This April I watched significantly less than I have, and that's all the outcome of these temporary responsibilities. Getting the time to watch 14 movies felt like enough of a battle, but generally I'm pleased with that number. I'm hoping May offers more opportunities to explore what cinema has to offer, but fingers crossed. Here's my April!
1. The Land Before Time (1988) – 8/10
After the death of his mother and an earthquake that
splits up herds, a young brontosaurus teams up with 4 other baby dinosaurs and
goes in search of the legendary Great Valley, which is rich in food. One of the
sequels to this movie “The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through The Mists” was
one of the movies from my early childhood, and given I’m also watching the
films of director-animator Don Bluth, I thought the very original film would be
more relevant while still maintaining the nostalgic feeling. The late 80s
animation still looks quite exuberant in 2015. I felt an instant connection
with these 5 characters through my own memories and their own distinctive
personality traits. At times it feels a bit depressing due to a few plot
points, but generally the film leaves you feeling positive as a result of its
adventure and value of friendship.
2. The Big Sleep
(1946) – 8/10
The rich Sternwood family hires private detective Phillip
Marlowe to investigate the disappearance of their favoured employee and the circumstances
behind one of the daughter’s gambling debts. As he probes deeper, he uncovers a
conspiracy involving a mobster. One of the all-time great film noirs, and among
director Howard Hawks’ most renown works. The mystery is quite complex and
demands a strong focus, and the outcome of this is an incredibly surprising
result that has you questioning the future of its numerous characters. The
shadowy black and white visuals are strong and conveying the sinister mood of a
noir, but I have seen better examples. Bogart is outstanding in the role of
Marlowe, and has a knack for playing sleuth characters with evident personality
flaws, and the late Lauren Bacall is equally outstanding as one of the more
sympathetic femme-fatales of the genre.
3. Miller’s Crossing
(1990) – 7.5/10
As two crime bosses battle for control of the numerous
drinking and gambling establishments in Prohibition-era America, Tom Reagan, an
advisor finds himself trying to keep the peace while his allegiance becomes
confused. Though not one of my favourite Coen brothers movies, I nevertheless
give it props for how much it stands out among the gangster subgenre. The
brutal realism of gangland is juxtaposed the Coen brothers very unreal use of
black comedy. Though it detracts from the former, it does give the movie that
Coen touch us fans are familiar with. It has an excellent use of symbolism
based around Reagan’s hat and the fluctuating situations he finds himself in in
relation to his profession, his morals and his loves. Byrne is strong in the
lead role, but I personally found myself especially drawn to Jon Polito as the
mobster, Casper.
4. The Cranes Are
Flying (1957) – 8.5/10
Veronica and Boris are a couple in Moscow and they’re
deeply in love, but their romance is shattered when he is drafted following the
German invasion of the Soviet Union. “The Cranes Are Flying” is a fantastic
classic of Russian cinema that demonstrates that not every cinematic work from
these countries were aimed at glorifying socialism. Beyond the occasional reference
to the patriotism driving the Soviet war effort, everything else is full of
deeper human emotions. While I wouldn’t go as far as calling it anti-war like
some Western examples, it does showcase the shattering and dividing experience
that conflict has on lovers and families. You find yourself drawn into the two
separate stories of Boris and Veronica, and the circumstances that WWII imposes
on them. The cinematography is outstanding, cleverly utilizing revolutionary
camera techniques and using the black and white film to its advantage to create
a feeling of loss.
5. Blackboard
Jungle (1955) – 8/10
A teacher gets a job at a rowdy inner-city school and
makes an effort to change his unruly class and learns about his abilities in
the profession in the process. Despite being an obvious conservative backlash
to the emerging teenage delinquent of the 1950s, and it doesn’t really separate
the new teenager from genuine troublemakers, it’s a highly engaging film. Glenn
Ford and Sidney Poitier play off each other in fantastic ways, and develop one
another’s character simultaneously. The classroom scenes feature an overt
tension with little sprinkles of subtle socioeconomic-racial tension. When the
depictions of teens of the 1950s can be ridiculously over-the-top (I find it
hard to believe that large numbers of people this young would take part in
assault and car-jacking) it’s a great watch. A perfect choice for a double
feature with “Rebel Without A Cause”.
6. Car Wash (1976)
– 6.5/10
A day in the life of a team of close-knit employees at a
car wash as they deal with a series of unusual customers and take solace in
their friendships and mutual love for music and radio. An early screenplay by
Joel Schumacher, and a Blaxploitation movie to an extent. A larger narrative is
tossed out in favour of a series of smaller episodes based around numerous
characters. Though there isn’t any real development in character, you will find
aspects of many of them relatable in some way, and the conversations they have
fairly compelling. Use of music and radio reflects the cultural backgrounds and
emotional circumstances of these people. Big names like Richard Pryor and
George Carlin are used heavily in the film’s promotion, though their talents
are undermined by a focus on the main characters and they’re never fairly
utilized. Roger Ebert’s comparing of “Car Wash” to “M.A.S.H.” is an
understandable opinion.
7. The Wind Rises
(2013) – 7.5/10
An animated biographical film of the life of Jiro
Hirokoshi, the man who made it his dream and life’s work to design aircraft,
which Japan would use during World War II. “The Wind Rises” will not doubt
leave a gaping hole in the hearts of cinema fans worldwide, and that’s not
because of the experience of watching it as much as it is that its Hayao
Miyazaki’s final film. It steps away from his more fantasy-driven works of the
past and instead acts as a tribute to a historical figure he personally
admires. Occasionally sad, often critical of the situation of the world at the
time, but always in touch with the mind of its main character. It’s not
Miyazaki’s best film, but it’s a solid way to end a career that gave us many
movies that have made us very happy. Thanks Hayao and enjoy your retirement!
8. Kindergarten
Cop (1990) – 7/10
A cop looking to catch an evasive drug dealer is sent
undercover into an elementary school, and struggles to keep up the masquerade
as the new Kindergarten teacher. Had it not been for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s
presence, this movie would not work in any way, but thankfully there’s
enjoyment to be found. Jokes are pretty much entirely based on Arnie being
placed outside of his own comfort zone as needing to be opposite of his action
hero norm (not to say he doesn’t have his moments to shine in his usual ways).
Unsuitable adult humour and bland characters become blatantly obvious when
classroom scenes pass, and objectively it’s probably not a good film, but I’m
guilty of enjoying it for its own Arnoldish qualities. I’ll also state that no
star performed better than that damn ferret.
9. The Addams
Family (1991) – 8/10
A group of con artists plan to rob the eccentric family
of their fortune through an imposter claiming to be their long lost Uncle
Fester. Having grown up with the animated series of 1992-95 and a very small
touch of the 1960s sitcom, it’s fantastic to see The Addams Family is feature
length form as an adult just the way I would have imagined it. Outstanding sets
and cinematography tricks that are both comedic and somewhat unsettling set the
gothic mood perfectly. The late Raul Julia and Christopher Lloyd are brilliant
as Gomez and Fester.
10. Religulous
(2008) – 7.5/10
Through a series of interviews and explorations through
America, Europe and the Middle East, Bill Maher examines the state of religion
in the modern world. A strong documentary with stronger views, and no doubt
something that’s gonna make Maher an even more divisive figure. I had already
considered all of Maher’s arguments at various points in the past, and this
essentially meant I didn’t learn anything new from this documentary. What it
did do is remind me of why I’m an atheist. I have no doubt that religion halts
the advancement of the human species, and shouldn’t have any place in the age
of scientific inquiry. That said, the documentary’s approach is mature and
aimed at facilitating discussion rather than enforce a view. Pop culture
cutaways are humorous, but do have the negative effect of making too much of a
joke.
11. Twins (1988) –
7.5/10
A pair of twins born from an elaborate science experiment
and separated since birth reunite and go on the road in search of their mother
and to absolve the less perfect one’s dealings with loan sharks. Although not a
smart film, I had a really good experience watching “Twins” as it was an
ideally carefree film to take me away from the stresses I’m currently under.
Though the more dramatic scenes and contrast with DeVito do highlight Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s total inability to depict a believable emotion, there’s still
something there that put a smile on my face. There’s a bit of a so bad it’s
good quality in Arnold’s performance, and he’s still supported very well by the
hilarious Danny DeVito. Above all, the film’s theme of turning a lonely life
into one filled with love and closeness in the form of a family is universally
relatable, and make all protagonists fun to spend time with.
12. Buffy the
Vampire Slayer (1992) – 8/10
A teenaged girl with no care in the world beyond boys,
shopping, cheerleading and the senior prom finds herself with a new
responsibility when she learns of her destiny to hunt vampires and protect
those around her from falling prey. The monumental success of the 1997-2003 TV
series has led to this movie becoming somewhat forgotten, and to be fair it was
never seen by writer Joss Whedon as his ideal version of this story. That said
though, it’s a fun little merger between horror-fantasy and teen film. The satirical
depictions of teenagers and high school life, though sometimes irritating, is
tongue-in-cheek enough to be funny. Kristy Swanson is likable enough in the
title role, and the more experience Donald Sutherland as the mentoring Merrick
offers a touch not unlike that of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Perhaps a bit too comedic for
its own good, the transformation of Buffy from a careless bimbo to responsible
and proactive makes the experience worthwhile. I’m happy I enjoyed this movie
more than others have and I look forward to seeing the TV show at some point.
13. Sleeping
Beauty (1959) – 7.5/10
Cursed by a spiteful witch as a baby, Princess Aurora is
doomed to fall asleep forever on her 16th birthday until awoken by
true love’s kiss. The first Disney film enlarged for 70mm projection stands
strong 50 years later. Though I do have an issue with how bland Princess Aurora
is and how passively she allows things to happen to her, it’s made up for in
some compelling characters that drive drama. The three fairies act both as a
motherly touch and source of comedy and Maleficent is an outstanding villain,
who rightfully is the workings of every small child’s nightmare. I love the
film’s use of colour, ranging from bright and glamourous to bleak and
fear-inducing tones. It’s your classic fairytale in film form, and it works in
just the right places.
14. Armageddon
(1998) – 6/10
A meteor the size of Texas is heading towards Earth and
threatens to wipe out the human race. NASA employs a team of deep sea drillers
to go into space to destroy it. Michael Bay’s disaster movie is typical of the
director’s work and reflects the growing popularity of the genre during that
time. Its main characters are flat, its secondary characters are straight
stereotypes and it makes a great cast featuring talents like Bruce Willis,
Steve Buscemi and Billy Bob Thornton feel totally wasted. Though occasionally
editing compliments the action, it also inhibits the experience by making
scenes feel rough and disjointed. While the premise is likable, the lack of
interesting characters and the drawn out length don’t make it the easiest movie
to get through. Some scenes in the first act are also riddled with far too much
exposition that should simply be cut. It does have some joy though and
certainly isn’t one of Bay’s later travesties like “Pearl Harbor” or “Transformers:
Revenge of the Fallen”.
My Top 10 Movies For April
1. The Cranes Are Flying
2. The Addams Family
3. The Big Sleep
4. Blackboard Jungle
5. The Land Before Time
6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
7. Twins
8. The Wind Rises
9. Religulous
10. Miller's Crossing
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