Trifecta of Movie Reviews

In November I mentioned that I would be spending the tail end of 2009 at the movies. Tons of purportedly great flicks coming out in time for Awards Season. Eek! And out of all the movies that are on that list from November, I have seen all that have been released here in Vancity, except for one - Nine. I just ran out of days! 2 others – The Messengers and The Lovely Bones have yet to open here. Not sure if The Messengers will and the buzz about The Lovely Bones is not good, with many saying that Jackson completely f*cked up the book - which worries me. No time to review them all extensively….. so here is the last three in mini-review.

Sherlock Holmes

I am not privy to the background or history of Sherlock Holmes. What I know is this: there is a pipe and a sidekick called Dr. Watson and a villain called Moriarity and solving of the crimes. I concur with most of the reviews of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. This film is pretty much about the bromance between Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.

The plot was silly and pretty much irrelevant. Something about an evil Lord who practices black magic and is part of some evil society that wants to take over the world….. insert image of nefarious villain twirling his black moustache at any point …….. kinda lame and as I said…. Irrelevant.

It is the banter. The relationship between these two is what makes this film enjoyable. And the marvelous Irish music for each of the fight scenes. I also liked Rachel McAdams in her role. She did a great job as Holmes’ conniving former girlfriend who has a checkered past and questionable motives. Much like the entire plot, she seemed a little irrelevant to the story, which some have noted, but I am a huge fan of McAdams, so I didn’t really mind.

Overall, Sherlock Holmes was fun. Silly fun, with very very cute boys fighting and solving crimes. And, to quote the great Kevin Smith, Homes and Watson and their enduring relationship as heterosexual life partners.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

Heath Ledgers last film. His second collaboration with friend Terry Gilliam. Ledger tragically passed away during filming. 3 of his friends – Johnny Depp, Jude Law & Colin Farrell – stepped in to complete the movie. It is not your typical movie. It is a visual feast for the senses and Ledger was impressive.

So Dr Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) made a deal with the Devil (the perfectly cast Tom Waits) to ensure his immortality – his daughter (model Lily Cole) on her 16th birthday. Along the way they encounter a mysterious stranger (Heath Ledger) who may or may not be able to help Parnassus outwit the Devil. The “Imaginarium” is a world full of wonderful colours, lush landscapes and bizarre visions – all of which are personal to each person who enters through the mirror in Parnassus’ traveling sideshow.

Yes, the story was a little out there. Definitely a case of suspending your belief in what is real and what is not. Which I enjoyed immensely. It was wild and wacky and the inclusion of Depp, Law and Farrell honestly seemed as if that is how the film was supposed to be. Casting Tom Wait’s as the Devil was a piece of inspired casting. He was creepy and smarmy and fantastic.

Filmed in Vancouver, I loved recognizing some of the sites of the city I love so much – the stunning Orpheum Theatre, the spectacular Marine Building and the gorgeous Vancouver Public Library (superlative overload anyone??). I liked this movie a lot. It probably won’t be seen by that many people, but it should be. Go see it! Great film.

The Young Victoria

Oh Michael Buble…. You silly silly boy. Did you see her light up the screen? Have you witnessed the accolades that have been heaped on this performance? Did you see what you completely f*cked up? I know that she is better off with her fiancé – the charming and adorable John Krasinski. I said as much a few days ago on the Twitter that scientists should be working to clone Krasinski, cause right now he is pretty much my ideal man. Funny, cute, and not a cheating douchebag.

The point of this little tirade against the Canadian Crooner Michael Buble is that I saw The Young Victoria starring the luminous Emily Blunt. A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. I don’t know much - or anything - about Queen Victoria or her life. I am pretty sure that they took considerable artistic licence when they were developing this story for the screen. But no matter.

I liked this film. Blunt was stunning, albeit a little hard to swallow as a 17 year old. She is a great actress and a pleasure to watch on the screen. The costumes and set design were magnificent. A tiny little bit of me wishes I had been born back then. Then I remember the whole right to vote, have an opinion, earn as much as men thing. Ha! The Young Victoria is a good film about a Queen I knew very little about. I am expecting Blunt’s name to be called when they announce the Oscar Nominations soon.

I will get around to seeing Nine. I hope. Believe it or not, I am a little movied out! But the Golden Globes are in a few weeks, so I gotta see what I can now right?

XO

Christmas Conundrum!

Up until 5 years ago, I worked pretty much every Christmas. It was fine with me, I have very few family here and thought it would be good karma to let those who were from here spend time with their family. Whether they wanted to or not! Anyways now that I have a more office-type job, I get to live like a somewhat regular person and not work on Christmas or Boxing Day.

In the past 5 years my Aunt and I have developed a fun Christmas ritual. Christmas Eve we go to Christ Church Cathedral to sing carols (every year it makes me happy to not burst into flames as I walk into a house of G.O.D), we then go back to her house where I spend the night, then next morning we have Eggs Bennie then she drops me at home and does her thing while I normally end up getting taken in as a stray by one of my friends.

This year, I must confess that I am a little torn. I love spending time with my friends and their families, but this year there are some amazing films being released on Christmas Day. Would it be totally wrong to just spend some quality time alone in a darkened theatre on Christmas Day instead? I can’t decide!

There are no less than three films scheduled to open on December 25th that I am peeing my pants to see. I could conceivably see two of them on Christmas day and then see the next on Boxing Day right?

First up is Sherlock Holmes. RDJ, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams. How could I not see this? Guy Ritchie directing. RDJ shirtless. Enough said. I have been completely in love with Robert Downey Junior since I was a teenager. Remember the movie Less than Zero? I know that his character Julian was a drug addicted male whore who overdosed at the end, but I loved him. Loved him enough that I decided that if I were to have a son, they would be named Julian. Then in my first year of University I met a guy called Julian who was the complete and total opposite of RDJ’s tortured Julian. Ruined the name for me. But not the man. Mad mad mad love for Robert Downey Junior. Can’t wait to see this movie.

Second is Rob Marshall’s musical masterpiece Nine. Daniel Day Lewis… Nicole Kidman… Penelope Cruz… Marion Colltiard…Dame Judi Dench… Sophia Loren. How could you not want to see this?? It looks amazing. I don’t even really care what it is about……something to the effect of DDL is a director trying to work on his latest masterpiece. Things are not going well, so he looks back over his life, at the women who have influenced him. It has music. It has Nicole Kidman. It has Daniel Day Lewis. I am sold!

Opening in limited release on Christmas Day is Heath Ledger’s last film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Directed by Terry Gilliam, this movie looks totally fantastical. It played at the Vancouver International Film Festival in September. They actually had to add extra screenings for it. I didn’t go, because I am lame. Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law stepped in after Ledger’s tragic death and are playing the character of Tony in the different “worlds” that he goes to. And the fact that they donated their paychecks to little Matilda melts my cold black heart. I am just hoping that limited release includes Vancouver!

That is three. Can you appreciate the quandary I am in? I know that I should do the social thing. But if you know me in real life, you know that I am not a fan of any organized holidays. Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving. Any of them. Don’t care for them. They insist upon themselves (random quote from The Family Guy just popped into my head). Seriously though, they are commercial and frankly lame. Boo hiss. I am a grinch I know.

And it is not just Christmas Day movies I need to consider. There are quite a few other films coming out just in time for Award Season that I am super excited to see……… A quick rundown of how I will be spending my weekends until the New Year (another Holiday I traditionally do not partake in).

Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire opens next weekend. By all accounts, this is a movie that pretty much devastates whoever sees it. It looks amazing and I am curious to see Mariah Carey sans makeup.

Up In The Air with George Clooney, Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga. Jason Reitman’s latest film looks amazing. Clooney stars as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and after he’s met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.It is receiving accolades everywhere it screens and I really cannot wait to see this film.

I am intrigued by Tom Ford’s directorial debut: A Single Man starring Colin Firth. Yes, that Tom Ford. It is about an English professor who tries to go about his day after the death of his partner. I am expecting an extremely well styled film – especially since it is set in the 1960’s. And it also has Julianne Moore, so I am happy.

There is also The Private Lives of Pippa Lee written and directed by Rebecca Miller (daughter of Arthur Miller and wife of Daniel Day Lewis), which I am hoping opens in Vancouver. Robin Wright is Pippa Lee who while trying to find her true self confronts both her past and the seeming perfection of her present life. It has a great supporting cast including Alan Arkin, Keanu Reeves, Julianne Moore, Maria Bello, Blake Lively and Monica Bellucci. It looks amazing.

Then there is Brothers with Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire. Although the trailer pretty much tells you the whole plot of the movie (consider that your spoiler warning), the cast alone is sufficient to sustain my interest. Ii has finally been getting a little press. I am expecting to cry like a baby. It is a remake of 2004 Danish film, which worries me a little. Hopefully it doesn’t get f*cked up like most remakes.

And these are only a few of the flicks I wanna see. There is also The Messengers, Avatar, The Lovely Bones (another Christmas Day release – boo hiss), Invictus, The Young Victoria and probably more I have forgotten. These are also only films being released in 2009. If we move through to 2010…..I would be completely screwed.

So if you don't hear from me until the new year, I will be at the movies......

XO

Gimme Sympathy

I know I know. Bad wee-blogger. I have been back for a week and only one post. And it wasn't even about U2 or my trip. It was about Joshua Jackson.......sigh. And now I really want to write about the hawt photo of James Franco that the good folks at ABC have released in the lead up to his first episode on General Hospital. Or alternatively the swoon worthy & quiver inducing Vanity Fair pictures of Robert Pattinson. Sigh indeed.

The trip was awesome. Details will follow once my life is back to normal. It is splendidly chaotic right now! Weekend of drinking.... and I didn't even leave the house on Halloween (dislike of organised holidays because they are silly and commercial and rarely as much fun as the hype) = hangover and no desire to turn on the computer......

The amazing Regina Spektor last night (sooo f*cking good!!) so no time to write let alone post. Tonite is is Metric. Eeeek! So excited.

But I am gonna get back on track in the next few days.

Lots of stories to show and tell! Random Ben Affleck sighting in Boston - which did not involve me stalking in any way shape or form. Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig, Jude Law, Tom Lenk, Carrie Fischer!!!!! OMFG - so much too say.

Give me just a little more time kiddies and I will deliver the goods! Be patient just a little bit longer.

Oh and did I mention that Constantine Maroulis totally looked at me with sex eyes during Rock of Ages? And that I totally geeked out when I saw Tom Lenk and couldn't even say hi....

Gotta get my dancing shoes on for the amazing Metric this evening.

Okay, Just one picture of Rob!

XO

New York Quiveration

I am heading to the East Coast in October. 5 days in Boston catching up with my friend Kazza (also known as Karin) and then 5 days in New York. I am super excited, cause I love New York. I was there for 12 days around this time last year, and I couldn't get enough of it....... the theatre, the shopping, the busy of the city was amazingness to me.

Last time I was there I saw 6 shows on Broadway - RENT (3rd last show on Broadway), Wicked, Legally Blonde, Xanadu, Spring Awakening and Spamalot. Payed full price only for Rent and Wicked - the rest were half price through the TKTS booth. I also saw the Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Garden. Yea, I did NYC well.......and am still paying it off. eek!

So while I am there this time around, I am super lucky that there will be some outstanding theatre available to me. Nosebleeds seats all around, but I do not care.

First off I will be seeing Jude Law in Hamlet. He has been on the West End in London with this for a while and has been getting rave reviews. I love Shakespeare and Hamlet is definitely one of my faves. I studied it in school and it was one of the plays that I totally "got" ya know? I could immerse myself in it and read it over and over and over again and find new ways to look at scenes. And now I will be seeing Jude Law as Hamlet in NYC! Holy Mother F*cker! Hells yes!

I am also insanely excited that I will be there during the 12 week run of Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig in "A Steady Rain". You may have to pick me up off of the floor - because, sigh. This is a 90 minute 2 man play that sadly doesn't involve any nudity or even making out by the 2 leads. Damn it. Instead it is about 2 Chicago cops who have very differing accounts of a call they answer. It sounds very dark and twisty and I cannot wait!

Here is the first publicity shot released for the A Steady Rain, which apparently just started rehearsals. Gotta say, I am not sure if I am digging Craig's Porn stache, but whatevs! This is gonna be amazingness. I am in the total nosebleeds, but I don't care. To see these 2 on stage is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity! The only thing that would make it better is the aforementioned nudity and/or Hugh Jackman-Daniel Craig make out session.

I am not sure if my loins will be able to handle the quiver in October. I may actually experience an explosion in the loin area due to the quiver.

XO