First Cousin Once Removed is the most recent documentary from director Alan Berliner. It is no secret that Alzheimer's Disease is a terrible illness that is affecting an untold number of people around the world. First Cousin is a very personal documentary that takes a look inside of the mind of poet Edwin Honig as he lost his memory to Alzheimer's Disease.
The Premise
Acclaimed poet, translator and professor, Edwin Honig has given his cousin, Alan Berlinger, permission to film him has he struggles with memory loss due to Alzheimer's Disease. First Cousin Once Removed is filmed over the course of five years and shows, with compassionate honesty, the emotional and physical toll that memory loss takes on the Edwin, his friends and his family.
My Take
There was a moment, in the very beginning of the film, in which Edwin's sister stated that she was afraid this project would be demeaning. She didn't approve that her brother would be shown deteriorating and in such a helpless state. Later, she realized that her brother had in fact given his permission, when he was still lucid, for this project to proceed. She then came to appreciate the impact that such a documentary could make. Edwin Honig was an accomplished poet and respected professor. He wanted to help his cousin, Alan, make a film that would make a difference.
First Cousin was filmed over the course of five years. I can't even begin to imagine the editing process involved in a project this size. I have trouble editing my daughter's Barbie videos. The common theme of this documentary were the memories of Edwin's past. What did he remember about different events/people/times from his past? His responses were edited together to show the lapses in his memory. At different times he could remember different details or sometimes nothing at all. These edits also showed how Alzheimer's affected him physically. As the disease took over his mind, his body began fail. First Cousin illustrated this without ever telling us directly.
There were some wonderful emotional moments as well; good ones as well as sad ones. Edwin had a play-date with Alan's son. They connected through music. Music is very powerful. Musical memories are some of the last to go. They played the piano, hummed, banged, played a harmonica and sang. Unfortunately, Edwin's relationship with his own sons was strained. That was one of the more difficult moments. His memories of them became hazy. That was bittersweet because he didn't remember that they no longer spoke.
Are there memories that we are best off not remembering? Are there things we want to remember forever?
What happens when a creator becomes trapped in his own mind and can no longer create? Can no longer express? Can no longer openly display the ideas that are surely still running through addled brains?
The Verdict
First Cousin Once Removed was a documentary about a very smart a creative man named Edwin Honig, who happened to have Alzheimer's Disease. This film treated him with the dignity and respect that all memory impaired loved ones deserve. It was beautifully filmed and executed by someone who loved him and set out to make a statement.
If I were to have any critiques, it would be that the typewriter sound effects got old after the first thirty minutes. I understood the point of keeping them in for so long, but I grew tired of the clacking. I give First Cousin Once Removed 9/10 stanzas.
For more information about Alzheimer's Disease click here
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Grabbers (2012)
I drink to save the world...
Or at least to survive a hoard of blood sucking aliens that have taken over a small Irish island. That is the premise of Grabbers. This has to be my favorite Irish film since Waking Ned Devine. Grabbers has all the right ingredients for an entertaining film. Aliens, romance, beautiful scenery and drunken Irish men and women trying to make coherent decisions.
The Premise
A squid-like alien race is trying to take over a small island off the coast of Ireland. The Irish police force discover, after a drunken encounter with one of their own, that these bloodsucking creatures can't tolerate alcohol. It is now up to them to keep the town drunk while they figure out how to defeat the aliens.
My Take
You can't go wrong when the Irish are poking fun at the Irish for being drunk. There was so much development in even the minor characters of this movie, that it made me want to visit this town. Aside from the killer aliens, of course. I don't know if writer Kevin Lehane and director Jon Wright worked together closely on this project or not, but the script and the direction went together seamlessly. Lehane wrote a script full of humor and quit wit, which I personally love. There were a lot little moments between characters that let you know how deep their friendships or relationships ran without ever going into long, drawn-out back stories. Wright seems to have that rare knack of bringing out the best in his actors. They were so funny without ever putting forth any real effort. And you would swore that entire cast was actually drunk.
Richard Coyle was Garda Ciaran O'Shea, the officer with a drinking problem. American audiences have seen Coyle most recently as Simon Fischer on Covert Affairs. He is also better known as Jeff on Coupling. But Coyle played the alcoholic Irish cop, OShea, in Grabbers with such ease that it was easy to erase the images of his former characters. I could almost smell him, he was so hungover. He was mean and sarcastic and yet likable in a pathetic sort of way. Then a woman came into his life.
That woman was Ruth Bradley who played, Garda Lisa Nolan, the workaholic. I am unfamiliar with Bradley's work, but I loved her in Grabbers. I don't think I have ever seen a better drunk. This poor woman's character was a strict, by the book police officer who was suddenly expected to do her job completely smashed. And she did it with such gusto that we couldn't stop laughing. Even better, we were laughing with her, not at her.
I loved the bartender, Brian, played by David Pearse. This poor man let the entire town take over his bar. Russell Tovey was hysterical as the straight-laced scientist who can't handle his liquor. I'm still holding out hope that they'll find him sleeping it off somewhere. There was a drunk priest, little old ladies, little old men, bitter girlfriends, Irish drinking songs, and many an homage to classic horror films. The ones I caught were to Gremlins, Aliens, and Tremors.
The Verdict
If you love Sci-fi, horror and humor you will probably like this movie. It moves really fast but still takes the time to get you invested in the story and the characters. The script was paired up with just the right director. So raise a toast! I give this movie 8/8 tentacles. I think that everything came together just right in this one.
Or at least to survive a hoard of blood sucking aliens that have taken over a small Irish island. That is the premise of Grabbers. This has to be my favorite Irish film since Waking Ned Devine. Grabbers has all the right ingredients for an entertaining film. Aliens, romance, beautiful scenery and drunken Irish men and women trying to make coherent decisions.
The Premise
A squid-like alien race is trying to take over a small island off the coast of Ireland. The Irish police force discover, after a drunken encounter with one of their own, that these bloodsucking creatures can't tolerate alcohol. It is now up to them to keep the town drunk while they figure out how to defeat the aliens.
My Take
You can't go wrong when the Irish are poking fun at the Irish for being drunk. There was so much development in even the minor characters of this movie, that it made me want to visit this town. Aside from the killer aliens, of course. I don't know if writer Kevin Lehane and director Jon Wright worked together closely on this project or not, but the script and the direction went together seamlessly. Lehane wrote a script full of humor and quit wit, which I personally love. There were a lot little moments between characters that let you know how deep their friendships or relationships ran without ever going into long, drawn-out back stories. Wright seems to have that rare knack of bringing out the best in his actors. They were so funny without ever putting forth any real effort. And you would swore that entire cast was actually drunk.
Richard Coyle was Garda Ciaran O'Shea, the officer with a drinking problem. American audiences have seen Coyle most recently as Simon Fischer on Covert Affairs. He is also better known as Jeff on Coupling. But Coyle played the alcoholic Irish cop, OShea, in Grabbers with such ease that it was easy to erase the images of his former characters. I could almost smell him, he was so hungover. He was mean and sarcastic and yet likable in a pathetic sort of way. Then a woman came into his life.
That woman was Ruth Bradley who played, Garda Lisa Nolan, the workaholic. I am unfamiliar with Bradley's work, but I loved her in Grabbers. I don't think I have ever seen a better drunk. This poor woman's character was a strict, by the book police officer who was suddenly expected to do her job completely smashed. And she did it with such gusto that we couldn't stop laughing. Even better, we were laughing with her, not at her.
I loved the bartender, Brian, played by David Pearse. This poor man let the entire town take over his bar. Russell Tovey was hysterical as the straight-laced scientist who can't handle his liquor. I'm still holding out hope that they'll find him sleeping it off somewhere. There was a drunk priest, little old ladies, little old men, bitter girlfriends, Irish drinking songs, and many an homage to classic horror films. The ones I caught were to Gremlins, Aliens, and Tremors.
The Verdict
If you love Sci-fi, horror and humor you will probably like this movie. It moves really fast but still takes the time to get you invested in the story and the characters. The script was paired up with just the right director. So raise a toast! I give this movie 8/8 tentacles. I think that everything came together just right in this one.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Smashed (2012)
Smashed is a little film from director/writer James Ponsoldt and writer Susan Burke. I caught it on cable the other night and wondered why I hadn't seen it in theaters. I know that independent films rarely get the wide release that they deserve and I think that's a shame. The public ends up missing out those rare gems that make independent films so satisfying. But then I suppose a wide release would take away the intimacy that independent films have garnered over the years. And that would take away that special feeling you get when you watch something really personal. Smashed was one of those films for me.
I really enjoy films that are about personal journeys. Personal journeys are something everyone can relate to. We may not all go through the exact same situation, and movies are generally dramatized for our benefit, but we all know someone or have ourselves been in a time or at a place in our lives in which we can feel for the characters on screen.
The Premise
Kate and Charlie are happily married and are feeling no pain. Everything is bliss until Kate has an awakening and decides it is time to sober up. Sobriety tests her marriage, job and her way of life. With help from new friends, Kate finds the strength to conquer her addiction and tries to make a new life for herself.
My Take
Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Kate, the first grade teacher with a drinking problem. She goes to sleep drunk and treats her hangovers with a bit of the "hair of the dog". She is married to Charlie, played by Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul. Together they form a co-dependent couple that are as married to each other as they are to alcohol. I don't know if Aaron and Mary were able to get to know each other prior to filming, but they were absolutely believable as a married couple. They shared glances, touches, and smiles just like a real couple. It made the escalation of events and the eventual breakdown of their marriage more believable.
Mary does an excellent job with all the emotions involved in playing Kate. She is a joyful amnesiac when drinking and mournful and guilt ridden when facing her demons. She plays Kate with perfect courage and anxiety. She made me feel for her. I couldn't help but think, "Poor dear," every time something else bad happened. That's the sign of a good actress. One that can pull you into a story.
I read some comments saying that Aaron Paul was playing his character Jesse Pinkman (from Breaking Bad) instead of portraying Charlie. I disagree. I think that Charlie had some similarities to Jesse, which may be why Aaron was cast, but there were differences between Aaron's character on Breaking Bad and his character on Smashed. Aaron is a kinder, gentler man as Charlie. He is in love with his wife, his life and his addiction. Charlie is happy and hopeful for his future. I think the biggest difference comes in toward the end of the film when Kate has her relapse. Charlie tries his best to calm her down. That was my favorite moment for Aaron in this movie. He was desperate, scared and the realization of his wife's problems finally hit him full force.
The supporting cast includes Megan Mullally as the inappropriately over involved school principle. I think she was great. It was an understated role that went to very funny lady. Octavia Spencer, whom I know most recently from The Help, was Kate's AA sponsor. And, finally, Nick Offerman rounds out the cast as the creepy vice principle that originally offers to help Kate.
The Verdict
Smashed was a story about one woman's struggle with sobriety. As far as I could see, it was very well done. Because Kate chose AA, I think it would have been helpful to see her go through some of the steps. For example, does Kate ever try to make up with her mom? I would have liked to see a little more story line with Kate and Charlie's marriage as it changed. But I did like the way the film ended. I felt that the conversation during the croquet game at the end had a bit of a double meaning. If so, I got it. I give Smashed 10/12 wickets.
I really enjoy films that are about personal journeys. Personal journeys are something everyone can relate to. We may not all go through the exact same situation, and movies are generally dramatized for our benefit, but we all know someone or have ourselves been in a time or at a place in our lives in which we can feel for the characters on screen.
The Premise
Kate and Charlie are happily married and are feeling no pain. Everything is bliss until Kate has an awakening and decides it is time to sober up. Sobriety tests her marriage, job and her way of life. With help from new friends, Kate finds the strength to conquer her addiction and tries to make a new life for herself.
My Take
Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Kate, the first grade teacher with a drinking problem. She goes to sleep drunk and treats her hangovers with a bit of the "hair of the dog". She is married to Charlie, played by Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul. Together they form a co-dependent couple that are as married to each other as they are to alcohol. I don't know if Aaron and Mary were able to get to know each other prior to filming, but they were absolutely believable as a married couple. They shared glances, touches, and smiles just like a real couple. It made the escalation of events and the eventual breakdown of their marriage more believable.
Mary does an excellent job with all the emotions involved in playing Kate. She is a joyful amnesiac when drinking and mournful and guilt ridden when facing her demons. She plays Kate with perfect courage and anxiety. She made me feel for her. I couldn't help but think, "Poor dear," every time something else bad happened. That's the sign of a good actress. One that can pull you into a story.
I read some comments saying that Aaron Paul was playing his character Jesse Pinkman (from Breaking Bad) instead of portraying Charlie. I disagree. I think that Charlie had some similarities to Jesse, which may be why Aaron was cast, but there were differences between Aaron's character on Breaking Bad and his character on Smashed. Aaron is a kinder, gentler man as Charlie. He is in love with his wife, his life and his addiction. Charlie is happy and hopeful for his future. I think the biggest difference comes in toward the end of the film when Kate has her relapse. Charlie tries his best to calm her down. That was my favorite moment for Aaron in this movie. He was desperate, scared and the realization of his wife's problems finally hit him full force.
The supporting cast includes Megan Mullally as the inappropriately over involved school principle. I think she was great. It was an understated role that went to very funny lady. Octavia Spencer, whom I know most recently from The Help, was Kate's AA sponsor. And, finally, Nick Offerman rounds out the cast as the creepy vice principle that originally offers to help Kate.
The Verdict
Smashed was a story about one woman's struggle with sobriety. As far as I could see, it was very well done. Because Kate chose AA, I think it would have been helpful to see her go through some of the steps. For example, does Kate ever try to make up with her mom? I would have liked to see a little more story line with Kate and Charlie's marriage as it changed. But I did like the way the film ended. I felt that the conversation during the croquet game at the end had a bit of a double meaning. If so, I got it. I give Smashed 10/12 wickets.
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