kberg Reviews

The Triplets of Belleville (2003)

Most passing strange

[9/10 · 3 March 2004]

This is a very bizarre visual and aural experience. One that animation fans will absolutely love. I was amazed. In French and a bit of English and no subtitles! But then, none are necessary. Sure-handed storytelling transcends any need for translation.

Big-screen animation takes another leap forward with The Triplets of Belleville, which packs staggering levels of craft and imagination into every last frame. By turns tender and pitch-dark, but always sublimely ridiculous, this trés French concoction was the only real competition for Finding Nemo in this year's animated-feature Oscar race.

Belleville is also a resounding call to shovel that dirt off the grave of hand-drawn animation. The caricature work is ornate and breathlessly bizarre, as if Fellini had come back from the grave and picked up a pencil. But the style and rhythms – almost no dialogue, lots of sound effects and darkly comic set pieces – are more reminiscent of the French filmmaker Jacques Tati. Belleville has the precision and detail of a Tati film, but it's much stranger and more frenetic. Like most great animated films, it takes full advantage of the format's otherworldly potential. Even if it's not your thing, chances are you've never seen anything like it.

The Pianist (2002)

A great film.

[10/10 · 11 September 2002]

I was lucky enough to see "The Pianist" in London two nights ago with the entire English cast at the Odeon West End Theatre. This is a great film. Polanski just nails it... and doesn't go Disney with the ending like Spielberg did with Schindler's. Adrien Brody is amazing in the starring role. Incredible story of survival. The music will break your heart. I have never responded to classical piano in a movie as strongly as I did the other night.

One Night the Moon (2001)

Beautiful and innovative...

[9/10 · 11 February 2002]

Wonderfully put together. I didn't realize what it was going to be like when I walked into the screening last month at the Sundance Film Festival... but I wasn't disappointed. A diverse creative team created this one hour musical drama... but its such a melancholy story... its really unexpected to see the characters break out in song... Some of the songs are very moving. "One Night the Moon" is my favorite... the family singing together while putting the little girl to bed is a great scene. Am going to look for a soundtrack!

Secretary (2002)

Beg to differ...

[8/10 · 11 February 2002]

Hearing the plot summary I expected to not like this film and was pleasantly surprised. The crowd at Sundance seemed to like it too. Some big laughs. I found it very odd and very funny. It seemed fresh to me... but then, I really haven't seen many S/M love stories. Maggie Gyllenhaal is great.

Blue Vinyl (2002)

Important, funny, beautifully shot...

[8/10 · 21 January 2002]

Judith Helfand and Daniel Gold have created a wonderful documentary in Blue Vinyl. Judith's parents have put light blue vinyl siding on her house... but Judith suspects there are serious dangers from vinyl to humans... during its manufacture, if it burns, when its disposed of. Having lost her uterus from DES poisoning, she shares a bond with the cancer victims who work in and live in the shadow of the vinyl and PVC factories. Judith has this gravelly high voice, a quirky sense of humor, and a vulnerability in the face of corporate America that makes her irresistible. Blue Vinyl is also beautifully and imaginatively shot... I saw this at Sundance (2002) and Daniel Gold won the prize for documentary cinematography. There is also wonderful use of music and animation. Highly recommended.

American Experience: Miss America (2002) Season 14, Episode 7

Same "Burnsian" format... but far more entertaining!

[8/10 · 20 January 2002]

We saw this at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival some eight days ago as I write this review. This doc was produced for the American Experience on PBS and the format is the same Ric Burns/Ken Burns style to which we have grown all too accustomed over the years... however, this story has mercifully many more motion picture images and a lot more sass. With expectations of a documentary that covered a pageant from small-town dreams to the crooning of "there she is..." I was relieved they chose a different approach (apparently they shot alot of their own pageant footage but did not use much of it). This is a classic historical doc that tackles serious women's and civil rights issues. Very even-handed without pulling its punches... posing the contradictions of an event that has objectified women yet in some ways has liberated women as sexual beings. The interviews are great and some of the footage they found is laugh out loud funny... Highly recommended.

Skins (2002)

Humanizes a Stereotype...

[8/10 · 17 January 2002]

Caught the premiere of "Skins" at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday, Jan. 14, 2002. This is an excellent film and a fine sophomore effort from director Chris Eyre. Graham Greene gives a multi-layered performance as the tragic Mokie... a drunken Indian humanized maybe on film for the first time. Eyre said afterwards that every drunk is someone's uncle, someone's father, someone's brother. He isn't into victimology but puts the issues out there for all of us to own... and be responsible for. The other lead actor is Eric Schweig, who gives a brilliant performance as Mokie's younger brother, a rez cop who turns vigilante. There were one or two performers who were a little wooden (no pun intended). At one point the pipe carrier climbs on his soapbox and he sounds amateurish and rehearsed. But overall, the performances are solid. Also... its important to note that this is a film with Indians in most, if not all, of the major creative positions and it stands tall on its own merits. Many laughs and a few tears. Genuinely moving film. Highly recommended. Washtay do! Pidamayah, Chris!

Survivors: The Blues Today (1984)

For true Blues Fans

[5 February 2001]

I saw this film at the premiere on Minneapolis's West Bank in 1984. It was shot at Wilebski's Blues Saloon in St. Paul. The family has since sold the blues bar, which continues to showcase regional and national blues talent. If you can find this movie its a great one for blues fans, featuring John Lee Hooker, the Gravanetes Band, Lady Bianca, Ben Sidran, Doctor John, Willie and the Bees, the Minnesota Barking Ducks and others. The producer Robert Schwartz went on to produce "Iron Will" for Disney and has since produced some tv movies. It seems a bit aimless at times as a story, but the performances are great. A time capsule for blues fans.