Monday, March 29, 2010

Network

1976
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall, William Holden

Oh, the modern era of cinema. It's my favorite. 1960-1977, I believe? Most of my favorite movies are in there somewhere. It's just getting artsy and a little risque, but still follows enough of the classic cinematography and screenplay structure to be solid films. The perfect combination.

This movie did not disappoint. It made me angry in a good way. Some of the writing/acting in a couple stand-out scenes were the best ever. It's soooo relevant to our nation's crises today, and I think everyone should watch it. Ta-da!

A-

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Coco Before Chanel

2009
Directed by: Anne Fontaine
Starring: Audrey Tautou and a bunch of Frenchies

Audrey Tautou is a goddess. She makes me wish I didn't talk so much and had that air of mysterious, elegant, sexiness. Also, an overbite. She's so cute. This movie was worth watching, if only for the clothes and Audrey Tautou. It's a period piece love story just like any other Jane Austen-y, Bright Star, tortured love wealth status issues, but it's all about an independent woman (throw your hands up at me).

But yeah. Cool clothes. Pretty cinematography. A nice movie for a woman on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

B-

Requiem for a Dream

2000
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky (hopefully he is distantly related to the Aronsons)
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly

This movie has been at the top of my to-watch list for a long time. Everyone is always like, "OMG you haven't seen it?! It's one of my favorites and you'll want to kill yourself afterward!" I do generally like movies that make me suicidal, but I think this one was a little bit of a let down for me. Only because people made it sound SO depressing...don't get me wrong, it was really depressing. More than depressing, it was really stressful for me. It reminded me of what feeling cracked out on Adderall feels like, and also made me contemplate how thin I could be if I told a few adderall a day. Don't worry, I'm not going to do it...but oh, my room would be so clean and I'd be so productive. And I'd probably die from a heart attack, but that's beside the matter.

The Ellen Burstyn plot is a lot better than the Jared Leto/Jennifer Connelly plot, in my opinion. Although, sometimes it felt a bit "Long Day's Journey Into Night." A little OBVIOUS, if you know what I mean. But Aronofsky's got some amazing tricks up his sleeve when it comes to creative shots and editing and cool close-ups. He's pretty technically genius. And I love The Fountain. I'll have to see Pi now, I guess.

Oh yeah, and go Clint Mansell! Awesome score, I understand why everyone uses it for EVERYTHING.

B+

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

2009
Starring: Who cares
Directed by: A black guy

Before I start this, I have to reference 30 Rock. They referenced a porn parody of Precious, titled "Fresh-Ass: Based on the Novel Tush by Assfire." HAHAHAHA. HA.

I hate this movie with all of my heart. When I was in high school, I was on speech and debate, and I focused on dramatic and humorous interpretations, aka 10 minute monologues. Most people in dramatic interp would do very dramatic pieces about rape/abuse/death and end up sobbing and pounding their fists on the floor and quivering their screamo voices. I always ended up rolling my eyes because, really, how hard is it to get all worked up and cry? As a woman, you are born with that gift (curse?). Anywho, that's what Precious was to me.

Precious is really fat. Like, morbidly obese. Not, Real Women Have Curves Go Get 'Em Diva Work It chubbiness. More like, Type 2 Diabetes electric scooter shopping cart can't walk up a flight of stairs obese. It's driving me nuts that Gabourey Sibide (is that her name?) is going around to all these interviews talking about wanting all these leading roles as the love interest and comedic blah-dy blah blah. Girl, you aren't Jennifer Hudson. You're not America Fereirra. Lose some weight or you're gonna DIE. On Demand promotes Precious as a story about "An overweight teenager." No! NO!

It's good to get all that off my chest. I couldn't help but think...damn...this girl needs a nutritionist! Pronto!

I didn't think Gabourey or Monique were particularly talented. Precious is all "mumble mumble caveman bad grammar mumble" and Mo'nique is all, "RAHRAHRAHSLAPSLAPCRYCRYCRYGRRRRRRRRRR!" and Precious is all, "wahhhhhhhhhh" and then Mongo is like, "blublublublubretardednoises" and then Paula Patton is all "My favorite color is purple" and Precious is all "mumblemumbleHIVmumblecry" and Mariah Carey is all, "I can help you!"

I imagine that whenever the camera stopped rolling, everyone was crying and telling each other how powerful this whole thing is. Self-important, over-the-top crapppppppppppp.

F

Bonnie and Clyde

1967
Starring: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway
Directed by: Arthur Penn

This has been on my "to-watch list" for a really long time, and I finally did it! This is probably my favorite era of cinema--the Modern Era. It's so unapologetically "cinematic." Lingering close-ups and beautiful cinematography and rich scores.

Anywho, Bonnie and Clyde. Beatty and Dunaway are so hot together, and I definitely was sexually frustrated for Bonnie. Clyde, just give it to her! You suck! I like shoot 'em up bang bang stuff, too. You really get attached to the five main characters, and they all have great chemistry with each other. It got a bit repetitive at times...repeated bank robberies followed by twangy banjos and a car speeding off. However, I definitely get why it's a classic, and I recommend it.

B+