SHAME
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars)
Each year, an actor seems to rise above the rest, and 2011 was the year of Michael Fassbender. He spread his acting talents from superhero tent pole releases like “X-Men: First Class” to the arthouse fare, including “A Dangerous Method” and the controversial NC-17 rated indie film “Shame.”
It was “Shame” that was his greatest achievement, however. In the movie, he plays a sex addict struggling to come to terms with his compulsions. It’s a brave move for Fassbender because he is exposed, literally and figurative, throughout the film. It also dispels a lot of myths about sex addiction and perversions because Fassbender is such a charismatic guy and not a creepy guy lurking around an old adult book store.
“Shame” is an in-your-face drama that offers an unflinching, realistic view of addiction. Although filled with nudity and sexual moments, this film is not erotic at all, highlighting the emotional turmoil of Fassbender’s character rather than fetishizing his affliction.
Also knocking it out of the park with a daring and brave performance is Carey Mulligan as his sister, who comes to live with him for a brief period of time. They have a strained relationship, to be sure, which slips into an uncomfortable nature quite a few times.
It is a shame that Michael Fassbender was overlooked by the Academy during the Oscars, but this is par for the course for actors who deal with such tawdry roles. Michelle Williams can get nominations for her NC-17 work (in “Blue Valentine”) as well as her arthouse films (like “My Week with Marilyn”), but the mere fact that Fassbender shows off his not-so-little Fassbender quite brazenly might have cost him some Oscar gold.
Deliberately paced and slow-moving at times, “Shame” is still a fantastic movie, unlike any other you will see anytime soon. It’s not always an easy film to watch, but it is a fascinating one. Fassbender manages to be charming, smarmy, sexy and revolting all at the same time. Even though the film stalls a couple times in its almost too-deliberate pacing, it’s the performances that carry it along.
The Blu-ray comes with a second disc for DVD use and Digital Copy. Bonus material on the Blu-ray disc includes a focus on both Michael Fassbender and director Steve McQueen. Additional featurettes include “The Story of Shame” and “A Shared Vision.” Finally, the features wrap up with Fox Movie Channel’s “In Character with Michael Fassbender.”
TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars)
Ever since I was a little kid, I had heard about “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” It’s a classic piece of British literature, but I was always too young to understand it when the original miniseries aired in the 80s. Now, watching the feature film, I wonder if I’m still a little too young to understand it. I’m definitely not British enough to understand it.
I’ve not read John le Carre’s original spy novels, and I don’t have a drop of British blood in me. I face the problems a lot of Americans did when this film hit the theaters... I just don’t have the working knowledge of British intelligence and government that is needed to fully understand the film.
Unlike the more famous James Bond spy films, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” offers an ultra-realistic view of the spy game. In this sense, it doesn’t make for much of an action movie because most of the spying that goes on involves people sitting in a room and listening to other people. It’s not about martinis shaken-not-stirred at the baccarat table in Monte Carlo. It’s about the boring-yet-often-dull work done by real spies.
The movie tells the story of a retired spy who is brought back in the game to root out a mole in British intelligence. Like the novel, it’s told out-of sequence, much in flashback and memories. It’s quite hard to follow at times, but those who are fans of the book shouldn’t have a problem at all.
There are some great elements to the film. The cast is superb, and the look and feel of the movie perfectly captures that of the 70s and realistically presents the art of espionage. It’s not a Bond or Bourne film in the least, and that is refreshing in many ways.
Though not perfect, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” is a neat movie to watch... even if you don’t understand it all. The non-chronological novel narrative makes this just so difficult. So while I respect this movie, it’s not a particularly entertaining one.
The Blu-ray comes with a slate of interviews with actors Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Tom Hardy; author John le Carre; co-screenwriter Peter Straughan; and director Thomas Alfredson. There’s also some deleted scenes if the movie wasn’t long enough for you already. Finally, there’s the featurette “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: First Look” as well as BD-Live and pocketBLU access.
PARIAH
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: **1/2 (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5 stars)
“Pariah” fell victim to this, and it never clicked with any major group. Part of this, I suppose, is because the subject matter isn’t terribly relateable to anyone not in these specific situations. Such is the challenge in making a film about a young lesbian growing up in the projects in Brooklyn.
The story centers around Alike, a Brooklyn high school girl struggling with her own sexuality. She faces discrimination and bullying at school and rejection from her parents. As she tries to come to terms with who she is, she experiments sexually but also faces cold realities associated with this. It’s a struggle for her which consumes her life.
Like Albert Nobbs, Pariah deals with issues of identity and sexuality, though in a vastly different way. “Pariah” isn’t my go-to type of film, but it was interesting nonetheless. Shot in a very hands-off style, the film plays heavy handed at times, especially with the bigoted nature of the parents, but it takes a look at some issues Hollywood is still too scared to tackle.
The issue of sexual identity is still shunned in Hollywood, in many ways. Gay characters on television and in the movies are often caricatures of stereotypes, daring enough to show the existence of this segment of the population but never quite portraying the people as actual people. If you question this, look at the gay characters on television, including shows like “Ugly Betty,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Modern Family.” They put the demographic out there but still make them flamboyant as ever.
In this sense, “Pariah” is an important film because it offers a realistic portrayal of someone dealing with issues of personal sexuality. Unfortunately, it’s not a very relateable film at all. I’m not an African American. I’m not living in the Brooklyn ghetto. I’m not a lesbian. It’s extremely hard for me to relate to the characters presented because it is so steeped in its own demographic.
Still, it’s an important film that unfortunately has been ignored.
The Blu-ray comes with a couple special features, including short featurettes “Dee Rees: A Director’s Style,” “A Walk in Brooklyn” and “Trying Out Identity: Pariah’s Wardrobe.” There’s also access to BD-Live and the pocketBLU app.
