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Reviews
13 Tzameti (2005)
It'll blow you away!
Do yourself a favor. Don't watch a trailer for this movie. The trailer is a spoiler, and I'll do my best not to repeat that mistake. Set in France. Starring French and Georgian actors. This movie is a powerful tale (in black and white) of desperation, risk and deadly consequences. An immigrant worker (an unremarkable man with ordinary ambitions) overhears a conversation about some risky business, with the possibility of a high payoff. In a twist of fate, he takes someone else's place in a mysterious gambit, and places himself in great danger for the chance to collect on a huge payoff. When the stakes turn out to be higher than he expected, there's no escape from this deadly game. An incredibly tense thriller, superbly paced and acted. The writing was excellent. Tight, taught and well thought out. Written and directed by Géla Babluani, this director did a fantastic job of moving writing into realization using this film. I'll be on the look-out for more by this talented man.
The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004)
Raw story of love and abuse
An incredibly raw story, of love and abuse. I had a difficult time watching this heart wrenching movie. The story is one of a small boy who's pulled out of a loving foster home by his natural mother. In the years that follow, the boy endures years of abuse (physical, mental, sexual), drugs, violence and the cruelty of a harsh real world, all for the sake of love. A disturbing plunge into the icy depths of depravity, delusion and despair. The boys mother is damaged goods, who is desperately looking for the same thing the boy craves. The acting, camera work and directing were outstanding, but the subject matter was dark, depressing and demented. I doubt I have the courage to watch this again.
Kill Your Idols (2004)
No Wave - New York - Next Wave
A short documentary about the New York, 'No Wave' music scene. Bridging past and present, this movie starts out well, and the interviews with some of the older artists were great. Truthful, unpretentious, no holds barred. What was 'No Wave?' A musical movement that grew out of Punk Rock. Was it Punk Rock? Well, sort of, but not really. It was/is a more artistic expression, more of an experimental ethic. Unconventional to be sure, but the association by sound (with Punk) isn't as strong as the ethic (revolutionary). This documentary was obviously trying to show the continuation of this ethic, from past to present. I think it would have been better served as a focus on the roots of this movement, as the connection to the current music scene (up to 2004), paints the current group as more concerned with commercial aspects of their success, than they are with an honest expression of their own music. I like the way they let the artists tell the story, but some of the footage was a bit rough (poor quality), and then there was the totally unnecessary scene depicting oral sex?! What the? Why was that in there? In the end, it was a part of my past that really enjoyed this movie.
Familia rodante (2004)
South American Road Trip for the 'whole family'
This is a drama more so than a comedy. The direction was very hands off, and the acting wasn't the best. The pacing was perfect, and the locations great. In this movie, a great grand mother is honored with an invitation to a wedding as the maid of honor. Despite the distance involved (crossing the length of Argentina), and the probable hardships they'll endure, she assembles the clan (an extended family of about a dozen people) and insists that everyone accompany her on this voyage. While I don't understand the Argentinean family ethic, the film assumes that this group acquiesces to their matrons desires. They pile into the only vehicle large enough to accompany the entire group (a dilapidated 1956 Chevy Viking camper), and set out on a journey. This movie is more about family relationships, than it is about the physical places they travel through. Crammed into a confining space, the group is forced to confront family issues in a positively charged atmosphere. Unfortunately the size of the cast hampers a thorough examination of these complex relationships. I liked the fact that the cast didn't consist of polished egos and competing actors. The dialog was sparse, but well drafted, and it worked splendidly with the pacing.
Calvaire (2004)
Chilling tale of desolation and persecution
A small-time European lounge singer is on his way to his next gig, when his van breaks down... What happens next is a chilling tale of desolation and persecution. The characters (other than the lounge singer) are members of a deranged community. They're all looking for their lost love, and this lost lad becomes their target, when he turns out to have a talent for singing. Unwittingly caught up in a chorus of dementia, the main character has no idea what he's in for, when he stops at a back water inn looking for shelter. The camera work is excellent, the acting above par, and the locations evocative. The moods are set by the scenery and locations. The lighting is stunning and the story twisted. The ending was a bit of an anti-climax.