As we reach the end of my salute to the achievements of 2009 here are my top films. I have been lucky, of the 42 times I went to the cinema I only consider 6 outright failures, and none of the films were so dreadful they had nothing to recommend them. That doesn't make the compilation of a top ten list any easier, in fact the overall quality has meant that many films which were very good ended up being left out. All but the top 3 could easily have been displaced by the dozen other contenders.
I won't be giving any commentary to list, not even a brief sentence, but please note that I have chosen these films because they moved me, gave me pure unadulterated pleasure or just led to more conversation than any of the other films I saw (number 10 for instance has led to 4 different viewings with deep discussions about the outcome).
1. Where the Wild Things Are
2009. Dir: Spike Jonze. Starring: Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara and Lauren Ambrose. My Review
2. Maria Larsson's Everlasting Moments
2008. Dir: Jan Troell. Starring: Maria Heiskanen, Mikhail Persbrandt, Jesper Christensen, Emil Jensen and Ghita Nørby. My Review
3. Che Part 2
2008. Dir: Steven Soderbergh. Starring Benicio Del Toro, Franka Potenta, Joaquim de Almeida, Demián Bichir and Lou Diamond Phillips. My Review
4. A Serious Man
2009. Dir: Ethan and Joel Coen. Starring: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Sari Lennick and Aaron Wolff. My Review
5. Away We Go
2009. Dir: Sam Mendes. Starring: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Carmen Ejogo, Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels. My Review
6. Milk
2008. Dir: Gus van Sant. Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna and James Franco. Not Reviewed.
7. Antichrist
2009. Dir: Lars von Trier. Starring: Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg. My Review
8. Avatar
2009. Dir: James Cameron. Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver and Michelle Rodriguez. My Review
9. Drag me to Hell
2009. Dir: Sam Raimi. Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao and David Paymer. My Review
10. Doubt
2008. Dir: John Patrick Shanley. Starring: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis and Joseph Foster. My Review
Thursday, 31 December 2009
2009 in Review - Best Film
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
2009 in Review - Best Actor
Compared to the last three days the Best Actor category is by far the starriest group with a couple of massively popular performers, but it still has it's fair share of wtf selections so I'm looking forward to hearing comments on this. Tee hee.
1. Benicio Del Toro - Che Part 1 and 2. There are few biopics where the actor so inhabits the person that we can't see the affectations and walls the actor has copied off the original. As far as I'm concerned Del Toro is Che Guevera.
2. Russell Crowe - State of Play. This superior thriller may not be the sort of film you would imagine as an acting showcase, but in casting Crowe as the archetypal news hound they managed to make it one. Everything he does is natural and built around an solid believeable characterisation.
3. Max Records - Where the Wild Things Are. Few child actors can make me sit up and notice their performance, often they come across as mannered or "stage schooly". As the one real wild thing in the movie Records was equally impressive when having a temper tantrum as when feeling isolated in his fantasy island.
4. Willem Dafoe - Antichrist. The He in Lars von Trier's nightmarish vision was a tough role for anyone to take on, both loving yet arrogant and mentally abusive, the performance had to be perfectly balanced to prevent it from going over the edge. Dafoe managed that and with Charlotte Gainsborough salvaged the humanity in the film.
5. Sean Penn - Milk. It's a tough choice for number 5, with both Penn and Mickey Rourke fighting for it. In the end I had to decide which performance spoke to me more, and Harvey Milk recruited me.
Monday, 21 December 2009
Where the Wild Things Are
2009. Dir: Spike Jonze. Starring: Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara and Lauren Ambrose. ●●●●●
I will start this review by confessing that I have never read Maurice Sendak's Where the wild things are. Regardless of it's status as one of the greatest children's books ever written I was never exposed to it's beauty as a child. The biggest compliment I can say having seen the film is "I wish I had". If the book has even half the emotional richness that the film has then every child should have that opportunity.
By now you probably know that I liked Where the Wild Things Are. I really really liked it.
The plot (bearing in mind this is not really plot driven) follows a small boy (Max Records) first in his normal every day life then, following an arguement with his mother (Catherine Keener), in a fantasy land populated by "Wild Things" where he escapes to. In both environments he plays, fights, builds forts and (fails to)connects with everyone else.
There are so many things this film gets right it's difficult to choose which ones to look at. Primarily the casting of Max is perfect. I don't know whether the boy can act but he was incredibly natural, both on screen and in his actions. The changes in emotional state from joy to fear to petulance as perfectly played and as spontaneous as children can be. Later as Max begins to realise the psychology of the Wild Things and as he appreciates the shift in dynamics that takes him from being the child to the parent he handles the subtle changes incredibly well.
The screenplay perfectly judges to tone. It is a kids film, they could watch it and understand everything that is being said, enjoy the comedy of throwing mud balls at each other and feel the fear when the Wild Things may turn on Max. Yet it's also an adults film. In growing up we start to hide all those emotions that Max allows to run rampant, but that doesn't mean they don't exist - or that they ever fully go away. As an adult I can recognise those Wild Things and appreciate them - I want ot be Max and face them.
The Wild things themselves are brilliant. Both as physical creations - the things they do are pure fantasy but because they are real people in big suits (with some addition FX shots to clean up the facial expressions) we can feel their movements as much as see them. The voice performances are all suited to the characteristics their Wild Things portray, but special kudos go to Lauren Ambrose as K.W. (representing the pull of family) and Paul Dano as Alexander (loneliness).
A brilliant film that should be seen by everyone.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Out these week (27/11/09-11/12/09)
Well, I'm back. The tour has completed - for the time being (I'll try and get in a personal news later today to explain this) and I've got this opportunity to catch up with the last 3 weeks of cinematic releases. I do feel a pang of guilt about not previewing these films, although I doubt any of them needed me. The first 2 weeks were actually pretty exciting with closely fought battles for the film of the week, with Paranormal Activity taking it on 27 November and Departures leading the pack on 04 December. This week was much easier to predict with Where the Wild Things Are really standing out as one to watch.
11 December 2009
Carriers
Do you want to see a film about the fall of mankind against an unspecified threat? Do you find the wait until The Road and The Book of Eli unbearable? Do you find Star Trek's Chris Pine unbearably cute? If the answer to these questions is yes, then this is the film for you.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Limits of Control
Jim Jarmusch directs a self-referential, obscure, inaccessible crime movie with a group of increasingly famous stars making unrecognisable cameos. It's like the quintessential Jarmusch picture. Not sure if it's me, though.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Mascarades
Algerian comedy. There aren't many of those, so scarcity will no doubt increase the anticipation for the film.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year
Modern Indian comedy about a young man working in a outsourced call centre. Well loved on the net, so I'm giving it an unusual (for Bollywood) 3 blobs.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
7 Husbands for Hurmuz
Turkish comedy about a serial bigamist in Istanbul. Nurgül Yesilcay (as the titular Hurmuz) is clearly having a ball in the trailer.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
The Stepfather
Woeful looking remake of classic 80's slasher flick, with all the scares and social commentary edited out. Amber Heard spends most of the movie in her panties, which could be sen as a bonus.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Unmade Beds
Alexis Dos Santos's first English language pic is set in the squatting communities in London and spefically looks at the romance between two immigrants as they reach turnign points in their lives.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Where the Wild Things Are
The critical reaction has been surprisingly mixed, Anthony Quinn of the Independent felt it was less competent than The Stepfather, and US receipts were not what was expected. I'm up for it though. Let the rumpus start.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●○○○
04 December 2009
The Box
Richard Kelly continues to astound and confuse with his latest sci-fi thriller, based on the short story by Richard Matheson. Would you cause the death of someone you don't know for $1m? Even if the plot unravels in the final third it's definitely a film to watch.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Cracks
Jordan (daughter of Ridley) Scott makes her directorial debut with this British boarding school set drama. Essentially about the power and influence of teachers and the popular girls in school.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Departures
Surprise winner of the 2008 best Foreign language Oscar, this Japanese drama about a former cellist taking a job as a formal undertaker and discovering the dignity in death and the importance of leading life to the full.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
The Descent: Part 2
Needless sequel, replacing the tight knit group of friends with their individual character traits and collective baggae with ctock characters and excessive gore. Avoidable.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Disgrace
Adaptation of well regarding J. M Coetzee novel with John Malkovich playing a South African lecturer coming to terms about the truth of racial relations in Africa and his own prejudices.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
The Girlfriend Experience
Experimental Soderbergh picture about a high class hooker, and her personal trainer boyfriend. It's the fourth film for him this year, I'm up for it but with the low fi approach I can see why some will be turned off.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
I Know You Know
Autobiographical film about a boy grwoing up in a small Welsh town and slowly discovering his father is a MI5 agent. I have no idea who this Robert Carlyle starrer is aimed at.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Me and Orson Welles
Zac Efron continues to find ways to take over the world by choosing a key acting project working for renowned indie filmmaker Richard Linklater and co-starring with heavily buzzed Chritian McKay playing Orson Welles. Bombastic and exuberant.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Merry Gentleman
Michael Keaton returns from wherever he's been hiding with this directorial debut set in a depressed small town with an stand out performance from Kelly Macdonald.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Paa
Sort of a Bollywood version of Jack. Only less smaltzy looking and probably more incisive.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Planet 51
When we look back at the story of animation in 2009 I imagine this Dwayne Johnson/Justin Long vehicle about a US astronaut landing on an inhabited planet will be quickly forgotten. That might be a shame as the trailer looks fun, with some geeky references and perhaps a satrical title.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Radio - Love on Air
I know absolutely nothing about this film at all. Just the title. Not much I know, but given it's a limited Bollywood release I'm not even going to make the effort to find out any more.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Situations Vacant
Irish comedy about how you can use white lies to really boost your circumstances, but then once they start to unravel can lead to hilarious consequences. No I'm not buying that intro either.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
27 November 2009
Bunny and the Bull
DIY film making at it's best as a group of friends go on a pan-European road trip, without leaving the comfort of their shared flat. From the makers of The Mighty Boosh.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
De Dana Dan
Akshay Kumar is one of the most prolific and famous stars in modern Bollywood, this is his latest project. His name is really all that's needed to see it to the masses so I haven't looked up anythign else.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Law Abiding Citizen
Gerard Butler is a Law Abiding Citizen who following the horrific murder of his wife and daughter and the subsequent double dealings by Jamie Foxx's sleazy D.A. decides to kill everyone. Sub Death Wish tosh.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Mr. Right
Gay Rom com, set in London's Soho as the characters search for thier own Mr. Right. If it's anything like the Soho I know it will involves lots of bad cocktails and many catty comments about other people in the club. Although the trailer makes it seem like it could be anywhere.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Naan Avan Illai 2
If you liked Naan Avan Illai then this is the film for you...
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Nativity!
Quaint looking british comedy about intense competition in neighbouring primary schools for their Nativity plays. Looks charming and fun. If you've got a family this could be one for you.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Paranormal Activity
Masively successful indie horror film, showing that audiences care more for carefully constructed relationships and believeable set up than cheap thrills and gore. And it proves that a door moving fractionally is the scariest thing in the world.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Seraphine
French biopic about the illeterate cleaner who became one of the early 2oth Centuries most influence female artists.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
20 November 2009
And a couple of films that I had missed from the previous week - both of which have almost certainly disappeared from cinemas by now.
Christmas in Wonderland
Shameless release of one of Patrick Swayze's last films, which on reflection should have stayed locked up in a vault in LA. Single father Swayze takes his kids on a shopping trip ahead of the Christmas holidays. Family fun happens.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Valley of the Wolves: Gladio
Latest installment in long running successful Turkish action franchise.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Tuesday Trailers - Where the Wild Things Are
When this trailer was first released earlier this year it had an enormous impact over the net. Frankly the chatter seemed disproportionate to the type of film it is - the buzz was more like a comic book release. To be fair it deserves it. The editing and choice of soundtrack is fantastic enough to really get you salivating about the movie. Just watch and enjoy.
Where the Wild Things Are is released on 11 December 2009.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Forest Whitaker
Happy Birthday to
Forest Whitaker
48 today
Forest has been a long time hero of mine ever since he first caught my eye in Good Morning Vietnam. A consumate character actor, with a fascianting back catalogue. Although I'd have to argue he won the Oscar 7 years later than he should have done (Ghost Dog). Coming soon are the voice gig in Where the Wild Things Are and helping the wheelchair bound Renee Zellweger in My Own Love Song.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Chris Cooper
Happy Birthday to
Chris Cooper
58 today
With apologies for being a bit late in the day. I'm afraid I often pass over Chris Cooper due to him sharing a name with an old friend of mine and my friends face comes up in my head. This is tragic because not only is he a person in his own right he's a hugely expressive and competent actor. Coming soon for him are the short collection New York, I Love You and Julie Taymor's return to Shakespeare with The Tempest. Both should be worth watching, even if the second proves to be a little barmy.
I also heard a rumour some months ago that Cooper had replaced Paul Dano in voicing one of the Wild Things. I've not seen any evidence though (or even a change in imdb) so I guess we'll just have to wait and see on that.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Catherine Keener
Happy Birthday to
Catherine Keener
50 today
It's a special day for Catherine, and a deeply surprising one too. Who could have guessed she was 50? Not only has she been fantastic actress in the past, but she has lots of intriguing projects on the way. I'm most looking forward to The Soloist and Where the Wild Things are, and I'm sure she'll be a highlight in both of them.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Where the Wild Things Are
After a couple of days of "oh, really" here's a film I'm sure every geek in the world is excited about. Where the Wild things are is based on Maurice Sendak's classic chrildrens novel about a the wild things sprouting from a boys imagination.
Quick confession: I've never actually read the book. I'm not too old for it to have been in bookshelves when I was a boy but maybe I'm just too British with my hungry caterpillar. Anyway I have certainly seen it around and I know many of my neices and nephews are fans.
Not that I might be taking them to this - the rumours of children bursting into tears during test screenings and 60mph winds closing filming - I'm certainly going to check it out.
I think the reason I'm so stoked about this one is the potential for darkness and subversion in what boils down to a children's fable. Let's face it the film unites the incendiary directorial talent of Spike Jonze, Dave Eggars (once described as Generation X's J.D. Salinger) co-scripting and Jonze's regular production designer K.K.Barrett.
For the sheer weidness of this combination it has to be seen.
