Phuel
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2010
- Messages
- 5,871
- Reaction score
- 9,404
'71
This film had me wincing-- purely out of the masterful tension of storytelling created, the entire time. It's a simple concept, but wonderfully executed: A terrified British soldier is accidentally abandoned by his unit on the streets of Belfast and pursued by members of a fringe IRA group. I don't know much of the IRA's politics, but this is the kind of film that doesn't preach, patronize, romanticize and idealize, nor neutralize such a divisive, and political makeup of Great Britain and Ireland's history. Nor do I think it's exploitive. It's an intelligently crafted action-packed story that just happens to take place in an explosively political, and violent setting.
The Mule
Really really really entertaining. Clever, witty films about gangsters and cops, petty criminals and lovable losers getting caught in the middle of it all always gets to me. Almost Coen Brothers at their satirical, perverted best, like Fargo. Angus Sampson is a joy to watch: His brutish, deadpan face and mouth-breather appearance, Lenny-esque oafish body and timid, childlike behavior is endearing, and a hoot. He's like an unintentionally charming Homer Simpson that's also tough as a... a mule. He's... totally lovable-- and adorable, like Toni Colette's Muriel from Muriel's Wedding.
And Hugo Weaving is equally entertaining as the charming a**hole cop who revels in being a bully. I could watch him and Angus's Ray all day. Such great, talented performers whose portrayals of a comedic mood doesn't stoop to the lowest common denominator like so many overhyped, famous American actors.
The Boxtrolls
If ever a part of me becomes so tired of films as displayed by all the blatant, corporate-greed spoon-feeding this relentless assembly-line of superhero silliness-- The Boxtrolls restores my faith in the passion and joy of filmmaking.
It's not a great story-- and the Nazi-Germany allegory may be a tad unsettling even in its morality. But the quality of this stop-motion piece, the delicate, artisanal human-touch... the love of design, the passion for storytelling and the painstaking dedication to an age-old artform is more than enough to make up for a not-so-interesting story. It's such a comfort-film: It's like a small, but beautiful toy store filled with the most inventive, one-of-a-kind, handmade or rare toys where even the packaging is impeccably designed and given the utmost care. And thank God there's not a single pop culture reference or musical number in this (there is a fine musical performance though).
Loved the villain's henchmen-- one being voiced by Tracey Morgan to such sadistic glee you can't help but love the creepy little weirdo.
This film had me wincing-- purely out of the masterful tension of storytelling created, the entire time. It's a simple concept, but wonderfully executed: A terrified British soldier is accidentally abandoned by his unit on the streets of Belfast and pursued by members of a fringe IRA group. I don't know much of the IRA's politics, but this is the kind of film that doesn't preach, patronize, romanticize and idealize, nor neutralize such a divisive, and political makeup of Great Britain and Ireland's history. Nor do I think it's exploitive. It's an intelligently crafted action-packed story that just happens to take place in an explosively political, and violent setting.
The Mule
Really really really entertaining. Clever, witty films about gangsters and cops, petty criminals and lovable losers getting caught in the middle of it all always gets to me. Almost Coen Brothers at their satirical, perverted best, like Fargo. Angus Sampson is a joy to watch: His brutish, deadpan face and mouth-breather appearance, Lenny-esque oafish body and timid, childlike behavior is endearing, and a hoot. He's like an unintentionally charming Homer Simpson that's also tough as a... a mule. He's... totally lovable-- and adorable, like Toni Colette's Muriel from Muriel's Wedding.
And Hugo Weaving is equally entertaining as the charming a**hole cop who revels in being a bully. I could watch him and Angus's Ray all day. Such great, talented performers whose portrayals of a comedic mood doesn't stoop to the lowest common denominator like so many overhyped, famous American actors.
The Boxtrolls
If ever a part of me becomes so tired of films as displayed by all the blatant, corporate-greed spoon-feeding this relentless assembly-line of superhero silliness-- The Boxtrolls restores my faith in the passion and joy of filmmaking.
It's not a great story-- and the Nazi-Germany allegory may be a tad unsettling even in its morality. But the quality of this stop-motion piece, the delicate, artisanal human-touch... the love of design, the passion for storytelling and the painstaking dedication to an age-old artform is more than enough to make up for a not-so-interesting story. It's such a comfort-film: It's like a small, but beautiful toy store filled with the most inventive, one-of-a-kind, handmade or rare toys where even the packaging is impeccably designed and given the utmost care. And thank God there's not a single pop culture reference or musical number in this (there is a fine musical performance though).
Loved the villain's henchmen-- one being voiced by Tracey Morgan to such sadistic glee you can't help but love the creepy little weirdo.
I loved the sound in this movie and soundtrack of course. 
ink:
