Week in Film: 7/4/16-7/9/16

Week in Film: 7/4/16-7/9/16

Film of the Week: Like Someone in Love

   Year: 2012

   Director: Abbas Kiarostami

       The first thing I noticed while watching the late, great Abbas Kiarostami's final film was the out of focus/sharp focus contrast of the many individuals in the Tokyo bar in the films opening scene. We hear half a conversation off screen and watch as many people interact at once. It's disorientating in that we don't know who's talking; is it someone off screen, or someone in the bar that we can see, but can't distinguish from the other conversations happening around them? It is a very Kiarostami way to set up a scene. It's a moment of confusion and of clarity at the same time, one of the directors many examples of paradox in his films.

       Abbas Kiarostami was one of the worlds greatest living filmmakers until July 4th, 2016. He made films that challenged our perception of reality and relationships, and this is no exception to that theme. Shifting focuses and meanings between reality and artifice, and breaking ground as an innovative, yet patient and relaxed auteur. His loss will be sorely missed by the film world, and the world of art in general.

   Rating: B

The Rest:

The Hundred-Foot Journey

   Year: 2014

   Director: Lasse Hallstrom

       A standard, hollywood picture, with not much special about it aside from some great looking food and some solid performances.

   Rating: C

The Bakery Girl of Monceau

   Year: 1963

   Director: Eric Rohmer

       The first of Rohmer's six moral tales. Interesting, but slight and forgettable. A twenty some minute short film, so you can't expect too much from it I suppose.

   Rating: B-

L'Avventura
   Year: 1960
   Director: Michelangelo Antonioni

       My viewing experience of the film may have been slightly altered in its enjoyability for about twenty minutes by the presence of a little cousin asking questions like "why don't they talk normal?" and "where are they going?" That being said, this is one of those films that is important to the development of film language, like Breathless or Pulp Fiction. It's about being empty, missing something, and trying to fake it by replacing what's not there with things you wish were, or think should be.

   Rating: B+

Cemetery of Splendor
   Year: 2015
   Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul

       Apichatpong Weerasethakul is more of dreamweaver than a filmmaker. Not the westernized version of a dream, but its more pure and actual representation. His films are sleepy, almost sleeping. You are almost in a dream watching one. It's a trance state he can move you into, the kind of dream that stays after you've woken up.

   Rating: A-

Sanjuro
   Year: 1962
   Director: Akira Kurosawa

       Nowhere near as good as Yojimbo, but a decent samurai film none the less.

   Rating: B-

Where to Invade Next
   Year: 2015
   Director: Michael Moore

       Raises some good points, and gives the realization that Americans really are being fucked over in ways we don't have to be. It may be a little too one-sided however, even if it is the side I am in agreement with. Heavy handed at times.

   Rating: B

Into the Abyss
   Year: 2011
   Director: Werner Herzog

       At times was deeply disturbing and moving, but overall failed to grab me in a meaningful way. Not my favorite Herzog doc.

   Rating: B-

Two Days, One Night
   Year: 2014
   Director: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne

       It's refreshing seeing a barebones film about barebones issues. It's a simple premise executed with simplicity, and it couldn't be told better. Marion Cotillard deserved to win the Oscar that year, amazing performance. Makes me want to watch more of her stuff.

   Rating: A-

The Immigrant
   Year: 2014
   Director: James Gray

       Marion Cotillard is steadily becoming one of my favorite actresses. Also, a very good Joaquin Phoenix performance, but not up there with the likes of The Master, Walk the Line, or Inherent Vice.

   Rating: B-

The Conformist
   Year: 1970
   Director: Bernardo Bertolucci

       A glorious exercise in style, to the extent that it may very well be one of the best shot movies I've ever seen. Every shot is perfect and evocative. It is also a well done commentary on fascism and conformity (hence the title), as well as time and being left behind in it. So, so, so, so much better than his Oscar winner The Last Emperor.

   Rating: A-

The Unbelievers
   Year: 2013
   Director: Gus Holwerda

       I'm on their side, but again, like the Michael Moore doc, I'm bothered by the one-sidedness. To be honest though, I'm not sure it's really that wrong to be one-sided in a work of art or opinion. Aren't works of art their own personal worldview, and doesn't every worldview stem from an inherent opinion? It is a little silly of me to expect an unbiased view of the topic, but the topic I'm forcing on the movie is not the topic it is talking about. I'm talking about the conflicting ideas of religion and science, this movie is talking about the benefits of and logic behind atheism and agnosticism. I think I would personally rather watch the debates they pull clips from, however.

   Rating: C

A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
   Year: 2014
   Director: Roy Andersson

       It's no You, the Living (the other Andersson I've seen). Where that film seemed perfect, this one slightly overstays it's welcome.

   Rating: C