Home Electronics Flashback

Several times in recent years, when chatting with friends or colleagues about techonologies of the past, such as the VHS cassette, I have said something about what we just called "discs" when I was little.

Ineveitably, each time, someone has said, "Oh yeah, LaserDiscs..." and I have had to try to explain, no, not those. Just video discs. And for some reason, nobody I talk to about this seems to remember the things. In fact, some people seem to think it doesn't exist.

So anyway, I thought I'd consult my friend the Worldwide Web, for some proof. Here is a link to the Wiki article on CED discs, and a little demo on how it works. See, I wasn't making it up after all.

The Glass is Already Broken

Tonight's post was meant to be a an advance review of the new documentary "Young at Heart" but since the screening was seriously oversold, and even showing up at 6:17 didn't get us into the 7:00 screening. Nonetheless, I had a nice night at the Duke of Perth with some nice people. As Rocky Dennis once said, "these things are good."

So, instead, I'll talk a little bit about the last few films I've seen.

No Country for Old Men
I never want to see it again. I don't care what happened to the money. But I loved it.

EU FILM FESTIVAL, PART I
Now that I'm finally officially a memeber of the Siskel Center, I hope to go more often that my usal 3-4 times per year. So, I hope to get down there at least one more time before what is officially may favorite film festival closes for the year next week. But, just in case I don't, here are my reviews of the two films I did catch last week.

It's a Free World
For some reason, I've always been a fan of the gritty social realism of Ken Loach, Mike Leigh, and a handful of other British directors. Ken Loach in particular. Although his last feature The Wind that Shakes the Barley was a bit of a departure, it only bolstered my appreciation of his work, so I was more than excited to see his newest film.

I was a little disappointed. Why? I can pinpoint a few reasons, none of which are legitimate. I wasn't buying the female protaganist... I think he works better with the male lead... AND, although his stories often center around innately good people doing questionable things for honorable reasons, Kierston Wareing's Angie was pretty void of redeeming qualities.

I also don't think that the improv Loach has his actors do was as successful in this film has it has been in the past, coming across more as just unscripted floundering in a few parts.

What is this movie even about? Well, Angie is canned from a company that's recruiting and exploiting Eastern European workers, and starts her own company to do the same thing. But, the blatant disregard for humanity she and her associate show baffles me.

Anyway, enough on that one, except to say that I really think my favorite character was the bumbling pub owner. Or maybe the son.

Saturno Contro
Really, I just saw this, because I figured, while I was downtown, I might as well make a night of it, but I ended up loving it. With the English title of "Saturn in Opposition," accomplished Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Ozpetek's story of a close-knit group of friends dealing with their own issues with the backdrop of the sudden illness and death of one of the friends was refreshing and mournful.

A cast of well known Italian and Turkish actors create some memorable characters, and just when I thought it was going to end, we got another good 30 minutes of learning more about them. I wasn't even quite ready to say goodbye when it was over.

It was beautiful, and I recommend seeing it on the big screen if you can. It will be good on DVD, but not as special.

My sweded review of Be Kind Rewind - it's only 33 words long.

In the interest of getting it done, I present a short form review of my most anticipated film of 2008. I'm just too tired to write more.

Gondry's imagination never fails to captivate me. Who would think of magnetic urine? Jack Black was still pretty much Jack Black, but Mos Def's character was fresh - no one we've ever seen before.