Manufactured Landscapes
Blee, G and I went to see Manufactured Landscapes Saturday afternoon at the Varsity. This documentary is based on the works of the very celebrated Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky. It speaks to the impact man is having on the planet due to industrialization, particularly in China. The film, directed by Jennifer Baichwal, starts with a fascinating extended shot (presumably done in one take) of a factory in China that goes on forever and forever and forever. From there, we get many frames of Burtynsky gorgeous and eerie photographs coupled with montages of himself at work in China and Bangladesh. The photographs, shown on the big screen, are worth the price of admission itself. Though Edward professes not to make judgements on what he is photographing (is industrialization good or bad?), many times the music Baichwal uses when showing images imply industrialization is bad. If nothing else, this film will get you thinking about your own impact here and will generate some discussion afterwards. My rating 7 out of 10.
Little Children
This afternoon, we met up with willariah and Rock Star Cathy Dennis to see Little Children. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, this story of dysfunction in quiet-town America stars Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly and a perfectly cast Jackie Earle Haley. Todd Field directs, finally doing justice to himself after the debacle that was In The Bedroom (I know it won Academy Awards, but, I’m sorry, just a plain terrible, awful film).
The story here is told quietly, artfully and disturbingly as the various characters collide in the repressed world that is American suburbia. An exceptional film. Haley and Winslet should get Academy nods. My rating 9 out of 10.
AppsScraps 
the second one seems to be a great movie…i’ll keep an eye on it
i saw the poster for that movie at my local theater but i had no idea wats it about…cos the poster itself is so ambiguous. im not sure if it’s great marketing cos at $9.50 a ticket, i don’t think many people would chance it on a movie they don’t know anything about… although your mini-review makes me curious.
hmm… sounds like some interesting movies to check out!
EWWIESi dont wanna even think about turning straight for a day…lolsorry…that was like…yeah=]I really wonder if they are going to play those films here someday soonhmm…
Manufactured Landscapes sounds like a very good movie. With industrialization and nonstop
exploitation of resources, we’re expanding at a rather scary rate that certainly isn’t good for the Earth.
ryc: yes, porter is worth a try~! =)
You don’t like “IN THE BEDROOM?” I love that film. I have not seen Little Children yet… I missed the prescreening, now I don’t get a chance to go to the theatre. :)
Just put “Little Children” on my list. Thanks.
RYC: So very true.