Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
— Well, yes, it may be geared toward seniors and it may be a little thin on plot. Yes too, it may be the anti-“Avengers” movie of the summer. But mostly it was funny, colorful, tale of adventure and reinvention. Probably doesn’t hurt that I’m part of its target demographic (although I’m part of the younger demographic!). Besides, I absolutely love Judi Dench. And it was nice to find a summer film without superheroes, cutesy kids, surround sound explosions, or three dimensions.

[2011. 124 min. Directed by John Madden. Starring Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Dev Patel, and Maggie Smith.]
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-20120503

Monday, May 21, 2012

Shame
— Watched "Shame" yesterday and can't seem to shake it. So well done and yet, so, what's the word? Icky. Always unsettling when a good actor (Michael Fassbender) and a good director (Steve McQueen) make me feel voyeuristic much of time and the rest of the time the camera hold a shot for so long that I feel like I'm being forced to watch. Sparse on dialogue and really worth the journey.

[2011. 101 min. Directed by Steve McQueen. Starring Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, and Jaems Badge.]
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/shame/