SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL
5/10
Well, this film wasn’t that great for me, which is likely to mean that it’s too arty for my little brain, or that’s it’s actually just not that great, or maybe it’s a bit of both. Interspersed and somewhat (to me anyway) unrelated crossing sections of the film are done between the Rolling Stones recording Sympathy for the Devil, some Black Panthers hangin’ out in a car junk yard reading out loud, playing with guns and feeling up white women, and a woman graffitiing slogans around London. Oh, and the occasional other scenario in a bookshop or an interview of a woman in a forest where every answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I would have dozed except for the fact it was my first film of the day and I’d just had a coffee. So, anyway, for me, not my bag. I reckon if they just showed all the Rolling Stones excerpts and made it about 30 mins long it would’ve been great. Some of the scenes with the stones were pretty magic.

A SCANNER DARKLY
8/10
This story was written by Philip K Dick who also wrote the short story that Blade Runner (one of my fave films) was based on. It was directed by Richard Linklater who’s directed some of my favourite films (Dazed & Confused, Before Sunrise). So, what could go wrong? Luckily, nothing much. I had a good time watching this film – it was a little confusing at points but ultimately I understood enough by the end to feel that it paid off – certainly one I’ll want to see again. A special mention should also be made of the incredible job done animating the entire film. It’s a visual style slighly reminiscent of some of Waking Life, but nothing I’ve seen before is quite like this. So, a mixing the story and the great visuals, a must see. How’s that – three films in three days all getting my two thumbs up – let’s hope this level is maintained throughout the festival!

FEARLESS
8/10
Fearless is a wushu film (that’s martial arts) starring Jet Li. While I find most of Jet Li’s american made films almost watchable, I’ve really enjoyed a lot of his Chinese made films. This one falls into the latter category and was excellently done. The story is based on Huo Yuan Jia who was the creator of a sports federation in China. The film was introduced by the director who claimed that this will be Jet’s last wushu film (though not last action film). Highly recommended for fans of martial arts flicks.

UNITED 93
4/10
I’m rating a film here, and this film was just plain shoddy. I feel for the victims of the sept 11 attacks on the US and by no means belittle the impact that it had on the world in general, but really don’t feel that this film was worth the time. It’s a film about the 4th plane that landed in a field on Sept 11 and is based on what events they know along with filler where they’re unsure. So far so good, but the execution was terrible. The entire thing is filmed as if it’s a live action filming as it happened and the constant shaky handheld camera was enough to make me close my eyes for brief periods to avoid nausea. The acting was terrible – I don’t know where they found these people but the only performance worthy of mention was the leader of the military command at NORAD – the rest just seemed like amateurs. Additionally, progression of the story was at times slow and repetitive. Several times we’d be shown one Air Traffic Control room in one location where they find a plane isn’t responding, and then would have to sit and watch as the same information is repeated time and time again through the other control towers, etc. We (the audience) know the planes gone, so why do we need to watch the other characters in the film discover the facts time and time again? Anyway, the film’s impact is great at times, but really, that’s based on the horror of the event rather than any noticeable achievement by these filmmakers.

SARAH SILVERMAN: JESUS IS MAGIC
7/10
Pretty much a live stand-up show by this American comedienne with a few interlaced dream sequence/musical numbers for variety. Fine enough time to be had with several funny moments. She really targets the taboo though – I don’t think any minority or sensitive subject was left untouched in this 72 minute film. I am in two minds about comedy of this type – jokes about subjects like religion/race/genocide/mass-starvation/rape/terrorism can be humourous and I laughed, but at the same time, I kind of wonder how necessary it is… It’s just a personal decision for everyone to make I guess. So, if you’re into offensive humour, check it out. If you’re strongly against politically incorrect comedians avoid at all costs!

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING
8/10
Wow! What a great start to the film festival. Had a great time watching Thank You For Smoking which was a tongue in cheek comedy where the protaganist is the american cigarette industry’s main lobbyist. His job is to defend cigarettes and does a great job doing so. It’s a little weird taking the side of the guy who you know is fighting for the wrong side. Lots of familiar faces in this film too; Wiliam H. Macy, Rob Lowe, Robert Duvall, Katie Holmes, etc – will definitely need to be doing some IMDB checks to try and recall where I’ve seen some of them before. Highly recommended, hopefully I havent hit my highlight for the festival in the first film this year :-).

The Melbourne International Film Festival 2006 guide came out yesterday, and so went many hours as I read through, deciding on what to see. There is a fine art involved with much planning. Well, there is for me anyway – others I know just decide on the day and live dangerously. So, the list of films that I currently plan on seeing are on the left hand column now (or soon will be). These might change as I progress, but there looks to be some promising stuff at MIFF this year!