(no subject)
my new year's resolution? go to the cinema more. the list below is drawn from a pretty sparse selection, sadly. (also, i already commented on some of these earlier in the year, so will try not to repeat myself).
so, in no particular order, my top 10 movies seen at the movies for 2007...
Gardens in Autumn. otar iosseliani - i can't think of a director with a more critical yet humane eye for folly & failure. a slacker comedy for grown-ups. the cinematography is pitch-perfect too.
Clean. olivier assayas, and one i've been meaning to watch for some time, so it was fabulous to see it on the big screen. maggie cheung irradiates this film, she's compulsively watchable, like the old divas. this was made after they divorced, and the film seems permeated with a kind of regretful affection.
Control. oh that beautiful black and white. people who know more about ian curtis than i do tell me sam riley did an awesome job, and i thought samantha morton was also excellent. the lad humour was unexpected but welcome.
Brand Upon the Brain! holy crap.
A Dirty Carnival. i already said the stuff about forget hong kong, this is where mob movies are at. it stands up to a second viewing, as well. if this doesn't tempt you, then watch it for jo in sung. mmm, jo in sung.
La Vie En Rose. i broke my no-biopics rule for this one and it was $14 well spent. for one thing i had no idea piaf came from such a lurid background. the early stuff was definitely the best - watching her die of liver failure at 40-something was hard to take - but the whole thing was involving and packed with music. plus i liked the way it was cut, although plenty of critics had trouble with it, probably because of the almighty liberties it takes with events. don't go see if that kind of thing annoys you.
Angel. ozon is a genius. this is the comment i put in imdb - scroll down as i was frustrated by the amount of people who totally failed to get the film. plus it has michael fassbender (otherwise known as azazeal from hex). mmm, michael fassbender.
The Boss of It All. von trier is a genius. also, a very warped man.
The Great Happiness Space. a remarkably candid documentary about a japanese host club, and the host club world in general. it's mostly interviews, with some fly-on-the-wall footage. fascinating, and effectively put together.
The Matsugane Potshot Affair. this film holds out no hope for humanity. maybe that's why i liked it so much.
so, in no particular order, my top 10 movies seen at the movies for 2007...
Gardens in Autumn. otar iosseliani - i can't think of a director with a more critical yet humane eye for folly & failure. a slacker comedy for grown-ups. the cinematography is pitch-perfect too.
Clean. olivier assayas, and one i've been meaning to watch for some time, so it was fabulous to see it on the big screen. maggie cheung irradiates this film, she's compulsively watchable, like the old divas. this was made after they divorced, and the film seems permeated with a kind of regretful affection.
Control. oh that beautiful black and white. people who know more about ian curtis than i do tell me sam riley did an awesome job, and i thought samantha morton was also excellent. the lad humour was unexpected but welcome.
Brand Upon the Brain! holy crap.
A Dirty Carnival. i already said the stuff about forget hong kong, this is where mob movies are at. it stands up to a second viewing, as well. if this doesn't tempt you, then watch it for jo in sung. mmm, jo in sung.
La Vie En Rose. i broke my no-biopics rule for this one and it was $14 well spent. for one thing i had no idea piaf came from such a lurid background. the early stuff was definitely the best - watching her die of liver failure at 40-something was hard to take - but the whole thing was involving and packed with music. plus i liked the way it was cut, although plenty of critics had trouble with it, probably because of the almighty liberties it takes with events. don't go see if that kind of thing annoys you.
Angel. ozon is a genius. this is the comment i put in imdb - scroll down as i was frustrated by the amount of people who totally failed to get the film. plus it has michael fassbender (otherwise known as azazeal from hex). mmm, michael fassbender.
The Boss of It All. von trier is a genius. also, a very warped man.
The Great Happiness Space. a remarkably candid documentary about a japanese host club, and the host club world in general. it's mostly interviews, with some fly-on-the-wall footage. fascinating, and effectively put together.
The Matsugane Potshot Affair. this film holds out no hope for humanity. maybe that's why i liked it so much.