Night Light, by Currency Films. They say: “This short film premiered at the ‘08 Tribeca Film Festival, then went on to play at Seattle and other fests. Synopsis: A man tells the story of how, as a young child, he survived his worst nightmare to overcome his fear of the dark.”
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11/3/2008
3:10 to Yuma
When all of America seems to be talking–whether it’s politics, the environment, sports, or who wore the most outrageous Halloween costume–it’s a relief to watch a movie that trims down the dialogue and allows its characters to show us, rather than tell us, just what it is that’s bothering them.
I found that movie in 3: 10 to Yuma, 2007’s adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s short story. The story, if you’ve been living in an airport terminal for the past fifty years, is about two men with strong personalities. Dan Evans (Christian Bale) is a Civil War veteran living with his family in Wyoming. He is a rancher down on his luck. He owes a powerful man money. He’s got an unhappy wife and a spirited teenage son. When the notorious outlaw Ben Wade ( Russell Crowe) is captured, Evans volunteers to escort him to a far away train station so he can be taken to prison. For his efforts Evans will receive a handsome stipend, and his problems will be solved. Sounds easy, right?
Well, of course it’s not easy. And of course there is the expected drama and gun fights and lots of horses kicking up dust in the interim. But what makes this movie interesting and different is its subtlety, its use of raw emotion and windswept landscapes, its unwillingness to take the easy road with cliche one-liners or heavy-handed romantic flings, and its insistence on silence when a character would normally fill the air with empty dialogue. To be sure, 3:10 to Yuma revels in its existence as a Western movie. It celebrates the American West (it was filmed in New Mexico) and uses tried and true plot devices (two men face off over women, pride, and money. As their struggle moves forward, they realize they are as similar as they are different). But it is more than just a caricature of a Western movie because its characters and tempo are so well defined and balanced.
I could go on but I won’t. I’ll let the other critics do some talking and then I recommend to just see the damn movie and read the short story. It’s worth your time and much more rewarding than listening to a bunch of talking heads.
* Some information on Elmore Leonard
* 3:10 to Yuma, the 1957 Version
* Reviews and Commentary on the 2007 Remake
* Background Information on 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
* The Director, James Mangold
* The Official 3:10 to Yuma Trailer
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Film by DarkHeart Productions. They say: “Mr Roberts finds himself awoken inexplicably in a white room. A man sits before him at a desk and in between them stands a black button. If Mr Roberts pushes it, he will receive a briefcase filled with millions of dollars. Or he can take the key to the door and leave penniless. The catch? Pushing the button will result in the death of a human being. What would you do?”
-YouTube Awards 2007 - Top Six Finalist, Best Short Film
-WINNER: Fitzroy Short Film Festival (Melb, Aus)
-WINNER: DearCinemaFest Short Film Festival (Int.)
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10/30/2008
Synecdoche, New York
Judgments are being hurled at Charlie Kaufman’s new movie, Synecdoche, New York. Some critics hail it as the best American film this year. Others pander and trounce their wasted ticket stubs. No matter the difference of opinion, though, critics and audiences agree that Kaufman’s work is unique and challenging, brainy and blooming with melancholia.
This is Kaufman’s debut as a director. Of course he still wrote the screenplay, but the absence of directors Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) or Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) with whom he’s worked in the past marks this movie as especially ripe for praise and/or scrutiny.
My sense is that the story is laden with literary references and psychological hijinks (Phillip Seymour Hoffman character’s last name is Cotard), that it is rootless, sensitive, and funny, and that smart but morose characters whose lives are on the verge of final disaster or supreme triumph caterwaul across upstate New York like a bunch of used ambulances with sinking batteries.
The direction on the other hand is the wild card, the unknown. Kaufman’s hand will be tested, his restraint questioned, his artistic vision smeared if he cannot maintain the plotline cohesiveness that audiences and critics generally crave. One thing for sure is that this movie is going to sell a lot of tickets. For some fans, Synecdoche, New York, will be another gem in Kaufman’s belt. But for others it will be a reminder that it takes a good writer and a good director to produce good cinema.
The New York Times is Pumped
Slant Magazine is Turned Off
Rotten Tomatoes is Splattered All Over the Place
And Slate is Sad
* This is Schenectady, NY, Where the Movie Takes Place
* And This is the Official Trailer
Have you seen it? What did you think? Post a Comment and let us know.
