The Critical Filmmaker

Film:   Pope Joan Starring :  Johanna Wokalek, David Wenham, John Goodman, Ian Glen, Edward Petherbridge Director: Sönke Wortmann   Screenwriter :  Donna Woolfolk Cross (novel), Heinrich Hadding (screenplay), Sönke Wortmann (screenplay) Although not released in the US yet, I was able to obtain a DVD from Germany and see this film.  Mired in controversy, Pope Joan is about a woman (played by German actress Johanna Wokalek) who apparently became Pope without anyone realizing that she was female until she gave birth to a child. The film and the novel carry the story a bit further by introducing a love interest named Gerold (David Wenham), who would do anything for her, including keeping her dark secret. The film depicts Joan's life from childhood through to adulthood where she is often met with resistance from her peers when she demonstrates her knowledge for the Catholic teachings.  The idea of a female going to school, especially a Catholic one,...

Film:   Angel-A Starring :  Jamel Debbouze, Rie Rasmussen, Gilbert Melki, Serge Riaboukine Director:   Luc Besson   Screenwriter :  Luc Besson French with English Subtitles Luc Besson is one of those filmmakers who can really surprise you.  Some of his films are truly amazing, while others feel a little flat.  One thing's for certain, he always experiments with this work and never restricts himself.  Angel-A is one of those films. Angel-A is a fairly recent film (2005) shot entirely in black and white, giving it a 1940's film noir appeal to it. The film is about a man whose at the end of his rope and in debt to the mob when out of the blue a woman enters his life and changes it.  And we soon learn why.  As the title suggests, she's an angel, but it's not as easy as all that as the movie reveals. Jamel Debbouze is terrific as the troubled André.  I found his first scene amusing, because as he's trying to buy himself f...

Film:   City Island Starring :  Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait, Dominik García-Lorido, Ezra Miller, Emily Mortimer, Alan Arkin Director:   Raymond De Felitta   Screenwriter :  Raymond De Felitta Sometimes before I write a review I'll troll around the internet to read others views of the film.  It doesn't influence what I write about.  Instead it inspires me to forge ahead with my own views. A few critics complained that this film was too overloaded.  I disagree.  When you have a dysfunctional ensemble cast, and when the plot synopsis tells the audience that each family member has a secret, you're bound to have to follow a lot of subplots.  In this day and age of Lost , Heroes , Flash Forward and all the other ensemble works out there, this is an inevitable path to be taken. Ironically, I had a much harder time getting into the TV shows above than I did this movie.  The multiple characters and their stori...