Meryl Streep

It’s so refreshing to have an actress who is not afraid to act her age.   Meryl Streep is an icon of AgeEsteem.  She glows from the inside, plays roles that make her seem real rather than beautiful (though beautiful she is!), appears in public looking like someone we would like to meet and sit down for coffee and laugh with rather than Ms Perfection Celebrity.   Her laughter alone captures your heart.

In the film It’s Complicated, she plays the role of a woman who has been left for a younger woman only to have her former husband fall in love with her once again ten years later.   She doesn’t try to dress or act younger, but flaunts her mature femininity and sexuality that is so attractive and appealing.  Somehow we almost feel sorry for her old husband who is unable to keep up with his younger wife and her son.

Great AgeEsteem lessons come out of It’s Complicated :

• If life is complicated, it is because we make it so.
• When we are blind sided by circumstances we gather our own internal forces and move forward.
• You are not the same person today that you were yesterday.
• Social life with friends and family is important.
• We are responsible for our own actions.
• Humor is delicious and healing.
• Having a purpose and loving what we do keeps us focused on positives.
• Values need to be taken seriously.
• Love is real at all ages.

**** Superb       *** Very Good       **  Good         *  Mediocre

UNMISSABLES

Océans ****   (vo French)  This spectacular documentary by Jacques Perrin (Le Peuple Migrateur) is absolute poetry in motion, and a visual gift depicting the beauties and peculiarities of the myriad marine species in our precious waters. It’s a must-see on the giant screen for the full effect of its glorious images and music. Simply breathtaking!

Sin Nombre ****  (vo Spanish)   Along with an incongruous love that develops atop a transport train, this violent and harrowing yet moving film shows the desperate ordeal of emigrants from Central America trying to reach the borders of the U.S. A powerful first film by Cary Joji Fukunaga, it has won awards at both the Sundance and Deauville festivals.

The Little Fugitive ****   This entrancing B&W, multi-awarded film from 1953 will be showing at the CAC Voltaire and should NOT be missed! It’s Brooklyn in the summer and boys will be naughty. When a widowed mother leaves to visit an ailing grandmother, her two sons are left alone for two days. And because little Joey is a pest for his older brother, they play a prank on him, turning Joey into a scared fugitive. A boy’s day out, the innocence yet gumption of a smart kid, and a holiday atmosphere on Coney Island – it’s all here in this independent American forerunner of the French Nouvelle Vague. Cunningly photographed and timeless in its simplicity and universality.

The Road ****   Not for the faint-hearted, here’s yet another end-of-the-world story, but one which is done with a sobriety and depth of feeling that will shake you to the core. The grayness of the desolate earth is given life through the overpowering acting of Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee as a father and son trying to survive in the barren wasteland that is left of the world. This tour-de-force which deals with the struggle between brutal survival and remaining “one of the good ones” is based on the celebrated novel by Cormac McCarthy (of No Country for Old Men) and directed by Australian/Canadian John Hillcoat.

Where the Wild Things Are  (Max et les Maximonstres) ***1/2   Based on the beloved children’s book, this Spike Jonze film is about a boy who feels no one really listens to him, so he creates his own strange kingdom with quirky and delightful creatures where he can rule and be heard. Superbly played by little Max Records and Catherine Keener as his mother, this charming tale is for those with heart, from 5 to 95.

Le Concert ***1/2 (vo Russian/French)   A renowned but politically-damaged Russian conductor gets a chance after 30 years to reunite his orchestra and give an impromptu concert in Paris. Can he manage against all odds, and get to perform with the young violin virtuoso with whom he has a connection from long ago? This delightfully constructed adventure by the Romanian Radu Mihaileanu has some silly and unnecessary moments, but as an old-fashioned crowd-pleaser it is saved by its heartwarming story and characters, and especially the lovely Melanie Laurent (last in Inglourious Basterds) as the violin soloist. The rousing concert finale will have you wanting an encore!

It’s Complicated (Pas si simple) **1/2   Here’s a film not to miss – first because it’s a love story about mature adults, second because it’s got such super actors as Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin and third, because a good romantic comedy is a rare thing. But director Nancy Meyers is an expert at the entertaining ones – such as What Women Want and Something’s Gotta’ Give. It’s a delight for the eyes and for many a belly laugh and it all makes giddy sense until the ending, which I personally did not like. But that’s only me – you and others may think it should end in such an American, equalitarian way…

WORTH YOUR WHILE

Bright Star ***   This beautifully-filmed period piece by Australia’s Jane Campion (The Piano) is about the difficult love story between the poet John Keats and his muse, Fanny Brawne. It truly conveys its era and the delicacy and discretion of feelings back then, when emotions hung on rapturous words and silences..

Loup **1/2 (vo Russian)   Nicolas Vanier (Le Dernier trappeur) takes us once again into the wild, this time to oriental Siberia. This saga of a young man, who has to take care of his troop of reindeer and also protect the family of wolves with whom he has become entranced, is an amazing feat of animal and nature photography.

Kérity, la maison des contes **1/2  (vo French)   Here’s a beautifully animated tale of a little boy who can’t read but is bequeathed a precious collection of books by his late auntie, narrated by Jeanne Moreau. Watch the classics come alive.

Mères et Filles **1/2  (vo French)   The tension between three generations of mothers and daughters is magnified by some dark family secrets. This melodrama is enhanced by the fine acting of Catherine Deneuve, Marina Hinds and Marie-Josée Croze.

WHY NOT ?

Le Siffleur **  (vo French)   What makes this film is its setting – the marvelous Côte d’Azur, and the light touch with which it presents its crooked cast of characters, played by the likes of Thierry Lhermitte, Alain Chabat and the indefatigable François Berléand, doubling as his own twin. They all seem to be having such fun down there, in that radiant climate and all the luxury….

Baba’s Song *1/2  (vo English and German)   This uneven mishmash about musicians in Africa, destitute orphans and a shady adoption deal even grapples with Aids. Wolfgang Panzer of the brilliant Broken Silence just can’t seem to recapture the magic of his earlier film. Some of the acting and dialogue is painfully amateur, but the saving grace is Baba and his wily little side-kick.

AT YOUR OWN RISK

Le père de mes enfants *1/2  (vo French)   This is a story that ends tragically about a film producer burdened by bankruptcy and depression. None of the drama will make a dent in your emotions, methinks. (One wonders if those intellos would feel better if they washed their hair…)

Le Dernier vol *1/2 (vo French)   Don’t bother with this endless search through the dunes of the Sahara. Even though it tries to emulate The English Patient, it doesn’t come close to the latter’s quality or intensity. And neither Marion Cotillard nor Guillaume Canet can save the dull scenario.

Limits of Control *1/2   What’s happened to the brilliant Jim Jarmusch (Night on Earth, Ghost Dog) here? A hit-man goes from locale to locale and meets some strange characters. To what end? And who cares finally?  It should be called The Limits of Patience.

Bazar * (vo French)   This tale of an autumn/spring romance between an older woman and her new young beau, filmed here in Geneva, would have been more interesting if it hadn’t succumbed to clichés and superficial solutions. A pity.

Paranormal Activity *   You and I could also make such a home movie, with slamming doors and moving sheets, about a possible entity in a young couple’s home. It’s not scary, just a creepy wool-over-your-eyes stunt. Don’t fall for the hype from the U.S.

Neptune Ingwersen

Here we are again, ready to tackle the test of quality. Put in a nutshell, a great film leaves you with an unforgettable experience. Here’s my yearly list, in categories and in alphabetical order. If you missed any, rent the DVD.  Happy and healthy 2010, dear cinéphiles!

Neptune Ingwersen

INTERNATIONAL
About Elly – Iran
Cheri – GB
Le Concert – Romania/Russia/£France
Departures – Japan
Eden à l’ouest – Greece/Franc
Eyes Wide Open – Israel
New York, I Love You – France/U.S
The Road –  Australia/Canada/U.S.
Le Ruban Blanc – Austria
Sin Nombre – Mexico/U.S.
Tokyo Sonata – Japan
Vratne Lahve (Empties) – Czech

U.S.A.
Doubt
Inglourious Basterds
Julie and Julia
Last Chance Harvey
Revolutionary Road
Whatever Works
Where the Wild Things Are
The Wrestler
FRANCE
Coco avant Chanel
Le Hérisson
Je l’aimais
Je suis heureux que ma mère soit vivante
Mademoiselle Chambon
Micmacs à Tire-Larigot
Welcome

FUN, THRILLS or ANIMATION
Avatar – U.S.
The Boat that Rocked – GB
Bolt – U.S.
Envoyés très spéciaux – France
Erreur de la banque en votre faveur – France
StarTrek – U.S.
2012 – U.S.
Up – U.S.

DOCUMENTARY
Capitalism – A Love Story – U.S.
L’Enfer d’Henri-Georges Clouzot – France
Let’s Make Money – Austria
Man on Wire – France/U.S.
Max Bill- The Master’s Vision – Swiss
Michael Jackson’s This Is It – U.S.
Océans – France
Roman Polanski – Wanted and Desired – France/U.S.

Why Not?

These may not be first choice, but why not see them anyway?

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus   **

Terry Gilliam is a bit of an untethered genius. Even in brilliant films such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Brazil, Twelve Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas or The Brothers Grimm. He’s basically a huge talent who tends towards overload. Here, having had the privilege of directing Heath Ledger (whom he worked with in Grimm) in his last film, he had the dilemma of having to substitute his character when Ledger passed away so prematurely and tragically. So he replaced this immense talent with no fewer than three actors: Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. The film is a magical mishmash with Faustian undertones though it ends up quite frustrating, without any real form. But it’s still a must-see thanks to all these top talents and what Gilliam managed in the aftermath of tragedy.

Panique au Village **  (vo French)
In the same animated style as Wallace and Gromit, this Belgian tale of Cowboy and Indian is a hectic, wild ride that’s naïve, inventive and funny.

Neptune Ingwersen, Film Critic

Films Worth Your While

L’Enfer de Henri-Georges Clouzot   ***   (vo French)

If you are a cinephile, an admirer of Romy Schneider or fascinated by the creative process, do not miss this study of French director Henri-Georges Clouzot’s filming of L’Enfer (with the gloriously young Schneider), never finished due to various circumstances which you will discover. Having become a legendary auteur after such works as Le Salaire de la Peur, Les Diaboliques, or his ground-breaking documentary, Le Mystère Picasso, Clouzot had become more and more demanding and difficult to work with. This documentary takes us into his world and back to the mood of the 60s, with all its novelties and excesses.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Tempète de boulettes géants)   **1/2

What do they say about being careful what you wish for? Here’s a fun animated story for all ages about a fanatic inventor, who from childhood has fiddled with new-fangled ideas. When his dream of a machine that creates whatever food he orders comes to fruition, all hell breaks loose, literally. Good fun and some fine moral lessons.

Neptune Ingwersen, Film Critic

Foreign Films Not To Miss

A wonderful mental exercise to keep your mind alive and active is to watch foreign films in their original language.

Micmacs à Tire-Larigot   ****   (vo French)
Ah, to be transported into a sepia world of magical realism, nostalgia and loveable characters – each one unique and wondrous.  Isn’t that what good movies are all about? Jean-Pierre Jeunet is back to enchant again after his huge hit, Amélie Poulain. This time it’s about Bazil, a whimsical fellow who ends up with a bullet in his head, which could kill him at any moment. Jeunet’s art is so rich that he can convey thirty years in the first five minutes of the film, juggling and editing until you know all about his characters, yet long to know more. Dany Boon is marvelous as the hero – pure, street-wise and delightfully funny – who wreaks sweet revenge on a couple of arms industrialists. All the while, he’s aided by some quirky homeless types who take him in as part of their “family”. There are touches of vintage Hollywood, Buster Keaton, Bourvil, Tarantino and the Coen Brothers (especially from The Hudsucker Proxy). It’s really all about the little man against the big bosses of this world – arrogant, exploitive and greedy. And guess who you’ll be rooting for?

Le Ruban Blanc   ***1/2   (vo German)
As much as you walk out of Micmacs with a big smile, this one will leave you with a long face and much to ponder. But then the theme is as grim as you will be – the austere, harsh upbringing that spawned the cold ambivalence of character that may have contributed to forming a nation of Hitler followers. It’s pre-WWI in a small hamlet in northern Germany. Among the families of the clergyman, the Baron, the doctor and the farmers, strange things are happening. Who is responsible for these random, cruel acts? Could it possibly be the children, so burdened under relentless punishment? The mood and the stark black and white cinematography hark back to the works of Ingmar Bergman. By Austrian director Michael Haneke, the film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year. One of his least physically violent, it is nevertheless violent emotionally, which can be even more traumatic. But then so were the times. Simply brilliant.

Eyes Wide Open (Tu n’aimeras point)   ***1/2   (vo Hebrew)
This moving film from Israel concerns an Orthodox butcher who is happily married with small children, but falls hopelessly in love with a young man who comes to help him in his shop. The atmosphere, the seriousness of both his religious beliefs and his deep new love make for a powerful tale of torn commitments and sensibilities. By 34-year-old Haim Tabakman, this first feature film has astounding discretion and wisdom .

Neptune Ingwersen, Movie Critic

Film Critic, Neptune Ingwersen

Films not to miss!

New York, I Love You   ****
First came Paris, je t’aime and after this should come Shanghai, I Love You. It’s a great idea to take top directors and actors and give them free rein to create an homage to a city they love. Here you have such established filmmakers as Mira Nair of India, Yvan Attal of France and Fatih Akin from Germany/Turkey giving their versions of the mood and atmosphere of the Big Apple and its varied faces. There are meetings in bars, grocery stores, strange happenings in a hotel room and a precious old couple going to neighboring Brighton Beach for their anniversary. There are a host of superb actors including John Hurt, Ethan Hawke, Robin Wright Penn, Natalie Portman and an astounding Shia LeBeouf who holds his own against an icon such as Julie Christie. And their stories are all woven seamlessly into a hypnotic tribute to a great city, with haunting music, to boot. Do not miss the experience.

This Is It   ***1/2
So many people revered Michael Jackson, while others had questions about him, his strange life and the multitude of charges against him and/or his innocence. We will never know all the truth – there never is only one truth, anyway. But this film will put to rest some of the questions about his artistic intentions and his musical genius. Put together by Kenny Ortega, this compilation of his last months’ rehearsals for his mega-show in London is a final homage to a man of extraordinary talent. In it, he appears vibrant, in complete control, with an exceptional presence and professionalism. Throughout the musical sequences and elaborate preparations there is a sweetness about him, a true caring. It’s a fine tribute to the King of Pop and it may leave you with a lump in your throat for the too sudden, unnecessary loss of such a personality.

2012   ***

It’s strange – This Is It ends on the necessity to save our planet, and this huge blockbuster from German-import Roland(Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow) is about how we are actually going to lose our earth as we know it – in 2012! What Emmerich manages in his films is to not only to make them actual and nail-bitingly exciting, but he also zeroes in on the human element, both in the family unit and with dashes of humor that release some of the tremendous tension he loves to create. And there are some amazing chases and flights that will have you careening in your seat along with John Cusack and his family. This is quality blockbuster material, so take the whole tribe. Ok, so it has a schmaltzy, big-time Hollywood ending, but hey, that’s the fun of these popcorn movies!

Films From Other Countries

Watching films from other countries in their original language can be a great mind exercise.   It also opens delightful new doors to other cultures.

This French film is rated as very good by our critic, Neptune Ingwersen.

PARTIR ***1/2   (vo French)

How does one justify or explain a driven love that annihilates everything in its path?

It’s a drama that has been repeated through the ages and has yet to be comprehended after such luminaries as Sophocles or Shakespeare have probed and tried to digest its force. Here we have a film by Catherine Corsini set in the south of France, about a comfortable bourgeois couple with two adolescents. And then the wife, played by the always excellent Kristin Scott Thomas, falls madly in love with the hired handyman (the gentle Catalan actor, Sergi Lopez). The rest of this powerful story is for you to discover…