Shmash-shmortion!

He has a nice personality

Knocked Up (2007): 4/5

Contrary to popular belief, I do keep an open mind when it comes to movies of the Will Ferrell type (the ones of the Happy Madison people, however, have gotten increasingly irritating- must be the mood swings or that time of the month). But i’m glad this movie caught me at neither occasion. Regardless of it being another stoner flick with endless hit-and-miss comedic bits, this movie isn’t as knocked up as it appears to be, yet there is some heart to be found in the depths of its apparent and well, stupid-movie surface. It runs a bit too long though, clocking in at more than 2 hours, but the point being driven at is clearly there (or did I look too much into this movie?).

It’s a good movie, this one is. Good movies make you care, make you believe in possibilities again. And to sum up, a line from one of Woody Allen’s movies comes to mind after watching Knocked Up (for the second time!). It goes:- “I just met the most wonderful man. He’s fictional but you can’t have everything.”

Ok im serious- let’s make a movie!

Son of Rambow (2007): 5/5

too cool for school ye

I remember when my brother Nicco and cousin Jiggy and I used to play this game called Baby-ana Jones where Jiggy played Indy, Nicco played Marcus (i think)- and I was Short Round or whoever Indy girl there was. Oh the glory days of being half your age today, and I bet if we had a vidcam then to document our shenanigans I’m sure we would’ve made a movie to give ole Indy a run for his money.

Such was the case in this movie, Son of Rambow, a cutesy independent Brit Sundance Filmfest 2007 entry. Again, I find myself letting out another genuine ‘Awww’ in this heartwarming coming-of-age film only because I saw myself as a toned down Lee Carter, and also that these kids make amateur filmmaking and Rambo look cool. Albeit being half-assed in its quick animation sequences and that annoying French (transexual?) exchange student, ‘Rambow’ has fallen into my Recently Enjoyed Movies list and is a sweet reminder that reality and fantasy are truly arbitrary- but then again, who’s keeping score? Oh to be young(er) again! Watch this movie.

Love songs love

Les Chansons d' Amour (2007)

Les Chansons d’Amour (2007): 5/5

Three's a crowd

This movie is all about what the title says- Long Songs! Songs that sing about love and all the beautiful cliches that go with it. Yes it’s the whole gamut surrounding that notorious, infamous, nauseating, bittersweet 4 letter word, but quite suprisingly I don’t hear (or read) anyone profess in the entirety of the film. A movie that bears similarities to Moulin Rouge for being another musical all about well, love, the message we’re transmitted in Chansons encompasses the former movie’s and brings a sweet dimension to the not-so-new mumbo jumbo concept of love and relationships (or the lack thereof).

I only know about ten words in French but Les Chansons d’Amour speaks (rather, sings) a language clearer to me than any of the hundreds of other trying hard lovey-dovey flicks out there. It’s the kind of movie you develop an intense crush on, the kind you want to see more of, the kind that makes your entire day after a mere glimpse, the kind you want to get to know better. I realise I might be a bit biased with liking this film because of that beautiful creature Louis Garrel in it, but Les Chansons d’Amour is the kind of movie that stays with you. It warmed the cockles of my heart, this movie did (oh Woody!) and I know it’s been quoted plenty of times but I just have to say it: Love me less, but love me a long time.

Oh Ewan

Young Adam (2003)

Young Adam (2003): 4/5

Ewan McGregor’s role as Joe in ‘Young Adam’ may be his best performance yet. Such talent this man possesses. Big, big talent.

‘Young Adam’ is a smallish, oldish, and underrated flick whose title is just as dubious as its story. It’s basically a sexxed up whodunit which receives beautiful, delicate treatment from then-first time director David Mackenzie. There is no character named Adam, neither is it a movie for the youth (ha-ha). But you didn’t need to know that. Mackenzie’s approach to tension makes Adam’s plot compelling and interesting enough to follow. David Byrne’s haunting score and the Lynch-esque storytelling saved ‘Adam’ from what could have been a characteristically senseless and ambiguous film.

Oh and if you haven’t seen The Pillow Book yet, or any other film of the sort, this one definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. teehee

Cool candy

Candy (2006)

Candy (2006): 4/5

Self-admittedly, ‘Candy’ is just like any other drug abuse movie, with blatant parallelisms to Trainspotting, Requiem for a Dream, Half Nelson, Blow, etc. – but there’s definitely something about the poignant story-telling technique of this film that sets it apart from the rest in the genre. Dan (Heath Ledger, the embodiment of true irony) and Candy (Abbie Cornish) are junkies. In fact, they’re the coolest people in McDonald’s (clap if you’ve seen it). It’s a double-junkie story about seduction (by drugs and themselves) laced with desperation topped with the right amount of sappiness- a brilliant recipe for eye candy (pun intended) such as this movie. Amazing cast and soundtrack was awesome… Watch this movie. You know you want it. ….(that was me feigning addiction)

I’ll be your secretary, James Spader!

Secretary (2002)

Secretary (2002): 5/5

Having recently just seen this film I can now say that ‘Secretary’ has made its way to being one of my favorite romantic comedies – even if I don’t like romantic comedies. Secretary stars Maggie Gyllenhaal as former mental patient turned secretary Lee Holloway and James Spader as her demanding lawyer/employer E Edward Grey.

Steven Shainberg directs this story adaptation (original short story by Mary Gaitskill) and is extremely clever handling the dark humor meshed with a truly original type of romance. Long stares between Lee and Mr. Grey need no explanatory dialogue; you don’t know what they’re thinking that’s why the taboo factor in the whole D/S relationship is so enticing.

Secretary shows the non-stereotypical side of how relationships like the one Lee and Mr Grey share, it almost comes off as pure and unadulterated- sort of a reflection of the film’s overall mood. The power, chemistry between the two is overwhelming and the part at the end where Mr Grey comes back for Lee at his office is one of the most heartwarming cinematic moments I’ve seen in years!