As I am wont to do when I fall behind on film reviews, which I unfortunately did towards the end of the year, rather than not reviewing some of the films I have watched at all, I put them in a dump of mini-reviews for you. So, here it is, do forgive me if I unfortunately pay little attention to some very good movies, but I figure, better a small review than none, right? Right?? Anyway, here is part one of a two part dump.
-Fco.
Surveillance
Director: Jennifer Chambers Lynch
Genre: Thriller/Crime/Drama
Year: 2008
Not a bad attempt, on the part of David Lynch’s daughter who for all intents and purposes is making her directorial debut for the big screen. This film is essentially a who-dunnit thriller focused on an incident surrounding two less than stellar cops, one drug addicted couple, and an unfortunate family who all come together under some stressful circumstances that spiral out of control and result in some untimely deaths. By the time the federal agents arrive, there is only the drug addicted woman, a child and a cop left to question and it is absolutely necessary to get down to the truth, which might not be what one expects…
…except that it is. The twist in this film is really not that surprising and I found myself guessing it very early on, partly due to some questionable directorial calls which make it all too easy to unfold. For a first time film, this is not entirely bad, but for David Lynch’s daughter with David Lynch himself helping out in the background…lets just say I was expecting a little bit more. Worth the watch, this film has an interesting multiplicity of points of view, some thrilling moments but it is not by any means a perfect film. Enjoyable to watch, but not the most exciting or titillating of films.
Rating: 
Comment: Violence, language, adult themes and situations. Definitely a film for a mature audience
Quote: Sam Hallaway: There’s only one way to unfold a note, so to speak, without tearing the paper.
Cinderella
Director: Man-dae Bong
Genre: Horror/Thriller/Mystery/Drama
Year: 2006
I might, perhaps unfairly, toss this film into the ‘typical Asian horror’ pile, and by that you might gather that this film is not in fact the tale that you are likely familiar thanks mostly to Disney. There is in fact very little in common between this film and that fairy tale, other than the fact that the main character, like the one in the other story, spends most of her life locked away. The reasons are, however, entirely different.
Making some statement regarding plastic surgery, this film focuses on a young girl, who is deprived of a regular life for reasons that become unraveled little by little as we get to know the circumstances under which she has become a captive of sorts. For that, it must be given credit, because the film is not necessarily expected, but at the same time it does become a bit tangled in its own trappings, enough to become murky. It is unfortunate, because like many Asian films, this one holds a bit of promise, which makes it worth watching, but not so much promise that would actually have me recommending it to others. Mediocre…really that is about where the mark is on this one.
Rating: 
Comments: Some very graphic and gory moments. Those that are not fans of the horror genre with slasher tendencies, ought to stay away.
Waltz with Bashir
Director: Ari Folman
Genre: Animation/Drama/Biography/War
Year: 2008
Every once in a while, animated gems burst their proud heads from the masses to remind adults across the world that animation is NOT just for kids and that it ought to be given a fair shot of seriousness. It is sad that most adults will not give it that chance, but if you are open-minded enough for it, please give this one a shot. Much like Persepolis before it, or The Triplets of Belleville, this film does not have the young in mind as its target audience.
Done in stylistically unique fashion, this animation tells the story of Ari Folman as he approaches long time friends, in an effort to reconstruct his memories regarding the Israeli invasion of Palestine in 1982. Recent events have brought bits and pieces to the surface and Ari realizes that he does not have the answers to set himself at peace, which sparks a journey around the world, interviewing his friends (all of which play themselves) and drawing us into a fascinating, powerful bit of storytelling that is guaranteed to spark your interest and give you plenty of intellectual fodder to discuss after. Very moving and intriguing film!
Rating:
Comment: Firstly, I must say that I do feel a bit biased towards good animations like this, which might prompt my perfect scoring. You might find it is perhaps more of a 4.5, or maybe even a 4 out of 5. But there is no question this film is a good one. Also, due to graphic scenes of violence, adult themes and brief nudity, this film is not intended for children, do not let the cool animation style fool you.
Quote: Anonymous soldier: What to do? What to do? why don’t you tell us what to do?
Ari Folman: Shoot!
Anonymous soldier: On who?
Ari Folman: How should I know on who? just shoot!
Anonymous soldier: Isn’t it better to pray?
Ari Folman: Pray and shoot!
Barton Fink
Director: Coen Brothers
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Thriller
Year: 1991
Meet Barton Fink, gifted writer and generally a purist, writing from the heart, or so he tells himself. He is writing for the ordinary man, he tells himself. He is the voice of the voiceless, he tells himself. And then he gets the opportunity to work for Hollywood, which needless to say fills him with fright, but he goes and he braves it and he settles in his decrepit room, with nothing but an old image of a woman in the beach to inspire him and a very interesting neighbor to interrupt. Barton Fink realizes he is hitting a wall, and he is about to find out a lot about himself, and his neighbor and the common man, as an affair turns into more than he bargained for.
Typical of Coen brother fare, this movie is filled with dark humor and raw humanity, which is at least to me always an interesting combination. It is difficult not to both sympathize and despise every character in this story, but no matter what emotions they might provoke, it is clear that this story, simple as it might be on the surface, is really engrossing and runs deceitfully deep. One of their older works, this film is solid but not my favorite of theirs and watching it will demand a bit of patience from the viewer.
Rating:
Comments: Some language, adult themes and a couple of intense and graphic scenes.
Quote: Jack Lipnick: We’re only interested in one thing, Bart. Can you tell a story? Can you make us laugh? Can you make us cry? Can you make us want to break out in joyous song? Is that more than one thing? Okay!
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Director: Wes Anderson
Genre: Animation/Family/Comedy
Year: 2009
I will be honest and admit that when I first saw the trailer for this Wes Anderson film, my knee-jerk reaction was to think: What the eff just went wrong here? Not only did the subject seem stupid (forgive me Mr. Fox fans but I did not grow up with the story), but the animation seemed like it had just gotten a kick to the face all for the worse. It was like getting punted back to the bad old days when animation was not yet perfect, all of which was intentionally done by the genial Anderson.
So, I went into this film with a little more than trepidation. I came out of it thinking it was probably one of the most satisfactory animated films I had ever seen in a very long time. If the old school style of animation turns you off, as it did me, do not let it get to you, it really has it’s own, very unique charm and Wes Anderson does what he does best, bringing to life interesting, amusing, complicated characters that will stick to you long after you have left the theater! This movie is cussing good!
Rating:
Comments: Pretty much family friendly, but it would help to be there for a few thematic questions your kids might have.
Quote: Badger: In summation, I think you just got to not do it, man. That’s all.
Mr. Fox: I understand what you’re saying, and your comments are valuable, but I’m gonna ignore your advice.
Badger: The cuss you are.
Mr. Fox: The cuss am I? Are you cussing with me?
Badger: No, you cussing with me?
Mr. Fox: Don’t cussing point at me!
Badger: If you’re gonna cuss, you’re not gonna cuss with me, you little cuss!
Badger: You’re not gonna cuss with me!
[Both start snarling at each other, and then settle down]
Mr. Fox: Just buy the tree.
Badger: Okay.
The Men Who Stare at Goats
Director: Grand Heslov
Genre: Comedy/Drama/War
Year: 2009
Don’t quote me on this but I am pretty sure that the book on which this was based (which has the same title) is supposed to be non-fiction, which makes this story just a bit quirkier than it already is. It is a story about Jedi Knights, which is an ironic funny cause Ewan McGregor played the young Obi Wan in the first three episodes (the crappy ones yes) of the Star Wars saga. But this is not some sci-fi space travel movie, this is about a particularly specialized unit in the military that specializes in psychological warfare, all the way down to its lunatic extremes. The belief was that one of these men could in fact kill a goat with his mind, which is where this movie gets its name. Bob Wilton, is a journalist trying to validate himself, who accidentally runs into one of these psychological soldiers, recently reactivated and he finds himself getting the story of his life in the most uncharacteristic of ways.
Funny, entertaining, amusing, really fun to watch, this movie is all of that but it still felt, to me, to fall short of expectations. I am not sure what I was expecting but perhaps after the hype the book received I was expecting just a little bit more from the film, maybe it is the fact that the story does not seem to run deep enough, or maybe the fact that with a cast like this, they still fall short of hitting the mark. All in all though, it is still worth the watch.
Rating:
Comment: Language, adult situations, drug references, brief violence.
Quote: Bob Wilton: So what do you use to remote view?
Lyn Cassady: I drink. And I find classic rock helps.
Bob Wilton: Any music in particular?
Lyn Cassady: Boston. Boston usually works.
