Around the time of the attacks of September 11th 2001, America was at its all time high of security, ignorance, idiocy, anger, hatred, sadness, etc. But most importantly, filmmakers were compelled to express their sheer rush of emotions responding to this attack. Some gave us patriotic films, some paid homage to that day, and others preferred to examine more original views. Director Siddiq Barmak instead gives us an inside look at the practices and cruelty of the Taliban, and a society paralyzed under the control of the Taliban.
Tag Archives: Drama
Breakfast on Pluto (2005)
I submit to you that if there’s a film that can perfectly express the notion of gay pride, “Breakfast on Pluto” would properly fit that ideology. Because, there’s never been a film before that’s depicted its flamboyantly homosexual main character before as something other than a caricature, gag, or sex joke. The character Patrick Braden is so utterly in tune with his own nature that he comes off more as an avenger and true symbol than as someone who is simply gay. Patrick knows he’s gay, dresses as women quite often, and simply will not be knocked down by people who fear his differences, because he enjoys what he is.
The Departed (2006)
Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” is in fact a remake of the Hong Kong Crime Thriller “Infernal Affairs” which has basically the same plot line, and sense of dread. Scorsese approaches the crime thriller yet again, with his version of the exceptional crime thriller, now set in the mean streets of Boston, and not the murky landscape of Korea. The narrative is basically the same, and Scorsese doesn’t seem to think he can do better than the original film, so he copies the original film verbatim, save for the ending. One big crime syndicate, one big police department. Both are at war. In both teams, the plot slowly unveils and we learn that in the syndicate there is a mole from the police department feeding information back to HQ, while there happens to be a mole from the syndicate in power at the police department distorting information
Band of Angels (1957) (DVD)
It’s best to keep in mind the historical context of “Band of Angels,” before delving into it. I know that’s a common warning with films of a certain age, but in all seriousness, it keep that in mind. What with Black History Month just around the corner, be aware that “Band of Angels” is as dated as they come. Black actors dress as slaves, white extras are dressed as black slaves colored face and all, and the black characters are referred to as Nigroes and Niggers, and one woman is referred as “Cotton tooth.”
Balance (2007)
Chris Sparling’s “Balance” reminded me a lot of one of my favorite revenge films “In the Bedroom.” That’s a film many have written off as a blatant grab for Oscar attention, but I consider it one of the best revenge films ever made. Possibly one of the most original as well. “Balance” is in the same vein of the aforementioned title, yet it’s also almost as good as “In the Bedroom,” too. Sparling’s truly good short film explores the sheer wrath of loving parents on anyone that inflicts pain on their children.
Sherrybaby (2006)
Sherry Swanson is a child in a woman’s body. She’s petty, selfish, immature, completely void of anything resembling public etiquette, and is utterly self-deprecating. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants, hates herself for it, and simply has no idea how to stop. Some viewers will be hard pressed to find some sort of sympathy for this character. She’s unlikable, despicable, and utterly obnoxious at times take for example her competing for her father’s attention with her own daughter. But she’s simply the result of a young girl who hasn’t been in the real world, a young woman who is still a baby that hasn’t received the proper help necessary. If there’s any help for her at all.
On The Outs (2004)
You’re probably sitting there, thinking “On the Outs” is a good enough film, and even though it’s fiction, probably need a conventional plot. As for me, I sat there and had to stop it four times before finishing. For you it’s fiction, but for me in New York, it’s about as realistic as it gets. “On the Out” may be fiction, but explored is a world that’s hardly withdrawn my own. Taking a run in Sundance, “On the Outs” is quite possibly one of the best depictions of inner-city life, and young adults set down a path of doom consistently, with no hope of getting out of it.