With the cat away the mouse will play, well play films. Scott discusses his weekend of double bills.
It is not very often I am left alone at home. But every now and again Lyn goes back home to see her Dad or Mum, and I am left behind because of work responsibilities. This weekend was one of them. the difference was that I was left the girls to looks after. Now I am not saying that this is a bad thing, far from it. I relish my Daddy and Daughter days, there is nothing better. But it also means that I am alone for the evening so I get stuck into some film watching.
I didn’t go quite as mad as I did last time I was left alone and managed to get through 15 or so films in the 2 days. I only watched 5, but they were all crackers. I decided to go with a theme for the individual evenings…
Friday night was – POP CULTURE CRIME DOUBLE BILL.
First up was my film of 2011 that is finally getting a Blu-Ray and DVD release here in the UK next week, DRIVE. I was lucky enough to be sent a copy to review and I was pretty pleased to be back with THE GOSGOS as we call him here, and his Scorpion Jacket. I won’t go too much into the details of the disk here as I have a review of it going live later in the week. But I was still charmed by the pop-culture references and the soundtrack.
Next up was a film that is super similar to DRIVE in many ways from the soundtrack, to the premise, to the hero character, THIEF from 1981. Now regular readers will know this film as FRC’s good friend and serial guest poster Jack Deth provided us with a super in depth and concise review and break down of the film. If you didn’t read it you can find it HERE.
Saturday night I decided to enter the WORLD CINEMA DOUBLE BILL. It turned out to be a much more localized event with both films being from France (well ok one is slightly from Belgium and the other is slightly from Finland, but they are both in the French language).
First up was the utterly charming and elegantly styled LE HAVRE, my review is below. This was quickly followed up with THE KID WITH THE BIKE, if you haven’t heard of this film or seen it I really urge you to. It is heart wrenching and a brilliant study of a broken boy so desperate for love but really does not know how to express it. I was crying from start to finish. Thomas Doret who plays the titular kid, is fantastic and truly believable in the role. I was utterly moved by it.
Last night I was limited to one film. This was mainly because of our Sunday Night Ritual (TM). On Sundays we let the girls stay up and watch Dancing on Ice. Now if you are not aware of this show, it is a really fun watch. The premise is this – 14 Celebrities train to be Figure Skaters and compete for the title, simple, fun and wildly addictive to watch. Mainly because you are trying to see if they hurt themselves, and yes they do. Ice Skating is tough!! It is especially fun this year as we have Hollywood’s Corey Feldman in the list. and bless his soul he is really bad!! It is a bit like watching Bambi on ice watching him performing his turn. Scary but involving. the good news is he is still in the competition, which is madness in itself!! TEAM COREY!!
After I got the girls to be I stuck on the blu-ray of TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD. It is due for a 50th Anniversary release in February here in the UK by Universal and we were lucky enough to be sent a review copy of it. I had not seen the film before and I was totally taken by it. Also it looks stunning in 1080p. A review will be up next week.
So you can see it was a very busy weekend with movie watching, but a good one.
Here is my review of Le Havre…
TITLE – LE HAVRE
YEAR – 2011
DIRECTOR – AKI KAURISMAKI
CAST – ANDRÉ WILMS, BLONDIN MIGUEL, JEAN-PIERRE DAROUSSIN
WRITERS – AKI KAURISMAKI
From beginning to end, Aki Kaurismaki’s Le Havre managed to tell a relatively dark and socially aware story with a delicate and feathery touch. As an optimistic tale of good versus evil it works like a well oiled machine.
André Wilms plays Marcel Marx, our main protagonist. He is joyous, rebellious and a dedicated shoeshiner. He makes his trade in the port town in Normandy, Le Havre. He lives a simple but content life with his loving wife Arietty, played by Kati Outinen. Unfortunately early on in the running time Arietty becomes ill and is admitted into hospital. This devastates Marcel, but not as much as the fact that his wife has ordered him to leave her in peace while she recuperate’s under the care of the Hospital.
This isn’t the only obstacle that is forced into Marcel’s life. One morning in the docks, voices are heard form one of the containers. It is opened and inside are many refugees from Africa. One young boy, Idrissa played by Blondin Miguel makes a break for it and runs away. He winds up in the water next to where Marcel sits to eat his lunch. Marcel offers the boy some food and the bond is formed. Soon he is firmly under the wing of Marcel with the whole town helping out to hide the boy.
There is one man who is on the case though, Inspector Monet. The inspector has a styling and facial hair that cannot be messed with. He is stoic and relentless, he will find his man. But is there a heart under that trench coat? He also has the best laugh of the film and it involves a pineapple.
Le Havre is completely relaxed and is in now hurry to get you to any big build up or tense climax. It is happy just to make you smile and feel warm inside. But let me stress that it is never a bore. It is much like a Sunday drive into the country in the Summer, there is no hurry to get to where you are going, the fun is simply in getting there.
The film isn’t quite reality, but it isn’t completely fairy tale either. It is just enough off kilter to make you think, it is in it’s own little unique world and timeframe. Almost like the occupants of Le Havre are from a classic era of cinema waiting for one last story, and the arrival of Idrissa gives them the chance to do so.
Le Havre is a film that is full of Gallic charm that will have you smiling from end to end. I haven’t seen any other Kaurismaki films, but I am very interested to visit the Finnish Auteur’s body of work now.
Much like The Artist in its quaint styling yet completely absorbing, it is a success. I think the world is in need of more uplifting cinema these days, more than ever before.
FRC Rating
Have you seen of the films I saw this weekend? What did you get up to? Team Corey? Comment below…
More From Custard
- Weekend Round-Up – A Musical weekend with Kurt and Courtney
- Weekend Round Up – Cult Classic Italian Horror Double Bill
- Weekend Round-Up – Home Alone Marathon #2 – Barney’s Version Review – FrontRoomCinema » FrontRoomCinema
Custard Recommends
- Excerpt: Secret Confessions of a Backpacker (Laura Watts) (The World According to Dave)
- In Search of Inspiration – The Journey of the Writing Pilgrim #2 (The World According to Dave)
loading...
35 comments
January 23, 2012 at 11:42 am (UTC 0)
“I think the world is in need of more uplifting cinema these days, more than ever before”
QFT. I thought it was very charming. A perfect Christmas movie.
I’m also glad you liked The kid with the bike. I watched it a few days ago. Review is incoming asap.
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:49 am (UTC 0)
It is a bit sad but I had to look up what QFT meant… I need to get help.
I agree with you completely Jessica. Thanks for the comment
loading...
loading...
January 23, 2012 at 1:12 pm (UTC 0)
Sounds like a great line-up of films! Le havre and the kid with the bike seem particularly interesting.
Much better than my weekend in terms of films. I foolishly decided to give Exorcist 2 a watch after reading John Boorman’s autobiography. Words cannot describe…
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC 0)
Ooh Missus. I wouldn’t ever see that even if it was good!! HAHAH But I need to man up before October huh?
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 1:38 pm (UTC 0)
Too right, I’m sure you can do it! The best is to go in the deep end and watch a really messed up horror film like The loved ones or The Woman and you will be ready for anything then.
loading...
loading...
January 23, 2012 at 1:27 pm (UTC 0)
sounds like you had a nice weekend. Hope you cleaned the house for Lyn too
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:52 am (UTC 0)
Yes Dezzy, I was a very good boy
loading...
loading...
January 23, 2012 at 2:52 pm (UTC 0)
I never watch dancing with the star and this on ice thing…I just think it would waste my time. Hmmm…wonder why Corey never play in movies again, he was quite famous back then in the 80s
I’d love to watch To Kill a Mocking Bird…but not sure I can find b&w movie here
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:54 am (UTC 0)
Dancing On Ice is unfortunately my guilty pleasure!! hehe
Thanks for the comment Novia
loading...
loading...
January 23, 2012 at 5:45 pm (UTC 0)
I can’t wait to see that review for To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s the quintessential southern gothic film.
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC 0)
I am very much looking forward to writing it my friend. I am being a very good LOOKING BACK boy!!
loading...
loading...
January 23, 2012 at 6:34 pm (UTC 0)
Hi, Scott and company:
Excellent double bill!
I’ll do you one better, courtesy of Turner Classic Films this past Friday night.
A triple bill featuring Martin Balsam as a secondary bad guy.
First, Al Capone from 1959. With Rod Steiger in the lead and Balsam as a bent newspaper man and Capone adviser.
Second, The Anderson Tapes from Sidney Lumet in 1971. A little known film about the heist of an entire high end high rise with Balsam as a fence and expert on expensive antiquities. Also features a young Chris Walken as the kid you know is going to die before the last reel.
Third, The Taking of Pelham One, Two Three . An absolute New York City gem about the hijacking of a subway train with seventeen hostages. Balsam plays a retired Transit Cop with an axe to grind and a really bad cold.
Wow! Tackling To Kill A Mockingbird would be a momentous task just for its atmosphere alone. Right up there with Night of the Hunter!!!
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:57 am (UTC 0)
Jack, you certainly know how to string a triple bill together!!
Thanks so much for the heads up on Thief too, I really enjoyed it.
My review of To Kill a Mocking Bird will not be as in depth as yours would be JD, I am just not as educated as your good self.
thanks for the comment
loading...
loading...
January 23, 2012 at 8:27 pm (UTC 0)
I think Le Harve is available through Hulu Plus here in the US. I might check it out now due to your favorable review. I’m not sure you’ve seen the earlier US release of To Kill A Mockingbird, but I might skip this upgrade.
I really want to see Kid with a Bike though. Have never seen the directors other works, but this sounded interesting.
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:58 am (UTC 0)
Le Havre is available on iTunes ‘Advanced Screening’ rentals Max. I love my AppleTV sometimes!!
Thanks for the comment
loading...
loading...
January 23, 2012 at 8:31 pm (UTC 0)
Great to see that you enjoyed two of my favorite films from the past year. I don’t generally go for uplifting cinema but can’t help it when they are so well done.
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:59 am (UTC 0)
Thanks BT. I checked out your reviews after putting up this one. I am pleased we both felt the same about the films
loading...
loading...
January 23, 2012 at 11:29 pm (UTC 0)
Oh god I need to see LA HAVRE. I love Aki Kaurismaki, got to get into more of his stuff.
Sounds like you had a great weekend, except for that whole Dancing on Ice thing… seriously WTF is with that? It’s X Factor in our house. That’s basically the only TV we watch…well, Ashley watches it and I try to pretend I’m watching. Absolutely mindnumbing though, hate hate hate it!
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 11:01 am (UTC 0)
HAHAHA There is something quite soothing about watching a star on ice… especially the nail biting lifts and spins!!
I hope you see Le Havre soon, I know you will like it
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 12:35 am (UTC 0)
You got me at To Kill a Mockingbird!!! Sorry I got lost staring at Mr. Atticus Finch there for a while… Gregory is just tremendous in this film. Btw, just a bit of trivia, did you know that Brock Peters (the actor who played the black man he’s defending) actually gave his eulogy on his funeral?
Btw, I had to laugh seeing Corey Feldman’s pic there above the black & white still photo from the court room of ‘Mockingbird.’ The sentiment couldn’t be more different
Glad to hear you had a fun weekend, matey.
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 11:03 am (UTC 0)
heheh I can completely understand. I was thinking that you would be pleased with me for watching Mocking Bird my friend!!
Thanks for the lovely comment
loading...
loading...
January 25, 2012 at 3:53 am (UTC 0)
I’m just thrilled that two of my buddies, you and Andina both watched ‘Mockingbird’ this past week. Looking forward to your review matey!
loading...
loading...
January 25, 2012 at 11:06 am (UTC 0)
Cool!! It will be here maybe next week or slightly nearer the 50th anniversary release
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 4:39 am (UTC 0)
I definitely need to check out Le Havre. Heard some great things about it. This past weekend, I saw:
- Midnight in Paris (rewatch): Loved it even more than when I saw it in theater last summer. I have no regret putting it in my top 3 of 2011
- Tucker and Dale vs. Evil: Wonderfully tasteless horror comedy with a nice heart. The deaths are a bit repetitive but overall I quite liked it.
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 11:04 am (UTC 0)
Nice weekend of films Castor. I loved Tucker and Dale. Such a great spin on HillBilly Slasher movies!!
Thanks for the comment as ever my friend
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 10:28 am (UTC 0)
That Drive pic sends shivers down my spine!
Great to hear that Mockingbird looks great on blu-ray…I’ll have to pick that one up.
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC 0)
hehe I was searching for ages for that picture. The most striking part of the film!!
Thanks Dan
loading...
loading...
January 25, 2012 at 12:44 pm (UTC 0)
The most “striking” part of the film – a very apt way to put it!
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 11:19 am (UTC 0)
Sounds like a very enjoyable weekend. These are movies I have not heard of (well except for Drive and Mockingbird, which I saw ages ago).
loading...
loading...
January 25, 2012 at 11:09 am (UTC 0)
It was indeed a great movie watching weekend matey!!
Thanks for dropping in
loading...
loading...
January 24, 2012 at 9:26 pm (UTC 0)
Great movie watching!!
Cant’ wait to read your DVD review of DRIVE
loading...
loading...
January 25, 2012 at 11:11 am (UTC 0)
It will be here in a couple of days my friend, do not stress!! HEHE
loading...
loading...
January 25, 2012 at 5:35 am (UTC 0)
Looks like you had a great weekend of film, my friend. I am looking forward to seeing Le Havre myself, and To Kill a Mockingbird will certainly be included in my upcoming movie project. I ended up working all weekend but did squeeze in a movie with my girlfriend — The Help. I didn’t care much for it, unfortunately, but the acting was impressive all-around.
loading...
loading...
January 25, 2012 at 11:12 am (UTC 0)
I have been putting off The Help for a very long time now. I think I am going to have to indulge myself because of all the nods it received yesterday
Thanks man
loading...
loading...
January 25, 2012 at 9:05 pm (UTC 0)
Good choices, Scott. I do like films in twos but it doesn’t happen that often, mostly because it always gets too late!
I watched The Kids Are All Right over the weekend, which I absolutely loved. I’d never seen it before but I took a risk and bought it on DVD, partly because it was only £3 at HMV
I also attempted to watch Harmony Korine’s Mister Lonely, but it was so, so dull. An interesting idea but poorly executed.
loading...
loading...