Showing posts with label Esio Trot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Esio Trot. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Dear Sweet Roald Dahl
In between some pretty wretched calls at work (it was one of those days) I tried to recover by reading my newly delivered book, Esio Trot (faithful readers will no doubt recall my obsession with the film version of this endearing tale). Only a page and a half in and I am already feeling better.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
My Valentine
Today was an all day celebration with Jackson. We planned to hit MOM's for lunch then to my house for our Top Secret Mission to make Valentine's for his loved ones and watch Esio Trot. We completed our mission, but only got to see a bit of the film. It was a day jam packed with love, laughs, Krispy Kreme donut delivery to our fave people, and non-stop Bingo in the car.
^moustache^
^eyebrows^
^alien/ant/bumblebee^
^bunny/walrus/beaver^
^vampire^
^the donut equivalent of a soda jerk!^
Fun with carrots!
The Valentines!!
(Bee Mine for Aunt Jen)
Love Grown Chocolate O's for dinner...
...while watching Esio Trot!
Silly selfies!!
Then we realised it was time to go...
...til next time!
Sunday, January 1, 2017
December Films
- Muppets Most Wanted - I'm not a mega Muppet fan or anything, but this one was my favourite of all their films. When Ray Liotta, as an inmate in a Siberian Gulag discovered that Kermit was not the evil criminal mastermind Constantine, but an impostor and shouted to the inmates "let's throw him in the recycling compactor" I nearly did a spit take. He said it with such conviction, as though there would ever exist a Russian prison that adhered to strict recycling policies. Oh my gosh, too dang funny. I thought the cast was absolutely outstanding and the music was BRILLIANT. Days later and I'm still humming and singing them as I dance around the house. I totes recommend it!
- Esio Trot
- Nightwatch - Whilst relaxing at Michel's in Antwerpen I got the opportunity to re-watch a pretty decent Ewan McGregor film from '97. I've never seen the original Danish version but this Nightwatch had just the right amount of suspense, with a really good cast. Ewan McGregor and Josh Brolin in one film? How could I go wrong?
- In a Lonely Place - I had seen this film years ago and the most memorable moment was the night club scene Hadda Brooks singing what became one of my favourite songs of all time, I Hadn't Anyone til You. Bogart put in a solid performance as an angry and frankly, a bit misunderstood, writer. Definitely worth a watch. (Special shout out to Cerpts for scoring me a lovely version of the song, as sung by Ella Fitzgerald. MUAH!! Big kisses.)
- Inside Out - I got the chance to re-watch this on the flight back from Dublin and it was as cute as the last time I saw it, which was also in-flight. Pixar continues to create some of the most original, unique and endearing artwork imaginable. Inside Out is the story of the emotions at the helm of a young girl. The voice casting was right on - Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, and Bill Hader as Fear. But my favourite character, which should come as no surprise, was Bing Bong the imaginary friend as voiced by Richard Kind. Just a really well executed and charmingly sweet film.
- The Grand Budapest Hotel
- Die Hard - My favourite Christmas movie, if only because The Gathering was a TV movie and doesn't officially count as an actual film. I used to have such a crush on Bruce Willis in the 80s, when I was all about the funny fellas. But this flick introduced me, and pretty much the rest of the world, to the incredible and dashing Alan Rickman. What a subtly brilliant performance he gives. And Alexander Godunov was so good as a baddie.
- Jodorowsky's Dune
- Crocodile Dundee - One of the best fun films of my childhood. I never tire of this, The Goonies, or Adventures in Babysitting. It was just what I needed on a quiet evening on the very last day of a hard, hard year.
[The year has come to a close and of all the films I've watched in 2016, The Diary of a Teenage Girl is my number one.]
- Esio Trot
- Nightwatch - Whilst relaxing at Michel's in Antwerpen I got the opportunity to re-watch a pretty decent Ewan McGregor film from '97. I've never seen the original Danish version but this Nightwatch had just the right amount of suspense, with a really good cast. Ewan McGregor and Josh Brolin in one film? How could I go wrong?
- In a Lonely Place - I had seen this film years ago and the most memorable moment was the night club scene Hadda Brooks singing what became one of my favourite songs of all time, I Hadn't Anyone til You. Bogart put in a solid performance as an angry and frankly, a bit misunderstood, writer. Definitely worth a watch. (Special shout out to Cerpts for scoring me a lovely version of the song, as sung by Ella Fitzgerald. MUAH!! Big kisses.)
- Inside Out - I got the chance to re-watch this on the flight back from Dublin and it was as cute as the last time I saw it, which was also in-flight. Pixar continues to create some of the most original, unique and endearing artwork imaginable. Inside Out is the story of the emotions at the helm of a young girl. The voice casting was right on - Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, and Bill Hader as Fear. But my favourite character, which should come as no surprise, was Bing Bong the imaginary friend as voiced by Richard Kind. Just a really well executed and charmingly sweet film.
- The Grand Budapest Hotel
- Die Hard - My favourite Christmas movie, if only because The Gathering was a TV movie and doesn't officially count as an actual film. I used to have such a crush on Bruce Willis in the 80s, when I was all about the funny fellas. But this flick introduced me, and pretty much the rest of the world, to the incredible and dashing Alan Rickman. What a subtly brilliant performance he gives. And Alexander Godunov was so good as a baddie.
- Jodorowsky's Dune
- Crocodile Dundee - One of the best fun films of my childhood. I never tire of this, The Goonies, or Adventures in Babysitting. It was just what I needed on a quiet evening on the very last day of a hard, hard year.
[The year has come to a close and of all the films I've watched in 2016, The Diary of a Teenage Girl is my number one.]
Friday, July 1, 2016
June Films
- Esio Trot - Is there a 12-step program to overcome my obsession with this darling show?
- Hungry for Change - Whenever I am a bit off track with my diet and health, re-watching this documentary always brings my focus back to eating right and trying to maintain a positive outlook on myself.
- Pray the Devil Back to Hell - This film proves that females are exceptional beings. From the moment I read "Then, ordinary women did the unimaginable." I cried. And I pretty much didn't stop throughout the rest of the film. Non-violent protests to combat violence and war seems like an impossible task. The women of Liberia proved that it is not. An uplifting and gorgeous documentary.
- Toy Story 3 - Without question the greatest series of films of all time. I cannot wait until Toy Story 4 comes out next year!!!
- Tab Hunter: Confidential - Ever since Battle Cry I have thought Tab Hunter was the ultimate dreamy-dreamboat boy. This was a great documentary that gave insight to the actual person and not just the pretty boy we all drooled over. So nice to see that he is happy and living his very best life. (sidebar: Is it just me or could Sam Heughan, if he chopped off his locks, went blonde and was clean shaven, totally be a dead ringer for a young Tab Hunter?)
- City Slickers - I remember seeing this in the theatre with Rachel back in '91 and we were roaring with laughter the entire time. So many great lines, most of them from Daniel Stern. The whole scene where he is fighting with his wife at Billy Crystal's bday party was hilarious. I love when Stern screams at her, "If hate were people, I'd be China!" I mean that is brilliant writing.
- Tumbledown - This film gave me the promise of so much more. It felt kind of scattered and at times I could really sense the actors acting, which takes one from the experience of being a part of the film and places them back as merely the viewer. The Boston accents, especially Joe Something-from-True-Blood, seemed out of place seeing as only a handful of the characters spoke like Ben Affleck in Good Will Hunting. I wanted so much to like this, a story of a musician who died too soon and the writing of his life by a fan of his music and by his widow, but in the end all I felt was disappointed. Why do they always make the main characters get together in the end? It's so overdone and boring. However, the songs were serene and beautiful.
- Rocky III - I have no idea what possessed me to re-watch this. It was very 80s and not really in a good way.
- Remember - I liked everything about this except the very end. It was so wonderful to see Martin Landau and Christopher Plummer in different and exciting roles. This film showcased the fact that old does not equal out of style, out of date, or out of touch. These men have more to offer now than ever before. Had the ending been different I would have absolutely loved this film, rather than been left with a disappointed taste in my mouth.
- El Topo - I had reservations about Jodo's most famous film, but actually, fact-ually, I seriously enjoyed it. It was most certainly odd and sometimes unnerving and a lot surreal, but I like the odd and unusual. Next I think I might give Holy Mountain a try...
- The Final Girls - Daddy Pax told me about this film when it first came out and I only just now got around to it. I think I saw the preview for it and decided to give it a watch because Maeby (Alia Shawkat) and Malin Åkerman were in it. (I loved Malin in happythankyoumoreplease and in The Giant Mechanical Man.) Plus it also featured Andy the manny from Modern Family (Adam DeVine) who was cast as the token douche-bag (a role he excelled at) and cutie patootie Alexander Ludwig from Vikings! I'm telling you, that Ludwig kid is so adorable I just wanna adopt him and enroll him in private school. Anyway, back to reality - this movie was really original, something nearly unheard of in the horror genre, but it was and it was super fun. The perfect Saturday afternoon flick when it's hot as blazes out and it's safer inside near the AC.
- The Salvation - That Mads Mikkelsen is the master at subtlety. He conveys so, so much without much action. I love that. Even though I skipped through the scene in the stagecoach (No thank you, rape & humiliation scenes, I have zero interest in you and wish you would go away forever, and take your real life counterparts with you.) I watched everything else and was so impressed with Eva Green's performance. Oh, and Eric Cantona and his gorgeous greying beard made for lovely background eye candy. But that Jeffrey Dean Morgan was a real son-of-a-bitch. Who knew he could be so evil? However, I prefer him as a good guy...Anyway, it had been years since I saw a really good old fashioned Western and this one delivered.
- Maggie's Plan
- Hungry for Change - Whenever I am a bit off track with my diet and health, re-watching this documentary always brings my focus back to eating right and trying to maintain a positive outlook on myself.
- Pray the Devil Back to Hell - This film proves that females are exceptional beings. From the moment I read "Then, ordinary women did the unimaginable." I cried. And I pretty much didn't stop throughout the rest of the film. Non-violent protests to combat violence and war seems like an impossible task. The women of Liberia proved that it is not. An uplifting and gorgeous documentary.
- Toy Story 3 - Without question the greatest series of films of all time. I cannot wait until Toy Story 4 comes out next year!!!
- Tab Hunter: Confidential - Ever since Battle Cry I have thought Tab Hunter was the ultimate dreamy-dreamboat boy. This was a great documentary that gave insight to the actual person and not just the pretty boy we all drooled over. So nice to see that he is happy and living his very best life. (sidebar: Is it just me or could Sam Heughan, if he chopped off his locks, went blonde and was clean shaven, totally be a dead ringer for a young Tab Hunter?)
- City Slickers - I remember seeing this in the theatre with Rachel back in '91 and we were roaring with laughter the entire time. So many great lines, most of them from Daniel Stern. The whole scene where he is fighting with his wife at Billy Crystal's bday party was hilarious. I love when Stern screams at her, "If hate were people, I'd be China!" I mean that is brilliant writing.
- Tumbledown - This film gave me the promise of so much more. It felt kind of scattered and at times I could really sense the actors acting, which takes one from the experience of being a part of the film and places them back as merely the viewer. The Boston accents, especially Joe Something-from-True-Blood, seemed out of place seeing as only a handful of the characters spoke like Ben Affleck in Good Will Hunting. I wanted so much to like this, a story of a musician who died too soon and the writing of his life by a fan of his music and by his widow, but in the end all I felt was disappointed. Why do they always make the main characters get together in the end? It's so overdone and boring. However, the songs were serene and beautiful.
- Rocky III - I have no idea what possessed me to re-watch this. It was very 80s and not really in a good way.
- Remember - I liked everything about this except the very end. It was so wonderful to see Martin Landau and Christopher Plummer in different and exciting roles. This film showcased the fact that old does not equal out of style, out of date, or out of touch. These men have more to offer now than ever before. Had the ending been different I would have absolutely loved this film, rather than been left with a disappointed taste in my mouth.
- El Topo - I had reservations about Jodo's most famous film, but actually, fact-ually, I seriously enjoyed it. It was most certainly odd and sometimes unnerving and a lot surreal, but I like the odd and unusual. Next I think I might give Holy Mountain a try...
- The Final Girls - Daddy Pax told me about this film when it first came out and I only just now got around to it. I think I saw the preview for it and decided to give it a watch because Maeby (Alia Shawkat) and Malin Åkerman were in it. (I loved Malin in happythankyoumoreplease and in The Giant Mechanical Man.) Plus it also featured Andy the manny from Modern Family (Adam DeVine) who was cast as the token douche-bag (a role he excelled at) and cutie patootie Alexander Ludwig from Vikings! I'm telling you, that Ludwig kid is so adorable I just wanna adopt him and enroll him in private school. Anyway, back to reality - this movie was really original, something nearly unheard of in the horror genre, but it was and it was super fun. The perfect Saturday afternoon flick when it's hot as blazes out and it's safer inside near the AC.
- The Salvation - That Mads Mikkelsen is the master at subtlety. He conveys so, so much without much action. I love that. Even though I skipped through the scene in the stagecoach (No thank you, rape & humiliation scenes, I have zero interest in you and wish you would go away forever, and take your real life counterparts with you.) I watched everything else and was so impressed with Eva Green's performance. Oh, and Eric Cantona and his gorgeous greying beard made for lovely background eye candy. But that Jeffrey Dean Morgan was a real son-of-a-bitch. Who knew he could be so evil? However, I prefer him as a good guy...Anyway, it had been years since I saw a really good old fashioned Western and this one delivered.
- Maggie's Plan
Sunday, May 1, 2016
April Movies
- 700 Sundays - I had read Billy Crystal's book that the play was based upon years ago and absolutely loved it. When I was in Belgium and saw that it was on, I couldn't resist staying up late to see it. It was a beautiful love letter to Billy Crystal's parents and his childhood, and yes, no surprise, I got all teary-eyed when Billy told about the day his father died. Okay, I wasn't teary-eyed; I was a sobbing mess. But sometimes a huge cry makes you feel so much better.
- Yes Man - I hadn't seen this film in years and it was still pretty decent. I was at Michel's and the only thing playing in English was that stupid Animal Planet show with the guys that build fish tanks. It's horrendous. Anyways, the premise of Yes Man was definitely an interesting idea on how to live one's life - say Yes to everything. Sadly, I tend to say No to just about everything.
- Jurassic Park - Oh I hadn't watched this movie since, what, high school?? I read the book and loved it and when the movie came out it was such a fun summer flick. Still holds up well and man, Jeff Goldblum never looked better... (No wait, didn't he have facial hair in Grand Budapest Hotel?? He did....okay, I may need to change up that last sentence...)
- The Adjustment Bureau - One of my favourite on-screen romances. That scene on the bus was so well written and so well executed. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt were completely believable and had solid chemistry.
- Esio Trot - I brought my DVD region 2 copy with me and re-watched it a few times at the St. Laurence Place house in Dublin. It's such an infectiously heart-warming film.
- Stuart: A Life Backwards - A god damn depressing-ass movie, but with a duo like Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch sharing the screen, you are guaranteed for exceptional acting.
- How to Fall in Love - I was in the mood for a sweet lil' love story and this movie was really cute. Eric Mabius played a shy fella in need of some help with the ladies and an old school crush of his winds up becoming his dating coach. I was sad to see them change his appearance with new clothes and a haircut and especially having him start wearing contacts, as in my opinion, he needed help with his self-esteem more than anything. The finish was a tad disappointing, as he could have had a real arc to his character but instead at the end he seemed just as insecure and unsure of himself as he was in high school. Still, it was worth a watch.
- The Salt of the Earth
- Bridge of Spies - I had so wanted to see this film in the theatre but never got around to it. It finally became available for me through the library and I couldn't wait to get home, jump in my pjs, and hit Play. It was as I expected - utterly engulfing and completely wonderful. I'm so into true stories and this one was just right. Tom Hanks always hits the mark and delivers a stand-out performance in every role he undertakes. It's become his trademark; you see "Hanks" on the bill and know it'll be a helluva picture.
- Above Suspicion - From the opening credits I wondered if this movie was an actual theatre released film or a Lifetime movie. They were really atrocious. I got about halfway through the film and thought it was so-so but the plot thickened and I liked where the film eventually went. I still feel like the characters were very bland and not terribly well-developed, but it was a decent flick for a Saturday afternoon.
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - This was only worth a watch to see Dolly Parton. God, that woman is beautiful and talented and her autobiography Dolly is one of my all-time faves. Other than that, this movie was kinda dull.
- Golf in the Kingdom - Fine acting from Mason Gamble (who is as handsome as he was adorable as a little boy) and David O'Hara, but the film was sort of "eh" for me. I liked the idea of seeing a sport like golf as something more than a game, as seeing it as a way of life and a tool to bring inner peace and calm, but I felt like it never really grabbed me and made me hunger for each continuing moment. Oh well...
- Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno Live!
- Yes Man - I hadn't seen this film in years and it was still pretty decent. I was at Michel's and the only thing playing in English was that stupid Animal Planet show with the guys that build fish tanks. It's horrendous. Anyways, the premise of Yes Man was definitely an interesting idea on how to live one's life - say Yes to everything. Sadly, I tend to say No to just about everything.
- Jurassic Park - Oh I hadn't watched this movie since, what, high school?? I read the book and loved it and when the movie came out it was such a fun summer flick. Still holds up well and man, Jeff Goldblum never looked better... (No wait, didn't he have facial hair in Grand Budapest Hotel?? He did....okay, I may need to change up that last sentence...)
- The Adjustment Bureau - One of my favourite on-screen romances. That scene on the bus was so well written and so well executed. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt were completely believable and had solid chemistry.
- Esio Trot - I brought my DVD region 2 copy with me and re-watched it a few times at the St. Laurence Place house in Dublin. It's such an infectiously heart-warming film.
- Stuart: A Life Backwards - A god damn depressing-ass movie, but with a duo like Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch sharing the screen, you are guaranteed for exceptional acting.
- How to Fall in Love - I was in the mood for a sweet lil' love story and this movie was really cute. Eric Mabius played a shy fella in need of some help with the ladies and an old school crush of his winds up becoming his dating coach. I was sad to see them change his appearance with new clothes and a haircut and especially having him start wearing contacts, as in my opinion, he needed help with his self-esteem more than anything. The finish was a tad disappointing, as he could have had a real arc to his character but instead at the end he seemed just as insecure and unsure of himself as he was in high school. Still, it was worth a watch.
- The Salt of the Earth
- Bridge of Spies - I had so wanted to see this film in the theatre but never got around to it. It finally became available for me through the library and I couldn't wait to get home, jump in my pjs, and hit Play. It was as I expected - utterly engulfing and completely wonderful. I'm so into true stories and this one was just right. Tom Hanks always hits the mark and delivers a stand-out performance in every role he undertakes. It's become his trademark; you see "Hanks" on the bill and know it'll be a helluva picture.
- Above Suspicion - From the opening credits I wondered if this movie was an actual theatre released film or a Lifetime movie. They were really atrocious. I got about halfway through the film and thought it was so-so but the plot thickened and I liked where the film eventually went. I still feel like the characters were very bland and not terribly well-developed, but it was a decent flick for a Saturday afternoon.
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - This was only worth a watch to see Dolly Parton. God, that woman is beautiful and talented and her autobiography Dolly is one of my all-time faves. Other than that, this movie was kinda dull.
- Golf in the Kingdom - Fine acting from Mason Gamble (who is as handsome as he was adorable as a little boy) and David O'Hara, but the film was sort of "eh" for me. I liked the idea of seeing a sport like golf as something more than a game, as seeing it as a way of life and a tool to bring inner peace and calm, but I felt like it never really grabbed me and made me hunger for each continuing moment. Oh well...
- Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno Live!
Monday, February 1, 2016
January Flicks
Here are all of the movies that I watched last month. Special shout out to Cerpts for inspiring this post!
- Mad Hot Ballroom - A wonderful and uplifting documentary. I dare you, the viewer, to not fall in love with these kids.
- Emulsion - Moody and intriguing Indie Brit flick. It's shot gorgeously (is that even a word - it should be in this case) and is the kind of film you wanna watch again and again as you discover something new each time.
- Mistress America - Interesting film with another fab Gerwig performance - I've loved her since Baghead. Michael Chernus (from OITNB and Captain Phillips) was so funny. When he admitted that he only recently (what did he say, like, last week or something??) learned what Case Sensitive meant I busted out laughing. God, I feel the same way...
- Open Hearts - Great acting, however the female lead's character was super annoying. What a fickle c-word.
- August: Osage County - An absolutely excruciating movie to sit through - including the entire last hour which I fast-forwarded. The only golden ray of sunshine was Chris Cooper. He is always extraordinary.
- A Case of You - "Can I cook you dinner sometime?" - this is the best way to ask a woman out. Such a romantic line.
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl - Exceptional film. Not immature or predictable, but honest, charming, and beautifully made.
- Beauty is Embarrassing - I saw this a few years back and I'm so glad I re-visited it - really interesting to know there's an artist out there with a fantastic and unique sense of humour and that he puts it right into his art.
- A Walk Among the Tombstones - An extremely disturbing scene at the beginning where you think it's one thing and then you realise it's the exact opposite; it messes with your brain completely. I stuck with it and it turned out to be a pretty damn good movie. A stand out performance from Dan Stephens and of course, Liam Neeson is always fabulous. I really dug the throwback to classic 70s NYC PI flicks.
- How to Cook Your Life - eh...
- Clean, Shaven - Didn't like it and don't feel the need to justify why.
- The Goonies - After the last film, I needed something that was gonna make me smile and Goonies always delivers. When it was all over I re-watched it with the commentary, which is so good, and laughed all over again. So many fun moments and fabulous acting that tends to be overlooked since it's a "kids movie" - but honestly, as a kid, a teenager, an adult, I have always loved this film and damn it, I always will!
- What We Do in the Shadows - Austin Kleon mentioned this movie and I gotta say, it was pretty damn original and very odd. But in a good way. I did love every moment with Stu. The scene where they all watch a sunrise on YouTube? Hilarious.
- 5 to 7 - Evan, a fella I used to work with, will text me every so often with film suggestions. Even though he has peculiar taste in movies (his favourite films are Oliver! and The Expendables - I'm not joking.) he was responsible for introducing me to The Giant Mechanical Man, which I absolutely adored. 5 to 7 was excellent. I really like Anton Yelchin and have ever since he played Bird on Huff - god, he was wonderful in that role. Yelchin has the ability to pack so much maturity, knowledge, youthful optimism, and gentle power in this performance. I was really wowed by him. Also, Glenn Close and Frank Langella were cast in small, but stellar parts and they were, as always, outstanding.
- We Are The Best! - I saw that this film was playing at the Theatre N in Wilmington, but didn't get a chance to see it, so I made a note of it to check it out on DVD. It was a really fun and honest portrait of how most punk bands get their start - friends with something to say, feeling a bit angry and looking for an outlet decide to form a band and learn how to play their instruments as they go along. Really great acting from the three female leads.
- Plan Bart - A Belgian flick with three actors I've seen in other shows, but truth be told, I picked it up for Wouter Hendrickx because he is super delightful. Plan Bart was just a nice movie to watch on a Saturday afternoon when there's a blizzard coming down right outside the walls of your home.
- Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - I love this beautiful film.
- Esio Trot - After Mr. Magorium I needed more of Dustin Hoffman. I dug out my region 2 copy of Esio Trot and was as charmed by it as the first time I watched it last Summer. When I was in Belgium I saw Dustin and Judi Dench on Graham Norton discussing their experiences on the set of Esio Trot and the clip of the film that was shown convinced me that as soon as I could, I would need to snatch up a copy of the DVD for myself. I'm so glad that I did because it was such a sweet movie. Judi Dench is sexier and sassier than ever as Mrs. Silver and no one but Dustin Hoffman could have played Mr. Hoppy. A totally gorgeous picture.
- Enough Said - Just as witty and endearing as the first time I saw it.
- Trumbo - see more here.
- Ricki and the Flash - Better than I expected. I think what I liked most about it was seeing Meryl Streep play a completely normal, regular person. The scene where she is working the register and ringing up that guy at the supermarket was perfection. The look on Streep's face when she is essentially scolded by her teenage manager is why she is the best there ever will be in the business.
- BearCity - My cousin Donna, just before her death, had told me that her two favourite movies were BearCity 2 and BearCity. In that order. I finally bumped it up in my Netflix queue and had a look. It was a typical Indie Gay film, with lots of likable characters, a few scamps, some sleaze, some romance, and with a happy ending, of course. The stand out, obviously, was Stephen Guarino, who is the most infectiously hilarious and adorable man of all time.
- Umbrellas of Cherbourg - I didn't go gaga over this film, but I did love how it looked and that every word to be spoken was sung. Such a unique and beautiful looking film - so glad I watched it!
- Blue Is the Warmest Colour - I hadn't seen this film since it was first released on DVD and I'd forgotten just how captivating it was. Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux were such a great onscreen couple, with incredibly sensual love scenes (which sadly get talked about more than other moments). I most enjoy the scenes in romances where the characters fall in love and the performances in this film felt so real and truthful. I wanted them to stay in love like that forever.
Holy schnikes, 24 films in one month...and that doesn't include my watching Hart to Hart and McMillan and Wife reruns...more film posts with mini-reviews to come on March 1st!
- Mad Hot Ballroom - A wonderful and uplifting documentary. I dare you, the viewer, to not fall in love with these kids.
- Emulsion - Moody and intriguing Indie Brit flick. It's shot gorgeously (is that even a word - it should be in this case) and is the kind of film you wanna watch again and again as you discover something new each time.
- Mistress America - Interesting film with another fab Gerwig performance - I've loved her since Baghead. Michael Chernus (from OITNB and Captain Phillips) was so funny. When he admitted that he only recently (what did he say, like, last week or something??) learned what Case Sensitive meant I busted out laughing. God, I feel the same way...
- Open Hearts - Great acting, however the female lead's character was super annoying. What a fickle c-word.
- August: Osage County - An absolutely excruciating movie to sit through - including the entire last hour which I fast-forwarded. The only golden ray of sunshine was Chris Cooper. He is always extraordinary.
- A Case of You - "Can I cook you dinner sometime?" - this is the best way to ask a woman out. Such a romantic line.
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl - Exceptional film. Not immature or predictable, but honest, charming, and beautifully made.
- Beauty is Embarrassing - I saw this a few years back and I'm so glad I re-visited it - really interesting to know there's an artist out there with a fantastic and unique sense of humour and that he puts it right into his art.
- A Walk Among the Tombstones - An extremely disturbing scene at the beginning where you think it's one thing and then you realise it's the exact opposite; it messes with your brain completely. I stuck with it and it turned out to be a pretty damn good movie. A stand out performance from Dan Stephens and of course, Liam Neeson is always fabulous. I really dug the throwback to classic 70s NYC PI flicks.
- How to Cook Your Life - eh...
- Clean, Shaven - Didn't like it and don't feel the need to justify why.
- The Goonies - After the last film, I needed something that was gonna make me smile and Goonies always delivers. When it was all over I re-watched it with the commentary, which is so good, and laughed all over again. So many fun moments and fabulous acting that tends to be overlooked since it's a "kids movie" - but honestly, as a kid, a teenager, an adult, I have always loved this film and damn it, I always will!
- What We Do in the Shadows - Austin Kleon mentioned this movie and I gotta say, it was pretty damn original and very odd. But in a good way. I did love every moment with Stu. The scene where they all watch a sunrise on YouTube? Hilarious.
- 5 to 7 - Evan, a fella I used to work with, will text me every so often with film suggestions. Even though he has peculiar taste in movies (his favourite films are Oliver! and The Expendables - I'm not joking.) he was responsible for introducing me to The Giant Mechanical Man, which I absolutely adored. 5 to 7 was excellent. I really like Anton Yelchin and have ever since he played Bird on Huff - god, he was wonderful in that role. Yelchin has the ability to pack so much maturity, knowledge, youthful optimism, and gentle power in this performance. I was really wowed by him. Also, Glenn Close and Frank Langella were cast in small, but stellar parts and they were, as always, outstanding.
- We Are The Best! - I saw that this film was playing at the Theatre N in Wilmington, but didn't get a chance to see it, so I made a note of it to check it out on DVD. It was a really fun and honest portrait of how most punk bands get their start - friends with something to say, feeling a bit angry and looking for an outlet decide to form a band and learn how to play their instruments as they go along. Really great acting from the three female leads.
- Plan Bart - A Belgian flick with three actors I've seen in other shows, but truth be told, I picked it up for Wouter Hendrickx because he is super delightful. Plan Bart was just a nice movie to watch on a Saturday afternoon when there's a blizzard coming down right outside the walls of your home.
- Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - I love this beautiful film.
- Esio Trot - After Mr. Magorium I needed more of Dustin Hoffman. I dug out my region 2 copy of Esio Trot and was as charmed by it as the first time I watched it last Summer. When I was in Belgium I saw Dustin and Judi Dench on Graham Norton discussing their experiences on the set of Esio Trot and the clip of the film that was shown convinced me that as soon as I could, I would need to snatch up a copy of the DVD for myself. I'm so glad that I did because it was such a sweet movie. Judi Dench is sexier and sassier than ever as Mrs. Silver and no one but Dustin Hoffman could have played Mr. Hoppy. A totally gorgeous picture.
- Enough Said - Just as witty and endearing as the first time I saw it.
- Trumbo - see more here.
- Ricki and the Flash - Better than I expected. I think what I liked most about it was seeing Meryl Streep play a completely normal, regular person. The scene where she is working the register and ringing up that guy at the supermarket was perfection. The look on Streep's face when she is essentially scolded by her teenage manager is why she is the best there ever will be in the business.
- BearCity - My cousin Donna, just before her death, had told me that her two favourite movies were BearCity 2 and BearCity. In that order. I finally bumped it up in my Netflix queue and had a look. It was a typical Indie Gay film, with lots of likable characters, a few scamps, some sleaze, some romance, and with a happy ending, of course. The stand out, obviously, was Stephen Guarino, who is the most infectiously hilarious and adorable man of all time.
- Umbrellas of Cherbourg - I didn't go gaga over this film, but I did love how it looked and that every word to be spoken was sung. Such a unique and beautiful looking film - so glad I watched it!
- Blue Is the Warmest Colour - I hadn't seen this film since it was first released on DVD and I'd forgotten just how captivating it was. Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux were such a great onscreen couple, with incredibly sensual love scenes (which sadly get talked about more than other moments). I most enjoy the scenes in romances where the characters fall in love and the performances in this film felt so real and truthful. I wanted them to stay in love like that forever.
Holy schnikes, 24 films in one month...and that doesn't include my watching Hart to Hart and McMillan and Wife reruns...more film posts with mini-reviews to come on March 1st!
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