There is nothing wrong with an old-fashioned war movie. A movie that is not trying to tell the story of moral ambiguity or how war warps people's minds, but a movie about heroism and daring deeds. The Great Raid (2005) is one of those movies, and a true story to boot.
Of course most of these old-fashioned war movies need to be set in WW II because there was a lot less moral ambiguity in that war. It is set in the Phillipines as America tries to take those islands back from Japan near the end of the war. Japan had many prisoner of war camps there, and the Japanese were known for their brutality to enemies in that era. So they were killing the prisoners in terrible ways, rather than allowing them to be rescued by the advancing Americans.
The raid is to rescue all the prisoners in one of these camps, to get ahead of the advancing lines, into territory still held by the enemy, and save these hundreds of men.
Benjamin Bratt and James Franco play the men who led this successfull mission and they both do good jobs. The scenes interplay between the rescuers and the POWs who are trying to still survive amidst starvation and illness, nevermind the beating and brutality. And there is another story line of the underground movement in the Phillipines who are trying to aid POWS. Joseph Fiennes plays the head officer in the camp, who has worked with the underground that is being now also being slaughtered by the Japanese.
The raid itself is the nexus of the movie, and plays out heroically. It is one of those war movie moments when the good and the bad are clearly defined, and the good wins out. Like I said, an old-fashioned war movie---and I mean that as a compliment.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Movie- Saint Ralph
Saint Ralph (2004) is not an awe inspiring movie that garners a lot of awards and buzz. In some ways it is a bit sappy. But if done well, sappy can sure tug on the heart strings, and be really enjoyable, and this movie is done well.
Starring Campbell Scott and a boy Adam Butcher who plays the title character, the movie tells the story of a boy whose mother is in a coma. He goes to a strict Catholic school and has no other family, and he is anything but a saint. He is just coming into adolescence, and lusts after girls, while engaging in self abuse. He is not a great student, cheats on class assignments and is a good-hearted ne'er-do-well.
But when his mother falls into the coma, he hears that only a miracle would save her, so he tries to make one, by going out with the track team and training to win the Boston Marathon. He also tries to be pure by stopping his self-abuse, a task that he does not face well.
Set in the 1950's, the movie has humor, pathos and really good acting. There is the villain (the headmaster/priest who is an ogre) a hero (Ralph) and a mentor (Scott, playing Father Hibbert, who was an Olympic marathoner in his day). There is even a love interest for young Ralph.
All the elements add up to a very enjoyable flick. Again, not Oscar buzz type of movie, but a really good movie to watch.
Starring Campbell Scott and a boy Adam Butcher who plays the title character, the movie tells the story of a boy whose mother is in a coma. He goes to a strict Catholic school and has no other family, and he is anything but a saint. He is just coming into adolescence, and lusts after girls, while engaging in self abuse. He is not a great student, cheats on class assignments and is a good-hearted ne'er-do-well.
But when his mother falls into the coma, he hears that only a miracle would save her, so he tries to make one, by going out with the track team and training to win the Boston Marathon. He also tries to be pure by stopping his self-abuse, a task that he does not face well.
Set in the 1950's, the movie has humor, pathos and really good acting. There is the villain (the headmaster/priest who is an ogre) a hero (Ralph) and a mentor (Scott, playing Father Hibbert, who was an Olympic marathoner in his day). There is even a love interest for young Ralph.
All the elements add up to a very enjoyable flick. Again, not Oscar buzz type of movie, but a really good movie to watch.
TV on Netflix/Movie-Grey Gardens
This HBO movie starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange won wide praise. But Grey Gardens (2009) is not exactly a feel good movie...it is psychologically disturbing, as two co-dependent women, mother and daughter, manipulate each other and prey on each other's weaknesses, to become recluses in a broken down mansion.
What is more disturbing is that this is a true story.
Based on a 1975 documentary of the same name, Grey Gardens tells the story of the Beale's, relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The mother, Lange, pretty much castrates any freedom of daughter, Barrymore, because she knows how to prey on her fragile psyche. And she wants her daughter to dote upon her, and stay with her forever...because, she is so screwed up, she cannot fathom being alone, without someone waiting on her every whim.
This is not a loving story of mother and daughter.
The movie shows the documentary being filmed (in the extras they show excerpts and you can see how spot on the actresses were) but goes much further than the documentary in showing these two women. As the mansion falls to ruin around them, and they have no money, the become increasingly insular, until finally Jackie O. hears about it and helps restore the home. But she cannot restore a healthy ego to either of them, and the continue their terrible, crippling co-dependence.
Grey Gardens is a very good film...I can recognize that, and see the remarkable acting of the two leads. But it is not a movie that really left me feeling good at all...it left me feeling like I stared at a fatal car wreck too long.
What is more disturbing is that this is a true story.
Based on a 1975 documentary of the same name, Grey Gardens tells the story of the Beale's, relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The mother, Lange, pretty much castrates any freedom of daughter, Barrymore, because she knows how to prey on her fragile psyche. And she wants her daughter to dote upon her, and stay with her forever...because, she is so screwed up, she cannot fathom being alone, without someone waiting on her every whim.
This is not a loving story of mother and daughter.
The movie shows the documentary being filmed (in the extras they show excerpts and you can see how spot on the actresses were) but goes much further than the documentary in showing these two women. As the mansion falls to ruin around them, and they have no money, the become increasingly insular, until finally Jackie O. hears about it and helps restore the home. But she cannot restore a healthy ego to either of them, and the continue their terrible, crippling co-dependence.
Grey Gardens is a very good film...I can recognize that, and see the remarkable acting of the two leads. But it is not a movie that really left me feeling good at all...it left me feeling like I stared at a fatal car wreck too long.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Book- Beirut Blues
Hanan al-Shaykh, a native Lebanese writes a hugely evocative novel about her homeland. Beirut Blues is told through a series of letters written by the main character, Asmaran, a woman who has decided to stay in war-ravaged Beirut. The letters are not just to people, they are to the city, and the war also. And those that are to people, you must doubt that they are ever sent---the letters are just a way for Asmaran to tell her feelings about the calamity that surrounds her, as civil wars rage through the city.
And the novel is like the blues. So sad in many ways, a lament for something now gone, that you hope to find again, if you can just stick it out. It is the blues of love, but a love that is no longer valid, but you hope to find again. This is Beirut Blues.
Each letter seems to capture part of Asmaran's story of her life, and how she decided to stay in Lebanon. It is her reflection on those who left, and her confusion as the many sides of the civil war keep changing alliances, and of outside countries invading to try to ostensibly keep the peace, but in reality to make Lebanon dependent on them.
Al-Shaykh writes wonderfully, with her character confused, disoriented but strong too. Each chapter is the beginning of a new letter, but it tells a complete story. Her letter to the war itself is particularly poignant. Beirut Blues captures the soul of this woman, and perhaps the also the soul of the city and country it is an ode to.
And the novel is like the blues. So sad in many ways, a lament for something now gone, that you hope to find again, if you can just stick it out. It is the blues of love, but a love that is no longer valid, but you hope to find again. This is Beirut Blues.
Each letter seems to capture part of Asmaran's story of her life, and how she decided to stay in Lebanon. It is her reflection on those who left, and her confusion as the many sides of the civil war keep changing alliances, and of outside countries invading to try to ostensibly keep the peace, but in reality to make Lebanon dependent on them.
Al-Shaykh writes wonderfully, with her character confused, disoriented but strong too. Each chapter is the beginning of a new letter, but it tells a complete story. Her letter to the war itself is particularly poignant. Beirut Blues captures the soul of this woman, and perhaps the also the soul of the city and country it is an ode to.
Friday, November 6, 2009
2 Magazines
The October issue of Playboy was amusing in many ways. The interview with Woody Harrelson being just one of them. The article on the Kenny Stabler Raiders was actually fun...I know I am supposed to hate them, but it was a unique team. The Sex on Campus article and pictoral and the vampire-ish Bloddlust pictoral were all just fun.
In National Geographic it was more like awe, rather than fun, that the October issue provoked. The awe owed to the redwoods, shown in the article, The Tallest Trees, was almost heavenly. The images that went with the words were captivating. Then the article about Byrde's whales...the imagery blew me away! And the Sahara...what is more awe-inspiring than that...? But the thing that really blew me away, was the article about Indonesia, and facing fanatical groups preaching killing and hatred. The bravery of Nat Geo to confront issues like this, to present without dogma and cant, the issues of religous fantacism in a particular culture...that truly provokes awe. Because it is rare in this day and age, and it needs to be treasured.
In National Geographic it was more like awe, rather than fun, that the October issue provoked. The awe owed to the redwoods, shown in the article, The Tallest Trees, was almost heavenly. The images that went with the words were captivating. Then the article about Byrde's whales...the imagery blew me away! And the Sahara...what is more awe-inspiring than that...? But the thing that really blew me away, was the article about Indonesia, and facing fanatical groups preaching killing and hatred. The bravery of Nat Geo to confront issues like this, to present without dogma and cant, the issues of religous fantacism in a particular culture...that truly provokes awe. Because it is rare in this day and age, and it needs to be treasured.
Movie- Coraline
They call Coraline (2008) a movie for kids, but despite it being animated, and with a main character a kid, it is not a movie for kids.
It is scary, anti-establishment and sexual. And not that there is anything wrong with any or all of those things...it just is not a cute kid movie---and thank god for that. Because this is a really well done feature...an animated film not done all on computer, but mostly stop action animation. And the result, just visually, is fantastic.
Add to that the in-depth story of Coraline, a young girl who is not particularly cute or sweet. She is stubborn and resentful and petulant, among her other intriguing qualities. She is also in a new home that is more than creepy, and left alone a lot by too busy parents, who seem to think that she can raise herself.
But Coraline finds a portal to a different world...much like her own, but with a mother and father who pay attention to her, and spoil her a little...OK, a lot. But that world that seems so perfect...has a hidden dark side...VERY dark.
Coraline has very sexual parts too...with the neighbors, who in their younger days were at least burlesque girls, at most prostitutes. The scariness as the dark side of the other world and the themes of not obeying parents and authority all mark this as an excellent film, with complexity and layers. But it is not a kid's movie.
Coraline should be an animation classic, and I am surprised it was not nominated for an Oscar.
It is scary, anti-establishment and sexual. And not that there is anything wrong with any or all of those things...it just is not a cute kid movie---and thank god for that. Because this is a really well done feature...an animated film not done all on computer, but mostly stop action animation. And the result, just visually, is fantastic.
Add to that the in-depth story of Coraline, a young girl who is not particularly cute or sweet. She is stubborn and resentful and petulant, among her other intriguing qualities. She is also in a new home that is more than creepy, and left alone a lot by too busy parents, who seem to think that she can raise herself.
But Coraline finds a portal to a different world...much like her own, but with a mother and father who pay attention to her, and spoil her a little...OK, a lot. But that world that seems so perfect...has a hidden dark side...VERY dark.
Coraline has very sexual parts too...with the neighbors, who in their younger days were at least burlesque girls, at most prostitutes. The scariness as the dark side of the other world and the themes of not obeying parents and authority all mark this as an excellent film, with complexity and layers. But it is not a kid's movie.
Coraline should be an animation classic, and I am surprised it was not nominated for an Oscar.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Book- The Child Buyer
The Child Buyer was one of the few John Hersey books that I was not wildly enthusiastic about. Not that it was badly written, but the plot was odd, and I could not connect to the themes in the novel either. And while the style was unique, using a state senate hearing to tell the story, I thought the characters were charactatures, and the whole things together a bit...well, weird.
This state senate hearings take place because three senators are looking into an accusations that a man has come into one of their towns looking to buy a child. And they want to get to the bottom of it. The lead senator Senator Mansfield, and his counsel seem to only want to make a name for themselves by pursuing it this matter, while another senator (Senator Skypack) is an arch-conservative war hawk and the third, a senile, petty old man. Now these three are not full fledged characters...there is no dimension to them at all. And their witnesses, the people of the town, are as fully one-dimensional as the senators.
As the hearing unfold, we find out that the child buyer is working for a firm that has contracts with the defense department, and he wants this kid because they feel he is a genius. But the use they are going to put him to is so far off the grid, that it loses its impact.
Now Hersey may have been writing this to respond to something in the culture at the time. But it does not translate well at all to our time frame, unlike his previously read, The Conspiracy. It seems far-fetched and a bit ridiculous. Add that to his characters, and this was not my favorite book of Hersey's. Luckily, he is so good with words, that that aspect gave me some enjoyment.
This state senate hearings take place because three senators are looking into an accusations that a man has come into one of their towns looking to buy a child. And they want to get to the bottom of it. The lead senator Senator Mansfield, and his counsel seem to only want to make a name for themselves by pursuing it this matter, while another senator (Senator Skypack) is an arch-conservative war hawk and the third, a senile, petty old man. Now these three are not full fledged characters...there is no dimension to them at all. And their witnesses, the people of the town, are as fully one-dimensional as the senators.
As the hearing unfold, we find out that the child buyer is working for a firm that has contracts with the defense department, and he wants this kid because they feel he is a genius. But the use they are going to put him to is so far off the grid, that it loses its impact.
Now Hersey may have been writing this to respond to something in the culture at the time. But it does not translate well at all to our time frame, unlike his previously read, The Conspiracy. It seems far-fetched and a bit ridiculous. Add that to his characters, and this was not my favorite book of Hersey's. Luckily, he is so good with words, that that aspect gave me some enjoyment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
