Albert Nobbs
Directed by: Rodrigo García
Written by: Glenn Close, Jon Banville and Gabriella Prekop (screenplay), George Moore (short story)                                                                                                                Starring: Glenn Close, Janet McTeer, Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Johnson

Albert Nobbs is a 10-year passion project for Glenn Close.  Not only does she star in the title role, but she co-wrote the screenplay and penned the lyrics for the end credits song “Lay Your Head Down.”  It is the story of a woman in Ireland who disguises herself as a man to work as a butler in a swank hotel for the upper class.  At least that is the story on the surface of it all.

The movie progresses Albert’s character in surprising ways, but in the end it simply comes to the conclusion that the answer is ultimately out of reach.  Close plays Albert with a deepened voice that shields a vulnerable core.  When her true identity is discovered by the hotel’s hired painter Hubert (Janet McTeer) when they bunk together, Albert nearly unravels.  All the careful planning- the money saved beneath floorboards, the meticulously designed appearance, the perfect job performance- seems like it will collapse in the melodramatic fashion that is typical of Oscar-nominated performances.

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Shame
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Written by: Steven McQueen and Abi Morgan
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan

After their much-revered 2008 film Hunger, artist-turned-filmmaker Steve McQueen teams up again with rising star Michael Fassbender for an even more daring film. Their latest, Shame, exposes a damaged sibling relationship — plagued by addiction and humiliation — in a revealing, sexually graphic yet restrained fashion that leaves their characters and audience stripped with nowhere to hide.

Shame focuses mostly on Brandon, a seemingly successful but empty man whose addiction to porn, masturbation, one-night stands, escorts and voyeurism leaves him lifeless and unsatisfied. Living alone in his sterile Manhattan flat, Brandon lives a claustrophobic routine. He wakes up exhausted and naked in a rumpled bed, staring off as if he weren’t alive and remains terse and to himself throughout the day. He has a good job doing something we never quite figure out and has very little to say to anyone. It doesn’t take long for us to figure out why. Continue reading →

The Artist
Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius
Written by: Michel Hazanavicius
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, Uggie and John Goodman

In an era of cinema where films like Avatar and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol are breaking sensory limitations, The Artist provides audiences a different set of sensory challenges, in particularly, the absence or minimization of them.

For those who are unfamiliar with the title that is sweeping award’s season off its feet — it won Best Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes earlier this week and is a Best Picture frontrunner with countless BAFTA and other guild nominations — The Artist is a nostalgic, black-and-white Hollywood throwback to the likes of Singing in the Rain, A Star is Born, Sunset Boulevard and other classic Hollywood bourgeoisie films. Oh, and if you haven’t heard, it’s a silent film.

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