It’s nearly the weekend again and that means it’s time for Film Focus. Here’s Todd Thacker with two new movies opening in local theaters.

This week’s cinematic offerings actually share a number of themes. Both set are set in deserts. They depict the strength of the human spirit. And they’re based on real-life events. So let’s jump right in with Werner Herzog’s Queen of the Desert and Patricia Riggen’s The 33.

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Todd Thacker

Welcome to Film Focus. I’m Todd Thacker.

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Queen of the Desert (2015, Werner Herzog)
Explorer Gertrude Bell’s life at the dawn of the 20th century.

First up, Queen of the Desert. Based on the amazing life story of British writer and explorer Gertrude Bell, played by Nicole Kidman, the film offers up a love story mixed in with adventure. Set prior and during World War 1, and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, we learn of this woman’s remarkable achievements and role in the making of the Middle East as we know it today.

Though playing a bit loose with the historical facts, Herzog’s script does project a sense of scale and the imperial policy making. The film is also beautifully shot, and as you might expect, the desert comes to life on the screen.

However, much of the casting, acting and even the soundtrack simply fall flat. James Franco as one of Bell’s love interests, and Robert Pattinson at T.E. Lawrence, in particular, seem completely wrong for their roles. Most critics panned the film, from the point of view of a historical drama, Queen of the Desert does deliver just enough to make it worth your while.


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The 33 (2015, Patricia Riggen)
Trapped Chilean miners struggle to survive 69 days underground.

You might remember the dramatic rescue of the Chilean miners who emerged to the surface on live TV in front of hundreds of millions of people. The 33 is their story.

The film alternates between three plot points: the isolation of the miners some 2,300 feet below the earth, the tent city populated by their families struggling to maintain hope, and Chilean government officials struggling with the politics and public relations of a rescue mission.

Each of these three stories interweaves with a main character... Antonio Banderas as Mario, the miner’s de facto leader. Juliette Binoche as the sister of one of the trapped miners, and Rodrigo Santoro as the Chilean Minister of Mining, who pushes for the costly rescue mission.

Overall, the film does a good job and remarkably doesn’t feel like a TV movie.