For all of you who’ve attempted the festival experience know first hand how important it sometimes is to finish a long day with a great film – it makes you want to repeat the horror of watching 5 more films the day after. Alan Balls’ Nothing Is Private (now property of Warner Independent Pictures) makes me want to push until this coming Friday for more movie magic. It’s also the type of film that will find a lot of haters but for twisted folks like moi – there was plenty to appreciate in this directorial debut.
The day began with a film I’ve been waiting for the better part of the past year – Todd Haynes’ I'm Not There – an original piece of filmmaking worthy of one more viewing and some Dylan text researching. Some parts lost me perhaps I'm not familiar enough with the Dylan discography, but for the most part it kept me interested. Visually the film is a trip, but 1996's Safe is still my favorite film of his. Review coming soon.
The Weinstein Co. property, there is not much in store for Death Defying Acts – a dull, paltry, family-friendly account of the famed magician offers not much when compared to the steamy stuff in The Illusionist or the bag of tricks from The Prestige.
When making my top 5 list I’ll be overlooking this film, but Ira Sach’s Married Life is a solid ensemble piece for adult crowds especially those who love the mystery slash humor found in old Hitchcock films. Note: after a co-writing credit in I’m not There, Oren Moverman is also the co-writer on this project.
The only good coming from this period set gangster piece is actress Shu Qi. But even she gets tiring. Blood Brother is damaged goods in the story department – hard to believe that common folk turn into gangster with the flick of a dime.
Remember the name and face below. Summer Bishil is a real find and Six Feet Under player Peter Macdissi does a great job at playing a demented father. In this nasty, mean-spirited film that contains plenty of morsels from American Beauty. Run time is a bit long, but for the most part this will qualify as one of my top films seen at the fest. Oh..and Aaron Eckhart plays another great creep. Can’t wait to write my review for Nothing Is Private.
