Screenings

This will (effort willing) be a regular feature of the blog. Although the format may well change, for now I anticipate short descriptions of worthy (or perhaps unworthy) films. There will be little or no plot exposition as I find that I often enjoy movies best when I know the least. The hope is simply that you may discover some interesting and entertaining films. Feel free to comment (and/or post your own Screenings). To paraphrase the other James and Murray of "A Thousand Clowns", you can never have too many posts.

Topic for today is dysfunctional families.

Un conte de Noel (A Christmas Tale) (2008)

Writer: Arnaud Desplechin, Emmanuel Bourdieu

Director: Arnaud Desplenchin

This is not a Tim Burton film but a French drama where "Crumb" meets "Mulholland Drive"—not as a thriller, but as not knowing what's going on. It is perhaps the most unconventional movie I have seen—and it is simply a straight forward drama of a family get-to-gether for Christmas. However, it feels as if you have been transported to an alternate universe where everyone is familiar, yet different. This is not for everyone. It is confusing; it can be erudite; it is long. For me, it was not a great film, but it was brilliant.

Eulogy (2004)

Writer: Michael Clancy

Director: Michael Clancy

A gaggle of dysfunctional family members come together for the patriarch's funeral. Their mission is to be themselves, i.e. make everyone else's life miserable and your's hilarious. It is smart, clever, and funny, really funny. The 2 kids themselves are worth the price of admission.