chappie

district 9 - cracker film - sci-fi with a realistic concept
large cockroach-like creatures 'prawns' arrive on earth
secured in a large ghetto-like enclosure in johannesburg
neill blomkamp director there and now here with his latest
very similar opening - tv news reports used for authenticity
the police force have been equipped with fully armed robots
scenes of them being used to fight crime without fear or favour
the news report cheerily reporting a big drop in the crime rate
good so far - alarming but surely a realistic view of a future time
then - well - a van pulls up outside an abandoned warehouse
met by what looks like a character from a mad max movie
some sort of gang leader complete with tats and bad attitude
ditto the 3 van occupants - punky, rough, tough wannabees
a drug deal has gone wrong - 'you got 7 days to get my money'
but then airborne police (and robots) arrive for the shoot-out
the gang escape and head back to their own warehouse digs
and further 'character development' of ninja, yolandi and amerika
ninja so impressed with the police robots he decides he needs one
that will help with the heist he has in mind to procure the money
not impressed - the acting is bad and the plot seems even worse
the action relocates to the headquarters of robot-makers transvaal
sigourney weaver is the md announcing 100 more robots ordered
dev patel (marigold hotel) is one of the robot's chief programmers
hugh jackman working on a now sidelined large robot called moose
some heavy-duty actors in the mix also so there's hope for it yet
deon (patel) also working in secret at home on a radical ai system
completes it and now needs a host - ah - robot 22 is to be junked
the battery fused to the body and only 7 days left - he takes it home
but on the way is seized by the gang of 3 and taken to their base
deon loads in the new program and robot 22 fires into life again
but a new system - he advises the baddies it will require training
so yolandi takes on the mother role and nicknames it 'chappie'
and it's all downhill from there - cute is aimed for - silly is hit
chappie learns words by rote and says 'mommy' and 'maker'
then becomes a bad punk-robot complete with gold chains
laugh-out-loud the only way to react to the stuff served up
back at hq seems vincent (jackman) has a big jealousy issue
sabotages the system driving all the robots so they all seize up
panic - michelle (weaver) permits deployment of the moose
vincent seen in command of the ultimate video game controller
impressive footage actually of his flying tank-like armed machine
me thinking - yep - not so unlikely - the u.s. military have them
it's carnage as moose shoots up deon, chappie and the gang
but then silliness returns - chappie's intelligence fully developed
his new system transferred by deon to a fully working robot
in return chappie uses his now fully developed intelligence
and transfers deon's human subconsciousness to a robot
and - they - live - happily - ever - after - shite - basically
hugh jackman - what were you thinking - big paycheck?
and the gang of 3 - die antwoord - a rap-rave group
big in south africa - so an appeal to their fanbase?
explaining the bad acting - but not the bad plot...

samba

the final night for this year's french film festival
saving the best until last - maybe - full house though
surprising but freebies i reckon - saw evidence of that
omar sy the big drawcard for me - he of the intouchables
currently travelling as most fave of films - he starring as driss
all round good guy - reviews indicating a similar role here
it starts out with the frivolity at an elaborate paris wedding
panning back to the busy kitchen and our man doing dishes
his uncle one of the team of chefs at this up-market hotel
then we see samba in a queue of immigrants at a port
presumably back in time but that lost in translation
next in an interview room with the main leading lady
alice (charlotte gainsbourg) is doing some charity work
she there to look and learn as the expert lady does her thing
routinely questioning samba about work/accommodation plans
alice and samba left alone briefly - he teases, she blushes, we smile
despite advice from her compatriot alice gives her phone number
kind of obvious where this is headed but it could be a fun ride
scenes then of the tough life for immigrants in a thriving city
exploited labour basically and officials turning a blind eye
samba seen taking on various temporary labouring jobs
he also delivers on a promise to a mate still in detention
tracks down his fiance to pass on a message - but more
a guilty conscience for him and a clear bookmark for us
samba fails in his bid for permanent residency but stays on
ignoring his 'otlft' status - obligation to leave french territory
this seems quite common also - under-the-radar now needed
comedy kicks in as he turns to high-rise window-washing
he afraid of heights - his co-washer wooing the office ladies
the 2 lads then seen partying with the immigration dept (huh?)
and of course the 2 ladies from earlier in the film re-introduced
there's dancing, drinking games and a kind of truth-or-dare
the 4 of them buddy up - the 2 young-uns straight into it
but alice and samba - theirs is a more subdued relationship
he (omar sy) is a real good-looking, charming and decent chap
she lacking in confidence but 'she feels good when he is around'
and with that a very obvious comparison to his role in intouchables
the (black) grounded worker and the (white) discontented bourgeoisie
but here - just too over-played - too much going on - too - unsure
the directors throw everything at it - each scene offering a study
love, drama, comedy, dance, politics, sex, racism, infidelity, etc
and the climax - mystery - samba's friend catches up with him
they walk - samba cold - jonas swaps jacket for coat - bookmark
jonas is angry over the bedding of his fiance - a fight breaks out
drawing the attention of the police - uh-oh - they pursue them
and both end up in the seine - but neither can swim - the end?
nope - sadness as samba's death is announced - alice distraught
and then he walks in the door - ah - the id's swapped with jackets
alice convinces him to keep the new id - he can stay in france
ah - noice - a happy ending - the large audience is relieved
me - not so - not the memorable film i was anticipating
just too much going on and with that all quite cursory
nothing fleshed out - a definite case of more is less
still - omar sy - pretty well rescued samba the film
a real good character study will do him good
end of the french film festival - tres bon....

apocalypse world war 1 (part 2)

film 1 of this incredible french documentary seen a week ago
thinking/raving about it since as it resonated so significantly
such a fitting commemoration of the war of 100 years ago
presented in 2 films containing 2 and 3 parts respectively
last week part 1 - fury and part 2 - fear left us wanting more
the use of colourisation and sound enhancement so engrossing
with that a clear and concise explanation of the slide into the war
the film closing off in 1915 with the stalemate of trench warfare
part 3 - hell - picks up there and wastes no time in laying it bare
harrowing scenes of exhausted soldiers in vermin-infested trenches
rows of dead rats hung by their tails shown with the captor troops
regular orders to go over-the-top to certain death for many of them
recycling of soldiers and removal of dead and injured part of it
within a few minutes i am feeling a sense of shock (not awe)
and a realisation the title of part 3 - hell - is so appropriate
but it gets worse - more insidious weapons are deployed
mustard and chlorine gas and the obscene cluster bombs
designed to explode mid air and loaded with ball-bearings
the most hideous of injuries and so the invention of helmets
tanks make their first appearance as do evil flame-throwers
and in the air - manned balloons drop bombs and observe
a decade after man's first flight and the military are at it
bi-planes in the air and slogging it out with machine-guns
including one hermann goering future leader of the luftwaffe
pilots proudly accumulating 'kills' - enemy aircraft taken out
manfred von richthofen - the red baron - the most respected
over 80 kills but proclaiming killing is murder even in war
odd - but earning respect from the allies even after shot down
despite being an enemy he was given a full military funeral
this detail typifying how the film overall continues to engross
part 4 - rage - the war in full flight all over europe and beyond
mind-boggling numbers rolled out - casualties and otherwise
in the battle of verdun a million german shells fired in 1 day
but the french held on - no military gain - another stalemate
in desperation to make some advances the u-boats strike
sinking merchant vessels - some american - they then act
marines on the ground in europe lead by colonel pershing
on the eastern front the germans need to dis-engage russia
an exiled lenin is given passage from switzerland to home
and as expected he unifies the peasant resistance to the war
the russian revolution kicks in and stops war with germany
mission accomplished - german troops then sent to the west
but the americans make the difference and the end is in sight
part 5 - deliverance - 4 long years have exhausted europe
the germans get to within 120km of paris and hit it's heart
big bertha - a huge cannon strikes a full church in paris
atrocities inflicted on civilians raise the ire of the allies
and with uncle sam now mobilised the push-back begins
leading to the eventual surrender of germany and austria
armistice day - 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month
the sense of relief and sheer joy palpable from the film
the league of nations formed to avoid future large wars
and a want by politicians to punish germany harshly
a gathering of allies do just that with an agreement
the treaty of versailles signed in the hall of mirrors
though not with full consensus from all the allies
some believing harsh reparations will fuel anger
a generation of bitter germans could be the result
prophetic words closing off this extraordinary film
the audience leaving the theatre in stunned silence
me - so thankful for the opportunity to learn more
technology used to provide ease of accessibility
and again - a film that every student should see
bravo the french producers - merci beaucoup...

the new girlfriend

looking for some drama at the french film festival
this one read well - and starring one of france's best
romain duris - he the naked runner from russian doll
and many more besides - always good - done - i'm in
the wedding march and close-up of makeup being applied
ah - nice - but then confusingly a woman seen lying in a coffin
and then a funeral - one lady giving a eulogy for her best friend
back in time to laura (deceased) and claire (orator) at age seven
instant friendship - and then a rapid summary of their lives together
a very tight bond including a lifetime blood oath with cutting of palms
there's a slight hint of dominant/subversive with claire adoring laura
but hey - normal girl stuff methinks - bff's do everything together?
in the flashback laura marries david (duris) and has his baby lucie
closely followed by claire marrying gilles but no babies for them
sadly though laura falls ill and dies - and we're back to the funeral
this all takes less than 5 minutes of screen time but we're moved
powerful - i'm thinking i've defiinitely snagged a great french drama
post funeral and claire is housebound and despondent - gilles supportive
she cannot bring herself to see david - 'lucie reminds me too much of laura'
but one day out on a jog she decides to call in to his house unannounced
so of course bearing in mind the film's title - there's going to be a surprise
no answer at the door - but open - in she goes - we're braced for it
sure enough a woman seen cuddling baby lucie - but quelle horreur!
it's david - dressed as a woman - full makeup, dress and high heels
he confesses to a long-held cross-dresser secret known by laura
convincing claire it helps lucie as she sees the missing mother in him
they agree to keep mum about this - claire names her virginia (yep)
claire's eventual empathy then leads to a shopping expedition
in and out of fashion boutiques and makeup shops in the mall
move over robin williams - slim and tall romain duris nails it
the friendship blossoms with a secret weekend in the country
all very plutonic as they enjoy time at the in-laws large estate
things then get complicated when gilles invites david to dinner
at which it all gets messy and claire secretly tells david to quit
no more virginia - she then resumes her 'normal' life with gilles
but he notices a change - she seems distant but sexually charged
eventually a phone call to david - i miss virginia - so do i he replies
so a secret rendezvous planned at hotel virginia (that almost cloying)
there he as she convinces claire they both want it - and into the sack
nothing held back as this twosome/threesome passionately frolick
but the appearance of mr penis shocks claire and she bolts for it
virginia then seen in tears crossing a busy street and hit by a van
coma - parents-in-law and claire/gilles seen as regular visitors
but it takes a very deliberate action by claire to bring him around
she lovingly dresses him, applies makeup and sings to him/her
he wakes and next thing we see both of them confronting gilles
baby lucie is embraced - ah - how sweet - that has to be la fin?
almost - 'seven years later' announced and lucie leaving school
looking like the same actor playing 7 year old laura and lucie?
and meeting her - a content virginia and a very pregnant claire
and the happy family seen walking hand-in-hand into the sunset
david has his virginia, claire has her laura, lucie has them both
phew - but hmmm - not sure about all that - just too cosy
conclusion - wanted to like it more than i actually did
all very french - but not au natural - kind of - forced
points to romain duris for fabulous acting (darling)
as always good to see some french cinema - next...

may allah bless france

artistically this french film festival feature is very appealing
black and white for one - but also about a music megastar
based on the autobiography of french rapper abd al malik
not only did he write the book but he also directed the film
no starring role though - actor marc zinga takes on that part
he is first seen warming up backstage with his fellow rappers
motion changes, indiscernible sounds, b&w - liking it already
cut back a few years to teenage days as regis with his mates
a gang in strasbourg seen pick-pocketing and dealing in drugs
one of the gang throwing a rock at a police car leads to a raid
and then a confronting scene in the back of a paddy wagon
regis has an older brother who loudly abuses a policewoman
the expletives flying as regis tries to calm the tense situation
a sense of the volatile times for immigrants in rural france
we then see regis in school soaking up the literature lesson
but the gang is the focus - once a week they hire a studio
here regis composes and they all hone their rapping skills
so very quickly we learn he is musical, intelligent and loyal
he also has a female friend - sabrina - sister of a gang mate
she - pale-skinned, calm, beautiful - and an avid reader
a striking contrast to the wild nature of congolese regis
she lends regis a favorite book about sufism in morocco
so now some spiritualism in the mix - it's building well

quite absorbed by it actually - even with a lot going on
the subtitles aren't serving us well though unfortunately
sometimes white on white - other times very minimal
lots of on-screen dialogue summed up in a few words
however the regular intermission of music is welcomed
usually some stunning b&w footage with some hip-hop
quite unique too - a mix of rap, electronica and eastern
in the story regis becomes increasingly tired of his gang
forces a change by converting to islam - now abd al malik
musical fame soon follows despite record company rejection
a visit by his old teacher backstage at a concert is pivotal
he realises even material success is shallow - change again
then seen on a ferry to morocco and some mosque visits
after spending time there he comes back a contented man
and in the final scenes he is seen marrying sabrina - nice
the final words at the wedding - qu'allah benisse la france
so neatly wrapping up the film and announcing the title
very cool film actually - despite at times losing it a bit
great acting, great music, great cinematography
and a quite riveting story - see it again? - oui...

la belle et la bete

beauty and the beast - the latest (2014) film of the fable
one of 20 options at the french film festival currently running
one rule for me re films at festivals - selection suggests quality
or - step out of the comfort zone - trust other people's judgement
not familiar with this story but the title says it all - a love story
it opens with great use of close-up to get us inside a large book
a mother starts reading the story to her 2 children at bedtime
and then straight into the film - 3 large sailing ships at sea
hit by an unexpected storm and they all sink - all is lost
this has the merchant owner also on the rocks financially
forcing him and his 6 children to leave paris for the country
3 boys and 3 girls - the youngest named belle - the beauty
she loves the country and is similarly adored by her father
on a trip back to paris he gets lost on the return journey
he stumbles on and drawn to a large imposing hilltop castle
inside is laid out a feast which the merchant gorges himself on
then as he makes a hasty escape he picks a beautiful red rose
this incurs the wrath of the beast as it leaps onto the merchant
a life for a rose - or i will kill your entire family - that's the deal
back home he tells his story and belle then volunteers her life
claiming her mother died giving birth to her - she owes the family
and off she goes on horseback - delivering herself up at the castle
it's all quite nerve-wracking - even knowing there's a happy ending
it's just done so well - a sumptuous mix of cgi, animation. reality
and a big budget too - so much detail particularly inside the castle
mr beast shows up - instructions - every night dinner at 7 o'clock
she is free to explore the castle and grounds as much as she wants
but she will never leave - and despite her pleading she will not die
as the days roll by her confidence grows as his hostility also wanes
his hairy arms, hands and face more of a lion than a hideous beast
and he remains dressed in some regal outfit - ah - once a human?
this all further explained in belle's stunning dream sequences
seems the once-prince killed one deer to many - a nymph
the god forest angry and turns the prince into the beast
the spell can be broken by true love (it conquers all)
beasty-boy weakens and allows her 24 hours respite
back to the family but things don't go quite as planned
greedy perducas charges off to the castle to raid the treasure  
him and his cronies plunder the place but things then turn ugly
the beast has some friends - huge giants awoken and go to work
crushing and stomping the baddies but the beast cops a golden arrow
he is sure to die - but belle to the rescue - gets him into some magic water
he arouses as a prince - will you ever love me - i love you already - sniff
end of story - book closed - kids happy - but one more little surprise
mum is belle and of course her farmer husband is the prince/beast
a passionate embrace - the end - woo-hoo - a (the) happy ending
totally impressed actually - so well done - weta would be proud
seriously matching it with lord of the rings, the hobbit, etc
foreign language though - so no market here (why not?)
french film festival has served up a cracker - tres bon....

apocalypse world war 1 (part 1)

french film festival time - and for me a very sombre start
the program suggesting this the best ever documentary on ww1
500 hours of now colourised footage condensed into 5 episodes
i approach this with some trepidation - but anxious to learn more
the opening scenes of part 1 - fury - striking in the clarity and realism
people throughout europe enjoying the heat of the summer in 1914
with that a sense of engagement with these people a century ago
looking so contemporary rather than some distant and dark time
their kings and leaders also seen in clear and fascinating detail
the french commentary (sub-titled) somehow aiding authenticity
it's been 50 years since the last major european war - napolean
but there's war-mongers looking to crank up the military machine
the assassination of franz ferdinand of austria in serbia an excuse
germany keen to assist austria in a punishing move on the serbs
but russia feels the need to protect their slavic compatriots
france an ally of russia and england an ally of france - it's on
this despite the kings of england, germany and russia all cousins
mind-boggling really and the slide into war happening so easily
the impressive footage continues to roll as europe heads to war
all sides expecting no more than a few months of actual hostility
in part 2 - fear - the war grinds on and the casualties mount
trench warfare explained and shown - and other victims too
women left to build weapons, horses cruelly used and killed
more countries are conscripted or join up for national gain
others punished for being colonies of european superpowers
japan as england's ally attacks a german occupied port in china
and then after a taste of success goes deeper into the mainland
future leaders - churchill, hitler shown in footage or photos
the complex situation explained both clearly and chillingly
including the suicidal folly of the anzac landing at gallipoli
the war driven by military men or industrialists with influence
a clear and stark parallel with the world a hundred years later
depressing - yes - but also equally engaging and informative
another film that just feels so essential and totally relevant
without a doubt the colourisation the main factor for that
the sound of the times also given high-tech enhancement
sadly not a big crowd in this sunday morning viewing
but i suspect every one of us will be back for part 2
classic film festival programming - see it or miss it
so glad i did - just hope it hits the mainstream
or schools - should be compulsory viewing
a modern day apocalypse - and a warning...

lines of flight - show 1

i've been looking forward to this festival for some time
our paths having never crossed in it's biennial incarnation
my kind of music - immediate, unique, improvised, exhilarating
the festival offering 4 sessions over 3 days of nz's best experimenters
tonight showtime is in the top level of the dunedin public art gallery
grab a drink, chat to a few comrades and snag a second row seat
a brief welcome from the 2 peters (porteous/stapleton) and into it

first up radio cegeste aka sally ann mcintyre - seated on the floor
even from the second row it's very difficult to see her in action
but leaning forward and down and she's playing with radios
transistor ones probably now considered of vintage age
long pull out aerial, black vinyl case and scrolling knobs
she has a bunch of them - ritually sets them up on the floor
each contributing to a slowly building analogue static sound
her assistant tonight in control of a projector pointed at her
thus providing her silhouette over a screen of old photographs
intentionally or not the slide-show seems quite badly handled
it comes and goes, gets realigned, her silhouette seems wrong
but no worries - the noise builds, drops away and she packs up
a favourable response from the audience and part 2 soon follows

stanier black-five is introduced and she in turn introduces her show
named oenosthesia - exploring the link between taste and hearing
and for us tonight an interactive performance - wine will be served
generously donated by a small winery especially for the occasion
and with that she delves into the apple mac and sends out the noises
a slow build of a circular sound of what sounds like water running
a nod then a signal for wine and glasses to be handed to the audience
i get it - a multi-sensory experience more than the usual eyes and ears
a sniff and a gentle sip of some quite deliciously flavoured white wine
this in conjuction with some sounds that i convince myself are relevant
surely the simulation and amplification of the effect of a swallowed liquid
possibly not - but let's go with that - we're hooked - and 2 more wines yet
it's a simple yet effective aural presentation - and a grateful audience with it
a bit of post-show discussion advising our lady is a respected wine critic
totally impressed and a very enjoyable and confident show tonight

the aletheia ensemble  - 2 laptop powered chaps and 4 speakers on stands
billed as an electro-acoustic 4 piece - hmmm - a scaled down show tonight?
some pre-show chatter suggesting some performers had not shown up
maybe this is the result of that - not too worried - ignorance is bliss
but as they get stuck into their minimalist show something is amiss
i'm thinking a projection of some kind would have been so easy
watching a bowed head totally focussed on a laptop is no show
fortunately there's 2 of them so that offers some viewing options
and there is the clever use of 4 speakers with 2 behind the audience
this meaning a surround sound effect becomes their defining feature
the digital sound they produce is quite enjoyable though forgettable
and admittedly - it does tend to the monotonous as the set drags on
one of two false endings too many really and relief as it winds up
polite applause and mental notes - the full ensemble is needed

jeff henderson / hermoine johnson are next up - clarinet and piano combo
he - standing tall with instrument in hand and blasting out random notes
she - also standing over the piano and pulling on a set of erect wires
a bank of those attached presumably somehow to the piano strings
each exuding a different note as her hand is dragged over the wire  
now we're talking - total improvisation on analogue instruments
i'm sitting in the best seat in the house next to the piano action
both musicians a few metres away as they get stuck into it
loving it - a reminder of many shows in sima days in sydney
the clarinet pushed to the limit and a sense of full confidence
and then he wanders off - still blasting notes as he goes from view
making full use of the acoustics provided in this upper level open space
the wooden floor and angular partitions acting as natural amplifiers
his eventual return marking a change in sound - a tenor sax in use
and unexpectedly she takes a seat and puts hand to piano keys
but conventional - no - hands running up and down rapidly
a quite aggressive style and the keyboard seen moving
i'm worried - she - nope - just keeps up a relentless sound
ditto with he - sharp jabs of notes with a sky pointed sax
the crowd whooping it up as the intensity is maintained
as they finish they similarly exchange approving signals
nothing quite so satisfying as witnessing sated musicians
a brilliant climax to this first night of lines of flight - more...

the second best exotic marigold hotel

the original thinking was this sequel could be bypassed
number one was ok - kind of fun and even an original idea
but such ideas when stretched to follow-ups are rarely better
however pre-screening review reading suggesting this one does it
tonight is fil-um night and a consensus required - so we take it on
an unexpected opening - a mustang being driven at speed in america
sonny (dev patel) driving and muriel (maggie smith) a cowering passenger
route 66 - the one-liners around accent and interpretation flowing already
we then see them in a meeting in a las vegas boardroom seeking funding
chairman of the board played by david strathairn - now that's a surprise
he boss of a large hotel chain considering an expansion into india
cut back to rajasthan and all the familiar characters re-introduced
douglas (bill nighy) a bumbling tour-guide with lines fed by wireless
evelyn (judi dench) a part-time textile buyer for a large multi-national
seems these shysters are still trying to get their romance up and running
the other hotel inhabitants also shown picking up where they left off
and then the film opening credits roll - and part 2 is well underway
they actually killed off a character in part 1 so first deal with that
enter - richard gere - divorcee so the (older) ladies in a flap
says he is a writer but sonny treats him like a hotel inspector
sonny's mother catches his eye and the charmer goes to work
one cringe-worthy scene of him 'writing' his love-story novel
and her - 'i've not been with anyone since my husband died'
him - 'you will not be my first - but you will be my last' - crikey
there's a wedding being planned and another suitor on the scene
and so many other sub-plots going on it's a challenge to keep up
or - more likely - nothing of any substance or demanding empathy
of course nothing should be demanded - this is lightweight central
fortunately the backdrop of indian city life is very well represented
so even with no interest in the many stories at play it's an ok ride
and the skill/experience of all the main actors holds the attention
though - some camera trickery in use with ms dench and smith
their few scenes together such they seem filmed separately
muriel (smith) has a serious and secret medical condition
with that a suggestion that she will be this film's write-off
and a quote then thrown up several times in her presence
there's no present like the time - misquoted but cute
meanwhile in amongst all the drama sonny is very busy
holding together the sub-plot of the actual point of the film
his second hotel - which provides the excuse for this sequel
another stab at legitimacy - david strathairn shows up again
and then into the big finale - sonny and sunaina's wedding
everyone is suddenly happy and seriously partying is on
a loud dance scene in true bollywood style dominating
the choreography looking borrowed from mj's thriller
muriel sneaks away and is seen prone on her bed
did she die - maybe - maybe not - wait and see
everything left open for number 3 in the series
now that would be seriously pushing it
no doubt the bean-counters will decide
enough already i say - checking out (groan)...

a little chaos

yes well period piece films are not usually my scene
but in this case there's one factor that appeals big time
versailles - the gardens of - this film based on the build
starring and directed by alan rickman - he knows his stuff
kate winslet - well - not a big fan - but - let's see how she goes
1682 - the year the film is set - versailles construction underway
king louis xiv (rickman) has demanded a grand vision for the gardens
andre le notre is his chief gardener but he needs help for this huge project
and so sabine de barra (winslet) has submitted an application for the gig
she has a 3 minute interview with le notre who dismisses her outright
seems her want to dispense with 'order' challenges he who utilises it
she pushing for 'a little chaos' in the future-looking garden design
but male vanity is alive and kicking in the 17th century - no gig
other (male) applicants smirking - but of course she wins in the end
this after that night le notre makes a surprise visit to her paris home
and more (no) surprises - a suggestion of a romantic appointment also
she a widow and he a married man - though seems wifey is an infidel
as we witness with some rumpy-pumpy in a horse-drawn carriage
sabine is assigned the job supervising the build of an outdoor ballroom
cascading waterfalls, tiered seating, marble dancefloor, etc - big job
so some screen time spent showing that process and sabine's drive
in the meantime over at palace hq king louis has some family drama
his wife has died (the queen is dead) and he is in a state of mourning
alan rickman seen revelling in the role of a morose and aloof oligarch
he takes time out - sits alone unwigged in one of the palace nurseries
soon joined by sabine but she does not recognise him as the king
so some silly banter as he briefly plays along with her small talk
so far - well - flat as really - acting all a bit go-through-the-motions
but the dramas keep on coming - le notre now besotted with sabine
and with it wifey picks up on her husbands own other love interest
leading to some vengeful sabotaging of sabines work in progress
this involves a release of a water spillway that sabine ends up in
nearly drowning in the process and predictably saved by her man
the passion flows and so soon too the regret for a tearful sabine
distraught in fact - somehow this episode triggers a long flashback
seems her husband was also a cad and ran off taking their daughter
as he escaped their carriage crashed down a slope - daughter killed
so much drama packed into this film - but - where's the conviction?
anyway - the finale rolls around - of course she gets the job done
the aristocracy dressed to the max for the fixture's grand opening
louis taking a dance with sabine (ah nice) and into party mode
the cameras back and up providing an aerial shot of versailles
but - not even a very good model - clearly not the real deal
which pretty well sums up the whole film - a real wannabe
the promotion poster suggested comedy, drama, romance
comedy - a couple of cringeworthy wise-cracks at best
drama - plenty of that - but coronation street-esque
romance - sex maybe - and then only box-tick-ish
the best thing about the film is the costumes
everyone and everything seemed...detached
a very english film hijacking a french story
and fictionalised anyway - it's just a yarn
alan rickman and team have more work yet
more acting required as they talk this one up
probably should have gone straight to youtube

citizenfour

the story of edward snowden's whistleblowing has intrigued me
in a sense a martyr to the cause of personal (digital) freedom
so very excited to see this film quietly hit the big screen
our friday night viewing underwhelming in bums on seats
and a quiet fear that the general populace - nah - who cares
the film opens with footage from inside a car in a long tunnel
the documentary format kicking in with some plain text displayed
providing background to the main players and the main game on show
laura poitras is the director/producer/filmer and already on the nsa watchlist
brazilian based reporter glenn greenwald writes for the uk paper the guardian
some footage of him at home writing articles on other nsa whistleblowers
war vet william binney for one - went public about the nsa's covert plans
he seen giving public talks with others about the growing infringements
interesting - but - anxious to get to the story of the main man - snowden
he makes contact with lp and gg and arranges for a secret rendezvous
this in hong kong - out of the tunnel and then onto the busy streets
then the man is in frame as the trio's first meeting is being filmed
the focus is on edward snowden as he begins to divulge details
he a contractor for the nsa - with the highest of security passes
now alarmed at the depth and spread of surveillance systems
far out-stripping any legislation in place or mooted for debate
first impression - one very intelligent, articulate and brave man
forward-thinking too - we are the fly-on-the-wall - mesmerising
i remember the news footage at the time and now we are right there
up close and personal never more appropriate for a historical moment
snowden has released via greenwald highly classified nsa documents
these describing the extent of the surveillance systems that are used
as repercussions start kicking in we are witness to honest discussion
the plan is for snowden to go public and his reasoning is laid bare
he does not want to skulk but be open and honest about his actions
one reason - to encourage others to also take up this noble cause
the very footage seen all over tv at the time then seen recorded
nothing but total admiration now for the man - very, very cool
as he goes public via gg there's also footage of various reactions
obama for one saying he would have preferred to control the release
as if that was going to happen - more credibility doubts for the c-in-c
the authorities use a spy law from the 1940's to lay charges on snowden
so a return to the u.s. of a likely to lead to a very long prison sentence
the focus of the film now remaining with snowden's clear thinking
he is contacted by chinese lawyers for the united nations h r c
one named mr man seen arranging safe passage to their offices
julian assange also on screen organising flights for snowden
next seen living in moscow with his american girlfriend
his future unclear but in a sense his mission accomplished
the issue of government sanctioned surveillance now public
not necessarily curtailed but at least more exposed/discussed
some reviewers rated this film better than fictionised espionage
totally - nearly 2 hours of at times jaw-dropping commentary
and the conclusion/credits rolling with some stunning music
this film an outstanding success on every level - a must-see
so glad to have made further acquaintance with this man
modern-day hero - may he continue to gather friends...

child's pose

this film another one receiving big rave reviews during 2014
won the golden bear award (best film) at the berlin film festival
and universal glowing praise for lead actress luminita gheorghiu
she in the opening scene bemoaning to her sister about her only son
mainly the way he treats her and the verbal abuse that comes with it
cornelia (mum) also not at all fond of son barbu's partner carmen
seems carmen is to blame for the bad mother-son relationship
cornelia seen chain-smoking, seems unhappy and is very uptight
cut to a happier scene of her with friends at her 60th birthday bash
various people introduced including high-up government officials
affluence abounds so it seems she is from the top end of society
she makes excuses for her son's absence and parties on anyway
next day her husband seems more circumspect to the son's attitude
their cleaner in common with the son is interrogated by cornelia
plied for specific details of his home life - she has no shame to ask
second-hand shoes offered to the maid as payment - but declined
a not very likeable person is emerging - the son may be justified
long scenes of cornelia poking around inside her son's apartment
every action played out fully - my first reaction - screen-time fill?
more likely the director's want to present (non) action realistically
we also see cornelia and husband in attendance at a small opera
3 people singing in a centered stage and given plenty of screen time
thinking - some exposure to romanian arts and culture on offer here
cornelia is summoned away by her sister - there's been an accident
barbu the driver of a car that has killed an errant freeway crosser
cornelia's maternal instincts kick in - or an opportunity to appease?
the parents show up at the police station barbu is being held at
she wastes no time asserting herself and questioning procedures
this our first sighting of barbu - he maintains a shocked silence
seems he was speeding in a risky road rage overtaking move
so charges are likely and therefore a life-changing incident
but cornelia has other ideas as she then calls in some favours
days pass as she wheels and deals - bribes, demands, pleads
a whatever-it-takes attitude to ensure her son is not charged
and with that an insight into the corrupt romanian system
the director seemingly intent on showing it for what it is
ditto the gaps between rich and poor with a visit by cornelia
this to the family of the boy killed - she lays on the sadness
her tears do seem false - she has an ulterior motive after all
this all despite barbu already asking her to keep out of his life
in the final scene barbu faces up to the father of the dead boy
cleverly framed in a rear-vision mirror - no words but they are ok
a brief hand-shake and with it the suggestion compassion is the foil
a simple act more effective than everything his mum tried to enact
so - mother/smother not recommended - let the children grow free
pozitia copilului the romanian title - translated - position the child
thus implying there is another person doing some maneuvering
and to me a far more accurate title for the content of the film
a case of the meaning of the title being lost in translation?
but a minor quibble - still a seriously good serious film...

in bloom

this film appeared on several best-of lists in 2014 so needs a viewing
set in post-ussr georgia in 1992 and focused on two 14 year old girls
war, violence, family feuding, poverty to be dealt with on a daily basis
or so the mostly positive reviews advise - enough to make it must-see
opening scene of one of the girls on a small bus looking very pensive
one man heard loudly exclaiming all georgians should carry a weapon
she (eka) then seen at her modest home with her mother and sister
seems dad is away - a letter has arrived but eka not allowed to read
scenes then of eka and friend natia scrapping it out in a bread queue
locals feuding to get the best position to obtain the loaf or 2 of bread
the girls then harrassed by local young thugs on their way back home
at natia's home her despondent parents also fueding loudly and abusively
grandmother also in residence and young brother cowling with the tension
school days also hard-going with a strict and authoritative woman teacher
not exactly happy days - the opening scenes suggesting life is quite hard

but teenage girls have universal interests - boys and music are up there

a group of friends seen gathering for a singalong around a piano - nice

attractive natia also has an admirer in the form of a good-looking boy

he secretly gives her a loaded pistol for self-protection - she takes it on

eka a bit alarmed at this turn of events but natia insists on keeping it
the menace of the weapon strongly suggesting a further appearance
at this point i'm thinking - yes good - feeling very much transplanted
the director taking the time to provide a real feel for the time and place
and with that empathy for the girls in their central roles as protagonists
sensing also that it's a typical girl-growing-up story in a hostile place
local traditions are that women marry early - and so it is for natia
though not to lado - her protector - he has gone to work in moscow
she marries kote - he of a local family - eka does not react well
'do you love him' she asks - 'i am told i will grow to love him'
natia then handing the gun to eka for her to scare any bullies
the girls friendship suffers as kote jealously locks natia away
but on one rare outing they come across lado back from moscow
kote spots the eye contact and pursues him through the city streets
a knife is drawn and lado is murdered - one stab and he drops dead
natia goes into a rage and is intent on revenge and needs the gun
but her best friend eka refuses to hand it over - such maturity
which pretty well wraps up the story - they dispose of it
and the final scenes - eka visits her father in prison
he himself a murderer - maybe an act of revenge?
eka at fourteen dealing with plentiful adversity
and that seems to be the theme of this fine film
some kids have adulthood forced upon them
and some (eka) know how to handle it
in bloom - the title very appropriate
not for everyone but for me - is good...