Short Reviews #17
The Devil & Daniel Johnston (2005)
Having not been familiar with the music or art of Daniel Johnston, this exceptional documentary took me by surprise with its openness to explore the many facets of his personality. A musical and artistic genius, Johnston developed manic depression early on in his life and slowly disappeared from the spotlight after early critical acclaim and recognition from his peers. Director Jeff Feuerzeig (who won the best director award at Sundance 2005) expertly cobbles together old audio and video tapes of Johnston recording his music and sharing his ideas and thoughts along with rare live performances and intimate interviews with family and friends. We are often taken on the many highs and lows of this gifted artists life and it’s a real emotional rollercoaster, never pulling any punches. Johnston’s music is an acquired taste but there is no doubt of its power and influence on those who are willing to appreciate it. One of the best films of the year.
United 93 (2006)
United 93 is one of those films you have a 50/50 feeling about. You know it’s going to be intense, visceral and extremely difficult to watch but at the same time, you know as a filmgoer, filmmaker and critic, it’s almost a duty to give it a chance. Add the fact great reviews have been pretty much universal and it’s difficult to ignore completely (something you shouldn’t do but occasionally end up doing). What I did know for sure was that by the end, I knew I was going to be a wreck. And I was.
But director Paul Greengrass has made perhaps the most intense movie ever made. He refuses to over dramatize what may or may not have occurred nor does he sympathize with the terrorists. It’s simply one filmmaker’s interpretations of the events that happened that tragic day. All shot in a documentary style and extremely well made. Once it’s over, you’ve come as close the event as you’d like to be and it’s one of those films you’ll never, ever forget. Mr Greengrass - mission accomplished.
Hard Candy (2005)
It’s about time we get a decent thriller in the house! Go and see this one with a member of the opposite sex and have a damn good discussion. It reminded me quite a lot of Fatal Attraction except of course, the tables are turned and situations changed. There’s one scene in particular that’s extremely difficult to watch and will have all the males squirming in their seats looking away. Youngster on the rise Ellen Page is the true star of the film and carries most of the film despite sharing equal screen time with Patrick Wilson. Whilst it borders on the absurd at times (like most post 80’s psychological thrillers) and loses its some of its energy in the second half, Hard Candy is nevertheless a powerful study of psychology in this day and age of computers and the internet.
Murderball (2005)
Often compared to my favourite sports documentaries of all time Hoop Dreams, with the emphasis not on ’sport’ but of the family and lives of the individuals, Murderball delves into the world of quadriplegic wheelchair rugby players. These guys have more determination and drive that most able-bodied people and the wheelchairs are incidental to who they are. Perhaps most intriguing is the look at former US wheelchair Rugby champion Joe Bishop, who during the filming of the documentary, was coaching team Canada. An intense and completely self-involved individual with a dysfunctional family, Bishop eventually drives himself to a heart-attack. It’s his neglected relationship with his son however that is most tragic. Then there’s Mark Zupan, a star player on the US team whose passion for the sport is magnetic to everyone around whilst still coming to terms with how he ended up in the wheelchair to begin with. Of course, you still get to see heavily edited sporting moments between team Canada and the US, fighting to be world champions.
Silent Hill (2006)
Seriously WTF!!!??? I would rather play the video game than watch this borrrrrrring piece of big stinking turd. Clearly, this film wasn’t aimed at my sensibilities but I’d love to know whose sensibilities it would find a home. I’ve never played the video game series either but come on! – it’s just one looooooooong walk through a ghost town, where nothing happens at all! Sure the production looks suitably eerie but when you have no story and practically no dialogue, this isn’t going to appeal to teenage gamers either! I guarantee you’d have much more fun watching youTube. At least they have entertaining smoking dancing midgets and hilarious Supercops!
One Response to “Short Reviews #17”
[...] No film in 2006 was as powerful, intense or well-made as Paul Greengrass’s United 93. I was sweating in my seat as things unfolded mainly due to the documentary-style approach and ‘in the moment’ camerawork. I don’t really have any plans to see this again in a hurry but it’s a definite must-see if you haven’t checked it out already. (read review) [...]