Woody Allen is still back in the Game! He is a PIMP!

Left: Scarlett Johansson with the old ass Woody
Allen.
Definitely not a typical Woody Allen film, but still showcases his cynicism on relationships. A movie that tackles so many issues in record time and formalistic study that it is just told in an operatic scale. Given the movies references to Dostoesvsky and the opera is the true solace of what this movie represents.

One thing I can say is my love for Woody Allen and how he is typically hit and miss and is rarely on it most of the times. Other disregard and just think he is a self-indulgent hack, but I can't deny my love for him and I enjoy some of his films. To me out of all the horror films, kung fu films and exploitation films I write about how cinematically cunning and endearing those films are. And yet I say that to me Woody Allen is the true guilty pleasure, and he is. I can't relate to him. I'm not Jewish and live in New York and have manic and weird relationships that barter on the public. He is a talented writer and director at the same time. He is not a writer second and director first, he is both at the same time. I love "Deconstructing Harry,"Small Time Crooks", "Stardust Memories" and definitely "Crimes and Misdemeanors". His movies are still in the void of Wood Allen universe that people tend to disconnect to, but this one definitely shows he can push cinema outside his universe.

The setting being London and not New York, he still is not out of his element. His trademarks that Allen is known for may not be present for some, but is still there. His typical Jewish humor isn't there, but his humor is. As the movie takes over dramatic turn is doesn't really take itself too serious and has a dark, cynical humor towards it. "Match Point" is not a dark comedy!

Now for the story, starring the actually pretty good Jonathan Rhys-Meyers who plays Chris Wilton who is a kid that is unsure of himself. His plans of being a pro-tennis player that didn't come into plan is not truly explained why he didn't full fill that dream. It probably is explained but I 've probably missed it and for me felt like a blimp in the air. Cause he is just a guy that doesn't know what he wants and wonders into a relationship with the sister of a rich friend of his played by Matthew Goode. Her name Chloe, played by the underrated Emily Mortimer(Dear Frankie), who takes a liking to Chris and decides to build relationship. Chris then meets the family and is well received by the rich parents and is groomed by Chloe and her dad to work under him at his firm and supply him with a house and a job.

You wonder, why the hell am I following this rich, not working, asking a hand from father in-law punk. It so happens that you actually, and this mean guilty pleasurely, start rooting for him and not care for him but is happy for him. Chris seems fulfilled with all the options that are giving to him through this relationship but of course he is looking for more. After a rendevous at the mansion of the father played by Brian Cox, who seems to be in a lot movies these days randomly after "L.I.E."(check out that movie if you haven't seen it). As Chris is in the mansion and walks into the recreation room with a female playing ping-pong for money. Chris takes a love-at-first-sight note and makes his careful move and realizes that its the fiance to the soon to be brother-in-law. That still doesn't stop him and is sought after for Nola, played by the oh so fine Scarlet Johansson. She is the temptress, well not exactly the temptress but the lust to Chris' loins. The whole stage is set, and might their add for their first sex scene as cliche and cheesy it was for some reason it was still perfectly set-up by Woody Allen. It's like he was making fun of that cliche and no one didn't get it.

The whole build-up is set and enlist certain turns that Allen seems conscious on taking and does it masterfully. Like the movie goes from certain cinematic genre from another accomplishing and covering a lot of issues without being preachy first quarter of the movie feels like a romance between Chloe and Chris, then it goes into Harold Pinter-esque("he Homecoming") dialogue that fuels the English accents that Allen seems to not be familiar with. It takes that tone then goes into some late-night cinemax fare like a soft-core porn "Dangerous Liaisons". It does that for while with a sex scene between Rhys-Meyer ripping Johansson's shirt off like a G!!!!!! It's so awesome, I was the only fool rooting in the theatre. Then the film goes into some twisted dialogue people hurting people emotionally with words that seems to be eminent in Neil Labute's("In the Company of Men") work. Except, its not a rip-off and has a lot more subtle humor than Labute's in-your-face humor that hits you like a brick. Allen's subtleness hit you, long after the incidents are portrayed and will continue to, long after the movie is over. I'm still recovering and think about this film at this moment(since I'm writing this) and probably tomorrow. Then it transitions into a murder mystery that build ups with long shots and subtle tension that invokes Claude Chabrol("La Ceremonie"), even with the same wry humor Chabrol has! This movie did it all!

Allen's use of cinematography doesn't help much with the location(Not saying London isn't beautiful), but still adds beauty on its portrayal. He consists of long takes of two characters sharing dialogue, hell even three people. It's like a three cushion dialogue seminar that isn't plot motivated but isn't a waste and gives new meaning to actually share Chris' pain. I also like how Allen pans the camera slowly, not for when a another person is talking but showcase another persons' emotions. He usually keeps the camera on a person while another person is talking to them, and sometimes he zooms out to show the two talking. He seems that he is not interested in cuts, but gives as seminal cinema verite style that isn't all that judgmental. But with the panning of the close up when some plot point is about to made it somewhat quos Chabrol.

Throughout all the ins and outs that Chris chooses you start to feel happy for his fate in the end. Then you know his guilt that he has to live with. Allen did real great job and is his best movie to date in a long ass time. I enjoy some of his recent work, but none of them will hit me as hard as this one did! I remember Win, a friend/co-worker said,"I rather watch a mediocre Woody Allen than a mainstream Hollywood anytime of the day". Well this my friend is not mediocre and could be summed up in the words of my English homies,"A Bloody Good Show, Ol' Chap!" Alright that was lame, but who cares its a celebration bitches for WOODY ALLEN!
This Aliye Nyoka saying "See You Later, Masturbater!"

Something You Can Sink Your Teeth Into!

Left: Q'orianka Kilcher as Pocahontas or Rebecca.












A True Definition of "Visual Poetry"


Rather not for the typical entertaining crowd, a movie that may be shrouded for people with an acquired taste. I feel you don't have to have an acquired taste to like Terrance Malick(Badlands, Days of Heaven, Thin Red Line). Others may find him boring, but there is really no denying his beauty. If you could look past his visuals and see a great movie with poetic meaning. A lot people will hate it and just call it boring, and I have nothing against that I don't go after those people and impose my will on them and tell them why they should like this movie. I could care less about those people, because I don't think Malick is a director you can get or not get. To really enjoy this movie is you gotta go to the biggest theatre in your area, albeit the Lloyd Cinemas outside auditorium with the big screen(For you Portlanders). Relax. Sit up close, kick back and have a soda because this movie may feel long to sum of saying two and a half hours. To me it felt under that and just went by so quick, and left me wanting for more. That may sound a lot work for one movie, but it helps and it is so worth it. Now we got you to just watch the movie and literally have a good time. Now its time for the review.


Summing up Malick's career and resume will take mere seconds, well not having a huge roster to his name doesn't mean his movie are unimportant. He has supplied cinema's greatest achievements and "The New World", being his fourth film to date is no exception. While I was waiting for this one to come out for about a year, I realized the wait is over and finally got a chance to see it. Originally two and half hours but cut 15 minutes shorter upon it initial world wide release because Malick is such a perfectionist(and it shows) like Wong-Kar Wai. A frantic paranoid he may be from hearing rumors of him not offering anyone for an interview does not give the director much depth and his influences. Then again who cares, I hope he's just like his films because their so unique.


Now let's get on with the criticism and enough with this preface, pin-pointers on watching it and history. I loved this movie and I have always loved Malick's style, while others may find tiresome of his style during this long movie and some will fall asleep you still won't miss it. Because to me getting warped into Malick's films is something different. Malick's style is something you can sleep to, even with your eyes closed you can still feel it. For real. If you sit up really close like I did you start feeling the trees and wind for some apparent reason.


The story is something that is famous in American history and has watered down to a cliche from Hollywood to Disney. The story of John Smith and Pocahontas, which is giving a neutral realism to it. If anything Malick's influences are unknown, but he might take note from Robert Bresson(A Man Escaped, PickPocket) because each scene is like a painting. It's all like a moving painting. It as it doesn't go into the typical Hollywood cliche's that are displayed into the story of Pocahontas and John Smith, it avoids those by just telling the story of Pocahontas.


The movie uses voice narration but the type that tells you the story and jumps from each character voice narration giving their side of this "New World". But its still not the voice-over that tells you the story, instead as always Malick uses it over beautiful montages overplayed by a score from James Horner. it gives a new use of voice over and also proves my point of the "visual poetry" aspect. His montages go on randomly and are just enthralling to look at. He just have to sit up close for it. The beautiful scenes goes perfect with the score and narration that you left with your mouth dropping.


I am not a huge Colin Farrell fan and I think he was somewhat miscast but doesn't distract from the movie. The real moments are handle by young newcomer Q'Orianka Filcher who is the real voice of the movie and holds together. Its like Malick knew what he wanted and found it in her. Displaying Pocahontas as a real 15year-old, the same age as Q'Orianka, the love between Farrell's Smith is handled maturely and not creepy...let alone erotic. It was like he was just showing the mentally of 1607 and surpassed that factor and just show the love unfold into a triangle of some sorts. Historians will not find it accurate, but in history of cinema I think it was the most accurate portrayal of Pocahontas. Malick went balls out epic on this one and went for accuracy and hired some real Native Americans and not some Puerto Ricans playing Native Americans. The set design is awesome and sheds some dreariness to the atmosphere that Malick turns to beauty. Like I said, it's like he knew what he wanted. Without all the Native American actors, you can't have the typically great Wes Studi(Heat, Mystery Men, Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo) up in there giving a good performance.


The movie doesn't go into one dimension display of the settlers portrayed as evil white men that are arrogant or the Native Americans as righteous savages. It doesn't sugar coat the portrayal but gives it more understanding realism to it, and actually shows the settlers trying to stay within their own colony and trying to survive on their own in the wooden fortress they built. The effect is society ridden with starving kids and men dying left and right. It doesn't show them as evil invaders, but doesn't give them bad light or good light. The whole movie is in a grey zone about how this country was founded.


When I talk about a love triangle the movie unfolds into a one with John Smith out of the picture and Pocahontas falling in love with a new English men. After believing John Smith died she meets John Role played by the great Christian Bale. uses also shares the voice over narration into another montage that traces back and forth to his new born and his wife Pocahontas who is now named Rebecca. They both have baby and for awhile the movie switches gear from old America to old town England where they live in a farm and are welcomed by the king and queen. After learning that Smith is still alive she tries to find him and decide whether to stay and have a family with Rolfe or go with John Smith. The whole movie I won't give away but once you leave the theatre you leave with beautiful scenes that you can't get out of your head. It's a journey through literally a "New World", the whole movie is a journey that embeds and scars your brain with a visualized masterpiece. As Malick was editing till release date, I could have stayed for more(that's just me), but the print I saw would come close to perfection! I loved it! This is Aliye Nyoka saying "Go See It!"

Review of Masters of Horror 10: Lucky McKee's "Sick Girl"

Top:Lucky Mckee on the set of "Sick Girl". Bottom: Angela Bettis(May) and the lovely Misty Mundae(Listed as Erin Brown)

















WOW! This movie has it all and McKee sure knows how to capture it. While some of us hard-core fans of McKee's debut film "May" , were waiting for his next feature that is always getting pushed back. His next feature is a film with Bruce Campbell, Agnes Bruckner(Blue Car) and the wonderful Patricia Clarkson. Its still finding it hold on a release date, but its been finished for quite awhile. McKee doesn't fret, but while that is still in limbo we can watch is latest from the "Masters Of Horror". Its called "Sick Girl", for a reason, back working with "May's " star the awesome Angela Bettis. She plays a lesbian(what more do I have to say) who is an entomologist at a lab for an important institute. The movie first starts out with an eye level camera view of a little insect getting shipped off to her apartment. All that is just subplot, because McKee intentionally lets a relationship unfold in front of the camera between Angela Bettis and Misty Mundae, listed as Erin Brown on the credits but I know her and respect her as Misty Mundae. I think the main reason she was listed as Erin Brown, because her character is also named Misty. Either way, I always found Misty Mundae to actually be a great talent from her Seduction cinema soft-core porn spoofs. She is much known for that, but I always watched her films knowing that any given day she could give a compelling performance(whose to say that 'Play-Mate of the Apes" isn't compelling, that movie rules). Misty Mundae jump started Seduction cinema and productions, not saying it would be anywhere without her but she surely has opened a market for it. I don't think the role she plays here is any different the stuff she does in Seduction Cinema(she does soft-core porns, horror, Nick Phillip remakes...you name it) but it feels like she was meant to play this role.
Of course as I stated its Angela Bettis playing a lesbian who feels like a timid, shy and insecure girl version of me. Her name is Ida Teeter who has a love for insects that are complications in her love life and also a problem for the landlady. After several funny conversations with her lab partner whose a guy that enjoys talking to Ida about and getting chicks which is pretty funny dialogue. Ida notices a girl every time she goes to work in the lobby whose face is covered by her hair. After mustering up the courage to talk to her played by the lovely lesbian Misty Mundae(AKA Erin Brown), they realize that they a lot in common and sparks funny dialogue and a weird relationship. Throughtout the movie Ida discovers that Misty(Erin Brown's character name) is a true oddball and she finds out that she has an interest in insects too. The love is in the air, but back o the bug that was delivered to her doorstep from a professor in Brazil. Through the course of that conversation sharing their love of insects, Ida also finds out that the professor is actually Misty's father. Not plot point that turns to horrifying, but involves the mystery of the bug that was sent to her and supposedly eats mammals. The movie doesn't go into the sub-plot of the bug on the loose, but focuses more on the relationship of Ida and Misty. And I gotta say that's way more interesting, nah I'm jut playing but it opens the door for psychological horror and old fashioned animatronics. I think Godard said that all you have to do to make cinema is "a girl" and another girl. I don't think he said nothing about a gun, nah I'm just playing, but the movie has that tone.
Its not typical soft-core lesbian sex that Misty Mundae is usually in, but focuses on these characters lesbian relationship. The movie feels like an unconscious social commentary on lesbianism. It's like Lucky wasn't aware, but just had a love for these characters to put them in horrifying situations. The movie feels like it had undermining social commentary on lesbians and discrimination and them having the right to bear children and take of them. Well, at least in the ending. Now the intention of focusing on the characters over the insect that is on the loose, which is not waste, was marked by Mckee himself. He read the script by Sean Hood and rewrote to reflect more on the lesbian misadventures of Ida and Misty. I could see why he did it, because we all seen the typical "prey on the loose" movie. It wasn't a critique on that sub-genre but rather a love for it. That turned its ear to supply great character development.
As for Angela Bettis, she's great in this playing a manic woman looking for love with precise detail. The way she deepens her voice when she talks to her insects is just brilliant. Their is a relationship between the landlady's grand daughter and Ida that Angela Bettis a lot to work with to show humanistic value to Ida. Other being a somewhat repressed lesbian nerd, she felt like a girl version of me. Misty Mundae(or Erin Brown) is also great and I was hoping for her to be and she beat my expectation through the roof. When you watch her films for Seduction, she seems like a girl that has fun on the set and supply wry sense of humor to the soft-core porn spoofs that Seductions venues. "Sick Girl" is no exception. She really hams it up with care as she goes crazy scene after scene that exceeds most people perception of her just being "eye candy". Misty Mundae is cute girl, but she sure can hold a performance.
The whole ends with a sweet, happy ending...in a horrifying way but actually turns out pretty nice between Ida and Misty. I loved this piece and can't wait for McKee's "The Woods". I just read an interview with him and he says that 'The Woods" may by in a release date hold but I'm still doing another project. It's like nothing will stop him and he always looks forward to doing anything just to keep moving. "Sick Girl" feels like a short with momentum that showcases McKee's future and me looking forward to the next thing he does!
This is Aliye Nyoka saying "I'll See You on the Flip Side!"