Isle of Dogs Review

I am a big Wes Anderson fan. So naturally, I had to see Isle of Dogs. It has Anderson's usual whimsy, awkwardness and thoughtful detail in every frame. Unfortunately, I did sense something was missing though, and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but I’m hoping a second viewing can help with that. Mainly, I think it has to do with being slow at times and not quite as funny as I expected. 

Let me go ahead and get what I don’t like about the film out of the way first. One of the biggest issues I have is that he didn't utilize his amazing cast, which was really played up in the trailers. Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton—are all background characters with very few lines. Their group, introduced in the beginning, led me to believe they would have a much bigger role. And though they did have some funny lines, they just didn't bring enough to the film. 

I think the slow pace also might be a turn-off for a lot of people—especially the first third of the movie. That's the biggest critique that I've been hearing so far. Personally, I don’t mind slow starts as long as they're used for world and character development and pick up the pace as the story moves along. And in my opinion, that was the case here. 

Lastly, I was pretty perplexed by some of the set designs. The story is placed 20 years in the future, but televisions look like they're from the 1960s, complete with black and white screens. There's also a scene where Mayor Kobayashi has a television interview in a room that looks straight out of 1970s America. It has no place in futuristic Japan. I understand that Anderson has a love for American retro, but he could have at least been inspired by something that would make more sense, like retrofuturism. Personally, I would have loved to see how he would blend that with Japanese style. 

That aside, I did really enjoy a lot about this movie. As usual, every frame is a work of art: bold, beautifully composed, usually with some form of symmetry and an atmosphere that really immerses you in the world. The stop motion is fantastic (I especially love how when they fight, they turn into giant cotton balls with arms and legs sticking out in all directions). And it’s really interesting that television broadcasts are in 2D, in contrast with the events happening in the real world. Setting the story in Japan also gives Anderson a new palette of artwork, culture and architecture to pull from. He makes whimsical references to Hokusai, and features an amazing triptych painting in the intro that looks like it's probably based on art from the Azuchi-Momoyama period. 

Even though there were some characters that I thought were under appreciated, they did do a great job developing the main character, Chief. There's a particular moment (that I won’t spoil for you) that made me tear up, and it’s interesting how the characters don’t dwell too much on it or that Anderson doesn’t force feelings from his audience. He portrays it matter-of-factly and allows you to appreciate its beauty for exactly what it is. 

I also thought it was an interesting choice not to translate a good majority of the Japanese dialogue. My guess is that it would make the (mainly American) audience relate more to the dogs, and have the humans feel alien. But as far as things that weren't "foreign", there was an American exchange student and, yes, she was really annoying at times, but I interpreted that as a tongue-in-cheek reference to how the rest of the world sees us. And she did end up playing a pretty important role. 

Overall, I really did enjoy the movie, but personally, I wouldn't put this at the very top of my Wes Anderson favorites list. If you're going to see it to get immersed in the retro world, quirky humor and whimsical story, you’ll definitely get your Wes Anderson fix though. So I say give it a watch and see what you think!

The Tree of Life

Today I watched this movie for the second time since it came out in theaters. I sincerely believe that it is the most beautiful movie ever made in the history of mankind. It deals with the relationship between man and his creator with reverence and delicacy. The entire movie uses natural lighting and some of the most breathtaking scenes you will ever see. The music, the scenery, the cinematography, the characters, the nostalgia, the intimacy—are all what makes it so magnificent. You will get goosebumps!!

But don't expect lightheartedness or fast pace or even explanation. This is a somber movie, meant to speak to the very core of each person's individuality and humanity. What makes us question our existence and purpose more than suffering and great loss? This is not God as the burning bush or the storm, but rather God as the whisper of the wind. It is both symbolic and intimate.

We are so caught up in our technological society that we forget how still and quiet things used to be. How kids played outside and learned about the world through nature itself. How neighbors depended on each other. How authoritative most fathers were, and how submissive yet brave were the women. I recommend this movie only if you are prepared to accept the contemplative nature of it—because you cannot watch it and remain unaltered.

[Edit - June 13, 2012]

I saw today this comment on the Facebook page for Tree of Life. It was so perfectly and beautifully put, I thought I would add it to my post:

"There are not enough superlatives in my vocabulary to express how much I love this film. It is not something you watch. It is something you live through. It has left me an emotionally open wound, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It is, perhaps, the most important movie made in the sound era. It is not easy. It is not always nice. It is, however, always magnificent." (-Matt Pinkerton)

The Artist Left Me Speechless

If you haven't heard of it, "The Artist" is a movie about an actor of the silent film era dealing with the loss of his fame due to the "talkies" or motion pictures with sound.

The film itself is shot, staged, and acted as if it were truly the 1930's and completely immerses the viewer in that world—with a few key exceptions.

I am a huge fan of classic movies, and am known for being particular and overly judgmental when it comes to period pieces, so it means a lot when I say that this movie is so accurate, reverent, and mindful of the style from which it draws its inspiration, that for once in my life, I am left with practically no complaints.

From the facial expressions, to the theatrical drama, to the interactions and differences of the sexes, and even the texture and accuracy of the set, this film is spot on.

It references the long-lost and underrated feel-good movies of Frank Capra with a concept and twist which gives it even deeper significance. In today's world, we can still sympathize with these characters because of their genuine and passionate nature and experience a happy ending in the midst of such modern cynicism.

The story takes the greatest possible advantage of being a homage created with modern technology. The concept is what sets this film apart and makes it truly brilliant. But so as not to give away too much, I will leave it at this: I cannot imagine another silent film being made that could be justified in modern times. Sure, it would be entertaining and refreshing, but no other movie of a similar style could live up to the bar that this one has set. I encourage you to see it if it's in a theater near you. I think you too will be left speechless.

The Woman in Black and White

I've just started watching an excellent old series of Sherlock Holmes movies from the 1940s that my Grandma told me about. She'd seen them when she was younger and I agree with her that Basil Rathbone makes an amazing Mr. Holmes. Not that I have anything against Robert Downey Jr in particular, but that adaptation of the story—in my opinion—was practically a mockery to Sir Authur Conan Doyle's brilliant work. In this version, I love the interactions between the characters and the quietness of some scenes as Holmes is deep in thought or plays his violin as Watson smokes his pipe. I guess what bothers me about many modern period movies is that they basically dress up a modern man in old clothing. They don't capture the character and atmosphere of it all. Today's movies can't spend more than two seconds of quiet...perhaps because they fear the audience will be bored? But that was such an integral part of their lives back then. The pace of life was so much slower. Holmes should be an extremely intellectual and clever man, more concerned about a difficult mental challenge than looking suave in a ten minute gunfight. But I digress...

We saw "Dressed to Kill" the other day (about a trio of music boxes that are hardly worth money but mysteriously worth a life), and just now finished "The Woman in Green" (where a serial killer's trademark is to keep a severed finger from his victims).

The best part is that if you have Netflix instant, you can watch many of them for free! I definitely recommend it. They're really well done, extremely entertaining, and capture the true brilliance of Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

Here are some stills from "The Woman in Green" :