Movies playing in English at Chamonix Cinema Vox
The following films are all playing in English (VO – Version Originale)with French subtitles at Chamonix Cinema Vox from 20th July to 9th August.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
Director Woody Allen's latest film, which premiered in Cannes this year, is a romantic comedy about a family travelling to Paris for business, including a young engaged couple. Our hero, one half of the couple, is unhappy, but not entirely sure how to amend his malcontent. During his rambling evening walks, our hero finds that he is transported to 1920's Paris every night at midnight when he stands at a certain place in the city. In this other age he meets many of his heroes, such as Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Dali, Bunuel, Picasso, Man Ray and Gertrude Stein. During these visits, our hero is forced to confront his illusion that a life different from his own is better, even as he also finds that some elements of his dreams are worth pursuing in his ‘real' life.
This film is not one of Allen's greats – Manhattan or Annie Hall or even The Mighty Aphrodite – but it is the best of recent years and absolutely worth watching. That said, it's not a film for everyone because of its literary and artistic references as well as its subtext of existentialism, but that's not to say that it's ‘high brow' or overly intellectual at all.
Ultimately, Woody Allen's film is an homage to creativity and dreams as a reality rather than as an illusion. This reviewer left the cinema after watching this film feeling that “all things are possible.”
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: Part II
The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest to find and destroy Voldemort's three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again.
The cosy trimmings of previous Harry Potter films – trains to school, lessons, quidditch matches – are not evident in this film, which is darker than the rest of the movies. Even as it doesn't rate as one of the best Harry Potter films, the lead actors are fine and it's another adventure in the popular series with the familiar characters. A must see for Harry Potter fans, particularly as it's the finale.
THE TREE OF LIFE
This is a film about three boys growing up in the 1950's with their mother, a free spirit, and their father, a ‘hard ass' who is alternately affectionate (played by Brad Pitt). The story considers the origins and meaning of life in general and as it pertains to the boys' lives.
The film premiered in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Palme d'Or, and was met with rave reviews from critics but was actually booed at the screening (a tough reaction particularly as the filmmakers and actors are present). Depending on who you speak to, the sci-fi meets surrealist themes and imagery were seen as either imaginative and independently minded, or pretentious and boring. This reviewer finds that the fragmented and non-linear narrative actually is how memories are remembered, and as it's a story told in the present about the past, this seems appropriate and interesting. In a world of films that appeal to the lowest common denominator and rely on frenetic images and action, this nicely paced, philosophically-light film is refreshing.
Malick has taken his time with his films, working on this one for decades and ‘only' having made seven films in a 35-year career, but his films Badlands and Days of Heaven are two of the most beautifully filmed movies of all time and this one is gorgeous, too. Lightly existential, this is a great film to watch when you're in the mood to consider your life, your family, and the world you live in, without delving too deeply into any of it.
LIMITLESS
Wannabe writer Eddie (Bradley Cooper) is out of money, heartbroken, and has writer's block until he discovers a top-secret drug with brain-enhancing qualities, which gives him super-human abilities such as genius. Robert De Niro plays a billionaire on the trail of Eddie's secret and Anna Friel plays a burned-out former addict of the drug. Soon, Eddie finds himself haunted by blackouts and hunted by bad guys.
This is silly material, but the actors – particularly Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro (both in form in their respective roles) have a lot of fun in this film, which does not take itself seriously. This is a smart, stylish and hugely entertaining movie.
VERY BAD TRIP 2 (HANGOVER 2)
Like its predecessor, one of the guys is set to wed a non-mail order Thai bride, so the gang are reunited and set loose in Bangkok (last time Las Vegas) where they wake up in another hotel room, unable to remember what's happened to them. This time their trail of mayhem involves monks, monkeys and a slew of ‘lady boys.'
The original Very Bad Trip (Hangover) was a cleverly structured dumb comedy about the day after a stag night, piecing together the specifics of a debauchery. This follow-up sticks so closely to its predecessor's blueprint that it plays more like a remake, and unlike the first film, it's not very funny. That said, if you've had a few beers, want to have a ‘lite' evening at the cinema, and are interested in looking at the seedier side of Bangkok, then this is the film for you.
BEGINNERS
Oliver (Ewan McGregor) is a graphic artist grieving for his father, Hal (Christopher Plummer) who has terminal cancer and who Oliver has just discovered is gay. Oliver then embarks on a love affair with a French actress.
Mike Mills is a very hip US director connected in a big way to cool bands (Air, Beastie Boys), edgy movies (Thumbsucker), and who's married to an indie-scene ‘goddess,' so it's no surprise that this film has an offbeat sense of humour and is quirky in general. However, this film doesn't know whether it wants to be a romance - see our hero embarking on a love affair with pretty and ‘kooky' French actress – or whether it's a family drama – see our hero discovering something huge about his father just as he's dying – resulting in the film not going into too much depth in either area.
That said, the acting and the characters are very well done: Ewan McGregor is likeable and witty as Oliver; and Christopher Plummer as Hal, is great as the kindly, outspoken and stubborn dad. The flashbacks of their visits together in the hospital, where Hal openly embraces his sexuality, to the surprise of his son, are well-observed and poignant, and remind one of the importance of living life to the fullest.
