tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33915478510662951462024-03-17T23:00:11.156-04:00Movies with SteveStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-17756322658408071992021-02-12T13:54:00.000-05:002021-02-12T13:54:22.187-05:00To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8noIZtNVO0xIMk0t5cTXcJZJUD_LGPa4WYNcAIav738R_4r3R0qLFJp5qc0oHT27_Np53-pPxm-WAlE1_PstQuOVydxuSxhfvGaMiK1_UoHajxdBQpQxqgdGoCOaEzurnAPs_th1ZPc8/s2048/to_all_the_boys_always_and_forever_xxlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1383" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8noIZtNVO0xIMk0t5cTXcJZJUD_LGPa4WYNcAIav738R_4r3R0qLFJp5qc0oHT27_Np53-pPxm-WAlE1_PstQuOVydxuSxhfvGaMiK1_UoHajxdBQpQxqgdGoCOaEzurnAPs_th1ZPc8/w432-h640/to_all_the_boys_always_and_forever_xxlg.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>Here we are at the end of the story between Lara Jean Song Covey and Peter Kavinsky, my favourite lovebirds in teen romance these days.<div><br /></div><div>I wasn't sure I would still enjoy these teen romances. As I get further from my high school days there are fewer things I can relate to with the younger generation. I didn't know if I had become that crotchety old man yet. Thankfully, that 16-year old high school optimist is still trapped within me, so I won't be shaking my fist at any young'uns to get off my lawn anytime soon. I mean come on, who can afford a lawn.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have to show some love to author and executive producer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Han">Jenny Han</a>, whose books I haven't read yet but if they're anything like the movie series they spawned, I'm sure they are wonderful.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I will be spoiling the movie, but then again, can teen rom coms ever actually get spoiled? In any case, you have been warned.</span></i></b></div><div><p><span></span></p><!--more--><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_All_the_Boys:_Always_and_Forever">To All the Boys: Always and Forever</a> starts where most teen, high school rom coms do, senior year. Lara Jean is on a family trip to Seoul for Spring Break and is getting a taste of what a long distance relationship would be like. Fear not, Lara Jean and Peter have a plan. They will both be going to Stanford and spend four blissful college years together before starting the rest of their life. </p><p>The one issue, Lara Jean hasn't gotten in yet. Cue the manufactured drama.</p><p>Shocker, Lara Jean doesn't get into Stanford. She has a back up of UC Berkeley but their brilliant plan is starting to fall apart. Cue more drama! </p><p>On a school trip to New York City Lara Jean falls in love with NYU and the city. New York has a certain magic to it. It is the host of many a rom-com (add this one to the count) and even gets Chris and Gen to get along despite their general hatred towards each other. Shifting her decision to go to NYU she has the unenviable position between choosing between what is right for her and the love of her life. </p><p><br /></p><span><!--more--></span><p><br /></p><p>The acting has been pretty steady across the films with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lana_Condor">Lana Condor</a> carrying a lot of the load which isn't easy especially across three films and at a young age. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_Centineo">Noah Centineo</a> as always is the charmer (and younger Mark Ruffalo) we all know and love. </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Cathcart">Anna Cathcart</a> as Kitty is still my favourite. She is the meddler who gets the story going but quick with the quips and clearly the coolest sister. Perhaps I am biased as the youngest child myself.</p><p>Honestly, I was never particularly elated with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janel_Parrish">Janel Parrish</a>'s performances. Maybe it's the dialogue or the character or maybe she just gets outshined by her younger co-stars. I think she could have been replaced with just about anyone and it would have been the same. Not saying she is a bad actress, just not a memorable one.</p><p>I like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Corbett">John Corbett</a>, it took 20 years but he's much better as the father figure rather than the love interest for me. For the longest time he was just Lars from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity_(film)">Serendipity</a> (one of a couple of John Cusack movies that get name dropped in this one) even though he's had bigger and better roles since then.</p><p><br /></p><span><!--more--></span><p>Soundtrack wise, it has a lot of music that I have never heard (I am a grandpa in that respect). There are a couple pop hits of as well as a couple of throwbacks (some Oasis and Spice Girls, and a real oldie in Little Richard's Tutti Frutti). Singer/songwriter <a href="https://www.leahnobel.com/about">Leah Nobel</a> provides Lara Jean and Peter's song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P61FN0qUmE0">Beginning Middle End</a>, which I admit is great for those cinematic film swells. You can check out the <a href="https://www.capitalfm.com/news/tv-film/to-all-the-boys-3-songs-soundtrack/">full song list here</a>.</p><p>Visually, I love the sketchbook aesthetic that is seen in the Korean café at the beginning that carries over into some parts of the rest of the film. The pastel-y blues and pinks are ever present and give the film a solid pop.</p><p>It's the longest of the three but only by about 15 minutes. Pacing wise, it didn't drag on for me but I'm a sucker for a teen romance movie so I'll sit through just about anything. <br /><br /></p><span><!--more--></span><p><br /></p><p>From a story point of view I was pretty satisfied but a part of me wishes they hadn't gotten back together at the end. Even without each other, they could have still been happy. Peter reconciling with his estranged father and Lara Jean experiencing and finding herself in New York. Both of them would still have fond memories of their time together and as like the meaning behind <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmpRLQZkTb8">Don't Look Back in Anger</a> (which is an obvious choice if you have to pick any Oasis song). </p><p>Teen rom coms are a little too sickly sweet sometimes. Often relying only on the milk or white chocolate, happy tropes that they forget to infuse real meaning or lessons. I think a great movie isn't afraid to use some dark chocolate to give it that bittersweet flavour. </p><p>I would have liked a lesson to be learned that breaking up in high school is not the end of the world and that you still be happy and grow on your own. That you don't have to see an ex as a bad thing, just something in the past but I think that is asking a little too much from this type of story.</p><p>It's a little too idyllic and pristine, despite a decent attempt at real drama, but ultimately I still loved it and I'm sure to watch it again soon. I think is a good ending to the series and for me an improvement on a middle film that is almost entirely forgettable. It gives hope to love, especially young love. My heart goes out to the high school generation who have had it some of the hardest in the state of the world not being able to have these experiences for themselves.</p><span><!--more--></span><p><br /></p><p><b>Notes: </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janel_Parrish">Janel Parrish</a> gets higher billing than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Cathcart">Anna Cathcart</a> which I certainly don't agree with. Kitty is the superior character in the films and I'm pretty sure has more screen time. For the same reason I am not sure why <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_Arthur">Madeleine Arthur</a> as Chris gets bumped a spot lower than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Butler_(actor)">Ross Butler</a> in the credits.</li><li>I was a little slow on watching first installment, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_All_the_Boys_I%27ve_Loved_Before_(film)">To All the Boys I Loved Before</a>, but for both the second installment, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_All_the_Boys:_P.S._I_Still_Love_You">To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love you</a>, and this third and last film in the trilogy, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_All_the_Boys:_Always_and_Forever">To All the Boys: Always and Forever</a>, I watched them the day of release. </li><li>Trying to use Google's 'what song' feature, it was not able to find Beginning Middle End as it was too new for the database to track apparently. There are limits to the almighty Google after all.</li></ul><p></p><br /><p></p></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-49178110876204208582021-01-16T21:44:00.001-05:002021-01-16T21:44:21.257-05:00WandaVision - Episodes 1 & 2<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcnu6eI6tBQbtVytFtigFfPgsPGH9PF41f7HSs3wg7oRWKTLLhyphenhyphentZQh2PKLbADUcifl3ivm3GafgbfPzG4n4SnKrlA-DjuJE0WSQ8qg7KMyKKa-ma697FL83E7wpwcFp9BCRTh_kbVLY/s2048/wandavision_xxlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1383" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcnu6eI6tBQbtVytFtigFfPgsPGH9PF41f7HSs3wg7oRWKTLLhyphenhyphentZQh2PKLbADUcifl3ivm3GafgbfPzG4n4SnKrlA-DjuJE0WSQ8qg7KMyKKa-ma697FL83E7wpwcFp9BCRTh_kbVLY/w432-h640/wandavision_xxlg.jpg" width="432" /></a><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9140560/">WandaVision</a> is a Marvel sitcom (I never thought I would say that) following Wanda and Vision as they try to figure out how to blend into suburban life.</p><p>I saw the trailers for it and wasn't exactly sure what to expect. So far it has been 95% sitcom of the 50s and 60s and 5% hinting at something amiss. As Marvel fans we know something isn't right because we know the characters. but at this point we just have to wait and watch to figure out what that is.</p><p><i><span></span></i></p><a name='more'></a><h3 style="text-align: left;">Episode 1</h3><div>This episode really jumps right into the 50s sitcom beat. No prep or anything. No explanation of what is happening and where they are (although I am sure that is the whole point of the show). It introduces our titular characters, married couple Wanda (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0647634/?ref_=tt_cl_t1">Elizabeth Olsen</a>) and Vision (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0079273/?ref_=tt_cl_t2">Paul Bettany</a>) </div><div><br /></div><div>We get to meet a couple of neighbours and bosses with some fun parts going to <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0750468/?ref_=tt_cl_t12">Debra Jo Rupp</a> and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1063517/?ref_=tt_cl_t3">Kathryn Hahn</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Personally it was a little tough getting through the first episode. Yes it is a nice throwback, paying some respect to old sitcoms, but it's not for everyone. I knew it was going to being a sitcom but I wasn't sure how much sitcom and how much of the underlying mystery we would get. They tease only about 10 seconds at the end of the episode that gives us some sort of clues for the rest of the series.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're looking for an old timey sitcom with laugh track and old humour then this might be right up your alley. If not it may be a bit of a challenge to get through. If you need to skip the first episode, Episode 2 starts with a 30 second recap that will tell you all you need to know.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Episode 2</h3><div>This one jumps a little in style, we get some of that animated 60s sitcom intro and a little more than the just the two sets that appeared in the first episode. </div><div><br /></div><div>We get to see a few new characters in Wanda and Vision's lives, including Dottie Jones played by <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0146536/?ref_=tt_cl_t9">Emma Caulfield</a>, who I know best as Anya from Buffy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Though still mostly sitcom, there are a few more hints towards something being amiss and not quite so picturesque in their suburban lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, we get a few splashes of colour intruding on their black and white world; a little <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120789/">Pleasantville</a>-esque. This pops up a couple of times in moments that purposely pull you from the sitcom into the mystery beneath. Like the aforementioned movie eventually their lives go full blown colour.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div>The costume and set design are absolutely wonderful. It is a shame most of the first two episodes are in black and white because I'm sure it looked gorgeous. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're looking for anything other than a sitcom with a tiniest dabbling of the MCU we know and love, I would maybe wait to binge until we get further down the rabbit hole. I am not sure exactly what is to come but I am going to assume it will tilt the balance towards more mystery and intrigue as the series progresses.</div><p>RottenTomatoes currently has it rated at <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/wandavision/s01">97% Fresh</a> at the time of writing this. I don't know if it deserves that high of praise but I'm certainly curious to what the rest of the series has to offer.</p><p><i><b>*Also to note that Disney+ has Episodes 1 and 2 listed at 30 minutes and 37 minutes a piece. Just be forewarned that the last 8-10 minutes of each episode are credits...because you know....Marvel.</b></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-53069370616641528242021-01-15T18:04:00.003-05:002021-01-15T18:04:54.069-05:00Promising Young Woman (2020)<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9620292/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_16"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9620292/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_16"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugdPR443MVYift8bPDpTAIG0oxZIPJ9AC2lcybyT9C3eUy_TqyjiW-EOPXx2lDUSqfbTPdgLHdkJ11I6hQj1xpbVtJprtkKqNBhGNvWB_67c6YI9KKpjaHm-0XW-k2Jp8xje1huBgorc/s2048/promising_young_woman_ver3_xxlg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1382" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugdPR443MVYift8bPDpTAIG0oxZIPJ9AC2lcybyT9C3eUy_TqyjiW-EOPXx2lDUSqfbTPdgLHdkJ11I6hQj1xpbVtJprtkKqNBhGNvWB_67c6YI9KKpjaHm-0XW-k2Jp8xje1huBgorc/w432-h640/promising_young_woman_ver3_xxlg.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9620292/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_16">Promising Young Woman</a> is a dark-comedy mixed with mystery thriller. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2193504/?ref_=tt_ov_dr">Emerald Fennell</a>'s feature directorial debut is a story of anger and revenge but not in the same way that something like Taken, John Wick, or the 'manly' revenge stories are. This one is a little more menacing. It is more grounded and thus more potent in a way.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Trigger warning</u></b>, this is a story of sexual assault and rape, and how it obliterates the lives of women with having little or no consequence for the men perpetrating the crimes.</div><div><br /></div><div>The title plays on the label given to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_v._Turner">Brock Turner</a> as a 'promising young man' leading up to his 2015 conviction for sexual assault. </div><div><br /></div><div>I won't be delving deep into it. I do have a lot of thoughts on rape culture but that is for another venue, I do actually want to talk about the movie at some point here and I would never get to it if I went down that rabbit hole.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>This is a movie that I had been waiting since early last year. Originally premiering at Sundance on January 25, 2020, it released to North American theaters (not that I was going to any) on Christmas and just today via premium streaming.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>We first meet Cassie (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1659547/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm">Carey Mulligan</a>) heavily intoxicated at a bar when nice guy Jerry (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0111013/?ref_=tt_cl_t1">Adam Brody</a>) tries to help her home. Surprise, surprise, Jerry's intentions aren't so innocent as he tries to take advantage of her but Cassie has a surprise of her own. She's not drunk. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cassie has her little hobby of acting drunk and helpless and flipping that menacing switch when these 'nice guys' show her their true selves after taking her to their place from a bar or club. We never see her actual hurt any of them but along the way instilling at least some fear into some would-be rapists.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cassie is a med school dropout and when she isn't playing this dangerous game at night, she works at a coffee shop. She has lost her way. </div><div><br /></div><div>She meets former classmate and now doctor Ryan (Bo Burnham) and they have a charming repartee and a budding romance begins. </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>I can't in good conscience say any more about the movie because it would take away from some of the poignancy. Is the deepest and most life altering of movies? No, but it's pretty good so I don't want to spoil it for you.</i></div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div><div><div>There are some twists and turns not only in regards to plot but in regards to tone as well and it seems entirely on purpose. I knew the general path the movie would take but it did surprise me a few times. Some in small ways others in much bigger ways. </div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/11/10160210/promising-young-woman-soundtrack-songs-list">female-led soundtrack</a> and the ominous score give us some of the first hints of this. The intro credits roll to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPRy1B4t5YA">Boys</a> by Charli XCX and if you didn't know anything about the film you might think it to be a teen bubble-gum rom-com. It shifts back and forth between some ominous scoring and some songs like Paris Hilton's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvChZ1e3yWA">Stars Are Blind</a> and a dark orchestral version of Britney Spears' <a href="https://youtu.be/_R5s5h_MTCQ">Toxic</a>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, from a production stand point the colour scheme is wonderful. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zGa4m4M8dw&t=246s">Chris Stuckmann</a> says it quite well comparing the colours to candy. It is opposing the dark subject matter and I like that.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div>If you know anything about me, I love me a Carey Mulligan performance. She is brilliant in turning on the charm, being funny and witty when she needs to. She can also flip the switch and be methodical and malevolent when she has an agenda. You see her up and down, and also completely unravel and I love it. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3102998/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm">Bo Burnham</a> brings some levity to the movie which I think is a good thing. The subject matter is pretty dark and really tough to watch at times. Without him, and the chemistry between him and Carey, I think the movie wouldn't be nearly as palatable. Seeing him being an actor is a little off-putting but he is mainly just a subdued version of himself and his comedy stylings so it makes sense.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1555340/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm">Alison Brie</a> is entirely unlikeable as another med school classmate, which is a good thing. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000317/?ref_=tt_cl_t6">Clancy Brown</a> and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0177639/?ref_=tt_cl_t7">Jennifer Coolidge</a> play Cassie's parents and although I would have loved to see Jennifer stretch those comedy chops, it really wouldn't fit the movie very well. I admit, I do not know <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1209545/">Laverne Cox</a>'s filmography very well but she is great as Cassie's boss and friend Gail.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a few cameos and bit parts that may pique your interest. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788340/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t22">Molly Shannon</a>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0110168/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t19">Connie Britton</a>, and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000547/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t34">Alfred Molina</a> appear in just a handful of scenes between them but they are pretty poignant in the context of the story. I do have to say though that Molina's scene was a little out of place for me. Not that it exists but more of how it was handled. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2395586/?ref_=tt_cl_t13">Christopher Mintz-Plasse</a>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0339011/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t23">Max Greenfield</a>, and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1645313/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t24">Chris Lowell</a> appear different points as some other 'nice guys'.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div>The pacing of the movie is pretty solid, you could argue to cut down a couple of scenes or bring it down maybe 5-10 minutes but it works as it is. The movie is sectioned off using roman numeral slates but it's really Part III and IIII (don't worry it's like that for a reason) where things really started to surprise me. I think Carey really brings it in this one and while the story can be a bit tough, chaotic, and unexpected I really do think it's a good watch. It's a little pricey as is at $24.99 CAD to rent but if it ever drops in price or comes to a streaming service near you, I'd certainly recommend it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Notes: </h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Margot Robbie is credited as Executive Producer as the film was produced by Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment</li><li>According to Mulligan in a Q&A with BuzzFeed, the casting of Hollywood stereotypical nice guys like <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0111013/?ref_=tt_cl_t1">Adam Brody</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Lowell">Chris Lowell</a>, and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3931538/">Sam Richardson</a>, was intentional to make you feel warm when you first saw them.</li><li>She marks men in her journal with red, black, and blue marks but we never get to know what that signifies</li><li>Cassie is reading the book Careful How You Go in the coffee shop, a nod to Fennell's 2018 short film of the same name.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-56154448459578307472020-07-12T08:40:00.000-04:002020-07-12T08:40:40.600-04:00Palm Springs (2020)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM-KZm41QmuoOBg_2Z6RWZIhgUaV3pUR8SLMZrDEnkwW67-lxVZkKkKbdgdaO5zAn5X6vA1sTG97AqkI3le1s8O3Z00H_LlVrDWz8CTn3gm0gPTfGFFcrvUOB8G13BuZ4xHq5PnSnhfQ/s1500/palm_springs_xlg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1025" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM-KZm41QmuoOBg_2Z6RWZIhgUaV3pUR8SLMZrDEnkwW67-lxVZkKkKbdgdaO5zAn5X6vA1sTG97AqkI3le1s8O3Z00H_LlVrDWz8CTn3gm0gPTfGFFcrvUOB8G13BuZ4xHq5PnSnhfQ/w438-h640/palm_springs_xlg.jpg" width="438"></a></div><div><span>I was a little worried that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_(2020_film)">Palm Springs</a> was going to turn out too much like a Lonely Island sketch. </span>Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the Lonely Island but typically in short clips and small doses. Their humour lends itself to being bite sized. Thankfully it hits just the right amount, mixed in with a good proportion of sincerity. </div><div><br></div><span><a name="more"></a></span><div><br></div><div>Palm Springs starts with Nyles (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Samberg">Andy Samberg</a>) waking up and having sex (rather unsuccessfully) with his girlfriend Misty. They are in Palm Springs for the wedding of Misty's friend Tala (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camila_Mendes">Camila Mendes</a>). The maid of honour, Sarah (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristin_Milioti">Cristin Milioti</a>), Tala's older sister, is saved from having to make a drunken speech when Nyles swoops in to save the day. He is strangely on point with everything he says and does the whole night and this intrigues Sarah. They head off to the desert but are rudely interrupted when Nyles gets shot with an arrow from Roy (J.K. Simmons). Sarah then follows Nyles into a strange cave only to realize that she is now trapped in the same time loop with him repeating the same day over and over with no escape.</div><div><br></div><div><i>I realize the Roy part of the summary I wrote above is confusing and makes no sense. That's the point, I didn't want to give away too much and it's honestly just as confusing when you watch it.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br></div><div>In terms of premise, it is essentially <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day_(film)">Groundhog Day</a> but you're stuck in the loop with someone else. We follow Sarah and Nyles through a lot of wacky shenanigans with no consequences but the ultimate question is, as it was with Groundhog Day, how long has Nyles been stuck reliving this same day? In Groundhog Day, <a href="https://www.ifc.com/2011/02/the-precise-number-of-groundho">it has been theorized</a> that Phil Connors has been trapped for upwards of 30 years. In this case, I don't think Nyles has been trapped nearly as long but definitely at least several years. </div><div><br></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br></div><div>A debut feature film for both director <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3817317/">Max Barbakow</a> and writer <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4460791/?ref_=tt_ov_wr">Andy Siara</a>, they kind of knock it out of the park. They did have some help though. Produced in part by the Lonely Island crew <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akiva_Schaffer">Akiva Schaffer</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorma_Taccone">Jorma Taccone</a>, and Samberg, you can definitely see where their style of humour comes across but it's not overbearing. </div><div><br></div><div>Samberg and Milioti work really well together. She keeps him a little more grounded (a little less Andy Samberg) and he brings out a more whimsical side of her that is not typically apparent in her usual roles. I also want to note that Milioti is really good at freaking out on camera, I have noticed this over the few roles I have seen her in. </div><div><br></div><div>Perhaps what I love most is J.K. Simmons as Roy. He has a great albeit brief character arc and it is book-ended with a satisfying conclusion. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camila_Mendes">Camila Mendes</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Hoechlin">Tyler Hoechlin</a> are pretty much there just for their looks and to bring in a younger crowd.</div><div><br></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br></div><div>At a nice concise 90 minutes, Palm Springs doesn't pack a lot of superfluous moments in because that's just not the movie it is. It is light and funny while still showing a surprising amount of heart. For me it is the summer comedy to see and I'm only partly saying that because I have only seen one new comedy this summer.</div><div><br></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br></div><div><b>Notes:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>There is a mid-credits scene so don't just skip over it. It comes pretty quick so you won't have to wait long and don't worry it is worth it.</li><li>It was bought at Sundance by Neon and Hulu for $17.5 million and 69 cents breaking the previous record by the totally intentional 69 cents. However, <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/02/hulu-neon-paid-22-million-palm-springs-streamers-dominated-sundance-film-festival-1202850004/">some say</a> the deal is closer to $22 million which bakes in the most $5 million budget for the film.</li><li>It is currently only available on Hulu in the U.S. so for international audiences, some finagling is required. Neon will be releasing it to theatres, presumably once theatres can open again.</li></ul></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-61478076062568401302020-07-09T17:50:00.001-04:002020-07-09T17:50:35.721-04:00Castle in the Sky (1986)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVPCiDsjFdM9wl2uT15T6TOZkZCkZ1XqY7WIT8d9wKmZiwvLCCvXxbFR3L4RTGEZ6R7i5CeJKw6vGZ9ULYvvbh4S54Z_X3-7b9ORby_K7KAYTV2QQjM5hOPPkCI8L9LCn9fparZB4Wco/s1118/castle+in+the+sky.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="629" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVPCiDsjFdM9wl2uT15T6TOZkZCkZ1XqY7WIT8d9wKmZiwvLCCvXxbFR3L4RTGEZ6R7i5CeJKw6vGZ9ULYvvbh4S54Z_X3-7b9ORby_K7KAYTV2QQjM5hOPPkCI8L9LCn9fparZB4Wco/w450-h800/castle+in+the+sky.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>Here we are at the first official Studio Ghibli film Castle in the Sky released in 1986. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_in_the_Sky">Castle in the Sky</a></b> follows Sheeta, a young orphan girl, who has been captured by the military and government agent Colonel Muska. When her airship is attacked by Captain Dola and her pirate gang, she falls from the sky but is slowed by her magical pendant. She descends to earth in a small mining town where she is saved by young orphan boy Pazu (what's with all the orphans?). Pazu and Sheeta are chased by both pirates and the government and are caught up in the search for the lost floating city of Laputa. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While the original film came out in 1986, Disney produced the English voice dub in 1998 and it didn't release until 2003. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The main characters Pazu and Sheeta may not have the strongest voice acting but thankfully the supporting cast does a wonderful job of stealing the show. As a character I like Sheeta because we see her grow from being mostly a damsel in distress to being able to stand up for herself and take action. Pazu works well with Sheeta because he is a hard working boy who is capable but also pretty comical and I think that's important.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Hamill">Mark Hamill</a>, despite playing one of the most iconic heroes of all-time, works oh so well when lending his voice to villains. As Colonel Muska he can flip the switch from soft spoken and charming to creepy and mischievous and it's perfect. I can hear <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Hamill#As_the_Joker">his Joker</a> anytime he voices a villain and that's not a bad thing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Captain Dola is voiced by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloris_Leachman">Cloris Leachman</a> and is probably my favourite character of the movie or at least the most interesting. A busty woman with Pippy Longstocking pig tails, she is the Captain of the pirate gang comprised of her three sons and her husband. Although not a lot of her story is known I would enjoy a spin off of her own to see what sort of life she's led. I also love that her sons are voiced by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandy_Patinkin">Mandy Patinkin</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Dick">Andy Dick</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_McShane">Michael McShane</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some other minor roles are filled out by veterans of voice acting <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debi_Derryberry">Debi Derryberry</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tress_MacNeille">Tress MacNeille</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Cummings">Jim Cummings</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Van_Der_Beek">James Van Der Beek</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Paquin">Anna Paquin</a> sadly may be the weakest part of the film. I'm not saying they are bad per se but when compared to the vocal nuances of Mark Hamill, the bar is set pretty high. Van Der Beek does an adequate job as Pazu but what is more interesting to me is Anna Paquin's accent. I like Paquin as an actress but here she slips in and out of her Kiwi accent so randomly it's kind of distracting. I am not sure if that's what they were going for but it's kind of all over the place.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>Castle in the Sky, a little more so than Nausicaä, has an elevated level of whimsy and humour. Not that Nausicaä didn't have it's fun but it generally takes things more seriously. Nausicaä's music was often quite eerie due to the prevalence of giant insects and a toxic jungle whereas Castle in the Sky on the other hand is allowed to be more triumphant and majestic in it's score due to the inclusion of a giant......castle in the sky. Visually it is a light and bright movie (especially compared to Nausicaä) as much of it is set in the sky with grand airships and sky castles. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really didn't give this film enough credit when I first watched it. It has been a couple years since I viewed it last but I think it ages well. It is set far enough back (the late 19th/early 20th century) that it is a fantastical period piece set in an alternate reality where flying castles and robots exist. </div><div><br /></div><div>Castle in the Sky has an aforementioned majesty to it that sets the foundation for all the future Ghibli films. My only real gripe is that it's possibly too long. At just over two hours, not all that much actually happens and most that does is more adjacent to the story than pushing it forward. Still it is a staple for the Ghibli catalogue and while I don't put it above Nausicaä, it certainly is still super enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes: </b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The film's title is <b>Laputa: Castle in the Sky</b> in Europe and Australia.</li><li>There is typically other English voice dubs seeing as Disney got to the back catalogue later due to the date of their deal with Ghibli but I will be talking exclusively about the Disney/widely available voice cast (available on Netflix).</li><li>Anna Paquin, while raised in New Zealand, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. </li><li>The song played by Pazu on the trumpet is Morning in the Slag Ravine composed by Joe Hisaishi. This song is also notably played on melodica by Kaori Miyazono in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Lie_in_April">Your Lie in April</a>, one of my all-time favourite animes.</li><li>There is a scene where fox squirrels run along the shoulders of a robot. A fox squirrel is also seen at the beginning of Nausicaä as discovered by Lord Yupa and kept by Nausicaä herself.</li></ul></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-48912156928374301232020-07-08T17:09:00.001-04:002020-07-08T17:09:18.720-04:00Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kjKj0YCg9tswNsv7g_aEutUe7mFtYJ2NTptQZgQubV6vgryqHNQrr0Gq9bie9At_4WNRSnI9us4f1olHwk-oT0PxQAuBJaj05ixv4SYphSNvCtSnv8VllQJTP1n-EGOf6rTMcY6Ve-Q/s1600/Nausicaa.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1035" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kjKj0YCg9tswNsv7g_aEutUe7mFtYJ2NTptQZgQubV6vgryqHNQrr0Gq9bie9At_4WNRSnI9us4f1olHwk-oT0PxQAuBJaj05ixv4SYphSNvCtSnv8VllQJTP1n-EGOf6rTMcY6Ve-Q/w494-h640/Nausicaa.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Poster art by Raf Banzuela</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I wanted to start a project of giving my two cents on all of the Studio Ghibli films now that we have more access to them. There are a lot of them so I also wanted to keep these short but who am I kidding.<br /><div><br /></div><div>
While technically not a Studio Ghibli film, 1984's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nausica%C3%A4_of_the_Valley_of_the_Wind_(film)"><b>Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind</b></a> is widely considered the studio's first feature released a year before the studio's inception.</div><div>
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<div>Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is based on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nausica%C3%A4_of_the_Valley_of_the_Wind_(manga)">manga of the same name</a>, written and illustrated by Miyazaki.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>The film starts, a thousand years after the fall of industrialized society. A toxic jungle and the creatures within have spread to threaten the last remnants of the human race. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nausicaä, the Princess of the Valley of the Wind, is an adventurous, brilliant, and kindhearted girl who explores the jungle and has learned to live harmoniously with its inhabitants, the Ohm (giant trilobite like insects). The people of the Valley of the Wind become embroiled in a war between Pejite and Tolmekia and soon their way of life as they know it falls under attack.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div><div>The English voice cast for Ghibli films has always been a nice icing on the cake for me. They are always able to bring out some big name talent but they never seem to detract from the film itself. There were some Ghibli films dubbed before this one despite them being made later. The dub came in 2005, 21 years after the original release.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some anime purists will only watch with the original Japanese audio but I think that you can be distracted from Miyazaki's stories and visuals by having to read subtitles. I prefer the English dubs but watch it the way that feels right for you.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Lohman">Alison Lohman</a> voices the titular Princess Nausicaä. She gives her an innocence and sweetness that works so well for the character. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Stewart">Patrick Stewart</a> nails his role (I mean when does he not?) as Lord Yupa, a great warrior and sort of uncle-type figure for Nausicaä. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uma_Thurman">Uma Thurman</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Sarandon">Chris Sarandon</a> play our Tolmekian "bad guys" Kushana and Kurotowa. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia_LaBeouf">Shia LaBeouf</a> as Asbel is the only one that slightly takes you out of the moment because he is so distinctively Shia LaBeouf. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rounding out the voice cast are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Hamill">Luke Skywalker</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_James_Olmos">Admiral Adama</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodi_Benson">Ariel</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tress_MacNeille">Agnes Skinner</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Jay">Frollo</a> as the narrator. I would have used their actual names but where's the fun in that. It's so much more confusing this way.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div></div><div>The animation is vibrant albeit a bit dated but I mean it's been over 35 years so you can't really knock it for that. The design aesthetic of the world, the costumes, and the Ohm is eerily beautiful which I find rings true with a lot of the rest of this movie.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Apart from the iconic artwork, the music is the stuff of wonders. There is a magic to it that you cannot always explain. In my eyes Joe Hisaishi is to Miyazaki as John Williams is to Steven Spielberg. Miyazaki is perhaps not as prolific, but Spielberg doesn't have to draw his own movies. I could ramble endlessly but I should keep it short.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am certainly no expert but a loving fan. If you want to learn more about the studio and some of the history and inner workings check out <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kingdom_of_Dreams_and_Madness">The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind we see recurring themes that Miyazaki likes to touch on and does in his other films. Living harmoniously with nature, love and family, and his love of planes and airships are a couple that really stick out.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>I have seen this movie many times and I never tire of watching it. As of right now this is in my top 5 Ghibli films but after re-watching them all this could very well change. Even from the start, Miyazaki always strove to showcase strong and complex female characters in his films, whether they be heroines, villains, or minor or support characters. That respect for female characters is one thing that keeps me coming back. The studio has come a long way from it's unofficial start with Nausicaä in 1984 but it's still an important chapter and one I wholeheartedly recommend.</div></div><div>
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<b>Notes:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I was trying to find a good poster image for this film and I stumbled upon this great Filipino artist Raf Banzuela. Definitely check out his <a href="https://www.behance.net/rafbanzuela">work here</a> or on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rafbanzuela/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.</li><li>Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind marks the first feature partnering <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki">Hayao Miyazaki</a>, co-founder <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isao_Takahata">Isao Takahata</a>, and the brilliant composer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hisaishi">Joe Hisaishi</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxyzciBLt1Hyw06dlqwAIkw/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0">Joe Hisaishi's "Official" YouTube channel</a> has been posting a lot more in the last year so you can check out a lot of his (mostly Ghibli) work there.</li><li>This is Hayao Miyazaki's second feature film, his first was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Castle_of_Cagliostro">The Castle of Cagliostro</a> based on the Lupin III manga series.</li><li><i>This post is a lot longer than I wanted it to be so I think I need to make things more concise or else I will never get to them all.</i></li></ul></div>
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</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-62776077761081991552020-07-03T20:45:00.006-04:002020-07-06T18:02:32.794-04:00Hamilton (2020)<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76_nfFjvobXkECP9V6oiX7ALASbY9fcbyLR4Ja_d8ZZrNpOs-3X8Ra0Z_x6rTtwYkX-4HKU7EBaYL8YkAnoSuW38JkV9oEeeX_Oo-JJ8McxXIr9b55wBWNLvBcrF1wJNrbjM6PorIjKg/s2048/hamilton.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1383" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76_nfFjvobXkECP9V6oiX7ALASbY9fcbyLR4Ja_d8ZZrNpOs-3X8Ra0Z_x6rTtwYkX-4HKU7EBaYL8YkAnoSuW38JkV9oEeeX_Oo-JJ8McxXIr9b55wBWNLvBcrF1wJNrbjM6PorIjKg/w432-h640/hamilton.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>For those that don't know I am also a musical theatre fan. I have been lucky enough to see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_(musical)">Hamilton</a> twice but never with Lin-Manuel helming the cast. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>In Toronto some were able to get in early to see the show (myself included) but many were still eagerly awaiting future dates for perhaps the most hyped musical in history when the COVID-19 hit. Yes, a global pandemic is larger than seeing live theatre but it didn't detract from the disappointment of maybe never being able to see the show live. </div><div><br /></div><div>Disney+ has come in to save the day. In the early months of 2020 they had purchased the rights to a 2016 taping of the hit Broadway show and it was set to hit the streaming service October 2021. In the midst of a pretty depressing 2020 so far, it was released early on July 3 just in time for the July 4th weekend.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't know by now, Hamilton loosely follows the history of American founding father <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton">Alexander Hamilton</a> and his life. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Don't be mistaken, this show does not speak the whole truth but a dramatic version of the truth. There has been <a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/10/correcting-hamilton/">some criticism of the historical accuracy</a> of the show but it made the world want to learn more about his story so I think that is definitely a plus on the history front. Do your own research but you can definitely do it after watching the show.</div></div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The made for streaming version was filmed by <a href="https://www.radicalmedia.com/work">RadicalMedia</a> across three shows in June 2016 and stitched together. Unlike the original Broadway production, the film is rated PG-13 to adhere to Disney's standards. In order to accommodate this, two f-bombs had to be overdubbed with a mute and a record scratch respectively.</div>
<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"></p><div style="text-align: left;">...I literally gave two fucks so the kids could see it:</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. In Yorktown, there's a mute over "I get the f___ back up again"</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. "Southern *record scratch*kin' Democratic Republicans."</div><div style="text-align: left;">You can sing whatEVER you like at home (even sync up the album)!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Love you. Enjoy.</div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lin_Manuel/status/1275146947096174595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></div></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div><div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Otherwise, the show is untouched from the original version. The film, directed by the show's original director <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Kail">Thomas Kail</a>, runs 2 hours and 40 minutes. It even features King George's introduction to the show and a one minute intermission in between the two acts. </div><div><br /></div><div>The major advantage of seeing the musical this way is getting different angles and close-ups of the performances. It does provide a new look at details you wouldn't necessarily get, especially if you didn't have great seats. One small disadvantage is not being able to see the whole show at once and how impressive the cast, crew, and set move so smoothly together.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Some tips while watching: </div><div><ul><li>Watch it on a big screen if you can, it's worth it.</li><li>Wear headphones or blast it on a good sound system. The soundtrack from laptop or phone speakers are simply not good enough.</li><li>Some scenes are pretty dark, if ever need turn down the lights to replicate the theatre atmosphere, go for it.</li><li>If you aren't super familiar with the songs and the lyrics it can be a little tough to follow. The subtitles are done pretty well and aren't too intrusive.</li></ul></div></div><span><!--more--></span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font size="5">CAST</font></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font size="5"><br /></font></b></div><div>
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<td style="text-align: justified;" valign="top" width="250"><b>Character<br /></b><br />Alexander Hamilton<br /><br />Eliza Hamilton<br /><br />Aaron Burr<br /><br />Angelica Schuyler<br /><br />George Washington<br /><br />Marquis de Lafayette/<br />Thomas Jefferson<br /><br />Hercules Mulligan/<br />James Madison<br /><br />John Laurens/<br />Philip Hamilton<br /><br />Peggy Schuyler/<br />Maria Reynolds<br /><br />King George III</td>
<td style="text-align: justified;" valign="top" width="250"><b>Broadway/Film Cast<br /></b><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin-Manuel_Miranda">Lin-Manuel Miranda</a><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillipa_Soo">Phillipa Soo</a><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Odom_Jr.">Leslie Odom Jr.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9e_Elise_Goldsberry">Renée Elise Goldsberry</a><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Jackson_(actor)">Christopher Jackson</a><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daveed_Diggs">Daveed Diggs</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okieriete_Onaodowan">Okieriete Onaodowan<br /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Ramos_(actor)">Anthony Ramos</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasmine_Cephas_Jones">Jasmine Cephas Jones</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Groff">Jonathan Groff</a><br /></td>
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</div><span><!--more--></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although I did see the show live on Broadway, much of the original cast had stepped off the stage at that time so this was a nice way to see the show as it was originally intended.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lin-Manuel is the clear cut front runner for my favourite Hamilton not only because he embodies his own words but because his rapping leaves nothing to be desired. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Phillipa and Renée, as the main Schuyler Sisters make it seem so effortless, just gliding through fast paced lyrics or belting emotional songs like Burn or Satisfied. The latter really benefits visually from movie editing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish we got to see more of Jasmine Cephas Jones but alas the real Peggy Schuyler died fairly young and Maria Reynolds doesn't have that large of a role. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Chris Jackson is a booming Washington, powerful yet still seemingly a gentle soul. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Daveed Diggs' rapping and hilarious French accent is so enjoyable, personally I love Lafayette much more than his Act II Thomas Jefferson but that's more due to character than actor.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I could definitely go on for the rest of the cast but I am running out of ways to say they were amazing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span></span><span><!--more--></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hamilton has a great combination of comedy and drama mixed with the amazing songs written by the genius Lin-Manuel Miranda. As always I cried a few times throughout the show, perhaps most notably during It's Quiet Uptown. What gets me more this time around is seeing a closer view of Hamilton's face as he himself bursts into tears. The whole show gives me goosebumps in the best way possible. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't really recommend Hamilton enough but it's not like it's a hard sell. Winning 11 Tony Awards and having the best selling cast album in history you can't really argue with the people. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What may be even more important is seeing a cast nearly entirely made up of people of colour. Especially in this time of political and social unease, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, and the growing momentum for the BlackLivesMatter movement, this show is certainly just as if not more powerful than it once was.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lin-Manuel sums it up in a great response to being asked what differences if any would he make if he had written the show in the climate of 2020 (Listen to his whole response to the question it's a couple minutes long).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zFaUY3OAzow?start=253" width="560"></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Notes: </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">- The credits are around 8 minutes long, featuring <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCVAl8j218">My Shot (Rise Up Remix) by The Roots</a> off <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hamilton_Mixtape">The Hamilton Mixtape</a>, an instrumental version of Dear Theodosia, and a medley of sort (I think Yorktown, Burn, Non-Stop, and the Exit Music) that I couldn't quite place every part of. It also shows a credit slate for every cast member individually even for the ensemble which was very cool.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- The main cast of Hamilton have done some internet press for the release of the show with videos from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHHHM7CXWGE">BuzzFeed</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFaUY3OAzow">Wired</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j77Y0bnrlfk">BBC Radio 1</a> to name a few.</div></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-74449425998530809742020-06-25T17:23:00.001-04:002020-06-26T10:59:34.646-04:00Studio Ghibli Finally Lands on Netflix Canada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4oLJ0MKbgvHq6AGh49nx_me9AXzk1Hm8opgrO2pbtr6GWPWNM3fEXOPt6nSBjeDx83NpSCTzQcGmin2qXxoEHRSpkB9FXPL_W-_EHtSySZppbMmf9qNPbrXzTSoK1bVXzC55Jz1nB7s/s1893/studio_ghibli_netflix.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1893" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4oLJ0MKbgvHq6AGh49nx_me9AXzk1Hm8opgrO2pbtr6GWPWNM3fEXOPt6nSBjeDx83NpSCTzQcGmin2qXxoEHRSpkB9FXPL_W-_EHtSySZppbMmf9qNPbrXzTSoK1bVXzC55Jz1nB7s/w640-h332/studio_ghibli_netflix.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Ever since the emergence of streaming services I have always wanted the vast <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_Ghibli">Studio Ghibli</a> catalogue to find its way to one of them. I didn't exactly care which. I have seen most of them but I wanted to be able to more easily recommend them to friends and family. <div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>As blasphemous as this may sound to some, I enjoy Studio Ghibli films more than I do Disney and Pixar films (although it is close).</div><div><br /></div><div>I have always enjoyed the female leads in the Ghibli universe and more specifically <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki">Hayao Miyazaki</a>'s films because they are more complex and less stereotypical than their Disney counterparts. Disney Princesses are precisely that, princesses. They have certainly evolved over the years but historically revolve mostly around romance, using their feminine wiles, and the man of their dreams. Miyazaki's heroines kick ass all their own and in a lot of different ways, but I digress. </div><div><br /></div><div>For further reading, there are a couple of great articles from <a href="https://www.wired.com/2012/01/disney-vs-miyazaki/">Wired</a> and <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/10/hayao-miyazaki-and-the-art-of-being-a-woman/503978/">The Atlantic</a> touching on the subject.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div>Ghibli has always been very tight with the streaming rights, not releasing their films anywhere until this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Netflix announced that 21 Ghibli films would make their way to the platform starting Feb 1, 2020 and rolling out in stages over the next two months. Unfortunately, this excluded the US, Canada, and Japan. </div><div><br /></div><div>HBO Max brought the films to the US on May 27.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally Netflix Canada released 20 films today, June 25 with The Wind Rises (2013) coming on August 1. </div><div><br /></div><div>Alas, no luck for Japan of all places, who still have no streaming services with rights to the films.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grave_of_the_Fireflies">Grave of the Fireflies (1988)</a> is the only Ghibli feature film absent from any of the above streaming deals. It is however available on Hulu in the US.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div>I definitely recommend starting with films directed by Miyazaki as they what the studio is best known for.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the films available on Netflix (<i>those directed by Miyazaki in red</i>):</div><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nausica%C3%A4_of_the_Valley_of_the_Wind_(film)"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)</b></font></a> - <i>prior to the official formation of Studio Ghibli</i></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_in_the_Sky"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>Castle in the Sky (1986)</b></font></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>My Neighbor Totoro (1988)</b></font></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiki%27s_Delivery_Service"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) </b></font></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Yesterday_(1991_film)">Only Yesterday (1991)</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porco_Rosso"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>Porco Rosso (1992)</b></font></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Waves_(film)">Ocean Waves (1993) </a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pom_Poko">Pom Poko (1994)</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisper_of_the_Heart">Whisper of the Heart (1995)</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Mononoke"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>Princess Mononoke (1997)</b></font></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbors_the_Yamadas">My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>Spirited Away (2001)</b></font></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cat_Returns">The Cat Returns (2002) </a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howl%27s_Moving_Castle_(film)"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>Howl's Moving Castle (2004)</b></font></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_Earthsea_(film)">Tales from Earthsea (2006) </a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponyo"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>Ponyo (2008)</b></font></a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrietty">Arrietty (2010)</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Up_on_Poppy_Hill">From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wind_Rises"><font color="#d52c1f"><b>The Wind Rises (2013)</b></font></a> - <i>Will be available August 1 </i></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_the_Princess_Kaguya">The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Marnie_Was_There">When Marnie was There (2014)</a></li></ul></div></div></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-20613973947639341242020-06-12T18:00:00.000-04:002020-06-12T18:00:32.098-04:00The King of Staten Island (2020)<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Davidson"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Davidson"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tvwIF-Q5bl4soadX3O7BRsAckIjLVZxST92fTyJB7jZPu8pH3p-sQtJqced049XccdYUSOX-NJ7m4ckJDI4sxvnndWpmsczZbG8ZN04NRLi08aQqRLWH4Qoa781F_c5VxgwXIkjGhK4/s755/king_of_staten_island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="473" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tvwIF-Q5bl4soadX3O7BRsAckIjLVZxST92fTyJB7jZPu8pH3p-sQtJqced049XccdYUSOX-NJ7m4ckJDI4sxvnndWpmsczZbG8ZN04NRLi08aQqRLWH4Qoa781F_c5VxgwXIkjGhK4/w400-h640/king_of_staten_island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Pete Davidson is a polarizing person. He has been in the spotlight for a number of years and he is still only 26. He can certainly be offensive and crass but all in all he seems like a nice guy. Of course, I only have interviews I have seen with him and what I've read to base this off of.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.thekingofstatenisland.com/">The King of Staten Island</a> is more or less based on Davidson's life. Semi-fictionalized, this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judd_Apatow">Judd Apatow</a> film is a combination of comedy and heart. It follows Scott, a 24-year old wannabe tattoo artist, living in his mother's basement. In a state of psychological arrested development (I definitely stole this from Wikipedia) since his father's death, he struggles with depression, drug use, and not being able to move on and get his shit together. Unlike Scott, his sister Claire (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maude_Apatow">Maude Apatow</a>) is a high achiever and is now off to college leaving Scott and their mother Margie (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marisa_Tomei">Marisa Tomei</a>) to try and stick it out together.</div><div><br /></div><div>Margie starts dating firefighter Ray (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Burr">Bill Burr</a>) and Scott freaks out. He can't come to terms with his mother dating for the first time in 17 years and it being with another firefighter. Eventually kicked out of the house he relies on some friends at the fire department to help him figure some things out.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Let's just get this out of the way, if you don't like Pete Davidson you are probably not going to like this movie. That being said, since the subject matter is so close to his heart he takes it seriously. Pete is ultimately playing a version of himself so it can only really be the most authentic performance. </div><div><br /></div><div>While Pete may not be the most talented actor he performs well in his role as himself and the rest of the cast really tie the story together. I will always love Marisa Tomei and no one can convince me otherwise but I was definitely impressed with Maude Apatow and Bill Burr. I don't think I've seen Maude act since she was a kid and while it was a little off putting seeing her as an adult she does a great job in limited screen time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some other great characters are firehouse chief Papa (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Buscemi">Steve Buscemi</a>), Scott's on-again off-again dalliance Kelsey (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_Powley">Bel Powley</a>), Ray's ex-wife Gina (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela_Adlon">Pamela Adlon</a>), and a random cameo from rapper <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_Bronson">Action Bronson</a>. </div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed the realistic aspects of much of the story. I liked how his mental health journey was depicted. He is not suddenly all better by the end but he has taken the first steps and while positive still just the beginning. Also his journey as a tattoo artist could have ended with him becoming a great tattoo artist but by the end he still kind of sucks and it helps to ground the story.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since this is a generally biographical story there are a number of ties to Pete's real life in the movie. He was born and raised in Staten Island and currently lives there in his mother's basement. While not specifically mentioned in the movie, Pete has struggled with depression and was <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/4727355/pete-davidson-mental-health/">diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2017</a>. Pete also shares <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn%27s_disease">Crohn's disease</a> with his character and it comes up in a pretty hilarious way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pete's character in the movie was named after his father Scott Davidson. Like his character, Pete's father was a firefighter and died when Pete was 7. In the movie he was said to have died in a hotel fire which is technically true but more specifically Scott Davidson died at the Marriot World Trade Center in the September 11 attacks. The is a dedication to Scott at the end of the film.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div>The story is endearing and it is bolstered by good performances. I don't always relate with Pete's (or in this case Scott's) lifestyle but he is ultimately a good person that you want to root for. One big issue for me is its runtime. At 136 min it is about 30 minutes too long. There is a scene where Pete is tasked to feed and take care of a cat and it is emphasized quite a lot but no follow up is ever seen. It is a complete throwaway scene. There are a few of these that could have been cut to tighten up the flow of the story. </div><div><br /></div><div>Other reviews seem to have it averaging around the 6-7/10 range. For me it's a little low but not far off. I would give it a 7, maybe a 7.5 dependent on mood. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is available on video on demand now but I would probably just wait until it comes out on streaming services. Give it a couple of months and you can catch it then.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div><b>Random:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.vitaminstringquartet.com/">Vitamin String Quartet'</a>s <a href="https://youtu.be/5v2U4Kyoqc8">orchestral version of Red Hot Chili Pepper's Scar Tissue</a> is playing in a scene where Scott is walking Ray's kids to and from school. I have been a big fan of VSQ for years and I highly recommend you check them out.</li><li>Pamela Adlon is probably most known for her voice work. I associate her with voicing Bobby Hill in King of the Hill and Spinelli in Recess.</li><li>Steve Buscemi was a New York city firefighter in the earlier 80's before he started acting. </li><li>Honestly <a href="https://www.theringer.com/movies/2020/6/11/21285868/judd-apatow-king-of-staten-island-pete-davidson">here</a> is a much better and more in-depth read about this movie on The Ringer.</li></ul></div><div> </div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-91713654667779138662020-06-05T17:28:00.001-04:002020-06-05T17:28:47.560-04:00Selma, Just Mercy, and 13th Free to WatchI was researching the documentary, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_(film)">13th</a> by director Ava DuVernay and I stumbled upon the fact that some great films regarding black history and civil rights are now free to watch for the month of June.<div><br /></div><div>Earlier today DuVernay shared the news that <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_(film)">Selma</a></b> would available to stream for free.</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy to share: Paramount Pictures is offering SELMA for free rental on all US digital platforms for June, starting today. We’ve gotta understand where we’ve been to strategize where we’re going. History helps us create the blueprint. Onward. <a href="https://twitter.com/SelmaMovie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SelmaMovie</a>. <a href="https://t.co/mxhGpfQeIP">https://t.co/mxhGpfQeIP</a></p><div>— Ava DuVernay (@ava) <a href="https://twitter.com/ava/status/1268935546849472512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2020</a></div></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div>The catch, however, as is mentioned in the tweet above, is that it is only available in the US.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Mercy">Just Mercy</a></b>, the Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx led legal drama is also available to stream, again only in the US.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, DuVernay's own documentary 13th, has been available since April 17, in full on YouTube. You should be able to watch it internationally but I only checked in Canada.</div></div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/krfcq5pF8u8" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>For those in the US who haven't seen these great films or just want to re-watch them, check any digital streaming service you might have to watch them for free.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>For my international friends still looking to educate yourself you can use a VPN to finagle your way around this.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>For those who already use a VPN, you know what you're doing so I won't waste your time. </div><div><br /></div><div>For everyone else, check out <a href="https://www.cloudwards.net/how-to-beat-the-netflix-vpn-ban/" target="_blank">this article</a> (there are a lot I just picked one at random) on how to use a VPN to watch Netflix from other countries and other videos blocked in your region.</div><div><br /></div><div>After that, you can come back here and weep because you are confused or don't want to pay for a VPN.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the off-chance you have figured it out you can check out some of the links below:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Just Mercy</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Gives you all the links to streaming services plus a beautiful message about learning about the past to make change for the future.</div><div><a href="https://www.justmercyfilm.com/">https://www.justmercyfilm.com/</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://play.google.com/store/movies/details?id=4ONIbgWYcT8.P">Just Mercy - Google Play</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B082YL5NNW/ref=atv_hm_hom_1_c_7Vza1L_brws_2_1">Just Mercy - Amazon Prime</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Selma</b></div><div><br /></div><div>You can find it pretty much everywhere you can find Just Mercy but below are the Google Play and Amazon Prime links just because.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Selma?id=Abkka8Vf2_M&hl=en_US">Selma - Google Play</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Selma-David-Oyelowo/dp/B00S0X4HK8">Selma - Amazon Prime </a></div><div><br /></div><div>It does pain me to add those Amazon Prime links because Jeff Bezos is a jackass but alas it largely integrated in our media consumption.</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><div>In any case, at least check out the documentary <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_(film)">13th</a> if only to open your eyes and ears to learn more.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font color="#8899a6" face="Helvetica Neue, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></font></div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-82762909287012232842020-06-03T08:00:00.001-04:002020-06-03T08:00:02.026-04:00Fruitvale Station (2013)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_74zM3kEVSLde9_P5TOTy1tXENH34E3CvRhtfN4CXN_C-je9nwZaCTSxVQGPu_5w33DvlwVpiCKsw_Vg4aryW3uNC6QEbICohe1KTHSToXRR3vPzJxktWNHuaAmrB5vhCJULzK1CLBs/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1012" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_74zM3kEVSLde9_P5TOTy1tXENH34E3CvRhtfN4CXN_C-je9nwZaCTSxVQGPu_5w33DvlwVpiCKsw_Vg4aryW3uNC6QEbICohe1KTHSToXRR3vPzJxktWNHuaAmrB5vhCJULzK1CLBs/w432-h640/fruitvale_station_ver2_xlg.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>I may not have a loud voice but this is the voice I have and this is the way I know how to use it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love movies and the stories they tell and the emotions they evoke. I love movies almost as much as I love people. They are some of my favourite things in this world and they help connect us all.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruitvale_Station" target="_blank"><b>Fruitvale Station</b></a> has been on my to watch list for a long time. In <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Coogler" target="_blank">Ryan Coogler</a>'s debut feature film, he had the daunting task of telling the story of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Oscar_Grant" target="_blank">fatal shooting of Oscar Grant III</a> and he absolutely nails it. </div><div><br /></div><div>While there are some fictionalized aspects of Oscar's story the outstanding emotional tone of the film and the amazing performances gets the message across. </div><div><br /></div><div>The movie starts with real footage of the shooting and while it may be hard to watch, it is important to do so and I think it was the right choice for Coogler to include it.</div><div><br /></div><div>After seeing the brutal footage we know how the story ends and so we rewind a bit to follow 22-year old Oscar (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_B._Jordan" target="_blank">Michael B. Jordan</a>) on the last day of his life. He and his girlfriend Sophina (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melonie_Diaz" target="_blank">Melonie Diaz</a>) have a young daughter, Tatiana. Their life isn't perfect, far from it. Oscar has had trouble with the law, having been in prison for New Year's the year before. He has no money and has lost his job. </div><div><br /></div><div>He is a very flawed character but Jordan and Coogler keep you invested in him as a person and his character throughout the movie up to the climax. While not always making the right decisions, you are rooting for him to change. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the last 30 minutes of the film I felt my heart beating faster. It was a combination of feeling anxiety, anger, and sadness at the intensity of the scenes leading up to his death.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Oscar's death sparked protests and riots and the officer who shot him was arrested. Ultimately the officer was sentenced to only 2 years in prison and served 11 months before being released on parole. While I am not the best source for these sorts of things, you can <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Oscar_Grant" target="_blank">start here</a> if you want to get to know the story a little better. There are plenty of great and more reliable sources on this tragic event and so many others. Just open your eyes and ears, learn, and do your part for change.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>This movie was shot in 20 days and had a budget of less than $900,000 which gives it a real, gritty, yet endearing feel to it. During filming they used the same station and platform where Grant was shot. The music, or mostly the lack thereof, is one of the things I enjoyed most about the movie. There are some scenes that call for music but when the characters are speaking for the most part it is silent and that brings some realism to some of the more emotional exchanges.</div><div><br /></div><div>Performance wise, I loved leads Jordan and Diaz but <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavia_Spencer" target="_blank">Octavia Spencer</a>, who plays Oscar's mother Wanda, really draws you in and gets you hooked as soon as she appears on screen. She has had a lot of different roles in her career and while she plays comedic roles well, you really can't beat her dramatic prowess.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can find Fruitvale Station to stream or rent on various services online (sadly not Netflix, at least not in Canada).</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-32195819526857180162020-06-01T16:25:00.003-04:002020-06-01T16:37:20.521-04:00Netflix to help cancel inactive memberships<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfaNk2hzfQ3LpH7DBIiffxTUAY_iuLht_mInvUwsz5QuYxEo-Bo64h1nHr2DImZ8RCLZe4M3167mPIfPhNmqsZZXU1Mzr99mHESjLwZwnWcGFe4HOAuyrrSwI-vdtS-3qH2-8tNY3Vak/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="627" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfaNk2hzfQ3LpH7DBIiffxTUAY_iuLht_mInvUwsz5QuYxEo-Bo64h1nHr2DImZ8RCLZe4M3167mPIfPhNmqsZZXU1Mzr99mHESjLwZwnWcGFe4HOAuyrrSwI-vdtS-3qH2-8tNY3Vak/s320/netflix-square.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have a forgotten Netflix account that has been racking up charges, never fear, Netflix will take care of it. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>On May 21 Eddy Wu, Director of Product Innovation <a href="https://media.netflix.com/en/company-blog/helping-members-who-havent-been-watching-cancel" target="_blank">posted</a> in the company blog that they will be helping customers by cancelling inactive accounts and saving people money. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you haven't watched anything in the first year of getting an account or haven't watched anything in two years Netflix will send you a notice. If they don't hear back from you, they will cancel your account. Also, if you want to renew your account in the 10 months after cancellation they will have kept all your preferences.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what's in it for Netflix? Let's go over it a bit. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the aforementioned blog post, they mention that the number of users that fall into that criteria is less than half of one percent. Netflix membership has risen to somewhere north of 180 million so this could be no higher than 900,000 accounts. That sounds like a lot of money and it's certainly not insignificant, however, not every one of those accounts will necessarily be cancelled just based on the process itself. </div><div><br /></div><div>They also didn't mention that in the first quarter of 2020 <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielshapiro/2020/04/21/netflix-stock-up-5-after-hours-reports-158-million-additional-subscribers/#6a02ffbe3d18" target="_blank">their membership grew</a> by a net 15.8 million accounts. While this may inflated by the pandemic bump, it is still wildly greater than any number they would lose from these auto-cancellations.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I love about this move by Netflix is the inflated appearance of good-will. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are they saving people money? Yes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Was it an altruistic move on Netflix's part? Of course not. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is fantastic PR especially in the ever growing streaming service war against other growing competitors like Disney+, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Apple TV+.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is great press for Netflix and could become a deciding factor when mulling over which streaming services people want to carry on watching.</div><div><br /></div><div>If it came down to one service, which one would you keep?</div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-45251125896058049142019-11-23T16:33:00.000-05:002019-11-23T16:58:49.754-05:00Klaus (2019)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have watched a few new Christmas movies this holiday season but <span style="color: red;"><b>Klaus </b></span>has been my favourite so far.<br />
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This animated film brought to us by Sergio Pablos, the creator of Despicable Me, sets its sights on putting a little twist on the Santa Claus origin story.<br />
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Jesper (Jason Schartzman) is a wealthy, spoiled brat who has been forced to train as a postman by his father in a failed attempt to instill hard working habits. Jesper is sent to the isolated northern island town of Smeerensburg. His goal is to deliver 6000 letters in one year or else he will be cut off. Desperately trying to getting the townspeople to even write letters, he eventually meets an old woodsman Klaus (J.K. Simmons) and the real Christmas magic begins.<br />
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Without trying to spoil too much, the movie explains the elements of Santa's story in some creative ways. These explanations are rooted in reality but have a fun and goofy serendipitous nature to them all. The story explains everything from the sleigh, the reindeer, the laugh, and even the elves. </div>
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The indigenous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1mi_people">Sámi</a> people were a cool addition to act as the elves in Santa's legend. I am not sure if that is culturally insensitive but I think it was done out of love more than anything. I like that the Sámi people don't speak English (I mean face it, no one in Smeerensburg really should) because it gives an outlet to show that people can be good to each other in spite or language or cultural barriers. It helps to impart the notion that love and kindness are universal no matter who we are, and the belief that:</div>
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<i>"A true act of goodwill always sparks another"</i></h4>
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I absolutely loved <b><span style="color: red;">Klaus</span></b>. I thought the story was relatively fresh considering how many times the story has been covered. Both the colours and plot are a bit dark and dreary but quickly lighten up as a great Christmas story should. The animation was absolutely stunning, a mixture of traditional 2D animation and CG lighting and textures to really bring dimension to the visual experience. Also, I noted some Tim Burton-esque vibes in the character design and colour palettes but there were clearly cues taken from a lot of different places strewn throughout. The characters were excellently cast. Schwartzman has a kind of squirrelly David Spade-like desperation that suits Jesper perfectly and Simmons has a warmth that works well with the titular big man. Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack, and Norm Macdonald round out the main cast. Honestly. I could go on for a while talking about this movie (well let's face it, any movie) but I don't want to bore you.<br />
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Will it crack my staple Christmas movie rotation? It very well may, we'll have to see if it holds up on subsequent viewings. Ultimately it boils down to this, even if it isn't in theatres near you, it is an easy recommendation that you can check out on Netflix.<br />
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<b>Notes:</b><br />
- A lot of what I got is from <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/15/20966847/netflix-klaus-sergio-pablos-interview-despicable-me">an insightful Polygon interview</a> with writer and director Sergio Pablos. My sources do in fact go beyond Wikipedia, albeit not much farther.<br />
- Smeerensburg is a real place although it does not have the second 'S'. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smeerenburg">Smeerenburg</a> used to be a small Norwegian whaling settlement, although there really isn't anything there now.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-42575286056914135832019-07-27T11:32:00.001-04:002019-07-27T11:32:20.028-04:00In This Corner of the World (2016)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTjfIbXOMJCSQwCw_OhZ3viT4W2Fe_r43J2VyQw_-hesnfFzoJkg4rqSPrdinhJav62-4MGAeGjNV7fD2DxPwkRzzsVhOWfJGgcB1uWJeHWYK8o3zxDfwR_L7pjipe5i92vE-DTFI3hc/s1600/itcow_onesheet_poster_mar17_new.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="670" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTjfIbXOMJCSQwCw_OhZ3viT4W2Fe_r43J2VyQw_-hesnfFzoJkg4rqSPrdinhJav62-4MGAeGjNV7fD2DxPwkRzzsVhOWfJGgcB1uWJeHWYK8o3zxDfwR_L7pjipe5i92vE-DTFI3hc/s640/itcow_onesheet_poster_mar17_new.png" width="430" /></a>From writer and director Sunao Katabuchi (notably an AD on Kiki's Delivery Service) <b>In This Corner of the World</b> is, what I can only assume, a pretty accurate depiction of everyday life up to, during, and after the horrific events in Japan during World War II.</div>
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I would not have thought I'd have watched another animated movie about World War II Japan but here we are. This one is a little bit different than Grave of the Fireflies. By nature they are both going to be depressing and heavy due to the subject matter but there is something distinctly uplifting about the character arcs throughout In This Corner of the World. </div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">Quick spoiler</span></b> for Grave of the Fireflies, the main characters are a young boy and his even younger sister. After the war they are abandoned and try to survive. They don't learn anything and they both die. Pretty brutal I know. I wrote a whole post about it <a href="https://movieswithsteve.blogspot.com/2014/11/grave-of-fireflies-1988.html">here</a>. Anyway back to the movie at hand.</div>
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The movies starts in 1933 and follows Suzu, a young girl growing up in Hiroshima who would rather draw and sketch than do anything else. As she becomes of age she is married off into a family to help them with household chores and taking care of the family. Over the course of the war, reduced rations, air raids, and living a life she never thought she'd live force her to fight just to survive.</div>
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The general plot you should already know if you have taken any world history course but interestingly enough (or perhaps not interesting) the finer points of the plot are quite mundane. A lot of the story revolves around Suzu's struggle to learn how to become a wife, a house keeper, a cook, and anything else that is needed of her. At 129 minutes, it it's pretty long for an animated film and in it might even seem longer. I know that's not necessarily a good thing but I found it oddly calming and a glimpse into a mostly realistic albeit fictional depiction of life at the time.</div>
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There is very little action for being a war time movie. It is set in Hiroshima to start but Suzu moves to Kure when she marries into her new family. For me one of the most striking moments was when the bombing in Hiroshima occurred. Since the story was centered in Kure at the time it was not directly affected by the blast. The family was just around the house doing chores when they saw the flash of light. It was eerie how disconnected they seemed to be for a brief moment.</div>
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The animation style is less colourful and fantastical than a Studio Ghibli movie but they are trying to go for realism so anything Ghibli is pretty much out of the question. I am not sure if my eyes were deceiving me but I am pretty certain that the intro slates (the Suzu growing up montage) are animated a little more simply and at a lower framerate. Perhaps to show that this is a more simple time in her life. I <a href="https://youtu.be/5PiYGLR3Wv8">watched a video</a> explaining a similar theme when they were animating Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse they animated Miles Morales at 12 fps but everything else at 24 fps. Mainly to give it a crisper more comic book panel feel to it but also show that he's not quite so smooth in the beginning. Well enough on that tangent.</div>
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I know I jumped around a fair bit here but I think this movie is above all else, important. It may not be the most entertaining and some would call it down right boring. I think it is important that we see how the other side lived in one of the darkest times in human history. When your home soil is a war zone it changes your life but sometimes in a gradual enough way to change your entire perspective on life without you realizing it.</div>
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It's not for everyone but I think the story is beautiful and a little more digestible than documentaries. It's on Netflix now and if you can sit through it, it will be worth it. </div>
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<i>Also a random note, there is O Come, All Ye Faithful playing in the first scene and I am not really sure why.</i></div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-68838321965521477602019-06-30T12:49:00.001-04:002019-06-30T12:49:25.562-04:00Toy Story 4 (2019)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKL4kqSEC5R_D9rHV-y0PXnx81HtVJgbFWOcKF56hfS0l31my6q2wY9NU6Yoc-s9OgLpNZNhi5na3Jzl_VB_d5D-NRmwJBUo4JZOz8i5D7zXbqQBJfUXpYaZ6UVPBxBTGgoFdCRXAtt4/s1600/toy_story_four_ver11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="509" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKL4kqSEC5R_D9rHV-y0PXnx81HtVJgbFWOcKF56hfS0l31my6q2wY9NU6Yoc-s9OgLpNZNhi5na3Jzl_VB_d5D-NRmwJBUo4JZOz8i5D7zXbqQBJfUXpYaZ6UVPBxBTGgoFdCRXAtt4/s640/toy_story_four_ver11.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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When I had heard that they were making a Toy Story 4 back in 2015 I was torn. I love Toy Story with all my heart. It may be my favourite film franchise as a whole, at the very least it evokes a lot of nostalic feelings. Toy Story 3 had ended in such a great way emotionally and it wrapped up the Andy arc with his toys.</div>
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When they announced that the story would revolve around Woody and the long lost Bo Peep I became skeptically optimistic. Those who know me know I am a huge sucker for romance in movies so they already hooked me.</div>
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It has already been 9 years since Toy Story 3 and a whopping 24 years since the original (yes we are all that old) but the story picks up pretty relatively soon after the events of Toy Story 3. </div>
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<b>Toy Story 4</b> supposedly starts two years after the events of Toy Story 3 when Bonnie is about to start Kindergarten. </div>
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Building on the somewhat self serving mindset of Woody, the movie starts out with him needing to be needed. Woody stows away with Bonnie at Kindergarten orientation and makes sure she isn't alone and that she makes friends at school. She did in fact 'make' a new friend and brought home the toy Forky (Tony Hale) she had made from a spork and other crap.</div>
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Hilarity ensues, in a bit of a tiresome running gag, where Forky keeps throwing himself in the trash and Woody keeps having to keep Forky out of trouble for Bonnie's sake. The real meat of the movie comes when Woody reunites with Bo Peep who he hasn't seen in 9 years (20 years in our time). They come across Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), an old 1950s pull string doll, in an antique shop and she kidnaps Forky with her band of creepy ventriloquist dummy henchmen. The gang has to rescue him with the help of a now a kick ass Bo Peep who shows Woody a thing or two about how to get things done.<br />
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They brought back the regular voice cast of those characters remaining save for Don Rickles who had passed away in April 2017 before recording any lines. They had to scrounge previous movies and unused dialogue Rickles had recorded over the years but they made it work. Annie Potts returned as Bo Peep and they added Tony Hale as Forky. They had a few short lived cameos that I would have loved to see more of. In a closet scene, Woody speaks to a quartet of old toys voiced by comedic legends Carol Burnett, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, and Betty White. Joining the cast for decently large roles were Ducky and Bunny (Key and Peele) and Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves). Keanu was pretty solid but Key and Peele stole the show and did exactly what I expected, be hilarious in the way only they could be.<br />
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I sat in the theater pensively watching the credits and thought to myself "I absolutely loved it". Now having a little time to reflect, that hasn't changed however there are a few issues and differences I would like to point out.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Here is a warning that I will be talking in vague spoilers but spoilers nonetheless.</span></b></h2>
Firstly, I am not sure if I am just getting older and more jaded but I've just now noticed that the movie follows the same plot formula as all the other movies. A toy gets kidnapped or lost and the group has to find a way to rescue them. Someone has an epiphany, a revelation, and their life is changed forever because of friendship or whatever. Maybe that just shows that for such a long time I have been able to turn off my brain and all adult logic whenever watching movies. It does make things more enjoyable. I mean yes I am nearly 30 years old and I am not the exact demographic anymore but still kids deserve some originality too.<br />
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I had also realized that this movie does not have a true villain. In each of the previous three movies the antagonist never won and simply got what they deserved in the end. Sid got scared to death and I assume he has PTSD for the rest of his life, The Prospector got to live his worst nightmare being picked up by a young Barbie enthusiast, and Lotso gets strapped to a garbage truck forever doomed to pick bugs out of his teeth. Gabby Gabby has no such ending. She actually gets what she wants and you begin to feel for the character. This is in fact the opposite of an issue for me but an interesting difference from the previous films.<br />
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Finally to get to a spoiler, Woody leaves the group to spend the rest of his days nomadic, without a kid, and with the love of his life Bo Peep. As a romantic sap, I loved this but ruminating on the consequences I don't like what the implications of this might be. Since this was such a Woody-centric plot line (I mean they all are) and the main cast of toys were purely secondary, I would gather that they have more stories to tell and expand on. They still have the head duo of Jessie and Buzz but if they continue the series without Woody, which I highly suspect they will, they will be entering some very dangerous territory. Like The Office without Michael, That 70's Show without Kelso and Eric, Scrubs without all the funny people, it could end disastrously. I would hate to see the beloved, nearly perfect franchise being reduced to just a pandering money grab.<br />
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Lastly, just so I can put some distance between the spoilers and my ending comments, Forky gets a lot more screen time that I would have liked. I know he is the emphasis of the story but he is on screen nearly as much as Woody and more than any other character (I don't have the numbers on that but I am trying to make a point). I love Tony Hale and he does a great job, but there is only so long I can stand looking at a spork.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Spoilers are over.</span></h2>
As much whining as I did in the section above, I truly did love this movie. Some people might disagree and now more than ever I would be able to understand why. I am not sure where I would rank this movie in the series, they are all phenomenal. I think I will have to re-watch them all again now to make that decision but it is definitely not taking the top spot for me.<br />
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The series is likely to live on and although I don't like that a Toy Story 5 seems inevitable Disney-Pixar have proven me wrong in the past and I hope they do again.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Post Credits Scenes?</span></b><br />
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<li>There are some mid-credit scenes that skip a year forward. They are worth staying for, they are pretty funny.</li>
<li>There are two dedications in the end credits to Don Rickles and Pixar animator Adam Burke. Not necessary if you have to go somewhere or have a small bladder.</li>
<li>There is one last joke on the very end Pixar slate that isn't necessary but a nice pay off. If you have the patience to be the last people in the theater I would stick around for it.</li>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-76362618460606550492015-11-13T08:06:00.001-05:002015-11-13T10:06:57.333-05:00Brooklyn (2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mVfoDXU8YKzwkxxqqQux5xk52ErZKkLQ4v4JPtx8AIeTTZysf2z-BNfIXV3ifNIGvMj2o02rnhIH3xJQ9UK40qBT_iFw9a8-wwYn_gATYEKWGO0C38LfKi_Ir1msDvyVgEbEJ1R1ss4/s1600/brooklyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mVfoDXU8YKzwkxxqqQux5xk52ErZKkLQ4v4JPtx8AIeTTZysf2z-BNfIXV3ifNIGvMj2o02rnhIH3xJQ9UK40qBT_iFw9a8-wwYn_gATYEKWGO0C38LfKi_Ir1msDvyVgEbEJ1R1ss4/s640/brooklyn.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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Thanks to some fortuitous circumstances and a bearer of free tickets, I was able to attend a pre-screening for the film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2381111/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_7"><b>Brooklyn</b></a>.</div>
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I had seen the trailer for this movie a couple of months ago and was definitely intrigued. It combines my love of Saoirse Ronan, her amazing native Irish accent, and her great range in a proper drama. There were a couple of strange sci-fi/fantasy choices that she made that I wasn't the most thrilled with but this one is right in my wheelhouse.</div>
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Saoirse plays Eilis (pronounced Eh-lish, for us Canadians or the Fonz) a young Irish girl leaving her mother and older sister Rose to sail for America in a quest to find new opportunities. She has some support once landing in Brooklyn but finds it hard to forget her home of potatoes and Guinness (okay bad stereotypes) and start anew. She struggles socially and at work until she meets a young Italian plumber named Mario....sorry, I mean Tony. I keep getting those two names mixed up and I can't for the life of me think why. At least he doesn't have a moustache. The story follows the pair of young lovers and Eilis' internal struggle when tragedy forces her to return to Ireland.</div>
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Saoirse really shows us why she is an Oscar nominated actress. Eilis goes through so much personally and emotionally and as an audience you feel captivated by her life and sometimes forget you're not there with her. Tony (Emory Cohen) is a bit uncouth but he has a boyish charm. I think I liked the character because he's a bit goofy but also due to the crassness of his character in The Place Beyond the Pines. The supporting cast is a treat. Everyone from Jim Broadbent to Julie Walters do just what they need to nothing more, nothing less and in the best way. The supporting roles are just that and they don't pull focus from Eilis but guide her along as she grows.</div>
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I find it heartbreaking seeing Rose having to put any hope for a life of her own on hold to stay in Ireland and take care of their mother. This sort of self-sacrifice is something we see a lot in film but I don't think it's been done any better than with older brother George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life. It's a character you always want to succeed but that's not their cinematic destiny. Although it did turn out pretty well for George in the end.</div>
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Upon Eilis' return to Ireland we also meet a young Irish chap, Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson). I found his character a bit lacking in development and I would have loved to see more of him. For a drama like this I am glad that it is under two hours but felt like it could have used more time particularly for Rose and Jim who could have been flushed out more considering their roles.</div>
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I'm sorry if this seems a bit rushed, I'm writing this when I should be getting ready to go to the airport but my priorities are clearly out of whack. I'll definitely come back to finish what I wrote here but this is a good start for now.</div>
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It has a limited release in Canada starting November 20 and although it's not action packed it really is worth the watch. It's surprisingly funny while keeping you invested emotionally. It paces well and doesn't leave you shifting in your seat waiting for the credits. Check it out for a compelling story and a great performance from Saoirse Ronan.</div>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-61807810987669104302015-05-02T22:16:00.000-04:002015-05-02T22:26:14.683-04:00Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPbr2u0e6H1P-XmrdCHKx2HoIqBeFt9oTeFjaOhl9Co_RB5P7gSKb6hE8dRcFO1a2WvuRyDUxQ2rMXl6SbzWDh7PXEVziF73UVWufe4z14U96vOMjT5GZUB0LyLnatV9z_xCs877Jv9w/s1600/avengers_age_of_ultron_ver11_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPbr2u0e6H1P-XmrdCHKx2HoIqBeFt9oTeFjaOhl9Co_RB5P7gSKb6hE8dRcFO1a2WvuRyDUxQ2rMXl6SbzWDh7PXEVziF73UVWufe4z14U96vOMjT5GZUB0LyLnatV9z_xCs877Jv9w/s1600/avengers_age_of_ultron_ver11_xlg.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a>It's official, the summer blockbuster season has begun! In recent years a big budget superhero movie tends to start us off and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2395427/"><b>Avengers: Age of Ultron</b></a> is definitely a worthy flag bearer for the flood of this year's additions.</div>
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<i><b><span style="color: blue;">The Rundown:</span></b></i> After retrieving Loki's Scepter from a HYDRA stronghold Stark decides to research the scepter and finds something that might just bring peace to the world. His unfortunate mishap results in Ultron, an artificial intelligence hell bent on destroying the Avengers and the human race (villains are all the same). </div>
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As usual, the witty comedic style we've come to know and love from Marvel was in full force. I found the opening action sequence a bit jarring and almost too animated but I could live with it. I can only guess it was made for 3D but it hurts my eyes so I opt to save the $5 or so.</div>
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Thankfully I had no such gripes later in the film. Overall the action was pretty crisp and was bolstered well by the abundance of debris from Ultron's legionnaires being utterly destroyed and blown apart in oh so many ways.</div>
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Newcomers <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0647634/?ref_=tt_cl_t11">Elizabeth Olsen</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1093951/?ref_=tt_cl_t10">Aaron Taylor-Johnson</a> were pretty enjoyable with their generic Eastern European accents (or <a href="http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Sokovia">Sokovian</a> as per Marvel lore). I prefer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1404239/">Evan Peters</a>' Quicksilver from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877832/?ref_=nm_knf_i2">Days of Future Past</a> but only just. When I first saw production stills of Taylor-Johnson's look in the role I had my doubts. The character was a little darker, a little less goofy, but all in all he brought his own in a star studded ensemble. The two were solid, late additions to the Avengers crew. It just makes you think how big the cast will be once the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinity_War">Infinity War</a> starts kicking off.</div>
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I actually wrote this whole thing and forgot to talk about Vision so I am going to subtly slip it in like it was meant to be here this whole time. Vision is an android designed as the final vessel for Ultron's intelligence. Vision is created using Vibranium to bond with human cells as well as the power of the Mindstone (the Yellow Infinity Stone). <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0079273/?ref_=tt_cl_t12">Paul Bettany</a> gets buff and painted up to play the part and it certainly wasn't as campy as I feared it could be. I spoiled the storyline a bit because I knew he would be playing the character while also previously voicing a very familiar friend to Stark.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I don't often like reading more critical and general negative reviews that oppose my own but </span><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/05/02/avengers-review-5-things-age-of-ultron-gets-dead-wrong/" style="text-align: justify;">Forbes had one</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> that does touch on some valid points. They call Ultron "lame" but I think that is a bit harsh. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000652/?ref_=tt_cl_t7">James Spader</a> gives Ultron a funny, yet diabolical whimsy but he doesn't quite instill the kind of fear or terror as would be implied in the trailers. The article also gets it right in that the movie does try to keep track of too many characters. It did need to happen though in order to ease audiences into what will be a zoo of heroes in the Infinity War films. </span></div>
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To throw in a little criticism of my own, the dramatic moments with Barton, and especially those between Natasha and Bruce were a bit clumsy but the quick quips and clever one liners that were ever so cooly slipped in saved us from any lengthy discomfort. Also, the introductory HYDRA crony Baron Wolfgang von Strucker has a made up sounding name and looks like the Colonel Klink's poor, sad, and less successful younger brother. </div>
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Is it better than The Avengers? No. Is it worse? I don't think so. In any case it has a little more awkward drama, the same style and humour, and I personally liked the polish on the action more even if it was more chaotic. </div>
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I know you're going to watch it so no endorsement needed from me.</div>
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There is an extra scene at the end but if you've been following the Infinity War setup you won't be surprised by it. </div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Notes:</span></b> </div>
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- The product placement was a little more blatant than usual or maybe I'm just more aware of it. Beats by Dre, Audi, Samsung, and Adidas really made their mark in this one.</div>
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- <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0785227/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t21">Andy Serkis</a> is almost non-existent in his tiny role and I wish he could have done more. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000365/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t22">Julie Delpy</a>'s role is even shorter and I only caught her because I knew she was in it.</div>
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- <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252961/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t16">Idris Elba</a> looks good out of Heimdall's gold armor. It suits him better. Catch that pun?</div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-21063207037596241572015-03-16T19:13:00.001-04:002015-03-16T19:13:24.002-04:00Cinderella (2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000110/?ref_=tt_ov_dr">Kenneth Branagh</a> has been putting his touch on big budget blockbusters these last few years. He's been taking on iconic characters and I think his take on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1661199/"><b>Cinderella</b></a> is safe but entertaining.</div>
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Branagh doesn't push the boundaries in many places and pretty much just sticks to the plan. From what I could see the story was pretty spot on with the Disney's first attempt 65 years prior. There are however a few major differences from the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042332/">1950's version</a>. </div>
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First, when making her dress, Cinderella does not use any of the her "family's" old clothing, her sisters and step-mother are just cruel for even fewer reasons. Secondly, the Captain played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1996829/">Nonso Anozie</a> is a new character and is basically the honorable and kind half of the Grand Duke. Which brings us to the fact that the Grand Duke isn't supposed to be evil but is portrayed so in this story by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001745/?ref_=tt_cl_t6">Stellan Skarsgard</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4141252/?ref_=tt_cl_t2">Lily James</a> put in a pretty visceral and real performance, but when you're comparing it to a cartoon it's like comparing apples and oranges. </div>
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One thing that piqued my attention is the way they got her into the beautiful blue gown by the end. She supposedly could <a href="http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/dressed/2015/03/lily-james-interview-cinderella-costumes">only eat soup</a> because of the physical limitations set upon her by the gown. As far as feminism goes I am not particularly outspoken but Cinderella is a strong female character that is hard working, loving, and kind. She is my second favourite Disney Princess (Belle will always hold a place in my heart) and rightfully so. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4141252/?ref_=tt_cl_t2">Lily James</a> is not a big girl and she is beautiful and I am fine with that casting. But had they loosened the corset, would it really have killed the image? Cinderella is supposed to be a woman so stop trying to make her a cartoon.</div>
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2017943/?ref_=tt_cl_t11">Hayley Atwell</a>'s role as Cinderella's mother is warm and loving and you really believe it. Although, for me, her beautiful brown locks seem to suit her more than the blonde but that is neither here nor there. Drizella and Anastasia were as described but mostly forgettable as they were overshadowed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000949/?ref_=tt_cl_t1">Cate Blanchett</a>'s eerie performance as Lady Tremaine. Blanchett could seemingly play many of the villainous female characters Disney has to offer. She could have easily slotted in as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleficent_(character)">Maleficent</a> as well as a remade version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruella_de_Vil">Cruella de Vil</a> (although <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000335/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Glenn Close</a> was terrifying). <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000307/?ref_=tt_cl_t4">Helena Bonham Carter</a> is exactly as you might expect as the Fairy Godmother, absolutely, wonderfully weird. </div>
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Finally we get to Pretty Boy....I mean the Prince. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0534635/?ref_=tt_cl_t3">Richard Madden</a> portrays the Prince with those piercing blue eyes and Ross Geller-inspired white teeth. Many of the Prince's scenes provide some sort of quick quip or joke and brings some levity to oppose the cruel and dark situation that befalls Cinderella. His inability to speak to Cinderella asking for the first dance is cute only in a pre-teen first "date" kind of way. It is a bit awkward but it rolls past it fast enough. </div>
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Technically speaking I thought it looked dark. I'm not sure if that was intentional or just an issue with the projector itself. On one hand it made for a somewhat more realistic look, with a little less artificial light but on the other hand tt made some of the details muted or muffled. The images weren't quite as crisp as they could have been. </div>
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I loved the set decoration. Towards the end is when it really started to shine. Cinderella's carriage and the interiors of the castle were simply magnificent. There were touches of computer graphics for those things but I think most of it was practically done. </div>
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I did find the movie spent a lot of time explaining some of the minutiae of the story which was nice but they did rush over Cinderella making her dress for the ball and that was disappointing. Also, there is a lack of the magical music present in the original. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dream_Is_a_Wish_Your_Heart_Makes">A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes</a> does play but only after the credits start rolling.</div>
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Speaking of credits, I should add that there is a <a href="http://aftercredits.com/2015/03/cinderella-2015/">post-credits scene</a>. Although my policy is to stick around until the credits are over, I succumbed to peer pressure and my friends leaving the theatre. Having only read what it entails, it's not a huge deal if you miss it but just a somewhat chuckle worthy extra snippet. </div>
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All in all, it was fun. It isn't reinventing the story but it shows it in a different medium. I didn't feel like it was too geared towards children but it didn't have any frightening parts either (e.g. Spider Baby Head and his friends from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/">Toy Story</a>). I can imagine the IMAX Experience does punch up the effects quite a bit but I'm not interested in buying an overpriced ticket just for that. Regular admission is perfectly adequate but I might suggest waiting a week or two for some of the theatres to get less crowded. Besides spoilers shouldn't be an issue for those that haven't been living under a rock for the last 65 years. </div>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-22033485616542745362015-02-26T18:13:00.003-05:002015-02-26T18:13:46.207-05:00Boyhood (2014) - Take 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDjDmXa3tsXm56BesqwCZ1X_zaJrlc_1k8Uy6mDxUi-6Hva5rZrhHTr5IOpg7ILuorOs_IivfpF-M9eSzNwfFQYWVydQuRBWq3kqFB7xMKNSkUJtDO_XISo1-Ni0qprwhh-2tNBarWdA/s1600/boyhood_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDjDmXa3tsXm56BesqwCZ1X_zaJrlc_1k8Uy6mDxUi-6Hva5rZrhHTr5IOpg7ILuorOs_IivfpF-M9eSzNwfFQYWVydQuRBWq3kqFB7xMKNSkUJtDO_XISo1-Ni0qprwhh-2tNBarWdA/s1600/boyhood_xlg.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></div>
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A few days removed and 165 minutes later I can rest easy that I am not just a warped, frustrated old man.</div>
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After a sufficient break from Oscar films and a few episodes of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098800/">The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</a> as a cleanser, I returned as promised to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000500/?ref_=tt_ov_dr">Richard Linklater</a>'s <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1065073/"><b>Boyhood</b></a>. I won't be backpedaling too far in this post; it's more of an update and addendum to my ever so slightly harsh words issued on the weekend. </div>
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I stand by the fact that the first half hour is not easy to sink into. Knowing that it is nearly three hours beforehand was a detrimental piece of knowledge to have. I was actually surprised that for me, after the half hour hump, the remaining two plus hours went rather quickly.</div>
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There is no point sharing a summary because it is summed up in the title of the film.<br />
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The material itself is mundane, almost dull but relatable in many ways. As a dear friend told me, it isn't a particularly climactic movie but you can't help but start to get attached to the characters. Towards the end though, the young characters were becoming too philosophical and towards the far-left wing. It was encroaching on "My name is Rainbow. I am a gluten-free vegan and my clothes are made entirely from hemp" territory. Not that that is a bad thing, I just can't relate in terms of my own boyhood.<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000160/?ref_=tt_cl_t9">Ethan Hawke</a> performed very well as his slightly grungy but lovable and charming self, which is not surprising in the least. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000099/">Patricia Arquette</a>'s performance grew on me. She convinced me more as an older more settled mother than trying to play a woman in her early 30s in the beginning. She was the most consistent hitter of the actors and she has the hardware to prove it. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1085951/?ref_=tt_cl_t4">Lorelei Linklater</a> and her character Samantha were not that pivotal to the story and the film and it was definitely felt when she just slipped away towards the end. But again, the movie is called Boyhood not Girlhood. That would be a nice companion piece in Linklater's repertoire though.<br />
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The scenes with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1294664/?ref_=tt_cl_t1">Ellar Coltrane</a> who played Mason Jr. were filmed for 3-4 days each year, which is a pretty small window to capture. Yes Mason is a fictional character but as Linklater, Hawke, and Arquette sat down and wrote each year, the story, at some points had to progress along with Ellar as well as Mason.<br />
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I loved the subtle (and not so subtle) pop culture references letting us know generally what year it was without having to explicitly tell us. The music was also a nice touch, most used as a tie to the year in which it was shot. <a href="https://thedissolve.com/news/2773-coolness-the-full-track-listing-for-boyhoods-the-b/">The Black Album</a>, the works of Paul, John, George, and Ringo, made by Mason Sr. for his son, is one nice addition to the music department of the film. It is glossed over so cooly in the scene and enhanced its intrigue for me.<br />
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I'm not certain how accurate this playlist is but you can check it out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX78J2bl9NkpYngdeDgpNDlTZaE7zj5LJ">here</a>.<br />
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So after giving Boyhood its clearly deserved second chance, I can say that I liked it. I think it was one of the best movies of the year but not my favourite. That's not detracting from the film because unlike previous years I did watch all the Best Picture candidates and the competition was fierce. <a href="http://movieswithsteve.blogspot.ca/2015/02/the-grand-budapest-hotel-2014.html">The Grand Budapest Hotel</a> was my pick for best of the year. From the point of view of a novel and creative way to film a story, I am sad that Richard Linklater didn't win for Best Director. It is not however "a travesty" that neither he nor Boyhood won for their respective categories.<br />
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What I want to finish with is that while it was a slow burn I did enjoy it. The way the story is told doesn't make me want to see it again but it does make me want to see his next chapter, the 18-30 year old story for Ellar and Mason Jr. Like a TV Unfortunately, it will be another 12 years in the making. </div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Notes: </span></b></div>
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- Did you like that topical reference in the opening paragraph? Nothing like a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt">70 year old movie</a> to stay current.</div>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-91771183996263832132015-02-22T19:24:00.003-05:002015-02-22T19:24:47.396-05:00Boyhood (2014) - Take 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDmVghNOJeXRZ0j7euqgT3Jd_Oux35hujDLFDS362aLhAKx-g6yDVhrGxmxryBVWJmmbXno1VKF99xB6ck0OWn5ktBlGC0WrBqnznD3Ha68KPqm5yTmPLdzIJLQQpgPhAhpQUda2yL0w/s1600/boyhood_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDmVghNOJeXRZ0j7euqgT3Jd_Oux35hujDLFDS362aLhAKx-g6yDVhrGxmxryBVWJmmbXno1VKF99xB6ck0OWn5ktBlGC0WrBqnznD3Ha68KPqm5yTmPLdzIJLQQpgPhAhpQUda2yL0w/s1600/boyhood_xlg.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></div>
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I am going to disappoint some people because sadly I did not complete my quest to watch all the Best Picture Oscar nominees before the big event. </div>
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I could not finish <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000500/">Richard Linklater</a>'s <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1065073/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_3">Boyhood</a> </b>but it wasn't due to lack of time. </div>
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Call it sacrilegious, call it whatever you want. <b>I just didn't like it.</b> I only got thirty minutes in and let's take a look at those thirty minutes. </div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>DISCLAIMER:</b></span></div>
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(Please don't take my opinion seriously. I didn't finish it and <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boyhood">98% of the Rotten Tomatoes community</a> seem to like it so I'm in the minority. Just enjoy my rant from here on out.)</div>
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We always see the divorced single parent trope in movies but rarely do we see it kids' point of view. Linklater puts a novel spin on old material and I can't fault him for that. </div>
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I think for me the problem is that in those first thirty minutes, I hated every character that appeared on screen. I'm not saying their performances were bad but the characters just made me want to smack some people. Maybe that is what he intended. I'm certain some of them grow into perfectly respectable people but.... </div>
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Okay let's put it this way. I compare it to watching <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373889/?ref_=fn_al_tt_10">Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix</a> but instead you replace every character with Dolores Umbridge. Great acting but if I had to watch that I would probably gouge out my eyes or punch my screen. A bit extreme but I am do so for the sake of being dramatic. </div>
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I love Linklater's long term trilogy <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112471/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_20">Before Sunrise</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381681/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_13">Before Sunset</a>, and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2209418/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_4">Before Midnight</a>. It follows two lovers across an 18 year span. These movies are often mundane, unbroken, long winded, and hard to watch and I love them for it. Boyhood seems to share many of the same qualities but never hooked me. If the hook is beyond 30 minutes I'll be reticent to try to watch it again. </div>
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I put <i>Take 1</i> in the title because I will give it another chance in due time. There are a number of factors that may have driven me not to like the movie. </div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: justify;">I chose to watch this movie last of all the Best Picture nominees. That may have soiled my palette for these long dramas</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I had just finished watching <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245084/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Big Hero 6</a>, a fantastic, lovable but very unrealistic movie</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Boyhood was overhyped</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I am growing more critical of movies</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">or the remote possibility of it just not being good</li>
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I am surely being too harsh to it without giving it a fair chance but that is what I think right now. 30 minutes felt like two hours and 165 minutes would feel like a hammer to the temple claw side first.<br />
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I really don't have that much against the movie, it just didn't hook me. For now I will shelf it along with some other movies I haven't finished like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/?ref_=nv_sr_2">Lincoln</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0955308/">Robin Hood</a>.</div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Notes:</span></b></div>
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- Instead of finishing the movie, I watched some YouTube videos then went to bed. I think I watched <a href="http://-%20instead%20of%20finishing%20the%20movie%2C%20i%20watched%20some%20youtube%20videos%2C/">Guy Falling for 9 Seconds</a> about 10 times.<br />
- Richard Linklater's daughter <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1085951/?ref_=tt_cl_t4">Lorelei</a> makes you want to give her a good smack every time she does anything, says anything, or appears on screen. I do not condone child abuse but some discipline helps in the long run. Maybe that's the old fashioned talking.<br />
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-54999054813602376352015-02-22T15:26:00.005-05:002015-02-22T15:26:39.714-05:00Selma (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6w3LaNDTQrlD0m5Bapg_QrdJL0f1p_iujLrCNT4KmmO4V6P-TvcXjOb-LiLFHDHlMw_L66YcY45cpVKmQaCbFWFJicRp1HkdaykYhlRUH44b-ZMms2pnJxYgHTERRhRI__SYcj1yYyiA/s1600/selma_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6w3LaNDTQrlD0m5Bapg_QrdJL0f1p_iujLrCNT4KmmO4V6P-TvcXjOb-LiLFHDHlMw_L66YcY45cpVKmQaCbFWFJicRp1HkdaykYhlRUH44b-ZMms2pnJxYgHTERRhRI__SYcj1yYyiA/s1600/selma_xlg.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></div>
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I have a very limited knowledge of the work <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.">Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.</a> accomplished during his years as a civil rights activist. Everyone knows the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs">I Have a Dream speech</a> but I knew little else.</div>
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I also have a very narrow and limited knowledge of much of US History. Although I know who <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyndon_B._Johnson">LBJ </a>was (if you think that stands for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James">Lebron James</a> you can get out now), I could never have told you much about the man, other than he was in office for a sizeable chunk of the Vietnam War. </div>
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In that vein, I apologize in advance for any historical inaccuracies found in the this post. I love film history, not regular history.</div>
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Selma focuses on the work done by Dr. King and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Christian_Leadership_Conference">SCLC</a> in the state of Alabama and more specifically the 1965 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_to_Montgomery_marches">Selma to Montgomery marches</a>. The events start after Dr. King's famous speech and after he is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I think it is tragic that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654648/?ref_=nv_sr_4">David Oyelowo</a> was not nominated for an Oscar. It would be hard to knock out the great men in the category but to bring to life one of the greatest orators in American history in a resounding fashion is an amazing sight to behold. Selma focuses on the injustices towards African Americans in that they are being denied the right to vote. Not only that but their is apathy and almost disdain in the highest offices in government towards the cause. Blacks are being beaten and killed and nothing is being done to stop it. MLK did not stand for that.<br />
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While it is a a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpo_Productions">HARPO Production</a>, I'm glad I don't see much of an <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001856/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Oprah</a> effect on the film other than in her brief scenes. Although Dr. King shouting, <i>"You get a vote! And you get a vote! </i><i>And you get a vote! </i><i>Everybody gets a vote!!!"</i> to the masses would have been an excellent scene.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEA7LFRU9flXXk4aAbAHcRlWZ9yUJOOzCvzCOOhmgxi3EfAla6UfGUSQKJz3yXoAv34p5Iy6vEgkc5AyjC3JY5Lv4s01G1vvz1o-WNiHyR57rooUgJWe2mc7V6DEZSZq_GJhQGL6UVYs/s1600/yougetavote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEA7LFRU9flXXk4aAbAHcRlWZ9yUJOOzCvzCOOhmgxi3EfAla6UfGUSQKJz3yXoAv34p5Iy6vEgkc5AyjC3JY5Lv4s01G1vvz1o-WNiHyR57rooUgJWe2mc7V6DEZSZq_GJhQGL6UVYs/s1600/yougetavote.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love how much of a loathsome bully <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000619/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t39">Tim Roth</a> plays as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Wallace">George Wallace</a>. I don't know how realistic it is to the man himself but I haven't heard much to the contrary. Having those truly villainous characters makes a story oh so much more intriguing and also satisfying when they are conquered. <br />
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The main concern in terms of historical accuracy is the complete failure that is Lyndon Johnson as he is portrayed in this film. Supposedly, Johnson was very proactive with civil rights legislation and accommodating to Dr. King in their work together. <a href="http://www.lbjlibrary.org/press/selma-movie">Here is a largely biased</a> but hopefully accurate source disputing the portrayal of LBJ in the film. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929489/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t12">Tom Wilkinson</a> does a fine job and I'm sure it is simply written that way for dramatic effect.<br />
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The story of Selma is one I had not heard before and I attribute that to why I liked it. I had a visceral enjoyment of the film and I think that is how it should be. There were some heavy moments as is to be expected but I couldn't look away. It actually made me angry even though, for the most part, the issues being raised in the story have been addressed. It was slow at times but that is the nature of biopics and historical movies. For me it was a much easier watch than Lincoln if that tells you anything.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Notes:</span></b><br />
- I'm sorry for the Oprah meme but I couldn't resist.</div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-75813827991417272472015-02-19T17:11:00.001-05:002015-02-19T17:13:41.020-05:00Birdman (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ63UMKBVvi3NRSP0xxe4S8Acz-teW2OJBo8VpKJXu1vBOFj08ewQkg7HuMIUmdI-A0x3vNrUd6dQfJiqlVX1rqZ5rVPuY27fI2bEtRkxWAQmoDkiWMc2nO0GFi2BIa5FOhepVF22c5ks/s1600/birdman_ver3_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ63UMKBVvi3NRSP0xxe4S8Acz-teW2OJBo8VpKJXu1vBOFj08ewQkg7HuMIUmdI-A0x3vNrUd6dQfJiqlVX1rqZ5rVPuY27fI2bEtRkxWAQmoDkiWMc2nO0GFi2BIa5FOhepVF22c5ks/s1600/birdman_ver3_xlg.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! Knocking <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/"><b>Birdman</b> </a>off my list, I am six for eight with only a few days to go. That gives me plenty of time to make it there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I felt that Birdman was as good as the sum of its parts but nothing more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I see traditionally shot films as an amalgamation of scenes coming together to tell a story. The scenes themselves are useless out of context and thus those films become more than the sum of its parts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since Birdman was filmed to look like one long scene it meant the characters and sets made up sections of one large sum. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, because it isn't. In this case, the aesthetic director <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0327944/?ref_=tt_ov_dr">Alejandro Inarritu</a> (sorry for any missing accents) went for is really helped by the style of cinematography and editing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Riggin Thompson (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000474/?ref_=tt_cl_t1">Michael Keaton</a>) was Birdman (an allusion to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096895/?ref_=nm_knf_i2">Batman</a>, but you all know that so we can move right along), a comic-book adapted to a few big screen blockbuster hits. Over twenty years later he is struggling to try to find his footing. He has financed, written, directed, and is starring in his own Broadway play. It seems that Murphy's Law is in effect and nothing can go quite right, but that's what previews are for. From his venomous interactions with castmate Mike Shiner (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001570/?ref_=tt_cl_t15">Ed Norton</a>) to his failing relationship with ex-wife Sylvia (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0752407/">Amy Ryan</a>) and daughter Sam (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1297015/?ref_=tt_cl_t2">Emma Stone</a>), his personal life is a mess and he is falling deeper into his spiral of psychosis that metastasizes into Birdman walking around telling Riggin what they need to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Keaton is outright insane and I loved every minute of it. Now that's nice and succinct for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001570/?ref_=tt_cl_t15">Ed Norton</a> plays a great asshole and I really don't care about him at all, that is why it was wonderful. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0752407/">Amy Ryan</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0302108/?ref_=tt_cl_t5">Zach Galifianakis</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2057859/?ref_=tt_cl_t8">Andrea Riseborough</a>, and even <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1297015/?ref_=tt_cl_t2">Emma Stone</a> are all mainly ancillary but <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915208/">Naomi Watts</a> is what I have to talk about most with the supporting cast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't like her, to be fair I never really do, but she overacted. She is playing a "young" woman who has dreamt of being on Broadway and acts like a child when she thinks of it slipping through her fingers. Naomi will be 47 later this year and she acts less than half her age. Amy Ryan is the same age and her character is the mother of another adult character in the movie. Yes this is Hollywood, but it's time to move on and embrace the mom roles now Naomi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_S%C3%A1nchez_(drummer)">Antonio Sanchez</a> provides a fantastic jazz drum score that was <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/11/birdman-score-antonio-sanchez">b</a>rilliant and not unlike another Oscar nominated movie, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Whiplash</a>. Unfortunately for him and the film, the <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/inside-story-why-birdmans-drum-760140">Academy deemed him ineligible</a> for the Original Score category, for which Birdman was nominated at the Golden Globes, due to the effect the classical music portion of the score had on the film. I think that is total hogwash and even after an appeal they just have to live with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was going to say at the top of this post that the one take look of this movie is very reminiscent of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0190859/?ref_=tt_ov_wr">Alphonso Cuaron</a>'s style. That is because Birdman cinematographer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0523881/">Emmanuel Lubezki</a> often works with Cuaron and is responsible for cinematically notable films <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/?ref_=nm_knf_i2">Children of Men</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454468/?ref_=ttmd_md_nm">Gravity</a>, for which he just recently won the Academy Award. I see gold in this man's very near future as he is nominated again for Birdman. Along those, lines the editing was very clever but from the sheer number of transitions, the quick cut to and from darkness became a little played out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved the story even if it was fairly obvious what the climax would be. Michael Keaton and the way it was shot were the big draws for me. I enjoyed myself the whole way through but ultimately I don't need to watch this movie ever again. For me, it has very little value in a repeat viewing. For those yet to see it, let this movie sink in a little before you move on from it forever. You won't regret it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Check out </span><a href="http://movieswithsteve.blogspot.ca/2015/02/the-grand-budapest-hotel-2014.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-decoration: none;">The Grand Budapest Hotel</a>, <a href="http://movieswithsteve.blogspot.ca/2015/02/american-sniper-2014.html">American Sniper</a>, and<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"> other Oscar nominees if you haven't already. You're running out of time!</span></span></div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-17810250363142669142015-02-19T10:59:00.004-05:002015-02-19T10:59:45.394-05:00American Sniper (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdcj9L2Pi0C-S23yJMoDQHv-rd6RmnBuqq6RqUlFalvZOXD6mSUWizw1RgYoTGxnyOdQpUrcZmDPFEia4zzKTrP_8l9Kp1sv9gtLkFyVfoowARpXI9Y9JuSrg8L2-IZys7xNNm8b4WEE/s1600/american_sniper_ver2_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdcj9L2Pi0C-S23yJMoDQHv-rd6RmnBuqq6RqUlFalvZOXD6mSUWizw1RgYoTGxnyOdQpUrcZmDPFEia4zzKTrP_8l9Kp1sv9gtLkFyVfoowARpXI9Y9JuSrg8L2-IZys7xNNm8b4WEE/s1600/american_sniper_ver2_xlg.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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I'm on movie two of five on my race to the Oscars. I have to pick up the pace if I want to make it in time. </div>
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/?ref_=tt_ov_dr">Clint Eastwood</a>'s <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2179136/"><b>American Sniper</b></a> has been criticized for being many things. Some say it is very <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jan/20/why-american-snipers-historical-dishonesty-misleads">black and white</a> in how it portrays <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Kyle">Kyle</a> and the SEALS as heroes and the Iraqi people as terrorists. Some say it is <a href="http://nypost.com/2015/02/17/iran-leader-says-american-sniper-encourages-violence-against-muslims/">anti-Muslim propaganda</a>. Some people do not like that they refer to the Iraqi people as "savages" constantly throughout the movie. </div>
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I completely agree. However, these points address the face of the movie. Eastwood's <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/clint-eastwood-american-snipers-biggest-766498">true message</a> is one of family and what war does to them. Unfortunately, his intentions aren't always clear and the face of the movie is a pretty glaring one. </div>
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I liken Clint's message to Chris' younger brother Jeff. Jeff pops up a few times in the movie at critical junctures. Jeff is with Chris when he makes the decision to enlist in the Navy. He is at Chris' wedding right before Chris gets shipped off to Iraq. He eventually gets shipped out as well. Jeff appears again, now down trodden and clearly defeated when Chris returns for Tour Two. The exchange between the two brothers is almost hard to watch. Like Clint's message, the brothers' relationship is quite subtle. You don't see them interact normally after the first five minutes. </div>
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Jeff is overshadowed, beaten down, and a character you mostly don't care about. That is what happened to Clint's message. Most of the film is very black and white but the family scenes are supposed to be right smack in the middle of the grey but they aren't long enough to get that feeling from them. </div>
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Here is the spoiler-free super lazy version of the plot:</div>
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Chris Kyle is 30 year old piss poor excuse for a cowboy. After the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_United_States_embassy_bombings">1998 embassy bombings</a> he enlists in the Navy and is trained to be a SEAL sniper. He marries the beautiful Taya (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1092227/?ref_=tt_ov_st">Sienna Miller</a>) and has two kids. Sadly, he is away from his kids most of the time because is busy shooting countless terrorists. His marriage and family life is a struggle because he can't leave the war behind even when he is home.</div>
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The brevity of my summary is no disrespect to the man, it is simply out of laziness. </div>
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0177896/?ref_=tt_ov_st">Bradley Cooper</a> has had a great three years bagging three consecutive Oscar nominations. He has had some stiff competition losing against <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000358/?ref_=nv_sr_5">Daniel Day Lewis</a>' <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/?ref_=nm_knf_i2">Lincoln</a> in 2012 and to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001467/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Jared Leto</a> in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790636/?ref_=nm_knf_i2">Dallas Buyer's Club</a> just one year ago. Unfortunately for Bradley, the third time is not the charm. I can't be so sure but even if <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1519666/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Eddie Redmayne</a> doesn't win, there are a few other obstacles on Bradley's road to meet Oscar.</div>
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Don't write off <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1092227/?ref_=tt_ov_st">Sienna Miller</a> because although she may not meet Bradley's performance, she isn't far off. I think I formed a negative opinion of her after she played such an awful person in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Stardust</a> but she really does a fantastic job at making me like her again. Her scene at the movies close, when she is staring through the crack in the door, seemed really heavy handed but that's not her fault. </div>
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Some of the special effects looked clumsy and cheap and it actually made me laugh. Some grenade explosions look like what Freddie Wong would use in his action scenes. There is nothing wrong with that when you're making an exaggerated action scene in a five minute YouTube video but when you spend $60 million on a film you really have to make sure those effects are on point. I didn't like the CGI and slow-motion around Kyle's bullet in the climax but watching it a second time it isn't so bad. </div>
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I do want to say that while I am very adept at turning my brain off and suspend any disbelief and just enjoy a movie, having almost Iraqi person in the film be a terrorist was not a great move. I thoroughly enjoyed it regardless but it was something I noticed it and that detracts from the experience. Despite my nit-picking and the real lack of family coverage in the film (which is the point, I guess) it was a very good movie. The acting from the two leads was great but I think I would have nominated <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000146/">Ralph Fiennes</a> over Cooper because I'm weird like that.</div>
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Check out <a href="http://movieswithsteve.blogspot.ca/2015/02/the-grand-budapest-hotel-2014.html">The Grand Budapest Hotel</a> and other Oscar nominees if you haven't already. You're running out of time!</div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-76621240034404388412015-02-17T16:10:00.000-05:002015-02-17T16:10:08.676-05:00The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v7cl8epMAnHHcMJ8ptANaAm0oH1zxPbDpQ5rOjPAlAsRGS0n8qgMJQlymbyM00rvF3BLaAqY5hk6xFzrz2Hvhp2Ljl2-Bi_ahG_zNh_cuJiW9LNTrOQHV4S3MLKCjJVkD2dHGGxmBbM/s1600/grand_budapest_hotel_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v7cl8epMAnHHcMJ8ptANaAm0oH1zxPbDpQ5rOjPAlAsRGS0n8qgMJQlymbyM00rvF3BLaAqY5hk6xFzrz2Hvhp2Ljl2-Bi_ahG_zNh_cuJiW9LNTrOQHV4S3MLKCjJVkD2dHGGxmBbM/s1600/grand_budapest_hotel_xlg.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
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Having seriously lagged behind and viewed only three of the eight nominees for <a href="http://oscar.go.com/nominees">Best Picture</a> this year, I have embarked on the quest to enrich my film palette before this Sunday's festivities. </div>
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Today's undertaking was a wonderful surprise in terms of entertainment value. Why I ever had anything else in mind is beyond me but more than a year after it's release I have finally watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2278388/"><b>The Grand Budapest Hotel</b></a>.<br />
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I admit I am not I am a simple novice when it comes to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0027572/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Wes Anderson</a> films, so most of this review will be misinformed and naive. </div>
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If you have read any of my posts in the past you know that my summaries of films are shoddy at best. This film is so quick and filled to the brim with plot points and brilliant characters in just under 100 minutes that I shouldn't even try. Unfortunately for you, I will try anyway. </div>
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In present day, a young girl comes to visit a cemetery in the fictional country of Zubrowska. She has come to pay respect to The Author, the man who wrote a novel about The Grand Budapest Hotel in 1985.<br />
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She starts reading and we see The Author starting to recount his tale. The Young Author, begins his acquaintance with the titular hotel in 1968. The hotel at this point is run down and nearly abandoned apart for only a few solitary guests and unmotivated workers. One day during his stay at the Grand Budapest, The Young Author asks about a strange man who arrived at the hotel. This man, Zero Mustafa, turns out to be the proprietor who invites The Young Author to listen to his story. <br />
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Zero's story starts in 1932 when he started work as the Lobby Boy under Monsieur Gustave H., the devoted concierge of the Grand Budapest.<br />
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Sadly, this is where I must leave you in terms of story. I gave you an overview of the first two of seven parts to the movie. Firstly, I don't feel it would be fair to rob you of the joy of watching the story unfold. Secondly, if I summarized the whole movie it would probably take another thousand words or so. Lastly, I just don't want to do it.<br />
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In terms of story and comedy, this is my favourite movie of 2014, but it also provides so much more than that. I loved the technical aspects of the film. I loved the camera work as it captured the intricacies and the crisp meshing of how each scene flows. Every last detail is so deliberate and that is why it was so entertaining for me. Also, the comedic effect of moderately used and perfectly timed profanity is seriously undervalued. I have an inkling this is true for all Wes Anderson movies but I cannot for the life of me remember in my clouded memory of way too many movies.<br />
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The duo of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000146/?ref_=tt_cl_t1">Ralph Fiennes</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1727825/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t17">Tony Revolori</a> (Monsieur Gustave and Zero respectively) really accent an already great story and visually beautiful film. I won't bother listing the cast because its length is unsightly. Instead, I will say most were well used but there were only a couple that I didn't think were quite on point in their given roles. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001570/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t10">Ed Norton</a> is a very capable actor and I enjoy many of his roles but he seemed to pull me out of my immersion into the story. I can't quite explain it but after his first scene I was hoping he wouldn't be a frequent player in the narrative. You might have guessed that I guessed wrong. The second actor that seemed a bit off to me (which is difficult to say since I have an almost unhealthy obsession with her) is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1519680/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t11">Saoirse Ronan</a>. She played Zero's love interest and it wasn't anything she did to stifle my enjoyment. It was her accent that threw me. I had not seen a single role in which she uses her natural Irish accent until this one. I have heard it many times in interviews, it is beautiful, but it seemed out of place amongst the other characters. Although her native Irish had me slightly perturbed, I hope you enjoyed her performance as the lovely Agatha.<br />
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Such a quick, clever, and well made movie in every facet it seemed longer than its sub two hour run time, in a good way. When the story came to a close it was bittersweet because it was a fantastic journey but I genuinely wished to see more. The movie runs fast and it is complex but not so much that you won't be able to follow along. It provides just the right amount of complexity to be comical from start to finish.<br />
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It really was a pleasure to watch it and I hope on my next watch the few odd issues I had with it will have ironed themselves out. I also hope it stands up on subsequent viewings because I plan on many to come. <br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Notes:</span></b><br />
- I probably should have (re)watched some of Wes Anderson's previous work but I didn't. If you have been equally neglectful you should check out a nice <a href="http://screenrant.com/wes-anderson-movie-guide/">Beginner's Guide to Wes Anderson movies</a>.<br />
- <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000172/">Harvey Keitel</a> is looking intimidating as always but at 75 he's looking a little saggy around the everywhere.<br />
- <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000353/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t5">Willem Dafoe</a> is the maniac we all know and love and I love it. I was hoping for his creepy wide grin though but stoic and menacing works well too. </div>
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<br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391547851066295146.post-12432696376133930502015-02-13T10:52:00.004-05:002015-02-13T10:52:54.773-05:00Dirty Dancing (1987)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh496mssSsYtilCDlgrf1p8iIWf14_YFCqcjpm5hBl73AjOnOz3rGuYmzYml40cLj1SEY3jsxCS9UiTwpK5_w6Mlr_gOb0DheJgWlNFmK0cUCMkb5JylkdVqWzj-mzwuPH98xBNgH6lEto/s1600/dirty_dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh496mssSsYtilCDlgrf1p8iIWf14_YFCqcjpm5hBl73AjOnOz3rGuYmzYml40cLj1SEY3jsxCS9UiTwpK5_w6Mlr_gOb0DheJgWlNFmK0cUCMkb5JylkdVqWzj-mzwuPH98xBNgH6lEto/s1600/dirty_dancing.jpg" height="640" width="410" /></a></div>
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It has taken some time to fill in the gaps of my movie knowledge but I'm slowly getting around to some important ones. A couple years ago, I caught up on great dance/musical movies <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087277/">Footloose</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077631/">Grease</a>, and finally....FINALLY, I've gotten around to watching <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt"><b>Dirty Dancing</b></a>.</div>
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There are so many references to Dirty Dancing in both cinematic history and daily life that I felt I had already seen it. I thought it would be kind of fun but ultimately disappointing. I'm always glad to be proven wrong. It is great entertainment and I loved watching a clever montage of little Frances Houseman transform from a sweet, shy, innocent girl to the gyrating dancing queen she knows she is.</div>
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If you don't know the plot yet, Frances "Baby" Houseman (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000426/?ref_=tt_ov_st">Jennifer Grey</a>) and her family go to the Kellerman's resort in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catskill_Mountains">Catskills</a>. With aspirations of saving the world and her genuine apathy for being there, she gets bored very quickly. That's when she sees Johnny Castle (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000664/?ref_=tt_ov_st">Patrick Swayze</a>), the hunky male dance instructor. When Johnny's dancer friend Penny gets into some real trouble, Baby has to step in and fill her dancing shoes. Cue the montage!<br />
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Obviously Baby and Johnny fall in love but that seriously complicates things. In the eyes of everyone but them, they aren't supposed to be together.<br />
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Skipping over some plot points to the end; it is the night of the big talent show and the big dance number that Johnny always performs. We hear Swayze utter those famous words,<br />
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<b><i>"Nobody puts Baby in a corner"</i> </b></div>
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That line had so much power before I saw the movie. Patrick Swayze returns and sees Jennifer Grey sitting in a corner watching the talent show with her parents and spouts off the line nonchalantly. I know the line is a metaphor and has another meaning but it still is a ridiculous line. Thankfully, the movie itself is very theatrical so it is the whip cream on top of the fantastical sundae that is this movie. The cherry is the closing number with Baby and Johnny, complete with the Swayze stage jumps, and the now iconic Dirty Dancing lift. </div>
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The movie only starts rolling when she meets the guy, so it fulfills all the requirements for a teen romance flick. Even though Grey was in her mid-20s she passes effortlessly as a teenager. With Swayze his mid-30s...well I'm not sure Johnny's age but I'm sure it's not that old. The wonders of movie magic!<br />
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I really enjoyed the Penny story because it provided the catalyst for a lot of plot points. It is pretty much the only driving story of the movie. Without it, everything else would have been stagnant. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0722407/?ref_=tt_cl_t4">Cynthia Rhodes</a> who played Penny was not particularly memorable but did a serviceable job. She retired from acting in 1991 to stay at home and raise her kids. <br />
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Jennifer Grey was so beautiful before the rhinoplasty and whatever else she might have gotten done. I'm not condemning those who get plastic surgery, but I really did think she was beautiful when I saw her as Ferris' sister. </div>
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Grey came into the role after her time in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Ferris Bueller</a> and she brought her loveable brand of snarkiness with her. Swayze has some great moves, and to paraphrase the immortal words of Shakira, "You know his hips don't lie". The pair seemed to have great chemistry especially during the montage scenes when they (mostly Baby) bursts into laughter.<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001583/?ref_=tt_ov_st">Jerry Orbach</a> plays Baby's father and he really captures that quintessential protective father who has a change of heart by the end. Although he is strict and sometimes unfair, I never see him as a villain, which is a testament to the actor more than the character. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0115663/">Jane Brucker</a> is a riot as Baby's sister Lisa. She is petty, stupid, and her practicing for the talent show is one of my favourite scenes because I could not stop laughing.<br />
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My biggest gripe with this movie is the terrible misuse of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084105/?ref_=tt_cl_t7">Kelly Bishop</a>. Granted I've only seen her in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238784/?ref_=nm_knf_i1">Gilmore Girls</a> as the brilliant Emily Gilmore (arguably the most entertaining character on the show) but as Baby's mother, she was absent from the plot entirely. She has some lines of dialogue but they are quickly forgotten. The woman had been on Broadway almost 20 years at the time this movie came out. She won a Tony. She is the triple threat of entertainment. She can sing, she can dance, she can act, yet they toss her in the back like an extra, but I digress.<br />
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I keep going back and forth about how I rank <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt"><b>Dirty Dancing</b></a> among dance movies. I think I liked it a little more than both <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087277/">Footloose</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077631/">Grease</a>, although <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0174883/?ref_=tt_cl_t8">Didi Conn</a> with that pink hair as Frenchy, <a href="http://img.pandawhale.com/51394-George-Takei-oh-my-gif-fXlS.gif">oh my</a>!<br />
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This Valentine's Day, instead of going out to a fancy dinner. Watch two naive lovebirds fall in love through dance. Then dance to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%28I%27ve_Had%29_The_Time_of_My_Life">The Time of My Life</a> but don't try the lift. For all the love of all things holy, don't try the lift.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Notes:</span></b><br />
- I suck at summarizing movies so just IMDb or Wiki it.</div>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14173642919771477717noreply@blogger.com0