Maggie (4/5, Good)

An innovative approach for a classic topic: a beloved one ,slowly agonizing and entering into the dark shadow of Death, seen through the eyes of the father. Bold move from Schwarzenegger. 

In a near future, the world has been affected by a plague which turned people into zombies. Slowly recovering from the aftermath, people still infected by the disease are taken into quarantine. Farmer Wade (Schwarzenegger) refuses to take her infected daughter Maggie (Breslin) to the health authorities. Her daughter will slowly fall into the darkness of the disease and loose her humanity. Wade will be behind her into that path, but to what cost? 

This is not only an original approach to a classic dramatic framework (beloved one affected by a lethal disease) but also brings a new perspective into the zombie film genre. This time, people does not convert into zombies rapidly (the opposite of 28 days later, Dawn of the Dead) but slowly instead. The story is therefore more dramatic and less scary. The apocalyptic story inner in the zombie genre is delegated to be a mere background. 

We enjoyed very much the mise en scène: it adopts a documentary style to bring authenticity. The cinematography based on a shaky camera (mainstream today) is used for a dramatic purpose and we weren't bothered by it. The story is good even if the script fails at the end ( we already know what's going to happen but...should it have been that way?). The plat of resistance? The acting by Schwarzenegger and Breslin. We see this physical and psychological transformation from Maggie mainly through the deepening despair of the father. It is a chronicle of a death foretold. Bold move from Schwarzenegger, it is a hard role. Breslin is outstanding, she is the heart of the film. 

It is with a great surprise that we saw this film. This is one of the best roles from Schwarzenegger and he can add this one to his filmography with some proud. It is a small-budget film (most of it came from Schwarzenegger's big wallet) and a good film was made from it. Too bad the ending and some clichés but it does not undermine the audacious and original approach to a classic story. 

Would you like to dance...Tango?

If there's something beautiful in Argentina, Tango is part of the picture. Cinema greatly appreciates Tango, especially when they want to highlight love, jealousy and sensuality. We selected a few scenes from different films so you can admire the beauty of the dance. Our recommendation: observe the different dancing styles- the most seen is one called Ballroom Tango. 

A) Scent of a woman (1992) --- This one is a classic

B) Soldier of Orange (1977)-- Tango used to be danced between men ending XIXth century 

C) Upside Down (2012)- beautiful scene directed by Argentine Juan Diego Solanas 

D) Moulin Rouge (2001) - Brilliant scene by Baz Luhrman 

E) Tango (1998)- This scene is outstanding 

Now...a tango? 

Red Curtain Cinema...the movie?

As a great guy once said...I had a dream. This one is our dream. One day, shall we make it? 

Youtube Red Curtain Music Playlist!

As already a tradition in Red Curtain Cinema, we share with you the best music soundtracks! It is good while reading, while working, while dreaming of far away lands. Just push play my Cinema friends!

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (4/5, Good)

Marvel unleashes their biggest money-making title with "The Avengers". There is action, humor and some drama. Is it better than the first one? Worth to think about.

We won't spend time telling you the story. The Avengers is the kind of film you either see or not. However let us say that it is recommended that you have seen previous Marvel films (especially the first Thor, the first Avengers, Iron Man 3 and Captain America: Winter's soldier). With those films seen, you could fully appreciate the film and feel the excitement Director Joss Whedon wants you to experience. 

           

                                                    A bit of music to accompany the reading...

                                                        

The script has been developed with great care and thoroughly. This film has to connect with the new Marvel's "Phase 3" therefore new characters emerge and others are left behind. Joss Whedon had a great challenge ahead: not to undermine the characters dramatic development by including new ones. This is usually a recipe for failure: the examples of Batman and Robin , Spiderman 3 and to a lesser extent The Dark Knight Rises are known. Did Whedon achieve it? Not really. 

The previous film have already set the characters and Whedon has the advantage to play with it. Nevertheless when these new characters (we won't reveal them) appear, we fall once more into the spectacular appearances and no real dramatic development from these. We recognize though the attempt to make a darker story and discover the deepest fears of the main characters. They are beloved by everyone as heroes but at the same time, they are incredibly lonely people.

Of course, special effects are outstanding and breathtaking action sequences are not dismissed. Ultron is a bad-ass character which is a great challenge for the Avengers. Marvel Studios put the bar very high for this blockbuster and an enormous team of people (you could see it with the credits..)  worked up for it. As any pop-corn movie, it is hugely entertaining. Even if we don't have the same excitement as in the first one where the cross-over of the Marvel Characters was outstanding. Besides this, it is a good film to watch. You won't regret your money! 

 Trailer: