Cannes check in
It's now my sixth day in Cannes, and my lack of writing is embarrassing. Although throughout the rest of the year I type up at least four blog posts a day, I'm just not the energizer bunny all the guys out here in Cannes are and I can't keep it up. Watching four movies a day, the daily travel from the hotel, finding time to eat and sleep, meet with film folk... there's just no time to write. Then there's the constant battle for a decent internet connection at the hotel, but I'm not complaining. The weather is too good to complain, and I know I can review everything when I'm back in old blighty. This is almost a reconnaissance mission. Gather as much info as I can, see as much movies and report when I get back. Briefly; Mike Leigh's Another Year - Naturalistic 'slice of life' film about how we deal with aging and loneliness. A understated character study that is poignant and powerful but I couldn't imagine wanting to see it again. Woody Allen's You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger - Wonderful movie, carrying a particularly somber message that humans are desperate beings, always looking for something more - whether it's a better job, a better relationship, a longing for something spiritual. Grass is always greener, the neighbour is always prettier, and your decisions for being moral or for taking those life-changing opportunities when they present themselves to you, or even when you don't... well it doesn't really matter in the long run as life is all noise which eventually ends in silence, and what did it all mean anyway? Loved this movie, and I can't wait to give it a full review. Chatroom - Hideo Nakata A 15 minute short film idea, which turned into a feature length, over-blown message movie that plays it's hand to early and really has nowhere to go after the first act. The message is obvious. The internet can be a dangerous and alluring vice for a young, confused teenager... and it can lead you down paths you really don't belong. Just I got that in 15 minutes. I didn't need the full running time to tell me this. Kaboom - Gregg Araki Probably the most ludicrous film I have ever seen in my life.