DAVE CHAPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY (UNRATED) - 2005
Directed by Michel Gondry, Starring Dave Chapelle.
Black people are cooler than everyone, and everyone knows this. During this film, the only white person you will aspire to be is Michel Gondry, but that's normal for me. Or, okay, maybe it will just inspire to buy a Dead Prez album.
This is a surprising little documentary. It traces the creation and events of a block party that comedian Dave Chapelle held in Brooklyn. If you are unfamiliar with his work, or the work of musicians who perform, this is a great introduction. If the music alone doesn't stir your soul, then the Wonka-esque wish-giving certainly will. Finally, a millionaire doing something randomly fun AND provoking with those millions.
All the beauty in the filming, all quirky characters Chapelle encounters, and even Chapelle in his unconditional hilarity, truly take a back seat to the performances.
My advice: Listen.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Schizopolis
SCHIZOPOLIS - 1996
Written and Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Starring Steven Soderbergh.
How had I never heard of this film before? Why didn't I watch it every other day after high school?
A paranoid office worker finds his own life paralleled by an ordinary dentist, with whom his wife happens to have an affair. The plot unfolds around a popular new philosophy, Eventualism, and its conceiver. That doesn't sound half as circular and twisted as it is, but that's because I left out a lot. I don't want to ruin anything... Like the exterminator that uses the free word association of Eventualism to fuck housewives. See?
This masturbatory creation from Soderbergh is definitely for people who enjoy wacky movies, and movies in general. You have to want to see new narratives, let go your linear desires, and USE your own imagination during the viewing. Soderbergh achieved something mysterious too. Sometimes there are scenes in movies that are unbearably annoying. And then I think, Oh, the director WANTS me to feel annoyed, oh. Right away I usually think, But I am seriously annoyed, and I despise this stupid director and this movie. So, in Schizopolis, you feel annoyed, yet you forgive Soderbergh and the film. That is a really difficult thing to do. Then again, I love movies, and this movie was made for me. Schizopolis is not for the typical movie-goer. You must think to get the jokes.
I thought it was brilliant- hilarious, a great metaphor for this week's new philosophy, clever, and actually very well acted. The end of the second act dragged its feet, but it was worth it in the end. I will probably have to see it again, and again, as Soderbergh initially suggests. I wish more of his films were this true, this dedicated. Full Frontal was one of the worst dog shit films ever made and I can't believe I stayed in the theater. You have redeemed yourself, Mr. Soderbergh!! I will add this to my list of Movies I Tell People to See. And he's right, it IS your own fault if you don't get it, look alive!
Written and Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Starring Steven Soderbergh.
How had I never heard of this film before? Why didn't I watch it every other day after high school?
A paranoid office worker finds his own life paralleled by an ordinary dentist, with whom his wife happens to have an affair. The plot unfolds around a popular new philosophy, Eventualism, and its conceiver. That doesn't sound half as circular and twisted as it is, but that's because I left out a lot. I don't want to ruin anything... Like the exterminator that uses the free word association of Eventualism to fuck housewives. See?
This masturbatory creation from Soderbergh is definitely for people who enjoy wacky movies, and movies in general. You have to want to see new narratives, let go your linear desires, and USE your own imagination during the viewing. Soderbergh achieved something mysterious too. Sometimes there are scenes in movies that are unbearably annoying. And then I think, Oh, the director WANTS me to feel annoyed, oh. Right away I usually think, But I am seriously annoyed, and I despise this stupid director and this movie. So, in Schizopolis, you feel annoyed, yet you forgive Soderbergh and the film. That is a really difficult thing to do. Then again, I love movies, and this movie was made for me. Schizopolis is not for the typical movie-goer. You must think to get the jokes.
I thought it was brilliant- hilarious, a great metaphor for this week's new philosophy, clever, and actually very well acted. The end of the second act dragged its feet, but it was worth it in the end. I will probably have to see it again, and again, as Soderbergh initially suggests. I wish more of his films were this true, this dedicated. Full Frontal was one of the worst dog shit films ever made and I can't believe I stayed in the theater. You have redeemed yourself, Mr. Soderbergh!! I will add this to my list of Movies I Tell People to See. And he's right, it IS your own fault if you don't get it, look alive!
Seven Beauties
SEVEN BEAUTIES - 1975
Directed by Lina Wertmuller, Starring Giancarlo Giannini.
I have prescribed myself some Italian cinema lately, and this film is worth a write up. I rented it because Wertmuller was one of but TWO female directors prominent in Italian cinema at the time. After viewing Seven Beauties, I think you'll agree, it's true what they say: everything has been done before, possibly better, in the films of the 1970s. Ugh to be a filmmaker then, Lina, you lucky bastard!
I have this very forgiving love for watching movies without any warning to their subject matter. Sometimes this leads to watching Conversations with Other Women, sometimes it leads to remarkable gems. But oddly enough, I often fall into this Holocaust trap. With books as well, I will have no idea I'm in for concentration camps and torture, but there I am! Right at the heart of a time history I feel very strongly about (ohh I am so deep can you stand it?). Seven Beauties was such an event.
The first five minutes of the movie are an amusing foundation. Right away you know you're in for ghastly subject matter and laughter that should make you ashamed, but never does. A Holocaust prisoner trying to win his freedom by seducing a fat fuck Nazi... what do you do with that situation? Do you laugh or weep? I ended up doing both. And there are many similar scenes throughout, all linking together to form this staggering portrait of war, a terrible man, and brutal sexuality, where you find humanity at every turn. Does that sound like a film review vomit burp? It's really how I felt: like there was a prevailing human element in these inhuman actions. Every time a Holocaust movie jumps me in a back alley, I'm left with this inevitably romanticized version of dying, be it of spirit or body. But Seven Beauties was life in death, like humanity in the utterly obscene. Which is funny. Which is mortifying. Which is why movies are made.
My advice: Fuck Life is Beautiful. It was done before, better.
Directed by Lina Wertmuller, Starring Giancarlo Giannini.
I have prescribed myself some Italian cinema lately, and this film is worth a write up. I rented it because Wertmuller was one of but TWO female directors prominent in Italian cinema at the time. After viewing Seven Beauties, I think you'll agree, it's true what they say: everything has been done before, possibly better, in the films of the 1970s. Ugh to be a filmmaker then, Lina, you lucky bastard!
I have this very forgiving love for watching movies without any warning to their subject matter. Sometimes this leads to watching Conversations with Other Women, sometimes it leads to remarkable gems. But oddly enough, I often fall into this Holocaust trap. With books as well, I will have no idea I'm in for concentration camps and torture, but there I am! Right at the heart of a time history I feel very strongly about (ohh I am so deep can you stand it?). Seven Beauties was such an event.
The first five minutes of the movie are an amusing foundation. Right away you know you're in for ghastly subject matter and laughter that should make you ashamed, but never does. A Holocaust prisoner trying to win his freedom by seducing a fat fuck Nazi... what do you do with that situation? Do you laugh or weep? I ended up doing both. And there are many similar scenes throughout, all linking together to form this staggering portrait of war, a terrible man, and brutal sexuality, where you find humanity at every turn. Does that sound like a film review vomit burp? It's really how I felt: like there was a prevailing human element in these inhuman actions. Every time a Holocaust movie jumps me in a back alley, I'm left with this inevitably romanticized version of dying, be it of spirit or body. But Seven Beauties was life in death, like humanity in the utterly obscene. Which is funny. Which is mortifying. Which is why movies are made.
My advice: Fuck Life is Beautiful. It was done before, better.
Factotum
FACTOTUM - 2005
Directed by Bent Hamer, Starring Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor.
Holy crap! I just saw this gem last night, for two reasons: I know the Production Designer and I recently read Bukowski's Ham on Rye. Right out of the gate, Dillon is a great Bukowski. Just gross and haggard enough to portray an alcoholic dead beat asshole writer with potential. And his voice, frequently narrating and quoting text, was a wonderful raspy addition to the grit of the film. Lili Taylor, doomed to being perfect in secondary roles in tiny movies, was a of course perfect casting choice. And that's damn important in a film like this.
Noticeably great sound design!
The reason I found this movie to be of worth was that I did not know what the word factotum meant before seeing the first five minutes of the movie. It means having many jobs. And so this is relevant to me and my many job-ed lifestyle, and so I'm thinking the whole time: Good thing I'm not an alcoholic yet, Good thing I have a place to live, Gotta keep writing...
My advice: See it if you like Bukowski and slow movies. Factotum won't change your life, or... maybe it will. Maybe you'll be stabbed while watching it or meet your soul mate in the theater, how the fuck can I say?
Please note: I am the only person, it seems, with anything good to say about this film. That happens sometimes.
Directed by Bent Hamer, Starring Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor.
Holy crap! I just saw this gem last night, for two reasons: I know the Production Designer and I recently read Bukowski's Ham on Rye. Right out of the gate, Dillon is a great Bukowski. Just gross and haggard enough to portray an alcoholic dead beat asshole writer with potential. And his voice, frequently narrating and quoting text, was a wonderful raspy addition to the grit of the film. Lili Taylor, doomed to being perfect in secondary roles in tiny movies, was a of course perfect casting choice. And that's damn important in a film like this.
Noticeably great sound design!
The reason I found this movie to be of worth was that I did not know what the word factotum meant before seeing the first five minutes of the movie. It means having many jobs. And so this is relevant to me and my many job-ed lifestyle, and so I'm thinking the whole time: Good thing I'm not an alcoholic yet, Good thing I have a place to live, Gotta keep writing...
My advice: See it if you like Bukowski and slow movies. Factotum won't change your life, or... maybe it will. Maybe you'll be stabbed while watching it or meet your soul mate in the theater, how the fuck can I say?
Please note: I am the only person, it seems, with anything good to say about this film. That happens sometimes.
Conversations with Other Women
CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER WOMEN - 2005
Directed by Hans Canosa, Starring Helena Bonham Carter and Aaron Eckhart.
Someone I recently met told me I would love this movie. I take these comments seriously and I don't know why. Even people I know for years don't know what movies I'll like, let alone this dude I knew for all of a week. Regardless, apparently, I went to go see Conversations with Other Women with my movie date friend, along with another friend I hadn't seen in a year. Laying my credibility on the line, all for an off-hand remark.
It may be obvious at this point that I didn't LOVE the movie. It wasn't terrible, but certain things about this movie are ingredients for cinematic failure. Now I shall list them. 1. Split screen. Ok, I get it, this was the Whole Point, right? That was the magic of the concept? Mmmhmm. I disagree. Split screen is spectacle. It's hard enough to suspend your belief for an on-screen attempt at reality that mimics your singular-perspective vision. It's downright impossible to attach yourself to a story if you don't know where to look. Just watch Timecode. No nonono don't watch it. Sorry. Just think about it if you've already had the error in judgement. 2. Flashback. Note: not all flashbacks are movie poison. But these were: younger versions of the two characters acting out the dramas their present selves discuss. Canosa, I have an imagination. Thanks for the help, but the flashbacks were annoying speed bumps. 3. The Trick. It was no M. Night Wacky Carpet Yanker, but slowly, over the last half of the movie, you realize that you were being led astray the WHOLE TIME. I thought it would have been much more interesting/less frustrating if instead of leading up to this one truth, that all of the situations could have been true. That she was a stranger, a one night stand, a lover, a wife, etc. Alas. I just don't like being psyched out, when there were no clues to the truth. 4. Adjacent title. Booo. Or... maybe I missed something?
My Advice: Watch Before Sunrise instead. Better dualing script, a plot with depth, one screen... If nothing else, Julie Delpy's hair won't be a third character cough cough like Carter's cough cough...
Directed by Hans Canosa, Starring Helena Bonham Carter and Aaron Eckhart.
Someone I recently met told me I would love this movie. I take these comments seriously and I don't know why. Even people I know for years don't know what movies I'll like, let alone this dude I knew for all of a week. Regardless, apparently, I went to go see Conversations with Other Women with my movie date friend, along with another friend I hadn't seen in a year. Laying my credibility on the line, all for an off-hand remark.
It may be obvious at this point that I didn't LOVE the movie. It wasn't terrible, but certain things about this movie are ingredients for cinematic failure. Now I shall list them. 1. Split screen. Ok, I get it, this was the Whole Point, right? That was the magic of the concept? Mmmhmm. I disagree. Split screen is spectacle. It's hard enough to suspend your belief for an on-screen attempt at reality that mimics your singular-perspective vision. It's downright impossible to attach yourself to a story if you don't know where to look. Just watch Timecode. No nonono don't watch it. Sorry. Just think about it if you've already had the error in judgement. 2. Flashback. Note: not all flashbacks are movie poison. But these were: younger versions of the two characters acting out the dramas their present selves discuss. Canosa, I have an imagination. Thanks for the help, but the flashbacks were annoying speed bumps. 3. The Trick. It was no M. Night Wacky Carpet Yanker, but slowly, over the last half of the movie, you realize that you were being led astray the WHOLE TIME. I thought it would have been much more interesting/less frustrating if instead of leading up to this one truth, that all of the situations could have been true. That she was a stranger, a one night stand, a lover, a wife, etc. Alas. I just don't like being psyched out, when there were no clues to the truth. 4. Adjacent title. Booo. Or... maybe I missed something?
My Advice: Watch Before Sunrise instead. Better dualing script, a plot with depth, one screen... If nothing else, Julie Delpy's hair won't be a third character cough cough like Carter's cough cough...
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