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This weekend at the cinemas: droll Belgians, early Altman, and that strapping boy wizard
Submitted by imaginary embracey on July 14, 2007.
Assuming you've seen the summer's so-far best films (Ratatouille and Sicko), here are a few recommended cinematic offerings around Seattle that might get lost in the sequels-and- wizards-and-Transformers summer shuffle this weekend:
L'Iceberg. How to explain this delightfully deadpan Belgian film? It's like an Anne Tyler story directed by Aki Kaurismäki with a sassy flourish of Buster Keaton-ish physical comedy and a sly wink at Jacques Tati. The dictionary.com definition of "droll" should reference L'Iceberg. It's at the NW Film Forum through 7/19.
The Long Goodbye. This early Robert Altman film (made in 1973, post-MASH and pre-Nashville) is the great director's singular take on Raymond Chandler's detective Philip Marlowe... and its neo-noir nature has divided and confounded film purists for years. Can't wait. A new print screens at SIFF Cinema through Thursday.
Manufactured Landscapes. This documentary on the recent work of Edward Burtynsky (gorgeous photos of ugly industrial realities) is one of my favorite non-fic flicks of the year. It just started a week-long run at the Varsity, and is a must-see for the art- and enviro-minded among us.
and, ok...
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Definitely not the best of the Potter films (I reckon Alfonso Cuarón's installment will always be my fave), but the visuals are mostly great, Harry and Ron are turning out nicely (sorry, I couldn't get those Equus photos outta my mind), Emma Watson is becoming a fine young actress, and Imelda Staunton is absolutely AMAZING as Dolores Umbridge.
Dana alread has a separate HP discussion going elsewere. (She's not a fan of the new film -- big surprise.)
So what else are you seeing (or have you seen) this weekend?
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ChrisB said on July 14, 2007:
Ooooh. I will have to find my way down to SIFF Cinema for *The Long Goodbye*. I love Altman films and haven't seen that one yet.
I hope SIFF gives him a retrospective soon like the one they're giving Kubrick later this year.
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imaginary embracey said on July 15, 2007:
sally: until now, La Staunton was probably best known in the States for (and as) Vera Drake. She was also a regular on series 3 of the brilliant sketch comedy show Little Britain. Check her IMDB listing for more.
ChrisB: yes, it's definitely worth checking out. And a must for Altman fans. (Just be ready to hum John Williams' theme tune for days afterward.)
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sally said on July 15, 2007:
i think i was remembering her frm nanny mcphee. i'm netflixing vera drake.
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Reviews
sally said on July 14, 2007:
i saw order of the phoenix on opening day. its ok, and i agree about delores umbridge - really good performance - what else has Imelda Staunton been in?
i will have to check out l'iceberg.