Hey folks, Harry here... sounds like UNDERWORLD is underperforming a bit. Meanwhile it seems Joel Schumacher is making another really solid film, this time with the impossibly talented Cate Blanchett. And apparently - VIBRATOR isn't a 50 minute Andy Warhol-esque lockdown shot of a woman's face as she uses one... darn it. However, if you want to see Andy Warhol's BLOWJOB - it'll be playing at the Alamo Drafthouse in about a weak!
Today I saw a mixed bag of stuff for variety. Security this year seems tighter than normal ;)
Film Fest Day 4
UNDERWORLD
Underworld is the latest goth action film that stars Kate Beckensale. Underworld is the story of how vampires and werewolves have been fighting for many hundreds of years and how the leader of vampires betrays his kind. We follow the trail of betray through the eyes of Selene who is a loner and one of the best werewolf hunters there are. When she saves a man who was being hunted by werewolves Selene becomes attracted to him. This creates friction between her and the leader of the secretive vampire clan led by Lucian. Things get worse when the man she saves becomes a werewolf.
This film had potental based on the trailer to be a cult classic. It has a dark theme and a "matrix" like feel. Unfortunately, this film falls flat because the writing is weak and the action is flat. Most the of fight scenes seem stolen from either a John Woo film or the Matrix or even the Blade series. The direction is so-so and has a b-movie feel to it. The look of the film is so dark at times it's hard to see the characters. The leads Beckensale and Scott Speedman try their best with the material given to them but fail. If your exepectations are for this to be a "B" film you wont' be disappointed but if you are expecting another Matrix style goth film you will be disappointed.
6/10
INTERVIEW
Interview is Theo Van Gogh's latest film which is about a political reporter who has to interview a popular soap opera star. From the start the two don't get along because she doesn't want to do the interview and he knows nothing about what she does. As the film progresses the two exchange often in arguementative tone their points of view. They soon start to become friendlier with each other and eventually share their most prized secret with startling results.
This film seems to be mostly improvisational. The two leads seem to lean on each other a lot to get through the movie. It is shot on a very small scale and takes place in one location. It has lots of potenial but fails to follow through. The leads try their best with what they are given but fail to produce much chemistry or excitement. The plot twist at the end is interesting but seems to be the most interesting part of this movie. If someone gave it a serious rewrite it could work on more levels. This movie has subtitles.
7/10
VERONICA GUERIN
Veronica Guerin is the latest from filmmake Joel Schmacher about famous Irish journalist. It tells the story of how Veronica balances her family life with trying to get the big story of drug dealers and users in Ireland. She has a connection in "The Coach" who gives her a couple of scoops but as she gets closer her family and life are theatened. Finally, after getting enough evidence to bring to police she is killed by the mob boss Veronica has evidence on.
Schumacher has another hit on his hands. This film has great direction and visuals. His visual style draws the viewer in and refuses to let go. We follow Veronica (Blanchett) on her search for the story and along the way we learn all about her earlier work and her family life. Blanchett is great at Guerin in that she makes you want to cheer for her to beat the odds. When she is beaten by the mobsters we also see her vunerabilty and her strength. The movie does end on a sad note but the journey to the end makes watching it worth while. I could see this being a forerunner in the awards season.
9/10
VIBRATOR
Vibrator is a Japanese film that kind of misleading. At first glance based on the title, it would assume the movie would be about the sex toy but it isn't. It's a multlayered movie that is slow paced but represents the journey one of the charcters make. We meet the heroine, Rei, who is 31, lonely and unmarried. She journeys to the corner store to get some wine and other food. She catches the eye of a young man who is a truck driver. Rei follows the driver back to his truck where they get drunk and have sex. The next morning she decides to travel with the man to his nearby cities to make his deliveries. Along the way they share their stories and pain and histories.
This film shows a different side of Japanese culture. Instead of the typical scenes we actually see the more "underground" lifestyle of Japanese people. We see the nice countryside along this journey as well. The direction is very realty-tv like and is quite plain. The two leads are quite good though they seem to be acting parts that may be close to their real lives. There is some nudity in this film and subtitles in this film.
7/10
SHOGO
