squeerelist Reviews

Café de Flore (2011)

Never Gonna Give You Up

[9/10 · 29 June 2015]

From its polished soundtrack to its paranormal twists, this brilliant movie directed by C.R.A.Z.Y.'s Jean-Marc Vallée is worth watching. You're alternately taken to 1969 Paris and 2011 Montréal respectively following a single mother raising her son with Down syndrome and a family coping with parental separation and the father's new soulmate situation. As the plot slowly - Quebec filmmakers take their time - developed on a cloud of Sigur Ros songs, everything I had not expected from this movie happened. The seemingly two unrelated stories only linked by matching tunes turned out to be much more. I thought this would be a heartbreaking drama drowned in 8th grader romance and miserable fatality. It is more of a Vanilla Sky-type intrigue and quite the mindfuck. The cast is absolutely flawless from Vanessa Paradis' portrayal of a mother struggling with societal prejudice to Evelyne Brochu's character of the obviously hated stepmother and stunning new soulmate or even Marin Gerrier who plays Paradis' son. Café de Flore is everything you wanted and more.

1 reason to watch it: this is art.

Aatsinki: The Story of Arctic Cowboys (2013)

Reindeer Slaughter Made Poetic

[8/10 · 13 October 2013]

Aatsinki: the Story of Arctic Cowboys is a visual marvel and a mind- blowing tribute to Finnish Lapland and self-sustainability in the harshest natural environment. The title is a little misleading as this documentary is not a story per se, it is an observation of the Aatsinki family and their reindeer herder business. The director, Jessica Oreck, seems to pose as a discreet and spy-ish witness of their Lappish way of life. The lack of narrative and explanation may seem strange to most viewers. They legitimately can think that the film's structure is dubious but I feel like this is an ideal directorial commitment that captures the essence of the Finnish mindset: the majesty of silence, the harmony of man with nature, the everyday rituals - especially the religious Finnish coffee-making process. Anyone who is slightly familiar with Finnish culture knows that Finns are not the biggest sharers and that there is no such thing as small-talk in Finland. Oreck takes us where winter's endless nights oppose the summer endless days. You will almost see it all - this includes a wonderful aurora borealis. But I said 'almost' because I do think there is a major thing lacking from this movie: the importance of Finnish sauna. I'm pretty sure that the Aatsinki family possesses a traditional sauna but not even once is it mentioned. This is probably due to the fact that this is an American movie. I haven't seen such a beautiful and masterly-handled cinematography since Heima. The sound editing in itself immerses us into a cottony winter wonderland that subtly muffles the wilderness sounds. Even with minimal dialog and no exchange with the observer, Oreck makes us enter the privileged and very intimate Aatsinki family circle and heightens our senses. I wouldn't recommend Aatsinki for anyone with vegetarian or vegan sensitivity as there are scenes of reindeer slaughter and various animal branding acts. This documentary is a beautiful ode to the wild that you ought to watch on a big screen in a comfortable theater to witness each magnificent detail.

1 reason to watch: one of the best cinematography 1 reason NOT to watch: if you are vegetarian/vegan, you may want to pass

Plastic Love (2012)

Next Time Do It Harder

[8/10 · 1 July 2013]

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/07/plastic-love- short-film-2012.html

Plastic Love is a very British short movie about strange fetishes, death, and relationships. When I say very British, I mean that barely no one else could produce such a controversial work that is both funny and disturbing. The first contact I had with this project was through the teaser video and I obviously thought of Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. But Plastic Love is not about non-consensual sex, it's about dealing with fantasies and their consequences in a relationship. Even if it's consensual, it doesn't mean it's not dangerous. The 4 main characters are embracing their darkest desires and their performance is absorbing. The brilliant original score composed by Martin Dubka makes me feel like I am in a Refn movie in which the characters are clearly more uninhibited. Dubka is the new Cliff Martinez. I particularly enjoy the use of intense close-ups to help me connect with the characters deepest emotions and sensations. I also appreciate that no nudity is shown as it is not necessary to the plot. You will enter Jamie Hooper's mind with an undefinable slow-motion world of peculiarity. His film is an emotional and perceptual tale on modern love, death, and sexuality.

1 reason to watch: unleash your urges

Life or Something Like It (2002)

Define Flop

[3/10 · 25 June 2013]

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/life-or-something- like-it-2002.html

Life Or Something Like It looks like a B movie, doesn't it? Lanie Kerrigan is a successful TV reporter who leads a life she defines as perfect: good job, famous baseball player as a fiancé, great body... When she interviews a street prophet (Tony Shaloub) who tells her she is going to die in a week, she starts wondering if her happiness is just an illusion. Even though the movie features a respectable cast with Angelina Jolie in the lead, the characters are somewhat dull. The plot is pretty basic and leads to a predictable but good moral. Jolie scores the worst haircut of her acting career and her performance is slightly out of tune. I guess you can't always be on top of your game. This movie is probably not the grand following Jolie was expecting hardly 3 years after winning the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for Girl, Interrupted. Despite those bad moves, the 40-million-dollar budget paid for a decent editing and nice cinematography. The sense of humor is alright and the rock-flirting-with-punk soundtrack makes the picture a bit spicier. I can still enjoy this film even if it's not a must-see.

1 reason to watch it: the editing and cinematography are surprisingly nice 1 reason NOT to watch it: the worst haircut of Jolie's acting career

Hollywoo (2011)

Foresti Goes to Hollywoo

[4/10 · 24 June 2013]

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/hollywoo-2011.html

Jennifer Marshall is Hollywood's It Girl starring in the over-publicized TV show L.A. Couples. Jeanne is her French dubbing artist whose career depends on Marshall's fame. When Jennifer decides to retire after her co-star and boyfriend cheats on her, Jeanne feels like her own career is over. She flies to LA to meet Jennifer and try to make her reconsider... It's a funny and fresh movie displaying the views of the French on Hollywood and its excessive way of life. The main actors are very popular French comedians (Florence Foresti & Jamel Debbouze) and I think you'll find this movie funny if you already know Foresti's work. It may not be a good movie for someone who is not into contemporary French culture. The cast is very eclectic and you'll find American, French, Canadian actors and more. Hollywoo may not end up in my Top 10 Comedies but I spent an enjoyable moment watching it. You should definitely give it a try and share your opinion with me!

1 reason to watch: if you have any interest in French comedians

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Summer of '63

[10/10 · 19 June 2013]

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/brokeback- mountain-2005.html

It was the summer of '63, Wyoming. Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar are hired to herd sheep on Brokeback Mountain. They get to know each other in the middle of nowhere and their friendship soon blossoms into feelings they cannot deny. When they part ways due to the ending season, what seemed to be a summer fling actually turns out to be a lifelong passionate love story. Brokeback Mountain tells Ennis and Jack's secret relationship over almost 2 decades. This masterpiece is a love manifesto avoiding clichés. Its focus is the struggle to live with yourself when society doesn't accept who you are and dictates who you should or shouldn't love. The fight against self-hatred and prejudice are also central topics of the storyline. Ang Lee majestically directs one of the most beautiful love stories ever told on the silver screen. He succeeds where others have failed: he delivers a dynamic movie out of a plot that could have been slow. Lee certainly is an actor's director. The cast he's chosen to prove this point radiates with truth. The late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in the leading roles praise tolerance with their magnificent interpretation. You can also enjoy the performance of a plethora of good supporting actors: Michelle Williams, Kate Mara, Anne Hathaway, Anna Faris... The fabulous country original score is soothing and echoes in the splendid hills of Wyoming. The sound of the resonator guitar transports you to those quiet great outdoors. I can only hope the blatant moral of this picture will stick to your shoes forever. Brokeback Mountain highlights the cruelty of mankind towards difference. There is a paradoxical challenge enlightened by this tale: whether you embrace or hide who you are, you will have to pay the price. Let's hope Brokeback Mountain, a figurative mountain of New Queer Cinema, helps people not to ever have to pay the price again.

1 reason to watch: BM will be a wakening whether or not it's about your own situation. You are concerned. We all are.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

The Dude Abides

[9/10 · 18 June 2013]

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-big-lebowski- 1998.html

Jeff 'The Dude' Lebowski is a professional slacker and amateur bowler who spends his days drinking White Russians dressed in a robe and plastic sandals. Two thugs break into his apartment and beat him up to get his money. They soon realize they got the wrong Jeffrey Lebowski. His Dudeness then decides to meet this millionaire Lebowski to get compensation for his damaged rug that was peed on during the incident. After the Big Lebowski's trophy wife is kidnapped, The Dude is in charge of delivering the ransom to get her back. The Big Lebowski marks a high point in The Coen brothers' career. They created an icon of the 90s with The Dude. He became a god-like figure for many. A guy adored by a generation thanks to his unique philosophy and style. I don't think The Dude could have been interpreted by a better actor than Jeff Bridges. He rocks the laidback attitude with a disconcerting comfort. Not to mention that his hair is so sleek, I'm hypnotized by it. The Bridges/Goodman/Buscemi trio is hilarious and the additional characters portrayed by talented actors like Julianne Moore, or Philip Seymour Hoffman are the cherries on top of this psychedelic cake. The Big Lebowski is one quotable masterpiece punctuated with bizarre dreamy scenes specific to the Coen bros. I don't know what they are on when they write their screenplays but I sure want some. I really like the soundtrack that features Bob Dylan among others. The plot suddenly becomes secondary and my main pleasure is to watch Jeff Bridges evolve in The Dude's colorful pants side by side with the wrathful veteran mastered by John Goodman. The characters and situations crack me up because they're all so incredible. The story is narrated by a cowboy, the villains are German nihilists, and John Turturro, who appears only for a few seconds on screen, is a bowler/sex-offender named Jesus. If that isn't random brilliance, I don't know what is.

1 reason to watch: indulge in enjoying TBL dude-style with a guilt-free White Russian (or 9)

Another Day in Paradise (1998)

Sex, Drugs, & Rhythm N' Blues

[6/10 · 16 June 2013]

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/another-day-in- paradise-1998.html

This Larry Clark drama dives you into the miserable life of junkie Bobbie. After a minor vending-machine robbery gone bad, Bobbie gets fixed up by the infamous thief Mel. The latter decides to hire the kid to nail one last deal that should set them up for life. Mel and his girlfriend Sid become the mentors of Bobbie and his girlfriend Rosie. Neither the characters nor the audience escape unhurt from this funky adventure. Another Day In Paradise is an ironic title for a movie fueled with violence, abuse, and misery. The frantic angles and camera movements used by Clark perfectly depict this atmosphere. The somewhat cheerful R'n'B soundtrack sweetens the painful road trip of our 'heroes' and contrasts with the pitiful path they've chosen. I follow those basket cases taking desperate measures with a certain sorrow but never do I root for them as they've buried themselves in this mess of a situation. This film is an efficient tale on how drugs can make you reach a point of no return and how everything from there is a downhill race to a filthy abyss. Another Day in Paradise seems so real, it makes me feel uneasy and almost sick. I would not recommend it if you don't feel alright because it will mess you up. Vincent Kartheiser in the lead role faultlessly pierces the screen with such a seedy and sore character. The sordid sexuality of our teenagers is only matched by the destructive relationship between James Woods (Mel) and Melanie Griffith (Sid). Woods as the manifest unstable and alcoholic crime king delivers an irreproachable interpretation. Another Day In Paradise is one of these movies that makes you feel glad your only drug consumption is your daily 3-cup-o'-joe intake and your occasional carbs overload.

1 reason to watch: it makes you feel good about yourself . It also makes you want to never do drugs. And never have sex again (this one might not be a valuable reason).

Animal Kingdom (2010)

The Godmother

[8/10 · 14 June 2013]

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/animal-kingdom- 2010.html

The captivating plot of Animal Kingdom follows the disintegration of an Australian crime family. Josh (James Frecheville) moves in with his grandma after his mother dies from a heroin overdose. He soon becomes trapped in a vicious spiral rooted in his family's business. The story is set in Melbourne and is inspired by the infamous Pettingill family. Cold-blooded murders, hypocrisy, drugs and more... This movie gives me everything I need to feed my sick curiosity. From the flawless cast, I'd like to specifically mention Jacki Weaver who is sublime and ferociously sweet as The Godmother. Weaver collected another Academy Award nomination for this role. James Frecheville, the introverted pawn of the story, is a true revelation. Proof is that he went on to act side by side with Robin Wright and Naomi Watts in Two Mothers. This is a sensational directorial debut for David Michôd. It usually takes a lot to surprise me but I didn't see the end coming. My heart literally jumped from my chest. I always appreciate a story like Animal Kingdom because it's what real life is about. The Codys are obviously not your typical family but the darkness, judgments and lies they deal with define the average family routine.

1 reason to watch: just watch it, mate!

Heartbreaker (2010)

Licence to Love

[6/10 · 13 June 2013]

Alex, his sister and brother-in-law break up couples for a living. Their only rule is to operate only if the girl to save is unhappy whether she knows it or not. When Alex is hired to break up Juliette and Jonathan who apparently love each other, he has no choice but to accept in order to pay back his debt. He only has 10 days to break them up before their wedding. L'Arnacoeur is an entertaining movie. But it's a rom com so you obviously know from the start what will happen. There is no twist or surprise but I find it quite entertaining. It is not the plot of the decade but the cast meets my expectations. This movie has nothing to envy to Hollywood blockbusters. It keeps its promise. I think it's a challenge to get an art-house rom com if you also want to rock the box office. As an indie-enthusiast, I'd rather pick the underground love story nobody knows over the popular sparkly one. But L'Arnacoeur committed to selling tickets. It features 2 popular and glamorous French actors (Romain Duris & Vanessa Paradis), funny supporting roles, and displays over-the-top luxury: the perfect cocktail to attract crowds to the movies.

1 reason to watch: the Dirty Dancing trump that Alex whips out

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/l-heartbreaker- 2010.html

Wild Things (1998)

Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing

[9/10 · 12 June 2013]

This thriller has been one of my favorite movies as long as I can remember. As a kid, this was my go-to flick on any given Sunday. I know this is not a film for children, but what can I say... I was already unusual. A high school guidance counselor (Matt Dillon) is accused of rape by 2 of his students (Denise Richards & Neve Campbell)... The twisted storyline is set in the dreamy Floridian surroundings. For those who haven't been to Florida, it makes you want to discover this bit of paradise. For those who have, it just really makes you miss it. The lascivious original score smells like the Everglades and releases an intriguing scent wherever it infiltrates. Wild Things takes you out on a yacht, or makes you visit the gators (this film seriously makes me think of a typical Florida tourism brochure). The end will blow you away for sure. The cast is eclectic and brilliant (Kevin Bacon is an incredible dirty cop and the 2 main female leads are gorgeous and dangerously manipulative). The sex scenes are audacious and necessary to the plot. The film mixes humor (you can't escape it with Bill Murray in the cast) and seriousness which makes it a perfect combo. Wild Things is a great thriller, a sexy 90s classic!

1 reason to watch: the scene with Denise washing Matt's car to Lauren Christy's song I Want What I Want

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/wild-things- 1998.html

Birdy (1984)

"Birds of the Same Feather Flock with Each Other"

[6/10 · 11 June 2013]

I had great expectations for this Alan Parker movie that I have been meaning to watch for years. In my opinion, it is a classic that everybody should watch once but I also have mixed feelings about it. The plot is fairly simple. When 2 childhood friends come back from Vietnam among the casualties, one has lost it, the other is disfigured and will try to connect to his friend and bring him back from the crazies. In terms of harsh topics, Birdy is no testing ground for Parker. With this movie, the director deals with post-war mental and physical trauma as well as the struggle to fit in as a high schooler. On one hand, the combination of the Peter Gabriel-made soundtrack and the flying camera shots really convinced me. On the other, I thought it beats around the bush for quite a while. Nicolas Cage's monologues are a bit sketchy even though his overall performance is good. Matthew Modine makes a convincing quiet and deranged bird-lover. As I'm no war-movie enthusiast, I appreciate the fact that Birdy only shows a few war scenes. The plot is largely based on childhood flashbacks. Birdy is a good movie and I get satisfaction and personal pride to have watched it.

1 reason to watch: very few war scenes

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/06/birdy-1984.html

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

A 2-in-1 Film: a Visual Marvel Like You've Never Seen Before... Or After

[8/10 · 10 June 2013]

The story of A Scanner Darkly has never seemed more relevant than today. Director/Screenwriter Richard Linklater adapts here the work of Philip K. Dick and his original reflexion on government with this non-typical sci-fi piece. It deals with social issues, surveillance and drug-caused paranoia while abandoning the usual features of sci-fi spectacular like spaceships and other aliens. I am truly impressed by the vision of Linklater who literally made 2 movies. The first one was shot like a normal feature-film and the second movie was made by animators and drawers who painted over each and every frame of the first movie. The animation crew worked for 18 months: that's more than 350 man-hour per minute of film you will watch. You should watch A Scanner Darkly even only out of respect for the creation process and the originality of the project. Linklater turns the psychotic fate of an undercover cop into a dark comedy. Behind the drug addiction, the governmental surveillance, and the paranoia of its characters, A Scanner Darkly is definitely funny. Keanu Reeves who plays (once again) the misfit hero is actually not the best character of the story. Woody Harrelson, on the other hand, is a total blast. But in my opinion, Robert Downey Jr. totally steals the screen with his interpretation of the eloquent and sciency junkie. Winona Ryder is mysterious and Rory Cochrane is the psychotic druggie of the crew that loses it the most (he is exceptional too). I admire the artwork of the movie that makes me think of a complex underground graphic novel minus the geeky superheros. I feel that the characters are as normal as they can be considering they've been brain-damaged by the highly addictive 'substance D': yes, they are paranoid and have no future but they are also relatable which is the key to a good sci-fi movie. I believe good sci-fi is credible sci-fi. A Scanner Darkly is incredibly credible and can be adapted to any era: it worked back in the 70s and it works now more than ever.

1 reason to watch: The 'Scramble-suit'!

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-scanner-darkly- 2006.html

City Island (2009)

Truth Is Stranger than Family

[6/10 · 10 June 2013]

City Island is a pretty neutral movie that deals with secrets and lies within families. By neutral I mean that I wasn't bored watching it and found it quite entertaining but the plot didn't pin me to my seat either. There is a fistful of good actors : namely Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies and Ezra Miller. The latter being the most interesting one and the reason why I watched City Island in the first place... OK, Andy Garcia in the role of the wannabe-actor is not so bad either. The characters are very relatable as they have common jobs or activities and their fair share of problems. The Rizzo family has secrets like any other and thinks that keeping them hidden from their relatives will prevent a major crisis. Obviously, they'll discover that their secrets are the root of their family issues. I liked that City Island treated several topics like past mistakes, aspirations, and uncommon desires. I enjoyed discovering another part of New York City that isn't usually shown. It's a nice part of the Northern suburbs that is revealed : definitely another perspective of the Bronx.

1 reason to watch it : a light story good enough to relax after work.

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/05/city-island- 2009.html

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Your (Almost) Typical Messed-Up Family Gets All 4 Acting Nominations at the Academy Awards

[8/10 · 10 June 2013]

Silver Linings Playbook is the Oscar-winning cake you get when you mix the following ingredients: Harvey Weinstein's production skills, David O. Russell's directing technique, and a terrific multi-generational cast (from Robert De Niro to the thrilling comeback of Chris Tucker). Today being the US-release of the DVD, I had to celebrate by reviewing this universally acclaimed movie. This story adapted from the novel The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick has already helped and will help so many misfits. Unlike most of the audience, I don't think the characters portrayed in this movie are nuts. I found a lot of myself in both Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who have just been damaged by life. SLP is a simple story about families and the constant struggle it is to maintain relationships. O. Russell focuses on many kinds of relationships. From parenting to friendship, love, or sibling tension: whatever your problem is, you will find an answer in SLP. I adore the O. Russell technique that reveals his actors' talent. The movie was nominated in all 4 acting categories at the Academy Awards which hadn't happened in 31 years. Jacki Weaver does a mean Philadelphian accent. Robert De Niro in the role of a father with affection and addiction issues is captivating. Weirdly enough, Cooper and Lawrence is an on-screen couple that works. I actually forgot that she is too young for the role because she delivers such an intense performance. She is the only one who came back home with a well-deserved Oscar. I was delighted by Cooper's radical mood swings or Lawrence's defying monologue to De Niro's face. It's a pleasure to see Tucker as Pat's friend from the institution and Julia Stiles as Tiffany's control freak of a sister (and now we can all agree that Stiles is a much better dancer than Lawrence). SLP will speak to the common folk because you can relate to the characters. It is about family issues, coping with loss, football, addiction, dancing like 'dad at prom', and fitting in. Silver Linings Playbook is about life.

1 reason to watch: If you find yourself misunderstood by your relatives, this will give you hope and give them insight.

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/04/silver-linings- playbook-2012.html

Ted (2012)

Sex, Drugs, & Fenway Park: a Recipe for Friendship

[6/10 · 10 June 2013]

I did not want to watch Ted when it came out because of the commercials that were harassing us every 10 minutes with the trailer. I felt like the whole movie was shown in it. Plus, the prepubescent humor did not make me smile. Peer pressure finally overcame me and I played it with a Bud in my hand (you might as well lean into it). I finally changed my mind about the movie: it is hilarious! For starters, the whole movie isn't in the trailer. Ted is kind of a UFO gathering different genres: scary scenes with a borderline psychopath? Check. The mandatory love story? Check. Action-packed scenes, sex, or comedy scenes? Check. It is a nice blend of everything that the screenwriters could think of and of what could appeal to the largest audience. It's an entertaining movie for sure with adult-only humor. In my opinion, the best part was all those references to Boston and its people because I used to live there. I don't know how much it speaks to others but the locations and the accents were delightful. Mark Wahlberg is obviously a good pick for the lead part since he is from Boston... I mean Bahstun. Seth MacFarlane proved he could direct one of the best American comedies in the recent years before showing us he could also be a great Oscar host. Is this guy ever gonna stop? I certainly hope not. I want more Boston stories! If you thought your kids might enjoy it because it features a teddy bear, please reconsider. This X-rated bear smokes pot, gets drunk, has sex with prostitutes or co-workers in places you don't want your food to be. This movie is politically incorrect, crude, and morally questionable: in other words, it is 'wicked' cool!

1 reason to watch: if you are from Boston, you won't stop laughing. If you're not, you'll laugh at Bostonians anyway.

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/04/ted-2012.html

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

The unfortunate meeting of an oddly-tattooed biking Ryan Gosling and the tortured rookie cop Bradley Cooper

[8/10 · 10 June 2013]

Derek Cianfrance strikes again with The Place Beyond the Pines. After releasing his masterpiece Blue Valentine, an analysis of the natural evolution of the on-screen couple Gosling-Williams, Cianfrance worked with his friend and acting muse Gosling for this story on 2 father-and- son relationships. Gosling is Luke, a stunt biker for a nomad amusement park. When he learns he had a son from a previous one-night-stand with Eva Mendes' character, he quits and tries to do his best to help raising the kid. Even if this implies robbing a few banks on the way. On one of his illegal rides, he crosses the path of rookie cop Bradley Cooper who will put an end to it all... Let's talk about the stunning cast for a minute. Luke will certainly become soon enough the idol of a generation like De Niro's Taxi Driver back in the day. With his odd tattoos, special skills and strong will to change his life for his son, it is again a truly intense and honest portrayal worthy of Gosling's talent. Eva Mendes has rarely been so true and raw: we definitely want to see more of her in such roles. Bradley Cooper doesn't stop surprising us either. After Silver Linings Playbook and his remarkable role as Pat, this is yet another milestone in his career. Let's hope he will stop acting in rubbish Hollywood blockbusters like The Hangover and stick to roles worthy of his skills. Derek Cianfrance is an astonishing director. Dealing with real-life topics and minimizing the glamor of his actors to focus on emotions, he's definitely one of the best things that has happened to 21st-century US cinema. His shots are often genius but simple. He doesn't rush or complicate plots and leaves an open door to improvisation. Cianfrance's tales are never intricate: he bases the development of his movies on his characters' psychology and behavior. Whoever said that 'less is more' was probably talking about such movies.

1 reason to watch: Derek Cianfrance's epic long takes

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-place-beyond- pines-2013.html

The Believer (2001)

A Jewish neo-Nazi conflicted between his respect for the Torah and his vendetta against his people.

[8/10 · 10 June 2013]

I recently came across The Believer (directed and written by Henry Bean) starring Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling in one of those tortured roles that fit him perfectly. Ryan is Danny Balint, a former yeshiva student that turned into a neo-Nazi. Directly based on the true story of Daniel Burros, this psychological struggle mastered by the intense performance of Ryan Gosling will pin you to your seat. Henry Bean managed to capture the raw emotions of his main character authentically played by Gosling. There is definitely more than abs to the former Disney child star. I was struck by Gosling's performance as a clever but psychologically-troubled mind. His intensity is captivating and the tension he builds within himself is somewhat close to insanity. In The Believer, I witnessed the brutality of Danny's words and actions but I couldn't help but feel bad for the poor guy and the deep struggle he has to face. At first, I obviously hated the character for being such an inhuman monster but when I discovered his demons and his love/hate relationship with his own God and religion, I had trouble being that resolute about his fate. The monologues made me clench my jaw and the constant violence of his deranged self challenged me as a passive viewer. This movie treats a topic not necessarily well-known by everyone: self-hatred in the Jewish community. If you think of starting a collection of neo-Nazism-related movies: The Believer is the one to put right next to the brilliant but different American History X.

1 reason to watch: The mesmerizing performance of Gosling on the intense paradox that is self-hatred in the Jewish community of contemporary New York City.

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-believer- 2001.html

Carnage (2011)

4 neurotic parents trapped in a Brooklyn apartment reveal their true self under their respectable yuppy covers in order to defend their son's honor.

[4/10 · 10 June 2013]

I wanted to watch Carnage because I usually like when Roman Polanski makes movies behind closed doors. And of course, I couldn't wait to see this impressive cast trapped in a Brooklyn apartment: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly. Sorry Seth (MacFarlane and his tribute song to actresses' upper parts from the 2013 Oscars ceremony), you won't see Winslet's boobs in this movie! Waltz' character is a first class a-hole and Foster's is totally nuts. Carnage is the story of 2 couples dealing with their sons' fight and its consequences. I was honestly a bit disappointed with the movie. It's not as subtle as I hoped it would be (when Winslet pukes on Reilly and Foster's hardwood floor I wondered 'who does that? You feel like throwing up and you don't run to the bathroom? You stay here in the living room and puke on the books?). Plus, it hardly comes to a conclusion. The characters are complete unbridled maniacs from the start. It made me laugh a few times as it underscores the ridicule of those neurotic yuppies. Carnage is based on a play and it's often the case for characters to be infinitely more intense and overplayed on live theater. I would have liked Polanski to re-work the screenplay entirely to adapt it more easily to the different feel of cinema. If you want a much better Polanski claustrophobic piece, I'd recommend you watch Death and the Maiden (with Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley): on a stormy night, a man has to find shelter at a neighbor's whose wife is convinced the man once tortured her while playing Schubert.

1 reason to watch: the incredible cast

1 reason NOT to watch: you'll find much better Polanskis

Read it here: http://squeerelist.blogspot.com/2013/04/carnage-2011.html

Persécution (2009)

100 minutes of questions with no answers

[2/10 · 10 June 2013]

It had to happen at some point: a review of a movie I did not like! It's my job to also present you movies you should not watch and tell you the reasons why... There I was, in my favorite DVD store, when I saw this French movie I haven't heard of before. The mysterious and intriguing cover with 3 very good actors (Charlotte Gainsbourg, Romain Duris, Jean- Hugues Anglade) and such a powerful title caught my eye and I thought I couldn't go wrong. Oh little did I know... This movie was both a waste of my time and money. I won't even bother watching the bonus DVD. What happened to the movie? Did the editor think he knew better and deleted the end of it thinking we would be clever enough to guess what this is about? Was it a poor screenplay to begin with? How come such actors signed up for it... Were they that desperate to pay the bills? Surely, the editing just changed the whole story... Right? The worst part of Persecution is that you do not get bored watching it because you are sure that the tension between the characters will end up being explained by a final twist. The suspense builds up when Daniel (Romain Duris) confesses at the kitchen table that his grandfather... went to church everyday! Jesus, what a twist! For 100 minutes you are evolving in a gloomy Parisian atmosphere but Romain Duris overplays and he becomes soon enough extremely annoying. You leave the room not knowing if Daniel is bipolar or has a douchebag disorder that forces him to treat people like fecal matter. This movie sure is independent and European and somewhat artsy but it forgot one essential thing: making sense!

1 reason NOT to watch: Uh... There is no end!(?)

Ex-Girlfriends (I) (2012)

Noble Lies and Failed Relationships

[3/10 · 10 June 2013]

Don't expect a typical Hollywood happy ending or a passionate love story out of this Alexander Poe movie. It is an endearing and basic indie movie about what failed relationships are made of. If you have an hour to kill and you don't feel so good about yourself, you might like to know that you're not alone. Lost in Graham's thoughts for an hour or so makes you feel like you're this lonely New York student yourself. Poe's characters are as real and miserable as anyone else: they're juggling with 'noble' lies, burning memorabilia from their exes, getting cheated on, and they stay pretty positive about it. So far, a good start for Poe and his first feature film: I'd like to see what he has to offer in the next few years. It's also the occasion to see Jennifer Carpenter in another role than the foulmouthed detective sister of the infamous serial killer Dexter that she's been royally mastering for 8 years. Kate (Jennifer's alias in this movie) has trouble getting rid of the foulmouthed side of Deb (Jennifer's alias in Dexter) which is a bit disappointing. We would have liked to see her trying on another register even though her curse words are instant classics that we cannot get enough of. Ex-Girlfriends is a movie worth going through especially if you are tired of seeing Mr. Handsome dating Mrs. Successful. It is a short relaxing unpretentious movie that will make you smile and then move on.