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Set in a storybook 1920s rural American South and inspired by the Japanese fairytale "Kaguyahime," Milford Thomas' CLAIRE tells the story of a childless, elderly male couple who discover a princess made of moonlight inside an ear of corn. The enchanting young Claire bewitches onlookers with her readings of fantastic poetry in unfamiliar languages, entrances a local boy who courts tragedy when he tries to win her affection, and unwittingly becomes a healer in the process. While exemplifying the untraditional family (two men lovingly raising a moon-child), CLAIRE celebrates the diversity of family and sublimely addresses the grief associated with losing a loved one.

 

An homage to early cinema, the film was glowingly shot on a vintage hand-cranked 35mm camera and is accompanied by the Orchestra De Lune conducted by Anne Richardson. Like its silent-era camera, all set-design and special effects were achieved the old-fashioned way, using canvas backgrounds, semi-hidden wires and multiple exposures, creating a timeless atmosphere of wonderment and magic.

 

CLAIRE is written, directed, produced and edited by Milford Thomas and stars Toniet Gallego, Mish P. DeLight, James Ferguson.

This sounds fantastic. How did I miss this when it came out?

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This sounds fantastic. How did I miss this when it came out?

 

The writer director began this project WAY back in 96 and worked on the project as funds became available.

If I recall correctly from the interview included on the DVD the films original debut was in 01 in Atlanta with orchestra accompaniment to a small crowd. So it's been off the radar for awhile. Just released to DVD this past September

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This isn't really a now watching, but Hollywood video insists that I did not return this DVD last month when it was due, so they think I am now, still, watching:

 

Z Channel. I heard about this some time ago, and finally got around the renting it. It's about a proto-cable channel in California. I also recently saw Th Devil and Daniel Johnston (which is still on cable-on-demand, I think). Great documentary. Sad the way people have the potential to exploit him. (He suffers from a severe form of bi-polar disorder, which in certain circles grants him extra "hipster" points.)

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Thought you might have seen that one. I thought the buildup/release of tension was very well done throughout, but the self importance of the judge was a little much, if historically accurate. I was hoping for a little more from the trial. Fantastic execution (no pun) of the interrogation scenes.

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I agree about the performance of the judge--it's a little jarring, especially considering how measured the rest of the film is. More interesting is the Gestapo investigator, who just can't comprehend why Sophie doesn't see how the Reich has been so good to him and to her.

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Today I took in a double feature of Pan's Labyrinth and Letters from Iwo Jima. I'm not a huge fantasy fan, but I was spellbound by Pan--I'd much rather watch it a second time than any of the LOTR flicks. For at least an hour, Iwo Jima feels like any other recent war movie, but it definitely accumulates power, especially as it takes on metaphorical meanings that can be readily applied to our current zeal for launching wars.

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Watched Miami Vice (the director's cut) on DVD last night, and was reminded why I would argue it is one of the 4 or 5 best films of the year. Honestly. A beautifully shot, well written, taught, pulpy, and emotional crime drama. A really, really great flick from one of my favorite directors. And I think this version even improves on the theatrical release with a few minor additions/subtractions.

I also watched it with the director's commentary, which...if you like the film...is quite fascinating.

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Today I took in a double feature of Pan's Labyrinth and Letters from Iwo Jima. I'm not a huge fantasy fan, but I was spellbound by Pan--I'd much rather watch it a second time than any of the LOTR flicks. For at least an hour, Iwo Jima feels like any other recent war movie, but it definitely accumulates power, especially as it takes on metaphorical meanings that can be readily applied to our current zeal for launching wars.

I agree, Pan was quite wonderful. I never quite got into any of the Lord of the Rings films, as I found them all a bit overwrought. Pan's Labyrinth, though, was just plain stunning. I think only Children of Men was a better film last year.

 

But I really do need to see Letters from Iwo Jima.

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Watched Miami Vice (the director's cut) on DVD last night, and was reminded why I would argue it is one of the 4 or 5 best films of the year. Honestly. A beautifully shot, well written, taught, pulpy, and emotional crime drama. A really, really great flick from one of my favorite directors.

:cheers

I guess there wasn't much of an audience for that flick, and I'm not sure why. I loved it.

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If anyone cares, I posted my 10 favorite movies of the year here.

Nice list--there's not an unworthy film on there.

 

Here's my list, as it stands now:

 

1. Children of Men

2. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada

3. L'Enfant

4. Pan's Labyrinth

5. Requiem

6. The Prestige

7. The Queen

8. Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

9. Old Joy

10. Fateless

 

The Next Ten: A Prairie Home Companion; United 93; The Puffy Chair; Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story; Thank You For Smoking; The Death of Mr. Lazarescu; Workingman

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Nice list--there's not an unworthy film on there.

 

Here's my list, as it stands now:

 

1. Children of Men

2. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada

3. L'Enfant

4. Pan's Labyrinth

5. Requiem

6. The Prestige

7. The Queen

8. Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

9. Old Joy

10. Fateless

 

The Next Ten: A Prairie Home Companion; United 93; The Puffy Chair; Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story; Thank You For Smoking; The Death of Mr. Lazarescu; Workingman

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Just watched Blood Diamond and thought it was a great movie. Thought Leonard Dicaprio and Djimon Hounsou were great in it.

I can't get past the ridiculous South African accent Leo is trying to pull off in the preview. Didn't find it distracting at all?

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I can't get past the ridiculous South African accent Leo is trying to pull off in the preview. Didn't find it distracting at all?

no there is so suh much going on in the film that i didn't really listen to his accent.

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