Celluloid #149

In Theaters


Polisse (2012) Maiwenn - Watching this felt very much like watching a couple episodes of a French version of "Homicide: Life on the Streets" except these detectives investigate child protective concerns rather than murders. We see a variety of cases - all pretty depressing with many involving some form of molestation. In addition to the cases, we get to see an insight into the detectives' personal lives. Overall, a fairly enjoyable view, and even includes a short dancing sequence, but I really didn't like the ending. 3.5/5

In Home


the Basketball Diaries (1995) Kalvert - Jim's doing heroin. There are many reasons he has gotten to this point - his best friend is dead, his dad isn't around, his mom is a poor nag, his friends huff, and he goes to Catholic school where his coach wouldn't mind touching Jim's dick. The only things that give Jim any reason to live are basketball and writing. The first half is much better than the second. Once Jim has become a total addict, the acting gets a little overwrought and the performance art scenes toward the end made me want to groan. 3/5
 
Nobody Knows (2005) Koreeda - A mother abandons her four kids in an apartment. Already the younger three have to keep their existence secret, and only the 12 year-old attends school. Once the mom leaves, apparently to start a new life with another man, the kids do all right for a while, withdrawing money from the ATM and getting the surplus from a local grocery store. However, as time passes and none of the bills are paid, utilities begin shutting off and they have no way of getting assistance without fear that Child Protective Services will come and split them up. The film emphasizes mood and imagery and depicts childhood in a way not often seen. 4/5

Red Road (2006) Arnold - A woman who works for the city surveillance crew one day sees on camera the man responsible for killing her family in a car crash many years earlier. Since he has already served his prison sentence, she decides to get him into trouble again by staging a rape of herself. 3.5/5

Celluloid #148

In Theaters


the Sound of My Voice (2012) Batmanglij - A journalist (Peter) and his girlfriend (Lorna) are trying to penetrate a cult in order to make an investigative documentary. The cult leader, Maggie, is a young woman who claims to be from the year 2054. She's more of a quiet presence than a big charismatic personality, but her meetings include emotional breakthroughs and puking up apples. This film loves its ambiguity, much to the frustration of some viewers, but I found myself interested the entire time and fine with all of the unanswered questions. 4/5

In Home


Dead Presidents (1995) Hughes Brothers - It's the 1960s and Anthony decides that college isn't for him, so he enlists. After two tours in Vietnam, he returns to meet his daughter and gets sucked into a life of petty crime. Frustrated with the lack of jobs and lack of respect, he gets a crew together for an epic robbery of an armored  vehicle delivering currency to be destroyed. The heist does not go as planned and everyone has to face the consequences. 3/5

the Leopard (1963) Visconti - Old school Italians getting scandalous - love triangles, revolutions, betrayals, etc. Ultimately very forgettable for me despite featuring heartthrob Alain Delon. 3/5

Paper Moon (1973) Bogdanovich - First off - I loved this film. Moze, a 1930s grifter/con man goes to pay his respects at a former lover's funeral. He gets stuck transporting the daughter (presumably his daughter also, all though he denies it) to a relative in another state. Along the way this sassy, cigarette-smoking girl proves herself to be gifted with the skills necessary to con, and the two develop a successful scheme and a surprisingly touching friendship. In addition to the charming story, this film also looks great and I would recommend it to anyone. 5/5

Test Pattern #11

Homeland (Season 1) - The return of Claire Danes to television, and probably the best debut season to come out in a while. Claire plays Carrie, a gifted CIA officer who believes that a returning POW has been turned by enemy forces. That game of cat and mouse is already compelling on its own, but Carrie's a bit more complicated with her sexual habits and her secret mental illness.

In Treatment (Season 1) - A glimpse inside Dr. Paul Weston's psychology practice. The episodes follow one patient's therapy for each day of the work week, including Paul's own therapy with a colleague, for about 6 weeks. Season 1 has Laura and all of her relationship and transference issues, Alex and his PTSD and father issues, Sophie the teen gymnast and her attempted suicide, and Amy & Jake's crumbling marriage. Meanwhile, Paul is dealing with his own family drama, namely that his wife is having an affair.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 4) - Well the gang continues to act badly. Season 4 doesn't offer up anything particularly different, so I would assume that people have decided if they like this show or not by now. I do have to point out that this season contains one of my least favorites episodes - "Who Pooped the Bed?"

New Girl (Season 1) - I really wanted to not like this show. I've been saying that Zooey Deschanel is totally overrated for years - just a cute girl with her stupid cotton commercials. However, after accidentally watching an early episode, and being prepared to hate it, instead I found myself laughing aloud and relating a lot to the characters. I think the show is smart in addressing Zooey's brand of quirk and how it may be off-putting for some, but I also think it has a lot of heart in the interpersonal relationships between all of the roommates.

RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 4) - I think this season may have had the weakest competition yet. There really wasn't a clear frontrunner until the last few episodes. Also, I think the girls were not required to do as much difficult costume construction...previous episodes have made a big deal about who could sew and who couldn't, but that never really came up. I'm happy with the winner, but even she was a queen that I initially didn't like, but really came around to for her sense of humor throughout the season.

Skins UK (Season 5) - I don't think any generation of the Skins cast will be as compelling as the first one. This time we have Franky, an androgynous girl who experienced a lot of bullying at her last school. Matty and Nick, brothers who struggle with each other, but even more so against their father. Mini the bitchy virgin, Liv the slutty one, and Grace the good girl are all best friends. Grace also gets involved with metal rocker Rich. And then there's weirdo Alo. I think it's fair that this show is getting cancelled.

the Voice (Season 2) - Coaches got have twice as many people on their teams to increase show duration (apparently something that NBC needed badly to boost their ratings). The blind auditions were fun again, but during the battle rounds, I think the judges made some really poor choices. Even after many favorites were gone, I still felt compelled to watch. Some other noticeable trends were that America for a while only seemed like it was going to save the men in the competition. Also, Christina seemed to be on quite the bitchy rampage this year. Where last year Adam and Christina seemed to have a sibling type relationship, this year I felt like she made a point to criticize Adam and his final team member at every chance. She also cannot shut up about herself, even when trying to give someone a compliment. I hope she settles down next season.

the Walking Dead (Season 2) - This season immediately correct the problems with the ending of season 1. For most of the season, the group is staying on a farm. The family that still lives there vacillates between being on good or bad terms with Rick and company. There's also a number of shocking deaths, but I was glad that the show went there. 100% better than the previous season.