The Sessions

The Sessions (Ben Lewin, 2012)

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Rating: Q=5, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 5=2

Love, Complex Relationships, Disability, Sexuality

Belief in yourself and acceptance of your life is, perhaps, the most powerful aphrodisiac. The Sessions is not just a film about disability and sex, it is a poignant look at intimacy and priorities. Cynical, funny, and romantic Mark shows us that difficult things are possible and love --especially for oneself-- is worth it.

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Mansome & Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child

Mansome (Morgan Spurlock, 2012)

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Rating: DOCQ=5, DOCP=6 / Quite Legible

Scale K=2, Scale L=3, Scale M=3, Scale N=3

Documentary, Masculinity, Grooming, Gender, Body

This film was right up my alley, since I studied masculinity in graduate school. A fun, witty, and informative look into why men care about their appearances (or not). Beards, barbers, moustaches, cologne, and manscaping. Great celebrity commentary AND insight from a favorite author, Michael Kimmel.


Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (Eric Martin & Lois Vossen, 2010)

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Rating: DOCQ=6, DOCP=7 / First Rate

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

Documentary, Art, New York, Young Genius, Counterculture

It is a true shame that so many artists must struggle through a whirlwind life and die lonely, dejected, and nearly forgotten. Jean-Michel was able to capture his environment and culture and our history in ways that excited and invigorated people. He was a powerful force and one that could not cope with it all, in the end. I am so glad that he did, though, for those few years- thousands of amazing expressions will live on.

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The Master

The Master (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2012)

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

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

WWII, Post-traumatic stress, Cult, Philosophy, Scientology

The Master is a thrilling dive into what it is like to lose yourself. War changes everything. And there will always be people (or a person) who seem to have the answer to that big "why" question: Why am I so miserable? Why are we born into such a dreary life? Why can't we all be rich and successful and powerful? Those vulnerable souls, weakened by situation, experiences, or vice, are often captured by the eloquent and charismatic. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix give tremendous performances. I am truly surprised this film did not get a nod for the best picture Oscar. Really astounding cinema.

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Sweet Land & A Simple Life

Sweet Land (Ali Selim, 2005)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

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

Family, Heritage, Romance, Immigrant, Farming

A lovely, free-spirited piece about finding your own path and standing up for yourself. Life is beautiful and it is a challenge. "There are many kinds of happy," as Inge says. Interesting plot devices shift between present day and the early 20th century, which at first was jarring, but grows on you and creates wonderful parallels and meaning.


A Simple Life (Ann Hui, 2011)

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Rating: Q=5, P=5 / Average OJ

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

Foreign, Aging, Grieving, Family, Complex Relationships, Docu-Drama  

Films about old age are hard to get right but A Simple Life manages to capture the ambiguity of emotions that the reality of the aging population today stirs up within us. Having just recently lost my grandmother who lived her last few years of life with severe dementia, this film touched a nerve with me. A Simple Life is about age and grief but it is more about helping, accepting, and giving back. Roger may be Ah Tao's master and Ah Tao may be his maid but the history and circumstances blur their roles.
 

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Life of Pi

Life of Pi (Ang Lee, 2012)

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Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession

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

 

Myth, Philosophy, Religion, Survival, Artistic

 

Few films can rival the ambition of Life of Pi. The story and the storytelling are unparalleled in contemporary cinema. I'll state my reputation on that. Ang Lee succeeds in retelling one of the most poignant tales about the meaning of life ever told. This is not just a film about survival at sea or shipwrecks. It is far more, even, than a film about existence and faith. Life of Pi asks us what is reality and what is fiction? What is a story and what is truth? Where are the lines between dreaming and living, imagining and seeing... and which is better?
 

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