini-Synopsis:  True story of a Polish sewage inspector who risks everything to save a dozen Jews from the Nazi threat.

Ro:  3 Stars - There are so many amazing stories of human perseverance from WWII waiting to be told, and Leopold Socha's story is a beautiful example with the potential to be a deeply moving film.   There were certain elements in In Darkness that really hit the mark, like Holland's strong utilization of light and Wieckiewicz performance of the brave Socha.  When the experience was over, though, this boiled down to an essentially forgettable film.  Everything that happened felt like well-covered territory, without any moments really making that personal connection.

Joe:  3.5 Stars - When it comes to pictures set in Europe during WW2, I am mesmerized by the authenticity and atmosphere that is captured by foreign filmmakers.  They definitely have a "home field advantage" over American directors who try to tackle similar material.  This film was very good, but there was one key component that crippled it from the start.  This story is a heavily character driven story; with a group of Jews spending 14 months in a sewer.  Agnieszka Holland didn't thoroughly introduce and build the characters at the beginning of the film; which cost this film dearly.  We don't really get to know the characters until they are already in the shit (literally).  I didn't care about anyone in this film before they faced adversity (except Socha), so it was difficult to identify with them throughout their ordeal.  The film also gets a little long in the tooth; and during the last half hour Rosanne and I were clock-watching.  Having said all of that, this is still a really good movie.  In my opinion, this could have been a contender for a 5 star rating if the characters had been built before they faced their adversity.

Beasts of the Southern Wild

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2012
Country:  USA
Director: Benh Zeitlin

Mini-synopsis:  Six-year-old Hushpuppy is faced with the hardships of life in "The Bathtub", a small community outside the levy in the Delta. 

Ro:  4.5 Stars - If you haven't watched the trailer of Beasts of the Southern Wild, yet, I highly recommend doing so.  I knew this would be a winner for me the first time I watched the trailer and did in fact leave the theater completely satisfied.  Zeitlin accomplished something incredible by creating a place that seems simultaneously totally authentic and also completely mythical, by creating "The Bathtub".  The story follows Hushpuppy's personal odyssey  in discovering her place in the world and her own strength of will.  Every shot is filled with wildness and heart that will easily captivate.  I certainly found myself fully immersed with this unusual journey.

Joe:  3.5 Stars - This was a brilliant picture.  Quvenzhane Wallis delivered an enthralling performance as Hushpuppy; a tough little survivor who lives with her daddy.  Not only did Wallis excel on the screen, she also masterfully narrated this film.  Beasts of the Southern Wild was a very well written story about freedom, family, individuality, loss, and survival.  The cinematography is a bit raw and unstable, but it fits nicely with the unrefined setting of this story.  I found the characters to be deep and fascinating; while developing to a point where I felt like I knew them very well.  This is definitely a film that I will recommend to indie fans out there. 

Take Shelter

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2011
Country:  USA
Director:  Jeff Nichols

Mini Synopsis - A man tries to cope with visions of an impending apocalypse and the possibility that he is actually losing his mind.

Ro:  4 Stars - The best place to start for this review is the obvious, Michael Shannon is a powerhouse performer - or maybe he really is a touch crazy.  Joe and I find ourselves discussing this argument quite often and I really don't know the answer.  Either way the film is designed with a slow pacing that's entire focus is to follow Curtis' (Shannon) breakdown and personal struggle to cope with the horrifying omens that claim his dreams.  I enjoyed seeing a character that is so fully aware of his abnormal behavior and the depiction of his need to overcome that for his family.  We follow Curtis' struggle through increasingly disturbing dream sequences that show the constant fear weighing on his psyche; and that is the majority of the film, but it's fascinating to watch.  It also leads to a climactic ending that resolves the story in just a few powerful scenes.

Joe:3.5 Stars - This was actually a very enjoyable film to watch.  I loved the cast, and enjoyed the quality character development that unfolded during the course of the film.  It is hard to review this film without ruining anything for the reader.  Take Shelter's primary source of suspense comes from the ambiguity of knowing whether Curtis is crazy or not.  I surprisingly enjoyed the psychological aspect of the film; an element that caught me off guard.  Jessica Chastain's character really added a sense of logic and reason that is essential to the success of this film.  Overall, a great movie to watch on a stormy night!

King of Devil's Island

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2010

Country:  Norway

Director:  Marius Holst

Mini-Synopsis:  Based on a true story, a group of young detainees begin to rise up against the unethical authorities at a boys correctional facility located on an island.  

Ro: 3.5 Stars - King of Devil's Island is a solid movie watch.  It's a slow simmer of a movie that builds to a believable revolt.  There are, however, a lot of moments that can at times feel derivative.  Much like it's peers, Evil and Dead Poet's Society, there is the running theme of authority doing all that it can to beat the importance of conformity into the minds of the young men.  Those movies primarily focus on overcoming the constrictions of conformity through the strength of the individual will, whereas this film creates a much darker tone of an authority that must be overthrown due to injustices.  The believability of the characters is something to be appreciated in this bleak story.

Joe:  3.5 Stars - King of Devil's Island had a lot going for it.  This was a very slowly paced and deliberate tale that proved to be absorbing to the viewer.  Set on an island in Norway, the atmosphere is cold, dark, and bleak.  Skarsgard does a fantastic job as usual, while the supporting cast holds their own.  The main issue holding this film back is that there was nothing fresh or original here.  This film feels like it has been done many times over.  My wife and I kept reflecting on how certain elements from this film reminded us of the masterpiece Evil, which we have reviewed on this site before.  If I had not seen another film like this, King of Devil's Island might have gotten a 4.5 star rating.  I do recommend this film because it is a good watch, and the atmosphere is perfectly executed.  Just know that there are some better, more impactful options out there for this type of film. 

Arn: The Knight Templar

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2007

Country:  Sweden (with support from UK, Denmark, Norway, Finland, & Germany)

Director:  Peter Flinth

Mini-Synopsis:  Based on Jan Guillou's novels, a Knight Templar is sent to fight in the Crusades as penance for conceiving a child out of wedlock.

Ro:  3 Stars - Arn: The Knight Templar is to movies what meatloaf is to dinner.  Arn is the intelligent, brave, noble hero that we are familiar with, but, like many adventurous tales of romance, he get's into trouble when he is entangled by young love with a girl caught in the middle of warring clan negotiations.  Arn aims to be the Swedish equivalent of those classic Mel Gibson movies (back before he went off his rocker), and while it's really easy to sit around and watch with the family- Arn doesn't really pull off that level of epic storytelling.  It relies a bit too heavily on cliches.

Joe:  3 Stars - This was a great story that did not quite reach its potential.  The locations were great, the performances were acceptable, and the narrative was engaging.  The problem with this film lies in the execution of the combat sequences and moments of heavy emotion.  It was obvious that there wasn't enough money in the budget to stage the epic battle sequences that this story called for.  The battles were surprisingly low-scale, and a few battles weren't even shown.  We get to see the foreplay and aftermath, but not much in the way of how the battles unfold.  Also, there was a little too much romance in this film for my taste.  There were plenty of moments in the film that could have been gut-wrenching, or joyful; but most of those moments came across as cheesy.  I haven't read Guillou's novels, but this is a very interesting story.  Big-budget films don't usually attract me, but this is a story that needs to be told on a much larger scale than what Peter Flinth was able to accomplish. 

The Skin I Live In

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2011

Country:  Spain

Director:  Pedro Almodovar

Mini-Synopsis:  An ingenious plastic surgeon tests his new skin prototype on a mysterious woman he keeps locked away in his mansion.

Ro:  4 Stars - Okay, I hate to start off with a really lame pun - but I’m gonna do it anyway: this movie really got under my skin.  Almodovar gave The Skin I Live In an amazing presentation with a meticulous awareness of where he was leading the audience.  Every scene tries to test you in some way and the story never gives you the chance to get comfortable.  It was easy for me to accept the brilliant/mad scientist exposition, but I had a little more difficulty with the borderline melodramatic backstory.  But, accept it I did, and the payoff was worth it as all the threads of backstory came together for a disturbing conclusion.

Joe:  4.5 Stars - The Skin I Live In was one of the few films in recent memory that made me do a complete 180 during the course of viewing it.  The first half of this film felt confused and pointless; like it didn't know exactly what it was going for.  However, I really appreciated the way that Pedro Almodovar tied together the seemingly disjointed scenes with a nice pretty bow.  I wasn't shocked by the outcome of the film, so my 180 had nothing to do with any twist.  I was just pleasantly surprised at how well the story unfolded.  I am very excited about my second viewing.  Aesthetically, this is one of the most beautiful and polished films that I have watched on Blu-Ray.  Everything feels clean and modern, while the score is subtly brilliant.  I will recommend this film to everyone, even though this film is NOT for everyone.  This is a dark, twisted, and creepy tale that will join my film collection very soon.

Martha Marcy May Marlene

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2011

Country:  USA

Director:  Sean Durkin

Mini-synopsis:  A young woman is reunited with her sister after a horrific experience as a cultist.

Ro: 4 Stars - Martha Marcy May Marlene is a somber exploration of the emotional damages suffered from joining and escaping a cult.  Is this an example of what being part of a cult is really like?  That's hard to say for sure, but it certainly looked and acted the way one would traditionally expect things to go down.  Elizabeth Olsen's performance was introspective and engaging; and the director's decision to focus on her journey was a good one. Even if understanding the workings of a cult are beyond me, her story and motivations always made sense.  John Hawkes' leader Patrick maintained a constantly dangerous intensity.  My only wish was that Hawkes could of had the opportunity to demonstrate the seductive charismatic magnetism that cult leaders are so known for. 

Joe: 2.5 Stars - Martha Marcy May Marlene is a unique film that is captivating and thought provoking.  I usually enjoy this type of film, but to me it felt a bit unfocused.  Olsen and Hawkes were terrific.  In fact, all of the performances were on point.  The atmosphere had a thick and paranoid feel to it, and the viewer will easily recognize Sean Durkin's talent.  To me, the cult felt like a version of Charles Manson and "helter skelter"; John Hawkes even looks like Manson.

***SPOILER ALERT***  

However, the ending of this film really felt like a cop-out.  I usually have no problem with ambiguous endings, but this one left me with nothing to interpret.  Olsen is being stalked by her former cult mates, and then: roll credits.  Huh?  It was almost as if Durkin was afraid to bring closure to the story because he was afraid to hurt the ambiance.  This was a good atmospheric film with an interesting take on social norms, but it could have been much better.  It is still worth a watch. 

Terri

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2011

Country:  USA

Director:  Azazel Jacobs

Mini-synopsis:  An overweight oddball struggles with the challenges of his adolescent life, but develops a positive relationship with his Assistant Principal.

Ro: 5 Stars - Terri is one of those movies that surprised me in the most delightful way.  I believed every second of every character portrayed in this truly oddball story.  I think that I appreciate Terri (Jacob Wysocki) so much because of all the outsider characters that have existed in film, he is more than just an angsty, proud-to-be-different high schooler.  Because, really, those characters are just mainstream definitions of what weirdos should look like.  Terri, however, really is unable to fit in because he is a sensitive, overweight teen who has received little life guidance from anyone, but must carry adult responsibilities.  John C. Reilly's Asst. Principal Fitzgerald represents the catalyst that gives our protagonist the opportunity to expand his lonely world, and so Terri begins to interact with others more.  The beauty of it is that he gets hurt for putting himself out there, but instead of becoming jaded he continues to believe in the good that can be found in others.

Joe:  4 Stars - Dark, strange, sad, and delightful; Terri proves to be an excellent black comedy from director Azazel Jacobs.  This is the first of Jacobs' films that I have seen, but I plan to familiarize myself with his repertoire.  This flick has a very simple feel to it, but the pacing and music create a perfect atmosphere for this low-key character study.  John C. Reilly is awesome as usual; I can't help but smile when he is on screen.  Terri is a difficult character to understand, but Jacobs does an excellent job of developing his character to the point where I understood him by the end of the film.  This isn't a silly/zany comedy that will have you laughing hysterically throughout.  Rather, it is a well focused and precisely executed film about a boy who has been dealt a shitty hand in life.  This is an excellent watch.

Cell 211

 

IMDb
Trailer

Year: 2009

Country: Spain

Director: Daniel Monzón

 Mini Synopsis:  On his first day at the job, prison guard Juan Oliver (Alberto Ammann) gets trapped in a rioting cell block and must pretend to be a dangerous inmate in order to survive.

Ro: 3.5 Stars - Cell 211 offers wonderful performances in a gritty, well-paced thriller.  My trouble in buying this one, however, comes from the very forced nature of the plot.  Not only do the other prisoners easily accept Juan as one of them, but he quickly begins pulling the strings of every single event that takes place.  How does he pull these strings?  By winning over the leader of the revolt, Malamadre (Luis Tosar); who we know is tough because he has his name tattooed on his neck and he very freely threatens to gut people.  Malamadre is probably my biggest sticking point, because he really was more of the prisoner's Martin Luther King, just fighting for his fellow inmates to be treated like human beings, than like a hardened, wild, "in-for-life" criminal.  All that being said, I still really enjoyed following Juan's struggle- he is a likable, intelligent protagonist. I just had trouble accepting all the challenging developments he had to deal with.

Joe: 3 Stars - This film was engaging and enjoyable throughout, even though I didn't quite believe the authenticity of the characters.  Celda 211 had good performances, great pacing, and a gritty feel that you would expect from a prison thriller.  I liked all of the actors, and even found myself rooting for the "bad guys".  The problem that I had with this film, is that I didn't believe the characters' actions were realistic.  Who knows though; the only exposure that I have had to inmates has been on the silver screen, so I could be way off on this.  Apart from that one qualm, this was a fantastic thriller.  Low budget, gritty, tough, violent, political, and even sad; this is worth a watch.

Graveyard Shift

IMDb

Trailer

Year: 1990

Country: USA

Director: Ralph Singleton

Mini-Synopsis:  Workers in an old textile mill are forced to deal with an evil foreman, a rat infestation, and something lurking in the basement.

Ro:  2 Stars - For every Shawshank Redemption or The Shining, it seems that there are about ten of these sorts of Stephen King adaptations.  The ones where even though you can really sense his characters and dialogue, that dark true dread just never quite translates.  The ones where his creepy storyteller flair is swallowed up by bad special effects and a lack of imagination.  Graveyard Shift is a drab B-movie about killer rats in a textile factory.  It's somewhat amusing to watch the pre-CGI puppetry, but there are better "bad" movies out there if you're looking for a good schlock-fest; and there are definitely better Stephan King adaptations.

Joe:  2.5 Stars - This was really bad, but it is somehow watchable.  Rosanne and I watched this on TV the other night when we were bored, and we had a great time.  I'm a big Stephen King reader, but I feel like his movies rarely reach expectations.  This has a very dated, cheesy feel to it.  1990 is before CGI was even around, so we have the puppet monster running around in the basement.  The rats and foreman, however, were very real and creepy.  Don't get me wrong, the acting is bad, but without Stephen Macht's performance this film wouldn't have been watchable.  It was amusing to see the old Pepsi cans used in this film as an obvious plug.  Our protagonist was shooting the cans at rats with a slingshot.  That last sentence should tell you all you need to know about this film.  Recommended for King junkies and late 80's B horror fans.

House of Tolerance

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2011

Country:  France

Director:  Bertrand Bonello

Mini-Synopsis:  An uninhibited account of life in a Parisian brothel at the turn of the 20th century.  

Ro:  4.5 Stars - Set right on the cusp of the 1900s and then immediately after the turn of the century, House of Tolerance is ultimately about fantasies and the sad disillusionment that sets in along with reality when those fantasies never come to fruition.  Of course, there are the fantasies of the customers who pay for the pleasures of these women, the audience is shown this along with what everyday life meant for them who were adorned in beautiful dresses and spent every night in a seemingly endless party.  Time is an important theme to note, in the initial scene,1899, even the direction is spinning and more concerned with seducing the viewer with visuals and exciting oddities then with simple exposition.  Once the year is 1900, however, we follow a much more familiar viewing path and really dig into the deep mundane of their lives; as well as the basic hassles of living the life of a prostitute.  The hope that is first displayed begins to dwindle, as the girls are still just as indebted, have to deal with prettier competition, and experience the fear of catching disease.  By this point you'll probably notice that this is not something to watch if in the mood for sexy eroticism, but more a realistic portrait from a prostitute's point of view.  That's not to say that this isn't a beautiful movie, the costumes and makeup are really top notch.

Joe:  3.5 Stars - This was a very dark and beautifully made picture.  L'Apollonide felt more like a documentary than a narrative story to me, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.  I love it when a director can immerse me in another culture that feels authentic.  This is exactly what Bonello accomplishes.  The viewer gets to see the comings and goings, the ups and downs, and the self-destructive nature of prostitution in the late 1800's.  The sets, costumes, and actors were excellent.  The girls were attractive, but this was not an exploitative film.  While there are gratuitous amounts of nudity in L'Apollonide, I don't suggest watching this for eroticism.  The tone of this picture is quite somber.  This is an engaging snapshot of a group of girls who lived in another time and place; doing whatever they had to do in order to survive. 

Melancholia

Trailer
IMDb

Year: 2011
Country: Denmark
Director: Lars von Trier

Mini-Synopis:  A newly discovered planet is racing towards earth as a pair of sisters deal with the disease of clinical depression.

Ro: 5 Stars - I found Melancholia to be an all-around beautiful exploration of sadness from Lars von Trier.  The story was broken into two chapters and approached two different forms of Melancholia; Justine and her internalized melancholy despite having the perfect wedding, and Claire's deep melancholy when realizing the planet, Melancholia, would soon destroy all she cherished.  I honestly haven't thought Kirsten Dunst to fit a role so perfectly as she did Justine since she was in Bring It On; so naturally, I was very impressed with her performance.  It was believable and real in every detail.  Justine embraces her sadness by treating all those around her as meaningless as the way she views life.  We see this by the way she is so deeply burdened by marrying a devoted husband at a lavish wedding that she didn't even have to plan herself.  Let me tell you, those things are stressful, but not if you're only expected to show up.  Claire on the other hand clings to life and all the things that seem important, the audience sees this through the importance she places on following the itinerary of wedding events and considerations she makes for the guests.  But after the wedding passes and we enter Claire's chapter, the sisters are left to deal with the possibility of all life ending.  Justine who can't even function enough to complete as simple a task as taking a bath, has little fear because she knows sadness so thoroughly and has nothing to lose.  Claire, however, spirals into anxiety when she's faced with the fact that Justine knows all along, that all the things in her life are meaningless.  There are so many elements to this film that I would probably need a few more watches to be able to completely deconstruct the narrative, which is rich with metaphors and allusions for the vigilant viewer.  Excellent cinematic experience.

Joe: 4 Stars - It is really difficult to put this film into words.  My wife will have much more to say about this one than I will, but I can share what I know.  I know I liked it.  I know the performances were on point.  I know the cinematography was awesome.  I know the scenes were captivating and tense.  I know that there were many deep metaphors throughout the film.  I know that I didn't fully grasp everything that LVT was throwing at me.  That's about all I have after only one viewing.  This will be something I will watch multiple times; and I expect to find something new during each additional viewing.  I recommend this one to all LVT fans.

The Parson's Widow

IMDb
Film

Year: 1920
Country: Sweden
Director: Carl Th. Dreyer

Mini Synopsis: A young man is chosen as a village's new parson, but must marry the recently deceased parson's widow to receive the position.

Ro: 4 Star- The Parson's Widow is somewhere between a dark romantic comedy and a very sweet morality tale. This is the first silent film comedy I've seen and I was pleasantly surprised by its simple humor. The young protagonist Sofren finds himself in quite the dilemma when he is chosen to be a small village's parson with the stipulation that he must marry an old crone who has been widowed thrice already. His long-suffering fiance is not satisfied with the situation either, but they decide to try and wait her out so that they may finally marry. Naturally, they begin scheming to help old Margarete on to her final resting place. The actors all give likeable performances and Dreyer brings the viewer to understand the value of being good-hearted over giving in to the weaknesses of human nature.

Joe: 3 Star - This was a surprisingly delightful film. I didn't expect a comedy when I added this to my Netflix queue, but this was quite amusing. Based on a true story, the narrative was engaging and humorous.  The atmosphere is light hearted without feeling silly.  This is a film that I could casually watch and enjoy thoroughly. 

The City of Lost Children

 IMDB

Trailer

Year: 1995
Country: France
Directors: Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Mini Synopsis:  An adult fairy tale in which a mad scientist kidnaps children in order to steal their dreams.

Ro: 4 Star - With The City of Lost Children Caro & Jeunet managed to create a fantasy world that captures the fascination and wonder of adults just as when they were children. There are so many unique elements to this film that gave it a cult-following appeal from the get-go. The flipside being that the viewer has to work to follow the exact narrative trail, and the trip can be a dizzying one. I think the best way to watch this one is to just follow Caro/Jeunet through their Rube Goldberg-like machinations and simply savor the characters- lovable and zany alike. In this manner, there is no reason to search for preciseness, which can be as elusive as the dreams that the mad scientist Krank tries so hard to grasp; things happen because this is a fantasy world where fates are meant to intersect.

Joe: 4 Star -  What is better than a film with Dominique Pinon?  A film with FIVE Dominique Pinons!  :-)  All joking aside, this is really an enjoyable albeit disturbing film.  The society and city created by Caro and Jeunet are both fantastic and repugnant.  Like most of Jeunet's work, the characters in this film are very quirky, unique, and endearing.  I find it fascinating how Jeunet and Caro can take something as terrible as kidnapping or cannibalism (Delicatessen) and turn it in to a fun-quirky ride.  I recommend this film to viewers who appreciate a good adult fantasy with a very dark sense of humor.

Evil

IMDb

Trailer

Year:  2003

Country:  Sweden

Director:  Mikael Hafstrom

Mini-Synopsis:  An expelled high school student gets one last chance to finish his education by enrolling in an elite boarding school.  

Ro:  5 Stars - Evil is definitely one of my favorite foreign films.  Yes, the story is one of good triumphing over evil, which all current film aficionados are automatically supposed to be weary of.  I found it extremely refreshing, however, to be able to root for a truly good hero.  Erik Ponti is not an antihero, and he is not operating through any dark motivations.  Erik is a young man, with a chip on his shoulder and one final shot at graduating, who finds himself in a situation where he is compelled to fight for basic human principles that are worth believing in.   I even feel like some sort of cheesy motivational cheerleader after typing all of that, but when a movie captures these ideals so well I think you have to get behind it.  Of course it is always a bonus when one of the Skarsgard family is thrown in, even if he is a supremely detestable duchebag. 

Joe:  5 Stars - Man, oh man.  This is a 5 star film in every single aspect.  The screenplay for Evil is an excellent metaphor for fascism and how terrible it can be.  Erik enrolls in a private school and just wants to be left alone to focus on his academics.  However, the older kids have a compulsion to control every aspect of his life, and they want to break him.  The level of emotional depth that the director and cast achieve is astounding!  I felt every emotion that Erik did throughout this entire film, and it's quite a ride.  This is steadily climbing its way up my top 10 list, and may break my top 5 in the near future.  If you love a good drama, and want to be spellbound for the duration of a film: CHECK THIS OUT!