Happy New Year!!!!!!

I decided to give you guys a list of a few films that will definitely put you in the mood to ring in the New Year.  First and foremost, When Harry Met Sally, the classic rom-com with two characters of the opposite sex who struggle in their friendship and eventually have to face the truth of their feelings.  If not for the hilarious Billy Crystal and the adorable Meg Ryan, then for the famous scene in the coffee shop, that gives this film number 1 on my list. 

What makes number 2 on the list?  Bridget Jones's Diary.  This British rom-com (seeing a pattern here?) fills the holidays with unattainable new year resolutions, embarrassing moments, a couple of potential relationships, and dysfunctional family events.  Sound familiar to any of you? If anything else, it's Hugh Grant and Colin Firth that make this film a deliciously funny romance.

For number 3, You've Got Mail.  This is for my own personal preference because it has my favourite couple in the movies, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.  A remake of the film Shop Around the Corner, where an independent book store gets put out of business by a large chain just across the street.  All the while, the two owners of the stores communicate anonymously through email and fall in love.  This is a film I can watch over and over.  I guess it would be my guilty pleasure.  I hope you feel the same.



And for a little bit of a throw back, An Affair to Remember.  Or as we know, the more modern Sleepless in Seattle.  Cary Grant invented the romantic comedy hype with the Empire State Building scene, making it what it is today.  And for that, this film makes number 4.      


And finally, we get to the number 5 spot.  I felt that since we've been looking back so much, it's time we look to the future.  New Year's Eve, which is to come out in the new year - December 9, 2011- follows the lives of various couples that all eventually intertwine with one another much like Valentine's Day.  It's another movie filled with actors of our generation.  Nothing is certain yet, but there is rumored to be Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert De Niro, and Zac Efron for starters.  Should be interesting.
 
Well, there you have it.  I apologize to all the guys reading this, I know I gave you a lot of chick flicks, but it was the best I could do where it related to the holidays and the new year.  But don't worry, there is lots more to come!  Happy New Year!!!!!!!

Tangled

We all remember the classic Disney films like Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast, right?  Let's ask ourselves, if we hadn't grown up watching these films, would they still have the same impact on us as they do today?  Probably not...

Tangled is just another example of a Disney film that you'd have to watch as a child in order to completely fall in love with it.  It brought me back to the old days with the silly jokes, the adorable pets, and the princess and her prince.  It's hard not to enjoy this light, happy film with its little chameleon.  But, just as it brought me back, it also reminded me exactly how far I've come.  Oh, how I wish I was still 5 years old when I could have really loved this film and all that it had.  But sadly, I am not.

So, down to business.
Tangled focused on a narrow audience group (children under the age of 10), not really broadening its horizons.  Sure, it had the adorable animals, the arrogant thief turned prince, the pretty princess, the musical numbers and the adventure that comes along with that, but, it seemed like it was seriously holding back.  It was so censored with its jokes and so careful that it almost became obnoxious how innocent it was.  None of the adults really laughed and I don't blame them.  I can understand to an extent why this film would be so careful, but it is also so limiting.

Thinking back on films like Aladdin, Shrek, Finding Nemo, I just didn't see why Tangled couldn't rank itself along with them, as a film that everyone can enjoy, young or old.  It needed to take more risks with its humour in order to take away from the predictable structure of a Disney film.  That was really my only issue with this take on Rapunzel. 

Now, the good notes.  The voices were well done, Mandy Moore in particular as Rapunzel, but my favourite voice I have to say was Zachary Levi who voiced Flynn.  The songs were decent - maybe nothing I would find myself singing in the shower - but still, definitely original.  Overall, the film was delightful to watch.

One last thing to note.  Now, I'm not necessarily sure this is a criticism, but it's something I noticed.  Usually, in a Disney film, there is always some sort of lesson that makes its way through to the audience.  In The Lion King, for example, the basic lesson was the circle of life, thoroughly sung in the opening scene.  In Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, the lesson is don't judge a book by its cover or in more familiar words "the diamond in the rough".  Even in Peter Pan, the lesson is that we all must grow up, accept responsibility and consequences.  But this film, Tangled, had less obvious lessons for the kids to learn.  You would have to look deep for one, and kids aren't known to search for something that isn't right in front of their faces.  So, I guess what I'm saying is, that I would have preferred that there was some sort of lesson that made Tangled a kid classic.  But that's my opinion.

I give this film a 8/10 for being a good Disney film about Rapunzel that has surprisingly never been attempted before.         

The King's Speech

For about a month now, I've been hearing great things about The King's Speech.  I never doubted the rumors, knowing what Colin Firth is capable of, as he has proved himself a superior actor time and time again. Especially now, he doesn't disappoint.  In fact, I would go as far to say, that he brought back to life my faith in the art of acting.

The King's Speech is dated in the early 1930s when King George V of Britain (played by Michael Gambon) dies and leaves his throne to his son Edward VIII (played by Guy Pearce).  Edward is soon abdicated from the throne and replaced with his brother Prince Albert, Duke of York (played by Colin Firth) who becomes King George VI.  It's a little bit of a mouth full, I know.  Basically, while all this is going on in the background, Colin Firth's character, nicknamed Berty, attempts to fix his speech impediment with a speech therapist named Lionel Logue (played by Geoffrey Rush).  Once he becomes king, he is to give the speech of a lifetime in order to inspire his people to unite against Hitler in WWII.

The amount of incredible actors in this film is staggering.  I'm just going to name some of them for you, so you can have an idea...

Colin Firth (aka. Mr. Darcy), Geoffrey Rush (aka. Captain Barbossa), Jennifer Ehle (aka. Elizabeth Bennet), Helena Bonham Carter (aka. Bellatrix Lestrange), Timothy Spall (aka. Wormtail) and Michael Gambon (aka. Dumbledore).  Almost a Harry Potter/Pride and Prejudice cast reunion.                   

 Anyways, back to the film.  The focus remained for the most part on Berty's speech impediment, which is a stammer. The detail and dedication that Colin Firth put into his role was something to see.  It's rare nowadays when actors truly take their time, being specific with every word, every movement, every nod of the head or tilt of the neck.  I felt that everything that was done had its purpose, had a reason for being, and was carefully orchestrated.  Especially with the stammer.  Firth made every twitch of the mouth a work of art and I applaud him for more than succeeding in that extremely difficult task.

Helena Bonham Carter playing Elizabeth, Berty's wife and future Queen Elizabeth, pulled off her role with grace, strength and complete confidence.  Personally, I'm so used to Carter picking roles of a dark and twisted nature, it was so refreshing to see her take on something opposite to that entirely.  She completely left her Fight Club, Sweeny Todd, Corpse Bride and Harry Potter days behind her, making me forget that she was the same person at all.

Geoffrey Rush achieved the same goals.  His witty banter and overall lovable character brought to life the heart of the story.  Firth and Rush made an unbeatable duo that made the film soar.  They brought a humour to the film that was quick, fun and, most of all, welcoming to its audience. 

To conclude, this film ran on the superiority and detail of the acting, which is always for me the most exciting thing to watch.  I also appreciated the accurateness of the history and its flawless presentation.  This film is the strongest I've seen of all 2010, and deserves numerous Oscars as proof for its hard work.

I give this film 9.5/10 if not for everything I've already spoke of, then for bringing together my favourite romantic couple, Mr. Darcy and Miss. Elizabeth Bennet, in that one short - but definitely planned - scene near the end of the film.                 

If You Choose to go Down the Rabbit Hole

Rabbit Hole is about a married couple, Becca and Howie (played by Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) who have recently lost their son in a car accident.  The film follows their everyday lives eight months after the event, along with the grief and guilt that follows them.

To start, it doesn't follow your traditional movie format.  It doesn't have the obvious beginning, middle and end.  While watching it, you pretty much feel like you're intruding in the middle of a story and leaving too early to see it finish.  Not that this is a bad thing.

It makes sense and this is why - I believe the point of this film is that no one goes through grief, through pain in the same way as anyone else.  Becca's character tries to remove the memory of her son entirely from her mind, shutting it out and everyone along with it, while Howie struggles to keep it alive, opening himself up to the memories and the pain.  But no matter what they do, their grief becomes something that they have to bare for the rest of their lives.  The grief becomes a part of them.  So, to give this film an introduction or conclusion, to give it a sort of closure, would be a lie.  There is no end to the grief.  It is rather the point of coping with it and accepting it, not moving on from it or leaving it behind. 

"At some point it becomes bearable, it turns into something that you can crawl out from under and carry around like a brick in your pocket.  You even forget about it for a while and then you reach in for whatever reason and there it is.  It doesn't go away, which is... fine."

It's lines like that which made the Rabbit Hole a movie that connected with me. 

The thing I most liked about the film was that I never felt as if it was trying too hard.  The characters were so real.  They never gave in to making it melodramatic.  In some movies you can almost feel the actors trying to prick you until your tears unwillingly slide down your cheeks.  But this movie was simple- in the sense that- it never expected anything from its audience.  It didn't need your tears or your laughs.  It acted on its own as a sort of free spirit film.  It wasn't trying to extract something from those who witnessed it, but it was simply... being.   

As for the acting, I expected Nicole Kidman's flawless performance, but it was Aaron Eckhart who surprised me.  Personally, having never been truly impressed by Eckhart myself, I have to admit, he made a determined attempt at keeping up with Kidman.  I would say he almost ranked himself at her level of expertise.  But still, he didn't quite make it there either.
But Kidman, oh man, was she something.
I never once remembered that she was an actor.  For those 91 minutes I completely believed that she was Becca.  I was always a fan of hers and am proud to say that the admiration has only grown.
I also want to point out Dianne Weist who played Becca's mother in the film.  I enjoyed her character's delicate take on grief and her honest, but always gentle, inputs on her daughter's life.   

Ultimately, I give this film 8.5/10

The Fighter

I went in to this film hoping for something amazing.  To be completely honest, I was disappointed.

This film is about the life of a real boxer named Mickey Ward (played by Mark Wahlberg) as he trains with his brother (Christian Bale) to compete in boxing.  Keeping in mind that it is based on true events and real people, here is what I thought. 

First and foremost, this two hour film felt more like three, extending beyond its plot capabilities.  I felt as though the film was not about the boxer but about the loud, frustrating and obnoxious family that tries to take control of his life, his earnings and his overall career.  Mickey takes all the ridiculousness that comes along with that, keeping a solemn and calm surface.  He barely stands up for himself, and let's his girlfriend (Amy Adams) do it for him.  Personally, this drove me crazy.  I understand the character is based on a real person and maybe that is how this person is, but for a movie, it gave no opportunity to act for Wahlberg.  I felt little personality from him, therefore, giving me little to connect with and completely taking away my sympathy for his character.

The real hero of the film, in my opinion, was Christian Bale playing Mickey's older brother Dicky.  The transformation he went through to play this role was truly inspiring.  His role includes a washed up boxer that lives on the memory of his glory days, while being addicted to crack.  Bale, therefore, had to change his appearance physically in order to get the dysfunction across.  He played the character very convincingly, finally drawing you in until the focus moves back regrettably to Wahlberg.

The in-your-face family lived up to their title.  I felt the urge to scream back at them throughout various points in the film and understood the frustration coming from Amy Adams' character.  The mother, played by Melissa Leo, gets a thumbs up.  She never failed to annoy me with her controlling and in denial character.  Since that was her purpose, she did it wonderfully.  However, when Mickey does talk back to his family, Wahlberg never truly let's himself go.  This took me out of the film immediately.  I could feel Wahlberg holding himself back, as if somehow it would take away from the story, when in fact, it's what the story needed.  It needed some heart, especially from its main character.

Ultimately, this film had good actors in it, a good supporting cast, but a weak male lead.  This project was too hefty for Wahlberg to take on.

For the overall effect, The Fighter gets a 7/10 for never giving up on its weak link.                            

Black Swan

Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is how horror is done!

So here's a little plot summary for all of you who haven't heard of this film.  It's about a ballet dancer (Natalie Portman) who gains the role of a lifetime playing the Swan Queen. This role requires her to be both the white swan and the black swan.  The innocent and the seductress.  However, she has some trouble being convincing as the black swan.  She gives in to her temptations and her darkness within, with the help of a fellow dancer (Mila Kunis).              

To attempt to review this movie is like trying to explain a nightmare.
Bits and pieces of it stand out.  It makes you sweat, it makes your heart race.  It leaves you restless and unsure.  Everything about it is intensified.  You feel disturbed and perhaps even violated. You find yourself questioning reality. Without consciously trying, you invest yourself in this masterpiece of pure psychological horror.

No more villains in masks and virgin teenager victims. No more predictable plot lines and ear wrenching screams.  We ask for creativity, we ask for originality, and Black Swan delivers us exactly that. 

To say I loved this film feels like an understatement.  Mila Kunis was phenomenal.  She really embodied her role and took it to a whole other level.  Natale Portman was incredible as well.  Her version of purity and innocence (which is meant to be exaggerated) really gives the audience a contrast to Mila's version of corruption and sin.  It gives us the traditional good verses evil, but in such a nontraditional way, portraying it within one's own mind.

This film moves from beginning to end, not giving the audience any breathing room.  This way you never get the chance to remind yourself it's just a movie.  It sucks you in to the world -or the nightmare-, and keeps you locked there until it's over.

I give this film 9/10 for keeping me aware, afraid, nervous and entertained the entire time.  Check out this movie if you want to experience what I experienced.      

"What happened to my sweet girl?"

Love and Other Drugs... the title pretty much sums it up

Okay... so lots to discuss.  Usually, before I watch a film I check out some reviews to see what the critics thought.  In many cases, the critics are right, and this movie is no exception.

For all of you who don't know what it's about: Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal), a ladies man, tries to launch a career in pharmaceutical sales.  He meets Maggie (Anne Hathaway), a live in the moment woman with Parkinson's disease.  Their relationship starts out as sex, and yes you all predicted it, eventually turns into love.  Simple enough? You would think so, wouldn't you...

This film is ambitious to say the least.  Not only does it take on the complications of love, but it felt like it could add on top of that the problem of sexual impotence in males, and the solution with a drug called Viagra. If that wasn't enough, this film needed to add the hardships of Parkinson's disease to the list.  Talk about a heavy load.  Something as difficult and heart wrenching as watching someone go through a disease like Parkinson's, does not deserve to sit on the sidelines of a film.  It deserves to be at the heart of it.

With all these things going on all at once, the product was maybe five or six meaningful scenes that came and went too quickly, not giving the opportunity for impact on the audience.  And in between those scenes?  A kind of musical montage that simply implied the passing of time and the continuation of either the characters' happiness or their sadness.  And let's not forget the pointless sex scenes that persisted in the film.  They added nothing to the story line that I couldn't have assumed myself.  Yes, we know they are two well-toned celebrities, but was it necessary to throw it in our faces in every other scene?  Three quarters through the film I got bored and just wanted to go home.  They never really got to the heart of any of the events, only touching the surface and then quickly moving on to something else because there just wasn't enough time.  My advice, stick to one or two major issues or events - as long as you can properly relate them and keep them balanced - and just leave it at that.

Now I realize I haven't been very positive about this movie, so I'm going to add a few good notes.  The acting was well done.  They played their parts fairly well, nothing really impressed me, but nothing was bad either.  The fat younger brother who stays with Jamie throughout most of the film got a few chuckles from me.  The jokes were tasteful, placed in the appropriate spots.  But like I said, nothing stood out.

So, to conclude, I won't be watching this movie again.  I don't recommend it unless you have some compulsive need to see Jake Gyllenhaal naked (and I wouldn't blame you).  Other than that it's not worth your time or your money.

I give this film 5/10
Good effort, but it doesn't hit the mark...       

The Coming Attractions

So there are a few movies I'm looking forward to that come out in the month of December and in the new year.  I thought I'd give you a heads up.

So for all you romantic audience members out there, look out for a book turned movie (yes, another one) called Something Borrowed.  It's going to hit theaters June 10, 2011.  Now I realize this feels like a long ways away, but, having read the book I am enthusiastic about the outcome.  The cast includes Ginnifer Goodwin as the main character Rachel, Kate Hudson as the self-involved best friend Darcy, and John Krasinski as the supportive but witty best friend Ethan.  In case that didn't get you worked up enough, it also includes a plot that has you supporting the lovable Ginnifer Goodwin as she tries to steal her best friend's fiancee.  You let go of all your morals and overall understanding of right and wrong, in order to hope for this essential home wrecker, to win the guy in the end.  Something to look forward to.  I trust you men know to stay away for your own good.  I wouldn't want you blaming me for wasting 2 hours out of your life.  This is more or less strictly a movie for the cheesy lovestruck girl in all of us.

Now for the more emotionally deep critics out there, Rabbit Hole would suit you perfectly.  It's about dealing with grief in the most realistic and bare way possible.  I can just tell the acting in this film will be worth the time spent watching it.  The cast includes Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, and Sandra Oh.  It comes out December 17 of this year.

A special treat for the country western fans out there: True Grit is a film about revenge and justice, while a young girl hires a bounty hunter (Jeff Bridges) to help track down her father's murderer.  The cast includes Matt Damon, Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, and it's directed by the Coen brothers.  It comes out December 22 of this year.  Another Coen brother classic? 

And finally, for the more fantasy driven fans, Black Swan is a dark thriller that, to be completely honest, just looks really cool and twisted.  It stars Natalie Portman, Wynona Ryder, and Mila Kuniz as they compete in their ballet pursuits. Events unfold and by the looks of the trailer, the black swan might be taking on a more literal interpretation.  This film is out now in selected theaters.   

Check out the trailers of these films and see for yourself if they look worth your time.   

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1

Being a Harry Potter fan in general, I'm sure you can predict my obviously biased point of view.  But looking at the film as a whole- it depends on two perspectives.  One - for those who have read the books and religiously stick by them, and two - for those who have never read the books and just enjoy the movies.  I'm a fan of the books myself, but for those who have never read them, I can see how this film might not have been your favourite out of the seven installments.  I've been told the film moves slowly, not really getting into any action for a good chunk of the beginning.  But I think they needed that chunk to establish the planning and emotional dynamic of the situation.  

The movies have always been mysterious, magical and action packed.  There have been a lot of battles with wands, secrecy, and intrigue.  For the most part, the movies try to maintain a light-hearted feel, but that obviously can't last for long.  The intensity of the series has been building up for this epic finale.  It's time for some real depth.  It's time for the actors to show us readers and viewers what the characters are all about and what we've invested our time and money for.   

So, let's get a move on. 

My overall opinion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 : I love this movie.  I thought they included the most important scenes with the most important details.  The humour came in at all the right times, not overwhelming the hardships of the film, but giving it that special touch.  The acting - best I've seen by them so far.  You could feel the dedication this time; they took no short cuts with the emotion and most importantly the frustration.  They complimented each other perfectly.  Special shout out goes to Rupert Grint.  He's always been my favourite actor out of the three, but this time I was truly blown away.  He acted out the scenes (yelling at Harry in the tent) just like I always imagined with just the right amount of anger and aggressiveness.  Emma Watson also gets a thumbs up.  She uses her eyes to display her feelings, rather than just her body language, and to communicate that with such intensity deserves recognition.  The more experienced actors like Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) and Alan Rickman (Snape) are, as always, impeccable in their performances.  I was really impressed by the artistic flare the producers and director brought to this film, especially during the scene in Lovegood's home where they are reading the story of the deathly hollows as we get to see it unfold.  This film satisfied whatever expectations I might of had and had me leaving giddy with excitement and anticipation for the second half.  It deserves to be number one at the box office!  My only worry now is whether or not the second half will exceed the first half, since my expectations have clearly shot through the roof.  Only time will tell.

I give this film 8.7/10.