Interview with the director of “Victoria Day” David Bezmozgis

I recently had the chance to talk with David Bezmozgis, Director of the upcoming film Victoria Day, in Toronto at the Metropolitan Hotel. Here is my interview. Please be aware that we did discuss some plot elements, so there are minor spoilers for the film in the interview.

-John C.

How does Victoria Day compare to your previous work?

My previous work, I guess is a collection of stories about a family of Soviet Jews, so it also touches on the same kind of community in the same place, set in Toronto and North York, and the point was to make it feel like real life, like “what’s it really feel like to go through this”.

What was the hardest scene to film?

I think the concert scene was probably the hardest scene to film, because we didn’t know if we were going to get all those extras in the back - we didn't pay for those people.

Was it historically accurate - was there actually a Bob Dylan concert on, like, May 15th, 1988 in Toronto?

Not to that extent, but there was a Bob Dylan show in 1988...

...at Ontario Place.

Yeah, it was like Exhibition Stadium, but it was close enough.

And what was your favorite scene to film?

That’s a tough question. I guess the scene where - the hospital scene - where the parents show up and the father sees him with the broken arm. To me, I always look forward to seeing that scene.

How long was the filming process?

We shot for 21 days

...and then the pre-production and the post-production?

Pre-production... what did we have... I think we had 4 weeks of pre-production, and we posted it in 3 months - which is fast.

Now one of my questions for John and Mark was, “what was it like working with you”, but obviously I’m not going to ask you that...

You want to know what it was like working with me? I thought I was ok. I got along with myself for the most part.

Did you use a clapboard?

oh, a clapper?

Yeah.

We do, but it’s all digital.

You don’t get the little chalkboard?

You don’t get the chalkboard, you get digital figures that are running all the time... But you still clap it - it’s called market, so it’s like “market” (clap) marker.

And could you understand the Russian when the actors were speaking Russian?

I speak fluent Russian. I directed the Russian actors in Russian.

Yeah, that’s what I thought. And did you write those parts of the screenplay in Russian?

I wrote it in English, and then for the Russian parts, the actors and I kind of worked together to translate it into Russian.

What did you think about filming the fireworks scene?

It was a lot of fun.

Because I know that you like filmed for three days, and through the night...

Yeah, we filmed it over a couple of nights, but it’s challenging because you would have stuff flying around, and you have to be safe.

And you had to get permits...

Oh, yeah, you have to get permits for everything.

...and insurance obviously for the actors.

Yeah, everybody was insured, even me.

That’s good.

What is the maximum number of takes you did for a single scene?

That’s a good question. You know that scene at the hospital, that I was talking about? Where the father says, “You think that’s your arm? Well it’s my arm.”, we probably did 15 takes of that. That’s probably the most of anything we did.

What was the least number of takes?

I think there are any number of times when we only had one or two takes. We’re pretty quick.

Was this filmed digital?

On RED.

4K?

Yeah, 4K. It was good - I like the RED. My cinematographer? Not so much. He prefers film, but I think the look we got is filmed really, really good compared to any other digital form.

It must really help in the editing...

Yeah it does,

Because you didn’t have a ton of film to go through, but obviously they said that you had to keep changing the harddrive.

Yeah, we had to keep swapping out, but it’s an interesting technology for sure. I’d want to do more of it.

Was this all edited in Apple’s Final Cut?

Yes, it was edited in Final Cut.

Did you do all the editing yourself?

No, no, there’s an editor.

How long would the “Director’s cut” of the film be?

Same. I’m very happy with exactly what we have there.

So there’s not much deleted content? What would you put on the DVD?

There’ll be some background stuff, there’ll be some auditions, I think there’s some behind the scenes that will be there... And there’ll be some other cool stuff that will be on there too.

Good, I look forward to it.

Is it true that you wanted Mark (Ben) to keep eating bananas in that scene?

I needed him to eat the bananas when he was on camera, he had to have something in his mouth, so yes, he had to eat the bananas.

Yeah, because Mark was saying he kept telling you he didn’t want to eat anymore f---ing bananas...

Yes, he needed to eat the f---ing bananas.

What are your thoughts on the finished film?

I am very proud of the movie - I’m really pleased with it.

How do you think it’s going to connect with audiences?

Well we’ve shown it before. We showed it at Sundance, we showed it here at a film festival, and I’ve gone to high schools and shown parts of the film to students, and they really... they get it - they’re thrilled by it.

Obviously it’s a very different film from Adventureland, but have you seen Adventureland, and how do you feel it’s similar to another coming of age story that takes place in 1987, (or ‘88)?

I haven’t seen Adventureland, but I’m aware of it...

Yeah, ‘cause it was also at Sundance...

It was also at Sundance - in fact we played them back to back - but I couldn’t see it because there was something else going on. But there’s a little movie called The Squid and The Whale, which is also set in the ‘80’s - do you know this movie?

Yes - never seen it, but I know of it.

I saw that one, and I liked it a lot, but it also, I think, had a similar style and a similar tone.

Are you working on any more movies?

I have a few things in mind, nothing that’s starting anytime soon, but I hope so.

Would you want to cast some of the same actors again?

Yeah, I would love to work with most of them again - probably all of them.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to me today...

It was my pleasure.

...and I hope you check out the reviews.

I will.

Departures Review

Departures - A KINOSMITH Release

http://www.departures-themovie.com/

Release Date: June 12th, 2009

Rated 14A for disturbing content

Running time: 131 minutes

Yôjirô Takita (dir.)

Kundo Koyama (writer)

Joe Hisaishi (music)

Masahiro Motoki as Daigo Kobayashi

Tsutomu Yamazaki as Ikuei Sasaki

Ryoko Hirosue as Mika Kobayashi

Kazuko Yoshiyuki as Tsuyako Yamashita

Kimiko Yo as Yuriko Kamimura

Takashi Sasano as Shokichi Hirata

Our reviews below:

_____________________________________________

Departures Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

Departures was the winner of Best Foreign Language Film at last year’s Academy Awards. The film provided one of the few surprises at the Oscars, beating out the competition of The Baader Meinhof Complex, The Class, Revanche and Waltz With Bashir.

It tells the story of Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), a man who plays the cello in an orchestra. When the orchestra dissolves, he finds a job listing in the paper under “departures”. What is it? A travel agency maybe? You can understand his shock when he goes for the job interview, is hired on the spot and expected to start preparing bodies for cremation.

I didn’t think the film was perfect, but it’s still excellent despite it’s flaws. I found it to falter in it’s first act. A scene where he goes into an old ladies house, to remove her two-week old body, is disgusting and I didn’t find it to fit tonally with the rest of the film. The opening scene is played for comedy, but then played again as drama later on. I’m not sure that this quite worked for me. On the contrary, the second act is moving and beautiful.

But, where the film really succeeds is in it’s uniquely moving and beautiful last act. As his business starts to take on a more personal level, everyone around him starts to realize it’s nothing to be ashamed of. The last fifty minutes of the film are handled delicately, beautifully and flawlessly, making up for all falters in the first act, and making us understand why it won the Oscar.

The music in Departures is also amazing, the sweeping cello combined with beautiful scenery is part of what makes the film so beautiful and emotional. My only question is: When Daigo plays the cello, who’s playing the piano music that starts to accompany him? But I wonder that about a lot of movies. Even if you wait for the DVD, Departures is definitely worth seeing, I highly recommend it.

_____________________________________________

Departures Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

Departures is the story of a young man in Japan, who is a cellist. After a short opening, we flash back to a few months earlier, when the orchestra that Daigo, the main character, is playing in, disbands. Daigo then has no choice but to look for work elsewhere. He sees an ad in a local paper for a job dealing with ‘departures’. He goes for the interview, and gets the job - practically before he even knows what it is for. It is not until much further along in the movie that we get back to the first scene again, although from a different tone and perspective this time...

Despite what may seem like an odd premise, this is actually a very artistically beautiful film. The Japanese ceremony of preparing people for their final departure is one that is done in a ritualistic manner, almost like a dance. We see how much closure the family members of their deceased loved ones get from watching the beautiful preparation ritual.

At first, hearing that this movie was 2 hours and 11 minutes, I was not sure how long it would feel. It feels like just the right length. Despite the fact that it is completely in Japanese and you are reading subtitles, a lot of the dialogue is not that fast, or there is just music accompanying what is happening on screen, (there are even times when this film is completely silent). So, it is not a strain to be reading subtitles for the running time, nor is it distracting to what is happening on screen.

In short, it is no surprise that this movie won at the 81st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Picture. This movie completely draws you in both visually, and emotionally. By the time you reach the ending, you will have tears in your eyes. Set to a backdrop of quiet cello music, Departures truly is a work of art.

_____________________________________________

Departures Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

Departures is a beautiful Japanese film that is a piece of art in itself. The main character, Daigo Kobayashi, plays the cello in a local orchestra. Daigo has always been a cellist, but when the orchestra he plays at goes under due to poor attendance, Daigo is desperate for work. So he looks in the classifieds, and settles on a job entitled “Departures”. What Daigo thinks is a travel agency turns out to be a job at a funeral home. Desperate for money, Daigo takes the job, but does not tell his wife Mika, afraid she wouldn’t approve. At first, Daigo doesn’t like his new job. He finds it weird, and kind of dark. But over time, Daigo realizes how important his job is, when he sees the solace that the beautiful Japanese ritual brings to families.

I really loved Departures. What could have been a depressing movie, turns out to be a touching, moving, and aesthetically pleasing film. Some of the scenes at the beginning play out more as a comedy, but the rest of the film is more of a drama. I was completely taken aback by both the gracefulness and reverence in how the deceased are handled in Japan. We see how Daigo’s artistic abilities come into play at his work. The music in this film is also beautiful. I really liked how the cello music fit with the Japanese funeral ritual, which is essentially a dance.

Departures is a beautiful, emotional film, that celebrates life’s beauty in all it’s stages. An amazing look at Japanese culture, and a film that will be accessible anywhere in the world.

_____________________________________________

Departures Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

Departures is a beautiful work of art. The academy got it right choosing Departures for Best Foreign Film.

Given the subject matter, preparing bodies, this could have been a very dark and depressing film. Instead, director Yôjirô Takita created a film that is gentle, warm and lovely to see and hear.

The movie opens with Daigo performing the preparation ceremony on Tomeo, a young suicide victim with a secret. This opening scene provides light humour and introduces us to the main subject, the ritual preparation ceremony for the departed. The movie goes to flashback at this point.

In the flashback, the main character, Daigo loses his job as a cellist when the local orchestra dissolves. He answers an ad for a job that he thinks is in a travel agency. When he realizes the company actually prepares bodies for undertakers he is reluctant. However, the company owner convinces him that fate has brought him there, and offers him generous financial compensation. Without telling his wife Mika, Daigo takes the job and begins the process of learning the ceremonial ritual of preparing the recently departed for their final journey.

The rest of the film deals with Daigo struggling to learn and finally mastering his new job. The story also deals with how Daigo’s decision to work with departures affects his relationship with his sweet and gentle wife Mika.

What I loved about Departures is how the subject of death is treated with such respect and dignity. I found it absolutely touching and beautiful to watch the preparation ceremony. The ritual is preformed with such grace and precision that I felt I was watching a dance. The cello music that Daigo plays and the classical music that runs throughout the film made the artistic experience complete for me.

The acting was believable and wonderfully low-key. I liked Daigo and Mika and cared what happened to them and their relationship.

From start to finish, I was engaged with Departures. Even at just over two hours of reading English subtitles. I never tired of watching beauty unfold.

If you appreciate quiet, artistic movies, then you won’t want to miss this unique Japanese film.

_____________________________________________

Departures Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

Before the opening credits of Departures we see a young man and an older man attending the wake of a young suicide victim to prepare the body for cremation. After the opening credits, we find the younger man Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) playing cello in a symphonic concert and then being told that his orchestra is disbanding. With his wife Mika (Ryoko Hirosue) he moves back to the house in northern Japan left to him by his mother. Expecting a job in the travel business, he answers an ad for a “departures” firm, and is surprised when the boss (Tsutomu Yamazaki) hires him on the spot with a cash advance. Only then does he discover that his job involves the preparation of dead bodies for the afterlife by ritual cleaning, making up and dressing, to be placed in coffins and burned to release their spirits. We watch with increasing admiration as Daigo handles this role in front of all kinds of grieving families with the utmost care and respect, and is usually rewarded with their gratitude. Daigo is reluctant to let his wife know what he does, and when she accidentally finds out she at first rejects him, since many still see his profession as unclean.

A lot more happens in this film. Though a bit over two hours long, it is never boring. Despite the potentially gruesome subject matter and tears of vicarious grief that we will inevitably feel, we are comforted by the quiet dignity of the rituals of death. The acting is uniformly excellent. Despite minor cultural differences we can immediately relate to and like most of the characters. The musical score by Joe Hisaishi is very effective. There is a recurring tune that we first hear Daigo playing on his cello. Some scenes are silent and in the showing I attended you could hear a pin drop.

Departures richly deserved its best foreign language film Oscar. Go see it. You will know why.

_____________________________________________

Consensus: Departures is a beautiful film that will show you the work of art that is the final preparation for departure in Japan. Although the subject matter could have been done in a disturbing manner, it is quite the opposite here. Completely deserving of it’s Best foreign language film Oscar, Departures is a film that is a must see. **** (Out of 4)

Coming Soon: Victoria Day

The excellent new Canadian-indie film Victoria Day will be opening next Friday, June 19th. Come back on the 19th for our reviews, and check back all next week for interviews with the director, David Bezmozgis and actors Mark Rendall, John Mavro, Scott Beaudin, Holly Deveaux and Melenie Leishman. You can check out the film's official website here, where you can also watch the trailer for the film. The movie is being distributed by E1 Films, and is already one of my top ten favorite films so far this year.

-John C.

Trailer Watch: Shutter Island

You can now watch the trailer for the upcoming Martin Scorsese film Shutter Island. The movie opens October 2nd and could easily score quite a few Oscar nominations. It looks really creepy and really good. Watch it on Apple Movie Trailers, here.

-John C.

A look at the upcoming Fox Searchlight film “Adam”

By John C.

I’ve been thinking quite a lot lately about the new film Adam, which opens July 29th. If you haven’t already watched the trailer, you can get the link here. The story is centered around a young man with Aspergers syndrome, which is a high functioning form of autism. You can learn more about it at the links section I am including at the bottom of this post. Aspergers syndrome has been the subject of many movies, including the 2006 film Mozart and the Whale. Adam seems different, and will probably reach a wider audience, mainly because of it’s distributor, Fox Searchlight. They know how to market a film and get the word out there. To put it into perspective, last summer Warner Independent Pictures wanted to send Slumdog Millionaire straight to DVD. Fox Searchlight picks it up, and it wins Best Picture.

Adam is first and foremost a love story. It follows the story of Adam (Hugh Dancy), a young man with Aspergers. After his father dies, he is left all alone in the apartment they shared. When a new girl, Beth (Rose Byrne), moves into his apartment complex, he falls in love. I have not yet seen the film, but from the trailer it looks like it will be very sweet and charming, and a true to life depiction of someone with Aspergers syndrome.

Director Max Mayer got the idea for the film after hearing a story on the radio about someone living with Aspergers. Adam is a romantic-comedy-drama, with a touch of quirkiness. It’s also a breath of fresh air for the romantic-comedy genre, because most “rom-coms” aren’t very original. I don't think I'm the only one tired of seeing the lives of the neurotypically, romantically inclined, being the only ones shown in movies, as was the case with the overlong and boring He’s Just Not That Into You.

Adam is not just a story about a man with Aspergers, it’s a love story where the main character happens to have Aspergers. More appropriately, as the films tagline reads “It’s the story of two strangers, one a little stranger than the other”.

You can learn more about Aspergers and autism at these links:

http://www.autism.net/

http://www.autismontario.com/

http://www.aspergers.ca/

You can learn more about the movie Adam here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185836/

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/adam/

And you can learn more about Mozart and the Whale Here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0392465/

My Life In Ruins Review

My Life In Ruins - A Fox Searchlight Pictures Release

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/mylifeinruins/

Release Date: June 5th, 2009

Rated PG for language and some sexual content

Running time: 95 minutes

Donald Petrie (dir.)

Mike Reiss (writer)

David Newman (music)

Nia Vardalos as Georgia

Richard Dreyfuss as Irv

Alexis Georgoulis as Poupi

Alistair McGowan as Nico

Harland Williams as Big Al

Rachel Dratch as Kim

Nia Vardalos and the rest of the cast from MY LIFE IN RUINS - a Fox Searchlight Pictures release.

Our reviews below:

_____________________________________________

My Life In Ruins Review By John C.

***

My Life In Ruins may be full of stereotypes and caricatures, but it’s also a perfectly enjoyable and pleasant film. When everyone has been giving this film bad reviews, I’m not quite sure what they were expecting. It’s packaged as what it is, and what you see is what you get.

It follows the story of Georgia (Nia Vardalos) a woman living in Greece. She works as a tour guide, showing people around the ancient ruins and architecture. She is not really happy with her job, and not very popular with the people on the tour bus either. But over the next week it’s all going to change. The people that she thinks she’s stuck with on the bus, may actually teach her something about making friends and falling in love.

It’s filled with clichés (there’s even an obligatory teenage romance), but on the plus side, the cinematography of Greece is very nice to look at. The musical score by David Newman is enjoyable and not overbearing. It’s got a happy ending and everyone seemed to leave the theatre happy as well, and that’s never a bad thing.

Yes, the story is predictable, but with this kind of film it doesn’t really matter. It’s enjoyable, light entertainment and I think audiences are going to love it.

_____________________________________________

My Life In Ruins Review By Erin V.

*** (out of 4)

My Life In Ruins is about a woman in Greece who works as a tour guide, while she is looking for a ‘real’ job, as a University Professor on the History of Ancient Greece. This is what she is trained for, not to talk to tourists who do not show any interest, nor share her enthusiasm in Greek History and Architecture. After doing this for some time, clearly, she is fed up - especially since her tourists find her boring, so she is relegated to the Beta group, rather than the Alpha.

This is a entertaining movie that is lighthearted and fun. Despite it getting bad reviews from some, it really is quite good for what it is. By no means is this an amazing film work, but it’s certainly not bad. More along the lines of a movie such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, or even Mamma Mia, the audience that is going to end up going to see this movie are really going to enjoy it. The scenery of Greece is also beautiful.

There is nothing wrong with a movie like this, as I figure it’s nice to just have a little bit of fun watching something that you don’t really have to think about, and can more just watch. If you’ve seen the trailers, and they appeal to you, than you will probably really enjoy My Life In Ruins.

_____________________________________________

My Life In Ruins Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

My Life In Ruins is a funny light comedy about making the best about what life has to offer. The story involves Georgia, a Greek history professor, who after losing her job, now works as a tour guide, bringing tourist to the ancient ruins. Trouble is, the tourists have no interest in learning facts about ancient Greek architecture. They are only interested in collecting souvenirs with Georgia’s rival tour guide, Nico. But over time, as Georgia gets to know the tourists better, she starts to befriend them, and even finds love in a place she didn’t expect. When Georgia decides to look at her life more positively, things start ot go well.

My Life In Ruins is a feel good film, with a lot of good laughs. The scenery is beautiful, and the tourists are delightfully quirky, and very exaggerated in their stereotypes, making for some very funny moments. The whimsical score by David Newman adds just the right feel to the film. This movie is sweet, funny, and has a nice message about happiness. My Life In Ruins is a mindlessly fun movie that will make you smile.

_____________________________________________

My Life In Ruins Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

‘My Life In Ruins’ is a pleasant hour and a half mini-vacation to Greece. This romantic-comedy starring Nia Vardalos tells the story of frustrated tour guide, Georgia. Georgia had been a university professor and after losing her job is forced to work as a tour bus guide in Greece. The tourists assigned to her bus are quirky, sometimes annoying and not at all interested in the historical facts about Greece that as a university professor she loves to share. To top it all off, Georgia is assigned a long-haired, heavily bearded, scary looking bus driver nicknamed Poupi.

Most of the tourist characters in this movie are clichés. The storyline is predictable and the ending even more predictable. However, there is something likable about each of the characters.

My Life In Ruins is also a very funny movie. The audience I watched it with seemed to really enjoy themselves. Sometimes that’s all you really want from a movie - a chance to sit back and watch beautiful Greek scenery, laugh really hard and smile and sigh at the romantic parts.

Nia Vardalos does a nice job playing the lead, Georgia and Richard Dreyfuss is nice to watch as older tourist, Irving.

Overall, ‘My Life In Ruins’ is a nice diversion. I think audiences will enjoy this decently made romantic-comedy. It may not be Oscar material, but it’s nice for what it is. Go ahead and take a mini-vacation to Greece with Georgia, Poupi and the other tourists. Lots of fun.

_____________________________________________

My Life In Ruins Review By Tony

**1/2 (out of 4)

Nia Vardalos is a professor of Greek antiquities working as a tour guide between teaching jobs. Her passion for sharing historical details of Greece’s monuments is unappreciated by tourists who prefer to hang out on beaches, eat ice cream and buy kitchy souvenirs. Her Greek driver Poupi Kakas (Alexis Georgoulis) helps her to loosen up and make her presentations more accessible and with him she gets her kefi (mojo) back.

Though full of stereotypes and clichés, My Life in Ruins is still watchable thanks to charming performances by Vardalos, Georgoulis, and Richard Dreyfuss and the beautiful scenery, shot in Greece and Spain.

_____________________________________________

Poupy (Alexis Georgoulis) and Georgia (Nia Vardalos) share a tender moment - a Fox Searchlight Pictures release.

_____________________________________________

Consensus: A light, enjoyable romantic-comedy that audiences are sure to love. *** (Out of 4)

Tokyo! Review

Tokyo! - A KINOSMITH Release

http://www.tokyothemovie.com/

Release Date: June 5th, 2009 (at the Royal)

Rated 14A for nudity and disturbing content

Running time: 107 minutes

Michel Gondry (dir., segment "Interior Design")

Leos Carax (dir., segment "Merde")

Joon-ho Bong (dir., segment "Shaking Tokyo")

Étienne Charry (music, segment: "Interior Design")

Byung-woo Lee (music)

Ayako Fujitani as Hiroko (segment "Interior Design")

Ayumi Ito as Akemi (segment "Interior Design")

Denis Lavant as Merde' (segment "Merde")

Jean-François Balmer as Maître Voland (segment "Merde")

Yû Aoi as Pizza-Delivery Girl (segment "Shaking Tokyo")

Teruyuki Kagawa as Man (segment "Shaking Tokyo")

Our reviews below:

_____________________________________________

Tokyo! Review By John C.

***

Tokyo! is comprised of three parts. Each one different, none of them connected. I will be rating each one separately. As a whole, the film is enjoyable and worth seeing.

Interior Design (directed by Michel Gondry)

***

This Michel Gondry directed segment is weird, but it works. It’s very funny and makes you think. It follows the story of a young couple who are crashing at a friends house. The man is a filmmaker, (we get a glimpse at his truly terrible and hilarious film), and the women is not exactly sure what she wants. Near the end it takes a twisted turn, we’re not quite sure what's happening, but in the end it’s explained visually in the best way they can. It’s interesting, thought-provoking and funny.

Merde (directed by Leos Carax)

**1/2

Definitely the weirdest of the three films, it follows the story of a mysterious creature from the sewers. The creature terrorizes Tokyo, eating flowers and cash. The film is bizarre and slightly disgusting. The creature (who looks more like a slightly deformed man, who is hairy and very dirty), is weird and crazy, although I do admit I laughed quite a bit when he starts speaking a strange made-up language. One scene where he walks fully naked and front on towards the camera, is sure to induce cringes from the audience. This film didn’t really fit with the other two fascinating social studies.

Shaking Tokyo (directed by Bong Joon-Ho)

***1/2

Shaking Tokyo is an extremely fascinating study of a man who hasn’t left his house in 11 years. When a mysterious pizza delivery girl faints at his door during an earthquake, his world is shaken up, and he may just have to leave his house. This film truly reaches a level of brilliance, with it’s study of what in Japan is called a hikikomori, someone who doesn’t leave their house for an extended period of time.

_____________________________________________

Tokyo! Review By Erin V.

**3/4 (out of 4)

Tokyo! is in three parts, although unlike Toronto Stories, they are not all connected by a single character or anything like that. Instead, each of the three segments have a title card, and end credits, making the experience of watching it almost like that of a film festival where a few short films with some sort of link, (in this case Tokyo), will be shown together in a feature length time slot.

Interior Design (Directed By Michel Gondry)

***

Interior Design is a thought-provoking piece of cinema. It follows a young women who feels as though she is not useful. She and her boyfriend are crashing at her friend’s place, as her boyfriend pursues a not too hopeful film career. She feels as though she is practically invisible - disappearing in a sense. As the Western world expression would be, she feels like “a doormat”. A very strong three stars here.

Merde (Directed By Leos Carax)

**

Merde is an odd film about a creature from the sewers who wrecks havoc in the city, and creates fear in the hearts of those in Tokyo. Part way through the film, it turns from his marching on the city to a criminal case as he is arrested and brought to trial. While some parts of this film were funny, other parts of it were just too odd for my liking. I am giving this segment a very mild two stars.

Shaking Tokyo (Directed By Bong Joon-Ho)

***

Shaking Tokyo is probably the most interesting of the three stories, (although closely followed by Interior Design). It is the story of a man who has lived as a hikikomori, (like a hermit), for the last 10, or so years. He never has to leave his home as he can just order everything to his door. And anything, like cans or boxes that things come in, never leave his house, instead being meticulously organized in neat piles. Every Saturday, he orders pizza, and when a young pizza delivery girl faints at his doorstep during an Earthquake, it is the first time he has had any real interaction with someone after all this time. Once she leaves, he wants to see her again - but how? He is a hikikomori... This short has such an interesting concept behind it, and the resolution is amazing. This is a very, very strong three stars for me.

- Overall, I am only giving Tokyo! two and three quarter stars. Had the middle segment been something more along the lines of the first and the last, I think that I probably would have enjoyed the whole all that much more. At least it had a strong opening and strong ending. I just wish that all three of the segments would have been as thought-provoking as Interior Design and Shaking Tokyo.

_____________________________________________

Tokyo! Review By Nicole

**3/4 (out of 4)

Tokyo! is a series of three short films that celebrate the unique culture and people in this well known Japanese city. Since this is a collection of short stories, I will be reviewing each short film separately.

Interior Design (Directed By Michel Gondry)

***

Interior Design is a funny little comedy about a young adult couple who are trying to find a place to call their own. They are bunking out in a friend’s apartment, while the two try to earn money. The young man aspires to become a filmmaker, but his films are so bad, that no legitimate theatre will show them. As for the girl, she can’t find any employment. Everything seems to be going wrong. The girl does not feel useful, and goes through a bizarre transformation. After literally feeling sat upon, the girl develops a purpose in life. An unusual little fantasy that is worth checking out.

Merde (Directed By Leos Carax)

*1/2

Merde is a homage to both old Japanese monster movies and French clowning and mime art. A strange troll-like man escapes from his sewer home, and wrecks havoc in Tokyo. When the clown/troll finally gets caught, nobody can understand him, as he communicates only in grunts and gestures. Except one defense lawyer from France (who sports the same long-red troll beard as the creature), understands and can speak troll. The troll, whose name is Mr. Merde (French for , well, you know), is sentenced to hang, but, being a troll, of course, he does not die. Merde is a cheesy troll/clown/monster film and is almost reminiscent of a Monty Python sketch. Merde is a really bad and bizarrely funny film, that doesn’t really fit with the other two short films, but is amusing on it’s own.

Shaking Tokyo (Directed By Bong Joon-Ho)

***

Shaking Tokyo is an interesting social commentary about how people are too isolated in our modern world. This story follows a shy, eccentric man, who, as an attempt to avoid social interaction, has lived as a hikikomori, or hermit, for the past 10 years. Every thing that enters his house is kept and stacked; nothing can be thrown away. And every Saturday the man orders pizza. But this time, a lovely, and eccentric woman delivers his pizza. An earthquake occurs, and the woman faints in the man’s doorway. Not knowing what to do, he pokes one of her button tattoos, and she wake up. Later, the man finds out that the eccentric woman has become a hikikomori. Now it is up to the man to leave his home, if he wants to ever see her again.

Out of all the stories, Shaking Tokyo was my favorite, (with Interior Design being a close second). I found it interesting and believable, how the hikikomori would find both human interaction and various sensory input overwhelming, but something that he has to learn to face, in order to have a life.

Tokyo! is an interesting collection of short films. However, the collection may be best watched as individual films on DVD. Over all, Tokyo! is definitely worth seeing, and eventually adding to your DVD collection.

_____________________________________________

Tokyo! Review By Maureen

**1/2 (out of 4)

Tokyo! is an interesting collection of three short films all set in Tokyo.

The first one ‘Interior Design’ focuses on a young couple trying to find an apartment, employment and purpose in life. The young man is an aspiring film director who ends up earning money wrapping gifts. His supportive girlfriend is an artist but is having trouble finding any direction in her life other than being supportive of her boyfriend. In this interesting social commentary the viewer sees the young woman literally lose herself to other peoples needs. This is visually portrayed in a really strange but oddly sensible way. I won’t spoil the surprise by saying what happens to her. Interior Design is well worth checking out. ***

The second film, ‘Merde’ was a little too strange for my liking. Basically, it’s the story of a troll-like man living in the sewers of Tokyo (that’s why he’s called ‘Merde’) who comes out to terrorize the Tokyo streets and eat flowers among other things. The monster gets caught but in true horror movie fashion dead isn’t always dead and you know he’ll be back. When this comes out on DVD, I’ll skip this one. However, monster movie fans may find this one oddly amusing. *1/2

The third film, ‘Shaking Tokyo’ is nicely done. This is the story of a hikikomori (a recluse) man who hasn’t left his home for ten years. His only contact with the outside world is through the deliveries he orders by phone. When an earthquake hits and a pretty female pizza delivery girl faints in his doorway his whole world is shaken in more ways than one. Ultimately he realizes that literally and figuratively if he stays inside he will die. ‘Shaking Tokyo’ makes a touching statement about self-imposed isolation. This was a nice film to watch. ***

Overall, Tokyo! is an interesting film experience. If you enjoy the format of other similar ‘city’ films and don’t mind listening to Japanese dialogue while reading English subtitles, then check this one out. Because Tokyo! is in limited theatre release, you may have to wait for the DVD. It’s worth the wait.

_____________________________________________

Tokyo! Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Like its counterparts from New York, Paris, and most recently Toronto, Tokyo! is a series of short films from different directors set in the title city. In this case, the first two films have French directors–Michel Gondry and Leos Carax, and the third is directed by Korean Bong Joon-Ho.

In the first story, Interior Design, Hiroko (Ayako Fujitani) and Akira (Ryo Kase) are a young couple from out of town crashing in the apartment of Hiroko’s school friend Akemi (Ayumi Ito) until they find their own place. Akira has brought an experimental film with him to be shown in a few weeks to potential backers . Meanwhile, he gets a part-time job wrapping store packages, while Hiroko looks in vain for a decent flat. As Akira’s filmmaking career takes off, Hiroko undergoes a strange metamorphosis consistent with her increasingly subservient role.

The appropriately named title character of Merde (Denis Lavant) is a repulsive creature with claws, a genie beard, and vacant look from his one good eye, who emerges from the sewers to run through the streets. Initially merely obnoxious, he wreaks havoc after discovering an underground cache of hand grenades from the imperial Nanking campaign. Dragged out of his lair, he is tried and sentenced to hang, despite the efforts of his only advocate, a French jurist (Jean-François Balmer) who strangely resembles him and can translate his language of grunts, shrieks and face slaps to and from French while another interpreter goes between French and Japanese. Extensive local news coverage incites fierce public reaction both for and against him, including demonstrations, icons, effigies and even Merde language classes.

In Shaking Tokyo, Teruyuki Kagawa plays a hikikimori (agoraphobic) who has not left his flat for ten years. Supported by cash from his father, he has all his needs delivered, including Saturday night pizza, for which all the boxes have been neatly stacked up. One Saturday, he breaks his rule of avoiding eye contact when a young woman (Yu Aoi) brings the pizza and faints into his doorway during a sudden earthquake. When she comes to, she is inspired by his lifestyle and he feels drawn to her. When he finds out later that she (and just about everyone else) has become a recluse, he has to emerge from his cocoon to find her.

Though much weirder than I would generally like, all three films are interesting and amusing in their own ways, and worth checking out.

_____________________________________________

Consensus: Tokyo! is an interesting set of three short films. While like always with these kinds of films, some segments are better than others, this is still worth checking out. **3/4 (Out of 4)

Fanboys DVD Review

Fanboys - An Alliance Films’ Release

http://www.fanboys-themovie.com/#/home-page

On DVD: June 2nd, 2009

Rated 14A for language may offend, nudity, and crude content.

Running time: 90 minutes

Kyle Newman (dir.)

Ernest Cine (screenplay)

Adam F. Goldberg (screenplay)

Ernest Cline (story)

Dan Pulick (story)

Mark Mothersbaugh (music)

Sam Huntington as Eric

Chris Marquette as Linus

Dan Fogler as Hutch

Jay Baruchel as Windows

Kristen Bell as Zoe

Special Features: Commentary With The Cast And Crew; Deleted Scenes; The Truth About Fanboys; Star Wars Parallel; 4 Fanboys & 1 Fangirl; The Choreography; Disturbances In The Force, A Series Of Webisodes; The Ultimate Fanboy Contest Winner.

Sam Huntington, Jay Baruchel, and Dan Fogler star in FANBOYS, an Alliance Films’ release.

© 2008 The Weinstein Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Distributed exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

_____________________________________________

Fanboys DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

The year is 1998. George Lucas’ first in his series of Star Wars prequels hasn’t opened yet. Fanboys is the story of four friends who are realizing their childhood dream of taking a road trip, breaking into the Skywalker Ranch and stealing a print of The Phantom Menace, 6 months before it’s officially released. They’re finally taking the trip now, because one of their friends is dying of cancer, and likely won’t be alive when the film comes out.

The film is often silly and off-the-wall, but I enjoyed it for what it was. It’s not perfect, but it’s still very entertaining. The last 15 minutes of the film are really good. They’re touching, surprisingly moving and ring absolutely true. And that is why I’m totally recommending this film.

The DVD has deleted scenes, commentary with the cast and crew, a series of webisodes and four other featurettes.

_____________________________________________

Fanboys DVD Review By Erin V.

*** (out of 4)

Fanboys is a fun movie with surprisingly heart as well as humour.

Fanboys tells the story of four fanboys in the late-90’s, who set out on a cross country road trip to try to break into the Skywalker Ranch, in order to watch The Phantom Menace before it is released in theatres. They have had this dream since the fifth grade, although now, they have their reasons to actually do this, and we learn just how far these ‘fanboys’ will go for each other.

I found this movie to be entertaining and fun. At only 90 minutes long, it is the perfect length for a fun evening with a light movie. Fans of Star Wars will enjoy seeing all of the Star Wars gear and merchandise in the film. Even if you aren’t a diehard fan though, if you like a light road-trip comedy, you will probably like this movie. It’s fun, and worth a rental.

_____________________________________________

Fanboys DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Fanboys is a funny and sweet comedy that will appeal to those who know how passionate people can become over their special interests. Taking place in 1998, the movie revolves around four Star Wars fans who just can’t wait to see Episode 1. When devastating news hits that one of the friends, Linus , is dying of cancer, the fanboys decide to go on a mission: to break into the Skywalker ranch and watch the film before it gets released. Along the way, they encounter several mishaps, and even get to battle with their archenemies, the Trekkers. With the help of Harry Knowles, and an unexpected encounter with Star Trek’s William Shatner, the four fanboys, (and an accompanying fangirl), manage to reach their destination. What happens there is both funny and very heartwarming.

Fanboys is a light and funny comedy that Star Wars fans will enjoy. Despite the rating, the nudity never exceeds a PG level, and is not frontal or sexual.

Fans of both Star Trek and Star Wars will enjoy seeing cameos such as Kerry Fisher and William Shatner. Cameos of comedians Seth Rogen and Kevin Smith also appear in the film. Mark Mothersbaugh’s score cleverly mimics John Williams’ Star Wars theme, which really completes the film. This is a movie worth seeing by any fan over 12. This movie is nothing but mindless fun, and enough heart to make it work.

_____________________________________________

Fanboys Review By Maureen

**1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

_____________________________________________

Fanboys Review By Tony

**1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

_____________________________________________

Consensus: Enjoyable road-trip, buddy-movie that will be particularly enjoyed by Star Wars fans. *** (Out of 4)

_____________________________________________

Jay Baruchel, Chris Marquette, Sam Huntington, Kristin Bell, and Dan Fogler, star in FANBOYS, an Alliance Films’ release.

_____________________________________________

He's Just Not That Into You DVD Review

He’s Just Not That Into You - An Alliance Films’ Release

http://www.hesjustnotthatintoyoumovie.com/

On DVD: June 2nd, 2009

Rated PG for sexual content, and coarse language.

Running time: 129 minutes

Ken Kwapis (dir.)

Ginnifer Goodwin as Gigi Haim

Scarlett Johansson as Anna Taylor

Jennifer Aniston as Beth Bartlett

Justin Long as Alex

Ben Affleck as Neil Jones

Drew Barrymore as Mary Harris

Jennifer Connelly as Janine Gunders

Kevin Connelly as Conor Barry

Special Features: Deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Ken Kwapis.

Jennifer Aniston, and Ben Affleck star in HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU, an Alliance Films’ release.

He’s Just Not That into You © 2008 IFP Blackswan GmbH & Co. KG.™ New Line Productions, Inc. Package Design & Supplementary Material Compilation © 2009 New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Distributed exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

_____________________________________________

He’s Just Not That Into You DVD Review By John C.

** (out of 4)

He’s Just Not That Into You is 129 minutes long. That’s way to long for a mediocre romantic-comedy, even one that's supposedly giving dating advice. It’s confusing, boring and not even that funny. I really just was not that into this movie.

None of the people in the film are really set up as characters. I couldn’t stop thinking about them as the actors. The story follows the annoying, clingy and desperate Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin). It also has subplots about Bradley Cooper, who’s married to Jennifer Connelly, but is being seduced by Scarlett Johanson. Ben Affleck, who’s been with Jennifer Aniston for 7 years, but doesn’t want to get married. Then there’s Justin Long (the Mac guy from the Apple commercials), as the owner of a bar who’s giving dating advice to Gigi. After about 40 minutes it started to drag. Pretty much the only advice I got from this film was “Even if he’s dating you and sleeping with someone else, He’s Just Not That Into You!” And after awhile I just couldn’t stop thinking about how I was out of potato chips.

By the time it reached it’s satisfying conclusion, I didn’t really care anymore, I just wanted it to be over. It’s too long by about 40 minutes, and if you can even be saying that about a movie, then it’s definitely too long. I did find myself entertained a few times, but it’s entertaining moments were too far apart.

It’s mildly worth a rental, but it might be easier to take in two sittings. The DVD includes a commentary track and five deleted scenes.

_____________________________________________

He’s Just Not That Into You DVD Review By Erin V.

**1/4 (out of 4)

He’s Just Not That Into You is kind of long and boring. The story follows three different couples, and some other guys and girls, on their relationship troubles. They try to sort out what they really want throughout the film, although I would have been happier if they had done it in less time... and there are still deleted scenes that could have made this film even longer!

This is not a bad movie, per say, it just isn’t all that good. If you really like watching any of the actors in it, and want to see all of their films, then go ahead and rent He’s Just Not That Into You. Don’t be afraid to break it up to watch it in more than one sitting though - you might like it better. The movie actually has a couple of natural breaking points where they all of a sudden go to a new dating question, which is flashed on the screen. My question is this though: was each segment meant to be watched separately on the DVD? Because that would make more sense...

As you can probably tell, I was just not that into He’s Just Not That Into You. It could be a matter of taste, but I think that a lot of people will find this more than a little longer than it should be.

_____________________________________________

He’s Just Not That Into You Review By Nicole

** (out of 4)

Based on the book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, He's Just Not That Into You is a mediocre romantic comedy about how women are taught to have the delusion that they can have any man they want. The main character, Gigi, is a desperate women, who practically stalks and harasses every man that she comes across and likes.

The movie follows several women who just will not accept that the men they are after are just not that into them. The only sensible characters are a couple who debate the importance of marriage, and a man named Alex, who gives wise advice to lovestruck women. Despite the negative things I have said, there are some funny moments and good lines in this film. The last 15 minutes or so are decent, and wrap the story lines up nicely. He's Just Not That Into You would have worked at about 90 minutes or so, but got tiring at over 2 hours long.

The only special features include deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Ken Kwapis. This movie is worth borrowing from the library if you have the time, but would probably be better as a book.

_____________________________________________

He’s Just Not That Into You Review By Maureen

**1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

_____________________________________________

He’s Just Not That Into You Review By Tony

** (out of 4)

N/A

_____________________________________________

Consensus: He's Just Not That Into You is about 40 minutes too long, and for this reason alone it kind of drags. If you really want to see it, you could rent it, although at 2 hours and 9 minutes, it might be easier to take in more than one sitting. ** (Out of 4)