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Time Exposure (2012)
Small is Beautiful
Or should I say short. Basically it's stills, family history, and a simple reflection on film maker Alfred Guzzetti's father's experience with photography, and how that may have influenced Alfred. He answered questions after the film and made no positive conclusions. Brief, intelligent, made me think about my own influences as a still photographer. If I write ten lines about this, I'll end up describing the film so well you won't need to see it. If Time Exposure shows up on a program of shorts or before a longer film, go see it. Only 9/10 because I think Guzzetti has more to say. I hope he does. May be of particular interest to Philadelphians.
Aventure malgache (1944)
30 Minutes of Melodrama, Underplayed Dénoument
May contain spoiler- I don't see one, you might.
This movie was commissioned to boost the exploits of the résistants after France was liberated- a political move on the part of DeGaulle's government in exile. It is well made, acted, and directed- the only fault on Hitchcock's part I mention below. The story moves at a steady pace and the actors and actions are entirely believable, whether or not the whole story is true.
The only problem I had was with the end. Those actions should have taken a larger part of the movie and involved more characters. This movie was not released because it shows how the French were divided on what course of action to take in the many aspects of their lives. Unity was the goal audiences were to come away with- Aventure failed in that aspect.
There is no reason to not see this movie if you have a chance- it won't come around again soon. I admit I didn't appreciate the wonderful ending until the next day.
I am biased toward this film because I am fascinated by the ambiguity of life in WW2.
L'école des facteurs (1947)
Elegance in Simplicity
Most people reading this will have seen Jour de Fête already. L'École des Facteurs is better. In all arts I find paring the subject down its essentials makes a greater impact on the viewer or listener. Whereas Jour de Fête is a nostalgic look at a fading France, L'École is all action of character and his foils. Few moments are left for the foils (or victims) to react, not a moment is wasted. It is a series of sketches seamlessly stitched together into a hilarious narrative- not an easy feat.
But I am of the television generation, to whom 22 minutes makes an hour. I want my entertainment to get down to business, which may explain why I prefer the short format.
Eh bien, vous avez besoin de quelque chose de plus? (What more do you need?)
The Day of the Locust (1975)
A Dissenting Voice
I wasn't going to write a review but felt guilty that someone might read all the film school gushing and watch this dreck. I'm not a young man and I regret wasting 2½ hours just to learn a lesson.
Very good acting, great characterization, loathsome characters (which I like) and an excellent premise, but just a premise. We unfortunate viewers are bashed over the head with the idea that people in Hollywood are bad. Over and over and over for two hours and twenty four minutes. This may be a spoiler, but how can I spoil something that rotted before the novel's author sat down at his Corona portable? The over the top ending is not needed to reinforce Hollywood bad- it is needless violence- not even entertaining violence. I've said this before and fear I will say it again- you can't act your way out of a bad script.
Don't watch this movie, if only to learn from its mistakes. Find a copy of Carey McWilliams' Southern California Country (1946). His book covers the thinking behind Hollywood and its neighbors in greater depth and with wit.
Lesson learned for the short remainder of my life- no more 1970s dramas except for thrillers.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Laugh Out Loud, Yet Still Art
I know my review will add nothing that hasn't been said before, but I hope to leave a brief review to convince you and your friends to see this movie, rather film.
Moonrise Kingdom is many things at once. It is a laugh out loud comedy. It is filled with deadpan performances and snappy dialog of the 1930s kind, although a few characters show anger in places. It is a work of art in the sense that every scene is framed perfectly. I liken it to a gallery of portraits and a few landscape paintings that move. It has a good story that moves along at a good pace. It is also heartwarming, but not in an earnest, saccharin, true-life-TV- movie way. Nor is it nostalgic.
In addition Moonrise Kingdom has elements that reached me on a personal level. Anyone who has scrambled in the woods and coast of southern and eastern New England will know the landscape in this film like an old friend. More personal still, as a coincidence my mother's name gets a fleeting mention, and I wear patchwork madras trousers, as does Bill Murray. You will find an element, however fleeting, that resonates.
In short, if you are reading this review to decide to watch Moonrise Kingdom at any time, in any format, you will not be disappointed. Unless you are very fussy.