Footnote, 2011
Director: Joseph Cedar
Origin: Israel
Language: Hebrew
Running time: 103 min
Long-buried tensions erupt in this witty drama, which follows the strained relationship between a reserved Talmudic scholar and his ambitious son -- both professors at the same university -- when the father wins a prestigious award the son covets. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated PG for thematic elements, brief nudity, language and smoking
U.S. box office: $2,007,451
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
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Review of last week's film ("The Seventh Seal", 4 stars)Steven says: I have a hard time rating classics because of the stigma they bring as well as different film standards of the time. Removing those, I can say I really enjoyed the script, most of the performances, and the director's ability to keep the audience interested. While the story revolves around a quest for meaning and a search for God, there is plenty of time for humor, debauchery and juggling. It's definitely worth the watch to see a classic film and director that have influenced so many after him.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
October 31, 2012 - "The Seventh Seal" (1957)
The Seventh Seal, 1957
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Origin: Sweden
Languages: Swedish | Latin
Running time: 96 min
Exhausted and disillusioned, a medieval knight makes the journey home after years of combat in the Crusades. But when the black-robed figure of Death confronts him, the knight challenges him to a game of chess. (from Netflix.com)
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
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Review of last week's film ("Tyrannosaur", 3 stars)
Steven says: With no subtitles, it was difficult to follow parts of the story line because the main character had such a thick accent. But the acting in general was so good, we often didn't need dialogue to figure out what we were supposed to know. All the characters were presented with conflicts that pushed them to their breaking points. Some broke; others didn't. It was fascinating and surprising to see how each progressed and revealed their violent sides. Are we all capable of violence? Why are some more prone to it than others? And how do we move past that inclination to lead better lives? No answers here, but you will find provocative suggestions.
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Origin: Sweden
Languages: Swedish | Latin
Running time: 96 min
Exhausted and disillusioned, a medieval knight makes the journey home after years of combat in the Crusades. But when the black-robed figure of Death confronts him, the knight challenges him to a game of chess. (from Netflix.com)
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
---
Review of last week's film ("Tyrannosaur", 3 stars)
Steven says: With no subtitles, it was difficult to follow parts of the story line because the main character had such a thick accent. But the acting in general was so good, we often didn't need dialogue to figure out what we were supposed to know. All the characters were presented with conflicts that pushed them to their breaking points. Some broke; others didn't. It was fascinating and surprising to see how each progressed and revealed their violent sides. Are we all capable of violence? Why are some more prone to it than others? And how do we move past that inclination to lead better lives? No answers here, but you will find provocative suggestions.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
October 24, 2012 - "Tyrannosaur" (2011)
Tyrannosaur, 2011
Director: Paddy Considine
Origin: UK
Language: English
Running time: 92 min
Unemployed and frustrated, Joseph is in a downward spiral when he meets Hannah, a kind Christian woman who's drawn to try to help him. As their bond develops, however, it becomes apparent that Hannah's life is far from easy or simple. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $22,088
Watch the trailer at IMDB.com.
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Review of last week's film ("Tales of the Golden Age", 4 stars)
Steven says: Five stories. 2.5 hours. It goes quickly. The Party is in charge but the people are resilient. Most of the time. There are many covert operations, many mishaps, and nearly as many poignant moments. How does one survive under a communist regime where food and electricity are not certain? This film provides different glimpses into urban legends from Romania that try to answer the question. They make you laugh at the absurdity of it all; and then they make you think about why it seems funny. Very worthy of a viewing.
Director: Paddy Considine
Origin: UK
Language: English
Running time: 92 min
Unemployed and frustrated, Joseph is in a downward spiral when he meets Hannah, a kind Christian woman who's drawn to try to help him. As their bond develops, however, it becomes apparent that Hannah's life is far from easy or simple. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $22,088
Watch the trailer at IMDB.com.
---
Review of last week's film ("Tales of the Golden Age", 4 stars)
Steven says: Five stories. 2.5 hours. It goes quickly. The Party is in charge but the people are resilient. Most of the time. There are many covert operations, many mishaps, and nearly as many poignant moments. How does one survive under a communist regime where food and electricity are not certain? This film provides different glimpses into urban legends from Romania that try to answer the question. They make you laugh at the absurdity of it all; and then they make you think about why it seems funny. Very worthy of a viewing.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
October 17, 2012 - "Tales from a Golden Age" (2009)
Tales from a Golden Age, 2009
Directors: Hanno Höfer, Razvan Marculescu, Cristian Mungiu, Constantin Popescu, Ioana Uricaru
Origin: Romania | France
Language: Romanian
Running time: 155 min
Everyday life in 1980s Romania under Ceausescu takes on an air of comic surrealism in this whimsical collection of shorts written by award-winning filmmaker Cristian Mungiu and helmed by several acclaimed Romanian directors. (from Netflix.com)
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
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Review of last week's film (Cria Cuervos, 3.5 stars)Steven says: This 1976 film earned high praise at the time and has continued to be seen as a great film. It is deceptively simple. The story line meanders as the narrator tells the story of her childhood before and after the deaths of her parents. The group I watched it with was especially taken with the performances and with the rich content of family relationships. The film is also a metaphor for the political reality in Spain at the time. It is worth a viewing followed by discussion, which helped shape my favorable view of the film.
Directors: Hanno Höfer, Razvan Marculescu, Cristian Mungiu, Constantin Popescu, Ioana Uricaru
Origin: Romania | France
Language: Romanian
Running time: 155 min
Everyday life in 1980s Romania under Ceausescu takes on an air of comic surrealism in this whimsical collection of shorts written by award-winning filmmaker Cristian Mungiu and helmed by several acclaimed Romanian directors. (from Netflix.com)
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
---
Review of last week's film (Cria Cuervos, 3.5 stars)Steven says: This 1976 film earned high praise at the time and has continued to be seen as a great film. It is deceptively simple. The story line meanders as the narrator tells the story of her childhood before and after the deaths of her parents. The group I watched it with was especially taken with the performances and with the rich content of family relationships. The film is also a metaphor for the political reality in Spain at the time. It is worth a viewing followed by discussion, which helped shape my favorable view of the film.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
October 10, 2012 - "Cria Cuervos" (1976)
Cria Cuervos, 1976
This week only -- we will be in Beering Hall, 1-245 (park in University Parking Garage)
Director: Carlos Saura
Origin: Spain
Language: Spanish
Running time: 110 min
Director Carlos Saura's haunting tale -- part psychological drama and part political parable -- features a mesmerizing turn by Ana Torrent. After watching her mother (Geraldine Chaplin) succumb to cancer, 9-year-old Ana (Torrent) blames the death on her womanizing father (Héctor Alterio) and tries to poison him. When he dies of a heart attack while in bed with a lover, Ana mistakenly assumes she's responsible for his demise. (from Netflix.com)
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
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Review of last week's film (Pariah, 3.5 stars)Steven says: This is a film based in reality. It's not just about a teenager's sexual identity. It places that coming-of-age conflict in a larger context of growing up in an African-American home in a major city. All of these qualifiers add depth to the story and to the outcome. It's a lesson in families, too. Who do you symphatize with, empathize with? The ending scenes are powerful, including a wonderful poem about "Breaking Open." The soundtrack deserves some recognition, too, for showcasing unknown (to me) artists while elevating the story line.
This week only -- we will be in Beering Hall, 1-245 (park in University Parking Garage)
Director: Carlos Saura
Origin: Spain
Language: Spanish
Running time: 110 min
Director Carlos Saura's haunting tale -- part psychological drama and part political parable -- features a mesmerizing turn by Ana Torrent. After watching her mother (Geraldine Chaplin) succumb to cancer, 9-year-old Ana (Torrent) blames the death on her womanizing father (Héctor Alterio) and tries to poison him. When he dies of a heart attack while in bed with a lover, Ana mistakenly assumes she's responsible for his demise. (from Netflix.com)
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
---
Review of last week's film (Pariah, 3.5 stars)Steven says: This is a film based in reality. It's not just about a teenager's sexual identity. It places that coming-of-age conflict in a larger context of growing up in an African-American home in a major city. All of these qualifiers add depth to the story and to the outcome. It's a lesson in families, too. Who do you symphatize with, empathize with? The ending scenes are powerful, including a wonderful poem about "Breaking Open." The soundtrack deserves some recognition, too, for showcasing unknown (to me) artists while elevating the story line.
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