Beasts of the Southern Wild

Deb 10    Me 10

Never heard of it, knew nothing about it, totally dug it. The worst part of it is the title, and it was based on a play with an even worse name. I don't know what to think about that, but its a great movie. In my zeal to not give anything away I often don't say anything about the actual movie (the sign of a great movie review), and I'll try not to spoil anything here. 

A couple years ago there was a slew of movies that starred children, this has a young lady as the central character who is absolutely beautiful, skin like a copper kettle. It reminds a bit of "Tree of Life", but a bit more focused, less ethereal. There were a couple metaphors here that didn't quite work, but incidental. 

There's a lot of hand held camera work, some weird focus situations and POV shots that gives you the feeling being there. I didn't feel like I was watching a movie as much as I was somehow involved with the action. There's no Hollywood names here but the acting is superior, like "Rabbit Proof Fence", you just feel like you're watching it unfold before your eyes. Good music, interesting people and a good story. But the story telling is what grabbed me, I was totally sucked in and each new unpredictable scene brought more interest. We were both blown away by this little sleeper.

spoiler: Until the end of the movie I wasn't sure where this thing took place, it was right here in an ignored part of our own backyard. Still, there was something uniquely American in their staunch independence, ability to create their own culture in an unfriendly environment and reliance on booze. It really felt like the old microcosm.

Searching for Sugar Man

Deb 10      Me 10

I read about this in a magazine and it looked pretty great. It is. The slight problem for me was that I read about it in a magazine, so I knew what was going on. The film is designed in a way that assumes you know nothing and they slowly reveal the story to you. It sucks when you know the punch line so I won't wreck it for you. I can't really review it either (I guess I never really do) but I'll suggest you watch it if you like documentaries about people who affect a positive change in one way or another. There's been a few of these lately, Marley, Saint Misbehaivin', Ai Weiwei, they're outstanding and out there and this is among the best of them, kicking ass in both in film making and offering a unique story. Some of the people interviewed are among the most articulate people I've seen in any documentary; and they're construction workers and bricklayers.

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry

Deb 8     Me 9

Here's a straightforward documentary about a Chinese artist/political activist. The film concentrates mostly on Ai Weiwei's political side but offers an intro to his art, and his art rocks. As an activist I am amazed. Amazed he gets away with as much as he does in light of others who have suffered under the fucked-up Chinese government. This is a pretty riveting story, well told with lots of interviews with the artist and his family. We have a real behind the scenes you are there footage with the feeling of complete access. I did get the feeling that this is a fairly biased piece, that there is some artistic support from the Chinese government and they allow him a longer leash because of the prestige that he brings the country. One of his jobs was creating the"birdsnest" for the '08 Olympics. This is a very interesting story and I'm happy to have some insights to this creative and dynamic character.