Turn around and take a forward step.

I have got five films to discuss.  It's going to be a short one so that I can get them all down before I fall asleep.

Winter's Bone (2010)

This film was obviously a labor of love.  Everything was so real and authentic and some of the shots were just beautiful.  The acting was also very good and the use of locals added to the film without sacrificing anything, which can occasionally happen.  The one thing about this film is that I was aware I was watching it throughout.  What I mean is that I was never lost in the story.  Sometimes it felt that everything was so deliberate that I supposed to be aware of the fact that I was watching a great film.  Does that make sense?  Anyway, it's not necessarily to detract from the movie, which I still think was excellent and one of my favorites that I have seen from 2010.  

Shadows (1959)

I probably can't say anything about this movie that has not already been said and said better.  So, I'll leave it at this: I am now a fan of Cassavetes.  John has a nice list of his favorite Cassavetes films that I plan to explore.

180° South

I loved this documentary.  The only problem is that it really made the fact that I have not been out of the country since I came home from Mongolia 2 years ago painfully evident.  I want to adventure down to Patagonia now.

But seriously, this documentary is beautiful and inspiring.  I am sure that I would get a lot of disagreement about this but it will probably make my Top Ten of 2010 list should I get around to putting one together.



F for Fake (1973)

With so much mention about this in the discussion of Exit Through the Gift Shop I felt that I had better see it.  You are all right - of the two films it is the superior.  Again, another Film Club inspired watch and another film that will probably be one of my favorites for a long time to come.

The Kids Are Alright (2010)

This movie has many layers to it.  It is a comedy, a family drama and a social commentary.  There were definitely aspects that felt forced or could have been explored deeper.  For example, the children's relationships with their friends seemed fake and did not really add much to the movie.  The point that these scenes were trying to make could have been done much better.  Also, the relationship between the moms could have been more subtle.  I think it would have made the film much more powerful, especially towards the end when the affair comes out.

Nevertheless, this was a fun film to watch and Mark Ruffalo is beyond charming.  Though he does not surpass his performance from the excellent We Don't Live Here Anymore, he definitely drives this movie through some of the rough patches in the beginning.

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I know that no one else is watching Californication but I have to just say that Season 4 started last week and even though Hank Moody smells like he just got back from a fisting competition, I can't wait for the rest of the season.

That's all from me.  It has been a long few weeks.  Hopefully school will calm down and I will be able to give film club the time it deserves soon.