cultfilmfan

Right from the first few seconds of the new film, Amazing Grace, we are given some astounding and fascinating tidbits of news about how the whole concert came to be and why up until now it has never been seen by viewers except for those who were actually in attendance at the church where it was filmed. Award winning director, Sidney Pollack was hired by Warner Brothers to film a live concert recording of then well known and very popular soul singer, Aretha Franklin as she performs at a California Baptist Church and sings the songs that she grew up with and learned herself having gone to church and having sung these gospel songs since she was a child. Whilst filming, the performance went on for two nights in a row with Aretha on vocals accompanied by the reverend on piano and a host of backup singers doing backup vocals and harmony. We are told several times that during the taping and filming of this concert which was originally meant to be aired on television, that there were so many technical difficulties amongst other problems that the filming crew ran into (some of which we witness whilst watching the film) and the film we see today before us has only been moderately restored and some of the technical glitches such as with editing and pacing remain intact, but this does not hamper, or detract from the film in any way, but instead makes the whole thing more of a historic relic from almost 50 years ago now and what an absolute treat it is for us viewers to see it for the first time after all these years and even with not the best editing, or camera work, the real reason we are all here is to hear Aretha sing these songs and this is fully and completely accomplished with this film and it is a film that truly moved me personally as not all, but enough of these very songs are songs and hymns that I also learned in the church as a child and some that we still sing regularly during morning and evening services on a Sunday. While the opening credits were rolling, I saw the logo for Spike Lee's production company, 40 Acres and a Mule which I later found out helped fund this rerelease and also that Spike himself was one of the producers on the film. Being a Christian, I found the music to be very moving as well as inspiring throughout the course of the film. Whether this would have the same type of effect on viewers who maybe have never been to church, or perhaps don't consider themselves to be Christians, I do not know. The audience in which I saw the film was completely packed and with those of whom I talked with after the film, all seemed to have really enjoyed it. Some of the attention to detail even with the technical difficulties still shines through as often we see the sweat and perspiration on Aretha and the other singers and players throughout the recording. It was currently January in California, but it must have been a stifling heat and perhaps the church back in 1972 didn't have the same type of air conditioning luxuries that we have today. Nevertheless this just goes on to show that Aretha and company are truly singing from the bottom of their hearts and all their hard work definitely does pay off. This particular recording we are told when on to become the best selling gospel album of all time and it most likely still carries that honour with it today. This is the type of film that is refreshing to see in a day and age of wars, political tension, scandals and violence all around us. This is a film the encourages us by the very persuasive style of music and ultimately lets us know that someone who can do something with all the trials and tribulations we face today can see what we as a people are going through and they also have the ability to help us and they will. This is a film that shows how music as a medium is so powerful as is the message it is getting across as well. With the recent passing of both Sidney Pollack and Aretha Franklin, this is a wonderful send off for both icons and a film that will continue to leave it's powerful influence on generations to come. What a wonder that this was finally released and at just the right time too.

In a lot of arguments against modern films, or I guess the case could be made for older films as well, it seems as if audiences in general want all the easy answers and don't necessarily want to have to think for themselves or ponder a film and it's meaning after they have watched it. Cold War is a film that I think many would argue has not enough character development and a lot of viewers would be left scratching their heads as to why the characters in this film do what they do and why the relationship depicted in the film often feels strained and more like a love/hate relationship than one that is based out of love. I think here as with any number of art house, or films that would leave more up to the audience's interpretation as an emotional means, but also to have a lingering if not haunting effect upon the viewers after the film is over. There is I would argue a fair bit of character study on display here and what is not shown, or maybe instead is implied to the viewers, I would still say speaks volumes about the character's tendencies, personalities and overall motives as to how they live their lives and what is the logic or reasoning behind a lot of their decisions. The two main characters are often seen fighting either verbally, or a few times physically and there seems to be a general sense of tension and hostility between them. At other times we seen them in the throws of passion and as if they would never leave each other and like they mean the absolute world to one another. And yet these characters go years and sometimes close to decades without seeing each other and forming other relationships and commitments with their lives, but there still seems to be a yearning and a tiny if yet large fire blazing inside them whenever they do reunite whether it be for a brief, or lengthy period of time. One could argue that these two lovers are often very cold both emotionally and on a romantic level with one another, but I think for both of them that it is only a part of the attraction to one another and while they have tried (how hard is up to interpretation) to live apart, we somehow know and feel that in a sense despite the peculiarities within the relationship and the lack of emotion or depth still lingers a love that will ultimately conquer the contradictory forces both in their home lives as well as the country's backdrop as to where they are living as well. This is a film that is certainly a fine example of stage and spectacle and some of the song and dance numbers whether it be a more folksy traditional number on stage, or to the smoky and yet ambiance filled scenes set in Paris clubs that feels both cool and classy at the same time. This is a film that is heavy on mood and atmosphere and some of these scenes are amongst the finest I have seen in any film of last year, or in recent memory. The cinematography here is also amazing with any number of single shots, or frames that could easily be put on display in an art gallery with how much it says in each shot as well as the beauty captured in and around the events in and out of focus. The black and white photography is probably the best looking I have seen recently and the film's cinematography nomination at the Oscars was more than well deserved. Joanna Kulig who plays the lead character, plays her with a lot of intense emotion and feeling and yet can be quiet and vulnerable at times when the role requires it as well. It is one of the most impassioned and yet heartfelt and longing performances in recent memory and she could have easily won any number of acting awards for this spot on and powerful portrayal. The film looks great and sounds great and is certainly a sight to behold and I am pleased to say that it gives it's viewers a lot to think about and does not gives us a cheap way out, but instead allows us to linger on it's beauty and it's ugliness and the film is all the more resonant and powerful for having done so. One of 2018's best films and one of the most stirring and accomplished films in recent memory.

Anyone who has even the tiniest bit of familiarity with Isabelle Huppert's body of work could easily tell you that she can very easily and effectively play someone who is diabolically evil, or has just plain gone insane. Take for example Michael Haneke's The Piano Teacher, which Huppert won a Best Actress Award at The Cannes Film Festival. It is a very hard film to sit through because of how increasingly uncomfortable the film makes you feel and this is all due to Haneke's usual brilliance of how to disturb and make an audience squirm, but also due to Huppert's performance which is at times subtle and then as the film moves along we see her character and how truly depraved she is and the film further captures this by her spot on performance. While I do own the film in a Michael Haneke DVD collection from Kino Lorber, I certainly have no desire to revisit it any time soon, or perhaps ever again because of the general feeling of queasiness and dread that the film and performance left me feeling. She can certainly play a character who is certainly out of their mind, but in that crazed state can resort to any number of evil, violent, or perverse acts. What a suitable role then is the new film by Neil Jordan, where she stars as the title character, Greta. Again here we deal with a character who is deeply complicated on any number of different levels. The main one here seeming to be loneliness, or at least that is what her character claims, but I think codependency issues as well as a sense of dominance and masochism also comes into play here. It is a fascinating character to watch unravel because when we are first introduced to her she certainly seems harmless enough, but as time goes by we see how truly bent she is and that she will stop at nothing to achieve her goal of dominance in a relationship and simply having any kind, or form of relationship at all. The victim in this case is played by Chloe Grace Moretz, who comes across as sweet and innocent and perhaps that is what draws Huppert's character to obsess about her. This is certainly a case where a cat and mouse game is being played and it will take more than mere cunning and survival tactics in order to win this game. This is a film that in many ways is like most stalker films in the thriller genre and there was a fair bit within the film that did feel familiar and even a bit clichéd off of similar types of films. There did, especially in the second half of the film, prove to be a lot of surprises that I personally did not see coming and ultimately while the film is no near masterpiece, it is elevated above any mediocre levels due to the two main performances which really hold up the film and should seeing as this is a character driven film. Both performances are great and capture our interest and leave us wanting more. The film is scarce on jump scares and excessive violence which I could appreciate and although the story seems like a B movie at times, it is also very much fun and entertainment as the best B movies usually are. The film is a lot better due to these performances and Jordan who almost never fails to impress is good at a story like this and allows us to squirm in our seats and have fun all at the same time. I hope this means more releases to come from Jordan as well as more plum rules for Huppert and Moretz as they carry a mediocre film, or would have been otherwise and turn it into something near greatness and also a lot of campy fun.