I watched this one on the plane back from the east coast for a few reasons. First, I'd heard it was good and love Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. Second, the woman beside me wouldn't stop talking to me. Third, the children on the plane were out. of. control.
A Single Man is VERY Tom Ford. I don't know the man, don't know much about him personally, and don't even know if he's made any other films but this one just oooooooozes Tom Ford.
Firth is wonderful as George, a Brit who has just lost his long time partner and is struggling to find his way in a homophobic 1962 LA. Moore is gorgeous as usual and really seems to settle into the desperate Charley, George's perpetually dumped lifelong friend. The film is also an interestingly honest look at an English prof. (George). The end, however. I don't dislike it per se but Jesus.
Monday, June 28, 2010
An Education (2009)
T. was nice enough to take this out of the already-sealed Netflix envelope so I could watch it while at her house--she's nice like that ;)
I'd heard mixed reviews about this one--from "brilliant!" to "too creepy to watch." So, of course, I was intrigued but I am always slightly cautious about hyped movies. This one lived up to it's hype. I loved Carey Mulligan (in a way that I fear she will always be this character in my mind) and Peter Sarsgaard was appropriately, quietly creepy. Alfred Molina and Olivia Williams were other high notes in the acting department. The costuming was super fun--but, I could easily find myself wearing those clothes if I has enough initiative to "dress" everyday.
The plot itself managed to unfurl in a way that made it not so much predictable or obvious but in an "of course" way--as if we were Jenny coming not only into the realization that we'd engaged ourselves to a creepy lying thief but also coming into womanhood.
Looking on imdb to double check the year just now, I see that Lynne Barber is the author of the autobiography that Nick Hornby adapted. Barber is a British journalist with a host of traditional publications under her belt but . . . she wrote for Penthouse for 7 years and wrote a book titled How to Improve Your Man in Bed. So, we get a peek into the grown-up Jenny's life. Cheeky ;)
I'd heard mixed reviews about this one--from "brilliant!" to "too creepy to watch." So, of course, I was intrigued but I am always slightly cautious about hyped movies. This one lived up to it's hype. I loved Carey Mulligan (in a way that I fear she will always be this character in my mind) and Peter Sarsgaard was appropriately, quietly creepy. Alfred Molina and Olivia Williams were other high notes in the acting department. The costuming was super fun--but, I could easily find myself wearing those clothes if I has enough initiative to "dress" everyday.
The plot itself managed to unfurl in a way that made it not so much predictable or obvious but in an "of course" way--as if we were Jenny coming not only into the realization that we'd engaged ourselves to a creepy lying thief but also coming into womanhood.
Looking on imdb to double check the year just now, I see that Lynne Barber is the author of the autobiography that Nick Hornby adapted. Barber is a British journalist with a host of traditional publications under her belt but . . . she wrote for Penthouse for 7 years and wrote a book titled How to Improve Your Man in Bed. So, we get a peek into the grown-up Jenny's life. Cheeky ;)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The Secret of Kells (2009)
I *REALLY* want to call this movie The Book of Kells. If you don't know why--Google people!
J and I saw this at a new-to-us theatre so that was interesting. Also interesting was the audience member who had to be called out so she'd be quiet--she was especially vocal during the Babies preview. Luckily, she shut up once told to.
I don't know how much this will make sense to anyone who isn't in her/his early thirties or anyone who didn't watch a lot of cartoon movies on tv in the 80s and 90s but Secret of Kells felt like a tv cartoon movie to me. And I can't quite expand on that. It's not Pixar or Disney or any other contemporary animated movie making look.
The animation is beautiful and simple and sweet as is the story. I loved the incorporation of the images from the Book of Kells and only wish those intricacies had been used more. Of course, the whole thing made me wish I could go back to Ireland asap. Worth seeing but expect a quiet movie instead of a flashy one.
J and I saw this at a new-to-us theatre so that was interesting. Also interesting was the audience member who had to be called out so she'd be quiet--she was especially vocal during the Babies preview. Luckily, she shut up once told to.
I don't know how much this will make sense to anyone who isn't in her/his early thirties or anyone who didn't watch a lot of cartoon movies on tv in the 80s and 90s but Secret of Kells felt like a tv cartoon movie to me. And I can't quite expand on that. It's not Pixar or Disney or any other contemporary animated movie making look.
The animation is beautiful and simple and sweet as is the story. I loved the incorporation of the images from the Book of Kells and only wish those intricacies had been used more. Of course, the whole thing made me wish I could go back to Ireland asap. Worth seeing but expect a quiet movie instead of a flashy one.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
To be a "new" Alice, this one felt remarkably traditional to me--not that that's a bad thing. J. and I saw it at Disney's El Capitan so we were treated to large painted roses in the balcony and a musical intro complete with tissue rose petal confetti --but that's about it which is kind of disappointing for El Capitan and their decorating capabilities. Regardless, the movie was largely enjoyable. I'm a huge Johnny fan (who in her right mind isn't?) and I love when he just dives in wholeheartedly and becomes a character. That said, there were lines that went completely over my head because I couldn't understand his accent/lisp/quick delivery. Everyone else was good but none perhaps remarkable. I liked Anne Hathaway's Queen but I also liked Enchanted. What I didn't like was the end--you'll notice a trend here, readers, in that I frequently have problems with endings. The end frame felt forced and too hoo-rah-wo-man! But, I'll forgive it that I suppose. This was not Burton's crowning glory--nor any of the other actors' (especially with Bonham Carter and Depp having been in the much much better Sweeney Todd with Burton's direction recently)--but it was a good enough movie. And, being at El Capitan, we got to see some of the props and costumes in the basement of the theatre which is always cool.
We're Going Live, People!!
In about a week I'm taking it public . . . scary ;)
In the meantime I'll catch up and blog about a loooooooong list of movies and books I've failed to write about thus far:
1. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
2. The Secret of Kells (2009)
3. An Education (2009)
4. Date Night (2010)
5. A Single Man (2009)
6. Religulous (2008)
7. Kick Ass (2o10)
8. Duplicity (2009)
9. Transsiberian (2008)
10. Mata Hari (1931)
11. The Keep by Jennifer Egan (2006)
12. Fame (2009)
13. Robin Hood (2010)
14. Iron Man 2 (2010)
15. Shrek Ever After (2010)
16. Killers (2010)
17. Day for Night by Frederick Reiken (2010)
18. A-Team (2010)
19. Citrus County by John Brandon (2010) AND the Rumpus Book Club
20. RocknRolla (2008)
21. Oscar and Lucinda (1997)
22. Man on Wire (2008)
In the meantime I'll catch up and blog about a loooooooong list of movies and books I've failed to write about thus far:
1. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
2. The Secret of Kells (2009)
3. An Education (2009)
4. Date Night (2010)
5. A Single Man (2009)
6. Religulous (2008)
7. Kick Ass (2o10)
8. Duplicity (2009)
9. Transsiberian (2008)
10. Mata Hari (1931)
11. The Keep by Jennifer Egan (2006)
12. Fame (2009)
13. Robin Hood (2010)
14. Iron Man 2 (2010)
15. Shrek Ever After (2010)
16. Killers (2010)
17. Day for Night by Frederick Reiken (2010)
18. A-Team (2010)
19. Citrus County by John Brandon (2010) AND the Rumpus Book Club
20. RocknRolla (2008)
21. Oscar and Lucinda (1997)
22. Man on Wire (2008)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
8 movies and 1 book
Lots of Oscar nods here due to the post-nod pre-show catching up.
Crazy Heart (2009): Love Bridges. Am ok with Gyllenhall although I wonder how she manages to never really wear a bra in a movie. Strangely love Colin Ferrell with his ponytail. Do not love the breezy in and out of rehab magically cured of a lifetime of alcoholism. Love the music.
The Hurt Locker (2008): Strong apolitical (as much as anything can be apolitical) movie about the war without looking wishy-washy about the war. Renner did a great job as did the other actors. And, what? Colin Firth is in the movie? How do the Colins keep surprising me in movies?
Inglorious Basterds (2009): This is my favorite of the Best Pictures which is surprising as I'm not a Tarantino devotee--I like about every other one of his I see. I loved loved loved the Nazi. Loved the unapologetic yes we changed history and blew up Hitler ending. Loved Pitt's accent. Love love love.
Up (2009): How do I manage to go into movies without a clue sometimes? I didn't know she died! Ugh. The movie is super cute and I am in love with Doug--squirrel!--and it's actually one of the most complete of the Best Pic nods.
Wolfman (2010): What? Seriously? No. No. No.
A Serious Man (2009): I want a whole movie about Clive. Seriously. Right now. I liked this one a lot and thought it very funny but I don't really like the ending (surprised?). I don't like super neat thread every needle endings but I certainly don't like the leave it wide open to a tornado ending either.
Couples Retreat (2009): Cute but preachy relationship crap sometimes.
Gladiator (2000): Nope. Still don't like it.
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry (2008): Oh. How I want to like this book. I really really do. But I don't. I just don't. I can't like a book when I so obviously figure out the ending and I'm right but the author tries to make it right with contrivances. Sigh. It's a decent book and I like the idea. I enjoyed reading it a lot until I got that *whack* this is what the end is going to be dread and then it was just the wait for the inevitable to happen.
Crazy Heart (2009): Love Bridges. Am ok with Gyllenhall although I wonder how she manages to never really wear a bra in a movie. Strangely love Colin Ferrell with his ponytail. Do not love the breezy in and out of rehab magically cured of a lifetime of alcoholism. Love the music.
The Hurt Locker (2008): Strong apolitical (as much as anything can be apolitical) movie about the war without looking wishy-washy about the war. Renner did a great job as did the other actors. And, what? Colin Firth is in the movie? How do the Colins keep surprising me in movies?
Inglorious Basterds (2009): This is my favorite of the Best Pictures which is surprising as I'm not a Tarantino devotee--I like about every other one of his I see. I loved loved loved the Nazi. Loved the unapologetic yes we changed history and blew up Hitler ending. Loved Pitt's accent. Love love love.
Up (2009): How do I manage to go into movies without a clue sometimes? I didn't know she died! Ugh. The movie is super cute and I am in love with Doug--squirrel!--and it's actually one of the most complete of the Best Pic nods.
Wolfman (2010): What? Seriously? No. No. No.
A Serious Man (2009): I want a whole movie about Clive. Seriously. Right now. I liked this one a lot and thought it very funny but I don't really like the ending (surprised?). I don't like super neat thread every needle endings but I certainly don't like the leave it wide open to a tornado ending either.
Couples Retreat (2009): Cute but preachy relationship crap sometimes.
Gladiator (2000): Nope. Still don't like it.
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry (2008): Oh. How I want to like this book. I really really do. But I don't. I just don't. I can't like a book when I so obviously figure out the ending and I'm right but the author tries to make it right with contrivances. Sigh. It's a decent book and I like the idea. I enjoyed reading it a lot until I got that *whack* this is what the end is going to be dread and then it was just the wait for the inevitable to happen.
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