Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11460555
Persepolis - (2007)
Persepolis is a really bittersweet remembrance from Marjane Satrapi about growing up in Iran - from the Shah's reign to the revolution and the crackdown on personal freedoms which followed - particularly pertaining to women. We see all of this via animation that is in a similar style to that of the graphic novel it's based on. Marjane is an endlessly curious child, and even at a really young age yearns to be politically active. Members of her family have been executed or are serving terms in prison, and what's ironic about this early period of her life is that after the revolution, these same relatives are arrested all over again - one despotic regime taking over from another. Life is hard growing up in a country where Islamic Fundamentalists are in power, and then there's the war with Iraq - but amongst this are personal anecdotes, teenage rebellion and heartbreaking stories relating to love and loss.
Persepolis manages to be both down to earth and amazing at the same time, with plenty of comedy and wit. It's not to be missed - I hadn't seen it in many years.
8/10
By HBO - http://www.impawards.com/tv/game_change.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34977941
Game Change - (2012)
It was a landmark moment in American politics that exposed a system in deep trouble. Looking for a popular Vice Presidential candidate for John McCain's faltering presidential campaign, Republican strategist Steve Schmidt and McCain's team brought in Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska - someone who's various anti-abortion and creationist stances would excite the base. Trouble was, their vetting process was hurried, and they missed the fact that Palin was unqualified and lacking in the knowledge and understanding high office requires. These faults were quickly exposed by the press during interviews - leading to controversy, and a campaign dogged by that singular issue : this woman could become president, despite knowing nearly nothing about world affairs, finance, sociology or diplomacy.
Game Change is a straight retelling of this story based on what happened when it happened, and it makes for fascinating viewing - especially today, with the American system teetering on the brink of disaster. Anyone can become president, if popular enough - and that's the problem.
7/10
By http://www.movieposter.com, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6680314
A Shot in the Dark - (1964)
Crazy stuff - this was never meant to be an Inspector Clouseau movie, but became one nevertheless and the results aren't bad - mostly because of a terrific performance form Peter Sellers (perhaps the most talented comedian of his day.) The story boils down to half a dozen or so affairs occurring at the same time and in the same house - where all the while it looks like Maria Gambrelli (Elke Sommer) keeps murdering people. Clouseau (Sellers) believes in her innocence - simply because he's fallen in love with her - but this Inspector has a habit of clumsily stumbling into the truth, along with everything else. The magic is still there - despite the fighting between Sellers and director Blake Edwards. Really funny stuff - I can't remember ever having seen this before, and so it's was something of a surprise for me. I've never been a great Clouseau fan - but this was impressive.
7/10
By Aura Films - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7549892/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64788658
Terrified - (2017)
Well made Argentinian horror film that somewhat lacks cohesion. My review for it is
here, on my watchlist thread.
6/10