2013 Portuguese Online Film Critics' Circle Awards

Founded in February 2012 the Círculo de Críticos Online Portugueses (CCOP) recently had the first edition of their annual award where Moonrise Kingdom not only got the top award but also is the winner in four more categories, for a total of five awards.

These are the winners for the top categories.

Best Film: Moonrise Kingdom
Best Portuguese Film: Tabu, Miguel Gomes

Best Director: Michael Haneke for Amour (Love)

Best Leading Actress: Emmanuelle Riva in Amour (Love)
Best Leading Actor: Michael Fassbender in Shame

Best Documentary: Shut Up and Play the Hits, Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern

To learn award winners in all categories go to the official site. Wish to thank organizers for their emails that allowed me and now us to learn about this new award. Many Thanks.

The Long Hot Summer Movie Bits

My summer was hot, too hot. I'm talking about the weather as many movies I saw were not hot at all. I'm glad this season is about to be over so my favorite season of the year will come next. I'm an Autumn person, because the weather as well as for the movies and all the cinema industry events.

Bonsai by Cristián Jiménez, Chile, Argentina, Portugal and France
Wanted to like movie at least as much as Ilusiones Opticas but I did not. At first couldn't figure out why but believe was because the narrative as movie as a movie is not that bad. Imagine many could like it but not me. Sigh.

Dark Shadows by Tim Burton, USA
While watching wondered if Burton saw what he did, I don't think so. One of the worst movies I have ever seen and the story idea was good, but the end result was awful. Sorry to see Johnny Depp involved with such a bad movie. Sigh.

Chelovek s kino-apparatom (Man With A Movie Camera) by Dziga Vertov, USSR, 1929
Wanted to love this silent film as many have enjoyed the ahead of its time documentary. Started watching in awe but too soon it became the same, something different was being shown but it was the same. Still agree that its ahead of its time, but after a while was too much to endure. Maybe it was the music of the version I saw (there are several music versions) so I muted sound but the visuals did not improved. Saw it complete but watching was hard until the end even when is just 8 minutes more than an hour. But is a classic and one film that everyone should see, maybe you will enjoy it more than I did. Enjoy.

Skoonheid (Beauty) by Oliver Hermanus, South Africa, Germany and France
Came with great credentials but I was not prepared to see a film that look and felt old, very old. I do admit that what happens here still exists today all over the world and never ends well for anyone. There are many homophobic married men that are homosexuals and this is just one story. Never before have seen man-to-man rape, was very unpleasant to watch as much as it is with any kind of rape. I did not enjoyed this film. Sigh.

Fjellet (The Mountain) by Ole Giæver, Norway
The location was absolutely stunning and film had great visuals but fast, very fast I stopped enjoying the sights as this grieving story became truly annoying. Film tells about a couple of women, lesbians, trying to save their relationship while one of them (the biological mother) can't overcome the death of their child. Everything in this film is underestimated and maybe in the hands of a female director film could have been better, at least to help bring more credibility to these two women drama. Film is quite short, 13 minutes more than one hour, but felt like it was three or more hours Sigh.

The Dark Knight Rises by Christopher Nolan, USA
Not impressed at all. Batman has so little time in the screen that doesn't seem like a Batman movie which is similar to the Dark Knight; but unfortunately is NOT the Dark Knight as no one can do what Heath Ledger did in that movie. Marion Cotillard is here and I hardly notice her. Wanted my money back. Sigh.

I had not much luck with those movies but my luck was better with several documentaries.

First Love by Claire Gorman, Australia and USA
A true surprise very enjoyable to watch with a great story about three teenage girls that are in love, not with boys but with surfing. Narrative is so well constructed that makes documentary look and feel more like a movie, a very entertaining movie. Highly recommend watching film and definitively is must be seen for women that enjoy surfing. Enjoy!!!

Senna by Asif Kapadia, UK
Another surprise as yes I know who Ayrton Senna is, no I'm no motor-racing fan (even do once, only once I drove a Formula One) and no, knew nothing about Senna's life. A very emotional roller-coaster tale that shows us a very interesting human being. Very hard to believe that a car-racing driver story could be that much entertaining and so highly emotional but documentary has excellent tech specs and a most impressive storyteller and filmmaker. Bravo. Must be seen. Enjoy!!!

Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present by Matthew Akers and Jeff Dupre, USA
Very interesting documentary mainly because the story it tells. Documents the Serbian performance artist as she prepares for a retrospective of her work (we see old footage of some of her work) at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City, but also takes us into the most amazing, compelling performance she does for 3 months every day. I love Art as much as I love movies, but not much a fan of performance art; still this amazing artist has changed my mind, I fell in love with performing art. Bravo. I strongly suggest you experience this film. Big Enjoy!!!

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom by Lucy Walker, UK
Lucy Walker makes impressive documentaries but this short documentary is more than impressive as is really beautiful to watch but at the same time awfully hard to watch and you can't help but shred tears while and after watching. For me was a very emotional experience. Tells a story about survivors in the areas hardest hit by Japan's recent tsunami and how they find the courage to revive and rebuild as cherry blossom season begins. Suggest you watch it, but maybe you have to be prepared for a strong emotional ride. Enjoy!!!

Vito by Jeffrey Schwarz, USA
Another surprise as documentary is very well constructed while the story is compelling. Tells the story of Vito Russo, founding father of USA gay liberation movement, vociferous AIDS activist in the 1980s and none the less, the author of the quite famous and the most iconic guide to gay and lesbian cinema history, The Celluloid Closet. I knew him for his work but his life story is very compelling and touching thanks to the great storyteller and filmmaker. I believe that even if you're not interested in the genre films, the story in this documentary could interest you as after all is part of the history of the United States of America, and in a way, that's exactly how I believe is portrayed in the documentary. Find this documentary many times more interesting than The Times of Harvey Milk documentary and yes, also than the film, Milk. Enjoy!!!

Surely I'm forgetting some movies but as you can suspect, where not interesting enough for me to like or dislike them.

Movie Bits and Bits

Here are some mini-bits about some movies.

The Tempest by Julie Taymor. I do believe that Taymor movies are not for everyone much less when is based on a not so well-known Shakespeare play about love, vengeance and forgiveness but I believe that this is a fantastic adaptation to the big screen due to the amazing visuals and special effects plus great performance by Helen Mirren who plays Pospera, a role than in the original play is a man, Prospero. Movie is a bit too talkie for me but amazingly kept my total attention which happens not very often. Somehow believe movies like this make Shakespeare more accessible to general audiences, but unfortunately I know that general audiences won’t be attracted by film, which is true pity. Then those that like Shakespeare surely will not like movie, so I really wonder who the natural target of this great film is. I do recommend film to those that don’t mind very visual theatrical adaptations to the moving pictures. Enjoy!!!

Balada Triste de Trompeta (The Last Circus) by Alex de la Iglesia. Surely not for all audiences as this visually crazy with a crazier story film will not please many, but I found movie to be Brilliant!!! Not only made me recall Fellini but I found love story to be a satire of what happened in Spain during those times. Watch at your own risk, but if you enjoy Felliniesque visuals plus are familiar with Spain’s history then maybe you will like this really crazy movie. Enjoy!!!

Hanna by Joe Wright. Liked the story, liked Saorise Ronan performance as well as Cate Blanchett as a villain; but didn’t like the movie as I believe Wright messed up the storytelling, which is a true shame. Director is excellent for period dramas but when he comes to the present he seems to lose his magical touch. Enjoy.

A Religiosa Portuguesa (The Portuguese Nun) by Eugène Green. Movie has everything I like (very slow pace, nothing much happens, silences, very little dialogue, etc) but I couldn’t stand it, was impossible for me to finish watching. Sigh.

Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement by Susan Muska and Gréta Olafsdóttir. A documentary that tells the life of Edie and Thea; actually doc splendidly relates the love that these two women had for each other during 42 years, a story that culminates when finally they are able to get married. You will watch two remarkable ordinary women that lived their life against many odds. Strongly recommend to not miss this nice, very nice documentary. Enjoy!!!

Henry’s Crime by Malcom Venville. Surprisingly entertaining crime-romance-comedy film with very acceptable performances by Vera Farmiga, James Caan and one of my favorite actors Keanu Reeves in a role where he is forced to do his regular straight face acting but also goes to his more human smiling face and emotional acting, which is just great for me. Story is interesting especially because mirrors Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchad play. Great movie for when you feel like having a good entertaining moment. Enjoy!!

La Robe du Soir (The Evening Dress) by Myriam Aziza. Aziza’s debut is a film with striking photography and a not-so-usual story about a student/teacher crush. Juliette, a 12-year-old-girl, has a strong crush on her beautiful/sensual teacher Hélène; everything is fine until she notices that Hélène is paying too much attention to a male student. Story unravels in a sort of Fatal Attraction -French style, of course- that tests the limits of what should and should not be happening between students and teachers. As a matter of fact and according to what I read it was director’s intention to criticize the French education system. I don’t believe film is the usual lesbian interest film as even when the story morale is definitively lesbian, the way story unravels is not lesbian at all. Still film is excellent not only for its top tech specs but also for the unbelievably good performance by Alba Gaïa Kraghede Bellugi that plays Juliette. If you are like me that love excellent French cinema then this film is must be seen for you. Enjoy!!!

Ces amours-là (What War May Bring) by Claude Lelouch. Unfortunately terrible and misleading translation into English as film is nothing about war even when is set during WWII; this is a feminine saga told like perhaps only Lelouch can tell, a female drama during several decades, that revisits life in France, revisits French cinema and is all about love (French style). Not your regular entertainment fare even under French standards but film has a little bit of everything that has been great (and bad) in France. Most notable Anouk Aimée cameo, the passages from films by Gremillon, Fleming, and Carné; but Lelouch homage to Jean Gabin is really fantastic. Suited only for those that really love French cinema. Enjoy!!

The Adjustment Bureau by George Nolfi. Surprisingly good sci-fi entertaining movie especially when really film is all about love, which is surely the reason why so many disliked film as probably were expecting another Bourne-type story as Matt Damon is the star. So if you enjoy watching unusual love stories then give this movie a try and perhaps you will highly enjoy your entertaining moment. Enjoy!

Submarino by Thomas Vinterberg. Movie grabbed me since the very beginning up to the very end. While story is painful to watch film is truly mesmerizing thanks to great performances and the grim reality style. Not often I’m able to hypnotically watch a film about alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, mental illness, and many other not positive life situations, but film takes you by the hand and not fast-not slowly shows you the lives of those inevitably marked by what they had to live in their childhood. You’re the observer, they live, you feel; intense. Highly recommend it to those that enjoy excellent European cinema. Enjoy!!!

That is all.

Almost Summer Movie Bits

After Cannes I was left with an entertainment mood wishing to watch only irrelevant escape films that take me into fantasy land. So that’s exactly what I have been doing with a few exceptions. But I’m also in a 3D mood so for sure will go to watch not Pirates but the green movie that soon will open at a theater near you with none other than Ryan Reynolds and a story about my favorite super hero from when I was a kid.

Unknown – If you don’t expect much then this thriller will entertain you even when story is similar to many other stories –man hits head and not even wife recognizes him- but here the twist at the end is unexpected and unfortunately anticlimactic. Starring great Liam Neeson carrying the entire film well -but take note that this is NO great Taken- plus many other great actors like Bruno Ganz, Sebastian Koch, Frank Langella, Aidan Quinn, January Jones and Diane Kruger makes movie watchable and for a while you will surely forget everything about your real life. Enjoy!

Just Go with It – Expecting not much, movie really surprised me. First because I had no idea Nicole Kidman was here and much less that she was doing comedy. Second because movie is as good/entertaining as those movies with the Sandler/Barrymore duo. Third I had fun watching Jennifer Aniston, which is absolutely unusual. So if you liked movies like The Wedding Singer and/or 50 First Dates I know you will enjoy this movie. Enjoy.

Red Ridding Hood – Perhaps I really like Catherine Hardwicke filmmaking style with spectacular outdoor compositions and takes but to my huge surprise, I enjoyed this movie for the visuals and well the unusual take on the classic fairy tale. Some female critics are saying that this movie target is female teenagers, hmm… maybe but even if I’m no teen I can tell you I enjoy watching great Julie Christie in the screen –she should act more often- and the twisted story that kept me wondering who the werewolf was. No, didn’t guessed right, so was absolutely unexpected, which is also unusual for me. This is no horror movie or thriller, is more like a suspense “who dunnit” kind of movie with spectacular visuals. Enjoy!!

Ilusiones Opticas (Optical Illusions) – When I finished watching this movie by Cristián Jiménez I said “is okay”. Not much time passed when I started to really think what I saw in the screen and then, story absolutely hit me hard, very hard. Movie is about “optical illusions” about what is crudely in front of you but you don’t chose to see it for whatever reason; so you create your fantasy to cover reality, to dream a dream of change, with a happier ending that never will be. Great story in a minimalist, narrative oriented film with some humor, some sadness, and some temporary happiness. If you decide to watch it you will not be disappointed. Enjoy!!!

Pa negre (Black Bread) - This Agustí Villaronga film tells about what lies can do to people, how one lie takes to another lie, how lies come from ignorance and from fear of what others could say if you admit truth, even when everybody else knows truth but chose to keep it silent or to forget about it, until truth comes out and everyone points fingers. Yes that’s what this entertaining movie is all about but using kids plus the harsh post-war years’ in Spain Catalan countryside makes what could have been a difficult-to-watch story into a more digestible story and an entertaining movie. Enjoy!!

Barney’s Version – Not sure what I was expecting from this movie, but surely wasn’t much as I don’t particularly like Paul Giamatti performances and much less, Scott Speedman; so when movie starts and goes to the past in Italy I almost stopped watching but decided to continue and I’m very glad as in the end, I liked this movie that tells the story of Barney Panofsky with his business successes, his female conquests –until he’s conquered by one woman- and his numerous failures. To me story and movie is a satire that pictures quite well the life of many men, a story that strongly resembles the life of many real life men that I know. An entertaining movie to escape reality while watching what could be reality to many. Enjoy!!

Ubiitsy (Killers) – This 1956 short film co directed by Andrei Tarkovsky when he was a student at VGIK absolutely is the best student film I have EVER seen. Is the last of Tarkovsky’s so reduced (11 titles) oeuvre that I had to see before I die or I decide to stop doing the blog. Now I can say that I have seen all his outstanding films and this short co directed with his student colleagues, with them acting, and with a scene with Tarkovsky acting is truly visual poetry even when is based on a short story by Hemingway about some killers that are in town to kill a man. If you love Tarkovsky’s work as much as I do, you have to watch this short film as well as the other 10 films he did. Truly Outstanding. BIG ENJOY!!!

El Sicario: Room 164 - A documentary that tells about the life (20 years) of a man as a highly trained Mexican narco hit man that will capture your attention not only because what he says but also for his multiple drawings while telling the most horrible stories of killings, kidnappings, torture and all the things he did while being trained, starting to work, becoming an expert and how he went into hiding, as now there is a contract on his life of US$250,000. You will not see a thing but you will hear everything, which I believe makes it more ice-cold terrific. Still, is mesmerizing until the very not-expected end that is totally anti-climatic and ruined the doc for me. Watch at your own risk. Enjoy!

El Infierno (Hell) – Actually watched this film before watching the above documentary and definitively was the reason why I decided to watch El Sicario as wanted to learn more about narco’s life as with this movie you get a satiric approach, which is very entertaining and definitively succeeds in getting you to think about this theme that you hardly think about it in your everyday life. As mentioned in other post, film is good as humor facilitates watching everything; but when you live or have lived in Mexico or any other country where chaos is real, film definitively is must be seen to realize that after all whatever is happening in Mexico -and many other similar countries- is consequence of many years, hundreds of years, where citizens indifference –and participation- have made everything possible as they did before, are doing today and unfortunately will continue to do tomorrow. According to what I read –and I agree- many films released for Mexico’s bicentennial celebration tell so many dark truths that makes many wonder if there is something to celebrate as “nothing has changed much” after 200 years. Enjoy!!!

Surely I’m forgetting some films, but this is it for today!

Cheers!