The Visitor

By Jozua J.
Viewing: Sterkinekor
Release Date: 16 October 2009

The Visior
Directed By Tom Mcarthy
Screenplay By Tom Mcarthy
Director Of Photography Oliver Bokelberg

By Jozua J.
Viewing: Sterkinekor
Release Date:

The Visior
Directed By Tom Mcarthy
Screenplay By Tom Mcarthy
Director Of Photography Oliver Bokelberg

Cast:
Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Jekesai Gurira, Hiam Abbass
Running Time: 103min

When it comes to film genre's I must confess that dramas don't feature at the top of my list to watch, but it seems I would love directing a few. Because I now write reviews I am exposed to them more and more and as a director one can learn a lot from good dramas in terms of story telling. This is one of them. As dramas go, this is a character driven story and we find our main character, Walter (Richard Jerkins) seemingly at the end of his life. He is in his late fifties, his wife has passed away and he sits in a job which means nothing to him, the question is: Did it ever? During this time Walter is also a co-author to a student writing her thesis. The student falls ill and the university forces the professor to present the paper on behalf of her at a convention in New York, which he reluctantly agrees to. Arriving in Manhattan, it appears someone is trying to a make quick buck and has placed loggers in his apartment, which catches him of guard. Here we meet Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) an Arab, an aspiring musician along with his girl friend Zainab (Danai Gurira) an African girl, who makes and sells her jewelery at the local flee market. Not only are they now out of house and home, but it seems they are illegal immigrants in the US.



As the story unfolds, Walter is faced with his own empty life as well as getting involved with the lives of his loggers, which seems to be filled with joy, contentment and promise. As Walter's relationship grows with Tarek, he is taken away by the police, whom soon discovers that he has no papers and is an illegal immigrant. Taker's mother (Hiam Abyss) comes to visit her son which she has not heard of in five days, because he phones her everyday. The battle with the US immigration begins to find a way to get Tarek released. Amidst the personal battles, the film stirs one with beautiful moments and reminds me that I need to cherish every moment with people who become special in my life.


The sheer simplicity of the story which evokes so much emotion, really made me sit up and pay attention, not only on screen but the impact of it in real life, as my thoughts wandered back to the movie while I was driving home.

Pauses to responses from one character to another was stirring, the carefully chosen shots which meanings resound character change can be overlooked as the film subtly takes you forward in the journey of this man's life; making the film more than just the rules that govern a society and the people that come in and go out of our lives.

For the deep at heart and realist who wants to take a journey of the soul, I will see you at the movies. The Visitor gets a serious 8 out of 10.

Rudo Y Cursi

By Magdaleen Duvenage

Viewing: Sterkinekor

Release Date: 11 September 2009 (Cinema Nouveau)

Rudo Y Cursi.
Directed By Carlos Cuaron
Screenplay By Carlos Cuaron

Cast:
Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Guillermo Francella, Dolores Heredia, Adriana Paz,
Jessica Mas, Salvador Zerboni, Tania Esmeralda Aguilar, Joaquín Cosio

This is a movie that one would describe as realistic and honest – in some ways brutally so. Carlos shows the true poverty situation in Mexico. The battle to be seen and heard. The hard physical labour of the countrymen, which makes this story very intriguing. Everyone, in some way or another, can relate to their struggle to get to the top. Beto and Tata are brothers, they grew up in a very poor neighbourhood in Mexico. As expected, they are ill educated, ill mannered and lets just say, you wont look at the movie and think they will survive in a prison break scene – definitely not the smartest pencils in the packet. His brother, Luna is even worse off. Luna is married, with kids and he has a nasty gamble habit. Tata is nicknamed “Cursi” because of his adorable innocence and romantic looks, he has a dance when ever he scores a goal – which is exactly what it means: “tacky but kind of cute.” He is a dreamer and a artist. Beto gets the nickname “Rudo” because of his hot tempered behaviour on and of the field. They are discovered by a sport agent “Batuta,” (Guillermo Francella), his car tyre got a flat, in the middle of Mexico, they help him to get it fixed and he watched their game. This is the part where the film becomes predicable – some where in the film there will be a celebrity girlfriend, money, drugs, sex and finally the pressure of fame and power will destroy their life's.

Cursi gets the first opportunity. He climbs the ladder of success very quick. I believe this is where the trouble and the action start – you wait in anticipation to see what is he going to do wrong, like so many before him. He then gets the celebrity girlfriend (Jessica Mas), the house, car, etc. True to what he wants, he pushes for a music career. He records the song: “I want you to want me”; a very bad Spanish version – but the cherry on top is the music video which is as common as pink grass. This becomes the movie's irritating trait. It causes toe curling laughter! When Cursi lost his “mojo”, his love life takes a toll – not that there was any love from the start though. One can not believe how naïve he is. Rudo gambles all his money away, among other possessions. The plot boils down to the last game, when Rudo and Cursi play against each other. Both the brothers reputation is on the line. The director takes the story back to the beginning, which provides the movie with excitement and drama. In this movie, losing is the trophy, and wining, the lost. The difference the director bring is to keep the cameras off the field, but he classically revolves the story around the game. The soccer ball, is the girlfriend, who wins every time a goal is reached and instantly disappears to the next guy. Every guy wants it. The fans are like the brothers relationship with their mother Elvira (Dolores Heredia) . Each fan believes he is soccer's/teams biggest and most valued fan; as each boy believes he is his mothers favourite and most worthy son, and he would do almost anything to prove it. The narrators role is done subtly, as I am not a favourite of this style of filming, it gives the film a philosophical angle and it provides depth.

Both the brothers end up working for their sisters drug lord husband, who build their mothers dream house. They seem to be back where they started with miner improvements. This movie is an amazing preparation for South Africans regarding the FIFA 2010. One walks away with a feeling of excitement mixed with nostalgic emotions. This sport incorporates all cultures; and everyone, on and off the field, feels invited and part of the game. The theme in my opinion is that everyone wants fame and power, but rarely has the knowledge for a lifestyle of meaningless existence created by a world dominated media circle. The movie was a great laugh, you walk away wondering: What if? For my personal taste the language was very foul and the brutality of certain scenes is not at all the kind of movie that I would declare as a must see; In the context of the movie it definitely worked, and it was even funny. A realistically good story, great telling, yet it lacks a depth that is not mentioned. It deserves a lovely 6. See you at the movie's!

Virgin Territory.

By Magdaleen Duvenage

Viewing: Nu Metro

Release Date: Currently Out on Show
Directed by David Leland

Cast:
Hayden Christensen, Mischa Barton, Tim Roth, Matthew Rhys, Christopher Egan, Silvia Collocate.

Okay, I have to be honest, the only reason why I was persistent in seeing this movie, was because of Hayden Christensen – whom I am a huge fan of, not necessarily because of talent, I just love staring at him, there is something mysterious about those eyes ladies...

While standing at the movies, getting a cappuccino, it dawned on me the first time that just maybe the name “Virgin Territory” is self explanatory, and that means I would not enjoy this movie. Well, the optimist inside stood up, and I decided to go in with a fresh sense of awe.
Virgin Territory is a romantic comedy based upon Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron, I have honestly never been a fan of his work. In France it was released as Medieval Pie, in my opinion this would have been a better title choice.

It is a story of 10 Florentines who flee in to the Italian countryside in 1348 as the black plague swept through the city.

Hayden Christensen is Lorenzo di Lamberti, a charming scoundrel, who one would describe as one of William Shakespeare's characters. Lorenzo lost a game to Gerbino (Tim Roth), who wants him dead. On a road, fleeing from Gerbino, Lorenzo decides to hide out in a convent, after enquiry that the convents gardener is dead. He meets a interesting character on his way, carrying the dead gardener, played by David Walliams (British comedian), who seems to be the only comedy in this movie. The only way he can stay there is by pretending to be deaf and dumb, which he does with pleasure, as he gets to sleep with all the nuns, as any good gardener would do, I suppose.
Lorenzo had a love for the young and voluptuous Mischa Barton who is Pampinea. She however is betrothed to Count Dzerzhinsky (Matthew Rhys) from Russia – with love. Her father arranged the marriage before he died, leaving Pampinea orphaned. Gerbino moves in on her almost immediately, she then hides out at the convent, waiting for the Count to arrive away from Gerbino.

She sees Lorenzo and discovers she has feelings for him. One afternoon while taking his food for him, she blindfolds and kissed him, he becomes obsessed with finding her. As the story unfolds, a lot of members of Pampinea’s party get naked and end up in pools for no particular reason, none of these incidents adds to the story and it does not create any value.
Basically Lorenzo finds Pampinea, fights with Gerbino, with some help from the Count, they (Pampinea and Lorenzp) end up together and “live happily ever after.”

This movie, is definitely without a doubt, one of the worst movies of the century. There are countless encounters with sex, nudity, violence and swearing. This movie should not be seen by anyone under the age of 16; parents be strictly cautioned. Its only purpose is for entertainment, no depth and no mystery, not even a moral. It is as predicable as cartoons and routine. David Leland tried to create, like so many before him, a modern touch on medieval history, he has failed miserably though.
It is always nice to see Hayden, but I am giving it a disastrous 2/10.
See you at the movies!

District 9

By Jozua J. Jonker.

District 9
Viewing : Sterkinekor
Release Date : 28 Augusts 2009

Directed by Neil Blomkamp.
Screenplay Neill Blomkamp,Terri Tatchell
Producer Peter Jackson
Director of Photography Trent Opaloch

Cast
Sharlto Copley, Jason Cop, Nathalie Boltt,Sylvaine Strike,Elizabeth Mkandawie, John Summer, William Allen Young,Greg Melvill-Smith, Nick Blake,Morena Busa Sesatsa, Themba Nkosi,Mzwandile Nqoba, Barry Strydom, Jed Brophy
Louis Minnaar

In any industry there are defining moments. Moments that change things as we know it forever. Another moment is on the horizon for South African film. To shape it, form it and change the way we will do it for years to come. District 9 is one of those defining moments. Many film makers dream of that moment and few achieve it. Neill Blomkamp has done just that and I think the industry is going to be better for it.

Twenty years ago an alien species made contact with earth. Not to take them to our leaders, or to rule or enslave us but to come to our planet as refugees. Their ship then came to halt over Johannesburg of all places. So what now?




In this cyclic alternate history of our country, the story unfolds. Wikus van der Merw an employee of MNU (Multi Nation United), a private company interested in the aliens welfare, is at the centre of this story as it unfolds, delving us into the world of district 9, the aliens and MNU, a culminating Sci-Fi adventure with unique twists and turns.

Blomkamp brings in a different flavour to this genre with his shooting style encompassing unique elements to make his vision work. He uses three unique components in his story telling along side Terri Tatchell, screenwriter for District 9. First Wikus van Merwe's own tale makes for a dramatic and compelling story. This mixed in with mocumentary footage to create the reality of the alternate universe we find ourselves in together with that last component using actual broadcasting footage gave the overall story the added benefit of the doubt. A component to me that stood out was the back drop to which this story was told. Johannesburg and district 9 together with other parts of the film formed an indistinct state between what is real and what is fiction.

The special effects was spectacular to watch for South African feature film standards. That today seems only reserved for commercials. This I think was part of the recepy for success and it places South African film in league with the UK and the US in terms of a big budget successful films. What also caught my attention was the quality in sound this film produced, something quickly over looked when the special affects is so good.

Although aliens and Sci-fi is not every ones cup of coffee, it is a great film to see at least once, specially for South Africans. When I was finished watching the movie as young film maker to the industry, I felt inspired and motived.

This movie for me gets a 10 out of 10. See you at the movies

My Sister's Keeper

By Magdaleen Duvenage.

Viewing: Nu Metro

Directed by Nick Cassavetes.
Screenplay Jeremy Leven (based on the novel of Jodi Picoult).

Executive Producers: Diana Pokorny, Stephen Furst, Mendel Tropper. Toby Emmerich, Merideth Finn and Mark Kaufman.

Producers: Mark Johnson, Chuck Pacheco and Scott L. Goldman.

Director of Photography: Caleb Deschanel.

Production designer: Jan Hutman

Editors: Alan Heim and Jim Flynn.

Costume designer: Shay Cunliffe.
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Jason Patric, Sofia Vassilieva and Joan Cusack.

I have not been speechless, because of a movie, for a very long time, and I have to be honest, for a while, I had nothing to say. My awe was confirmed in the very quiet cinema.The film begins with a very tranquil beginning, they seem like a very happy family.The story is about two sisters, Anna (Abigail Breslin) and Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) who have an amazing relationship, despite their age difference.

Sara Fitzgerald (Cameron Diaz) is a strong attorney, she is devoted to her husband Brian (Jason Patric) and their two beautiful children, Kate and Jesse (Evan Ellingson). Their life is changed forever when their two-year-old daughter Kate is diagnosed with Leukaemia. The only cure is to conceive another child, genetically conformed, to save Kate's life. For Sara it is about her child's life, even if it takes Anna's in return.The girls life's plays out into scenes about medical procedures and hospitals throughout the film. Sara has given up her career to take full time care of her daughter, she is bound-up in a life were her only goal is to save Kate's life. Her strong willed husband is at times passive because of her overbearing personality. Their son is, at most times, forgotten as the drama revolves around his two sisters.

The plot begins with Anna (11), seeking medical emancipation and she hires a lawyer (Alec Baldwin). The court case divides the family and with Kate's failing body time is of the essence. Anna and her lawyer share a rare bond, her knowledge of what she wants done is also quite astounding at her age, this is when one starts to wonder about the plot, although she seems very bright.There are very sad scenes where life happens as we know it, and one realises that it could be all over in a heart beat, with a gnawing sense that, that is exactly the purpose. I love Cassavetes work, he always captures something remarkable, humanity, love and nature. He has a way to tell a story that makes you walk out of a cinema, and think about it for years. He portrays the essence of what makes us human and the beauty in life. I like the way he can read a book and say: “This is a story I would like to tell.” Stories like these are so profound for our daily existence.The story has a surprising twist, and the plot changes. By taking Kate's life away, Anna is giving it back to her.

“When I was a kid, my mother told me that I was a little piece of blue sky that came in to this world because she and dad love me so much. It was only later when I realized that it wasn't exactly true.”

-Anna

Kate becomes the piece of blue sky. Truth comes in when one dies, life goes on. They all packed up their life's to save Kate's, and when she was gone, life just carried on. It is a movie surprisingly about healing and ultimately, letting go. Healing is a strange thing, one might think of the obvious definition, when indeed, it is not that at all.

The story is extremely truthful, from the questions the doctors ask, the reality of Kate's teeth that change colour to the depression she battles with in being ill all the time. I could not believe some of the questions because for the first time on screen someone told it like it is. It was an amazing story, full of hope, romance and yes, lots of healing, exceeding all my expectations. It is definitely a must see, you have to experience this beautiful tale and make it part of your DVD collection, you never know when someone might have the need to see it. There is a story and a purpose for everyone to see this.

It is worthy of a awesome 8/10.

See you at the movies!