“MATCH POINT” (2005), “CASSANDRA’S DREAM” (2007) & “VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA” (2008) Written and Directed by Woody Allen
For most average, every day film-goers, I am feeling fairly certain that the consistent output of Woody Allen barely registers. Yes, he has been quietly and prolifically toiling away for over 40 years now, delivering his film every year to year and a half, detailing the sometimes humorous, sometimes nihilistic, sometimes co joined trials and tribulations that exist as part of our human condition and all located in his beloved New York City. With an output as frequent as his, there is bound to be some element of wheat and chaff. For me, he was on a staggeringly high artistic roll during the 1990s when his films included “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Husbands and Wives,” “Manhattan Murder Mystery,” Sweet and Lowdown,” “Everyone Says I Love You,” “Deconstructing Harry,” and the darkly prophetic “Celebrity.” As the new decade began, Allen seemed uninspired, which showed in his work but then, he did something wonderful. Allen traveled to Europe, became creatively rejuvenated and produced films that stand up to the very best of his past material.
In the London set films of “Match Point” and “Casandra’s Dream,” Allen provides us with two grim thrillers which not only delve into our worst murderous impulses and deceptions but also the daily issues of class struggles, the cosmic issues of fate vs. luck and the question of whether we can ever truly “get away with it.” Both films could be companion pieces to Allen’s brilliant “Crimes and Misdemeanors” (1989) to perhaps form a “Crime and Punishment” trilogy. It is a troubled night of the soul for many of the characters in both films and they all boast striking performances from Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in the former as well as Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell and Tom Wilkinson in the latter.
The greatest Allen joy I had during this decade was with the transcendent “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” Allen’s very best film in many, many years. It was a romantic comedy that puts nearly all current romantic comedies to shame with evocative performances, gorgeous locales that inspire travel and of course, Allen’s peerless, literate writing. Watching the best of Woody Allen’s work is like being in the presence of a visual novel. I hope that he continues to give us high quality work within this new decade.
THE FILMS OF PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS
There have been few films to provide me with higher cinematic joy than the animated gold that has been emerging from the talented writers, directors and animators from Pixar over the past decade. What makes them so brilliant is that they have never treated their primary audience of children as commodities by simply serving them disposable material that solely appeals to their lowest common denominators. These people are making films for the ages by telling stories they would want to hear themselves with high style, great humor and a stunning level of profundity.
The hilarious "Monsters Inc." (2001) also functioned as a lovely Father/daughter or Parent/Child story. "Finding Nemo" (2003), was a film that could have been just a stunning film to solely watch as the underwater world was breathtakingly visualized. Luckily, we were provided with a decidedly intense story and dialogue that matched the visuals (unlike this year's "Avatar") and delved deeply into parental fears. "The Incredibles "(2004), written and directed by the visionary Brad Bird gave Pixar a bold step forward with its first PG rated film that not only owed much of its concept of retired superheroes to the still influential "Watchmen" but also told a story of a man falling heavily into a midlife crisis.
"Ratatouille" (2007) also from Bird, "Wall-E" (2008) and this year's "Up," continued to raise the bar for American animation as the filmmakers have continued to challenge themselves as well as their audiences by giving them material to grow with. Who would've thought that dissertations on the nature of art, dystopian future visions and heartfelt explorations of mortality would provide terrific children's entertainment? That is the true magic of Pixar. not simply making great films for children but great films for all of us. Even the decidedly minor stumble of "Cars" (2006) stands taller than most films in the multiplex.
THE FILMS OF MICHAEL MOORE
A controversial pick for a controversial filmmaker. I did debate adding these films to this section due to a certain lack of re-watchability as his films are very rooted in their times. Yet, perhaps that is the very reason to add him because, if someone were to open a Time Capsule full of movies from this period, then "Bowling For Columbine" (2002), "Fahrenheit 9/11" (2004), "Sicko" (2007), and this year's "Capitalism: A Love Story" defiantly represent a particular perspective of what is has been like to live in the USA at this point in the world's history. Regardless of whether you agree or debate his politics and ideas, Moore is also a searingly accomplished filmmaker. I really do not think of him as a documentarian. I believe that Michael Moore has created a collection of passionate visual editorials and they should be taken as such. But cinematically, he has created his own theatrical language as he has changed the face and appeal of non-fiction films. His style, for better or for worse, is unmistakably his own and I am damn glad here is here to provide his take on the state of the country and world at large.
"DAVE CHAPPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY" (2007) Directed by Michel Gondry
This film just barely missed the final 25 and what a film it is, as I can recall the sheer euphoria I felt as I left the theater. This film was a masterful achievement that transcended just being a "concert film" as it was an endless celebration of community, with messages of self-affirmation for the African-American community in particular. In this film, everyone is a star, from the performers (which included Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, The Roots as house band and a reunited Fugees) to all members of the audience, to the high school marching band, to the neighborhood dwellers, inhabitants and workers who allowed for the party and ultimate filming of the party to occur in the first place. It showed how much could be accomplished when we all pitch in and work together.
For Chappelle, this was a grand public statement as it was made in between two pivotal moments in his life and career. Chappelle had just walked away from a 50 million dollar deal with Comedy Central to continue his comedy program and he was about to make his much discussed pilgrimage to Africa and this film seemed to be a sort of self-atonement as it was a desire to have an event that anyone could be a part of. It may have sprung from his mind but it was designed and ultimate creation was made by all parties involved. Lovingly captured and presented by Director Michael Gondry, who made one more surprisingly effective ode to community and neighborhood love with the under seen "Be Kind Rewind" (2008), "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" was one of the most joyous films I saw over the last ten years.
"SPIDER-MAN 2" (2002) Directed by Sam Raimi
Another film that was just shy of making the top 25. In the previous Time Capsule section, I named M. Night Shyamalan's "Unbreakable" as one of the three best comic book movies of the decade. Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 2" is another one of those three films. I think this entire series is a testament to how difficult movies of this sort are to pull off successfully--even when all of them are coming from the same artistic force, in this case the aforementioned Mr. Raimi. I was unimpressed with "Spider-Man" (2002), as I felt it was about half of a good movie. It has a strong beginning but then, it just settled into the standard summer movie nonsense. The girl screams. Things explode. Yawn. "Spider-Man 3" (2007) was an unfortunate bloated mess, where bigger is not better. It fell under the weight of having just too much of absolutely everything. "Spider-Man 2" was the one where it all fell into place seamlessly, brilliantly and beautifully, making it the best film of its kind since "Superman 2" back in 1981. Everything carried equal weight in this film and nothing felt superfluous. And the love story between Peter Parker and Mary Jane was surprising in its honestly and deep emotion. It provided the film with its proudly and loudly beating heart.
The final list of Honorable Mentions will be revealed soon...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment