Electric Shadows, 2005
Director: Jiang Xiao
Origin: China
Language: Mandarin
Running time: 93 min
Set in modern-day Beijing and 1970s Ningxia, director Xiao Jiang's debut feature explores the power of movies in launching dreams and creating memories. After a bicycle collision leaves Mao Dabing (Xia Yu) with a lump on his head, he promises Ling Ling (Qi Zhongyang), the girl he hit, that he'll care for her fish while she's recuperating. When he stumbles across her diary, he learns the truth about her past -- which rekindles his love of cinema. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $7,129
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Review of last week's film (Martha Marcy May Marlene, 4 stars)
Steven says: Anchored by a great performance by Mary-Kate and Ashley's younger sister, Elizabeth Olsen, this movie messes with your head. What's real? What's a memory? What is simply paranoia? One viewer compared it to Charles Manson's "Helter Skelter". While I don't always like flashbacks, they served real purpose in this film, a way for us to sympathize with the main character, even as those around her seem oblivious to her real needs. Lots of great interpretations for the ending, too.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
June 20, 2012 - "Martha Marcy May Marlene" (2011)
Martha Marcy May Marlene, 2011
Director: T. Sean Durkin
Origin: USA
Language: English
Running time: 102 min
After escaping from a violent cult in rural New York, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) tries to reconnect with her estranged sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), and Lucy's well-to-do husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy), but the brainwashing she endured continues to prevent her from forming an identity of her own. Overwhelmed with paranoia, guilt and shame, Martha isolates herself until Lucy begins to suspect her sister's emotional trauma has deeper underlying causes. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, nudity and language
U.S. box office: $2,981,638
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Rating for last week's film ("The Way I Spent the End of the World", 3.5 stars)
Steven says: I'm pretty sure that the Romanian people understood this movie more than our Cinematheque audience. And yet, the almost chaotic story telling could be seen as a mirror to the way of life for the Romanian people under the rule of Nicolae Ceausescu. Through their personal interactions, the main characters personify the relationship of the people to the government. They also offer multiple perspectives from which to view the tyranny of the regime. Interesting stuff . . . and made better by discussion afterward. The two main characters - Eva and Lalaliu - were great, as well.
Director: T. Sean Durkin
Origin: USA
Language: English
Running time: 102 min
After escaping from a violent cult in rural New York, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) tries to reconnect with her estranged sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), and Lucy's well-to-do husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy), but the brainwashing she endured continues to prevent her from forming an identity of her own. Overwhelmed with paranoia, guilt and shame, Martha isolates herself until Lucy begins to suspect her sister's emotional trauma has deeper underlying causes. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, nudity and language
U.S. box office: $2,981,638
---
Rating for last week's film ("The Way I Spent the End of the World", 3.5 stars)
Steven says: I'm pretty sure that the Romanian people understood this movie more than our Cinematheque audience. And yet, the almost chaotic story telling could be seen as a mirror to the way of life for the Romanian people under the rule of Nicolae Ceausescu. Through their personal interactions, the main characters personify the relationship of the people to the government. They also offer multiple perspectives from which to view the tyranny of the regime. Interesting stuff . . . and made better by discussion afterward. The two main characters - Eva and Lalaliu - were great, as well.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
June 13, 2012 - "The Way I Spent the End of the World" (2006)
June 13, 2012
"The Way I Spent the End of the World" (2006)
Director: Catalin Mitulescu
Origin: Romania | France
Language: Romanian
Running time: 106 min
In 1989 Romania, plucky 17-year-old Eva Matei (Doroteea Petre) comes of age as she schemes to escape the country's tyranny with help from her recalcitrant neighbor (Cristian Vararu). Meanwhile, as her parents endure the brutal dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, Eva's 7-year-old brother (Timotei Duma) plots to kill the despot. Writer-director Catalin Mitulescu's powerful, astute feature debut also stars Ionut Becheru and Mircea Diaconu. (from Netflix.com)
(This film was carried forward from the opening of the season, when it had to be replaced because of broken DVD.)
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Review of last week's film (The Human Resources Manager, 3.5 stars)
Steven says: Director Eran Riklis set the bar high with his two previous films, "Lemon Tree" and "The Syrian Bride". In this film, he again tries to find the commonalities between different cultures by focusing on individuals and their personal struggles. He may have stretched too far, because the story doesn't always feel like it's on sound footing. But the underlying motivations and emotions of the main character, especially as they evolve, keep the story going. Some may call the story slow-moving; I call it unfolding.
"The Way I Spent the End of the World" (2006)
Director: Catalin Mitulescu
Origin: Romania | France
Language: Romanian
Running time: 106 min
In 1989 Romania, plucky 17-year-old Eva Matei (Doroteea Petre) comes of age as she schemes to escape the country's tyranny with help from her recalcitrant neighbor (Cristian Vararu). Meanwhile, as her parents endure the brutal dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, Eva's 7-year-old brother (Timotei Duma) plots to kill the despot. Writer-director Catalin Mitulescu's powerful, astute feature debut also stars Ionut Becheru and Mircea Diaconu. (from Netflix.com)
(This film was carried forward from the opening of the season, when it had to be replaced because of broken DVD.)
------
Review of last week's film (The Human Resources Manager, 3.5 stars)
Steven says: Director Eran Riklis set the bar high with his two previous films, "Lemon Tree" and "The Syrian Bride". In this film, he again tries to find the commonalities between different cultures by focusing on individuals and their personal struggles. He may have stretched too far, because the story doesn't always feel like it's on sound footing. But the underlying motivations and emotions of the main character, especially as they evolve, keep the story going. Some may call the story slow-moving; I call it unfolding.
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