29.5.08

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

I’m going to skip the precursory discussion of the first three films and which one’s my favorite (TEMPLE OF DOOM, though I feel RAIDERS is probably a better movie) and instead dive right into the series’ latest outing, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. Please consider yourself duly warned that there are going to be a lot of spoilers here, so if you haven’t seen it yet, and don’t want to know anything, stop reading now, and come back later.

It has been 19 years between Indiana Jones films, and between the events that take place in THE LAST CRUSADE and KINGDOM. The year is now 1957, and the Cold War is raging. Indy, now older, but no less capable, is kidnaped by Soviet spies and forced to help them find mummified remains in a warehouse at Area 51. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what those remains are, exactly, and once they are found, the villain, Irina Spalko, wants to use the remains to further her knowledge and research into the field of psychic warfare. The ensuing journey takes Indy and the Russians on a trek to South America and into ancient Mayan temples while trying to return an ancient religious relic (a crystal skull) to its home.

The film is decidedly different from the original trilogy in its subject matter, but not in its tone. The wit and humor is still intact, as is the sense of wonder and thrilling action set pieces. I have no doubt that many viewers will take issue with the fact that the Indiana Jones movies have moved into science fiction territory, but I really can’t understand why that in and of itself is an issue. The original films were throwbacks to the adventure films of the 1930s, when Merian C. Cooper and the like ruled the day, and exotic locales and action were what put tickets in people’s hands. They took place in the 1930s, and imitated the movies of the era. So it goes with KINGDOM, which takes place in the 1950s and features many of the popular genre motifs of the decade, sci-fi included. There are more updates for the character as well, though none so noticeable as the existence of aliens. Really, though, when one thinks about it, is an alien race really that much more realistic than the Ark of the Covenant being opened and melting anyone who looks into it, complete with spirits flying about the room? I don’t think so.



Aside from that, the argument can be made that the aliens themselves are religious artifacts, just like the Ark, the Grail and the Sankara stones from the first three films, and thus fit perfectly in line with the series’ mythos. All of this, though, is really just getting into semantics. The one thing that anyone really cares about is if the wait was worth it, if it was any good, and if Harrison Ford is worth a damn. The answer to all three questions is a resounding “Yes” as far as I’m concerned.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have delivered an Indiana Jones film, just like they promised. It’s action-packed, suspenseful, full of real archeological information (yes, there is archeological evidence and theories that back up the whole Mayan technology from an alien race angle), and, perhaps most importantly, it’s really, really fun. This is exactly what I was expecting, and I knew just enough about the angle taken with the updating of the series to not be too surprised by the way it all played out, meaning I knew about the inclusion of science fiction and pulp before I even stepped foot in the theater. Did I know there was going to be aliens actually in the film? No, but I knew that it probably had something to do with what artifacts Indy was hunting, already being exposed to the theories about ancient cultures and technological advances. Nothing about the plot feels out of place for one second.



The action sequences are what the series is known for, providing some of the most memorable setpieces in movie history, including the giant stone in RAIDERS, the mine cart in TEMPLE and the tank chase in CRUSADE. Add to that list not one, but two amazing stunt sets in KINGDOM: the opening warehouse/bomb sequence, and a motorcycle/car chase through the University grounds. Each is thrilling in its set-up and execution, and each feels more fresh than anything that could be conceived by the likes of Michael Bay. Even a throwaway action/comedy bit like the "three times it drops" waterfall scene is better and more pleasing than the majority of what gets acknowledged as an action sequence. The amazing action is just one more way that Spielberg and Lucas prove they still know how to make a good film when their hearts are in the right place. They love Indiana Jones, and though either one of them has their soft spots as, they know the character of Jones and what does and does not work.



And rest assured, this is a pure Indiana Jones film, not a pass-the-torch movie, and certainly not a movie about anyone else other than Jones himself. The biggest question I had going in was whether or not Harrison Ford would show up for the job. I’m a huge fan of his, but it’s no secret that he’s been zombie-like in the majority of his movies since AIR FORCE ONE. Well, from scene one, Harrison Ford owns the screen like he did all those years ago, and it’s one of the best things that could have ever happened. Mr. Ford has been an actor I’ve missed looking forward to seeing. Hopefully, some of this will rub off on his future performances. About the acting throughout the film, I must say that there aren’t any weak links. Some actors aren’t given enough to do, but that’s not their fault as much as it is the screenplays. Cate Blanchett is quite good as Irina Spalko, and it’s refreshing to see Karen Allen reprise her role as Marion Ravenwood. Shia LaBeouf also turns in an entertaining performance as Mutt Williams, Indy’s sidekick of sorts, and I’m pleased that, despite the character turning out to be Henry Jones III as I think we all suspected, neither Lucas nor Spielberg managed to make him precious and unbearable, though there is one scene, ludicrously staged and involving Mutt swinging from vines with an assist from some CGI monkeys that had me almost to the point of groaning. At least they had the good taste not to include a Tarzan call.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL is the third best of the series, after RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and TEMPLE OF DOOM. It’s a strong film, and fits perfectly with the spirit in which the series was created. The script is a little weak, but to be honest, it’s maybe as good a script as could be culled from about five or six bypassed screenplays over the past twenty years, so I’m letting David Koepp off the hook. On a side note, I went to see KINGDOM twice in twenty-four hours, something I haven’t done in years. It’s an exhilarating ride I had to experience again, and more likely than not, I’ll be back for yet another round.

28.5.08

Trapped Until Judgement: IN BRUGES

Martin McDonagh's feature debut is a curiosity in a year that has so far seen too few of them. It's a film that stars A-list talent (believe me, if Colin Farrell's not on your must-watch list after this, he probably never will be), contains some very violent set pieces, and is really quite funny; usually the sort of film that people flock to see in droves, or at least they used to. It's not, however, in any way typical. The humor is black as night at points, and sometimes swerves so far over the edge that it becomes difficult to know if you should be laughing at the joke itself, or the nonchalant nature with which it was presented. The A-list talent mentioned above is also likely people American audiences don't have any idea who they are in the first place, so their names don't matter. And, lastly, the violence is reserved, rather oddly, for the last quarter of the movie, in which the whole ordeal turns exceptionally bloody and dark. It may be the best serio-comic dream sequence/metaphor about existence in Purgatory to come out this year.

IN BRUGES, in quick summation, tells the story of two hitmen, Ray and Ken (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, respectively), sent to Belgium (in the eponymous town) to hideout while their boss, Harry, attempts to deal with an unfortunate incident back in London that took place during Ray's first hit - on a priest. The plot is pretty straightforward, but there are enough twists and surprises in the how that I'm not going to ruin it in a review. Needless to say, Harry gets miffed and shows up in Bruges to take matters into his own hands, and everything gets really bloody very quickly.



The film plays like a nightmare, which Ray can't seem to wake from. Apart from the tragedy that landed him in his current situation, he is stuck in Bruges, Belgium, a place he finds so appallingly bland that it is tortuous to be in the city at all. This, of course, is the opposite of his partner, Ken, who we learn has brought Ray into the organization he works for now, and who is a slightly older, worldlier man, interested in the many sightseeing offerings that Bruges has to give. Both Farrell and Gleeson are wonderful, with the first half of the movie resting almost entirely on their shoulders as the two men wander around the city waiting to hear from their boss. The film smartly delivers its back story, and it never feels rushed or, even worse, like it was cut and pasted from another screenplay entirely, despite its adherence to many of the rules of the "down and out hit man" genre.

A lot of the freshness that the film has comes from its writer/director, Martin McDonagh, an Irish playwright who won an Academy Award for his first short film in 2006. The screenplay for IN BRUGES is a wry mix of humor and pathos, and the film's style very much accentuates the feeling of some awful dream from which one cannot awake; it's not a nightmare exactly, but a möbius strip, with parts eternally looping back on one another, and cross-referencing and coming back to the starting point. Bruges is purgatory, and Ken and Ray are simply waiting for their judgement at the hands of the hot-tempered Harry.



During the waiting they get into some mischief, and meet all kinds of odd characters, who only lend to the dream-like state: a dwarf actor filming some Eurotrash art-film, a drug-dealer who sometimes robs tourists with her ex-boyfriend and falls in love with Ray, and a sweet inn-keeper who is pregnant and refuses to give up her hotel even when faced with certain death at the hands of a psychopathic Harry. Harry himself may be the most nightmarish character in the film. He is a mob boss of some kind who has a wife and children, and who has some very strict rules about his profession that make for some awkward moments, like the aforementioned showdown in the inn. The final act, in which Harry shows up in the town, is one of the most impressive paths of destruction I've ever seen, careening down bell towers, across waterways and through myriad alleyways before winding up at the only conclusion possible, and bringing everything full circle.



That very, very smart concept of looping is even upheld in the humor of the film, which continuously builds on gags set up long before (the scene with the overweight American tourists seen in the trailer pays off not one, but two more times). And Colin Farrell, I never thought I'd say, is very very funny here. Ray is a character who cannot enjoy himself, even when not being burdened by a dark secret. Everything that could end up right for him does end up going wrong, though, so maybe there's a reason he's got such a cynical view of the world. Or, maybe he brings it on himself, and maybe he has bad luck, but I think the lesson that should be taken away from IN BRUGES is that being a constant sourpuss gets you nowhere. If the film's ending is any indication, and Ray's suspicions about Bruges are correct, then I think it's safe to say that it certainly does not get you anywhere you want to be.

27.5.08

Obsession: Martin Scorsese (Part I)

To get to the essence of why I absolutely love Martin Scorsese, it takes both copious amounts of, and also absolutely no time. In short, he's the most accomplished, most fantastic, and, simply, the best living American filmmaker; the last great bastion from the group known as the "Movie Brats." All of this is, I think, public record, though, and as such it definitely serves as the shallow version of my affection toward Marty - something I toss off to those less familiar with his work as a means of not sounding like the enormous geek that I truly am. "Who?" they ask, and I rattle off that he was the director of GOODFELLAS, TAXI DRIVER, and THE DEPARTED. "Oh, I like those movies," they say, and sometimes, "TAXI DRIVER was weird," or "I didn't like the ending for THE DEPARTED." All of this, of course, drives me absolutely insane. This is because I want people to love Marty as much as I do. So that's why I'm going to attempt to give you the long version, going on and on through a few of my favorite films of his, and, hopefully, we'll get to the bottom of my borderline psychosis. But, likely not.

I guess the first time I remember seeing a film and noticing the name Martin Scorsese was CASINO. I'd heard the name, knew what he looked like, and even had seen a lot of his movies sitting on video rental shelves, but had never sat down to watch a film of his. I was blown away by the film's style, it's grandiose vision, and it's seriously dark streak of humor. When I later found myself watching more Scorsese, and realized that CASINO was nowhere near his best movie, I was in awe. From that point on, I had to see anything involving Scorsese I could get my hands on, and I now find it safe to say that Scorsese has never made a bad film. Not one. Sure, some may be more successful than others, but anytime a film comes out directed by Martin Scorsese, it's sure to be better and more interesting than anything else coming out in theaters.

From CASINO I moved backward, to TAXI DRIVER, GOODFELLAS, CAPE FEAR, and RAGING BULL. More on these, later. To fully grasp Scorsese, and why I find him a fascinating, in-your-face filmmaker, we need to start at the beginning, with MEAN STREETS.

MEAN STREETS is a film that's influenced very heavily by Scorsese's real-life experiences, and its style is a take-off of John Cassavettes' independent work, particularly in SHADOWS, but it flourishes and grows, right before your eyes, into its own beast. The effect of watching MEAN STREETS is that of visceral shock, and I can only imagine how amazingly progressive it was style-wise when it was released in the early 70s.



One of the things that has always struck me about this movie is its outstanding use of spatial relations in the bar fight sequence, when a camera is being hurdled head-first into the battle after the characters. This simple movement results in an in-your-face fight that seems much more realistic than fights in movies normally do. And its effectiveness in conveying the gritty quality of the story and the world of the film is without question. Of course, this is a quality that Scorsese would continue to develop throughout the next decade, in TAXI DRIVER and RAGING BULL, eventually enveloping his Italian Neo-realism influence in a very expressionistic style reminiscent of classical Hollywood films noir. MEAN STREETS, though, was the start of it all, and every time I see Harvey Keitel’s head on a pillow I immediately think of “Be My Baby” and get filled with utter excitement for the events that lay ahead, especially the aforementioned bar fight, and the brilliance of Robert De Niro as Johnny Boy.

As noted by Roger Ebert, the movie is not about gangsters, but about living in a state of sexual sin. This is, of course, one of the overriding themes of every narrative film Scorsese has ever made post-MEAN STREETS. Most of the men Scorsese makes films about, whether villains or anti-heroes, or even moral compasses like Christ himself, share the weakness of sexual desire, and are punished or ruined in some way by it (with the possible exception of Christ, but more on that later). Of course, occasionally there is redemption, or the consequences are not so severe as utter ruin. Sometimes, as is the case, I would argue, with THE DEPARTED, or THE AVIATOR, or even GANGS OF NEW YORK, any destruction of life is caused by greed or ambition (this is also the case in other Scorsese films, or, all of them, depending on your view).

I think what really sold me on Scorsese is the fact that all of his films can be read in so many ways, and with a consistency that is perhaps only paralleled by those of Kurosawa, Renoir, or Fellini, meaning that each film stands on its own as a variety of statements on a variety of things and ideas, but that these ideas are so important to the filmmaker they show up across the board, almost uniformly, in every film he ever makes. And while emphases may be placed on different points, the similarities of Scorsese's work cannot be denied, whether it is the destructive personalities, the sensuality associated with religion (and sin), or the quest for redemption. Each film is unabashedly a Martin Scorsese picture. MEAN STREETS, the first "Martin Scorsese Picture", leaves his previous work behind (BOXCAR BERTHA may share similarities in theme and style, but it lacks a distinctive touch) and runs with it into the abyss that many of Marty's surrogates eventually find themselves succumbing to.

21.5.08

Everything In Its Right Place: Three Procedurals

The procedural is probably as old as narrative cinema itself, with the crime film's prominence never having waned. As early as 1915, French director Louis Feuillade immortalized the genre with his groundbreaking, scandalous serial LES VAMPIRES (worth checking out for a hot-mama Irma Vep, played by Musidora, a popular performer at the time; the term "vamp" was also coined because of this character, coincidentally.) So, here are three of my favorite procedurals, old and new, murderous and scandalous, and altogether quite thrilling, gripping, and - in the words of Peter Travers - "mesmerizing."

1) THE NAKED CITY



Jules Dassin’s brilliant film THE NAKED CITY is an achievement in police drama that stands heads-and-tails above any other in its influence on the genre’s plots and detached structure. Telling the story of the investigation into Jean Dexter’s murder, the film follows the detectives of the 10th Precinct as they methodically follow all the leads and search for clues in a city of 8 million people (in 1948.)

The mystery is engaging, but thanks to the film’s narration and loose, go-with-the-flow storytelling and commentary, it’s the detectives that we eventually care so much for - when they get awfully close to catching Garzah in a back-alley chase, or when they’re in mortal danger, or even when they’re just plodding through the repetitive nature of the job. And the final chase through the Lower East Side to the Williamsburg bridge is still riveting to this day. Framed as just one of many stories to be told in New York (the actual murder of Ms. Dexter is shown in the beginning montage discussing all the things going on throughout the city), and told by and commented on by an omniscient narrator (with occasional interjections from the thoughts of on-lookers or general citizens), THE NAKED CITY is a remarkable film; still the crown jewel of Jules Dassion’s career.

2)ZODIAC



ZODIAC, one of the best films of 2007, is an amazing case study, serial killer, police procedural, investigative journalism, character study hybrid that can only be described as mesmerizing (apologies to Peter Travers for using one of his overused go-to phrases.) Pulling together all of the pieces of the 40-year-old, unsolved Zodiac killings and making an utterly compelling drama from them, the film succeeds immeasurably. No doubt fans of Se7en were salivating when David Fincher announced he was working on a film based on the serial killer, and I bet a lot of those fans were somewhat disappointed with ZODIAC.

Over the course of nearly three hours, Fincher methodically plugs in all the puzzle pieces, from the first murder to the end in the early 90's when the prime suspect dies and the case is seemingly put to rest by a definitive book by the film’s main character, Robert Graysmith. The effect is one of mesmerizing the audience with a whirlwind of information, placing them front-and-center in the investigation, and really it may be the most boring movie I’ve ever been so completely enthralled in. From scene one, in which we are shown the killer’s first victims through the first letters mailed to the newspapers, and on through to the journalists and detectives who sort out the facts, the movie layers on detail after detail after detail, dwindling in minutiae for the sheer enjoyment of it, and it’s wonderfully refreshing.

Maybe the single best thing about the film is the way in which all of the clues ultimately prove fruitless, as much for circumstantial reasons as for practical ones, like time. And it’s maddening. The film follows the characters all the way through the investigation, and it’s left open-ended, with only the consolation that the main suspect - never convicted, and never even arrested - died in the 1990's. The order isn’t restored to the lives of the people who are investigating this crime as it is in something like THE NAKED CITY. This crime isn’t just an episode; it’s the overriding event of these peoples’ lives, and it rips them apart like a disease, starting with their internal thoughts and obsessions until it spills out and destroys families, reputations and careers. It’s fascinating in every sense, and it may be the best police procedural ever made. And dear lord, Robert Downey, Jr.'s good.

3) ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN



Not all great procedurals are crime stories dealing with killers and the detectives chasing them down; 1976's ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN proves that beyond the shadow of doubt. A thrilling exposè of how two newspaper reporters broke the story on Watergate, the film operates on a level of savvy dialogue and exposition (and style, in spades - when the overhead camera kicks in for a menacing top-down trip to a meeting in a parking garage with insider Deep Throat...) that is still considered rare. The chemistry between Redford and Hoffman is electrifying as they plod through layers and layers of red tape, government roadblocks, and eventually uncover the truth about Tricky Dick’s less-than-honorable business relationships.

Playing on some similar ground as ZODIAC, which obviously took a lot from ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN, the movie questions authority while showing how dangerous the questioning of authority can be, professionally and privately. There are no lost lives here, no opening-sequence murders, but the murder of a reputation, either by snooping through files of rivals, or by making your enemies in the media seem like kooks, proves to be just as merciless an undertaking.

Blurbs

So, realistically, I don't have the time to write extensively about every movie I see. However, I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on a few things I've watched recently (for the first time, or just my latest viewing of it) that struck me as interesting or pleased me in some way.


THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE
This amazing crime story from the 1970s sports an amazing performance from perennial hang-dog Walter Matthau, whose face is as distinctive as his performance style - a mix between melancholy and ironic wit that sparkles with an active imagination. Telling the story of a gang of criminals who take a subway train hostage, the film is even more amazing the second time through, knowing all the twists, and focusing on its mechanics, the performances, and just falling completely in love with it. The best “moment” of the film for me is when Matthau gives a group of visiting Tokyo police a tour of the NY Transportation police office, saying outrageous things (and with a bit of a back-and-forth with co-sourpuss Jerry Stiller), only to realize they speak and understand English perfectly well. And, when the movie ends, and the final crook is caught, Matthau’s “gesundheit” and freeze frame say it all.


BATTLE ROYALE
The Japanese certainly have a way with the splatter genre. Whether action, drama, or horror (sometimes, when ghosts aren’t involved), if the word “splatter” even gets mentioned in a review or synopsis, rest assured there’s blood by the bucket load. While auteurs like Takashi Miike utilize shock as a method to their madness, and the usual gore is inventive and thought-provoking for aesthetic reasons (think a much more physically violent David Lynch), director Kinji Fukasaku’s BATTLE ROYALE employs its blood to much more socially conscious ends. A morality tale (of sorts), as well as a satire on the process of growing up (also, of sorts), the film is haunting because of its complete submission to its high concept - a blood sport in which classmates are to kill each other until only one is left, or all of them will die, because of the out-of-control nature of the nation’s youth. An amazing movie that will stay with you for days.


BABY MAMA
Tina Fey’s latest outing on the big screen isn’t nearly as successful as her first (the amazingly hilarious MEAN GIRLS), but that doesn’t mean BABY MAMA doesn’t have some laugh-out-loud moments. The always-worth-watching Amy Poehler plays an opportunist willing to have someone else’s embryo implanted in her, while Fey plays said embryo-giver. The chemistry between the two is obvious, as it always has been, but it may be the weakest link here. In an effort to play off of Poehler, Fey misses her opportunity to shine, relegating herself to some rather dry delivery, content to coast by on their chemistry alone. A far cry from her own consistently brilliant show 30 ROCK, or Poehler’s own part in the underappreciated UPRIGHT CITIZEN’S BRIGADE, though she does get the best line ever uttered about birthing pains (“It feels like I’m shitting a knife!”) Worth seeing, and I found it pretty funny, but ultimately it’s fairly forgettable.


NIGHT AND FOG
I first saw this about six years ago when I got it out of the library. Alain Resnais’ NIGHT AND FOG is the most poetic film ever made about the Holocaust, and at a total running time of about half an hour, it achieves this despite the length and in-depth nature of something like the 9+ hour SHOA (also worth watching.) With a script written by poet Jean Cayrol, and an amazing modernist score by Hanns Eisler, the film is a real horror movie, made bearable to watch only because of the pensive nature of the film’s proceedings. This may be the first “essay” film, as it’s not really a traditional documentary. In any case, there’s no denying the power of it. For an even more haunting experience, try picking up the Criterion Collection’s DVD and watching the film with the isolated musical track.

20.5.08

Antici---pation: MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN, MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS, THE FOOT FIST WAY

Here are three movies I'm looking forward to that may not make it out to my neck of the woods in South Carolina. A shame, really, since they're likely to be just the proper filler for my glutton on summer blockbusters.

1) MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN
This is the first adaptation of a Clive Barker story on-screen in almost a decade (it may actually be more than that, now that I think about it), and I cannot wait. I like the body-horror genre quite a bit, but with Cronenberg unlikely to make a return to his roots anytime in the very near future, Barker's voice will be extremely welcome indeed. Always inventive and visceral, he comes up with some out-there ideas and "wacko" concepts. MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN looks like no exception.



2) MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS
Wong Kar-Wai's films have a delicate touch, and are mostly romantic, but from a fairly realist-fairytale perspective, meaning I don't know what, exactly. See IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE or CHUNGKING EXPRESS for examples of what I'm not clearly relating to you. This is his debut in the English language, and it's also the acting debut of songstress Nora Jones, who I am rather fond of anyway, so why shouldn't I want to see this movie? It promises to be a waifer-thin, light pastry of a good time, and with the pedigree it has, I have no doubt it will be a favorite of mine.



3) THE FOOT FIST WAY
I really haven't looked too much into this one, but I will say that it looks absolutely hilarious in mostly all the wrong (and best) ways. Ignore the "Will Farrell and Adam McKay" marketing (I like them,but c'mon...use some imagination), and try to take it all in.


15.5.08

The Power of Truth: The Kurosawa Hero in Three Films

In Akira Kurosawa’s films the figure of the hero is always prominent. The hero, as seen in these films, is a selfless individual, who often sacrifices for the greater good. The hero is someone who is courageous and powerful, alternately natural and supernatural in his abilities. The hero is also cautious, and knows when to act and when not to act. He also understands that sometimes the rules of his class, or of society in general, must be altered in order to fulfill his duty. The Kurosawa hero serves to change the existing social climate, be it in THE HIDDEN FORTRESS when Rokoruta vows to restore his clan, or in SANJURO or THE SEVEN SAMURAI when the main characters agree to stave off corruption and evil. Above all, the hero is true to himself and his virtues.

While there are exceptions within his filmography, those films which portray anti-heroes (THRONE OF BLOOD, THE LOWER DEPTHS), in which the protagonist of the film is a form of tragic hero or non-hero, the model of Kurosawa’s hero remains in the periphery, embodied by non-central characters. The model can also be developed by the use of the anti-hero, which acts against Kurosawa‘s hero figure and thus defines the hero by presenting its opposite. In short, the hero model is the constant force behind the portrayals of Kurosawa’s main characters.

In addition, the hero is often seen as being defined by his intent, despite the sometimes contradictory words or actions he pursues in order to reach his ends. The means, if well meant, often define the hero in other unexpected ways, like Sanjuro’s seeming intolerance of other people even though he acts on their behalf, or Rokoruta’s willingness to act like a common thief in order to escape from the clutches of the enemy. What the actions tell us about Kurosawa’s hero are themselves definitions of other hero models; ones which are often undercut by Kurosawa in his films and his hero’s portrayal.

To illustrate the model of the hero in Kurosawa’s films, I will discuss heroes in the following three films: THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, SANJURO, and THE SEVEN SAMURAI. I will compare and contrast characters within each film, as well as discuss them all together within the context of the hero model I believe Kurosawa has presented. I will also discuss how each hero says something unique about the hero in Kurosawa’s films, through the use of their behavior, which varies widely among the many characters portrayed in the three films.


The Princess, General Rokoruta, and the Peasants

Mitsuhiro Yoshimoto’s discussion of THE HIDDEN FORTRESS in his book, Kurosawa: Film Studies and Japanese Cinema, ends with the declaration that “the film…lacks the by now familiar Manichean moral dichotomy, which is simultaneously asserted and problematized in many of Kurosawa’s successful films.” He makes this assertion because of what he sees as the ambiguity of good and bad within the film, noting that the original Japanese title for the film (Three Bad Men in the Hidden Fortress) connotes the existence of evil within the film, yet there are no “bad” characters in the film at all, other than by name.

Many scholars, including Stephen Prince and several quoted by Yoshimoto in his brief essay on the film, seem to think less of THE HIDDEN FORTRESS because of its lack of the moral dichotomy they claim is in his “successful films.” I refer here again to Yoshimoto’s specific wording, as I believe that THE HIDDEN FORTRESS is not only successful, but it is so because of its ambiguities within the filmic reality presented to the characters themselves.

The film is candid with the viewer in a way that it is not with the characters it presents, revealing who each character really is, even though other characters are either deceived by appearance and action, or their own prejudices against other people. The peasants, for example, seem greedy, but not evil. This is because they are presented as peasants to the viewer - out for easy money and scheming to get away with it. The princess, and sometimes the general, however, see them as merely bad, greedy people, not knowing their circumstances the way the viewer has become invited to know them. Similarly, General Rokoruta bullies the peasants into helping him escape with the gold, but his lies and deceptions are never meant to be perceived as harsh by the viewer. And yet, it is precisely because of these things that Rokoruta appears harsh and brutal to the peasants, or that the peasants are seen as bad by either Rokoruta or the princess.

The film is ambiguous, yes, but not when it comes to the presentation of character to the audience. Though everything is clear-cut, and there is never a question in the viewer’s mind as to whether or not anyone is actually good or bad, the ambiguities between the characters remain. It is as though what Kurosawa has done with THE HIDDEN FORTRESS is bring the audience into the film, allowing them a sense of identification denied to other characters. This identification is something which Kurosawa has heretofore denied in his films, much like with Watanabe in IKIRU, or Gondo in HIGH AND LOW.

I bring the viewer into my discussion because it is precisely through these moments between the general and the princess that we learn his motivations and his true character, revealing him as the hero model within the film. Without these scenes in which the viewer is made a confidant, the viewer would be welcome to perceive Rokoruta as a potentially evil man. He is shown in these scenes to be a man of great self-sacrifice and power, heroically acting upon his own virtues in a manner which he sees fit to get the job done, which is not unlike the characters of Sanjuro (in YOJIMBO and SANJURO) or Kambei (in THE SEVEN SAMURAI).

One of the great sacrifices the general makes is in conjunction with his sister, who he surrendered to the enemy as the princess, thus allowing for the execution of a decoy while he attempts to sneak the real Princess Yuki away quietly. The scene in which this revelation is made takes place in the cave in which the princess and her servants are hiding. Here the princess shows her rage at someone so loyally following her, a mere human being, and she is disgusted by Rokoruta’s lack of emotion at the loss of his sister. Yet, what this scene shows of the general more than anything is the steely resolve so typical of Kurosawa’s heroes. He is unwaveringly loyal to the things he believes in, which above all else are his princess and his now-destroyed clan. Rokoruta knows the struggles Princess Yuki must go through in order to rebuild their people, and he is willing to give anything he can for this to happen, including his own life.


General Rokoruta leading the Princess head-first into danger, attempting to cross a heavily guarded border.

He risks his life on several occasions during their escape from enemy-occupied territory, not in the hope of defeating the enemy single-handedly, but more as a distraction while the princess continues running. He faces the enemy on several occasions, though he does not battle them. His power is often hinted at, but not shown in this regard. Rokoruta does become involved in a single duel, however, and his skill with various weaponry is shown in a scene which begins with his chasing several scouts into an enemy encampment and ends with the aforementioned duel with a rival.

Rokoruta is a character not unlike Sanjuro, who considers all possibilities before taking action, despite his considerable and formidable talents in battle. He knows that his own life is not the only thing at risk, and therefore much more caution must be observed in order to achieve his goal. This caution is the overriding theme of the film SANJURO, but also takes a central role here. For instance, Rokoruta never divulges information to anyone who is not already informed of his mission, thus the peasants, as well as no one else, never know his identity, nor what he is doing with all of the gold. He also does not divulge all of the information to the princess, fearful of how her knowledge may jeopardize the plan. Rokoruta, in all his glory, is the embodiment of Kurosawa’s hero model, though as a character he obviously favors certain aspects over others: self-sacrifice, cunning, and power.

The title character of SANJURO is a hero defined more by his actions than his appearance or words. He is scruffy and dirty, rude and crass, and cynical beyond belief. And in spite of his outward characteristics, or perhaps because of them, he is another perfect example of a Kurosawa hero.

When he first wanders lazily into the film’s narrative he is an anachronism, existing in a place which he cannot call his own. As a ronin, he does not belong in the castle town, which has its own feudal system, nor in the society which exists there as a result of this system, which presents Sanjuro as somewhat of a paradox throughout the film. The young samurai who he helps in the film are clean and idealistic, and brilliantly juxtaposed to Sanjuro’s world-weary cynic. From the first, Sanjuro performs his heroic duty, by saving the young samurai, who are in need of his help. He also attempts to separate the youngsters from their preconceptions of every situation throughout the film. If anything, Sanjuro’s experience has taught him that not thinking through a problem and devising a plan, or in the case of the young samurai, not following the plan and acting rashly, is very dangerous, and ultimately costly no matter whether he wins or loses.

Sanjuro is misunderstood because of his appearance more than anything. But like all of Kurosawa’s heroes, Sanjuro is better judged on action rather than appearance, which is also a lesson he attempts to teach the samurai he is helping in the opening scene, showing that they only think the chamberlain is corrupt because of how he looks, when the handsome superintendent is more likely corrupt. By Kurosawa’s logic, this makes perfect sense, since appearance very rarely correlates to reality in his films. Sanjuro is no different.


Sanjuro, resting while others are acting, allowing for events to unfold for him, rather than act on impulse.

As a samurai, Sanjuro is very unorthodox, accepting money for services, or unwilling to act in times of perceived urgent need. Yet Sanjuro is cunning, and realizes the value of waiting to strike. As mentioned previously, the hero weighs all things in his mind before acting upon them, because impulses can lead to mistakes and unneeded danger. There are several scenes in which this is shown to be exemplary of a Kurosawa hero, and all involve a subversion of one of Sanjuro’s plans by the rash actions of the youngsters. They have not learned patience, which Sanjuro understands. This relates directly to his unorthodox behavior, as it shows his understanding that he must do what he sees as fit. After saving the lives of the samurai, he accepts money because it is what he needs, not because it is honorable. He is unwilling to kill when it is not needed because it is simply not needed, despite honor. Sanjuro, in these and many more respects, is a walking critique on the code of honor that his society supposedly operates on.
SANJURO is a film which operates openly as a commentary and criticism on Japanese society, its films, and its constructed hierarchy. As a hero, Sanjuro is the facilitator of this criticism, and his subversion of almost every ideal the young samurai hold always succeeds because as a hero figure, he understands that perceived honor - honor which extends from outside sources rather than from within oneself - is meaningless.

There is also the film’s violent content, which Sanjuro himself is conscious of, but which is also commented upon by the chamberlain’s wife, who condemns all violence as unnecessary. While the latter assertion is disagreed upon by not only Sanjuro, but also Kurosawa himself as evidenced in his films, it is not a completely alien concept to be wary of violence and its horror. Both the film and Kurosawa seem to be very much in touch with this concept, presenting an anti-violent message in various ways during the film’s entire running time, yet simultaneously recognizing the need for violent action in certain instances. It is in this way that the film reaches into the realm of moral ambiguity, which has been viewed negatively by some scholars in previous Kurosawa films like THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, as discussed earlier. That ambiguity is not that different from this one in some ways, presenting a main character who can be perceived as evil, but is in fact not. Perhaps the only difference is that the real bad men are actually shown on screen and given names in SANJURO. Still, the issue of violence, and a seeming ambiguity about it, is one of the film’s main talking points.

Stephen Prince, for example, sees the film as a failure in its condemnation of violence, since it “helped inaugurate a new level of gore in samurai films.” The final duel is a point of much contention and debate in this regard, both condemning and glorifying violence in the same breath. Sanjuro, apprehensive of fighting Hanbei because of its uselessness (the narrative of the film at this point is complete, with Sanjuro’s objective of rescuing the chamberlain having been achieved), slices his sword so deep into his opponent’s chest that a geyser of blood erupts from within him. It is at this moment that the young samurai, looking on, admire Sanjuro, mistaking swordplay as the measure of someone to be admired. But as has been espoused throughout the film, violence is only necessary when it is the only option. In any other case, it is horrifying and purposeless. Hanbei, for example, had no reason to die, and he did so for no other reason than his honor, which Sanjuro already condemns as meaningless. Sanjuro’s heroic makeup hinges completely on his personal actions and methodology, caring not for honor or esoteric ideals, but instead attempting to understand the entirety of the situation and proceed as best he can.


The Seven Samurai at the ready, with Kambei in front.

THE SEVEN SAMURAI is a film which deals with this understanding in a few ways, mainly the characters of Kambei, the leader of the band of ronin, and the master swordsman. Both are deliberate in their actions and only act when it is necessary. Both are introduced into the film by showing their willingness to do only what is necessary, or in Kambei’s case, whatever is necessary, in order to achieve their goals. Kambei will be the main focus here, as the Kurosawa hero, but first I would like to discuss some of the other samurai, and the themes of heroism introduced in the film in order to gain a further understanding of the scope of THE SEVEN SAMURAI.

The film is, in the words of Stephen Prince, an examination of heroism in Kurosawa‘s personal view, and as a film, it shows this heroism in many lights, not the least of which is the defense of the village which makes up much of the film‘s narrative. “This is the familiar Kurosawa insistence that true human action must carry a socially beneficial aim, that heroism is measured by the rectification of social oppression,” he writes, assuring that the central message of the Kurosawa hero is always to do what is right and just in order to help others as according to one’s personal values. This message is certainly not unlike that in SANJURO, where the main character helps save the chamberlain even though he has no vested interest in doing so, or THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, where Rokoruta’s concern for his people’s future compels him to do for his princess whatever is necessary in order for his clan to survive and be rebuilt.

First, Kyuzo, the master swordsman, is skillful and deadly. His skill is demonstrated early on during his first scene in the film, in which he is engaged in a duel. During the initial phase of this duel, the two men keep their swords sheathed, showing the master swordsman’s interest in swordsmanship as purely academic; a means to improve both his skill and knowledge of form. When his opponent, whom the master swordsman insists he has beaten, insists on a real duel for proof, the swordsman hesitates, knowing he has already won and that a real duel would only end in senseless death. Like all of Kurosawa’s heroes, he is uninterested in meaningless acts of violence, and sure enough, his opponent falls from a single movement. This skill is later demonstrated two other times: when he jaunts off to take out one of the three guns possessed by the bandits, and again when he and Kikuchiyo run after three advance scouts and kill them.

As for the character of Kikuchiyo, he is an interesting examination of the hero in and of himself. He is virtuous and full of pure intentions in helping the farmers (it is later revealed he is a farmer’s son himself), yet he is impulsive and does not contemplate his actions. He is an example of how the hero can go astray under certain circumstances, particularly in a quest for recognition. Kikuchiyo attempts to emulate the master swordsman and gain admiration for his skill as well, yet he returns to the camp with another musket, after abandoning his post, and is greeted with scolding from Kambei, who realizes how foolish it is to act in such a rash manner. He does not understand Kambei’s distaste because Kikuchiyo does not understand why the swordsman is admired while he is not for performing the same task. Here Kambei is shown as a leader who “knows his men - knows that the swordsman can safely do this, and knows that Mifune cannot, that his getting the gun and returning alive is only luck.”

Which returns us to Kambei, who is indeed the leader of the samurai, and the central character of the film, as well as the prime example of the Kurosawa hero model. In all instances he is shown to do what is right and just, accepting the mission to save the village from bandits despite his status as a samurai. When he shaves his head at the beginning, he foregoes the visible status of the samurai, but Kurosawa shows what matters is Kambei’s spirit and intent, which is truly deserving of recognition as a hero. Again, later in the film, when confronted with the battle, Kambei insists on everyone doing exactly as they are told, recognizing, much like Sanjuro, that a well thought-out plan is more valuable than even skill or rage.


Kambei Shimada - The Kurosawa Hero embodied in one character.

Kambei, like all other Kurosawa heroes, also strives for knowledge which will help him achieve his mission’s goal. Without everyone‘s honesty, the samurai will fail in their mission. This is why Kambei becomes so upset with Kikuchiyo when he runs off to take out another gunman. He left his post completely open, not informing anyone, and thus put the entire group in jeopardy. By misinforming or excluding the samurai defending the village from any information whatsoever, their trust is violated, and the samurai question themselves. But more importantly, Kambei realizes that information is the basis of truth and that truth is the essence of his decision making abilities. In other words, “information must be the property of the group, and private knowledge is a threat to its security.” For Kurosawa, as well as Kambei, Rokoruta, and Sanjuro, a just judgement can only be made with as much information as possible.

Kambei, of all of Kurosawa’s heroes, seems to come closest to conforming to all the ideals of the hero model. He is just, powerful, self-sacrificing, and compassionate. He is willing to do what needs to be done in order to succeed in his tasks, and he always comes forth with a plan. While Rokoruta and Sanjuro also embody these marks of the Kurosawa hero, they are not as evenly fleshed out as Kambei, who exemplifies these merits across a fairly even canvas as a character.

The Kurosawa hero, as observed, is powerful and intelligent, willing to help whoever is in need, and above all else, make the social climate a better place for everyone to live, not just himself. A hero is self-sacrificing, and has a keen sense of what should be done in a given situation. In THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, SANJURO, and THE SEVEN SAMURAI, examples of this figure abound, and come in different variations on overall emphasis and makeup. Although not all of Kurosawa’s heroes are perfect, they all embody something which Kurosawa holds dear in all his films: truth. They are true to themselves, to others, and to their goals.

7.5.08

IRON MAN

Well, summer is finally here, and with it comes the onslaught of new blockbusters. I'm happy to say that IRON MAN kicks things off with a huge bang, and I really hope the rest of the summer lives up to my geek fantasies, because Jon Favreau has delivered one of the best entries in the superhero genre. In fact, while watching the film, I could already picture about five sequels - all of which would be just as fantastic with all of the same people involved - and the various plots and secrets they could cover. This movie left me wanting, not in a negative way, but in a big, I-can't-get-enough sort of way.

IRON MAN is based on Marvel Comic series, obviously, about genius billionaire arms manufacturer Tony Stark, who, on a sales pitch in a war zone, is abducted by the enemy (Vietcong in the comics, Islamic extremists in the movie) and escapes using a suit of iron that he constructs for himself instead of building weapons for the bad guys. Upon his return home, he decides that he must perfect the suit, and help rid the world of various baddies, thus becoming a de facto superhero. Also, being a comic book superhero, he is kept from dying by an electromagnet placed around his heart (the arc reactor) and which also powers the suit, allowing for his superhuman abilities.



The bulk of the movie is the origin story, with the final version of the suit and the ultimate decision by Tony Stark to devote himself publicly to superheroics being placed about midway through the third act. A lot of superhero movies have origin stories, I know, but IRON MAN never fails to excite, and it subverts some of the tropes of the genre by having a fully adult character who comes into being via his own means and skills rather than some mere freak accident or reaction. There are things that happen that can obviously only take place in comic book reality, but the film never belittles them or makes jokes out of them. Quite simply, IRON MAN is a film that never fails itself, nor its viewer, by feeling the need to over explain every single detail, and trusts its origins as being believable enough for an audience. Even in its most absurd moments, the fantasy simply exists as a part of reality, and never comes off as too science-fiction-y.

Robert Downey, Jr. as Stark, Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark's assistant, Pepper Potts, and Jeff Bridges as villain Obadiah Stane turn in confident, strong work, and take their characters seriously, which is refreshing. The acting in this film is far and away the best of any superhero movie, and Downey's turn as Tony Stark is inspired. I think it just goes to show how much casting actually lends itself to certain roles, as Stark is (and becomes a much worse) alcoholic, and given Downey's own much-publicized problems with addiction. He knows this aspect of the character well, and he knows how to - in this first film, at least - hint at Stark's dependency, but not overplay it or make it obvious. If they ever film the story arch "Demon in a Bottle", which sees Stark battling his alcoholism and is one of the best IRON MAN stories period, I imagine it will be nothing short of fantastic.



Director Jon Favreau throws in some subtle nods to what could come in further installments, mostly for fans to speculate on or get really excited about. The terrorist group that abducts Tony is called the Ten Rings, which points toward the arch-enemy of Iron Man, The Mandarin, who seeks the ten rings of power, as well as the scene in which Rhodey, Stark's friend in the military sector, glances at one of the Iron Man prototypes and says, "Next time, baby." Rhodey becomes the much more heavily armed War Machine in the comics. There's also the much-publicized appearance of Nick Fury and the mention of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the "Avenger initiative," which hints at the super-team's appearance sometime in the future. But the real surprise is that you don't really have to be an Iron Man fan at all in order to enjoy the film and take away from it enough information that you feel like you know anything you should.



Finally, I want to say that this film looks fantastic. There is a lot of special effects work at play here, and it's handled really, really, amazingly well. The Iron Man suits are part practical and part CGI, but it's so seamless you really can't tell the difference. The action sequences are likewise thrilling, and believable, if at times venturing into slightly cartoonish territory (the fall from the sky and then surviving thing, for instance.) The final battle between Iron Man and Iron Monger is a bit short and somewhat standard, but seeing the two suits battling in the streets and destroying everything in their path is a whole lot of fun, and like I said, looks really nice. For the most part, the world of IRON MAN is a pretty strict PG-13 one, complete with enemies being blown up, smashed and slammed into walls, and being shot in the head with any number of Tony's gadgets. There are so many deaths in IRON MAN that had there been any real amount of blood shown, it would have been an easy contender for an R.

As a film, it's faithful to its source material, and that may very well be why it works so well. The comic has long been considered one of the best (when it is written well, of course, like any other continuing series), so it should be no surprise that if you just translate something that's already quite good into another medium the results will be positive. As a semi-fan myself (I've always liked Iron Man, but didn't read his books as much as the X-Men or Batman ones), I was very much blown away. Please, please, please let the rest of the summer season live up to the awesomeness of IRON MAN.

5.5.08

Underrated: DICK TRACY

Warren Beatty's 1990 film of DICK TRACY gets a bad rap. Personally, I think it's fantastic. I don't think I've ever seen a film that does such justice to its comic-strip origins. Even that other great, unjustly maligned comic-strip film, Robert Altman's POPEYE, doesn't come close to matching the adherence of style to DICK TRACY. But rather than delve into the various criticisms of the film, I want simply to point out why it's great, and why I love the film so much.

DICK TRACY is a joy to look at. Filmed in high contrast primary colors (an attempt to recreate the comic's original four-color printing process), there is a vibrancy not regularly seen in the palette of a typical noir. And believe me, despite its cartoonish look, this film is noir through and through. Tracy is a little more black and white than most leads in films noir, but the situations he gets himself into and the general feel of the film make for an interesting take on the genre. Hell, if anyone doesn't get absolute thrills at Madonna's take on Breathless Mahoney/The Blank - one of my favorite femme fatales - they probably aren't alive.

Taking seminal characters from the comic strip - Flat Top and Big Boy, prominently - writers Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr. tell the story of crime boss Big Boy Caprice's attempted takeover of the city and the battle Tracy faces in a city filled to the brim with henchmen. And filled to the brim it is, as producer/director/star Beatty, a huge fan of the strip, decided to put in as many of the series's signature villains as possible in case a sequel never got made (which it sadly didn't.) The result is a bit of an overcrowded cast and an underdeveloped plot, I'll admit, but I won't admit that this negates the feel of the strip the film achieved.


A rogue's gallery: Flattop, Itchy, "Breathless" Mahoney, Big Boy Caprice, and The Stooge

The music is also a highpoint, as Stephen Sondheim wrote one of my favorite "period" songs ever in a modern film: "Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)." It's perfect in just about every way, and the montage over which it plays is amazing as well. I'm such a little girl for little sequences like this.

I love the relationship between Tess Trueheart and Tracy, and the development of The Kid's role in their family dynamic. I also love the little nods to the strip here and there, from the opening sequence with the rescue of The Kid from The Tramp, straight through to the use of the two-way wrist radio (an invention of Gould's that served as an early inspiration for cell phones.) And the decision to set it in the period of the strip's classic run rather than the more current takes made the art direction stand out even more.

Going back to Tess Trueheart for a moment, I just want to say that I think it's criminal that Glenne Headly never broke bigger than she did. Sure, she has had major roles (notably in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS), but someone of her talent should be well-known, not relegated to small roles in GREY'S ANATOMY and the upcoming KIT KITTREDGE movie. Anyone who sees this movie and doesn't automatically fall head-over-heels in love with Tess Trueheart really doesn't get it. She's the heart that keeps everything together, and Glenne provides a huge performance with what she's given.


The bright, blown-out primary colors took a knocking at the time, but today look fantastic.

I think the real problem everyone had with DICK TRACY was that it was a bit ahead of its time. It came out about a decade too soon, before we really started analyzing and thinking about the importance of artifice in film. The prominence of style as a form of narrative itself really wasn't even considered heavily in mainstream film criticism (academics, certainly) until the 90's (despite the style-over-substance movement in France a la Luc Besson's LA FEMME NIKITA.) Maybe it's time to think about what DICK TRACY is and where it fits into film history. I, for one, would be completely down with a re-evaluation of comic strip movies that have gotten a raw deal. Seriously, go back and watch DICK TRACY again and don't enjoy the hell out of it on its own terms. Take no pretense other than it is a comic strip come to life. Go ahead, I dare you.

2.5.08

Kim Morgan's Take on THE MUPPET MOVIE

Kim Morgan has long been one of my favorite critics/writers on film. She is currently in charge of the MSN movies blog, and also has her own fantastic website, Sunset Gun, that serves mainly as a collection of her writing from all over the 'Net. I don't think it's hard to see why she's so good at what she does, as she is clearly impassioned about films (car movies and ones that star Warren Oates), and cares a lot about making the lesser-known gems stand out from the pack. Her taste is impeccable, and her writing is so good it's hard not to crib it and pass it off as my own (to a certain extent, I already write like her, I think...at least style-,if not quality-wise.) I guess then it's no reason to see why I love her so much.

Anyway, over at the MSN blog, she has a wonderful little post about THE MUPPET MOVIE up, and I thought I'd share it with you. Clearly, she has some Muppet love to go around (as I think anyone with any taste does.) From her entry:

...“The Muppet Movie” is one of those rare television-to-movie adaptations that gives a back story but dips and swerves into so many different experiences that you hardly feel like you’re watching anything remotely television-like.

I couldn't agree more. The Muppets are some of the most endearing creations ever, and I cannot wait to see them in their full glory once more. Of all the Muppet movies to come and go over the past 30 years, the original is still the best, and worthwhile viewing for anyone who loves to be entertained and thrilled.

To read the full entry, visit the article at the MSN Movies Filter.

1.5.08

Antici---pation: MOTHER OF TEARS, WALL-E, and PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

The Summer in movie theaters is usually a mixed bag for me. I love a lot of things that come out (this year there are far more than usual I'm looking forward to), but I ultimately enter the Fall season a bit underwhelmed and unsure of what I actually liked or disliked. That said, things are usually bookended pretty well. Last year, for example, GRINDHOUSE, ZODIAC, KNOCKED UP and BLACK SNAKE MOAN all came out between March and May, while THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and SUPERBAD wrapped things up with a bit of a bang. This year there are a ton of flicks I'm looking forward to that come smack in the middle of the season...and I hope they don't disappoint.

1) MOTHER OF TEARS
Dario Argento's long-awaited follow-up/conclusion of the "Three Mothers" trilogy that he began with his classics SUSPIRIA and INFERNO. As a life-long fan of SUSPIRIA in particular, and as a fan of his daughter, Asia, this movie is something I absolutely cannot wait to see. Concerning a coven of witches hell-bent on destroying Rome, MOTHER OF TEARS promises to be quite a gory and disconcerting time from a true master.



2) WALL-E
Pixar has only made one film that was not very good (CARS), and even then, the animation was flawless, and, hey, it was still better than all the other dreck that gets bandied about as entertainment for children. The studio's upcoming film, WALL-E, is directed by Andrew Stanton, who shared directing duties on A BUG'S LIFE, and helmed the superb FINDING NEMO, and I'm sure it's going to be nothing but a good thing. Take a look at the very cute, sweet, funny and sad trailer, and you'll get a hint as to why I think this may be Pixar's best outing yet...



3) PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
I'm a huge Apatow fan, from his days as producer/curator of the criminally under-seen series FREAKS AND GEEKS and ANCHORMAN to his own films. This film is one that he produced, but that perennial Apatow player Seth Rogen wrote, as was last year's SUPERBAD, which I don't think I need to tell anyone pretty much rocked all the way through. I expect no less from PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, a stoner comedy that turns into an action-comedy when an extremely rare strain of weed leads a mobster to a stoner, who witnessed a murder, and his dealer. It's directed by David Gordon Green, of the superb ALL THE REAL GIRLS and last year's praised-but-unseen-by-myself-as-of-yet SNOW ANGELS. On top of that, the trailer features several of the funniest things I've seen on screen this year in its sparse two minutes.