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Vie en Rose
 (1997) French, subtitlesDirector: Alain Berliner Screenwriter: Alain Berliner, Chris Vander Stappen Principals: Michele Larque, Jean-Philippe Ecoffey, Helene Vincent My Life in Pink is a film about a young boy who wants to be a girl. The boy, Ludovic, exhibits an innocence that transcends the patriarchal perceptions of the adults that surround him. His feelings are totally misinterpreted by his parents, and later by their friends and neighbors. Besides its perceptive treatment of gayness, this film also exhibits something seldom seen in America, European suburban life. Magnolia  (1997) IndieDirector/Screenwriter: Paul Thomas Anderson Principals: Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman This three hour long film is wordy and difficult, but worth every bit of your undivided attention. Director Paul Thomas Anderson gives us an ensemble cast of polished actors who are able to transform a script involving numerous stories into a greater whole with an overarching plot and even biblical allegory. Magnolia rises above the mundane and takes you to emotions and ideas which stretch the imagination. For all who appreciate serious filmmaking. Malunde  (2001) South Africa, EnglishDirector/Screenwriter: Stefania Sycholt Principals: Kagiso Mtetwa, Ian Roberts Set in post-Apartheid South Africa, Malunde follows a former white soldier who is unwittingly brought together with a homeless, eleven year old, street-smart kid. A road trip ensues and this most unlikely couple discovers miraculous destinations and new ways of looking at themselves. Actors Ian Roberts and Kagiso Mtetwa are believable and touching as the soldier and the boy. This film is heartwarming without going over the top and becoming sappy. This is an excellent film to view with a child. Mambo Italiano  (2003) IndieDirector/Screenwriter: Emile Gaudreault Principals: Luke Kirby, Ginetter Rino, Paul Sorvino This comical film about two gay Italian men is no critical success but it still merits consideration. Once the gay lovers come out of the closet, their families set off enough fireworks to power a July 4th display in the nation’s capital. Luke Kirby, Ginette Reno, Paul Sorvino and the rest of the cast hit just about every comedic note. Stereotypes abound and the actors play it over the top, but smile, laugh and mambo...Italiano. The Man Who Wasn’t There  (2001) IndieDirector: Joel Coen Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen Principals: Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini The Coen Brothers work their magic with this tribute to film noir. Set in Santa Rosa, California, in 1949, a somnolent barber gets involved with a con man which leads to blackmail, murder, and double cross. This black & white film has so many shades of gray that your eyes will never grow tired. It stars Billy Bob Thornton and Frances McDormand but the reel stars as always are the Coens. Their screenplay will surprise you at every turn and the cinematography, set design, and costumes perfectly capture the time period and genre. Manic  (2001) IndieDirector: Jordan Melamed Screenwriter: Michael Bacall, Blayne Weaver Principals: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Don Cheadle This film is about teenagers who can’t control their anger and are sent to a hospital for group therapy. This film never gets all sappy or pulls any punches. The young actors are very convincing and Don Cheadle plays an understanding psychotherapist. The only thing wrong with this film is the jerky camera effects employed ad nauseam by director Jordan Melamed. A Man’s Gotta Do  (2004) AustralianDirector/Screenwriter/Producer: Chris Kennedy Principals: John Howard, Rebecca Frith * Unfortunately, this film is not available for purchase, but there is a website with clips and a director bio. Nobody likes this film but me, and maybe you will too. Set in an Australian suburb, the look of this film with its every shade of pastel, split level houses will tickle your funny bone. In this surreal locale, Eddie, a henpecked fish-catching hit man whose sidekick faints at the sight of blood, goes off the deep end when his wife becomes pregnant. It turns out that Eddie had a vasectomy without his wife knowing. By now, you get the picture or I hope you do. Producer/screenwriter/ director Chris Kennedy has created a very funny satire which will keep you laughing throughout. Margaret’s Museum  (1995) CanadianDirector: Mort Ransen Screenwriter: Gerald Wexler, Mort Ransen Principals: Helena Bonham Carter, Clive Russell This odd, little movie tells the story of a small Nova Scotia town in the 1940s. Helena Bonham Carter plays a girl whose father and brother were killed in “the pits” as the mines were called. A former miner played by Clive Russell enters her life and helps her deal with the past. Carter and Russell find the right chemistry, and the cinematography is beautiful without needless sentimentality. At the end, strangeness abounds but that’s really what Margaret’s character is all about. Maria Full of Grace  (2003) Columbia, subtitlesDirector/Screenwriter: Joshua Marston Principals: Catalina Sandino Moreno Three girls down on their luck get mixed up with some drug exporters and agree to deliver narcotics to the U.S. Things go from bad to worse in a journey filled with great expectations, tragedy and redemption. Writer/director Joshua Marston has crafted a very tight, powerful drama which exemplifies the plight of so many helpless people. Through all of her suffering, Maria, played by Catalina Sandino Moreno exhibits a courage, honesty and intelligence beyond her youth.. Matewan  (1987) IndieDirector/Screenwriter: John Sayles Principals: Chris Cooper, David Strathairn, Mary McDonnell This film chronicles the Matewan, West Virginia Massacre in 1920. The workers in the coal mines are treated like dirt and this leads inevitably to bitter unrest, upheaval and a shoot-out. This, like all of John Sayles’ films, is direct, dramatic, educational, but never dull or sappy. Chris Cooper and David Strathairn once again give outstanding performances in a Sayles film along with James Earl Jones and Mary McDonnell. Powerful filmmaking and powerful history make for a great combination. Me Without You  (2001) British, could use
subtitlesDirector: Sandra Goldbacher Screenwriter: Sandra Goldbacher, Laurence Coriat Principals: Michelle Williams, Anna Friel, Kyle MacLachlan This film covers the thirty year friendship of two unlikely girlfriends. Simple, childish at times, but this film still packs enough emotional wallop and interesting storytelling to merit a look-see. Michelle Williams, Anna Friel and Kyle MacLachlan are believable and likeable even when they do things we don’t want them to do. Stick around for the ending which is the best part of this film. Mean Streets  (1973) IndieDirector/Screenwriter: Martin Scorsese Principals: Robert DeNiro, Harvey Keitel Martin Scorsese fills the screen with Catholic imagery, Italian ethnicity, and New York hood life to the extent that the audience can even smell the grime on the mean streets. This film is an earlier, unpolished, raw version of his masterpiece, Goodfellas. Mean Streets stars Robert DeNiro and Harvey Keitel in powerful, breakthrough performances. Another highlight is the way Scorsese moves the camera to the dance and rhythm of Johnny Boy (DeNiro) and Charlie (Keitel). Monsoon Wedding  (2001) English and
subtitlesDirector: Mira Nair Screenwriter: Sabrina Dhawan Principals: Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey, Shefali Shetty So you’ve seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but strap in because the Greeks have nothing on Hindu Indians when it comes to weddings. This film is bursting at the seams with color, beauty, and lively relationships. The screenplay is sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes surprising, and always interesting. Director Mira Nair paints celluloid like Picasso painted canvas. Monster  (2003)
IndieDirector/Screenwriter: Patty Jenkins Principals: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci Charlize Theron is as good as advertised in this Oscar winning performance. Based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, this is a searing portrait of a hooker who goes bonkers and ends up murdering her johns. Tie in a love affair with a lesbian played by Christina Ricci and this film provides enough wacky moments to throw off any audience. What holds it altogether is the uber-realistic performance by Theron, and the crafty direction and screenplay by Patty Jenkins. Monster’s Ball  (2001)
IndieDirector: Marc Forster; Screenwriter: Milo Addica, Will Rokos Principals: Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger, Halle Berry, Peter Boyle This film is about the prison system in the old South. But, it really is about some unlikely characters and their even more unlikely relationships. Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger and Halle Berry make difficult characters believable, but the scene stealer is Peter Boyle who puts a capital “R” on the word racist. The mature ending of this film tells us that acceptance is good enough. Mostly Martha  (2002)
German, subtitles Director/Screenwriter: Sandra Nettelbeck Principals: Martina Gedeck, Maxime Foerste, Sergio Castellitto This film is about a passionate chef, who lacks the emotion for anything but cooking. Things change drastically when her niece comes to live with her and an Italian chef comes to work at the restaurant. For some reason, movies about cooking are usually great fare. Mostly Martha is accentuated with a witty screenplay, subtle humor, and loads of heart. My only qualm is the cheesy Hollywood-esque ending. The Motorcycle Diaries  (2004)
Spanish, subtitlesDirector: Walter Salles; Screenwriter: Jose Rivera Principals: Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna This film chronicles a road trip taken in 1952 by medical student, Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and his friend, biochemist, Alberto Granado. Stars, Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo de la Serna, breathe heart and soul into every frame of this real life voyage of self discovery. Director Walter Salles and screenwriter Jose Rivera create a lyrical, beautiful film which treats the numerous epiphanies in the story with grace and subtlety. See this film for the acting, for the beauty of the countryside, for a look into the early life of Che, and for the heart and mind it expounds… see this film. Mrs. Brown  (1997) BritishDirector: John Madden Screenwriter: Jeremy Brock Principals: Judi Dench, Billy Connolly This is the story of Queen Victoria’s bout with depression after the death of her husband, and her resurrection largely brought about by her close friendship with Mr. John Brown. Judi Dench plays the title role with exuberance and grace. Billy Connolly creates a character filled with heart and intelligence. Director John Madden presents us with an interesting historical drama punctuated by munificent shots of the Scottish landscape. My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown  (1989)
IrishDirector: Jim Sheridan; Screenwriter: Shane Connaughton Principals: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker This wonderful film is truly filled with wonder. It is based on Brown’s autobiography of the same name which was later expanded into the novel, Down All The Days. Brown became an accomplished artist and writer in spite of a debilitating cerebral palsy. Jim Sheridan directs this beautifully drawn piece starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker. Day-Lewis gives a once in a lifetime performance capturing Brown’s indomitable spirit, and Fricker won numerous awards as well. My Left Foot is a story of love, hope and redemption, and can’t help but light up your life. See this film. My Mother’s Castle  (1990)
French, subtitlesDirector/Screenwriter: Yves Robert Principals: Philippe Caubere, Nathalie Roussel, Didier Pain This film tells the boyhood story of filmmaker, Marcel Pagnol. Director Yves Robert creates a sentimental, beautiful piece about what is good about families and the places they call home. My Mother’s Castle is a wonderful film with wit and feeling which will stay with you for days on end. Mystery Train  (1989)
Indie, subtitles but mostly English Director/Screenwriter: Jim Jarmusch Principals: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Steve Buscemi This is another quirky, weird film from Director Jim Jarmusch. It tells three stories about seven people who all stay at a seedy hotel in Elvis’ Memphis. They never meet until they board a mystery train which goes somewhere but is anybody’s guess. Sometimes the only thing that matters is the ride and this is one strange ride. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Steve Buscemi, et al, give bizarrely wonderful performances. For anyone who wants to take a look at the other side of the mirror. Napoleon Dynamite  (2004)
Indie Director/Screenwriter: Jared Hess Principals: Jon Heder Writer/director Jared Hess fashions a very funny film reminiscent of Welcome to the Doll House. The teen-flick plot is annoying and over-used, which forces the film to rely on its characters to keep the audience entertained. Jon Heder’s Napoleon is geeky to the point of coming across as mentally challenged but he never gives up on being just as successful as the popular kids in high school. His best friend Pedro and his even nerdier brother play their roles over the top, but it is these characterizations that keep the laughs coming. The venue is Idaho and Hess’ camera captures its barrenness and serenity in such a way that accentuates what is happening to Napoleon. Sometimes surreal and always weird, this film is personified by a character who exemplifies the geek in all of us. Next Stop Wonderland  (1998)
Indie Director/Screenwriter: Brad Anderson Principals: Hope Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman Writer/director/editor Brad Anderson creates a romantic tale full of twists and turns. In the end, love finds a way of winning out just as surely as a subway car reaching the last station. Hope Davis is perfect as the brainy lady who continually finds loneliness and despair at every turn. Philip Seymour Hoffman has a minor role but is dead on whenever he appears. Just remember that Wonderland could be your very next stop. Nicholas Nickleby  (2002)
English Director/Screenwriter: Douglas McGrath Principals: Charlie Hunnam, Jamie Bell, Anne Hathaway This adaptation of the Dickens novel by director Douglas McGrath is filled with colorful characters and luscious landscapes. Its largely unknown stars do yeoman work, and are supported by such heavyweights as Christopher Plummer, Nathan Lane, Tom Courtenay and Jim Broadbent. Dickens, the master storyteller, always wrote memorable characters, the most heroic of heroes and the lowest of villains, as well as enough plot twists and turns to keep the reader guessing throughout. And McGrath does Dickens justice. Omagh  (2004)
Irish Director: Pete Travis Screenwriter: Paul Greengrass Principals: Gerald McSorley This film tells the story of the August 15, 1998 car bombing in the small town of Omagh by the Irish separatist group known as the Real IRA. This is a hard, nagging film about one man’s search for truth and justice. Actor Gerald McSorley plays the father of one of the victims with power, grace and sensitivity. Screenwriter Paul Greengrass and director Pete Travis tell this powerful story with painstaking care. Osama  (2003)
Afghan, subtitlesDirector/Screenwriter: Siddiq Barmak Principals: Marina Golbahari, Arif Herati Touted as the first Afghan film after the fall of the Taliban, this sad film examines the plight of women who were denied the most basic of human rights. The film follows a female doctor not allowed to work after her husband and brother were killed in fighting. She is forced to cut the hair of her twelve year old daughter’s head and to send her out to work as a young boy, helping to provide for a family near starvation. Marina Golbahari and Arif Herati give realistic portrayals and director/writer Siddiq Barmak has created a film filled with quiet dignity. Otomo  (2001)
German, subtitles Director: Frieder Schlaich Screenwriter: Frieder Schlaich, Klaus Pohl Principals: Isaach De Bankole, Eva Mattes, Hanno Friedrich This film set in Stuttgart concerns the true story of Cameroon refugee Frederic Otomo. The events in this film cover a few short hours when Otomo is falsely accused of a racist incident aboard a subway train until his capture by police on a bridge. The hours in between are a fictional creation by the screenwriter and director. Otomo depicts how racism can turn an honest person into a trapped, desperate animal. The acting has a dramatic, realistic quality, and the story will keep you pinned to your seat. Our Song  (2001)
Indie Director/Screenwriter: Jim McKay Principals: Kerry Washington, Anna Simpson, Melissa Martinez This film about three teenage girls growing up in Brooklyn hits on all cylinders. The acting makes you think that you are watching real people and not actors. The direction and story are gripping and real without being sappy. This is direct, straightforward filmmaking without unnecessary special effects. This film isn’t about hip-hop or drugs or violence. It’s about relationships and the problems that youth encounter growing up in the big city. In addition, watching the Jackie Robinson Steppers Marching Band is worth the price of admission. |
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