Winter Deep (Winter's Bone)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Uploading Mapquest Maps On Magellan
When a movie portrays a very regional culture runs the risk of confusing a percentage of their audience, because not everyone will recognize the references or atmosphere used in it (for example, happened to me A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints , reproducing life in a specific neighborhood in New York in the seventies). Deep Winter could have fallen into a similar case, because it is located in the remote region of the Ozark Mountains in the middle eastern United States, whose inhabitants are known for their sharp, minimalist social dynamics, its legendary isolation and insular economy. However, the clever story, unique characters and strong performances of the tape across that "regionalism" to become a fascinating cinematic experience, not necessarily "fun", but highly recommended for its audacity and efficient narrative. The protagonist of the story is Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence), a seventeen year old who is forced to raise their younger brothers and manage their humble home, his mother has problems Psychological and his father is absent, probably fleeing from justice wanted for "cooking" methamphetamine (apparently the main product generated in the region). If it was not difficult enough Ree's life, one day he learns that his father used the house as collateral for the bond that paid for parole ... and, of course, and never brought to trial, the surety company intended to keep the house, leaving the family in the street (or, rather, in the forest). Then the girl starts an impromptu search of his father, finding every step threats, distrust and plentiful secrets that hide the silent villagers, many of them relatives of the family Dolly, but no more friendly ... or less dangerous.
The inhabitants of the Ozark Mountains have been used frequently in frivolous terror tapes ruthless villains and ignorant, ready to kill (or eat) to the "invaders" the city. Deep Winter is not a horror movie, but an intense family drama, and therefore their focus is much more sober and realistic. Among its main attributes is that of never mock or belittle the characters, but simply to observe the contradictory attitudes that are revealed during the investigation of the protagonist. Speaking of which, the nominee Jennifer Lawrence Oscar done a really extraordinary. It would have been easy to stick to the clichés of "campirano ignorant", but his expressive face reveals the intelligence and tenacity to drive it when others have surrendered. The rest of the cast is almost invisible (I say this as a compliment), it is impossible to distinguish those who are "real" actors and those who are genuine people in the Ozarks that director Debra Granik used to fill some roles. Suffice it to say that all well inspire fear.
As said earlier, Deep Winter is not a pleasant film, and although it has good moments of suspense, nor is it a "thriller" conventional. In a way could be described as rural and depressing version of Nancy Drew ... or as a grotesque hybrid of The Third Man and Deliverance (yes, even with banjo music.) After all does not matter much to define or classify the important thing is to recommend it for its honest performances, for the direction of Granik, deceptively simple yet full of fascinating details and comments on the nature of their characters, and especially for his bleak atmosphere appears to extinguish any optimism could be felt during the fleeting moments of the plot that favor Ree. Whatever the result of your search we can not really be a happy ending to the best we can hope for is to have some kind of resolution that offers little hope as a reward for the difficult situations that she faces. Maybe it's a message too real for Deep Winter as mere entertainment, but meet (in my humble opinion) with the requirements of better cinema. Just do not ask me to see her again.
Rating: 8
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
What Do Navel Pain Means
Numb
Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone at home?
Come on, now,
I hear you're feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again.
Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying.
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.
O. K.
Just a little pin prick.
There'll be no more AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But you may feel a little sick.
Can you stand up?
I do believe its working. Good.
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go.
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying.
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I Can not put my finger on it now The child is grown
,
The dream is gone.
I Have Become Comfortably Numb.
Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone at home?
Come on, now,
I hear you're feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again.
Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying.
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.
O. K.
Just a little pin prick.
There'll be no more AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But you may feel a little sick.
Can you stand up?
I do believe its working. Good.
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go.
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying.
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I Can not put my finger on it now The child is grown
,
The dream is gone.
I Have Become Comfortably Numb.
Sodium Bicarbonate And Athletes Foot
Black Lightning
Although the Russian fantasy film has a couple of famous films ( Solaris, 1972, and the lesser known Battle Beyond the Sun , 1959), we can say that never had a blockbuster horror or science fiction until the release of Night Watch (2004), directed by Timur Bekmambetov, whose bizarre combination of vampire mythology, creatures and researchers metamorphic style X-Files transcended borders and found fans around the world (including me). The sequel, Day Watch (2006) was not as successful, but made clear that Russia had become a legitimate contender in the genre, special effects front line, solid production resources and visionary directors with good aptitude for both action scenes and character development interesting. Now, following the footsteps of those two milestones of Russian cinema comes Black Lightning, a tale of superheroes more accessible than the dense Watch series, but also more generic and predictable.
Although the Russian fantasy film has a couple of famous films ( Solaris, 1972, and the lesser known Battle Beyond the Sun , 1959), we can say that never had a blockbuster horror or science fiction until the release of Night Watch (2004), directed by Timur Bekmambetov, whose bizarre combination of vampire mythology, creatures and researchers metamorphic style X-Files transcended borders and found fans around the world (including me). The sequel, Day Watch (2006) was not as successful, but made clear that Russia had become a legitimate contender in the genre, special effects front line, solid production resources and visionary directors with good aptitude for both action scenes and character development interesting. Now, following the footsteps of those two milestones of Russian cinema comes Black Lightning, a tale of superheroes more accessible than the dense Watch series, but also more generic and predictable. For better or for worse, Black Lightning follows closely (perhaps too) formula Spider-Man, but the "powers" of the protagonist are totally different. You decide. At the beginning of the story know the young Dima Maykov (Grigory Dobrygin), a university student who suffers from poor families have no car and no money to woo the beautiful Nastya (Ekaterina Vilkova). His affable father has compassion on him and on his birthday gives him a car ... but turns out to be an old Volga , decrepit Soviet-era relic that only embarrasses most Dima. However, the antiquated car has a few secrets ... including the ability to fly. And, of course, what makes Dima we would all do in these circumstances: it becomes the highest-paid flower delivery in Moscow. Then his life seems to thrive, it finally has enough money to go out with Nastya (who seems to be a little convenenciera, but good). Unfortunately, a personal tragedy (which perhaps could be avoided) Dima teaches a flying car that comes great responsibility, and decides to use the vehicle for combating organized crime in the city. Since then, his exploits attract the attention of millionaire villain Victor Kuptsov (Viktor Verzhbitskiy), who decides to take over the Volga for their perverse personal purposes ...
I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous, and maybe it is, but under the skillful hands of the directors and Dmitriy Kiselev Aleksandr Voytinskiy (and, I suppose, Timur Bekmambetov Producer ) the story becomes a dynamic and fun fantasy that pleased on several levels. To begin, we have the simple visual spectacle of flying car, beautifully represented by the special effects studio VFX Asymmetric . The trick was not just us believe in a gravity-defying Volga, but the scenes planning to stretch the credulity of the viewer maximum without breaking (at least initially, because things happen during the climax too exaggerated, even in this unlikely context.) Secondly we have the classic superhero formula starts out as a loser and eventually develops awareness, faces his destiny and takes maturity to use your skills wisely. And finally, we have a sub-text of science fiction unlikely, but internally logical and consistent step that gives us a delicious look at the "arms race" of the Soviet Union during the Cold War worthy of a good James Bond film.
Overall result: an entertaining hybrid of clichés American and Russian ideology, in the correct proportions to give an exotic flavor post-Perestroika , but without losing the commercial appeal of their Hollywood counterparts. Of course that does not make perfect. The actors are well chosen to fill their pre-made papers, but they offer outstanding performances. The humor of the script at times relies on faulty irony (at least I interpret the running joke of the drunk who drops his bottle every time he sees the flying car). And finally, the argument tends to complicate too the end, giving the villain frankly illogical reasoning and lacks credibility, what the hell is the point of destruction ...? Well, I will refrain from revealing "spoilers." I guess it's one of those evil villains who put common sense.
If I had to compare, say that I liked more Night Watch and Day Watch that Black Lightning, just because the two I first began to think (even if because of its density and confusing narrative structure), while Black Lightning made me yawn a couple of occasions with its predictable script. Anyway I can recommend it, not only as a curiosity cultural, but for entertainment it can offer the fan of science fiction (or rather fantasy) do not be afraid to try a different understanding of the issues we know about memory in the modern superhero film. Anyway, I sincerely hope to continue this trend of Russian cinema, as with all its flaws I think it urges healthy competition among the "Powers" films in the world and always will benefit the public ... At least until seduce and ruin Hollywood directors Black Lightning.
Rating: 7.5
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