Silver Linings Playbook

I had heard mixed reviews about this movie. The critics loved it but some audiences didn't so I had to see it for myself. Besides the fact that I could watch Jennifer Lawrence read the dictionary (I think the same goes for Anne Hathaway but more on her in a post-to-come) I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I hate when people give away things from movies before I've seen them, I like to see a film with little, to no, preconceived notions about it. Which is mostly how I saw SLP besides the general raves/disappointments and the award nominations it received so far (Golden Globe nominations for both Cooper and Lawrence, and Best Motion Picture for a comedy or musical) I had no idea what it was about plot wise besides that dancing comes into play somehow which is why this review is a little unclear because you can read it without it ruining key plot details.
     Watching Bradley Cooper play such an intense role was wonderful. You sympathize with him when he is hurting or hurting others yet still can follow his sense of humor. Lawrence's performance I thought was exquisite. Again, you don't judge her for her flaws, you laugh with her, and you encourage her efforts to help him. The movie made me want to get up and dance with them at the end and literally cheer when they are scored in the dance contest. (I may have actually clapped. I would.)

    I think Lawrence definitely has a shot at winning the Golden Globe but I actually haven't watched the other three nominee's movies. And Cooper can expect to lose, not for a lack of talent, but because he is up against Hugh Jackman's performance in Les Miserables and I think there is no way he won't win.
     I would highly recommend this as a date movie! I think it can be really hard to find a movie or TV show that both genders can enjoy (sometimes) and this is definitely one of them. The guys will like the football (Eagles fans anyone?) and some fighting, the dancing isn't overwhelmingly so, and the same goes for the lovey dovey. It's the least mushy romantic comedy out there right now. It has a slight darkness to it but one that you can go with without wanted to kill someone or yourself. This unlikely relationship of two very broken people gives me hope that we can all be put back together again.

Django Unchained

I was thrilled when a friend called and asked me if I wanted to see an advanced screening of Django Unchained, the latest film from Quentin Tarantino. I have to admit off the bat that I am not a die hard Tarantino fan. My first of his films to see was Inglorious Basterds so I admit I'm a late bloomer. My second was Pulp Fiction which mostly flew over my head and I think it was over hyped. I'll need to watch it again, maybe with a friend who is really into his films. And no, I haven't seen the Kill Bill movies but everyone can relax - there on my list. Stop moaning and yelling at me.
    So even though I'm not a Tarantino expert I can still say I thought it was amazing film. It has its gore but it's Tarantino gore so it's over dramatic almost to the point that it's funny, which is his intention. Why, I do not know. I'm sure at least 3 guys will send me messages after this post about why he does this, so boys, I will edit this post if I have what to.
    Tarantino has such a sense of humor, even when dealing with touchy subjects like the Holocaust and slavery. Yet, he treats these serious moments in history with respect which I think is an extreme challenge and talent.

Best Actors: I think it's a tie between Christopher Waltz (who was also brilliant in Basterds) and Leonardo DiCaprio (one of my favorite actors). They were both so hilarious, brilliant, and all encompassing of their characters. Both of them are nominated for the Golden Globe so if I had to vote (and God knows I wish I did) I'd say Waltz, but only if both their guns were pointed at me. Surely DiCaprio would kill me and my guts would splatter all over Waltz.
Second Best Actors: Samuel L. Jackson who I completely didn't recognize and thought did a great job with such a small role for such a hugely famous actor, and Jamie Foxx (a man that can pull off a certain blue outfit deserves serious applause.)
My favorite little surprise was finally seeing Kerry Washington act. I always see her on the red carpet and she's got great style but I always thought, "what the hell is this woman famous for??" I just Googled her and realized she also played Foxx's wife in Ray, so their chemistry makes a lot of sense. Regardless of my not knowing her work I really liked her and thought she was really powerful in this role.

In my opinion Django Unchained is definitely a must see. It will make you laugh, cover your eyes (if you're a girl)/squirm (if you're a guy. It will also make you protect your man parts), root for justice, and grateful that we no longer live in such a time of racism (well, at least most of us.)
Now I just can't decide if I think Golden Globe for Best Director should go to Ben Affleck for Argo or Taratino for this. My heart is torn!

For the Love of Movies

http://siucu.tumblr.com/post/26845353007/loveoffilm

If you and I are friends on Facebook then you know how many movies I've seen this past weekend. Since there are people who read this blog that I'm not friends with (I know! I'm just as surprised as you are) I'll keep you in the loop. And those who do know how many movies I've seen, many of you have asked what I thought of these films so I'm going to review a few today (depending on how long I blab for) and the coming posts.

Just for an overall summary:
Thursday- advanced screening tickets to Django Unchained
Saturday night- This is 40 (with my mummy)
Sunday night- Silver Linings Playbook
Monday- The Sessions
later Monday night on demand- The Amazing Spider-Man
Tuesday morning- Les Miserables
Tuesday evening on DVD- Finding Neverland
later Tuesday night, because it is a Christmas-must-watch-film: Love Actually (possibly my 10th time watching this classic)
And you should all know I am contemplating just going to see Anna Karenina by myself tonight because a. No one will see it with me/have already seen it/not the right person to see it with and
              b. I'm curious to see how many days in a row I can go with seeing a movie in theatres (minus Fridays cause I have work and keep Shabbat.) Anyone dare me?

Where to even begin??
Let me first say that I love a broad spectrum of movies, but like TV, there is only so much time in a day and in one's life so we have to make priorities. I can watch action to super hero to science fiction to romcom to drama to comedy/stupidity to foreign to...whatever genre The Sessions fits into. I can appreciate each of them in a different way, that being said, I don't like every movie, obviously.

As I'm writing this I'm realizing this is already too long to even get into an individual review so...I'm going to go back to the basics, back to the title of this post.

     Why do I love movies so much? I don't even know when it all started but I've always loved escaping reality. Pretending to be someone else. Imaging myself wearing a costume, putting on an accent, singing my heart out. Deep down I wish I was an actress/singer. Seriously. I know people might say that but I really think I could have been good. And I won't go into blaming my parents (isn't everything in life that doesn't go as planned their fault ultimately?) But anyway, the beauty and the magic in film making, screenwriting, the depth it takes for an actor to wholeheartedly, and hopefully successfully, become another person is incredible to me.

     I think the best way, honestly, to see and enjoy a movie, is alone. I really do. I've only gone to one movie by myself (Twilight...please don't stop reading) but really I think I, and we, should do it more often. It's really the only way to truly lose yourself in a film. No one can talk to you. You can speak out loud if you have a thought you need to share (Warning: If done in a public theater you might get even more sets of eyes glaring at you then there already are.) I only do this when I'm at home or when another person is with me. And I always wonder if I'm bothering that person's experience or are they thinking the same thing I am?
     And I can truly lose myself in a movie. I love when it is so good that I completely forget I'm watching a screen (which is why I DESPISE when people, especially the people I'm with, look at their phones! The light is so bright and completely takes me out of the moment, out of the film and back to shitty reality. I'd like to add that there was a man two rows in front of me to my left during Les Miserables who decided this was the time to start twirling his glasses and I seriously contemplated reaching over and snapping them in half. Ya know, since he doesn't need them anyway apparently. The only reason I decided against this was because I knew I'd make an even bigger scene and ruin other people's experience of the film. So I suffered alone. You're welcome everyone in Auditorium 6 at Sheppard Grande at the 11:30am premier! Ungrateful bastards.) If a movie is incredible and intends to make you cry it's difficult to really allow that emotion and power take over you with someone next to you. I'm actually not as big of crier as many of my friends think I am (I have actually only cried at maybe 1 or 2 weddings and they weren't when anything with the ceremony was happening. Brides/newlywed friends please don't ask me if it was your wedding. I'll just lie) but this weekend so many films brought me to tears...or rather would have if I had been alone. Les Mis would have, The Sessions I was overcome with emotion but couldn't quite let the tears flow. And the one film that I was bawling during was Finding Neverland, probably because this was the only one I watched alone in the comfort of my leggings and sweatshirt on my couch. And it's so gratifying to feel the power of a movie, literally moving you to tears. I think I want to go back and see The Sessions alone for this very reason. And I mean this whole concept for when a movie makes you laugh but if you know me you know that if I find something funny I don't care who is around me, I laugh out loud and genuinely because again, isn't that the point?? A screenwriter, any writer, is trying to convey a story, a feeling, and by my laughing I'm merely saying they succeeded. Even if I'm the only one.

How do you like to watch a film? Am I the only one who likes seeing movies alone?
For the record: I love seeing movies with friends and certain people that I know will appreciate the movie whether it's because it's their sense of humor or their sensitivity. I think it's bonding and, let's face it, when push comes to shove most of us don't want to be the one person seeing a movie alone because we think (know) everyone is staring at us, judging us, thinking we have no friends!

Tomorrow: Django Unchained

Man Up

      I feel I have to write a follow up to my last post, "The Man Mess." It's gotten a lot of reaction, mostly positive. Firstly, for anyone who knows I thought of them I want to apologize if my writing embarrassed or offended you in any way. But as a writer I am not sorry I wrote it and shared it. I have to be as honest as I feel comfortable and sometimes when your friends with a writer some things you've experienced might be written about. It's a hazard I think most of my friends don't mind, and if you do, you don't have to be my friend. I mean I prefer if you were but I'd understand if you weren't.
     Something I feel really needs to be made clear is my closing ideas of 3 general guys. These guys are accumulations of different men myself and friends have encountered. I might as well just be honest and said I've experienced all three at various moments in time but they are by no means just one guy for each. And I know tons of you women out there have had your experiences with each or all at some point or another. For the guys reading my blog, you too know that you have either been that guy or perhaps experienced a female equivalent. (p.s. If I've ever been a C for anyone I'd love to know lol) So I think the A,B, C guys can be related on multiple boards. But I just felt it was worth making clear so everyone can stop asking who is who, either because there is no one specific, or because I am choosing not to disclose actual names or experiences ;)
Until next time....