L.A. Confidential

* * * *

1997

Directed by Curtis Hanson

Written by Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson (based on the novel by James Ellroy)

Starring Kevin Spacey, Russel Crowe, Guy Pearce

1950s. Los Angeles. Things are great. The movie business is booming. The cops are taking out the trash. It’s a great place to settle down and pursue the American Dream. At least that’s what Danny DeVito’s narration sarcastically says in the film’s opening scene. In the beginning of the film, three central characters are introduced. They are all good guys.

Bud White (Crowe) is a violent brute that hates men who abuse women. Jack Vincennes (Spacey) is a glitzy cop who teams up with a gossip magazine in order to arrest Hollywood stars while helps out on a cop TV show. Ed Exley (Pearce) is a by-the-book cop who wants to do the right thing and looks like the he could be friends with the accountant in ‘The Untouchables.’

The film doesn’t merely rely on film noir looks and motifs, but embraces and employs them. The atmosphere is rich and vivid. And while technically it may not be a neo noir (perhaps a film gris, for it’s dual protagonists, lack of a femme fatale, and other things), it is just as alive and poetic as a film noir.

I won’t attempt to outline the whole plot. Not only would I be writing for a while, but it is much more fun to experience it on your own. But the basic plot is this: an L.A. crime kingpin is murdered. There is a massacre at a diner. A high-class call girl ring is called into questioning. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Hanson and Helgeland weave all these seemingly unrelated events together. It can become confusing trying to figure it out on your own, but if you’re patient and listen closely, all these elements will come together.

But the plot and feel of the movie aren’t the only reasons I praise this movie. The performances all deserve equal praise. This ensemble cast is one of the best casts in any movie of the last 20 years. Perfect timing and pacing strengthen the performances and the film as a whole. The dialogue is spot on. It has those great one-liners that stem from Chandler or Hammett. ‘L.A. Confidential’ is not only one of the best crime movies, but one of the best movies. Anyone with any kind of taste for cops and criminals will relish in the masterpiece that is ‘L.A. Confidential.’   –E. Morris

Click Here to watch the trailer for ‘L.A. Confidential.

Kiss of the Spider Woman

* * * *

1985

Directed by Hector Babenco

Written by Leonard Schrader (based on the novel by Manuel Puig)

Starring William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga

I haven’t seen too many movies like ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman.’ It is a well-acted, written, and directed film that I ended up liking more than I thought I would. In the film there are two opposite personalities; two people you would not guess get along under any circumstances. But in this movie, a lot more is going on than meets the eye.

Somewhere in South America in a dirty prison cell is a man named Luis (Hurt). Luis is a flamboyant homosexual that passes the days recalling his favorite movie. He recites the scenes to his cellmate Valentin (Julia). Valentin is a rugged political prisoner who listens to the stories because he simply has nothing better to do. Luis is fine with that. Since he can’t physically escape the prison, he will find other means to escape.

We get to see the scenes Luis recalls. It is some sort of Nazi film noir romantic drama. These scenes are wonderfully shot and Hurt’s narration over them is fitting. Over the course of the movie, these men become friendly. Even though their life experiences are different, their current experience is the same. They eat the same food, the sleep in the same room. They have a common bond that prisoners have. But this film is not about two men overcoming prejudices or anything like that. No no. There is much more to the story. And I will not reveal it. The path the story takes is a welcomed surprise.

Julia and Hurt give to phenomenal performances. Hurt is convincing as a gay man trapped in a prison cell, trying to escape and keep himself occupied. Julia is as wonderful as ever. He is sweaty and a bit of a macho man, but his emotional depth is revealed as the film goes on. I am sad every time I see a movie with Julia in it. He was a great talent that passed too early.

‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ is a treat. Unconventional in some senses, but I think the story can speak to a lot of people. In fact, there really wasn’t anything that rubbed me the wrong way in this movie.  –E. Morris

Click Here to watch the trailer for ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’

A Better Life

* * *1/2

2011

Directed by Chris Weitz

Written by Eric Eason and Roger L. Simon

Starring Demian Bichir, Jose Julian, Eddie ‘Piolin’ Sotelo

I had never heard of the director of this movie. He made ‘About A Boy’ which was well-received. But he has also had a hand in the ‘American Pie’ franchise, so I was surprised to learn he made this movie. Call me shallow, but one who makes sophomoric 8th-grade comedy sex romps doesn’t strike me as the type to make emotional movies about family and immigration.

Carlos (Bichir) is an illegal immigrant living in Los Angeles. He works as a gardener, usually among some of the nicest houses around. He lives paycheck to paycheck. He also lives with his son Luis (Julian). His wife left them years ago. These two live in a different world. Carlos relies on hard work and discipline. Luis is flirting with the idea of joining a gang. These two have different ideas of the American Dream.

Carlos works for a man with a large client list, a truck, and tools. Carlos has the opportunity to buy the truck and list and run everything for himself. He borrows money from his sister and things start looking up for him. Even though Carlos doesn’t have a driver’s license, he has never been pulled over before and figures he won’t in the near future.

Soon after buying the business, he hire a temp worker to help him out. The worker takes his keys and runs off with the truck. Carlos’ whole world is shattered before his eyes. He is determined to get it back. Luis even agrees to help him out because it is not just his dad’s problem, but their problem.

The man who steals the truck is a small but interesting part, throwing a bit of a curveball as far as predictability goes. Throughout most of the film, however, I had a sense of where the film was going to go. Bichir’s performance as Carlos was remarkable. He was down to earth and driven by emotion. He made the film. This is an interesting and engaging film that I am sure slipped under the radar of many. If you get the chance, I highly recommend it. It is sure to provoke some thought, if nothing else.   –E. Morris

Click Here to watch the trailer for ‘A Better Life’

I am pretty picky with the TV shows I commit to.  After all, one TV show may consume hours upon hours of your time.  I haven’t seen a lot of TV, but the TV I have been watching lately has been coming from the BBC.  I thought I would write about five shows I have been a big fan of, all products of our brothers and sisters across the pond.

Luther

2010-????

Starring Idris Elba, Warren Brown, Paul McGann

Created by Neil Cross

I was initially drawn to the show because of Idris Elba. If you’re not familiar with him, you will be soon. He is too good of an actor to go unnoticed. And not that he has been going unnoticed. He played Stringer Bell in ‘The Wire.’ He has been on episodes of ‘The Office.’ He is in the upcoming movie ‘Prometheus.’ At the 2012 Golden Globes (which don’t actually mean that much), Elba took home the award for Best Actor in a Miniseries for his work on ‘Luther.’

‘Luther’ is a psychological crime drama. John Luther is Detective Chief Inspector for the Serious Crime Unit on London. Apart from being a genius and devoted police officer, he can also be obsessed, angry, and alienates himself from those around them. He becomes consumed with the darker and violent nature of the crimes he investigates. In short, his job is at the top of his priority list. This allows him to get the results he wants, but at what cost?

The strength of the show is with Elba. Luther is a complex character, and gets more so as the show goes on. As he investigates crime scenes, he keeps his hands in his pockets so he won’t be tempted to touch anything. The series has a cinematic feel to it, as a lot of BBC programming does. The writing is strong. The atmosphere created is brooding and dark. There may some cliches scattered throughout the series, but nothing too distracting. The crimes themselves are different than usual cop show crimes. If you are looking for an interesting new cop show, you may have found it. Episodes are streaming on Netflix Instant.

Click Here to watch a trailer for ‘Luther’

Peep Show

2003-????

Starring David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman

Created by Andrew O’Connor, Sam Bain, Jesse Armstrong

This was recommended by a friend of mine, whose TV opinion I hold in high regards. When he explained it, and when I started watching the first episode, I wondered if he had led me astray. By the end of the first episode, I was splitting my sides and ready to watch the next episode. ‘Peep Show’ is a long-running comedy show on BBC, one I am happy, and surprised, hasn’t been redone in America…yet.

‘Peep Show’ is about two roommates in their thirties, Mark and Jeremy. Mark is the one with a steady job, while Jeremy is the unemployed musician. Mark is socially awkward and inept, while Jeremy is much more confident and energetic. Why is this show different from others you might ask? The show uses point of view shots, allowing us not only to see what the characters are seeing, but hear what they are thinking. That is where the majority of laughs come from.

It has the feeling of a cult show. The budget doesn’t appear to be too large. The camera work is modest. But that is part of the charm. It is uncanny how, sometimes, what the characters think match up with what you would think. The writing is hilarious, and the acting is equally as good. Our friends across the pong tend to be a bit more lenient than we are with the material they air, so there is occasionally some objectionable material. Although, it does seem American TV isn’t far behind. Regardless, ‘Peep Show’ is perfect for late-night viewing as you are winding down. It’s original and humorous. This is available on Netflix Instant.

Click Here to watch a trailer for ‘Peep Show’

Sherlock

2010-????

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs

Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat

It does seem like Sherlock Holmes has been getting a lot of press lately, what with the Robert Downey Jr. film franchise. You would think BBC would be foolish to take a swing at Sherlock and create a TV show out of it. But the only fool would be the one who doesn’t watch it.

‘Sherlock’ is a contemporary rendering of the famous detective and his assistant John Watson. In modern day London, they solve crimes. But this is unlike any show or movie you have ever seen. It is brilliantly written. The writing is fast-paced and smart, demanding the audience keep on pace. It uses clever visual tools to demonstrate how Sherlock thinks and observes the world around him. It isn’t necessarily about the crime itself, but the charismatic way in which it is solved.

The first episode of the second season is one of the finest television episodes I have ever seen. I am surprised this hasn’t been winning Emmys for writing and acting right and left. It is a genius show that I hope only gets better. It knows how far to go and how to create genuine suspense. I absolutely love, and any fan of Sherlock will surely love it as well. This is available to view on Netflix Instant.

Click Here to watch a trailer for ‘Sherlock’

The Hour

2011-????

Starring Ben Whishaw, Dominic West, Anna Chancellor

Created by Abi Morgan

This show will draw comparisons to ‘Mad Men.’ Just so you are warned. ‘The Hour’ is set in 1956 England. The dress, styles, and décor all pertain to that time. But don’t be fooled, this show is darker and more eerie than ‘Mad Men.’ Don’t get me wrong, ‘Mad Men’ is a great show. But drawing comparisons between the two is futile. They are both great shows.

‘The Hour’ centers around a current affairs news program being launched by the BBC in 1956. It is in the middle of the Suez Crisis in Egypt. I know that sounds boring, but there is more to it. The prominent characters are a news anchor, a producer, and a journalist. In this Cold War-era England, the journalist starts stumbling across some conspiracies. Intrigue and suspense ensues.

I’ll admit, ‘The Hour’ is a slow burner. If you are looking for immediate thrills and quick action, look elsewhere. But at the slow burn is worth the wait, for we want to see what is at the end of the fuse. The look and feel of the show are immaculate, drawing on noir shadows and shady music. Some people may ditch out on ‘The Hour’, but it is only six episodes thus far. It provides enough to whet our appetite. The pacing and acting feel natural. Perfect late night viewing, you know, not to be watched at 11 in the morning or something.

Click Here to watch a trailer for ‘The Hour’

The Office

2001-2003

Starring Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook

Created by Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant

The original ‘The Office’ is hands down, one of my favorite television shows. Ever. It is sheer genius. It’s brilliant. Even though it only had 14 episodes, they exceed its American counterpart, or any other version. Ricky Gervais’ brain child is one of the best TV shows of the last 15 years.

I think most people know the premise. It’s a mockumentary-style comedy about a mid-sized paper office in an industrial part of Britain. The manager, David Brent, has the delusion he is the funniest, coolest boss anyone will ever have. The supporting cast is perfectly assembled. All sorts of personality types mix together for a sublime piece of TV. I can’t say enough good about this show. It’s hilarious and unlike its American spinoff, it knew to quit while it was ahead.

If you haven’t seen the original version, you owe it to yourself. I saw this before I saw the American version, so perhaps that fueled my bias. And the same may stand for people who did the opposite. Yes, the British humor is a little different, but it still satisfies. I love this show. Love love love it.

Click Here to watch a trailer for ‘The Office’

So there you have it.  I’m not sure how BBC does, but they have produced some of my favorite shows on TV.  Must be something in their water.

The Woman in the Window

* * *

1944

Directed by Fritz Lang

Written by Nunnally Johnson (based on the novel by J.H. Wallis)

Starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett , Raymond Massey

Fritz Lang, the German-born director, made his mark with films like ‘Metropolis’ and ‘M’. Edward G. Robinson, the Romanian-born director, became popular in the Golden Age of Hollywood in films like ‘Little Caesar’ and ‘Double Indemnity’. The two coming together is a revelation, two geniuses working together. And while ‘The Woman in the Window’ may not be essential film noir viewing. But any film noir aficionado needs to see this.

A psychology professor named Wanely (Robinson) is walking down the street and sees a painted portrait of a beautiful woman. To his surprise, he meets a woman that looks like the one in the painting. Through a series of events, Wanely ends up murdering a man in self defense. Blackmail, doubt, and suspicion enters the arena and provides a crisp crime caper. As always, I hesitate with how much I should reveal as far as the plot goes. The ending gives a nice dose of surprise that nobody will see coming.

One thing I love about this film is the subtlety at play here. Robinson gives a subtle performance as a lonely and tragic professor who gets mixed up in a game he won’t be able to get out of. Morality and the conflict between good and bad is present throughout the film as well. And while the film is not without flaw, the good far outweighs the bad.

The acting and dialogue is great. Classic film noir. Different pieces of the puzzle pop up in the movie, but we don’t see how they fit until they end. I imagine some people won’t like the ending, but I don’t mind it. I love getting endings I don’t expect. Lang and Robinson brought us a perfectly enjoyable film from the middle of the noir age.   –E. Morris

Click Here to watch the trailer for ‘The Woman in the Window’

Mad Detective

* * *

2007

Directed by Johnnie To & Ka-Fai Wai

Written by Ka-Fai Wai, Kin-Yee Au

Starring Ching Wan Lau, Andy On, Ka Tung Lam

It was one of those nights. I wanted to watch something from Netflix, but wasn’t sure what. I had added ‘Mad Detective’ to my queue a while ago, but always skipped it over. For some reason, I decided to watch it the other night. And I was happy I did.

Chan Kwai-Bun is an unorthodox yet brilliant detective. He has a special gift: he can see the inner personalities of people. At times it can prove valuable. Other times it drives him insane. A younger detective named Ho is assigned to the case of a missing cop and a missing weapon. Ho believes in Bun and asks for his help. Bun is excited to get back to work, but with his mental state, it may not be the easiest thing to do.

A borderline personality disorder is the blessing/curse of the detective in this caper. ‘Mad Detective’ isn’t a straight cop/criminal story. While there is a mystery to solve, it’s not the focus of the film. It is more about the characters. Bun is interesting, and we often question his point of view. At times, the narrative can be disrupted by seeing someone with seven personalities, all shown literally on screen. Yet, it is not enough to bog down the ambition of this strange but satisfying story.

This movie is fun. I don’t understand everything that went on, but I understood enough. The strength of the film is with Bun and his development. He is zany, but not distracting. ‘Mad Detective’ is a wacky, yet somehow serious Chinese thriller that is appreciated because of its different take on the genre. Definitely creative and fresh, two things that are always welcome in the movie world.   –E. Morris

Click Here to watch the trailer for ‘Mad Detective’

Blood Simple

* * * *

1984

Directed by Joel Coen

Written by Joel & Ethan Coen

Starring John Getz, Frances McDormand, M. Emmet Walsh

Many directors had to make a couple movies to get noticed or become popular. Speilberg made a slew of TV movies before he made ‘Jaws.’ Coppola made movies for a decade before he made ‘The Godfather.’ But so is not the case with the Coen Brothers. Right off the bat, they crafted an ingenious thriller. ‘Blood Simple’ is as good a debut as any. But it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone considering the Coens and their knack for original ideas and superb sense of style.

Dan Hedaya plays a sleaze bag named Julian, owner of a saloon in the backwoods of Middle of Nowhere, America. Well aware that his wife is having an affair with an employee of his, Julian hires a private investigator to kill the two adulterers. That is about all I feel I should reveal. Much of the joy that comes from viewing this movie is following the plot, or trying to. We think we know what’s going on, but the Coen Brothers won’t let us rest. I loved being tricked and surprised at every turn, not being able to make up my mind about what was going on. The writing is impeccable.

Even at this early stage in their careers, the Coen showcase their sense of style. There is some delightful camera work at play here. There’s a great shot of a drunk man laying his head on the table. The camera moves along the bar, moves over the head, and sets back down on the bar. Can I explain exactly why I like that? No. But we don’t need to always be able to describe beauty and things that appeal to us.

This is a phenomenal debut from two of the best filmmakers in the business today. There are times when we know only as much as the characters (which isn’t a lot), adding to the tension and suspense. Guilt, paranoia, and other elements of film noir blend together for this brooding thriller. I loved it. While it’s hard to pick favorites with the Coens, this one is up there. It’s a bloody maze that has fun (I think) dragging the viewer along. The genius of the film is making it seem simple when it really is an intricate web of violence and surprise.   –E. Morris

Click Here to  watch the trailer for ‘Blood Simple’

Mother

* * * *

2009

Directed by Joon-ho Bong

Written by Joon-ho Bong & Eun-kyo Park

Starring Hye-ja Kim, Bin Won, Ku Jin

‘Mother’ starts out simply enough. An unnamed widow lives in a small South Korean town, selling herbs and performing acupuncture. Do-joon is her son with an intellectual disability. A murdered high school girl is found on the roof of a building. Some circumstantial evidence comes forth, placing Do-joon at the scene of the crime. His mother sets out to prove his innocence, firmly believing her son is not capable of murder. What follows is an engaging and emotional tale of her love and dedication to her son, and the lengths to which she will go to protect him.

Do-joon and his mother have a special relationship. Even though he is in his 20s, she must always worry about him because of his condition. They share a bed. She takes care of most of his needs. His mother even saves him from a near fatal traffic incident.

Do-joon’s only friend is Jin-tae. He’s not quite as innocent and nice as Do-joon. He manipulates Do-joon and has fun with him. They drink and pull pranks around town. But things stop being so funny when the shocking murder is discovered, and a golf ball with Do-joon’s name is found near the body. Who did it? Do-joon? Jin-tae? Who knows? Do-joon doesn’t seem to remember a whole lot, or does he remember everything?

The unnamed mother immediately gets work. She frantically dives into her own detective work, interviewing people, searching for evidence, and even arguing with the police. This is where the movie really gets good. It is quite unlike any Hollywood thriller. Instead of racing towards an exciting climax, the film takes its time and penetrates the labyrinth of levels present in this film.

The performance by Kim Hye-ja is remarkable. She could not have been better. It tugs at you emotionally to watcher her go through this painful journey. And if you think you know how the film will resolve, think again. This is one film that doesn’t play to any conventions or formulas. It is nice to have a film that sits with you after watching it, and provokes thought. It stuck with me, and I think it will stick with you if you give it a chance.     –E. Morris

Click Here to watch a trailer for ‘Mother’

Night Moves

* * * *

1975

Directed by Arthur Penn

Written by Alan Sharp

Starring Gene Hackman, Jennifer Warren, Susan Clark

It’s a shame Gene Hackman has retired from acting, especially since his last movie was ‘Welcome to Mooseport.’ I know, I know, I didn’t see it either. But he really is a fine actor. And from what I have heard, he is a decent novelist as well. Hackman has left us a great group of films he worked on. ‘Night Moves’ is one of the gems that I was able to see for the first time a short time ago.

Hackman plays an ex-NFL star turned private detective, something you don’t see in every movie. His latest case is intriguing: Hollywood, divorce, stunt men, missing women, etc. Harry takes the case alright. The investigation leads him to the Florida Keys. I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot. It’s a lot better when it unfolds in front of you, not knowing anything.

In the meantime, Harry is dealing with his crumbling marriage. He does some private investigation on his wife, only to find that she has been cheating on him. He deals with it like you might imagine an ex-football player turned private eye might. They fight, but they don’t split up immediately. The scenes where they do fight ring true (granted I have never witnessed a real scene like this one) and the actors are in top form.

As the investigation goes on, Harry appears to be uncovering one thing, while really another is being discovered. We’re never quite sure whom or what to believe. And that’s the genius of the film. It is a deceptive film that has plenty hiding in the shadows, and even under the water. It doesn’t answer everything, but it answers enough. It allows us to do a little but of detective work and connect the dots ourselves.

Arthur Penn turned out another great film with this one. The staging, camera work, and pace are awesome. The film doesn’t cater to conventions or popular preferences. It does what it wants in the way it wants to. It’s a terrific psychological thriller paying tribute to Philip Marlowe and the like.   –E. Morris

Click Here to watch the trailer for ‘Night Moves’

Fallen Angels

* *1/2

1995

Directed by Kar Wai Wong

Written by Kar Wai Wong

Starring Leon Lai, Michelle Reis, Takeshi Kaneshiro

Kar Wai Wong (often said Wong Kar Wai) is a phenomenal director. He has an acute vision and knows exactly what kind of films he wants to make. ‘Fallen Angels’, while not his best effort, still showcases his talents and skills. It is similar to his film ‘Chungking Express’, which I loved. He takes certain liberties with the narrative and characters, asking the audience to pay attention and bear with it. Some may grow weary. Some may be up to the challenge. I was somewhere in between.

I’m not sure I can accurately describe the plot(s). There are two stories that have little to do with one another. One is about a hit man and his female partner. They hardly meet in person. Things get complicated though when the hit man meets another woman. The other is about a delinquent that breaks into businesses and forces people to pay him to leave. These characters frantically wander around Hong Kong. I could attempt to go into more details, but I would probably confuse myself.

‘Fallen Angel’s is a tightly packed compilation of story and character. ‘Fallen Angels’ requires you to pay attention. But I’m not sure you need to entirely understand that plot to enjoy the movie. Although it may have helped. This movie was not a mess by any means. It was visually stunning and certainly had many interesting elements. I would not recommend this to just anyone. Here, it is style over substance, which isn’t for everyone. It was a unique experience. Was it bad? Not at all. Was it great? I’m not sure.   –E. Morris

Click Here to watch the trailer for ‘Fallen Angels’