This is a lovely, moving and intelligent film. I did not detect any notably weak performances among a remarkable cast. The older actors though, Michael Gambon and Albert Finney, were shameless scene stealers, but one can hardly fault them for their excellence. There were many things to like about this film. It was gorgeous to look at, brilliantly capturing the look and sound of a sumptuous age. The pacing and editing were fine, though the device using flashbacks for most of the film occasionally led to a moments confusion about when a scene was supposed to be taking place. And the story itself is quite inspirational. A note for my Canadian readers and the Canadians who attended the TIFF screenings. The film mostly covered the struggle to outlaw slavery in Britain itself, though they did touch on Wilberforce's efforts to have it outlawed throughout the British Empire. This continued in the years after the conclusion of the film, and a Bill to do just that was passed in 1833, a month after Wilberforce died. So the film we watched was very much about our own history, and the story of the abolition of slavery in Britain directly affected the eventual abolition of slavery in Canada.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Lake of Fire
(2006)
Remarkable
11 September 2006
Caveat: I have been a pro-choice activist for many years in my home country of Canada, and attended the "March for Women's Lives" in Washington D.C. in 2004. Obviously I have a pretty solid opinion on this issue, but below I have tried to just talk about the film itself.
I saw this a couple of days ago at the Toronto Film Festival. I think it is an unflinching look at the how the battle over abortion rights has played out in the United States over the last 15 years or so. It was intended to be unbiased, an even-handed look at both sides of the issue. By and large, I think Kaye succeeded at this, but I would very much like to attend a screening of this film before an audience of committed pro-lifers to see what they think of it. I couldn't help but think that nearly all the pro-lifers interviewed came across as deeply disturbed, with a couple of exceptions.
The film clocks in at over two and a half hours and could easily loose 30 minutes without taking away from the impact of the film. Similarly it ends dreadfully - overblown music and an utterly inconsequential shot - the director having missed the perfect spot to end it 5 minutes beforehand.
Shot entirely in black and white, there are several moments of stunning beauty, contrasting with the frequently dull and suburban backgrounds in which such a passionate battle is being waged by both sides.
Overall I would definitely recommend this film, but only after it is re-edited from its present version.
A last note: Tony Kaye was present at the screening and gave an utterly bizarre performance during the Q&A at the end of the movie. He stood at the mike, rubbing his face vigorously, making little sense and often at a loss for words. We were planning to ask questions but he was so out of it that we decided not to waste our time!
I saw this a couple of days ago at the Toronto Film Festival. I think it is an unflinching look at the how the battle over abortion rights has played out in the United States over the last 15 years or so. It was intended to be unbiased, an even-handed look at both sides of the issue. By and large, I think Kaye succeeded at this, but I would very much like to attend a screening of this film before an audience of committed pro-lifers to see what they think of it. I couldn't help but think that nearly all the pro-lifers interviewed came across as deeply disturbed, with a couple of exceptions.
The film clocks in at over two and a half hours and could easily loose 30 minutes without taking away from the impact of the film. Similarly it ends dreadfully - overblown music and an utterly inconsequential shot - the director having missed the perfect spot to end it 5 minutes beforehand.
Shot entirely in black and white, there are several moments of stunning beauty, contrasting with the frequently dull and suburban backgrounds in which such a passionate battle is being waged by both sides.
Overall I would definitely recommend this film, but only after it is re-edited from its present version.
A last note: Tony Kaye was present at the screening and gave an utterly bizarre performance during the Q&A at the end of the movie. He stood at the mike, rubbing his face vigorously, making little sense and often at a loss for words. We were planning to ask questions but he was so out of it that we decided not to waste our time!
Team America: World Police
(2004)
some very sharp satire
17 October 2004
Easily the best aspect of "Team America" was its wicked satire of the role narcissism plays in Western society. Again and again the characters start worrying about and talking about their FEELINGS as mass destruction - usually of their own making - happens around them. Stone and Parker also portray Kim Jong Il as a deeply narcissistic and self-involved man wholly given over to his own urges and crazily inflated sense of self-worth.
The puppetry and sets were an amazing technical achievement, the script deeply twisted and funny. The politics of the whole thing were a bit odd - it mocks bloody-minded patriotism yet condemns some well-known public figures who also question it, what's up with that?
However, if you feel like you need some very serious laffs, run, do not walk to see this film. Nick
The puppetry and sets were an amazing technical achievement, the script deeply twisted and funny. The politics of the whole thing were a bit odd - it mocks bloody-minded patriotism yet condemns some well-known public figures who also question it, what's up with that?
However, if you feel like you need some very serious laffs, run, do not walk to see this film. Nick
Going Upriver
(2004)
Solid documentary
15 September 2004
I saw the world premier of this film at the Toronto International Film Festival last night. Overall I thought the director made some smart choices - rather than trying to create a full biography of his subject, he limits his focus to Kerry's formative experiences; his Boston Brahmin upbringing with its emphasis on public service, his experiences in Vietnam, and his involvement with Vietnam Veterans Against the War. The point is to show Kerry's willingness to show leadership and responsibility, and his ability to let his intellect rule what are clearly very great passions within. There is some great use of colour film clips contrasted by B&W still photography of the same subjects and events. This technique is both visually arresting and emphasizes the historical context of the subject. During this election period, when a lot of people are playing fast and loose with the truth of what happened more than 30 years ago, "Going Upriver" is a valuable addition to the public discourse. I highly recommend it, particularly to the American voting public. N.
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