Thursday, January 31, 2008

Shine A Light

The "World's Greatest Rock N Roll Band" and Martin Scorsese have joined together to bring us, "Shine A Light".

This documentary was filmed at The Beacon Theatre in New York late 2006. It was recorded over two nights and features some guest appearances by Jack White of The White Stripes, Christina Aguilera and Buddy Guy.

This could have been just another concert film but having Martin Scorsese direct it just adds to the class and excitement of this project. After all, "Marty" is the man behind the acclaimed film,"The Last Waltz" documenting The Band's final concert--hmmmn?

This film is also unique because Atlantic Records founder, Ahmet Ertegun was seriously injured backstage and later succumbed to his injuries.

"Mick can't be under the lights for more than 18 seconds or he'll burn up"

"Like, in flames?"

Shine a Light premires at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival and opens nationwide in April.



http://www.shinealightmovie.com/


Wednesday, January 30, 2008

No Country For Old Men

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Cormac Mcarthy(The Road) and film making absurdests extraordinaire, Joel and Ethan Cohen team up for No Country For Old Men.

Llewelyn Moss is out hunting in the desert when he comes across the left over carnage of a drug deal gone wrong. He investigates and finds a briefcase filled with 2 million dollars. He takes the money and runs. However, the owner of the briefcase Anton Chigurh wants his money back and comes looking for Llewelyn. A world weary sherriff Ed Tom Bell played almost typcasted by Tommy Lee Jones is trying to protect Llewelyn. When the three collide in a showdown not seen since Good, The Bad and The Ugly, well, "No one will see it coming"

Josh Brolin is excellent as Llewelyn. He's an ex-soldier and is fully aware of the consequences once he grabs the money. He uses his smarts to escape Anton, but in No Country For Old Men, the theme is,"No one sees it coming"

As for Tommy Lee Jone's character, Ed Tom Bell; this is a character Jones has portrayed many times before. He knows Bell inside and out. It's borderline cliche having Jones play this character, but in the Cohen brothers hands it goes deeper. Bell has regrets and Anton is a proven adversary. The most poignant scene with Bell occurs when he explains Anton's weapon of choice to Llewelyn's wife Carla, played by Kelly Macdonald. Almost perfect in its subtlety.

Which brings us to Anton Chigurh. Javier Bardem is nominated for an Oscar in this role. He's meaner than Darth Vader , more malicious than Jaws; Bardem transforms Chigurh into arguably cinema's most potent villain.

Anton uses an air gun that is used to slaughter cattle. It's a creative tool in this film. Then again, the Cohen brother's key word is creative. Anton flips a coin to decide his victim's fate. Or as Carson Wells played by Woody Harrelson says to Llewelyn,"Did he see you? And you're still alive?" Anyone who Anton sees; dies. this is the code--"You never see it coming"

--After the film was over, I proposed to my girlfriend Mary Beth. She said yes! Like the film, she never saw it coming.

The Cohen Brothers are the most innovative and intelligent film makers since Kubrick. They are to cinema what Samuel Beckett was to liturature. No Country For Old Men is a marvel in film. Best Picture in 2008.

***** (out of 5)


http://www.nocountryforoldmen.com/

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Reel Cafe Oscar Predictions

Best Picture: No Country For Old Men

Best Actor: Daniel Day Lewis

Best Actress: Ellen Page

Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem

Best Supporting Actress: Ruby Dee

Best Director: The Coen Brothers

Adapted Screenplay: No Country For Old Men

Original Screenplay: Juno

http://www.oscar.com/






Monday, January 28, 2008

There Will Be Blood

There Will Be Blood, Paul Thomas Anderson's new film about greed, corruption and the American Dream, contains what may go down in cinema history as having the greatest performance.

Daniel Day Lewis plays, "Daniel Plainview" an opportunistic oil driller in the turn of the 18th century America. He is a driven man. From the opening scene, Daniel breaks his leg after falling down the oil well. He climbs back up. This scene sets the tone for his character. He will not be stopped.

After Daniel's son HW is injured from the eruption of the oil, Daniel runs to his rescue and but immedietly returns to try and contain the fire. He says to a co worker, "There's an ocean of oil under the ground and only I can reach it." and so like oil that seeps under ground, greed and corruption is seeping through Daniel.

Eli Sunday is a preacher. He's played by Paul Dano(Little Miss Sunshine). Eli building a church on the community where Daniel's workers live. Like Daniel, Eli brings hope to the townspeople. However, Daniel is the stronger man in faith. Daniel believes in what he does. Eli is only interested in money. He needs Daniel to build him a church. Daniel doesn't need Eli. When Eli asks him for the money, there's no words just a beating brought on by Daniel.

A little like Macbeth. Similar to Citizane Kane. There Will Be Blood doesn't compromise. It's not a film for,"Take it For What it is" There Will Be Blood is a masterpiece.

This is Daniel Day Lewis's finest performance. He will win the Oscar.

****1/2 (out of five)

http://www.therewillbeblood.com/

Enjoy!

Mark Gauthier