Danielle's Mindmeld

The American, George Clooney and some thoughts..

Danielle — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:37:47 +0000

Last night I watched my last film in the theatres before TIFF, and I chose wisely, deciding to see The American. I had to choose it over Get Low but the choice wasn’t only up to me, so let’s just leave it at that. Anton Corbijn (of Control fame) paints a very lovely paranoid moody thriller in the mountainous regions of Abruzzo, previously only known to me through wine. Starring George Clooney and an interesting international ensemble of casting choices, tension was high, at least ask anybody except the 17 year old I had texting to my right. “It’s like watching grass grow” was his complaint as he followed his grandparents out of the cinema. But there was one nagging question I had after watching the film, drawing on the hyper-meta world we live in these days which makes it nearly impossible to enjoy a known actor in a ‘void’ as his previous roles work for and against him. (I am unable to watch Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, John Travolta or Anthony Hopkins for this same reason.)

So George, after watching The American, I’m wondering what’s next in the redeemed-man arc that your entire career has taken.

The American follows Jack, some sort of assassin/gun-smithing badass who hides out in Italy for ‘one last job’ (yeah right, they all say that, and I’m a cop with 6 more months til retirement) along the way he has doubts about his employer, is rightfully paranoid as all fuck and frequents hookers, falling in love with one. Seen it before? Me too, but there’s just something about Clooney and Corbijn’s overall tone that make this film work. Man looking for redemption? You betcha.

Fantastic Mr. Fox has Clooney as a fox, literally, who’s a bit of a cad, a player, a thief who’s having a bit of trouble settling down with his wife and kits. It’s his ego and adventure-seeking nature that endangers his friends and family and the entire last third of the film is him making up for it. Redemption? Yup.

Up in the Air features Ryan Bingham as he attempts to overcome his intimacy issues, in the air. He opens up to new people and tries to reconnect with his family. Still searching, but for redemption.

The ENTIRE Ocean’s Trilogy has Danny Ocean pulling ‘one last job’, and despite being a mastermind criminal, continually ending up morally superior to the people he’s stealing from. His redemption comes in the form of oneupmanship. Yes.

Michael Clayton? Check, O Brother, Where Art Thou? Check. Syriana? Check. Solaris YES.

I guess Clooney’s at the point in his career where he can pick and choose his films, but it’d really be interesting to see him pick a darker, more ambiguous role than The American, a real villain would do nicely!

The TIFF Round Up…

Danielle — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 02:13:09 +0000

Only 6 more sleeps until the Toronto International Film Festival takes over my life again. I’ll be working mid-day at the AMC this year so the real challenge will be the am/pm split. I’m good with seeing Midnight Madnesses and biking home, but will I be able to combine that with the 9-10am timeslot films in the morning? Due to my schedule, I can’t see anything that starts after 10 unless it’s a 90 minuter…sigh.

So far here’s my list.

1. Thu Sep 9: 6pm, Ryerson Film Socialism
Contemporary Godard to open the festival seems only appropriate, gives me enough time afterward to scurry home and get my duds on for the opening night party.

2. Fri Sep 10: 10pm, Varsity 8 I’m Still Here
This wasn’t in the cards initially but I just have to know what the FUCK was going on with this guy the past year or so.

3. Sun Sep 12: 2:30pm, Elgin The Illusionist
Jacques Tati’s long lost ambitious and charming film penned for his daughter comes to animated life and it looks divine.

4. Tue Sep 14: 8pm, Wintergarden I Saw the Devil
This can only be interesting as it’s the follow-up of the uproarious (if a little long) 2008′s The Good The Bad and the Weird (WHICH ONLY JUST PREMIERED THIS SUMMER, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT) I’m sure it’ll be a good time.

5. Thu Sep 16: 9pm, Ryerson Monsters
Another last-minute addition to my film selections, this movie was compared to Lost in Translation and District 9 in one paragraph so I was piqued. Although I’m not a Sofia Coppola fan outright (her only home run with me was Marie Antoinette), the comparison was striking.

6. Fri Sep 17: 9pm, Ryerson Confessions
Vengeance is always a favourite theme of mine, morbid much? Also, teachers behaving badly and teenage murder? Juicy, Japanese, just my thing.

7. Sat Sep 18: 2:30pm, Elgin Never Let Me Go
Loved the book, was planning on waiting this one out but I decided I didn’t care to wait any longer.

8. Sat Sep 18: Bell Lightbox 9pm, Cave of Forgotten Dreams
While I despise 3D I do devour and appreciate Herzog and his filmic inspiration in the form of cave paintings as 3D art. Crafty, classic Herzog, I’m sure this will fit in his canon very nicely.

One’s I OBVIOUSLY want but am waiting on: Black Swan, Heartbeats, Trigger,

Ones I am totally rushing because why not? Housemaid! Vanishing on 7th Street, The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman, Norwegian Wood, Pink Saris, Super, Piano in a Factory, Tender Son and more…

I have to work at 7am so you’re going to hear my tunes

Danielle — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:29:55 +0000

A mix-tape for those of us unfortunate enough to be up, bright eyed and bushy tailed (presumably) at 7am.

1. Your Lucky Day in Hell – The Eels
2. Sleazy Bed Track – The Bluetones
3. My Favourite Game – The Cardigans
4. I Must Be High – Wilco
5. Hard to Beat – Hard-fi
6. I Predict a Riot – Kaiser Chiefs
7. Rebel Rebel – David Bowie
8. Common People – Pulp
9. Standing in the Way of Control – The Gossip
10. Hot Topic – Le Tigre
11. Glory – You Say Party
12. Silent Seven – Controller Controller
13. Atomic – Blondie
14. Black Sheep – Metric
15. All Yr Songs – Diamond Rings
16. Your Ex-Lover is Dead – Final Fantasy remix

Exactly 1 hour. Sweet.

Retooling

Danielle — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:47:57 +0000

2010 will see a new and improved househippo…eventually.