When it comes to movies, disturbing ones have never been my thing. In a genre of their own, most of these "shock" movies try to be more disturbing than the last, forgetting about simple cinematic needs, like plot and dialogue. What intrigued me about Dogtooth, was that it was apparently a very good movie, that so happened to be disturbing, so i decided to give it a watch.
Having no background information on the movie, I quickly realized that Dogtooth was a foreign film, with english subtitles. While I don't mind reading subtitles, this may be off putting for some viewers. Not as off putting as the movie itself.
The movie starts off with a very awkward sex scene. Not a dramatized, strategically shot hollywood sex scene, but a vey realistic (may actually be real) sex scene. The movie then proceeds to get weirder and weirder. Near the beginning, I was wondering if I would be able to make it through this movie.
We find out that the movie is centered around a very different family. The parents keep their 3 children (2 girls, 1 boy) completely isolated from the outside world. They are kept in a combine with no outsiders allowed, and no signs of the outside world. While this may sound like a pretty overdone premise, no film interpreted this isolation the way that Dogtooth has done. Dogtooth looked at the sacrifice that the parents go through in order to keep their children away from the outside world, and how the children do not behave in any socially normal ways.
Dogtooth is gripping. There are scenes that will make you cringe, laugh, or even be shaken by the families behaviour, but these scenes will keep you thinking. I you can overcome the disturbing subject matter, then there is quite a good movie lying underneath
4/5
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Friday, 12 April 2013
Midnight in Paris
Throughout my life, my parents had warned me about Woody Allen movies. When they were young, they went and saw "The Purple Rose of Cairo", and walked out because it was so awful. This disdain for Woody Allen movies had been passed down to me at a young age, even though I had never watch one of his movies. During the 2011 Academy Awards, I tried to watch all of the best picture nominations, and Midnight in Paris was one of them. It was time to watch my first Woody Allen movie.
From the opening credits, i could tell this movie was going to be special. The film starts with 4 minutes of beautiful shots of Paris, set to a wonderful Parisian soundtrack that plays for most of the movie. Allen is known to bring out the best in cities, such as New York and Spain, and you can tell his admiration for Paris by the shots he chose for his openning credits. Another thing I noticed very early in the movie was that Woody Allen attracts great actors. Midnight in Paris had Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Cathy Bates, and Adrian Brody. This movie was shaping up well.
As the movie progressed, I kept falling deeply, deeply in love with Paris. The scene that sticks in my mind the most was a very philosophical conversation while exploring the grounds of Versailles. This conversation centered around the concept of golden age thinking, which is as stated in the movie as "the erroneous notion that a different time period is better than the one ones living in". This thought leads in perfectly when the movie takes a very interesting plot twist.
While on a bit of a drunk expedition around Paris, Gil (Wilson), gets lost and takes a a break. When the clock stikes midnight, he is approached by a very old car, and the people inside ask him to come drink with them. He soon realizes that these people are idols of his, from the 1920's. Throughout his adventures, he meets the Fitzgeralds, Ernest Hemingway, and Gertrude Stein among others.
After returning to his dream period of history, Gil is faced with a decision: live his life in the past and escape reality, or return to his life and live it the best he can.
Midnight in Paris is a wonderful movie. Enjoyable from beginning to end, witty, funny, and even thoughtful. A movie that you can watch numerous times and still laugh, and that people will enjoy no matter what kinds of movies they like. I now understand why Woody Allen is so famous.
5/5
From the opening credits, i could tell this movie was going to be special. The film starts with 4 minutes of beautiful shots of Paris, set to a wonderful Parisian soundtrack that plays for most of the movie. Allen is known to bring out the best in cities, such as New York and Spain, and you can tell his admiration for Paris by the shots he chose for his openning credits. Another thing I noticed very early in the movie was that Woody Allen attracts great actors. Midnight in Paris had Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Cathy Bates, and Adrian Brody. This movie was shaping up well.
As the movie progressed, I kept falling deeply, deeply in love with Paris. The scene that sticks in my mind the most was a very philosophical conversation while exploring the grounds of Versailles. This conversation centered around the concept of golden age thinking, which is as stated in the movie as "the erroneous notion that a different time period is better than the one ones living in". This thought leads in perfectly when the movie takes a very interesting plot twist.
While on a bit of a drunk expedition around Paris, Gil (Wilson), gets lost and takes a a break. When the clock stikes midnight, he is approached by a very old car, and the people inside ask him to come drink with them. He soon realizes that these people are idols of his, from the 1920's. Throughout his adventures, he meets the Fitzgeralds, Ernest Hemingway, and Gertrude Stein among others.
After returning to his dream period of history, Gil is faced with a decision: live his life in the past and escape reality, or return to his life and live it the best he can.
Midnight in Paris is a wonderful movie. Enjoyable from beginning to end, witty, funny, and even thoughtful. A movie that you can watch numerous times and still laugh, and that people will enjoy no matter what kinds of movies they like. I now understand why Woody Allen is so famous.
5/5
Monday, 8 April 2013
Lost in Translation
The daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, director Sofia Coppola had some very big shoes to fill. During the early stages of her directing career, Sofia Coppola didn't get much respect for her directing skills, mostly due to her father funding her projects. This changed in 2003 when she came out with Lost in Translation.
Lost in Translation centers around an over the hill actor, Bob Harris (Bill Murray), and a newlywed, Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), who are both visiting Japan. Bob is getting paid 2 million dollars to endorse a whisky, and Charlotte is following her husband who is there to do a photo shoot with a band. Bob and Charlotte are both lost in their respective lives, searching for something that will point them in the right direction. They meet each other in the hotel bar, and develop a very interesting emotional relationship.
Both Murray and Johansson play such full bodied characters that it is tough for me to see them playing other roles. Murray adds a bit of well timed, subtle comedy while Johansson plays the perfect blend of ditsy, yet endearing. They have such amazing chemistry together, that you forget that they had over 30 years in age difference. Throughout their short stay in Japan, Bob and Charlotte learn so much about themselves while being together, and they will benefit from their brief encounter for the rest of their lives.
This film is meant to be personal. My interpretation of this movie will be different than anyone else's, and I think that is what I enjoy most about it. Lost in Translation is my movie, and nobody can take that away from me. One of the last scenes is Bob saying goodbye to Charlotte in a busy market, and Bob whispers something inaudible to Charlotte that deeply effects them. This scene is what makes this movie. You can make up whatever you feel appropriate to end this movie. It is your personal film.
From the cinematography, to the dialogue, to the acting, Lost in Translation is perfect, however, my version of Lost in Translation will be different than yours. My favourite movie, and I hope you can enjoy it as much as I do.
5/5
Lost in Translation centers around an over the hill actor, Bob Harris (Bill Murray), and a newlywed, Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), who are both visiting Japan. Bob is getting paid 2 million dollars to endorse a whisky, and Charlotte is following her husband who is there to do a photo shoot with a band. Bob and Charlotte are both lost in their respective lives, searching for something that will point them in the right direction. They meet each other in the hotel bar, and develop a very interesting emotional relationship.
Both Murray and Johansson play such full bodied characters that it is tough for me to see them playing other roles. Murray adds a bit of well timed, subtle comedy while Johansson plays the perfect blend of ditsy, yet endearing. They have such amazing chemistry together, that you forget that they had over 30 years in age difference. Throughout their short stay in Japan, Bob and Charlotte learn so much about themselves while being together, and they will benefit from their brief encounter for the rest of their lives.
This film is meant to be personal. My interpretation of this movie will be different than anyone else's, and I think that is what I enjoy most about it. Lost in Translation is my movie, and nobody can take that away from me. One of the last scenes is Bob saying goodbye to Charlotte in a busy market, and Bob whispers something inaudible to Charlotte that deeply effects them. This scene is what makes this movie. You can make up whatever you feel appropriate to end this movie. It is your personal film.
From the cinematography, to the dialogue, to the acting, Lost in Translation is perfect, however, my version of Lost in Translation will be different than yours. My favourite movie, and I hope you can enjoy it as much as I do.
5/5
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
The Watch
Despite having a promising cast and a great premise, The Watch turned out be a flop. Even with having a pre conceived notion about the movie, after finishing my viewing, I couldn't help but wonder what everyone disliked about it.
Sure The Watch wasn't as funny as it could have been, and sure it was thematically erratic, but the purpose of the movie was to entertain and I for one, was entertain.
The Watch had the stars Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Johah Hill, and newcomer Richard Ayoade, who all seemed to have good chemistry. The problem about having a lot of stars in this movie is that there was not enough dialogue for each character to really develop. Jonah Hill, probably the best actor of the bunch, was barely even noticeable throughout the movie.
If I were to find a comparable movie, I would have to say it is a less polished version of KickAss. Both films try to balance comedy with intense action, I just feel like The Watch missed the balance just a little bit.
The Watch was not a perfect movie, but I laughed at quite a few parts, and actually enjoyed the story as well. Entertaining movie.
3.5/5
Sure The Watch wasn't as funny as it could have been, and sure it was thematically erratic, but the purpose of the movie was to entertain and I for one, was entertain.
The Watch had the stars Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Johah Hill, and newcomer Richard Ayoade, who all seemed to have good chemistry. The problem about having a lot of stars in this movie is that there was not enough dialogue for each character to really develop. Jonah Hill, probably the best actor of the bunch, was barely even noticeable throughout the movie.
If I were to find a comparable movie, I would have to say it is a less polished version of KickAss. Both films try to balance comedy with intense action, I just feel like The Watch missed the balance just a little bit.
The Watch was not a perfect movie, but I laughed at quite a few parts, and actually enjoyed the story as well. Entertaining movie.
3.5/5
Thursday, 28 March 2013
Superbad
When I think of the times that I went to the movies with friends in high school, the movie that I remember the most was Superbad. This movie appealed to me because it was rated 18A, so I needed my mom to buy the tickets for me and my friends to get in. After watching Superbad for the first time in theaters, I walked away content, but not blown away. I thought it had some funny moments, but faltered as the movie progressed, turning a bit too sentimental.
Superbad was a real career starter for the young stars. Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse have all gone onto successful acting careers, including a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Hill. The screenplay was written by Seth Rogen, and was directed by Greg Mottola. The story centers around a group of soon-to-be graduating high school students who get invited to their first grad party. After Seth (Hill) casually talks about getting into clubs with his fake ID, he, Evan( Cera), and Fogell (Mintz-Plasse), are asked to buy the alcohol for the party.
When Fogell tries to use his fake ID at the liquor store (with the name Mclovin), he gets knocked out by a robber and questioned by the police. Seth and Evan believe that he was being arrested by the police, and head out on an adventure of their own to get the booze for the party.
Despite being a movie about struggling teenagers, I appreciate this movie a lot more now than I did when I was the age of the characters. I couldn't believe how much I was laughing for the entire movie, and the sentimental moments were heartfelt and believable.
I encourage people to take a second look at this movie, as I believe the humour has matured extremely well, and it will keep you laughing all the way through. One of my all-time favourite comedies.
5/5
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Oz, the Great and Powerful
After capturing top spot at the box office for two weeks in a row, and grossing 144 million dollars in the U.S alone, Oz, the Great and Powerful can be considered and early year blockbuster. Boasting a line-up of stars that includes James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weiss, Michelle Williams, and also being a prequel to one of the most famous films of all time, The Wizard of Oz, this movie didn't have much to do to become a smash hit. This is lucky for the investors, because this movie didn't do very much very well.
From the opening scene, you could already tell that James Franco was horribly miscast for the role of Oz the magician. He looked as is he was high the whole time (which he probably was), and was so out of place either in Kansas, or in Oz. This was a distracting factor the whole time. Also, the dialogue was so poor, that i'm sure most children could tell how cheesy most of it was. At times, Oz felt as if it was for very young children, but other times it was quite frightening. There were serious moments in the dialogue that you could not contain your laughter, because they were either so poorly acted, or so over the top. Mila Kunis' makeup as the Wicked Witch of the West, was distracting as was the voice overs for her menacing laugh.
Sounds pretty bad doesn't it? Well, actually it was quite entertaining. The 3D started off a little bit distracting, but really was worth it when the movie got to Oz. The colours were brilliant and vibrant, and the whole world was unbelievably beautiful. When it came to the acting, only Rachel Weiss had a strong performance. She was not as overly expressive as the Franco and Kunis (besides a few scenes) and not as out of place and uninterested as Williams. The story did put together a lot of interesting aspects of The Wizard of Oz, but there were also many flaws in the plot line.
Despite laughing at things that weren't supposed to be funny, and cringing at other parts that were supposed make you laugh, I walked out of the movie content and entertained. There are lots of things wrong with Oz, but it isn't boring, and it isn't a waste of time.
3/5
From the opening scene, you could already tell that James Franco was horribly miscast for the role of Oz the magician. He looked as is he was high the whole time (which he probably was), and was so out of place either in Kansas, or in Oz. This was a distracting factor the whole time. Also, the dialogue was so poor, that i'm sure most children could tell how cheesy most of it was. At times, Oz felt as if it was for very young children, but other times it was quite frightening. There were serious moments in the dialogue that you could not contain your laughter, because they were either so poorly acted, or so over the top. Mila Kunis' makeup as the Wicked Witch of the West, was distracting as was the voice overs for her menacing laugh.
Sounds pretty bad doesn't it? Well, actually it was quite entertaining. The 3D started off a little bit distracting, but really was worth it when the movie got to Oz. The colours were brilliant and vibrant, and the whole world was unbelievably beautiful. When it came to the acting, only Rachel Weiss had a strong performance. She was not as overly expressive as the Franco and Kunis (besides a few scenes) and not as out of place and uninterested as Williams. The story did put together a lot of interesting aspects of The Wizard of Oz, but there were also many flaws in the plot line.
Despite laughing at things that weren't supposed to be funny, and cringing at other parts that were supposed make you laugh, I walked out of the movie content and entertained. There are lots of things wrong with Oz, but it isn't boring, and it isn't a waste of time.
3/5
Saturday, 16 March 2013
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
For months, I had skipped over Jeff, Who Lives at Home, expecting a nice little movie, but nothing more. Only when my brother praised the movie constantly, did I decide to watch it, and I was not disappointed.
Jeff, is the story of an early 30's man, Jeff, played by Jason Segal, who believes that life will provide him with signs to tell him what he needs to do. While looking for these signs, he lives in his mother's basement, do nothing productive, and falling behind in life. One morning he gets a phone call from someone looking for a Kevin, and Jeff takes this as a sign.
After following his instincts for while, and only managing to get himself beat up and robbed, he stumbles by a local Hooters, where he meets with his brother Pat, played by Ed Helms. Pat thinks of himself as quite a successful man, having a steady job and a wife, and has no problem flaunting it. Pat starts of as a condescending older brother, trying to get Jeff to do something with his life, while continually making fun of his belief that the world will show him the signs.
As the movie proceeds, more and more signs and coincidences pile up, and Pat starts to believe that maybe his brother isn't as crazy as he had once thought. While deciphering all of the signs, Jeff realises that they all seem to be helping everyone else in his life, and that maybe his life doesn't have any deeper purpose, until all of the signs finally click, and he realises what he has to do.
I have to admit that I am a sucker for these kinds of movies. Jeff, Who Lives at Home has plenty of laughs, moving dialogue, and a great climax that ties the whole movie together. Some people will find some parts of it a little bit cheesy, and I would understand, but these moments are overshadowed by the ambition and emotion that this movie possesses.
4.5/5
Jeff, is the story of an early 30's man, Jeff, played by Jason Segal, who believes that life will provide him with signs to tell him what he needs to do. While looking for these signs, he lives in his mother's basement, do nothing productive, and falling behind in life. One morning he gets a phone call from someone looking for a Kevin, and Jeff takes this as a sign.
After following his instincts for while, and only managing to get himself beat up and robbed, he stumbles by a local Hooters, where he meets with his brother Pat, played by Ed Helms. Pat thinks of himself as quite a successful man, having a steady job and a wife, and has no problem flaunting it. Pat starts of as a condescending older brother, trying to get Jeff to do something with his life, while continually making fun of his belief that the world will show him the signs.
As the movie proceeds, more and more signs and coincidences pile up, and Pat starts to believe that maybe his brother isn't as crazy as he had once thought. While deciphering all of the signs, Jeff realises that they all seem to be helping everyone else in his life, and that maybe his life doesn't have any deeper purpose, until all of the signs finally click, and he realises what he has to do.
I have to admit that I am a sucker for these kinds of movies. Jeff, Who Lives at Home has plenty of laughs, moving dialogue, and a great climax that ties the whole movie together. Some people will find some parts of it a little bit cheesy, and I would understand, but these moments are overshadowed by the ambition and emotion that this movie possesses.
4.5/5
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