I can't wait to be Dancing in the Dark at hanging rock which is basically a Secret Garden on Holy Ground. I mean he was Born in the USA and I was Born to Run there are no Better Days. I might take the Backstreets in a Stolen Car and wear a Brilliant Disguise. He will be a Local Hero in My Hometown.
I've been a little down recently due to how quickly this year has disappeared and my lack of enthusiasm for anything in particular. However in recent days a number of things have provoked excitement for 2013!
(**SPOILER** they are movie related)
I love me some action movies. Cowboys, aliens, zombies, Bruce Willis, good, bad, I don't care. I recently rented Battleship and I am not ashamed to admit that I frickin' loved it.
So you can imagine my excitement when this was released last week.
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS
The dramatic music and the ominous voice over, combined with screaming and the return of Chris Pine and his disproportionately large head, leaves me salivating for more.
That was until this came along....
MAN OF STEEL
Trying to make a Superman that can be taken seriously is a terrific plan. Casting a handsome beardy weirdy in the title role, genius.
I'm pretty sure I also spotted Rusty Crowe, so my ticket is already purchased.
Well, that was my thinking until this appeared.
PACIFIC RIM
This gem appears to combine the likes of Jurassic Park, Iron Man and Prometheus into one giant ball of awesome.
Since I last updated this blog I have also volunteered at the Melbourne International Film Festival, travelled across the globe to NYC, volunteered some more at the Toronto International Film Festival and seen a butt-load of movies.
In the coming days/weeks/months I'm going to try and turn this blog something amazing.
Hold on to your pants, I'm back!
Today I spent 2 hours in a dark room with Bradley Cooper but he managed he steal my heart in minutes. OK, Bradley Cooper wasn’t physically in the room and on screen he was hot for someone else, but hey I can’t help it… I’m smitten!
The film that will cause issues for all my future relationships is David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook. Cooper stars as Pat, a man struggling to get his life back on track who forms a friendship with the equally troubled Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). Rounding out the cast is Robert De Niro, Jackie Weaver and Chris Tucker. The film is equal parts drama, romantic comedy and dancing, which in my eyes is the perfect movie.
Silver Linings Playbook feels like the kind of movie you watch on a Sunday afternoon after a big night, or the type of movie you watch because you can’t agree on something to watch. It is the kind of movie that deserves to be loved and, from the reviews so far, I’m guessing it will be!
Every September thousands of people ascend on the lovely Canadian city of Toronto for the Toronto International Film Festival. The festival is considered to be one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world with over 200 films screened each year.
This is my first trip to the festival and so far I am overwhelmed by its size and quality. At every turn people are lining for hours to catch the next ‘best’ movie. While standing in these lines myself, I am meeting people from every corner of the world, who all share a love of movies and are not afraid to express passionate opinions to strangers.
After one day of festival-ing I have already seen two movies, spotted 6 celebrities and eaten the most amazing burrito.
The first film I caught was Rust and Bone starring Marion Cotillard. Rust and Bone is Jacques Audiard’s follow up to the much acclaimed A Prophet, and tells the story of Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) and Stephanie (Cotillard) who form an unlikely bond in trying times. The film is beautifully shot and acted with superb subtlety, although this doesn't mean it is an easy film to watch. Dealing with the pain and disappointment that life can throw at you, I was constantly fearing the unknown for these characters. This film left me in awe of the human spirt and once again in owe of french cinema.
First thing on my schedule tomorrow is a screening of Silver Linings Playbook, starring the ever-so-handsome Bradley Cooper. The film is about a man getting his life together after spending time in a psychiatric hospital for bipolar disorder. Although it may not sound like it, it’s a comedy and I can’t wait.
The first preview for Disney's Oz: The Great and Powerful has been released and my first impression is meh.
It stars James Franco (doing his best Johnny Depp impression) as a magician, who after becoming trapped in a storm wakes to find himself in a foreign land called Oz. Here he encounters three witches played by Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams and then something happens
As you can tell I’m not very excited about this movie, it may have something to do with the fact that once again Disney are telling me that because I have brown hair I am an evil witch.
The Daily Life is proving to be one of my favourite internet spots. It is an eclectic mix of pop culture, food and odd topics; much like my brain. Todays oddities were Liz Lemon and Troy Barnes rapping and more importantly a top 20 list of movie dance madness!
I love dancing. Choreographed, drunken, I love it all.
The list was pretty good, covering the expected dirty dancing etc. If you are interested to know what they think click here...
More importantly, here are my top 5 cinematic dance moments:
5. Mary Poppins - Step in Time
Mary Poppins would have to be one of the best musicals ever. Wonderful accents, ceiling tea parties and pigeons. Could you ask for anything more? Yes! rooftop dancing. Kick your knees up, step in time!
4. Nice moves Potter.
I love Harry Potter. I love this scene.
I love his dancing the most.
3. Grease 2 - We're Gonna Score Tonight
What can I say, this movie is amazing.
2. Romy & Michelle
For my 10 year high school reunion I intend to behave like Heather and dance like this.
A few weeks ago I went to see Take This Waltz and since then I have been trying to figure out whether or not I liked it, loathed it or just maybe loved it.
The film is about Margo (Michelle Williams), who upon meeting a handsome neighbour starts to question her comfortable existence. I'm very easily won over by self indulgent movies and this one has a very Sofia Coppola feel to it*. It threatens to question the idea of taking chances vs playing it safe, however like Williams's Blue Valentine it feels a little watered down.
It does have a great cast, with Seth Rogen (Husband), Luke Kirby (Handsome man) and Sarah Silverman (Best Friend) rounding out the mains. Rogen and Silverman are particularly lovely, and I would have preferred to watch the film from their perspective.
I think my issues with the movie are due to the fact that Margo is a very unlikeable character, by the end I was rooting for her to fail.
I really did love parts of this movie.
There is a wonderful version of Leonard Cohen's Closing Time, accompanied by dancing and vintage dresses.
Maybe I was wanting too much? Maybe I've just become a cynical movie goer? Maybe it was just crappy?
My favourite beard loving movie critic David had this to say about it:
"it does have these sort of rather strange and seemingly slightly clunky elements of coincidence and contrivance and what have you, but it seemed to me that maybe it's a little bit like a Leonard Cohen song"
I do love Leonard but I just don't know about this.
The preview for the new Les Mis has been released, and those who love Susan Boyle or Anne Hathaway are beyond excited. This adaptation is the latest film from Tom Hooper, his last film TheKing's Speech went on to Oscar glory and the internet is predicting a similar fate for this one.
Unfortunately I do not really care for musicals that take place outside of Greece, however the preview has taught me a few things:
1. The new Universal logo is pretty snazzy.
2. Hugh Jackman is in it and has one hell of a beard.
3. Russell Crowe is a terrific singer. Case in point 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
4. It might encourage people to start wearing bonnets/pirate hats again. They look good on everyone!
5. Kids are adorable when running and covered in dirt.
6. All the men have mastered the 'pout and stare into the distance' look. Do they offer classes for this?
7. Anne Hathaway does not look good with short hair and is one ugly crier.
I love ugly crying
When Dawson cried over Joey leaving him for Pacey
everyone knew she had made the right decision.
Wah Glee
Wah Wah
I know how she feels, I too have watched Bride Wars.
Anne, I wouldn't recommend walking past anything
reflective until your hair grows out either...
Stop the press! In 2011 Kristen Wiig proved that women can be funny and since then we have seen women take over the small screen. At the end of last year we meet a kooky new and 2 broke girls but this year everyone is just talking about Girls. Girls is a new HBO show from up-and-coming writer/director/actor Lena Dunham, which is being hailed as Sex & The recession City.
After four episodes I am not overly impressed by Girls. I think I understand what they are trying to do, as I too am a girl in my mid twenties who two years since graduating university is still just floating and occasionally accepting money from my parents to pay the rent. I get it, Life’s hard for educated white middle class Gen Yer’s. We have all been told we can do whatever we dream of so we never really settle on one thing, we jump from one idea to the next whether it be about employment, housing or men.
What erks me about Girls isn’t the idea or story but rather the easy road it appears to be taking. It is as if some marketing genius said ‘yeah I love it, it’s 4 girls like Sex & the City, its crass like Bridesmaids so let’s just add some stereotypically hipster bullshit and I think we have a winner’. Yes that’s what I hate about Girls, the hipster bullshit. The show looks as if it was shot through instagram as all the colours are muted to make it seem serious, seriously douchy. I get the impression they think they are making something really edgy and that bugs me too. The girls talk about abortions, cruel boys and sexual disappointments but everything is handled in such an american way* that I'm left feeling like I've seen it before.
Oh and what it the obsession with cupcakes and hipsters??? In 2 Broke Girls the super quirky Kat Dennings wants to make a career out of them and here, first episode in, Hannah just must have a cupcake for breakfast whilst taking a morning bath (also who takes a morning bath). I love cupcakes but AHHHHHHHH
But with all that said, I know I will keep watching because I really want to like this show. Maybe that’s what they are banking on.
* 'An american way' means they don't really tackle the issue and yes it is an insult.
I should start by saying I love Baz Luhrmann. I believe he can do no wrong.
I even loved Australia
Luhrmann’s next project is the retelling of The Great Gatsby (in 3D) staring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Toby Maguire.
I have been concerned about this film for a number of reasons:
1. Why would you make it 3D? My eyes are not 3D compatable.
2. I don’t particularly care for Carey Mulligan. These issues stem from An Education which I did not enjoy and were then backed up after Never Let Me Go, which I also did not enjoy.
3. There has been too much hype surrounding it, which normally means this film will be garbage.
4. I do like Leo, but Robert Redford he is not.
5. 3D? What the frick?
But now the wait is over as the first preview is here and it looks.....
I am beyond excited for the final chapter of Nolan's Batman. It has everything you could want. Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, The old man, Tom Hardy. swoon.....
I believe I also spied one Mr Ben Mendelsohn. Blink and you'll miss, but he's there.
I can't wait.
I am also choosing to ignore the presence of Anne Hathaway. She makes me lose control and turn into a giant rage monster.
Until moments ago I was very cross with IMAX Melbourne.
Due to some scheduling issues it looked like I was going to miss out on seeing my favourite doomed lovers on a 7 storey screen. That was until 3.31 this afternoon when I received this life changing* email:
From: IMAX Duty Managers <melbops@museum.vic.gov.au> Date: 30 March 2012 3:31:57 PM AEDT To: Me> Subject:Titanic 3D @ IMAX Melbourne
Hello!
I’m emailing today with an update following your enquiry about Titanic 3D.
Due to the overwhelming interest showed through email and phone contact, we re-negotiated our release schedule to reach an agreement with Twentieth Century Fox. This agreement will see IMAX Melbourne Museum screening Titanic 3D in all our 7 storey glory as of April 5th.
We would like to thank you for taking the time to inquire about seeing Titanic 3D on the worlds (3rd) largest screen and look forward to seeing you here, ‘ready to go back to Titanic’!
So everyone rejoice, for everything is now right in the world!
*Ok I realise I am a little over excited about this news (but I really love Titanic) and at least my friends will be happy that I will finally stop whingeing about it.
and yes I did email IMAX to complain... You are welcome
Since I last updated this blog a lot has happened. Nothing amazingly interesting, but still, things have occurred
that I could have very well blogged about.
1. I saw too many movies.
Prior to the Oscars I was frantically trying to see
everything I thought might be nominated. This was so I could obnoxiously inform
my friends who deserved to win and who indeed would win. This was both tiring
and expensive but more troubling was the damage it may have permanently caused
to my movie going standards. I believe what I have is called over exposure or
movie snobbery. For almost everything I see now doesn’t live up to the hype and I’m left disappointed and judgmental.
These are some of the reviews I gave to my friends:
-My Week With Marilyn – "boring"
-Moneyball – "Brad Pitt has not aged well"
-The Help – "It’s The Blind Side of 2012. What? You thought Sandra deserved an Oscar and you are racist... You’ll love it"
-Martha Marcy May
Marlene – "Meh"
-Hugo – "Bla"
I did really like the Artist
and Tinker Tailor Solider Spy. I also enjoyed We Bought a Zoo... oh and Tower
Heist.
2. I watched this preview.
3. I went to an Oscars party.
Instead of simply watching in the comfort of my tiny lounge room, I decided to tag along to a good old fashioned Oscars party.
Although there were no ball gowns, there were plenty of drinks, laughter and a rather competitive oscars pool.
I did not do well.
But I did decide that I would like to be Emma Stone.
or Jean Dujardin's wife...
4. Next stop was the Port Fairy Folk Festival
This is always the best way to spend the long weekend in March. Golden Plains. smolden glains.
Judy Collins, Adam Cohen, Ahab, Rick E, The Guinness Tent, it's all good
5. St Patrick's Day
If you live in Melbourne you have to spend St Pat's day at the Dan O'Connell. It's the only place to be. They have live music all day and even fake Bono makes an appearance.
It was such a lovely day the sun was out and the drinks were flowing.
Enough said.
All in all I'd have to say it's really not a bad way to spend a few weeks.
After 3 long years Wes Anderson is back and i'm freakin' out!
Moonrise Kingdom, written by Anderson and Roman Coppola featuring most of their usual players, tells the tale of young love in the 60's. After the lovers run away together various factions of the town join together to bring them home.
Moonrise Kingdom appears to have everthing you would expect from a Wes Anderson movie: a sufficiently bizarre plot, a wonderfully bizarre cast and bizarro hispter music! So you better not let me down Wes.
I am already slightly disapointed not to see a Wilson brother and Angelica Huston. Although Tilda Swinton is in and he's my favourite actor!!
I am very much looking forward to Hugo. However I was slightly disappointed when I saw the current preview on tv tonight. Don't get me wrong the movie looks great, I'm just not loving the recycling of this drama inducing piece of music. I already bitched about this early last year so i'll keep it short,
The Fighter, The Adjustment Bureau, Mildred Pierce and now Hugo
Stop using this song, got it!
This is what I had to say last year:
Please do me a favour and watch the three previews below.
There is something about them that has been bugging me.
The Fighter: Paramount/Relativity Media/Mandeville Films - 2010
The Adjustment Bureau: Universal/MRC - 2010
Mildred Pierce: HBO - 2011
I am a lover of movie previews, I can spend hours engrossed in them. I was intrigued to discover that the same piece of music had been used in three prominent releases over a span of 10 months. These three films all received large amounts of publicity and where expected to have successful releases, so why choose the same music?
I have a few theories.
1. It is a great piece of music.
This piece of music, which remains nameless due to the internet being difficult, is perfect for previews. Not only is it dramatic, but the rhythm pulls you in the story and somehow made me feel like something unjust was taking place. It may just be me, as I am a sucker for string instruments, but I wanted to care about this characters.
2. It makes things familiar, so it's easier to connect.
Unlike a popular song this piece of music is not instantly recognised. The preview for The Adjustment Bureau was released first in May 2010 and it instantly stood out to me, by the time The Fighter preview came along in September, I couldn't automatically connect the two. However I do remember watching it repeatedly and feeling a sense of familiarity, I put it down to The Fighter being a great film but now i'm not too sure. I think they wanted me to think that.
After the success of The Fighter at the box office and during awards season, I think the people behind Mildred Pierce decided to stick with a good think. By using the same music it gives the impression that their film is of the same class, a winner!
It is a risk, as you don't want to associate your film with a stinker, however it is possible that instrumental music it is subtle enough to go unnoticed by the majority of viewers.
3. It was purely accidental.
This speaks for itself. It is possible that all the parties involved stumbled across the music and simply thought it was nice. Maybe they don't like watching other companies previews and didn't notice the repetition.
It has been over 2 months
since I updated this blog; I know I hear you, why? errr.... I'm just lazy
But never fear 10 followersI am back and ready to upate!!
Nothing super exciting has happened over the time lapse, I
went to a music festival, saw a few movies, reread an amazing young adult novel
series and took part in some impressive over eating at Christmas.
Due to this less than impressive past few months I contemplated making New Year’s resolutions, to
maybe eat less, drink less, move more, do more. However when the clock struck
2012 I remembered who I am (a lazy person) and why this idea would simply lead
to early New Year disappointment (I was both over eating and over drinking at midnight). Instead I am going to make a early January resolution: I resolve to tone down the lazy and maybe even update this blog at least once a week or at least once a month.
