Three Thousand Years of Longing

     Famed director George Miller co-wrote and directed this imaginative modern version of the timeless tale of the genie in the bottle. Tilda Swinton stars as Alithea Binnie, a scholar specializing in storytelling and myths. Idris Elba is the magical genie she accidently releases from his bottle, while she is on a business trip in Turkey. Of course, he offers her three wishes for releasing him. 

     Neither comedy or drama, this is an adult fairy tale based on the short story, "The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye". The film itself is a visual marvel, especially when Mr. Elba recounts the three times over the centuries that he became trapped in the bottle. Mr. Miller takes us back to the days of Sherezade, the Queen of Sheba, and King Solomon but yet grounds the story in a modern hotel room in Istanbul as well as a home in London.

    Ms. Swinton is the perfect actress to portray Alithea and her chemistry with Mr. Elba can best be described as lovely. At it's core, the film is very unusual love story.  It will stir your imagination and is totally unpredictable.

Emily The Criminal

         This debut from writer/director John Patton Ford is an assured, taut crime drama starring Aubrey Plaza. Familiar yet very original, this is a fun ride with an outstanding performance from Ms. Plaza.

         Ms. Plaza plays the title character, in debt and drowning in student loans, she works part time for a catering service, barely getting by. One day she takes a phone number from a co-worker that promises $200 cash for an hour's work and this leads her down a dark path, becoming increasingly more complex and dangerous. The film co-stars Leo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Gina Gershon in a fun cameo.

        Mr. Ford underscores his story with plenty of social commentary, including how easily someone can turn to crime in today's world. Ms. Plaza (also a producer) is perfectly cast as a lead that balances a love/hate relationship with the viewer. As her criminal activities deepen, you still root for her to find a successful way out of her situation. Love her or hate her, you still enjoy the ride, thanks to the smart script by Mr. Ford.   

       With not many big budget films available this August, it's a great time to seek out smaller independent films like this one. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Bullet Train

 

     A Tarantinoesque  live action "Looney Tunes" cartoon starring Brad Pitt as a combination Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck anti-hero. The action is fast, furious and blood spattered as multiple assassins all try to take possession of a mysterious briefcase while riding a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto.

    Mr. Pitt is a criminal for hire, trying to change his life, following the advice of his therapist. What starts out as a simple job to snatch the briefcase becomes more and more complicated as the train zips through the Japanese countryside. The brisk pace and cartoon violence never lets up and along with the colorful cast of characters, it's easy enough to disregard the simplistic plot and just enjoy the ride.

     The film co-stars Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benito A Martinez Ocasio (Bad Bunny), Michael Shannon, Zazie Beetz and the voice of Sandra Bullock (although we do get to see her briefly). There are also some surprise cameos. It's a great cast with everyone enjoying getting theirs in one smackdown or another. 

    While seemingly in a constant battle with at least one of the other characters, Mr. Pitt remains charming throughout, tossing off witty one-liners and great facial expressions. Beaten, shot, stabbed, poisoned by a snake, blown up, surviving a horrific crash, none of it matters as Mr. Pitt just shakes it off and keeps things lively and fun. A true live combination of Bugs and Daffy.

     The plot (such as it is) actually does come together at the end with the help of many flashbacks to fill in details. While witty and violent in a Tarantino sort of way, it lacks the style, depth of character and panache of Mr. Tarantino's own films. The successful trick the film does pull off though is convincing you there is a lot going on while in reality, nothing is really going on.