Two long weeks ago my buddy J.D. tagged me to do this meme where you get to create your own film festival. Then Becca followed up with her tag. Since I’ve been tagged twice I’m going to follow Becca’s example and write about twelve nights instead of six.

1) Choose 12 Films to be featured. They could be random selections or part of a greater theme. Whatever you want.

2) Explain why you chose the films.

3) Link back to Lazy Eye Theatre so I can have hundreds of links and I can take those links and spread them all out on the bed and then roll around in them.

4) The people selected then have to turn around and select 5 more people.

Night One: Urban Underworld

My first two selections are dark stories which focus on the cruel world in which we live.

Dirty Pretty Things shines a light on Britain’s shadow economy via the characters of Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Senay (Audrey Tautou), who are illegal immigrants working in a hotel. Former doctor Okwe finds a human heart in a toilet at the hotel and realises that his boss is not just a hotelier. In order to escape the immigration authorities and later to procure a new identity, Senay is asked to give up her sexual innocence.

It can be easy to ignore the poverty and criminality which lurk just beyond our front doors. Although I’ve never been to South Africa, there is an increasing level of violent crime in London and many other cities. Tsotsi has no regard for life, until he shoots a woman and steals her car then finds her baby in the backseat. The rest of the movie asks whether someone who has committed awful acts can redeem himself.

Night Two: Metamorphosis

The next two films are about transformation. The Prestige focuses on illusion and deception in a theatrical sense, while The Machinist is about the physical and mental deterioration of a man burdened by guilt. Both films happen to feature Christian Bale, though watching him in the second film isn’t much fun.

Night Three: Love, Lust and Madness

And then we get to the sex. Jamón, Jamón is a spicy Spanish surreal satirical comedy starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. Penelope’s character is dating a guy whose mother thinks she is beneath them. The mother hires Javier’s character to seduce her away from the son, mayhem ensues and it all ends with a bizarre ham fight between the men… (Looking at the imdb page for this movie, I noticed that the characters are given hilarious generic titles such as The Whore Mother, The Mother Whore, The Whore’s Daughter, The Spicy Sausage (Chorizo).)

Betty Blue is a mesmerising look at utterly crazy love. Betty blows into Zorg’s mundane life like a hurricane and draws him into her crazy and erotic world. He endures her frequent tantrums and destructiveness without complaint as an active partner in their obsessive love. However, in time it becomes clear that he cannot protect her from herself.

Night Four: Intertwining Lives

In Amores Perros, the lives of several strangers are changed forever after a terrible car accident. In contrast, The Lives of Others focuses on a man who observes a couple without their knowledge, and becomes increasingly emotionally entangled in their lives. Both movies unearth significant truths about human nature.

Night Five: Martial Art

You know, if I had a few more movie nights I’d love to feature kung-fu classics like Drunken Master, Enter The Dragon or Knockabout, but I’ve got limited time here.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is probably my favourite movie, it’s just so amazingly beautiful. It was the first wuxia movie I’d ever seen, but it captured my imagination and led me to seek out other such films such as Hero and House of Flying Daggers.

Beautiful Boxer relates the true story of Parinya Charoenphol, a Muay Thai champion who had a sex-change operation to become a woman. The brutal sport of Muay Thai seems a strange occupation for a man with yearnings to be more feminine, but it was the only way for him to help his family and save up money towards his sex change. He also incorporated his feminine leanings into his boxing persona, wearing make-up at matches and kissing his opponents coquettishly!

Night Six: The Search for Truth

Our sixth night moves us from the art house to the multiplex, though both films are equally intelligent and compelling.

While The Matrix is a based around a sci-fi premise, we can take much from Neo’s journey. He is given the choice to either remain in the artificial world that is all he knows, or venture out into the unknown to discover the truth. Which pill would you choose?

In Bourne Identity, Jason Bourne doesn’t remember who he is, but starts to piece together his memories as he tries to escape the people who hunt him. Though he has forgotten so much, his subconscious mind and physical prowess provide astonishing insights into who he used to be.

–

I’ll finish the second instalment over the weekend. In the meantime, what do you think of my selections?

Make It Happen. I might go and see this movie over the weekend. The only review I’ve read about it wasn’t great, but it looks like your typical believe-in-yourself-and-everything-will-work-out movie, which is what I need at the moment. Plus the sexy dancing is a bonus.

I saw The Dark Knight at the IMAX last Friday, and I’m considering going to see it again soon, not because I thought it was particularly awesome and want to relive each moment for a second time, but because I’ve forgotten so much of it already. I’m not sure if I was completely braindead from working all day before I went to the cinema, or just being overwhelmed by the IMAX experience, but after the movie, when my friend was talking about all the moments she liked from the movie, I couldn’t remember most of them. It was like I’d had a blackout. I can’t explain it.

I remember sitting in my tiny chair, with my handbag on my lap, and feeling completely menaced and mesmerised by Heath Ledger’s Joker. Every moment he was on screen was fraught with stress, for he had no concern for anyone, including himself. Everyone else, including Batman, was a planet revolving around the Joker’s Sun. He was a force of nature, a lunatic, “an agent of chaos”. He repulsed me with his reptilian lip-licking, but fascinated me with his demented genius. The moment when he performed his “magic trick” really disturbed me, not least when thinking about all the small children who were watching and who could easily imitate that move with their peers.

I’d forgotten how much Batman’s gravelly tone irritated me. I think I preferred his previous suit, though of course it’s good that he could turn his head now.

The character arc of Harvey Dent was very interesting to watch, as his perceptions and motivations changed so dramatically during the movie.

I enjoyed the scenes between Bruce Wayne and Alfred, the banter between them felt natural and gave the audience a brief respite from all the violence and madness. Though I really rate Maggie Gyllenhaal, I didn’t feel much chemistry between her and Bale.

As always Morgan Freeman gave a solid performance, and his character’s principles about the invasive use of technology to find the Joker raised the issue about how far we should permit authorities to invade our privacy in order to catch terrorists. The situation with the boats also raised some interesting issues about how ordinary people react when their lives are threatened, though I fear that in real life the outcome may have been very different.

Watching this movie in the IMAX really allowed us to enjoy the panoramic views of the city. The amazing sound projection of the space also brought a feeling of realism to the events on screen.

I’d be very surprised if Heath Ledger didn’t get the Supporting Actor Oscar, and it’s such a shame that he died when he was just starting to achieve his full potential.

Though I prefer Batman Begins to this movie, I feel that DK was a very good followup. It gives a bleak comment on our world today, where our protectors and our enemies are not so different.

I would also say that the movie was slightly too long. There were a few scenes which (though excellent) could have been cut, and probably would have made for a more coherent storyline. As my friend and I concluded on the way home, sometimes less is more.

And the Joker agrees with me, look!

Urban Recluse Rating:

Sorry about my previous post. I don’t know what kind of demon that possessed me. I can only blame it on the book I was reading a moment ago, which is about social druggies in London, plus the pounding rock of Skunk Anansie playing in the background. (Devil music, indeed.)

The movie was pretty good, until the origin story in the last third took over. Plus they needed to set him up against a proper antagonist with powers equal or superior to his own, not some demented psychiatrist.

Three weeks ago I bought my ticket to see the Dark Knight this Friday at the IMAX, and I can’t wait. At the moment I’m trying to avoid spoilers while gearing myself for the most anticipated blockbuster of the year.

Tonight I watched the animated movie Batman: Gotham Knight which I rented via iTunes. It was designed as a bridge between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, and depicts some of Batman earliest battles, whilst also exploring some aspects of Bruce Wayne’s origins and his path towards becoming Batman.

Though the movie works well as an anthology, the work of different animation teams is apparent in the disparate animation styles. I felt that this worked well as it showed that although Batman’s core values shone through in each story, he could be viewed through a range of perspectives.

This point was explored in the first tale which featured a group of kids who’d each had encounters with Batman and had a different interpretation on what they’d seen. The second story featured a cop who imagined Batman to be a dangerous vigilante, until personal experience of Batman changed his mind. The other four chapters focussed on Bruce Wayne/Batman himself; his values, his fears, his strengths and his motivations.

Overall, it was a great way to re-immerse myself in the legend and the mythology of this most human of super-heroes.

Urban Recluse Rating:

By the way, I’m really baffled about the reports that Christian Bale allegedly assaulted his mother and sister. I’m hoping that it’s not as awful as it sounds.

I’ve noticed this meme going around a few of my favourite blogs, so I thought I’d join in for the trip back in time. You basically choose the best film released during each year of your life.

1980: Flash Gordon (The soundtrack by Queen, the flying monkeys, Ming the Merciless, plus the buff Flash G himself makes this the perfect movie to commemorate my entrance into being.)

1981: S.O.B.

1982: E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

1983: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

1984: Ghost Busters (I loved when Sigourney Weaver went all evil)

1985: Back to the Future

1986: Soul Man (seems bizarre now, I used to watch this film constantly - until the video wore out)

1987: Dirty Dancing (Amazing soundtrack!) Honourable mention: The Princess Bride

1988: Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Jessica!)

1989: When Harry Met Sally

1990: Ghost (the sweetest, saddest movie ever)

1991: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

1992: Aladdin (You ain’t never had a friend like me!)

1993: Dragon - The Bruce Lee Story

1994: Speed

1995: Se7en

1996: Scream (I first watched this film in Sociology class, our teacher was a cool dude.)

1997: Titanic

1998: The Truman Show

1999: The Matrix

2000: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

2002: Spider-Man

2003: Kill Bill Vol. 1 (I remember watching this from the back row of a Parisian cinema)

2004: Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (I’ve never laughed so much in my life)

2005: Batman Begins

2006: Casino Royale

2007: Beowulf

2008 - The Dark Knight (I’m pretty sure that this will be the movie of the year, but I’ll confirm this view after I see it on Friday evening. Otherwise it would probably be between The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man)

Still haven’t worked out whether it’s a hard drug or a sexual manoeuvre. Maybe it’s a bit of both.

Or a brunette with a chainsaw.

Yesterday afternoon I ventured out into the torrential London rain in order to watch Hors de Prix (also known as Priceless) in one of the few cinemas that are still showing it this week. I’d never been to the Cineworld in the Trocadero before, and I loved the comfy seats. It felt quite decadent to be watching a rom-com about gold-diggers in the French Riviera while the rain beat down on the streets outside.

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Priceless introduces us to Jean (Gad Elmaleh), a hotel bartender and dog-walker. I loved the beginning scenes when we saw him being dragged along by a massive group of pooches, then returning the dogs to their pampered and eccentric owners. His expressive blue eyes told a story of polite servitude and latent bewilderment.

One night he falls asleep whilst on duty in the barroom and is mistaken for a rich playboy by Irène (Audrey Tatou). Utterly impressed with this gorgeous creature he plays along and several drinks later they enjoy a passionate romp in a vacant hotel room. A year later she returns to the hotel with her benefactor, and after another illicit rendez-vous with Jean she receives the double blow of getting dumped by her benefactor after he saw her with Jean, but also finding out that Jean was only a hotel employee.

Jean pursues her and supports her for a short time, but she cruelly spends his savings like water and leaves him with nothing but the memories of their brief time together. Luckily for him, a rich widow decides to make him her boy toy. Irène also finds a new mark, and as both couples are staying at the same hotel, Irène and Jean steal moments away from their benefactors while their friendship flourishes. Irène gives Jean tips on how to get the most of his arrangement with Madeleine, and he proves a quick learner when he manages to score a watch worth 30,000 euros.

The ending isn’t a surprise, but the journey there is hilarious and heart-felt. Throughout the movie it’s clear that Jean would do anything for Irène, but it took some time for the ice around Irène’s heart to melt for him. No judgement was made about the morality of sleeping with people for money and gifts, but it was clear that both Madeleine and Jacques had their eyes open and knew that they weren’t buying love, they were buying companionship.

Gad Elmaleh and Audrey Tatou were the perfect double act. Though Tatou was excellent as the cruel gold-digger, it was a real treat for me to watch Elmaleh. His rendition of the hapless, love-sick Jean was pitch-perfect. His charm was infectious and those big blue eyes certainly melted my heart a little.

I’ve only seen Tatou playing very different characters to Irène in Amelie and Dirty Pretty Things , but she nailed the part. She looked so tiny in her gorgeous dresses. The only outfit I didn’t like was the black dress she wore during the climatic scenes at the end, which was slashed in the front down to her stomach and was very revealing but not at all flattering.

I’ve heard rumours of a possible American remake, which I think would be a terrible idea. A lot of the film’s charm comes from its innate Frenchness, and I don’t think it would translate well.

Urban Recluse Rating:

(I started this review ages ago when I first watched the film at the cinema, but as the DVD has been released recently I thought it would be timely to publish this now.)

In the first scene in The Other Boleyn Girl we see the Boleyn children running through a lush field while their parents follow at walking pace. Though both girls are clearly very young at that stage, their parents are already thinking about potential marriages for them both.

Thomas Boleyn says that he’s setting up a marriage for Mary with a local merchant’s son, but he hasn’t decided on Mary’s match. Though Mary is probably the prettiest of the two girls, Anne has a great deal of potential. He makes his feelings clear when he says: “To get ahead in this world, you need more than fair looks and a kind heart.” I wondered if it was reasonable for a father to label his children in such a way, and if perhaps this became a self-fulfilling prophecy when the girls grew up and seemed to behave in the way that their father had declared.

Though Henry VIII was already married to Catherine of Aragon, Thomas Boleyn (with the help of a devious relative) sets up Anne as a potential mistress for the king. However, Henry’s attention falls on Mary and she is brought to court to become Henry’s mistress, despite her recent marriage.

Then Anne returns from her exile in France, and as they say, the rest is history…

There were some excellent performances in the movie, which was very well-cast. Scarlett Johansson was very good as the kind-hearted woman who won the respect of the king. I wasn’t impressed with Natalie Portman’s performance until her character became queen and experienced the pressure to produce a male heir.

I had always thought of Henry VIII as a repulsive troll, but Eric Bana transformed him into a sexy, dangerous king whose reactions to each of the Boleyn sisters were very different, though equally emotive.

Rating:

Usually I start a movie review with a brief summary of the plot, then I give my reactions, but I feel like changing that method for this particular movie.

At the end of the movie, as the credits began to roll, my friend asked me if I thought that there would be an extra scene after the credits. My logical mind started to answer that based on the final scene I didn’t think there was more to add. In fact the final scene could have been used as a post-credits addition. But instead, rendered weary and depressed by the movie, I said, “I don’t care, I’ve had enough of this movie. Let’s go, now.”

Then a guy got up from his seat on the other side of the cinema and started shouting and gesturing as he walked down the stairs, “That was a crap movie. The worst film I’ve ever seen.” His girlfriend smirked as she followed him out.

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My overall opinion is that The Happening was a compelling idea, poorly executed. I went into that cinema with my eyes open, I’d known that many people were criticising the movie, but I was still hoping that I would enjoy it. Either that or that it would be “so bad that it was good”.

The basic plot is that suddenly random groups of people in the North-Eest region of the USA commit suicide, seeming due to an airbourne virus. Mark Wahlberg plays Elliot Moore, a science teacher trying to escape the threat along with his wife Alma (Zooey Deschanel), fellow teacher Julian (John Leguizamo) and Julian’s young daughter Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez).

From reading other reviews of the film I have discovered that the version shown in the UK (and also Germany) had the goriest scenes edited (e.g. the man with the lawnmower and the guy with the lions), which explains why the film is only a 12A here (i.e. children can see it with an adult) but received an R-rating in America.

So what did I like about the movie?

Well I appreciated the early scene when the construction workers were jumping off the scaffolding, that was very frightening. I found it interesting that in order to produce empathy there would (nearly) always be one person who was aware of what was happening to the people around them, so that we could experience the fear and confusion in their expressions. I liked John Leguizamo’s character, so I was sad that he couldn’t have had more scene time.

And what didn’t I like?

Well the dialogue was awful, really dire. I’m wondering if Wahlberg and Deschanel signed up to this film without reading the script, and couldn’t back out of doing when they realised how crappy it was as they seemed to have given up by the second half of the movie.

I’ve never seen Zooey Deschanel in anything before, but her character was so irritating and whiney and dumb. Just the fact that Elliot was supposed to be married to her made me hate him too. For instance, the bit near the end of the movie, when Elliot calls to Alma and tells her to close the windows and doors (to avoid the airbourne virus that they’ve been running from for the entire movie) she asks him why? And when she turns her nose up at the hot dogs?

There was no chemistry between those two either. I was more worried about the cute kid killing herself to get away from them than anything actually happening to them.

I cringed during the scene where people on the other side of the field started dying and Alma demands that Elliot helps them. While we endure an extended close-up of his flairing nostrils he cries, “Give me a minute! Give me a minute!”

I didn’t like that they made the recluse lady so creepy, but the actress who played her was very convincing.

It could have been hilarious tension relief when Elliiot tried to talk to the (rubber) plant, but it just came over like another idiotic gesture.

All in all, it was a disappointment for me. I know some people out there will say that the script and acting were deliberately bad, and that it’s an absurdist masterpiece, etc. - well I’m glad that they got something out of it.

Urban Recluse Rating: