"Searching for Sugar Man" is a Swedish/British documentary about the efforts of two South African fans of American musician Rodriguiz to uncover what became of their favorite musician. Rodriguiz became a huge star in South Africa but not much was known about him. Rumors abound about the fate of the musician who seemed to have all the right makings of a star but didn't make it big in America.
This film is simply amazing. The soundtrack, Rodriguiz's music, made a fan out of me. I thought the editing and cinematography were great. The interviews and clips really pull the audience in and made me feel like I was along on this journey to find Rodriguiz along with his fans. I don't want to spoil the movie's secrets but I think that there is a lot to enjoy here. From start to finish, this is a musical journey that you will love being on!
Rent this one today! A+ for me and I'm still listening to Rodriguiz weeks later
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Movie Review: Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011)
"Being Elmo" is a documentary about the early years and rise to fame of puppeteer Kevin Clash, who is most famous for voicing and creating Elmo on Sesame Street. The film follows a young Clash as he practices creating and making his first puppets and then becomes inspired by the work of Jim Hensen and Frank Oz. Later Clash meets Hensen and Oz, who recognize his talent and mentor him. Clash flourishes into a successful puppeteer and seeks to carry on the Hensen tradition of puppeteering and to mentor the next generation.
This film is really a good background piece on Clash's early life and how he became the man behind Elmo, a much beloved character. Not knowing anything about puppeteering, this film is interesting as kind of a behind the scenes look at what goes into making puppets, creating characters, and performing with puppets. Overall it's a well-done piece though the more recent allegations about Clash regarding sexual misconduct with minors put a bit of a damper on my enjoyment. Though I want to judge this film as a stand-alone piece, there is the obvious question about where these allegations fit into Clash's story. The film does not touch much on Clash's personal life other than his relationship with his daughter from his previous marriage.
Aside from the misconduct allegations, this film is a winner. It's enjoyable and shows that behind the scenes information in an engaging format. For the film alone, I give it A- but I understand why some will be put off from the film based on the serious nature of the allegations against Clash.
This film is really a good background piece on Clash's early life and how he became the man behind Elmo, a much beloved character. Not knowing anything about puppeteering, this film is interesting as kind of a behind the scenes look at what goes into making puppets, creating characters, and performing with puppets. Overall it's a well-done piece though the more recent allegations about Clash regarding sexual misconduct with minors put a bit of a damper on my enjoyment. Though I want to judge this film as a stand-alone piece, there is the obvious question about where these allegations fit into Clash's story. The film does not touch much on Clash's personal life other than his relationship with his daughter from his previous marriage.
Aside from the misconduct allegations, this film is a winner. It's enjoyable and shows that behind the scenes information in an engaging format. For the film alone, I give it A- but I understand why some will be put off from the film based on the serious nature of the allegations against Clash.
Movie Review: Bully (2011)
"Bully" (2011) is a documentary follows three US public school students who are bullied daily and also two families who lost sons to suicide after enduring bullying. Filmed during the 2009-10 school year, the audience sees the students enduring bullying and talking about how bullying effects their lives.
While difficult to watch, this movie is a must-see. The film lays bare what way too many students endure on a daily basis in American schools: bullies. While bullying is not a new concept, I've never seen it depicted in such a raw fashion, for example, when the cameras follow a then 12 year-old Alex on the school bus where he is treated as a human punching bag by the kids he desperately wants to be accepted by. In fact, the violence against Alex reaches a level where the filmmakers feel they must show the evidence to school administrators and Alex's parents. The interviews with the families of the deceased students who were victims of bullying are just heartrenching - there's no other way to describe it. Luckily there is some hope in the form of activism by these families, which is picked up by other students including some bullied themselves.
While tough to watch, please watch this film! A- for me for tackling a very difficult subject and hopefully influencing much-needed dialogue about bullying
While difficult to watch, this movie is a must-see. The film lays bare what way too many students endure on a daily basis in American schools: bullies. While bullying is not a new concept, I've never seen it depicted in such a raw fashion, for example, when the cameras follow a then 12 year-old Alex on the school bus where he is treated as a human punching bag by the kids he desperately wants to be accepted by. In fact, the violence against Alex reaches a level where the filmmakers feel they must show the evidence to school administrators and Alex's parents. The interviews with the families of the deceased students who were victims of bullying are just heartrenching - there's no other way to describe it. Luckily there is some hope in the form of activism by these families, which is picked up by other students including some bullied themselves.
While tough to watch, please watch this film! A- for me for tackling a very difficult subject and hopefully influencing much-needed dialogue about bullying
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Movie Review: Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
"Beasts of the Southern Wild" is a fantasy/drama about a young girl named "Hushpuppy" (Quvenzhane Wallis) who lives in a southern Louisiana community called "bathtub," which is cut off from the rest of the world by a levee). It's like a post-Katrina world where this whole group of people live all to themselves beyond the levee. As a storm approaches, many citizens of the bathtub flee but Hushpuppy stays to ride out the storm with her hot-tempered father Wink (Dwight Henry). Wink seems to have some sort of health issue, but he doesn't want to scare Hushpuppy. Rather he focuses on teaching her and building her skills so that she can take care of herself. After the storm, Hushpuppy, her father, and other residents of the bathtub struggle to rebuild while Wink faces his health issues.
This movie is a bit different given the fantasy element of these prehistoric creatures who come out after the big storm but I liked it a lot. There's definitely some similarities to post-Katrina Louisiana but I think the film is overwhelmingly about Hushpuppy and how the strength of one little girl can rally a community. The film is told from Hushpuppy's perspective and the audience sees how she grows in confidence and spirit throughout the film. I was impressed with Wallis as an actress. Reportedly she was five years old when she auditioned for the role and she really owns the screen in this role. I'm hoping that she will continue to grow as an actress because she's off to such a great start. The film itself is a visual treat and something you just have to drink in. Very imaginative and creative. Watch out for this one at awards time.
I really liked this film but I think it's for those willing to watch something artistic and allegorical. A- for me.
This movie is a bit different given the fantasy element of these prehistoric creatures who come out after the big storm but I liked it a lot. There's definitely some similarities to post-Katrina Louisiana but I think the film is overwhelmingly about Hushpuppy and how the strength of one little girl can rally a community. The film is told from Hushpuppy's perspective and the audience sees how she grows in confidence and spirit throughout the film. I was impressed with Wallis as an actress. Reportedly she was five years old when she auditioned for the role and she really owns the screen in this role. I'm hoping that she will continue to grow as an actress because she's off to such a great start. The film itself is a visual treat and something you just have to drink in. Very imaginative and creative. Watch out for this one at awards time.
I really liked this film but I think it's for those willing to watch something artistic and allegorical. A- for me.
Movie Review: Liberal Arts (2012)
"Liberal Arts" follows thirty something Jesse (Josh Radnor), who is a bit lost in an unfulfilling job in New York City and recently dumped by his girlfriend when a former professor (Richard Jenkins) calls and invites him back to his alma mater in Ohio for his retirement dinner. During his visit to campus, Jesse is overcome with nostalgia for his college days. He meets a sophomore, Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), who becomes his pen pal and somewhat romantic interest despite his misgivings over the age difference between them. When Jesse returns to campus the second time to specifically visit Zibby he begins to see how he has grown since college and find the joy in post-college life.
This film is understated but an unexpected treat. Radnor is famous for his TV role in "How I Met Your Mother" but he demonstrates his more dramatic chops here as the sensitive and striving Jesse. I liked Olsen as the precocious Zibby, who wants to almost fast-forward time to catch up to Jesse and the version of herself she sees she'll be in the future post-college. This movie is really a must-rent for anyone who has had those nostalgic feelings about the good-old-days in college when things were "simplier." The audience really sees Jesse struggle with his memories of carefree college and yearning for those times when post-college seems more complicated and less interesting. There's some good supporting acting from Allison Janney, who is Jesse's favorite former professor who turned him on to romantic literature but he finds out she's hardly a romantic herself when they run into each other during his campus visits. The most surprising thing about this movie is a small role where Zac Efron, best known for "High School Musical" plays "Nat" a hippie student character who turns up and offers very helpful advice to Jesse when he needs it most. I hope this is the beginning of different roles for Efron other than teen heartthrob parts because I liked him in this film.
As I mentioned, this one is understated and more drama than comedy for sure. Very different than Radnor's TV role so his usual fans may be disappointed but those who like well-acted and thoughtful drama will appreciate it. B+
This film is understated but an unexpected treat. Radnor is famous for his TV role in "How I Met Your Mother" but he demonstrates his more dramatic chops here as the sensitive and striving Jesse. I liked Olsen as the precocious Zibby, who wants to almost fast-forward time to catch up to Jesse and the version of herself she sees she'll be in the future post-college. This movie is really a must-rent for anyone who has had those nostalgic feelings about the good-old-days in college when things were "simplier." The audience really sees Jesse struggle with his memories of carefree college and yearning for those times when post-college seems more complicated and less interesting. There's some good supporting acting from Allison Janney, who is Jesse's favorite former professor who turned him on to romantic literature but he finds out she's hardly a romantic herself when they run into each other during his campus visits. The most surprising thing about this movie is a small role where Zac Efron, best known for "High School Musical" plays "Nat" a hippie student character who turns up and offers very helpful advice to Jesse when he needs it most. I hope this is the beginning of different roles for Efron other than teen heartthrob parts because I liked him in this film.
As I mentioned, this one is understated and more drama than comedy for sure. Very different than Radnor's TV role so his usual fans may be disappointed but those who like well-acted and thoughtful drama will appreciate it. B+
Movie Review: Departures (2008)
"Departures" is a 2008 Japanese drama and winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009. The movie centers on Daigo Kobayashi, a cellist in a Tokyo orchestra. When the orchestra disbands, Daigo and his wife Mika move to Daigo's hometown and into the house his mother left him after her recent death. Daigo begins to confront his feelings of guilt over not taking better care of his mother, who raised him alone after his father ran off, and his anger at his absent father. Daigo finds a job ad for someone to "assist with departures" and eagerly applies. To his surprise the job is preparing the dead for burial in ceremonial fashion in front of the deceased's family/friends. Though he is originally reluctant, Daigo begins to see the value in the job and the joy he can bring to the grieving family. His wife and friends, however, see the job as beneath him and insist he quit.
Very beautifully done and moving, this movie is a treat. You do have to use the subtitles but really the acting especially by Masahiro Motoki in the lead role conveys the message well. The movie has moments of real beauty and emotion but there's some comic relief there too from Daigo's new friends in the "departure" business. I think the movie really speaks to the ceremony and rituals that we go through dealing with death and how Daigo finds value in providing them. Just a beautiful film from start to finish and a real treat to watch in any language. Rent this one! Solid A.
Very beautifully done and moving, this movie is a treat. You do have to use the subtitles but really the acting especially by Masahiro Motoki in the lead role conveys the message well. The movie has moments of real beauty and emotion but there's some comic relief there too from Daigo's new friends in the "departure" business. I think the movie really speaks to the ceremony and rituals that we go through dealing with death and how Daigo finds value in providing them. Just a beautiful film from start to finish and a real treat to watch in any language. Rent this one! Solid A.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Movie Review: Savages (2012)
"Savages" is a suspense/thriller from Oliver Stone (director). The film centers on two pot growers/dealers Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) who share a girlfriend named O (Blake Lively). The three live a fantasy California life in a beach house together with no jealousy between them until a Mexican drug cartel headed by Elena (Selma Hayek) tries to muscle the guys into a partnership. Despite seeing evidence of the violence the cartel's muscle guy, Lado (Benicio del Toro), is capable of, Ben and Chon refuse the deal then pretend to reconsider while planning to leave the country with O. Lado kidnaps O and her guys decide to do what it takes to get her back even if that means they must sink to the level of savages.
I wanted to like this movie but it just came across as really average for me. The scenery and cinematography were good. The plot started pretty good, though there's really not enough depth on how/why the three main characters formed this non-jealous and all-love relationship that's strong enough that the two guys will resort to high levels of violence to rescue her. The plot really falls apart at the end - just not really satisfying. I did really like Hayek and del Toro and thought their work was very good as the bad guys. John Travolta is decent in his supporting role as a dirty DEA agent playing all the angles. I wasn't overwhelmed with Lively or Kitsch. Look for a very small role by Emile Hirsch (too small in my opinion). A lot of violence in this movie.
Solid C- for me because it's just average and lacks in depth and a good ending
I wanted to like this movie but it just came across as really average for me. The scenery and cinematography were good. The plot started pretty good, though there's really not enough depth on how/why the three main characters formed this non-jealous and all-love relationship that's strong enough that the two guys will resort to high levels of violence to rescue her. The plot really falls apart at the end - just not really satisfying. I did really like Hayek and del Toro and thought their work was very good as the bad guys. John Travolta is decent in his supporting role as a dirty DEA agent playing all the angles. I wasn't overwhelmed with Lively or Kitsch. Look for a very small role by Emile Hirsch (too small in my opinion). A lot of violence in this movie.
Solid C- for me because it's just average and lacks in depth and a good ending
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