2008 Woodie Awards
Four movies that should be in your netflix queue
Nate Loomis
Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: Arts & Living
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"A Very Long Engagement" (2004)
If you've seen the highly regarded French film "Amelie" (2001), then you're familiar with the stylized and visually rich productions that Jean-Pierre Jeunet turns out. "A Very Long Engagement" is Jeunet's brilliant screen adaptation of the acclaimed novel written by Sebastien Japrisot.
Starring none other than Jeunet's favorite muse, Audrey Tautou, "A Very Long Engagement" is the story of Matilde, a young crippled woman whose fiancé Manech (Gaspard Ulliel "Hannibal Rising" 2007), is reported as missing or dead in the trenches of WWI. Matilde refuses to believe that her soul mate has perished and she embarks on a relentless heart-wrenching search for evidence of his fate
This is the ultimate date movie with enough war and gore for the guys and plenty of romance and sentimentality for the ladies. Furthermore, Jeunet's beautiful location shots unfold like impressionist paintings with vivid colors and infinite depth. And for those of you who hate subtitles have no fear; this film is also dubbed in English.
"Gummo" (1997)
Everyone has his or her preferences when it comes to film but any truly worthwhile film should have an effect on the viewer be it joy, sorrow, awe or disgust. With "Gummo" you'll get a little of everything but you'll surely be thankful that you don't live in Xenia Ohio.
While markedly thin on plot and character arc, "Gummo" follows a group of teenagers as they wade through the madness and grime that is Xenia, Ohio. Hit by a massive tornado in the 70's, Xenia has never recovered. What remains is a town inhabited by degenerates and junkies who let their equally disturbed children roam the streets shooting cats and sniffing glue. With a cast of characters you'll never forget, like a mentally challenged prostitute pimped out by her own brother or a rabbit-ear wearing skateboarder, "Gummo" is nothing less than disturbing.
Written and directed by Harmony Korine (screenwriter "Kids" 1995) who is no stranger to controversy, "Gummo" has an almost documentary-style feel, which cushions the lack of plot. If the final "tub" scene in this film doesn't disturb and stick with you then you might actually be from Xenia.
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