The Tempest (BluRay/DVD Combo Review)

DVD/BluRay review of The Tempest from director Julie Taymor starring Helen Mirren

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Dir: Julie Taymor (Titus, Across the Universe)
Cast: Helen Mirren, Russell Brand, Reeve Carney, Tom Conti, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming, Djimon Hounsou, Felicity Jones, Alfred Molina, David Strathairn, Ben Whishaw
USA, 2010

Reason to see: I read the book as a part of my 2010 Book to Film Challenge and was one my Most Anticipated Films of 2010 Part 2 although it didn't come out the end of year blitz of films.

I've been looking forward to seeing The Tempest for a long time. In fact, when I look back it's actually just about 2 years now since I included in my 2010 Book to Film Challenge (which was pre-Book to Film Club! That feels like ages ago!) and it also landed on my Mid-Year Additions for Most Anticipated Films of 2010. The pull to the film is an easy draw as Julie Taymor directed, and I have loved her previous work including another Shakespearean adaptation of Titus. Her work always has an intense artistic flair that permeates every level of the films and integrates the story and character on a deeper level, which is what I was hoping for yet again with The Tempest.

I admit that I only grasped the bare bones of the story from reading the play, coming away with shipwreck and father/daughter on an island. The film switches up that dynamic an gives us Prospera (Helen Mirren) as the mother to Miranda (Felicity Jones), which is a welcome change as otherwise the story's only female character is Miranda. I actually quite loved Helen Mirren as Prospera, she was powerful, dynamic, cunning and magical. There is a wonderfully fantastical world that's created and whether or not you'd call it supernatural or fantasy is hard to pinpoint but I felt it resonated most with alchemy and transformation of energy and actual physicality. It crops up in the character of Caliban (Djimon Hounsou), whom I actually loved what they did with his look, with literally looked like he was in or had metaphorphosized which is even more impressive when you consider he's a very tricky literary role.

With the limited location of an island and a magical feel with a stellar cast I thought it would be a sure fire win to love The Tempest. Sadly, that wasn't the case and mostly due to unevenness on several fonts, one being tonally. There were some shifts of tone in conversations that I literally was shocked at, but I can be pretty forgiving about that and there really were only a few. But the more challenging thing though was the different levels that actors could handle the dialogue and it was very unbalanced. Some of the choices felt straight up out of place, like Russell Brand whom I'm actually quite fond of but feels like a caricature here and other actors I just couldn't understand the conversations they were having. That made it tough to love, especially since I only had a sketchy understanding of the story going in. On the flipside there are several brilliant performance including the wonderful Helen Mirren (Red (2010), Brighton Rock, Love Ranch) who purely commands as Prospera. Also flexing their acting muscles here is the amazing and ever-charming Alan Cummings and who really hit it our of the park for me was David Strathairn whom I've loved in everything I've seen him in from My Blueberry Nights to 'Alphas' but there was a wonderful even ease in his performance here, a confidence to not over act that impressed me to no end.

The Tempest has truly gorgeous visuals and wonderful design, and even though I was really rooting for the film I have to admit I was disappointed. Although I did feel that I got a lot of enjoyment from the beauty and artistry of the film, I was expecting and hoping for more. If you are looking for something to wow the senses, and you can put aside the unevenness, than I would definitely recommend checking it out.

DVD Extras:

• Feature Commentary with Julie Taymor, Annotated Shakespeare - View The Tempest with audio commentary by Shakespeare experts Virginia Vaughn & Jonathan Bate, Raising The Tempest - Julie Taymor documentary about the making of the movie, "O Mistress Mine" Music Video, Russell BRand Rehearsal Riff

BluRay Only Extras:

• Los Angeles Rehearsal with Julie Taymor, Djimon Hounsou, Russel Brand & Alfred Molina

The Tempest is available on DVD as of January 10, 2012. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it
I'll watch it again
I'd recommend it to fans of visually stunning films who don't mind a little unevenness

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© Shannon Ridler, 2012


Prospera played by Helen Mirren in the TEMPEST. Photo credit Melinda Sue Gordon


Prospera (Helen Mirren), Miranda (Felicity Jones) and Caliban (Djimon Hounsou) in THE TEMPEST. Photo credit Melinda Sue Gordon

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (DVD Review)

DVD review of Finnish genre bending holiday film Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale


Dir: Jalmari Helander - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Peeter Jakobi, Per Christian Ellefsen, Ilmari Järvenpää,
Finland/Norway/France/Sweden, 2010

Reason to see: This film has festival sweetheart written all over it! Plus, a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

Every once in a while we get a film that pops up and warms the hearts of all the curmudgeons I know, and I get so curious to see the dark & delicious treat. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is exactly that kind of film, dark and delicious but it's still holiday film and although there are some gruesome moments I would also say it technically qualifies as a family film (i.e. everyone can enjoy it) although I would hesitate to sit down with the kids with it. That being said, as a kid I would have loved it probably just as much as I did watching it as an adult. The film actually follows a kid protagonist in Pietari Kontio (Onni Tommila), who is the son of Rauno Kontio (Jorma Tommila) a reindeer hunter. The film is set during the lead up until Christmas in the snowy lands of Korvatunturi mountains. A sweet setting for a dark film, because before long things don't seem to be going as planned with strange trap occurrences, machinery on the mountainside and mysterious disappearances which begs the question if something more, and possibly sinister, is going on.

There is a beautiful blending of Christmas tradition, spirit and stories with family and friend dynamics around the holiday season. There is a strong emotional thread seen through the trying father/son relationship of Pietari and Rauno, that reads every stronger with the holiday setting and the stoic male tough-as-nails demeanour. I also adored the fathers group of friends which are an awesome bunch of ruffians and a great combination of very practical as well as opportunistic that provided some nice comedy in the film. And the film is very funny, although the humour is dark and more-than-slightly bizarre, I loved every minute of it.

Even though Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale hit DVD in October this year, it's a sure-fire Christmas pick for people that are hard to buy for. It’s a unique and special combination that will impress everyone with its dark humour, new spin on a true Christmas theme and its strongly centred on family. Plus, the snowy setting is icing on an already delicious cake. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend checking it out. It's a welcome addition to my regular rotation of Christmas films and I think it will satisfy both holiday enthusiasts and Christmas curmudgeons. A perfect film.

DVD Extras:
The DVD releases is jammed packed with extras including: the two short prequels in which the Christmas Tale was Born: Rare Exports (2003) and Rare Exports, Inc 0 The Official Safety Instructions (2005); The Making of Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, Bleed in the Snow - A Looks at the Concept Art, Animatics & Computer Effects Video Comparison, Behind-the-Scenes Production Stills and Original Theatrical Trailer from Finland

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is available on DVD as of October 25, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I absolutely adored it - it's perfect
I'll watch it again, repeatedly
I highly & widely recommend

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© Shannon Ridler, 2011

Life During Wartime (DVD Review)

Image: Courtesy of eOne Films

Writer/Dir: Todd Solondz (Happiness, Storytelling, Welcome to the Dollhouse)
Cast: Shirley Henderson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Allison Janney, Ally Sheedy, Charlotte Rampling, Chris Marquette, Dylan Riley Snyder
USA, 2010

Reason to see: The trailer sucked me in every time & the cast is phenomenal.

Life During Wartime is the second film I've seen from Todd Solondz, the first being Storytelling, and I didn't put the two and two together until after viewing. In fact, I was intrigued by the film purely on the power of the trailer so I didn't dive into to research mode and therefore had no idea it was a part-sequel to Happiness, with different actors playing the same characters 10 years later. Retrospectively, I'm not sure would have wanted to see Happiness first and then this sequel-esque film as following the characters on the journey was a rough road, and I'm not sure I could do it for 2 films in a row. I will give that the formidable ensemble cast of Life During Wartime gave us strong and often vulnerable performances throughout the film, and I have to commend them for giving the audience their all.

In terms of theme, tone & story, the film is very dark, which which I had not anticipated. I was expecting quirky and keenly insightful, and although I think those are elements are present, they aren't are the forefront. The theme of forgiveness, especially the need, desire or request for forgiveness are very prominent and I honestly found that very challenging as it kept us with people that had done some pretty awful things. There was also a fair amount of questioning, confusion and vaguenss that felt like seeing the seeds of later dysfuction being sown right before our eyes, all due to the inability or unwillingness to have open conversations. That was tough to watch, especially because it felt so real.

Dark & questioning dramas often don't appeal to me, often because I have optimistic perspective and find it a challenge to stay somewhere so dismal for so long. But with Life During Wartime, I really feel like I was missing something, like I just wasn't 'getting' it. I did feel like it was making a statement, but I'm not sure what statement. Definitely something around forgiveness, and associated with the people who are the creators, recievers and surrounders of 'bad things', but I could feel it was something more. Any time I got a clearer idea of what it could be, I felt like I was misinterpreting. I'm usually quite a fan of seeing dysfunction families in film, but on this one I couldn't quite connect.

DVD Extras:

• Cast & Crew Interviews (20 minutes) Split into 2 sections: The Cast of Life During Wartime (15 minutes) film clips and interview discussing their characters and their trials & tribulations and at time connection to the film Happiness; and The Cast and
  
• Crew talk about Life During Wartime (5 minutes) film clips an interviews with cast & crew on the characters, their worlds, what the film is about and the possible interpretation or relationship to the characters in Happiness
• B-Roll Footage (3 sections, 33 minutes) Quite lengthy amount of B-roll here, with different selections of from The Crew on Set of Life During Wartime (8 minutes), Actors & Crew on Location (22 minutes) and Puerto Rico (3 minutes).

Life During Wartime is available on DVD as of July 26, 2011.

Shannon's Overall View:
I didn't love it
I might give it another try
I'd recommend it as dark drama

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© Shannon Ridler, 2011


Paul Rubens as Andy and Shirley Henderson as Joy in Todd Solondz’s LIFE DURING WARTIME. Photo credit Francisco Román. Courtesy of eOne Films


Ciaran Hinds as Bill in Todd Solondz’s LIFE DURING WARTIME. Photo courtesy of Francisco Román. Courtesy of eOne Films

Trigger (DVD Review)

DVD Review of Bruce McDonald's brilliant women of rock drama Trigger starring Tracy Wright & Molly Parker

Image Courtesy of eOne Films

Dir: Bruce McDonald (This Movie Is Broken, Pontypool, Hard Core Logo, Dance Me Outside, Roadkill, Highway 61)
Cast: Tracy Wright, Molly Parker, Don McKeller, Sarah Polly, Callum Keith Rennie
Canada, 2010

Reason to see: Bruce McDonald films are always must-see films for me.

Trigger stars Molly Parker and the late Tracy Wright as friends who reunite, reignite and walk down memory lane to their rock'n'roll days. It have a nice strolling pace to it, but it certainly isn't misty eyed of the 'good old times', but rather is quite clear about the darker shadows of each of their pasts and the challenge and reality of deal, or not dealing, with those shadows in their current day life.

I loved how it incorporated nostalgia on the good and the bad fronts, and how moving ahead if life can lead to different directions for different people. Looking at the choice of 'keeping it real' vs 'making a living', along with posing the question of at some point to you have to make the choice between prosperity and art and if have to be mutually exclusive. I also loved that it featured women in the arts as rock stars, their effect on others and their relationships which all felt truly authentic.

As the film firmly centres on two women, it's a absolute treat that we are privy to the sensation performances by Molly Parker and Tracy Wright. They have great dialogue to work with and they really stay present throughout the film, with an understated comfort level that really resonates of a longterm friendship, even though they haven't seen it each other for many years and obviously have unfinished business, but still are there for each other as friends. It's so great to see a different but very authentic side of women in terms of the lives, friendships and relationships.

The film also have a lovely and gentle Toronto-ness about it. I'm sure fellow Torontonians will have fun picking and recognizing many of the locations, but it's not overly broad casted in the film, which is a choice I really enjoyed. That's one of the amazing things about the film overall is that it deals with harsh things gently but truly, keeping the emotions real and issues up front but always in a very respectful, intriguing way. I absolutely loved it.

DVD Extras:

• Table Read (2 minutes) footage with Molly Parker and the late Tracy Wright from table reading on January 16, 2010 - a unique addition for a DVD extra and touches on several of the emotional moments in the film and shows the strength of the actors in every moment.
• One Breath (5 minutes) beautiful & inspiring video directed by Dale Hildebrand on the power and belief of being able to change the world and connect to greater understanding. Plus, lots of Toronto footage to boot!

Trigger is available on DVD as of July 26, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca

Shannon's Overall View:
I loved it
I own it
I highly recommend it

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© Shannon Ridler, 2010-2011
Originally reviewed for Theatrical Release - October 1, 2010


Tracy Wright and Molly Parker in TRIGGER Courtesy of eOne Films


Tracy Wright and Molly Parker in TRIGGER Courtesy of eOne Films

Barney's Version (DVD Review)

DVD Review of the Genie winning film Barney's Version, starring Paul Giamatti based on the Mordecai Richler


Image: Courtesy of eOne Films

Dir: Richard J. Lewis (Whale Music)
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Scott Speedman, Rachelle Lefevre, Dustin Hoffman, Bruce Greenwood
Canada/Italy, 2010

Reason to see: One of the big heavy hitting Canadian films from 2010 and winner of 7 Genies.

Barney's Version follows the story of Barney Panofsky, played by Paul Giamatti, who over the years has many great friendships, falls in and out of love and also has a few tragedies along the way. His life Based on the novel by Mordecai Richler of the same name, you can certainly feel the love of the story and characters run strong in the film, with the care taken to create rich settings at every turn from bars to television studios to cottage homes on top of several weddings from simple to all the bells and whistles.

I knew going in to the film that it was going to be focused on Barney (from the title), but when I saw the trailers I didn't really connect to him and seeing the film and was primarily because it's Canadian and it did well, and I like to be on the up and up of Canadian film as much as I can. Even though I didn't always agree with Barney's actions along the way, I found myself very surprized to empathize with him at almost every turn. He doesn't have the hardest life or the easiest life, but it certainly throws him more than a few curve balls along the way and he really tries to deal with them as gracefully as he can. It's no surprize that Paul Giammati has won awards for his performance here, as he gives us depth and range and he makes Barney as hard to hate as he is easy to love.

As the film is a winner of 7 Genies, including 3 in acting categories of Paul Giammati (Actor in a Leading Role), and both supporting acting categories (awarded to Dustin Hoffman & Minnie Driver), it does sometimes make me a bit miffy when big Canadian films have non-Canadian in all the big roles. They are great performances though so I can't, and won't, fault them or the film because it really hits all the right marks. I will say in addition to the acting awards it won, I would also give big kudos to Scott Speedman who gives an absolutely fantastic performance as Barney's friend Boogie, and was easily one of the highlights of the film for me. Rosamund Pike is also wonderful as the calm, cool and collected Miriam, who Barney is taken with at first sight.

It's a drama that works it's magic over the test of time, following Barney through thick and thin. While watching I was impressed when it got me, which was more often than I had imagined but for the praise not as much as I hoped. I think keeners of dramas with longevity characters will definitely get a lot from it.

DVD Extras:

• Feature Commentary with director Richard J. Lewis, writer Michael Konyves and producer Robert Lantos Wow, you can really feel the love for the story and the cast as they discuss the film and reminisce over casual in jokes, the process, Canadian-isms, the meta-level of several of the references, changes from the book to the film, iconic things about the Barney character, shooting on location, the transitions in time throughout the film, the actors, musical themes, cameos, shooting on location in Montreal and Italy, the make up research for the characters, the importance of capturing Montreal at the time in which the film is set, and changes, different version and choices about the film along the way. The commentary starts with director Richard J. Lewis & writer Michael Konyves, and producer Robert Lantos comes in at about 24 minutes.
• Interview with Mordecai Richler (3 minutes) discussion about the novel Barney's Version, the first person nature of the novel, shared point of view and differences between him and the character of Barney and also includes reading of excepts of the novel.
• Deleted Scenes (9 scenes, 27 minutes) combination of extended & deleted scenes, mostly conversational and most deepening relationships with Barney and other characters in the film as well as more insight into Barney himself. I quite enjoyed the scenes with Paul Giamatti and Rachelle Lefevre and a couple of great additional scenes with Rosamund Pike & Bruce Greenwood.
• 92nd Street Y Q&A with Paul Giamatti & Annette Insdorf (61 minutes) Q&A really in depth Q&A included here which goes over a lot of discussion about the film and the role, how he became involved with the project, on if he had any reservations on the role, the character of Barney, the draw to the role, what it was like playing a character that ages throughout the film as well as questions from the live audience.
• On the Red Carpet (4 minutes) on the red carpet with director Richard J. Lewis, producer Robert Lantos, actors Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Jake Hoffman and AFI Fest director Jacqueline Lyanga discussing the draw of the film, what the film is about, casting, working together and believing in love at first sight, true love and craziest thing they have done for love.

Barney's Version is available on DVD and BluRay as of June 28, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca (DVD) & Amazon.com (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Shannon's Overall View:
I didn't love it
It's not likely I'd watch it again
I'd recommend it fans of character-driven dramas that focus on the depth of one person over time

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© Shannon Ridler, 2011


Scott Speedman,Paul Giamatti, Rachelle Lefevre in BARNEY'S VERISON Photo Credit Sabrina Lantos Courtesy of eOne Films


Paul Giamatti and Minnie Driver in BARNEY'S VERSION Photo Credit Takashi Seida Courtesy of eOne Films


Rosamund Pike and Paul Giamatti in BARNEY'S VERSION Courtesy of Sabrina Lantos Courtesy of eOne Films