Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
It seemed like a good idea. There I was. The laptop on my friend's lap. Internet connection, check. But then we made a little judgement call that ended badly. We watched a movie that, really, we shouldn't have.
Let me explain myself a little more first. My friend and I could not decide on what film we wanted to see and thus we googled our options and viewed the trailers. Bad choice, because no matter how rubbish the film is in reality, the trailer will always make it look better in real life. Our trash of choice? Your Highness, a brand new visual demonstration of why only British people aught to be allowed to speak in English accents and wear suits of armor!
The synopses (and what the movie info did not tell me) goes like this: James Franko's character is a brave night, soon to be a king, who falls in love with Zoey Deschannel's character, a virgin kept in a tower till kingdom come since she was a little girl (kinda like that poor Austrian chick), for the sake of mothering a evil warlock's dragon child (I mean, really, someone's ego is a little too big if you ask me; no one's sperm is that great, boy). So after Franko's character has saved his virgin they want to get married, but low and behold the bad guy shows up and ruins everything by claiming back his virgin (women have no say in this it seems). Franko's brother in the movie is a man who spends his time getting high (yes, in Medieval England) with peasants, making a fool of himself and getting drunk; either nothing of mankind has changed or the writers really did not have much to work with. The two brothers are off, with or without their herbs, and embark on their "quest". Halfway through, that actress from Black Swan shows up and looks really cool, until she pulls off all her cloths and reveals a bra and panti (did not know they had those in those days?). Have to say, lost some of my respect for Mz Portman after her exposure, I mean, we knew she was hot, so why flaunt it. I for one do not want to (once more) see ways in which I fall short of great actresses' said bodies. The prince finds his maiden, the brother finds Natalie's happy place, and I find that some types of humor are not for me, especially if they encompass a man with a penis around his head.
The boys in the row behind us enjoyed it, though.
A few minutes ago I educated a friend of mine about the classic hero's of rock and roll. Among them was the crazy Jerry-Lee Lewis, who once put his piano and fire, and continued to play it!
Mister Lewis was friends with another great artist, Chuck Berry, who is shockingly not as known as his lesser counterparts of the time, the Beach Boys, who stooped so low as to steal one of his songs. This song is today thought of as a classic by some, you probably know it; next time you listen to Surfin' USA remember that it was in fact Chuck Berry who wrote those chords, and the Beach Boys who added the silly lyrics.
In the movie Cadillac Records (starring among others Beyoncé), the history of rock and roll in terms of the so-called African-American artists is portayed, and the music is exquisitely show-cased. Amongst others we see the talent of guitar masters like Chuck Berry and Muddy. It was mostly because of this film that I now know about that time and the artists that contributed to the movement.
It is shameful that we as the new generation know about the likes of Elvis and the Beach Boys (grrrrr), but forget about greater masters such as ol' Chuck.
Do listen to Chuck play, he was a master. And mister Lee-Lewis knew a thing or two about rock and roll as well. They were both great artists in their own right.
The film, which was directed by Julie Taymor and released in 2007, is set in the USA at a turbulent and exciting time in its history. One of the main characters Lucy becomes involved in the cause of opposing the American government's decision to be involved in Vietnam. Surrounding her is a varied cast of acid-trippin' young people out trying to make it. Among them is the Brit, Jude. Jude and Lucy are inexplicably in love, but as is the case with Romantic love, obstacles lie in the path to true happiness, not to mention war and conflict.
I have to say that I was completely blown away by the movie. At first I thought it was going to be some sort of film about the struggle against the war in Vietnam, or about the movement for black rights in America. As the movie went along I began to think that it was about Jude and Lucy, but as time wore on I began to realize that Across the Universe is not really about two people, or even about what they did. Its a movie showcasing a time long gone by, a generation reveling in rebellion and change, a bohemian rhapsody shining in full color.
What a movie.
I just finished watching Factory Girl and it made me cry.
I knew half way through that I would, but I couldn't stop watching how the poor Edie deteriorated. There was no hope for her, I guess.
Strange how some people say life dealt you a bad card if you're poor, or born with an illness... Edie was dealt an unfair card in that she was not meant for this world, not from the beginning I don't believe. She was the type of girl I pity, because no one can save them.
Well, I have cried for her already and I won't do it again. The movie is fresh in my mind and I am very ashamed of that Andy Warhol...
I was in a gallery where they were showing his work and it all made me rather uncomfortable. I tried to appreciate his art, but in the end I felt he must have rather been a self-righteous and egotistical, but not until I watched this movie did I notice what I felt so strange about him:
He was absolutely strange. Well, all artists probably are, but I am a conservative girl, who's afraid of bad men in black hats, and Andy Warhol gave me the creeps. All those videos of people just staring and being embarrassed or uncomfortable or loving it... I felt like I was intruding and I wondered what made this man film them like that. What made him want to expose them like that.
Art, I believe, doesn't have any explanations. I don't think Andy thought about what he was doing, didn't strive to achieve anything. Maybe he did? He was at the very least very interested in human beings, and I'm afraid it was that nature of being the observer and not emotionally part of it that contributed to poor Edie.
Then again, like I said, Edie was a hopeless case; no one could have saved her. I have only the impression I got from the movie of how their relationship must have been like, and I think he manipulated her to an extent.
Is it always in man's nature to use and domineer so?
Yes, now I shall think of Edie, and not think of her again.
Some people can't be saved...
geez ange, how bout something lighter next time? The Changeling is not for the faint hearted, or atleast let me tell ya that if you cannot bear those awful nut-house scenes where nurses in old fashioned white frocks bully their patients and give them shock therapy, well, keep your eyes shut through those scenes in this movie then.
I'm kinda surprised that this is a true story. Wow, that something like this could actually have happened. I don't know what's worse, the fact that so many little boys were killed (after probably being tortured first) or the fact that the police could ruin the life of an already devastated mother? Can you imagine how you must feel if you're already in grief and then to find you get absolutely no sympathy from anybody. I mean, she was the mother, OF COURSE SHE WOULD KNOW HER OWN SON!!!! Gosh darnit.
Crazy, indi, wirlwind adventure ...The Darjeeling Limited
0 comments Posted by C.M. van Schyck at 7:49 PM
Forgive me, for I only watched the second half of the movie... and it rocked!
Firstly I'll say that the group of actors (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman), was random, but it worked. How strange to see the musician (The Pianist), the comedian (Night at the Museum) and King Louis of France (Marie Antoinette) playing three very different and very interesting brothers who, after the death of their father, travel to India to find themselves.
India is a colorful place and director Wes Anderson obviously made good use of it. The whole setting was great and the camera work more so. Especially in the train compartment where only one camera was used, to the movie's benefit.
I was also fond of the music, which I am able to describe only as a mix of Indian and something else... Sorry for that description, but honestly, it'll have to make do.
The story is told very much using images and body language, rather than language, so don't expect long and important speeches. All I'll say is it was immensely funny and satisfying.
If you like strange movies, made in a different way to the usual popular hits, this is for you.
I watched John Clayton the other night. Ate some pretty good pasta at the same time, which is probably why I didn't hang myself half way through the movie. Okay, okay, it wasn't that bad. In fact, i wasn't really bad at all. There were just one too many cliches thrown in.
But oh golly, what was the story with George? Has he always acted like that? Gosh darn it, 'cause he aint that good. Look, I aint hatin'. I just really wish he was better so that I wouldn't have wasted those few minutes of my life. Nah, the plot was pretty good so I didn't mind that so much. The voilence ws harsh (they KILLED a man!) and I hate too much grafic blood shed...although technically the poor sod didn't actually spill any, or lose any for that matter.
Anyhoo, the part I found most entertaining was the end: The bad guy, or should I say, girl gets busted. Mr Clayton strolls away from the scene and catches a cab. No music what so ever. This was just a bit too much like we're trying to make a super cool new modern movie and don't want to make it seem like the same bull from last year frame of mind for my liking. Except that I have seen that bull before. In any movie where the hero wins there's the part where he walks away looking all I-am-not-really-a-hero-I'm-just-really-really-good-looking... And then they get this peaceful yet concerned look on their faces, like what they just did had to be done, no excuses and it definitely had nothing to do with ego's, money or any magical beings of any kind. They had to do good. Because they are good!
Maybe one day movies will provide me with something new and only the generations way after me will taunt them. Haha, the poor sods who had to produce this one. Auwh shucks they tried their best. i have to say it: if you want to ensure a movie's success, make sure you sign George Cloony on. He might not be the absolute best actor there ever was (in my opinion) but he sure as hell is good looking! Yum!
Gaaah, romantic comedies, anyone? Nah, none for me...
0 comments Posted by C.M. van Schyck at 8:29 PMHow to lose a guy in ten days... argh. I watched the movie for like the third time the other day. Yes, I agree. Watching it once is bad enough, but three times? In my defense, the first time I did I ws so tiny, and the most recent was when there was absolutely nothing else on. My point? I'm getting to it.
So the character played by, what'shernameagain quits her job after the oh-so-terrible fight and confrontation, drunken singing episode (she must have had a few glasses between scenes!) and is on her way to her shiny new job interview.
The other lead, played by what'shisface prettyboyactor meanwhile has jumped onto his super mini scooter thingy and races after her taxi. I thought cellphones were already invented back then? Apparently not.
He does stop her, so don't be fooled! Hero on his white horsie has arrived! He stops the taxi and confronts the chick. Dumdumdum... the BIG moment.
He pokes the magazine she had been writing for under her nose and asks, all heroic like, "Is this true?"
Ah, the poor girl; she's already in tears, and he of course shows no emotion. Just asks her to come back with him.
Never mind that she's now unemployed and she probably already paid for her plane ticket to the interview... Did anyone remember the bloody interview? Nah? Ok, moving on.
He throws a bunch of bills at the taxi driver and tells him to take her luggage back to her apartment. They climb his golden, I mean, white pony and ride into the sunset.
The taxi driver probably took the cash, her stuff and made his way back to Queens. Can't trust taxi's these days, eh?
Robbie Turner: Dearest Cecilia, the story can resume. The one I had been planning on that evening walk. I can become again the man who once crossed the surrey park at dusk, in my best suit, swaggering on the promise of life. The man who, with the clarity of passion, made love to you in the library. The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.
This was the second time I watched the movie, but I couldn't finish it. I had exams the next day and had to get to bed early. Irony is I laid I awake the whole night thinking about it. I am not going to spoil the ending for anybody, all I'm saying is that its very sad and has a twist at the end. I'll never forgive that little brat! Gosh, am not making sense again?
The movie is absolutely brilliant. The script was fantastic, the editing and filming even better. The acting? Lord knows I wouldn't have wished for any other couple to play the part of Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Robbie (James McAvoy).
There are two moments in the movie that I found have stuck with me. When Robbie is writing Cecilia his letter of apology. Here the camera work is wonderful, shooting a pretty and dramatic reflection of Cecilia as she stares in her mirror. These are of course only snippets, while Robbie is thinking about her, his reflection is also shot in the mirror. This moment is so dramatic and beautiful. It allows a visual insight into what their love must have been like.
The second moment is where Robbie walks on the beach, where all the soldiers are, is technically brilliant. Only one camera follows him the whole time. One has to be sharp, or yo
u wouldn't spot how well everything is choreographed. The timing of everything is perfect! That's not the only thing that was so ultimately flawless; the lighting, the music and the sombre feeling of the whole scene.
I loved it.
Atonement is a masterpiece. This movie should not be missed, not for any type of reason or excuse! Go, go now and watch it!
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