Invisibles (Tribeca Film Festival)

Javier Bardem is my favorite actor on the planet. And now Senor Bardem has produced, in conjunction with Doctors Without Borders, this amazing and heart wrenching film which consists of five short films. Each of the short films deals with horrible situations that people are living under around the world. But hardly anyone knows about any of this and that is why they are known at the Invisibles. I will just write a line or two about each film because the experience of watching them was very devastating and draining and I want to let is all sink in.

Isabel Coixet tells the story of a young Bolivian woman who is working in Spain. She has to send money to her family impoverished family. Some of them have either died or will die from the Changas (caused by insects) disease because there isn't any medicine that works against it.

Wim Wenders gives a voice to the women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These women have suffered the consequences of constant war in their country. They have no one to stand up for them.

Fernando Leon de Aranoa tells us about another constant war - this time in Northern Uganda.
After destroying families many children have to leave the area that they live in. Many of them are kidnapped by soldiers who either kill them or turn them into soldiers. The lucky ones find safe places to hide - Noah's Ark being one of them.

Mariano Barroso's film focuses on how big pharmaceutical companies take away medicine that is needed in places like Africa to combat sleeping sickness because they don't turn a profit. Instead they sell the same product to people who want to remove excess hair from their body because it is profitable. But the people in Africa will die and the corporation doesn't give a damn.

Javier Corcuera's film is about farmers in Colombia who were forced to leave their land because rebels and para military threatened them. They are now going back with the hope that they may be able to rebuild their lives. Because as one farmer said the city is no place for a farmer.

Javier Corcuera introduced the film and took a few questions afterwards. But the film speaks for itself. I hope that the film gets either a commercial release in the US or at least turns up on cable or public television. And a DVD release is a must. My hats off to everyone involved in making this powerful film.

Snow Cake

I saw this film on IFC on demand (which means I can see it on television the same time it is playing in theaters) and I found it very moving. Director Marc Evans and writer Angela Pell have created a tender story about people on the edge.

Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) has just been released from prison. He was in for killing a man. While eating at a diner he meets a young woman named Vivienne Freeman (Emily Hampshire) who needs a ride home. At first he is reluctant but he gives in and he soon finds himself enjoying the company. But a short time later a truck smashes into Alex's car and although he is okay Vivienne is killed on the spot. Alex decides that he must talk to Vivienne's mother Linda (Sigourney Weaver) who is a high functioning autistic. He feels compelled to help her out and stay for the funeral. He also meets Maggie (Carrie-Anne Moss) and there is an instant attraction between the two of them.

The film explores the different emotions that these people go through. Weaver is good in a tough role and, for the most part, I found her believable. It was risky of her to take this role and I admire her for it. Moss also does a fine job as Maggie but I would have liked to know a bit more about her character. And Hampshire is very good in her very short role as Vivienne. But the standout in the film is Rickman. Upon his release from prison he seems emotionally dead.
But after spending time in the town of Wawa (where the story takes place) he becomes alive. Towards the end of the film we find out about why he killed someone (and some other important things) and everything makes sense. His performance is reason enough to see the film.

I liked that this film explored adult autism. This is something that we don't hear too much about. We like to sweep these things under the rug. But it does exist. I felt sad at the end of the film because of what the characters went through. But the ending is also positive because Alex has been given back his life. And, yes, we find out what the title actually means. Snow Cake is a small film but it is a powerful character study and if this is the type of film that you like then I recommend that you see it.

Year of the Dog

Mike White makes a wonderful directorial debut with this wonderful little film (and he also wrote the screenplay). And all of this actors are terrific as well. But be warned - this is not a laugh out loud comedy. Yes, there are some very funny moments. But there are also times that you will feel tears coming on.

Peggy is a single woman approaching middle age. She lives with her beloved dog Pencil. Peggy is a good friend, employee, sister, aunt, etc. She even has to listen to her boss Robin's (Josh Pais) ramblings on how he didn't get a big enough bonus. However, she seems content with her life as it is. Then one day Pencil wanders off to a neighbor's yard and ingests poison and dies. Peggy's world is turned upside down. Her brother (Tom McCarthy) and sister in law Bret (Laura Dern) try to console her but to no avail. Her friend and workmate Layla (a very funny Regina King) tells her that it is now time to find herself a man. Peggy's neighbor Al, played by John C. Reilly (his is the yard that Pencil ate the poison) feels guilty and takes her out to dinner. But when she visits his house she finds it filled with moose heads, etc. (he is a hunter) and gets very turned off. Then in a turn of events Newt (Peter Sarsgaard), who works at the Humane Society hospital where Pencil died, calls her up and tells her that it just might be time for her to get another dog. And this is where Peggy's life really changes. She becomes vegan and becomes aware of animal cruelty on the dinner table, in the laboratories and in the clothing industry.

Year of the Dog is above all a film about finding yourself. Peggy makes the mistake of becoming overzealous after she makes all of these discoveries (that happens to many people). There a few things that she should not have done. But in the end she finds peace in herself and what she decides to do. And she does not rely on a man for her bliss.

As a devout vegetarian and animal lover I really related to this film. And I liked the fact that White used a middle aged woman as the person coming of age (we usually see teenagers as the focus in this type of story). And I just read that White is a vegan which makes me admire him
even more. I highly recommend this film to all animal lovers and sensitive people everywhere.

DVD Review - The Carpenter's Pencil

This film, based on a novel by Manuel Rivas, is also known as Escrito en el Destino and Lapis du Carpenteiro. It is wonderfully directed by Anton Reixas and written for the screen by Reixas and Xose Morais.

The story takes place in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War and right before Madrid fell into Franco's hands. Dr. Daniel Da Barca (Tristan Ulloa) is an outspoken supporter of a free Republic (including women's rights). This does not sit well with the Fascists who are trying to take over the country and he is eventually arrested. To complicate matters he is in love with Marissa (Maria Adanez), the daughter of the wealthy Benito Mallo (Manuel Manquina) who is a Franco supporter.

While imprisoned Da Barca is given unusual consideration by one of the guards, Herbal (Luis Tosar). I was wondering why that was so but I found out before the film's end. There is more to him than meets the eye. And I also found out what the significance of the carpenter's pencil was. There is also a subplot that involves Herbal, his abused sister Beatriz (Maria Pujalte) and her bullying husband Zalo (Nancho Novo). I don't want to say more about the plot because there a number of little twists and turns that you should see for yourself.

This film is a powerful political tale and shows us how awful things were for those who wanted Spain to be a free Republic. It still amazes me that Franco stayed in power for such a long time. The Carpenter's Pencil is also a wonderful love story. Maria will do anything she can to help her man (and in this case that is a good thing).

I liked this film so much that I now want to read the book. I don't know if the film had a theatrical release in the US but it is available on DVD and I highly recommend it.

DVD Review - Love in Thoughts

Achim von Borrie's Love in Thoughts is unusual film. First of all, the synopsis from Netflix was all wrong. It stated that Paul Krantz (Daniel Bruhl) and Gunther Scheller (August Diehl) were madly in love. They were - but not with each other. Paul is smitten with Gunther's sister Hilde (Anna Maria Muhe) while Gunther has a thing for her lover (who used to be his lover) Hans (Thure Lindhardt). After a wild party at their parents' country home (while the parents are away, of course) Paul and Gunther figure out a way to remedy the situation. Just a note - Hilde is very popular with men. But her friend Elli (Jana Pallaske) likes Paul and makes a go of it with him but things don't really work out.

I would just dismiss most of this film but that fact that it is based on true events makes it fascinating. It takes place when Hitler was just starting his rise in Germany. All of the acting is good and you will find out a few interesting tidbits at the end as well. Not a bad film but I was just expecting something. If you like Bruhl (like I do) make sure you rent this one.

Cannes Film Festival 2007

Here is the lineup for the 60th Cannes Film Festival

In Competition

"My Blueberry Nights," directed by Wong Kar-Wai opening film
"Auf Der Anderen Siete," directed by Fatih Akin
"Un Veille Maitresse," directed by Catherine Breillat
"No Country For Old Men," directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
"Zodiac," directed by David Fincher
"We Own The Night," directed by James Gray
"Les Chansons D'Amour," directed by Christophe Honore
"Mogari No Mori," directed by Naomi Kawase
"Breath," directed by Kim Ki Duk
"Promise Me This," directed by Emir Kusturica
"Secret Sunshine," directed by Lee Chang-dong
"4 Luni, 3 Saptamini Si 2 Zile," directed by Christian Mungiu
"Tehilim," directed by Raphael Nadjari
"Stellet Licht," directed by Carlos Reygadas
"Persepolis," directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud
"Le Scaphandre et le Papillon," directed by Julian Schnabel
"Import Export," directed by Ulrich Seidl"
Alexandra," directed by Alexandre Sokourov
"Death Proof," directed by Quentin Tarantino
"The Man From London," directed by Bela Tarr
"Paranoid Park," directed by Gus Van Sant
"Izgnanie" (The Banishment), directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev

British director Stephen Frears will serve as the president of the Cannes competition jury and will be joined by actress Maggie Cheung from Hong Kong, actress Toni Collette from Australia, director and actress Maria de Medeiros from Portugal, director and actress Sarah Polley from Canada, director Marco Bellocchio from Italy, writer Orhan Pamuk from Turkey, director and actor Michel Piccoli from France, and director Abderramane Sissako from Mauritania.

Out of Competition

"Sicko," directed by Michael Moore
"Ocean's Thirteen," directed by Steven Soderbergh
"A Mighty Heart," directed by Michael Winterbottom

Midnight Screenings

"Boarding Gate," directed Olivier Assayas
"Go Go Tales," directed by Abel Ferrara"
U2 3D," directed by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington

Special Screenings

"11th Hour," directed by Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners
"The War," directed by Lynn Novick and Ken Burns"
"Retour en Normandie," directed by Nicolas Philibert"He Fengming," directed by Wang Bing

Un Certain Regard

"Le Reve de la Nuit d'Avant," directed by Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi
"Calle Santa Fe," directed by Carmen Castillo (first film)
"Munyurangabo," directed by Chung Lee Isaac (first film)
"Et Toi T'Es Sur Qui?" directed by Lola Doillon (first film)
"El Bano del Papa," directed by Enrique Fernandes and Cesar Charlone (first film)
"Bikur Hatizmoret," directedd by Eran Kolirin (first film)
"Mister Lonely," directed by Harmony Korine"
Magnus," directed by Kadri Kousaar (first film)
"Mang Shan," directed by Li Yang"Mio Fratello E Figlio Unico," directed by Daniele Luchetti
"California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit)," directed by Christian Nemescu (first film)
"La Soledad," directed by Jaime Rosales
"L'Avocat de la Terreur," directed by Barbet Schroeder
"Les Pieuvres," directed by Celine Sciamma (first film)
"Am Ende Kommen Touristen," directed by Robert Thalheim"Kuaile Gongchang," directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham

The Un Certain Regard jury includes head Pascale Ferran, along with Jasmine Trinca, Cristi Puiu, Kent Jones and Bian Qin and the Camera d'or jury for a film by a first time director will be headed by Pavel Longuine along with Julie Bertucelli, Clotilde Courau and Renato Berta.

Short Films in Competition

"Run," directed by Mark Alston (New Zealand)
"The Oate's Valor," directed by Tim Thaddeus Cahill (United States)
"The Last 15," directed by Antonio Campos (United States)
"Ah Ma" (Grandma), directed by Anthony Chen (Singapore)"
Resistance Aux Tremblements," directed by Olivier Hems (France)
"Ark," directed by Grzegorz Jonkajtys (Poland)
"Ver Llover," directed by Elisa Miller (Mexico)
"To Onoma Tou Spourgitiou," directed by Kyros Papavassiliou (Cypress)
"Spegelbarn" (Looking Glass), directed by Erik Rosenlund (Sweden)
"Het Zusje" (My Sister), directed by Marco Van Geffen (The Netherlands)
"My Dear Rosseta," directed by Yang Hae-hoon (South Korea)
La Cinefondation"Aditi Singh," directed by Mickael Kummer (Le Fresnoy, France)
"Ahora Todos Parecen Contentos," directed by Gonzalo Tobal (Universidad del Cine, Argentina)
"Your Younger Daughter Rachel," directed by Efrat Corem (Sapir Academic College, Israel)
"Chinese Whispers," directed by Raka Dutta (Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, India)
"For the Love of God," directed by Joseph Tucker (NFTS, U.K.)
"Goyta," directed by Joanna Jurewicz (NYU, U.S.)
"Hable Stunden," directed by Nicolas Wackerbarth (DFFB, Germany)
"Minus," directed by Pavle Vuckovic (Fakultet Dramskih Umetnosti, Serbia)
"Pathways," directed by Hagar Ben-Asher (Minshar School, Israel)
"Imprudence," directed by Alexander Kugel (VGIK, Russia)
"A Reunion," directed by Hong Sung-hoon (KAFA, South Korea)
"Rondo," directed by Marja Mikkonen (Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Finland)
"Way Out," directed by Chen Tao (Beijing Film Academy, China)
"Saba," directed by Therezaa Menezes and Gregorio Graziosi (FAAP University, Brazil)
"Triple 8 Palace," directed by Alexander Ku (NYU, U.S.)
"Vita Di Giacomo," directed by Luca Governatori (La femis, France)

Directors' Fortnight

Feature films

"Apres lui," directed by Gael Morel
"Avant que j'oublie," directed by Jacques Nolot
"Caramel," directed by Nadine Labaki
"Chop Shop U.S.A.," directed by Ramin Bahrani
"Control," directed by Anton Corbijn
"Dai Nipponjin," directed by Hitoshi Matumoto
"Elle s'appelle Sabine," directed by Sandrine Bonnaire
"Estado do mundo," directed by Chantal Akerman, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Vicente Ferraz, Ayisha Abraham, Bing Wang, Pedro Costa
"Foster Child," directed by Brillante Mendoza
"La France," directed by Serge Bozon
"Garage," directed by Lenny Abrahamson
"Gegenueber" (Counterparts), directed by Jan Bonny
"La Influencia," directed by Pedro Aguilera
"Mutum," directed by Sandra Kogut
"Ploy," directed by Pen-ek Ratanaruang
"PVC-1," directed by Spiros Stathoulopoulos
"La Question humaine," directed by Nicolas Klotz
"Savage Grace," directed by Tom Kalin
"Smiley Face," directed by Gregg Araki
"Tout est pardonne," directed by Mia Hansen-Love
"Un homme perdu" (A Lost Man), directed by Danielle Arbid
"Yumurta (Oeuf/Egg)," directed by Semih Kaplanoglu"
Zoo," directed by Robinson Devor

Short films

"Avant Petalos Grillados"," directed by Velasco Broca
"Le Ballon rouge" (Red Balloon), directed by Albert Lamorisse
"Candy Boy," directed by Pascal-Alex Vincent
"China, China," directed by Joao Pedro Rodrigues, Joao Rui Guerra Da Mata
"Crin Blanc," directed by Albert Lamorisse
"Entracte," directed by Yann Gonzalez
"Hoguera (Bonfire)," directed by Andres Baiz"
Meme pas mort," directed by Claudine Natkin
"Mota shel shula (La Mort de Shoula)," directed by Asaf Korman
"Silencio," directed by F.J Ossang
"superDONG," directed by Yue Weng Pok
"Tel pere, telle fille," directed by Sylvie Ballot

Special screening

"Cruising," directed by William Friedkin

I will be reading the various commentaries from attendees of the festival and posting news on the blog as it becomes available.

Fracture

Fracture, directed by Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear), is a sort of old fashioned Hollywood style thriller. The opening sequence is brilliant. Jennifer Crawford (Embeth Davidtz) is cheating on her much older (and wealthy) husband Ted (Anthony Hopkins) with a man in her own age group (please take note of him). But Crawford gets wind of it and when she comes home he shoots her. When the police come he makes a confession on the spot but things do not remain the same.

Young hot shot lawyer Will Beachum (Ryan Gosling) works for the DA. But he has just landed a job with a hot law firm is counting his days in public service. His boss Joe Lobruto (David Strathairn) wants him to stay but Willy is looking for the big bucks. However, he still has one more case to crack before he leaves. And you guessed it - it is the case involving Crawford.

The film is like a game of cat and mouse with this old cat Crawford always one step ahead. Hopkins is terrific as Crawford. He is menacing but oh so charming. You can see just how much fun Hopkins had playing him. Gosling is wonderful as Beachum. Just watch his face as his ego is deflated. Also great is Strathairn, who has only a few scenes in which to work his magic.

Hoblit does a good job of directing the film but I wish that the script, written by Daniel Pyne and Glenn Gers was stronger. There are parts of the film where things really sag. And there isn't much character development either. I also didn't think that the "romance" between Beachum and his soon to be boss Nikki Gardner (Rosamund Pike) was really necessary (but I guess the writers had their reasons for including it). But the wonderful acting and certain well written sections elevate it above the average thriller.

All in all, I liked Fracture but didn't love it. I am not sorry that I saw it but it wouldn't be a bad thing to catch it on DVD either. In the future I hope that Hopkins, Gosling and Strathairn continue to get challenging work. They certainly deserve it.

DVD Review - Open Hearts

After seeing Suzanne Biers wonderful film After the Wedding I wanted to check out her earlier offering Open Hearts (I had already seen Brothers).

The story deals with fate and how you can make a choice that will change your life despite the cards that you were dealt. Cecile (Sonja Richter) and Joachim (Nicolaj Lie Kaas) are are happy couple living in Copenhagen who decide early on in the film to get married. One day Cecile is driving Joachim someplace. When he reaches his destination he gets out of the car but is immediately run over by another car. The woman who was driving, Marie (Paprika Steen) and her daughter Stine (Stine Bjerregaard) are very shaken.

Later on Joachim learns that he is paralyzed from the waist down and will never walk again. He urges Cecile to leave him but she doesn't want to. Day by day he becomes more embittered. In the meantime, Marie is so guilt ridden that she asks her husband Niels (Mads Mikkelsen), who is a doctor at the hospital, to console Cecile. Neils does console Cecile but one thing leads to another and you can guess where things go.

I thought that all of the acting was terrific. Biers is certainly a very good director and she wrote the intelligent screenplay with Anders Thomas Jensen. I like that fact that the film is not judgmental. The characters are vulnerable and circumstances lead them in a certain direction (which they might not have gone in if they weren't so vulnerable). And the ending is not tied up in a neat little package like so many Hollywood films are. I highly recommend that you rent this film on DVD.

A note: Open Hearts is supposed to be remade into a Hollywood film. I say that is a bad idea. Doesn't anyone have an original idea anymore?

Death at a Funeral

I saw a preview screening of Frank Oz's latest film and I must say that it was one big laugh fest.

Things are chaotic even from the start at the funeral Sandra's (Jane Asher) husband and Daniel
(Matthew MacFayden) and Robert's (Rupert Graves) father (which, obviously, are one and the same). Robert is a successful writer who lives in New York. Daniel is attempting to write a novel and his wife Jane (Keeley Hawes) wants to move out of the family home and into their own flat. Also attending the funeral are the dead man's nephew Troy (Kris Marshall), niece Martha (Daisy Donovan) and her boyfriend Simon (Alan Tudyk) who is a straight laced lawyer (wait until you see what happens to him). Also on hand are Howard (Andy Nyman), Justin (Ewen Bremner) and crotchety Uncle Alfie (Peter Vaughan). Oh, there is one more person in attendance - Peter (Peter Dinklage). But no one seems to know who he is.

I am not going to say what happens at the funeral. I will just say things don't go smoothly. And someone has a secret about the deceased (which I have to say that I guessed). But all in all, this film is really hilarious and if you want to have real belly laugh (and this happens many times) then this film is for you.

DVD Review - Tickets

This film is a collaboration between Ken Loach, Abbas Kiarostami and Ermanno Olmi. I was really looking forward to seeing it and expected a lot from (given who was involved). But
although it is a good film it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

The film is made up of three stories. Each story takes place in the same Rome bound train . In the first (and best tale) story we find the Professor (Carlo Delle Piane) at a meeting. We later find out that he is a lonely man. He becomes quite attracted to the younger woman (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) who is the PR person for the company he is meeting with and it seems that she is take with him.

The second story revolves around an brazen woman (Silvana De Santis) who is on her way to a memorial for her husband. With her is a young man named Filippo (Fillipo Trojano). Helping her out is part of his public service duty. But he meets a young woman on the train who makes his thoughts go in a different direction.

The last story focuses on three young Scottish men (Martin Compston, William Ruane and Gary Maitland) who are on their way to see a soccer game. One of them loses his train ticket and discovers that it may have been take by another passenger.

All of the stories are interesting but I would have liked it if they had more depth. Still and all it, is a nice treat to see a film made by three legends in the world of cinema.

Private Fears in Public Places

I saw this lovely and intimate film, directed by Alain Resnais, on IFC in Theaters on demand (films currently playing in theaters can at the same time be rented through a cable company). And it certainly was more than worth the price of the rental.

The film is adapted by Jean-Michel Ribes from a play by Alan Ayckbourn. It takes place at wintertime in a snowy Paris and it focuses on six people who are all, in their own way, lonely and looking for meaningful relationships.

Nicole (Laura Morante) wants to find a larger apartment so that she and her fiance Dan (Lambert Wilson) will have a more comfortable place to live when they are married. But their relationship appears headed for a crash. Thierry (Andre Dussollier) is the real estate agent who is showing her around. He has a bit of a thing for his assistant Charlotte (Sabine Azema) who on the surface seems to be very religious. But Charlotte has a secret side to her that most people don't know about. Thierry lives with his sister Gaelle (Isabelle Carre) who goes out night after night on bad blind dates (that is if they show up). Lionel (Pierre Arditi) is a bartender who works in a hotel and has to take care of his elderly, foul mouthed father Arthur (the voice of Claude Rich). During several days the lives of these six people will intertwine in various ways.

All of the acting is wonderful and I especially liked Arditi as the sad looking Lionel. The way the film is shot is stunning. And Resnais, who is 84, pays such attention to each and every detail. Cinematographer Eric Gautier (who also shot The Motorcycle Diaries among other films) is at the top of his game. The way the snow is shown in the background just adds to the lonely and desolate feeling you get when watching the film. And, yes, this is very realistic because there are so many people in big cities all around the world who are longing for a real, human, intimate connection.

If someone out there has this rental feature then by all means rent this film. Or go to your local cinema if they are playing it. If you can't do either of these things then rent it when it comes out on DVD. It is a film that is not to be missed (won a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival).

After the Wedding

After the Wedding was nominated for a foreign language Oscar this past year. And it is easy to see why - it is an outstanding film (it was a very good year for foreign films because some great films did not get nominated). Director Suzanne Bier does an amazing and sensitive job of capturing the emotional lives of the four people who make up the bulk of this story. She and her screenwriting partner Anders Thomas Jensen have written a highly intelligent piece of work.

Jacob (Mads Mikkelsen) helps run an orphanage in Bombay. He seems to be quite the idealist. One day he is told that there is a chance for a very big donation from a very wealthy businessman. The catch is that Jacob has to travel to his native Denmark to meet him. Jacob is quite resistant to the idea because he hasn't set foot in Denmark for quite some time. He also questions the motives of rich people who give huge donations to charity - he wonders if they really give from the heart or is it something that makes them look good in the eyes of others. But he also knows that the orphanage is in danger of closing down if he doesn't meet with this man.

At first Jacob's meeting with Jorgen (Rolf Lassgard) seems routine. But things get interesting when Jorgen invites Jacob to his daughter Anna's (Stine Fischer Christensen) wedding to Christian (Christian Tafdrup), a young man who works for him. Jacob doesn't want to go but he doesn't have any excuse not to. At the wedding he meets Anna as well as Jorgen's wife Helene (Sidse Babett Knudsen). And that my dear friends is all I will tell you about the plot. To say anything more would be giving away too much. Oh, I will say that Jorgen and Helene have a very fancy house but there are some very repulsive things about it.

I loved the way Bier shot the closeups of her characters. They didn't even have to see a word - you know exactly what they are feeling. Mikkelsen, Lassgard, Babett and Christensen are terrific in their roles. You might recognize Mikkelsen from Casino Royale but this film gives him much more of a chance to shine (and to look good - he and Viggo Mortensen should be cast as brothers in a future film). The film is about two hours long and I didn't want it to end (and I spoke to two other people afterwards who felt the same way).

Bier is definitely a filmmaker to watch. Her previous film Brothers, with Connie Nielsen, is very good. I just moved up her film Open Hearts on my Netflix list. And later in the year her English language debut, Things We Lost in the Fire starring Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro (perhaps a comeback for Barry), will be released. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Bier will do in the future. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and see this film. You won't be sorry that you did.

DVD Review - Stranger Than Fiction

Marc Foster's latest film is sweet and whimsical. The screenplay, written by Zach Helm, is original but it doesn't always make sense. I guess that it is not supposed to.

Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) is an IRS auditor who leads a very humdrum life. But one day everything changes. He starts hearing a voice in his head. The voice belongs to writer Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson) who is writing a book on his life and death. When a psychiatrist cannot help him he seeks advice from literature professor Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman). Things get a bit complicated for Harold because in addition to all of this he is falling for a baker named Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal) who he just happens to be auditing. Harold finds out that Eiffel wants to kill off his character and he wants to find her and stop her from doing this (because it will happen in real life).

The best way to describe this story is total fantasy. But there is something lovely about it as well. There is quite a bit of humor in the film but I wouldn't call it a comedy. Ferrell is nice and low key in his role. Gyllenhaal and Hoffman are good and add a nice touch to the film. Best of all is Thompson. Her turn as the eccentric and troubled Eiffel shows you what an outstanding actress she is. Sadly, Queen Latifah isn't given much to do as Eiffel's assistant Penny Eisher.

When the film came out late last year many critics went crazy over it. I listened to my gut feeling and waited to see the film on DVD and I am not sorry that I did. As much as I admire this genre (which also includes Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Science of Sleep) I find it not always easy to take - one has to be in the mood for this type of film. But if you are in want to see something fantastical and well done check out the DVD of Stranger Than Fiction.

DVD Review - Le Petit Lieutenant

The most amazing thing about Xavier Beauvois' Le Petit Lieutenant is how real it feels. And, yes, this is a story of ordinary people that is done in an understated but powerful way.

As the film begins, Antoine Derouere (Jalil Lespert) is graduating from police academy. When it comes time for him to pick where he wants to work he decides to leave Normandy for a post in Paris. He does this without consulting his wife, who is a schoolteacher.

Antoine feels that he will have a better chance of working on interesting cases in Paris. He finds himself right at home in the homicide squad and rents a room from a woman who has many police officers as tenants. Soon after he arrives he meets his commanding officer Caroline Vaudieu (Nathalie Baye). Caroline is a recovering alcoholic (there are some similarities to Helen Mirren's Jane Tennison). She became an alcoholic after her son died a number of years ago. Her son would have been the same age Antoine had he lived.

Things are pretty routine until one day a body turns up in a canal. After someone else is attacked in the same way (but survives) the police know that they have a serious case on their hands.

Both Caroline and Antoine lead very lonely lives and because of this they form a bond. It is almost as if Antoine is Caroline's surrogate son.

I will not say more about what happens. All I can tell you is that this film really packs an emotional punch. Things are not wrapped up in a neat little package.

Director Beauvois has created a terrific film about coping with loss (among other things). All of the acting is very good but Baye really stands out. She won a Cesar award (French Oscar) for her performance. The last scene in the film is so wrenching (and so brilliant) that I had to watch it more than once. This scene in itself is worth more than the price of the rental. I highly recommend this film.

Offside

Offside, Iranian director Jafa Panahi's, is a soccer term. And the film revolves around an actual soccer match between Iran and Bahrain that took place in 2005. But there is more to this than meets the eye.

The film starts off with a van taking people to the soccer match. All of the people are men. Women are not allowed to attend matches. However, there are a few young women dressed up as men who are hoping to be able to sneak in. Unfortunately, most of them do not and they are taken to a holding pen right outside of the stadium.

What follows is a debate between the women and the soldiers who are watching over them. It is clear that the women are much more sophisticated than the male soldiers. The film has a great deal of humor. But it is also making an important statement. How can fifty percent of the population not be allowed to attend sports functions? It is absurd. The men look like men in any other country but the women have must keep themselves covered. This is like living in the dark ages - at least for women.

The last part of the film takes place after Iran wins. The women and one man (who is arrested for having fire crackers and sparklers) are taken away in a van. But everyone partying in the streets so the soldiers let their "prisoners" do so as well. The feeling is one of exhilaration and this sequence shows us that sports fanatics are the same the world all over.

All in all, a small but good and important film. I recommend that you see this on DVD because it is hard to find in the theaters.

DVD Review - My Country, My Country

Filmmaker Laura Poirtras's Oscar nominated documentary is a most interesting film. It almost feels like a slice of life movie. The only difference is is that everything in the film is real.

The film takes place in the time leading up to the Iraqi elections in early 2005. Poitras and her camera follow around Dr. Ryadh, who is a Sunni and is running for a counsel seat. But Iraq is in flames and many Sunnis are going to boycott the election giving the good doctor less of a chance of winning.

One of the most intense parts of the film is when Dr. Ryadh visits the notorious Abu Ghraib prison. His intention is to inspect it and he finds many things there that he doesn't like (there is extended footage of the visit on the DVD). We also see how American soldiers are dealing with the situation and there are interviews members of the doctors family and others.

My Country, My Country doesn't really take a political stand and I am not sure that it will change anyone's mind about the war (I am fiercely against it). And although I would have liked it if the film delved a bit deeper into certain areas I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this film because much of what transpires is told from an Iraqi point of view.

The Page Turner

Denis Dercourt's film is a French psychological thriller that is clearly influenced by Alfred Hitchcock and Claude Chabrol. Although there is some predictability, at only 85 minutes long it is still a tasty treat.

Young Melanie Provoust (Julie Richalet) is the daughter of butchers. She is also a very talented pianist and her parents are giving her lessons with the hope that she will one day make this her career. Melanie is being tested by some very prestigious judges and what they think is very important to her future. While she is playing one of the judges, a famous concert pianist named Ariane Fouchecourt (Catherine Frot), does something that distracts Melanie. She can't get back on track and she is judged in a poor light. This causes her to give up the piano.

Fast forward ten years. Melanie (Deborah Francois) manages to get an internship with a law firm run by Ariane's husband Jean (Pascal Gregory). She learns that Jean and Ariane need someone to help take care of their son Tristan (Antoine Martynciow), who also studies the piano. She offers to help them out. Ariane plays with two other people, Laurent (Xavier DeGuillebon) and Virginie (Clotilde Mollet). The trio have some very important concerts coming up and they need Ariane to be sure of herself (for a reason I will not mention she has been shaky). As Melanie can read music she becomes Ariane's page turner. And that my friends is all I will tell you.

The Page Turner is a simple story of revenge but it is very well done. I have read Dercourt and his co-screenwriter Jacques Sotty have left certain details out so that we can use our imaginations to fill things in. Both Frot and Francois are excellent in their roles and everyone else is very good. So if old fashioned style thrillers are your cup of tea then The Page Turner is for you.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

I am a big fan of Irish cinema (and books, music, etc.) and Ken Loach. So it is no surprise that I was most anxious to see this Palm D'Or winning film. And I was not disappointed.

The story takes place in 1920s Ireland. The Irish want to break away from British rule (the British used to be a great and controlling empire). Damien (Cillian Murphy) is on his way to London to work as a doctor. Many of his comrades try to persuade him to stay and fight for the Irish cause but he feels that he can be of great service to the sick in Britain. Not even the brutal death of a friend changes his mind. But other events happen and Damien finally realizes that fighting for Irish freedom is more important than working as a doctor. The groups' leaders include Damien's brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney) and friend Dan (Liam Cunningham). The fighting is fierce and there are casualties on both sides. But in between fighting Damien finds himself falling in love with the feisty Sinead (Orla Fitzgerald).

The Wind That Shakes the Barley (the title is from an Irish poem) is indeed a fine film. I have seen a number of films that depict the Irish struggle at this time in history. But what makes this film so special is that it portrays the struggle between those who were happy with the treaty (brokered by Michael Collins) and those who opposed it. It comes down to brother against brother. While Loach may be sympathetic to the Irish cause (as I am but I am opposed to the violence on both sides) he by no means portrays the rebels as saints. Damien, who was trained to save people, has done some things that haunt him.

Murphy once again proves what a great actor he is. His Damien is both fierce and sensitive at the same time. And both Delaney and Cunningham are wonderful in their roles. Loach and his long-time screenwriter Paul Laverty have created a film that is not only intelligent but also packs an emotional punch. And the film is beautifully photographed by another long time Loach collaborator, Barry Ackroyd.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley doesn't offer any easy answers. It just helps us to once again see that no matter what part of the world are in war is hell. That message resonated for me loud and clear as I left the theater in tears.

DVD Review - Shortbus

John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus is sexually explicit but it is also, at times, quite poignant. And while it is short on plot and character development I enjoyed watching it.

Sofia (Soon-Yin Lee) and Rob (Raphael Barker) seem to have a good marriage and a great sex life. So I was surprised to learn that Sofia has never had an orgasm. This is especially strange because she is a relationship counselor (aka sex therapist). James (Paul Dawson) and Jamie (PJ DeBoy) have been together for five years but they feel that something is missing from their relationship. They just might add Ceth (Jay Brannon) to the mix for a little excitement. And dominatrix Severin has a story of her own. All of these people wind up going to the underground sex club Shortbus. This is a place where everyone leaves their inhibitions at the door.

There are some interesting scenes that take place outside of the club. But the majority of the action takes place at Shortbus. Most of the characters were played by first time actors and all of them had real sex (which is fine with me). If you have any problems with the sexual nature of the film then you should skip it. But if you want to see something off the beaten path then I recommend that you rent the DVD.