The Bear

Genre: nature drama

With: Youk (the Bear Cub), Bart (the Kodiak Bear), Tchéky Karyo (Tom), Jack Wallace (Bill), André Lacombe (the hunter with dogs)

Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Screenplay: Gérard Brach (based on James Oliver Curwood's novel)

Release: 1988 

Studio: Price, Renn Productions

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.1/10

 

 

They May Be Likeable on Screen But 

They'll Never Be Teddy Bears

 

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Story-line: the venue is British Columbia, the time, 1885. When its mother dies in an unfortunate accident, a bear cub has to fend for itself in an unforgiving habitat and guard against strange creatures that roam the forest on their hind legs and carry metal rods that go boom!

Pluses: an astute screenplay combining tragedy, suspense and genuinely touching moments, awesome direction, extraordinary camera work by Philippe Rousselot (A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT), good acting from a smallish cast, outstanding special effects and production values, beautiful music by Philippe Sarde and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Minuses: be on notice that one hunter's trick involves bear turd. The dream sequences, albeit useful, seem a bit awkward and unrealistic.  

Comments: THE BEAR stands apart from usual wildlife features in that it avoids corniness and doesn't hide the more brutal aspects of our natural world. Having seen François Truffaut's LA NUIT AMÉRICAINE – in which he comments on the use of animals in cinema – I was truly amazed by Jean-Jacques Annaud's technical feat; I don't even want to know how he achieved it all (although Animatronics were certainly used at some point). As for rating this remarkable nature project, I gave it an 8.6 for technical merit, photography and editing but a 7.6 for the story itself, considering the limits to what drama, comedy and nuance one can pull from Kodiaks and grizzlies... thus my score of 8.1, admittedly lower than most. Kudos to J.-J. Annaud and team for a strong and lovely movie that pays due respect to the animal kingdom.  

 

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 Stop Making Sense

Genre: concert film  

With: the Talking Heads: David Byrne (guitar and lead vocals), Tina Weymouth (bass), Jerry Harrison (guitar and keyboards), Chris Frantz (drums); guest musicians and singers

Director: Jonathan Demme

Screenplay: Jonathan Demme, the Talking Heads

Release: 1984

Studio: Talking Heads, Arnold Stiefel Company

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.0/10 

 

Cure Your Anxiety with a Healthy Dose of Rock and Funk 

 

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Story-line: the Talking Heads, celebrated angstmeisters of rock's new wave era, are presented in concert for your viewing pleasure. 

Pluses: David Byrne's theatrics and fiery showmanship, the band's unbridled energy, a sparkling repertoire of songs founded in alienation, wry humour and irony, top-notch direction, editing and production values, Jordan Cronenweth's lovely and sometimes grainy cinematography and, very importantly, excellent s-o-u-n-d.

Minuses: don't be misled by the film's mellow beginning... it warms up in no time. Although well versed reviewers have called it the best concert film ever made, I can't see how it surpasses THE LAST WALTZ. As for the "big suit" worn by David Byrne in the final act, some people may find it offensive and, quite frankly, I didn't understand the concept behind it.

Comments: at the time this film was made, I saw the Heads in Montreal and, although they had delivered a fine set that night, I don't remember David Byrne giving such a torrid, exhausting performance as here. Let's give credit to Jonathan Demme for immortalizing these distinctive, off-kilter musicians at the height of their creative careers. Don't be straight, don't be normal, STOP MAKING SENSE!     

 

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