The White Ribbon

I thoroughly enjoyed my day at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.  It was fun to chat with other film lovers, and run from film to film.  At the end of the first two films I saw, the audience applauded and whistled, and dutifully scored the ballot to vote for “audience favorite film”.  The last film of the day was truly the kind of film that festivals like this are designed for:  experiencing cinema as an art form.

Michael Haneke’s THE WHITE RIBBON (2009)  is just that film that brings you in and keeps you there for its narrative, its cinematic beauty, and its tight crisp editing.   I was expecting this to be a good one, because it had won the Palme d’ Or at Cannes, and the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film.  Even with some preparation I could not have anticipated the experience I had with this film.  The story is set in a small  German village just before World War I broke out.  Strange and concerning things are happening in the village but no one seems to know who is responsible or why things are happening–or do they?  The story unfolds through the eyes of the schoolteacher in the village, who in a way acts  as a superego or conscience of sorts.  The movie is over two hours long, but I don’t think I moved in my seat.  There is no musical  score, not a note, and amazingly, I didn’t even notice that.  This film absorbs you.  It is also disturbing.  At the end of this movie, there was no applause.  There was a true hush, then murmuring, murmuring as I and others around me began to discuss our points of view.  I think great films make you do that.

The pairing for this film is a comfort food dinner and discussion directly after the film.  The four of us went upstairs to a small bistro above the Camelot Theater for pasta bolognese.  I had a nice glass of wine, and we had a good sharing of different reactions to the film.  How does a person face the fact of atrocity?  How does a village?  How does a country?  Do they, or do they look the other way, because of the discomfort or shame it brings? How does that relate to these small German children as they grow up and experience (or participate) in Nazi Germany twenty five years or so later?

I’m still thinking about this film.

Words and Music

I have a great film pairing for you.  First, I’ll start with the great screenplay that George Bernard Shaw adapted from his own play,which contributed greatly to the crisp, sharp, luminous 1938 film, PYGMALION.  What I love most in this and other movies of the 1930s is the witty dialogue, and what could be better than Shaw himself bringing his words to the screen? I don’t quite know why it took me so long to discover this film, but I enjoyed it immensely.  Wendy Hiller’s performance as Eliza Doolittle is fantastic, and her transformational journey is beautifully portrayed.   Leslie Howard portrays Professor Higgins with an equal measure of pomposity and likeability.  Within the dialogue of this nifty film you will hear pieces of very familiar lyrics to Lerner and Lowe tunes.

The pairing for this film is, of course, MY FAIR LADY (1964).  The Broadway show and this film are based on Shaw’s adapted screenplay, not his original play.  This has not been my favorite musical, but after seeing the 1938 film, I really view it through different eyes.  Do see the the 1938 film first if you have not yet seen MY FAIR LADY.  I really can appreciate the talent and creativity it takes to reshape a good screenplay, transform it to a musical,  having the lyrics of the songs carry the story along so well, and create a whole new experience for the audience.  Terrific.

Here’s another little surprise for you:  When Shaw adapted the screenplay for the 1938 film, he changed his own ending—his OWN ending!!  That then carried over to Lerner and Lowe’s musical.  Now you may want to read Shaw’s play to discover the difference, and see if you agree with his decision.

Christmas Gifts

Christmas is coming faster than I am ready, but that is no different than every year for me.  Still, I love creating the time to enjoy the true spirit of the season, which is to experience cozy, heartwarmng  feelings, and to renew my view of humanity as a good and decent lot.  What better way than to cozy up with my dear one and family, and watch a couple of good Christmas movies?  Get a nice cup of hot chocolate, stir it with a candy cane and enjoy these films.

I love the classics, and have seen them all, but like to look for something new, and something with a little heft.  I like sweet stories, but don’t want to rot out my teeth.  My first recommendation is  HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949).  Steve (Robert Mitchum), a department store clerk,  meets Connie (Janet Leigh), a widow with an adorable son,  when he sells her a toy train set at Christmastime.  Lots of things happen that bring them into contact again, as Steve and we learn she has a fiance.  By then of course, we are rooting for Steve, and want her to toss over the fiance. Mitchum maintains exactly the right tone to keep this from being overly sentimental.  I loved the holiday setting, the almost magic miracle in the park, and the ending.

My second recommendation is based on a well documented, true incident during World War I.  JOYEAUX NOEL (2006)  beautifully relates the story of front line soldiers at Christmas in bitter cold 1914 France.  The back stories of these men in the trenches are explicated, and  then they come together  in the same time and place for a heartwarming, poignant and moving experience of sharing the Christmas spirit.  This is a movie with a bit more depth, and not your usual Christmas film.   It is available at Amazon.com, so treat yourself to this one.

My sincere wishes for a very joyful, fun-filled, love-filled, Christmas season. 

 

The Sexiest Man Not Alive

Join me the line of women who love Johnny Depp.  He is gorgeous, and thoughtful, and his movies are great.  He deserves People’s designation as the Sexiest Man Alive.  I wish they would designate the sexiest men NOT alive.  My vote is Robert Mitchum because he is the quintessential strong silent type.  He was also a bad boy in real life,  which is at least interesting. There are some great Robert Mitchum quotes out there; I’ll share one at the end of this post.   He also made some great movies, and I’m going to recommend a great filmpairing.

OUT OF THE PAST (1947)  is the best of the film noir genre.  It has all the elements including our doomed hero, the femme fatale, and all the black and white shadowy filming.  The film is rated high critically, and it is a great film experience.  Robert Mitchum is at his handsome best.  You’ll hate the bad guys and want to protect Robert Mitchum from all that is bad in his world.  Join me in swooning over Robert Mitchum’s good looks.

Less critically acclaimed, but nonetheless interesting, is THUNDER ROAD (1958). This has become quite a cult film, and it is all Robert Mitchum.  He co-wrote the screenplay based loosely on a true incident, and produced the film.  He plays Lucas Doolin, a Korean war veteran who returns home to continue running moonshine in the hills of Tennessee and Kentucky.  His younger brother is played by his own son, who looks a lot like him, but is no actor.  The part was originally offered to Elvis, but since this is a true independent film, they couldn’t get to an agreeable price.  Too bad.  When you see the film, you will see how it might have changed Elvis’s movie career.  Because this film is so true to the culture and mindset of many in the Applachian region, this movie was shown for years at drive-ins in the Southeastern states.  Robert Mitchum does the only really fine acting  job in the film, and he is still delightfully handsome and swaggery in this one.

Given his proclivity for major overdrinking and a love of the hand-rolled cig, this quote is pretty funny and self-deprecating:  “I’ve always wanted to make a film in Ohio.  Maybe I did”.

Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving. 

Feel Good Movie

I’m in the mood for a movie that touches my heart center.  The holiday season is almost here, and I need a jump start to help me balance the bad stuff in the news.  One of the reasons (one of about a million) that I love films is that a good one can reach us and resonate with all that is good and pure.  Here is one you may have seen years ago and forgot about it.  Or, if you haven’t seen it, you’ll smile for the rest of the day..or week. 

THE LITTLE PRINCE (1974)  is a musical adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s book.  A wandering chld from Asteroid-B612 and a pilot stranded in the Sahara Desert share encounters that remind us that life is indeed fun and enchanting and filled with discoveries.  Lerner and Lowe provide the musical score.  Gene Wilder’s interpretation of the fox is amazing, and Bob Fosse’s dance as the Snake is a signature performance.  Give yourself a little present and see this film.

The pairing?  Get the book.  If you took French in high school or college, you may have read the book in its original French.  If not , then be sure to get the Katherine Woods translation of this little gem.  I believe that you will underline quotations in the book or copy them on stickies and post them near your computer or on your bathroom mirror.  

I really hope I made your day a happy one.

A Salute to Women in Film

I would love to see more and more films created by women, because I think they often bring uncompromising emotional truth to their work. My double feature recommendations today highlight my point. 

FROZEN RIVER (2008) is writer/director Courtney Hunt’s first film.  DEAR FRANKIE (2004) is Shona Auerbach’s first feature film.  Each of the films deals with mothers fiercely protective of their children, although the circumstances are different for each.  Our women protagonists are strong and resourceful.  As a result of their circumstances, they make choices that you may not make.  As you watch their stories develop, you will worry about the consequences, but you will cheer their grit and resilience.  Nevertheless, these films bring together wonderful women as filmmakers–both the actors and directors–who create film with  a clear, unmistakeable stamp of woman power.

I am grateful that these films have been “blessed” with Film Festival and other awards, but they are far from mainstream.   I love both of these films, but I”m totally in love with Lizzie and her son Frankie, and with the Stranger in DEAR FRANKIE.  If that is not enough to get you to order the film on Netflix or Amazon, then how about if I tell you the Stranger is Gerard Butler?

An Education–times two

The British Independent Film Award nominations are out, with the winners to be announced at its awards ceremonies on December 6th. AN EDUCATION is nominated for best film, and Carey Mulligan, who plays sixteen year old Jenny,  is nominated for best actress.  This film is in limited release, which means it will be in the theaters for maybe two weeks,  so we all have to hurry up and see it!  The reviews are all very positive, especially for Carey Mulligan.  Jenny, our protagonist,  is an extremely bright young lady  on an academic track to attend Oxford.  The setting is 1961 London.  She meets thirty-ish David quite by accident, which leads to Paris–and betrayal.  What develops in this sharp and funny film is an exemplar of learning life’s lessons outside the books.  

Thematically, an excellent pairing for this film is Steve Martin’s adaptation of  his own novella, SHOPGIRL (2005).  In this film, Claire Danes plays our 20-something protagonist, Mirabelle,  who meets 50-something Ray, played by Steve Martin.  Mirabelle is lonely, prone to depression, and a bit naive.  Ray is wealthy, polished, and worldly.  Mirabelle enters into a very sophisticated relationship with Ray, in which Ray believes she knows the rules.  Mirabelle also comes to know Jeremy, who is about her age–clueless, a seeming loser, artistic and without direction.  In this triangle, our focus is really on Mirabelle, and her life lessons.  This is a beautifully perceptive story;  I absolutely loved it.

Italian Film Festival!

I’m late letting you know about this, but I was cruising to and from Hawaii for the past two weeks.  So sorry.  There is still time to get to some of the San Diego Italian Film Festival events, so don’t despair.  The happenings started October 16, and run through November 7.  This is the third year of this festival, so it is a relative newbie in our town. 

What about attending the Festival’s Gala event at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park on November 7th?  The museum  will be transformed into an Italian piazza, serving great Italian food for dinner.  With your Gala ticket, you will see the featured Festival Film, which is La Seconda Notta di Nozze (The Second Wedding Night).    What a GREAT food/film pairing!

All of the films and scheduled events are  detailed  on the festival website at www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com

“For a little while we can all be Italian”   (website quote)

BETTER than Slumdog Millionaire

I liked SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, I did.  I liked THE WRESTLER a whole lot more, so I was in a small minority who was not rooting for Slumdog to win the Oscar for best picture last winter.  I did, however, love the kids, the music, and the whole Bollywood experience. 

I went to the Palm Springs International Film Festival last summer and just happened upon this great Bollywood film, which I really believe is way better than Slumdog.  TAARE ZAMEEN PAR: Every Child is Special (2007) is today’s recommendation. Aamir Khan lends his star power as well as his money to the film as producer/director.    This film was placed into consideration for nomination as best foreign film at the 2008 Oscars, and just missed the cut.  Shoot, I say.  

This is the story of eight year old Ishaan, who is having trouble learning at school.  His loving family members are all high achievers, so this is quite unacceptable.  They send Ishaan to a boarding school, hoping to help him, but he is a little boy who misses home.  He alternatively acts out and  shuts down.  Enter the art teacher.  Life changes dramatically for everyone–the family, the boarding school teachers, and Ishaan.  Ishaan is adorable.  All the kids at the school are adorable.   The music and the positive energy of the film will fill you up with happiness. Teachers will love this film, and figure out quickly what is causing his learning problems.  Everyone who loves children will be crazy about the film. 

The pairing for this film is for you to play a little “scavenger hunt” game.  The title of the game is  “Try to find a copy of this movie”.  I was lucky enough to snag one of the last copies that Amazon had to sell.  Disney has apparently bought the rights to distribute the film in this country.  I hope it will not be dubbed in English (NOT THE SAME).  It will be released under the title Like Stars on Earth, I think, but I can’t determine when this will happen.  Indian markets apparently have the film, but I have been warned that these are pirated copies and I do not like to support that.  If ANYONE finds a bonafide copy of the film, please post a comment here.  Help others to see this great film.

Away We Go

The DVD for this small, indie film is going to be released next week.  You probably didn’t see it because it was in the theaters for maybe two and a half minutes.  PLEASE treat yourself and see  AWAY WE GO (2009).  This is the story of Burt and Verona, played beautifully by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph.  Burt and Verona are thirty-somethings–happy, unmarried–and now Verona is pregnant.  This funny and intelligent film depicts their travels to find the perfect place to raise their new child-to-be.  Their road trip takes them to Arizona,  Wisconsin, Montreal and Miami as they connect with old bosses, old friends, and family.  You will wink at their horrified shared glances as they experience all this and will find many of the supporting players hilarious .  They ARE judgemental at what they see, but so was I!  As they search , I reflected on this:  Is there any perfect place? Is it not true that wherever you go, there you are?  I loved that the ending  is not  Hollywood spin, but beautiful and perfect.

I already am in love with John Krasinski from The Office.  I wasn’t as familiar with Maya Rudolph because I don’t stay up late enough to see Saturday Night Live (ok, that makes me a dork).  Now,  I absolutely adore them both.

Okay, here is my pairing recommendation for this movie.  Get the film soundtrack!  In a day or two, or month or two, put on the great tunes from this film  and fall in love with Alexi Murdoch music.  Gawd, is he talented!  Most of the music in the film with one or two exceptions are his songs. and you will LOVE them.  Open a bottle of 2007  friends.red  Sonoma County wine from the Pedroncelli winery.  Enjoy the music, the wine, and the memory of a great little movie.