Sorry for the delay: I have created a new calendar (actually, I just edited the old one) to reflect the new films in our Holiday Film Festival. For those who wish to follow along, please feel free. We would love to welcome you along.
12/14: Bad Santa
12/16: The Ice Harvest
12/21: Edward Scissorhands
12/22: Home Alone
12/23: Millions
12/24: Holiday Inn/White Christmas double feature!
This is obviously just Bronwen and me making stuff up. Schedule is subject to change without notice. If you don't watch our movies, please watch your own and tell me about your favorites!
Showing posts with label film festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film festival. Show all posts
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Holiday Film Festival!
Hello, beloved readers (family, I assume). Well, Bronwen and I have failed to keep up with our Fall Film Festival. We started slacking almost as soon as November began and haven't picked up since. So we're scrapping that one and making a new, shorter one.
I'm looking for ideas for Christmas movies. But we don't want to overload ourselves. Half (if not more) of the charm is the memories that the films evoke. Hence these must be movies that we have seen many times before. There is a balancing act though - some movies are not actually good enough to watch each year. These cherished films are very fragile and need to be handled with care. The love we have for them is clouded with happy memories, which can obscure the worst in just about anything. Rewatching these movies as an adult (especially if your expectations are piled high) can be nothing short of catastrophic.
It is with this in mind that I proceed. Bronwen and I would like to invite you to join us in our Holiday Film Festival - I'll post the dates on a Google Calendar and you can watch along with us if you like. We are also willing to take suggestions, but our viewing schedule is packed pretty tight as Christmas approaches. I'll roll out the calendar this weekend, but for now here are the films that are on the short list:
I'm looking for ideas for Christmas movies. But we don't want to overload ourselves. Half (if not more) of the charm is the memories that the films evoke. Hence these must be movies that we have seen many times before. There is a balancing act though - some movies are not actually good enough to watch each year. These cherished films are very fragile and need to be handled with care. The love we have for them is clouded with happy memories, which can obscure the worst in just about anything. Rewatching these movies as an adult (especially if your expectations are piled high) can be nothing short of catastrophic.
It is with this in mind that I proceed. Bronwen and I would like to invite you to join us in our Holiday Film Festival - I'll post the dates on a Google Calendar and you can watch along with us if you like. We are also willing to take suggestions, but our viewing schedule is packed pretty tight as Christmas approaches. I'll roll out the calendar this weekend, but for now here are the films that are on the short list:
- Millions
- Home Alone
- Bad Santa
- The Ice Harvest
- White Christmas
- Holiday Inn (most likely in a double feature with White Christmas)
- ...?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Impressions of Fall
Our Fall Film Festival is well underway, and so far it's been a great success. Success, by the way means that we watched the movies. This week's movie, The Brothers Grimm, is one of the most evocative Fall movies I've ever seen. It is significantly underrated and consistently poorly reviewed. Because it is so universally disliked, I approach each reviewing with a little bit of dread, afraid that this time I will see what was so terrible about it. While it is certainly not a perfect movie, I do enjoy it every time and find my original opinion intact. For me, the movie looks like a storybook. It reminds me somehow of an aged ViewMaster reel.
But Fall memories and feelings - while often related to childhood - are not all contained in movies. Several books also come to mind. One that has particular significance to me, and I don't exactly know why, is Family Grandstand. In truth, I cannot remember very much about this book. For example, I have no concept of the plot (I remember something about a local football stadium that could be viewed from the upstairs - hence the title. Oddly, I have never cared about sports, then or now), I can't remember the characters names and I can't even remember how many children there were in the family. So it is probably a false memory that I have, but somehow it is extremely strong. I guess the book left me with an impression of Fall and Fall reminds me of this impression.
Emily (my sister, if you don't know) has a blog in which she writes reviews of children's books, many of which are out of print. And her latest post was about this very book! If you want a more thorough discussion of this book, you have to read her post, which features a charming photo of the very same copy I read (for all I know, the only copy in existance). Although she did not mention anything about a seasonal connection to the book, I have to assume that there is something, because I was always very drawn to this book in the Fall. Perhaps our mom read it to us during a particularly nice Central Florida Fall.
But Fall memories and feelings - while often related to childhood - are not all contained in movies. Several books also come to mind. One that has particular significance to me, and I don't exactly know why, is Family Grandstand. In truth, I cannot remember very much about this book. For example, I have no concept of the plot (I remember something about a local football stadium that could be viewed from the upstairs - hence the title. Oddly, I have never cared about sports, then or now), I can't remember the characters names and I can't even remember how many children there were in the family. So it is probably a false memory that I have, but somehow it is extremely strong. I guess the book left me with an impression of Fall and Fall reminds me of this impression.
Emily (my sister, if you don't know) has a blog in which she writes reviews of children's books, many of which are out of print. And her latest post was about this very book! If you want a more thorough discussion of this book, you have to read her post, which features a charming photo of the very same copy I read (for all I know, the only copy in existance). Although she did not mention anything about a seasonal connection to the book, I have to assume that there is something, because I was always very drawn to this book in the Fall. Perhaps our mom read it to us during a particularly nice Central Florida Fall.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I feel like some kind of jerk when I complain about Harry Potter movies and books. I mean, who am I to complain? If I don't like them, I should just shut up about them, right? But that's the problem - I do like them. And because I like them so much, it annoys me when I watch the movies (last week's Film Festival entry: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and spend the entire time pointing out the flaws and fallacies and foolishness.
Because it is full of all of those things. Plots are contrived, characters actually lose depth as the series continues, and the story becomes more and more frustrating. As the books advance from one to seven, the story becomes more and more serious and the goofy childishness decreases. Books three, four and, to some extent, five are the sweet spot of the series, where they have not lost all of their charm and yet the story is actually tense.
But the movie for Goblet of Fire is quite good, despite my complaints. One of my universal peeves is the use of tension that I consider to be fake; miscommunication. And it is in this film (and book) that the pattern becomes locked in: nobody believes Harry, nobody listens to him, but then it turns out he is right and everybody is sorry for not believing him. This is perfected in the next film/book (Order of the Phoenix) and does not really relent for the remainder of the series. And here I go again, holding this series up to a higher standard than it deserves. I forget sometimes what it all actually is: a childrens series. True, it had massive crossover success, but at its core, it was still a book about and for children. As much as I loved them, I don't know if I have much interest in rereading them. Does that make me a bad person? Does it make me an adult? A boring old square who would rather read a nonfiction book about numbers than a book about wizards? Or am I just too old to relive the experience of reading a truly fantastic series? A book that I do often wish to revisit is Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. I really do recommend this book highly. It is extremely long, and although this prohibits it from being a beach read, it is the kind of book that becomes a good friend and you are very sad when it finally ends.
Sorry I failed to write anything about L.A. Confidential, but what can be said really? It's a fantastic movie! If you haven't seen it, you need to. If you have seen it, I'm pretty sure it's about time to see it again. Later this week: The Royal Tenenbaums.
Because it is full of all of those things. Plots are contrived, characters actually lose depth as the series continues, and the story becomes more and more frustrating. As the books advance from one to seven, the story becomes more and more serious and the goofy childishness decreases. Books three, four and, to some extent, five are the sweet spot of the series, where they have not lost all of their charm and yet the story is actually tense.
But the movie for Goblet of Fire is quite good, despite my complaints. One of my universal peeves is the use of tension that I consider to be fake; miscommunication. And it is in this film (and book) that the pattern becomes locked in: nobody believes Harry, nobody listens to him, but then it turns out he is right and everybody is sorry for not believing him. This is perfected in the next film/book (Order of the Phoenix) and does not really relent for the remainder of the series. And here I go again, holding this series up to a higher standard than it deserves. I forget sometimes what it all actually is: a childrens series. True, it had massive crossover success, but at its core, it was still a book about and for children. As much as I loved them, I don't know if I have much interest in rereading them. Does that make me a bad person? Does it make me an adult? A boring old square who would rather read a nonfiction book about numbers than a book about wizards? Or am I just too old to relive the experience of reading a truly fantastic series? A book that I do often wish to revisit is Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. I really do recommend this book highly. It is extremely long, and although this prohibits it from being a beach read, it is the kind of book that becomes a good friend and you are very sad when it finally ends.
Sorry I failed to write anything about L.A. Confidential, but what can be said really? It's a fantastic movie! If you haven't seen it, you need to. If you have seen it, I'm pretty sure it's about time to see it again. Later this week: The Royal Tenenbaums.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
So while Bronwen's in Orlando, I'm taking the opportunity to watch some movies. I do miss her, but one thing that makes it easier to live alone is a regular schedule. I get up, walk the dogs, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, walk the dogs, eat dinner, have a drink and watch a movie. I've done this two nights in a row and, I think, I could do it for years. The time would just slip by. It isn't ideal, and I am extremely glad that I have an interesting life, but if I had to live alone, this is how I would choose to spend my time.
The movie was interesting, but there was a lot of fluff to wade through. I would like to see the remake, in fact. It strikes me as the kind of movie that would really benefit from a modern retelling. There was a great deal of the pastoral family life that realy irks me about old westerns. In a way, they are harsh mirrors on the unintentional sexism of the time, sexism that is laid bare in Mad Men. In movies like 3:10 to Yuma the women are treated well enough; precious property, but property nonetheless. There is repeated reference to 'buying her pearls and nice dresses,' and one villain claims he treated his wife well enough because he 'never hit her too hard.' Obviously that was intended to draw the line between the good guys and the bad guys, but the characters don't really bear it out.
It didn't really matter though, because the women were only plot devices. They served solely to raise the stakes. The real movie was a psychological drama - but a drama only in 1957 terms. I like a happy ending as much as anyone, but there is something to be said for not knowing the ending an hour in advance. This is why I think the remake has promise. Even knowing how this film ends, I am not guaranteed the same outcome. If I see it, I'll let you know.
I give this film three stars. I do feel a little guilty though - old films are at a distinct disadvantage. They have to contend with more modern movies that have built on top of them. Modern movies are more complex, less predictable and can go further thanks to the trail blazed by older movies. I always try to rate an older movie by the virtue of its own time, but there were too many elements of this film that got in the way.
The movie was interesting, but there was a lot of fluff to wade through. I would like to see the remake, in fact. It strikes me as the kind of movie that would really benefit from a modern retelling. There was a great deal of the pastoral family life that realy irks me about old westerns. In a way, they are harsh mirrors on the unintentional sexism of the time, sexism that is laid bare in Mad Men. In movies like 3:10 to Yuma the women are treated well enough; precious property, but property nonetheless. There is repeated reference to 'buying her pearls and nice dresses,' and one villain claims he treated his wife well enough because he 'never hit her too hard.' Obviously that was intended to draw the line between the good guys and the bad guys, but the characters don't really bear it out.
It didn't really matter though, because the women were only plot devices. They served solely to raise the stakes. The real movie was a psychological drama - but a drama only in 1957 terms. I like a happy ending as much as anyone, but there is something to be said for not knowing the ending an hour in advance. This is why I think the remake has promise. Even knowing how this film ends, I am not guaranteed the same outcome. If I see it, I'll let you know.
I give this film three stars. I do feel a little guilty though - old films are at a distinct disadvantage. They have to contend with more modern movies that have built on top of them. Modern movies are more complex, less predictable and can go further thanks to the trail blazed by older movies. I always try to rate an older movie by the virtue of its own time, but there were too many elements of this film that got in the way.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Touch of Evil
An unofficial first entry to the Film Festival - Bronwen is out of town and didn't see the movie with me. Touch of Evil is supposedly the bookend final film in the Film Noir genre, opposite the Maltese Falcon. I had never seen ToE before and was very impressed. For once Orson Welles managed to outdo and, more importantly, not embarrass himself. He was excellent as Quinlan, the corrupt detective. The same cannot be said for Charlton Heston who, through a disaster of stunt casting, played Ramon Miguel Vargas, a Mexican detective. Not only was his acting maudlin and absurd, the makeup was so terrible that it threatened to smear the camera lens.
Despite that, everything else was top-notch noir, as well as a fantastic film - kind of an anti-Casablanca. Without the benefit of being in the moment, I cannot appropriately comment on why this film was the supposed final chapter in its genre. It did turn a few conventions upside down though, while staying true to the theme. It was also a marvel of cinematography that, years later, holds up and looks fantastic. Not a single frame would look out of place in a modern film.
In all, I give it four out of five stars.
Despite that, everything else was top-notch noir, as well as a fantastic film - kind of an anti-Casablanca. Without the benefit of being in the moment, I cannot appropriately comment on why this film was the supposed final chapter in its genre. It did turn a few conventions upside down though, while staying true to the theme. It was also a marvel of cinematography that, years later, holds up and looks fantastic. Not a single frame would look out of place in a modern film.
In all, I give it four out of five stars.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Film Festival!
Bronwen and I were hiking today and we had the idea to have our very own Fall Film Festival.
The idea is that there are certain films that are better if watched at a certain time in the year. Every year we plan to watch them and every year we only manage to get to a handful of them. So this year, we decided to make a schedule and follow it as closely as work permits.
And as I was creating the schedule, I thought that it would be the easiest thing in the world to share the schedule on our blog and invite the world to watch these films with us. So I have created a Google calendar for your linking pleasure. The list is not set in stone, but if there are massive changes, I will make a note of it. I'll try to post a response to each film and we welcome comments to the films and suggestions for further ones.
I hope this works!
The idea is that there are certain films that are better if watched at a certain time in the year. Every year we plan to watch them and every year we only manage to get to a handful of them. So this year, we decided to make a schedule and follow it as closely as work permits.
And as I was creating the schedule, I thought that it would be the easiest thing in the world to share the schedule on our blog and invite the world to watch these films with us. So I have created a Google calendar for your linking pleasure. The list is not set in stone, but if there are massive changes, I will make a note of it. I'll try to post a response to each film and we welcome comments to the films and suggestions for further ones.
I hope this works!
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