The (original) phantom of the opera

Today I got to see something a bit special. In a lot of ways its shows like these that really make the festival a bit different and fun. Today was a restored print of the original phantom of the opera.

Sound was done with the regent theatres' organ, and while its not as big as the one in the town hall, still manages to belt out some pretty decent sound.

The organist wasn't the usual guy that has played the silent films of previous years, and I don't think he is quite of the caliber, but he managed to do a pretty good job of it.

Next year, I hope a few more people are wanting to come to the silent film with me. They really are a great experience.

Mirrorball: Made in Japan

Tonight was my one short film program. Instead of going for the animated shorts like I usually do, I went for a music video program called mirrorball. There were 3 separate programs, this was the japanese one. I was kinda hoping for something with anime influences, but instead got somethin that seemed to resemble a Japanese version of JJJ.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

There were plenty of weird video clips. Some resembling pixelised art, others resembling crazy whacked out j-goth chicks who like high pitch notes that grate on your ears. And then there is the band that transform from 80's style schoolgirls into prison-jumpsuit clad singers. Weird.

But was mostly fun. A couple that sucked, but most were ok.

Harry the pothead

A month ago I promised that is we went and saw transformers, I would watch Harry Potter with Tanti. We did this a couple of days ago.

Am I the only person who finds Harry Potter dull, boring and unimaginative?

Granted, this film was "darker". But the general flow of the film is exactly the same as the previous film. Bear in mind I haven't read the book, nor do I want to, but basically film starts with some drama about getting to school for the year, then a new teacher I introduced who is obviously the bad guy for the book/film. They then go after Harry.

Here's a thought - he is only a threat because they go after him. But anyway...

And of course there is the inevitable showdown with the ba guy that is staged so as to fit in nicely with a game tie-in.

Bring on the last book so we can get this over with.

Sicko

Ahhh. Michael Moore is a slick film maker. He manages to stir up the right responses from his audiences by providing (a) only really one side and (b) only enough information to make sure you see his side.

Not that there is necessarily anything wrong with that. After all, the medical system in the US is screwed up quite badly. It was interesting to see how some other countries did health care. It makes me wonder, because Australia is going the same way as the US in terms of forcing private healthcare on people. But we ain't there yet...

Was an eye opener of a film, though. Worth watching when it hits cinemas in a couple of days...

Your mummy kills animals

Fairly obvious what this doco is about. Well, at least the first bit of it. When it opens with a commercial of a woman being clubbed to death for her fur coat and the question "how would you like it if you were killed for your fur?"...

But actually the film rests a lot with how the FBI views animal rights activists are considered as more the most dangerous terrorist group. An interesting notion, and one that is downplayed a bit by the doco.

But hey. It managed to kinda show both sides. Didn't show the FBI point of view on them, which would have been interesting. But there are estimates about that view put forward. Things like the legal definition of a terrorist, the way they believe that they are right and they must act to fix others doing wrong.

But it raises interesting points about groups like peta, who really don't do anything apparently...

Daywatch

Daywatch is the continuation of Nightwatch, which was a fun Russian film from MIFF a couple of years ago...

Its basically a vampire/critters kinda film with a gritty feel to it. The whole good vs evil thing. And at the start of the film, dark is winning. Having just recruited a powerful ally in the form of Antons son. So they are posturing around starting up the war again, which the light side would most likely lose.

Anyway, won't spoil. some unusual ideas about how to save and end the world in this one. Perhaps not as good as the original, but still enjoyable...

Time

Saw "Time" last night. Time is a South Korean film from director Kim Ki Duk.

Its a film about a girl who thinks her boyfriend doesn't love her because she is "boring" to look at. So she does what anyone would do in that situation - she disappears for 6 months to have plastic surgery to make herself look different. When she returns, she pretends to be someone else and arranges to meet up with the guy again, only to find him still pining for his old flame. And so the spiral downwards to the crazy begins.

Kim Ki Duk is an unusual director, I've found. He has a very distinct style that puts his point across really only with visuals that say so much more than any dialog ever could. Examples such as Samaria, and 3-Iron are all other good examples of his films where he finds that right shot that explains so much more.

Definately a great film worth seeing, though some of his earlier work is perhaps more accessible. This one does border on the creepy perhaps a little too much.