The week’s DVDs begin in Mali:
DVDs and streaming for June 23 by Boo Allen
This week, we begin in Mali:
Timbuktu (***1/2)
The people move slow, but justice moves swiftly in Timbuktu, a spare yet compelling examination of living life under siege.
Once upon a time, the name Timbuktu connoted a sense of strange remoteness, a faraway place immune to modern norms and conventions. It still has that cinematic meaning for anyone used to Hollywood fare, as the film Timbuktu is as foreign as its exotic locale and unrecognizable people.
Abderrahmane Sissako co-wrote, with Kessen Tall, and directed this film that became Mauritania’s first Best Foreign Language Oscar-nominated film (losing to Poland’s Ida). But what becomes even more impressive about the film is its sophisticated, polished quality despite its obvious low budget, extensive use of natural lighting, and a cast of non-professionals mixed in with the professionals.
Sisako and Tall’s script takes time to wander through the clay-walled town to establish the harsh living conditions under a repressive religious faction before laying out the film’s basic conflict. But first, to compound the bleak environment, fully adorned and heavily armed jihadists roam the cramped passageways and narrow streets announcing on their loud speakers that music and cigarettes are forbidden, and women must cover their heads, faces, and hands.
These everyday restrictions allow Sissako to address not only the nightmarish conditions but also, surprisingly, to highlight the absurdities. Sissako creates a lyrical, even funny, sequence laden with flowery orchestral music when the local youngsters face an interdiction on soccer. They continue to play, but without the ball, moving up and down the field with imaginary kicks and feints, laughing and enjoying themselves in the faces of their oppressors.
Sissako weaves in several story lines, but focuses mainly on cattle herder Kidane (Ibrahim Ahmed) and his wife Satima (Toulou Kiki) and daughter Toya (Layla Mohamed). When a local fisherman kills one of Kidane’s cows, the herder confronts the man and accidentally kills him.
Not long after, the area’s enforcers of Shariah law appear and take Kidane into custody. The head religious official declares that Kidane must make restitution to the farmer’s family with 40 heads of cattle. Since Kidane only owns eight heads of cattle, it’s easy to see where the story is headed.
Sissako shows an advanced storytelling skill, setting up his premise while also taking time to provide character and locale background. He also displays an advanced knack for camera placements, while telling Kidane’s story and also squeezing in various other plots about an arranged marriage, serenading lovers, a sorceress who keeps all her secrets stashed away in an unplugged refrigerator, and more.
In short, Sissako provides much for thought.
Rated PG-13, 97 minutes.
Extras: an interview with director Abderrahmane Sissako.
Unfinished Business (**)
Vince Vaughn stars in this curiously lame comedy as Dan, a St. Louis salesman who feuds with his boss (Sienna Miller) and quits his job in the first scene. At the same time, Tim (Tom Wilkinson) is let go because of his age, and dim-bulb Mike (Dave Franco) appears virtually out of nowhere to join up as the three form a team selling some kind of industrial refuse. A year later, they struggle to stay afloat. They fly to Berlin for a chance at a big contract with a company represented by Jim (James Marsden). Once in Germany, the three experience broad and mostly unfunny situations in a crowded city then host to Oktoberfest, a G-8 meeting, and the Berlin Marathon. And Dan simultaneously must deal with problems at home. A few days pass on screen, as director Ken Scott does little to elevate Steve Conrad’s script. On the plus side, Oliver Stapleton’s cinematography provides a scenic tour through Berlin.
Rated R, 91 minutes.
Extras: 30 minutes of deleted and alternate scenes, six minutes of cast interviews, and a photo gallery.
Soldate Jeannette (***)
This odd, deadpan funny German film slowly rolls by, delivering its quips and odd asides sparingly, much like the distaff humor from Scandinavian film-maker Bent Hamer (O’Horten, Kitchen Stories). Johanna Orsini-Rosenberg plays Anna, a middle-aged woman who seems to be dissatisfied with everything and everyone. She even burns some of her own money to show her alienation. Evicted from her apartment for non-payment even though she obviously has plenty of money, she leaves and takes a seemingly aimless trip, only to end up on what looks to be a commercial farm. There, she and Anna (Christina Reichsthaler) rebel together, not in a physical “Thelma and Louise” way, but in a free-spirited, fun romp. It’s not entirely clear what director Daniel Hoesl strives to tell us, but, no matter the message, his journey with these two likable but often frightening women turns out to be memorable, if enigmatic.
Not rated, 79 minutes.
And for kids this week:
Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest
In this feature length animated film, the feuding cat and mouse team up long enough to join Jonny Quest, friend Hadji, and dog Bandit. Together, they enjoy a day at the beach before fighting off evil Dr. Zin’s cat army for possession of an energy machine. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Not rated, 73 minutes.
Extras: bonus episodes from the “The Tom and Jerry” show, from the “Jonny Quest” show, and from “New Adventures of Jonny Quest” show.
The Beginners Bible: Volume Two
The latest in this popular series features three animated productions of around thirty minutes each of well known Bible stories: Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, and the Story of Creation. Kathie Lee Gifford sings the accompanying theme song.
Not rated, 90 minutes.
Also on DVD and streaming: Druid Peak, Horsehead, Marfa Girl, Pound of Flesh, Spike Island.