August 4, 2010: Film Review: The Kids Are All Right
Julianne Moore and Annette Bening star in this comedy about a lesbian couple and their offspring. Like any family they have their ups and downs, but seem to be content in their semi-dysfunctional bubble. Enters Paul played by Mark Ruffalo, the children’s biological father via his kind donation 19 years previous.
Paul upsets the applecart big time, which forces all of them to deal with the repercussions. Bening and Moore both give stunning performances. Ruffalo also does a good job, who seems to be popping up in everything these days. The acting is what holds this one together. The script is ok, but the acting is what makes this film shine.
The Kids Are All Right is labeled a comedy and has plenty of good jokes to back it up. Director Lisa Cholodenko also does a good job blending the challenges of life and family, but holds the film back from becoming a full-blown comedy. It makes for a nice slice of life movie.
Family movies are not usually my cup of tea, but the subject matter is handled well and gives us a real look at a lifestyle rarely depicted in the cinema. It is a unique film that will pave the way for others like it.
June 22, 2010: DVD Pick: Dora-heita (2000)
Dora-heita is a quirky Samurai movie. This is a good movie, but I believe you have had to dabble in the samurai genre a bit to really appreciate it. The movie stands without prior reference knowledge, but you samurai buffs will enjoy Dora-heita thoroughly.
A magistrate comes to clean up a corrupt town by playing possum as a drunk womanizing official. He throws everyone off guard to get to the root of the town’s problems. Without any prior knowledge you don’t know that you’re in a comedy. At first you think it is a straight samurai movie and it takes time to figure it out. The characters play it deadpan and the comedy is subtle, dry and brilliant.
It looks like an older Japanese film. I was surprised to find out it was made in 2000. This was the first film I’ve seen by director Kon Ichikawa. I have since seen his other films and find him to be a solid director. Akira Kurosawa co-wrote the strong dialogue driven screenplay. The film is predominantly the story, but it wouldn’t be a samurai movie without one big action scene.