Moon

For one thing, I love low-budget movies which are given small releases but everyone thought it was really great. And therefore it becomes a landmark in cinema. Moon (2009) is a classic example of this, as it is a sci-fi/thriller which everyone went raving mad for. But am I missing something here?
Sam Bell (portrayed amazingly by Sam Rockwell) is an employee of Lunar Enterprises and is nearly finished his three year term up on the moon for his company. His only friend there is a computer named GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey), which talks and makes 'facial expressions' but is nothing close to normal company. Since Sam has been up there for so long, lunacy gets the better of him, and his longing for home pains him so much, that he starts hallucinating different things. Things get worse when he is required to stay up there for a while longer, and he wants out.
Okay, it's a good concept, and I do admit that I was enthralled by it. But it was a little boring. Like the start is slow which implies that the film will be like this for the rest of the movie. Fortunately for me, it wasn't. It was a movie that got better and better as it went along, as it hit different climaxes and toyed with the viewers emotions. All round, it is a landmark in cinema, thanks to the amazing performance by Sam Rockwell. But I wouldn't recommend to people with short attention spans, because you will never fully get the gift of it.
7/10

Top 100: #97 To Catch A Thief (1955)

During my infatuation with actress Grace Kelly, I bought To Catch a Thief (1955) and generally fell in love with. The costumes are amazing, thanks to the genius of Edith Head, and the suspense is all you could possibly expect from Alfred Hitchcock. This is a true masterpiece in 1950's cinema, and one that hopefully generation after generation will fall in love with as it grows older. Grace Kelly and Cary Grant are just perfect together.

Julie & Julia

Is this bad? Everyone was raving about the Julia side to the story, but I really enjoyed the Julie side. Maybe this is because she's so easy to relate to, thanks to her passion for writing and blogging. Instead of wanting to cook straight after watching this, I felt like writing.
Julie & Julia (2009) is based on the memoirs of Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a writer from New York in 2002, and Julia Child (Meryl Streep), a famous chef who wrote a French cookbook in English in the 1960's. Julie is a woman who is stuck in a dead-end job and wants to do something with her life. She realizes that her love for cooking and her talent for writing could amount to something, and she decides to cook the 524 recipes in Julia Child's cookbook in 365 days. And blog about it. Along with hearing her story, we see the life of Julia Child, an American woman who has a passion for cooking, thanks to her long stay in Paris. Upon hearing that there is no French Cookbook written in English, she and a few friends decide to write one, becoming the most famous cookbook of all-time.
Wow, this movie was inspiring. Apart from the sudden urge to start writing, I got very hungry. If only I could cook like these two ladies. As I said, I found Julie's side of the story much more entertaining, and that's probably got something to do with the blogging aspect of it.
Meryl Streep is fantastic as Julia Child, and I would like to see her win that Oscar for her performance. Amy Adams is perfect as always, choppy haircut and all. Nora Ephron delivers another charmer of a movie, which is impossible not to enjoy but just a tad too long and slow. Recommend for everyone.
8/10

Cheri

Fan of Michelle Pfeiffer? Yes. Fan of period films? Yes. Fan of the romance genre? Yes. Cheri (2009) really had me sold. I thought it would be so great.
Unfortunately, I thought wrong.
Lea (Pfeiffer) is a famous French Courtesan who is aging, and is seriously thinking about retiring from her job. But one thing keeps her going: love. Her love for a younger son of a friend, Cheri (Rupert Friend), who is 25, gives her a new lease on life. She teaches him about love, lust and passion, though their affair generally is short lived. He gets married, but he can't get over this older woman, who basically taught him everything he knew. It isn't long before his wife finds out about his love for Lea, and things get ugly.
No matter how hard I tried to enjoy this, I couldn't. I could seek solace from Michelle Pfeiffer's performance, which was dark, but utterly charming. And how is it that a woman in her 50's can look so beautiful? It's beyond me. I'll give Cheri the benefit of the doubt; I liked the first few minutes as it started off with a bang and ended with a dying sparkler. Don't waste 88 minutes of your life on this unless you really need to.
5/10

Couples Retreat

Yeah, the only reason I watched Couples Retreat (2009) was because Jason Bateman was in it. I love Jason Bateman. Oh, and Malin Akerman was in it too. She's pretty cool. And lets not forget Vince Vaughn, I mean, he's pretty funny. When these three actors are joined by Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis, Jon Favreau, even Kiwi Temuera Morrison, it's a sure-fire hit right? Right...
Couples Retreat has a pretty self explanatory title, four struggling couples decide to go to a resort to build their relationships back up again. All seems well, for starters the couples are holidaying in Bora Bora, which pretty much looks like the most beautiful place in the world. However, the purpose of the trip-to rebuild their relationships-seems to be a lost cause when they engage in several weird activities. Yoga with a muscly instructor being one of them. But can a beautiful island filled with bliss help them make up?
So it does have it's flaws, and unfortunately the good parts are few and far between. There are some funny bits, dramatic bits and complete gross-out bits. But I would have expected a little tiny bit more from Vince Vaughn. And the super cool cast.
6/10

Top 100: #98 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of those great Westerns from the late 60's, depicting two of the most famous outlaws: Butch Cassidy and Sundance. Paul Newman and Robert Redford deliver the performances of their careers, supporting by a fantastic Katharine Ross as Sundance's girlfriend.

"Kid, the next time I say, 'Let's go someplace like Bolivia,' let's GO someplace like Bolivia."--Butch Cassidy

Coco Avant Chanel

I've established the fact that I am now a huge fan of European Cinema. Coco Avant Chanel (2009) is a French film which is not only great, it has so much style and flair that Chanel herself would be impressed.
The film follows Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel's (Audrey Tatou) earlier life, depicting how she went from rags to riches by using her talent of designing clothes. From the time she was 9 years old and living in an orphanage, Coco knew she had to make her own way. Her and her sister were singers at a restaurant, but when her sister left her to marry a baron, Coco went and stayed at a rich friends and began to design hats-without feathers. Coco started the trend of women wearing pants, dresses without corsets, shoes without heels and hats without feathers. And this is what made her famous.
Coco Avant Chanel is a beautiful and stunning portrait, which unfortunately slows down through the middle and fails to keep attention. Though it's a roller coaster of a film, Audrey Tatou delivers a fantastic performance as the amazing Chanel. I learnt a lot about the famous fashion designer, through the heart-breaks and happiness entangled in the script.
I loved it, though it was a flawed masterpiece.
7/10

Failure to Launch

Usually, I avoid films starring Sarah Jessica Parker. But I couldn't resist this one, mainly because it also stars Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper and Justin Bartha. Also, Matthew McConaughey, who I still can't forgive for Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.
McConaughey plays Tripp, a 35 year old still living with his parents. When his parents decide it's time for him to move out, they hire Paula (Parker), a woman who pretends to be in love with him so she can get to him to live somewhere else. And of course, mayhem ensues.
So McConaughey and Parker don't deliver the performances of their careers, but Zooey Deschanel is a particular stand out. Mainly because she's funny as the straight-talking Kit, who has some wild and violent mood swings, thanks to a mockingbird chirping outside her window. Bradley Cooper, of course, is both hot and marvellous, like always. And Justin Bartha, well, he's different. In a good and funny way.
Though this isn't perfect, it's still mildly funny and provides a few laughs to keep entertained. However, it hasn't changed my opinion on McConaughey or Parker. Only watch if you're really bored, but especially if you love Zooey Deschanel, the true star of this movie.
6/10

Top 100: #99 Changeling (2008)

Even though I don't like Angelina Jolie, I liked Changeling. Or rather, I was quite disturbed by it, and found it hard to watch in one sitting. But yet, the movie has stayed with me, and haunted me. Christine Collins (Jolie) goes through every mother's worst nightmare-losing a child. When the police give her a child they believe to be her son, she is adamant that the boy is of no relation to her, but she can't get her message across to the police. Clint Eastwood delivers a powerful, yet thought povoking film which has a surprise performance from Jolie.

"I used to tell Walter, 'Never start a fight... but always finish it.' I didn't start this fight... but by God, I'm going to finish it."- Christine Collins

Top 100: #100 Easter Parade (1948)

Easter Parade, the 1948 musical starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, is just your typical fluffy musical to come from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Garland stars as Hannah Brown, a plain girl who stumbles upon Astaire's Don Hewes. He offers her a life of fame and fortune when he needs to find a new dance partner. But can this girl who knows nothing about fame make it big on the stage? This also stars Peter Lawford and Ann Miller, and is directed by Charles Walters.

"Why didn't you tell me I was in love with you?"-Don Hewes

(500) Days of Summer

Just so you know, 500 Days of Summer is not about 500 days of sunshine; rather, 'Summer' is a girl. So I guess that makes you think it's a romantic comedy then. That's definitely wrong. 500 Days of Summer is the first great anti-romatic comedy. You self-confessed rom-com fans will love this if you loved He's Just Not That Into You.
Take the storyline of He's Just Not that Into You, change it to 'she's just not that into him' and take out the 180 degree backflip at the end and you have 500 Days of Summer. Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a bored greeting card writer whose life is truned upside down when he meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel). They begin to go out, but Summer doesn't believe in love. This is a problem for Tom, because he has believed in love ever since he watched The Graduate. So, they break up. Tom can't let go of Summer, so he looks back on their relationship to see what went wrong. And try to get his girl back.
Part of what makes this film so great is the undeniable chemistry between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. You may recognize Gordon-Levitt from TV's 3rd Rock from the Sun and 90's comedy 10 Things I Hate About You. He's grown up since those days, and is shaping up to be one of this decade's best actors thanks to this film. The same goes for Zooey Deschanel. She's been in many films to date, like Yes Man and Bridge to Terabithia, but has never fully been in a good leading role. With this, she gets even more lovable.
500 Days of Summer screams 'original', with a very funny and different script. It's totally believable, and you're constantly drawn into the character's world. Adding to a perfect script is the perfect soundtrack. This gives a retro feel to the movie, which is complemented by Summer's awesome style.
Director Marc Webb has delivered a movie most directors would love to have in their filmography. He has just been named as the director of Spiderman 4, which will be a substantial change of pace.
All in all, 500 Days of Summer is definitely up there in my list of top films of 2009. And also one of my favourite films of all-time. That's saying something. Thanks to this film I have a new love for retro music; Joseph Gordon-Levitt is my new favourite actor and I can't wait to see him in Inception with my other favourite actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard; and most of all, I have restored faith in the greatness of the independent comedies coming straight from Sundance.
If you go into this film expecting a love story you will probably come away disappointed. However, I know it's impossible not to like this film.
This is not a love story. It's a story about love.
10/10

Fame (2009)

The word 'remake' always makes me shiver. Some remakes have been great, like Hairspray; but unfortunately the 'reinvention' of 80's flick Fame falls flat compared to the original. I watched the original about three weeks ago, and I was blown away by it. It was one 80's movie I actually liked. Sure, this version is more suited to my generation, but it doesn't mean it scores brownie points with me.
Fame is the story of several students who enroll in the prestigious New York School of Performing Arts, to follow their dream; whether it be dancing, singing, composing music or acting. It follows the happy times, the heartbreaking times, the fun times. But how far do these students go? Some may reach the stars, but some realize that the stars aren't where they're headed for.
Okay, so it was enjoyable. I've always been a fan of dance movies, and all the dance scenes in this made me smile. Lets just say, this is a 'cute' attempt at remaking a classic. I think my generation will probably like it, because it has the added 'benefit' of cell-phones and modern technology which usually means a sure-fire hit with the young ones. And it has an ultra-hip soundtrack, which always lightens the mood.
If you've seen the original, you will be immensely disappointed by this. But if you haven't, I guess you'll probably enjoy this, but after watching it I suggest you watch the original.
6/10

Paris 36 (my 100th Blog!!!)

My goodness, I think I'm quite getting into European cinema. Well, I had to admit, Paris 36 (2009) looked pretty cool because a) it was a musical and b) it was French. Won't that impress my French teacher? I've watched two French movies in the space of two weeks.
Paris 36 is about a group who get together and start a variety show at a theatre close to where they live. They start this show, but the slapstick acts and even the impersonators manage to raise few laughs and less people come to every show. But there is one particular stand-out, a young Parisian named Douce (Nora Arnezeder), who is the announcer who turns into a singer. She lifts the show up, and brings a few more people in.
I wouldn't say this is a masterpiece at all, it is heavily flawed by it's complexity. It probably won't translate well to the modern audience, because it is very much a homage to 1930's cinema, and this turns into quite a problem. However, it's easy to be blown away by it's set design and costumes. I love 30's style, and it's put to good use here.
Paris 36 is not a must-see, but it is worth your time.
6/10

Isn't this the best movie poster ever?

I want to see Valentine's Day. A lot. You just look at the cast and tell me your not excited. This is 'He's Just Not That Into You's cast tripled.

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror

Wow. Since when did they sell DVDs at the A & P show? That's like the best thing they had their all weekend. I had to take advantage of all the classic DVDs they were selling (some I had never even heard of. Is that good or bad?), and I bought Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror (1922). Is it just me, or am I a fan of every vampire movie that is not Twilight? Surprisingly, this is the first full length silent feature I have ever watched, and I had no trouble it all following it.
Nosferatu is loosely based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) is a real estate agent who receives word that the mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck) wishes to buy a house in the city and leave his castle in the mountains. So, Hutter leaves behind his wife Ellen (Greta Schroder) to take a long journey to visit Count Orlok. No-one has ever attempted to find him before, and once Hutter gets to his house he knows why. Count Orlok is not only very strange, but he is a vampire out searching for human blood. And he starts to cause a lot of trouble.
Nosferatu is truly a masterpiece in cinema, it's creativity makes it so scary that it may just be one of the best horror's ever made. I hear F.W. Murnau was a master at directing, and after this I wish to see more of his work. Max Schreck makes Orlok one of the scariest characters ever to be filmed, mixing the right amount of pure evil and pure creep.
Would I watch this again? Definitely, I couldn't take my eyes off it. I am astounded by this film, and now I realize I have to watch more silent films. God, I love Nosferatu.
10/10

Year One

Yes, I suppose I was pretty excited about seeing Year One (2009). Mainly because Michael Cera was in it. I mean, he used to be the golden boy of teenage movies. But now he comes across as just plain awkward. Year One crashed. And it burned. Badly.
Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Cera) are lazy hunter-gatherers living in a small village in the year 'one'. However, Zed eats some forbidden fruit and is banished from his cozy village, and takes Oh along with him. They journey far and wide, only to wind up as slaves, but also trying to get the girls they love so much back.
I had faith in this movie. As I said, usually you can't go wrong with Michael Cera. Year One wasn't funny, and the story was lacking enough oomph factor to keep you entertained. I think half way through I started mass-texting people and playing games on my phone to relieve my boredom. Seriously, this movie rips off prehistoric times and tries to make things funny because everything was so 'slow' back in those days. Not even a surprise and uncredited appearance from Paul Rudd could save this.
There were still some minor enjoyable bits in this. Like the appearance from Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin from Superbad), which proved to be the most funny thing in the film. Jack Black needs to step back, and look at his career. Yes, he was funny in Tropic Thunder, but that wont cover up the huge disappointment of Year One.
4/10

For my best friend Cassie...

...I told you I'd put a pic of Patrick Swayze on my blog. Ad publicly thank you for letting me use your Picnik Premium :)

Love you all the way to the flying horse and back (inside joke)!

Nine

I saw the cast of Nine (2009) and instantly thought I HAVE to see this. I mean, how is it possible that you can get Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench and Sophia Loren all in the same film? So, I finally got to see it, and unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. Though those were very high.
Nine is the story of Guido Contini (Day-Lewis), an Italian film director who can't get any inspiration for his film 'Italia'. But he starts to get help-in a weird way- from all the woman in his life: his wife (Cotillard), his mistress (Cruz), his confidante (Dench), his muse (Kidman), his critic (Hudson), his dead mother (Loren) and the whore from his childhood (Fergie). But can he make a film this way?
Okay, so the critics didn't like it. Well I can see why they didn't, the film suffered from misplacing of musical numbers, and it's self-indulgence which didn't translate so well to the audience. But that aside, this was a great movie. The cast was great, but the biggest stand-out was Marion Cotillard. I fell in love with her when she sung 'My Husband Makes Movies'. I never knew she could sing, but man, can she sing. She only got better as the film went on, especially in the song 'Take It All'. The songs weren't astounding, though I really liked 'Cinema Italiano' by Kate Hudson, which was probably the most upbeat song of the lot; and also 'Be Italian' by Fergie. She has an amazing voice and it suited this song well.
Will this win Oscars? i don't think so. Maybe for set design, but probably nothing else. But still, I really really liked Nine.
8/10

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) is just the second foreign film I've watched, and it's become apparent to me that foreign films may be better than American films. Because they mean so much more. And this film will mean a lot to whoever watches it.
This is the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric), who used to be the editor of French Elle, until he suffered from a stroke which left him paralyzed all over. The only thing he could still use was his imagination, memory and his left eye. Learning to speak through his eye, he decides to get a book of his published, with the help of someone taking his dictation.
Jean-Do is quite self-pitying at the start, but once he puts his mind to his work, he is like he was before the stroke. But his memory and imagination are vivid, and refreshing from what is quite a difficult and depressing story. Sometimes I couldn't sit through this movie, it felt to painful because the camera was set in the position as if it was Jean-Do's eye. This gave a feeling of the audience being Jean-Do, and feeling the pain and hurt that he did. However, I really liked the way this film was made. It was so original and haunting, and it sorta made you look at how lucky you are to be living a life where you can do what ever you want.
I would recommend this film to everyone who has a discerning interest in French cinema, or someone who doesn't know how lucky they are to be alive and well.
8/10