Oscar-nominated animated short “The Paperman” is a real gem.
by Sam Juliano
A powerful blizzard pelted the northeast from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, dropping about a foot of snow on the New York City metropolitan area, and the suburbs, including Fairview, New Jersey. Yet, you’d never think the high winds and brutal cold that had descended on the area just hours before could possibly yield to such a bright and intense sun that showed itself all day Saturday and helped to downsize all the local snow piles. Such is usually the case with the February white stuff, whose slushy texture is only useful for the young ones focused on heaving snowballs and building snowmen. In any case, as this was really the only serious snowstorm this winter and the first bad weather event since Hurricane Sandy, I don’t think we can complain. Heck, our very good friends Laurie Buchanan, Jon Warner, Pat Perry, Marilyn Ferdinand, Mark Smith and perhaps even Jim Clark have suffered through one of the worst mid-west winters in a while, and have scantly even complained about it. We did at least dodge the bullet by keeping our power the entire way through, and got to “enjoy” a half-day off from school on Friday. Lucille, Sammy and I hit the local multiplex right after dismissal to squeeze in a showing of the new Soderbergh film just before the theater closed down as the storm began.
I met up with filmmaker and friend Jason Giampietro on Thursday night at the local Boulevard Diner on Kennedy Blvd. in North Bergen, New Jersey to engage in our annual Oscar predictions interview. Most of the talk was a thorough discussion of the major categories and our own sizing up of the various voter swings that in recent weeks seem to have firmed up a final verdict. For the first time, 15 year-old Sammy -who has now seen 7 of the 9 Best Picture nominees- and a lot of other films over the course of the year- was an active participant in the discussion. The interview will be posted at the site on one of the upcoming days still to be determined. The British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs) announced their awards on Sunday, and they continued the Argo juggernaut, but naming the film Best Picture, and by awarding Ben Affleck the Best Director prize. The acting winners are: Day-Lewis, Riva, Hathaway and Waltz, and the four awards won by Les Miserables was the the evening’s highest total, for whatever that is worth. Most would say ‘absolutely nothing’ and I’d have to agree even while I mention it here. Jaimie Grijalba has posted the vital installment of his ‘Frank Awards’ at Overlook’s Corridor: http://overlookhotelfilm.wordpress.com/
Lucille and I (with Sammy and Danny for most) saw the following in theaters:
Little Fugitive ***** (Tuesday night) Film Forum
Side Effects *** 1/2 (Friday afternoon) Edgewater multiplex
Caesar Must Die ** 1/2 (Wednesday night) Film Forum
Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts **** 1/2 (Saturday) Montclair
The week’s highest was the 1953 LITTLE FUGITIVE, a naturalistic work that purportedly influenced the French New Wave, and was directed by three people–Raymond Abrashkin, Morris Engel and Ruth Orkin. Featuring excellent use of non-professional actors in real Coney Island locations, and shot in 35 mm with a hand-held camera, the film won the Silver Lion at Venice and once seen is absolutely unforgettable.
The five Oscar nominated animated shorts were presented in a theatrical program that also included several fine works that missed making the final five. My own favorite of the group -and the one that seems to be favored to win- is John Kahrs’ irresistible The Paperman, which I had seen a few times earlier in the year before main features in theaters. I am providing the link to it on the first comment to the MMD. Maggie Simpson’s The Longest Daycare is a close second, and Adam and Dog would be right after. The other two, Fresh Guacamole and Head Over Heels are fine too and round-out a splendid lot.
SIDE EFFECTS has some rough edges, and one can’t be too invested or the ending will disappoint, but it often is an engrossing psychological piece dominated by pill popping from both sides of the divide, and it’s played out in hushed exchanges. For me it’s the best Soderbergh movie is a while. Sadly it could be his last as he says he will retire now. CAESAR MUST DIE is a novel idea embracing the real and imagined, but this Italian drama-film based on Shakespeare never manages to connect on a the human level that “Julius Caesar” did, and despite some brilliant sections, it’s often a tedious watch and listen.
I finished Mark Cousins’s seminal documentary series STORY OF FILM. It’s masterful and essential viewing for every cineaste. I hope to have plenty more to say on this in the upcoming weeks.
Naturalistic masterpiece ‘Little Fugitive’ from 1953 influenced the French New Wave
This week I have brought back the links, in full force:
John Greco offers up a superlative piece on Hitchcock’s ‘Sabotage’ at Twenty Four Frames: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/
Sachin Gandhi has posted an incredible presentation at Scribbles and Ramblings that examines not only 2012 and 2013 so far, but the best films of every year over the past decade. It’s a fascinating post for cinephiles: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2013/02/best-films-of-last-decade.html
At Filmacability Dean Treadway is leading up with an enthralling Top 25 for 2012: http://filmicability.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-25-best-movies-of-2012.html
Samuel Wilson has penned a spectacular review of Michael Haneke’s “Amour” at Mondo 70: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2013/02/on-big-screen-amour-2012.html
In his newest post “Paper vs. Plastic” Joel Bocko presents a terrific photo essay and a link to insightful prose on David Fincher’s “The Social Network” at I Lost it at the Movies: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2013/02/paper-or-plastic.html
At Vermillion and One Nights the ever-talented Murderous Ink has posted the fifth and final installment of his monumental ‘Evangeline’ series: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/
Shubhajit Lahiri is leading up at Cinemascope with yet another superlative capsule, this time on Bunuel’s swan song “That Obscure Object of Desire”: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2013/02/that-obscure-object-of-desire-1977.html
Judy Geater is leading the way at Movie Classics with an enthralling post on the ‘My Favorite Film Actors of All-Time” that movie lovers simply must check out: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com
Jon Warner has written one of his great essays on David Lynch’s “Mullholland Drive” at Films Worth Watching: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2013/02/mulholland-dr-2001-directed-by-david.html
At The Last Lullaby Jeffrey Goodman has posted a stupendous post on this ‘Best Films of 2012′ list: http://cahierspositif.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-top-10-or-so-films-for-2012.html
Laurie Buchanan offers up another wonderful post “Yoga Gone to the Dogs” at Speaking From The Heart and poses a pointed question: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/yoga-gone-to-the-dogs/
Tony d’Ambra is leading up at FilmsNoir.net with a fascinating post “Jean Valjean in the Shadows” that takes a look at the classic 1934 French film of Hugo’s novel: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/jean-valjean-in-the-shadows.html
R.D. Finch comprehensively covers 1969 and 70 in his focused look on the Oscar nominees of each of the two years in the main categories: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-oscar-picks-1969-70.html
Dee Dee at Darkness Into Light has posted a terrific capsule of “Gun Crazy” with links to Marilyn Ferdinand’s interview with Peggy Cummins included:Marilyn Ferdinand interview with actress Peggy Cummins…”
Weeping Sam at The Listening Ear offers up some atmospheric prose and scenic photos of the two foot blizzard that struck his New England hometown: http://listeningear.blogspot.com/2013/02/snowy-snow.html
“Art Studio in Real Time” leads up at the always-ravishing Creativepotager’s blog: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/artist-studio-in-real-time/
David Schleicher at The Schleicher Spin has posted a terrific piece of Soderbergh’s “Side Effects”: http://theschleicherspin.com/2013/02/08/side-effects-may-include-smirks-butts-on-the-edges-of-seats-and-oh-no-she-didnts/
Roderick Heath has penned a quintessential and enthralling essay of Spielberg’s “Lincoln” at Ferdy-on-Films: Spielberg’s “Lincoln”
Ed Howard has posted an extraordinary essay of Ouseme Sembene’s “Xala” at Only The Cinema: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2013/02/xala.html
Craig Kennedy’s newest installment of his beloved ‘Watercooler’ is leading the way at Living in Cinema: http://livingincinema.com/2013/02/10/31468/
At Patricia’s Wisdom, the wonderful proprietor offers up a tonic for negativity in the thousands: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2013/02/14000-things-to-be-happy-about-barbara-ann-kipfer/
At The Confidential Report Anubhavbist has posted a fantastic Top 10 of 2012 listing with superlative prose in defense: http://theconfidentialreport.wordpress.com/
Head over for a sip of ‘Twin Peaks Coffee’ at the incomparable Coffee Messiah’s blog: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2013/02/twin-peaks-coffee.html
J.D. LaFrance has posted a dazzling essay on “Hidalgo” at Radiator Heaven: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2013/02/hidalgo.html
At Screen on Screen Paddy Mullholland has posted a terrific capsule review of “How to Survive a Plague”: http://screenonscreen.blogspot.com/2013/02/review-how-to-survive-plague.html
Just Another Film Buff has posted a terrific review of Mani Ratnam’s “Kadal” (The Sea) at The Seventh Art: http://theseventhart.info/2013/02/10/ellipsis-69/
Jason Bellamy has written a master class review of Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” at The Cooler: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2013/01/everybody-breaks-bro-zero-dark-thirty.html
Drew McIntosh has posted a wonderful presentation of Maxwell Anderson’s “The Eve of St. Mark’s” at The Blue Vial: http://thebluevial.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-eve-of-st-mark.html
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan, WitD writers and readers…
[Cont...]
Thanks so much for the kind mention and your comment Sam.
Good to hear the snowstorm subsided on Saturday and didn’t cause too much damage. For a change, we reached the other side of 0 deg C and some of the snow we have had since October finally melted. So for us there was hope, like every year, that the snow will finally melt one day
but I expect a few more snowstorms for us before that happens.
I do plan to see SIDE EFFECTS but I am sure Soderbergh will direct 2 films in the next few months & then retire. Then he will direct another 3 during retirement, come back direct 2 more & then retire again. I can’t take news of his retirement seriously as I am sure I have heard this many times previously.
Look forward to your award discussion video.
Take care & stay warm
Sachin—
Thanks for the very kind words. Yes, we did dodge a bullet when you consider the dire forecast that has been in place all week. We have a bit more snow predicted for later this week, but nothing compared to this past storm. I know your home turf holds the snow for a very long time, so it had to be nice to have some higher temperatures. Like you I am also skeptical about Soderbergh throwing in the toweling. He may take a break, but definitely see him returning. He’s had quite a prolific run. Thanks for the nice words about the video that should be up later in the week. Thanks as always my friend!
“Yet, you’d never think the high winds and brutal cold that had descended on the area just hours before could possibly yield to such a bright and intense sun that showed itself all day Saturday and helped to downsize all the local snow piles. Such is usually the case with the February white stuff, whose slushy texture is only useful for the young ones focused on heaving snowballs and building snowmen…”
Right you are…It may be too late in the season for the wintry weather to have a near fatalistic [or crippling] impact. Even though the weather is always unpredictable.
Now, when it comes to the films that you and your family viewed at the theatre…I can see that “Caesar Must Die” was the weakest link on the chain…it looks as if the film Little Fugitive
[This film is also screening in the City Of Angels this month...Series: The Naked City: New York Noir and NeorealismUnfortunately, I have never watched this film.]
Side Effects
[After viewing the trailer I would have to say that this film could easily fit into the neo-noir category.]
…and the Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts…“The Paperman”
[I have watched this short and enjoyed viewing this Oscar Nominated Animated Short film.]
…fared much better when it came to your ratings Of each film.
“I met up with filmmaker and friend Jason Giampietro on Thursday night at the local Boulevard Diner on Kennedy Blvd. in North Bergen, New Jersey to engage in our annual Oscar predictions interview.”
Sam Juliano, I can’t hardly, wait to watch your Oscar prediction[s] interview in order to hear what you, Dennis Polifroni, and your son Danny Juliano, have to say about each Oscar-Nominated@ film.
Once again, Thanks, for sharing the links, the current happenings in your world, the [films that you have watched] ratings, and your opinion about the films…as usual.]
deedee
Dee Dee—-
Great point you make in response to my sizing up of this week’s snowstorm. When the snow hits in December and January it usually hangs around. But with February or later it rarely hangs too long. Now I am hearing we more of the white stuff scheduled for later this week. I have my fingers crossed! Ha! As far as the week in movies, yes, CAESAR MUST DIE was the least of the group. It has some arresting moments, and the style in interesting, but it never captures the tension in Shakespeare’s JULIUS CAESAR, relying as it does it’s sense of urgency, something that good acting alone can not quite replicate. Yes, LITTLE FUGITIVE, due out on video for the very first time this coming March (and blu-ray to boot) is really cause for celebration. That’s really fantastic news that the film is playing in LA in that festival, and hopefully it will find an audience there. It’s one of the happiest surprises I’ve had in a theater in a very long time. It is well-placed in the New York noir and neorealism banner, methinks. SIDE EFFECTS can indeed be placed in the neo-noir category. Very happy to hear you enjoyed THE PAPERMAN, an endearing short with a real sense of buoyancy. I was pleased that Judy posted it. Thanks for your interested in the Oscar interview. I am thinking it will probably be up Wednesday or Thursday. Thanks as always my great friend, and you have a nice week!
Love THE LITTLE FUGITIVE and PAPERMAN. Also liked ADAM AND DOG very much. Sam, could you add my top 25 of 2012 post on FILMICABILITY to your weekly lineup? I’d so much appreciate it!
Dean, I am not sure how it was omitted, but I have just reinstated it. Every week I am making some lamentable mistakes, and my deepest apologies to someone who deserves multiple links! And I also for some reason have not even placed a comment on that great piece, which I will rectify this morning. Glad to hear you love LITTLE FUGITIVE and THE PAPERBOY.
Just commented on Dean’s master class post, and urge all others to check it out! It can be acessed by clicking on the third link below.
Thank you, Sam! As always, you are the epitome of kindness!
Sam, we’ve just had a smattering of snow here, but absolutely nothing compared to what you are having in the US. I do hope all at Wonders stay safe and warm and that it clears up soon. I just saw ‘the Paperman’ yesterday – my son Max had seen it with ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ and came home full of excitement about the short, which he showed me on Disney’s official Youtube channel – can’t see the link in your piece, Sam, so I’ll add it here just in case, apologies if it doubles up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTLySbGoMX0
A really great short. Unfortunately Max didn’t have a very good visit to the cinema as a kid sitting behind him kicked his seat throughout and one sitting in front of him played a game on their ipad all through the film!! The showing was a sellout so he couldn’t change his seat. He thought the film was good but is hoping to see it again without the distractions, so I may go along with him.
I’ve been to the cinema myself a couple of times this week – saw ‘Babette’s Feast’, which I absolutely loved and it was fantastic to see it on the big screen. Also saw ‘Hyde Park on Hudson’, which I thought was patchy but with some great patches – I loved Bill Murray and Laura Linney as Roosevelt and his cousin, but, although I like Sam West and Olivia Colman, I thought the film fell off whenever it focused on them and also seemed too much like a rerun of ‘The King’s Speech’ in those sections.
At home I saw ‘The Desperadoes’, a Western from 1943 starring Glenn Ford, Randolph Scott and Claire Trevor which I enjoyed but may not find very memorable, and ‘Eternally Yours’ (1939), a screwball comedy with David Niven as a stage magician/escapologist and Loretta Young as his fed-up wife – parts of this were really sweet and funny although other parts were pretty awful. I ended up watching this one twice as it turned out loads of scenes were missing from the DVD I’d stupidly bought, so I may write it up at my blog! Anyway, here’s wishing everyone a good week.
Oops, I did something wrong with that link by the look of it – trying again before I give up. And I forgot to say thank you for the kind mention.
Judy—
Thanks so much for post THE PAPERMAN on this thread! And I am thrilled to hear that both you and Max enjoyed this great short so much. Lucille and my son Sammy reminded me just days ago that we too had seen it prior to WRECK-IT RALPH at a local theater. I do love it best among the animated short nominees, but the Simpsons episode was also excellent. Too bad your son ran into one of those unfortunate experiences at the theater, one in which he didn’t have the liberty of changing his seat. At least you my be getting an opportunity to see it on a future trip now. Yeah, I also found HYPE PARK problematic, though I was hoping I would like it more than the general reaction. Murray was good, but i found the material listless and episodic. I did like the “hot dog” scene though! As far as BABETTE’S FEAST that is certainly a very great film, one I did see back in the day in a theater upon it’s release. Always see it though AFTER you have a meal! Ha! But a ravishing film from Denmark. THE DESPERADOES is one I remember fondly, though I am still trying to figure out if I saw ETERNALLY YOURS. Again, I thank you so much for posting the short and submitting this great comment my friend! Have a great week!
Sam, just returning to say that although ‘Hyde Park’ didn’t really hang together I did love some parts of it and was very glad to have seen it, so sounds as if I liked it more than you did. And I definitely agree on seeing ‘Babette’s Feast’ after eating!
Aye on BABETTE’S BEAST Judy! Ha! You do seem to like HYDE PARK more, but I’m willing to admit there were a few most delightful moments.
Thanks Sam, for the link. That was quite a storm up here, no doubt – though almost all of it overnight, which takes some of the fun out of it… If you have to put up with the inconvenience and danger of a storm, you ought to get to enjoy the aesthetics… It was pretty impressive looking Saturday morning, though. Anyway – pretty much everything was shut down Friday and Saturday, and most of Sunday too, so I took the chance to work through half the UP films, anticipating the release of 56 up next week…
WS—
I completely agree that overnight blizzards deprive us of hands-on enjoyment of the event, especially since we have to ‘pay the price’ with the clean-up when it’s done. The photos at your blog are really a feast for the eyes – a veritable winter wonderland. Nothing compares with a New England snowfall. And that was a great way to speand Sunday i must say, with that unique series by Michael Apted. i did get to see 56 UP a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Have a great week my friend!
Sam, Thank you for the kind mention. I’m pleased to hear you didn’t lose power through the storm. Being warm and cozy inside and looking out at the white stuff is far preferable than being cold in the house. We’ve had 40 inches thus far this winter and the last few weeks have been a struggle, but amazingly, we’re about 20 inches off of normal right now. There’s still plenty of winter left though. We shall see.
I find it hard to believe that Soderberg is going to retire. He has made a few interesting films. I like Sex, Lies and Videotape, and also think Che is quite remarkable. However, many of his films….The Limey, Traffic, Erin Brockovich are just rather forgettable IMO. I would probably place him as a nominee for one of the 10 most overrated directors of all time.
This last week was a bit light on the film front. I did like Richard Gere in Arbitrage though and thought the film was interesting and well made. Borzage’s A Farewell to Arms was OK, but nothing spectacular. I also thought Hands Over the City was a bit strained. Killer Joe was a rather lurid and over the top (on purpose) film, but fails to really connect and is a bit off-putting actually. I didn’t particularly appreciate the portrayal of women in the film either. It’s kind of a mysoginistic film if you ask me.
This week is Resnais’s Love Unto Death, Double Suicide, and A Late Quartet. Have a great week!
I do know how to spell…..Misogynistic. Typo.
Jon—
Not losing power of course was the key, and I must appreciate your concern here and by e mail. We were thinking the wind was doing it’s best to bring on some unwanted darkness and cold. We dodged the bullet. I know you guys have really been hit hard this winter, and as I just said to Laurie I am hoping it’s mild the rest of the way. You have paid your dues, that’s for sure. I have not been thrilled with Soderbergh myself over the last decade or so, but ironically enough SIDE EFFECTS is my favorite during this span. Of the films of his that you have dissed I would only take you to task on THE LIMEY, which is one of my absolute favorites by the director. The two Soderburghs I hold in the highest esteem are KING OF THE HILL and KAFKA, which are very early efforts. CHE has its moments, and I also like SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE. I guess I like Borzage’s A FAREWELL TO ARMS more than you and to a lesser extent KILLER JOE, but I completely understand the specifics of your problem with the latter. No fan of ARBITRAGE, but agree with you on HANDS OVER THE CITY.
You have a very interesting week ahead cinematically my friend. Thanks as always!
Che and Traffic are the only Soderbergh’s that I find to be great myself Jon. I also really like his version of Solaris (though it’s no match for Tarkovsky’s). But this wouldn’t be the first time I’ve voiced my opinion on Soderbergh being overrated on this blog. I just think that he fancies himself as some modern day Howard Hawks who can jump from genre to genre, or be very chameleonic in his aesthetics. At times it seems like he’s more interested in tackling some different/unique challenge than actually making great films. He gets fascinated by a particular concept without totally caring or being invested in the actual results… at least that’s my impression.
Yeah I see that as well. There’s very little tying everything together for me. He doesn’t do anything REALLY WELL. Case in point his Haywire from last year which was getting pretty solid reviews and some end of year mentions…..it’s fairly straightforward IMO. Nothing special….nothing particularly inspiring. I mean I suppose it’s competent, but that’s not enough for me. I mean for goodness sake what was all that Ocean’s Eleven business about years ago? I have a feeling that Soderberg’s “Stature”, whatever it may be, will fade with time, even from those who seem to hold him in some kind of regard. Perhaps to his detriment, he has been rather prolific with his output…..he’s made a LOT of movies since 1989.
I know what you mean. That said, the one film I’ve seen of his (and there are still a lot I need to see, like sex lies or Che) that I consider truly great is his found-footage documentary on Spalding Gray, And Everything is Going to Be Fine. It connects his interest in formal experimentaiton (splicing together interviews, plays, and home movies from different periods and in divergent forms) with a real emotional core. And is much better, to my eyes, than his earlier heavy-on-quirk, light-on-substance adaptation of Gray’s Anatomy.
BREAKING NEWS!!!! SHOCKING!!!!
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/11/16924342-pope-benedict-xvi-to-step-aside-on-feb-28?lite
Sam, what Benedict has effectively done now is to open the door for future popes to throw in the towel when they feel their health and/or advanced age can no longer justify the long held tradition of staying on as pope till you die. I give the man all the credit for being honest. There’s been plenty of speculation that we may have an African pope by next month. Both of the frontrunning cardinals from that continent look like attractive choices.
Terrific point Peter! I just now noticed this response days later!!! I’ll be discussing the papal candidates in this coming Monday’s diary! Thanks my friend!
Sam –
We were wondering how you and yours are fairing in the fierce weather that’s been pummeling your neck of the woods. I’m glad your home didn’t lose its electricity. We got some snow, but I don’t think it’s anything compared to what you guys got.
The weather gods have, however, really delivered on the wind. I think we’d better tether our little house down today or we’re going to pull a Wizard of Oz and fly away!
How FUN that Sammy got to join in the discussion! We’re looking forward to seeing the clip.
The black/white still of “Little Fugitive” is extremely engaging. The little boy with a big slice of watermelon, freckled cheeks packed, and splatters on his shirt. And to know that it was filmed with non-professional actors in real-life Cony Island locations is beyond cool!
Let’s say the little guy was 6 in 1953. He’d be 65 today. It makes me wonder where he is and what he’s doing now.
Laurie—
We certainly got a heavier fall than you guys did, but I know taking into consideration the past months the Chicago area has really been hit hard. As I just said to others I think we can cross our fingers and anticipate milder weather as we move closer to March. In any case I think we can agree the ground hog told a fib this year. Ha! I love your WIZARD OF OZ weather metaphor!
It’s funny that you ask about the present status of the young boy who played the lead in LITTLE FUGITIVE back in 1953! He actually appeared at the Film Forum on the very day the film opened there for it’s one-week run. Yes I believe he is 65, and I heard glowing reports from other theater regulars about his talk in introducing the film. Oh how I wish I was there that night. Couldn’t make it and had to watch the film a few days later. I would have loved to hear about what he was actually doing. Yes the Coney island setting with the non-professional cast made this most desirable.
Sammy did himself well in our talk! Have a great week my friend! And Ihope kite flying will be out of the equation.
Oh my gosh – how cool is it that he introduced the film!!
Indeed Laurie!
Sam, Albany only got seven inches from “Nemo,” so it was safe to go to the movies. You’ve read my opinion of Amour, so let me tell you that the screening was oddly underpopulated for an Oscar nominee in its opening weekend locally. It wasn’t the weather, really. I was surrounded by people getting tickets for Side Effects, which tells you this was an arthouse; otherwise I’d be surrounded by “Identity Thief.” The people have judged, I guess.
Anyway, Amour proved not to be the “feel bad” movie of my week. That high honor goes to Yoshitaro Nomura’s The Demon from 1978. If James M. Cain did a story about killing or otherwise getting rid of small children it might look like this on film. Ken Ogata is magnificently wretched as the guilty father, but more on that at my place. I also caught up with Autumn Sonata to clean my palate after The Serpent’s Egg. Nothing great cinematically, but its only reason to exist is as an acting tour-de-force, and the female I. Bergman and L. Ullmann (another “female I. Bergman,” I suppose) deliver the goods. Also saw Lumet’s Prince of the City, an unrelenting chronicle of moral compromises that eventually justifies the time spent, and Phil Karlson’s 5 Against the House, which would be easier to take had it not asked us to take the male cast for college boys but still gets good work from the actors.
Good for Mr. Ratzinger, by the way, for knowing when to quit.
Samuel—
It is a rarity for Albany to get “less” snow during a snowfall that hits both areas, but this year has been strange in that sense. We did after all do far worse with Sandy as well. But good to hear the movie trip wasn’t dashed and you got to see a film -based on your stupendous, glowing review- was one of the finest of the year for you. Thanks for that audience attendance information, which all things considered does not surprised me one bit, sad to say. I know SIDE EFFECTS appears to be raking them in at a time of the year that isn’t kind to attendance figures. I am VERY intrigued to see Nomura’s THE DEMON based on that fascinating report. Yes it is indeed the ACTING that makes AUTUMN SONATA essential viewing. But after THE SERPENT’S EGG I can’t blame you wanting to “clean your palette.” The first time I saw PRINCE IN THE CITY back in the day I thought it was over-wrought and convoluted, but I have been meaning to watch it again. And I need to catch up with that Karlson.
Yes, Joseph Ratzinger did something that even a good number of devout Catholics are applauding as a courageous, selfless move. But there are others that do think otherwise. It will be fun (for me anyway) to figure if the church may go to Africa or Central America -or even to Marc Oullet of Canada- for their new pope. I’ll try and discuss it on the MMD in future installments as I know so many are looking forward to it! hahaha!
Have a great week my friend, and thanks for the great comment!
Sam –
I really enjoyed SIDE EFFECTS this weekend, as you know, and would award it ****.
Also took in a screening of the Oscar nominated live-action shorts at Philly’s Ritz at the Bourse (an annual tradition). All of us agreed it was a rather dour, but polished lot this year (even the “comedy” entry was a very very dark one). The French-Canadian entry, HENRY, was probably the best of the lot but massively depressing. A Dutch-French entry about stealing the shadows of the dead was notably non-sensical and confounding.
On Netflix I watched:
Flight – ***
Your Sister’s Sister – ***1/2
I also have been watching the Netflix original series, HOUSE OF CARDS staring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright and produced by David Fincher (he also directed the first two episodes). If this is indicative of the type of original programming Netflix wishes to produce, this could be the wave of the future and another nail in the coffin of traditional television…it rivals anything you would find on HBO, Showtime or AMC and is one of the most riveting political dramas I’ve seen in a long time. I’m about half way through the 13 episode run so far. Definitely addictive. I just wonder how many people are watching it (obviously the audience is limited to Netflix subscribers in the know).
Aye David, and you did a fabulous job in reviewing the film. Soderbergh is not too popular a director at WitD, and I myself am no fan of his most recent films, but I thought SIDE EFFECTS was reasonably solid. You mention the Oscar “live action” shorts. I actually will be seeing the lot tonight in Montclair, New Jersey with my wife and son Sammy. As I noted here on the diary, I did see teh animated group on Saturday night in the same theater. The Canadian film sounds most interesting, and I will keep in mind what you say about it and the others. I did read elsewhere too that this was an especially “dark” lot. Wow, that is some commendation there you offer up on HOUSE OF CARDS! It appears you have seen this show before any of the TV lovers here at WitD, none of whom have yet mentioned it. FLIGHT is passable, and my wife Lucille really loved YOUR SISTER’S SISTER. Have a great week my friend. Many thanks!
Meryl Streep snowbound in Connecticut!! Will she make it to the Oscars?? Do you care??
Practically nil on the movie front. ‘District 9′ — For those who like to swoon, this can be taken as a parable on apartheid; for me, it’s just your garden-variety sci-fi in a somewhat novel setting. I’ll give it a B-.
Been racing through ‘Ulysses’, certain most of the Homeric parallels are going right over my little noggin, but for now so what? The dense torrent of words, the “uninterrupted unrolling of thought” is astonishing. And Irish novelist Edna O’Brien’s slim biography (1999) of Joyce is a useful companion to this masterpiece. Also, picked up a copy of Truffaut’s “Mississippi Mermaid” for 2 bucks. Some love it, some find it a weakish, disposable entry in the Truffaut canon, but at least Deneuve and Belmondo are present to be gazed upon.
It’s 55 degrees and sunny right now, so I’m going outside to play. Later to you Sam and everyone at Wonders.
By the way, Sam, have you voted in the Muriel Awards yet?
Mark—
I did indeed cast my vote on the Muriels on January 28th, a day before the deadline. The results should be posted any day now, I believe. Jaimie Grijalba was also invited to vote this year, and I’m sure he’ll be talking about the results after they are announced as well. Nice to hear the mid-Ohio temperatures reached quite a comfort level! We are not out of the woods yet, but things are looking up! True, MISSISSIPPI MERMAID is hardly a masterwork or even commendable Truffaut in a comparative sense, but as you rightly point out there are worthwhile aspects. It’s been decades since I tackled and read ULYSSES in an undergraduate literature class, and it’s everything you claim there and then some. A masterpiece in the truest sense of the word of course. I’d have to agree with that rating on DISTRICT 9. Have a great week my friend!
Cousins’ series has one huge blind spot, and that’s animation. There’s only a smattering of shorts– a Mickey Mouse, Gertie the Dinosaur, one or two European. The features are even more conventional– Prince Achmed, Snow White, 101 Dalmations and Toy Story. No anime– not even blitheringly obvious stuff like “Akira” or features by Miyazaki or Kon. No French features– not Rene Laloux, Sylvain Chomet or Michel Ocelot. No modern-day rotoscoping or documentary experiments like “Waking Life” or “Waltz With Bashir”. No stop-motion features. Not even any damn Looney Tunes.
Bob—
This issue was brought up two weeks ago by Joel on these boards, and I quite agree. This is a major bind spot, sad to say, in an otherwise superlative series. I am not sure if it was deliberate (because Cousins felt it was too extensive to cover) or if it just got lamentably lost in the shuffle.
Thanks as always my friend. Have a great week!
If it was too extensive to cover, there ought to have been a note of it by him in the series somewhere. If he’s going to make such a big, bold claim in making an effort to remap cinematic history, there’s really no excuse to ignoring the form. Especially because of how much he’s missing that would fit right into his own theories and arguments– “Waltz With Bashir” and “Paprika” at the very least would’ve been more interesting additions to the conversation about cinematic dreams and history than “Avatar” or “Inception”.
Sad to say Bob, you have hit the nail on the head. There is no excuse for that omission.
We were watching the weather forecast for your area and are relieved to hear that all is well. I was so worried about so many loosing power – once again and then it being so cold. Whew! Now we will see if the groundhogs are up to par.
Thank you for your kind words and link.
I have been down with a virus which greatly affected my eyes, so now I am quite severely behind with writing and reading, but so happy to be coming back to life.
I did watch a documentary as I was up to it…This Emotional Life, which was a delightful way to experience the MYTHS OF HAPPINESS book which I just reviewed. I am hoping more young adults might watch it or read the book – as several suicides have been happening in our area, which are very uncomfortable when it involves young people who could be helped.
I appreciated your kind words on my recent post and offer a thousand thank yous. I hope Lucille enjoys the book as much as I do – a real treasure.
Many Thanks to JUDY for linking the Paperman to the site – I knew nothing about it and it is delightful – Happy Valentines Day to you and yours.
PS
Since Ground Hogs Day was also my Father’s Birthday, before I left the east coast I went to see Phil in Puxatawny, PA and the celebrations. I always watch Ground Hogs Day the movie every year. I think it is an amazing story of transformation -
Patricia—
Thank you for your concern on the storm. Certainly we have had plenty worse, and just months ago Hurricane Sandy wove a deadly path. But the reports here made this newest storm seem far more imposing than it actually turned out. I am think and hoping of course that we have seen the worst that winter 2012/13 has to offer. Ha! Yes, Judy did us a great service posting the wonderful PAPERMAN on this thread! And I agree with you on the tranformative aspects of GROUNDHOG DAY, which has become a perennial favorite. MYTHS OF HAPPINESS was a terrific subject to tackle and you did a stellar job with it! Lucille is looking forward to it! Sorry to hear that you came down with the virus and have subsequently been sidelined my friend. Have a much better week and thanks as always!
Hello Sam and everyone!!!
Thanks a lot for featuring my Frank Awards in your diary, and it’s amazing the movies that you’ve seen, I definitively want to check out “Side Effects” and I did see “Caesar Must Die” last year and I awarded it **** because of the cinematography and the interesting experiment that happened, it was an interesting view that maybe lacked something to get into a higher tier of filmmaking.
Well, I spent this week completely alone in my house, because my parents were on vacation and I was here in Santiago, working, so I guess nothing of extreme importance really happened, ha!
My week movie wise:
- The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes (1971, Stan Brakhage) ***** I rented the Criterion double disc of Brakhage by Brakhage and I’ve been going through the shorts and longer forms of video art that he did in his life… and this was completely unexpected, I was there watching this silent film playing, seeing dead people getting cut and open, death itself, the life of a human being, the mortality, it was strong enough for me to warranty a masterpiece in terms of how visually it managed to get through the reality of the mortal life. I don’t know how many people will agree with me, but this is just genius.
- Cat’s Cradle (1959, Stan Brakhage) ***1/2 Now this is just a nice short featuring cats, nudity and an overbearing silence, it has some great use of the tinted film.
- Dialogue of Dogs (1977, Raul Ruiz) ****1/2 I saw this for the 1977 poll for Wonders, I hadn’t seen a short so I decided to watch this one and I wasn’t dissapointed, it was just impressive and great in everything you’d expect Ruiz to be: circular, funny and even cinematic, though this one is mostly a picture-novel more than a film. Great stuff.
- Couch (2005, Paul Thomas Anderson) **1/2 A short film featuring Adam Sandler doing Adam Sandler things, not very funny, not very good, just… not.
- Desistfilm (1954, Stan Brakhage) ***1/2 One of the first films of Brakhage and you can tell, it has something that could be seen as narrative, it has sound and even music! It’s entertaining and has some deeper meanings.
- Dog Star Man (1962-4, Stan Brakhage) **** A great visual experiment divided in all its parts, most of them visually impressive, I like to qualify above them all the segments regarding the newborn kid and its relation to the protagonist of the film, as well as all the family stuff included inside of this impressive and influential movie. It is, nevertheless, a bit lacking for me just because of how confusing it turns in its last segment and how different and own thing the first one was.
- Eye Myth (1967, Stan Brakhage) ***1/2 A 9 second film that managed to surprise me, wow.
- The Master (2012, Paul Thomas Anderson) ***** Wow, I finally saw this and wowoweewo, this was amazing. I wasn’t confused, I never felt that I was lost in the plot, it’s pretty straightforward and may this be a lesson of filmmaking and narrative: SKIP THE CRAP. This is a movie that only has the good moments of a movie, like when you watch a film you know that you have to see how the character evolved from here to there, but not in this one, here we see the characters do things and we understand it because the film makes it possible for us to understand. The performances are just gold, I love them inmensely.
- Mothlight (1963, Stan Brakhage) ****1/2 I really loved Brakhage, some of his films just hit the right spot, like this one, something that it’s a fascination for me, the painting on film here taken to another level with the use of natural elements to be put in the film to make a visual experience, just genius.
- F**k my Family (Que pèna tu familia) (2012, Nicolás López) ** This is the last of the famous chilean trilogy and it’s just as disgusting and revolting as the other two were, I’m writing a review for my blog right now.
- TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away From Keyboard (2013, Simon Klose) **** My first 2013 movie was this crowdfunded docuemntary that was made available for free on youtube and other crowdsourced sites days before its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, and that is something that goes in the spirit of the film, how these founders of one of the best crowdsourced sites in the internet manage to defend themselves from the ridiculous associations of the major studios in Hollywood. A recommended watch.
- Wedlock House: An Intercourse (1959, Stan Brakhage) **** A black and white short made about the life of a couple who recently married, playing around with flashlights, having sex, a sense of darkness that goes beyond anything that is visible in the screen.
- Window Water Baby Moving (1962, Stan Brakhage) ****1/2 There is something about the more visceral work of Brakhage, it just rings true to me, as if he was the brave one that can show me these events that I’d have no other chance of witnessing right now at this moment in my life, and here we have a birth, photographed in a beautiful manner, that it manages to talk a lot about life and love.
- The Wold Shadow (1972, Stan Brakhage) **** A short short film about the spirit of the forest, intriguing and beautiful to see something still in the world of Brakhage.
That’s all, thanks again Sam and have a good week!
Jaimie—
I think I do recall your report on CAESAR MUST DIE. Well, I can’t deny that there are impressive aspects, even through it’s rather uneven. I am predicting you will really like SIDE EFFECTS, but we will see. You have me at a loss to intricately discuss the pioneer Stan Brakhage, who you feature in a slew of superlative capsule assessments. I have seen DOG STAR MAN, MOTHLIGHT and CAT’S CRADLE, but not the others you evaluate, but this is one of the seminal figures. I can’t contest any of your ratings either. I will watch THE WOLD SHADOW over the next day or two. Your top rating of THE MASTER is in full agreement with how Maurizio and Dennis rate it. Allan pulls back a bit, and I have already stated it’s a problematic film that I feel is overestimated. But I have stated my case. The time now is yours and you have offered up a glowing short assessment. I also want to see Ruiz’s DIALOGUE OF DOGS, especially that his final feature film is opening up this week in US theaters. Thanks for the terrific wrap my friend, and for that banner Frank Awards presentation!
Sam that sun after a storm always makes me smile and shake my head. It is as if the universe is saying “what?” In that innocent kind of way after having had a big trantrum on the earth’s surface. We have seen a few good films lately but I shall share just one….
My Afternoons with Margueritte – 2010 directed by Jean Becker starring Gerard Depardieu. This is a beautiful film about relationships and living life to the very end in the best way we know how. I don’t want to share too much because the film is full of little surprises. Let me say it this way – there are equal amounts of raw and sensitive emotions that had me laughing and then wanting to give someone a hug and then annoyed as the viewer witnesses the pulling of the onions to the reading of a novel. A movie that invites compassion.
Terrill—
I love that assertion that the universe might be saying “what?” after the winter wonderment known affectionately as a “snow blizzard” but less fondly as a nightmare. At least in mid-February there is hope it will melt in short order with the sun and higher temperatures. I saw MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITE in the theater upon it’s 2011 USA release, and must admit, like you I was smitten with it! I think I gave it four out of five stars. I can’t possible expect to frame it nearly as well as you did here, but suffice to say the film deeply moved me, and the performances were wonderful. It’s ideas are universal, and days after you saw it you realize it’s hardly “lightweight.”
Have a great week Terrill, and many thanks as always!
It doesn’t get much better than starting the week knowing your blog is on the Wonders in the Dark Monday Morning Diary!
2012 was a great year for animation and the shorts nominated are no exception. While I appreciate Paperman, and fully expect it to win, but my fingers are crossed for Maggie Simpson’s The Longest Daycare. I’m not sure I’ve re-watched a series as often as I have the first nine seasons of the Simpsons. In my eyes, those episodes are pure perfection! However most of what has followed season 9 is pretty hit or miss for me, with the newest seasons being almost unwatchable. However I loved the Maggie Simpsons short. Easily the most fun I’ve had watching a new Simpsons product in quite some time (and that includes the Simpsons Movie).
Also I wanted to bring some attention to this:
https://www.change.org/petitions/ray-carney-return-mark-rappaport-s-films
I’m not sure if you guys have been following the on-going struggles of Mark Rapport, one of America’s finests living independent filmmakers, to get back his films from film critic/professor/author Ray Carney, but if you haven’t check out the link. It’s an online petition started up by Jon Jost, another great indie film great, and it explains the whole dilema. I want to spread the post to as many people as I can and will also be writing up a review of one of Mark Rappaport’s finest films, The Scenic Route from 1978, on my blog. I encourage everyone to check out the petition, sign up if you believe in the cause (you’ll be joining great filmmakers like Su Friedrich, Ken Jacobs, and Monte Hellman if you do), and/or just check out any of Rappaport’s work thats still available online. Thanks guys!
Well thanks so much for saying that Anu! It’s always an honor to have you on this thread! I must say I am completely with you on the Maggie Simpson ‘The Longest Daycare.” it’s funny and delightful, and does bring the best possible projection of the Simpson’s we could possibly have a right to expect. Utterly charming. And within a whisker of “The Paperman” for me of this group. As I just mentioned to David Schleicher (above) I will be checking out the live action shorts tonight in New Jersey theater about a 40 minute drive from my home. I have been “warned” that it’s a dark lot, but that’s often the kind of thing I’m into. You can be rest assured I will be signing the Rappaport petition, and will be checking out your upcoming review of “The Scenic Route” at THE CONFIDENTIAL REPORT. In any case this is a very noble cause my friend, and I applaud your passion in moving forward with it. Have a great week, and many thanks as always!
Sam,
Thank you for the kind words and mention.
LITTLE FUGITIVE is one of the films I have heard about it, but never got around to see it. Your mention renewed my interest in the film. I will search for the disc, since the chance I could see it on screen here is less than slim.
This week, I saw Rene Clair’s UNDER THE ROOF OF PARIS and Jean Renoir’s THE LOWER DEPTHS. I guess I don’t need to say anything except that they are just great. Sure, they are dated some, but after 70 years, what wouldn’t?
I hope you will have a nice week.
MI
MI—
LITTLE FUGITIVE is unavailable at present (on DVD) but the glorious news of it’s release was announced a short time ago. It will be appearing on a Kino blu-ray next month! I absolutely agree with you on both UNDER THE ROOF OF PARIS and on THE LOWER DEPTHS, both of which are irrefutable classics, and it’s always great to see then again. Thanks very much my friend, and have a great week!
Sam,
Glad you made it through the storm with little problem. Folks further up north in the New England area really got socked badly. Here we are having one of the mildest winters ever on record. In January, we had a record number of days where the temperature hit 80 degrees. We have not even had a freeze at night which we usually get once or twice during the season causing havoc for the strawberry farmers. LITTLE FUGITIVE a great little masterpiece, a centerpiece of the early New York independent scene. Hoping to catch SIDE EFFECTS this coming weekend.
On another topic, I was notified late last week that I have been accepted as one of the participants in an upcoming art exhibit sponsored by PAVA (Professional Assn. of Visual Artists) to be held at Ruth Eckard Hall. This is my first group show, so I am admittedly pretty excited and have been busy since ordering prints and making other preparations. Finally, here’s hoping everyone has a great week!
This week I watched the following…
Wonder Man (***1/2) Generally, I find a little bit of Danny Kaye to be plenty. After a while, and as talented as he was, he can get a bit tedious after awhile. WONDER MAN is a decent enough comedy with Kaye in a the role of twins which depending on your point of view is either too much or not enough.
Little Caesar (****1/2) The rise and fall of Rico Bandello as portrayed by Edward G. Robinson. Classic gangster that never gets old. I have watched it more times than I can remember.
Scream of Fear (***1/2) Terrific Hitchcockian thriller from England’s house of horror, Hammer Films. Eerie, atmospheric, director Seth Holt keeps you on edge throughout the film’s running time.
Monte Walsh (****) A prevailing melancholia hangs in the air throughout this film. Director William Fraker pays tribute to the last days of the cowboy. Beautifully photographed with some wonderful performances from Lee Marvin, Jack Palance and Jeanne Moreau.
John—
You are enjoying some beautiful weather and are making quite a pitch for some weary Northerners to make the final move. Ha! Well, there’s no doubt the New Englands like our friend Weeping Sam and the midwest fraternity of this site have suffered mightily with the white stuff this winter. All things considered as you note we did dodge the bullet this past week, even with the substantial snow that fell.
Yep LITTLE FUGITIVE is a masterpiece that I can’t wait to see again on the upcoming blu-ray, and your fabulous review is simply the best available on line! As a former Brooklynite this had to be quite a source of pride as well. I am sure you will really like SIDE EFFECTS if I have your taste figured right. As far as Soderbergh I think it’s his best of the new millenium.
John, I must offer you a great big congratulations for that upcoming exhibit at Ruth Ekhard Hall!!! That is huge news, and your must be pleased as pink!! I’d much appreciate you could let me know either on the MMD or by e mail how it all goes over, though I know it will be a huge success. Your talent in this area is extraordinary! I love LITTLE CAESAR, SCREAM OF FEAR and MONTE WALSH, but can’t remember WONDER MAN. Excellent round-up and capsules.
Best of Luck to you with the exhibit my friend! Have a great weekend!
Sam, thanks a lot for the kind mention.
The last weekend was good. Managed to sneak in a quick visit to Calcutta & visit my family. Returned late last night, and returned to the grind (as expected) today morning.
Right now I’m eagerly awaiting the first leg of the mouth watering Champions League clash between Real Madrid & Manchester United. I still remember the last time they met which was a decade back. Portuguese winger Luis Figo scored an impossible goal as Real decimated ManU 3-1 in the home leg. And though ManU managed to sneak in a 4-3 victory in the high scoring second leg, Ronaldo (the original Ronaldo, the Brazilian genius I still continue to be a big fan of) scored a fabulous hattrick to take Real to the next round. The matches still feel so fresh even today even though I was in high school then and a lot has happened in the meantime. Hala Madrid!!!
Anyway, I managed to watch the following movies in the meantime:
- The darkly funny second chapter in Kaurismaki’s “Proletariat Trilogy”, Ariel
- The masterful final chapter in the trilogy, The Match Factory Girl
- The brilliant Chilean film chronicling the fall of Pinochet, No (right now it vies for the top spot for 2012 along with Amour for me)
- Theo’s stark & compelling debut film, Reconstruction (the visual design & style here, which he would dramatically change a couple of films hence, was Bela Tarr-esque on hindsight)
- An experiment but (from an international standpoint) obscure Bengali film from the 70s called Jadu Bansha
- The interesting third film in Rohmer’s “Six Moral Tales” series, La Collectionneuse
Shubhajit—
Nobody can ever accuse you of remining stationary. Calcutta is always shown in the west as being a bustling center of activity. I bet you have it all down pat. Your stellar report/anticipation of the upcoming soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester United based on that past contest even has a non-participant like myself more than intrigued. We do have a pair of serious fans at this site as you know: Allan Fish and Maurizio Roca, and I am hoping either or both will have something to say about this Big Match. I would think Alan will be rooting for Manchester, especially as he lives only a short distance from that city. But you are holding up the other end for Madrid!
Great to hear you have watched my favorite Kaurismaki, THE MATCH FACTORY GIRL, and I anticipate you will have a capsule up at CINEMASCOPE, much as you already have for the fine PROLETARIAT TRILOGY. And I am a fan of LA COLLECTIONNEUSE as well.
As far as that Chilean Pinochet film NO, I just told Jaimie under his excellent review here at WitD that I will be seeing it Saturday night. I subsequently anticipate seeing a piece up at your place. Have not seen the Bengali film, nor RECONSTRUCTION but appreciate the thoughts.
Have a great weekend my friend. Many thanks as always!
Presidential Citizen’s Medal to teacher Victoria Soto:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/15/172112113/educators-killed-at-sandy-hook-school-honored-at-white-house
Sam, thanks so much for the great mention.
It’s been painfully quiet here on the movie-watching front of late. But I was very happy to see your post on LITTLE FUGITIVE. I watched it a couple of years ago for the first time and like you, I was quite moved.
I hope you’ve had a great week. Thanks so much, Sam, for all that you do!
Jeffrey—
I can never thank you enough for your incredible support and positive energy for such a long time, and I am honored beyond words! Thrilled to hear you had such a great experience with LITTLE FUGITIVE too! This is admittedly a down time for movies, but traditionally after the Oscars things do pick up! Thanks again my great friend!