Thursday, July 18, 2013

No (Pablo Larrain, 2012)
Click here for the basics
Rating: Q=5, P=6 / Average OJ
Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 5=3
Chile, Revolution, Politics, Advertising Campaign
A very interesting film that was completely unlike what I was expecting. Larrain's film feels like a documentary--actually, more like a home video. Larrain includes many emotional film clips of riots, policing, and news footage from 1988 which makes it feel like we were back in the 1980s in every way. The clothing, styles, media, even the colors gave exactly the right vibe. Gael Garcia Bernal gives a wonderful performance of a man deeply frustrated in (and worn out by) the dictatorship he lives in but also deeply afraid of how the militant government will react to his revolutionary words and visuals. No makes you think about how we use media today, and not just politically.
--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Monday, July 8, 2013

It's July... I've gone to Canada

A Moving Story Scope is on vacation from July 8 until July 18. It's July... I've gone to Canada

Look forward to these posts when I return:
 
No
The Constant Gardener
Ken Burns: Prohibition
<-- I get to go here!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Seducing Doctor Lewis

Seducing Doctor Lewis (Jean-Francois Pouliot, 2003)
Click here for the basics
Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ
Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2
Quebec, Rural Small Town, Working Class, Comedy, Subtle

It's hard to make a living in a tiny fishing village in the Canadian North. Jobs are practically non-existent unless you move away to the fast-paced city. Raise money (and, in this case, seduce a doctor) is the only way to keep the community alive. There are many films with this same premise--The Full Monty springs to mind-- but this film offers a different locale and flavor of humor. Nice and refreshing. 
--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Call the Midwife Season 1

Call the Midwife Season 1 (Heidi Thomas, 2012)
Click here for the basics
Rating: DSQ=11, SP=8 / Decadence
Scale A=3, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4
1950s, London, Midwifery, Period, Coming of Age, Complex Relationships 
This new BBC series is fantastic in so many ways--the concept hasn't been done before, the characters are strong and fun, the humor is subtle, the soundtrack is diverse, the artistry is beautiful... I can't wait for the next season to find out what happens in the lives of these brilliant young women and their admirable profession. Each women is unique and quirky in her own way and together they make a charming team.
 
--Don't understand the ratings? Click here