Childhood Innocence In Wartime - FORBIDDEN GAMES

FORBIDDEN GAMES (JEUX INTERDITS)

1952 - 86 minutes - Drama/War
Director: René Clément
Country: France
IMDB: 7.9

The unique storybook opening of Forbidden Games

Metacritic: N/A
RT: 100%

CinemaChagrin's Rating: A-

Watch this movie if you enjoy: 

• Realistic depictions of children
• Themes concerning mortality
• Excellent child actors
• WWII films

Avoid this movie if you dislike:

• Tragic films
• Macabre actions performed by children
• French-language films

French films seem to have a penchant for realistic and convincing depictions of children. From  François Truffaut's The 400 Blows to Louis Malle's Au Revoir Les Enfants,  French directors have crafted many nuanced and accurate films focused on children.  Forbidden Games, René Clément's controversial 1952 WWII film, is no exception.

The film opens with an incredibly heartbreaking sequence. Frenzied Parisians are fleeing the city to escape the Nazi invasion of June 1940; the roads are clogged with refugees. Five-year old Paulette (Brigitte Fossey) loses both of her parents and her pet dog in a German air raid on the refugee column. She stumbles off of the road in a dazed stupor, wandering through the neighboring fields and farms with the body of her pet before encountering a young farmboy named Michel (Georges Poujouly). He instantly takes a liking to her and convinces his family to take her in. They soon develop a strange friendship of sorts as they become obsessed with death and create a fantasy world together in the midst of the horrors of the Second World War.

Michel (Poujouly) and Paulette (Fossey)

Clément's austere direction ensures that the film's primary focus remains on the two child leads, who put forth absolutely magnificent and natural performances. Fossey is perfect as the traumatized survivor of a wartime attack who cannot comprehend the death of her entire family, while Poujouly captures pre-adolescence daring quite convincingly. Their bond appears sincere and steadfast despite their differences. Michel does anything and everything to please and protect Paulette, despite the questionable nature of some of his actions and Paulette's temperamental nature. Paulette views Michel as her guardian, and displays both the childlike innocence and lack of conscience characteristic of five-year olds.

Though the duo takes up sizable portion of screen time, the supporting cast (consisting mainly of Michel's family and some neighboring farmers) are excellent as well. Strangely enough, the film contains elements of dark humor that are effectively juxtaposed with the macabre actions of the children and general wartime atmosphere. A vicious rivalry between two neighboring farm families serves as a backdrop to the relationship between Michel and Paulette, placing their actions in a larger human context.

Fascination with death is a major theme of Forbidden Games

Of final note is the film's score, which consists entirely of haunting classical guitar which plays whenever Michel and Paulette appear together. Composed by Narciso Yepes, the main melody exudes tragedy and sadness, perfectly mirroring the events unfolding onscreen, including the film's unflinchingly brutal denouement. The soundtrack is actually more well-known than the film itself, judging by the countless number of various covers and recordings of it produced over the years.

Forbidden Games provides an enthralling and realistic look at how children can cope with death. It features two wonderful child actors, a poignant and moving score, and an absolutely tragic plot. Fans of escapist cinema will find no refuge here; however, those who value realism and mature themes in the movies can truly appreciate this wonderful piece of filmmaking.

-CC

Check out this gorgeous rendition of the guitar theme of Forbidden Games:

Blood, Brutality, and Brilliance - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

2007 - 122 minutes - Crime/Drama

Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen 

Art by Zed187 at zed187.deviantart.com 

Country: United States

IMDB: 8.2 

Metacritic: 91
RT: 94%

EpicEnthusiast's Rating: 9/10

Watch this movie if you enjoy:

• great filmmaking 

• suspense

• the Coen brothers 

• Woody Harrelson 

Avoid this movie if you dislike: 

• violence/blood

• potentially disturbing sequences 

• southern accents 

• seriousness 

In the Coen Brothers' 2007 crime saga No Country for Old Men, we follow a west Texan hunter who comes across a drug deal in the form of a blood bath. He discovers the drugs, bodies, and most importantly, millions in cash. When he decides to take that cash, violent outbreaks, relentless pursuits, and abashed accusations unfold.  

Josh Brolin plays the hunter, Llewelyn Moss, whose two primary pursuers are a ruthless killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) and a local sheriff nearing retirement, Ed Tom Bell. (Tommy Lee Jones) Both eventually investigate the crime scene, and both are interested in finding Moss, just for two very different reasons. As Chigurh's quest turns violent, Bell's case becomes more and more complex. He must battle his innate enforcement of the law with an internal feeling of question regarding his current state of life. He can't explain the killer he is chasing, and always feels a step behind. A cat and mouse chase in expert form, that molds three contrasting characters into one captivating trio. 

As a whole, No Country for Old Men is a marvelous film, but three aspects truly stand out: 

1. Anton Cigurh - In an absolute dynamite role, Javier Bardem depicts one of the most powerful villains ever put on screen. A deep, eerie voice, a dead, blank stare, and a trembling mystique make for a totally frightening killer. He flips a coin to decide life and death. He sheds blood without any thought. He uses weapons that are both unorthodox, and vicious. His confrontations are chilling, and his counterparts are always seeping with fear. A well deserved Oscar win from Bardem. 

2. The script - As the Coen brothers often do, they wrote the screenplay together, along with novelist Cormac McCarthy. The words they use often symbolize something greater; They force you to think about what you've heard. The dialogue is sharp, intelligent, and fitting to the Texan land. The characters speak in a way that is both natural and enthralling. It is a rare film in that it features no music. There is no soundtrack to couple intense scenes, or move the story along. That is all up to the characters. Their interactions make the movie and demand investment from the viewer. 

3. The atmosphere - Real life sets often make a big difference in films. No Country for Old Men is no exception. Filmed near location in Sante Fe, New Mexico, the overall vibe from the movie is rural and lonely. The area is not only scenic, but also crucial to the plot. A story of this nature couldn't possibly take place in a city, and the atmosphere plays a huge role in its quality.

Tommy Lee Jones as Ed Tom Bell

Josh Brolin as Llewelyn Moss

At times, No Country for Old Men is downright masterful. Extremely well made, suspenseful and unique in its craft. If you recognize incredible filmmaking or enjoy crime stories or westerns, it's the perfect film for you. A great cast (including a supporting role from Woody Harrelson) telling a great story. Not to be missed. 

-EE

The Darker Side of Manhattan - SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS

SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
1957 - 96 minutes - Film Noir/Drama
Director: Alexander Mackendrick
Country: United States
IMDB: 8.1
Metacritic: 100
RT: 98%

CinemaChagrin's Rating: A

Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster in Sweet Smell of Success

Watch this movie if you enjoy: 

• Fast-paced, sharp, and witty dialogue
• Gorgeous black and white cinematography
• Film noir
• New York City

Avoid this movie if you dislike:

• Vicious and sleazy lead characters
• "Unhappy" endings
• New York City
• Womanizers

"You're dead son. Get yourself buried." - J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster)

Sweet Smell of Success is quite the unusual entry into the film noir genre. True, it does take place in a dark and dangerous city (Manhattan) mostly at night and the male leads are womanizers who smoke a lot and talk fast. However, unlike most film noirs, Sweet Smell of Success has no femme fatale, hard-boiled detective, or narration-driven story. Instead, it relies on some of the best dialogue ever put to film (including what seems to be a never-ending stream of exquisite one-liners), incredibly strong acting across the board, and excellent black and white cinematography that showcases the streets of Manhattan in a caliginous fashion.

Burt Lancaster plays J.J. Hunsecker, New York City's most [in]famous newspaper columnist and one of the most chilling and convincing villains in cinematic history. Tony Curtis (in an early role of his) plays Sidney Falco, a sleazy and ambitious press agent working for Hunsecker that will stop at nothing to get ahead. When Hunsecker orders Falco to orchestrate the breakup of his younger sister's relationship with a budding jazz musician, the press agent resorts to lying, blackmail, and bribing to achieve his objective, all the while hoping that his connections with Hunsecker will secure him a newspaper column of his own one day.

Both Lancaster and Curtis put on strong and completely convincing performances as two figures of Manhattan's darker side. Although they steal the show throughout the film, all of the supporting characters are excellent as well, especially Hunsecker's tender younger sister (played by Susan Harrison), who suffers under her older brother's oppressive obsession with controlling her life. 

Sidney Falco (Curtis) spies on Susan Hunsecker (Harrison) and her lover, Steve Dallas (Martin Milner)

Though well-acted and wonderfully shot, the real strong point of the film is the dialogue itself. Written by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman, the script moves along at a brisk pace, with characters conversing and screaming at a hundred miles an hour. The one-liners are almost too numerous to count and extremely memorable: ("Watch me run a 50-yard dash with my legs cut off!", "Maybe I left my sense of humor in my other suit", "I'd hate to take a bite outta you. You're a cookie full of arsenic"). 

Though Sweet Smell of Success was a flop at the box office when first released, it is now generally regarded as a cult-classic and a masterpiece of film noir. The film looks and sounds great from beginning to end, and Hunsecker and Falco are two of the most memorable characters ever to appear on film. The script is on par with (and arguably stronger than) other 1950s writing juggernauts like Sunset Blvd and All About Eve, and easily as entertaining. Sweet Smell of Success is a dark and uncompromising look at post-WWII New York City, and exceptionally well-crafted. Highly recommended.

-CC 


Check out the Criterion Collection's 3 Reasons for watching Sweet Smell of Success:

Pain, Family, and Scenic Views - THE DESCENDANTS

THE DESCENDANTS 

2011 - 115 minutes - Drama/Comedy

Director: Alexander Payne 
Country: United States

IMDB: 7.4

Metacritic: 84

RT: 89%

EpicEnthusiast's Rating: 9/10

Watch this movie if you enjoy:

• beautiful shots of Hawaii 

• relatable characters

• a good laugh 

• George Clooney's face 

Avoid this movie if you dislike: 

• profanity 

• a moderate pace 

• Hawaiian people/culture 

• George Clooney's face (impossible) 

Director Alexander Payne takes us to Hawaii to tell us a story about Matt King, (George Clooney) who is caught right in the middle of a mid-life crisis. The Descendants balances suffering, uncertainty, and loss with laughs, charm and comradery. 

The film opens with a shot of King's wife Elizabeth water-skiing from a boat that would eventually crash, and put her in a coma. King then attempts to re-establish a broken relationship with his daughters Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) and Scottie (Amara Miller) to both cope and seek advice. On top of this, King is in the midst of a land deal that could change his home state in a big way. His family has lived on Hawaii for many generations, and because of his father's death he is now the heir apparent to over 25,000 acres of waterfront land on the island of Kauai. He must make the difficult decision of selling the land and making his family millions wealthier, or keeping it in the family and pleasing the locals of Kauai. Just when you think his plate is full, he is presented with a disturbing revelation that sends him racing for answers. 

Matt (George Clooney) and Alex (Shailene Woodley) react
to a questionable comment from the backseat

What The Descendants does best is to provoke emotion. It takes you on a smooth ride of both solemn and joyous feelings, all while telling a wonderful story. The characters are natural, funny, and refreshing, and the cast meshes perfectly as a whole. 

On the production side of things, it also passes the test. Great writing, a unique and cultured soundtrack, and polished camera work that focuses on the characters and their facial expressions. Narrated bits from Clooney give perspective, and add a lot to the story.

The Descendants is a warm and inviting film that demands your full attention. You'll get attached to the characters, and immersed in the gorgeous Hawaiian landscape. It speaks to a number of different age groups, as well as a number of different movie-goers. It instantly became one of my favorites.

-EE

Apartheid Allegories and Awesome Action in Africa - DISTRICT 9

DISTRICT 9
2009 - 112 minutes - Science Fiction/Action
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Country: South Africa
IMDB: 8.0
Metacritic: 81
RT: 90% 


CinemaChagrin's Rating: A-

Watch this movie if you enjoy:

• a realistic and immersive film atmosphere
• "documentary-style" movie-making
• impressive sci-fi action sequences and special effects
• aliens

Avoid this movie if you dislike:

• lots of gore and splatter-filled violence
• science fiction/aliens
• South Africa
• Afrikaaner accents

District 9 is quite possibly the best and most convincing science-fiction film of the past few years. With a thoroughly engrossing atmosphere, convincing and complex lead character, and incredible special effects and action sequences, District 9 is a blast to watch.

In 1982 an alien ship came to Earth and settled over Johannesburg, South Africa, of all places. This ship didn't carry a fearsome and sophisticated alien race, but instead a sickly group of refugees. Quickly segregated into refugee camps-turned ghettos by the newly formed Multi-National United (MNU), the aliens (sardonically labeled "prawns" by humans due to their crustacean appearance) soon become victims of a newer, more vicious form of apartheid. 30 years later, the South African government wants the prawns moved away from the city. When government bureaucrat Wikus van der Merwe (played by a terrific Sharlto Copley) is charged with evicting the aliens from District 9, all hell breaks loose. To say anything more would spoil the fun!

The opening act of the movie is shot in faux-documentary style quite effectively to portray the current situation in Johannesburg. Interviews with MNU employees, international scholars, and everyday citizens immediately establish a convincing aura of realism.  The second act of the movie plays out more like a traditional sci-fi/action film (albeit done extremely well), but by this point the audience is so invested in the characters and story that a pervasive feeling of tension remains even during the over-the-top shoot-em-up sequences.

Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) evicting a resident of District 9

The film also effectively displays the level of savagery that humans can inflict on other living things (and each other) and evokes a level of sympathy for the aliens that is impressive. The special effects (done by New Zealand's Weta Workshop) are strong throughout, especially given the film's modest $40 million budget. The prawns appear convincingly life-like, and the alien weapons and machinery have a unique and striking visual style. 

District 9 is a thrilling, visceral, and disturbingly realistic twist on the "aliens-visit-Earth-in-flying-saucers" sci-fi trope, and an absolute blast to watch. With compelling characters, a riveting story, and action with a purpose, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre and fans of good film-making in general.

-CC