This weekend's extreme heat compelled me to follow my own advice (from our County public health advisories) to "spend the hottest time of the day indoors...... visiting a ... movie theater."
I just returned from "The Lobster" which won the Cannes Jury Prize, and is the fist English language film directed by Greek director, Yorgos Lanthimos. It is a dark comedy, as advertised, and also much more graphically disturbing than many might be comfortable with. However, I agree with those who've suggested that it is "brilliant" and leaves one with a lasting set of questions to ponder about what human relationships (particularly coupling) are really all about. The film is both deep and clever, and also includes some stunning performances by actors including Rachel Weisz, Colin Farrell, and Angeliki Papoulia. The main story line involves a mandatory "resort" where single people (the young, the divorced, the widowed) are turned into animals of their choice if they don't find a suitable human partner. This odd satire will be on my mind for many days to come. (For those who are familiar with the Greek language and music, you'll have an extra bonus of some well-placed soundtrack.) For me, the only negative was the film's length - the second half, focused on the "Loners," dragged a bit and could have been equally effective after a 5-10 minute trim.
And now for something completely different....Saturday's fantasy journey with "Alice through the Looking Glass" was a lighthearted experience that led to a few tears in the end. Even better than the first film, it offered wonderful visuals (I did not choose 3D), costuming, and acting. And Sacha Baron Cohen (whom I often find irritating and limited) was convincing and captivating as Time. It was not only an escape from the heat, but a welcome retreat from the current realities we face. It's lingering message revolves around our desires to change the past, and our ever-present stumbling to be effective in the NOW.
I just returned from "The Lobster" which won the Cannes Jury Prize, and is the fist English language film directed by Greek director, Yorgos Lanthimos. It is a dark comedy, as advertised, and also much more graphically disturbing than many might be comfortable with. However, I agree with those who've suggested that it is "brilliant" and leaves one with a lasting set of questions to ponder about what human relationships (particularly coupling) are really all about. The film is both deep and clever, and also includes some stunning performances by actors including Rachel Weisz, Colin Farrell, and Angeliki Papoulia. The main story line involves a mandatory "resort" where single people (the young, the divorced, the widowed) are turned into animals of their choice if they don't find a suitable human partner. This odd satire will be on my mind for many days to come. (For those who are familiar with the Greek language and music, you'll have an extra bonus of some well-placed soundtrack.) For me, the only negative was the film's length - the second half, focused on the "Loners," dragged a bit and could have been equally effective after a 5-10 minute trim.
And now for something completely different....Saturday's fantasy journey with "Alice through the Looking Glass" was a lighthearted experience that led to a few tears in the end. Even better than the first film, it offered wonderful visuals (I did not choose 3D), costuming, and acting. And Sacha Baron Cohen (whom I often find irritating and limited) was convincing and captivating as Time. It was not only an escape from the heat, but a welcome retreat from the current realities we face. It's lingering message revolves around our desires to change the past, and our ever-present stumbling to be effective in the NOW.
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