Sometimes I wonder why it takes me so long to go see a film and I must admit, "Drive" is one of those films that should take top priority in films to see this year. This film should be enjoyed on the big screen while you experience an amazing soundtrack. I directly went to itunes and downloaded this eerie and moody music, which was composed by the incredibly talented Cliff Martinez.
While you are immediately entranced by the incredibly talented Ryan Gosling, I really appreciated that the film was set in and shot in Los Angeles. I always enjoy knowing that I have been in certain places that they have filmed or are familiar with various local points of interest such as "(500) Days of Summer" and "Traffic". Yea, that's the nerd in me. I was very interested and surprised that I wasn't instantly familiar with who the director was, Nicolas Winding Refn. His shooting style didn't seem very American and well, after IMDB'ing him, I see that he's from Denmark. He directed "Valhalla Rising", "Pusher" and "Bronson". Looks he forged a strong connection with Ryan, as he is starring in one Nicolas's next films called "Only God Forgives" with Kristin Scott Thomas.
As we have been seeing lately, the talented Carey Mulligan continues to portray non-british characters, but she was perfect for this role. Other kickers for me - the actor who plays her ex-convict husband completely transformed into a gangster type of dude, who was played by Oscar Isaac. Definitely keep your eye on him as he played the ruthless doctor in "Sucker Punch" and will be in Madonna's upcoming directed film, "W.E." (which is based on the story of Wallis Simpson). It's still such a departure to see Bryan Cranston portray a non-Malcolm-in-the-Middle dad type as well as Albert Brooks playing a heavy-hitting, mafia guy. Ron Perlman plays his brother, who, in my total opinion, will always be the "Beast/Vincent" from "Beauty and the Beast" back in the 80's. And if you nearly blinked, you'd see Christina Hendricks, play an accessory to a crime.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
My First Vlog Entry - British TV / Doc Martin
Well, hello there! I am finally making my debut via my first Vlog entry today. I know that I have dedicated this blog to solely discussing film but it's time to divulge my other passion which is British TV. So, without further adieu, off I go...!
And to get you started, here are some memorable quotes from Series 1 (Season 1). Doc Martin really does have the best one-liners said with a dead pan face.
And to get you started, here are some memorable quotes from Series 1 (Season 1). Doc Martin really does have the best one-liners said with a dead pan face.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Rent It! - Win Win
I watched this really clever film, Win Win, over the weekend and really fell in love with it. I must say that Paul Giamatti is one of the best indie film actors around. Mind you, I know very well that he acts in mainstream flicks but man, oh man, does he know how to take an indie film and really make it his own. Shall I remind you when he portrayed Harvey Pekar in "American Splendor" or as the non-drinking merlot Miles character in "Sideways". This film had a great supporting cast such as Mike Flaherty's wife portrayed by the lovely and sassy Amy Ryan. You know who she is - was nominated for an Oscar for "Gone Baby Gone", she was also on "The Wire" for years and most recently on "The Office".
Can we talk about Bobby Cannavale. Love him and have had a crush on him since his days on the series, "Third Watch" but maybe you remember him on "Will & Grace" but I think we should all agree that the most memorable role could quite possibly have been in the SATC episode titled, "Easy Come, Easy Go", where he has a fling with Samantha and tells the girls that he has funky tasting spunk. But seriously, who is the kid who stole the show? Alex Shaffer, who has no previous acting experience but who could really wrestle as he won the New Jersey State Championship.
Melanie Lynskey plays the druggie mother of Alex Shaffer's character and perhaps she looks familiar as the stalker shrink on "Two and a Half Men" but come on, let's dig deeper. She played George Clooney's sister in "Up in the Air", and was the very first person to kiss Kate Winslet in "Heavenly Creatures" when she was sixteen. Also, Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law, Burt Young plays the kid's grandfather (loved seeing him!). And last but not least, Jeffrey Tambor plays the assistant wrestling coach, always able to deliver his comedic timing in a succint and hilarious way.
Can we talk about Bobby Cannavale. Love him and have had a crush on him since his days on the series, "Third Watch" but maybe you remember him on "Will & Grace" but I think we should all agree that the most memorable role could quite possibly have been in the SATC episode titled, "Easy Come, Easy Go", where he has a fling with Samantha and tells the girls that he has funky tasting spunk. But seriously, who is the kid who stole the show? Alex Shaffer, who has no previous acting experience but who could really wrestle as he won the New Jersey State Championship.
Melanie Lynskey plays the druggie mother of Alex Shaffer's character and perhaps she looks familiar as the stalker shrink on "Two and a Half Men" but come on, let's dig deeper. She played George Clooney's sister in "Up in the Air", and was the very first person to kiss Kate Winslet in "Heavenly Creatures" when she was sixteen. Also, Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law, Burt Young plays the kid's grandfather (loved seeing him!). And last but not least, Jeffrey Tambor plays the assistant wrestling coach, always able to deliver his comedic timing in a succint and hilarious way.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Go See: "50/50"
There is a 100% chance that you will love "50/50", even if you're not a fan of Seth Rogen. Director Jonathan Levine ("The Wackness") put together an amazing cast and of course, the multi-talented Joseph Gordon-Leavitt steals the show playing the anguished, emotionally suffering lead. I'm such a huge fan of his - ever since his "3rd Rock From The Sun" TV days, we all knew he had an amazing talent. If you saw "500 Days of Summer" or the haunting, indie flick "Mysterious Skin", you would know what I mean.
This film delicately and raw-ly showed a real side to someone who has cancer and how his family and friends react. There is a pivotal moment in the car when Adam comes to an emotional crossing point with himself and might I just go ahead and say it - I think he will be getting some nominations for his performance in this film. Adam is comforted by a Doctor-in-Training youthful Anna Kendrick, who struggles with maintaining a barrier between doctor and patient. His overbearing mother is played by Angelica Huston (amazing!) and his girlfriend is played by the lovely Bryce Dallas Howard.
I don't even want to say much more about the film because you really need to see it to understand the range of emotions covered in this film. I will say that it really touches you in trying to understand the human emotion, even when it's not spoken.
This film delicately and raw-ly showed a real side to someone who has cancer and how his family and friends react. There is a pivotal moment in the car when Adam comes to an emotional crossing point with himself and might I just go ahead and say it - I think he will be getting some nominations for his performance in this film. Adam is comforted by a Doctor-in-Training youthful Anna Kendrick, who struggles with maintaining a barrier between doctor and patient. His overbearing mother is played by Angelica Huston (amazing!) and his girlfriend is played by the lovely Bryce Dallas Howard.
I don't even want to say much more about the film because you really need to see it to understand the range of emotions covered in this film. I will say that it really touches you in trying to understand the human emotion, even when it's not spoken.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Rent It! - Jane Eyre
I know when I have really taken a liking to a film, when it haunts me and I still wonder about the characters, with possible "what-if" scenarios filling my head. Blame it on a Charlotte Bronte adapted film. So, I finally rented (via Blockbuster - might as well give them a much-needed plug) "Jane Eyre", which came out last year. I was first caught by the way it was shot, so beautiful set-up shots, yet delicately edited to feel like a standard period piece film. It had a hint of modernity, to which the credit goes to Director Cary Fukunuga. He definitely knows what he's doing as he has a cinematography background in addition to his writing and directing credits.
I have never read Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre", nor her sister, Emily's novel, "Wuthering Heights", although I am inspired to now delve in this world of romance, deceit and hardship (which sounds much like an episode of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"). I love how strong-willed the main character, Jane, played by Mia Wasikowski, is in her attempt to escape a depressing childhood, then later to find herself deceived by the man she loves. Wasikowski has a history of playing characters who speak their mind - remember her in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" or the inquisitive Joni in "The Kids Are All Right". But the other person who caught my eye, for many reasons but most notably because he's nice to look at is Michael Fassbender. Now I know I knew the name but couldn't trace him so off I went to do a bit of research. You might remember him from HBO's "Band of Brothers", "X-Men First Class" or "Inglorious Basterds". And he was most recently linked with Zoe Kravitz. Lucky girl! Jamie Bell is in a grown-up role playing a preacher, who falls for Jane. And the ever faithful Dame Judi Dench, plays the house lady of Rochester's estate.
Now, let's get down to the meat of the talent who you may have barely recognized. Rising star Craig Roberts, who starred in Richard Ayoade's "Submarine" and will be in the upcoming "Red Lights" with Robert DeNiro and Sigourney Weaver. Playing Jane Eyre's evil aunt is Sally Hawkins, which you may remember in quite a few episodes of "Little Britain", "Made in Degenham", "Never Let Me Go" and she's in the upcoming "Great Expectations" as directed by Mike Newell. Very excited about seeing that! And of course, last but not least, the lovely Imogen Poots, who plays Blanche Ingram, who's best known for playing Tammy in "28 Weeks Later" and Prue Sorenson in the 2010 remake of the controversial TV drama Bouquet of Barbed Wire and as Jean Ross in the BBC's Christopher and His Kind.
I have never read Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre", nor her sister, Emily's novel, "Wuthering Heights", although I am inspired to now delve in this world of romance, deceit and hardship (which sounds much like an episode of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"). I love how strong-willed the main character, Jane, played by Mia Wasikowski, is in her attempt to escape a depressing childhood, then later to find herself deceived by the man she loves. Wasikowski has a history of playing characters who speak their mind - remember her in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" or the inquisitive Joni in "The Kids Are All Right". But the other person who caught my eye, for many reasons but most notably because he's nice to look at is Michael Fassbender. Now I know I knew the name but couldn't trace him so off I went to do a bit of research. You might remember him from HBO's "Band of Brothers", "X-Men First Class" or "Inglorious Basterds". And he was most recently linked with Zoe Kravitz. Lucky girl! Jamie Bell is in a grown-up role playing a preacher, who falls for Jane. And the ever faithful Dame Judi Dench, plays the house lady of Rochester's estate.
Now, let's get down to the meat of the talent who you may have barely recognized. Rising star Craig Roberts, who starred in Richard Ayoade's "Submarine" and will be in the upcoming "Red Lights" with Robert DeNiro and Sigourney Weaver. Playing Jane Eyre's evil aunt is Sally Hawkins, which you may remember in quite a few episodes of "Little Britain", "Made in Degenham", "Never Let Me Go" and she's in the upcoming "Great Expectations" as directed by Mike Newell. Very excited about seeing that! And of course, last but not least, the lovely Imogen Poots, who plays Blanche Ingram, who's best known for playing Tammy in "28 Weeks Later" and Prue Sorenson in the 2010 remake of the controversial TV drama Bouquet of Barbed Wire and as Jean Ross in the BBC's Christopher and His Kind.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Go See: "The Help"
It's been a day since I saw "The Help" and am still haunted by it. It was an incredible film which such rich historical value. It pains me to know that there was an era where we treated human beings in such an unkind way and yet I still see it happening in other ways in this day and time. I wonder when we will ever all truly get along but watching this film, perhaps shows a side of humanity that perhaps we did not realize had a voice and needed to be heard. So, off I go with my thoughts on "The Help"...
It was highly anticipated (by ahem, me!) and many others. I laughed and I cried, yes, I believe it was about four times that I caught myself with tears rolling down my face. And while you really can't fully replicate the power of an adaptation from a book to a movie, "The Help" completely delivered. An amazing cast for sure - I predict an Oscar nom for the amazing Viola Davis. That woman is incredible and I must say, there was a surprisingly strong and powerful performance by Octavia Spencer.
To have read the book and knowing the entire plot line, as a viewer of the film, your breath is still taken away from the historical references of the civil rights era, the behavior of the southern folks and racism. Bryce Dallas Howard played the epitome of the racist housewife who definitely gets it in the end. (No pun intended.) Her crazy, slightly senile mother was played by the hilarious Sissy Spacek. Well done, Sissy! There is a revealing moment between Minnie and Hilly where you find yourself nearly peeing your pants because of Sissy Spacek's character's outburst.
I thought Emma Stone was perfectly cast as the tenacious, courageous Skeeter. This is one busy girl as she's currently in "Crazy Stupid Love" and will play Spiderman's love interest in the next Spidey flick titled "The Amazing Spiderman". She is also rumored to be dating her co-star Andrew Garfield. Her mother was played by the lovely Allison Janney, who I loved as the kooky mother in "Juno" and most notably as C.J. on "The West Wing".
Keep an eye on Jessica Chastain, playing the wild and loving outsider, Celia Foote. And her gorgeous husband played by Mike Vogel. Perhaps you remember him in the hand-held shot fantasy/sci-fi film, "Cloverfield" and the comedy "She's Out of My League". And there's even a brief role of a strong-minded Harper Collins publisher played by Mary Steenburgen. Oh and how can I forget that "True Blood" was in the house as Lafayette's Nelson Ellis and the crazy pastor's wife in Season 2 who cheated with Jason Stackhouse, actress Anna Camp.
Go see this film - it is so worth it!
It was highly anticipated (by ahem, me!) and many others. I laughed and I cried, yes, I believe it was about four times that I caught myself with tears rolling down my face. And while you really can't fully replicate the power of an adaptation from a book to a movie, "The Help" completely delivered. An amazing cast for sure - I predict an Oscar nom for the amazing Viola Davis. That woman is incredible and I must say, there was a surprisingly strong and powerful performance by Octavia Spencer.
To have read the book and knowing the entire plot line, as a viewer of the film, your breath is still taken away from the historical references of the civil rights era, the behavior of the southern folks and racism. Bryce Dallas Howard played the epitome of the racist housewife who definitely gets it in the end. (No pun intended.) Her crazy, slightly senile mother was played by the hilarious Sissy Spacek. Well done, Sissy! There is a revealing moment between Minnie and Hilly where you find yourself nearly peeing your pants because of Sissy Spacek's character's outburst.
I thought Emma Stone was perfectly cast as the tenacious, courageous Skeeter. This is one busy girl as she's currently in "Crazy Stupid Love" and will play Spiderman's love interest in the next Spidey flick titled "The Amazing Spiderman". She is also rumored to be dating her co-star Andrew Garfield. Her mother was played by the lovely Allison Janney, who I loved as the kooky mother in "Juno" and most notably as C.J. on "The West Wing".
Keep an eye on Jessica Chastain, playing the wild and loving outsider, Celia Foote. And her gorgeous husband played by Mike Vogel. Perhaps you remember him in the hand-held shot fantasy/sci-fi film, "Cloverfield" and the comedy "She's Out of My League". And there's even a brief role of a strong-minded Harper Collins publisher played by Mary Steenburgen. Oh and how can I forget that "True Blood" was in the house as Lafayette's Nelson Ellis and the crazy pastor's wife in Season 2 who cheated with Jason Stackhouse, actress Anna Camp.
Go see this film - it is so worth it!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Go See: "Midnight in Paris"
It was movie catch-up weekend for me and I finally saw the much-anticipated Woody Allen film, "Midnight in Paris", which was a star-studded adventure. Aside from it being shot in one of the world's most romantic cities, you fell in love with the incredible cast. It was refreshing to see Rachel McAdams in a role where she's not the happy-go-lucky, nice girl next door (and a bit obsessed with wearing a belt with every outfit) and Owen Wilson's character, Gil, took on the reminiscent, overly talkative character which is found in a typical Woody Allen film.
And like Woody Allen films, he takes you on a journey through the city and through time both physically and mentally. We travel to Versailles with Gil and Inez, being educated by Michael Sheen's character, Paul, who is an uber intellect, and his girlfriend played by broadway actress, Nina Arianda. The struggling writer, Gil, discovers one drunken night, a way to transport himself (and his imagination) to the roaring 20's in Paris. Gil finds himself rubbing elbows with the likes of Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Sayre, Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Man Ray - just to give you an idea. I imagine that I was sitting a couple of rows away from an art historian when I saw this film as this guy was constantly laughing throughout the film meaning the actors must have portrayed these artists to their full intentions.
Now skeptics may wonder who could have the audacity and talent to represent these iconic figures in the art world but you know me, my brain is searching for what other films these actors are in. So, let's begin with my mind wondering to who played Ernest Hemingway. Something seemed so familiar with him yet I couldn't place it but it was the actor Corey Stoll. Turns out this bloke was in "Salt" playing the russian spy "Shnaider", and then he goes and plays an LAPD Detective on "Law and Order: LA." F. Scott Fitzgerald was portrayed by the UK actor, Tom Hiddleston. He was in "Thor" and will be in a couple of films coming out over the next year, including "The Avengers". Playing his crazy, drunken lady love Zelda Sayre is the amazing Alison Pill, who I loved in "Milk" and the indie flick "Pieces of April". (And she recently became engaged to actor Jay Baruchel.) Feminist Gertrude Stein was played by Kathy Bates who has experience portraying historic characters - don't you remember her playing Molly Brown on "Titanic"? Perhaps one of my favorite portrayals (and because I am quite keen on him), was Adrien Brody as Salvador Dali. With his pencil-thin moustache and wild references to rhinos, it immediately made me log onto wikipedia to answer my curiousity. (BTW, Dali's rhino reference was symbolic to him as he believed it signified divine geometry, along with chastity and the Virgin Mary. Artists!) Marcial Di Fonzo Bo, the argentinian actor, producer and director played the anguished Pablo Picasso and the kicker...are you ready for it? His muse and mistress Adriana was played by the angelic Marion Cotillard. Need I say more?
If I missed anyone, well, it wasn't on purpose as there were so many fine actors in this film. Even the First Lady of France, Carla Bruni. So, I highly recommend this film - you will be fully entertained and maybe even a bit educated.
And like Woody Allen films, he takes you on a journey through the city and through time both physically and mentally. We travel to Versailles with Gil and Inez, being educated by Michael Sheen's character, Paul, who is an uber intellect, and his girlfriend played by broadway actress, Nina Arianda. The struggling writer, Gil, discovers one drunken night, a way to transport himself (and his imagination) to the roaring 20's in Paris. Gil finds himself rubbing elbows with the likes of Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Sayre, Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Man Ray - just to give you an idea. I imagine that I was sitting a couple of rows away from an art historian when I saw this film as this guy was constantly laughing throughout the film meaning the actors must have portrayed these artists to their full intentions.
Now skeptics may wonder who could have the audacity and talent to represent these iconic figures in the art world but you know me, my brain is searching for what other films these actors are in. So, let's begin with my mind wondering to who played Ernest Hemingway. Something seemed so familiar with him yet I couldn't place it but it was the actor Corey Stoll. Turns out this bloke was in "Salt" playing the russian spy "Shnaider", and then he goes and plays an LAPD Detective on "Law and Order: LA." F. Scott Fitzgerald was portrayed by the UK actor, Tom Hiddleston. He was in "Thor" and will be in a couple of films coming out over the next year, including "The Avengers". Playing his crazy, drunken lady love Zelda Sayre is the amazing Alison Pill, who I loved in "Milk" and the indie flick "Pieces of April". (And she recently became engaged to actor Jay Baruchel.) Feminist Gertrude Stein was played by Kathy Bates who has experience portraying historic characters - don't you remember her playing Molly Brown on "Titanic"? Perhaps one of my favorite portrayals (and because I am quite keen on him), was Adrien Brody as Salvador Dali. With his pencil-thin moustache and wild references to rhinos, it immediately made me log onto wikipedia to answer my curiousity. (BTW, Dali's rhino reference was symbolic to him as he believed it signified divine geometry, along with chastity and the Virgin Mary. Artists!) Marcial Di Fonzo Bo, the argentinian actor, producer and director played the anguished Pablo Picasso and the kicker...are you ready for it? His muse and mistress Adriana was played by the angelic Marion Cotillard. Need I say more?
If I missed anyone, well, it wasn't on purpose as there were so many fine actors in this film. Even the First Lady of France, Carla Bruni. So, I highly recommend this film - you will be fully entertained and maybe even a bit educated.
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