OUR RATING SYSTEM
(*****) = do NOT miss! This one is as good as they come.
(****) = Fantastic - It's worth the price of the ticket (and then some).
(***) = Average - Nothing really bad, nothing really spectacular...
(**) = Perhaps you should find another movie to see.
(*) =
The bottom of the barrel. It would be hard to find something less entertaining or more unworthy of your time.



Maureen
(Mo) holds a PhD in marine geophysics (Dr. Maureen, to you) and works for the U.S. Geological Survey in Santa Cruz, CA. Maureen enjoys the outdoors (skiing, swimming, hiking, camping), dogs, cooking, singing, getting into (and out of) uncomfortable situations, and most importantly, watching quality movies. She makes a point of seeing as many Oscar-nominated films as possible each year and (correctly) predicting the winners. Her role on this blog is primarily as an advisor, collaborator, and "chime in"-er.

John (Jo) holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Studies. He currently lives in Chicago, Illinois and works as a nurse. His one true obsession in life is movies... The good, the bad, and everything in between. Other than that, he is busy caring for his cat, painting, writing, exploring Chicago, and debating on whether or not to worship Tilda Swinton as a deity. John is the master and commander and primary author of this blog.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Only Lovers Left Alive (****)

Contributing to the nearly overblown vampire canon would not necessarily seem like a wise choice for a filmmaker. While the stories have stretched back as far as films themselves, our recent perception of vampire folklore has been diluted by the likes of 'Twilight' and rendered nearly pointless. How refreshing, then, to see a film that lurks in the shadows, trods slowly forward, and leaves nearly all the gore and macabre imagery off-screen. It's slow-paced, mysterious, and sexy, and one fine horror film (if you feel comfortable classifying it as such).

Our story begins with the hunt for blood, and what sounds like the most tasty: O negative. It fills the mouthes of our main characters with a nearly euphoric high. We meet Eve (the ever-sensual Tilda Swinton), a vampire residing in Tangier along with fellow vampire Christopher Marlowe (yes, of Shakespeare fame, played by the trusty John Hurt). Her husband Adam (Tom Hiddleston), a reclusive musician with an ear for the classical and fame in heavy rock, lives in a dilapidated house on the outskirts of Detroit. They seem to survive on the trust in others. Eve gets her blood supply from Marlowe, while Adam has a human aide (he calls humans 'zombies') who runs all sorts of errands for him. Sensing a loneliness in Adam (and reinforced by our knowledge of his commissioning a wooden bullet), she journeys to see him (redeye flights all the way, of course).

The movie moves forward with a cool confidence and an eclectic soundtrack that spans the decades. In a way, the movie is almost an ode to the underground music scene of the times. We don't move from plot point to plot point so much as we move from setting to setting, taking in the scenery and perhaps feeling the way these characters feel, doomed to live for eternity in their young bodies. Adam collects guitars, violins, and Eve collects books. Along with her eternal life, she is also blessed with the ability to date something by touch. Without looking, she is able to determine Adam's guitar is a 1905 Gibson. That, and she can read an entire book in mere minutes. I suppose living that long comes with a few benefits. 

Tilda Swinton continues to impress with her wide range of roles and support of the independent film scene. The Oscar winner could surely pursue any film project she desires, and yet we find her in the smallest films, mostly going unnoticed, and yet reminding us she is truly one of the best living actors. She moves slowly and with purpose, filling the screen with an otherworldly sensuality that only someone with Swinton's repertoire could create. The same could be said for Hiddleston, growing in fame, and yet a visceral force of being in this film. He speaks little, appears unkempt, but his presence demands our attention (and perhaps is what draws Eve to him).

The movie is shot in near darkness, and the few lights in the film are stark and cold. Living out life during the night, the film is also curiously devoid of other characters, making it a curiously intimate story of love and omnipotence. Whether or not you will see this movie is up to you (and with its limited release, I wish you luck in finding it). Amongst all the sludge currently in cimenas not, this is a smart film.

(Awards potential: Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography)

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