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

A Single Man - A Review

The latest edition of Entertainment Weekly arrived in my mail box today. It has 25 movies you must see before the Oscars on March 7th 2010. To date I have seen 18 of them. Not too shabby. Also note that 4 of the flicks I have yet to see have not been released in Vancity (or I missed them when they were here), 2 others I will be seeing over the weekend, and one – Julie & Julia – I am planning on renting shortly. Yesterday I saw Tom Ford’s stunning directorial debut – A Single Man. Yes, that Tom Ford. The fashion designer who single handedly brought Gucci back from the brink of bankruptcy during the 1990’s.

Stunning is most definitely the watchword for this film. Visually= stunning. Performances = stunning. Music = stunning. It was lush and beautiful and meticulous. Loved it.

A Single Man is based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the Cuban missile crisis, it is the story of a British college professor (Colin Firth) who is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his long time partner (Matthew Goode). The story is a romantic tale of love interrupted, the isolation that is an inherent part of the human condition, and ultimately the importance of the seemingly smaller moments in life. Produced by Tom Ford through his Los Angeles based production company, Fade to Black, in association with Chris Weitz and Andrew Miano of Depth of Field, and Robert Salerno of Artina Films. The screenplay is written by Tom Ford and David Scearce. --© Weinsteins

Colin Firth as George is truly magnificent as a man drowning in his grief. His long time partner – Jim – who we only see through flashbacks - was killed in a car crash less than a year ago. George had never been given an opportunity to grieve for his love of 16 years. In a sad example of how gay relationships were treated by many in the 1960’s, George was only informed of the accident when one of Jim’s relatives secretly called him. Not only was he not able to go to the funeral, as it was “family” only, Jim’s parents apparently decided to keep their dead son’s pets. Nice right.

8 months later, George has decided to put his affairs in order and take matters into his own hands. He has planned it all so perfectly, and is intending on leaving everything in meticulous order. But a number of chance meetings throughout the course of the day make him reconsider this decision.

First and foremost is his encounter with one of his young students – a blonde haired, blue eyed, perfectly sun kissed student – played with salty goodness by Nicholas Hoult. Sigh. Did George see pieces of himself in the young Jimmy? There were a number of similarities between these men who are at differing stages of their lives. But Jimmy was open with who he was whereas George’s life remained cloaked in secrecy.

Julianne Moore, as Charley – George’s sometime lover and best friend is luminous. As always she is spectacular. She is one of my favourite working actresses. She is always amazing in everything she does. Moore is willing to do whatever it takes to deliver an authentic, real performance. I love her so much. And her hair and make up in this film. Oh la. So fricking amazing. I did not particularly care for her dress, but I suppose that it suited the times.

Everything is beautiful in this film. There is none of the ugliness of LA. All the people are perfectly dressed, impeccably coiffed and beautifully manicured. I suspect that Tom Ford overlooked every frame of film. There was meticulous detail in every aspect of this movie, everything seemed perfectly calculated and considered.

I was intrigued by the use of light and colour. Firth seems to be lit in grey’s and ash tones, that wash him out completely. Other characters, particularly Jimmy, appear to be permanently lit by the sun’s warm glow. Every frame Hoult was in was golden and bright and beautiful. And in George’s last encounter with his new young friend, he too seems to be enveloped in a warm golden light. Yes, I may be over thinking, but that was how it came across to me.

I also absolutely loved the score by Abel Korzeniowski - flawless and haunting. A number of the scenes were without words – perhaps this is why the music resonated so strongly with me. In addition, the scenes where he is quietly observing his neighbours and their seemingly perfect life seem surreal. Slowed down and brightly lit with a distinct dream like quality. It is as if he is watching a movie.

Tom Ford’s A Single Man is a beautiful, stylized, carefully detailed and immaculately shot movie. Firth’s performance is phenomenal. The film is anchored magnificently by Firth’s masterful portrayal as a man who is lost in his grief. Firth will be nominated for an Oscar for this role. Not sure if he will win, but for me, at this stage in the game, from the roles I have seen, his is the performance to beat.

XO

June 24, 2009

Was hurting a little today at work. Pizza for lunch totally worked. But a major minor screw up by someone who was not me, kind of made the afternoon a little annoying. Grrr.

But, my mantra is slowing working down to 1...... currently the chant is sitting at 4 days left until Vacation. With that thought running through my head, I can get through anything. Well, except for the fact one of my fave peeps is on vacay now. Who the hell am I going to talk to at work? How dare people not revolve their lives around me. Bah!

True Blood Rehash

I finally got around to watching Episode 2. OMFG I love this show so hard. So many things are fabulous about this episode I don't know where to begin.

Lafayette - amazing amazing amazing. Using a dismembered leg to escape. So good. Doing a deal to try and save himself. So fecking good. I love him and I hope he is not dead :( They had better not kill him off.

I knew that Jessica was damaged goods. And I kinda hope Bill kills her evil dad.

Oh and Eric...... Eric is swoon-worthy - yes? Being worried about his highlights - ha ha ha. And then the shop keeper thinking that Bill and He are lovers. Loved it.

I heard that in the books, Sookie and him get together - I kinda want it to happen, just cause I would like to see him nekkid. Alexander Skarsgard. Hawt. Have you seen him in Lady Gaga's video "paparrazzi". Holy mother.......

Okay so I cannot for the life of me figure out how to add in a video - embed I think is the word the kids use? I have tried and it won't let me. Son of a bitch. One day....... Anyways, take the time to click on this link and watch the teaser for season 2 of True Blood. If it doesn't make you quiver just a little, well..... I don't want to pass judgment.



And the Oscar goes to....... one of these 10 Films?

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced that in 2010 one of 10 films from 2009 will win the Oscar for Best Film. 10 Best Film nominees? Clearly a response to the supposed snubbing of movies such as The Dark Knight & Wall-E in this year's race.

Not sure how I feel about this one. Love the Academy Awards. Watch them religiously. this year, I even allowed people in my apartment to watch them with me (they brought food and booze, so I could cope for a night). But 10 best film nominees? What, is New Moon gonna get nominated next year? Maybe. Oh that would be awesome. Can you imagine the write-in campaign for that. Twi-hards would totally lose their shizz over that. It would be kinda worth it just to see the screaming, hysterical, crying fans. I know, I am going to hell.

Also, that means the winning film will need even less votes to claim the Golden Statue? Is it diluting the votes too much? Maybe they could do a kind of proportional representation kind of vote. All voters indicate their Top 3 preferences. those films with the top 5 votes move through to the "second round" - whereby the second preferences of those voters whose films were kicked out are included. Then you could go to the top 3 and do the same thing? Kinda complicated I know, but could work. And would mean that more of the votes would count right. I am a genius right? Srsly. It would totally work. Just my thoughts for the little they are worth.

Twilight Saga Update

I am a fan of Kristen Stewart. I have quite the girl-crush on her. I think she is a decent actress (clearly she must be good as she has worked with and been hired by some of the best in the biz), and I like that she totally doesn't care what anyone thinks. She is awkward and doesn't interview well, but she knows it. Love her hard.

I have high hopes for The Runaways. I am confident that they will do a good job. Kristen sand in Into the Wild and was pretty good. She deffo has the hard-core bitch face down and is working with Joan herself to get the moves down. Can't wait to see it. Lots of photos around the interweb of her in character. She looks bad ass.

They released the cover art of new movie version of New Moon. And Twi-hard moms everywhere are totally torn. "OMG Taylor is so hot, but he is the same age as my son/daughter so I can't think of him that way" I am sorry but i don't get the whole Taylor thing. It is not that I am Team Edward (which I totally am), he just doesn't do it for me. To each their own. I have said it before, sadly I need a little asshole in my man and Taylor is just to sweet and nice.

And Rob...... sigh. Still filming in NYC... still being hounded by crazy fans. This blood is not due to them though....I think ;)

Guilty Summer Show has been decided - Woot!!

Was gonna be Big Brother, which is always good for making you feel like you need a shower after watching it. But it is on a few times a week and who wants to make that much of a commitment to a show over the summer? So tonight I watched the inaugural episode of Real World Cancun.

10 minutes in they are talking about "promise piercings" & wanting to be the first one to "get some ass". I am sold. It's gonna be a dirty dirty summer in Cancun. This is the cast. They look like such a clean living bunch don't they!

Wednesdays at 10.00pm on MTV. Maybe at 7.00pm as well?. Hmmm. Real World Cancun - tell your friends. It's gonna be a horny, slutty, drama-filled summer and you know you wanna know what happens!

Okay, again I need to get myself organised for tomorrow. Big day. Meeting with our CEO to "chat" about anything we want. Eeek! What to say. Had some downsizing in January and morale is shot to shizz so he is meeting with everyone to see where we are at. Good in theory, but I have no idea what I am gonna say. I am kinda cynical and sarcastic and often speak without thinking so I really have to watch myself. Wish me luck.

XO