CQ
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.99 You Save: $1.99 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.84 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of CQ
Movie Review: Lost in Distribution
Summary: 4 Stars
Sofia Coppola may have got all the kudos with The Virgin Suicides and Lost in Translation, but, from a 60s movie buff's point of view, the other Coppola kid, Roman, turned out an even more enjoyable feature, CQ. Shame that no-one saw it. Barely released in the US (and not released at all in most countries), it's an engaging little number that pits underground cinema against Eurotrash moviemaking at a time when people still thought even pulp cinema could be the stuff of revolution (1969-70 to be precise).
A riff on Sullivan's Travels and 8˝, it sees Jeremy Davies' editor of Franco-Italian co-pro 'Codename: Dragonfly' struggling to come up with a new ending while making his own personal film with borrowed equipment. Oh, and falling in love with the fictional main character, confusing film and reality (not only is he too busy documenting `the truth' of his life to see it around him but he even enters the film to sort out a plot hole) and possibly being targeted for retribution by Gerard Depardieu's fired firebrand director. (The door panel that Depardieu breaks that is later framed and given to the editors is actually one that Francis Ford Coppola smashed on one of his films!)
Filled with sly 60s cinema references from Fellini to Warhol (even the trailer he cuts for the film is inspired by the one for Dr Strangelove) and with some character touches straight out of James Joyce, the visual influence is much more Danger: Diabolik than Barbarella (John Phillip Law even appears in the film within the film), and Dean Tavoularis' spot-on production design and Robert Yeoman's superb photography are both pitch-perfect. Davies, so irritating in Soderbergh's disastrous Solaris, is quietly fine here, Jason Schwartzman has fun as a bizarre hybrid of a young papa Coppola mixed with Roger Corman via Austin Powers, Giancarlo Giannini does Dino de Laurentiis to a tee (with Sofia Coppola cameoing as his mistress), and there's good work from Dean Stockwell and Massimo Ghini as well. At the end of the day there's not much there, but Coppola's love of moviemaking makes it surprisingly joyful to watch if you're in a receptive mood. And MGM's DVD is filled with extras, both interesting and appropriately self-indulgent.
Movie Review: If you love Barbarella...
Summary: 4 Stars
Roman Coppola officially joins his family's business with his directorial debut, CQ. For anyone out there who loves BARBARELLA it's a must-see. CQ is a valentine to Roger Vadim's fabulous sci-fi/soft-core flick as well as the French New Wave movement. Jeremy Davies stars as Paul Ballard, an aspiring American filmmaker living in Paris with his French girlfriend, Marlene, an Air France stewardess. Paul is working as an editor on a cheesy sci-fi flick called "Dragonfly" a collaborative French and Italian production starring a leggy young woman in progressively scantier outfits (sounds familiar?). In his spare time, Paul makes a documentary about himself and his life with Marlene.
The film is about seeing -- how we perceive ourselves and how limited we can be in our vision, even those who are supposed to be masters of a visual medium -- and seeking out love. (The title CQ refers to Morse Code shorthand for "seek you".)
The action cuts smoothly between the narrative action in color, Paul's black-and-white footage and "Dragonfly" footage also in color. The costumes and particularly the soundtrack are both fantastic, helping to set the mood and establish the time period.
The strong supporting cast includes Gerard Depardieu as "Dragonfly"'s director, Coppola's cousin Jason Schwartzman as a buffoonish Eurotrash wunderkind director, Billy Zane as a "space-age" Che Guevara figure in green satin fatigues living with his rebels the moon, and model Angela Lindvall as Dragonfly. An added bonus is John Philip Law as The Chairman of the organization that hires Dragonfly for her mission; Law played the angel Pygar in BARBARELLA.
The sum is not quite equal to its parts, and it is not as strong a debut as sister Sofia's THE VIRGIN SUICIDES but it remains interesting throughout
Movie Review: In the mood for something different?
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie is hard to judge and describe. It has well-carried out ideas, beautiful cinematography and overall, makes for an enjoyable piece of eyecandy for fans of Barberella, Fellini and film-lovers of art over plot.
If you are looking for action, sci-fi, etc. look elsewhere. It is more of a movie lover's insider's pun than anything genre-wise.
I laughed at much of the satire, and had a great Sunday afternoon distraction. Also, the soundtrack is GREAT!
This is not for everyone's taste, but I completely enjoyed it.
Movie Review: Yes, Four Stars
Summary: 4 Stars
I agree with most reviews in that this movie had no real punch at the end that made it feel complete. But, it was interesting the whole way through, a highly enjoyable rental. Thats more than one can say for 99% of the movies out there. Hence, four stars.Movie Review: groove fest
Summary: 4 Stars
space age chic with stunning visuals, great music and a hypnotic story. I thought it dragged at times but was well worth the delightful pseudo-psychedelic trip and ingenious, albeit pretentious and self mocking, twists.