The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)

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Directed by: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (uncredited)
Written by: Joel and Ethan Coen
Rated R
Black & White

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton (Ed Crane), Frances McDormand (Doris Crane),
Michael Badalucco (Frank), James Gandolfini (Big Dave Brewster), Katherine Borowitz (Ann Nirdlinger Brewster), Jon Polito (Creighton Tolliver), Scarlett Johansson (Birdy Abundas), Richard Jenkins (Walter Abundas), Tony Shalhoub (Freddy Riedenschneider)

Synopsis: Ed Crane is a small-town barber who doesn't say much. Suspecting his wife is having an affair with her boss, Ed blackmails her boss for money in order to invest in a dry cleaning business. However, the plan turns sour when things start to happen against his favor.

Review: A great element in films by the Coen brothers is the characters' hidden quality being revealed when the audience least expects it. This makes the story more interesting as well as the audience's interest increasing. This adds to the elements that make this a post-noir piece. From the gorgeous cinematography and meticulous mise-en-scene to the heavy use of voice over, Man could easily pass for a 1950 film. Apart from the style elements and back to the characters, the Coen brothers weave in their elements of unexpected twists with the 1950s setting that make this movie "classic" worthy. Even though the pace is steady, the characteristics revealed in the characters take the audience by surprise - Man's prime example is Johansson's "Birdy."

The acting is by far stellar - Thorton passed easily as a perfect mix between Bogart and Mitchum. McDormand was just as great as she was in Fargo and Burn After Reading. Gandolfini and Johansson were wonderful supporting characters in the element of surprise as well as character arcs. In all, I recommend this movie for people in the mood for a good mystery and story.I don't recommend this for audience members who have a problem with black and white movies.

Verdict: B+

The Stuff (1985)

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A film writing gig!

First off, I do apologize for not keeping up with my blog with movie recommendations. It has been extremely busy for the past month and a half and I really hope things are going to calm down, like now. I have a few movies I need to finish soon, so stay tuned for their verdicts!

Moving on to the "big news," something great has happened this week that I never thought I would be able to do. A couple weeks ago, my dear friend/fellow blogger Eric shared exciting news that he is a contributing writer for the online publication Examiner.com as the Atlanta New Dads Examiner. Examiner.com is a Denver-based news website categorized by city with different writers for a field (i.e. Atlanta Movie Examiner). So excited about his news, I called him and congratulated him on his awesome accomplishment. As I was talking to him about the site, he suggested I apply for a position. I said I would think about it and pretty much left it at that.

About a week later (last Thursday night to be specific), I went to the site and applied for the position Atlanta Indie Film Examiner. Saying it would take about two weeks for my application to be reviewed, I expected to be lost in the shuffle of applications. However, I checked my email Monday and it turns out they liked me and I'm now officially a contributing writer! My first article is up and running and I just finished my second article.

And don't worry, I'll still be writing here and on Mitten and Moustache, it's just another cool site I'll say my two cents. ;-)

Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008)

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My first blog award!

Some dear friends of mine who are one of the sweetest, loveliest ladies I know have a fantastic fashion/style blog called Asian Cajuns. Anywho, they contacted me this evening that they chose a handful of bloggers including myself to receive a "One Lovely Blog Award" (read entry here). Thank you so much Catherine and Lauren - I feel like the lady in the picture above I'm so excited! :-)

He Was a Quiet Man (2008)

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Directed by: Frank Cappello
Not Rated

Starring: Christian Slater (Bob Maconel), Elisha Cuthbert (Vanessa), William H. Macy (Gene Shelby)

Synopsis: Bob Maconel, a middle-aged corporate American plotting his move to take out his cubicle surroundings with a revolver, coming home to talk to his tank full of talking fish to discuss his day. However, a fellow co-worker beats him to the punch by going berserk and takes out his floor killing almost everyone except Bob. Bob's co-worker ends up killing his co-worker with his gun and manages to save the prettiest girl at the office, Vanessa. Taking her job and gaining respect from fellow co-workers, he also develops a relationship with Vanessa. He realizes this is too good to be true and he asks himself if he was meant to have it this good.

Review: He Was a Quiet Man was indeed quiet on the movie rental shop shelf waiting for me and my boyfriend to spot it. On the cover is a disguised Christian Slater looking older and creepier than his real self. He is unrecognizable and gets into character so well that it amazed me. Cuthbert goes far beyond her early 24 days and The Girl Next Door giving a solid performance. Although a small role, William H. Macy is remarkable as he was in Fargo playing the new boss to Slater’s character. To best some up this drama, think of the story being a mixture of Donnie Darko with Amelie fantastical tendencies in an Office Space environment. I do not recommend this film for people who want a good laugh. However, I do recommend this for people who are in the mood for a story that will immerse them and not let you go until the ending credits.

Verdict: B+

The Ragman's Daughter (1972)

Directed by: Harold Becker

Starring: Simon Rouse (Tony Bradmore), Victoria Tennant (Doris Randall), Patrick O'Connell (older Tony), Jane Wood (Tony's Wife), Leslie Sands (Doris' father), Rita Howard (Doris's mother), Brenda Peters (Tony's mother), Brian Murphy (Tony's father)

Synopsis: Tony recalls his youth, which was full of irresponsibility and mischief and memories of his girlfriend Doris, the ragman's daughter.

Review: Alan Sillitoe's third literary adaptation to screen (after Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)), Ragman's Daughter takes place about 10 years after his story was first published. Like his earlier pieces, this follows the same guidelines of regret and hopelessness in Britain's working class. Set in Nottingham, young Tony's carefree lifestyle of sleeping in and drinking pints. When he meets Doris and their courtship begins, his irresponsibility increases with his new found hobby of robbing stores.

What's interesting about this take on the 'kitchen sink' dramas was an equal focus on the protagonist's love interest. Unlike other films from that genre, Doris has a much larger role than other female leads. In compensation for her role, Tony's parents don't play as much of a role as Doris's parents do, in particular her father (obviously). It makes sense for the film’s title to focus on Doris rather than Tony. It is strange for audience’s attention to be on Doris because what ‘angry young men’ films are about are, well, angry young men.

What did not change from this post-genre piece was the somber tone. From the beginning, there is a beautiful depiction of Tony and the past he wishes he could relive and/or change. This is the main deal breaker that determines whether or not you’ll like the film. If you’d like to see a film with a in favor of optimistic expectations, you will probably not like this movie. If you don’t mind viewing a harsh depiction of reality, you may enjoy The Ragman’s Daughter. Overall, this is a well-told story with just the right amount of pacing in between actions.

Verdict: A