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us ttt Ab oo TT EO = PAT iss mgs pois ob slot "WEEKEND STAR" Rahat DE SEE SOIR ag nar 1 |S FE. SL Sie WEE A PII bs Ft TC A Pind a Por CN an A Ns i FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2001-9 Real bests of 2000 now on video, DVD . SCREENING ROOM LB BN BN BN BN BY By John Foote Two months after the golden hard- ware was handed out at the Academy Awards, the teal bests of the year are arriving on video and DVD. Give your head a shake if you think for one minute Gladiator (2000) was the best film of last year; the real bests were independent features that earned ~ rave reviews but barely found an audi- ence outside of the major cities. They are demanding morality tales that chal- lenge the viewer, asking for courage as the audience takes unique journeys that will both repel, shock and ultimate- ly move. Both films had their premieres at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, earning international praise from the critics around the world. There was much Oscar talk about both Requiem for a Dream and Tigerland during the Festival, though none of it came to much. Ellen Burstyn received a much deserved nomination for best actress, but lost the 'award to Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich (2000). A shame, because the performance is that of a lifetime, clearly the best of last year. REQUIEM FOR A DREAM Directed by Darren Aronofsky Now on video and DVD Easily the most harrowing film ever made about addictions, this picture was the absolute best of 2000, in my opin- ion. Premiering at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, the movie created a sensation of sorts due to the graphic presentation of the subject mat- ter, the splendid direction of Aronofsky, and the searing performance of veteran actress Ellen Burstyn. Based on the novel by Hubert Selby, the film traces the impact of various addictions on four individuals whose lives intertwine with one another over the course of the film. Burstyn is Sarah, a lonely Jewish widow addicted to chocolates and tele- vision game shows, dreaming of one day being a contestant on her favourite show. When that chance presents itself, she goes on a weight-losing mission, with the hopes of fitting into a red dress her late husband loved on her. Slowly, Sarah becomes addicted to diet pills, popping them like candy, slipping in and out of hallucinations, her dream becoming a very real nightmare. With her on this downward spiral is her son, well played by Jared Leto, his part- ner, portrayed by Marlon Wayans, and a girlfriend, shockingly well acted by Jennifer Connelly. Their addiction is more dangerous than Sarah's, as they crave heroin, and will go to extraordi- nary lengths to feed that hunger. The film traces what occurs when each of these characters succumbs to their addiction and can not shake it. Burstyn is a revelation in the role, reminding audiences of why she is con- sidered one of the screen's greatest actresses. Her transformation from lone- ly middle-aged woman to a grey-haired shell of her former self is among the most intense character studies ever put on film. How she lost the Oscar last year to Julia Roberts I have no idea. Leto, Wayans and Connelly are tremendously good in their supporting roles, but this is very much Burstyn's film. The sequences with Connelly sell- ing herself for a fix are both graphic and disturbing, perhaps too intense for some viewers, but essential to the film's plot and her character. Aronofsky uses effective cinematog- raphy and editing to place us in the world of Burstyn, including speeded up images and dark tones of colour. He is a major talent, who with this film makes a stunning impact on the cinema world. Like Scorsese and De Palma before him, he is a courageous young director unafraid to walk down a dark path and show it like it is. His Requiem for a Dream is brutally graphic, but altogether brilliant. Though far too graphic for this purpose, if this film were to be made required viewing in high schools, 1 have a hunch drug addiction numbers would drop rapidly. An astonishing work of art from a major new talent. TIGERLAND Directed by Joel Schumacher Now on video and DVD Who would expect a brilliant film about Viet Nam from the director who ruined the Batman franchise? Joel Schumacher goes low budget and dogma with Tigerland, an intense por- trait of several young men in the last days of basic training before being shipped off to Viet Nam. What sets this film apart from others made about the war is that the year here is 1971 and the young soldiers are aware of the futility of the war, the atroc- ities occurring in Southeast Asia, and the fact they may not make it home. Made on a shoestring budget with a cast of unknown young actors, Tigerland is gritty and raw, using no artificial light- ing and a weaving, always on the move camera style that gives the film a docu- mentary feel. Colin Farrel gives a strong perfor- mance as the rebellious leader of the platoon, who cannot understand why he is going to war, nor fathom what the war is about. He has the look and presence of a young George Clooney, bringing intelligence and depth to his character without ever resorting to cliché. He is surrounded by a strong group of ensem- ble actors, most of whom were plucked from the New York stage to round out the cast of Schumacher's film. While speaking with Joel Schumacher Please turn to Page 17 KINGCHURCH Nissan 1-800-565-6365 AYR) OO al Fzlae) 905-686-0555 NISSAN) AFTER HOURS CALL TOM CARETTE 905-706-2720 8 11ATNG GIN PARK LIV presented by Uxbridge (ottage Hospital Foundation and the Rotary Club of Uxbridge June £3, 2001 at 6:30pm Hr Dr, Main St. South, Ly Opening Band Ho tA fs Ry oy | a TEEN WN IRR IE =m a -------- a a