Movies You May Have Missed: 7/29/08
It’s time once again to look past the obvious Tuesday DVD releases and shine a spotlight on movies you may have missed as they made their way through theaters. First up, the kind of film that Movies You May Have Missed was invented for.
The Band’s Visit (2007) ****
Eight Egyptian men representing the Alexandria Police Ceremonial Orchestra find themselves stranded in a small town in Israel. Though the townspeople and band mates are wary of one another, political and cultural differences are eventually set aside. They’re not washed over, just put away for an evening as a group of strangers relate to one another has human beings.
There is plenty of room for dramatic fireworks, but The Band’s Visit is about the little moments in between life’s big dramas; the kind that don’t make history books but lend themselves to a perfectly lovely film.
It’s exactly the kind of understated, unassuming, character driven slice of life drama that is almost never made in the United States and it’s one of the best movies of the year.
Read the original LiC review here or buy the DVD at Amazon.
Also of note this week is Martin Scorsese’s Rolling Stones concert documentary Shine a Light. It doesn’t really count as a Movie You May Have Missed because there’s little chance you missed it except by choice. Also, if you didn’t see it in IMAX, you might as well not see it at all. Having said that, it’s one of LiC’s favorite movies of 2008 so far and if you’re a fan of the band you should check it out. Read the original 4-star LiC review here or buy it at Amazon on DVD
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Related Posts: - Columns You May Have Missed
- For Your Consideration?
- Six Down, Six to Go
- Movies You May Have Missed: 9/13/08
- Movies You May Have Missed: 9/20/08
The Band’s Visit is a marvel, a great, delicious film. As you note, Craig, “lovely” is a wonderful way to describe it. Truly a film that successfully finds genuine artistic ambition in its diminutive coating. I can’t wait to see what Eran Kolirin does next.
I second (third?) the recommendation of the Band’s Visit. Though really, are there any LiC readers left who haven’t seen (and loved) it?
And Eran Kolirin is indeed a marvel. And his chemistry with Ronit Elkabetz is one of the sexiest things I’ve seen on screen this year.
I wholly concur with Craig Kennedy’s summary star ratings for both THE BAND’S VISIT and for SHINE A LIGHT. Both films warrant that 4/5 assessment, and by any barometer of measurement the Israeli film is surely on the Top Ten Films of the Year at this point, a contention that has already been made on this thread by Hedwig and Alexander and so many LIC regulars in pasts months. I also saw SHINE A LIGHT on an Imax screen, and agree with Craig, that this is the ONLY way to see this terrific Scorsese-directed “rockermentary” Both films, especially THE BAND’S VISIT are collection-keepers. “THE BAND’S VISIT finds genuine artistic ambition in its diminutive coating.” That is Alexander’s eloquent and dead-on assessment.
There are no new Criterions this week or next, but the August releases will begin to street on the second week, I believe. However, for those LIC regulars with all-Region players, this is another monumental week of sorts. Region 2 is releasing some “essentials” for all serious collections with both the TERENCE DAVIES TRILOGY 1976/1980/1983, which includes “Children,” “Madonna and Child” and “Death and Transfiguration.” This painterly work, celebrated for its beauty, pacing and mediatative flourish, examines the British director’s alter-ego, Robert Tucker, whose childhood is examined in the first part, his time as a Liverpool clerk in the next, and a kind of hypothesis of theircumstances surrounding his death in the brilliant third part.
In addition to this “must-own” multi-part work, BFI is also releasing today yet another superb DAVIES film, THE LONG DAY CLOSES (1992), which is a sequel of sorts to his celebrated DISTANT VOICES STILL LIVES. This gorgeous “montage of memory” examines religious dogmatism, all conveyed here in a stylistic sense with symetrical structure and measured pace. This venerable “essence of childhood” memoir showcases indellible cinematic clips and magnificent music. It is all unforgettable.
Warner has made a push to promote their TYRONE POWER COLLECTION, which I believe contains ten or so of the iconic actor’s films, but only GIRL’S DORMITORY and THIS ABOVE ALL seem even remotely worthwhile of the entire, mostly forgettable batch.
More interesting from Warner was this morning’s announcement of a new two-disc release of Anthony Mann’s epic QUO VADIS in October.
Part 2
Although Apichatpong Weersethakul’s critically praised TROPICAL MALADY has been released on Region 1 DVD, the new streeting today by the Region 2 specialty company Second Run is promised to be in both quality and extras a more comprehensive and desirable package, especially for those who don’t already own a copy of or the original of the Region 1. I am almost certain that some LIC regulars on at least one past thread have had very good things to say about TROPICAL MALADY, Craig included if memory serves me well enough. It is a must-see for sure.
And finally that takes us to the 1967 PRIVILEGE, which is streeting today on our own New Yorker Region 1 label. Watkin’s COLLODEN and THE WAR GAME are near-masterworks, and his EDVARD MUNCH (my own favorite painting is his “Scream”) is a fascinating film about an artist. Also, his anarchic PUNISHMENT PARK is another essential film in his canon, if somewaht uneven. PRIVILEGE takes a look at pop idol Steven Shorter within a government-controlled futuristic society. Methinks at least a copy should be burned, if not an outright buy.
I am having fun with these supplemental summer postings of DVD releases to Craig’s thread, but of course when regular school starts again in September, I will shorten the posts, due to (obvious) time constraits, not to mention not to overstay my welcome here with pompous and long-winded discourses. (LOL, but true)
Indeed, Hedwig, it appears The Band’s Visit has an LiC “Top Critic” rating of 100% - deservedly so.
The documentary Surfwise also comes out today, which was just in theaters here (for a week). I know it’s gotten a good recommendation here at LIC from one of us, so I’m excited to see it.
I’m that one, Joel! I hope you check it out. I’ve been out on a limb with it for a month and don’t know anyone else who has seen it. I think Evan is watching and reviewing it this week. In my top 3 docs of the year.
Ronit Elkabetz was delightful.
Thank you, Sam for the DVD run down. Terrence Davies is an enormous black hole in my film knowledge. Good news too about Tropical Malady. I should probably get a region free player one of these days. There are many cheap ones.
Thanks for the head’s up on Surfwise Joel, I confused it for a different surfing doc and not the one Daniel recommended so enthusiastically.
I’ll add my voice once again to the praise of The Band’s Visit. Ronit Elkabetz was indeed delightful.
As a final addition to my earlier posts, it must also be mentioned that an overlap release date from last week to this week is seeing the gloriously-anticipated Victor Sjostrom’s silent gems, THE OUTLAW AND HIS WIFE and A MAN THERE WAS. I received my own copies yesterday, and the Kino transfers are exemplary. More essential stuff.
It is worth noting that David Kehr’s weekly column today was on that aforementioned TYRONE POWER COLLECTION, which ran on page page 1 of the Arts and Leisure section. He was agreat piece, but probably for the promotional aspect of the set, Kehr terribly overates some of its pedestrian contents.
Yeah, Craig, those region free players can be had now in the $50-$60 range.
For once I have seen both films featured in your post Craig, and loved ‘em both.
I gotta check out “Surfwise” soon though.
Perhaps I should rename this week’s column: Movies You Should See Again.
Point of clarification - Surfwise isn’t about surfing! >-P
I wonder how Shine a Light will play on the small screen.
For fans, I think it will still be pretty good, but it will lose a lot of its luster.
I’m a huge fan and I won’t be buying it.
Sam, that’s Fox Home Entertainment’s Tyrone Power set, not Warners’. Power was one of Fox’s biggest stars, as you might have noticed had you bothered to watch any of the films you so blithely dismiss as “pedestrian.”
Mizoguchi: I didn’t know that dismissing lesser Tyrone Power works, was in any way an affrontery to you personally. Isn’t the purpose of these threads to voice an opinion?
Yeah, OK, I got the label wrong, big deal. That’s not the first time I’ve done it, nor will it be the last. I have seen every one of the films through the years. I NEVER pass judgement on anything unless I’ve seen it. Try watching NIGHTMARE ALLEY, CAPTAIN FROM CASTILLE and PRINCE OF FOXES and some of the early stuff if you want vintage Power.
Now what is your real name “Mizoguchi?” You fake, phony, fraud. And a major coward too.