Hope Springs [2012]

Hope Springs is an easy romantic comedy, directed by David Frankel and written by Vanessa Taylor. It follws the story of Kay and Arnold, played by Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, a married couple who, after 31 years, don't have any passion or interest left to keep them together. Kay decides to change things and books a 1 week intensive program with doctor Feld played by Steve Carrell, hoping that her husband will learn to love and touch her again.

Hope Springs has an interesting script, a little bit static, but if you like in-depth analysis of relationships or personalities, then this is the movie for you. Moreover, it's a character study of the in and outs of people and some of their sessions are actually really interesting to witness, since thy uncover not only feelings and past situations, but also character traits and reasons behind some of the actions.

Although it is heavy on analysis, it does also feature funny, very awkwards scenes, that sometimes make you cringe, because well, they are older, and you feel like your parents could be like that, too. The cinema or the hotel room are just two examples of those kinds of moments.

Performance wise, as you would expect from a cast like this, eveything runs smoothly. Meryl Streep is just fascinated to watch; she plays a woman that does and knows everything, in the perfect housewife way, but hasn't actually experienced life. In one of the sessions, when she's tearing up, there is a close-up on the expression on her face- she showed years of experience and talent through one look, and that's just something that very few actresses nowadays can do; I love her. Tommy Lee Jones is Arnold, her husband, a very grumpy, complaining man, who's oblivious to his marriage problems. His chemistry with Streep was very good and believable and they worked perfectly with Steve Carrell, the third major actor. He gave a surprising performance, as he played a very serious part- I was actually expecting him to crack a joke or do something stupid, but no, he maintained his part throughout the movie and it kind of worked.

Overall, Hope Springs is a good movie that will make your night more pleasant, but of which you will forget in a day or two. Still worth checking it out, but maybe on DVD.

The Hours [2002]

Directed by Stephen Daldry and based on a novel by Michael Cunningham, with a screenplay penned by David Hare, The Hours is a remarkable movie starring three women (Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep) connected by a book, Mrs Dalloway, who have to overcome the trails and tribulations of a single day that may change their lives forever.

We start by observing Nicole Kidman's storyline, who stars as Virginia Woolf, an unstable woman in the care of numerous doctors and under the supervision of her husband, Leonard, played by Stephen Dillane. She is mentally disturbed, while having hallucinations and suicide thoughts. That morning, she begins to write her book, Mrs Dalloway, and spends the day figuring it out the plot line and trying to overcome overwhelming emotions of depression and boredom, feeling she was trapped in that small town where everyone considered it to be better for her than London. Nicole Kidman was absolutely fantastic, giving a stunning performance- the accent was on point and you can easily see the great transformation pshycally and mentally. She won an Oscar for this role and I believe it was well deserved, although I don't know her competitors in the category from that year. The husband also gave a surprisingly good performance, which was reserved, but full of love and concern, and it was nice to see Miranda Richardson as the sister.

The second story follows Laura McGrath- Brown, a seemingly happy wife and mother of one, plus one on the way, living in 1951 Los Angeles. Although she has a good life, a loving husband(John C.Reilly) and a lovely boy, she is miserable in her apparently perfect life, for reasons even she can't understand. Laura grows more nervous as the day passes and even books a room in a hotel with the thought of killing herself, but somehow she changes her mind and returns to her family. The boy notices something is wrong , he can feel it, especially when he starts screaming from the top of his lungs when she leaves him at the neighbour's house. The interesting part of the story comes at then end when we see the connection between Julianne Moore's character and Streep's. Throughout the movie, Julianne Moore shines and gives a stunning performance, quiet, but appealing and emotional, and makes you feel everything her character is feeling. I was very impressed by her in this role.

Clarissa Vaughan, the third woman, wakes up in New York, year 2001, with the thought that she will buy the flowers for the party she is throwing her very good friend, Richard, an accomplised writer. During the day we discover that the connection between the two is very powerful and has deep roots from their early teenage years. He is dying of AIDS, but she won't let him go, to say so, holding on to the hope and the strong relationship they have. Ed Harris, as the sick man, was fantasic, and gave a chilling, moving performance of a man in search of peace and love. The reveal of his connection with the previous story was a little bit shocking, but gave us more details and made us better understand the situation. His last scene with Streep was breathtaking and very emotional and I love the speech he gave. Claire Danes also has a short appearance, showing a careless, sweet and free youthful energy, and of course, Allison Janey is part of the cast- I love her and she's not disappointing, either, despite her small part. Suprisingly enough, from my point of view, Meryl was the weakest link between the three leads- she didn't do anything wrong, but I didn't feel her spirit and commitment as much as the other two, although the scene in the kitchen with Jeff Daniels, her breakdown, was quite something.

From the filmmaking point of view, The Hours is close to perfection. I loved the simple style of direction, which helped us focus more on the story and its characters. Although you do see some interesting elements regarding camera movement, like a special focus on details (eggs), or flawless cinematography, it's the screenplay and the acor's performance that shines through. Every scene is perfectly executed and draws you in; the music, together with the sets and costumes, are absolutely stunning and they capture and emote the emotions of the story. Overall, it mixes the drama with the music and the beautiful language and the rough feelings and unsaid things, creating a sad, yet bittersweet world.

Somehow, I associate The Hours with a A Single Man, by Tom Ford. The connection is made in my mind, maybe by the similarities in stories, characters or direction. A Single Man is one of my all-time favorite movies and I can say now that The Hours is also added to that category. Beautiful film that you should definitely see!

Favorite quotes
"Mrs Dalloway, always giving parties to cover the silence"
"But I still have to face the hours, don't I?"

The Oscars 2012- "live-blogging"

Hello, hello, it's time to face the red carpet and the 1.2 billion people watching at home! No pressure!

Red Carpet observations (including fashion)


-Berenice Bejo- her green dress made her breasts look horrible; also, in the same category you can add Rooney Mara, who has the same problem
-Milla Jovovich- beautiful woman in a stunning dress

-George Clooney walked the Red Carpet with a female Oscar in hand, you know, just in case he didn't win an actual one
-Maya Rudolph kept it nice and simple, fashion-wise
-Nick Nolte seemed so awkward and humble to be on the red carpet, he said "I don't know these people, they are not my friends"- poor guy
-Jessica Chastain looks so beautiful, one of the best dressed tonight

-Pharell is music director or what? 120 different pieces of music? good job man, he's lucky!
-Michelle Williams- I love her dress, it reminds me of her style at a previous Oscar ceremony, when she was accompanied by the late Heath Ledger. Also, a big plus for bringing her best friend, Busy Phillips, as her +1

-I have to give it up to Josh Horowitz, the presenter of MTV- usually, he is a very funny, sweet, sometimes crazy, guy who gets the best interviews. Now, on the red carpet, the guy cannot stop talking about the nominees, the movies, the guests, and he never makes a mistake, he knows everyone and everything(with some few exceptions, and those are just because of the speed of the things happening)- he must be so tired, I hope he is getting a huge paycheck for it!
-I heard The Dictator spilled the ashes on Ryan Seacrest- really? I have to Youtube this later! FUNNY and I haven't even seen it, apparently Seacrest is pissed!
-Octavia Spencer looks amazing and her dress fits her perfectly! I also loved Emma Stone, Sandra Bullock and Kristen Wiig!

-People are saying bad things about Gwyneth Paltrow's dress and cape, but I liked it- simple and effective and the one shoulder things is nice! It fits her beautifully!
-Angelina Jolie can wear a black carpet with a string holding it across her body and still look stunning- oh, wait, she is doing that! Come on, how is that possible? The woman has 6 kids, 3 of which naturally born.

Overall, fashion-wise, I was a little bit dissapointed- the highlights here Milla Jokovich and Penelope Cruz and that says a lot about the fashion sense of the 2012 generation! But special mentions go to Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain!

The show

Opening


The ceremony started with Morgan Freeman introducing the show (and the reason for that was?!- but I like him, so I guess it was fine)

Cue to montage of this year's movies- I actually thought it was nice and the transition between each one was ok
The bad part came with the singinging, Billy Crystal should have done something else, like....a MONOLOGUE?!?!? seriously, there was no monologue? that was the most exciting part for me :( I am dissapointed

First two awards - Cinematography and Art Design, go to Hugo- predictable for the second one, but I was surprised to see it win the first award!
We continue with an ode to the cinema and the experience of seeing films!
Costume design- The Artist
Cameron Diaz and J Lo try to be cool and original- big fail- than they present the award to 
Make-up- Iron Lady

"I remember seeing a movie when I was 6" montage- running themes of the night - (1.love for the cinema and 2.montages)

Foreign Film- A separation- very happy about it plus the speech was beautiful
Supporting Actress- Octavia Spencer, as expected- it was so nice to see everyone stand up and give her an ovation. Quick question- I keep seeing Tate Taylor with her at every award ceremony- are they really good friends or is there somthing more? or is that not Tate Taylor? handsome guy, anyway!

Test Group scene for Wizard of Oz- Funny, nice try to do something new
We can always count on Tina Fey to be funny
Film Editing- Girl with the dragon tattoo surprising for everyone, even the recepients
Sound editing- Hugo- best speeches ever, I loved it "You go, no, Hugo." plus "I would like to thank everyone who was very born, or who will be born...."
Sound mixing- Hugo- by now I am so happy because The Artist is NOT getting all of the awards!

Kermit and Miss Piggy introduce a mini-show by Cirque du Soleil- it looks very good, too bad that my livestream was so bad, I will have to see it again afterwards

Robert Downey Jr just stole the show with his documentary "The Presenter", Paltrow was nice to have around (love her dress)- the winner for best Documentary is Undefeated- is it a surprise? I haven't even heard of it, must be good, right?

Chris Rock talks about how easy it is to do an animation- spot on speech, one of the best parts of the night, he should host again soon- Animation- Rango, as expected

Visual Effects- Emma Stone was so precious and adorable that no one can really compete with her (although, I must admit that, for a second, I thought she was drunk)- winner- Hugo and the movie continues to sweep the technical awards

Supporting Actor- C. Plummer, as expected, but still one of the best speeches of the night! He is the oldest actor to ever receive an Oscar!

What are they thinking? scene- I actually liked it very much, it was funny, most of it, anyways!

Best Original Score- The Artist, of course, and it is deserved
Will Ferell and Zach G. try to be funny, and they succeed for about 40% of the time
Best song- Man or a Muppet, YEY, I love that song

Angelina Jolie comes on stage to present the Screenplay awards with a fierce attitude
Adapted Screenplay- The Descendants
Original Screenplay- Midnight In Paris

The AMPAS had the brilliant idea of inviting the cast of Bridesmaids to hand out some boring awards- smart
Live action short- The shore
Documentary- Saving Face
Animated Short Feature- Fantastic Flying Books....

Michael Douglas presents Best Director- Michel Hazanavicius
Short clip about the honorary Oscar recepients: Dick Smith, James Earl Jones, Oprah Winfrey (really?)

Best Actor- Jean Dujardin - I was wishing any of the other 4 nominees would get this, but I am happy that Dujardin won after all, he is a very charming and sweet man!

Best Actress- Mery Streep- it was a surprise for the majority- I am fine with it, she deserves it, for God's sake, she's had 17 nominations, it was about time to get the 3rd Oscar! Her speech was adorable and I like the fact that she started by thanking her husband!

Best Picture- The Artist- expected and deserved....I guess?!?! yeah, ok, it was very good!

Best parts of the night
-Emma Stone being adorable
-RDJ presenting Best Documentary
- Sound Editing speeches
- The Artist NOT getting all the awards
- Jean Dujardin and Meryl Streep speeches
- Bridesmaids presenting

Surprises?- For me: the technical sweep of Hugo, editing for Girl with the dragon tattoo and Meryl Streep, although I am happy for her.

Best Dressed:  Emma Stone, Penelope Cruz, Mila Jokovich, Jessica Chastain, Michelle Williams, Kristen Wiig and Angelina Jolie!


Overall, I actually enjoyed myself. It was funny and entertaining for most of the time, it didn't seem too long, the speeches were held in point and Crystal tried his best! But let's hope they get someone else next year! I know: Robert Downey Jr? Chris Rock? Emma Stone? :D

Thank you and good night!

What did you think of the Oscars?

The BAFTAs 2012

For me, the BAFTAs are better than the Oscars. Why?

The reasons, in no particular order are
- the show is in London ( although I am not at the Covent Gardem Royal Opera, I'm still technically within an 50 mile radius from the stars )
- everything involving this particular ceremony is stylish, with a lot of class and elegance and gratitude. People don't show up for the glamour or the gossip, they are trully honouring the work- well, most of them anyway
- the BAFTAs usually get it right when it comes to nominations, and the winners are much more appreciated and agreed upon than the Oscars in most cases- LATER EDIT: no, they don't, this year they drooled at the feet of Artist!
- The ceremony is short and very well timed (short speeches, no breaks?)
- I simply love the British accent and 99% of the people, plus the British actors are not only immensly talented, but also very attractive.

LATER EDIT: I maybe be wrong! But it's still one spot ahead of the Oscars in my book, just for sentimental value! :)

Of course the Oscars have their charm, but it's not 26th of February yet, so let's focus on tonight, shall we?

WINNERS: 


Special Visual Effects – Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows II   Well deserved and a nice way to pay tribute to one of the best and most loved films&franchise out there


Short Film – Pitch Black Heist  It apparently features Michael Fassbender, so I guess I am happy?!


Short Animation – A Morning Stroll  No idea what so ever here, sorry!


Original Music – The Artist (Ludovic Bource)  No surprise here!


Sound – Hugo


Editing – Senna (Gregers Sall, Chris King)  Some say it is a surprise, but maybe it's because they haven't seen Senna! If they had, they would have known it is deserving of its award.


Cinematography – The Artist (Guillaume Schiffman)  A little bit dissapointed, there were better options there, but still a good choice!


Costume Design – The Artist (Mark Bridges)  why would you give an award to a Black&White movie set in the 1920s, an era from which you can easily get costumes in every thrift store? I would have given this to superhero movies, or Harry Potter or period movies, someone who created and innovated, not to the Artist!


Make Up & Hair – The Iron Lady (Mark Coulier, J. Roy Helland, Marese Langan)  Again, seriously? for putting on make up on one woman? what about the other nominees, surely we can find better? They are starting to piss me off!


Film Not in the English Language – The Skin I Live In   And with that, my faith is restored! I know it's a snub for A Separation and most will be shocked, but I am pleasantly surprised!


Outstanding Debut – Tyrannosaur Very happy with this one, as well, the movie is fantastic and it features the best performances I have seen in a while! See it if you have a chance!


Production Design – Hugo (Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo)  Another rightful winner, Hugo was visually beautiful


Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer (Beginners)  That was, probably, the most predictable award of the night, and I am glad he won, although I haven't seen the film! He is such a charming, elegant, nice man!


Outstanding British Film – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy   Good choice- I would liked to see Shame get something, but TTSS is a fantastic movie, with great performances, so I approve! :)


Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer (The Help)   I would have loved a surprise here, but no, still Octavia Spencer!


Original Screenplay – The Artist   Are you fucking kidding me? Best Original Screenplay? For a classic romantic comedy, but set in the 1920s, without words or serious plot or character development???? seriously? This is just crazy, I cannot understand it! Yes, The Artist is original in music, or production design, or for the fact it is black and white and silent, but for screenplay? Come on!


Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema- John Hurt   Congratulations Mister Hunt and thank you for everything!


Orange Rising Star – Adam Deacon  Ok,so I have never seen Adam Deacon act, so maybe I am wrong and he is brilliant, but how dare you snub Loki, the wonderful Tom Hiddleston? Aghh...this is getting frustrating! Who is this guy and how many fans can he possibly have?


Documentary – Senna This ceremony is going up and down, I feel worn out! Now it's up for Senna and special mention to Paul Bettany presenting!


Adapted Screenplay – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Interesting choice, but I have to agree!


Animated Film – Rango


Director – Michel Hazanavicius  Tom Hooper all over again! His directing wasn't nearly as exciting as Hugo or Shame or Drive, but hey, it's The Artist!


Leading Actress – Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) Love the Cinderella moment, and she is always was funny and sweet!

Leading Actor – Jean Dujardin (The Artist)   Wow, I really thought a Brit will get this! I'm so sorry for Fassbender and Oldman! That kinda means he is getting the Oscar, which I am not happy about! 


Best Film – The Artist   That was a shocker...not! AM I THE ONLY ONE SICK OF THE ARTIST?


Academy Fellowship- Martin Scorsese  Deserved, indeed, very happy for him!




Best line of the night: "I would just like to thank the Artist for not being adapted from a book!"-Peter Straughan receiving the award for Best Adapted Screenplay---you and me, both, Peter!


Most overused, overappreciated, cocky bastard of the night: Michel Hazanavicius! These awards are getting to his head, I think I saw him on stage 4 or 5 times, if not more, and always with a slightly cocky attitude! 




Overall, I am dissapointed in most of the winners, as Artist easily wins the big categories (I am already getting sick of it and all that involves or mentions the word Artist), so should I be even watching the Oscars? We all know what will happen! 


It was a nice evening, rather boring, but interesting! Stephen Fry was very reserved and gratious, the opposite of Ricky Gervais, but I liked him!


What do you guys think of the winners? 

Kramer vs Kramer

Kramer vs Kramer is a very good movie. Behind the great acting performances, the direction, the cinematograpy, the music etc, there lies an important story, beautifully told, that raises up questions, it makes you think, it moves you and it makes you analyze the life we live in. I loved Ted’s testimony, when he said something like “Why are women automatically thought to be better parents then the men?”, just summarising the film in one line and raising an important issue to be discussed in America. He argues that he loves his son very much, but also agrees that it was his fault that their marriage had fallen apart. He grows so much during the development of the story that you start understanding him and rooting for him and his son.

Actually, I never really knew or fully understood that Dustin Hoffman was such an amazing actor until this movie. As far as technique, movement, expression, seriousness, he is perfect, just perfect. And in the part of a father trying to raise his 6 year son, he rightfully deserved his Oscar, because his interpretation was that good, that I believed and felt everything he said and done.  Merryl Streep, as amazingly talented and beautiful she is, in the movie, for me, at least, was pretty good, as well, but not in the same level as Hoffman.

It’s a classic and you should watch it! I enjoyed it! 

What do you usually like or what does it interest you most in a movie? The plot development or the character one?