Man of Flowers **** and oldie but goodie
I first viewed this film in 1983, and later enjoyed it again on cable tv. It is a complex story, and one that stayed in my memory for all these years. Now that the internet is so searchable...and films are re-released on DVD, I found an opportunity to view it again.
Norman Kaye won a "Best Actor" award from the AFI (Australian Film Institute) for his role as Charles, the solitary bachelor who satisfies his sensual needs with beautiful things; art, music, and his 'little flower,' an artist's model who comes to his home on Wednesday afternoons to strip to the Donizetti's love duet. Her boyfriend is an abusive man, a self proclaimed "artist" who will threaten Charles' beautiful world. It's an uncommon story with rich cinematography that explores Charles' life past and present, seeming as vulnerable as a flower himself at times. It is a memorable thoughtful film, worth a look. You may still be thinking about it 2028!
War of the Worlds**** ... summer has arrived!
Tom Cruise has definitely lost a few points with me lately with all of his "anti-psychiatry" rhetoric, but I wasn't going to let that stand in the way of seeing this new Steven Spielberg flick. I like Sci-fi, and it has been rather slim pickings in recent years. (sorry, I only considered the first 2 episodes of "star wars" sci-fi; the rest seemed "same plot, different planet" and I didn't bother with the last 2, or is it now the 2nd and 3rd?) Anyway, it's 85 degrees today here in Maine and with 95% humidity, it's a very easy sell to pay $6.50 to sit inside an air conditioned theatre for 2 hours and see the premier of "War of the Worlds."
We all know the story, Orson Wells reading it on the radio, later a Hollywood film that depicts aliens coming to earth. Ironically the previews for another film at this theatre, "New World" that will open later this year, has a scene with the native Americans watching as the European masted ships arrive, the first 'alien' invasion. This "War of the Worlds" is a new story. We see it from the perspective of Cruise, a divorced parent whose 10yr old daughter and 16yr old son are staying with him for the 4th of July weekend. Their mother has remarried and it is clear the kids have a better relationship with their stepdad. Cruise is a longshoreman, a master at his craft, but a miserable failure as a parent. His apartment is less than tidy, there's a motor in the middle of the kitchen, his refridgerator is empty.
We don't have to wait long for the invasion and literally 'all hell breaks loose.' We spend the next 90 minutes gripping our chairs, wondering how or if humankind will survive annihilation. The special effects are nothing short of stunning, but are only the backdrop for the human drama, not the film. Will this end with the earth becoming a July 4th charcoal briquette? Or will America once again save the world? You will have to see for yourself, I was entertained from beginning to end. The "Blockbuster" we have all been waiting for has arrived, now summer can begin.
(visit their awesome website
War of the Worlds for preview and images.)
Cruise satire and commentary:
"Farewell Earthlings" "Give me back the old Tom Cruise"
The Woodsman ***
The title refers to the "woodsman" that slices open the wolf's belly to find little red riding hood and her grandmother alive and well inside. It is too small of a clue to what this film is about, but Kevin Bacon and a "2 thumbs up" recommendation were enough to pull it off the video store shelf.
Bacon's role is Walter, a sex offender released from prison after serving a 12 year sentence. Incest and the sexual exploitation of children is a social problem we can't seem to solve, and a feature length film about a perpetrator is not what we would seek as entertainment. This film is different. It gives us an opportunity to see the bigger picture as Walter tries to deal with his problem and asks "will I ever be normal?" We see his struggle and wonder if he will beat the odds he knows are against him, as he tells a female co-worker (played by his wife in real life Kyra Sedgwick) who has taken an interest in him. This film isn't overly emotional, the writing is spot on, and well worth the 87 minute running time. You may find you understand his problem a bit more than you do now.
Film rating code:
1 star - can't recommend this
2 stars - something to pass time
3 stars - better than most
4 stars - don't miss this one!
