Oh, Gatsby!

*Diana's head pops up over the surface*

"Hello? Anybody here? Where did everyone go?
Oh, I knew it, I knew this would happen. I go away for 1, ok maybe 2 and a half months and people just forget me." she starts pacing around, back and forth in her seemingly deserted blog.

"Although.....my blog visits are still rather respectable- 50 something per day? that's what I used to get before. I wonder why they come back, even if there's no new content...
Anyway, I wonder what everyone is doing? I'm so behind on stuff...film stuff!" she says frustrated and opens her iPad.

"I still read their blogs, but my Twitter is collecting dust and God...if they only knew that I haven't watched a movie in...." she bows her head but suddenly remembers.

"Oh wait, I did, actually! Just today!
The Great Gatsby! In 3D!

Oh my sweet Leonardo, Oh you, the Paul Newman of our generation, the smart, gentleman-y James Dean, the gorgeous man with big blue eyes and huge talent!" her eyes shine and she fondly remembers Jay Gatsby, soaked from the rain, entering Nick's house to meet Daisy for the first day in a long time.

"Stop it Diana, you're supposed to review the film, not Leo's appearance! (Although there would be so much to say about that, too...)
So yes, The Great Gatsby! I don't know what you most will say about it, but the Baz Luhrman fangirl in me loved it. Obviously, because it looked just fantastic, as all Baz movies look like, but also because of the story, the script, the music and some performances. Except maybe Carey Mulligan's underwhelming performance and Isla Fischer's over the top one, everyone came up to par. I especially loved Joel Edgerton's Tom and, of course, the master of ceremonies, the man, Leonardo DiCaprio. It's probably too much to ask or even to consider, but I would give him some awards for this role. The lovely lady playing Jordan Baker is the breakout star of the film, and it's nice to Jason Clarke around there, too, although in a poor state.
Now, I know the film didn't receive great reviews, but I don't get why people were so "mean" to it. Let's face it, the movie looked great- check, the music was fantastic- check, the costumes, sets and photography were breathtaking- check, and most of the performances rocked- check. As for the actual storyline, I always thought Gatsby's story was interesting and I really liked how they built and showcased his character throughout the movie. Honestly, for me it was a great movie! Oh, I just wish would enjoy movies more and analyze them less...."

"Pheww....See Diana, it wasn't that hard, you can still review movies (although if you could just use less adjectives and more verbs and reasoning, that would be nice)
Well, thanks for listening!" she says smiling and starts to wave at...

*Diana's smile disappears and looks sadly around her deserted blog and lets her head down, realizing that no one is probably listening*

Django Unchained [2012]

Django Unchained is a 2012 production, written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, about a slave-turned-bounty hunter (Jamie Foxx) who sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio), with the help of the man who saved him in the first place (Christoph Waltz).

I must say, from the get go, that I was in love with this film 5 minutes in, when Django is rescued by a smooth-talking, surprisingly violent Dr.King Schultz. The quality of the script is unquestionable- from the fast, no-bullshit, quirky dialogue, to the well-built characters, and ending, of course, with the action-packed scenes, everything is wonderfully constructed, and more importantly, entertaining. I rarely see movies who bring both story and entertainment, both quality and fun, and Django Unchained definitely accomplishes that.

One extra thing I do have to mention about the script, but mostly about how Tarantino builds and displays his stories- the man loves violence and is not afraid to show it. I think he is one of the most visual, direct and bloody directors out there when it comes to this topic, and you can see it in the way he shoots the scenes, the close-ups and quantity of blood used. It doesn't bother me, but you cannot help to notice it, and that's why I mentioned it.

As for the actual directing, what more can I say about mister Tarantino? His movies are always visually appealing, attracting attention with every frame or shot. Personally, I loved and still remember the scenes showing Django killing the Brittle brothers, or the funny moment with Big Daddy and his employees on the field, having the bag argument, and of course, the final showdown in Candie's house. As always, his cameo is interesting and well placed, and I especially liked his exit.
 
As for the other filmmaking aspects, I have nothing but praise. The sets and costumes were well-executed and fun, and a definite highlight was the fantastic soundtrack, with "Who did that to you?", the John Legend song, taking the crown.

If you thought I ran out of good things to say about the film, than you probably didn't realize I haven't mentioned the casting. Oh man, the actors in Django Unchained were just fantastic. Jamie Foxx, playing the main character, perfectly embodied it and gave a very good performance that was sadly overlooked, but I can understand why, considering the supporting actors were just as wonderful as the lead. Three of them deserve high praise and an Oscar each for their roles: first, Christoph Waltz, in a part similar to his in Inglorious Basterds, but with a lot more humanity; he had great chemistry with both Jamie, and the other two secondary men, who I love and root for more than him. Oh, how can I put in words how much I enjoyed watching both Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L.Jackson on screen? Their characters were obviously despicable, but I couldn't not like their sassy spirit, confident stride and funny banter. DiCaprio, in particular, was spectacular as the vile plantation owner who always gets what he wants, and I seriously cannot understand who he didn't get a nomination for his performance (case in point, watch the running man and the dogs scene, or the dinner discussion, and you will understand).

In the end, I can only summarize my review and just say that Django Unchained is one of the best films I have seen in months and it deserves all your attention- I would recommend it to anyone. If I would have to rate it, it would get a 5/5 from me!

The perks of being a wallflower [2012]

The Perks of being a wallflower is a 2012 production based on a novel by Stephen Chbosky, which tells the coming-of-age story of Charlie, a special kid who's life obstacles have left him with no friends. He starts high-school and soon makes unexpected friends that will change his life completely. Written for screen and directed by the author of the book, it is a wonderful story of friendship, love, hardship and hope.

I think one of the best things about Perks is the script, or better the way the story was constructed and presented to the audience. Although it follows a typical growing up/teenager path, it's filled with small details, some horrifying, some original, some funny, that make the whole experience more interesting to watch. For example, it's not just about an awkward guy trying to make friends, it's about a boy who has suffered many loses in his life and who is now trying to recover and adapt to this new environment. The relationships are realistically built, for most parts, and I liked their interaction- although some scenes were rather common, others thrived in emotion and creativity. I especially loved the ending and how it was built to reveal the thing that has been haunting him for all these years- it made me cry like a child and probably gave me the lasting impression that Perks of being a wallflower is a great film.

Filmmaking-wise, there were a few things that stood out for me: the score and soundtrack, featuring The Smiths and New Order, the cinematography and directing in some scenes and the editing. All helped make Perks a much better film and integrate it in that time period, although I admit I realized about half way through that the action was happening in the early 90s, and not in present times.

As for the casting, there were very few mistakes made. I loved Logan Lerman's performance and, of course, Ezra Miller was his usual talented self, but I do think Emma Watson was slightly unsuitable for the part. I bet Sam was probably much more of a bad girl on paper than she was on screen, but then again, Watson's sweet demeanor doesn't help, either. Surprisingly good performances by Mae Whitman, Nina Dobrev and Dylan McDermott.

I may be biased, but I am willing to say with conviction that Perks of being a wallflower is a film you must see and enjoy. Don't take it too seriously, just remember your own adolescence and admire the character development and storyline. Try it!

Moulin Rouge [2001]

Directed by Baz Luhrmann and written by him and Craig Pearce, Moulin Rouge is a love story set in Paris 1899, between a young writer and a courtesan. A young English man (Ewan McGregor) travels to Paris to find inspiration and, most importantly, love, and gets mixed up with a group of artists who are looking to put on a show in Moulin Rouge, so they recruit the talented writer and end up convincing the owner and investor (the Duke) to do the improvised Indian play. All this time, the main actress (Nicole Kidman) falls in love with Christian, behind the Duke's back, and the complications threaten to put in danger not only the show, but also the lives of the people involved.

I've been wanting to see this movie for a long time, after I've heard so many great things about it, so I guess I can say I had high expectations for it. Did it rise to the challenge? Not entirely, but it is a very interesting and entertaining film, able to capture the love and attention of people of all ages.

The most appealing factors of this film are obviously the visual and musical aspects. Firstly, the music, a mixture of orchestra, old school pieces and contemporary songs (bold choice, putting a Nirvana song in a cabaret show), definitely raised some eyebrows and I was a little taken aback by it, but got used to it by the middle of it. I loved the use of Your Song and the one she played on the rooftop, after she met Christian, but some songs were weirdly showcased- Like a virgin comes in mind, that was a strange scene.

Secondly, the visuals. I have to say, Baz Luhrman always knows how to put on a good show- Moulin Rouge is no exception and everything looks amazing. I absolutely love the sets and the costumes, I thought Kidman's entire wardrobe was just breathtaking, and the art direction was very good. One thing that put me off was some of the very quick camera action in some scenes, like the audition one or the beginning of the film- I almost got dizzy and it didn't help the movie overall- I understand where he was going, but he overreacted with it just a little, in my opinion. I did like his direction, especially what he did with the Tango scene- that was beautiful. Although at parts crazy, the audition part in Satine's room with the whole cast was very well executed and entertaining to watch- from the poetry reading and its following hilarious scene where he wants to read his poetry and she thinks it's sex what he is after, to the singing and dancing and improvising the story for the Duke.

As for the casting, it was great for the script, although I would have liked more recognizable faces, especially for roles like The Duke or the artists group. Moving on, Nicole Kidman played Satine's sexy, sultry part to the T and I admired everything about her, from the performance, to the singing, to her fantastic dresses. Ewan McGregor was the equivalent of charm and grace and did his part perfectly- I saw the love in his eyes, I believed his tears at the end and I rooted for him and his quest for love throughout the film. I also have to mention John Leguizamo, who played Toulouse-Lautrec- he is a great actor who deserves more credit, and he was very sweet in his role.

In the end, Moulin Rouge is a love story, a tragic one, but one that gives hope. Not the best musical or romantic movie I have ever seen, but a very good one that mostly deserves its praise.

Submarine [2010]

Written and directed by Richard Ayoade, Submarine is a film based on a novel by Joe Dunthorne, about the trials and tribulations of a young man who has to deal with love and parental issues. It's a rather dark movie, that deals with depression, fear, death, separation and loneliness, but it somehow shines because of its actors' performance, the sweet, awkward vibe of it and the beautiful way it treats the delicate themes.

Oliver Tate, wonderfully played by Craig Roberts is a shy, introvert 15-year old who is in love with Jordana, a fellow classmate. After he finally conquers her heart and begins dating her, problems in the family start arising, as a former flame of his mother stirs up trouble in the couple's life. We witness a series of funny, but also sad and miserable scenes in which Oliver tries to cope and fix all of the problems the best way a young boy can. Split into three parts, the last one, representing the show down, is the most interesting one, as his desperation on New Year's Eve night to find his mother and "save her" shows us the most emotion we've ever seen him display, and it is moving and unsettling to see.

Although the overall feeling is a dark and deep one, there are several scenes that are awkwardly sweet and funny: the imagining of his funeral, the first conversation he has with his father about love and relationships, his preparation for Thursday night lovemaking, or his desperate act of revenge against the man. As dark and secluded Oliver is, we still care and sympathise with him, and so viewers are constantly rooting for his happiness and success in resolving his problems.

One of the things that made me love and fondly remember this movie are the characters, which are created and portrayed in such an unusual, yet very appealing and entertaining way: from his adorable mother played by the genius Sally Hawkins, to the crazy Graham Purvis (Paddy Considine, with the coolest haircut ever), and his often annoying, but in the end, sad and misunderstood girlfriend, Jordana, all have a certain something that distinguishes them from all typical characters you see in comedies or drama, and I really appreciated that.

Another strong point is the music, as all the song were written and performed by Alex Turner, of Arctic Monkeys fame. I think the soundtrack definitely improved the overall atmosphere and feel of the movie, especially in some parts, like the scene where Oliver reads Jordana's letter, puts his father cassette on and lies on the bed, as it crumbles, with the voice of Alex Turner on the background.

Submarine is a rather typical British movie- dramatic, sometimes a little bit bleak, but with a quirky sense of humour and mountains of talent and quality of filmmaking. Although it ended on a high note, I still found it to be at times depressing and dark. Still, Submarine is a good movie that I recommend!

P.S. If you liked Moonrise Kingdom and its style and humour, I think you will enjoy this, as well- I found a lot of similarities between these two, but maybe I'm wrong.

P.S.2. Ben Stiller, wtf?

Garden State [2004]

Written and directed by Zach Braff, Garden State is a weird, rather pretentious movie that failed to really impress me. Everything seemed too perfectly awkward and amazingly hipster, with a large dose of misunderstood melancholic state that absolutely didn't feel realistic, and not even a little bit adorable.

OK, maybe I'm being too harsh on it, let's go back to the beginning. Garden State tells the story of Andrew Largeman, a wannabe actor who is forced to return to his hometown in order to witness the burial of his mother. He then gets reacquainted with some old high school friends (Peter Sarsgaard being one of them) and meets a sweet, wacky girl, named Sam (Natalie Portman). It's basically a character development story; you may even called it a coming of age one, and usually I'm all up for it, because I love these kinds of scripts, but this was just....slightly unbearable. If I were the quitting type, I would have done it by minute 15, but I'm not, so I stayed until the end, and I don't regret it that much, since I did see a couple of scenes I liked. I understand and appreciate the fact that it is a personal story for Braff and that it is, in a way, autobiographical, but sometimes just didn't click for me.

From a filmmaking point of view, there's nothing particular to say about the direction or the cinematography- they didn't stand out, good or bad. As for the screenplay, as you might imagine, I'm not that positive about it. I understood where he was going with the story, with the idea of quitting drugs and finally experiencing life, but I thought most of the dialogue was a tad too clicheic, if that is a word, and even a little bit lame. Again, it was almost screaming from every letter and phrase, "look at me, I'm so awkward and melancholic and misunderstood, but underneath all that I'm such a cool, beautiful person". Now, I'm not applying this to the whole movie- I actually liked the screaming into abyss scene and the bath one between the two lovers (that was an honest, sweet moment); it actually started getting interesting in his last day in town, with the whole hunting for Large's present but overall, yeah, it didn't do it for me. I did love the soundtrack, that was definitely a strong point.

As for the acting, I won't dwell too much on it, but I will talk a bit about Natalie Portman's character. Most of time, I really didn't knew if I absolutely loved or hated her. Sometimes she would be sweet and caring, other times her forced wackiness would just completely put me off. I still don't how I feel about her. What did you think of her character?

In conclusion, if you want to watch Garden State, I suggest you don't. Please, just try something else: when's the last time you saw a 1950s movie? Or a musical? Just rent Beauty and the Beast, I 'm 100% sure you will like it more than this.

Searching for Sugar Man [2012]

Yesterday, in an attempt to escape my overly quiet campus and the pending dissertation that is breathing down my neck, I went out in town for a coffee, some magazines and a movie. I saw Searching for Sugar Man, a documentary I've been meaning to see for a long time. I chose Curzon Soho because of its location, and it was a great experience, of high quality, but damn, was it expensive, I'm not going there anytime soon.

Anyway, the movie, written and directed by Malik Bendjelloul, tells the story of Rodriguez, an unknown Detroit artist who recorded two albums at the beginning of the 70s, that were basically invisible to the American industry, but had a huge success in South Africa. Two locals, intrigued by the mystery of a man who they knew nothing about, but loved his music, decide to solve the problem by tracking down the money and find out the real story of Sixto Rodriguez, the South African musical hero.

I won't spoil everything, but I will say it was a nice, but bittersweet journey. The whole movie takes you through a whirlwind of emotions and stories: from the beginning of his career, when producers would consider him to be a genius, to the inexplicable downfall, to his resurrection in the southern hemisphere, the inside view of a man who changed a nation without even knowing and the sad truth of music industry and where it can get you. It goes up, then down, it gives you goosebumps, it makes you smile, and it entertains you with a wonderful soundtrack.

This leads to a very important part of the documentary- the music. At a first listen, you immediately think "Bob Dylan" and the similarities are definitely there- same grave voice, some beautiful lyrics, same style, but Rodriguez shines somehow through his songs and their own simplicity and beauty, sometimes even better and commercial than the folk idol. I really do encourage you to give it a listen, even if you don't see the movie. Try "Sugar man", "I wonder" or "Can't get away"- very relaxing, smooth and rhythmic songs.

Searching for Sugar Man is one of the best documentaries I've seen recently- I recommend it to any music lovers out there. It has a perfect balance of emotion, passion and entertainment, mixed in a rather interesting way. You should see it if you have the chance!

That thing you do! [1996]

I saw this 1996 comedy, written and directed by Tom Hanks, a long time, on TV, and loved it, for its characters and story, but most of all, for its song, which I still like. Actually, that was the reason I decided to watch it again- I came across 'That Thing You Do' and I said to myself I have to see it again. The film tells the story of a young 1964 band who suddenly comes into the spotlight, as their song becomes a hit all around the country.

The script is simple, sweet and catchy. It doesn't aim to be an award-winning one, but it does want its viewer to be entertained and happy. There are a lot of great scenes, full of energy and youthfulness, like the one when their song is put on radio for the first time, or the screaming girls at the back door exit. It makes you smile, dance and love the characters, but it does also feature moving scenes and back-to-reality moments, as the band falls apart and realise they fell into the trap of the one hit wonder curse.

Speaking of casting, I loved it- you had everyone from Steve Zahn as the wacky guitar man, to the sweet Ethan Embry as the bass player and Tom Everett Scott as Guy Patterson, who is an obvious Tom Hanks wannabe in the making- that being said, he was very charming and played his part very well; I wonder what he's doing now, I haven't seen him in a long time. I have a small crush on Liv Tyler, so of course I liked her character, and I have to mention two fantastic cameos: Chris Isaak, as Uncle Bob, who helps them record their first song, and Brian Cranston..aaa, yes Brian Cranston- it's a very brief moment, you might have missed him, I did, the first time I saw the film, but a couple of nights ago, I literally screamed his name when he appeared on screen.

Just to remind you what the fuss is about, here is the song you can't get out of your head, the one that was nominated for several awards, including Golden Globes and Oscars:
                                

You may not like That Thing You Do like I do but you should  give it a try next time you need to see something light- It's always an easy distraction and a very enjoyable one. 

Control [2007]

The 2007 British film, directed by Anton Corbijn, tells the story of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of Jov Division, a famous rock band of the late 1970s. Married young, he decides to pursue a music career after 3 guys casually tell him, at a Sex Pistols concert none of the less, that they need a singer for they band. They start as Warsaw, but quickly change their name to Joy Division and begin touring UK and then Europe.  But life is not easy for Curtis, as he has to battle epilepsy, an unhappy marriage, and hard work.

The story is interesting and sad, as it depicts Ian as a very mellow, introspective, troubled young man, who just doesn't seem to fit into this world, either if it's at home, with his wife and daughter, or on stage, or just around his friends. He always feels out of place, outnumbered, caged in and can't make up his mind on one spot, on one place where he can feel comfortable. That is the saddest thing to see- a man who is always looking for himself and his happiness, but never gets to see it or enjoy it, and that lack of control over his life is what pushed him to take that radical decision in the end.

I must say that Control is one of the best British films I have ever seen. Shot in Black&White, it perfectly captures the mood and essence of that era, and the performances are superb. Sam Riley absolutely shines as Ian Curtis and plays him with such ease, but, in the same time, with such complexity and wisdom, that is wonderful and moving to watch. Samantha Morton, as Debbie, his wife, stands in the same high league, adding so much passion, love and sweetness to her character, making it believable and endearing. Actually, all of the cast is very good, continuing with Alexandra Maria Lara as Annik, Ian's lover (she is now happily married to Riley and they live in Berlin), Toby Kebbell playing Rob, their manager, and the band, formed by Joe Anderson (as Peter Hook, the bass player), James Anthony Pearson (as Bernard Sumner, the guitarist) and Harry Treadway (as Stephen Morris, the drummer and percussionist). The moments were you see them playing on stage are live and the actors are actually playing the instruments and singing, as they wanted to make it as real as possible. If you look up on youtube the same performances of the band (like Transmission or Dead Souls), you will see they are very similar and they encapsulate the style and vibe of Joy Division.

As expected, the soundtrack is amazing, and I just discovered a new love for Joy Division; their sound is so simple and catchy, yet very specific and Ian Curtis's vocals are haunting and interesting, perfectly mixing with the good melody. I especially loved She's lost control, Love will tear us apart, Trasmission, but others, as well.

You should definitely see Control soon, because it is a great film and well worth your time, especially if you like biopics or British films- it stands out in both categories.

The Skin I Live In [2011]

Almovodar's latest movie, La piel que habito- "The Skin I live in", is quite remarcable. I think it is one of the best I have seen in the last year and it's curious not to see its name mentioned on top 10 lists or award nominations; but then  again, I don't think a lot of people saw this movie.

The story is about Robert Ledgard, a brilliant plastic surgeon, who creates a new type of skin that resists any kind of damage. His guinea pig happens to be Vera, a mysterious and volatile woman, who is part of his troubled past. As the plot thickens, we learn the shocking truth about her identity, one that will heavily influence the fate of both the doctor, and her life. No spoilers here (I learned my lesson), but trust me when I say it is very interesting.

The main thing that makes this film so good is the perfect combination of the filmmaking elements in all the right amounts. Fast-moving, intricate, shocking storyline, with complex characters, realistic dialogue, a touch of science fiction, mixed with a lot of mistery, told in Spanish, a sensual, dynamic language; appropriate music to every scene, highlighted by the fantastic orchestra, especially violin, in key moments, accompanied by beautiful cinematography- all wrapped up nicely by clean editing and visually interesting shooting style. You can't wait to see what happens next, you are fascinated by the story and where it's going and the end just leaves you breathless- hours pass, but you keep thinking about the movie you just saw. All of the above are signs of a very good feature.

As for the performances, I was pleasantly surprised by Antonio Banderas, who is fantastic as the surgeon, and offers us the correct amount of crazyness, genius, love, desperation and determination. Elena Anaya is, also, very good as Vera, his misterious patient, and steals every scene with her unearthly beauty and calm. Jan Cornet (Vicente) is another standout, although he is not featured too much, while Marisa Paredes delivers every time you see on screen- you can see she is an experienced actress.

All in all, "Skin I live in" is fantastic and I highly recommend it, whenever you will have the chance to see it!

I am not very familiar with Almovodar, as I have only seen 2 or 3 of his movies! What do you recommend I should see next?

Shame[2011/2012]

[SPOILER ALERT- I discuss most of the important scenes, but don't give out the ending]

Today I finally saw Shame- I have been anxiously waiting for it for over 6 months and now, that my wait is over, I can actually talk about it and say my opinion, I don't have to read about it anymore (so many articles and spoilers out there, I stopped reading after a while).

First of all, let me just say this is a very good movie- quality and beauty in every aspect of it: acting, music, directing, cinematography etc. Yet again, Steve McQueen takes this movie ten times over its potential and it's old news to me now the absolutely fantastic way he directs movies- Hunger was a perfect example and Shame is not only a great follow-up, but you can also see the improvement, the progress he has made. The scenes are much clearer, with more substance and visually more attractive (not that Hunger wasn't, it's just this one is better). I loved the fact that the talks between Brandon and Sissy are mostly shot from behind, the camera over their shoulders, it feels like an intrusion into their conversation, like you are watching a couple fighting in front of you in line. I like the sex scene at the end where he shoots the women and Brandon from completely unusual, different angles, or the way he shot the subway parts. On an end note to the technical, filmmaking aspect of it, I have to mention the use of music or lack of it- the soundtrack and sound editing were appropriate to every situation and gave it more power and sensibility in some cases (the beginning and end part, Brandon's song by Harry Escot, or the New York interpretation of Carey Mulligan's character).

There is so much depth and tragedy in this story and movie that I could talk about. Where should I start? Let's talk about his sex addiction- the thing that struck me is that, not for one moment, did I see pleasure or happiness in his eyes or expression; it felt like a burden, like a automatic thing he is used to do every day, a thing that he can not control and that he needs to do, like eating or drinking. I think one of the main problems of Sissy's appearance is the fact that he can't continue his usual, secret, yet very addictive way of life; that, plus his past relationship with his sister, cause him to derail, to go in such state of misery and desperation, that he gives into all of his fears, in one night of destructiveness that nearly kills him, physically and mentally.

It all started with a failed attempt of having sex with a woman at work he liked; the same one who, 30 minutes before, tried to have normal dinner and conversation with; but he couldn't, because he can't relate to someone, he can't get attached to a human being. Most would say it is because of his addiction, I say it all goes back to his childhood and his family problems. Funny how, after she leaves, the hooker can immediately take him to the edge. He can't get off a possible sentimental fling, but a complete stranger can- after all, he just craves for the act itself, not the person who is with him.

After that failed attempt, he decides to go out and that's when all of his world goes down and we witness one of the most dramatic and disturbing meltdowns in film- some where shocked by the way he blatantly touched a woman in public, others by the gay action in a underground club, but I was surprised by the three-way in the apartment. At first, I was a little disturbed not by the actual scene, but the length of it, I thought it was too much, but it all made sense when he saw Brandon's expression- that pure state of despair, of craziness and loss of control over his body and urges. It looks like it almost hurts, like it could kill him. That was, indeed, shocking and it wrapped up his whole character, finally showing us what he is going through.

The last minutes of the film, of the night, the passing back and forth between his apartment, the club, the subway ride, it was masterfully shot and edited, one of the best scenes I have seen. Kudos not only for McQueen and the cinematographer, but also for Michael.

Because, honestly, you can't say that Fassbender was anything short than fantastic, it was like nothing I have ever seen. At the beginning I was a little skeptical, but that was because of the ordinary, quite boring actions he was put through (the script allowed it), but the second part of the film is truly a work of art. I believe, understand and sympathize with everything he does, I worry for him, I feel his desperation, or his anxiety when he runs for Sissy, and I am 100% with him on the rainy day, near the water. Fassbender deserves a Golden Globe, a Bafta, an Oscar and more. Will he get it? Probably not, the Clooney and Pitts of Hollywood have more charisma and apparent value on the market, but he should be recognized, at least at one of them (probably Baftas).

Another surprise for me was Carey Mulligan- the part of Sissy is very different from what we normally see of her, but she nailed it and gave it so much substance and power. The lovely scene where she sings New York was revealing, at least from my perspective- I felt like her life, personality and story just translated through her eyes and that song, it has hauntingly beautiful. Brandon's relationship with Sissy is hard to define, you can't really tell if he actually loves her, or cares about her, or is afraid. There was definitely something going on between them, but the closest thing to really discovering the truth was the discussion they had on the couch, near the end, and that didn't reveal too much, either. There is tension, there are repressed feelings, and probably love, as well, but Brandon is uncapable of showing his real emotions. It's like he is almost imune to all that is happening in his environment, to his world.

There are so many other things worth mentioning that I probably forgot, little details that made this movie better in so many way- script-wise, performance-wise or something else entirely. I can't disect all of it, but I am sure you will find other blogs who have noticed different aspects of it. After you read this review, go check out the others.

In the end, Shame is the kind of movie you don't like or appreciate immediately after the credits start rolling. I didn't. But then, you start thinking about it, remember certain scenes and then it hits you- that movie was great.... Fassbender was perfect...the subject was interesting and dramatic....the situations were extreme and sometimes pornographic.....but then again it's about sex addiction.....which is almost like a disease, a terrible situation to be in.....wow, that was powerful! I know I wasn't the only one, my friends got out of the theater rather disappointed, but afterwards, we started talking about it and we all realized it is a great movie!

Shame is worth your 10 pounds or 10 dollars or whatever currency you have! Believe the hype! Go see it!

A look back at 2011

Although I always try, I can never do a top 5, or top 10; I mean, I can not put them in order, decide which one is better or worse. That's why, this year, for my tiny blog, I decided just to showcase my movies of 2011: the ones I loved, the ones that shocked me, my favorite stars, the best directors, the coolest soundtracks and my regret of not seeing some movies I know would definitely make the cut for this year!

So, without further ado, here are my picks (in no particular order):

Midnight in Paris- for the simple, yet endearing script, the best references used in a movie, for its hidden treasures, the direction and lovely sight of Paris that it is showcased throught the film

Warrior- for being my surprise of 2011, for the amazing performances delivered by Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy, for making me bite my nails during the fighting scenes and for the emotional script

Melancholia- 1 of the 2 most controversial movies for me this year; it had its ups and downs, but I have to appreciate it for what it is and the performances delivered by Dunst and Gainsborough. Plus, for its grand ending

We need to talk about Kevin- for its darkness and the shocking finale

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2- for its beautiful end of series and all of its achievements

Fast and Furious 5- you might find it funny, but I am big FF fan and I love the reunion put together for this movie(especially Paul Walker and Vin Diesel)- the franchise is still delivering great action; plus the Don Omar song at the end was the running joke for me and my sister during the summer, so it will be forever stuck in my head

Jane Eyre- for re-inventing, yet at the same time, honouring, a classic; and for great performances by Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowsa

Hugo- one of the most flawless movies I have ever seen; beautifully captures the 1930s Paris and the birth of cinema

50/50- for a fantastic script and a enjoyable mix of drama and comedy

Restless- simply put, the movie that got the strongest and weirdest reaction from me this year. Check my review from October if interested

Drive- one of the best soundtracks ever, interesting first scene, memorable direction (Nicholas Refn), and two great performances (Albert Brooks and Ryan Gosling)

Tree Of Life- second of the 2 most controversial movies for me this year; like Melancholia, with a lot of ups and downs for me, but I have to appreciate Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain and its cinematography

AND
Horrible Bosses, Crazy, stupid, love and Bridesmaids- for showing Hollywood that there are funny, sweet, great script out there for comedy; for good performances that make you laugh

Last minute add:

Great Expectations- it's perfect in so many ways- if you have the chance, please see it!

Special mentions: Take Shelter(for Michael Shannon's performance), Martha Marcy May Marlene (great director and great first part for Elizabeth Olsen), The Help (strong characters, strong women, strong performances), Senna (one of the best and most innovative documentaries I have seen), Michael Fassbender (for three amazing performances he delivered this year- Jane Eyre, X Men, Shame and especially for the breakout role in Hunger, which I only saw this year), My Week with Marilyn (all rise for the lovely Michelle Williams), Life in a day documentary (innovative idea and well-edited), Carnage (best use of space in 90 minutes plus 4 amazing actors put together)

2011 movies I haven't seen, but are probably great/would have loved them: Shame, Weekend, The Artist, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, A separation, The skin I live in, Dangerous Method, Albert Nobbs, Into the Abyss, The Descendants, maybe War Horse

...and probably I have missed some things, but honestly, my whole film memory goes back to September, because that is when I started this blog, that's when I started to pay more attention to movies and its meaning and I analysed more. These last months have been fantastic and I am eager to continue my journey through the film experience in 2012 on this blog you helped grow and grow each day more and more. Thank you!

Hope you enjoyed it!

Have a great 2012! I love you all!
Diana

Warrior[2011]

Warrior was an extremely pleasant surprise for me! I knew it would be good and I have read so great reviews about it, but only today I realised its greatness!

The film is a drama about two brothers separated at a young age by the tumultous relationship of their parents, who reunite after many years at an MMA tournament.

Nick Nolte plays Paddy Conlon, the sad, miserable, remorseful father, who was to cope with the thought of losing both of his sons and his wife because of his drinking problem. During the film, he is constantly trying to reconnect, to show his boys that he has changed, in any way that he can, but most of the times, the pain he caused it's too big for it to be penetrated by love.

At the beginning, where we see him sober for 1000 days, he finds Tommy, the younger brother, at his door, and soon enough starts training him for the MMA contest, while Brandon, the older brother, prepares with the help of his friend, Frank.

Tom Hardy, as Tommy, is a secluded, grumpy, tough young man, recently returned from the war, who becomes an internet sensation for his fighting skills on the ring, but most importantly, for his bravery on the field. He is messed up, permantly affected by the separation of his brother, but a fighter, and he uses that anger and will in all that he does, on and off the fight ring. He is a man of action, not words. His stubborness and the wall he build up during the war doesn't let him connect to the people around him, especially the other two men in his life, but in the end he manages to find that in a very touching, brutal way.

Joel Edgerton, as Brandon, the older brother, is a grown-up, kind man, a teacher with a beautiful wife and two daughters, trying to make a living, but failing with the bank rates; he rarely fights and only gets into the tournament just because of the money. He was the revelation of the movie for me and I think he delivered a great performance, I can't wait to see him in other movies, especially The Great Gatsby!

Observing the dysfunctional family, you end up rooting for Brandon, feeling sympathetic towards Paddy, as you wish for him to reunite with his sons, and you understand and admire Tommy. It's a messed up family, but with a good heart, one that needs a second chance. And we get our happy ending, after all, as usual!

All in all, the film delivers big time! I have to mention something that I always love and look after in movies- the Realness factor! If the story and the characters, the dialogue and sets and costumes seem real and believeable, if it is something that you can see and hear on the streets, than it's done its job, from my point of view. I connect more easily and I care more for these kind of movies, and Warrior is no exception! The direction is beautiful, the performances are just fantastic- especially Nick Nolte, who deserves a Supporting Actor nomination, and I love the soundtrack! It also had, what I call, the nail bitting factor, as I was bitting my nails so hard during the fights of the MMA tournament, hoping for a win! The action/fighting sequences are great, entertaining and well-executed!

Warrior is a great movie and it might have just creeped up in my top 10 of 2011! You should see it when you have the chance!