“A Peter Greenaway Film” are four words that strike fear into the hearts of most cinema-goers, determined as he has been since Prospero’s Books to make some of the most unwatchable films of the last two decades. Nightwatching is a bit of a return to earlier form but still remains cinema marmite – you’ll either love it (I did) or hate it (the two others who watched it with me didn’t).
Tag: 2009 release
A Prophet
A Prophet is one of those films that is unfortunately labelled as art-house for no other reason than it happens to be subtitled. Like “City of God” before it’s a very mainstream film that deserves to be seen by a wider audience but is unlikely to be so. It wouldn’t surprise me if in a couple of years Hollywood doesn’t take more of a gander at it and attempt a remake. I suspect that they’ll completely miss the point of the film in the process.
The White Ribbon
According to Michael Haneke all of the following are sources of terrorism;
Masturbation, especially amongst minors.
Religious education, especially when it promotes community and peace.
Horse tripping.
Incest.
Up In The Air
The past few years have given cause to re-evaluate George Clooney as an actor rather than just a movie-star and those that continue to doubt should take the time to see Up In The Air not only to prove that – yes, he really can act – but also because it’s one of the best comedy-drama films to come out for a long time, not only because of Clooney (who is the stand-out in the cast) but because everyone seems committed to delivering something that actually has something to say without being preachy.
Not with a bang, but with a whimper…
“But I don’t want to be a vampire – how can I be cured?”
“We’ll set fire to you – the shock will restart your heart”.
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard…”
Where The Wild Things Are
Huzzah, last of the 2009 film catch up – can then start on 2010…
Avatar
Discussion of Avatar needs to fall into two camps. The first is focuses on the film itself, its originality and whether it really is “Dances with Smurfs”, whilst the second part will inevitably focus on the technology and the question of whether it truly lives up to the hype. No exception here.
The Box
The Box is another film that can be described as cinematic Marmite, you’ll either love it or hate it, but having seen it you’ll feel compelled to comment on it. For my part I loved it, but I can also see that the reasons that I loved it will be the reasons that some people will hate it – this really is a film with no middle ground.
New Moon
To fully . . . appreciate New Moon . . . it is necessary to . . . insert random dramatic . . . pauses into sentences as . . . a way of . . . indicating just . . . how angst ridden . . . you are.
Paranormal Activity
And lo, it was spoken that unto each generation a Blair Witch would be delivered…
Midland Film Monkey 