I like this image… but I didn’t really like the movie.

A couple of weeks ago I checked out Moon (2009).  It sounded alright, set in the future when we energy hungry humans mine our Moon for environmentally friendly resources to solve our ever increasing demands (an incredibly expensive place to go to get fuel though).  The only character you ever really see, Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), is nearing the end of his three year shift running the mining operation on the Moon accompanied only by his computer minder/friend GERTY, sounds a bit like Dave and HAL in 2001 A Space Odyssey doesn’t it?  Anyway, so I found it very derivative, and predictable, but visually, aside from some nasty fighting (I just can’t stomach violence these days) it was quite good, the animation was fairly convincing too.  I enjoy exploring what life might be like off-Earth, so that was fun, seeing the living quarters, I wonder what living and working spaces would be like if we lived on other less friendly planets.

So, I’m already slipping.  I was going along all nicely finding a classic weekly hire dvd from our local dvd rental place, thinking it would be great if I could get back into watching films, just on dvd for now.. then I completely lost it!  Too much work and not enough work-while-watching-movies!  These days I can sometimes help Luna off to sleep then get little Blake all snuggled on my lap for a long breastfeed and sleep – awesome really – I just get the dvd all cued, grab the remote, water, cup tea if I’m really organised, a snack and go!  Nothing like watching a couple of good movies to cheer me up on those days I could go mad.

But hey, I’ll get some more dvds tomorrow, in the meantime, I’ll write about Sayonara, I watched this about three times a few weeks ago, because I loved it so much.  I also watched so many times because it worked out that the kids slept all at once (wohoo) also Marlon Brando has a way with words that reminds me of looking through the wrong prescription glasses, and finally it is SO romantic, it really is.  I’m usually loath to get all soppy about romantic movies, and I hate ‘romcoms’ but this oh, be still my heart!

I imagine that this must have been pushing the boundaries when it was released, in 1957.  It is a classic love story, similar to themes in Romeo and Juliet, and seems authentic.  I think the issues around cross-cultural relationships and marriage are still relevant, sadly, and I think Marlon Brando and Miiko Taka did well in their roles.  Cool to see plenty of traditional Japanese theatre and the costume design was also stunning, I want to make a kimono and I want to go to Japan!

This is so exciting!  Wellington Creative is bringing the documentary Handmade Nation to New Zealand for three screening sessions, two in Wellington and only one here in Auckland at the Academy Cinema – so get there!

Mermaid’s Purse will be there with a wee stall of a select few items hand picked especially for film goers, visit the website (above) for the trailer and more info about the film and we might see you at the Academy on Tuesday the 4th of August at 6.30pm.

I’ve been trying to catch up on some classics that have slipped by the wayside and this week I watched The Graduate directed by Mike Nichols in 1967.

I really enjoyed this film (I usually don’t give any blog space to films I don’t like..) it was not quite what I expected, however, begininng with a very claustrophobic party thrown by the parents of Benjamin, played by a very young Dustan Hoffman after Ben’s recent graduation (I’m sure Ben’s father is the voice of Kit from Knight Rider..). The film seems to have captured the essence of the 60s (not that I was around) and portrays beautifully the ever present generation gap between parents and their offspring. Yet another must see!

Watched this film yesterday while recovering from my ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ Film and Cocktail evening, which was on all accounts a great success!

I had the thought that perhaps the dvd might be a good easy watch, not too full-on for my morning after brain and something I could watch while I ate brunch and sipped coffee, maybe even nodding off a bit. Well I couldn’t miss a beat, it was very entertaining (although not surprising) as it was yet another documentary that doesn’t hide the fact that American politics, and politicians, leave much to be desired. The Governator was, of course, charismatic and smooth and acted the part with gusto, while his opponents shrivelled and faltered by the wayside, there was no doubt that Arnie would come out on top.

Of course we all know the result of the race, but it is fascinating to see how well orchestrated the performance was, Schwarzenegger is not one to be underestimated in his drive to succeed at whatever he puts his mind to, if you have seen Pumping Iron you’ll know what I’m on about. And of course there is the majority of the American public who gladly supported their Terminator in his campaign, and were a hand full of people in the documentary that I really felt for, perhaps the few who tried to speak out about the lunacy around them (I know, I know, massive generalisation, but y’know the Californians voted for him, and I’m afraid the everyday Jo or Jane citizen that I see in docos and media here do not do themselves any favours, just take a look at this clip). Anyhow, see it it’s great!
From IMDB

I went to see Pan’s Labyrinth a week or so ago, it was beautiful, sad and gruesome in it’s violence…

The plot is not totally predictable, but I was expecting to spend more time in the labyrinth, as Moanna, the protagonist – a sweet young girl who finds herself the step daughter of a sadistic army officer, escapes into a fantasy world. As the story goes Moanna is actually the reincarnated daughter of the King and Queen of the underworld, and Pan, the creature she meets in the labyrinth, must see proof that she has not become mortal, there setting her strange tasks, that can lead only to trouble… All the fantasy creatures are darkly fascinating, the fairies were cool, and there are a few moments where you are on the edge of your seat… (well I was anyway).

Definitely one to see on the big screen, but take care as it is very violent, don’t take any kids along!

Official site

www.panslabyrinth.com

LEN LYE

Outdoor Screening

Len Lye Outdoor Screening

Monday 19th March at Tahaki Reserve, Mt Eden

Born in Christchurch in 1901, Len Lye is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated artists, and widely recognised as a key figure in the history of experimental filmmaking. Lye’s moving image works exude an energy matched only by the vitality of the music he combined with his images.

The screening is an hour long fiesta of eleven of Len Lye’s most renowned films including Free Radicals, Colour Flight, Full Fathom Five and All Souls Carnival.

Full Fathom Five
[1953] ,1min
A haunting film using a lyric from Shakespeare’s The Tempest as spoken by the great British actor John Gielgud. He recorded the poem for Lye in 1935 for Lye’s original version of Full Fathom Five. This film is a remake of the original film with Lye using the same 1935 recording.

Colour Flight
Direct Film Co, 1938, Colour, 4mins
Colour Flight, which was commissioned by Imperial airways and took nine weeks to paint has been described as a ‘riot of colour’. The soundtrack consists of a Honolulu Blues by Red Nichols and the Five Pennies and a rumba by the Lecuona Cuban Boys. In response to Colour Flight a review by Time magazine hailed Lye as England’s answer to Disney.

Free Radicals
Direct Film Co, 1958 (revised 1979), 4mins
One of Lye’s most accomplished scratch films. Using a variety of objects from arrow-heads to dental tools Lye scratched his images onto black leader. Renowned experimental film maker Stan Brakhage described this film as “An almost unbelievable, immense masterpiece.”

Color Cry
Direct Film Co, 1952, 3mins
Color Cry is a ‘direct’ technique film made by exposing strips of 16mm film covered with stencils, colour gels, and objects such as mosquito netting, fabrics, saw blades and string to create abstract patterns. The film was edited to the haunting sounds of Blues artist Sonny Terry’s Fox Hunt.

Programme

Full Fathom Five [1953] 1min
Swinging The Lambeth Walk F3457 1939, 4mins
Free Radicals Direct Film Co, 1958 (revised 1979), 4mins
Color Cry Direct Film Co, 1952, 3mins
The Birth Of The Robot Humphrey Jennings/Len Lye, 1936, 7mins
Musical Poster No.1 1940, 3mins
Rhythm Direct Film Co, 1957, 1min
Particles In Space 1980, 3mins
Colour Flight Direct Film Co, 1938, 4mins
Tal Farlow 1980, 3mins
All Souls Carnival 1957/2000, 16mins
Running Time: 50 mins approx