Movie Review: Black Book

Black Book (2007)

Directed by: Paul Verhoeven

Synopsis (Rotten Tomatoes): Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven made his name in Hollywood with films such as ROBOCOP, BASIC INSTINCT, and STARSHIP TROOPERS. But Verhoeven got his start in the industry by making films (the acclaimed SPETTERS and SOLDIER OF ORANGE among them) in his native country, and it's to Holland that he returns for BLACK BOOK--his first Dutch film in 20 years. The story is set during the final days of World War II in Holland, and follows a Jewish singer named Rachel Stein (Carice Van Houten). Rachel attempts to avoid the Nazis and remains in quiet hiding until her family is brutally slain, causing her to join up with a resistance movement. On a subsequent undercover mission, Rachel crosses paths with a smitten German general named Ludwig Muntze (Sebastian Koch), with whom Rachel begins a relationship in order to feed vital information back to her colleagues in the resistance. But as the action and bloodshed escalate, Rachel realizes that she has genuine feelings for Muntze, and soon she is in enormous danger. Verhoeven's film is wildly ambitious and takes many intriguing twists and turns during its 145 minutes. BLACK BOOK commanded the largest budget of any film to be produced in Holland, and it shows. Explosions litter the screen, plenty of car chases ensue, and wince-inducing injuries and deaths propel the action. The director isn't afraid to criticize his fellow countrymen and inserts a fascinating subtext about the actions of the resistance fighters, asking some uncomfortable questions about the similarities between their behavior and that of the Nazis. Van Houten lights up the screen throughout and is surely destined for bigger things, and while the tumultuous experiences her character undergoes might push the boundaries of reality at times, Verhoeven has pointed out in interviews that Rachel is a composite character who encompasses the merged experiences of many real people from the era

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Impressions that I Get: Looks like I've decided to leave the States once again to check out "Black Book" from Holland. At first glance this movie looks like a typical Hollywood-esque WW2 escapade filled with explosions, sex, and Nazis. Even Verhoeven's directing credits look slightly sketchy as he has done such "masterpieces" as Starship Troopers and Robocop. However, I can say I was pleasantly suprised at how good the acting is and how well the intricate plot played out. Verhoeven seems to be on a mission to show that the Nazis vs the Dutch Resistance was not a simple good against evil match. Many times the main general of the Gesptapo seems to be more admirable than the vengeful Dutchmen. Each character is delightfully complex, especially Rachel Stein who is played brilliantly by Carice Van Houten. She is on a mission to save more innocent Jews from being murdered after her family was killed in a shooting early in the film. Van Houten is perfect for this role as she is daring, clever, and incredibly sexy as Miss Stein.

The plot twists and turns like a snake, sometimes making the movie feel just a little bit too preposterous. Overall though, I was taken into the terrifying atmosphere of Holland under Nazi rule and the concept that you could trust no one. The problem with many WW2 films is that they collapse under their own attempts at greatness (Pearl Harbor for example). However, Black Book just trys to show the life and miserys of one small group of Dutchmen, Gestapo, and Rachel Stein. This small scope allows for an intimacy to be created between the audience and the band of characters. There are not a million extras, but rather a few crucial characters that are actually worth caring about. This, perhaps, is the key to why Black Book stands out in the genre.

Although Black Book is rather cumbersome in its length (2 hr, 20 min), it still manages to keep the audience paying attention. Sometimes it felt contrived, as if the only reason I was watching was to wait for the next twist to arrive out of the blue. On the most part though, the film feels very natural and goes for a different perspective on the Dutch Resistance. I admire Verhoeven for admiting that his countrymen had their faults during the war, as most directors would prefer to do the cliche Patriotism (cough, a vast majority of American war movies, cough). This sort of daring and ambition seems unexpected from Verhoeven, but he really does a fine job of showing all of the angles of war- AT

Acting (8.5/10) -Van Houten steals the show

Plot- (7.5/10) - Good, but felt contrived at points

Cinematography- (7/10)- Solid, but nothing to write home about

Originality- (8.5/10)- Gotta love the daring Verhoeven has

My Grade: B

Quick Shout Out to Some Foreign Films

Wait, so America isn't the only place where movies are made?

Yes it is true. Last week's reviewing of the Irish film "Once" made me want to throw some quick mentions to some great foriegn movies I've seen recently...

Persepolis(2007/France)- A French film based off of the award winning biographical graphic novels of Marjane Satripi. Tells the emotional coming of age story of a young girl growing up in Iran during the revolution of the 1970's. Depicts the desecent into theocracy and the warfare that Iran is known for today. Artisically stunning, great characters, and will leave you with a far better understanding of the Middle East (Yes, they are normal people who have had to live under horrendous governments over the last several decades). Grade: A-

Good Bye, Lenin!(2004/Germany)- This movie tells of the great culture clash that occurs after the re-unification of Germany through a somewhat comedic styling. A young man's mother goes into a coma during the era of socialist Germany, but wakes up after 1989. If she is told any shocking news, she might die. So, the plot is created that she must be made to believe that she is still living in East Germany when the country is anything but. There is also a more intense story about the seperation of the family and the difference of ideals between the divided country going on as well. Overall, another fantastic film and will garner a new found appreciation for the difficulties that Germans have had to go through since WWII. Grade: B+-

The Lives of Others (2006/Germany)- Yet another movie based around German reunification era, but who can blame the filmmakers, this is perhaps the most fascinating time of an entire generation. This is a much more serious film that revolves around an East German intelligence officer who is sent to spy on a potentially anti-socialist party actress/playwright couple. It is purposefully slow at points, as it truly allows the viewer to see as the viewpoints of the spy change as he realizes how much of his humanity he is losing in this communist country. The spy, without the couple's knowledge, becomes very emotionally connected to their lives and begins to see all the faults in the corrupt ridden intelligence minister who is his superior. Fantastic acting and a poignant storyline really lift this drama up into the peaks of storytelling. Grade: A-

Pan's Labyrinth (2006/Spain)- Guillermo del Toro is an excellent director with a flair for fantasy that exceeds many of his contemporaries. A fairy tale that is anything but cheery takes place during the equally gruesome time of the Spanish Civil War. Ofeila lives in a Facist military camp, but soon discovers a imaginary world in which she must confront her greatest fears to complete three tasks. As her Facist uncle begins to get even more violent, so does the enemies that Ofeila must face. This is dark fantasy at its best and has one of the greatest/most original art designs ever seen in modern film. While it wasn't perfect, it was certainly one of the more exciting films of the year. Grade: B+

Some Other Foriegn films that are on my to-see list: A Christmas Tale (France), Slumdog Millinoaire (India), Run Lola Run (Germany), and the Counterfieters (Germany).

Movie Review: Once

Once (2007)

Directed by: John Carney

Synopsis (Rotten Tomatoes):The Irish romance ONCE may be a musical, but it is miles away from the traditional Hollywood idea of people bursting into song. Glen Hansard (frontman for indie rock band The Frames) plays the guy, a street musician who is playing for change when he meets the girl (Marketa Irglova), an immigrant from the Czech Republic. The pair immediately bond over their shared love of music (he is a guitarist, and she plays the piano), and the film chronicles their tentative relationship. Both are weighed down by plenty of baggage: his songs are fueled by a painful breakup, and she is a young mother who left her husband behind in her native country. Like the independent favorite BEFORE SUNRISE, ONCE is a simple, sweet drama that doesn't rely on an elaborate plot. With its use of digital video and handheld cameras, ONCE matches its spare visual style to its intimate mood. Each moment feels stolen from real life, and the story is at once familiar and fresh. Driven more by music than by dialogue, ONCE features a stirring soundtrack of heartfelt indie rock sung by Hansard and Irglova. Before his foray into film, director John Carney (ON THE EDGE) played bass in The Frames, and his passion for music is clear in this modern musical that hits every note perfectly.

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Impressions that I Get: Just as the beautiful song "Falling Slowly" is comprised of a few simple chords in C Major and a basic melody, this movie is nothing fancy, but connects on love and music in a way that the multi million dollar Hollywood flicks never could. On the music front, this film really shines with exceptional original songwriting from Glen Hasard and Marketa Irglova. The fact that these are real musicians playing their own songs adds an excellent step up from the lip syncing and fake guitar playing that occurs in way too many movies. Although this movie could technically be considered a "musical", it plays out so naturally that you never get that sense of "random burst into show stopping song" that occurs in almost every musical. The music is the plot of the story to put it simply, not the other way around.

The other strong aspect of this movie was the portrayal of love. To be frank, it's so rare to see a film that can show, not just tell, that love is not about the number of passionate kiss/sex scenes. The point of "Once" may very well be that love is about connection(emotional, not physical) and, in this case, the music is what comes out of the connection between the man and the woman. (Quick sidenote: The characters never recieve names in the film, this adds to a universal appeal). It was a big step forward in the endless topic of "Love in movies" and I hope other directors take Carney's advice by turning down the pointless sex and turning up the deep connections that bring two people together.

"Once" really has nothing to point out that is clearly bad, this fact might have been one of the many reasons that garnered it a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a few Oscars. The film is concise and simple, but don't let that fool you into thinking that this is just two people singing love odes to each other. It goes above and beyond what is typically expected and leaves the audience wondering why movies that cost 10 times as much have 10 times less impact. The reason might be that Hollywood is forgetting that all you need for a movie, at its base, is some characters and a message. That's all "Once" used and boy did it sing sweet..-AT

Acting (7/10)

Plot (7/10)

Cinematography (8/10)

Originality (9.5/10)

My Grade: A

synecdoche. wow

"There are no extras in life, everbody is the lead actor in their own life story"

Alright, I won't even bother doing a conventional review for the recent Charlie Kaufman film Synecdoche New York. Even generalizing enough to call this movie a "movie" is an insult to breathtaking vision of Kaufman in a story where there is no certain reality except the fact that we are all moving slowly toward our death, trying to make the most of our time. Nothing I write here is going to do this film justice except my plea for you to go see it yourself. Frankly, I left the theater with my jaw loose and with more questions that I have ever had after watching a movie, and at a complete loss for a reasonable explanation of what just transpired over the last two hours. Yet, I still mantained the notion that something incredible had just happened. This movie is meant to be experienced, not read about. Be wary to approach this with an open mind as it is probably unlike anything you have ever seen before or will see again. Sometimes I feel like the closer one is to death or loss, the more real and honest the art becomes becuase you realize that you may never have the chance to think or speak again. This movie is art. -AT

Review from the Vault: American Beauty

(Review from the Vault)

American Beauty (1999)

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Synopsis (Rotten Tomatoes): AMERICAN BEAUTY tells the story of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a suburban father who snaps when he becomes disgusted with his stale, repetitive existence. Burnham lets us know in voice-over from the film's opening that this is the day he dies (using the SUNSET BOULEVARD flashback approach), a technique that adds an inevitable tension to the proceedings and keeps the story moving forward at all times. On a whim, Lester quits his job and begins a regression into young adulthood, lifting weights, smoking pot, doing nothing, and discovering the overflowing sexuality of his 16-year-old daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). His wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening), has her own midlife crisis of sorts. A real estate agent, she experiences a youthful awakening when super-agent Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher) seduces her repeatedly. Meanwhile, Jane (Thora Birch), the Burnhams' daughter, is pursued by Ricky (Wes Bentley), the mysterious boy next door who carries a video camera around with him at all times. When Ricky's militaristic father, Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper), discovers something potentially horrifying on one of his tapes, and when Carolyn's rage for Lester's actions boils over, the time bomb finally explodes.

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Impressions that I Get: There are just not enough words to do this film justice, in my opinion. I was locked in to the purely authentic aura of Lester Burnam's suburban America from start to finish of this movie, something which does not happen all of the time. The story might be built on some generalizations, but never did I feel as if there was anything cliche or predictable about the way the film played out. Sam Mendes wasn't trying to be swave or prophetic as he made this, he was simply trying to capture what it meant to be alive for a few, very insignificant people that appeared to be average on the surface, but contains layers upon layers of complexities that were slowly revealed as the movie went along. The acting was stellar with especially standout performances from Kevin Spacey and Chris Cooper (the racist and harsh former army colonel), characters that seem to directly contrast in a subtle, but poignant manner. The style in which "beauty" is presented is so stunning and fresh that the whole point of the movie may very well be that to be simply alive is to be surrounded by beauty. There is a film clip of a paper bag "dancing" in the wind inside the movie and the way it was presented struck me as being one of the best scences in a movie I had ever seen. On top of that, the ending monolouge by Burnam (Spacey) is perhaps one of the best monolouges I have ever heard in a movie either. But watch it for yourself and take away what you will. As stated, my words hardly capture the excellence of this movie and I would politely reccommend that you go out and see this movie sometime soon if you already haven't. The Oscars don't get it right all of the time, but they really nailed it when this won Best Picture. -AT

Acting (9.5/10)

Plot (8/10)

Cinematography (9/10)

Originality (9/10)

My Grade: A (But it's close to getting an A+)

Review: Rocket Science

Rocket Science (2007)

Directed by: Jeffrey Blitz

Synopsis (Rotten Tomatoes): Jeffrey Blitz (2002's SPELLBOUND) directs this comedy that follows in the footsteps of teen outsider indies such DONNIE DARKO, THUMBSUCKER, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, and RUSHMORE. Set in New Jersey, the film follows Hal Hefner (impressive... Jeffrey Blitz (2002's SPELLBOUND) directs this comedy that follows in the footsteps of teen outsider indies such DONNIE DARKO, THUMBSUCKER, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, and RUSHMORE. Set in New Jersey, the film follows Hal Hefner (impressive newcomer Reese Thompson) in his attempts to go through high school unnoticed. This is made considerably harder by his obvious stutter and inability to verbalize even the most basic statements, not to mention his thoughts and feelings. Bringing him no help are his strange and abusive older brother Earl (Vincent Piazza), his recently divorced parents, his mother's live-in boyfriend, and his school's inadequate speech therapist. When the school's bossy, attractive debate champion Ginny Ryerson (Anna Kendrick) tries to recruit Hal as her debating partner, good sense tells him no but his hormones cry yes, and soon Hal finds himself confronted with growing feelings for Ginny as well as the looming humiliation of having to compete in the state finals. ROCKET SCIENCE features a good cast of relative unknowns, who with the help of a solid script, convey the pangs of adolescent angst and the awkwardness of high school. The film treads familiar territory but does so well, sticking to the story and not getting too caught up in style. The film's soundtrack, which features songs from Clem Snide frontman Eef Barzelay, perfectly matches its indie pedigree.

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Impressions that I Get: Although this film didn't have the name Wes Anderson attached to it, there is no doubt that Jeffrey Blitz had the quirky indie director in the back of his mind somewhere while making Rocket Science. The film thrives on its own hipness in which the poetic narration that plays throughout the movie seems as if it were taken from a coffee house philosophy disscussion, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Even the classic themes of high school disillustionment, failed teenage love, and divorce all appear in one way or another throughout the movie. The only shortcoming that I feel Rocket Science has is that it doesn't bring a ton of new ideas to a genre that is based in creativity and uniqueness. However, this film really did capture the spirit of what it meant to be Hal Hafner thanks to a stellar acting job by Reese Thompson. The trademark stutter was not just captured in the voice, but in the scared and shy way that Hefner lived his life. The more the movie went on, the more connected I felt to the character of Hal, his sorrows became the audience's sorrows and vice versa. The other standout part of this movie to me was the fantastic score that matched acoustic instruments with frantic rhythms, yet overall added a very complete feature to the movie that matched the bizzare scenarios it often was accompanying.

While this movie may have had a few shortcomings, the script was very well written and captured the contrast between the fact spewing, million words a minute debater Ginny and poor, stumbling Hal Hefner beautifully. Regardless of who you relate to more, one cannot deny that Rocket Science made you feel a little more empathy for the little guy whom we all have seen, but never heard. -AT

Acting (9/10)

Plot (7.5/10)

Cinematography (7/10)

Originality (7/10)

My Grade: B+- (yes, that is indeed a b plus minus, that oft forgotten grade that falls between the B and the B+)