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Watched The Blind Side last night – and really enjoyed it. I don't really understand American Football (blame my British roots) but that wasn't really the focus of the story so it didn't matter.
Not a huge tearjerker, and not as 'mushy' as I thought it might be, I'd definitely recommend it. Bullock was great – such a contrast after seeing 'All About Steve'; hard to believe it's the same actress!
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The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.
Well, being that I'm a cinemaphile, I could go on for days…esp. if I can't sleep.
I've been catching up on a lot of the Oscar nominees along with my usual obscure foreign and indie films that people give me a puzzled look at when I go on and on about them.
“Revanche?”
“What the heck is a 'Revanche?'”
Well, Revanche was just released via Criterion recently on DVD and Blu-Ray. It's an amazing minimalist Austrian film. I believe it was nominated for best foreign film in 2008, but of course, did not win the Oscar, because we like to give to Oscars to feel-good foreign movies, not utterly bleak and minimalist ones. (With notable exceptions, of course.) On the surface, it's a traditionalist character study. But it does something rather bold with the narrative structure. It's basically told in two parts, one continuous linear story, but two totally different tones–almost two different movies in one–separated by a major incident that occurs about halfway through the movie. And unique to the main actor's understated, cold, quiet performance–as dictated by his character…is the fact that when he does show his emotion it's all the more powerful because of how we're used to seeing him.
I also have been repeatedly watching “The Hurt Locker” and “Inglorious Basterds.”
I really admired that really than the tradtional action-drama approach to the war movie, it's basically an action-thriller-drama. It's honestly one of the tensest, intense movies I've seen that's not made by that “Hitchcock” guy. I also really admired that though there is inherently some political nature to it, like any war film, that for the most part it focused soley on the experince of these soldiers instead of being preachy. Regardless of whether I agree, I tend to not like preachy films, esp. if they are heavy-handed. Lol. I don't usually like war movies at all, but I watch them if they have critical acclaim. Also, one interesting thing about “The Hurt Locker” is it is the first film (I think) that has really conveyed the “pride” and “honor,” that is felt by so many in the armed forces. Although, this is not everyone, most people, like my Dad and my sister's husband, have a pride and honor in serving their country, and this is the first time I've really “felt” it in a war movie.
My feelings about “Inglorious Basterds” can be summed up in two quotes. 1) Roger Ebert (paraphrased) “This is either the best film of the year or the worst. After repeat viewings, (I've come to the conclusion) that it is the best.” 2) Diablo Cody (Oscar winning writer of “Juno”) “Maybe the best movie of the decade. Tarantino is 'dead guy brilliant,' if that makes any sense.” I really wasn't quite sure what I thought of it when I first saw it, but now having seen it maybe, five times, I have to say every time I watch I notice some subtltey, some nuance, or some blink-and-you-miss-it foreshadowing or coincidence.
Re: The book vs. movie debate. I agree, as do most people, the book is usually better than the movie. But to me, I think to an extent talking about book vs. movie is like “dancing about archeticture.” They are two completely different mediums, operating under different limitations, and different advantages and disadvantages. It makes sense that often much gets lost in translation.
Related: is anyone else deathly afraid to see “The Lovely Bones???” I am, but I will watch it. I'm talking not just about, how can you make a movie out of that brilliant Alice Sebold novel, but also, the decision (which having not seen is just a conjectured opinion as of now) to leave out one little MINOR detail that was part of what made the book so darned poignant. but i understand after “Hounddog” with Dakota Fanning, why everyone would be afraid of bringing that up or showing it.
'Kik' wrote on '09:Shutter Island comes out this Friday in the UK and I'm quite looking forward to that. Also just got around to seeing 500 days of Summer this week. That was a lot better then I was expecting. I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt's work. Anyone see The Lookout? He was great in that.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of our most underrated young actors, IMO. He was also beyond brilliant in…rats, the name is escaping me…right “Mysterious Skin,” I wanna say??? I've been a fan of his even in “10 Things I Hate About You” days. Fun fact, “10 Things I Hate About You” helped launch not just Julia Stiles, but Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
I keep changing my mind, but thankfully since I am no longer an actual employed film critic, nobody will care about my indecision.
I still have a few '09 films to see that I think may make the short list…
…but of the many that have.
It is:
(in random order)
1. The Girlfriend Experience. (The Soderbergh digital doodle with Sasha Grey of all people, not the other movie of the same name.)
2. Inglorious Basterds
3. The Hurt Locker
That said, I can't say I would suggest “The Girlfriend Experience” to almost any one I know. “Abstruse” and “…dense, almost to the point of incomprehension” to steal a quote from Roger Ebert (who was referring to “The Big Sleep”) seem woefully inadequate and unfortunately accurate ways of describing it. I'm not at all being pretentious or film snobby, I've just come to realize there are a lot of films that destined to be a curious blip in the world of cinema for precisely those kinds of reasons. Put simply, I have to imagine most people hating it. And a lot of people do, based on the numerous user reviews.
That said, Steven Soderbergh is one of the rare filmmakers who manages to make films people love and/or garner great acclaim (“Traffic,” “Ocean's Eleven,” “sex, lies, and videotape”) AND films that make one go, “what exactly did i just watch???” (“The Limey, “Schizopolis,” “The Girlfriend Experience.”)
Thanks to digital, he's been doing a lot of doodles lately. And this doodle just came out, and I just went “wow.”
Some good suggestions for me to add to my 'list'.
Have you seen the Korean war film, 'Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War'? That was one of the most amazing war movies I've seen for a long time. I need to watch it again.
Agree on The Hurt Locker – I saw that on a plane ride a long time ago; hadn't heard of it, didn't think it would be much. I was surprised.
—If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.
The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.
Got preview tickets to see Whip It on Monday, it is a movie more aimed toward kids, but should be fun anyways, will let you know what it's like after.
'yamerias' wrote on '25:Got preview tickets to see Whip It on Monday, it is a movie more aimed toward kids, but should be fun anyways, will let you know what it's like after.
Oh, I've heard of that one! With the girl from Juno, right?
I adored Ninja Assassin and Zombieland, too, mostly because lately I've been aiming for the most violent films possible for whatever reason. LOL, Ninja Assassin filled that need quite nicely.
'yamerias' wrote on '25:Got preview tickets to see Whip It on Monday, it is a movie more aimed toward kids, but should be fun anyways, will let you know what it's like after.
I see the cover for that every day in when looking for On Demand movies – so let me know if it's any good. I'm sceptical, I have to admit!
—If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.
The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.
'Martin' wrote on '25:Have you seen the Korean war film, 'Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War'? That was one of the most amazing war movies I've seen for a long time. I need to watch it again.
no, i have not and i'm particularly ashamed because i'm like, Korean…well, technically. but probably not actually. lol. at this point i'm about as Korean as I am Mesoptamian.
but i'll have to rent that when my netflix is off hiatus, thanks for reminding me about it, i remember hearing it was pretty amazing.
'yamerias' wrote on '25:Got preview tickets to see Whip It on Monday, it is a movie more aimed toward kids, but should be fun anyways, will let you know what it's like after.
people in the “industry” seem to love “Whip It!” not just because it involves Ellen Page (“Juno”) but it involves Drew Barrymore, who directed it, and who, now that she is clean and sober and oozing positivity, is everyone's favorite industry sweetheart.
oh yeah, and i think david letterman is a fan of drew barrymore, because you know, when someone flashes you on national TV on your talk show, i think you're contractually obligated to be a fan.
another one i intend on renting, when my netflix hiatus is over. let us all know how it was.
'LindsayK' wrote on '25:I adored Ninja Assassin and Zombieland, too, mostly because lately I've been aiming for the most violent films possible for whatever reason. LOL, Ninja Assassin filled that need quite nicely.
if you want violence i will bombard you on MSN with suggestions. i don't support violence, but it sure is fun to watch!!! lol.
the real question is what KIND of violence???
like do you want totally excessive horror gore, or do you want totally depressing relationship abuse packaged in an emotional drama, or do you want to see the worst ten minute scene ever made (in a very controversial, and in my opinion, utterly brilliant french film.)
or you can have it all with a little film called “Martyrs” which is a French horror film with a rather emotional, philosophical, oddly spiritual aspect to it. (by spiritual, i do not mean any particular belief system, just that when all is said and done, it's quite a punishing yet fascinating experience.)
'seenafterscene' wrote on '26:if you want violence i will bombard you on MSN with suggestions. i don't support violence, but it sure is fun to watch!!! lol.
the real question is what KIND of violence???
like do you want totally excessive horror gore, or do you want totally depressing relationship abuse packaged in an emotional drama, or do you want to see the worst ten minute scene ever made (in a very controversial, and in my opinion, utterly brilliant french film.)
or you can have it all with a little film called “Martyrs” which is a French horror film with a rather emotional, philosophical, oddly spiritual aspect to it. (by spiritual, i do not mean any particular belief system, just that when all is said and done, it's quite a punishing yet fascinating experience.)
I'll check out Martyrs! Thank you!
Has anyone seen The Men Who Stare at Goats? I watched it last night and enjoyed it – weird, quirky and fun. Also, odd. Would love to know if anyone else saw it and what they made of it!
I love George Clooney in these quirkier roles.
—If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.
The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.
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