A Single Man:
Tom Ford has my infinite approval as a director. His novel style of filming is filled with ultra-dramatic slow moving shots that prevent you from doing anything besides staring intensely at the screen, wide eyed in pure amusement. The cinematography has inevitably been the focus since the movie's release, but beyond the strong colors and revolutionary shots, there is a deeply, touching, dark story of a man coping with the death of his soul mate. The intimate scenes and conversations are overwhelmingly powerful. There have been a decent amount of good movies this past year, but A Single Man is not a merely movie, it is a true film.
Grey Gardens:
Based on the 1975 documentary, HBO's latest success is a somewhat disturbing story of Little and Big Edie Bouvier Beale, mother and daughter (also aunt and cousin to Jackie Kennedy) and their fall from glamorous, high society life, to living in squalor in a home considered to be unsuitable even for animals. Regardless of their dire economic situation, Big and Little Edie continue on as though they are blissfully unaware of it all. They spend hours picking out the perfect outfit, make sure their lipstick is flawlessly applied before answering the door and when Mrs. Kennedy decides to drop by, they invite her to relax in their garden made of dirt and dried brush. Regardless of the rural living conditions, the cinematography and costumes are quite phenomenal.
Photo Credit:
Aceshowbiz.com, The Wiestein Company, and HBO
