MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (Kenneth Londergan 2016)
Searing movie about a Boston handyman called back to his Massachusetts North Shore town after his brother's death and put in charge of his 16-year-old son. A blend of dry humor and tragedy, a deep sense of place and winter season, terrific acting by Michelle Williams, Casey Affleck, and Lucas Hedges make this as they say, live up to the hype. It's not a perfect film but it's still a quite wonderful one.
Last edited by Chris Knipp; 11-23-2018 at 04:05 PM.
JACKIE (Pablo Larraîn 2016)
Natalie Portman's spot-on (and yet inevitably off; she hasn't got the class) imitation of Jacqueline Kennedy isn't necessarily the reason for seeing this film. Watch it for the over-reaching ambition of zeroing in on one of America's sacred tragedies of the century and skillfully blending segments focused on a Life magazine interview (which is clumsy and intrusive, but essential for introducing the "Camelot" theme); a meeting of the widow with an Irish Catholic priest played by John Hurt; flashbacks to the horrible event; and the long period in which Mrs. Kennedy asserts her control over the obsequies and the legacy while periodically wigging out on dress-up, booze, and pills. It lacks respect: but reverence would have led to something even more deadly. Not a great film but an Oscar bid, it does get our attention. Not in a league with Moonlight, I, Daniel Blake, Toni Erdmann, Manchester by the Sea, and other bests of the festival.
Another NYFF Main Slate film but seen in general release in December.
Last edited by Chris Knipp; 12-13-2016 at 01:01 AM.
Ken Loach's I, Daniel Blake.
US theatrical release begins 23 Dec. 2016 at IFC Center and Lincoln Plaza Cinema.
NERUDA (Pablo Larraín)
This NYFF Main Slate film begins US theatrical release Friday, Dec. 16tn, 2016 in NYC (at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and IFC Center). His current overreaching in this and Jackie are the culmination of a steady decline that began subtly with his 2012 film No, also as here starring Gael García Bernal. Nothing has come up to his early films, Tony Manero and Post Mortem. Granted, though, this is more worthy of your attention than his other current release, Jackie.
Last edited by Chris Knipp; 12-21-2016 at 04:47 PM.
TONI ERDMANN (Maren Ade 2016)
US theatrical release begins at Film Forum NYC 25 Dec. 2016.
TONI ERDMANN (Maren Ade 2016)
Can't wait to see Toni Erdmann again! But I'm not in New York this Christmas, and that's where it is, at Film Forum and Lincoln Plaza, ant Los Angeles at Nuart Theatre. Actually at Film Forum from Dec. 25 to Jan. 10.
You can read reviews of it in the NYTimes today.
“It’s something new under the sun, a thrilling and discomfiting document of the present moment and also, like every movie that matters, a bulletin from the future.” – A.O. Scott, The New York TimesMy reaction to it in Paris was quieter than that, but it takes you to a totally new place and definitely makes you think while bemusing you.“ JUST BRILLIANT. Startlingly original, frequently HILARIOUS and completely surprising at every turn. It's a rare film that makes you think deeply about the world around you while also making you laugh hard.” – David Calhoun, Time Out New York
Last edited by Chris Knipp; 12-23-2016 at 07:09 PM.
PATERSON (Jim Jarmusch 2016)
I didn't get to see this during the NYFF, but I've included my review of it in NYFF Filmleaf coverage, after seeing it 6 Jan. 2017 on its opening day at Landmark Embarcadero Cinemas in San Francisco. It's a quiet wonder, repetitious but enlightening, very much a Jarmusch film but more zen and philosophical than any other. A song of love for the poetry of the everyday.
Metacritic rating is 90% though it the recent inflated market of Metacritic ratings that only puts it at #12 for the year. I'd rate it higher. Mike D'Angelo puts it 7th in his personal list.
Last edited by Chris Knipp; 01-08-2017 at 12:13 AM.
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