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It's one of the most exclusive movie events and yet I don't care much about it. Yes, I'm talking about the Cannes Film Festival. This year's edition began two days ago and for that reason --and also because Steven from Surrender to the Void suggested this theme-- we are picking Cannes Favourites for Wandering Through the Shelves' Thursday Movie Picks.
Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013)
It follows a French teenage girl (Adèle Exarchopoulos) who falls for an older female artist (Léa Seydoux). What follows is a romance between them as they fall in and out of love. Easily one of the most controversial films because of the 10-minute long sex scene, it is a very beautiful and emotional coming-of-age that explores sexuality as I had never seen before. And the leading actresses are extraordinary.
Sicario (2015)
The first movie in Taylor Sheridan's Frontier trilogy, it follows a young, idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) who joins a special anti-drugs taskforce whose ultimate goal is the capture of kill of a cartel boss. Not my favourite from Sheridan, nevertheless it is a great film. It keeps you glued to the screen, the acting is great and it delivers an important message too.
Taxi Driver (1976)
It follows a lonely Vietnam veteran (Robert De Niro) who works as a taxi driver, falls in love with a presidential campaign worker (Cybill Shepherd) and befriends an underage prostitute (Jodie Foster). The first Scorsese film I've seen and probably still my favourite, this is a wonderful yet disturbing portrait of a man descending into madness. De Niro is beyond amazing, but Jodie Foster, in my opinion, steals the show.
I love all three of your picks!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to see your first two films for ages but I see them and then they slip my mind next time I'm looking for something to watch. I've queued them up now so that should solve the problem.
ReplyDeleteI have seen Taxi Driver and can honestly say I detested it. Are DeNiro and Jodie Foster brilliant in it? Absolutely but it was a bleak, bitter ugly movie nonetheless. I know mine is a minority opinion but I also know I'm not the only one who feels that way. It's a love it or hate it type of film.
I am also indifferent to the fracas of Cannes. I'll look at an occasional article and usually will note what won the Palme d'Or but that's about it but they have recognized many fine films. I'm a fan of these three.
Union Pacific (1939)-As the Union Pacific Railroad stretches westward across the wilderness toward California corrupt banker Asa Barrows (Henry Kolker) hopes to profit from obstructing it. Troubleshooter Jeff Butler (Joel McCrea) has his hands full fighting Barrows' agent, gambler Sid Campeau (Brian Donlevy) and his partner Dick Allen (Robert Preston) who was Jeff's war buddy and rival suitor for engineer's daughter Molly Monahan (Barbara Stanwyck). Rivalries escalate until a fateful showdown set piece. Big rollicking Cecil B. DeMille directed adventure was the winner of the first Palme D’Or.
Rome Open City (1945)-In Nazi occupied Rome regulations have been somewhat relaxed so the inhabitants can move freely during daylight but danger still lurks everywhere as food is rationed, curfews enforced and resistance fighters rigorously hunted. This focuses on the search for one freedom fighter and the people working to help him. Directed by Roberto Rossellini with a fierce lead performance from Anna Magnani this was the leader in the birth of the neo-realism movement. It won the Grand Prize of the Cannes Film Festival in 1946.
Cranes Are Flying (1957)-In Moscow as the winds of World War II approach young lovers Veronika (Tatyana Samoylova) and Boris (Aleksey Batalov) watch the cranes fly overhead and promise to rendezvous before Boris leaves to fight. Boris misses the meeting and is off to the front lines, while Veronika waits patiently, sending letters faithfully. After her house is bombed, Veronika moves in with Boris' family and seeming safety. But Boris’s cousin Mark has darker intentions and as the war rages sorrow spreads in all directions. Winner of the 1958 Cannes Grand Prize.
I'm sorry to hear you didn't like Taxi Driver :(
DeleteI haven't seen Blue and not sure I want to to be honest because of that sex scene. I have a feeling it really is not needed to that detail and, from what i am gathering, I am not into girl an girl action. Ok Sicario is an intense film and well worth watching. The acting and the scenes are gripping. Taxi Driver is a very good film about a deranged man but one who helps a teenage girl. You are right, Jodie Foster steals the show. It is not one of my favourites but i appreciate it none the less.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the scene in not needed to that detail but it really adds to the film.
DeleteAh, 2 of my favorite Palme d'Or winners and another gem from the festival. This is why I live for the Cannes Film Festival.
ReplyDeleteThe only one I've seen is Taxi Driver and yes De Niro and Foster were great in it.
ReplyDelete