The Verdict:
MAYBE SEE...
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
New Movies Playing!
New Year's Eve
What's It About?
A group of New Yorker's stories as they intertwine on New Year's Eve.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"New Year's Eve looks fun! The star filled cast, led by big names Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro in particular- make the film look good."
"New Year's Eve looks fun! The star filled cast, led by big names Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro in particular- make the film look good."
*
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
What's It About?
The hunt for a Soviet double agent in the British secret service during the Cold War era.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"This sophisticated looking spy movie with a stand out cast, looks a bit complicated but great at the same time."
"This sophisticated looking spy movie with a stand out cast, looks a bit complicated but great at the same time."
*
Young Adult
What's It About?
A woman-child young adult fiction writer who returns to her hometown to try to win back her now married, ex-boyfriend.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"Young Adult looks fun enough. The most fun will probably come from watching the usually sweet Charlize Theron playing a bitchy, party girl, delusional character."
"Young Adult looks fun enough. The most fun will probably come from watching the usually sweet Charlize Theron playing a bitchy, party girl, delusional character."
*
I Melt With You
What's It About?
Four college friends resurrect an old pact they made.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"I Melt With you looks really intriguing. Some aspects of it's plot has the feel of a dark, The Hangover."
"I Melt With you looks really intriguing. Some aspects of it's plot has the feel of a dark, The Hangover."
*
Knuckle
What's It About?
Documentary on the world of bare knuckle fighting within nomadic Irish Traveler clans.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"It looks really interesting and intense."
*
W.E.
What's It About?
The love affair of King Edward VIII and an American socialite.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"It looks okay. The most interesting thing about it is Madonna directed it."
"It looks okay. The most interesting thing about it is Madonna directed it."
*
The Sitter
What's It About?
A lazy kicked out of college kid- who is talked into babysitting three terrors.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"This new Jonah Hill flick looks funny enough but the plot could be more way more original."
"This new Jonah Hill flick looks funny enough but the plot could be more way more original."
***
E N J O Y
*the*
M O V I E S
*the*
M O V I E S
***
Monday, December 5, 2011
Best New Movie Poster of the Week
(Official movie poster for upcoming movie
Young Adult.)
Young Adult.)
WHY THIS POSTER IS GREAT!:
*The poster so creatively being a faux young adult type fiction book- but with an adult image of Charlize Theorn's party girl character, on the cover.
***
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Shameless Shame... Sorta
The Verdict:
GO SEE!
REVIEW:
*WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
So, the BIG question:
How was Michael Fassbender's... performance?
It's nothing short of hypnotic!
Fassbender (Hunger, X-Men: First Class) the super talented actor with the most megawatt smile since Tom Cruise and Hollywood's newest star- is mesmeric and daring as Brandon, a handsome, magnetic, thirty-something sex addict.
His character is so effortlessly alluring, even though you want to dislike him- you can't- but you can't like him necessarily either- you feel sad for him ultimately.
Brandon looks like a put together, professional- but underneath the flawless exterior is a damaged man who watches porn at work, masturbates at work, eats dinner at home while watching porn, has so many dirty magazines, toys, etc. they can fill up more than three trash bags full, has no shame in pursing married women or having sex with strangers in alleyways, watches other people have sex, hires prostitutes, cruises clubs at night to get easy access to women and when necessary, turns to the opposite sex when a woman isn't available- as well as, does drugs.
Brandon's sex filled world spirals out of control when his young sister Sissy- a needy spitfire of a night club singer, played wonderfully wild by by Carey Mulligan (Drive, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps)- moves in with him unannounced. Watching the two siblings interact on first sight, their relationship seems caring enough, but on second and third sight, you see that it is far from it and that their relationship has a murkier side to it, possibly even a... sexual one. *During one incident, Sissy creeps into Brandon's bed saying she's cold as she snuggles against him. Brandon clutching his covers to him in the fetal position, screams at her to get out of his room.* But unfortunately and frustratingly no back-story is told.
The most beautiful scene between them (and actually in the entire film) is when Brandon goes to see Sissy sing at a Manhattan nightclub and her performance of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" (which she delivers so stunningly!) touches him so strongly- it brings Brandon to tears. Well, just one- a single tear beautifully rolls down his face.
Brandon's other "problem" is he has started to see a co-worker Marianne (cute newcomer Nicole Beharie, American Violet) as a prospect for someone he perhaps could develop a relationship with. They go on a date that is extra awkward- especially for Brandon who behaves like he has never been on a real date before (which could just be the case). It's a great scene because for the first time through out the movie, he shows he's capable of vulnerability. *Their second "date" takes place at a hotel, right up his alley, but ironically with a woman he likes- he can't perform. The solution: she leaves and he hires a prostitute he does perform with. The almost sex scene with Beharie's Marianne, is so realistic, it makes you feel like you're on the bed with her and Brandon watching voyeuristically- as well as Brandon's sex scene with the prostitute up against the huge hotel's windows. *
Shame takes a dark turn when Brandon gets beat up by the boyfriend of a girl he hit on one night at a bar *(the most disturbingly disgusting scene as he tells a girl seconds later after she stands next to him to order something- that if she wants to- she can leave with her- so he can give her cunnilingus- and then with his finger, he penetrates the short skirt wearing girl!- and taking things even further- tells her approaching pissed off boyfriend, all the sexual things he wants to do to her and makes him take a whiff of his finger!) and even a darker turn- when he comes home and sees Sissy tried to commit suicide (in a very traumatic, bloody scene).*
The good looking seemingly in control Brandon is a sickly looking out of control mess by the end.
The very ending is maddening but pretty wonderful at the same time. *It coolly ends just like one of the very first beginning scenes- with Brandon on a train, lustfully eyeing the attractive married woman who helplessly eyes him back- whom he loses in the crowd when he follows her the first time (funnily enough, with all the movie's sex scenes, this is easily the sexiest scene of the entire movie). I'd like to think Brandon didn't go after the woman but if that saying is true, "Once an addict, always an addict," then he did. The audience is left to fill-in the-blank wondering, Did Brandon change? Or is he 'Brandon the Sex Addict' for life?*
The title perhaps should have been rethought as, there are very few moments of shame from the characters seen in the film. The shame seems to come from the moviegoers. It certainly made me blush, embarrassed and feel uncomfortable during many scenes.
Even though Director/writer Steve McQueen (Hunger) does such an excellent job in his directing, and although the story (written too by Abi Morgan) was solidly good- I was expecting a bit more. I expected Shame to be more shocking.
With the anything goes NC-17 rating, anything really should have gone.
Fassbender's sex prowler character (who is a bit reminiscent of Christian Bale's American Psycho's Patrick Bateman, prowler of the streets to kill, character) should have become so out of control he should have hit extreme rock bottom from: getting fired from his job, to turning to prostitution himself or assault even. His character could have also benefited from having a significant other or children so he could have stood to lose something monumental when his addiction got of control. *Mulligan's character also should have died- her death probably would have been a wake up call for him (as when she left a voice message begging him to talk to her, he was busy having sex with two women) to get help to change his lifestyle.*
And the sex scenes should have been as explicit as you can get away with in a film. I've seen "worst" in some R Rated movies. More so, there should have been more a lot more sex scenes. There are around seven. A movie about sex addiction should have been drenched in sex.
If you want to see it strictly for the raunchy scenes, skip Shame- out of the four full sex scenes, none of them are extraordinarily eye-popping. However, calling all Michael Fassbender fans, Fassbender's birthday suit debut alone is shamelessly worth seeing it for!
Although Shame's story is intriguing, it's a bit incomplete and didn't go as dark as it could have went. Fassbender and Mulligan's terrific and candid performances, fantastic directing by McQueen- plus a fine, compelling score (by Harry Escott), make the film as filling as it is.
With any other lead actor, actress and director, Shame really would have been a shame.
Although Shame's story is intriguing, it's a bit incomplete and didn't go as dark as it could have went. Fassbender and Mulligan's terrific and candid performances, fantastic directing by McQueen- plus a fine, compelling score (by Harry Escott), make the film as filling as it is.
With any other lead actor, actress and director, Shame really would have been a shame.
Trailer:
*Fun Film Facts*
~Director Steve McQueen says Shame is entitled that because in during research for the film, "shame" is the word that kept coming up when he spoke to actual sex addicts.
~Michael Fassbender and Steve McQueen worked together previously on the 2008 film Hunger and are working together yet again on the future film: Twelve Years a Slave.
~The bathroom scene at the start of the film when Fassbender is urinating, he actually is urinating.
~The bathroom scene at the start of the film when Fassbender is urinating, he actually is urinating.
~During the threesome sex scene been Fassbender and two women (burlesque stars, Calamity Chang and DeeDee Luxe), alcohol was indulged in beforehand, to help soothe any awkwardness and uncomfortableness.
***
Thursday, December 1, 2011
New Movies Playing!
Shame
What's It About?
A sex addict who's addiction is disrupted when his sister moves in with him suddenly.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"Who better than the charming Michael Fassbender to play a sex addict? All eyes, and most likely the majority will belong to females- will without any doubt be on Fassbender's birthday suit scenes- as he takes on the rarity of full-frontal male nudity- which is really refreshing. The plot in itself is nothing new- but it will be great watching the wonderfully versatile Fassbender play out probably perfectly the role of a sex addict. If you don't know who Michael Fassbender is before this, you will know him very well after seeing this!"
"Who better than the charming Michael Fassbender to play a sex addict? All eyes, and most likely the majority will belong to females- will without any doubt be on Fassbender's birthday suit scenes- as he takes on the rarity of full-frontal male nudity- which is really refreshing. The plot in itself is nothing new- but it will be great watching the wonderfully versatile Fassbender play out probably perfectly the role of a sex addict. If you don't know who Michael Fassbender is before this, you will know him very well after seeing this!"
Sleeping Beauty
What's It About?
A young college student who answers an ad to be a "Sleeping Beauty" detailing her to be drugged to sleep while men have their way with her.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"This erotic new spin on the innocent Sleeping Beauty fairy tale looks very very intriguing and disturbing- as well as, well erotic."
*
The Dirty Picture
What's It About?
Bollywood biopic of "Silk Smitha"- a popular 80's Indian erotic film star.
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0rtINQPpYY
PREDICTION:
"The Dirty Picture looks as fun and especially as sexy, as it's made to be."
"This erotic new spin on the innocent Sleeping Beauty fairy tale looks very very intriguing and disturbing- as well as, well erotic."
*
The Dirty Picture
Bollywood biopic of "Silk Smitha"- a popular 80's Indian erotic film star.
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0rtINQPpYY
PREDICTION:
"The Dirty Picture looks as fun and especially as sexy, as it's made to be."
*
Answers to Nothing
Answers to Nothing
What's It About?
A group of Los Angelians whose lives are intertwined by the abduction of a missing girl.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"This looks really good- even though the cast isn't the strongest- the story looks looks powerful."
"This looks really good- even though the cast isn't the strongest- the story looks looks powerful."
Outrage
What's It About?
Japanese yakuza clans battle it out to be top family in the underworld of crime.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"This good-looking Japanese mafia film will certainly be packed with non-stop vehemence!"
*
Coriolanus
What's It About?
A Shakespeare play revamped for the silver screen- about a Roman war hero joins forces with his enemy to take down those who betrayed him.
Trailer:
PREDICTION:
"With the two strong leads: Fiennes and Butler, this should be one action-packed Shakespeare adaptation!"
"With the two strong leads: Fiennes and Butler, this should be one action-packed Shakespeare adaptation!"
***
E N J O Y
*the*
M O V I E S
*the*
M O V I E S
***
Best New Movie Poster(s) of the Week
(Official movie poster for upcoming movie
Shame.)
Shame.)
WHY THIS POSTER IS GREAT!:
*The rumpled sheets suggesting sex.
(Alternative poster for upcoming movie
Shame.)
Shame.)
WHY THIS POSTER IS GREAT!:
*The characters played by Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, looking aptly like the film's title, with shame.
(Alternative poster for upcoming movie
Shame.)
Shame.)
WHY THIS POSTER IS GREAT!:
*Michael Fassbender's character on the verge on masturbation seemingly.
************
(Alternative movie poster for upcoming movie
Sleeping Beauty.)
Sleeping Beauty.)
WHY THIS POSTER IS GREAT!:
*Emily Browning's Sleeping Beauty character is doing just that, sleeping, although, not so innocently as the image portrays- as she really is drugged.
***
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The Artist's Masterpiece
The Verdict:
GO SEE!
REVIEW:
If there's a movie that is deserving of an Oscar in every category (from Best Picture to Costume Design) come 2012, it is Michel Hazanavicius' silent masterpiece The Artist.
The Artist is beautifully rare- not only because it's a silent, intertitle filled black and white film amidst the film age of sound, color and special effects- but because of the innocence of the romance within- which I haven't seen in a movie since 1997's Titanic- and because of the magnificent acting of French stars the equally excellent Jean Dujardin (as Geroge Valentin) and lovable Berenice Bejo (as Peppy Miller)- that puts most acclaimed actors and actresses to shame.
To watch The Artist is like taking an amazing journey back into the glamour of old Hollywood and actually being there. The Artist is simply delightful from start to end guaranteed to keep a silly smile on your face after the movie is over. It has love, heartbreak, comedy, action and even dance (a la Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers).
Durjardin (who looks very Clark Gable-ish) stars as a 1920's self-absorbed, charming Charlie Chaplin-esque silent movie star George Valentin whose fame number is up when talkies (movies with spoken dialogue) start making a splash. He meets by a happy accident at an autograph signing, Bejo's Peppy Miller, an adorable charismatic Betty Boop-ish extra who rises quickly to become a sought after lovable star and eventually becomes a bigger star than him. The two have such a wonderful, natural chemistry together. To watch them fall in love with each other without any words is so lovely. Penelope Ann Miller (Carlito's Way) is great as his wife turned ex-wife, who constantly glares at him and doodles mustaches and black eyes all over George's pictures in their home. Surprisingly cast John Goodman (t.v. show Roseanne) is good as a cutthroat big movie head.
It is a treat just seeing all the actors and actresses act with just facial expressions and body language and because they all are so great at it- knowing exactly what they are trying to convey.
The wonderful, sweeping score (composed by Ludovic Bource) is another treat, setting the tone of scenes and often "speaking" for a character.
The ending may just be the most delightful part of the entire film- *SPOILER* when it turns wonderfully into a talkie.*
It truly is fitting that a French director had the guts to make a silent film today, after all- the founding fathers of film are the French Lumiere Brothers.
I don't foresee a reemergence of silent films (although how cool and wonderful would that be?) but I do expect The Artist to become a film classic.
Every film lover needs to see this masterpiece of an ode to past cinema.
Let The Artist's George and Peppy, the silence, the music, the black and white- amaze, charm and delight you!
Trailer:
*Fun Film Facts*
~The original title of the film was, Beauty Spot (in reference to the beauty spot George draws on Peppy to make her stand out from the other actresses).
~Recreations of 1920's film cameras were made and used in certain of the film's frames.
***
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