QFLW Blog

Under discussion:

Eroica  (2003)

Not strong on the drama nor any "action" at all; the center of the film is the performance of Beethoven's stirring third symphony, the "Eroica."  And while the music is excellent, there's little else to sink one's teeth into.  I'm sure the film meant to give an idea of how the symphony was originally received and touch on what was happening in the composer's life at the time, etc., but these all seem to be tidbits tacked on to give the actors something to do besides stand around listening to the orchestra.  I loved hearing the the music but my attention kept wandering.  I might as well have been playing the CD of the symphony that I own.

Under discussion:

Rufus Wainwright: Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy! Live at the London Palladium  (2007)

But he was already a great performer and singer, so perhaps it's no surprise that his rendition of Garland's songs (and some of them are pretty great songs) comes off wonderfully.  He has a strong voice that can belt as well as evoke tenderness, poignancy and romance.  He can't dance and doesn't tell stories well, but it doesn't matter--the voice, the songs are all.  He well earned his ovation at the end.

The disappointment is that on the disc I got from Netflix, there were no extras.  I'd have loved to see some backstage footage, an interview, something.

Under discussion:

Soldier's Girl  (2003)

I don't have cable so hadn't heard of this film till I saw The Fall and listened to the director's commentary.  He said he'd chosen Lee Pace for Fall on the strength of Pace's performance in Soldier's Girl.  Curiosity piqued, I rented it from Netflix.  And was disappointed.  Not in the performances or the tragic story itself but in the writing, which I thought was clumsy and disjointed; that just sort of ruined it for me.

Under discussion:

Cranford  Production Year

Adapted from three Elizabeth Gaskell stories and set in the fictional Victorian town of Cranford, this series is a delight.  Drama, comedy, engaging characters, excellent cast--I just loved it.  Not so much sentimentality or stuffiness as with Dickens (though I do love his stories).  A series I'd like to own & watch again.

Under discussion:

Ghost Town  (2008)

and I was the only one audibly laughing.  Puzzling me no end.  How could anyone not find Ricky Gervais dead funny?  He makes this movie click, lifting it above the annoying silliness which usually emerges from such plots.  OK, the writing helped.  I enjoyed Greg Kinnear and Tea Leoni.  The one vague disappointment was not getting to know a little more of the other ghosts' stories, particularly the nurse and the naked guy.  But never mind.  I'll probably see this a few more times and get the DVD.  Just to watch and listen to Gervais in action.

Under discussion:

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer  (2006)

the horrors and beauties depicted in this film, they're so well evoked visually.  Disturbing, sensual, beautiful, intense.  I wasn't interested in seeing the film till I saw Ben Whishaw in the new version of Brideshead Revisited; his performance there made me curious to see what else he'd done.  In Perfume his character is practically nonverbal, but what he conveys with face and body is most eloquent.  Anytime he's not on screen, the film turns ordinary, despite the talents of Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman.

Whishaw's Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is not evil-intentioned so much as innocently amoral.  He steadfastly pursues his obsession with preserving the beauty he finds in the scents of young women and making himself notable through his creation.  It becomes sort of a fable for our time--a metaphor for celebrity.  In the end, Grenouille discovers that fame and recognition are not what he really wants, because although he has created a perfume that makes everyone love and venerate him, it hasn't made him any more able to love or connect with anyone.

Under discussion:

The Darjeeling Limited  (2007)

This latest of Wes Anderson's films is, for me, right up there with The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore, which I love dearly.  Quirky, offbeat, strangely simple (sometimes just strange), engaging, funny, sad.  Excellent performances from the three brothers (Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody) taking this train trip in order to renew their bond after their father has died and their mother disappeared into a convent in Tibet.  One of my very favorite moments has no dialog in it at all--it's just Adrien and Jason staring at Owen as he unwraps the bandages from his head and face.  Their expressions are perfect and priceless.  But throughout the film, more is often said with looks or gestures than through the understated dialog.

Everything about it made me smile, from the large (characters and storyline) to the small:  the odd yet well-chosen soundtrack; Anderson's use of color and slo-mo; careful overhead shots of (for instance) a tray's contents; subtle running jokes throughout the film.  Etc.

Under discussion:

Africa Unite  (2008)

Africa Unite:  A Celebration of Bob Marley’s Vision 

Produced and Directed by Stephanie Black

I’m stealing part of the blurb from the jacket:  “In commemoration of Bob Marley’s 60^th birthday, [this film] is centered on the Marleys’ first-time-ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005…three generations of Marleys take part in a landmark one-week event…with the ultimate purpose of inspiring the young generations of Africa to unite for the future of their continent.”

And so it is.  Bright, emotional, flavored with music from a 12-hour concert the Marleys performed during the event—I found it enjoyable and interesting, but it also made me sad, rather than lifting my spirits.  So much harm inflicted on Africa from Western civilizations; so much that needs healing.  Can and will it happen?  I sincerely hope so.  Watching and listening to the participants on camera reminded me of hippies in the Sixties.  Much positive, strong talk, celebrating and praying, but how much of it translated into action in the end?  Perhaps I’m too skeptical or cynical.

Still, the film focuses on an important idea that needs support and encouragement.  Plus you can dance to it.