the hopeandbullshitlist (at 21/01/2009)
no real changes this week, ”the wrestler” charts high, but that was to be expected. this week, theatrically we have “valkyrie”, frost/nixon” and “rachel getting married”, and i have tickets to previews of “the curious case of benjamin button” and “faintheart” too, so a busy week for sure! 1. pierrot le fou (jean-luc godard)2. the … Read more
la ricotta (1963)
pier paolo pasolini’s short film may last only 35 minutes, but it fits into it as many ideas, social comments and stylistic devices as any of his other films. orson welles plays a director attempting to make a version of the story of ‘the passion’, and the resulting chaos that ensues provides the bulk of … Read more
tideland (2005)
terry gilliam’s most recent film, the financially underwhelming (now theres a surprise…) “tideland” proved to be an enriching experience. the overtly joyful story set amongst incredibly bleak surroundings draws obvious comparisons with guellermo del toro’s “pan’s labyrinth” and “the devils backbone”. jodelle ferland stars as the young girl jeliza-rose, in a performance that is best … Read more
the adventures of baron munchausen (1989)
terry gilliam’s long considered flop is a much more interesting and therefore successful film than one would have presumed. the films is an obvious follow up to time bandits, both visually, narratively and content wise. ”the adventures of baron munchausen” is much more ambitious though, which is presumably why its supposed failings are amplified. the … Read more
time bandits (1981)
terry gilliam’s miniature epic is one of the few films that have genuine crossover value for both adults and children alike. the story of a young boy, kevin, who somehow ends up on an adventure throughout time and space with a band of dwarves works on many levels. primarily the story is great; the characters … Read more
lars and the real girl (2008)
craig gillespie’s quirky love story sees ryan gosling playing a very different role to that of his previous turn in 2007′s “half nelson”. lars is a man with relationship/intimacy/social issues, who, with the help of the titular ‘real’ girl finds a way of dealing with his problems. i found “lars and the real girl” to … Read more
strangers on a train (1951)
another hitchcock “wrongly accused/man on the run” thriller features a pair of impressive performances at the heart of it, yet fails to impress on almost every other level. the finale set upon a fairground carousel is thrilling though, and some of the subtler concepts are of interest (the rather blatant use of “doubles” throughout is … Read more
twelve monkeys (1998)
terry gilliam’s first foray into science fiction since 1985′s “brazil” marked the biggest success of his career (thus far at least). bruce willis is wonderfully overshadowed by a young brad pitt, in his pre-fight club days showing off the depths of his potential. indeed his turn as mental patient turned animal activist jeffrey goines proved … Read more
the wrestler (2009)
i honestly believe that darren aronofsky is one of the most interesting people working in cinema today. i was one of the few that wholeheartedly adored (and still adore) “the fountain”, seeing it at its very first screening when it was released a few years ago. to this day i still defend it online, an … Read more
my bloody valentine 3D (2009)
this was showing in my local cinema in new fangled 3D, the type that james cameron is using for avatar. it was for this reason and this reason alone that i decided to check it out on my day off. the film was terrible, just genuinely awful. the opening credits were amazing tho, in which … Read more
