Revanche

Austria's submission for the Oscars (nominated, but lost to Departures) is one of those "what could go wrong" movies, where our unfortunate character(s) formulate a fool-proof plan to get rich quick only to have it backfire spectacularly (e.g., the sublime Before the Devil Knows You're Dead).

Whereas the latter film was a thriller, this one (like all European art-house films) takes a more meditative, still tone. Shots are paced slowly, but the story (thankfully) develops efficiently. And it may not be a thriller, it is still thrilling. Despite a few contrived scenes (mandatory, I must note, to establish a deeper drama), it is a solid film that alas, only those with a taste for "foreign" films will enjoy.

Oscars 2009

As one movie critic commented, the Oscars occupy a small corner in the universe of movies I like. So I shall keep my "predictions" brief, and will reserve further commentary until the results are out.

So:

• Slumdog Millionaire for Best Picture
• Mickey Rourke for Best Actor
• Kate Winslet for Best Actress
• Danny Boyle (or maybe, just maybe, David Fincher) for Best Director

More tomorrow.

Bye now. =)

Hymn To The Immortal Wind (Album Review)

Japanese Post-Rock band Mono presents us with this seemingly pretentious, undeniably sweeping album (with track names like "Ashes in the Snow" and "Battle to Heaven" complete with orchestra and heavy crashing guitar climaxes which I happen to have a weakness for.

Mono has had a tone downed sound in it's last few albums, but it ups one notch for this one to give us seven tracks of instrumental bliss, with little respite.

Rachel Getting Married

Aww...let's hug the junkie.

Demme's foray into the naturalistic side of filmmaking - complete with shaking, handheld photography and lingering shots - turns out decently well. Yet really, one does wonder about the motor-mouthed actors who blurt out their lines as if they were (egad!) written.

Now, fast-talking shows are enjoyable, but they are not the most authentic. Combine such a script with the natural, documentary-like tone this film attempts to be makes it seem a tad bit schizoid. Movies like Happy-Go-Lucky have a smart, fast paced script lines - but they are mostly spoken by one character in contrast to the other more "normal" people around her. In the perfect world of Rachel Getting Married, we find lots of laughter and quick retorts, a white woman marrying the singer of TV on the Radio, saying Christian prayers while dressing in saris and toasting in Jewish. All in blissful ignorance of a former drug-addict who was responsible for someone's death. Ah, the liberal happy family.

I liked it, but wasn't quite sold. If you want a movie where the camera pries and the actors no longer are actors but living a life, look at 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (or more recently and to a lesser extent, Chop Shop) which all movies who call themselves "realist" will have to live up to.

10 Standout Films of 2008

The title says it - these are the movies that stood out and made an extremely favorable impression on me. A top 10 for viewing convenience, followed by a long list of honorable mentions. All are definitely worth seeing. Unless you've already watched it and didn't like it. I have nothing to say in that case. =)

(In alphabetical order)

"We would like to thank you for the Bay of Pigs."

• Che - Although it was shown as one movie, this four hour epic has been divided into two parts, and I think it works much better that way. Part One sketches out Che Guevera's first taste of revolution in Cuba. It is Che triumphant. Part Two moves on to his final days in Bolivia, where his attempt at revolution fails miserably, culminating in his death. The two movie's plots roughly parallel - and contrast - each other. One of the most enjoyable biographical projects I've seen, and it's such a shame that the movie(s), not to mention Del Toro's superbly measured and controlled performance as Che has been overlooked.

"I was born under unusual circumstances."

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - An affecting, magical movie. Even if it has "Made in Hollywood" written all over it, it still is one of the best of 2008 - filled with technical and visual achievements, but most importantly, it is outstanding because it tells a good story and tells it well.

"How about a magic trick?"

• The Dark Knight - Too long and bloated some may I say. Yes, on a return viewing I did agree that it could be trimmed. But then I remembered the first time I watched it and was engrossed in every moment of it - and that wasn't even during the action scenes. The best superhero/comic book movie so far but actually, as one critic noted, it's actually one of the best modern crime stories where the hero happens to be a guy who wears a batsuit. The intense plot with the trio of Ledger, Bale and Eckhart make it work so well.

"There can only be one."

• Frost/Nixon - Credits to the filmmakers for turning a play about a series of riveting interviews into a riveting movie. Langella and Sheen play their roles superbly.

"Grrr..."

• Gran Torino - Clint Eastwood's tale of love, revenge and redemption (actually, it isn't as dramatic as it sounds) with a cast of lovable characters got me where it matters the most: the heart.

"F*cking Bruges" / "What the f*ck?"

• In Bruges & Burn After Reading - I join them together as partners in superb black comedy that managed to make me laugh more than any other movies did this year.

"Come in."

• Let The Right One In - Perhaps I liked it for being the antidote to that other vampire movie. But why does it standout? Maybe because here, the vampire actually is cool. The "romance" doesn't hurt too. It's filmed in a beautiful, careful way. Might be slow for some, engrossing for others. Occasionally its cliched premise shows through, but then only to bowl me over with one brilliant moment after another.

"There must be something more..."

• Revolutionary Road - Might be American Beauty Lite for some; nevertheless a well-acted, thoughtful and thought provoking take on suburban despair that creepily resonated with me.

"It is written."

• Slumdog Millionaire - The rare kind of hyperactive movie that manages to refresh and entertain instead of leaving you puzzled and drained. Yes, it's based on a sappy premise, but watch how Boyle works his way around it, over it and through it.

"It's always the same dream."

• Waltz With Bashir - A surreal tale of war (which is surreal in itself). Boasts some of the most original and extraordinary visuals for a movie. And it's relevant.

Honorable Mentions (They may not be as great, but they certainly are as good. Hehe.)

The Visitor
The Wrestler
Happy-Go-Lucky
Defiance
The Edge of Heaven
Milk
Cloverfield
Changeling

Special Mention:-

The Band's Visit - A band of Egyptian musicians find themselves lost in Israel. Resonates in an odd way. Not a 2008 release (it was released in 2007) but only made it's way around last year. A must watch for those who enjoy off-beat and aloof drama/comedy.