VIFF 2009 Reviews
Devon and I took part in the VIFF, it's one of my favourite times of the year in Vancouver (next to Dine-Out!)
This year we saw 5 films, through the Student Package (perks of working at a school).
A few words on each of the movies
Barbe Bleue
A seemingly low-budget, but not low-quality retelling of the well-known fairy tale.
I appreciated its stripped down approach, because at the end of the day, when you're reading a fairy tale, all you have is the book and your imagination. The fact that we're following the re-telling along with two little girls, adds to that innocent quality.
Because it's very literal method of story-telling, the viewer is able to interpret it as much as they want (the movie is rife with themes of sexual empowerment and feminism) or they can enjoy it as a classic horror story.
We so often equate Fairy Tales with Disney mentalities of "happily ever after" and forget that these stories have dark, sinister roots, and this film aptly demonstrates that well.
Eatrip
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this movie. Something of a documentary, the director explores the meaning of food, what it means to her, and what it means to various interviewees.
There is an emphasis on simplistic, fresh food, the experience of it, and the ceremony of sharing it with others.
I felt like it said everything I've always felt about how I enjoy and experience food. It got to the point where Devon and I felt a little overcome with emotion, about it.
The one thing that stuck out in the movie, to me, was the sound of cooking food. There was little in the way of music, and I just love the sound of cooking food. The squelch of cutting into a raw chicken, the crackle of oil, the gentle boil of broth...I love it.
The best kind of food is the kind you can experience with your whole body ^_^
Kamui
It was down to this movie and "Ninja Assassin", for our "Hollywood" Action flick and we chose Kamui because we're almost certain "Ninja Assassin" will come to the big theaters later. (Also the reason why we chose not to waste one of our tickets on "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus")
Based on a manga of the same name, it pretty much delivers what we expected. Ninjas. And surprisingly, pirates. And not any pirates, but shark-hunting pirates. One of which is reminscent of what Jack Sparrow would be like, if he were Japanese.
I pretty much felt like I was watching a live action episode of Naruto. The violence and action is over the top and cheesy, but far more viewable than perhaps a Michael Bay film. It certainly doesn't take itself too seriously.
There is a scene in it that is unwittingly much like the Black Knight scene in "Monty Python and The Holy Grail".
Visage
I don't even want to start talking about this movie, because I might erupt in a multitude of expletives. And vomit.
I didn't realise people actually made movies like this. I felt like it was a giant in-joke that the director was in on, but didn't feel the need to share with audience. Completely self-involved.
AND RETARDED.
Seriously? You're going to cover a guy in a plastic tarp and canned tomatoes, in a MEAT LOCKER, and get 3 naked women to do a sexy Salome dance with NO music, and expect your audience to understand it?
How about the 15 minutes of watching a model cover a window in tape?
Or the RANDOM GAY SEX SCENE IN THE FOREST?
I need to stop. I'm getting angry.
ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction
I don't know much about Zombie movies, I've only really watched "28 Days Later", the sequel and "Shaun of the Dead".
That being said, this movie was a hilarious, inventive way to thinly veil social commentary on prejuidice and hysteria.
I also enjoyed the fact that 2 of the stars and the director was in attendance at our showing and did a short Q&A after.
***
Glad there was only one stinker. I was disappointed that Takeshi Kitano didn't have a movie this year.
This year we saw 5 films, through the Student Package (perks of working at a school).
A few words on each of the movies
Barbe Bleue
A seemingly low-budget, but not low-quality retelling of the well-known fairy tale.
I appreciated its stripped down approach, because at the end of the day, when you're reading a fairy tale, all you have is the book and your imagination. The fact that we're following the re-telling along with two little girls, adds to that innocent quality.
Because it's very literal method of story-telling, the viewer is able to interpret it as much as they want (the movie is rife with themes of sexual empowerment and feminism) or they can enjoy it as a classic horror story.
We so often equate Fairy Tales with Disney mentalities of "happily ever after" and forget that these stories have dark, sinister roots, and this film aptly demonstrates that well.
Eatrip
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this movie. Something of a documentary, the director explores the meaning of food, what it means to her, and what it means to various interviewees.
There is an emphasis on simplistic, fresh food, the experience of it, and the ceremony of sharing it with others.
I felt like it said everything I've always felt about how I enjoy and experience food. It got to the point where Devon and I felt a little overcome with emotion, about it.
The one thing that stuck out in the movie, to me, was the sound of cooking food. There was little in the way of music, and I just love the sound of cooking food. The squelch of cutting into a raw chicken, the crackle of oil, the gentle boil of broth...I love it.
The best kind of food is the kind you can experience with your whole body ^_^
Kamui
It was down to this movie and "Ninja Assassin", for our "Hollywood" Action flick and we chose Kamui because we're almost certain "Ninja Assassin" will come to the big theaters later. (Also the reason why we chose not to waste one of our tickets on "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus")
Based on a manga of the same name, it pretty much delivers what we expected. Ninjas. And surprisingly, pirates. And not any pirates, but shark-hunting pirates. One of which is reminscent of what Jack Sparrow would be like, if he were Japanese.
I pretty much felt like I was watching a live action episode of Naruto. The violence and action is over the top and cheesy, but far more viewable than perhaps a Michael Bay film. It certainly doesn't take itself too seriously.
There is a scene in it that is unwittingly much like the Black Knight scene in "Monty Python and The Holy Grail".
Visage
I don't even want to start talking about this movie, because I might erupt in a multitude of expletives. And vomit.
I didn't realise people actually made movies like this. I felt like it was a giant in-joke that the director was in on, but didn't feel the need to share with audience. Completely self-involved.
AND RETARDED.
Seriously? You're going to cover a guy in a plastic tarp and canned tomatoes, in a MEAT LOCKER, and get 3 naked women to do a sexy Salome dance with NO music, and expect your audience to understand it?
How about the 15 minutes of watching a model cover a window in tape?
Or the RANDOM GAY SEX SCENE IN THE FOREST?
I need to stop. I'm getting angry.
ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction
I don't know much about Zombie movies, I've only really watched "28 Days Later", the sequel and "Shaun of the Dead".
That being said, this movie was a hilarious, inventive way to thinly veil social commentary on prejuidice and hysteria.
I also enjoyed the fact that 2 of the stars and the director was in attendance at our showing and did a short Q&A after.
***
Glad there was only one stinker. I was disappointed that Takeshi Kitano didn't have a movie this year.