“DISASTER” IS A DARK DELIGHT
DOING APOCALYPTIC BRUNCH WITH FRIENDS
IT’S A DISASTER
Writer director Todd Berger’s satiric, sharply observed and witty film pits eight seemingly normal friends together for their monthly brunch when the unexpected and unimaginable happen: A hazmat suited neighbor, seeking D batteries, alerts them about the mysterious detonation of dirty bombs that will soon kill them. If it sounds grim, well, it is. But nothing like an end-of-the-world scenario to encourage people to air their petty and serious fears, sins, desires and grievances. The dialogue heavy movie barely steps outside the house on Adams Street in Los Angeles (I recognized it for some odd reason.) But when it does, it always delivers a laugh – albeit horrific. These eight friends bond and separate in new ways as they consider their fate and discuss ways to avoid the inevitable. There’s a wise ass “hipstertude” that informs much of the material that is so spot on I laughed not only in recognition but in the mirroring of the often absurd realities we carry in our heads. In a subtle way, there is embedded in the acidic tone of the tale a cautionary warning that life is fragile and living in the present is really all we have. Regrets of the past burn up the present moment, as do fears of the future. I like that notion. I also enjoyed watching the exceptional players slowly become unhinged as their collective fate looms ever closer. The ensemble cast includes: Julia Stiles, David Cross, Rachel Boston, America Ferrera and Erinn Hayes.
Last Saturday’s fascinating Q&A at Palm Desert’s Cinemas Palme d’Or with Berger and actor Rachel Boston was a fun exchange with an unusually movie savvy audience. We learned that the film’s budget was modest (under $1 million), it was shot in a tight 14 days, all scenes had two cameras running, Berger wrote the characters to each embody stages of grief, Boston in real life is far different than her screen character in voice and appearance, Berger hopes to make more movies so he can stop taking writing assignments (he just did a draft for a planned “Where’s Waldo” movie) and a lot more. We love Palme d’Or because it’s a year-round film festival in our back yard. If you like finely crafted quirky comedies, don’t this film if it’s held-over at the Palme. If not, look for it soon on iTunes and VOD. This is an instant cult classic that will gather a long following. Berger is a filmmaker to watch.
NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER:
REVENGE FOR JOLLY
Harry after an all-night binge with his cousin Cecile, gets home and discovers that his beloved little dog Jolly, the one loyal friend in his sad and lonely life, has been murdered. The deeply bereaved Harry and Cecile, armed, drunk and dangerous, go on a bloody trail of revenge. The cast includes Kristen Wiig, Kevin Corrigan, and Elijah Wood. I have no idea who director Chadd Harbold is, but I kind of like his low-life wild goose chase.
WHAT PLANTS TALK ABOUT
If you missed the broadcast on PBS, this wonderful “Nature” documentary exposes the near miraculous world of plants as living things that are – in many ways — as busy and complex as we humans. The movie travels from the heights of the Great Basin to lush coastal rain forests. Superb cinematography captures the intimate life of plants in ways unseen by the naked eye. Serious science is moderated with a light and witty narration.
Did you know that plants eavesdrop on each other, communicate with their allies, recruit insect mercenaries and much more including the waging of war. Decades ago there was “The Secret Life of Plants,” a classic book that delved even deeper into this mysterious botanical realm. A terrific film was adapted from the book with a rich sound track by Stevie Wonder. The film was briefly distributed then vanished. There’s a lot we don’t know, but one thing seems ever more clear: The earth is a living cell and all life is connected.
THE EXORCIST IN THE 21st CENTURY
I am not sure what to make of this documentary. Is it propaganda from the Vatican to incite fear or belief? Are we to believe the possession is real and not a psychiatric disorder? Are we to believe that only a Vatican approved exorcist can cast out a demon? No matter what you think, this is an interesting look at the “work” of Jose Antonio Fortea as travels the world to “enlighten the masses about demonic possession.” There’s a graphic depiction of an “actual” exorcism along with an interview with Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican’s “official head exorcist.” You are on your own with this one.
Also newly available: THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE (PBS), THE BLETCHLEY CIRCLE (PBS) and ANY DAY NOW (Music Box).
Comments? RobinESimmons@aol.com
