Brother's Keeper

The trio of Ward brothers are a curious bunch. They may or may not be telling the truth - as elderly men, they act and speak like children, and are not grounded in an understanding of societal mores. The film triggers mixed emotions. Sympathy, certainly. Disgust. Disbelief. Joy. "Brother's Keeper" is a singular tale worthy of viewing.


Written 7/14/09

L'Avventura

Was this really considered to be the best film submitted at the Cannes Film Festival in 1960? If so, then that certainly was a dour year for cinema. "L'Avventura" is decent enough, but hardly worthy of such substantial praise. The characters depicted are largely hollow shells, meandering about. The director Antonioni romances the female lead - Monica Vitti - with his camera lens. He is visibly enamored with her, and rightly so - she is a vibrant screen presence. Unfortunately, her character submits to a scoundrel of a man and we are forced to observe the fallout. The film contains lovely Italian countryside scenery, and some interesting social commentary, but it all ends up seeming a bit antiquated and ponderous.


Written 7/14/09

The Staircase

This is gripping stuff - the equal of any scripted courtroom drama you will ever see. Every character is vivid and there are more twists and turns in the profiled case than you could ever imagine from the outset. Be aware that the film contains a lot of graphic imagery -- crime scene photos, and the like. Viewer discretion is essential. "The Staircase" is incredible, patient documentary filmmaking. I was continually riveted.


Written 7/5/09

Mon Oncle

"Mon Oncle" is a series of set pieces and gags, most of which are effective, but many do fall flat. Despite this film's accolades, one can't help but feel that shaving 15 minutes off the total running time would greatly enhance the work. Nonetheless, Jacques Tati's careful, charming diatribes against modern technology and the dominant oppression it enforces upon its human "owners" continues to ring true in present day. We humans have not shaken our love of gadgets and sleek design! In "Mon Uncle", Tati argues in favor of a simpler kind of life.


Written 7/2/09

The Conversation

Absolutely outstanding in every regard. "The Conversation" is saturated with imaginative camerawork, skillful editing, haunting sounds, and studied performances. The story twists and turns in a dizzyingly Kafka-esque fashion, but Francis Ford Coppola deftly navigates a purposeful course. "The Conversation" is a rare work, reminding viewers that film can indeed be art.


Written 6/30/09

Children of Heaven

"Children of Heaven" would be a simple trifle of a film if not for the brilliance of the child actors. They elevate the work through their sensitivity and depth of emotion. Like other reviewers, I agree that the ending of the film is thoroughly unsatisfying. The director strives for poetry when he ought to have opted for crowd-pleasing. No one wants to see lovely children suffer and suffer, with no ultimate respite displayed! Nonetheless, this is a charming family tale worth savoring.


Written 6/30/09

The 400 Blows

A cautionary tale that rings as true today as it must have upon its release 50 years ago. "400 Blows" does well to encapsulate the breadth of juvenile delinquency. Adults are maligned as tyrannical agents of governance, saddling youths with unfair expectations. Jean-Pierre Léaud shines in the lead role, sinking further and further within himself as one institution after another lets him down. The filmmaking is evocative and lively, portraying both vast urban landscapes and dysfunctional, cramped home environs with equal aplomb.


Written 6/26/09