My Week in Film (10/6 - 10/12)

Ratcatcher (1999)
(Directed by Lynne Ramsay)

Very moody and awesome with fantastic cinematography and performances that just get to me. Childhood + great cinematography + good performances = success!!! The film feels very familiar to other stories and films we might've seen (it plays like a greatest hits) but what really is making it special for me is its setting. It takes place during the 1970s Scottish garbage men strike so pretty much everything is run down with trash so it acquires this really strange atmosphere to it. Not only that but I also love all the family dynamics (love the little sister!) and I love that the biggest obstacle to be found is just some bored teenage boys. Plus the kid has big ears!

★★★★

We Own The Night (2007)
(Directed by James Gray)

There's a lot to like here. James Gray is definitely talented. Some really great cinematography, setpieces and acting (Phoenix is great). The movie is far slower than what perhaps the story (which isn't that great) called for but this pace allows us to soak in a lot of little, odd details that make what should feel familiar a lot more original. There's also just a lot of great shots and set pieces. I love the opening (not for the obvious reason ) because of the way that Joaquin Phoenix comes out of the shadows (the look on his face!). It looks great (plus the music that's used throughout is great). And the drug bust scene + and the car chase are both fucking fantastic.

So, yes, I'll admit that the story isn't that great and the ending is a bit too much (although the setting and the execution is awesome) but it's in the things that the film does differently that makes it special.

★★★

Adrift in Tokyo (2007)
(Directed by Satoshi Miki)

Very funny. Very warm. The film's about a slacker or something (Odagiri, who's awesome) who owes a bunch of money to a loan shark. The loan shark is like "man, FUCK that AIGHT? Just take a walk with me around Tokyo and I'll clear the debt for you." The premise is simple, sure, but the kinda off-handed execution is what makes it work. The way that they just stumble into situations and odd characters along the way. The film has a kind of random sense of humor (a simple question turns into a display of someone's karate skill) that appeals to me. Of course, just the idea of walking around Tokyo is appealing to me. Ultimately, the performances are charming and although you can guess at the outcome of the story, it pulls it off in its own kinda "oh" way. Good stuff!

★★★1/2

The Happening (2008)
(Directed by M. Night Shyamalan)

Uh, lol? I mean, that's the only way I can honestly deal with this movie. It's all a big CINECAST!ing joke. Otherwise, there's no way to get through it. It fails as a suspense film... cuz there's none of it. I mean, sure, some of the set pieces are cool (the one with Leguizamo although that's ruined too cuz of the retarded math riddle bit). There's also just so many other stupid things (wait, are you talking to a CINECAST!ing plant? ) that it distracts from whatever atmosphere that could possibly be there. So, whatever good qualities this film might possess are just utterly lost to me when faced with the rest of this shitfest.

However, it's kinda hilarious at parts so... good job?

uh, dunno.

★

Branded to Kill (1967)
(Directed by Seijun Suzuki)

Definitely some kind of film. A deliberately confusing and sometimes straight up surreal deconstruction/mockery of the Yakuza genre, Branded to Kill is pretty entertaining moments at a time but most of the time is spent wondering... why? Anyway, lots of cool stuff here + some crazy sex stuff as well which helps... but... so... boring... somehow. But, roujin, aren't you impressed by the totally bizarre stuff going on here and how it's a slap in the face at the style of the times? Yes & No. First of all, CINECAST! you . Second of all, that doesn't make it entertaining

Maybe I'll like Tokyo Drifter more? I'd love to see what Suzuki can do with color.

★★

Ménilmontant (1926)
(Directed by Dimitri Kirsanoff)

You know, I guess this had a plot. Something about a murder and a pregnancy but what really matters here is that of purest of things: the image. The film has no intertitles but that doesn't even register. Every single image conveys so much abstract and immediate beauty (I love all the overlaid images) that that alone is enough for me to call it a great film. Duder might disagree but I really liked the score (probably wouldn't have liked this as much without it) so... whatever... Anyway, another reminder that these older films... yes, they are worth watching...

★★★★

Let's give it Lynne this time...

Jhon's Movie of the Week is... Ratcatcher...

Cuz I have big ears too