At the core of the Polish Brothers’ films is a strand of humanism. TWIN FALLS, IDAHO and NORTHFORK border on the bizarre and the surreal, but it’s through the warmth of the characters and the rich storytelling that they convey our essential humanity.
The premise of ASTRONAUT FARMER with Billy Bob Thornton (Bad News Bears) as, just that, a farmer who builds his own rocket, would strike you as bizarre. However, the plot is much more grounded and the storytelling fairly straight ahead.
Charles Farmer – a gruff, yet tender, Thornton – is a rebel with a heart and a devoted father to his three kids . He dismisses NASA as his ‘only route to outer space’, by following his dream and building a rocket of his own on his Texas farm.
Throughout the film, Thornton creates a believable and warm dynamic with his screen family. Virginia Madsen (Sideways) plays his supportive wife (though under used in the role).
Written by twin brothers Mark and Michael Polish, with Michael directing and Mark in a small role as an FBI agent, a story is told of the most human element of us all, striving for our dreams.
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When Noah (Chris O’Neil) and his sister Emma (Rhiannon Leigh Wryn) visit their family’s vacation home, they come across a bizarre box filled with unearthly looking objects and a very familiar looking stuffed bunny.
Shortly after their discovery, the siblings start exhibiting signs of genius that chart off-the-scale.
While the kid’s parents (Timothy Hutton and Joely Richardson) try to make sense of what’s going on, Noah’s science teacher (Rainn Wilson – The Office) has unearthed what seems to be a connection between ancient Tibetan Buddhism and the children’s abilities.
A power surge (brought on by one of Noah’s new found objects) causes a major blackout across Seattle. This brings Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile), a head investigator of Homeland Security, knocking. Which family member is the terrorist? And just what is up with that little girl’s bunny?
The film gently proceeds, while calling attention to environmental and social problems in a manner that brings awareness to a child audience, yet in a hopeful inspiring way. In the end, you are left feeling that maybe the world is indeed worth saving.
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AFTER THE WEDDING (Efter brylluppet)
Jacob Petersen (Mads Mikkelsen) has made it his mission to help the street children of India. As the head of their orphanage, he finds himself faced with the threat of closure, unless he can come up with the finances to continue.
When a Danish businessman, named Jørgen (Rolf Lassgård), agrees to donate $4 million dollars to save this Indian orphanage, Jacob finds out there are certain conditions accompanying the contribution. The most bizarre is the demand that Jacob return to Denmark and take part in the wedding of Jørgen’s daughter.
The wedding brings on a collision of past and future, spring-boarding Jacob into the dilemma of his life.
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If the “Brat Pack” is your idea of an honest portrait depicting coming-of-age in the ’80s, you might want to revisit one of John Hughes’ classic films and forgo this one.
However, if you are inspired by the idea of a Reagan era youth grappling with his unrequited crush – on a boy named Rodeo (Patrick White) – look no further than WILD TIGERS I HAVE KNOWN.
Logan (Malcolm Stumpf) has to deal with the angst of teendom, middle school hell and a single mother (Fairuza Balk, Personal Velocity) who doesn’t get what her son is dealing with. Mixed into this dark, unconventional film are moments of humor along side the isolation of being casted-aside by society.
First-time-feature director Cam Archer offers a convincing look at a teen trying, and often missing, at fitting in with his fellow outcasts. Think Beautiful Thing (1996) or Me Without You (2001) – both great films to rent, by the way.
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This week Bruce – the Video Station’s co-owner – reviewed the following titles:
- PAGE TURNER (La Tourneuse De Pages)
- SWEET LAND
- POLICE BEAT
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Left Boulder for Phoenix a couple of years ago, but still appreciating the services from Video Station. New pages look great.