"Ivan's Childhood" - (1962) Review

"Ivan's Childhood" (1962) - Andrei Tarkovsky


A child, torn from his family during WWII, seeks out revenge upon the Germans as a spy/informant for the Soviets.



First off let me say I love Tarkovsky. Phew, now that I've said that I can say, I was extremely disappointed with this film. As the first feature film from the auteur, you can tell he was still finding his niche. In most of his films, we rely on the ebb and flow of emotions to tell a story, rather than the conventional linear plot progression. Not in this case. This is full of dialogue, and emotions are drawn out for us in layman's terms.

While there is still the dream trademark from Tarkovsky films present, that doesn't make this a great film. Really, the shots, and gritty realism of WWII actions, make it what it is. The constantly moving camera delivers. The fact that, the action can carry on for minutes at a time, and the camera keeps rolling, and moving, is amazing. Deep focus is also a great factor in this film. Many times, we see everything with perfect clairvoyance, giving us a crisp, clear, beautiful shot.

Another impressive camera technique, is what I call the "Low-to-High Angle Handheld Tracking Shot". I've only seen it occur within this film, so I might as well name it. In this shot we start with a low angle shot, usually tilted, to give us the perception of Ivan's ego. High and mighty, untouchable if you will. Then, while Ivan moves to another location on screen, the shot continues, and switches to a high angle shot. This give the perception of insignificance, or of the actuality of his power. With this shot Tarkovsky has successfully juxtaposed Ivan's ego with reality.



The lighting in this film is superb. Most of the time one light source is used, and it's normally natural lighting as well. The shadows in the film tell a story within themselves. We are constantly reminded of everyone hiding behind a shroud of darkness, as to not get hurt again. But when there is light, there is love in the air (not always sexual).



If you want to get introduced to Tarkovsky, start here, for you can only go up. All of his other films are far superior to this one. While this film can be very emotional, due to the nature of WWII and the rape of innocence, it's not his best. I would still recommend it as an entry point for foreign art-house films, and criterion films.

3.5 out of 5 apples


Buy Now!




Recommended:

"The Fall of the House of Usher" (1981) mixed with Blut Aus Nord

My favorite experimental short, mixed with my favorite band. WIN!



Watch Now!



Recommended:

BY SPECIAL REQUEST "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" (2008) Review

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" (2008) - Kevin Smith


When financial troubles hit, a porno, for a group of friends, seems the most viable option to make money.



This raunchy comedy feels like a mix between a Judd Apatow film, and a Kevin Smith film. The dialogue is great, rather drawn out, but still has an organic feel. Also it's rather stuffed with pop culture references (Kurosawa, Lost, Sci-Fi), all of which I enjoyed. Especially the line "I think that was Kurosawa's motto: 'shit going into other shit'". On a side note, the f-bomb, is dropped 229 times!

One of my favorite scenes [Spoilers Ahead] was the improvised conversation that took place between Justin Long and Seth Rogen. This is where the film started to reflect it's own title. Not in regards to making a porno, but talking extensively about it. Gay porn for that fact. This film does not shy away from homosexuality, it rather, embraces it. With a few minutes of disgustingly funny, witty I might add, dialogue between the two I was happy.



After that scene, they decide to make a porno. In turn, going to friends, and strip clubs, to ask them to take place in the porno. Queue more quick-paced-witty references to film culture. They decide upon the name "Star Whores" for their porno.[Spoilers Done} Kevin Smith did get two real porno actresses to play supporting parts in the film, and did very nicely I might add.



All in all, the film, as a whole is decent. Granted, it does make me laugh, a lot, every time. The acting still felt as awkward as it is to watch a movie about making an adult movie, that's not real (yeah...). There are a few cheap racial stereotypes exploited for a laugh, and while they work, I question their need. The soundtrack is most definitely, my favorite part of the entire film. This is definitely something to rent, and check out for yourself. If you're into Judd Apatow/Kevin Smith films.

3.5 out of 5 smooches


Trailer




Buy Now!


Recommended:

"Sonnensturm" (2010)

Sonnensturm (2010) - DADOpresents

This doesn't need a review, but fuck, this is cool.

This is beautiful.



I'm a sucker for 360 panoramic shots.



5 out of 5 stars



Recommended:
"Anemic Cinema" (1926) - Marcel Duchamp

"Sin City" (2005) Review

Sin City (1929) - Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, and Quentin Tarintino


Film adaptation of Frank Miller's "Sin City" graphic novel series.





From the opening scene we know these two things:
1 - This is film-noir meets graphic novel
2 - (Ba)Sin City is a heartless place.

The film is full of gratuitous nudity, revenge hungry anti-heroes, "thugs with delusions of eloquence", lust, inner-monologues, classic Rodriguez over-the-top violence, dark humor, and oddly enough, castration of some sort.

This film doesn't follow the standard linear plot line you all grew up to know and love. Instead we watch 3 main stories unfold, and understand the entity that is "Sin City". In each story we have reoccurring characters, locations, and scenery. At some points in the film you have this feeling that everything will come crashing down on each other, but it doesn't. Now, whether this was a deliberate decision to split the entire story between this and the 2 future films to come or not, we don't know. Regardless, it is a fun ride.

This film is a great example of neo-noir; With all the violence, beautiful women, color schemes, set designs (cough cough cgi), and of course my favorite, the anti-hero. Needless to say Rodriguez and Miller left their own touch to the possible genre-film. This is probably the best adaptation of a graphic novel to film I have seen.

I would like to touch upon one scene in particular, [Spoilers Ahead] the scene that Tarantino directed. This is the scene where Dwight is taking Jackie Boy, and his thugs, to The Pit to dispose of them before the cops show up to Old Town. This surreal and colorful scene, is by far, my favorite of the entire film. Surrealism is all about visual metaphors, and this is captured beautifully. With the grayscale scheme having flashing soft colors run through the screen, you cannot help but smile. Dwight is second doubting himself, and what he is doing, and Jackie Boy can't keep his dead mouth shut about it. [Spoilers Done]



This is one of my favorite films, while I can only watch it once every couple of years. Just go out and buy this, really, it's worth it. Here's a random quote I couldn't fit any where else: "Hell's wakin' up every goddamn day and not knowin' why you're here".

4 out of 5 bullets





Trailer (Props to jmcw79 for this)







Buy Now


Recommended: