thevoid99

While it's a small film often shown on IFC, "Lick the Star" is an excellent, illuminating film shot in black & white by Lance Acord (who also worked with Coppola in her masterpiece "Lost in Translation" about a young 7th grade queen who becomes outcasted by her peers. Like "Lost in Translation" and "The Virgin Suicides", the theme of disconnection is predominant throughout the whole film. How a young girl is like a snob with all of her friends and one of them turns on her and in the process, things go to hell for the young woman. The film has an excellent soundtrack as well. For those who loved her full-length features, "Lick the Stars" is a must-see for any fan of Sofia Coppola who will be a director that will amaze us all.

Never in my experience of watching movies in the theaters have I been so moved by the beauty of "Lost in Translation". Sofia Coppola has definitely become a director that will channel real emotions through scenery and performance. Bill Murray deserves an Oscar for his performance in career-defining role as Bob Harris. He not only was funny but dramatic at the same time, especially the way he sang Roxy Music's "More Than This" that was so heartbreaking. Scarlett Johansson truly deserved the Upstream Best Actress Prize from the Venice Film Festival for her portrayal as the lost, neglected Charlotte that is performed with beauty and maturity that makes her outshine all her peers. It is indeed the best film of the year. I can't wait for Sofia's next film and the DVD to this.

The documentary for "Beyond Borders" is a look into the making of "Casa De Los Babys" where we see John Sayles and the cast talk about the film and the political, social climate of Acapulco and Latin America.

Though there's not much commentary from the leading cast aside from Marcia Gay Harden, Mary Steenburgen, Lili Taylor, and Rita Moreno, it's really because the filmmakers are trying to look at the politics in Mexico, particularly with its Mexican cast.

They talk about a lot of the adoption of the countries and the frustrations with the Mexicans on how Americans come to Latin America to adopt the babies and take them back to the U.S. and make them lose sight of their original background. Sayles comments on that along w/ the political turmoil of Mexico and the differences between them and America.

It's a very insightful documentary that doesn't give you much to expect on "Casa De Los Babys", especially judging from the early reviews of the film. I think "Casa" is really more of a film to think about in the end w/ a bit of entertaining moments. It might not be Sayles' best film but still it might be a compelling one in the end. I just hope I can enjoy it when I see it in Atlanta on October 10.