The Fountain, Mysterious Skin, One from the Heart

Jacquelyn Daniell
English major, Biola University

If you are looking for something artistic this summer, The Fountain will not disappoint. Darren Aronofsky's latest film is the story of a man's quest to save the life of the woman he loves. The story is brought to life through three different scenarios: a doctor's frantic attempt to find a cure to save his dying wife; a Spanish conquistador's search for the tree of life; and a Zen-style tale of a future man's endeavor to reach the Mayan underworld and be reborn. The Fountain is more than a story; it is an artistic exploration of humankind's attempts to conquer death. The three tales intersect in ways that are difficult to understand, but therein lies the true beauty of the film -- life and love must be experienced, not understood.

The Fountain (Widescreen Edition)
(USA) 2006, Warner Home Video

Amber Hoffman
Arts and entertainment editor, Point Loma Nazarene University's The Point Weekly

Mysterious Skin is a complex coming-of-age story that follows two teenage boys in the aftermath of a childhood trauma. The experience affects each boy differently: one becomes obsessed with UFOs while the other becomes a gay hustler. Mysterious Skin is unflinching in its realism, and the dramatic conclusion is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful. Filmmaker Eric Steel and his crew filmed San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge from dawn to dusk for an entire year with the intention of capturing on film the individuals who choose to end their lives at the bridge. This haunting documentary attempts to humanize the more than two dozen individuals who jumped from the bridge in 2004. The Bridge includes interviews with friends and family of jumpers, witnesses, and even a jump survivor. The film raises but does not necessarily answer serious questions about suicide, mental illness, and civic responsibility.

Mysterious Skin (Deluxe Unrated Director's Edition)
(USA) 2004, Strand Releasing

The Bridge
(England/USA) 2006, Koch Lorber

Daniel P. Page
Film and literature student, Point Loma Nazarene University

Sadly, films are often considered only as good as they are profitable. Francis Coppola's One from the Heart grossed less than a million, leaving Coppola in debt for millions. Forced to work at the mercy of studios to pay it off, he saw his professional freedom forever changed. The truest tragedy is that One from the Heart is groundbreaking and gorgeous, easily his most artistic, visually striking work. Jean-Pierre Jeunet crafted his masterpiece The City of Lost Children with his partner in crime Marc Caro after their acclaimed Delicatessen . Equipped with newly acquired notoriety and funding, they constructed a haunting yet whimsical fairytale. Stunning yet understated sets, strange and beautiful inventions, and quirky wide-angled cinematography create a unique and lovely tale. But it only grossed a tenth of its production costs. Jeunet would have to wait six years to get the box-office recognition he deserved with his breakthrough Amélie.

One From The Heart
(USA) 1982, Fantoma/American Zoetrope

The City of Lost Children
(France) 1995, Sony Pictures