The Mark on the Wall

Et soudain tout le monde me manque (it was alright...slightly different from most indie films of this kind, but mostly the same. I just love watching Melanie Laurent, who doesnt?)

Friends with Kids (entertaining, but nothing miraculous)

Big Fish (I've seen it multiple times, but might enjoy it more now than I did when I first saw it years ago)

Film of the Day: L'illusionniste (2010)

Director: Sylvain Chomet (Triplets of Belleville)

I watched this film recently on a plane from Atlanta to New York.  Anyone who knows me knows I'm a francophile and French film addict.  I had seen Triplets of Belleville when I was a lot younger, actually recently rewatched it, and was absolutely in love with the animation and subtly of the film.  I had no idea that this film was from a screenplay from the amazing Jacques Tati (Mon Oncle, which actually is partly seen in the film, Playtime etc.), who is among the greats of French cinema.  L'illusionniste is beautifully animated to match a fantastic script with hardly any dialogue.  Watch it. Do it.

Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0775489/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Illusionist_%282010_film%29

Film of the day: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Directors: Gary Trousdale (Disney director...Lion King, Hunchback, Beauty and the Beast) and Kirk Wise (Beauty, Hunchback)

I'm half kidding.  Watched this when I couldn't get to sleep last night and decided it deserved an honorable mention, in part because I admire Michael J. Fox slightly.  Just rewatched The Frighteners by Peter Jackson/Fran Walsh (yes I include Fran as co-director in everything w Peter Jackson b/c she pretty much is), and rediscovered by interest in Fox. Whatever.

Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230011/

Film of the day: St. Louis Blues (1958)

Director: Allen Reisner (TV Series director)

Biopic of W.C. Handy.  Typical stereotypes/racism, of course, but an interesting film for the time period in which it was made.  Nat Cole was amazing, but the radiant and beautiful Eartha Kitt continually stole each scene.  I'm going to go on an Eartha Kitt binge.

Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052234/

Film of the day: Cocaine: One Man's Seduction (1983)

Director: Paul Wendkos (started his career in 1957, and became the master of TV movies)

Wanting to continue with the 'drugs are bad' theme, I decided to give this a try.  Alright, I got through 5 minutes of it and then had to skip to the end.  It was overly typical.  There was a family, an alcoholic father getting fucked at work, a son worried about college/money, a female co-worker seductress etc.  I mean, I just wanted to see James Spader.  I have a slight obsession with him.  I love a young James...Crash, Secretary, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Tuff Turf.  Also, Boston Legal is kind of the shit.

Links:

Film of the day: Reefer Madness (1936)

Director: Louis J. Gasnier (a director who began his career in 1905, which was close to the invention of cinema itself. Interesting.)

As someone who watches films typically on a daily basis, I was surprised that I have never seen this before.  If you're looking for something utterly hilarious, completely ridiculous, yet oddly mesmerizing, look no further.  This film will spark your intellect, and if you're like me, you will make you wonder about so many fantastic things, such as, 'I wonder if Shakespeare smoked weed...' I hope so.  When did bud become popular? Clearly before 1936--which I hadn't the slightest idea.  I am actually enticed to learn about the history of weed now. Thank you Reefer Madness, I owe it all to you.

Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028346/