Atanarjuat the Fast Runner (2001) R - 2 Stars

I was hoping this movie would do more for me than I got out of it. Taking place long ago, it tells the story of the culture and traditions of the native Inuit tribe of Northern Canada. It is the first movie ever made to be in the native language Inuktitut, with English subtitles. Shot in a documentary type style, the movie is based on the notes of Captain William Edward Parry, a British explorer who visited the area in 1822. I became bored with the movie quite quickly and while there are some beautiful scenes as well as funny parts too, I am just not sure what the point of the movie is. There are some pretty over the top rituals that must be preformed between the two men that can really mess up your head - literally.

Atanarjuat (Natar Ungalaq), desires the hand of Atuat (Sylvia Ivalu) but she has already been promised to Oki (Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq) who just happens to be the son of the chief. In a slap happy ritual, Atanarjuat and Oki due battle in front of all tribal members inside of their igloo. Atanarjuat's older brother Amaqjuaq (Pakkak Innukshuk) watches his younger brother achieve victory and take the hand of Atuat.

As Atuat becomes pregnant with their first child, Puja (Lucy Tulugarjuk), Oki's sister, puts the move on Atanarjuat and seduces him away from Atuat. Oki himself, still has revenge on his mind and sneaks up on the brothers in their sleep killing Amaqjuaq as Atanrjuat is able to run away, running naked across the thing layer of ice covering the sea. While I have appreciation for anyone who could live in the hostel environment these people are accustomed to, I didn't get a lot out of the movie.

Awards include:
2001 - Atanarjuat the Fast Runner - Cannes Film Festival - Camera d'Or
2001 - Atanarjuat the Fast Runner - Genie Awards - Best Director

Igloolik Isuma Productions - National Film Board of Canada
Director: Zacharias Kunuk
Writer: Paul Apak Angilirq
Producer: Zacharias Kunuk

I viewed 10/08

Towards Darkness (2007) R - 3 Stars

In Colombia, every 3 hours somebody is kidnapped. 1 out of 10 victims never live to tell their story. This was a fact I was unaware of and even though the movie was not as exciting as normal large Hollywood productions, I still always love movies that open my eyes to something I am unaware of. In Spanish with English subtitles, and some speaking parts in English the ending is something I was not expecting.

Jose Guiterrez (Roberto Urbina) is a young man from Colombia who is studying in America. He has a lovely girlfriend in the states, but feels the need to visit his homeland in Colombia. Once he's landed, he's quickly reunited with his friends Jaime (Andres Toro), Pedro (Roberto Cano), and Luiza (America Ferrera) as well as his mom Marta (Alejandra Borrero) and dad Carlos (Tony Plana). Life is as if he had never left Colombia.

Luiza is his childhood sweetheart who he finds himself becoming involved with again. But many changes have happened in his home land and while visiting with Luiza, he is abducted on the city streets and taken away. When he awakes, he finds himself gagged and his legs and arms bound. Unable to speak, he lies there awaiting his fate.

Meanwhile his parents, have no choice but to hire special American agents to help in finding their son. The parents risk punishment from Colombian policy for not alerting the authorities immediately when he was taken. When their insurance company denies their claim for ransom money, Carlos must make a deal with Colombian drug lords to get it. But once yo make a deal with the "devil", you're in it for life. It's a race against time, and traffic, to get to the ransom drop location in time. The movie takes twist at the end that I was not suspecting and I must leave that for the viewer to figure out.

Peach Arch Entertainment - Negert Films
Director: Antonio Negret
Writer: Antonio Negret
Producers: Craig Anderson, Luiza Ricupero

I viewed 10/08

The New World (2005) PG13 - 3 Stars

I'm giving this 3 stars instead of 2 1/2 because of the imagery in the movie and I'm also putting it into a political category just based on who the story is about. However, if you didn't know your history, or read the back of the rental box, I am not sure you would know it was the story of Pocahontas. Parts are filmed in beautiful locations of the world but to me, I just think the movie had more potential than it gave.

Life in North America was primitive and vast lands existed in the early years of the 17th century, and at least five thousand years prior to that. It was the time of exploration of the new world. Many different tribal cultures were populating the primeval wilderness. These tribal nations lived in harmony with their environment but didn't take well to others trespassing into their world.

In April of 1607, far away from their homeland in the kingdom of England, 103 men set sail in three ships, royally charted from Virginia Company, to explore this new world and set up colonies.

In one of the ships, the Susan Constant, is a rebellious young man of 27 years named John Smith (Colin Farrell). He has spend the voyage shackled below and will be hanged for insubordination as soon as the ship reaches land. But, Captain Christopher Newport (Christopher Plummer) soon realises the value of keeping Smith alive, and he is freed, as every capable man will be needed to survive the enemy as they set up their new home.

The spot they have chosen to land at is in the middle of a Native American tribe ruled by powerful chieftain Powhatan (August Schellenberg). Once here, some of the men don't seem to be pulling their own weight and as winter comes, the men are unable to fend for themselves. But the explorer in Smith has him interacting with the native people for help. The Powhatan people are very curious about these invaders and as the tribes study each other, Smith is taken back by a young woman he meets, a daughter of the Powhatan chief. She is known as Pocahontas (Q'orianka Kilcher), or"playful one" and her father favors her above some of his other children. As the two study each other, they develop a deep bond that eventually turns to romance. But as others catch onto their relationship, Smith is ordered to head further down the path far away from Pocahontas. Meanwhile, a fellow colonist, John Rolfe (Christian Bale), sits patiently waiting for his chance at love with this young maiden.

2005 - The New World - National Board of Review - Breakthrough Performance by an Actress
2005 - The New World - National Society of Film Critics - Best Cinematography (Runner-up)

New Line Cinema
Director: Terrence Malick
Writer: Terrence Malick
Producer: Sarah Green

I viewed 9/08

The Color of Freedom (2007) R - 3½ Stars

Also known as "Goodbye Bafana", this is a great movie showing the way prejudices and racism has plagued our world still to this day. A deep bond develops between white and black and the movie is based on the guard, Gregory’s, controversial memoirs. Sometimes even when you don't feel prejudice, you get reminded when you see a movie like this, of just how color effects peoples lives. While Gregory confronts his issues with racism, Mandela becomes a worldwide symbol of the fight for democracy. Great performances by Fiennes and Haysbert, we need more movies that face the problems of racism so we can bring about tolerance in our world today.

Twenty-five million blacks are ruled by a minority of four million whites under the brutal Apartheid regime of the Nationalist Party Government. Black people basically have no rights. They can not vote, they can not own any land, they can not come and go as they please, own a business and even pick their housing or schools their children can attend. Any black organisation or leader speaking out immediately ends up in imprisonment for life on Robben Island.

James Gregory's (Joseph Fiennes) is a racist white South African prison guard anxiously awaiting a promotion. He is assigned the duty of guarding a new prisoner, Nelson Mandela (Dennis Haysbert), to prove his worth to the warden. Along with his wife Gloria (Diane Kruger), the couple is relocated to a fancy home on Robben Island where James meets Mandela for the first time.

Like others, Gregory regards blacks beneath humans. He learned how to speak Xhosa at an early age when he and a fellow boy he played with taught it to him. The warden feels this might be an asset to spy on the prisoners over hearing them speak in their native tongue.

When Winnie Mandela (Faith Ndukwana), comes to visit her husband, she is treated poorly just because of her color. But the more time Gregory spends with Mandela, the more he bonds with him and eventually smuggles chocolate to his wife as a Christmas present. When the warden finds out, and the rest of the town, they all turn against Gregory and his wife for conversing with the "black" enemy. Gregory spends over 25 years of his life guarding Mandela and the two become close behind the watchful eye of the warden. As Nelson Mandela is finally released, Gregory realises that Mandela is not only a hero to the people of South Africa, but he is a beacon of hope and strength to the world.

Image Entertainment
Director: Bille August
Writers: Bille August, Greg Latter
Producers: Ilann Girard, Jean-Luc Van Damme, Andro Steinborn

I viewed 9/08

One False Move (1991) R - 3½ Stars

Great little Independant movie with award winning preformences from the entire cast. I love how the small town sheriff handles the situation better then the L.A. detectives, though it may have helped that he had some inside information. The movie is intense and sad too and looks at the racial and class differences of people.

Naive Sheriff Dale "Hurricane" Dixon (Bill Paxton)is in for the adventure of his life when he comes in contact with three drug dealing murders from Los Angeles. When two L.A. cops show up to in Big City, Arkansas ahead of the gang, Sheriff Dixon is in awe of their big city techniques. Not much happens in Big City that Dixon can't handle with a handshake and he's never had to draw his gun before. The two cops don't take Dixon very seriously and wish he would not get involved in it.

Ray Malcolmand (Bob Thornton) and Pluto (Michael Beach), are go way back from their prison time together and along with Ray's girlfriend Lila Fantasia (Cynda Williams), the three are involved in a drug deal that ends up very bad. On the run, the three head to "Big City", a little small city where they are hoping no one will care much about their presence. But in a battle to the end, Dixon has the inside information with Fantasia that helps bring the gang down.

1992 - One False Move - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Director
1990 - One False Move - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - New Generation Award

IRS Releasing
Director: Carl Franklin
Writers: Tom Epperson, Carl Franklin, Billy Bob Thornton
Producers: Harold Welb, Ben Myron, Jesse Beaton

I viewed 9/08

Seven Years in Tibet (1997) PG-13 - 4 Stars

Now this was a really great movie that I was surprised I had not heard of before until I found it on the "inner shelf" at Blockbuster. The cinematography is outstanding and I read some of it was filmed in secret in Tibet. The story is taken from memoir notes of Heinrich Harrer, a famed and very experienced mountain climber from Austria, who meets and becomes friends with the Dali Lama. Brad Pitt does and outstanding job portraying Heinrich.

In 1939, Heinrich Harrer (Brad pitt), headed an expedition to the Himalayan mountains to climb Nanga Parbat, one of the highest peaks. Against his pregnant wife's wishes, he set out for his climb leaving his friend behind to look after his wife. Instead he was taken as a prisoner of war for being on land under Allied forces. His holding area has to become stronger and stronger as Heinrich makes many attempts to escape. In a final attempt at freedom he and Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis), make their way to the Forbidden City in Tibet. As the two enter this forbidden city in disguise, they are quickly found out but offered shelter while they await the end of the war.

The Dalai Lama (Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk), is just a teenage boy even though he is the spiritual leader of his Buddhist nation. The boy quickly becomes fascinated in Heinrich and the two develop a friendship bond under the watchful eyes of those protecting him. Teaching the Dalai Lama about the world, Heinrich begins to think of his son and finding his way somehow back to him. Heinrich's son would be about the same age as the Dalai. An invasion from China leads to hundreds of deaths in Tibet that strangle hold continues there today.

TriStar Pictures
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Writer: Becky Johnston
Producers: John H. Williams, Iain Smith, Jean-Jacques Annaud

I viewed 9/08

An Unfinished Life (2005) PG13 - 4 Stars

I really liked this movie, set in a small town in Montana. Three of my favorite actors, Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman all together in the same movie, it's got to be good. All three give superior performances as they each struggle to get up each morning and do the right thing. Filmed in a beautiful setting, makes you value that simple life.

Einar Gilkyson (Reobert Redford), and Mitch (Morgan Freeman), are what's left of a working ranch high in the hills of Montana. The two have been together for 40 years on the ranch. But Einar had a bad drinking habit causing mismanagement of his land, his hired help leaving and the selling of his cows, just to make ends meet. One afternoon when Mitch and Einar were out in the field, they came across a Grizzly feeding. Startled, the bear turned on Mitch nearly mauling him to death. To this day, Einar has attended to the painful wounds of his only last friend Mitch. Einar still pines the loss of his only son, Griffin to a car accident that he still blames his daughter Jean (Jennifer Lopez), for.

Jean has been living with the guilt of her husbands death and has gotten herself and her daughter "Griff" Gilkyson (Becca Gardner) named after her father, into a situation she has a hard time getting out of. Her new boyfriend Gary Winston (Damian Lewis), has become abusive to her and resorted to hitting her. When she can stand the abuse no longer, she flees with her daughter to anywhere far away from Gary. But their car has another idea in mind and when they have no choice, the board a bus to Montana to Einar's ranch to introduce his grand daughter.

Mitch is barely able to move because of his wounds, but manages to feel pity for the bear when he learns of his capture and captivity at the local petting zoo. Though he's lucky to be alive, he still almost forgives the bear for his intrusion that day. When the 3 adults, and child, all co-exist together, they will teach each other valuable lessons while healing each other's wounds.

Miramax Films
Director: Lasse Hallström
Writers: Mark Spragg, Virginia Spragg
Producers: Leslie Holleran, Alan Ladd, Jr., Kelliann Ladd

I viewed 5/06 and 10/08

The Babysitters (2007) R - 3 Stars

The movie was actually better than I thought it was going to be, Young girl gets seduced by a lonely dad on her way home from babysitting his kids. When she discovers how much money there is to made, she starts up her own business where dad’s can get much more than just watching his kids.

Shirley (Katherine Waterston) is a neat freak. She has everything in order in her room and even tidies up the house she is babysitting for above and beyond what they expect. Let’s just say, she’s learned to give a whole lot more for the money than your typical 16 year old babysitter. She sits for a couple Michael (John Leguizamo) and his pretty wife Gail (Cynthia Nixon), who have two children. One night on the way home, Michael makes an advance on Shirley and she allows it to happen. Even though he feels alive again, after he drops her off he feels so guilty he throws a lot of money her way. She begins to turn her puppy love affection into cold hard cash and finds her services are in demand.

Before she knows it, she is unable to keep up with the call for new babysitting jobs and enlists the help of her best friend. Before long, the two find even with both of them babysitting, they are unable to meet the demand for all the calls. But when they enlist the help of two more friends, these two newbies decide that they will make money on their own and cut Shirley out of the loop. It doesn't take long before Shirley figures out why her phone isn't ringing but nothing will prepare for her father's involvement in this new service.

Peace Arch Films
Director: David Ross
Writer: David Ross
Producers: Jennifer Dubin, Kathy DeMarco, Cora Olson

I viewed 9/08

American Blackout (2005) NR - 3½ Stars

I found this documentary to be totally enlightening to me. I had heard of Cynthia McKinney before but having having shut my mind out where politics where concerned, I never realised how much I dig this lady. Hated by most Republicans, she struggles through constant road blocks to change policy and make sure every one's vote is counted.

After the presidential election of 2000, and the Florida farce of counting the votes, and again in Ohio in 2004, McKinney was the one who stood up and rattled a few cages about what she believes is really going on in our government. I have to say, I agree with her on most issues she's brought to light. It's why I feel our vote, "the people's voice", doesn't count for much when it comes to electing our president. I mean I know it totally DOES count but if it comes down to it, I believe that people can be bought, and tables turned to even the score for those with the most power and connections. That's my personal opinion but I found myself agreeing most of the time with McKinney's way of thinking. I really respect the way she's thrown herself out there with no regards for her comfort zone because some things are just more important. I recommend seeing this documentary to anyone with an open mind.

2006 - American Blackout - Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize (Documentary Jury)

Guerilla News Network
Director: Ian Inaba
Producer: Anastasia King

I viewed 10/08

Chop Shop (2007) NR - 3 Stars

I like movies that open my eyes to situations I am otherwise not aware of. At first glance I would have thought this movie was in some third world country but, it was filmed in the outer edge of Queens, New York. The movie's pretty low budget but has a big story to tell of the day to day struggle of a young boy and his sister trying to make ends meet and feed themselves. How many children grow up way too fast and have to become adults instead of enjoying their childhood?

Alejandro (Alejandro Polanco) is basically a homeless orphan along with his 16 year old sister, Isamar (Isamar Gonzales) trying to get ahead in the world. His days are spent working in a Chop Shop auto body repair shop. He is able to stay in one of the storage areas along with his sister at nights. His sister tries to hold down a job but ends up meeting men in the back of their truck cabs to make more money.

Alejandro has big dreams of starting his own food truck service and hustles whatever he needs to talk his sister into buying a food coach van. But Alejandro will resort to any means to make his dreams for his sister and himself come true. Even though he's street smart, and determined, he finds out he's not quit ready yet to be a man.

2007 - Chop Shop - Independent Spirit Award - Someone to Watch Award.

Koch Lorber Films, LLC
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Writers: Bahareh Azimi, Ramin Bahrani
Producers: Jeb Brody, Marc Turtletaub, Lisa Muskat

I viewed 9/08

Wild Things (1998) R - 3½ Stars

After I watched this movie, I do remember seeing it before years ago. Denise Richards is such a young cutie but plays such a real physco teen. Matt Dillion is great and everyone seems to get theirs in the end and the movie takes an unexpected turn of who done it.

Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) is a guidance counselor and also teaches sailing in Blue Bay, Florida a nice well to do community. Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards), is a cute little spoiled girl who's got a crush on Sam. Sam is just a real nice guy to the kids and Kelly mistakes that for genuine feelings towards her. When she makes an advance on him, and he refuses her, she feels so humiliated she accusing him of rape. Word passes quickly and Sam is snubbed from the country club as well as suspended from school.

Ken Bowden (Bill Murray), is the only attorney that is within Sam's price range so he enlists his aid to help clear the charges. But there's way more to the story as Sandra Van Ryan (Theresa Russell), is Kelly's mother and also Sam's former lover. She was disses by Sam and voes to get revenge against him through her daughter and she hires the cities best lawyers. Sam finds it hard to live in his home where he has become the accused, tried and sentenced without even his day in court yet.

When the trial begins, Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) who lives in a trailer park without all the glitter and glam of Kelly's life, comes forth and makes the same claim that Sam has forced himself on her as well. But investigator Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon) smells something fishy and the whole case takes a turn when he thinks the girls and Sam are in it together to bilk Kelly's mom out of millions.

Sony Pictures Releasing
Director: John McNaughton
Writer: Stephen Peters
Producers: Rodney Liber, Steven A. Jones

I viewed 9/08