May & June 2012

Jean Painlevé’s Short Films

The short films of Jean Painlevé are not only engaging, they’re an educational treat. The way Painlevé focuses on these gorgeous underwater creatures is something to behold, and one can’t help but become entranced by the images on their screen. Each short is mystifying, informative, and many even find a way to be romantic. And if you take a chance to watch a few of these with the Criterion score provided by Yo La Tengo rather than the French narration, you’re in for quite a surreal little piece of cinema.

For more underwater documentaries: Howard Hall’s Deep Sea.

Perfect Blue (Satoshi Kon, 1997)

Having seen Satoshi Kon’s Paprika last year, I was expecting a good movie when I dove into this one. Never would I have expected getting a movie this stunning, especially from a debut feature. Perfect Blue is really nothing short of a perfect animated film and easily in my top five. This isn’t just any old mystery flick with a female lead; it’s a highly stylized film that explores sexual imagery and the way that the desires and perversions of society have a way of directly impacting the lives and careers of women everywhere. It’s dark, it’s disturbing, and it’s downright excellent. Many have drawn comparisons to David Lynch’s Mulholland Dr in mood and surreal style, as well as Brian De Palma’s Dressed to Kill in terms of execution when speaking of this film, both of which are excellent examples of the styles that are mixed together here. The director really does a great job using mirrors and reflections to instill a sense of unease and drive home the idea of dual, contrasting images.

For more surreal animated films: Masaaki Yuasa’s Mindgame.

Take This Waltz (Sarah Polley, 2011/12)

It could have been Michelle Williams, it could have been Sarah Polley’s direction, or it could have been the really stellar soundtrack, but there was just something about Take This Waltz that drew me in and never let me go. Both Williams and Luke Kirby dish out some impressive performances (which doesn’t surprise me at all in Williams’ case, seeing as she never disappoints), and even Seth Rogen manages to keep me from disliking him. This film has such a perfect balance of happy and sad, of true laughter and sheer heartbreak, that it’s hard not to form a connection with it. While some people may not find themselves charmed by this movie, it snuck its way into my heart as well as my top five so far this year.

For more Michelle Williams being adorable: Andrew Fleming’s Dick.

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So what films did you watch this past month that you might want to recommend my way? Any similar feelings? Anything you disagree with completely? Hopefully this will encourage you to check out a few of the movies I suggested below each 5/5 that I also saw this month (as well as the other 5/5s that I didn’t elaborate on).