Hour of the Wolf (1968)
A creepy little tale served cold and quick. I felt detached from the film in a way I usually don't with Bergman, and though the story was interesting and exciting it failed to engage me at a psychological level. There is some jaw-dropping imagery here; the final incident (or hallucination, depending) is shocking and very well crafted, and there is a scene involving a ravenous young child which is one of the most chilling I have seen Bergman execute. Precise acting rounds things out nicely; Ullman- pregnant with the director's child- and von Sydow are tense and believable, and though they are not particularly warm or relatable they remain human. Supposably this is one of three films based autobiographically on Bergman's self-image, and if so it is a frightening reflection.
Up (2009)
Once in awhile, in the movies and in life, we all need to be reminded of the spirit of adventure. Pixar's latest gem is a gleeful refresher course in what it is to live life to the fullest, no matter what. The animation studio has reached a new maturity level: blood and mourning are not things commonly associated with a family film, especially when they both come within the first fifteen minutes. What's so wonderful about Pixar, however, is that any concern about what is and isn't expected in a film would not only be insulting, it would be downright silly. Though they're created digitally, these creatures are more fully fleshed-out than most dramatic live-action characters, and watching them is extraordinary; their eyes water if they stare too long, they have nervous ticks, they swallow, blink, yawn, gasp and giggle not at traditional animation moments but when human instinct tells them to. My only beef with the film was a plot-point involving talking dogs, a gag which felt lazy and absorbed a little too much screen time. This is a minor quibble; it's hard to find entertainment this nutritious these days, especially when it's this fun and heartfelt.
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