Séraphine

If you didn't know Séraphine Louis was a prominent artist you might think Séraphine was a bit odd. We first see her surreptitiously take blood from a butcher shop in a glass vial, which she then takes to a church. There Séraphine mixes in wax from a blown out votive candle. The next scene shows her gathering flowers, no doubt to use in some crazy concoction. Perhaps she's making poison or maybe wine? Turns out she uses these "secret" ingredients to mix her own paint.
Séraphine starts in 1914 and follows our earthy heroine through the next few decades of her life. With the help of a devoted gallery owner she suddenly has the tools to abandon her life as a maid. Both Yolande Moreau as Séraphine and Ulrich Tukur playing her benefactor Helmut Kolle are familiar faces to those who watch foreign films (Amelie, The Lives of Others, The White Ribbon). Séraphine also has its share of prestige awards sweeping (seven out of nine) the French César Awards last year.
The film neatly divides into two phases. One where Seraphine is established as simple but in tune with nature; she talks to the trees and water when she''s not laboring for the wealthy. Helmut attempts to inspire her lot in life by buying her paintings only to have to flee France because he's German and the war has started.
The second half of the film has Helmut tracking down Séraphine after the war and properly establishing her as an artist. This includes commissions that enable her to devote all her time to painting. The crux of the movie has to do with Séraphine's mental health. Is she truly visionary or should she be institutionalized (in the way that society marginalizes creative types) seems to be a question the filmmakers want the audience to ponder. Séraphine utilizes lush moments that constantly fill the screen with beautiful images.

Movies under the radar

Most people are aware of about twelve-percent of the movies floating around theaters and DVD players on any given day. Here's a list of some really cool, compelling films that came out in the last year that you might want to become familiar with; movies that float under the radar of multi-million dollar ad campaigns. (Some of the foreign or indie titles may be from 2008 too.) You have to live and breathe cinema to know everything playing at any given time. You can line up in your Netflix queue but to what avail? For the movie maven, watching a bad movie in a theatrical setting is far preferred to watching same on high-def bluray at the homestead. But because of the immensity of available movies and the ease of modern tech one has to constantly ask oneself what am I watching for?
Avatar isn't the only movie out there yet it certainly has earned its accolades, but you have to admit it's the only film you hear being discussed, as if it's really relevant to anything. Have you heard of the following titles? Toi & Mo, Menage, Dog Eat Dog, Blind Date, The Romance of Astrea and Ceadon, Just Another Love Story, McLeod's Daughters, Goliath, The Song of Sparrows. The last film mentioned played last week at the MFA during their annual Iranian film festival. Only this article doesn't concern those titles albeit they're ripe candidates for those interested in crunk viewing.
Does anybody recall titles like Adventureland or Watchman or Pirate Radio (released outside the US as The Boat That Rocked) from eearlier last year because those films were as enjoyable a viewing experience as anything being hyped for the next month into Oscar season. Nothing wrong with that - Precious, Up In the Air, Avatar - they're films that are worthy yet there's something to be said for a film that sticks to your ribs like a good meal,
In the Loop - limited release of an absolute brilliant political satire for the ages.
Everlasting Moments - another in a long list of recent foreign films that need to be at the top of your chart.
Passing Strange - Spike Lee directs and captures the last performance of this acclaimed Broadway hit.
Police Adjective - brilliant minimalist film from Romania follows reluctant officer whose superiors order him to bust some teens for pot.
The Baader-Meinhof Complex - history and terrorism merge with exploitative filmmaking.
No Impact Man - documentary about a family who lives off the grid in downtown New York City.
Flammen & Citronen - untold story of Danish underground in WWII fascinates on several levels.
Gentlemen Broncos - surreal comedy from Napoleon Dynamite helmer Jared Hess was basically dumped by distribber Fox Searchlight (yet, they released the hell out of Amelia).



FPH readers tend to be adventurous in their movie choices and the above titles are worth seeking out just for that reason.

February at a glance

The first weekend butts heads with Super Bowl weekend, but we're talking movies man. Dear John the first of more than one Nicholas Sparks adaptations coming to the big screen in 2010 (another one stars Miley Cyrus) shows its moxie; it's got love letters, Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried. From Paris With Love promises at least some action with a Luc Besson-scripted quickie featuring John Travolta as a baddie or at least a guy with a bad hairline. Crazy Heart goes wider.
For Valentine's Day weekend the aptly titled Valentine's Day features an all star list if such a list consisted of hottie talent as opposed to A-list actors and The Wolfman starring Benicio Del Toro looks like the first film in a while to dethrone Avatar as the leadrunner at the weekend box office. Universal it should be noted has the monopoly on horror, what with Wolfie, Frankenstein and Dracula this could be the first of many reboots. Another film coming out that week is Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, a long title for a PG-rated action fantasy.
The weekend of February 19 has Shutter Island with DiCaprio and helmed by Scorsese, 'nuff said. There are a few indie releases including The White Ribbon, The Last Station, and Happy Tears also rolling out.
The month closes out with Cop Out, which not oddly looks totally crunk with Kevin Smith doing his take on a studio (WB) cop comedy. The last weekend also shoves a remake of The Crazies and we all know that nobody can replicate George Romero.