Sam's Blog - The Great Beauty

Jep Gambardella did not come to the city of Rome to get lost in the high life… he came to become its king. A journalist whose name was first brought to attention years earlier with a single novel he wrote (which everyone continues to ask if he will follow up), he revels in the extravagant and hedonistic lifestyle, making his way to the top of the social ladder through the guise of power. And he really does have it down to an art, until a brush with his past throws a kink in his plans.

In a film very reminiscent of Fellini’s work, complete with dreamlike imagery and fantastic crowds of burlesque characters, we see a city of people all with the same struggle: to remain under the guise. Tony Servillo gives a charming performance, navigating us through all the flash and tricks as his character’s perspective begins to shift, giving us a refreshing and captivating view of the life of Rome.

At a whopping 2 and a half hours, it is worth every minute… definitely check this film out on your next visit to the Midtown Cinema!

-SAM

Sam's Blog - All Is Lost

Sam's Blog - All Is Lost 

The film industry has its share of movies that deal with the "man vs nature" concept, but never in quite this way. Robert Redford stars (and in fact, is the sole actor) in All is Lost, a tale of a man lost at sea. We begin the story knowing very little about Redford's character, not even his name -- the credits simply call him "Our Man". The film doesn't set up his backstory, or flash back to what his life was like before, but simply plops us into the conflict: a broken yacht in the middle of the Indian Ocean, 17,000 nautical miles from commercial shipping lanes. All that we know about this character is gleaned directly from his actions in the situation. He seems to have his bases covered for emergencies, and is not immediately concerned when disaster strikes; but as the situation becomes worse and worse, we begin to see his desperation arise. Redford draws us into the action, his subtle emotions drawing a vivid picture of a man who started off his journey alone, but now finds himself to be lonely.

There are no tricks to this film: no created companions to allow our protagonist some social stimulation, and no attempts by Our Man to talk to himself to add exposition. Though there is very little dialogue, it is by no means a "quiet" film... You will sit on the edge of your seat as waves crash and tension rises for our solitary sailor, a man who has you rooting for him without barely saying a word.

The story is riveting, and the images are breathtaking (it's not often you see a film with a Director of Photography and an Underwater Director of Photography). Put this on your list of films to see! CLICK HERE FOR MOVIE TIMES AT THE MC!

- SAM