Imagine that someone you love has died. Someone you have attended since the age of seven, oftentimes in remoteness and total seclusion. Now, imagine that you have been charged with the monumental task of finding this man’s reincarnated spirit. This is the true story of Tenzin Zopa and the Unmistaken Child.
After Geshe Lama Konchog’s death at the age of 84, Tenzin Zopa, his disciple, was entrusted to find the reincarnated spirit of his master. Feeling completely unworthy of the task and fearful of making a mistake, Tenzin Zopa begins a four year long journey followed by writer-director Nati Baratz and his camera. Throughout this lengthy adventure we follow Tenzin’s faithful search until he finds the unmistaken child and must bring him back for spiritual testing. The emotional toil on Tenzin and the child’s parents is heart wrenching.
This documentary allows you to see into a unique culture and a rarely seen part of the world. What was amazing to me is how much our commercial world has seeped into even the most furthest parts of the planet. When you see a peasant child in the mountains of Tibet playing with a plastic flashing toy in the middle of a primitive village, it makes you want to slow the world down and keep it from changing so fast. Even the Buddhist monks had TV.
If you have any interest in other cultures, or traveling to parts unknown, you will really enjoy this film. The pace is slow, but the human drama is real, and you will be amazed by the Unmistaken Child.
Rating: Rent It Tenzin Zopa is our fascinating guide into a strange and mystical process
About Me
- Melanie Wilson
- My Reviewer's Philosophy: I believe that every film has its audience. One man’s Citizen Kane is another man’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre. My purpose is to help you spend your entertainment dollars wisely. A bad review never kept me from going to a film I wanted to see, but a good review will sometimes get me to a film I never considered. As a movie lover I want you to go to the movies. When more people go to the movies, the more movies get made. But, I also believe that if you enjoy the films you see, you naturally will be inclined to go more often. So join me in supporting our film industry by going to a movie today. Hopefully I can steer you towards a good one. See you at the movies. Melanie Wilson
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Away We Go
What a pleasant surprise. I love it when a movie exceeds my expectations. Away We Go is the story of a couple who gets pregnant, and now in their mid thirties must face the prospect of growing up. When their current home is taken from them, they realize that they could live anywhere in the world that they want, so they set off on a journey visiting old friends and relatives auditioning towns as a possible new home.
Although I loved the chemistry between John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, who were excellent, I especially enjoyed the friends and relatives they met along the way. It reminds me of the concept, the grass is always greener. We always think that other people have it together, that they have it all figured out. But when you get a chance to see behind the curtain, we see, like Dorothy, that the wizard is just a man.
Away We Go is full of great supporting roles. I was touched by Melanie Lynskey’s soulful performance and Maggie Gyllenhaal cracked me up. Alison Janney was also hysterical as an insensitive, obnoxious mom.
This film does a tremendous job of blending truly touching moments with insightful comic ones. I felt that the tone was pitch-perfect throughout. I found myself smiling often in this film and when it was over I still wanted to hang out. What a delightful, pleasant, surprise.
Rating: First Run If this couple was real I’d want to hang out with them
Although I loved the chemistry between John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, who were excellent, I especially enjoyed the friends and relatives they met along the way. It reminds me of the concept, the grass is always greener. We always think that other people have it together, that they have it all figured out. But when you get a chance to see behind the curtain, we see, like Dorothy, that the wizard is just a man.
Away We Go is full of great supporting roles. I was touched by Melanie Lynskey’s soulful performance and Maggie Gyllenhaal cracked me up. Alison Janney was also hysterical as an insensitive, obnoxious mom.
This film does a tremendous job of blending truly touching moments with insightful comic ones. I felt that the tone was pitch-perfect throughout. I found myself smiling often in this film and when it was over I still wanted to hang out. What a delightful, pleasant, surprise.
Rating: First Run If this couple was real I’d want to hang out with them
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cheap Dates & Free Museums
In my workplace I hear people complain about prices all the time, and although I am required to be polite and professional at work, in my mind I’m thinking, “If it’s too expensive, then don’t come!” Going to a theme park is not a necessity, or a requirement for a happy, healthy, well-adjusted life. Theme parks are a luxury, an extravagance, and although there are some very good offers out there, if it‘s too expensive for you, then don’t go.
We live in a wonderful city with hundreds of things to do that are inexpensive and in some cases free. Today I’m going to talk about museums. Los Angeles is often derided for lacking culture, but in truth we have some very nice museums. If you want to get out of the house on a nice summer day and escape into an air-conditioned museum, there are many locations to choose from. However, while some are free, many of them charge admission, so I’m going to give you a little tip, most museums have one day a month where they let the public in for free.
For example at the Autry National Center of the American West, every second Tuesday of the month is free. At the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Thursday evenings are open to the public, and at the Natural History Museum Of Los Angeles County, the first Tuesday of the month is free. Add in the museums that are free year round and you’ll have an entire summer’s worth of free activities.
There’s nothing like a stroll through a good museum followed by a nice lunch or dinner. Some museums like the Getty Center of Los Angeles even have certain nights when they are open late. I remember one particular evening when I went to see an exhibit of Napoleon inspired paintings followed by a Napoleon biographical film. Afterwards I had a nice late night snack overlooking the lights of the city. It was a beautiful view, the air was still warm, and after strolling through museums all day, I found myself in a very serene, spiritual place. Best of all, the day cost me less than $10.00.
So if you are feeling the pinch and the economy’s got you down, don’t let your money woes keep you home, go to a museum. A little time on the computer will verify the times and the dates and you’ll be set to have a good, inexpensive time. Invite a friend and let them know that the admission’s on you. They’ll never know that you got them in for free and if they figure it out laugh and buy them lunch. You won’t be considered cheap, just practical and smart. And in today’s economy that’s the way to be.
We live in a wonderful city with hundreds of things to do that are inexpensive and in some cases free. Today I’m going to talk about museums. Los Angeles is often derided for lacking culture, but in truth we have some very nice museums. If you want to get out of the house on a nice summer day and escape into an air-conditioned museum, there are many locations to choose from. However, while some are free, many of them charge admission, so I’m going to give you a little tip, most museums have one day a month where they let the public in for free.
For example at the Autry National Center of the American West, every second Tuesday of the month is free. At the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Thursday evenings are open to the public, and at the Natural History Museum Of Los Angeles County, the first Tuesday of the month is free. Add in the museums that are free year round and you’ll have an entire summer’s worth of free activities.
There’s nothing like a stroll through a good museum followed by a nice lunch or dinner. Some museums like the Getty Center of Los Angeles even have certain nights when they are open late. I remember one particular evening when I went to see an exhibit of Napoleon inspired paintings followed by a Napoleon biographical film. Afterwards I had a nice late night snack overlooking the lights of the city. It was a beautiful view, the air was still warm, and after strolling through museums all day, I found myself in a very serene, spiritual place. Best of all, the day cost me less than $10.00.
So if you are feeling the pinch and the economy’s got you down, don’t let your money woes keep you home, go to a museum. A little time on the computer will verify the times and the dates and you’ll be set to have a good, inexpensive time. Invite a friend and let them know that the admission’s on you. They’ll never know that you got them in for free and if they figure it out laugh and buy them lunch. You won’t be considered cheap, just practical and smart. And in today’s economy that’s the way to be.
Arthouse Essentials at the Laemmle Theatres
I am so disappointed. Laemmle Theatres is starting a new program on June 20th and I won’t be able to go to see any of them. In cooperation with Janus Films and Emerging Pictures, for the next twelve weeks, the best in Arthouse cinema will be playing at various Laemmle theatres throughout town.
Since I wasn’t exposed to Arthouse cinema until much later in life, there are many of these movies that I’ve never seen. Films like Jules and Jim, The 400 Blows and La Strada have been rattling around in my sub-conscious for years, sort of a mental must see list, and now I’m missing another chance to see them again.
If you are new to Arthouse cinema, or you would just like to see these films again in High Definition on a big screen, I recommend that you visit www.emergingpictures.com/essential_arthouse.htm. For a list and schedule. It would be like auditing a film history class. Every film is a proven classic well worth your time. I only wish I could go too, I’m very sad.
Since I wasn’t exposed to Arthouse cinema until much later in life, there are many of these movies that I’ve never seen. Films like Jules and Jim, The 400 Blows and La Strada have been rattling around in my sub-conscious for years, sort of a mental must see list, and now I’m missing another chance to see them again.
If you are new to Arthouse cinema, or you would just like to see these films again in High Definition on a big screen, I recommend that you visit www.emergingpictures.com/essential_arthouse.htm. For a list and schedule. It would be like auditing a film history class. Every film is a proven classic well worth your time. I only wish I could go too, I’m very sad.
Free Movies For Those Who Serve
My brother recently returned from Iraq and one of the things that kept him going while he was over there were the free movies they provided on base. In the middle of Point Base Balad, lies the Sustainer Theatre, surrounded by sandbags and a protective, reinforced roof. Anyone working on base may visit this theatre for free. Concessions are sold for a nominal fee.
When my brother first told me about this perk I imagined the movie screenings they had on the television series M.A.S.H., a bunch of people sitting in a leaky tent, throwing popcorn at each other, while others made out in the back, or slept. But what I learned is that the Sustainer Theatre is actually pretty nice. I had my brother take pictures for me and email them. I know this sounds weird, but I actually like going to movie theatres in foreign countries. Film is universal, but movie theatres are not. I like to compare the differences and see what they offer at the snack bars. Since the Sustainer Theatre is on an American base they offer the usual fare, but the theatre itself was a little different. It had a chandelier; some interesting wall sconces, and my brother even sent me pictures of the uniquely tiled men’s room. It’s really quite fancy in parts.
Another myth that was dispelled for me was the theatre’s choice of films. In M.A.S.H, and other such movies, they showed gross training films and out-dated black and white pictures. But at the Sustainer Theatre they had all the latest releases. I was really quite impressed. On weekdays they would show two films a day at 5:00 and 8:00, and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays they would show three films. My brother would read my BLOG and use my reviews to help him decide which films to see. It was really fun because even though we were so far apart, we could still bond and stay in touch through film.
Because I was so interested, in addition to the pictures my brother took, he also sent me a schedule for the month of February. The movies rotated throughout the week, alternating between evening performances and matinees. For example there were four opportunities to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop, while The Tale of Despereaux only played twice. I’m not sure if a programmer made these decisions, or the distributors did, but the selections showed me that they were really tuned in to their audience.
In addition to the movies, there were three live concerts held in the month of February. I really want to commend our entertainers for thinking of our men and women overseas. I can tell you it is very stressful over there and these little diversions mean the world to them. I also want to thank the military for allowing their people time for exercise. My brother used his gym and swim time to release the pressures of the day. When you are on the clock 24/7, these outlets are severely needed.
Now that my brother is home safe and sound, I can tell you he really misses those free movies. Now that he has to pay for everything again, he doesn’t get to go as much. The good thing however is that he still reads my BLOG and though we are many miles apart, we can still bond over movies. That’s what I like about film; it’s universal.
When my brother first told me about this perk I imagined the movie screenings they had on the television series M.A.S.H., a bunch of people sitting in a leaky tent, throwing popcorn at each other, while others made out in the back, or slept. But what I learned is that the Sustainer Theatre is actually pretty nice. I had my brother take pictures for me and email them. I know this sounds weird, but I actually like going to movie theatres in foreign countries. Film is universal, but movie theatres are not. I like to compare the differences and see what they offer at the snack bars. Since the Sustainer Theatre is on an American base they offer the usual fare, but the theatre itself was a little different. It had a chandelier; some interesting wall sconces, and my brother even sent me pictures of the uniquely tiled men’s room. It’s really quite fancy in parts.
Another myth that was dispelled for me was the theatre’s choice of films. In M.A.S.H, and other such movies, they showed gross training films and out-dated black and white pictures. But at the Sustainer Theatre they had all the latest releases. I was really quite impressed. On weekdays they would show two films a day at 5:00 and 8:00, and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays they would show three films. My brother would read my BLOG and use my reviews to help him decide which films to see. It was really fun because even though we were so far apart, we could still bond and stay in touch through film.
Because I was so interested, in addition to the pictures my brother took, he also sent me a schedule for the month of February. The movies rotated throughout the week, alternating between evening performances and matinees. For example there were four opportunities to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop, while The Tale of Despereaux only played twice. I’m not sure if a programmer made these decisions, or the distributors did, but the selections showed me that they were really tuned in to their audience.
In addition to the movies, there were three live concerts held in the month of February. I really want to commend our entertainers for thinking of our men and women overseas. I can tell you it is very stressful over there and these little diversions mean the world to them. I also want to thank the military for allowing their people time for exercise. My brother used his gym and swim time to release the pressures of the day. When you are on the clock 24/7, these outlets are severely needed.
Now that my brother is home safe and sound, I can tell you he really misses those free movies. Now that he has to pay for everything again, he doesn’t get to go as much. The good thing however is that he still reads my BLOG and though we are many miles apart, we can still bond over movies. That’s what I like about film; it’s universal.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Seraphine
When it comes to mainstream films, by the time you’ve seen the previews, the interviews, the articles and the reviews, you feel like you’ve already seen a movie before you’ve even had a chance to see it. That’s one of the reasons why I like smaller films. They don’t get that kind of exposure so you come into them with a clean palette and no preconceptions. With mainstream films, they give too much away.
When I went to see Seraphine, I had never heard of this painter before, so I took my artist friend again, who was unfamiliar with her as well. All I knew about her was that she was a housekeeper who painted at night and was discovered by a famous art critic who also championed Picasso, Brague and Rousseau. What we both found fascinating about the film is that it had the pace of a stroll through a museum, yet we found ourselves transfixed. We are watching this woman do the most mundane, boring, everyday things, yet we couldn’t take our eyes off of her.
To quote Wilhelm Uhde, Seraphine was a cleaning woman with the temperament of an artist. She would run around town all day long doing odd jobs and cleaning houses just to earn enough money to buy varnish and white paint. The pigments she created herself from nature and her own secret formulas. She was an eccentric, but a truly gifted woman.
If it weren’t for World War I, Seraphine de Senlis may have been discovered by the world much earlier. Uhde bought all her earliest paintings and encouraged her to paint more. But when the war broke out, being German, he had to flee France and leave all his paintings behind. It took him years to recover and he assumed Seraphine was dead. By the time he discovered that she was still alive and painting, she was an old woman, barely hanging on.
As mentioned earlier, this film is very slow, but it is also extremely interesting. When you leave the theatre you’ll want to go straight to a museum or library and look her up. The beauty of a film like this is that you are educated as well as moved. We are given a chance to see the soul of a remarkable women who almost remained unknown. If it weren’t for seekers of beauty and film makers who make note of them, Seraphine may still be unknown. I’m glad to have made this discovery.
Rating: First Run The portrait of a gifted artist, beautifully rendered
When I went to see Seraphine, I had never heard of this painter before, so I took my artist friend again, who was unfamiliar with her as well. All I knew about her was that she was a housekeeper who painted at night and was discovered by a famous art critic who also championed Picasso, Brague and Rousseau. What we both found fascinating about the film is that it had the pace of a stroll through a museum, yet we found ourselves transfixed. We are watching this woman do the most mundane, boring, everyday things, yet we couldn’t take our eyes off of her.
To quote Wilhelm Uhde, Seraphine was a cleaning woman with the temperament of an artist. She would run around town all day long doing odd jobs and cleaning houses just to earn enough money to buy varnish and white paint. The pigments she created herself from nature and her own secret formulas. She was an eccentric, but a truly gifted woman.
If it weren’t for World War I, Seraphine de Senlis may have been discovered by the world much earlier. Uhde bought all her earliest paintings and encouraged her to paint more. But when the war broke out, being German, he had to flee France and leave all his paintings behind. It took him years to recover and he assumed Seraphine was dead. By the time he discovered that she was still alive and painting, she was an old woman, barely hanging on.
As mentioned earlier, this film is very slow, but it is also extremely interesting. When you leave the theatre you’ll want to go straight to a museum or library and look her up. The beauty of a film like this is that you are educated as well as moved. We are given a chance to see the soul of a remarkable women who almost remained unknown. If it weren’t for seekers of beauty and film makers who make note of them, Seraphine may still be unknown. I’m glad to have made this discovery.
Rating: First Run The portrait of a gifted artist, beautifully rendered
Dance Flick
Is there such a thing as a comedy snob? If so, I might be one. I found Dance Flick to be a lazy comedy where any comedic momentum that may have naturally occurred was constantly being interrupted by slapstick sight gags that brought the film’s timing to a screeching halt. Outside of a few select actors, characterization was achieved by wearing bad wigs, false teeth and inappropriately padded suits. It was like every dance movie in the past decade was digested and vomited up on the big screen. It was cut and paste comedy at its worst.
I enjoy a good parody. I though that Tropic Thunder was hysterical and I even enjoyed the cheerleading spoof Fired Up. But the difference in these films is that the comedy was organic and character driven. There were references to past films inserted into the story line, but they were strategically placed and well thought out. Dance Flick was like a series of bad skits loosely strung on a weak plot. There was no integrity when it came to the script and its story line.
I have long since outgrown potty humor and fat jokes. I like my comedy to be a little more thought out and intelligent. There is obviously a market for this type of film. The formula has been working well and they do make money at the box office. In addition, some people find them to be very funny, I’m just not one of them. If that makes me a comedy snob, then so be it.
Don’t Bother: A paint by numbers comedy
I enjoy a good parody. I though that Tropic Thunder was hysterical and I even enjoyed the cheerleading spoof Fired Up. But the difference in these films is that the comedy was organic and character driven. There were references to past films inserted into the story line, but they were strategically placed and well thought out. Dance Flick was like a series of bad skits loosely strung on a weak plot. There was no integrity when it came to the script and its story line.
I have long since outgrown potty humor and fat jokes. I like my comedy to be a little more thought out and intelligent. There is obviously a market for this type of film. The formula has been working well and they do make money at the box office. In addition, some people find them to be very funny, I’m just not one of them. If that makes me a comedy snob, then so be it.
Don’t Bother: A paint by numbers comedy
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