“…the stare is much more interesting for what it means in movie technique. When this pensive, larger-than-life profile, back of the head, or full face, fills the screen with a kind of distilled purity, the image becomes purified abstract composition, a diagram, and any soul-searching is secondary. The movie, in a mysterious fashion, diverts at this moment from the clutter and multiplicity of story-telling, naturalism, to a minimal condition. The screen is reduced to a refined one-against-one balance, and the movie’s excitement has shifted strictly into a matter of shape …
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Anime auteur Satoshi Kon may not have received the same accolades in the States as Hayao Miyazaki, but he was no less innovative, artistic, or entertaining. The creator of anime as unique and thought provoking as PAPRIKA, PERFECT BLUE and PARANOIA AGENT, among others, passed away yesterday at the age of 47. The Daily MUBI has thorough coverage of memorials across the Internet.
TiMER [Schaeffer/2009] Too-pat end slightly mars modest, nicely acted, surprisingly thoughtful romcom about benefits of uncertainty in love.
THE INVENTION OF LYING [Gervais, Robinson/2009] Barely enough content for a short film; weak as both romance, sociological/religious essay.
FRIDAY THE 13TH [Nispel/2009] So mechanical, it can’t even be bothered to flesh out most of its kills; timesome even for exploitative trash.
THE FINAL DESTINATION [Ellis/2009] Series lumbers on, despite running out of ideas somewhere in #2; as per usual, 3D is pointless addition.
