Dudes that Could Play Dracula

Inspired by the work of the amazing Andy Fish in his Dracula graphic novel series, I'm starting to work on a piece - my own rendition of Dracula. So I've been thinking about actors who evoke Dracula as well as the historical figure he's based on, Vlad the Impaler.

My first choice is circled, Hugues Quester. He has all the qualities I'm looking for in a Drac/Vlad. He's reasonably hideous, his manner is somewhat stiff and formal yet he also seems capable of homicide. Plus he looks like he just rolled out of a coffin. In addition, there's something mildly dashing about him, in a greasy, creepy, spit-up-in-your-mouth-a-little-bit kind of way. It turns out that he actually was in a vampire movie, The Iron Rose, which I've never seen. I know him from another film, Tale of Springtime.

The runners-up are, clockwise from top left: Anthony Perkins (too obvious of a choice maybe), Peter Lorre, Roschdy Zem, Malcolm McDowell, Jonathan Zaccai (he was much creepier and greasier looking in a movie I saw recently).

Film Pick...Vagabond

During a recent workshop about comics to a wonderful group of 7th graders in Marblehead, MA, one student asked the panel if there's a film we'd want to adapt into a graphic novel. I drew a blank, as I often do with questions like that (thank you Andy, Bret, and Veronica for answering!), but I've been thinking about it ever since. It's a really good question. And well, this film would top my list. 

In addition to the great story, beautiful performances, and cinematography, I'm particularly interested in one of its themes - that people are fascinated by things (in this case a person, Mona) that they find both deeply revolting and sad. Made in the mid-80's, this film by Agnes Varda stars Sandrine Bonnaire. It's about a homeless woman (Mona) who travels alone throughout the countryside during winter, and the various people that she meets as well as the impression that she leaves on them. This movie is very sad, haunting, and moving. Sandrine Bonnaire really makes this film. She's one of those people that's just fascinating to watch. 

Film Pick...Lila Says

I really liked this movie, although some aspects of it irked me. Overall though, I think it's interesting and worth seeing.

What's good:

1. It's perfectly cast with some really good performances, especially from main characters Lila (Vahina Giocante) and Chimo (Moa Khouas). The actors that play Chimo's three pals are also excellent.

2. It's an intriguing plot, and it's supposedly a true story by an unknown author. The manuscript was left on a publisher's doorstep, with the author only identifying himself as "Chimo."

Sixteen year old, white Lila moves to an Arab neighborhood in the French city of Marseilles. She forges a friendship with the shy and polite Chimo. They only ever meet in public, and seemingly by chance. Although Lila is clearly following Chimo around, as she consistently appears out of nowhere whenever he's alone and without his posse.

What makes these encounters interesting is Lila's shocking manner of speaking. She talks almost exclusively about sex. Chimo is completely thrown off by this, but also titillated, and hooked. Lila's motive for being so sexually provocative is a mystery. Is she a bored thrill-seeker with an overactive imagination? Is she a nymphomaniac? Does she have genuine feelings for Chimo? Or is she just plain nuts?

3. It's beautifully filmed and the setting is a neighborhood of magnificent, crumbling, architectural masterpieces.

What's bad:

1. Aspects of the ending either don't make sense or are just really stupid. I won't go into detail because it will spoil the plot.

2. Some of the final scenes are so poorly directed that it almost ruins the whole movie. It felt like they started filming before they really figured out how to make the ending work. Like maybe they were rushed for time and/or running out of money.

Film Pick...Look at Me

I rent French films in bulk to work on my French listening skills. So I never know quite what I'm getting. Once in a while I stumble upon a gem such as this. 

What it's about: Lolita Cassard, the main character, is a self-consciously overweight vocalist in music school. Her father, famous writer Etienne Cassard, constantly dismisses her and anyone else who's not advancing his career. He's the film's "bad guy," through and through. Yet all of the characters, though not as callous as Mr. Cassard, share his cold, opportunistic behavior to some degree. They're all stepping on someone to get to something better.

Why it's good: It's well written. The plot masterfully weaves the different characters to each other. The casting, directing, and acting are flawless. Husband and wife writer/directors, Agnes Jaoui and Jean-Pierre Bacri, also star in the film. They're the team responsible for Oscar-nominated film, The Taste of Others, which is great, but I like this one better.  

Film Pick...Lili

This 1953 film is about a newly orphaned, destitute teenage girl, Lili (Leslie Caron). She finds her way to a carnival where she tries to get work but is harshly rejected. The carnival's cold-hearted puppeteer (Mel Ferrer) sees her contemplating suicide, and uses his puppets to reach out to her. Lili interacts with the puppets like they're real people. It's as if she's lost touch with reality. The public is intrigued by this bizarre woman who talk to the puppets, and she inadvertently becomes a highlight "performance" at the carnival.  

Film Pick...Children of Paradise

This film is about a handful of actors and assorted ne'er-do-wells who are part of the 1830's Paris theater scene. So many things make this film fabulous, but mainly it's the characters. There's Garance, the graceful, down-to-earth actress who adores her simple life, despite being penniless and homeless. And her lost love, Baptiste... 

Like me, you think you hate mimes until you see this film. Baptiste, the mime, played by Jean-Louis Barrault...

...he will steal your Y  

Film Pick...Persepolis

I read the graphic novels a few years ago. But I put off seeing the film until recently. I was afraid it would be a disappointment by comparison. Far from it!

The DVD has a special feature about the making of the film, which is fascinating. Author Marjane Satrapi talks about how she wanted the animated version to be based on the graphic novels, but really be its own animal. Knowing nothing about animation, she had the smarts to team with filmmaker and comic artist Vincent Paronnaud to realize this vision. 

In this special feature, you also get to see the animators at work. And it's animated the old-fashioned way - hand drawn! 

RIP Eric Rohmer, filmmaker

French filmmaker Eric Rohmer died on Monday, January 11. He was 89.  I've enjoyed so many of his films, and watch them repeatedly. He captures the awkwardness of new friendships, acquaintance-ships, and romances so well. His characters are unflashy and cheesy, which amuses me to no end. This article describes the appeal of his work perfectly.

This photo is from the film Claire's Knee. A highlight is the location, a house on a lake surrounded by the French Alps. You'll want to jump through your TV set... 

A photo from another Rohmer favorite, Boyfriends and Girlfriends...

Merci Monsieur Rohmer.

Film Pick...Strangers on a Train

This is my favorite Hitchcock film. It's beautifully filmed and Robert Walker is genius as the psychotic Bruno Anthony. He's so convincing as the affable fellow on the outside that when you discover his crazy nutball center, you feel as duped as Guy Haines. I just love the idea of this story - an instance of casual, everyday small talk going so horribly wrong. 

Also, Patricia Hitchcock's performance is a treat. She's so dorkily adorable. This is one of those films that I have to watch at least once a year. 

Film Pick...Ikiru

Plot: A man tries to make up for lost time when he realizes he's soon going to die and he's wasted his entire adult life in a tedious government job.   

I liked how Kurosawa shows this ordinary, quiet, and crusty man (Takashi Shimura) suddenly throwing himself into all of these loud, brash, "fun" activities. Juxtapositions like these are everywhere in this film. It's an effective yet subtle way to tell the story without dictating the viewer's emotions. Very useful for the graphic storyteller. 

The original film poster...

Not Your Average Holiday Film...

This is my favorite clip from the film "8 Women," which I say is a holiday film since it takes place over Christmas. Watch Catherine Deneuve dance around like a lunatic. It's pretty funny...



Despite some good performances (Fanny Ardant) and terrific costumes, I thought this movie was pretty uneven overall. But rent it if you'd like a wacky change from the usual holiday gunk.

Film Pick...Small Change

In an effort to improve my French language skills, I rent a lot of French movies and watch them with the subtitles off. I've found that it's easier for me to understand certain people better than others: children, the elderly, and non-native speakers.

That's partly why I enjoyed this Francois Truffaut film about children, but it's certainly not the only reason. Filmed in 1976, it's a collage of scenes depicting children of a small French village, Thiers. I like it because the kids are refreshingly real and downright unfashionable, scruffy little ragamuffins. The film tells their stories from their point of view. Some of the stories are light and funny, and some show children dealing with their own private struggles.

Friday Wild Card..."Carry on Teacher"

I've never seen this film so I don't know if it's any good (is it?). I just love the deranged children in this cover illustration...

             Check out this apparently drunk one...ADORABLE!!

...and what's the deal with this sunken-eyed, possessed looking one?

Am I going to have to buy the DVD just for this? I may have to, as it's difficult to see the detail in these images pulled from the web. 

Film Pick...Network

I can't believe I only saw this 1976 film for the first time last year. What took me so long?? It's now one of my favorites. 

Written by Paddy Chayefsky, directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall, and William Holden. The plot is hilarious. Peter Finch's Howard Beale plays a news anchor that gets laid off due to poor ratings. With two weeks left, he announces on air that he will be leaving and then threatens to shoot himself in the head (which he doesn't do). The network asks him to apologize to viewers for this outburst, which he does, but then he snaps and starts going off on a crazed, impromptu tirade about how life is "bullshit." Funnily enough, this tirade strikes a nerve with viewers and rating soar, so the network gives him a show where he just goes off on these crazed, but honest and at times very insightful rants.  

"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!!"

Peter Finch is brilliant in this film. I wanted to see more of his work, but I seem to recall that, oddly, very few of his films are available on Netflix. 

Film Pick...12 Angry Men

This film took me by surprise. It's about 12 jurors struggling to reach a verdict in a murder case.  Normally not my cup of tea but I was hooked immediately by the suspense, tension, and performances of this 1957 film. Based on the story by Reginald Rose and directed by Sidney Lumet. Starring Henry Fonda. I especially enjoyed the performance of Joseph Sweeney, who has a great, expressive face. 

The film's theme - the importance of taking a closer examination and questioning beyond the surface facts while maintaining a balanced perspective - is applicable to so many areas of life. 

Film Pick

This weekend I watched a two-part documentary about Yves Saint Laurent which I highly recommend. Both parts are on the same DVD, YSL His Life and Times and 5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris.  

I didn't know much about YSL before this film. I didn't realize that he was such an innovator in the fashion world. He was the first to dress women in trousers and men's suits. He also employed black models at a time when no other fashion house in Europe was doing so. 

Despite his popularity and success, he was a painfully shy introvert and he battled with depression and debilitating self-criticism his entire career. In one particularly interesting interview he describes the highs and lows of his creative process. The second part of the film was a fascinating inside look at the YSL house in the process of creating a collection. Watching the YSL team at work is poetry in motion, quite a contrast to the frenzied pace of the Project Runway designers (one of my favorite shows, btw). 

I love this early photo of YSL with his models. It's from W magazine, which did an excellent article about YSL following his death in June 2008.  

Film Pick

Paris, Je T'aime is a compilation of short films about Paris. This one, 14th Arrondissement by Alexander Payne, is my favorite. It's funny and a little sad, then uplifting and a little sad. The character is both clumsy and endearing. The way she narrates her story reveals so much- it's such an incredibly clever and effective device. You'll see (I hope)...