By Zee Grega
August 22nd, 2008 @ 10:26 AM
film
- Vivre sa vie is one of pioneering filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard’s best films, a 12 chapter story of Nana (played by the luminous Anna Karina) who leaves her husband and child in hopes of becoming an actor. Instead of playing roles on-screen, however, she finds herself working as a prostitute instead. Despite its often documentary-like format, Vivre sa vie is intimate and emotionally engaging and is an excellent example of the Nouvelle Vague focus on the ordinary and mundane as a springboard to thoughtful study. This is an excellent introductory film for anyone unfamiliar with Godard’s works. At SIFF Cinema.
- Also at SIFF this weekend: Get up early and bring the kids (or just go yourself) to SIFF Cinema for Saturday’s 10:00 am screening of The Neverending Story. Though some of the special effects seem very dated these days, this charming story of young Bastian, a sad and bullied boy who escapes his troubles by falling into a book that details the epic battle of the beautiful land of Fantasia versus the dark forces who seek to extinguish its light.
- The Grand Illusion presents The Church on Dauphine Street, a documentary focused on Father Joseph Benson and ex-Marine Arthine Vicks, two unlikely allies who come together in the hopes of reuniting one of New Orleans’ most unusual congregations, on a Seattle businessman who organized over 160 volunteers to fight the post-Katrina destruction and despair, and on the enduring allure of “home”.
- Also at the Grand Illusion: stop by for the Saturday and Sunday matinee showings of Kicking It, a documentary about the Homeless World Cup.
- Medium Cool is a cinema verite style drama filmed around the actual 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago–the one where protestors and cops engaged in battle on the streets. In Medium Cool, this weekend at NWFF, Robert Forster plays a cameraman contemplating the politics and ethics of his work after the FBI starts using his footage to identify militants.
- Also at NWFF: To the Limit, a look at the adrenaline junkies involved in speed rock-climbing and Summer of ‘68, a documentary about the ‘68 Democratic National Convention that serves as a great companion piece to Medium Cool.
- Midnight at the Egyptian: One of my all-time faves, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a hot mess of a movie about a struggling novelist/gigolo in love with a daffy, high-living professional party guest. Holly Golightly may be the most famous role of Audrey Hepburn’s career; it’s definitely one of her best. In the hands of another actor, Holly might seem vapid and morally bankrupt but Hepburn’s luminous charm, vitality, and grace makes her one of the most appealing characters on film and more than makes up for the film’s rough spots.
- Outdoor films this weekend: Alvin & the Chipmunks at McCormick Park in Duvall, E.T at Lake Burien Park in Burien, both on Friday and Hairspray in Fremont, Galaxy Quest in West Seattle, Shaolin Soccer at Hing Hay Park in Seattle, Surf’s Up at Renton’s Henry Moses Aquatic Park, Back to the Future at Carillon Point in Kirkland, and The Wizard of Oz at Bainbridge Island’s Waterfront Park, all on Saturday.
