Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
More Toronto reports rolling in, and it sounds like there's some winners in this year's line-up, and some films that are dividing audiences, something I always consider a good sign. Here's one of our contributors from yesterday, "A Little Love," back with a fair sampling of what's been going on up north...
Hey Moriarty,
Sorry for the lateness of this review. So many movies, so little time.
First, here is a brief look at the films I saw yesterday. Today's reviews are at the bottom.
Hearts in Atlantis - The film is directed by Scott Hicks (Shine, Snow Falling on Cedars) and stars Anthony Hopkins. Scott Hicks made a surprise appearance at the screening and said a few words on how every aspect of the production went smoothly. The film is adapted from the Stephen King novel. I really enjoyed this film; it had the same charm as Stand By Me. It was well received by everyone in the theatre.
Training Day- Only the director Antoine Fuqua showed up for the daytime screening. Like Hicks, Fuqua spoke on what drove him to make this film. Personally I did not like this film, I thought that it started of well and then lost it by the end. I found it hard to believe that Ethan's character would endure as much as he did for so long. I also thought the script could have been a lot better. Yet most people in the theatre seemed to enjoy it.
The Navigators- Ken Loach directed this fascinating film about what happened to British railway workers once the Government let private owned companies take over in 1995. People were forced to work in unsafe conditions all in the name of cost cutting. This is a terrific film! It was also well received by the audience. Loach did not attend the screening (apparently filming Sweet 16 in Scotland) but some of the actors showed up and held a Q & A session after. Definitely not to be missed.
As for today,
The first film I saw was "Novocaine". This is a very dark comedy stars Steve Martin as Frank Sangster, a dentist, whose life gets turn upside down when his deadbeat younger brother comes to visit. In a matter of days Sangster finds himself trapped in a web of deceit and murder.
Steve Martin is very convincing as the dentist who slowly sees his whole life crumble. Atkins get some very good (and funny) performance out of a cast that includes: Laura Dern, Helena Bonham Carter, Eliasa Koteas, Scott Caan, and Kevin Bacon. In regards to the latter, Kevin Bacon has never been funnier. Playing the role of an actor who is researching police life for his next film, Bacon steals every scene he is in.
As I mentioned earlier this is a very dark comedy, but unique nonetheless. The director David Atkins has crafted a film that is both odd and enjoyable. Everything from his use of x-rays to the repeated comedy of errors is fascinating. I'm not sure how Warner Brothers will market this film, I fear that it may be a little too dark for mainstream audiences. This film is far from perfect, but it is very funny.
The next film I saw was Danis Tanovic's riveting film entitled "No Man's Land." The film follows three men who get caught in the trenches right in the middle of the Bosnian/ Serb war. The first man is a Bosnian soldier, the second is a Serbian soldier, and the third is lying on a "bouncing land mine". If you think the premise sounds good, wait till you see the movie.
In "No Man's Land," Tanovic shows how out of control the whole war has become. Neither side knows who started the war first or why they are even fighting. The movie takes a few comedic jab at the incompetence of the United Nations. The film shows that the UN is causing more problems by "staying neutral." While men are killing themselves on a daily basis, top officials are reading magazines and playing a leisurely game of chess.
This is by far one of the best films that I have seen at the festival. No Man's Land is a perfect blend of insightful comedy and heart wrenching tragedy. The acting is first rate; there is not one bad performance in the entire film. DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!
Last but not least, the final film I saw today was Prozzac Nation. This seemed to be the film that everyone was trying to get into today. Extra tickets sold out quickly, and the "rush" line-up was huge. One old lady offered me fifty bucks for my ticket, which just made me want to see it more…I had to find out what all the fuss was about.
The director Erik Skjoldbeaerg (Insomnia) attended the screening and held a Q & A session afterwards. The film was shown without the finalized soundtrack, and Skjoldbeaerg said that the original score was still in the works. The film is based on Elizabeth Wurtzel's best-selling novel about her life battling depression. The role of Elizabeth is played perfectly by Christina Ricci (The Ice Storm), who also co-produced the film. Jessica Lange and Nicholas Campbell are exceptionally good as Ricci's feuding parents. The supporting cast, which includes Michelle Williams, Jason Biggs, and Anne Heche, is also convincing.
The film raises some interesting questions about how we deal with our own pain, and the pain of others. The film also questions the performance of prescribed drugs; are they the cure or just a tool for suppressing one's true self? I will say no more for fear of giving too much away. All I'll say is that Prozzac Nation is an interesting film full of strong performances.
Tomorrow: In The Bedroom, Pulse, La Pianiste.
'A Little Love' signing out.
Steve Scopa's also back with a look at the once and future Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen himself, in LIFE AS A HOUSE, the first place most of us are going to get a look at him. I'll toss in a link to the trailer for the film as a special added bonus if you're interested:
Howdy, wow night 3 and all I can say is that what series of films so far...all are so good...Hayden Christenson was very friendly tonight and autographed lots of photos and hung around unlike Steve Martin the night before....tomorrow comes yet another film and Tuesday is Monsoon Wedding which won some awards recently ;) ...did I mention From Hell :) HERE ARE THE PICTURES!!
Life as a House
The third film in the gala series is one from the director of the 'Net and is one of the more touching films so far in the series.
George (Kevin Klein) hasn't always been the best father to his children. He wasn't the best husband to his now ex-wife. But when he finds out he has terminal cancer he decides to make things right and build the house of his dreams. First he recruits his rebellious teenage son (Hayden Christenson) to help him build. Then he slowly begins to be a better friend to his ex wife. As his house is being built he gains his son's trust and the love of his ex wife.
Life as a House is one of those films that has strength in not only its cast but the writing as well. With a strong cast lead by Kevin Klein who shows us that he can do a strong dramatic part as well as comedic. Hayden Christenson is also excellent as the rebellious teenage son who learns that rebelling isn't always the best way to deal with his dysfunctional family and estranged father. The direction by Irwin Winkler is very stylish. He also has brought out some very nice performances from a very strong ensemble cast. The movie though a touch sappy near the end is one film that show many fans why George Lucas chose this young man to be the next Anakin Skywalker.
GET THE TRAILER HERE!!
The mysteriously named "Dan" weighed in with this review of David Lynch's newest film, and I've decided to allow his sneaky plug at the end of the review to say thanks. This time. But don't get used to it, mister...
Harry, and the Ain't it cool team,
I've read a few reviews of David Lynch's Mulholland Drive on this site, but none of them were able to prepare me for what I saw last night at the Toronto Film Festival. Before I get into the heart of the review, let me make a quick warning statement. David Lynch's films are very intelligent. The man is a genius, and as such, his films are not very approachable for the average viewer. They require a lot of thought and time. How many people understood what Lost Highway was about? This is a film that will not work for every viewer.
Mulholland Drive is one of the finest Lynch films to date, and I would rank it right up there with Blue Velvet and Wild at Heart. This is not one of those reviews where I ruin the movie for the readers. Simply put, I'll tell you why this movie worked.
David Lynch's style has evolved again. This was immediately noticeable just a few minutes into the film. The camera moves now, as if it has a mind of it's own. The color schemes, the environments, the dialogue, are all typical Lynch. You can tell it's a David Lynch movie within 10 seconds of seeing the movie. The dialogue is awe-inspiring. People do not talk like this and they certainly don't act like this, and that is why it's so good. I think David Lynch is the only human being alive today who is as cool as the characters in his movie. Every character is unique. They are likeable when they have to be, and every single person in the movie fits into the role they were given. I believe that every one of Lynch's movies, with the exception of Straight Story has a character that Kyle Maclachlan should be playing. I was pleased to see that Justin Theroux fills this role and puts in enough of his own personal style to really compliment the script. While Maclachlan is missed,Theroux makes it less noticeable.
The music in this film was done by Angelo Badalamenti, and as always, his music was appropriate, moody and exceptional. What would a Lynch film be without Angelo?
I would like to address something that I read in other reviews. The movie does not play like a television pilot that was canned, or turned into a movie. Unlike Lost Highway, this movie has real closure. By the end of it, and with some thought, the movie makes perfect sense. I wouldn't mind knowing what Michael Anderson's character was, but a second viewing will probably provide that answer. ABC really screwed up by not making this a television show, but it worked so well as a film. There was never a dull or boring moment. I think people were breath taken, and maybe even a little disturbed by the films end. Every character had a purpose, despite what other reviews have claimed. I never felt that the film was originally a television pilot.
Show me one director who can incorporate every genre into one film so successfully. It's dark, sad, funny, exciting and mysterious. No director is capable of filming sexual matter like David Lynch, and just wait until you see this movie. He knows exactly what you want to see, because I believe he wants to see it himself. You'll understand me when you see it. I was entranced by Mulholland Drive from the opening scene to when the credits began to roll, and I immediately began to imagine the joy I would feel owning the film on DVD. I'll see it again when it comes out in theatres starting in October.
I've neglected to mention that Lynch was present at the premiere. Seeing him was like seeing a mythological being in the flesh. It was like seeing your favorite character in a movie, like Sailor Ripley in Wild at Heart, alive and in front of you, and more importantly, he's everything you ever imagined he would be. He was modest, intelligent, short on words and just really cool. His hair was crazy, he was wearing his traditional, "only David Lynch would wear this suit", and he was surrounded by the women who were as beautiful in person as they were on the screen. He was applauded for a few minutes and simply thanked us for coming and told us that he liked the city. I love the fact that he won't speak about the film because quite frankly, shouldn't the film do that for him?
I urge anyone who has ever liked a David Lynch movie to see this. In fact, even if you didn't like his other movies, there is something very captivating and intriguing about this film. It's everything that you would expect from Lynch, which means that it's brilliant and something to treasure. Now, where the hell is Wild at Heart on DVD?
- Dan
P.S. If you get a chance, please CLICK MY SHAMLESS PLUG!!
Thanks!
"Moriarty" out.
