Film Yap: Senna

The first thing everyone notices when watching “Senna” is the look of the documentary. It’s using the footage of the times and that wasn’t filmed digitally. Most sport documentaries have the slick ESPN feel, but this one is more like ABC’s Wide World of Sports. “Senna” doesn’t cut to interviews that are filmed today, but always keeps within the time of each race.

Ayrton Senna was a Formula One racer who became a world champion. For those who are not familiar, this style of racing is more dangerous partly due to their racecourses that are full of turns. Every crash in racing, whether it is NASCAR or Indy racing, is tragic but this seems even more unpredictable.

Most subject documentaries, even the best ones, have family members and experts talk to the camera with all of their hyperbole. All of the new interviews are just used as voice over, but that is more about clarification than anything else. Anything else would be unnecessary. There is so much footage of Senna in and out of the car, he can be his own defense. There are plenty of moments of him at his best and worse, showing him a full human being.

This honest portrayal of the athlete makes him more sympathetic. The specific races don’t seem as important, but the want to see him succeed. Most sport movies say they aren’t about the sport, but this really does seem to just be about this character. He is completely charming as he flirts with a talk show host with seemingly little effort. His support for his home county of Brazil was heartwarming and genuine. His rivalry towards him teammate Alain Prost is frustrating but believable.

The movie has to hit so many things right in order to successfully pull off its ending. Through strong editing and the right focus, this is a special movie. The man and the film can’t live up to the level of praise it has received. It was not about what races he won or where his story went. This film will live on because it knew how to capture one fascinating man.

http://www.thefilmyap.com/2011/08/24/senna/

Film Yap: Week Five TV Contest Results and WINNERS

As an experiment in recommendations, Austin is watching every show that was suggested to him during one weekend. He’ll watch 3 episodes apiece and write about what he thinks every Sunday on The Film Yap. After he gets through his list, he’ll award TV related prizes.

Nathan Barley

Previous Relationship: I had to look this one up. It’s from Chris Someone who made one of my favorite recent comedies, Four Lions, so that was a plus.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Episode 1”, “Episode 2”, and “Episode 3”

And…? This was not what I was expecting. Right away the jarring visual style is gross and unappealing. It’s obnoxious, vile and empty. Yet this is the world of Nathan Barley. Nathan is an idiot who most idiots find to be cool. The audience guide through the satire is “Mighty Boosh” star Julian Barratt who plays a journalist who despises the “rise of the idiots.”

His frustration ends up being really funny and like most satires, depressing about how he’s doomed. He doesn’t want his sister to date Nathan and he doesn’t want to cover vapid artists for his magazine. Sometimes the world is too punk for me, but the show remains smart about what it’s presenting. Also since it’s well established there are only 15 actors in England, it’s starting to be no surprise to see great comedians like Richard Ayoade and Noel Fielding show up with great bits.

Will I continue watching? There are only three episodes left so….yes.

Grade: 4 Yaps

The O.C.

Previous Relationship: I said “Welcome to the O.C., bitch!” several times in high school because the ad was on a lot.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Premiere”, “The Model Home”, and “The Gamble”

And…? This was recommended by a friend who has been telling me to watch this for some time. I knew of its popularity, but never really heard anyone say it was good. Well, I’m not sold yet. There are plenty of questionable moments in judgment throughout the episodes, the child leads are acting very flat, and they all talk in that Josh Schwartz (“Chuck”) way of saying their emotions through clichés. Also Doug Liman directed the first two episodes and it’s visually pretty tame. He had just made “Go” and “The Bourne Identity”, I expected a little style.

And yet, there is something there. There’s something bubbling under the surface that suggests hope for more. They treat the teens not just as horny idiots. There is respect towards the characters and their situations. The show has patience to let them interact without entirely being on the plot. It seems rough now, but I think it needs more time.

Will I continue watching? My friend lent me the season, so I’ll finish it.

Grade: 3 Yaps

Hill Street Blues

Previous Relationship: I threw the pilot into my Hulu queue and hadn’t gotten around to watching it.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Hill Street Station”, “Presidential Fever”, and “Politics as Usual”

And…? Wow, that pilot is something. Weeks ago, I compared “ER” to “Homicide” because I was impressed on how real the second to second lifestyle was in their buildings. Turns out it’s all because of this show. A lot happens in that opening episode and it wasn’t until a few more was I able to get a grasp on its large cast.

It’s a cop show going for a new level of realism with how the cops deal with the small and big cases and the phone calls that never stop. That pilot was risky for them, so maybe that’s why the next two episodes focus on something very heightened. I don’t know how much I really buy the President of the United States wanting to do a fact finding in their district and Furillo making deals with gangs to let him pass. Yet, I really appreciate the story went over one episode and all of the characters continue to move forward. It’s clear how inspiring this is to so many shows I love.

Will I continue watching? Its seven seasons are daunting, but I’ll watch a few episodes at a time on Hulu.

Grade: 4 Yaps

Modern Family

Previous Relationship: I saw the pilot weeks before it aired and was certain it would be cancelled. (I also made this assumption for How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory.) After it became incredibly popular, I watched two more episodes a year later and still didn’t like it. Take 3?

I watched Season One, Episodes 3-5 “Come Fly With Me”, “The Incident”, and “Coal Digger” (ABC aired episodes out of order, so I’m going with air date)

And…? Ugh, this show is so broad. There’s not a laugh track but it feels like it sometimes. Most of the jokes are telegraphed and obvious. I hate when the pseudo-documentary style doesn’t make any sense with the plot. The characters are simple and likable, but I’ve seen them before on countless shows.

These episodes were a bit better because the little things rose to the surface. Like I keep bringing up with every family show I review, the ensemble works better when they all get to be together. There they can use throwaway lines and looks that land because they aren’t focused as the primary jokes. I didn’t laugh during the three episodes, but at least that made me enjoy the company a little more.

“Community” remains the best sitcom on TV right now.

Will I continue watching? Nope, but then again I did say that twice before.

Grade: 2.5 Yaps

Sons of Anarchy

Previous Relationship: I’ve liked a good majority of FX shows, but somehow I have never seen an episode of this one.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Pilot”, “Seeds”, and “Fun Town”

And…? This didn’t blow me away. This was one of the shows I was really looking forward to trying because I have heard so many great things. I think I would have liked this more if I hadn’t seen “The Shield”. There are a lot of similarities with SAMCRO and the Strike Team, especially when they are trying to hide their crimes. What “The Shield” didn’t have was a character like Gemma. Katey Sagal plays her like the biker Lady Macbeth, which is fun but it’s already starting to feel a little repetitive.

The opening shows have a formula to them with just enough internal conflict each time to spice it up. The plot about whether or not the gang should be dealing drugs seems like it can’t go far because I doubt they will decide to go straight and not have a show. A lot of FX shows have a bumpy start and pull around a great first season. Let’s home there is something new around the corner.

Will I continue watching? At least to the end of the season.

Grade: 3.5 Yaps

Cowboy Bebop

Previous Relationship: Back in high school, a friend showed me the movie. I remember liking it, but I can’t tell you one thing about it now. Maybe the end takes place in a mall like building? No clue.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Asteroid Blues”, “Stray Dog Strut”, and “Honky Tonk Women”

And…? Too few shows nowadays recognize the potential for a good theme song. This has one of the best. It’s cool, hip, and badass. Remarkably, the show continues that feeling to the end of the episode. In the future, humanity has continued into space but some jobs stay the same. Spike is a bounty hunter working on a ship called Bebop. His hair is ridiculous, his suit is great, and he makes smoking look cool. He dresses like a model, but feels like a bounty hunter.

I’m not an expert on anime, but this feels like something special. A show about bounty hunters could be very repetitive, but “Cowboy Bebop” is exciting because it has the feeling it could go anywhere. There is a larger story starting to boil where I think its secondary characters will start to reappear, especially the very fun Faye Valentine.

Will I continue watching? Yep.

Grade: 4.5 Yaps

AND I’M FINISHED! One day before school starts up and I finished my five week long marathon of 35 shows and 105 episodes of various lengths. Some were fantastic and some were horrible. Did I learn anything from this? Not especially, but it is a good feeling to get to someone’s recommendation in a timely manner. The conversation afterwards is worth it. I would like to do something like this again, but with movies. It’ll probably have to wait until next summer though.

Now let’s give out some frivolous awards.

Best show: Cheers

Almost the Best Shows: The Prisoner, Black Books, Friday Night Lights, Skins, Men of a Certain Age, All in the Family and Green Wing.

Worst Show: Jersey Shore

Almost the Worst Shows: Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Doodlebops, Pretty Little Liars, The Dresden Files, and Lie to Me.

Funniest Show: Black Books

Show I will start watching again first: The Prisoner

Most Surprising (Good thing): Men of a Certain Age

Most Surprising (Bad thing): Hogan’s Heroes

Best Cast (Comedy): Green Wing

Best Cast (Drama): Friday Night Lights

Best Episodes: “Thomas” – Skins, “Writing the President” – All in the Family, “Give Me a Ring Sometime” – Cheers, and “24 Hours” – ER

Worst Episodes: “Managing Mom” – Keeping Up With the Kardashians, “Queen for a DeeDee” – The Doodlebops, and “The Boone Identity” – The Dresden Files

I have a handful of TV Seasons to give away and I will be contacting the ones who recommended the best shows very soon. Thanks everyone for recommending and reading my write-ups!

Now everyone heed my recommendations and watch “Arrested Development”, “Breaking Bad”, “Community”, “LOST,” “ “Mad Men”, “Sherlock”, “Spaced” and “The Wire”. Oh yeah, and this pretty good show called “Doctor Who.”

http://www.thefilmyap.com/2011/08/21/week-five-tv-contest-results/

Film Yap: And the Nominees Were -- 1940

Austin Lugar, Keith Jackson and Kenny Jones started a podcast called And the Nominees Are. On this show they are attempting to review every single Best Picture nominee starting from the very beginning. Here Austin recaps the plot summaries of each set while teasing the longer discussions.

After watching one of the greatest year in Oscar history, the follow up is bound to be a little disappointing. 1940 falls into a regular year of nominees where a few stand out as beloved and recognizable titles, where the rest run on Turner Classic Movies a few times a year at odd hours.

All This and Heaven Too

Melodrama can be done well, but it can quickly slip down the path into ridiculous. After an annoying scene where Bette Davis is the new teacher, it’s time to flashback into a two-hour story that stalls way too much. There is murder and betrayal…eventually. First it’s time to devote time to overacting and ridiculous plot turns.

Foreign Correspondent

Oh I love me some Hitchcock and this is one of his most underappreciated. A journalist gets his first assignment as a foreign correspondent on the brink of World War II. The subject is assassinated on the steps and this starts off a great mystery full of espionage and secret identities. There are plenty of really exciting moments including the grand finale.

The Grapes of Wrath

Ever since “Stagecoach”, John Ford has been more visually impressive. Yet, there is still something missing from a few of his movies. I’ve read the John Steinbeck novel twice now and this adaptation doesn’t match the same difficult tone. Henry Fonda is still solid, but the world doesn’t look as desperate as it needs to be.

The Great Dictator

Charlie Chaplin is still remembered as one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of the medium and this is a perfect example of why. He is taking extreme risks not only in technical achievement, but attacking a crazy man currently in power. There are a ton of hilarious scenes of physical comedy and witty lines, but what is remembered the most is the jaw-dropping monlongue Chaplin gives to the camera at the end. Wow.

Kitty Foyle

I love Ginger Rogers and I’m thrilled she won an Oscar. I wish it wasn’t for this, though. She is fantastic in comedies like “The Major and the Minor” or any of her Fred Astaire collaborations. “Kitty Foyle” is a movie that really wants to be important, but hurts any feminist message it is trying to create. It’s all about love triangles and boring decisions. Such a disappointment.

The Letter

It really isn’t a year with the Academy Awards if there isn’t one or two movies with Bette Davis freaking out. This time she kills a man at the beginning of the movie out of self-defense. An incriminating letter appears that reveals she may have known a bit more about what was happening. There are some good twists and scenes, but it feels compromised by having to abide to the Production Code’s tacked-on ending.

The Long Voyage Home

Bette Davis and John Ford. Those are the staples for the time and with the right material they can be great. This is a bit better than “Grapes of Wrath” because he controls the pacing in an unconventional way. A lot of time is spent with John Wayne and his crew on their boat. There is plenty of silence and fear throughout the film to the point where this doesn’t feel like a Hollywood film. It’s unique style does leave the audience a bit detached at times, though.

Our Town

Oh my. I somehow missed out on seeing any production of this Pultizer Prize winning gem. Instead this was my first venture into suffering through this 90 minutes of hohum madness. The gimmick becomes insufferable within the first monologue and ever actor looks like a fool trying to play simple as very simple. This is still very ripe for parody.

The Philadelphia Story

On the other hand, this is just ripe. This Cary Grant/Katherine Hepburn/Jimmy Stewart romantic comedy still holds up as absolutely hilarious. It works as one of the best within its genre because it stays faithful to its characters. People don’t end up together because that’s the clean solution, instead time is invested to make sure it all works. Great script and three wonderful performances by the leads.

Rebecca—WINNER

Did I mention, I love me some Hitchcock? Two nominees in one year makes this year a treat. This film is seen as his transition film from England to America and it made quite an impression. The increase of budget allowed him to make a really creepy tale of Daphne du Maurier’s beloved novel with Laurence Olivier at his very best. It had been years since I’ve seen this and I forgot some of the great twists. And that house…chills. Well worth watching.

We discuss these movies with a lot more detail on our show And the Nominees Are as well as discussing the other awards from this year. This set was covered over two episodes both of which can be found for free on iTunes. We’d love it if you left us a review! Our show is also on Facebook and Twitter and our brand new website.

If you’d like to play along with us, the next 10 films for 1941 are “Blossoms in the Dust”, “Citizen Kane”, Here Comes Mr. Jordan”, “Hold Back the Dawn”, “How Green Was My Valley”, “The Little Foxes”, “The Maltese Falcon”, “One Foot in Heaven”, “Sergeant York”, and “Suspicion”

http://www.thefilmyap.com/2011/08/18/and-the-nominees-were-1940/