The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (John Madden, 2011)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

 

India, Culture Shock, Retirement, Aging, Coping/Grieving, Philosophical

I was pleasantly surprised by this wonderful gem of a film. Every person brings to his or her life a unique perspective and personality. Every situation is faced differently- sometimes openly and with optimisim, sometimes with bitterness and intolerance. Maggie Smith, as per usual, shines in the background of this colorful, humorous, and subtley inspiring film. Definitely worth watching if you ever plan to be old and grey. I hope you do...

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Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty (Kathryn Bigelow, 2012)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=1

9/11, Osama Bin Laden, Political, Intense, Action, Dark

A very dramatic and difficult film to watch. Kathryn Bigelow continues to force us to confront the darker side of the human condition and experience. There is nothing about this film that is happy or light. Torture, revenge, war, hate, bureaucracy, doubt... these are all things we must think about from all perspectives. We must never forget how blessed we (Americans) are for the safe lives we have. Jessica Chastain gives an astounding performance.

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To Rome With Love

To Rome With Love (Woody Allen, 2012)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Rome, Quirky, Romance, Complex Relationships, Comedy, Travel

Woody Allen's latest film is a mixture of everything we've come to expect from his films in recent years: humor, satire, seduction, philosophy, art... To Rome With Love is not one cohesive film but many little vignettes telling the bigger story of Rome itself. Penelope Cruz and Roberto Benigni steal the show, in my opinion, but also great performances by Ellen Page, Jesse Eisenberg, Alec Baldwin, and Woody himself. It's a real treat to see him take the stage again.

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Samsara

Samsara (Ron Fricke, 2012)

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Rating: DOCQ=8, DOCP=8 / Genius

Scale K=4, Scale L=4, Scale M=4, Scale N=4

Vivid Imagery, Social Commentary, Culture, Eclectic, Subtle

I have always been a fan of what I call "image films." Cinematography Ron Fricke is one of the most talented working today. His latest film, Samsara, has the audience traveling all over the remarkable landscapes and cities of our world. We see the faces of dancers, prostitutes, factory workers, mothers, fathers, hunters, chiefs, children, and many others. We see environments that are crowded, polluted, disturbing, beautiful, abandoned, and ancient. A marvelous achievement in photography and non-verbal narrative.
 

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Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beasts of the Southern Wild (Benh Zeitlin, 2012)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Father/Daughter, Coming of Age, Hurricane Katrina, Journey, Subtle

"Everybody loses the thing that made them. It's even how it's supposed to be in nature. The brave men stay and watch it happen, they don't run."

Hushpuppy may be little and young but she is very wise. She knows that life can change overnight, that one big storm might come and break the balance of the universe. When it does, Hushpuppy is strong. It is the other storm that rages inside her Daddy that she is not prepared for. This film is beautiful, poignant, and layered with meaning. 

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Django Unchained

Django Unchained (Quentin Tarantino, 2012)

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Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession
Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

 

Western, Slavery, Pre-Civil War Era, Violent, Witty

 

What can I say... I left the theater mesmerized and grinning from ear to ear. What a marvelous acheivement, Quentin Tarantino. Absolutley marvelous.

In true Tarantino fashion, we are given a real movie experience in Django Unchained. The film is striking- gorgeous scenery, bold colors and textures, unique editing styles, intense acting and quick dialogue. Tarantino forces us to consider the most gruesome aspects of America's past. Slavery and racism is violent and disturbing. But, as in Inglorious Basterds, he also rewrites this history. This film is about revenge and vengence. It is a Western through and through but it is much more than that. As usual, Tarantino has no fear and leads us into the realms of controversy. Even if his films aren't your style, it is important that you see this film.

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Waste Land

Waste Land (Walker, Harley, Jardim, 2010)

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Rating: DOCQ=7, DOCP=7 / Genius

Scale K=3, Scale L=4, Scale M=4, Scale N=3

Art, Social Commentary, Brazil, Garbage, Human Condition

What an inspiring film Waste Land is. This is a perfect example of how one person's vision and good fortune can make a difference to many. Artist Vik Muniz truly gave back to the poor community of garbage pickers in Rio de Janiero. He gave them tangible things: artwork, experience, and money, yes. But what really counts is that he fostered in them hope and self-worth. It is not that he cleared a pathway leading out of their situation but rather that he validated their situation, giving greater meaning to their lives.

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The Nominations: Oscar Dash 2013

The Academy Award nominees were announced today and it is time for another Oscar Dash! Like last year, my goal is to watch as many nominated films as possible before the ceremony- usually, I stick with Best Picture, Best Animated Feature, and Best Foreign Film categories. This year there are some serious contenders. It was a great year for film!

Click here to see the lists. I'll be reviewing as I see them. It is obviously hard for me to predict anything yet, but based on reviews it looks like Lincoln and Life of Pi will be hard to beat.

 

Amour

Argo

Beasts Of The Southern Wild

Django Unchained

Les Miserables

Lincoln

Life Of Pi

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty


The countdown begins!

The Hustler

The Hustler (Robert Rossen, 1961)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

 

Pool/Billiards, Pride and Character, Complex Relationships

 

Men proving their worth to other men is always a fascinating subject for me. Throw in talent and drive, unstable romance, and the criminal underworld and you get a marvelous story. The Hustler is fun to watch, imagine, and think about. Arguably one of Paul Newman's best roles, Fast Eddie is troubled and talented, full of himself and lacking self worth, strong and weak. These flawed but larger than life characters make the film timeless.

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I'm excited about the upcoming movie marathons in store- stay tuned for many 2012 film posts and the annual OSCAR dash. I am anticipating a wealth of great drama and comedy for this new year, as well. Hopefully this winter I will have time to do a few more "special" posts and themed lists.

Posts coming soon: The Hustler, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Sweet Land, and Ajami