Frozen River
Written and directed by Courtney Hunt, this is a surprisingly good movie, which is located in a small New York State country town that is situated close to an Indian Mohawk reservation. This reservation crosses over into Canadian Quebec. Two women, one White and one Mohawk, and both faced with desperate circumstances, become involved with smuggling illegal immigrants across the frozen waters of the St. Lawrence River. Hunt’s low-keyed drama is superbly acted by Melissa Leo and Misty Upham, while the hostilities between the White and Mohawk communities are subtly explored.
The Last Mistress
French screenwriter, director, novelist and former actress Catherine Breillat, the creator of such controversial films as ‘Romance’ (1998) and ‘Anatomy of Hell’ (2003), creates an intriguing new movie based on the theme of ‘sexual obsession’. One evening in 1835, on the eve of his marriage to a virtuous virgin, a dissolute French aristocrat narrates to his prospective grandmother-in-law the circumstances of his lengthy affair with a notorious and tempestuous Spanish woman, of questionable means. The movie can occasionally be quite frank in its depiction of the sexual act, but, on the whole, it tends to be a rather prolonged discussion about the attractions between men and women. The sets and costumes are spectacular, and Asia Argento, as the fiery Spaniard, is sexy, enthralling and absolutely beguiling.
Camille
This movie is a rather bizarre American ‘black-comedy’ from director Gregory Mackenzie. A hapless young couple, played by Sienna Miller and James Franco, are travelling by motorbike to enjoy their honeymoon at Niagara Falls. Unfortunately, along the way, they have a terrible accident and Sienna is killed in the crash. But, nothing is about to spoil Sienna’s honeymoon, and she wills herself back to life. For the rest of the movie Sienna continues to ‘decay’ quite gracefully, much to James’ great horror. The movie is a very unusual and peculiar ‘road trip’ for all those concerned.
Genova
English screenwriter and director Michael Winterbottom, the man responsible for such films as ‘Wonderland’ (1999) and ‘24 Hour Party People’ (2002), makes another of his esoteric ‘art-house’ movies, which could only have been realized with the support of the British Film Council. In ‘Genova’ Michael Winterbottom seems to have the general idea that ‘banality’ can represent a certain amount of ‘realism’. After the death of his wife in a car crash, a widower relocates his family to the Italian city of Genoa, so that they can have a new beginning. They do the touristy things, spend time on the beach, and become acquainted with the local populace. There is a lot of underlying tension in the movie, you think it is all leading somewhere, but, actually, nothing much happens. After a while, the sheer banality and tedium of the film starts to develop its own form of fascination.
Rachel Getting Married
Jonathan Demme’s most famous movie would have to be ‘The Silence of The Lambs’ (1991), but, Demme appears to be another prominent director who is currently caught up in this fashionable new mode of ‘meaningful banality’. In ‘Rachel Getting Married’, Anne Hathaway plays a recovering drug addict, fresh out of rehab, who returns home to attend the wedding of her sister Rachel. Anne still has ‘issues’ with her family, and, intentionally or not, she does a pretty good job of disrupting the entire affair. Nothing much happens in the movie. There is the Wedding Rehearsal Dinner, the unusual Wedding and Reception itself, and a lot of nasty family arguments. In the end, nothing is resolved, and Anne simply packs her bags and leaves.
The Family That Preys
With his sixth feature film, director and producer Tyler Perry probably thinks he is making a serious statement about American ‘Black’ and ‘White’ interracial issues. Whether he realizes it or not, Perry has actually made an unintentional ‘high-camp’ melodrama. Two Southern families, one ‘White’ and the other ‘Black’, become involved in shady business shenanigans and steamy sex scandals. It is fun to watch two great old actresses, like Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard, ‘ham’ it up outrageously for the camera. At least they seem to know what the movie is all about, even if the director doesn’t!
Personal Effects
It is also great to see the incredibly beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer back on the screen again, in a light-weight romance. Michelle is looking particularly good, and she is holding up quite well! In this movie she portrays an ‘older’ woman who is attracted to a much younger man. They meet in a courthouse, where both are attending different murder trials. This shared experience initially draws them together. Michelle is given terrific support from Ashton Kutcher. I am sure most women, and some men, will find him rather hunky!
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
This nice romantic-comedy is only for the young, or young-at-heart. Nick is having a terrible time after his breakup with his girlfriend, and Norah has had a crush on him for years. They run into each other one night in a New York nightclub, and spend the rest of the movie getting to know one another, while touring the clubs of the city in search of a famous ‘Punk’ group. This band is supposed to make an unannounced appearance somewhere in the city that night. The movie is full of contemporary pop music from, apparently, huge ‘Punk’ bands, but, who they all are, I wouldn’t have a clue. Just enjoy!
