Cineppets: Stocking Stuffer

TANGHI ARGENTINI
Guido Thys, dir; Belgium; 14 mins
Reviewed at the 2007 Rhode Island International Film Festival

This flick has been cutting a wide swath on the festival circuit, picking up awards and accolades- including Best Short at the 2007 RIIFF. It now looks poised to be a serious contender for an Oscar; our fingers are crossed! It deserves to win. André, a nebbish office worker with a budding internet romance, must quickly learn to dance. He convinces his staid co-worker, Lars, to tutor him in the sensual moves of Argentine tango. Humor ensues as the two workers practice their routine in the off-hours. The big day arrives and André meets his paramour for their first date. A spin around the dance floor ends in calamity and Lars must step in to salve the bruised ego of André’s ladylove. But was it really a misstep on the part of André? The plot twirls gracefully- it’s easy to get swept up in its charms. This is a great holiday film to get you in the spirit of Christmas angels and anonymous gifts of kindness.

A whole lot of shakin' going on

AMERICAN GANGSTER
Ridley Scott, dir; USA; 157 mins

I'm sure as we head into the thick of Oscar season, they'll be plenty of buzz about the "heavyweight" performances of Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in AMERICAN GANGSTER. Both are great actors and I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable film. But I'll need to emphasize "heavyweight" again. Not in reference to thespian talents, but to girth. Denzel must be at a comfortable stage in his career, judging by the muffin top that he displays throughout the film. In one memorable scene, we get to see gravity in full effect as he sits stoically in a tank top while his man-boobs spill down towards his navel. Russell fares somewhat better in the Jenny Craig department as he lumbers along after the baddies. It is such a stylishly conceived film, I was surprised that director Ridley Scott let his two main actors get away with looking so frumpy at times. Overall, the film moves at a lean pace, is briskly edited, and well-directed. It's certainly worth the price of admission and makes for an exciting three hour experience.