What an amazing film! Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola sponsored it's resurrection. While certainly overall a communist propaganda film, it goes way beyond it, to be a very modern film.Directed by Soviet filmmaker Mikhail Kalatozov it is a masterpiece of black and white filmmaking. The use of amazing black and white filtration, ultraviolet filmmaking, spectacular storytelling and absolutely stunning tracking shots, is simply first class filmmaking. Kalatosov unfortunately would not have been considered for an Academy Award in the world of Cold War 1960s, , but the film is certainly worthy of one. A very modern story, with the sets using 1963 Havana, before the rot set in, makes it feel like any modern city. The story, could be taken from Viet Nam, Egypt 2011, Nicaragua 1984,or wherever a corrupt dictatorship, sponsored by western corporate support, is running roughshod over people just trying to live their lives. The film "Even the Rain" is similar to this in general idea. If you are into film, you really ought to see this film, regardless of your politics. Check out the fabulous trailer for it. I don't give it a 10, because it's storyline is bit dated and stilted, but still, the script is much more modern than many films of it's day. I suppose that given that the Manchurian Candidate was produced in this era, that it's right up there with that kind of film from the US.
Reviews
9 Reviews
The Way Way Back
(2013)
Just wonderful.
20 December 2013
I was just bowled over by this, and not because it was the most 'dramatic' film of the year. I expected nothing out of this going in except a couple hours of my time. Instead, it just was a really fun ride. Everything worked, much like 'Groundhog Day". The script, wonderful ensemble cast, fluid direction, spot on casting, made for just a fun couple of hours that I would recommend to anyone. There are so many ways this could have gone wrong, overly played. But it just worked and the direction kept everyone where they should be. Congratulations to the entire production team, and all I can say is that everyone should see this. Even if it's not a 10 in your book, you'll still love it.
Mixed Nuts
(1994)
Don't bother
20 December 2012
This may be the worse Christmas movie ever made. Plot was really bad, so the brilliant cast had no where to go but up, but really couldn't overcome the story. It is really amazing that according to IMDb the budget of $15M was spent on this rather than helping the homeless.
Steve Martin is a name draw that you would expect to have at least a passable script to accept. Jon Stewart of the Daily Show is in this along with Parker Posey, but they have bit roles and I assume it was before either of them were known.
We have a pile of Christmas movies that we reserve every year for getting together with family, and hoped that maybe this would be an addition to that. I think the verdict is clear, forget it.
Steve Martin is a name draw that you would expect to have at least a passable script to accept. Jon Stewart of the Daily Show is in this along with Parker Posey, but they have bit roles and I assume it was before either of them were known.
We have a pile of Christmas movies that we reserve every year for getting together with family, and hoped that maybe this would be an addition to that. I think the verdict is clear, forget it.
Where Do We Go Now?
(2011)
Superb film..well worth the watch
18 November 2012
The storyline on this wonderful small film shot in Lebanon and other locations, is that the women of this part of the middle east are just fed up with the senseless death of their sons, brothers and fathers, due to religious sectarianism. The steps they go to, to end this insanity are wonderfully funny, and very much to the point of what is needed to break the cycle of violence.
The script is a gem. The team of writers, including director and co-star Nadine Labaki, is just great. It pulls us from comedy through tenderness and tragedy. The acting troupe is very good, very believable. It seems to be shot on location, sets are real enough to make you believe you are there.
The cinematography is great, really showing the town as it is, and placing you very much in the middle of the scenes. Nice lighting, color balance is warm and soft, giving a very homey look to the locations.
It's all too seldom that we who are not in the middle of a internal civil war such as this get to see a window into the world that is trying to hang on to it's sanity, not yet having fallen over the precipice into full scale chaos.
This is a very wonderful, funny, and poignant window into that world, told by people who are very close to the real situation. It could not have been invented by a California filmmaker.
It falls into the classes of films like "The Debt" and "of Gods and Men", stories of middle eastern conflict that are not set pieces, or play to western stereotypes of what is happening there, though it is much 'lighter' and less of a drama than those. This has much more light hearted nature than those films.
9 stars out of ten, for wonderful original storyline, wonderful unknown cast, good acting, great cinematography, nice weaving of humour and pathos, contemporary story, without being trite, solid editing. Also just a good movie, beyond all the technical nonsense.
So if you have read this far, saw those other films, and liked them, you likely will like this better. Again, hard to imagine you will be disappointed in this gem.
The script is a gem. The team of writers, including director and co-star Nadine Labaki, is just great. It pulls us from comedy through tenderness and tragedy. The acting troupe is very good, very believable. It seems to be shot on location, sets are real enough to make you believe you are there.
The cinematography is great, really showing the town as it is, and placing you very much in the middle of the scenes. Nice lighting, color balance is warm and soft, giving a very homey look to the locations.
It's all too seldom that we who are not in the middle of a internal civil war such as this get to see a window into the world that is trying to hang on to it's sanity, not yet having fallen over the precipice into full scale chaos.
This is a very wonderful, funny, and poignant window into that world, told by people who are very close to the real situation. It could not have been invented by a California filmmaker.
It falls into the classes of films like "The Debt" and "of Gods and Men", stories of middle eastern conflict that are not set pieces, or play to western stereotypes of what is happening there, though it is much 'lighter' and less of a drama than those. This has much more light hearted nature than those films.
9 stars out of ten, for wonderful original storyline, wonderful unknown cast, good acting, great cinematography, nice weaving of humour and pathos, contemporary story, without being trite, solid editing. Also just a good movie, beyond all the technical nonsense.
So if you have read this far, saw those other films, and liked them, you likely will like this better. Again, hard to imagine you will be disappointed in this gem.
Even the Rain
(2010)
A superb gem of a film.
9 November 2012
I have thought a lot about this film since seeing it.. I don't often give a film 10 stars, but i do believe this film will be on many people's top lists as they discover it. The plot is superb, drawing on modern themes, it sweeps you into many layers of storytelling. Thesurface of the film within the film, within the film, and the undercurrent of the water war, right out of modern headlines, but likely unknown to many western viewers. Plot twists throughout. An unpredictable ending. Realistic almost documentary style to the filming . The ensemble cast is just tight and believable,much like a Mamet piece. The superb acting of the native cast, wholly believable in the roles, makes the movie draw you in as if you are watching real life happening in front of your eyes. The tension between the well meaning modern young Europeans ( and ultimately, us, the Western viewer) and their inability to deal with what they have helped create, gives the film it's importance, I think that if you like tight dramas, modern thrillers that don't rely on huge amounts of FX but simply excellent storytelling, you'll love this. Should it be on your shelf for viewing more than once? Absolutely.
Meek's Cutoff
(2010)
One of the most worthless films I've ever seen
9 November 2012
I rarely trash a film, as I understand that a lot of effort goes into making one. A lot of hopes and dreams. But If I could give this 0 stars, I would. Awful about sums it up. Not quite like true trash, like a bad porno movie, but awful because they just should have realized there was a script that didn't work, before shooting. The pretext that this is drama worth paying for is what dooms this to 1 star. Really, don't bother to spend 2 hours watching this. Both my wife and I, who have very different tastes, both hated it. We watched it for two hours waiting for something to happen. Nothing did. The scenery is OK. Camera-work is OK. I ended up fast forwarding through the last 30 minutes, looking for a plot twist to justify backing up and watching it. None came. No Spoiler needed, as there's plot device to spoil.. The ending isn't even worth waiting for. It's beyond me why the producer's wasted their money on such a nothing script. The acting is fine, for what the actors were given to work with. That the director has the gumption to put his name right after the end of the movie, as the first credit, is quite astonishing. I think I would have buried it below the horse wrangler. The action is non existent, the plot flounders around and doesn't make any sense. Again. Don't bother with this.
Salvation Boulevard
(2011)
a great little film
9 October 2012
While this is not Casablanca, this is a great little sleeper of a film. Great cast, funny script, good production values, I'm just astonished it bombed at the box office.
The story of a preacher gone bad, a dead head turned believer, and a cast of character actors that are very well cast. It's a slapstick of a film, but we live in a world where that isn't enough.
The plot is right on the money, with with a series of turns and twists that entertain at every junction. I've never seen Pierce Brosnan as well cast as the Evangelical that goes astray. Greg Kinnear is superb in the role of the deadhead turned believer who has his faith tested. Ed Harris is perfect in the role of anti-Christ author, Marisa Tomei is just hilarious as the redeemer of Greg. Jennifer Connelly plays a very convincing wife who just can't believe that the pastor is in the wrong. Isabelle Furman plays a wonderful role in the daughter who is caught in the middle.
Great funny lines, incredibly fun acting. If you are looking for a fun night and need a video, this is it. I have to imagine this film might be more successful over time, and as people discover it. If you are a born again Christian, this might not be your cup of tea.
The story of a preacher gone bad, a dead head turned believer, and a cast of character actors that are very well cast. It's a slapstick of a film, but we live in a world where that isn't enough.
The plot is right on the money, with with a series of turns and twists that entertain at every junction. I've never seen Pierce Brosnan as well cast as the Evangelical that goes astray. Greg Kinnear is superb in the role of the deadhead turned believer who has his faith tested. Ed Harris is perfect in the role of anti-Christ author, Marisa Tomei is just hilarious as the redeemer of Greg. Jennifer Connelly plays a very convincing wife who just can't believe that the pastor is in the wrong. Isabelle Furman plays a wonderful role in the daughter who is caught in the middle.
Great funny lines, incredibly fun acting. If you are looking for a fun night and need a video, this is it. I have to imagine this film might be more successful over time, and as people discover it. If you are a born again Christian, this might not be your cup of tea.
Love Crazy
(1941)
Horrible. Don't bother
23 October 2011
A terribly written film, obviously milking the Powell/ Loy magic long after it was gone. Don't waste your time. An unfunny movie. Not even clever.
While the Thin Man and subsequent sequels were clever, by 41 it seems they should have killed this pairing. Bad scripting showed along with half hearted acting that they were only in it for the money. While the movie was not specifically a Thin Man film, the plot was pulling from it, and the insanity plea for the divorce was really lame, probably even by those standards.
I found the movie boring and distasteful. Couldn't wait for it to end. You'll do yourself a favor passing on it.
While the Thin Man and subsequent sequels were clever, by 41 it seems they should have killed this pairing. Bad scripting showed along with half hearted acting that they were only in it for the money. While the movie was not specifically a Thin Man film, the plot was pulling from it, and the insanity plea for the divorce was really lame, probably even by those standards.
I found the movie boring and distasteful. Couldn't wait for it to end. You'll do yourself a favor passing on it.
James' Journey to Jerusalem
(2003)
A wonderful movie. Well worth seeing
8 April 2011
This is just a gem of a little film, the story of a young man who is the pride of his village, sent to Jerusalem to seek wisdom. Boy does he get it! It is a thoroughly modern film, one that documents the plight of the country boy to the city in our warped modern world. As opposed to all the horrible sex and violence films of today, this just tells a great story of our times. While a dark tale, it never falls into depression, and instead James' wonderful point of view and the filmmaker's light touch really makes the story come alive. It is well cast, competently shot, a very strong screenplay, unusual for us in North America as it shows the reality of today's Israel through the eyes of a young African Christian, without becoming religiously preachy. Highly recommended and I would also recommend this for teens.
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