The Class (rental)

The Class
Grade: B+

The Class, which won the top prize in Cannes back in 2008 has eluded me for some time. Now, thanks to Netflix, I was finally able to catch it. Here's a film showing the dynamics between teacher and students in a inner city school if France. Most, if not all of the film takes place in a classroom, halls, or the playground.

The film manages to humanize its students and the main teacher without showing any of them outside of the class. It's a strong film that rightfully belongs in the canon of great teacher-student films. Strong performances from non-actors add to the documentary feel that the film provides. Much of the dialogue stems from banter back and forth in the class. The interactions, emotions, and tiny nuances are what define the film.

Damon is a one man show in The Informant!

"The Informant!"
Starring: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Melanie Lynskey, Joel McHale
Grade: B

Matt Damon has never been better, starring as true life whistle blower Mark Whitacre. A doughy Damon, packed on 30 pounds, sported a ridiculous wig, and grew what looked like an uncomfortable mustache to portray Whitacre, a big shot who worked for a lysine developing company called ADM.

The film, directed by auteur Steven Soderbergh is breezy, fun, and a little confusing at first, but reveals its layers gradually due to its solid script written by Scott. Z Burns. The film starts in Decatur, Illinois where we are introduced to the simple world of Whitacre, one that will surely be changed and be flipped on its head throughout the film. He's nearing a position in upper management at his company, until the FBI come sniffing around and use Whitacre as a mole to uncover price-fixing and corporate kick-back schemes. All of this is very detailed, and amusing, as the audience shakes their head the whole time at what transpires.

The Informant is an odd little film, filled with 70's spy music, and a loopy performance by Damon that should remind film-goers that he is truly an A-lister, one who never receives enough credit. Do yourself a favor, picture the action star in the Bourne films, and then go see this movie, Damon transforms himself. Whitacre narrates most of the film, quietly offering his commentary on not so important things, its mainly just him... talking.

The film is cast well, but its Damon's film from beginning to end. Rounding out the cast are Scott Bakula, in a nice supporting role, and Joel McHale from TV's "The Soup," both of whom play FBI agents who monitor Whitacre throughout the film. Melanie Lynskey plays Whitacre's confused and disapproving wife Ginger, and several other familiar faces pop in and out of the film as well.

For amusing laughs, and an original twist on the spy genre, "The Informant!" offers plenty to admire, and to chuckle about. One can tell that Soderbergh and Damon had fun making this film which was shot in only 30 days. This film could have been portrayed many ways, but Soderbergh and his writer were spot on in making this a comedic vehicle for Damon to cruise along with.

Note: This review first appeared in The Jambar.

Art house horror by Lars von Trier

"Antichrist"
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg
Grade: B+

To call Danish film-maker Lars von Trier a maverick at this point in his career would be a monumental understatement. I remain speechless after I have viewed his latest effort, a film that left audiences and critics flabbergasted at this years Cannes film festival. There were booes, cheers, and even reports of audience members throwing up during the film.

Now that months have passed and the film has shifted into a limbo of sorts, it now makes its way around the festival circuit until its eventual release in late October. A film which will probably only garner attention from art-house theaters has only helped its cause with all of the criticism and banter stemming from Cannes.

The narrative is pretty straightforward, a grieving couple played by Dafoe and Gainsbourg head to a cabin in the woods called "Eden" to grieve the loss of their young son. We see his death in the stunningly beautiful black and white prologue that serves as one of the haunting bookends to the film. From what I've seen of von Trier's work, this may be his best shot film. Shot by Oscar winning DP Anthony Dod Mantle, Antichrist includes stunning visuals to accompany a bleak vision from von Trier who may have crafted his darkest film yet.

Dafoe and Gainsborgh's characters only called he and she, have made this journey into the woods to heal and call attention to the fears of Gainsbourg's emotionally unstable, and rightfully so character. Dafoe plays a therapist who tries to map out his wife's frustration and fears, while in the surroundings of nature, and specifically the idea of the nature of humans and women, a theme that von Trier touches on throughout the film.

The couples experience goes from bad to worse, to say anymore would cheat the audience. Most reviews that came after the Cannes viewing, revealed way too much about the film and its grisly tone. Plot details in a von Trier movie are irrelevant, its the visceral experience that must be felt. This film for me doesn't fall in any genre, it looks to be marketed as a horror film, but it will disappoint those who know about the film, or nothing about von Trier, who has said he made this film while in a deep depression.

The film deals with heavy themes, and symbolic tones are sprinkled throughout. The performances must be mentioned, as Dafoe and Gainsborgh are forces that have exposed themselves to an unmatched extent in this film. While the future remains murky for this film, it will not be forgotten, von Trier has reached to the depths of despair to craft an unforgettable experience.

Sugar (rental)

"Sugar"
Starring: Algenis Perez Soto
Grade: B

Sugar is a modest little indie from the writing/directing team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who also made Half Nelson back in 2006. Sugar is an insightful film that recognizes the struggles of young baseball prospects from such places as the Dominican Republic, and their integration into American life and culture. The film does a solid job of sidestepping cliches and formulas by creating its own personal atmosphere as we follow the main character, Miguel "Sugar" Santos from the start.

While most of the film is in Spanish, any sports lover should respect the storytelling, and love for the past time that Boden and Fleck honor. Sugar goes in a direction I wasn't expecting, but once it happens, you'll realize its the only place the story could have went.

Updated grades on all 09' films seen

1. Inglorious Basterds: A-
2. Up: A-
3. District 9: A-

4. Moon: B+
5. The Hurt Locker: B+
6. Adventureland: B+
7. Star Trek: B+
8. Drag Me to Hell: B+

9. Watchmen: B
10. (500) Days of Summer: B
11. Two Lovers: B
12. Public Enemies: B
13. Funny People: B
14. I Love You, Man: B
15. Bruno: B-

16. The Hangover: C-
17. Terminator: Salvation: D+
18. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: D