Sunday, July 29, 2007

Recommendations from Rebecca

I recently saw 'Wolk Creek' (R), which was excellent. Spooky and gruesome, but great. It's about some English Backpackers who were murdered. It's based on a true story. (***)

I also saw 'Perfume,' which was beautiful in a sick way. Very graphic and beautifully filmed. You'd understand if you saw it. It's about a man who murders women in an attempt to capture their scent and thus create the perfect perfume. Weird, very French. (***)

Recently I watched 'Tim Burton's Corpse Bride,' and I really liked it. I loved the animation, plot and overal atmosphere of the whole thing. It's about a dude who is about to get married. On practising his vows in the woods, he accidentally marries a corpse. Heartbreakingly sweet. (***)

My favourite recently seen film at present is 'De Ja Vu,' starring Denzel Washington. It is a great Mystery/Sci Fi film. Denzel's voice is like honey. The film is about a detective who needs to solve the crime of a ferry boad explosion. He realises that to do that, he must solve the mystery of a woman's murder. Great ending! (****)

Four good viewings.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Blood Diamond

This movie is set in the 1990s during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Danny Archers (Leonardo Dicaprio) and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) lives are brought together by a need to find a "blood diamond" which was buried in the jungle by Solomon whilst he was working in the diamond fields. Both have different agendas but both need to find the diamond to save what is most important to them, for Solomon its his family and Danny its himself. This is a powerful movie full of adrenaline and emotion. The part of the movie which affect you the most is the maipulation of young boys to become soldiers and to believe in a cause that in the end will not help or save them. This is much better than the departed and should have won best movie at the latest academy awards. A must see even for the people who do not like war or 'gun' movies.

Rating: 5/5

10 items or less

I couldn't finish this movie which is really rare. So do not waste your time. Even Morgan Freeman couldnt save it.

Rating : 1/5

Stranger than Fiction

Stranger than fiction is certainly strange. Harold played by Will Ferrell is a boring guy without any aspirations who lives a very lonely and unaspiring life. Karen Effiel is a great novelist who has writers block. Harold and Karen lives are connected as Karen becomes the narrator of Harolds life. If you can rid your mind of the fact that this is totally absurd and enjoy the picture for what it is, then it is an enjoyable bizarre movie. Will finds out early in the narration that his death is imminent. He befriends a literary proffessor played by Dustin Hoffmann and together they try and work out what genre is determining Harolds life and death.

Rating: 4/5

Monday, June 4, 2007

Babel

Its been a few weeks since I saw this movie but thought I would review it because I enjoyed it.
Babel is split into 4 different stories. Each different story is the result of an event that occurs in one of the other stories. There is one story that involves a deaf, mute Japanese teenager. The connection between the other stories is easy to tell but the japanese girl relevance is more difficult. The movie is slow and there are some unrealistic scenes such as when Cate Blanchett and Bratt pitt kiss while she is sitting on a bedpan. When watching I heard from the background "yeah right" from my husband who also found this bit unbelievable. The movie is set in Morrocco and following this film you wonder why anyone would holiday there, especially the amount of elderly that were shown in the film. I felt sorry for the baby sitter. Despite the couple of unrealistic scenes I really enjoyed the movie.

Rating: 4/5

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The title of this popular film reminds me of "Finding Nemo," when Bloat asks little Nemo to swim through "the ring of Fire!"

I confess I am no Harry Potter fan, so I found this film rather tedious and dark. I'm not even sure why I watched it. I think it's too scary for young children; Voldemort is so gross (but not gross enough). I felt utterly ripped off that I did not get to see the Quidditch World Cup, as the game itself is more interesting to me than the story. I thought the boys' hairstyles were way too long and annoying looking. Hermione wasn't as annoying as usual, which is a plus. The story line: no film ever beats the book, I'd say, and this one leaves out a few bits, obviously. The plot always felt like it was missing something. You couldn't watch it and understand it unless you have been reading/watcing the earlier titles in the series. I think it's sad that the boy, Cedrick, dies. Why can't he just be paralysed or something? Why does it have to be so evil and scary?

Anyway, as far as sfx go, this film has some good ones, like the flying horses and the dragons.
Rating: 2 1/2 (can I do halves, Michele? The half is for the adolescents at whom the film is aimed).

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Notes on a Scandal

My review on Notes on a Scandal may be a little off as I watched it over 5 hours on a plane on a little screen with 3 children and plane activities interupting my viewing. Basically the movie is about a young attractive teacher who is new to the school, who is befriended by an older female teacher. Cate Blanchett, the younger teacher, has an affair with a student and is found out by her "friend". The relationship between the two friends is a little creepy which is exactly how you are meant to feel. The movie was watchable, the acting was good and I would only recommend it to someone who really wanted to see it.

Rating : 3/5

Monday, May 14, 2007

Georgia Rule

In Georgia Rule, Rachael ( Lindsay Lohan) is being sent to her grandmother, Georgia (Jane Fonda) by her mother Lily( Felicity Huffmann) because she has become uncontrollable. It is hoped that Georgia with her definite set of rules will be able to tame her granddaughter. What noone expects is the revealation made by Rachael, and how it affects her family. I went to see this movie with no preconceived ideas. These type of movies where the daughter is sent to the grandmother to be sorted out, can be a bid dodgy and predictable. The movie is both a comedy and a drama. In this instance, the issue the movie deals with, is very emotional and the humour relieved some of the uncomfortableness some viewers may feel when watching. I did enjoy it and it certainly got better as the movie went along. I wouldn't take a male to watch, it definately won't be their thing.
Only read below if you are happy to know the 'issue' I've been writing about.

Rating : 4/5

POST MOVIE DISCUSSION
I found this movie very clever. The way Rachael was behaving was initially uncomfortable to watch and unbelievable. As the movie progresses and you understood that she really was a child with no partental structure with the only regular attention being sexual abuse. I loved the relationship she had with the vet and how he would not lower his morals despite all her attempts to seduce him. She also learned that you can have a relationship with a man without it being sexual. Felicity Huffmann was fantastic in her role as Rachaels mother. The confusion and guilt she felt was portrayed excellently and of course she had the difficult question all mothers would be faced with "Who do you believe? " I would say that I would always believe my daughter but if she continually lied I guess you would be in a dilemma. Many more issues could be discussed and I would love to discuss them with someone.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Too Long since last post

Wow I can't believe its been that long since my last blog. Life is very busy and thanks to a friend I realize its been too long. I have seen a few movies but only a few have impressed. I like reviewing the oscar nominated movies and actors, especially the winners. As we all know the Departed won the best film. I found the movie different. I didn't like the ending I felt like it was an easy way to finish the film. Otherwise the movie was enjoyable and would be enjoyed by most. One of the worst films I have seen in a while was the Queen. Helen Mirren was not convincing in her portrayal of the Queen. It felt like a telemovie. Was the movie popular because it was about Diana and how poorly the situation was handled by the Monarchy? I believe so? This is a movie I would not recommend. Enough of the general chit chat I start reviewing now.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Kinky Boots

This movie is based on a true story. It tells the story about Charlie who inherits a shoe store that is going bankrupt. Charlie doesn't want to work in the store, but when he meets Lola a transvestite, he is inspire to make shoes for men who want to be women. He take a gamble but he has a chance to safe the shoe store and everyone working in it. It sounds vey simplistic but sometimes the best movies are the ones that have simple story lines. There is some depth in the movie as it explores everyones feelings about Lola and her way of life.

I loved it and had a good laugh. Its a good movie to watch if you like to smile through a movie. It had a similar feel to it as The Full Monty.

Rating: 4/5

Born into Brothels

I must admit it has been a while since I have watched this documentary but it had an impact and I felt compelled to write about it. This documentary is based in a Brothel in India. The content is based around a french photographer who showed some children who lived in the brothels how to take photos. All of these children had had lives we could not imagine our children having this had an impact on the photos they took. She then took those photos and displayed them in a gallery for the public to witness. Being aware of the future these children will probably have, she then endeavoured to find them appropriate schooling. The movie then explains the difficulties she experienced in doing this.

I was someone who did not enjoy documentaries or foreign films but this documentary changed my mind, and since I have watched and enjoyed many.

Rating : 4/5

World Trade Centre

As this title suggests the movie is about the horrific incidents that occurred on September 11th. The movie is primarily about two policemen who become trapped beneath the rubble of the World Trade Centre collapse and their story of survival and rescue. There was dramatic music which was meant to accompany the script in pulling emotions out from the viewer but it just didn't happen. In contrast, the movie Flight 93 which is also based on the events on 9/11 brought out far more emotion from the viewer. They used unknown actors and it was not sensationalised like "World Trade Centre". I also do not enjoy watching Nicholas Cage so that took some enjoyment from the movie. If you are wanting to choose a movie to watch about 9/11 then choose Flight 93 and then watch the directors comments for more insight on what happened on that day.

Friday, February 9, 2007

Movies watched in the past couple of months

Night at the museum 5/5. The devil wears Prada 3/5. Little miss Sunshine 3/5. Material girls 3/5. The Matador 4/5. Friends with Money 3/5. Flight 93 4/5. Oliver Twist 2/5. Human Trafficking 5/5. Nacho Libre 2/5. Edmond 1/5. Maria Full of Grace 4/5. Storm breaker 4/5 (for pre teens). Shadowboxer 3/5. Step up 3/5. Motorcycle diaries 3/5. D.O.A. 3/5. Capote 3/5. Mozart and the whale 3/5. The Lake House 3/5. Half Light 3/5. Kinky Boots 4/5. Stoned 3/5. Click 3/5. Lady in the water 4/5. 5 fingers 4/5. 3 needles 3/5. Jindabyne 3/5. Candy 4/5. Transamerica 4/5. Hoodwinked 2/5. Grand Champion 1/5. Just my luck 3/5. Shes the man 3/5. An inconvienient truth 3/5. You, me and Dupree 3/5. On a Clear day 3/5. Silent Hill 2/5. Born into Brothels 4/5.


There has been a lot of fantastic acting in some of the above movies but the performances of two people stand out from the rest and these two people are Phillip Seymour-Hoffman in Capote and Felicity Huffman in Transamerica. Both were nominated for academy awards and the movies are worth watching just for the tremendous acting. As I have mentioned in the review of Human Trafficking the acting is magnificent by most especially the unknown actors.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Little Miss Sunshine

Review

Little Miss Sunshine is about an average American girl who wins a place in a beauty competition, and how the family survive travelling together to get to the competition. The parents are played by Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear. There is a lot of differing opinions about this movie. I believe that if you are able to accept the style of the movie and get through the first 1/2 hour then you may enjoy it. I did. The reason I have rated it as watchable and not as recommended is because it is not everyones idea of a good movie.

Rating : 3/5

The Devil Wears Prada

Review

This movie is nothing more than an enjoyable chick flick. The story revolves around Andy who is a wanna be journalist. She is unable to get a job she wants so therefore takes a job at an exclusive fashion magazine as an assistant. Her job is made difficult by her boss.

If you want to watch a movie and not think, then this movie is for you.

Rating : 3/5

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Maria full of Grace

Review

Maria full of Grace is a foreign film with impact. The story revolves around the life of Maria and the choices she makes. The most significant choice she makes is when she decides to become involved in the Columbian drug trafficking business as a drug mule. It does not glamourise drugs but does show the drug mules perspective and how easily it could be to get trapped in the drug trafficking situation.

It is important to note the different relationships Maria has with her sister, Blanca, Lucy and Carla as each of those relationships have an underlying effect on Maria when she decides her own fate and the fate of her unborn child. The differences between the life in Columbia and New York are evident without the storyline emphasing them.

It is a slow movie that must be watched with sub titles.

Rating :4/5

Post movie discussion
I found it intersting to see the differences between Maria and Blanca. Maria was not prepared to live the life her sister does and had a strength to change. In contrast Blanca didn't seem to ever challenge the system in Columbia or be concerned about her role as a drug mule. I found the lack of emotion Maria, Blanca and Lucy had about the entire drug trafficking situation unreal to me, but maybe it is their culture. The movie didn't portray Marias rise to grace to me, I felt there were more selfish reasons for her choices. The reason I believe this is is because Maria never seemed concerned about the safety of her family in Columbia and the result of her rebellion on them, but rather her own needs.

ladder 49

Review

Ladder 49 is a fantastic movie. It follows the career of Jack, a fireman who loves his job. What plagues Jack is the impact his choice of career has, or potentially has, on his family. It is well acted with John Travolta doing a fantastic job as Jacks' boss.

Rating 5/5

Mozart and the Whale

Review

This movie is about Donald and Isabella who who fall in love. What makes this movie different is they both have Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. The movie endeavours to show the difficulties people with this condition endure each day to try and fit in with the general population and how they ultimately feel very isolated. It also shows how having this condition impacts on Donald and Isabellas relationship, despite finally finding each other.

The movie was watchable and would be most suitable for people who have an interest in this condition or people who are directly affected by it.

Rating: 3/5

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Oliver Twist

Review

The latest Oliver Twist movie is certainly not what you would expect. It has a PG rating but is certainly not suitable for young children due to the level of violence and adult themes. It is not a musical.

Age 13 - Adult
Rating 2/5

Night at the museum

Review

Night at the museum was a very funny and enjoyable movie. Many people have mentioned that they have not taken their children to see this movie because it appeared too scary. This movie was not scary at all and was very appropriate for children, especially boys from 5-8 years.

The movie was about a father who takes a job as a night watchman at the museum of natural history. At night all the displays come alive due to a curse. The story revolves around the night watchman and how he interacts with the characters and how together they eliminate the curse. As with all disney movies it is predicable, harmless and wholesome.

If you are looking for a movie to watch together as a family and cannot cope with another animated movie then I would recommend this one.

Ages 5 - Adult
Rating: 5/5

Human trafficking

Review

Human trafficking is currently my number 1 must see movie. It has been a long time since I have seen a movie that has made me think about the world we live in as much as this movie did.

As the title suggests this movie is about the world wide industry of human trafficking. It demonstrates how easily women and children can be lured and trapped into this destructive and devastating situation.

The support actors are fantastic in their portrayal of prostitutes, brothel owners and family members. The lead actors are less convincing but that does not take away the impact this movie has on the viewer.

This movie is lengthy and should be watched only when you have time to regain your thoughts as its impact leaves you thinking for ages.

This movie is not for the faint hearted or those who like feel good movies.

Rating : 5/5
Code : Drama

Post movie discussion

I found it difficult to comprehend that 800000 people are trafficked every year world wide. Not only is it the prostitutes who are involved but also the consumers of this service and the people who are responsible for assisting and maintaining the trafficking. Therefore the numbers of people involved is enormous.