Austin360 blogs > Austin Movie Blog > Archives > 2009 > May > 08 > Entry
What I’m watching
Wherein our movie critic periodically shares what DVDs he’s been viewing in his spare time …
- “In Between Days” (2006; So Yong Kim): An effortless, super lo-fi little story about a teenage South Korean immigrant in America, whose only friend is another Korean immigrant. She clearly likes him, but his protective platonic shield is up high, so sexual tension sizzles then fizzles between them in dramatic ebbs and flows. Minimalist to the max, the film is the debut of So Yong Kim, whose next feature, “Treeless Mountain,” opens June 5 at the Arbor. (Odd: This is one of those movies you’ve already seen but sort of forgot it until you pop it in the player and realize what happened. I’ve now seen it twice.)
- “Basquiat” (1996; Julian Schnabel): If you can get past David Bowie’s jarringly dissonant impersonation of Andy Warhol and its lost but ego-inflated title character (Jeffrey Wright), this is a riveting look at the ’80s New York art scene and its morbid casualties. Colorful and inspired direction are the hallmarks of this biopic and have become Schnabel’s auteurist trademark. He’s gotten even better, coming into his own as a visionary filmmaker (“Before Night Falls,” “Butterfly and the Diving Bell”). I saw this film some time ago, but my allergy to biopics put me off. It was much better this time.
- “Man Push Cart” (2005; Ramin Bahrani): I’ve also seen this before, but re-watched as part of my recent Ramin Bahrani (“Chop Shop,” “Goodbye Solo”) kick. A completely assured first feature that, as others have said, encapsulates American independent film: non-professional actors, no musical score, grainy hand-held camerawork, live locations. Modest in scope but generous in humanity, it’s another minimalist entry in the unofficial “neo-neorealism” genre. Captivating and gratifying.
- “Wise Blood” (John Huston; 1979): I don’t know how I forgot most of this wry and funny and wonderfully offbeat drama, but a second viewing brought it all back, and better. Huston’s take on the famed Flannery O’Connor material is a southern-gothic blast and scathing critique of old-time religion gone rancid and exploitative. A lot of fun with glorious performances by a cast that seethes eccentricity: Brad Dourif, Ned Beatty, Amy Wright, Harry Dean Stanton and others, including Huston himself.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: DVDs
Comments
Click here to report comment abuse.