The Aviator

First things first: DiCaprio always does much better when he can be someone with a mental disability- case in point: Arnie Grape. The Aviator was no exception. Even though (from the breif amount I have read, I understand that) Hughes didn't become really crazy until he was older, the portrayal of the paralysis associated with his dementia was very well done. Even though the movie did not go into the latter years- where I believe that he could have shown so much more- the movie was long enough as it was.

Cate Cate Cate- WOW. She was simply incredible, elegant, charming... and convincing. Unfortunately, she didn't get a whole lot of screen time. She DID have the most screen time of any of the actresses, so should a nomination come along... the amount she was in the movie would be supporting actress material, but compared to other females, best actress would be in the bag. I guess we'll see when the noms come out.

The movie runs very long, but every scene is relevant and crucial to the portrayal of the demise of Hughes. Scorcese keeps the audience's attention, regardless of the length of the movie. It is an Epic- and one that Scorcese will be associated with for many years to come.

La passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928)

What an absolutely amazing performance. I have to say I wasn't too thrilled about it being silent at first- but it was a very very dramatic movie.

Falconetti portrays such intensity in her eyes and the viewer is on the end of his seat from beginning to end. ( I even got my SISTER to watch a little of it- and that's saying a lot!) To know that Joan of Arc's martyrdom did not consist of a simple burning at the stake, to see the villagers crying for her and the clergymen and authorities dealing with the uprising of a nation; it ripped out my heart.

Even though there was clearly more dialogue going on than was translated onto the cards, it seemed that the dialogue was somehow understood. I have seen one or 2 silent films before, but nothing like this.

The copy that I have is not a Criterion Collection DVD. It is released by a company in China named Boying, but the transfer still did exceedingly well, considering. (Does Criterion do area 2 recordings?)

Regardless, the most incredible film I have seen in a VERY long time.

Closer

Well, Closer was one strange movie. Love, hate, affairs, and deception, all woven into a delicate tapestry.

The movie runs in circles; time skips months ahead in a second. Alice is needy, Daniel is unfulfilled, Anna is depressed and searching for love. Larry goes in and out from "power" phase to a phase of misery. Around and around and around.... leaving one in quite the dizzy spell. The ending is completely unforseen, and our hero changes from one person to another in a matter of minutes.

This is not the best movie I have ever seen, but it is a pretty good one. My thought is that I'll probably need to see it again to catch everything.

And mark my words.... a best supporting Oscar nod for Portman. You heard it here first, kids.

Apology

I want to apologize to those who check this regularly and find that I am not posting much. I will... I promise. I have finals and performances and rehearsals and term papers and....

Soon. Very soon.