SIFF Day 4
Yesterday was a very, very good day of movies. We saw some real winners, which means I don't even mind that my backside is already starting to get sore from sitting in movie theaters all day.

Two posts in one day means I get caught up. Go me!

Terra (USA) 2007 ****
Computer animated film with a "message" that free will must be exercised in order to achieve peace and individuals questioning authority are necessary in order to build a better society. But forget about the message, this movie has a great story and beautiful animation with an all star voice cast including James Garner, Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, and the always hilarious David Cross (even when he's just an animated robot).

Heartbeat Detector (France) 2007 ***1/2
Adaptation of François Emmanuel's "La Question Humaine"- The film follows Simon (Mathieu Amalric), who enjoys his work as a corporate psychologist weeding out all of the "undesirable" employees. He is assigned to investigate the mental status of the company's CEO who seems to have become unstable. Simon's life slowly begins to deteriorate as his investigation uncovers the company's dark role in WWII.

Simon becomes haunted with the truths he uncovers and he must ask himself, "What is more important the institution or humanity?" This film features a strong performance from Amalric and the story is engrossing and well done. However, just shy of 2 and 1/2 hours, the movie seemed overlong and could have used some editing.

The Wrecking Crew (USA) 2008 *****
"The Wrecking Crew" was the name given to a loose group of about 20 to 30 studio musicians used in the LA recording industry during the 1960's. They recorded more number one singles than the Beatles. They cut records with Elvis Presley, Herb Alpert, the Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Phil Spector and the Wall of Sound, and the Monkees among many others. The film asserts that they provided "the soundtrack to our lives".

This documentary was made by Denny Tedesco the son of one of the most famous of The Wrecking Crew, guitarist Tommy Tedesco, who passed away in 1997. The director has assembled interviews with many of the living members: bass player Carol Kaye, Glen Campbell, drummer Earl Palmer, and Hal Blaine to name a few. The filmmaker provides personal footage of his dad that he filmed and a conversation with four of the wrecking crew, including his father. Then there are interviews with other musicians talking about the crew like Monkee, Mickey Dolenz who admits he never thought of himself as a musician. He approached the Monkees as an actor. And Nancy Sinatra talks about the recording of "These Boots are Made for Walking". Of course, the soundtrack of the film provides lots of great old tunes from the 1960's.

Ultimately, it's just musicians reminiscing about their music and their lives. I loved it.

Sita Sings the Blues (USA) 2007 *****
Brilliant, and I do mean brilliant animated film. Do not miss this one. In 2002, cartoonist Nina Paley was dumped by her husband in an email. Inspired by her break-up she made this movie. Based on the Indian story, the Ramayana, it is about the suffering of Sita who "loves her man" , Rama, in spite of his ill treatment of her. The animation is gorgeous, the script provides lots of laughs, and the music is wonderful. Interspersed throughout the film, Sita sings the blues- voiced by jazz great Annette Hanshaw. This movie is pure genius.


Cafe de los Maestros (Argentina/USA/Brazil) 2008 ****
Documentary about Tango music, the filmmaker interviews legendary Tango musicians, singers and composers who reminisce about the golden age of the Tango. Some are working on reconstructing old classics that were never before written down, others are recording and they are all rehearsing. The film culminates with a concert honoring the Tango at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. Great music. Well done doc.

Total Movies seen: 23
Total Bags of Popcorn consumed: Two! I had popcorn for lunch yesterday. So healthy and nutritious.

*= Unclean, unclean
**= Crap, but doesn't make your eyes bleed
***= Watchable to good
****= Great
*****= Masterpiece/Classic