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!

Revolutionary Road

[SPOILER ALERT] Detailed review

Revolutionary Road is a character movie. It’s not about the story or the design or the music, no, they are just the fine elements that help us discover the two protagonists, April and Frank.

They meet at a party and, as most couples in that time, end up married with two children. You get into the real story of the film in 5 minutes, straight to the fighiting, the tears, that sentiment of „what am I doing here? Where am I heading to?”. While April stays at home, taking care of the children and the house, all part of a routine she has rehearsed many times before, Frank goes to work everyday to stay in a cubicle and write boring reports. Neither one is satisfied, but both settle with what they have because that’s what people do, right? You were suppposed to live this life...isn’t it?

April is the first to realize that she can’t do it anymore, so she decides to move to Paris and eagerly tells Frank who is ok with it, although you can tell he sees is not a realistic idea. But none of the less, he quickly catches the „Paris bug” and suddenly comes alive, discovering his youth and his wife, yet again.  Although most of the people around them don’t agree, actually don’t understand the idea of leaving their perfect life behind and moving to another continent, they are forced ahead by the willingness of finally discovering their passion, their reason to live.

When summer arrives, the situation gets complicated as April find out she is pregnant. For her it’s not a step back, but another reason to live, but Frank is starting the doubt the idea, because of the unborn child and mostly, because of his new job offer.  As more days go by, April distances herself, wanting to get out this town, this life, away from her husband and with no baby. She sees it as a burdain and doesn’t  want it, that’s why she tries to get rid of it, to the dispair of Frank, who starts to lose faith and patience of her.

They eventually let go of the idea of Paris and become more agressive and sick of eachother, all ending with a big fight where April admits that  she doesn’t love him anymore and she doesn’t care. The next day, Frank goes down to the kitchen to find his wife preparing a wonderful breakfast. It seems like she has given up, realizing that she can’t escape this life and wanting just to get through the day like a normal woman. You can still see her suffering when she waves goodbye, when she’s washing the dishes.

One of the last scenes is the sad moment when she tries to abort the child. She sees the blood starting to drip and for a moment regrets her decision. I think the baby, for April, was just the symbol of her sad, unbeareble life, one that she desparately wanted to get away from. And finally she did, in a tragic ending of a great movie!

Kate is perfect for the part and Leonardo adds all the right elements to the story! Direction, photography, music, all beautiful!

It is wonderful!I highly recommend it!

Did you see it? Was it as good for as it was for me?Let me know!