May 11, 2013
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

IMDB Synopsis: After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.

I know this is horrendously late considering I saw this particular film during the AMC Oscar Movie showcase prior to the Academy Awards, but it’s appropriate timing now considering Redbox at your local Publix has it! Yay for Publix!

Alright, now let’s tackle what I loved about this film. I adore Robert de Niro’s performance as the Eagles-obsessed, book keeping father. He’s absolutely lovely in this film. The star of this film, Bradley Cooper, gives an amazing performance in this role as the undiagnosed bipolar ex-teacher. Glorious job, best so far if I do say so myself. The dialogue is incredibly witty and real, which I adore in any film.

Ok, now J-Law fans, stop reading here, because I will break your heart.

I’m sorry to be so underwhelmed by Jennifer Lawerence’s performance in this film. Granted, her “crazy” scenes were delivered with incredible passion, but when it comes down to it, her facial expressions tend to be…lifeless? Even when she’s trying to act happy, it’s not really happy? I know she plays a depressed person in this film, but even when she’s supposed to feel genuine happiness, it just doesn’t work. I think a majority of why she won the Oscar for this role is because the character herself was so incredibly diverse and took over much of the attention while watching the film. I suppose in this way, it reminds me of Anjelina Jolie’s performance in Girl, Interrupted. I love Jennifer though, I love her in this film, but it just really seemed Oscar worthy to me in comparison to some of the other roles in the category. Also, this is a romantic comedy. Since when does the Academy like romantic comedies?

Another thing that bugged me about this film is it’s ability to make mental illness seem like it can be cured with a magic wand. Society today is moving towards depicting mental illness in media, almost romanticizing serious issues like depression and anxiety. Unfortunately it’s the current trend in film, but I can’t endorse this as much as the next person. Yes, it’s a problem that everyone needs to be aware of, but not in the way that Hollywood has been doing it recently, like In Perks of Being a Wallflower.

I’ll stop hating on this film, because in actuality it’s a brilliant film. It’s refreshing and new, and vibrant in the loveliest way. I recommend this to anyone, really.

Rate: 9/10 

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Filed under: 2013 in film sarah edition 
April 29, 2013
Friends with Kids (2011)

IMDB Synopsis: Two best friends decide to have a child together while keeping their relationship platonic, so they can avoid the toll kids can take on romantic relationships.

Jennifer Westfeldt (Jules) wrote, directed, and starred in this romantic comedy in which herself and Adam Scott (Jason) are two bff’s and want to have a kid, but not miss out of having sex. So this film basically takes you through this 3 year experiment filled with sexual exploits, judgmental friends, etc. Yes, it is a romantic comedy. Don’t let the cover fool you. It’s funny, and it’s raunchy, but it’s cheesey and gooey and romantic at times too. This includes (spoiler) a big over the top romantic ending as well. However, the parallelism between this film and When Harry Met Sally can be obvious; it’s then overwhelmed with this modern twist. This big, enormous modern twist: the last few lines. These lines being “Let me f**k the sh** out of you.” (Jason is trying to prove to Jules he is attracted to her as well as emotionally devoted.) Yes. Crude and naughty, proving that long gone are the days of cheese rom-coms, filled with Meg Ryan antics and saying “freaking” when we all know you meant to drop the f bomb. And although I’m typically a traditionalist when it comes to films, I adore this progress in romantic comedies. At one point, it was shameful to say you adore rom-coms. They’re known for their classic cheeseyness. But this movement in crude dialogue gives the entire genre a general feeling of relatability. It’s so much more real in a sense. It makes more sense for a boy to profess their love in a profane way as opposed to a Shakespearean sonnet. Romantic love in the traditional sense has completely become obsolete in today’s society, but in all honesty, I don’t even mind. Granted, it was cute and funny to act in the PG way, but let’s face it, we live don’t live in a rated world and that’s makes life so much more interesting. 

Ok, back to the film itself. The cast was brilliant; the dialogue was real and wonderful. The pacing and the cinematography were mediocre.  It was a solid film though. I would recommend this to anyone who likes crude humor but has a romantic side as well. Plus it’s on instant on Netflix.

Rate 7/10

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(Notes: 3)
  
Filed under: friends with kids jennifer westfeldt adam scott film movie review 2013 in film sarah edition 
April 24, 2013
Garden State (2004)

IMDB Synopsis: A quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother’s funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.

AHHHHHH! Ok, well this is probably one of my favorite films. Ever. I first watched it because Zach Braff was on Scrubs at the time, and that’s was (still is) one of my favorite shows. Anyway, he plays the “quiet troubled young man” Andrew Largeman, who returns home (New Jersey) after his paraplegic mother dies. He basically hates his dad, a crazy psychologist, and he reunites with old friends and meets this manic pixie dream girl Natalie Portman. I know, “Sarah, manic pixie dream girl stereotype? You hate those!” Well, yeah I do. But on the other hand, she is and she isn’t. She is manic, and spontaneous, and romantic, but she’s also just as crazy as Andrew Largeman is, which compensates for her quirkiness.

But here’s the real reason why I love this film. Minus the fact that’s it’s the awkward humor that’s just glorious. The soundtrack. Is. Amazing. If you’ve never experienced a good soundtrack, well here’s the best, of all time. Please listen to it. Ranging from The Shins to Coldplay to Frou Frou to Simon and Garfunkel, it’s just so perfect. And if you listen to it while drinking some tea in your room with some rain, it’s the best experience ever. I highly recommend this film, if not, just listen to the music, because there is a very good chance it will change your life.

rate 10/10

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(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: garden state film movie 2013 in film sarah edition zach braff andrew largeman natalie portman 
April 10, 2013
The Giant Mechanical Man (2012)

IMDB Synopsis: An offbeat romantic comedy about a silver-painted street performer and the soft spoken zoo worker who falls for him.

So you basically see this cast on Netflix: Chris Messina and Jenna Fischer and Topher Grace: holy cow!

But then you start to watch this film and quickly realize that this is just another “off-beat” indie rom-com where two white people have no clue as to what they want to do with their lives and fall in love. However I did like the focus on a female protagonist, this film basically included every cliché of an indie romance that I just did not enjoy it. The sarcastic tone of the entire film layed on thick, reminsicient of Garden State but it didn’t compensate for that tone with humor. Now trust me, I understand dry humor, I love it, I bask in it, I drink it from a metaphorical flask in my purse of comedy, but this humor wasn’t even dry, it was just boring and dumb. Unless you count how annoying Topher Grace was as Doug Duncan (even has cliché white guy names) in this film. I wouldn’t really recommend it unless you have a hankering for drinking tea and feeling like a pseudo-hipster-intellectual of some sort. But even then, don’t resort to that, that sort of human has no appreciation for fine films. 

Rate: 4/10

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(Notes: 3)
  
Filed under: 2013 in film sarah edition the giant mechanical man jenna fischer chris messina topher grace film movie movie review 
April 5, 2013
MY LOYAL AND LOVELY FOLLOWERS!!!

JESSICA CHASTAIN AND BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH HAVE AGREED TO STAR IN GUILLERMO DEL TORO”S NEW FILM

IM SCREAMING

THIS IS SUCH GREAT NEWS!

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(Notes: 6)
  
Filed under: jessica chastain benedict cumberbatch crimson peak guillermo del toro film movies 
April 4, 2013
Monsters (2010)

IMDB Synopsis: Six years after Earth has suffered an alien invasion a cynical journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through an infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border.

Hello everyone! Long time, haven’t written anything worthwhile. I hope you’re all doing lovely and enjoying life and cinema. Anyway, Monsters was actually fantastic. Reminiscent of District 9, Gareth Edwards wrote and directed this mockumentary following Kaulder (Scoot McNairy) and Sam (Whitney Able) through Mexico as it has become an “infected zone” filled to the brim with aliens. Considering the overall budget for the film was a mere 9,000 dollars, it’s really quite impressive. The camerawork and editing was absolutely remarkable. Scoot McNairy was in Argo and Killing Them Softly, his performances in other films weren’t as memorable, but this film gave him a lovely opportunity to shine as the cynical photographer capturing pictures of children affected by the “monsters” in this country. 

The actually plot and storyline was pretty original, which was refreshing. However, the dialogue wasn’t that wonderful, and everything felt very predictable. However, because of how AMAZING the cinematography and general production, I recommend other film/sci fi nerds watch this. The graphics weren’t Prometheus level, but given the circumstances in which this film was produced (completely on the spot and for mere pennies) they are pretty good. 

Rate 7/10

Also, if you have any film recomendations for me, my ask is always open c:

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(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: monsters film movie review movie review scoot mcnairey gareth edwards sci fi 
March 18, 2013
The Hurt Locker (2008)

IMDB Synopsis: Forced to play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse in the chaos of war, an elite Army bomb squad unit must come together in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb.

To be quite honest, I’ve seen this movie before. I just really wanted to write a little piece about it, considering I live in that world where Kathryn Bigelow is God. 

Anyway, Bigelow and Mark Boal takes the audience on this tumultuous roller coaster of the story following the lives of the men that basically disarm bombs. It’s literally the coolest thing ever. The sound effects, the visual effects, everything is so insane that it works. Unlike other films about war, you’re not overwhelmed by backstory all at once, which I enjoy. The pacing is perfect. The story is incredible. The acting of Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Brian Geraghty are absolutely impeccable. 

Now that I’ve stated the obvious, here’s why I love this film.

I love the fact that this movie holds your attention from the very beginning. Granted, there’s a dull spot here or there, but the filmmakers really wanted to keep you on your toes.

I love the way they mixed the sound; it changes constantly in accordance with the onscreen tension, but not in an overly dramatic or emotional way.

I love the lightening in this as well, they really captured the natural light in such a way that the film almost looks artsy, but it’s not overdone.

The story is incredible, and you really never know what’s going to happen next, which I adore. Ok, sorry, except for Guy Pierce’s quick performance in the first ten minutes. That, I saw coming, but not in the way that I expected. 

I love how Bigelow took on this project. Considering she is a woman, and typically “war films” aren’t tackled by directors of the female persuasion, it was really awesome to see her rise up to the challenge in such a way that it changed the film industry forever. I adore her, I adore her style, and I think she’s an incredible woman. In addition, shout out to my boy Mark Boal, who wrote this amazing film! Yes, the dialogue did lack at times, but in retrospect, it makes sense given that Boal tried to capture the way soldiers talk.

I highly recommend this film to anyone. It’s really amazing, and considerably better than a James Cameron film.

Rate 10/10

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Filed under: 2013 in film sarah edition kathryn bigelow the hurt locker movie review jeremy renner film movie 
March 18, 2013
The Intouchables (2011)

IMDB Synopsis: After he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, Phillipe, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caretaker,Driss.

I’m not one for emotion-y touch-y feel-y films. I’m sorry, but that warm fuzzy feeling inside just doesn’t do it for me. This was one of those films. Granted it did compensate for the morals with the quick humor and wit on behalf of Omar Sy, who plays the assistant. I really like how the relationship between the two develop, and I think that this film shows different aspects of relationships between friends, lovers, family, etc. However, the entire movie is a wee bit of a guilt trip. I mean you feel bad for Phillipe, considering he is in a wheelchair, but then you see how fabulously wealthy he is and become extraordinarily jealous. The cinematography for this film was really lovely, or at least I think so. It really captured the light in Paris, which is one of the best things about that city. The film was overall pretty good, but you may not want to see it considering it is a French film, and some people don’t have the patience for that. However, I do, and I think it’s worth the watch. Not the most beautiful film ever, but it is quite entertaining.

rate 7/10

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(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: 2013 in film omar sy sarah edition french film movie review 
March 9, 2013
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

IMDB Synopsis: A free-thinking art professor teaches conservative 50’s Wellesley girls to question their traditional societal roles.

So I saw this movie just to see how I personally would feel about it. My friend said it was great whereas I also heard it was terrible. So I decided to see for myself.

Let’s start with the cast. Julia Robert, Julia Stiles, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kirsten Dunst, and Maggi Gyllenhaal. Just. What? It’s awesome. Julia Roberts has this large mouth which is a little distracting, but I actually really like her as an actress. Now, let’s have a moment for how UNDERAPPRECIATED JULIA STILES IS. She’s fabulous! Recently, she was in Silver Linings, but only as a supporting actress. I think she’s so talented and deserves to be in other films because her acting range is pretty wide, and she’s a strong woman. Ginnifer Goodwin is adorable, as always, but I would really like to see her in a role where I don’t feel like I have to hug her. Seriously, every film, EVER, Ginnifer is a baby. I adore her, but she’s a baby. This is officially the first film I liked Maggie Gyllenhaal in besides Donnie Darko. Then again, I probably just dislike her because her brother is more attractive. I don’t really know, but her role in this film is quality. Lastly, the wee lass that is Kirsten Dunst. She’s kind of crazy and horrible and annoying in this film, but I like it. 

The time period was in the 1950/60’s and the set for the film was really gorgeous. The props and costume were pretty adorable too.

Nothing great cinematography-wise, but Mona Lisa Smile is an OK film. It’s basically the fem-version of The Dead Poet’s Society, which is awesome because we need more female driven films that don’t involve romance. 

Rate: 6/10

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(Notes: 3)
  
Filed under: Mona Lisa Smile Julia Roberts Julia Stiles Kirsten Dunst Ginnifer Goodwin 2013 in film sarah edition 
March 4, 2013
Life of Pi (2012)

IMDB Synopsis: A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.

Yes! I saw this film awhile ago, but I figured I should finally review it. Media has primarily given this film very mixed reviews, and I hate to say it but, I feel very mixed about this film as well. But to Lee’s credit that could be the effect the author of the book was going after.A cinematic visual masterpiece, yes, however, I think Ang Lee tried to throw in so many concepts all at the same time that it became a tad overwhelming, then mixed with bouts of just plain dull moments. To counteract those lags though, some scenes in Life of Pi are absolutely brilliant. Suraj Sharma in his breakout role acted the role of Pi brilliantly considering it was filmed basically in a pool with an imaginary tiger. I mean you can definitely tell that he’s a beginner, but it works with the role of young teenager Pi. He really should have been nominated for an Oscar, but due to the unfortunate fact that the Academy NEVER answers my letters and emails, he was not. Sorry Suraj, better luck next time. Also, the CGI on this film was REMARKABLE. Far better than Avatar to say the least. Anyway, the story is very original. The behaviorisms and dialogue of our young hero, Pi, were remarkably charming. This is a long film, and it has a religious tone to it, so be wary if you’re not necessarily into that sort of film. However, it is a really gorgeous film so if only to just watch it, have something beautiful to look at for a little bit, then I suggest you watch Life of Pi for that reason at the very least. 

Rate 8/10

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Filed under: life of pi 2013 in film sarah edition film movie ang lee oscar suraj sharma