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Sunday, Sep 07, 2008
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Endearing Kite Runner falls short of potential |
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| Endearing Kite Runner falls short of potential | ||
| by Albert Rodriguez -
SGN A&E Writer Talk about challenges. Marc Forster, the director who twinkled Finding Neverland to a Best Picture Academy Award nomination, lands the job of bringing Khaled Hosseini's deeply affecting novel The Kite Runner to the big screen. Set in three countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States, The Kite Runner centers on the friendship of Amir (Zekeria Ebrahimi) and Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada), motherless, inseparable childhood friends. When they're not flying kites, they're reciting Steve McQueen's lines at an afternoon showing of The Magnificent Seven. Watching Amir and Hassan interact and look out for each other is endearing; the value these two young men put on their friendship and the lengths they're willing to go to secure it is something not often exploited in American-made films. One afternoon, everything changes. Shortly after a major kite tournament, the unthinkable happens. A friendship is destroyed. Amir and Hassan are forever separated. Years later in California - relocated due to the Soviet invasion of his country - a grown-up Amir (Khalid Abdalla, United 93) graduates from college and marries a beautiful fellow Afghan-American named Saraya (Atoss Leoni). Meanwhile, his father has taken ill, and then comes the phone call. After a close family tie reveals a secret, Amir must return to his homeland, thus beginning an emotional, courageous journey that will test every bone in Amir's body. The Kite Runner looks and sounds as it does in the book. Afghanistan in the late '70s (portrayed by a modern day China) is dusty and gray, mountainous and balmy. Downtown markets in Kabul are filled with shoppers, livestock and local delicacies, like severed goat heads and skewered lamb kabobs. Nearly the entire film is subtitled, the cultural aspects of the film (costumes, music, etc.) are marvelous, and the art direction is on par with Hosseini's description in his beloved novel. What's missing is the emotional depth, the gut wrenching induced from reading the book. Forster, to his credit, has an eye for detail and brings the exterior of The Kite Runner to great life. The actors playing young Amir and Hassan are remarkable. The scene which has sparked so much controversy (and forced the young actors to seek asylum in Dubai following personal threats) is brief and subtle. It's a pivotal point, but if you reach below your seat for more popcorn you'll miss it. Abdalla, as the older Amir, is also engaging, though at times a bit too reserved. There are startling, heart-tugging scenes - sufficient reason to bring along a handful of tissue. Kudos to Forster for showing the tragic yet important scene of a woman being stoned to death at a sports stadium; it's necessary for the audience to visualize the conditions people have been - and possibly still are - under in the Middle East. It's the interior, the heart of The Kite Runner, that's only partially available to the moviegoer. I felt as if I should've cried, though I found no moments to do so. I felt as if my throat should have endured some lumps, and that never happened. It wasn't as painful and astounding as I expected it to be - it definitely wasn't the same rollercoaster I'd been on when reading the book. This is a rare instance where a motion picture actually needs an extension of running time. Everything seemed to take place so quickly, especially the latter part of the film when Amir goes to Pakistan and then to Kabul. That part was central to The Kite Runner novel because his trip becomes a mission and a matter of survival, not just a journey. While trying not to sound ambiguous, I will say this was a difficult story to translate into a feature film and the attempt here by everyone involved is meritorious. The movie provides a lot of warm-fuzziness, perfect for this time of year when the skies are dull and the weather is chilly. You need a film like The Kite Runner to escape into - a good story to follow that will, at times, captivate your senses. But to truly absorb the depth of The Kite Runner, I recommend the novel. It's a brilliantly written piece of work, emotionally draining and genuinely inspiring, so that you can experience what two hours sitting in a theater can't provide. |
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| Singles/Tracks | ||
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| by Albert Rodriguez -
SGN A&E Writer Hottest Artists of the Year | Top Albums/CDs | Live Performances | Feature Artist Interview | Singles/Tracks | Worst Music of 2007 Thousands of singles were released this year, and here are my picks for the top ten - in order. 1. "D.A.N.C.E." Justice The coolest music video of 2007 goes with the year's best and grooviest single, all belonging to Grammy-nominated duo Justice. Grab your sneakers and start spinning! 2. "Golden Skans" Klaxons Besides the shirtless-glittery masked video for this catchy tune, it sounded way different than everything else on modern rock stations in '07. Voila, ear candy for the punk-pop fan. 3. "Rehab" Amy Winehouse Yes, yes, yes - Gay boys made a household name out of beehive-coiffed Amy Winehouse upon the release of this retro pop ditty that pulls old school horns, bells, and an infectious chorus line. 4. "Charmer" Kings of Leon Caleb Followill's high-pitched screams are a daring, unusual delight on Kings of Leon's fist-pumping track that accuses a manipulative ex-lover of stealing his karma. 5. "Umbrella" Rihanna featuring Jay-Z Barbadian goddess Rihanna sizzled in '07, it was her breakthrough year and she did it with this knockout hit featuring rap giant Jay-Z. Slick and sexy, this song is hot. 6. "Keep the Car Running" Arcade Fire Each time I listen to this Arcade Fire track, I feel like starting a brand new religion in my living room. Handclaps throughout, try waking up to this on Sunday morning. 7. "Icky Thump" The White Stripes Two musicians alone create this booming, synthadelic track nominated for multiple Grammy Awards. The White Stripes, known in industry circles as just Jack and Meg, are on fire. 8. "Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love" Trisha Yearwood Country diva Trisha Yearwood has stuck close to her traditional roots, and this gospel-tinged single is one of her absolute best. Trisha, we hope our chariot's a torch-red Thunderbird Ford too. 9. "No One's Gonna Love You" Band of Horses Call it emo or anything you'd like, but the initial single from Band of Horses' sophomore effort is warm and sweet, and dare I say cuddly. Perhaps, the first great love song for slackers. 10. "It's the Beat" Simian Mobile Disco British electronic act Simian Mobile Disco got big in 2007, after individual DJ stints at London clubs. This techno-pop number, anchored by a heavy bass line, should get you bouncing. 11-25, in random order: Let's Call It Off - Peter, Bjorn and John, Don't You Evah - Spoon, Ankle Injuries - Fujiya and Miyagi, White People for Peace - Against Me!, 101 - Albert Hammond Jr., Firecracker - Josh Turner, Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood, Going to a Town - Rufus Wainwright, Heavenly Day - Patty Griffin, Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne, Tango del Pecado - Calle 13, Kid on My Shoulders - White Rabbits, Dashboard - Modest Mouse, Forever Fades Away - Tiger Army, Say It Right - Nelly Furtado |
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