The Dinner Game (1998, France)

As I was watching this film, it occurred to me that it seemed very familiar. Turns out that it was the inspiration for the American movie Dinner for Schmucks. This is a perfect example of how much more class the French have than Americans. This movie was pretty entertaining, whereas the American one just looks tasteless.

Pierre and his friends have a weekly meal where they must bring an "idiot," competing for the best one. Pierre's idiot meets him at house (and how he gets him there is convincing enough to be believable), but Pierre's had a back injury and can't go. His idiot tries to help him, and naturally does everything wrong and aggravates every situation.

It's pretty funny for what it is. I'm a little iffy on comedies that rely on mocking people for laughs, but because it ends (and this is not really a spoiler) with the jerk learning from the idiot, it works out okay. This is another very French one. Didn't like it as much as the last one I watched, but still enjoyable.

Rating: 3.0

Après vous (2003, France)

Antoine is a maitre d' in Paris. He's a good man who always says "yes" to everyone, and there's some strain in his relationship. So when he's late for dinner, he takes a shortcut home through the park, where he finds Louis hanging himself over a woman. Louis attaches himself to Antoine, who finds him a job at his restaurant and attempts to fix his life. Of course this involves Antoine meeting Blanche, the woman Louis was killing himself over, and Antoine falls for her too. Hijinx ensue.

This film was very French and very entertaining. Not just anyone can pull off the dark comedy, the love triangles, the bizarre but almost realistic antics. The French are just gifted that way. I enjoyed this one, and I would definitely recommend it.

Rating: 3.5

Fargo (1996, U.S.)

I don't even know where to begin with this movie. I almost can't even see why it's a cult classic. Jerry is in deep financial trouble, and his rich father-in-law is a jerk, so he decides to have his wife kidnapped and have her father pay the ransom. Basically every character is incompetent, except for the heavily pregnant sheriff investigating. There's a lot of violence, a lot of death, a lot of Minnesota accents.

I guess some people might find it funny, but it's just not my type of humor. Mostly I was impressed by Frances McDormand's performance as the sheriff. The rest of it, I could have lived without.

Still, I'm glad that I finally got around to seeing this cult classic.

Rating: 2.5

Wake (2008, U.S.)

It seems like I've been saying this a lot lately, but this film was truly one of a kind. It's about a girl whose sister died young. Carys can't feel anything, and she wants to be able to cry. So she uses a connection with a friend who works for a mortuary and starts going to the funerals of strangers. At one funeral, she meets Tyler, the fiancé of the young deceased. His eulogy touches her, and she finds herself lying to him about being a friend of the family. They start a friendship, they both help each other grieve, and eventually they become more than friends.

I've rarely seen such a successful genre-blend. There was the obvious drama (revolving around death and family) and romance angles. Then there was a mystery, because there's a question about how the fiancée died (and Tyler might have done it). Then there's some extreme suspense when Carys and Tyler are alone in a cabin in the woods and Carys fears for her life. There's some pretty funny black comedy. And they all blend together so well that you can never quite settle into watching; your mind has to be actively engaged in the film to keep your mental footing.

I thought that the last shot was just too easy, but otherwise, wow. It was quite a roller coaster—funny, sad, suspenseful, romantic. A great indie film that definitely deserves a wide audience. Prepare to be surprised.

Rating: 4.5

Death at a Funeral (2007, UK)

This one was different from the opening credits. I absolutely adored the score, which was fun and familiar sounding. It was cheerful and upbeat, yet slightly ominous at the same time.

Death at a Funeral is very British and an interesting ensemble drama. When a large family gathers for a funeral, there are all kind of interesting dynamics going on, from fighting couples to competing brothers to love triangles to hidden secrets that cause all kinds of trouble.

You'll laugh out loud, you might tear up a little, and your jaw will definitely drop multiple times. See it to believe it!

Also, I love Alan Tudyk. Love him.

Rating: 3.5

Kill Your Darlings (2006, Sweden)

A Swedish film made in the States in English. A dark comedy / drama about a guy with writer's block who essentially allows himself to be kidnapped by an insane woman who wants to help him find his muse. A story within a story about two suicidal people and their handler en route to Vegas to meet up with their celebrity psychologist, who is actually using them for a sick reality show.

Clearly, this was a bizarre film.

However, it was also quite good. Trying to piece together the overlapping stories definitely kept my attention, as did trying to figure the motivation of the characters. And on the note of characters, I have to rave about my primary motivation for seeing this film, which of course would be the opportunity to see Alexander Skarsgård playing a suicidal transvestite. I usually try to avoid sounding like a fan girl, but he really is something. His performance was so subtle, an especially glowing adjective when you consider he is a giant, masculine, 6'4" sexy Swede in a skirt and heels and nail polish and eye shadow and a wig, and he seems as fragile, awkward, sweet, and shy as a 12-year-old girl. He was just beautiful, and though I'm probably biased, I thought he stole the show.

As I mentioned before, I liked trying to puzzle out what was going on and why. In trying to search for an ultimate meaning (a very difficult task), I finally decided it was simply about two road trips, but it was also about many characters fighting through depression and trying to identify their reasons for soldiering on through life. I watched the making of feature, and everyone from the writer to the actors struggled to answer the question "What is this film about?" So I figure my interpretation is as good as any.

I must end with a closing note on the score, as usual. This one was unique, and yet it reminded me of something I can't quite place. It used a lot of vibraphone (or it may have been marimba) and had a sort of steady and upbeat yet depressing feel. It is so hard to explain in words, but it fit the plot and tone of the film to a tee. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, but a fitting score can really make or break a movie. It wasn't the only factor, but Jon Rekdal's score sure helped make this one.

I'm ready for some more Swedish film now, please, Netflix! To be more specific, I'm ready for some more Swedish film featuring Alexander Skarsgård...

Rating: 3.5

Camille (2007, U.S.)

Possibly the most bizarre movie I have ever, ever seen.

Silas is a thief who marries his parole officer's niece Camille. He's not allowed out of the state, but he uses his future wife's uncle's sympathies in the hope that he can use his honeymoon to escape to Canada. Camille has always dreamed of honeymooning at Niagara Falls, and she cheerfully deludes herself into thinking that the honeymoon will change her scummy man for the better.

What follows is the strangest road trip movie of all time. Because Silas and Camille get in a fatal motorcycle accident. That's right, fatal. Camille dies, but she keeps on with her honeymoon. And it's her death that finally pushes Silas in the right direction.

They have all sorts of adventures, running from the police, hanging out with carnies, visiting the falls... Franco and Miller give just the right touch of humor and seriousness to this macabre love story, creating a strangely enjoyable movie experience.

Burn After Reading (2008, U.S.)

I love Brad Pitt, and that is why I watched this movie. I thought it was going to be funny. Or somewhat entertaining. Instead it was confusing, barely funny, violent, and kind of stupid.

Positive things I will say: Firstly, the acting was phenomenal. The cast was great, and they all played their various levels of paranoia/insecurity/cruelty/stupidity/self-centeredness/greed to a T. As an ensemble, they worked smoothly.

Second, the concept was good, and I have to say that there were some funny moments.

Really, I just don't know what to say after that. Ages after I watched it, I'm still thinking, "What?" But maybe it's just me.

Rating: 2.0

What a Way to Go! (1964, U.S.)

Yet another film recommended by Stefanie. I don't really want to say too much about it, because it will give a lot away. Pretty much this woman's mother wants her to marry a rich guy who's a jerk. Instead, she runs off and marries a poor guy who she loves. Except then he becomes a rich jerk and dies. Rinse, wash, repeat. She marries man after man, and the same thing happens. The cast of husbands is absolutely fabulous. I especially loved Dick van Dyke, of course.

My favorite part was how she compares each marriage to a type of film. For instance, her marriage to Dick van Dyke's character was like an old silent movie. They filmed a parody of their life together, silent film style. It was great. And they did the same thing for every marriage. I loved it.

Overall, an absolutely hilarious and altogether fun film. The only thing I didn't like that much was the ending—more specifically, the surviving husband.

Rating: 4.0

Adaptation. (2002, U.S.)

What a crazy, crazy, crazy film. I don't even know what to think of this one or what the point was, exactly.

The story is about a man (played by Cage) who is writing a screenplay of a book written by a woman (Streep). The book is entirely about orchids (and quite boring, from what I gather). The man lives with his loser brother (also played by Cage), who decides to become a screenwriter as well.

The screenplay isn't going well, so the man decides to look farther into the story—and all kinds of bizarre things start happening / are revealed.

I can't lie. I thought this one was quite slow and often boring. Nicolas Cage was adequate, but not great. Chris Cooper, who played a minor (but integral) role, definitely stole the show.

You'd really have to see this one for yourself. But I will say one thing for it—it was different.

Rating: 2.5