Review-O-Matic: London Film Festival 2011
A word before I start off - these reviews were 'written' on my Blackberry - so if they seem a bit disjointed, you know why. Also, I've tried not to *think* too much about them - so they're very much of the 'moment'. Which in one or two cases will show;)
Shame - this review is not going to be as long (or as beautiful!) as Michael Fassbender's manhood. Which it is. Excuse you! Every other damn reviewer has gone there, why can't I?
On a tangent - I have had the 'pleasure' of seeing both the Magnetos (McKellen and Fassbender) expose themselves in the name of art. Both are beautiful, utterly doable men. Go Mystique!
But that's all beside the point. No, really, it is.
The more 'sensational' aspects of this film - the nudity (both male and female) and the sexuality are there to serve the story. Which is kind of a revelation in itself. They aren't there to titillate (although there is one scene - in the bar - Michael Fassbender can say/do that to me *anytime* /tmi) As such - they're meant to be as sexy as London traffic. That is, not at all.
It's as much about the dangers of feeling too much or not enough as it is about addiction.
Michael Fassbender carries this film with a grace and ease that is... unworldly. Yes, he is beautiful to watch, as he has been in everything I've seen him in so far (the physique he displayed in 300, all him;)) but I never got the impression he was 'acting'in this film. He was 'living' Brandon and his pain.
Which, given the long takes that Steve McQueen (the director) employs - it makes the film come alive. Without Fassbender's ... *fearlessness* this film would fall on it's arse; because it would be impossible to 'fake' those sorts of reactions for such long, close takes.
Which leads me to also praise Carey Mulligan as Sissy, Brandon's sister - the catalyst for Brandon's life spiralling out of control. She is his 'opposite', in everyway. She feels... too much, him, not enough
Girl has come a long way since Sally Sparrow. And who (sic) knew she could sing? In one memorable (sfw!) scene, she croons a stunning, bluesy version of 'New York, New York' - one that reduces Brandon to tears. By the end of the film - the audience aren't that far behind.
This film draws you in and makes you care about these broken damaged people - I was nearly in tears at one point (to say more is a HUGE spoiler!) - but I am glad that I saw this. It's a beautiful haunter of a film. One that I want to see again in January when it goes on release in the UK. The hype is justified. It's in my top ten films of the year, a distinction I don't make lightly.
Also, I am going to borrow 'Hunger' from work as soon as. Given the subject matter (the last months of the hunger striker Bobby Sands - who I remember reading about in the newspaper as a wee monster) that is *high* praise indeed. For both director and actor.
Also - mark me happy to watch Michael Fassbender in damn well *anything*. Within reason, of course!
I'm glad to read that in the US the film company releasing the film are making it's NC-17 rating a badge of honour - which can only be a good thing. No cuts and embracing it's adult content. Highly, HIGHLY recommended!
Coriolanus - I got to walk down the red carpet for this with minarchy - the chance to natter with another fangirl before hand was *awesome*. And I am sure that watching this with torn_eledhwen would have been just as awesome (though with less discussion of the actors who've played Magneto exposing themselves in the name of art...) Ahem!
Coriolanus - not one of Shakespeare's greatest 'hits' (easy to see why - not an obvious tragedy) but Ralph Fiennes deserves plaudits for turning this 'lesser' play into a superbly acted, taut, visceral, modern production.
One of the 'issues' I have with the Bard sometimes is that the words/acting can seem very 'false'. Like everyone IS ACTING. And it feels 'wrong'. If you've ever had the pleasure of watching a 'master' actor at work - someone like Sir Ian McKellen or Sir Patrick Stewart - you'll know how beautiful it can be. This falls into that catergory. Alas, I have never had the pleasure of seeing Dame Judi Dench or Dame Helen Mirren do the Bard - but I bet it would be a delight.
Not so here. Everyone (including the newsroom 'crew') felt natural,normal. Speaking words that were over 400 years old about something that happened 1000 years before that. Recommended.
The Artist - And now, for something completely different and lovely. Black and White and Silent. Think along the lines of 'Singin' In The Rain' (what could have happened, or 'Lena Lamont, The Later Years') and you have it.
There were one or two things that irked me a little bit (and I do mean a little bit - most will not notice - but something that the heroine does struck me as being 'odd') but although it took the shine off a little bit - it's still a superb film. It's likely to be talked up as a big gun in the Oscar Race - but to knock it is to kick a puppy. Just... no! It's a joy to watch and should be seen as such. The dog, steals the show, mind. Highly Recommended
LFF 'Surprise Film' (Damsels In Distress') - Well. At least I now have a yardstick for bad movies. This one.
Yes, it was worse than 'Tree of Life'. That at least was pretty. In parts (shush! 'Wonders of the Universe' style graphics and dinosaurs are always welcome!) This didn't even have that going for it. Imagine a film that involves dumb, unlikeable characters who you want to slap, who are privileged beyond ken (nearly all the characters would be considered WASPs and it's set in a 'top' US school - full of idiots!) and you are half way there.
Or maybe it's me - I don't grok 'hipster' irony where characters are so 'cool' that a main character doesn't realize that 'religious observation' is not a justification for anal sex.
I mean - I know that I'm no cineteaste (I can't even spell it - let alone be it! And neither can Blackberry or Livejournal - so that makes three of us!) - so the 'finer' points of 'artistic' films may go over my head. Even so, I know what I like and even when I don't like something, I can usually find something 'nice' to say about it. Yes, I can even say something 'nice' about Transformers: Dark Of The Moon!, which takes some doing! So if I can't find something nice to say and have to rant about how godawful it is... Something Is Wrong!
This? All I can say is they were two hours of my life I won't get back! And I wasn't the only one - a few of the folks I follow on Twitter who I know were there were threatening violence and asking for their money back. The LFF hashtag showed that we were not alone in our disgust. A good 70% of folks tweeting disliked the movie too. It was a divisive 'surprise' film that was certain! One 'good' thing is that the programmer is leaving this year and next year there will be someone knew - with better 'taste' I hope!
AVOID!