Forthcoming 90s; Past 70s

If you follow me on Twitter, perhaps you saw the conversation between Andrew and I about our next trip down Oscar Memory Lane: the year 1993. That is, the year Steven Spielberg finally got his Oscar, for a film AFI twice considered to be among the Ten Greatest Films of All Time, and a Best Picture winner that even Nick Davis had to call "For the Ages". And I've never even seen Schindler's List! I'm saving it to be among the last I see, both to savor it, and because, who's in a hurry to watch a Holocaust film?

On Violence: A Peek at Only God Forgives

Over at The Film Experience, Michael C of Serious Film has posted his thoughts on Only God Forgives, the latest from Nicolas Winding Refn. While I agree that it's no Drive, the general reaction against the film has me concerned, particularly the consensus concern Michael voices regarding the

violence. As he puts it:

There are no human beings to be found in Only God Forgives. Only meat bags, useful as far as they can be posed in bullshit macho scenarios and then eviscerated. The film opens with child prostitution, rape, bludgeoning, and mutilation and that is only warm up for the various stabbings, beatings, scaldings, and eye gougings that follow. I should point out that any of these things I’ve listed can be redeemed in the execution. Context matters. Here they are thrown out haphazardly, in the hopes that the potency of the violence will obscure the fact that the film has not a thought in its head, nor any viewpoint on the material beyond “Isn’t this cool?”  

And here is where I disagree with him and other critics (though, please, read his comments -- I think they are reasonable ones, and we definitely agree on the problem of Kristin Scott Thomas). I commented on the page itself, but just so I have my thoughts on my own space, here it goes:

Cinemaniacs: PACIFIC RIM

So, Ben and I saw Pacific Rim, and reviewed it for our review show, Cinemaniacs. Here's the video, and another link in case you're having trouble here:



I'm not at my most articulate here, I know, but I really, really enjoyed the movie. It's a lot of fun, but also took its time to establish a believable world, so much so that it could hardly be seen as a dismissable wank. Great care was taken in developing this grand spectacle, and it's so sincere that to wave it off exposes you as a killjoy. I bet you hate DeMille and Avatar, too, don't you?

Best in show was Rinko Kikuchi, although Mana Ashida almost walked away with the whole thing. She plays young Rinko in a short but vital segment, and goddam if you don't believe every moment! What a talent!


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Halfway Mark: 2013 Edition

It's July 1st, and you know what that means (or maybe you don't; either way, keep reading!): a First-Half Review!

Last year, I managed to catch 40 films,  and devote two posts to all of them. This year, I caught 40 again, but I ain't about all that work. Instead, here are my six least favorite experiences, two guilty pleasures, five enjoyable confections, and eight I really loved. But first...


The Fence
I have no idea yet where these two will fall, as I just saw them this weekend, but I really enjoyed both The Bling Ring and The Heat, although there were one or two caveats with each. Still, I'd probably see them again. Katie Chang!

Now for the rest. Many of these were reviewed on Cinemaniacs, my show on BiteSize TV with Ben Mekler, so I've linked those title, for further persual. Onward.

The 1973 Hollmann Awards: Part Two!

And, finally, after much waiting, the conclusion of my 1973 Hollmann Awards! Once again, all categories are presented in the exact order of the original Oscar Ceremony, held on April 2, 1974. There's only one category here not awarded by Oscar: Ensemble, awarded to the casting director, and here in place of the Honorary Oscar awarded to Groucho Marx.

Winners are encased in Gold. And now, with no more ado.....

At Least the Title's Appropriate

I'm not exactly married to the Kenneth Branagh version of Shakespeare's popular comedy, since I first saw it in middle school and haven't watched it since -- though I do remember the razor-sharp delivery courtesy Branagh and the incredible Emma Thompson (also, Emma's slow-mo bounce as she hey-nonny-nonnies 'cross the fields). So please please please don't assume that I could not get on board with Joss Whedon's contemporary take because I think Branagh is the master interpreter of the Bard. And do not think me anti-Joss, either: of his shows, I've only seen Roseanne, which is incredible; and I quite enjoy Toy Story, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Serenity, The Cabin in the Woods and The Avengers.

The 1973 Hollmann Awards (Part One)

Five days late, or thereabouts at least, but here we are: the 1973 Hollmann Awards in 2013, Part One!