Chi-hwa-seon [Painted Fire] 2002 - Fascinating historical biography of a 19th century Korean painter. I would classify this as one of the great depictions of the Soul of the Artist. Beautifully produced and lovely to see, with many landscape shots lovelier than any painting. I was very interested by the depiction of a culture in which there was only one form of painting, with specific rules and standards, and the main character's tormented drunken idealism in attempting to transcend those standards and himself while surrounded, and constantly offended by, people who were impressed by work he considered failures. Seeing the amazing ink paintings actually being created is wonderful. Any genuine Tormented Artist will relish this. 10/10
Lights in the Dusk (2006) Directed by Aki Kaurismaaki, whose genius seems to be taking a story that could be a classic Film Noir, in this case a dour night watchman framed by a gangster's moll for a jewel heist, and presenting it with a calm passionlessness that borders on stasis without ever being dull or uninteresting. Harsh rectilinear Finnish Modern environments are brought to life with intensity of color, creating luscious compositions. Expressionless, nearly immobile characters seem somehow to seethe with resentment. Another one for those with an artist's eye and a love for a good story. 8/10
Butley (1974) An American Film Theatre production of Alan Bates' outstanding performance. One of those exercises in creating the most dreadful character possible and letting him destroy himself. There ought to be a name for this genre, which would include The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, A Streetcar Named Desire (or any other Tennessee Williams story), and the under-appreciated Inserts (one of my secret favorites and not only because of Jessica Harper completely naked {which, if I had known about it at the time, I would have seen half a dozen times instead of Phantom of the Paradise}). There is always a certain satisfaction in seeing these fierce glib characters thinking that the behaviors which have alienated everyone who ever tried to love or even like them will somehow be their salvation. Makes me feel not so bad about myself. 8/10
