It is boiling. On Friday it was 33 degrees in London, so needless to say I was in a slightly bad mood. However, it does mean that it’s unequivocally Summer. Tis the season to “make out under the docks” or to “stay out until ten o’clock” as the summer days are drifting away. However, due to everything and all that, I have been watching movies instead. What is that I hear you say? Tell me more, tell me more…
There are some “all time cinematic greats” which I totally get. These classics can be fantastic. There are others where I don’t quite get them. The Seventh Seal (1957) fits in the former camp. Set during the black plague in Sweden, we see a knight who is about to die who challenges death (Some cheap Voldemort knock off) to a game of chess over his life. From there, we see a few random groups of people go a bit paranoid as the knight and his gang walk around. As you can probably tell I wasn’t overly engaged.
The whole thing looked great and as the film went on, it got slightly more interesting. However, spells around the beginning were much too slow and it just didn’t reign me in. There are some smart themes here around death and hope, however, unless you’re a bit hipster and all that there isn’t much here to make me suggest you watch it. 3 stars and it’s available on BFI Player, or just watch it on Youtube
Another fairly retro film was Cairo Station (1958). The story focuses on a day in Cairo Station, where newspaper seller Qinawi falls in love and obsesses over a woman who is about to be married. As he is rejected, his obsession becomes more dangerous. Director Youssef Chahine did a really good job at making the place feel dynamic and alive with fun and varied characters.
At the start, the film feels a bit messy, but as we go on it becomes more refined leading up to a brilliantly iconic ending. The whole thing was put together well enough. It’s worthy of 3.5 stars and is available on Netflix if you want to see something slightly different. As with most old films, you can also find it on youtube.
On Friday, when it was too hot, I went to the cinema purely for the air conditioning. I watched Parasite (2019), but in black and white instead. I’ve talked about it so much on this blog and my review can be read here which basically says it’s really good.
It’s an excellent film which is best to go into totally blind. If you have seen it in colour, I don’t think the black and white version adds too much. You don’t get the definition of the contrasting materials, nor do you get the hot sauce pay off of the best scene in the film. If you’re desperate to watch it on the big screen again, then why not. But otherwise, I’d suggest finding the colour version where you can. Still, for the two and a half hours of air conditioning only setting me back £5, it wasn’t a waste of money.
In the current landscape of cinema, it may be the case that in hindsight Superman (1978) is one of the most important movies to have ever existed. The first big modern super hero movie has been inspiration for countless other films as well as a number of parodies.
If you don’t know the story by now, what have you been doing in life? After the planet Krypton is destroyed, Superman’s parents send him to Earth where he is adopted by a couple and he is named Clark Kent. He grows up with his powers, gets a “With great power comes great responsibility”-esque speech from his soon to die male role model and realises he can become a hero. He moves to New York, falls in love with Lois Lane and has to stop the evil mastermind Lex Luther (who looks oddly familiar).
Clearly my big issue with Luther is that his plan wouldn’t make any sense. He wants to reduce the supply of land in California, which would make the land more valuable. However, his plan involves killing everyone which would also reduce demand. Assuming the two shocks are of the same magnitude, that would have no effect on the land price, and that’s before risk averse people are less willing to buy there as they worry there might be another mass earthquake. Superman saved Lex from himself.
Back to the film, the whole thing was charmingly retro. The opening credits were right out of the 80’s effects budget. The soundtrack, while somewhat overbearing (A regular John Williams problem) was iconic. The characters were goofy and had no emotional depth, but that was okay. Let’s be honest, none of the super hero movies today are much better. The costumes of the Krypton people were funny and the flying effects were so outdated. However, it was made in a way which was fun and entertaining at the very least.
My one issue was that it took a while to get started. The first 30/40 minutes were a bit slow, however once it started I was in for the ride. The end was a bit abrupt, although at 2 hours and 20 minutes that’s understandable. I was surprised it had been that long as the time had flown by. I guess that’s a testament to the film and how enjoyable it was. The whole thing was colourful and fun.
I give it 4 stars for what a fun and important game changer it was. Sure it hasn’t aged brilliantly, but for a 42 year old film, it was a good evening. It can be purchased on most of the big digital platforms.
After The Storm (2016) is Hirokazu Kore-Eda’s last film before his more famous Palme D’Or winning film Shoplifters. If you haven’t heard of Kore-Eda, he’s probably my favourite director of all time. He can essentially capture the meaning of life and family through conversation. His films are understated, but warm as you see a couple of hours of honesty and integrity. Each one is grounded in reality yet is a totally meditative experience. However, when I discuss the plot, it becomes a harder sell.
Ryota’s mother has just lost her husband and hasn’t been mourning much when Ryota comes along and essentially tries to get money from her. A private detective, who was once a promising writer, Ryota lives in a state of poverty as a result of his gambling addiction. This has lead to his wife divorcing him and taking their child away. Ryota wants to be close to his son and ex-wife, however with things as they are, this will be difficult.
For such a heavy film, the mood is rather chilled. I never felt stressed as I watched a family go through their problems. Arguments weren’t loud with things thrown, they were more real and organic. Each character was well thought out and had plenty of engaging dialogue.
One of Kore-Eda’s finest films, After the Storm is worth a watch if you can find it. It can be rented on most of the big digital stores. It’s 4.5 stars and will leave you peaceful.
Film Of The Week
This week’s FOTW is a new cinema release. With more cinemas slowly opening, hopefully you will be able to find Saint Frances (2020) playing near by. The film looks at the life of Bridget, a woman in her mid 30s who is single and lost. When she agrees to be a child minder for Frances over the summer, this six year old girl will help her find herself. Yes, it sounds corny, but in reality it’s sweet and authentic.
The film is really charming and talks about lots of womens issues which usually aren’t discussed on the screen. The way they’re discussed doesn’t feel forced at all and you buy into all of these characters. This is a really difficult skill to pull off, but it’s done so well.
I wrote a full review about it which you can read here. It can be rented on Curzon, or you can see it in the cinema. It’s the first good reason to go back. 4.5 stars.
Elsewhere this week
This is just a quick shout-out about new films which are newly available on streaming which I’ve seen before and are worth a mention. Apocalypse Now: Final Cut is available on BBC IPlayer. At almost three hours, it is a bit slow. However, it’s still a very good film. I had the chance to see it on Britain’s biggest IMAX screen (Which is 20*26 metres). Worth a go.
Knives Out is available on Amazon Prime. A murder mystery which wasn’t personally my cup of tea (As you can see here), however it got a lot of love from people. Cold War is out on All4. A Polish film about love that was never quite meant to be, Pawel Pawlikowski’s black and white film is a slow burnere, but is still a worthy watch.
If you liked Parasite, give Snowpiercer a go. It’s thematically very similar and is back on Amazon Prime. It’s by Bong Joon Ho and it features Chris Evans attempting to start a revoloution as part of the last of humanity on a train. If that doesn’t take your fancy, Brokeback Mountain has also arrived on Prime. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger both bring fantastic performances in a sensitive story of forbidden love.
The last recommendation is Blackkklansman, a film which picked up a lot of plaudits and an overdue oscar for Spike Lee. Ron Stallworth is an african american police man who infiltrates the KKK. Full of tension and enjoyment, this engaging plot is helped by great performances from John David Washington and Adam Driver. Well worth a watch on Netflix.
The Film Ramble 