Two Unexpected Winners

Pictures of two movies are shown this time, because they are both very impressive films and surprises to me. Quite often I have a preconceived idea of what a movie is going to be like, only to find on viewing that it is altogether different. But it is not very often that a movie of which I do not expect much turns out to be an unexpected winner. Two such films are on this list.

Some of the 2010 award contenders are starting come out on DVD, so starting with this list I will be checking some out and giving my two cents worth here.

Here is what I have watched on DVD and streaming since I posted my last list. The ratings I give are on my own number system explained at the link on the sidebar. Those watched via Netflix instant view, include “Streamed” after the numeric rating.

Prayers for Bobby – 2009 (3.7). When I saw that a movie about a young gay man having problems with his parents accepting him had made it to the top of my Netflix queue and was in the mail, I was a bit disappointed, as it seemed like I had already seen enough of those. But when I watched it, I found an unexpected winner, based on a powerful true story, well written, directed and acted, especially by Sigourney Weaver as the religious mother intent on healing her son of his homosexual illness. The production took 13 years to bring to the TV screen, where it was shown on Lifetime. Watch the brief special features to hear a little of the background of the production coming together and to meet the real mother.

City Island – 2009 (3.5) Streamed. What a pleasant surprise to expect a decent comedy about a jail guard who discovers a new prisoner is the son he abandoned as an infant, and brings him home to meet the family, and find a movie instead that is a hidden gem about frustrated desires, hidden hopes and the need to get back in touch. This reminds me of one of my favorites, Secrets and Lies. Writer and director Raymond DeFelitta has made three movies, all of which I liked, and a documentary I have not seen. I hope he makes many more films.

The Elephant Man – 1980 (3.3) Streamed. All these years I have avoided viewing this movie, because I did not want to spend time watching a grotesque looking man. With stream rights at Netflix ending, I went for it and was touched by the portrayal of this young man who maintained his dignity in spite of his gruesome appearance. As individuals learn he is not a freak but a sensitive person, our sense of compassion is invoked. The visit to the doctor’s home and meeting with his wife is particularly strong. The basic story is true, though some of the details have been reported in conflicting ways.

A Cry in the Dark – 1988 (3.2). This true Australian story of a woman who in 1981 claimed her baby was carried off by a dingo and then herself became a suspected murderess became a media circus and captured the interest of the Australian public as much as the O. J. trials did here. Well written, directed and acted (Meryl Streep plays the woman with a convincing accent), the movie does not appear dated and captures the feeling of the country in a convincing way, while showing the terrible burden on the baby’s parents from not only losing their child to certain death, but also not having her body recovered over the ensuing years while it remained a main topic of media interest.

The Social Network – 2010 (3.1). In spite of already knowing something about the founding of Facebook and the litigation over its starting, I was a little confused during the early part of this movie with just where we were in the chronology. The technical details of the computer programing and the litigation were minimal in the screenplay as were the details of character backgrounds and family situations, but the focus on the campus life and principals involved was consistent with the all-consuming nature of being a college whiz kid on “the” campus. An interesting story, well directed and acted, it stayed on point for two hours and held my attention. I did not learn about why people go nuts for Facebook, except that it started as a way for guys to check out, comment and exchange info on campus women. Ironically, the main Facebook developer, Mark Zuckerberg, was inept socially and early in the picture a girl told him his problem was not that he was a nerd, but that he was an a-hole, and then near the end, another woman told him his problem wasn’t really that he was an a-hole, but that he was trying too hard to be one.

[John posted a comment on the last list, saying he found this movie boring and that Citizen Kane covered the same material and he would rather watch that classic ten times than this movie once. This is definitely not in the Kane league, but I don’t think the material is that similar. Zuckerberg is a flash in the pan compared to William Randolph Hearst. Hearst dealt with news spinning and commentary whereas Facebook is just a social linking platform. Wealth is the main thing they have in common, but while Hearst coveted and embraced it, Zuckerberg could care less.]

Beauty in Trouble – 2006 (3.1). This Czech movie about a young woman facing a choice between her young and virile husband, the father of her two children, who turned to crime due to economic loss, and an older wealthy man who is good to her but not that great in the sack has some well nuanced characters, portrayed in good order by the entire cast, and very good direction. The drama of having to make the decision is pervasive without obvious plot structure, and combines with the authenticity of the characters and settings to make a very watchable film. When I was younger and maybe less judgmental and opinionated, I probably would have appreciated the ending more.

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger – 2010 (3.0). Woody Allen uses a very good ensemble in London to tell about marriages breaking up and people, none of whom were written to be particularly appealing, moving on with new hopes that don’t quite work out. Too much narration at the beginning, but then settles in and is easy going fun if you don’t take it too seriously.

Holiday – 1938 (3.0) This romantic comedy with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn was from a stage play of the same name, which more accurately could be called Work Sabbatical, about a young man who worked his way through college and early success in business and is ready to marry and take time off for a deep self-inquiry. Problem is he picked inadvertently picked a conventional rich girl, providing ample fodder for some Depression era progressive political spirit. Fast pace, great sets and actual acrobatics by Grant help avoid stage bound feel. The film has been well restored, but the Netflix stream version attempt a while back was out of sync.

Get Low – 2009 (2.9). Preview clips with Robert Duvall and Bill Murray prompted a view of this true story of a mean recluse in 1938 Tennessee who wanted to have his funeral while he was still alive. As expected, contains some good deadpan humor.Well enough done with good acting and ambiance, though the ending may leave some slightly disappointed.

Absence of Malice – 1981 (2.9). Paul Newman and Sally Field as a romantic couple had no screen chemistry, but that was not essential to this story about the ethics of prosecutors using media leaks to put heat on a potential informant. The issues were portrayed well, if not in depth, but the cleverness of the informant in matching wits took away from the coverage of the real issues, and the profane Assistant Attorney General who made the final decisions was a little much. Sally did an excellent job of showing what a young star reporter feels like when her stories hurt innocent people.

An Autumn Afternoon – 1962 (2.9). This last film of Yaujiro Ozu deals with an aging widower who decides it is time for his daughter to get married, so she does not have to spend her life taking care of him. The man meets regularly with old schoolmates and has encounters with a former teacher and a subordinate from his time as a naval officer in WWII. The story also weaves in observations about the loss of the War and the impact of American culture on Japan. The slow paced film holds its age and our attention because it is so grounded in simple truth. Watch the special feature first to learn of the Zen style of Ozu, who always used a fixed position camera at a low to ground level.

The Kids Are All Right – 2010 (2.8). For me this was one of those movies that present characters that are all sort of appealing in a situation that is a little different and you’re not sure where it’s headed but you are interested in finding out, and then when you get there you feel sort of letdown. This is not really a comedy as some call it, but rather a slice of lesbian family life with one bit of drama. I expected the sperm donor dad to be hoot, which he really wasn’t, but I am not quite sure what he was, except maybe part of the letdown.

Waiting for Superman – 2010 (2.8). This documentary about the American public school system left out so much of what is important to discuss, such as the full meaning of an education, the choice of curricula, school boards, voters, government funding, PTAs, the impact of the school principal, student discipline, learning disabilities, ESL, teacher pay, extracurricular activities and probably much more. Why then did I give it a passing grade? Partly for effort and sincerity, but mostly for the emotional impact of watching the filmed subjects at the lottery drawing waiting to see if they would be admitted to the charter school that would change their lives. Villianizing teacher unions and canonizing charter schools is an oversimplified and incomplete answer.

All about Eve – 1950 (2.8) Streamed. This movie about a scheming young woman who seeks acting stardom at the expense of an older star won Oscars for best picture, director and screenplay and is considered a classic, but I never bothered to check it out because I figured it would be stage bound, talkative and theatrical, which I have now confirmed it is. That said, the dialogue is sophisticated and the film does hold interest, even though it runs too long. Imminent expiration of the Netflix instant play rights prompted my viewing.

Night Sun – 1990 (2.7). This Italian film about an 18^th century lesser nobleman who decides to become an ascetic monk says it was “liberally” based on a Tolstoy work. The best part of the movie is the stark mountain scenery. There is little drama or character development, as the film almost entirely concentrated on the central character who makes his decision early and then then tries not to give in to temptation by lust and pride, neither of which is portrayed in a particularly memorable way. Netflix calls it cerebral and understated: I would say mildly thoughtful and minimally eventful.

The Princess Bride – 1987 (2.2). I never bothered with this movie before because I figured it would be a little in the vein of the supposed humor of Mel Brooks, that I really don’t care for, but Netflix said I would like it, so I gave it a try. Wrong. Not quite as bad as Mel Brooks, but close.