2016 Movie Challenge – Page 15

I knew almost nothing about this going in it, an ignorance I’m trying to maintain for these challenge films as much as possible. Turns out it’s an ensemble piece with interlocking stories, a narrative structure that I pretty nearly always enjoy, and this was no exception.

The major stories follow Troy (Matthew McConaughey), a cocky lawyer whose confidence is shaken when he runs over a woman with his car, Beatrice (Clea Duvall), the young woman he hits who goes through a crisis of her own in recovery, Gene (Alan Arkin), an insurance manager dealing with a delinquent son and an overly cheerful coworker, and Walker (John Turturro), a physics professor going through a midlife crisis and a failing marriage.

Challenge Week 16: The Trial

By Jandy

On April 24, 2016

In 2016 Movie Challenge

I read Kafka’s The Trial back in high school or college for fun, because that’s the kind of kid I was, and I really loved it – but that was let’s say several years ago and aside from the premise and general nightmarish inexorability of it, I didn’t remember a whole lot of actual details about it going into the film. That may have been unfortunate, since I did find it difficult to follow in some parts (I’ll admit to a little drowsiness, too), but in a way, it kind of weirdly enhanced the experience, since the whole point is Josef K is stuck in this labyrinthine and inescapable legal system, on trial for charges that are never stated. He can’t figure out what’s going on with him, so some confusion on my part felt fitting.

I wasn’t wholly on board with Anthony Perkins’ performance, especially in the beginning – what was he so nervous about? He had me feeling like he must be guilty of SOMETHING. Later he often strikes an odd note between exasperated and bored. I also wanted to see more Jeanne Moreau, but I was happy when Romy Schneider popped up. I’ve only seen her in a couple of other things, but I like her a lot. And of course, Welles as the The Advocate Hastler is unparalleled, a sort of older, fatter Harry Lime; less boyish but equally devoted to manipulating to the system to his own benefit.

Challenge Week 16: The Wrestler

By Jandy

On April 22, 2016

In 2016 Movie Challenge

I decided I was a huge Darren Aronofsky fan on the strength of one film – The Fountain – and then proceeded to not really watch more of his filmography for a while, especially when his very next film dealt with a subject I could barely care less about – a washed up wrestler. (I’m now at 4/6 features, with Requiem for a Dream coming up later in the challenge.) I’m not generally a huge sports person, and boxing/wrestling/fighting sports are my least favorite. I was told “oh, but this is a character study!” but, I mean, so was Raging Bull and I didn’t care for that at all. So this was a risky choice, though I’m sure Ryan didn’t realize what a risky choice it was!

The saving grace of The Wrestler is how much I liked Randy the Ram himself – Mickey Rourke invests the character with a lot of weariness but also a lot of heart. He was a major WWE-style wrestler in the ’80s, but now it’s twenty years later and he’s on some kind of small pro circuit with a lot of other wrestlers who seem to be either aging like him or up-and-coming. Every fight is planned out in advance, but that doesn’t stop them from being brutal.

Challenge Week 15: Naked

By Jandy

On April 17, 2016

In 2016 Movie Challenge

I hadn’t heard of this film at all until a few months ago when someone (I don’t even remember who!) was raving about David Thewlis’ performance in it, but it definitely seemed like a difficult watch – I approached it with some trepidation when Chewie recommended it. And while it’s certainly about a great number of people who range from borderline dislikeable to absolutely horrible and features a lot of highly dysfunctional “relationships” among working class (and below) Brits, I found it surprisingly witty, compelling, and even enjoyable, though enjoyable seems like a weird word to use.

David Thewlis’ character Johnny starts the film off raping a woman in an alley, so yeah, that gives you SOME idea of what we’re dealing with. He flees to London and stays with an old girlfriend of his (Louise) and her roommate Sophie, who immediately starts a thing with him. Then there’s a secondary plotline that eventually intersects with the first, about a truly sadistic guy (Jeremy). In the meantime, Johnny leaves the girls’ apartment, spends some nights on the street and hanging out with a bored night watchman, and getting beat up himself for no reason.

Challenge Week 15: Why Don’t You Play in Hell?

By Jandy

On April 17, 2016

In 2016 Movie Challenge

I’d heard of Sion Sono before seeing this, but mostly got the sense that his stuff would be too weird/extreme for me. This one, however, is like an actual Japanese version of Kill Bill, except even more extreme, plus a filmmaking angle, which you know always attracts me.

A set of young filmmakers wants to make one amazing film, and what could be more amazing than filming an actual yakuza battle (with their own Bruce Lee-yellow-jumpsuit-wearing action star for good measure). The plot is actually much more complicated than that, involving a yakuza boss, his badass wife and wannabe actress daughter, a rival yakuza gang, and the regular guy who gets caught in the middle of all this, but BASICALLY it’s an over the top homage to 1970s Asian action films.

Category: 2016 Movie Challenge Page 15 of 21

Challenge Week 17: Thirteen Conversations About One Thing

Challenge Week 16: The Trial

Challenge Week 16: The Wrestler

Challenge Week 15: Naked

Challenge Week 15: Why Don’t You Play in Hell?