5/5
Steven Soderbergh won Best Director at the Oscars for this, but Gladiator took the Best Picture prize. It looks like I may have to re-watch Gladiator to decide for myself once and for all if it is a snub, because as of now I think that it is. That isn't to say that Gladiator is anything less than a fantastic film, but Traffic is, well, Traffic.
This was my first foray into this sprawling drug epic and I must say that, even with the 13 years of built in hype, this film delivers on every level.
This film is disturbing and hard to watch at points. It graphically depicts drug use, but the reason it is impossible to turn away is because the depictions occur to serve a greater purpose: the effect of drugs on the global and personal scale. I was moved by the film in many ways, and upon its conclusion, I felt that I had been through something of value, as if my experiencing the film will in some way make an impact. I know it is hoopla, but that's how I felt.
There are three distinct story-lines occurring simultaneously, and the beauty is that all three are quite strong and, if forced, could stand alone. That they weave into and out of each other with grace and compel the audience to give their full attention is a feat, the success of which belongs to Mr. Soderbergh. Drenching each story in its own hue, playing with the focus of the camera, and getting only top notch performances out of his cast are things he does consistently. Watching him do it on this scale, however, is a treat.
The cast is something from a dream: Benecio Del Toro (Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner for this), Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzman, Topher Grace, Albert Finney, James Brolin, Dennis Quaid, Viola Davis and more... honestly, one of the best casts ever assembled. Thankfully they all more than do their part and give performances that keep the story rooted in reality and that's all that is necessary.
Soderbergh is one of the best directors ever in my opinion, and I hope he returns from his retirement sooner rather than later as he is a cinematic force that Hollywood, and the rest of the world, will sorely miss.
Reviews, awards predictions, best/worst lists, Flashback Reviews, and personal life inquiries with Daniel Moya.
Showing posts with label Flashback Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flashback Reviews. Show all posts
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Flashback: Amour (2012) Review
5/5
This film has been called dreary, depressing, and dismal, and I agree. It is a sad film, one where its heartbreaking conclusion is known and we are meant to sit through the slow processions until we end up at that point. It is, however, a mesmerizing ride. Michael Haneke, the filmmaker behind this true artistry, is one of my favorite filmmakers because he does not shy away from the tough stuff; rather, he embraces it. He revels in the darkness of the human soul and somehow, even with subject matter like old age, death, and desperation, he manages to find hope. The film's title (which is French for "Love") is no mistake. This is a film about love, and what love will push people to and away from.
There are very long shots of what seems like nothing, but it is within these shots that Haneke's genius lies: people live their lives doing ordinary things, and by capturing that, he succeeds at one of the base goals of filmmaking which is to make the characters relatable. We see these two elderly people eat, watch a concert, talk, sit, and I was moved to tears by the end because I felt like I knew them. They were, essentially, people in love and people who were close to losing it.
Putting the inspiring filmmaking aside leaves room to talk of the actors, Emmanuelle Riva (nominated for Best Actress at the 2012 Academy Awards) and Jean-Louis Trintignant (unjustly robbed of a nomination) are revelatory. Their love is palpable and it keeps us watching when the throws of old age envelop them, and us, in sadness.
This movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film, winning Best Foreign Language Film. I am relieved to know that the Academy is willing to nominate and award such challenging, "art house," and foreign fare. If there was ever a film to garner such respect, this one deserves it. Its honest imagery and brutal reality will stay with me forever, and that is something to cherish.
Suggested by Mimi L. on this page:
http://licacfilm.blogspot.com/2013/07/suggest-films-for-review.html?showComment=1373220243712#c7780678843943451987
Suggest your own for review!
This film has been called dreary, depressing, and dismal, and I agree. It is a sad film, one where its heartbreaking conclusion is known and we are meant to sit through the slow processions until we end up at that point. It is, however, a mesmerizing ride. Michael Haneke, the filmmaker behind this true artistry, is one of my favorite filmmakers because he does not shy away from the tough stuff; rather, he embraces it. He revels in the darkness of the human soul and somehow, even with subject matter like old age, death, and desperation, he manages to find hope. The film's title (which is French for "Love") is no mistake. This is a film about love, and what love will push people to and away from.
There are very long shots of what seems like nothing, but it is within these shots that Haneke's genius lies: people live their lives doing ordinary things, and by capturing that, he succeeds at one of the base goals of filmmaking which is to make the characters relatable. We see these two elderly people eat, watch a concert, talk, sit, and I was moved to tears by the end because I felt like I knew them. They were, essentially, people in love and people who were close to losing it.
Putting the inspiring filmmaking aside leaves room to talk of the actors, Emmanuelle Riva (nominated for Best Actress at the 2012 Academy Awards) and Jean-Louis Trintignant (unjustly robbed of a nomination) are revelatory. Their love is palpable and it keeps us watching when the throws of old age envelop them, and us, in sadness.
This movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film, winning Best Foreign Language Film. I am relieved to know that the Academy is willing to nominate and award such challenging, "art house," and foreign fare. If there was ever a film to garner such respect, this one deserves it. Its honest imagery and brutal reality will stay with me forever, and that is something to cherish.
Suggested by Mimi L. on this page:
http://licacfilm.blogspot.com/2013/07/suggest-films-for-review.html?showComment=1373220243712#c7780678843943451987
Suggest your own for review!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Flashback: Pulp Fiction (1994) Review
5/5
This film shouldn't have worked. How could a budding filmmaker make a movie of epic proportions with an all-star cast doing terribly illegal things... out of order? It shouldn't have worked, really. The result is my favorite film of all time.
Yes, if I had to pick a single favorite film of all time, it would be this masterpiece of dark comedy and impeccable writing. Is there a more immensely quotable film in existence? A few come close, but this has something unique: innumerable quotable one-liners that form conversations, the entirety of which is memorable. I can rattle many off the top of my head, and it really did deserve Best Picture. It was the ballsiest (and best) film of the decade, and possibly ever. Forrest who?
It is a brazenly brave and fantastically original series of stories that mesh in a climax that had me staring so hard at the screen that I didn't want to blink in fear of missing something. Every frame is a masterpiece, either in its brutality, comedy, or honesty. The musical choices added an incredible sense of realism and and a gung-ho attitude, throwing itself at the audience in the most reserved way possible. It is a true work of art.
The acting on all counts is beyond superb. There are no other actors to deliver the lines the way they did, and turn the entire film into a pop culture movement. Samuel L., Bruce, John, Uma, Harvey, Ving, Amanda, Eric. I mean, nobody else. This is one of the most expertly assembled casts of all time.
The credit, of course, goes in large part to Mr. Quentin Tarantino, a personal hero of mine. He does things because he wants to, and makes films for himself. Luckily, they are perfect (at least this one is) and we are lucky to have him as a tour-de-force creative mind in this world. If you haven't seen this film, you are missing one of the most important cinematic experiences ever committed to celluloid. Save yourself the embarrassment of not knowing the references when they come up, and watch this film. It is worth your time, tenfold.
*Remember to comment on this post: http://licacfilm.blogspot.com/2013/07/suggest-films-for-review.html with your suggestions for film reviews!*
This film shouldn't have worked. How could a budding filmmaker make a movie of epic proportions with an all-star cast doing terribly illegal things... out of order? It shouldn't have worked, really. The result is my favorite film of all time.
Yes, if I had to pick a single favorite film of all time, it would be this masterpiece of dark comedy and impeccable writing. Is there a more immensely quotable film in existence? A few come close, but this has something unique: innumerable quotable one-liners that form conversations, the entirety of which is memorable. I can rattle many off the top of my head, and it really did deserve Best Picture. It was the ballsiest (and best) film of the decade, and possibly ever. Forrest who?
It is a brazenly brave and fantastically original series of stories that mesh in a climax that had me staring so hard at the screen that I didn't want to blink in fear of missing something. Every frame is a masterpiece, either in its brutality, comedy, or honesty. The musical choices added an incredible sense of realism and and a gung-ho attitude, throwing itself at the audience in the most reserved way possible. It is a true work of art.
The acting on all counts is beyond superb. There are no other actors to deliver the lines the way they did, and turn the entire film into a pop culture movement. Samuel L., Bruce, John, Uma, Harvey, Ving, Amanda, Eric. I mean, nobody else. This is one of the most expertly assembled casts of all time.
The credit, of course, goes in large part to Mr. Quentin Tarantino, a personal hero of mine. He does things because he wants to, and makes films for himself. Luckily, they are perfect (at least this one is) and we are lucky to have him as a tour-de-force creative mind in this world. If you haven't seen this film, you are missing one of the most important cinematic experiences ever committed to celluloid. Save yourself the embarrassment of not knowing the references when they come up, and watch this film. It is worth your time, tenfold.
*Remember to comment on this post: http://licacfilm.blogspot.com/2013/07/suggest-films-for-review.html with your suggestions for film reviews!*
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Suggest Films for Review!
Hello everyone!
If you can think of a film that you'd like me to review, old or new, just comment on this post with your suggestions. If I've seen it before, I'll re-watch. If I haven't, I love watching new films! I look forward to reading your suggestions and watching, watching, watching.
Daniel
If you can think of a film that you'd like me to review, old or new, just comment on this post with your suggestions. If I've seen it before, I'll re-watch. If I haven't, I love watching new films! I look forward to reading your suggestions and watching, watching, watching.
Daniel
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