Film Festival Dueling reviews
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To give our web readers some hints about what might appeal to them among the many movies that Cinema Epicuria is screening at the 2005 Sonoma Valley Film Festival, we'll be doing dueling reviews of selecting flicks. Below you can compare the opinions of Ryan Lynch, 27, and Patricia Henley, 50. We're not film experts by any means, but we're both more than willing to share our point of view.
Mr. Lynch's childhood education spanned the annals of science and not a day went by where the all of the rocks in his parents' backyard were not overturned in a desperate search for strange insects and other creatures. Following his passions he received his Bachelor Degree in Geography and entered the real world with a penchant for map making. To make a long story short, he returned to Sonoma on a crazy whim to start a career at the Sonoma Index-Tribune as the website guru and after a two year stint he is the IT Systems Manager - a glorified computer mechanic and web visionary. Movies are another expensive hobby for Lynch, the others include guitar, flyfishing, and collecting old vinyl records. He also likes various teas including but not limited to Earl Grey and Chamomile, Mt. Shasta, thunderstorms, hollow body guitars, and the planet Neptune. After a career that included everything from packing frozen broccoli to graphic design, Henley decided to take her lifelong love of writing more seriously. In 1995 she earned a master's degree in journalism from Stanford University and that summer she started work as a summer intern at the Sonoma Index-Tribune. She now works as the paper's assistant news editor - although she claims her title should be choreographer and magician, because she keeps everything dancing along and pulls a solution out of thin air when needed.
It's not possible to preview all the festival's movies, but we watch as many as we can. Reviews will be posted on an ongoing basis; keep an eye on this site. For an updated festival calendar, visit www.cinemaepicuria.org.
Illusion Directed by Michael Goorjian; screenplay by Goorjian, Ron Marasco, Tressa Di Figlia Brendon and Chris Horvath; with a cast of Kirk Douglas, Goorjian, Karen Tucker and Marasco.
Festival screenings: 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2, in the Barrel Room.
By Ryan
In a magnificent turn, Kirk Douglas plays famous filmmaker Donald Baines, who on his deathbed laments his life, especially his neglect of illegitimate son Christopher played by director Michael Goorjian. Before his death, it appears Donald is given one last chance to set things aright when he is visited by an old friend, his editor Stan who died almost 30 years before.
Overall I enjoyed this film. I had some trouble getting over the partially borrowed storyline of a visit from a spirit a la A Christmas Carol but I soon found myself enthralled by the story and in awe of the tear-jerking performances by Kirk Douglas and Michael Goorjian. Even in his old age, Kirk Douglas still gives a commanding performance, both powerful and reserved.
Douglas was once quoted as saying "I've made a career playing sons of bitches" and it is hard for me to not take this into consideration when watching this film. It could be said that Kirk's performance is more personal than anything he has ever done and this film lets an old "son of a bitch" find some peace.
By Patricia
I have never been a Kirk Douglas fan, but I think he is awesome in this highly compelling story of a successful but lonely man at the end of his life, regretting his rejection years earlier of his illegitimate son. Even Douglas' post-stroke speaking problems add to the poignancy and legitimacy of his role.
This film is a beautiful blend of straightforward storytelling and slightly surreal elements, where it's hard to tell what is real and what is happening in a dying man's mind - and in the end, it doesn't really matter. In the end, what matters is love.
The film is beautifully shot and wonderfully directed and acted. Once I got past the reality/unreality of a "visit" from a long-dead editor friend and simply let the movie unfold, I was hooked. This movie enchants, it surprises and it delights, without giving pat answers or happy-ever-after Hollywood endings. It's a modern fable that plays fast
Say I Do
Directed by Ron Vignone; screenplay by Vignone and Joe Forte; with cast members Ben Koldyke, Pamela Somers, Samuel Cooper, Rebecca Rosenak and David BelAyche.
Festival screenings: 5 p.m. Friday, April 1, Sonoma Cinemas; and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Sebastiani Theatre.
By Ryan
This film starts off like a regular wedding video with the wedding party getting gussied up and heading out to the ceremony in a limo, which left me scratching my head at the mundane aspect of it all.
But redemption would soon follow as the soon-to-be-married couple, Ben and Sydney, find themselves lost in the middle of the Nevada desert. Faced with the reality that their perfect wedding is getting flushed down the toilet and the hours drag on, the couple fights, which gets them to the heart of their relationship.
I thought the fact that "Say I Do" was shot entirely like a real wedding video with their best-friend as cameraman was brilliant. It gives the film a touchingly realistic and personal quality not found in the big budget and heavily contrived wedding film drivel that major studios in Hollywood churn out (see "My Best Friend's Wedding" or "The Wedding Planner") just to spite me. I really appreciate how the film examines what amounts to everyday "lovers quarrels", the common arguments most of us deal within our own personal relationships. Hollywood usually glosses over these small yet important moments in a relationship with slick production, watered down plots, and sophomoric dialogue.
By Patricia
In the first part of this movie the screenwriters have definitely nailed the slightly hysterical, things-will-be-perfect-at-all-costs bride and the rather arrogant but clueless groom.
In fact they characters were so well done that initially I silently cheered to myself when they got stranded in the dessert in their limo, with their driver, their video-making friend, and the bride's sister. They all seemed to be the type of people I generally try to avoid, but like to laugh at from a distance.
However, by the end the unusual circumstances force to the surface their true selves, and they become much more approachable and likeable. They become human.
The premise makes this sound like a comedy, and there are funny spots - I will always treasure the shot of the bride taking a pee in the middle of the wide open spaces in her huge, poofy dress. (I hate poofy dresses and don't see why most brides want to wear one.)
But there's a lot more going on, and the situations and emotions are serious as well as comedic. Not to diminish it, but this movie is more of a mocumentary mini-drama than the screwball comedy I expected from the short description I read.
It's an interesting idea to have everything filmed by the video camera-toting friend who was going to record their wedding, but I found it a little difficult to understand that dialogue in the beginning - just as I do on some of my friend's amateur videos. But the sound and camera angles subtly improved, making it easier to follow what was happening.
My only other caveat is that I thought things dragged a bit in the middle - I wanted them to get on with it. Then the pace picked up and I was engaged with the characters again. This is a good popcorn movie -- just sit back and watch it unfold.
Loggerheads
Written and directed by Tim Kirkman, with cast members Bonnie Hunt, Kip Pardue, Tess Harper, Michael Kelly and Chris Sarandon.
Festival screenings: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Sonoma Cinemas; and 10 a.m. Sunday, April 3, Sebastiani Theatre.
By Patricia
There are some wonderful "real life" touches in this movie - a minister's wife hiding her pack of cigarettes under a bag of flour in a kitchen cannister - that make it come to life and smack of the truth.
Separate lives unfold on the screen , giving an introspective look at adoption, families, motherhood and whose child you are. Indeed, "Loggerheads" is advertised as "based on a true story" -- but it is not quite as linear at that implies.
The stories flow smoothly, with those wonderful touches of daily reality such as the hidden cigarettes, but I was bothered at times by the need to sort out what was happening when - which doesn't become clear until the very end of the film. If you can turn off the need to sort out timing, you'll probablly enjoy this movie more.
And it's worth watching; the cinematography is excellent. Overall, "Loggerheads" is a nicely done exploration of the deep power of two things -- hidden secrets and true acceptance.
The Big Question
Directed by Francesco Cabras and Alberto Molinari, screeplay by Cabras.
Festival screenings: 3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, and 10 a.m. Sunday, April 4, both in the Barrel Room (World Cinema/Documentary)
By Ryan
This documentary was shot on location during the filming of Mel Gibson's controversial film, "The Passion of the Christ." Through candid interviews with the actors and crew, it tries to answer the question of who or what God is.
I loved this movie for a variety of reasons. One, the film is lavishly shot using the natural beauty of the Italian countryside to paint subtle undertones to the heavy subjects expressed. The scenery truly expresses the spirit of the movie in such a way that to remove it and replace it with a city garbage dump backdrop would significantly change the impact of the film.
Two, the answers by the cast and crew, more often than not, come out of left field, with some being rather amusing if not surprising. Most importantly the film never tried to come to some definitive conclusion about God. Instead it encompassed everyone's ideas and beliefs.
Delving deeper into the film, one could argue that it really is not about God at all, but about people. Too often films, TV shows and popular books, draw moral conclusions and remain biased to a fault. "The Big Question" strips away the pretense and allows one to experience true ambiguity not only about God but also in regards to human beings and our differing ideas.
The two directors, Francesco Cabras and Alberto Molinari, have made an epic documentary and I have a hunch that anyone who watches this film could learn a thing or two about people.
"Return to Sender"
Directed by Bille August, screenplay by Robert Wade and Neal Purvis.
Festival screenings: 6:45 and 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, at the Sebastiani Theatre
By Ryan
"Return to Sender" creeped me out from the start. This is not necessarily a bad thing. While I felt that the plot - a down and out lawyer (Aidan Quinn) who writes letters to inmates on death row to turn a profit by selling their final correspondence - might simply showcase the lowest common denominator of human nature, it was well done and held my fascination to the very end. I was ill prepared for the human story that followed as our lawyer correspondent becomes emotionally involved with a death row inmate played in a nice turn by Connie Nielsen. Themes of hope, love, and possible redemption manage to slip through the confines of dark images.
By Patricia
In the beginning I wasn't sure I was going to like "Return to Sender" because I thought both the premise - a former lawyer who falsely corresponds with death row inmates in order to auction off the letter written to him just before they die - and the images were too dark and gloomy.
However, it's worth hanging in there. This quirky little movie is well-written, well-acted and appropriately darkly filmed, and yet life-affirming in an odd, unresolved way. By the end, I loved it. From the close-up opening of a condemned man's large fingers hunting-and-pecking out a last letter on an old typewriter to the final sky-slowly-brightening-in-the-background ending, it's sort of a skewed whodunnit -- a lot of classic symbols but not necessarily the standard plot twists. I was never quite sure where the moving heading, which made it highly entertaining.
I especially liked the fact that although the ending does hint at a potentially positive outcome for the characters, there's no guarantee that they'll do any better with their somewhat messy lives than they have in the past -- but there is a bit of hope.
Lollilove
Directed by Jenna Fischer, screenplay by Jenna Fisher
Festival screenings in The Lounge at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 1, and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3.
By Ryan
When I think mockumentary, I think of Spinal Tap or anything done by Christopher Guest. That being said, this movie had some pretty tough competition. Sure that is unfair but I have been ruined by the best of the genre. The movie follows two dense and wealthy Southern California natives James Gunn and Jenna Fischer as they try to make a difference in homeless peoples lives by handing out lollipops with uplifting inscriptions on the wrapper. Jenna Fischer skillfully portrays the Disney-esque rich housewife cum misguided social worker while her real-life husband James Gunn plays her character's artistically impotent and shallow husband. The movie cleverly introduces more characters at the perfect moments to keep the shallow themed satire moving.
I felt that overall the movie was well made save for a brief lag in the middle. The comedic timing at the beginning and end of the film is up there with any Christopher Guest film, and more often than not I was laughing out loud into the next scene.
Furthermore, I felt the film makes a poignant social statement about inordinately wealthy's well intentioned but ultimately clueless treatment of those below the poverty line.
By Patricia
I thought "Lollilove" belabored the point just a bit, but I got some real laughs out of this "mocumentary" about a clueless wealthy Southern California couple and their self-serving efforts to help the homeless, one lollipop at a time.
The pacing is perfect at the beginning and end of this movie, giving just enough time to chuckle at a clever line before moving on to the next set-up. I thought the middle sagged a bit; I wanted them to get on with it. However, things picked up as more characters made their appearances and I was once again caught up in the movie's satiric silliness.
Screenwriter, director and lead actress Jenna Fischer performs with just the right level of wide-eyed-but-calculating innocence as a well-to-do housewife out to meet all the best celebrities by handing out designer lollipops to the homeless.
She is aptly teamed with her real-life screenwriter husband, James Gunn, who plays the vacantly self-absorbed and artistically-challenged Southern California husband, James Gunn. Other cast members are equally adept at giving depth to their characters by rising to just the right level of shallowness.
My quibble with the pacing didn't alter the fact that this is a fun and entertaining movie, that should fit perfectly with the Sonoma Valley Film Festival's off-beat Lounge series. The festival notes indicate that this is the writing and directing debut for Fischer, who currently stars as receptionist Pam Beasley on NBC's "The Office: An American Workplace." "Lollilove" is a well-done bit of cleverly sarcastic fluff.
My Date With Drew
A documentary directed by Brian Herzlinger, Brett Winn and Joe Gunn.
Festival screenings in The Lounge at 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2. Shows with the 10-minute short, "The Breaks."
By Ryan
I remember seeing E.T when I was a wee lad and thinking it was the coolest thing next to Star Wars at the time. I do admit I was scared of his glowing finger, thinking that E.T. would come visit me and burn a hole in me with his finger, but I was hooked. I was an E.T. fanatic. I had the lunchbox, the storybook, the doll, and I tried and failed to make my bike fly. Brian saw E.T. too but he was not obsessed with a short brown alien with a head shaped like ham. Oh no! Brian, contrary to my more sci-fi oriented yearnings went gaga for Drew Barrymore. Fast forward twenty years and Brian, broke as a joke, remains plenty passionate if not obsessive about Drew Barrymore. As luck would have it, Brian
wins $1,100 on a game show and rather than use it to pay for his living expenses, he formulates other plans. Like King Arthur searching for the Holy Grail, he pools what little resources he has and sets out on a noble quest to get a date with Drew Barrymore and make a movie of the proceedings.
I thought this movie was hilarious, especially the fact that he borrows a friends credit card to buy a camera at Circuit City, use it and return it before the 30-day return policy expires. What was even better is that, Brian is a pretty good storyteller and the movie comes off as innocent "follow your dream" fairytale rather than an obsessive jaunt.
By Patricia
I just loved "My Date With Drew." I totally did not expect to enjoy a documentary about a 27-year-old unemployed man, Brian Herzlinger, who uses his 1,100 in game-show winnings to pursue his dream of a date with actress Drew Barrymore.
Despite my misgivings, "My Date with Drew" is a charming tale about those youthful crushes almost everyone has experienced at one time or another, as well as dreams, hopes, aspirations and facing inner fears. It's about being cheerfully optimistic and heartlessly realistic about a seemingly-impossible quest, but not giving up even when it seems the journey is over.
From my lofty perch as a responsible 50-something, I was disgusted at the start of the film when Brian cheerfully announced that he and his buddies would take advantage of Circiut City's 30-day return policy to use the best available video camera and then take it back for a total refund. How irresponsible, I thought to myself.
In fact, the team does that twice at two different stores to extend their 30-day deadline. The second time I found myself cheering the fact that they were able to continue the documentary, no matter what it took.
The documentary takes on a fascinating life of its own, attracting various levels of celebrities and behind-the-scenes workers willing to talk about ways Brian could meet and date Drew Barrymore. Brian is delightfully candid about his hopes, fears and definte "uncoolness." This film is a definite upper, and far more entertaining than its premise suggested to a middle-aged grump like me.
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
Directed by Jordan Hawley, screenplay by Jordan Hawley
Festival screenings: 10 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Sonoma Cinemas; and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Sebastiani Theatre
By Ryan
Forgetting the Paul Simon reference, the movie "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" speaks to all of us who have ever been caught off guard by love. Our lives may have been going one way until we get hit with the bug as we meet the person of our dreams.
The film centers around Los Angeleno Owen, who unhappy with his life as a co-author of sleazy autobiographies, decides to leave town but not before actively sabotaging his relationships with friends, roommates, and coworkers. As he is prepared to leave, he meets Val (Jennifer Westfeldt) at the airport, who seeing off her ex-boyfriend invites him for a cup of coffee. Owen instantly attracted to Val consequently misses his flight, setting off a chain of hilarious events as he stays around a little bit longer to shake her off with tests designed to highlight his shortcomings.
The premise is truly promising and the movie is quite hilarious at moments. Many are delivered by Bucky (Fred Willard) former astronaut and Owen's boss and Tori Spelling has a nice turn as Stephanie, Owen's roommate's new lesbian lover.
By Patricia
"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" is a romantic comedy with a twist: boy meets girl, boys deliberately displays all his worst character traits in a bid to lose girl as quickly as possible.
It's a simple story on the surface, with a great-looking cast and an upbeat musical soundtrack. There are also some basic truths here, about figuring out what it is you really want, the power of honesty however misguided it might be, and the fact that anywhere you go there, you are.
"Leave Your Lover" is tightly written, with a strong cast. Paul Schneider plays the lead character, Owen, with an appealing amount of bumbling earnestness. Jennifer Westfeldt presents a nice mixture of guarded openness as Owen's potential new love interest, Val. And Fred Willard is perfectly dreadful as the amoral former astronaut in need of an inspiring (and therefore false) ghostwritten biography to pay off his sordid debts.
While "Leave Your Lover" would make a great date flick, it deserves a wider audience. While not the movie of the century, it's a fun bit of film with nice plot twists and a satisfying but still believable ending. If you want a lift, catch this movie.
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