Since the last couple weeks haven't seen that many important DVD releases, I have compiled the ones I reviewed in the past 2 weeks. They are a mixture of really good cinema, and just cliched manufactured pieces. The list includes the newest from Wes Anderson, a bit of foreign Balkan tradition, Apocalyptic romance, and surreal historical revisions. I could honestly say it is an eclectic mix.As usual the films are arranged by the grade they received. Here it is, take a look to see if you find something for you.
1. "Moonrise Kingdom"
The delightful coming of age tale by the great Wes Anderson. The story is full of violent innocence, and real emotion in a completely artificial reinvention of an East Coast island. With a great cast that includes Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, and Tilda Swinton, the film is just an instant classic. Funny, touching, and a visual feast. The young leads are truly wonderful, their loyalty for each other and pure love takes over the screen. Just a wonderful film. Grade A+
2. "The Forgiveness Of Blood"
A tale about tradition, growing up, and the clash of the new with the ancient. In a small Albanian village a crime is committed that can only only be forgiven by spilling the blood of a male member of the opposite family. As the patriarch of the family hides to save himself, the oldest siblings must face the consequences and change their lives because of their father's mistakes. Beautiful directed and acted, enlightening about a subject that might new for most, but at times very slow in its pace. Still a great watch for those like me who love films with substance. Grade B+
3. "Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World"
Starring Steve Carell and Kiera Knightley, the story its romantic comedy based on the premise that the world has three weeks before its destroyed by an asteroid. Since life and all its conventions loses its meaning, Dodger (Carell) decides to find the love of his life, and he doesn't even know how close it is. Penny (Knightley) is a free-spirited woman with a love for music, and who must find her family in the midst of chaos. A couple good laughs, and good touching ending makes this film a deserving choice for home viewing. Grade B.
4. "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"
A historical revision that includes vampires as the iconic president's enemies. Confederate, pro-slavery bloodsuckers that will try to take over the abolitionists. The film uses slow-motion action sequences in a deranged manner. The acting isn't really noteworthy, and the CGI seem as if it was done with not so much grace. For what its worth some of the action works, and a couple lines are memorable. But if you can, stay away from this as Bella would from garlic. Grade C-
Childhood memories are a mixture of what really happened,
and a big dose of magical visions taken from how we perceived the world at a
certain age. A time in which all sensations and emotions were exponentially
more relevant, when happiness was pure and sadness was devastating. The world
seems like such a big place, and contrary to what one might think, when one is
a kid, we tend to use this enhancement of emotions to make things seem more
important than what they are. A fight with your best friend seems like the end
of the world, your little brother stealing your toys its worthy of war-like
retaliation. More importantly, when one is at the gray spot between childhood
and adolescent, that prepubescent first encounter with love can, and usually is
life changing. Having said this, I believe Wes Anderson in his latest film has
captured such a unique perception of this childhood memories, one that is both beautifully
and meticulously stylized, and also very heartfelt and true to its characters
emotions. The magical realism in his films never seems out of place, and the
quirkiness and such unique vision can only be compared to his own past films.
Wes Anderson is really an American auteur, a voice that uses cinema vastly and
consciously, to make the tiniest story seem like and epic, comedic, homage to
pre-computerized childhood. The film in its visuals and approach its far from
trying to be Cinema Verite, yet it captures layers of emotion in its characters,
specially the children, that are usually avoided by most filmmakers. Anderson
explores a certain violent innocence, this contained angst that only speaks of
the kids inability to fully understand what they are going through. “Moonrise
Kingdom” is destined to become an American classic. Approachable but still profound,
visually delightful, funny and tenderly romantic, it is a film to be remembered
with such nostalgia as one has for those sweet moments at the beginning of our
lives.
In the island of New Penzance, misunderstood orphan Sam
Shakusky (Jared Gilman) has decided to escape his Khaki Scout troop to meet his
soul mate, a troubled girl named Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward) who lives with her
emotionally distress parents and siblings in the other side of the island. These
love-struck runaways unravel a search that includes most of the socially awkward
adults in the film. Captain Sharp played by Bruce Willis, Edward Norton as
naive but brave Scout Master Randy Ward, and Suzy’s parents Walt and Laura
Bishop played by Bill Murray and Francis McDormand respectively. Sam and Suzy
get to know each other in the wilderness of the island, where Sam gets to put
his scout’s knowledge to the test, and Suzy tells him of the books she loves,
and the sadness she feels even while having both of her parents. Never being
portrayed as ideal kids, they are complex characters even if their flaws are
shown through comedic episodes of violence. These lovebirds are in battle
against a world that can understand their pure young love. As a storm
approaches their plans to run away are ended as the initial search succeeds;
however, enemies will turn into friends all in the quest for a bit of happiness
for the young protagonist. An array of magical realism touches are found all
over the film, some which involved lighting, or fireworks, or even the climatic
scenes during the storm might seem a bit over the top, but not in a film like
this. This childhood adventure becomes an eye-opening lesson for the adults
here, and sure a bonding experience for all of the kids.
The two young leading actors are just superb. There is this
seriousness, and at the same time a nonchalant attitude in them. They are
certain of the decision they are making and they abide by an unbreakable honesty
and fervor for each other. Even the kid-like eroticism in the film feels natural,
as it is never seen with the wrong views of adults, just as something innocent
between those who are in love. The adult cast is also pitch perfect, even Tilda
Swinton as “Social Services” reflects this childish and stereotypical view of
authority we tend to have as kids. I honestly believe that both Willis and
Norton tend to be more powerful as performers in roles like this when they are
real people seeking acceptance just the young lovers. Wes Anderson has a magic
touch when it comes to actors, the performances are so unique and nuanced that
it seems like he implanted his vision onto each one of them to create such an
amusing piece.
Then if we talk about visual style and the peculiarities of the
film, then it seems like an even more triumphant achievement. Every piece of
clothing, maps, books, and set decorations where fictitiously crafted by
Anderson and his team. The colors in the film added to this 16mm film aesthetics
are just a visual feast. The camera is alive in every shot, closing in or
dolling out to reveal or hide information from us, whip-panning, whip-tilting
to follow the action, or at times remaining static to let us see the magic
unfold. This is truly the work of an experience filmmaker that has nothing more
to go on but his own thoughts. From the opening sequence one can tell this is
like no other film, including the great "epicness" and grandeur of Alexandre
Desplat which scores every “battle” like the most heroic deed ever conducted. All
in all a complete package of a film, a masterwork from Anderson that requires
multiple and furthermost enjoyable viewings.
This is a crowd-pleasing film, enjoyable fro kids and adults alike I would say. It is a visual and fun fact fest for all movie buffs, and a great addition to the shelves of Anderson's fans who will not be disappointed. Set in the 60's in a time in which kids were kids and not an attachment to an electronic device, "Moonrise Kingdom" is a rare film that comes ones in a blue moon, something so uniquely conceived and full of heart is a privilege to watch. For pure entertainment, for longing of times gone and first love, I highly recommend this film. By far one of the best of the year. Out Now in Blu-Ray/DVD. Grade A+
