Lady Blue Shanghai (2010)



    "Lady Blue Shanghai" is a short film written and directed by legendary filmmaker David Lynch.  It was released earlier this year.  The short, starring Marion Cotillard (Inception, La Vie En Rose), is a promotion for a Dior handbag.  Lynch, director of such films as Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, is no stranger to making commercials or short films.  That is why when you view this artistically beautiful short, you do not even feel like you are watching a commercial.  It is basically a David Lynch film with product placement.  Cotillard's acting cannot really be judged, due to the fact that she does not have very many lines, but she was perfect for this role.  This film demands to be viewed over and over again in order to be fully understood.  You can interpret it for yourself by watching it on YouTube here.  Please post any input you may have.  

The Fighter (2010)

    

   "The Fighter" is independent director David O. Russell's new film, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams.  Since it's release last Friday, "The Fighter" has scored a lot of points with the critics and the viewers.  Getting six Golden Globe nominations is no easy feat.  But being nominated and actually having a chance are two completely different things.                

      "The Fighter", contrary to common belief, is not a film about boxing.  This is truly a film about brothers and family.  Micky Ward, played by Wahlberg, is a street paver who is striving to become a professional boxer.  He plans to do this by enlisting the help of his mother and brother.  His older brother Dickie (Bale), who is an ex boxing star is going to help him make it to the top.  The problem is that Dickie is never there for Micky.  He is always off somewhere getting high.  Dickie's drug problems, in combination with Micky's overbearing mother, are causing him to lose all of his matches.  Not until Micky meets Charlene (Adams), does he open his eyes and realize this.  "The Fighter" is ultimately about Micky's struggle to keep his family and friends while still achieving his dreams of boxing.

        This film is an inspiring story about being torn between two loves to which anyone can relate.  From round one you are sucked in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts and befriend everyone in the town.  You feel like you are part of the gang.  This feeling can be attributed to the fact that this movie has first class acting from Wahlberg, Bale, and Melissa Leo, who plays their mother.  While Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale are both nominated for Golden Globes, Bale's win is the only certainty at this point.  Christian Bale's character of a crack-addict older brother is very convincing and moving throughout the whole film.  Bale, normally disliked by MoviesPig, has redeemed himself in the role of his career.  Though Wahlberg's performance was good, he has not completely reached the point in his career where he will be respected as a serious actor.  Perhaps in his next performance he will receive the recognition he deserves.  

      Just because the movie is not about boxing, does not mean the movie does not contain boxing.  The fighting matches will have you on the edge of your seat, rooting for Micky.  As for the cinematography, it is perfectly balanced between stylized and static, as to not overpower or underemphasize the subject matter.  Overall, "The Fighter" deserves all the credit it has received thus far and more.  This film is funny, heartwarming, and exciting throughout.  It is definitely one of this year's top five. 

ACTING: 10

                                                                    STORY: 10 

CINEMATOGRAPHY: 8

                                                              ORIGINALITY: 8

REPLAY VALUE: 9

                                                       OVERALL RATING: 9/10 

            



Director Spotlight: David O. Russell

      Today was the wide release of Golden Globe nominated film "The Fighter", by the acclaimed director David O. Russell.  Russell is most known for directing the Persian Gulf War drama "Three Kings" and the cult comedy "I Heart Huckabees".  Not only has he been nominated for the Golden Globe for best director, he has won awards in the past.  David O. Russell's critically recognized first feature, "Spanking The Monkey", won numerous awards at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival, such as Best First Screenplay, Best First Feature, and The Audience Award.

      Russell, having studied English and Political Science in college, focuses on politics in most of his films.  In his 2004 documentary, titled "Soldiers Pay", Russell protests the war.  He is also known to get fired up on the set.  During the filming of "Three Kings", David O. Russell got in an altercation with George Clooney.  Clooney claimed that Russell was verbally abusing people on the set.  At one point, Russell had his hands around Clooney's throat.  When asked if he would ever work with Russell again, Clooney responded "Life's too short".

      All of David O. Russell's films are very different from each other.  His sophomore film "Flirting With Disaster", is a black comedy starring Ben Stiller, where Stiller's character is trying to locate his birth parents.  After a jump to political drama in "Three Kings", he switches to a comedy starring Jason Schwartzman and Mark Wahlberg called "I Heart Hucakbees".  Huckabees is Russell's masterpiece about two men trying to grasp what reality really is.  Now with his new film, "The Fighter", Russell is really gaining more respect as a director.  He, just like Wahlberg, the star of most of his films, is becoming a serious artist and great entertainer.  MoviesPig is really looking forward to reviewing his work in the future.

Actor Spotlight: Mark Wahlberg

     In honor of Actor Mark Wahlberg's Golden Globe nomination, and the realease his new film "The Fighter", MoviesPig examines our three favorite Wahlberg roles.

3. Staff Sgt. Dignam - The Departed (2006)

        While this performance may not be worthy of an academy award,  it is definitely worthy of the MoviesPig top three. Why? Simply because it is hilarious.  Wahlberg as Dignam is an instant classic.

2. Tommy Corn - I Heart Huckabees (2004)

       Tommy Corn in David O. Russell's (The Fighter, Three Kings) "I Heart Huckabees" is not your average person.  He is a character.  Tommy may be a buff, handsome firefighter, but he is constantly striving to get a grasp on what life and the universe really are. 

1. Dirk Diggler - Boogie Nights (1997)

          Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights" isn't just one of the greatest films of all time.  It stars one of the greatest characters of all time as well.  Dirk Diggler started off as just a kid with a huge penis, jerking off for people for money, but he took his talent and turned it into something special.  Dirk Diggler's eagerness to learn and determination are what ultimately made him a star.  He wasn't just in it for the money.  He really wanted to make a difference in the world.  Wahlberg's breakout performance as Diggler really showed that he could be a serious actor and it gave us a taste of what was to come.  That is why Dirk Diggler is MoviesPig's pick as Mark Wahlberg's number one performance.