Archive for December, 2007

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

{ December 31, 2007 @ 7:05 am } · { Movies }
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Brokeback Mountain:

In 1963,two young men hire on as ranch hands in the Wyoming mountains.During the long months of isolation,an unusual bond starts to develop between them, one which they are only vaguely aware of–until one night when it rises to the surface in a passionate encounter.When the season ends,they part ways,only to realize the true depth of their feelings.Thus begins a decades-long affair that the two of them desperately try to hide from those around them–one which will prove simultaneously beautiful and devastating.

I saw brokeback mountain for the first time on saturday night and i thought this was a brilliant and beautiful movie. I liked all the characters, as each one had a certain uniqueness, i loved ennis and jack, and i loved michelle williams and anne hathaway’s characters. i thought the scenary throughtout the film was amazing, and the directing by ang lee is amazing. i liked basically every aspect of this film, but there were things i didnt like, I realize that the two main characters talked strange was the whole cowboy aspect, but believe me next time i watch it, it will be with subtitles because i really could’nt understand certain conversations. Another thing i didnt like was the running time, but i guess this is just because it was late at night when i watched it, if it was in the middle of the day it probobly wouldnt of seemed as long.

I think this film deserves to be watched by everyone at some stage.

Enchanted

{ December 27, 2007 @ 10:09 am } · { Movies }
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Enchanted:

An animated fairy tale meets modern, live-action comedy. The beautiful princess Giselle is banished by an evil queen from her magical, musical animated land and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn’t operate on a “happily ever after” basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer who has come to her aid – even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince back home – she has to wonder: Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?

Enchanted was brilliant! I went to see this movie today with my friend and i loved every minute of it. From the beginning, the movie sucks you in with narration from a Disney Legend. You fall in love with the characters right away and it’s quite simply a return to the greatness that Disney can deliver. The cast led by Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden and Timothy Spall are absoulutely awesome.  Rounding out the cast is Susan Sarandon who is part Evil Queen, part Maleficent and pure EVIL and the adorable Rachel Covey who is the perfect “mini-princess” for Giselle to play off of. The music by Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken (in a return to brilliance) is terrific. The original songs are the best to come out of Disney since The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The story, quite simply is part fish-out-of-water, part romantic comedy, part animated and all fun. The live-action portion of the movie feels like your watching animation. The way that Giselle infects those around her with her innocent “Princess-esque” demeanor is really at the heart of what makes the movie so great.

I really also loved the animals throughout the movie that also are a real delight to watch, for example the chipmunk, and the other supporting animal cast.

Overall for me this one of the best disney films ive ever seen, or at least one of the better movies that disney have done in a while. Take my advice and take a chance on this one, i think you’ll find that this is a keeper.

The Golden Compass

{ December 27, 2007 @ 9:57 am } · { Movies }
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The Golden Compass:

The Golden Compass tells the story of Lyra Belaqua. Living in Oxford’s Jordan College, is not but a young girl living among scholars. Her world may seem diverse, from physical embodiments of souls that take the shape of an animal, but similar with people around you to become friends and enemies. She is thrown into a perilous adventure when she overhears a conversation of an extraordinary microscopic particle, Dust. This particle is said to unite different worlds, and is feared by many who want to destroy it forever. As Lyra is flung into the middle of this horrible struggle, she meets wondrous creatures both big and small, and villains who are not what they seem. Gobblers, that kidnap children, will turn out in the most unexpected places. And a magical compass of gold that will answer any question if one is skilled enough to read it. Lyra’s adventure continues throughout these three books, and the first is about to be told.

I thought that this movie was ok, coming into the movie with no knowledge of ever reading the books was i think better because a lot of people who had read the books came out dissapointed. I thought the movie had some great elements, The Special Features were spectacular to watch and every character had a certain depth, also the acting was good on many parts, for instance the Young newcomer Dakota Blue Richards was fantastic as main character Lyra, also I loved Nicole Kidman and Sam Elliot as Mr Scorseby. I also really enjoyed the many voices of the daemons, who are voiced by actors such as Freddie Highmore as Pan, Ian Mckellen as Iorek and Kathy Bates as Hestor.

Overall I found this movie enjoyable and fun to watch, but if you have read the books you may be dissapointed according to reviews.

My Top 10 Favourite Christmas Movies!

{ December 24, 2007 @ 4:20 am } · { Special Posts }
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#10- Christmas with The Kranks

When Luther and Nora Kranks only daughter leaves and goes to another country they both decide to skip Christmas this year and spend it on a cruise. Now they must survive, facing their neighbors, a house decorations contest and carolers. But when their daughter calls on Christmas eve and says shes coming home for Christmas, the Kranks really get into the meaning of Holiday Rush when they have 12 hours to get Christmas set up for their daughter and her fiancée.

This being at number 10 is a good christmas movie for me, but not the best. I always manage to watch christmas with the kranks, whether it is on purpose or by accident i dont know but all  i can say is it is a light, easy going christmas film, that will keep you laughing.

#9- The Polar Express

Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one doubting boy (voice of Daryl Sabara and Tom Hanks), an astonishing event occurs. Late on Christmas Eve night, he lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. When to his surprise, a steam engine’s roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor (voice of Tom Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pajama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.

I like this christmas film because of 2 things, one because of the amazing special effects throughout the whole movie and 2 because it is a film that can be enjoyed by the whole family at christmas, whether you are young or old its a movie that makes you believe.

#8- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation:

It’s Christmas time – Clark decided to invite all the family to have ‘the most fun-filled old-fashioned family Christmas’, which nobody shall ever forget. When the first relatives arrive, Clark soon flees on the roof to rig the lighting. The one thing the loving father wants to surprise the whole family with is the installation of a pool, which he already ordered. Unfortunately, the bonus check Clark expects any minute is overdue – and tempers rise, but not only because of the check. A big event is the arrival of uninvited cousin Eddie with his family in their mobile home, as well as a little sledding afternoon with a new lubricant from Clark’s company, or his shifting relationship with the very hip and clean neighbours. Cousin Eddie chooses to top off all presents with his very own special creation, only intending to deliver a real reason to be jolly.

There is only one logical reason for me adding this to my list and that is……… IM AWESOME, nah just kidding, but seroiously who couldnt go through christmas without watching the good old griswalds on there christmas adventure, it is a christmas must, which will have your sides ripping.

#7- Prancer

Jessica, the daughter of an impoverished apple farmer, still believes in Santa Claus. So when she comes across a reindeer with an injured leg, it makes perfect sense to her to assume that it is Prancer, who had fallen from a Christmas display in town. She hides the reindeer in her barn and feeds it cookies, until she can return it to Santa. Her father finds the reindeer an decides to sell it to the butcher, not for venison chops, but as an advertising display.

This film is only a small christmas film, it didnt really get  recognised that much, but i really love it, it’s just one of those christmas films that you really end up liking even though not too many other people do.

#6- How the Grinch Stole Christmas:

 Based on the book by the famous Dr. Seuss. Inside a snowflake exists the magical land of Whoville. In Whoville, live the Who’s, an almost mutated sort of munchkinlike people. All the Who’s love Christmas, yet just outside of their beloved Whoville lives the Grinch. The Grinch is a nasty creature that hates Christmas, and plots to steal it away from the Whos which he equally abhors. Yet a small child, Cindy Lou Who, decides to try befriend the Grinch.

Watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas is sort of tradition at my house each year, it just sends clear messages about the meaning of christmas and my whole family continue to enjoy it every year.

#5- The Santa Claus

Divorcee Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is disgusted to learn that his ex (Wendy Crewson) and her husband (Judge Reynolds) have tried – and failed – to break it easy to their 6-year-old son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) that Santa isn’t real. On Christmas Eve, Scott reads The Night Before Christmas…then receives an unexpected visitor on his roof. When he’s startled by Scott’s calling out and falls, the Santa impersonator disappears, leaving only an 8-reindeer sleigh and a suit with instructions to put it on if he’s involved in an accident. Scott does, and is transported around the town dropping gifts through chimneys until he’s taken to the North Pole and informed by a group who claim they’re elves that he is now Santa. Charlie is proud of his dad’s new job, though Scott’s convinced it’s a dream. Until his hair turns white, his beard refuses to stay shaved, he gains weight inexplicably, even for his sudden love of junk food…Now he’s accepted it, there’s just one problem: how to keep it secret from his disbelieving family?

As if you could’nt watch The Santa Claus, we own it on dvd along with the other 2 and love them to death! every year we watch or rather my brother and sister must watch it! we all love it with all of it’s laughs, love and Santa!

#4- Home Alone

Kevin McAllister, 8 years old is accidentally left behind while his family rushes to the Airport to go to France for their Christmas vacation. Kevin learns that he made his family is gone. He spends his first day having fun in his house. Kevin learns that Mav and Harry (The Wet Bandits), two crooks are trying to rob his house. Kevin fends for himself and protects his house from the thieves, by setting traps everywhere. Meanwhile, Kevin’s mother discovers that they left Kevin in Chicago and tries to go back to Chicago while the other members of the family stay in Fance.

 I Always end up watching Home Alone at least 2 months before christmas each year, i dont know why this is but i just get cravings for this movie, we own the complete 4 movies and always end up watching them all before christmas day has begun, who wouldnt want to hear Kevin scream AHHHHHHHHHH!

#3- A Christmas Story

It’s 1940, in the northern Indiana town of Hohman. 9-year-old Ralph “Ralphie” Parker wants only one thing for Christmas — an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle with a compass in the stock. Between his younger brother Randy and having to handle school bully Scut Farkus, Ralphie doesn’t know how he’ll ever survive long enough to get the BB gun for Christmas. When Ralph asks his mother for a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, she says, “No, you’ll shoot your eye out”. When Mrs. Shields, Ralph’s teacher at Harding Elementary School, assigns the class to write a theme about what they want for Christmas, Ralph sees a golden opportunity to express his desire to have a Red Ryder BB gun. Ralph gets a C+ on the theme, and Mrs. Shields has written “You’ll shoot your eye out” on the theme. Ralph’s next plan is to ask Santa Claus for a Red Ryder BB gun, and how does Santa respond? By saying “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” By this time, Ralph has had enough of that. When Scut Farkus and his sidekick Grover Dill start in on Ralph while he’s on his way home from school that day, Ralph knocks Grover Dill to the ground, beats Scut’s face bloody, and then pounds Scut’s head on the snow-covered ground several times. Ralph thinks he’ll never get the BB gun for Christmas now. And all of the other kids are going to be getting what they want for Christmas. But someone may have planned a surprise for Ralph.

I Absoultely Completely LOVE 2 DEATH this film, i just cant describe it because this movie rocks and defeneitely deserves the amount of love people have for this Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas film.

#2- Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

At the Macy’s Department Store Thanksgiving Day parade, the actor playing Santa is discovered to be drunk by a whiskered old man. Doris Walker, the no nonsense special events director, persuades the old man to take his place. The old man proves to be a sensation and is quickly recruited to be the store Santa at the main Macy’s outlet. While he is successful, Ms. Walker learns that he calls himself Kris Kringle and he claims to be the actual Santa Claus. Despite reassurances by Kringle’s doctor that he is harmless, Doris still has misgivings, especially when she has cynically trained herself, and especially her daughter, Susan, to reject all notions of belief and fantasy. And yet, people, especially Susan, begin to notice there is something special about Kris and his determination to advance the true spirit of Christmas amidst the rampant commercialism around him and succeeding in improbable ways. When a raucous conflict with the store’s cruelly incompetent psychologist erupts, Kris finds himself held at Bellevue where, in despair, he deliberates fails a mental examination to ensure his commitment. All seems lost until Doris’ friend, Fred Gaily, reassure Kris of his worth and agrees to represent him in the fight to secure his release. To achieve that, Fred arranges a formal hearing in which he argues that Kris is sane because he is in fact Santa Claus. What ensues is a bizarre hearing in which people’s beliefs are reexamined and put to the test, but even so, it’s going to take a miracle for Kris to win.

For me, in many ways this is a perfect movie, just like gone with the wind, a little gem, beautiful, warm and nothing less than a keeper.

NOW FOR THE MOMENT OF TRUTH!

Drum roll please. boomboomboom!

#1- It’s a Wonderful Life:

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George’s modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George’s Uncle Billy loses the business’s $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows George what things would have been like if he had never been born. In a nightmarish vision in which the Potter-controlled town is sunk in sex and sin, those George loves are either dead, ruined, or miserable. He realizes that he has touched many people in a positive way and that his life has truly been a wonderful one.

Okay i know what your thinking, this is everyone’s all-time-favourite christmas movie, but really it is a classic and nothing less than wonderful and beautiful. Jimmy Stewart is a Capra-ish everyman role primed and honed to pluck the strings of your heart. And it gets better every time you see it. It makes me cry every time and  i always want to watch it more.

 Hope you like my list, Merry Christmas and may you have a good new year, xxoo.

Atonement (2007)

{ December 22, 2007 @ 6:17 am } · { Movies }
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Atonement:

 Based on Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name, Atonement tells the story of a British romance that spans several decades. 13 year old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) is a fledging writer who changes the course of a many other lives when she accuses her older sister Cecilia’s (Keira Knightly) lover, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) of a crime he didn’t commit.

I First heard about this movie through my mum because she was saying how good the book was, and after watching it with her it was true and it didn’t dissapoint me. For only a second feature film by director Joe Wright, the first being Pride and Prejudice, it is absoulutely astonishing. It was directed superbly on all accounts. From the amazing Dunkirk visuals, to several point of view shots you cant help but feel interwined in the story and with the characters.

There are many sensational tracking shots in this which i really liked. For instance in the Dunkirk scene, the camera follows Robbie’s every move, showing the devestation through his eyes, just amazing. Also the way, at the beginining how the film is shot in two perspectives, one being briony’s view of what she thinks is happening and the other being what is really happening. This way of filmmaking creates a dillema for the audience as you really dont know who to believe at that point.

The Dunkirk scene is an amazing piece of filmmaking and i will always remember it. Watching it in the cinema i was amazed by the beauty. The cinematography is sensational. It captures the mood of that time, so well that you can put yourself in there. I cant really describe the scene much more because it was just beyond words. Some other scenes to mention are; Cecilia and briony’s House and the surroundings and the wartime London are also sensational. Plus, there done in such a way you wouldn’t expect a 21st century film to make.

As for the acting, it was wonderful from everyone in the film. Keira Knightly does brilliantly as she usually does in my opinion, also James McAvoy became one of my new favourite actors in just 2 hours, for me i think they were both amazing but James McAvoy outshone her on many levels. I appreciated every character and how well the actors portrayed them. I don’t quite know how to explain but I’m sure you’ll know what I mean when you see it. MacAvoy’s performance was so exquisitely done that I almost cried for the first time in a cinema. I’m hopeful MacAvoy will gain his first nomination at the Academy awards. I hope he is in chance of winning one this year, I will jump for joy if he does as he deserves it more than anyone in this film. I must not forget the incredibly supporting cast, from young Saoirse Ronan who brilliantly played Briony aged 13 ,Romola Garai who played Briony aged 18 and the great Vanessa Redgrave(older Briony).

Overall i loved many things about this film, it is defenietly Oscar material, and i really hope it wins, i advise people to go see this film, and dont think just because you havnt read it to not see it, because i hadnt read it and i loved it.

Alpha Dog (2007)

{ December 21, 2007 @ 10:39 am } · { Movies }
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Alpha Dog

 

 Alpha Dog is a 2006 drama film directed and written by Nick Cassavetes. The film is based on true events of the kiddnaping and murder of 15 year old Nicholas Markowitz in 1999 and the involvment of Jesse James Hollywood a young drug dealer in California.

 Set in November 1999, Alpha Dog tells the story of drug dealer Johnny Truelove, Despite being only 19 years old, Johnny owns his own house and car. Johnny has a circle of loyal friends, including Frankie Ballenbacher (Justin Timberlake) and Elvis Schmidt (Shawn Hatosy), the latter of whom does household chores for Johnny to pay his debt to him, but is constantly ridiculed by Johnny and Frankie for being spineless. Johnny’s father, Sonny Truelove (Bruce Willis), supplies his son with the marijuana which he both sells and personally use.

At one of Johnny’s many parties he meets with Jake Mazursky (Ben Foster), one of Johnny’s friends and part time distributers. All the trouble starts when Jake fails to collect a drug debt, they fight and Johnny pulls a gun but lets him go.

Later in the movie we meet Jake’s younger brother half brother, 15 year old Zach (Anton Yelchin) which johnny decides to kidnap and hold for ransom to get back at Jake.

 This movie was annoying, compelling, amazing and spine chilling all at the same time. at the start i was thinking to myself COME ON just please get to the point and i felt i knew what was coming but let me tell you i sure as hell didnt.

it may all sound fairly played out and done before, but this film is electrifying in every sense of the word. It’s amazing. It’s hardcore. It’s gritty. It’s raw. When watching it you feel as though your watching these people’s lives just crumble before them, making it all the more worse is the grim reality that’s stuck in the back of your mind, reminding you that this is all true. Nick Cassavetes has created such a true-to-life depiction of what happened, that it’s almost frightening. You won’t want to look away.

There were a few notable annoyances, well at least i found them annoying, sometimes i felt as though certain scenes were dragged on and it all had been said but i guess that was for effect, the other was all the partying, however this being a depiction of a real life set of teenagers’ lives, I can see why it was so vital towards the film. These kids have parents who do as much as they do. The parents don’t care what happens to these kids, which makes it all the more terrifying. These kids are on their own. They have nowhere to run and no one to turn to for help.

But the thing i LOVED most about this movie was the cast and top performances all round, Emile Hirsch, Bruce Willis, Anton Yelchin and Espicially but suprisingly Justin Timberlake and i know what your all thinking OH NO! but let me tell everyone that if your not a fan, you will be after this little performance. this film is really not one to be missed The ending is so shocking, that it’s a wonder I didn’t expect it early on. ‘Alpha Dog’ is an emotional roller coaster that will have you glued to the screen right from the emotional opening credits.

Into The Wild Trailer, Watch!

{ December 2, 2007 @ 11:17 pm } · { Movies }
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LAuzT_x8Ek

Into The Wild

{ December 2, 2007 @ 11:15 pm } · { Movies }
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Into The Wild:

Into-the-wild.jpg

Into The Wild is a 2007 drama based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same nam by Jon Krakauer telling the story of Christopher McCandless. It was directed by Academy Award winner Sean Penn, who also wrote the screenplay, and stars, Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Jena Malone, Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden, Academy Award winner William Hurt, and two-time Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener.

 Into The Wild tells the adventures of Christopher McCandless, a top student and athlete at Emory University. After graduating, McCandless decides to give his entire life savings of $24,000 to OXFAM and then burns all the money in his wallet. As he hitchhikes all the way to Alaska to live in the wild, bringing only a .22 caliber rifle, a camera, several boxes of rifle rounds, some camping gear, and a small selection of literature-including a field guide to the regions edible plants. While on his adventure he encounters several unique people that change and shape his life before he faces the dangers of the wilderness.

I saw Into The Wild on saturday and i absoulutely fell in love with every aspect of it. i found myself feeling very uncomfortable at how most of what he says is true, mostly being about society. I fell in love with all of the characters and thought all of the actors gave amazing performances especially Emile Hirsch, Kristen Stewart, Jena Malone, pretty much every actor was awesome. I loved the way Sean Penn has created this movie also capturing the wilderness with amazing creativity, he is amazing as a director and i hope he does it more.

All i can say to people about this movie is GO AND SEE IT! make up your own opinion about it, but i can tell you that you will at least like one aspect of it, i really enjoyed it and would consider it one of my favourite films.