YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH (2007) ****
D: Francis Ford Coppola. S: Tim Roth, Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara.
A seventy-year old man is struck by lightning, miraculously he survives. What is more amazing is that when he awakens and eventually heals, he looks to be in his thirties.
In this film based on the novel by Mircea Eliade, Coppola pulls out all the stops. It's almost comes off an experimental film. It doesn't have the feel of a Coppola film. I haven't seen this much visual flair in his films since Dracula.
There is so much more to this film then just the story of a man who has somehow tapped into the fountain of youth. It's fantasy, science-fiction, metaphysical, metaphorical, romantic, fascinating. It does the film not justice to go into detail about the story and what was great about it. However, I will say the conclusion leaves you to ponder just what it is you've seen.
The performances were great and I really enjoyed the way Coppola shot the film. It can at times come off as a bit jarring yet enjoyable. It's his best film in quite some time.
RIO BRAVO (1959) ****1/2
D: Howard Hawks: S: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson.
This is a classic western that slowly builds up the tension until it is finally released in an action-filled finale.
After taking a cold-blooded murderer into custody, a sheriff and his deputies have to stay on their toes while awaiting the arrival of the US Marshals.
The Sheriff is played by John Wayne. I've never seen him looser or less "Duke" like here. He's vulnerable, makes mistakes but is still a man who'll take no crap from anyone.
Dean Martin is one of his deputies. He's a struggling alcoholic who is going through severe withdrawals that he fears could cost them in the end.
Angie Dickinson is the woman who's captured the Sheriff's heart. When I saw her I didn't realize it was Angie Dickinson.
This film is filled with many great scenes and great performances. The only drawback, for me at least, was a sing-a-long led by Ricky Nelson. It felt like a showcase for the singer sensation.
Other than that, it's a rip-roaring western that ranks amongst the best westerns ever made.
THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009) ***1/2
D: Ti West. S: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov.
A college student trying to make ends meet decides to answer a want ad for a babysitter.
So begins this homage to classic '80s horror films. This film has the look and feel of an '80s horror-thriller.
What makes this film so distinct from all of the horror films made in the last 10-15 years is the willingness to allow the film to simmer. The "horror" element of the film isn't unleashed until the film is nearly over. When it finally arrives, it is violent, disorienting, bleak, unnerving and dare I say fun.
I was reminded of "The Burning." Someone days in the beginning but no one dies for the next hour. It's all about characters and the situations they are in. When the killing begins, you find you care. The "House of Wax" remake actually did this too. One of the reasons why I liked that one when most hated it.
Do yourself a favor and DO NOT watch the trailer for this film. Definitely check this out if you miss old school horror.
SYNC OR SWIM (2008) ****
D: Cheryl Furjanic.
Synchronized Swimming. In all the years I've watched the Olympics, this and curling were two events I never bothered watching.
This documentary follows the 2004 Olympic Synchronized Swimming team from trials through the 2004 Olympics and beyond.
If you love the olympics, you'll love this movie. It really gives you a sense of what goes on when putting an Olympic team together. You literally get the joy of victory and the agony of defeat.
I was rather amazed at just how much strength and coordination is required just to do one element. I have a new found respect for sync swimmers.
This is a great documentary, see it if you can.
WAITING FOR...BUDD (2009) ***1/2
D: Garry Pastore. S: Vincent Pastore, Garry Pastore, Robert Funaro.
This short feature documentary is a testament to the old adage "The show must go on."
A group of actors put on a outdoor reading of the classic "On the Waterfront." This staging will take place on the docks of Hoboken where the classic film took place.
The production company receives word that Budd Schulberg, the film's screenwriter, will be attending a performance. Needless to say, the group is excited.
However, the day of the performance the region's biggest storm hits and a downpour threatens to cancel the show. With short notice, they find a new indoor venue, have a packed house with very little advertisement and the guest of honor was there to see the show.
As it turns out, this was the last time Budd Schulberg would see his work performed which brought even greater sentimentality to this production.
I would have liked to have seen more about Budd but the focus of the film was about the production.
Still a good film overall.
SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) ***1/2
D: Martin Scorsese. S: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams.
A US Marshall descends into hell when he investigates the disappearance of a dangerous mental patient from an island-based mental institution.
This is another movie that one shouldn't discuss without risking giving away too much.
It was an enjoyable thriller, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. It's definitely worth checking out.
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