John Woo’s “Hard Boiled” is a Hong Kong buddy cop movie. The movie was a little cheesy, such as the scenes where people get shot and then automatically role into the water, no matter how far away the water is. It was interesting how complex the characters were, they are these hard nose cops that can hold a new born baby in one hand while firing a machine gun in the other, and when a little blood lands around the baby’s mouth, the cop wipes it off without hesitation. The mother instincts of his girlfriend was an interesting avenue to pursue, she is not sure what to do until she sees the babies and then she knows exactly what to do.
Kingsley Ogoro’s “Osuofia in London”
Kingsley Ogoro’s “Osuofia in London” is shot in a documentary style, with a narrator speaking over parts of the film. These films were not shown in theaters but rather in homes. The scene where Osuofia appears to have completely changed how he felt about his brothers passing, when he turns to his children and tells them that the deceased was their uncle, and for them to cry was a scene where more of the characters personality came out. The story is like the Beverly Hillbillies except the main character did not earn his wealth, his brother died and left it all to him. It was hilarious when Osuofia told the brothers fiance that he would inherit her. The tagline of the film is No matter where you may roam, there is no place like home.
Leos Carax “Holy Motors”
Leos Carax’s “Holy Motors” is a film that only feeds you a little bit of information as to what is going on with the story, and sometimes that information is not even correct. The film makes the audience question what is real. But the film also portrays the life of an actor pretty accurately, going from portraying one type of character in one film to portraying a completely different type of character in a different film. The main character reacts as if he does not know what to do when he can actually see the camera, because cameras have gotten so small. Around the middle of the film, just as the audience begins to feel like they can not take any more of this trip, the main character begins to play the accordion, he is joined by lots of other people playing accordions as well as other instruments in what I assume was the filmmaker giving the audience a break from the twists and turns of the story. The audience thinks they have it all figured out by the end of the film, and then the limos begin to talk to each other about the possibility of being replaced, because much like cameras, cars are changing, except for the limousine, those have stood the test of time. Whenever I see a limousine I think, I wonder who is in town.
Akira Kurosawa’s “Ikiru”
Akira Kurosawa’s “Ikiru” could be described as the every vote counts in an election kind of film. This film is strikingly similar to the pilot episode of the NBC show “Parks and Recreation” in which a pit needs to be filled in, in order to build a park on top of it, but the local government has trouble getting the necessary funding and public support. This film questions what would you do with six months to live, which the main character answers by cutting through the red tape and getting a park built wear sewage used to build up. When the main characters coworkers put the whole story of why he wanted that park built so badly together, it made the whole story worth it.
Olivier Assayas’s “Something in the Air”
Olivier Assayas’s “Something in the Air” is a political film about youths trying to revolutionize during 1968. The film asks the question at what point do you stop just making art and choose what kind of art you want to produce. Another question the film asks is at what point you begin to sacrifice your morals and start paying your bills, which also brings up the issue of dying in comfort. In the end when the girl is ready to come home after adventuring out and testing the waters, Gilles is just beginning his journey of adventure. The film also addresses America as a land that the main characters are not ready to go to, in site of the possibility of a better life. The characters would rather watch their partners go to America without them because they are not ready to sacrifice their ideals to that extent.
Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi’s “Chicken with Plums”
Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi’s “Chicken with Plums” is a film with some serious political overtones. Especially when it comes to America. It is strange though, that Cyrus (the dumb one) goes to America and in the end is the only happy character. It is also interesting that actors were selected that were not just French or British, but that were a mix of things. This film was shot in a similar fashion to Brad Silberling’s “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events“, in that it was a very grave story but was told with wit and humor that left the audience laughing at the thought of suicide and at the ways that he thought were not a proper way to go out for the greatest violin player of all time.
Jacques Audiard’s “Rust and Bone”
Jacques Audiard’s “Rust and Bone” is an excellent film that deals with the complex issues that come after a whale trainer has her legs amputated and has to learn to deal with life in a different capacity. One of these complex issues is the issue of sex, which this film dove into head first. Not only did the film deal with the sexual theme, it also dealt with a relationship the whale trainer develops with an able bodied man who does not care for much of anyone or anything which comes in handy in the case of the whale trainer who had her legs amputated. Most of the film kept me guessing where the story was heading, however the end was rather generic, I saw it coming from a mile away. Overall this is a very solid film. This film is similar in themes to Ben Lewin’s “The Sessions” which is another excellent film.
Walter Salles’s “Central Station” plus a bonus
Walter Salles’s “Central Station” shows that no matter where you go in the world, the spirit of helping someone you do not like is still alive and well. The bonus film, which I can not find the correct spelling for, is approximately “auche andilou” which has a great G rated sex scene, but more than that, it shows a more playful side of Latin America like when the man is chasing the young lady around the house and the audience is not sure if the man is trying to rape her. But then after she had the opportunity to escape, she opens the door with a big smile and the chase continues. It is at this point that the audience realizes that this a part of the mating ritual. Central Station also shows the audience that when times get tough, you utilize whatever talents or skills you have to make money.
Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separation”
Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separation” has a great ending, with the credits rolling over the final scene where the audience awaits the decision of the daughter. Asghar was able to get away with a lot considering how strict the sensors were in Iran. An example of this, is the scene where the maid is pushed out of the apartment but it does not show her fall, it only shows the aftermath of the event. Another example of this is where Nadar’s father walks out of the apartment and goes down the street to the news stand. When the maid tries to retrieve him, she is hit by a car, which in turn terminates her pregnancy. This was accomplished by barely even eluding that anything happens, just a sudden cut. It is not until later that the audience fully understands what occurred at that scene, and the maid comes out and tells the audience. This was the first Iranian film to receive an Academy Award nomination, which occurred in 2012.
Andrei Tarkovsky’s “Solaris” and Sergei M. Eisenstein’s “Battleship Potemkin”
Andrei Tarkovsky’s “Solaris” and Sergei M. Eisenstein’s “Battleship Potemkin” are good examples of the differences in Russian Cinema. The opening shots of Solaris remind us to stop and smell the roses. Solaris is all about following through on orders no matter the cost. Where as in Battleship Potemkin, which is all about standing up for yourself and doing what you feel is right. During the time of Solaris, Russia was in a place where people needed to be reminded of the greater purpose for what they were doing. During Battleship Potemkin Russia was in a place much different than it was in the 1970’s.
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