Punnoval
Burnaby Public Library
Punnoval's Completed Shelf
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Wise BloodWise Blood, DVD
DVD - 2009DVD, 2009
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 26, 2024
WildlandWildland, DVD
DVD - 2021 | DanishDVD, 2021. Language: Danish
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 26, 2024
Comment:
Many comments have implied that this is a variant on an Australian film (turned into a TV series) called "Animal Kingdom". The Australian item is not readily available and I don't think that I want to see the bloated TV series.
That said, it seems more like a cross between the Jed Johnson / Andy Warhol item, "Bad" and any film about the English goons, the Krays.
That said, it could be better with (at least 30 minutes added) to get a better perspective on the family life.Many comments have implied that this is a variant on an Australian film (turned into a TV series) called "Animal Kingdom". The Australian item is not readily available and I don't think that I want to see the bloated TV series.
That said, it seems…
The worst onesThe worst ones, DVD
DVD - 2023 | FrenchDVD, 2023. Language: French
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 26, 2024
Comment:
Is this thing anything but a 3rd rate Dardenne's flick with "Man Bites Dog" and "L'il Quin-quin" overtones?
The 'movie within a movie' style is rather amateurish - it is almost impossible to distinguish what is 'real' and what is not (perhaps that's its intention?) Are the brats given a chance to become 'actors' or are they just items to be taken advantage of? Is it worth your while finding out (if you can?)Is this thing anything but a 3rd rate Dardenne's flick with "Man Bites Dog" and "L'il Quin-quin" overtones?
The 'movie within a movie' style is rather amateurish - it is almost impossible to distinguish what is 'real' and what is not (perhaps that's…
Five Minutes of HeavenFive Minutes of Heaven, DVD
DVD - 2010DVD, 2010
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 18, 2024
Comment:
Can the perspective of a person whose life is changed due to murderous activity be resolved by an encounter with the perpetrator? Oliver Hirschbiegel presents a tense arranged (by TV) encounter and it's resolution (of sorts.)
For a different take on 'resolution' watch the two documentaries on the 1965 Indonesian massacre by Joshua Oppenheimer; "The Act of Killing" (2012) and "The Look of Silence" (2014.)Can the perspective of a person whose life is changed due to murderous activity be resolved by an encounter with the perpetrator? Oliver Hirschbiegel presents a tense arranged (by TV) encounter and it's resolution (of sorts.)
For a different take…
The MauritanianThe Mauritanian, DVD
DVD - 2021DVD, 2021
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 13, 2024
Comment:
This quasi-documentary covers essentially the same ground as Errol Morris' documentary "Standard Operating Procedure" (2008). The main premise is related to having information obtained by torture.
It would have been a lot more interesting if there was (a lot) more detail on the involvement of Canada's super-incompetent CSIS who only seem to be able to get convictions by entrapment.
Viewers of this film should know that Canada had to pay two multi-million dollar settlements for similar cases. The Slahi case is supposedly before the courts as well.
Canada's intrepid spy services recently suffered a similar blow - where Canada paid 7 million to settle the Spavor case.
Note: MacDonald weakened his case by showing Slahi in a joyous mood while the credits roll - If he had been tortured as claimed I could hardly imagine him being joyous.This quasi-documentary covers essentially the same ground as Errol Morris' documentary "Standard Operating Procedure" (2008). The main premise is related to having information obtained by torture.
It would have been a lot more interesting if there…
The Wild Blue YonderThe Wild Blue Yonder, DVD
DVD - 2006DVD, 2006
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 13, 2024
Comment:
Herzog takes found footage (NASA personnel at a gravity free space station, the ocean under an Antarctic ice shelf), adds some exotic music and creates a low budget sci-fi tale concerned with human's destruction of their environment.
I think that the best way to treat this film is as an experience of the senses - forget about any meaning, contrived or not.Herzog takes found footage (NASA personnel at a gravity free space station, the ocean under an Antarctic ice shelf), adds some exotic music and creates a low budget sci-fi tale concerned with human's destruction of their environment.
I think that…
A wonderful night in SplitA wonderful night in Split, DVDTa divna Splitska noć
DVD - 2008 | CroatianDVD, 2008. Language: Croatian
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 13, 2024
Comment:
It's 2 hours to the new year in the Adriatic Croatian town of Split. In those 2 hours, we get 3 tales of grimy misfortune that merge together at midnight. Over saturated black & white cinematography give it an additional feel of doom.
The tales are worked around a rock band entertaining the locals in a rather unique style - the singer approximates an auctioneer yowling into a distorting microphone.It's 2 hours to the new year in the Adriatic Croatian town of Split. In those 2 hours, we get 3 tales of grimy misfortune that merge together at midnight. Over saturated black & white cinematography give it an additional feel of doom.
The tales are…
Wild reedsWild reeds, DVD
DVD - 2023 | FrenchDVD, 2023. Language: French
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 10, 2024
Comment:
All you need to know about this item: It won 4 Cesar awards - the French equivalent of the mighty Oscar. So, can it be anything more than puerile mush? It also cemented Techine's reputation as the go-to guy for mainstream schlock.
Basic rule of thumb: If you are "gay", you can only show this by being attracted to the vilest sort of male humanity as opposed to anything of the female persuasion.All you need to know about this item: It won 4 Cesar awards - the French equivalent of the mighty Oscar. So, can it be anything more than puerile mush? It also cemented Techine's reputation as the go-to guy for mainstream schlock.
Basic rule of…
The wounded manThe wounded man, DVD
DVD - 2023 | FrenchDVD, 2023. Language: French
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 10, 2024
Comment:
Our youthful hero appears to be having a fantasia related to potential relationships. The parents are extremely stylized and potential homosexual encounters seem excessively dreamlike and threatening.
Unfortunately, the director (Chereau) ruined it by concocting one of the worst endings in modern cinema. Docked 3 notches for that event.Our youthful hero appears to be having a fantasia related to potential relationships. The parents are extremely stylized and potential homosexual encounters seem excessively dreamlike and threatening.
Unfortunately, the director (Chereau) ruined it…
Wood and WaterWood and Water, DVD
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
All copies in useView location availabilityView location availability for Wood and Water, DVD, All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 2 copies
Holds: 0 on 2 copies
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 10, 2024
Comment:
If you knew a bit more about the relationship between the lumpy mother (living in the Black Forest part of Bavaria) and her unseen son (who now resides in Hong Kong) there might be something here.
As it is, there are gobs of ennui and nothing ever happening - just like a boring real life.If you knew a bit more about the relationship between the lumpy mother (living in the Black Forest part of Bavaria) and her unseen son (who now resides in Hong Kong) there might be something here.
As it is, there are gobs of ennui and nothing ever…
WidowsWidows, DVDVeuves
DVD - 2018DVD, 2018
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 06, 2024
Comment:
Once upon a time, Steve McQueen made good movies ("Hunger", "Shame") - then he did the somewhat less fine "12 Years a Slave" which suffered the kiss of death - namely winning the mighty Oscar for best film of 2014. McQueen would go on to accept a knighthood, OBE and CBE awards - signs that he had turned the corner and settled into moneyed hackdom.
You couldn't ask for a better confirmation than the cretinous "Widows", which could have been done by any number of Hollywood hacks (Michael Mann comes to mind.) Here we have a totally moronic tale of repressed wives rising to the occasion and turning into triumphal heroes. Dime store politics are stirred in to putrefy the agenda - having the world's worst actor (Colin Farrell) as the politician seals its fate.Once upon a time, Steve McQueen made good movies ("Hunger", "Shame") - then he did the somewhat less fine "12 Years a Slave" which suffered the kiss of death - namely winning the mighty Oscar for best film of 2014. McQueen would go on to accept a…
The windowThe window, DVD[La ventana]
DVD - 2009 | SpanishDVD, 2009. Language: Spanish
All copies in useView location availabilityView location availability for The window, DVD, All copies in use
Holds: 1 on 1 copy
Holds: 1 on 1 copy
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 06, 2024
Comment:
This is a rather nice little tale of the last day of a dying patriarch of an Argentine finca.
Not as fine as Sokurov's "Mother and Son" or Tarkovsky's "Mirror" (the Russians have a claim on this type of film) but fine, nonetheless.
The wind journeysThe wind journeys, DVDLos viajes del viento
DVD - 2010 | SpanishDVD, 2010. Language: Spanish
Punnoval's rating:
Added Mar 05, 2024
Comment:
If you can get by the extremely stupid story-line and shake and bake editing, you might take a shine to this Colombian 'road' movie - involving the return of a legendary accordion to its rightful owner.
The cinematography is pretty fine but the endless accordion/bongo drum sequences become grating - unless you prefer the Vallenato style over other more modern variations like Conjunto.
Hi lite: Scowling geezer Ignacio gets a quasi-Dondi forced upon him. On their travels, Dondi stumbles on a bongo drum festival. without any musical training, Dondi immediately wows them with a 50 minute solo (or at seems like it.)If you can get by the extremely stupid story-line and shake and bake editing, you might take a shine to this Colombian 'road' movie - involving the return of a legendary accordion to its rightful owner.
The cinematography is pretty fine but the…
What time is it there?What time is it there?, DVDNi na bian ji dian
DVD | ChineseDVD. Language: Chinese
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2024
Comment:
This 2001 item isn't bad, but is spoiled by excessive cuteness (mothers 'lovable' eccentricities) and overly obvious relations to previous movies (the clock time changing, the Truffaut film 400 Blows and the use of its star as a cemetery inhabiting geeser.
Better to see "Vive l'Amour" and "Days" if you like this director.This 2001 item isn't bad, but is spoiled by excessive cuteness (mothers 'lovable' eccentricities) and overly obvious relations to previous movies (the clock time changing, the Truffaut film 400 Blows and the use of its star as a cemetery inhabiting…
VisitorsVisitors, DVD
DVDDVD
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2024
Comment:
Godfrey Reggio scored a winner with his rather schlocky Koyaanisqatsi. He proceeded to make 2 follow-ups, both much worse than the original.
Here, Reggio uses a dissonant Phil Glass soundtrack to back up the real intent of this film - to make an arty screen saver.
The library blurb implying some sort of relationship with technology seems pretty whack.Godfrey Reggio scored a winner with his rather schlocky Koyaanisqatsi. He proceeded to make 2 follow-ups, both much worse than the original.
Here, Reggio uses a dissonant Phil Glass soundtrack to back up the real intent of this film - to make an…
EOEO, DVD
DVD - 2023 | PolishDVD, 2023. Language: Polish
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2024
Comment:
"EO"is best seen in tandem with Bresson's "Au Hasard, Balthazar" which inspired this item and has a couple of similar scenes.
In Bresson's film the donkey is mostly an observer of the human condition. Here, there is more emphasis on how animals are a commodity to be used by humans and then discarded.
I much preferred the soundtrack in Bresson's film (Schubert's Sonata D959) to the overly busy (and often) noisy one here."EO"is best seen in tandem with Bresson's "Au Hasard, Balthazar" which inspired this item and has a couple of similar scenes.
In Bresson's film the donkey is mostly an observer of the human condition. Here, there is more emphasis on how animals are…
The WhaleThe Whale, DVD
DVD - 2023DVD, 2023
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2024
Comment:
Darren Aronofsky has made several vile flicks ("Noah" and "The Fountain" come to mind.) Aronofsky tops himself in this super-vile translation of a play of hi-skool calibre.
The sign of being total rubbish is reinforced by Brendan Fraser winning the mighty Oscar for portraying a bloated sad-sack spaniel.
Awards of demerit to:
- Sadie Sink for playing the fat boy's sleazette daughter. She can't even recite her lines with any emotion off the teleprompter.
- Samantha Morton wins the 'no shame' award for her worthless performance as the fat boy's wife. After a great performance in Lynn Ramsey's "Morvern Caller" (2002) has she run on such hard times?
As in any Aronofsky flick, there has to be some sort of religious significance. Here it's the Mormon dork that gets accidentally saved by the sleazette daughter.Darren Aronofsky has made several vile flicks ("Noah" and "The Fountain" come to mind.) Aronofsky tops himself in this super-vile translation of a play of hi-skool calibre.
The sign of being total rubbish is reinforced by Brendan Fraser winning the…
What have I done to deserve this?What have I done to deserve this?, DVDQue he hecho yo para merecer esto?
DVD - 2003 | SpanishDVD, 2003. Language: Spanish
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2024
Comment:
This (relatively) early Almodovar film exhibits his fondness for making anti-social behaviour 'cute'. If there was some bite in his commentary it might have been worth something - but then it wouldn't be an Almodovar film.
What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?, DVD
DVD - 2004DVD, 2004
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 25, 2024
Comment:
Is this thing any more than a 2nd rate "Arsenic and Old Lace"? Doesn't seem like it. It could have been improved if the Ruth Gordon character was more like the loony in "Where's Poppa".
This film might have amounted to something if the Geraldine Page character found that all the other bats she attempted to embezzle had zero funds. She would have given up on the female persuasion and decided that old geezers were a better choice of victims. Then she would have run into the Honeymoon Killers.Is this thing any more than a 2nd rate "Arsenic and Old Lace"? Doesn't seem like it. It could have been improved if the Ruth Gordon character was more like the loony in "Where's Poppa".
This film might have amounted to something if the Geraldine…
Mystic RiverMystic River, DVD
DVD - 2004DVD, 2004
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 14, 2024
Comment:
Here, Sean Penn grimaces fearlessly and Tim Robbins pulls out his sad-sack chops - more than enough for them to win the Mighty Oscars for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. They are helped along by two of Penn's sidekicks who impersonate Chimpanzees.
This is a typical Eastwood film - always about vengeance - here with a bit of a twist (in the Shakespeare style!) Also in character are women that are worse than useless - in this case Davey-boy's wife and Sean-boy's daughter (the slut that won't quit until she's laid in her grave.)Here, Sean Penn grimaces fearlessly and Tim Robbins pulls out his sad-sack chops - more than enough for them to win the Mighty Oscars for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. They are helped along by two of Penn's sidekicks who impersonate…
Lost in TranslationLost in Translation, DVD
DVD - 2004DVD, 2004
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 14, 2024
Comment:
Has the (oh so) lovely Sofia ever had an original idea in her life? Here, she does nothing more than make a variant on the tales of babbling pseuds ("Before Sunrise", "Before Sunset") by the cretinous Dickie Linklater. "Lost in Translation" is slightly better as the discussions are inane rather than pretentious.
The only way this might have been saved: On his way to the AP, the Murray character spots the Johanneson character (or so he thinks) walking away. He jumps out of the cab to talk to her - when he accosts 'her' a figure with the face of a death mask appears. This so shocks the Murray character, that he stumbles into the traffic and is run over by a truck.Has the (oh so) lovely Sofia ever had an original idea in her life? Here, she does nothing more than make a variant on the tales of babbling pseuds ("Before Sunrise", "Before Sunset") by the cretinous Dickie Linklater. "Lost in Translation" is…
Les Triplettes de BellevilleLes Triplettes de Belleville, DVDThe Triplets of Belleville
DVD - 2004 | FrenchDVD, 2004. Language: French
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 06, 2024
Comment:
This French / Canadian animation item will probably appeal to fans of the Czech film "Fantastic Planet". it would have been better if it had been more of a 'head' movie than an excessive action item. The best character was the train chasing blood-hound.This French / Canadian animation item will probably appeal to fans of the Czech film "Fantastic Planet". it would have been better if it had been more of a 'head' movie than an excessive action item. The best character was the train chasing…
WetlandsWetlands, DVDMarécages
DVD - 2012 | FrenchDVD, 2012. Language: French
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 05, 2024
Comment:
Them Quebecois film-makers sure love that farm scenario. Xavier Dolan created a loony masterpiece in "Tom a la Ferme" and Erik Canuel a Camp classic in "La Loi du Cochon". Can Guy Edoin repeat their successes???
Maybe if he had some sort of sense of humour? There are a lot of off-beat sex scenes with homosexual proclivities. The dopey son is a Peeping Tom that likes to beat off and grandmaw is a stone faced lesbian. Son's Oedipal tendencies are kept under tight leash.
At least the finale was dopily nihilistic.Them Quebecois film-makers sure love that farm scenario. Xavier Dolan created a loony masterpiece in "Tom a la Ferme" and Erik Canuel a Camp classic in "La Loi du Cochon". Can Guy Edoin repeat their successes???
Maybe if he had some sort of sense…
Welcome to the RileysWelcome to the Rileys, DVD
DVD - 2011DVD, 2011
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 05, 2024
Comment:
I thought Kristen Stewart did a fine performance in "Spencer". So, how would she do on this earlier item? If you like the idea of a Joan Jett clone as pole dancer, that mumbles four letter words with no conviction, than maybe she might be great.
This film is also plagued by vile performances by Fat Jimmy and Mewling Melissa. Director Jakey Scott (of the super hack Scott family) certainly didn't help either.
Only way this could have been saved: Doug the Slug's daughter was recruited to be an 'Epstein Girl' (instead of some hokey car accident), is now cavorting with Clinton and Andy and has put her proletarian roots behind her (she won't talk to Doug & Lois,) So Doug decides that a proper replacement for the 'lost' daughter would be a proletarian dancer/hooker that lives in slum housing. He could now bankroll his new adopted daughter's anti-social lifestyle with the excuse: better a slut I can talk to than one I can't.I thought Kristen Stewart did a fine performance in "Spencer". So, how would she do on this earlier item? If you like the idea of a Joan Jett clone as pole dancer, that mumbles four letter words with no conviction, than maybe she might be…
Angels in AmericaAngels in America, DVD
DVD - 2004DVD, 2004
Punnoval's rating:
Added Feb 05, 2024
Comment:
Mr. Mikey (Nichols) has decided to expand an AIDS related play to 6 hours. This means that there is much, much more bathos mixed with extreme histrionics. He has also decided that his audience is comprised of male homosexuals that exhibit Drama Queen tendencies.
Emma Thompson as the nurse/angel is the only 'name' actor to get a positive scenario. Al Pacino does seem to have a lot of fun with his role as the evil Roy Cohn. The Meryl Streep character could be easily erased with the endurance reduced by an hour (or more!)Mr. Mikey (Nichols) has decided to expand an AIDS related play to 6 hours. This means that there is much, much more bathos mixed with extreme histrionics. He has also decided that his audience is comprised of male homosexuals that exhibit Drama…
Comment: