Celluloid #83

In Theaters

Cracks (2010) Scott - Moody film featuring a predictable plot, but a great amount of tension and awesome, surreal, slow-motion diving scenes. A group of girls at a British boarding school are threatened by the addition of a new girl from a wealthy aristocratic Spanish family. She's beautiful and talented and has become the new teacher's pet--completely against her will. 3.5/5

In Home

Babel (2006) Inarritu - Once again Inarritu presents us with a series of intertwining stories, this time taking place in four different continents. The title alludes to the difficulty and confusion that come with a diversity of language and culture. This film is a bit of a mess, but not as bad as I remembered it upon first viewing. I was personally most attracted to the Tokyo storyline about the deaf-mute girls, but I have to acknowledge that is was the least connected to the other stories...3.5/5

la Collectionneuse (1967) Rohmer - Two men and a young woman live as roommates in a country mansion. At first the young woman is ignored or berated for her promiscuity, but after a while, both men pursue sexual relations with her (to varying success). 3.5/5

the Fifth Element (1997) Besson - In the future, a cataclysmic event is about to occur and can only be prevented by aligning ancient artifacts with the "fifth element" - a female alien-type. This film is flashy, colorful, full of action, and essentially the definition of a pop film. 4/5

Leon: the Professional (1994) Besson - A 12 year-old's family gets killed by a dirty cop during a drug bust and she seeks refuge with her neighbor, who happens to be a sensitive hit-man. I think this is the strongest film in Besson's filmography that explores the idea of turning young women into killers. (See also La Femme Nikita and even the Fifth Element) 4.5/5

Manhattan (1979) Allen - This film was the epitome of Woody Allen - neurotic, relationship-obsessed, and featuring a pairing between a 17 year-old girl and a 40-something man. Admittedly, I do not worship at the altar of Allen, so I found this movie to be fine, not something to drool over. People are cheaters, brokenhearted, or all too willing to compromise - all of which makes love look like a bad idea. 3.5/5

Maya Deren: Experimental Films (1943-1959) Deren - Lots of dance incorporated into these short films. Choreography is used as a stylized way to represent interactions. This is a fine collection of films, but as a side note, as I am being exposed to experimental film, I cannot help but compare this genre to poetry, by which I mean that both forms work better for me within the context of a narrative. One can use poetic language in a novel or experimental techniques within a film to make the overall artifact stronger, but each on its own leaves seems often a little silly. 4/5

McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) Altman - Revisionist Western that actually takes place in the Northwest. The title characters are essentially small business owners of the local saloon and brothel. Men from a larger business or trust seek to buy McCabe out. After he refuses, he faces severe danger to his life. Leonard Cohen soundtracks this film where everybody seems to be having a rough time. 4/5

Salesman (1968) Maysles - Documentary about Bible salesmen that provides a series of snapshots into peoples' homes. In addition to our glimpse into Middle America, we also get to see the inner workings of the salesman trade, including motivational conferences promising reward or punitive measures. Lastly, we see the casual racism present in the language of these aging men. 3.5/5

Celluloid #82

In Theaters

Date Night (2010) Levy - Last night I got suckered into seeing this romantic comedy for the married set. I like Steve Carell and Tina Fey in their respective shows, but I'm not a fan of them in starring roles in films. For two people who are often very funny, this movie rarely brought any laugh out loud moments.(The bloopers and a moment when my roommate gasped at a lizard featured in one of the previews elicited more chuckles) I didn't have high expectations, but even still, found myself getting annoyed with predictable lines and plot conventions. 1.5/5

In Home

Beauty and the Beast (1946) Cocteau - Surrealist take on the classic story. I enjoyed the old school special effects. In addition, in this version, the Beast exchanges outer appearances with the "handsome" man who originally asked for Belle's hand. 4/5

City Lights (1931) Chaplin - Chaplin is charming as ever playing the "Little Tramp." He falls for a blind girl who works at a flower shop. She believes him to be a wealthy man and he helps her get an operation for her eyes, knowing that she may reject him once she can actually see his shabby appearance. Abrupt ending, but nice in its irresolution. 4/5

the Draughtsman's Contract (1982) Greenaway - In 17th Century England, the lady of an estate makes an arrangement with a local artist. For twelve days, he will produce twelve drawings of the house and landscape as a gift to the woman's husband. In exchange, he will get full room and board and twelve sexual favors. 3.5/5

Innocent Voices (2004) Mandoki - While any story about the heartbreak of child soldiers should be incredibly moving, I was too annoyed by the hammy child actors. The film focuses on the terrors of turning 12 - the age when soldiers forcibly recruit boys into the military. They can try to hide or join the guerilla forces, but every option is a loser. 3/5

Lorna's Silence (2009) Dardenne - Lorna is in a sham marriage with a junkie in order to obtain Belgian citizenship. Her partner wants to kill the fake husband because it's quicker than getting a divorce. Lorna has a little more compassion and wants to avoid murder. She is put through the ringer for her humanity, which isn't all that surprising considering the brutality of many of the Dardenne brothers films. 4/5

Machuca (2005) Wood - At an all-boys Catholic school, a progressive priest decides to integrate some boys from the poorer neighborhood with the current students who are primarily children of the elite. Meanwhile, socialist president Allende has come to power, much to the frustration of the upper class. Gonzalo and Pedro (one of the new boys) become friends despite their class differences. 3.5/5

Phantom Museums (1979-2003) Quay - Stop-motion animation in the lineage of Jan Svankmajer. These shorts are creepy and surreal and have been featured in contexts as varied as MTV, art museums, and the film Frida. 4/5

the Searchers (1956) Ford - A John Wayne vehicle where a family is massacred by a tribe of Indians. One of the young girls is believed to have been adopted by the tribe. For five years, Ethan and Debbie's brother search for her. Once they find her, she doesn't want to leave. Whether this is chalked up to love of the Indians or brainwashing is unclear. There is some pretty blatant racism, but that mostly has to do with how this film has dated. Perhaps one could even argue against the racism, but then you have to side against the protagonist. 3/5

28 Days Later (2002) Boyle - Zombie film where nearly all of England is infected by a virus unleashed from a research lab. Our protagonists are a group of four: Jim, a former bike messenger; Selena, a tough and sexy black woman; Hannah and her dad. They band together in search of a military rescue station, but once they arrive, they are confronted with the ugliest side of humanity. 4/5

Test Pattern #3

Battlestar Galactica (Seasons 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 4.5) - Jon and I spent a good portion of the end of last year watching this entire series. Season 1 had Jon jumping on the couch in excitement over the initials battles between the remaining human race and a race of robots called Cylons. I think this show is interesting for so many reasons that are probably better articulated elsewhere on the internet. In addition to this epic storyline with religious undertones about finding a new home, various plots deal with human rights, abortion, slavery, religious expression, the military, martial law and treason. I would guess that most viewers fall on the left side of the political spectrum, but sometimes the show seems to at least superficially take conservative stances--an aspect that I find fascinating, especially when you find yourself saying things like "just let Adama (the admiral and military leader) do what he wants" when I would never express a similar sentiment in real life. In addition to being thought-provoking, the show is immensely entertaining even when there are throwaway episodes. My only real complaint is that I think Season 4.5 could have been abandoned all together, as I prefer the ending presented at the end of Season 4.

Big Love (Season 3) - In this very short season, the focus is happily on Nikki Grant, the second wife and daughter to Roman Grant. Roman is despicable for his practices as "the Prophet" of Juniper Creek; exiling teenage boys and marrying off teenage girls. However, as his daughter, Nikki is still ever seeking his approval, this time in the form of lying to her own family by working in the law office who is responsible for prosecuting Roman. Nikki is my favorite character on the show, precisely because she makes bad and selfish decisions. In addition to that storyline, Bill and the other wives are courting a fourth wife, and Sara has to deal with a pregnancy that she cannot share with anyone. 

Firefly (Season 1- the only season) - I was caught a little off-guard when I realized that this show was essentially a Western set in Space (for some reason, I imagined it to be more "Space-y"). At times you would be forgiven for not realizing that this had anything to do with Space at all. Mal captains a ship with a motley crew, that makes a living by transporting goods, often of an illegal nature. They are at odds with the government sponsored military, and therefore have to fly below the radar or at the outskirts of the explored planets. Meanwhile, part of the crew includes a brother-sister pair of fugitives. Overall, a pretty fun show that should have easily been renewed for additional seasons.

Homicide: Life on the Street (Season 1 & 2) - Before the Wire, there was Homicide. It was written by the same key players and used to air on NBC in the 1990s. Once again, the setting is Baltimore, but this time the main characters are all on the same shift in the Police Department. It's fun to see Richard Belzer play Detective Munch (as he does on Law & Order) and Yaphett Kotto play Lieutenant Giardello. The cast also features a Baldwin and Melissa Leo. A typical episode may focus on a case or a couple cases being handled by various pairs of partners, intertwined with the detectives' personal lives, philosophies, etc. The visual style is particulary gritty and nearly monochrome in Season 1. I also appreciate that the cases don't always get solved.

the O.C. (Season 2, 3, & 4) - I think Season 1 and 2 of this series aren't too bad in the context of teen dramas, but it would be difficult to make the same argument for the Seasons 3 & particularly 4.  Season 2 sticks to the typical teenage high school/romance dramas of Season 1, with the additional drama of having Ryan's bad-boy brother Trey invade the lives of the main characters. Season 3 includes a lot of drama between Ryan, Marissa, and Marissa's new friend Johnny, who predictably loves Marissa. Johnny is perhaps the most tragic character on the show, never getting anything that would make him happy. After the death of one of the main characters at the end of Season 3, Season 4 takes a serious nosedive. The season starts out with a ridiculous revenge scheme, and then episodes later everyone seems fine and even more unbelievable relationships start up. The last episode is particularly saccharine and overall, I don't like the way loose ends are tied up.

RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 1) - Season 2 is only a few episodes from ending, but in a fit of impatience, Jon and I devoured the first season (it's only 8 episodes) via LOGO's website. This show is essentially America's Next Top Model, but with sewing, lip-synching, and much more bitchiness. Obviously, being a reality show, there are no real plot-lines, but it's difficult to not get swept up in the camp of it all. I loved Nina Flowers and Ongina, precisely because of their androgyny rather than "realness." Their styles just seemed so much more creative than the competitors and it is a shame that they didn't win. Either one of them would have dominated all of the girls in Season 2...